Exclusive: Talk about a torn-from-the-headlines feature film. This might be the Chinese version of The Social Network. Just days ago, Jack Ma launched an Ipo for Alibaba on the New York Stock Exchange and finished the day with his company valued at $231 billion — more than Amazon and eBay combined — and making him the richest man in China and among the richest in the world with $26.5 billion. There’s already a fully scripted feature film on his life that is ready to be shopped, and the people behind it are formidable.
Apa soon will be shopping a script that Bruce Feirstein wrote, with Janet Yang producing. Yang, who worked for Oliver Stone and partnered with Lisa Henson, has been producing films in China including Shanghai Calling. There, she met Feirstein as he was rewriting and producing domestic audience films in China including Hong He (Red River) and writing about business subjects for Vanity Fair.
Apa soon will be shopping a script that Bruce Feirstein wrote, with Janet Yang producing. Yang, who worked for Oliver Stone and partnered with Lisa Henson, has been producing films in China including Shanghai Calling. There, she met Feirstein as he was rewriting and producing domestic audience films in China including Hong He (Red River) and writing about business subjects for Vanity Fair.
- 9/24/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
In Lionsgate’s Legendary, a deadly mythical creature is on the loose and leaving a blood trail. One man wants to kill it and another wants to study it. Dolph Lundgren plays the former in this creature feature now available on DVD and VOD platforms, and we have an exclusive clip in which the enduring actor explains the “old-school hunter” personality of his character Jim Harker.
“Prepare for an epic battle between man and beast when action stars Scott Adkins and Dolph Lundgren collide in Legendary, arriving on DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Digital HD, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View July 29. Directed by Eric Styles (Miss Conception, True True Lie), the action-thriller follows the battle between two rivals to capture a mythical creature that shouldn’t exist. The Legendary DVD includes a “making of” featurette and will be available for the suggested retail price of $26.98.
Travis Preston assembles his team for...
“Prepare for an epic battle between man and beast when action stars Scott Adkins and Dolph Lundgren collide in Legendary, arriving on DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Digital HD, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View July 29. Directed by Eric Styles (Miss Conception, True True Lie), the action-thriller follows the battle between two rivals to capture a mythical creature that shouldn’t exist. The Legendary DVD includes a “making of” featurette and will be available for the suggested retail price of $26.98.
Travis Preston assembles his team for...
- 7/29/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
"Trust Me," a comedy that premiered earlier last year at the Tribeca Film Festival, has just been acquired by Starz Digital Media, the digital distribution subdivision of Starz. Director Clark Gregg, of "The Avengers" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" fame, also stars in the film about a Hollywood agent who finally has a chance at notoriety after discovering a 13-year old child prodigy. The Playlist was able to catch the film in Tribeca. You can read their review of the film here. Read More: 2008 Sundance Film Festival interview with Clark Gregg for debut film "Choke" Starz Digital Media's releases include "Free Samples" starring Jess Weixler, Jason Ritter and Jesse Eisenberg and "Shanghai Calling" with Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe and Bill Paxton and another Tribeca gem, the upcoming documentary about rock band The National called "Mistaken For Strangers." "Trust Me" stars Sam Rockwell, Amanda Peet, Allison Janney,...
- 1/15/2014
- by Eric Eidelstein
- Indiewire
Disney has announced that Jon Hamm's new film, Million Dollar Arm, has started shooting. The movie is being directed by Craig Gillespie (Fright Night), and also stars Bill Paxton, Lake Bell, and Alan Arkin. Here's what the film is about:
Based on a true story, Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” follows Jb Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who now finds himself edged out by bigger, slicker competitors. He and his partner Aash (Aasif Mandvi) will have to close their business down for good if Jb doesn’t come up with something fast. Late one night, while watching cricket being played in India on TV, Jb comes up with an idea so radical it just might work. Why not go to there and find the next baseball pitching sensation? Setting off for Mumbai with nothing but a gifted but cantankerous scout (Alan Arkin) in tow, Jb stages a televised, nationwide...
Based on a true story, Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” follows Jb Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who now finds himself edged out by bigger, slicker competitors. He and his partner Aash (Aasif Mandvi) will have to close their business down for good if Jb doesn’t come up with something fast. Late one night, while watching cricket being played in India on TV, Jb comes up with an idea so radical it just might work. Why not go to there and find the next baseball pitching sensation? Setting off for Mumbai with nothing but a gifted but cantankerous scout (Alan Arkin) in tow, Jb stages a televised, nationwide...
- 5/31/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Principal photography has begun on Walt Disney Pictures’ Million Dollar Arm, starring Jon Hamm. Directed by Craig Gillespie (“Lars and the Real Girl,” “Fright Night”), the film is produced by Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray, through their Mayhem Pictures, and Joe Roth, under his Roth Films banner, with Palak Patel and Kevin Halloran serving as executive producers. Tom McCarthy (“Win Win,” “The Visitor”) wrote the screenplay.
The film also stars Bill Paxton (“Haywire,” “Hatfields & McCoys”), Lake Bell (“What Happens in Vegas,” “It’s Complicated”), Suraj Sharma (“Life of Pi”), Aasif Mandvi (“The Daily Show,” “Margin Call”), Madhur Mittal (“Slumdog Millionaire”), Pitobash (“Three Idiots,” “Shanghai”) and Academy Award®–winner Alan Arkin. A.R. Rahman (“127 Hours,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) is scoring the film. Million Dollar Arm will shoot on locations in India, Georgia and Los Angeles.
Based on a true story, Disney’s Million Dollar Arm follows Jb Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who...
The film also stars Bill Paxton (“Haywire,” “Hatfields & McCoys”), Lake Bell (“What Happens in Vegas,” “It’s Complicated”), Suraj Sharma (“Life of Pi”), Aasif Mandvi (“The Daily Show,” “Margin Call”), Madhur Mittal (“Slumdog Millionaire”), Pitobash (“Three Idiots,” “Shanghai”) and Academy Award®–winner Alan Arkin. A.R. Rahman (“127 Hours,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) is scoring the film. Million Dollar Arm will shoot on locations in India, Georgia and Los Angeles.
Based on a true story, Disney’s Million Dollar Arm follows Jb Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who...
- 5/30/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Title: Shanghai Calling Director: Daniel Hsia Starring: Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe, Geng Le, Zhu Zhu, Alan Ruck, Bill Paxton A vibrant, fun, cross-cultural romantic comedy with echoes of “Jerry Maguire,” writer-director Daniel Hsia’s “Shanghai Calling” tells the story of a multimillion-dollar business deal gone sideways, and a man scrambling to make things right while also incrementally, almost subconsciously, experiencing an attitudinal shift in priorities. Offbeat scenarios, a fresh backdrop and warm performances enliven this surprising, Chinese-shot treat, which makes great use of its cast without ever sacrificing the integrity of its characters. Sam Chou (Daniel Henney) is a white-collar corporate lawyer who’s completely comfortable with his cutthroat mentality. Tasked by [ Read More ]
The post Shanghai Calling Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Shanghai Calling Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 2/17/2013
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
He's an ambitious Chinese-American lawyer who finds himself a fish out of water when sent to China to close a big deal. She's a blond single mom, an American expat comfortable in her Shanghai surroundings. When Sam (Daniel Henney) and Amanda (Eliza Coupe) meet, love is preordained, though it takes lots of cluttered melodrama and jumbled cultural commentary before their happy ending can become a reality in Shanghai Calling, writer/director Daniel Hsia's story about Sam's attempts to salvage his career after trouble arises with a contract regarding new cell-phone technology. Between animated graphics, split screens, and framing narration, Hsia makes his material gratingly cutesy, and his attempts to confront issues regarding China's transformation into a global powerhouse—an...
- 2/13/2013
- Village Voice
Life imitates art for actress Eliza Coupe in her upcoming indie "Shanghai Calling." The story focuses on a group of Americans who reboot their lives by starting over in China; Coupe has enjoyed her two consecutive roles playing biting blondes on TV — on "Scrubs" and now "Happy Endings" — but relocating to an exotic locale for the part of a sweet single mom gave the actress a powerful understanding of the expat appeal.
The pull of Shanghai notwithstanding, Coupe did return to the States, where we got the scoop on faking conversational Chinese, the dangers of playing too many a**holes, and more.
You didn't speak Chinese at all before filming "Shanghai Calling," right? But you speak quite a bit of it in the movie — and very convincingly! Did you actually learn any Chinese for the role, or did you memorize it phonetically? It's impressive, either way.
I think if I remember correctly,...
The pull of Shanghai notwithstanding, Coupe did return to the States, where we got the scoop on faking conversational Chinese, the dangers of playing too many a**holes, and more.
You didn't speak Chinese at all before filming "Shanghai Calling," right? But you speak quite a bit of it in the movie — and very convincingly! Did you actually learn any Chinese for the role, or did you memorize it phonetically? It's impressive, either way.
I think if I remember correctly,...
- 2/12/2013
- by Brooke Tarnoff
- NextMovie
“Shanghai Calling”, from writer/director Daniel Hsia is a play it by the books “classic fish out of water” romantic comedy. It stars Daniel Henney, who we last saw in “X-men Origins: Wolverine” as Sam Chao, an ambitious Manhattan attorney sent to Shanghai to start a new branch office for his big powerful law firm. Things fall apart quickly though, as he quickly digs himself a hole by refusing to adapt to the customs of his new location. The film is filled with an excellent international cast: Eliza Coupe, Alan Ruck and Bill Paxton lead the ex-pat Americans in Shanghai. Zhu Zhu (“What Women Want”) and Geng Le (“Desires of the Heart”) round out the Chinese characters. The social and cultural faux pas are so stereotypical that to be honest, this movie could have been “insert foreign country here” Calling. Sam tries to give directions to a taxi driver, while...
- 2/4/2013
- by Khaavren
- Beyond Hollywood
It seems I've been bringing up Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty quite frequently as of late and am now given the chance yet again as the MPAA has given it an R-rating for strong violence including brutal disturbing images, and for language. So it would seem there will be no skirting around the edges with this one. Additionally we have new ratings for Dustin Hoffman's Quartet and Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, the latter of which has earned a well-deserved R-rating and if you missed my review of the film from Toronto you can read that here. You can click on any of the titles mentioned above for more information, otherwise, here are the latest MPAA ratings from Bulletin #2250. American Idiots Rated R For crude and sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use. Derby Dogs Rated PG For brief language. Inhuman Resources Rated R For bloody violence,...
- 11/21/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
I participated in a Dreamago panel moderated by WGA-West VP and USC film writing prof and an artistic director at the Sundance Institute Wrting Labs, Howard Rodman.
Other panelists included Vince Fischer who, having been educated and working in Paris, Montreal, New York in business and advertising, event production, and creating the endorsement agency GlamCom which initiates deals between celebrities and products, such as he did with George Clooney and Nespresso, has gone on to create Artistic Alliance Eci which represents screenwriters, directors and actors with offices in Beijing, L.a. and Paris, to match people and projects abroad. Daniel Hsia, the writer/ director of Shanghai Calling, (Isa: Aldamisa) a U.S. - China co-production distributed in China by China Film Group and in So. Korea by Sookie and due to be released in Norht America in 2013 works with Janet Yang and is eager to do more co-productions in China though he admits to difficulties with censors, etc. You can see the trailer of Shanghai Calling here.
Neil Landau who wrote Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, the 3D animated feature Tad: The Lost Explores from Paramount which is the highest grossing animated film in Spain's history and the #1 Spanish box ofice movie of the year, is now working on its sequel and another animated feature by the same director. His latest screenplay is being produced by Cary Brokaw for Avenue Pictures (The Player, Closer, Angels in America). He is curretnly developing an original miniseries for HBO for the Russian Market and a crime drama for Sreda in Moscow.
Paula Manzanedo-Schmitt is VP of Film Finances Inc. the world leader in completion guarantees. She has been involved in more than 1,000 films and TV programs internationally and in U.S. She spoke of the various cross-cultural requisites in film production abroad.
The discussion centered around whether filmmakers could make a film without the notorioius interference of studios (they should all be so lucky as to have this problem). In other words, the panelists discussed their experiences making films with Russians and Chinese. All agreed that working abroad, and especially with international sales agents who also produce allows for greater freedom of vision (although in China the reward is writng so that China censorship does not interfere because one has written to their specifications). All agreed also that there is a certain cross-cultural divide one must discover in order to work effectively.
My suggestions for finding a way to create without corporate interferences are listed below:
** Coproduce with Canada who has the most coproduction treaties in the world, or go directly to producers or sales agents who do not rely on treaties.
** Work with international sales agents who produce international coproductions which include U.S., or with the producers of those films who now have established track records.
Take a look at Level K, Tine Klint's relatively new Danish company which is preselling films from U.K., Canada and Australia:
Not Another Happy Ending by Brit John McKay 33 Liberty Lane by Canadian Peter Hewitt The Turning by Australian Cate Blanchett and Robert Connelly starring Emily Watson The Last Ocean by New Zealander Peter Young
French sales agent Films Distribution is selling
Marina Zenovich's doc Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out which Showtime acquired for U.S. TV. Citadel from Ireland has sold to Cinedigm/ New Video for U.S. and Mongrel for Canada. 30 Beats from the U.S. sold to Roadside Attractions for U.S. and Codex Media And Advertising Corporation for Turkey.
Other French companies are doing likewise.
Studio Canal is selling
Liz Garbus' Love, Marilyn - though this was picked up complete at Tiff 12. Don Mazer's I Give It A Year from the U.K. and produced by Tim Bevan. It began presales in Cannes.
Celluloid Dreams is selling
Greetings From Tim Buckley--U.S.-Tiff 12 Special Presentations World Premiere - Director: Daniel Algrant The Comedian a U.K. comedy by Tom Shkolnik Francis Ha - U.S. - Tiff 12. by Noah Baumbach Satellite Boy - Australia The Conspiracy - U.K.
Snd is preselling The Love Punch an English language French comedy
Wild Bunch is selling
Blood Ties written by James Gray, directed by Guillaume Canet, Cast : Billy Crudup, Clive Owen, Marion Cottillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Producers: Alain Attal (Les Productions du Tresor), Hugo Selignac, John Lesher.
This very American sotry takes place in New York, 1974. Chris Pierzynski has just been released after years in prison for his part in a gangland murder. Waiting reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, and their father, who raised them alone, has always favored Chris - despite all his troubles. Frank has known this since they were kids, and it eats at him like nothing else.
It has presold to Belgium-Lumière, Scandinvia -Scanbox Entertainment, Netherlands-Lumiere, Romania-Independenta Film, Switzerland-Frenetic Films, Turkey-Codex Media, Ukraine Top Film Distribution
Maniac by Franck Khalfoun U.S. English Horror, Writers : Alexandre Aja, Gregory Levasseur, Cast : Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, America Olivo, Producers : Thomas Langmann (La Petite Reine), Alexandre Aja. It has presold to Germany -Ascot Elite, Japan - Comstock Only God Forbids by Nicolas Winding Refn from Denmark, in English has been selliing since Berlin 2012 and has sold to Bulgaria-A Plus Films Ltd., Germany-Tiberius Film Gmbh & Co. Kg, Hungary-Budapest Film (Distributor), Hungary-Mtva, Italy-Italian International Film, Korea (South)-Daisy & Cinergy Entertainment, Poland-Gutek Film Ltd, Romania-Independenta Film, Turkey-Calinos Films
Global Screen (Germany) has many English language films, some originating from U.S. and English speaking countries and others from non-English speaking countries.
• No Place on Earth (The Cave) by Emmy Award winning director Janet Tobias a U.S., U.K., German co-production. the doc tells the longest recorded underground survival story in human history, when 5 Jewish families descended into a pitch black cave to escape the Nazis for 511 days.
Hungaricom Ltd (Hungary) has the English language animated comedy feature The Secret of Moonacre and Immigrants - L.A. Dolce Vita both produced by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, and Gabor Kalomista, a Los Angeles based company with Hungarian born principals. The synopsis of Immigrants is worth repeating: More people immigrate to America than to all other countries in the whole world combined. Why? Is it because they love hot dogs and hamburgers? Or because they want to meet Snoop Dogg or have a close encounter with Pamela Anderson? Maybe. But the real reason is – immigrants go to the U.S. to chase the American dream. Immigrants is the story of Vladislav (a Russian), and Joska (a Hungarian). Both are immigrants and best friends, living and chasing the American dream together. Vlad has a daughter, Ana, who’s adapting to life in America at the speed of light, while her dad is in complete culture shock. They stay at the Vista del Mar, an apartment complex run by an old failed actress, Greta Knight, who is always after Vlad for sexual favors. The building is home to immigrants from all over the world: Flaco, a friend from Mexico; Mr. Chea, who runs a Chinese family restaurant; Nazim, a former Pakistani nuclear scientist who drives a tour bus; and Mr. Splits, an old black pimp. We follow Vlad and Joska in their adventures… through their encounter with the American capitalist company Glut-co, through their attempt to open a Russian/Hungarian restaurant, and as their friendship is put in jeopardy when they hit the L.A. night scene. All the while Vlad is looking for a way to make a life for himself and his daughter; and Joska… well, Joska is mainly looking for women.
If Niel Landau's adventures in Russia appeal to you, but you don't have the connections there, visit Rosskino and the L.A. based Eleonora Granata Russian Film Commissioner or produce in Russia through international sales agents which were founded by Russian-Americans who know both cultures such as Aldamisa (where longtime Disney acquisitons VP Jere Hausfater is now looking for projects), 108 Media who has Myn Bala the Kazahkistan submission for Best Foreign Language Academy Award nomination is Canadian owned, or Red Sea, all of whom are Russian – American and/ or Canadian owned.
Singapore is looking for Looking for copros and Icon has stepped up to the plate with James Wan Presents House of Horrors, an English language U.S. horror film now in pre-productions. In the aftermath of a horrific massacre, lead Detective, Mark Lewis, and the police department’s psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Klein, question a suspect for the brutal murder of five college students. This has been preselling at Cannes 2012 (Line up), Afm 2011, Cannes 2011 and Berlin Efm 2012. Directed by Javier Guttierrez, written by James Wan and Max La Bella it will be distributed in Singapore by Cathay.
British companies are also packaging and preselling U.S. films:
Content is selling American indies 96 Minutes, Hick, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of God by Alex Gibney
Stealth Indie (Michael Cowan) is selling two U.S. indies, Crave and The Giant Mechanical Man
Bankside has a deal with New York based Killer Films for Innocence, now in post. This thriller is a modern-gothic vampire story where a recently bereaved teenage girl finds herself the focus of everyone’s attention at her elitist private school where life is steeped in tradition and ceremony.It has been preselling this at Afm 2011 and 2012, Toronto and Cannes 2011 and it has presold to Le Pacte for France, Videovision for So. Africa, Umut Sanat Filmcilik for Turkey, Shooting Stars for UAE.
Ealing Metro is preselling
Nina directed and written by Cynthia Mort, a U.S. production, a biopic about Nina Simone, a tormented genius who eventually finds love and peace. Produced by Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr, Mark Burton and Ben Latham Jones, it has presold since Toronto 2011 to Orlando for Israel, Entertainment One for Benelux, Cinesky has U.S. Better Living Through Chemistry directed and written by David Posamentier, a U.S. comedy now in post-production.A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a dangerously seductive customer who takes him on a joyride with explosive consequenses involving sex, drugs and possibly murder. Starring Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan and Ray Liotta, produced by Felipe Marino, Joe Neurater and Keith Calder, it has presold to Metro Pictures of India. Bailout is being presold. One morning Matt Prior wakes up to find himself jobless, crippled with debt, convinced his wife is having an affair and six days away from losing his home. Bailout is a hysterical, heartfelt tale of how we can reach the edge of ruin and begin to make our way back.
Salt is preselling Welcome to the Jungle, a U.S. comedy directed by Rob Meltzer, written by Jeff Kauffman, produced by Justin Kanew and Luillo Ruiz and starring Adam Brody, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone and Rob Huebel. A group of co-workers including Chris (Adam Brody) get stranded on a desert island when their nutty teambuilding coach (Jean Claude Van Damme) is mauled by a wild cougar. in the spirit of "lost in the wilderness" comedies such as Tropic Thunder and workplace comedies like The Office, Welcome to the Jungle is a rare beast in today's market: a comedy that delivers on the laughs - both the high and the lowbrow. It has already presold to Front Row for the Middle East.
Westend is preselling Joe which will start shooting this month be delivered in 2013. It is to be directed by David Gordon Green, produced by lisa Muskat and stars Nicholas Cage. Joe is the story of a man who becomes the unlikeliest of role models to 15-year-old Gary Jones, the oldest child of a family ruled by a worthless father. Together they try to find a path to redemption and the hope for a better life in the rugged, dirty world of a small Southern town. Joe is the story of the last hold-out of the cowboy age, when it was okay to shoot up a bar room or tell a lady what to do.
Other panelists included Vince Fischer who, having been educated and working in Paris, Montreal, New York in business and advertising, event production, and creating the endorsement agency GlamCom which initiates deals between celebrities and products, such as he did with George Clooney and Nespresso, has gone on to create Artistic Alliance Eci which represents screenwriters, directors and actors with offices in Beijing, L.a. and Paris, to match people and projects abroad. Daniel Hsia, the writer/ director of Shanghai Calling, (Isa: Aldamisa) a U.S. - China co-production distributed in China by China Film Group and in So. Korea by Sookie and due to be released in Norht America in 2013 works with Janet Yang and is eager to do more co-productions in China though he admits to difficulties with censors, etc. You can see the trailer of Shanghai Calling here.
Neil Landau who wrote Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, the 3D animated feature Tad: The Lost Explores from Paramount which is the highest grossing animated film in Spain's history and the #1 Spanish box ofice movie of the year, is now working on its sequel and another animated feature by the same director. His latest screenplay is being produced by Cary Brokaw for Avenue Pictures (The Player, Closer, Angels in America). He is curretnly developing an original miniseries for HBO for the Russian Market and a crime drama for Sreda in Moscow.
Paula Manzanedo-Schmitt is VP of Film Finances Inc. the world leader in completion guarantees. She has been involved in more than 1,000 films and TV programs internationally and in U.S. She spoke of the various cross-cultural requisites in film production abroad.
The discussion centered around whether filmmakers could make a film without the notorioius interference of studios (they should all be so lucky as to have this problem). In other words, the panelists discussed their experiences making films with Russians and Chinese. All agreed that working abroad, and especially with international sales agents who also produce allows for greater freedom of vision (although in China the reward is writng so that China censorship does not interfere because one has written to their specifications). All agreed also that there is a certain cross-cultural divide one must discover in order to work effectively.
My suggestions for finding a way to create without corporate interferences are listed below:
** Coproduce with Canada who has the most coproduction treaties in the world, or go directly to producers or sales agents who do not rely on treaties.
** Work with international sales agents who produce international coproductions which include U.S., or with the producers of those films who now have established track records.
Take a look at Level K, Tine Klint's relatively new Danish company which is preselling films from U.K., Canada and Australia:
Not Another Happy Ending by Brit John McKay 33 Liberty Lane by Canadian Peter Hewitt The Turning by Australian Cate Blanchett and Robert Connelly starring Emily Watson The Last Ocean by New Zealander Peter Young
French sales agent Films Distribution is selling
Marina Zenovich's doc Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out which Showtime acquired for U.S. TV. Citadel from Ireland has sold to Cinedigm/ New Video for U.S. and Mongrel for Canada. 30 Beats from the U.S. sold to Roadside Attractions for U.S. and Codex Media And Advertising Corporation for Turkey.
Other French companies are doing likewise.
Studio Canal is selling
Liz Garbus' Love, Marilyn - though this was picked up complete at Tiff 12. Don Mazer's I Give It A Year from the U.K. and produced by Tim Bevan. It began presales in Cannes.
Celluloid Dreams is selling
Greetings From Tim Buckley--U.S.-Tiff 12 Special Presentations World Premiere - Director: Daniel Algrant The Comedian a U.K. comedy by Tom Shkolnik Francis Ha - U.S. - Tiff 12. by Noah Baumbach Satellite Boy - Australia The Conspiracy - U.K.
Snd is preselling The Love Punch an English language French comedy
Wild Bunch is selling
Blood Ties written by James Gray, directed by Guillaume Canet, Cast : Billy Crudup, Clive Owen, Marion Cottillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Producers: Alain Attal (Les Productions du Tresor), Hugo Selignac, John Lesher.
This very American sotry takes place in New York, 1974. Chris Pierzynski has just been released after years in prison for his part in a gangland murder. Waiting reluctantly outside the prison gates is his younger brother, Frank, a cop with a bright future. Chris and Frank have always been different, and their father, who raised them alone, has always favored Chris - despite all his troubles. Frank has known this since they were kids, and it eats at him like nothing else.
It has presold to Belgium-Lumière, Scandinvia -Scanbox Entertainment, Netherlands-Lumiere, Romania-Independenta Film, Switzerland-Frenetic Films, Turkey-Codex Media, Ukraine Top Film Distribution
Maniac by Franck Khalfoun U.S. English Horror, Writers : Alexandre Aja, Gregory Levasseur, Cast : Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder, America Olivo, Producers : Thomas Langmann (La Petite Reine), Alexandre Aja. It has presold to Germany -Ascot Elite, Japan - Comstock Only God Forbids by Nicolas Winding Refn from Denmark, in English has been selliing since Berlin 2012 and has sold to Bulgaria-A Plus Films Ltd., Germany-Tiberius Film Gmbh & Co. Kg, Hungary-Budapest Film (Distributor), Hungary-Mtva, Italy-Italian International Film, Korea (South)-Daisy & Cinergy Entertainment, Poland-Gutek Film Ltd, Romania-Independenta Film, Turkey-Calinos Films
Global Screen (Germany) has many English language films, some originating from U.S. and English speaking countries and others from non-English speaking countries.
• No Place on Earth (The Cave) by Emmy Award winning director Janet Tobias a U.S., U.K., German co-production. the doc tells the longest recorded underground survival story in human history, when 5 Jewish families descended into a pitch black cave to escape the Nazis for 511 days.
Hungaricom Ltd (Hungary) has the English language animated comedy feature The Secret of Moonacre and Immigrants - L.A. Dolce Vita both produced by Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, and Gabor Kalomista, a Los Angeles based company with Hungarian born principals. The synopsis of Immigrants is worth repeating: More people immigrate to America than to all other countries in the whole world combined. Why? Is it because they love hot dogs and hamburgers? Or because they want to meet Snoop Dogg or have a close encounter with Pamela Anderson? Maybe. But the real reason is – immigrants go to the U.S. to chase the American dream. Immigrants is the story of Vladislav (a Russian), and Joska (a Hungarian). Both are immigrants and best friends, living and chasing the American dream together. Vlad has a daughter, Ana, who’s adapting to life in America at the speed of light, while her dad is in complete culture shock. They stay at the Vista del Mar, an apartment complex run by an old failed actress, Greta Knight, who is always after Vlad for sexual favors. The building is home to immigrants from all over the world: Flaco, a friend from Mexico; Mr. Chea, who runs a Chinese family restaurant; Nazim, a former Pakistani nuclear scientist who drives a tour bus; and Mr. Splits, an old black pimp. We follow Vlad and Joska in their adventures… through their encounter with the American capitalist company Glut-co, through their attempt to open a Russian/Hungarian restaurant, and as their friendship is put in jeopardy when they hit the L.A. night scene. All the while Vlad is looking for a way to make a life for himself and his daughter; and Joska… well, Joska is mainly looking for women.
If Niel Landau's adventures in Russia appeal to you, but you don't have the connections there, visit Rosskino and the L.A. based Eleonora Granata Russian Film Commissioner or produce in Russia through international sales agents which were founded by Russian-Americans who know both cultures such as Aldamisa (where longtime Disney acquisitons VP Jere Hausfater is now looking for projects), 108 Media who has Myn Bala the Kazahkistan submission for Best Foreign Language Academy Award nomination is Canadian owned, or Red Sea, all of whom are Russian – American and/ or Canadian owned.
Singapore is looking for Looking for copros and Icon has stepped up to the plate with James Wan Presents House of Horrors, an English language U.S. horror film now in pre-productions. In the aftermath of a horrific massacre, lead Detective, Mark Lewis, and the police department’s psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Klein, question a suspect for the brutal murder of five college students. This has been preselling at Cannes 2012 (Line up), Afm 2011, Cannes 2011 and Berlin Efm 2012. Directed by Javier Guttierrez, written by James Wan and Max La Bella it will be distributed in Singapore by Cathay.
British companies are also packaging and preselling U.S. films:
Content is selling American indies 96 Minutes, Hick, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of God by Alex Gibney
Stealth Indie (Michael Cowan) is selling two U.S. indies, Crave and The Giant Mechanical Man
Bankside has a deal with New York based Killer Films for Innocence, now in post. This thriller is a modern-gothic vampire story where a recently bereaved teenage girl finds herself the focus of everyone’s attention at her elitist private school where life is steeped in tradition and ceremony.It has been preselling this at Afm 2011 and 2012, Toronto and Cannes 2011 and it has presold to Le Pacte for France, Videovision for So. Africa, Umut Sanat Filmcilik for Turkey, Shooting Stars for UAE.
Ealing Metro is preselling
Nina directed and written by Cynthia Mort, a U.S. production, a biopic about Nina Simone, a tormented genius who eventually finds love and peace. Produced by Barnaby Thompson, Stuart Parr, Mark Burton and Ben Latham Jones, it has presold since Toronto 2011 to Orlando for Israel, Entertainment One for Benelux, Cinesky has U.S. Better Living Through Chemistry directed and written by David Posamentier, a U.S. comedy now in post-production.A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a dangerously seductive customer who takes him on a joyride with explosive consequenses involving sex, drugs and possibly murder. Starring Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan and Ray Liotta, produced by Felipe Marino, Joe Neurater and Keith Calder, it has presold to Metro Pictures of India. Bailout is being presold. One morning Matt Prior wakes up to find himself jobless, crippled with debt, convinced his wife is having an affair and six days away from losing his home. Bailout is a hysterical, heartfelt tale of how we can reach the edge of ruin and begin to make our way back.
Salt is preselling Welcome to the Jungle, a U.S. comedy directed by Rob Meltzer, written by Jeff Kauffman, produced by Justin Kanew and Luillo Ruiz and starring Adam Brody, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kristen Schaal, Megan Boone and Rob Huebel. A group of co-workers including Chris (Adam Brody) get stranded on a desert island when their nutty teambuilding coach (Jean Claude Van Damme) is mauled by a wild cougar. in the spirit of "lost in the wilderness" comedies such as Tropic Thunder and workplace comedies like The Office, Welcome to the Jungle is a rare beast in today's market: a comedy that delivers on the laughs - both the high and the lowbrow. It has already presold to Front Row for the Middle East.
Westend is preselling Joe which will start shooting this month be delivered in 2013. It is to be directed by David Gordon Green, produced by lisa Muskat and stars Nicholas Cage. Joe is the story of a man who becomes the unlikeliest of role models to 15-year-old Gary Jones, the oldest child of a family ruled by a worthless father. Together they try to find a path to redemption and the hope for a better life in the rugged, dirty world of a small Southern town. Joe is the story of the last hold-out of the cowboy age, when it was okay to shoot up a bar room or tell a lady what to do.
- 11/5/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Titanic 3D Gary Ross / Jennifer Lawrence / Liam Hemsworth / Josh Hutcherson's The Hunger Games Passes $300m? Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg's American Reunion landed at no. 2 on the North American box office chart, according to studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo. At 3,192 locations, the R-rated comedy took in $21.5 million — including $660,000 earned at Thursday midnight screenings. That's quite a bit lower than the $25 million some had been expecting as late as Friday evening, or the near-$30 million predicted by Box Office Mojo a few days ago. If those estimates are correct, Universal will surely claim that American Reunion easily surpassed the $18.7 million earned by the original American Pie at 2,508 sites in 1999. In 2012 dollars, however, American Pie would have earned approximately $29 million. And what that means is: many more tickets were sold for American Pie than for American Reunion. Also, remember that American Reunion cost a...
- 4/8/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Kate Winslet as Rose, Titanic 3D The Hunger Games will easily top the North American box for the third weekend in a row. Gary Ross' dystopic adventure tale collected $12.9 million on Friday, April 6, according to studio estimates found at Box Office Mojo. The film will likely earn somewhere between $35-$40 million over the Easter weekend. If so, it will be down around 30-35% compared to a week ago — or about half its 62% drop-off rate last (non-holiday) weekend. The Hunger Games should cross the $300 million mark at the domestic box office on Sunday. Its current total is $282.23 million. Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg's American Reunion landed at no. 2 on Friday. At 3,192 locations, the R-rated comedy took in $9.2 million — including $660,000 earned at Thursday midnight screenings. Its weekend total could reach $25 million. If those estimates are correct, Universal will claim that American Reunion far surpassed the $18.7 million earned by the original...
- 4/7/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Leonardo DiCaprio, Titanic The Hunger Games will easily top the North American box office once again this weekend — its third time as no. 1 — according to Deadline.com's "sources." As per Deadline's early, rough estimates, The Hunger Games is expected to collect $12-$14 million on Friday, and could reach $40 million over the Easter weekend. If so, Gary Ross' movie would be down close to 30% compared to last weekend — or less than half its drop-off rate last (non-holiday) weekend. It seems that Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg's American Reunion will be the no. 2 movie on Friday, with somewhere between $8-$10 million at 3,192 locations, and an estimated $25 million by Sunday evening. That includes $660,000 earned at Thursday midnight screenings in North America. If those estimates are correct, Universal will claim that American Reunion far surpassed the $18.7 million earned by the original American Pie at 2,508 sites in 1999. There is, however, a pesky little thing known as inflation,...
- 4/7/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival Announces 188 Outstanding Films For 2012 Edition Presented By Visual Communications
Southern California.s Largest Asian Film Festival Runs May 10 . 20, 2012, Will Present 188 Films From
Over 20 Countries Featuring World Premieres, Sneak Previews; Showcasing Documentaries and Narratives
Focusing on the Voices of Asian Americans and Asian Peoples from Around the World.
The Launch of the C3: Project Market and the Vc Film Development Fund
Festival Opening Night Selection Shanghai Calling, Directed By Festival Alum Daniel Hsia, Starring: Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe and Bill Paxton.
Centerpiece Presentations, SXSW favorite Sunset Stories, Directed by Ernesto Foronda and Silas Howard; Sundance Winner Valley Of Saints directed by Musa Syeed. Saturday Night Gala Yes, We.Re Open, directed by Festival Alum Richard Wong.
Joyful Reunion Directed by Tsao Jui Yuan, Selected as Closing Night Gala Presentation.
Visual Communications (Vc), the nation.s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its...
Southern California.s Largest Asian Film Festival Runs May 10 . 20, 2012, Will Present 188 Films From
Over 20 Countries Featuring World Premieres, Sneak Previews; Showcasing Documentaries and Narratives
Focusing on the Voices of Asian Americans and Asian Peoples from Around the World.
The Launch of the C3: Project Market and the Vc Film Development Fund
Festival Opening Night Selection Shanghai Calling, Directed By Festival Alum Daniel Hsia, Starring: Daniel Henney, Eliza Coupe and Bill Paxton.
Centerpiece Presentations, SXSW favorite Sunset Stories, Directed by Ernesto Foronda and Silas Howard; Sundance Winner Valley Of Saints directed by Musa Syeed. Saturday Night Gala Yes, We.Re Open, directed by Festival Alum Richard Wong.
Joyful Reunion Directed by Tsao Jui Yuan, Selected as Closing Night Gala Presentation.
Visual Communications (Vc), the nation.s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its...
- 4/6/2012
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
James Cameron's Titanic movie Titanic 3D was the no. 2 movie on the domestic box-office chart on Wednesday, April 4, according to figures found at Box Office Mojo. Directed by the Marianas Trench's James Cameron, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, Titanic 3D collected $4.37 million at 2,674 theaters, landing right behind The Hunger Games' $4.6 million at 4,137 locations. Comparisons are hard to make. The Hunger Games is in 2D, which means cheaper movie ticket prices, but it's playing at 1,500 more theaters than Titanic 3D. The Hunger Games has also been around for 13 days; Titanic 3D opened on Tuesday, earning approximately $325,000 at various preview screenings. Directed by Gary Ross, The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, and Josh Hutcherson. At no. 3, Jonathan Liebesman / Sam Worthington / Ralph Fiennes' Wrath of the Titans grossed $2.25 million, followed by Julia Roberts / Armie Hammer / Lily Collins' Mirror Mirror with $1.66 million and Channing Tatum...
- 4/6/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Kate Winslet, Titanic 3D Titanic 3D may have sailed to the top of the North American box-office chart on Wednesday, grossing an estimated $4.7 million at about 2,600 locations according to The Hollywood Reporter. That figure includes $300,000 earned at Tuesday night previews, and 71 IMAX screens. Directed by James Cameron, who made perfectly-timed headlines about a week ago thanks to a quick deep-sea trek, the 1997 megablockbuster stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Titanic's chief competition for the no. 1 slot is 2012's own megablockbuster, Jennifer Lawrence / Liam Hemsworth / Josh Hutcherson's The Hunger Games. The Gary Ross dystopic adventure drama earned an estimated $4.6-$4.7 million on Wednesday — without the added Tuesday night bonus or box-office-boosting 3D surcharges. Paramount is (officially) estimating Titanic 3D will rake in $20 to $25 million by Friday. 20th Century Fox is handling the film's international release. Launched in December 1997, the original Titanic grossed $1.8 billion worldwide. For those who choose to ignore the Inflation Effect,...
- 4/5/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Two days ago, James Cameron made world headlines for reportedly finding himself about 11 1/4 kilometers below sea level in the Marianas Trench, which is supposed to be the deepest spot on Earth. Whether as a testament to human-made technology or human-made p.r., Cameron was actually able to tweet to his followers: "Just arrived at the ocean's deepest pt. Hitting bottom never felt so good. Can't wait to share what I'm seeing w/ you." Fast forward a couple of days and Cameron is above ground in London with Kate Winslet (photo) — but not Leonardo DiCaprio — at the premiere of Titanic 3D, the (are you ready?) 3D version of Cameron's 1997 multiple-Oscar-winning megablockbuster about a luxury liner that sank to the bottom of the ocean nearly a century ago. So, does that mean the timing of Cameron's deep-sea diving to-do and the ensuing Mariana Trench tweet were merely a couple of Titanic-related p.
- 3/28/2012
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
It's hard to think of a time before Happy Endings. But to do so, one need only mentally travel back to December 2010. Yes, it's only been 14 months since the Chicago-set comedy came into our lives and laid waste to the other "Friends-y" series that debuted that year. And yet, it feels like Max, Penny, Dave, Alex, Brad and Jane have been Wednesday night staples in my life for years.
That's why the task of selecting one to represent them in my list of 2011 Breakout Stars was so difficult -- each contributed something uniquely special to pop culture last year. But when I was pressed to do so, one name stood out: Eliza Coupe.
Citing Eliza's hilariously neurotic turn as one half of TV's greatest married couple, her must-follow Twitter feed and the so-wrong-it's-right Temple Grandin impersonation she delivered at a Happy Endings-themed Ucb event, my choice was basically made for me. This morning...
That's why the task of selecting one to represent them in my list of 2011 Breakout Stars was so difficult -- each contributed something uniquely special to pop culture last year. But when I was pressed to do so, one name stood out: Eliza Coupe.
Citing Eliza's hilariously neurotic turn as one half of TV's greatest married couple, her must-follow Twitter feed and the so-wrong-it's-right Temple Grandin impersonation she delivered at a Happy Endings-themed Ucb event, my choice was basically made for me. This morning...
- 3/21/2012
- TheInsider.com
Everett ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’: A hit in both China and the U.S.
Co-productions and international box office were among the various topics discussed at the U.S.-China Film Summit Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles. Organized by the Asia Society Southern California, the event brought together industry executives, financiers, producers and filmmakers unified in their interest in cross-country movie-making.
Two separate panels, one focusing on the financial aspects of the U.S. and Chinese marketplaces and one focusing on the creative side,...
Co-productions and international box office were among the various topics discussed at the U.S.-China Film Summit Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles. Organized by the Asia Society Southern California, the event brought together industry executives, financiers, producers and filmmakers unified in their interest in cross-country movie-making.
Two separate panels, one focusing on the financial aspects of the U.S. and Chinese marketplaces and one focusing on the creative side,...
- 11/2/2011
- by Michelle Kung
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
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