Exclusive: More theatrical product for 2024 as Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures has dated the feature take of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Nickel Boys for October 25. It’s a limited theatrical release on a date that also includes Sony’s Venom: The Last Dance and Cinedigm’s Terrifier 3.
Directed and co-adapted by RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida. Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor star. Ross co-adapted with Joslyn Barnes. Plan B’s Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner produce with David Levine and Barnes. Anonymous Content and Louverture Films are also production companies.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Black-themed American Fiction was a huge success at art houses, grossing north of $21M after its Audience Award at TIFF. The movie saw an Adapted Screenplay Oscar win for...
Directed and co-adapted by RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida. Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor star. Ross co-adapted with Joslyn Barnes. Plan B’s Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner produce with David Levine and Barnes. Anonymous Content and Louverture Films are also production companies.
Amazon MGM Studios’ Black-themed American Fiction was a huge success at art houses, grossing north of $21M after its Audience Award at TIFF. The movie saw an Adapted Screenplay Oscar win for...
- 4/30/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Indie streamer Mubi has acquired worldwide streaming rights to South African artist William Kentridge’s prestige series “Self-Portrait As a Coffee Pot” which explores how art is made in the digital age.
The nine-episode series by Kentridge – who is celebrated around the world for his influential works comprising animation, installations, theater, opera and films – first previewed as a rough cut at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival.
Kentridge lays bare his creative process in the nine 30-minute videos produced in the artist’s Johannesburg studio during the pandemic and its aftermath, between 2020 and 2023. In “Self-Portrait As a Coffee Pot,” Kentridge also invites audiences to reflect on the same philosophical questions that he poses to himself across the episodes, including how do our memories work, what makes us ourselves, and why does history always go wrong.
“Playfully deconstructing and assembling the pressing concerns of our time as works of art,” Kentridge uses “hand-drawn animations,...
The nine-episode series by Kentridge – who is celebrated around the world for his influential works comprising animation, installations, theater, opera and films – first previewed as a rough cut at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival.
Kentridge lays bare his creative process in the nine 30-minute videos produced in the artist’s Johannesburg studio during the pandemic and its aftermath, between 2020 and 2023. In “Self-Portrait As a Coffee Pot,” Kentridge also invites audiences to reflect on the same philosophical questions that he poses to himself across the episodes, including how do our memories work, what makes us ourselves, and why does history always go wrong.
“Playfully deconstructing and assembling the pressing concerns of our time as works of art,” Kentridge uses “hand-drawn animations,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
How Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films Is Charting a New Course Without Its Iconic ‘I, Daniel Blake’ Director
If there was one puzzle from the 2023 Venice Film Festival, it concerned Caleb Landry Jones and the actor’s curious decision to conduct all his press arrangements for the Luc Besson thriller “Dogman” with a Scottish accent. As was later revealed, the Australian had taken a quick break from shooting U.K. drama “Harvest” on location in Scotland and was staying in character for the duration of his brief Italian detour.
Alongside honing Landry Jones’ vocal abilities, “Harvest,” being directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari (the Greek director’s first English-language film) and based on the book by Jim Crace, also marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the U.K.’s best-known indie production companies.
Sixteen Films, co-founded by Ken Loach and producer Rebecca O’Brien in 2002, has been behind every film by the beloved and iconoclastic director over the last two decades, including “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,...
Alongside honing Landry Jones’ vocal abilities, “Harvest,” being directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari (the Greek director’s first English-language film) and based on the book by Jim Crace, also marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the U.K.’s best-known indie production companies.
Sixteen Films, co-founded by Ken Loach and producer Rebecca O’Brien in 2002, has been behind every film by the beloved and iconoclastic director over the last two decades, including “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,...
- 2/18/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
The Queen’s Gambit’s Harry Melling and Blue Jean star Rosy McEwen have joined Caleb Landry-Jones in Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari’s Harvest, as The Match Factory reveals a first look and launches sales at the European Film Market (EFM).
Further cast includes Arinzé Kene, Thalissa Teixeira and Frank Dillane.
Over seven hallucinatory days, a village with no name, in an undefined time, disappears. A townsman-turned-farmer and benevolent lord of the manor (Melling) are childhood friends about to face an invasion from the modernity of the outside world, in this neo-Western.
The feature was written by Joslyn Barnes and Tsangari,...
Further cast includes Arinzé Kene, Thalissa Teixeira and Frank Dillane.
Over seven hallucinatory days, a village with no name, in an undefined time, disappears. A townsman-turned-farmer and benevolent lord of the manor (Melling) are childhood friends about to face an invasion from the modernity of the outside world, in this neo-Western.
The feature was written by Joslyn Barnes and Tsangari,...
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Definitely the type of film that could end up jockeying for a position at a fall film festival later in the year instead, RaMell Ross who made the miracle (and critically darling of a docu) in the Sundance preemed Hale County This Morning, This Evening moved toward fiction with an adaption of the Colson Whitehead novel The Nickel Boys – a Pulitzer Prize winner. With some major studio weight supporting the project and an indie veteran producer (Joslyn Barnes is also the co-writer) backing the piece and stain in 60s Americana. Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Fred Hechinger, Hamish Linklater and Brandon Wilson, the Cinematography on this project happens to be Jomo Fray – he lensed All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt.…...
- 11/15/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Caleb Landry Jones is set to star in U.K. drama Harvest from Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari (Chevalier) and produced by Ken Loach and Rebecca O’Brien’s Sixteen Films, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
News of the film answers a major question hanging over the Venice Film Festival, where Landry Jones touched down this week as the lead in Luc Besson’s dark thriller Dogman. At the film’s press conference on Thursday and in later interviews, Landry Jones spoke throughout with a thick Scottish accent, with Besson saying that he was method acting for a new role. “It’s not his normal voice,” the director explained. “He needs to stay in character.”
THR can now reveal that this role is for Harvest, Tsangari’s first feature since her multi-award-winning comedy-drama Chevalier.
Based on the award-winning 2013 novel of the same name by Jim Crace, the feature is to be...
News of the film answers a major question hanging over the Venice Film Festival, where Landry Jones touched down this week as the lead in Luc Besson’s dark thriller Dogman. At the film’s press conference on Thursday and in later interviews, Landry Jones spoke throughout with a thick Scottish accent, with Besson saying that he was method acting for a new role. “It’s not his normal voice,” the director explained. “He needs to stay in character.”
THR can now reveal that this role is for Harvest, Tsangari’s first feature since her multi-award-winning comedy-drama Chevalier.
Based on the award-winning 2013 novel of the same name by Jim Crace, the feature is to be...
- 9/1/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The backdrop of Oban, Scotland and Germany will be the lieu of location for Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari‘s next feature film. Production is set for August. We first heard about the book to film adaptation of Jim Crace’s Harvest almost three years back and the project still has all three principle production players onboard with: The Match Factory’s Michael Weber, Rebecca O’Brien and Louverture Films’ Joslyn Barnes. Look for casting announcements shortly. This has the 2024 Venice Film Festival competition slot stamped all over it.
On the morning after harvest, the inhabitants of a remote English village awaken looking forward to a hard-earned day of rest and feasting at their landowner’s table.…...
On the morning after harvest, the inhabitants of a remote English village awaken looking forward to a hard-earned day of rest and feasting at their landowner’s table.…...
- 6/29/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
’The Light’ is one of a slate of features to receive backing from German regional fund Film-und Medienstiftung Nrw.
The Light, Tom Tykwer’s first film for the cinema since his 2016 German-us comedy A Hologram For The King is one of 10 feature film projects allocated almost €6m in production support by the Düsseldorf-based regional fund Film-und Medienstiftung Nrw.
Tykwer’s original screenplay for The Light (Das Licht) centres on a troubled family who take on a Syrian immigrant as a housekeeper. When she successfully shakes up the lives of the family she then confronts them with the dark fate of her own.
The Light, Tom Tykwer’s first film for the cinema since his 2016 German-us comedy A Hologram For The King is one of 10 feature film projects allocated almost €6m in production support by the Düsseldorf-based regional fund Film-und Medienstiftung Nrw.
Tykwer’s original screenplay for The Light (Das Licht) centres on a troubled family who take on a Syrian immigrant as a housekeeper. When she successfully shakes up the lives of the family she then confronts them with the dark fate of her own.
- 6/21/2023
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
The Doha Film Institute’s Qumra talent and project incubator event returned as a 100% in-person event last week, bringing participants together face-to-face in Doha for the first time since it was forced online in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s been great to have everyone back gain. I keep pinching myself that it’s still happening. I could not be happier with how it has gone,” said Dfi CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi.
The ninth edition, running from March 10 to 15, gathered 44 Dfi grantee projects across all formats and in various stages of development and production, accompanied by their first, second and third-time directors and producers.
The Dfi is one of the main sources of funding for independent cinema in the Middle East and North Africa, a region with very little state support for independent film.
“We have between 400 to 500 submissions per cycle, and we have two cycles a year. It...
“It’s been great to have everyone back gain. I keep pinching myself that it’s still happening. I could not be happier with how it has gone,” said Dfi CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi.
The ninth edition, running from March 10 to 15, gathered 44 Dfi grantee projects across all formats and in various stages of development and production, accompanied by their first, second and third-time directors and producers.
The Dfi is one of the main sources of funding for independent cinema in the Middle East and North Africa, a region with very little state support for independent film.
“We have between 400 to 500 submissions per cycle, and we have two cycles a year. It...
- 3/20/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Russian documentary filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky and the production team behind his Oscar-shortlisted feature “Gunda” will follow up with the second instalment in his “Empathy Trilogy.”
AC Independent will handle the North America sale and Cinephil will be selling international rights. They will be kicking off sales this week at the European Film Market in Berlin.
The new film focuses on the health of the oceans and the effects of industrial fisheries. The “Empathy Trilogy,” of which “Gunda” formed the first part, looks at the sentience of non-human animals.
After a pre-production shoot in June 2022, principal photography is planned for June 2023, with a projected release date in 2025.
While “Gunda” captured the lives of farm animals, notably the engaging mother sow who was its eponymous protagonist, for this new project, Kossakovsky is collaborating with the German artist known as K49814 to record her quest to raise awareness of our depredation of the...
AC Independent will handle the North America sale and Cinephil will be selling international rights. They will be kicking off sales this week at the European Film Market in Berlin.
The new film focuses on the health of the oceans and the effects of industrial fisheries. The “Empathy Trilogy,” of which “Gunda” formed the first part, looks at the sentience of non-human animals.
After a pre-production shoot in June 2022, principal photography is planned for June 2023, with a projected release date in 2025.
While “Gunda” captured the lives of farm animals, notably the engaging mother sow who was its eponymous protagonist, for this new project, Kossakovsky is collaborating with the German artist known as K49814 to record her quest to raise awareness of our depredation of the...
- 2/18/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Luke Tennie (Shrinking) has boarded Oscar nom RaMell Ross’ feature The Nickel Boys, based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name.
The film from MGM’s Orion Pictures is based on the true story of a Florida reform school that damaged the lives of thousands of children over more than a century. Its protagonist is Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, then finding himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors.
Tennie will play Griff, a student boxer at Nickel Academy. He joins an ensemble including Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger. Ross and Louverture Films’ Joslyn Barnes adapted the screenplay. Plan B Entertainment, Anonymous Content and Barnes are producing, with Whitehead serving as exec producer.
Tennie will next be seen starring opposite Jason Segel...
The film from MGM’s Orion Pictures is based on the true story of a Florida reform school that damaged the lives of thousands of children over more than a century. Its protagonist is Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, then finding himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors.
Tennie will play Griff, a student boxer at Nickel Academy. He joins an ensemble including Aunjanue Ellis, Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger. Ross and Louverture Films’ Joslyn Barnes adapted the screenplay. Plan B Entertainment, Anonymous Content and Barnes are producing, with Whitehead serving as exec producer.
Tennie will next be seen starring opposite Jason Segel...
- 12/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-nominated “King Richard” and “The Help” actress Aunjanue Ellis is set to star in a feature adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys” for writer-director RaMell Ross and MGM’s Orion Pictures.
The film will co-star Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger. Along with Ross, Joslyn Barnes will write the script and produce on behalf of Louverture Films.
Based on a true story, Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Florida who has been unjustly shipped out to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy. While navigating the institution’s many brutalities, he befriends another inmate named Turner. Their unlikely friendship and opposing worldviews eventually take them down a road of disastrous and long-lasting consequences.
Also Read:
Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy to Star in ‘The Book of Clarence’ From Director Jeymes Samuel
In addition to Barnes,...
The film will co-star Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger. Along with Ross, Joslyn Barnes will write the script and produce on behalf of Louverture Films.
Based on a true story, Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Florida who has been unjustly shipped out to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy. While navigating the institution’s many brutalities, he befriends another inmate named Turner. Their unlikely friendship and opposing worldviews eventually take them down a road of disastrous and long-lasting consequences.
Also Read:
Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy to Star in ‘The Book of Clarence’ From Director Jeymes Samuel
In addition to Barnes,...
- 10/27/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Colson Whitehead’s 2020 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Nickel Boys” is getting a big-screen adaptation from MGM’s Orion Pictures, starring Oscar and Emmy-nominee Aunjanue Ellis.
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross, Ellis will star alongside Ethan Herisse (“When They See Us”) and Brandon Wilson (“The Way Back”), who will lead the young cast, as well as Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”) and Fred Hechinger.
“It is an honor to be working with such talented people and trusted with such an incredibly written story, with historical roots,” Ross said in a statement announcing the feature adaptation. “I’m constantly impressed by the passion and creativity of the collection of people moving this project forward.”
Ross adapted the screenplay alongside two-time Academy Award-nominee Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, which is producing the movie with Plan B Entertainment and Anonymous Content. Whitehead serves as executive producer.
Added Alana Mayo, president of Orion Pictures:...
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross, Ellis will star alongside Ethan Herisse (“When They See Us”) and Brandon Wilson (“The Way Back”), who will lead the young cast, as well as Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”) and Fred Hechinger.
“It is an honor to be working with such talented people and trusted with such an incredibly written story, with historical roots,” Ross said in a statement announcing the feature adaptation. “I’m constantly impressed by the passion and creativity of the collection of people moving this project forward.”
Ross adapted the screenplay alongside two-time Academy Award-nominee Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, which is producing the movie with Plan B Entertainment and Anonymous Content. Whitehead serves as executive producer.
Added Alana Mayo, president of Orion Pictures:...
- 10/27/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Oscar nominee Aunjanue L. Ellis (King Richard) is set to star in The Nickel Boys, an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name, to be directed by RaMell Ross.
The Nickel Boys is set in Jim Crow-era Florida and focuses on two boys unjustly sentenced to a brutal reform school. MGM’s Orion Pictures, Plan B Entertainment and Anonymous Content will produce the movie adaptation, which will also star Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger.
Oscar nominee Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, who will pen the screenplay for the movie version along with Ross, is also set to produce, while Whitehead will executive produce.
“It is an honor to be working with such talented people and trusted with such an incredibly written story, with historical roots. I’m constantly impressed by the passion and creativity of the...
Oscar nominee Aunjanue L. Ellis (King Richard) is set to star in The Nickel Boys, an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name, to be directed by RaMell Ross.
The Nickel Boys is set in Jim Crow-era Florida and focuses on two boys unjustly sentenced to a brutal reform school. MGM’s Orion Pictures, Plan B Entertainment and Anonymous Content will produce the movie adaptation, which will also star Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger.
Oscar nominee Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, who will pen the screenplay for the movie version along with Ross, is also set to produce, while Whitehead will executive produce.
“It is an honor to be working with such talented people and trusted with such an incredibly written story, with historical roots. I’m constantly impressed by the passion and creativity of the...
- 10/27/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“King Richard” star Aunjanue Ellis is set to star in an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Nickel Boys” being set up at MGM’s Orion Pictures.
The studio has tapped RaMell Ross, an Oscar nominee for the documentary “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” to direct the film, and Ross also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Josyln Barnes.
Ellis will lead the cast alongside up-and-coming actors Ethan Herisse (“When They See Us”) and Brandon Wilson (“The Way Back”), who will anchor and lead the film’s young cast. Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”) and Fred Hechinger will also co-star.
“The Nickel Boys” is Whitehead’s follow-up to his other Pulitzer winner, “The Underground Railroad.” Though the book is fiction, it’s based on the real story of a Florida reform school that, over 111 years, hid decades of abuse against its residents and even had bodies secretly buried on its campus.
The studio has tapped RaMell Ross, an Oscar nominee for the documentary “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” to direct the film, and Ross also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Josyln Barnes.
Ellis will lead the cast alongside up-and-coming actors Ethan Herisse (“When They See Us”) and Brandon Wilson (“The Way Back”), who will anchor and lead the film’s young cast. Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”) and Fred Hechinger will also co-star.
“The Nickel Boys” is Whitehead’s follow-up to his other Pulitzer winner, “The Underground Railroad.” Though the book is fiction, it’s based on the real story of a Florida reform school that, over 111 years, hid decades of abuse against its residents and even had bodies secretly buried on its campus.
- 10/27/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Oscar-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross has been tapped to direct a feature adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Nickel Boys for MGM’s Orion Pictures, with Oscar nom Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), Ethan Herisse (When They See Us), Brandon Wilson (The Way Back), Hamish Linklater (The Big Short) and Fred Hechinger (News of the World) set to star.
The 2020 novel by Whitehead, who’d previously scored a Pulitzer for 2016’s The Underground Railroad, came in as a bestseller upon its publication by Doubleday and was named one of Time‘s best books of the decade. Based on the true story of a Florida reform school that damaged the lives of thousands of children over more than a century, its protagonist is Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy,...
The 2020 novel by Whitehead, who’d previously scored a Pulitzer for 2016’s The Underground Railroad, came in as a bestseller upon its publication by Doubleday and was named one of Time‘s best books of the decade. Based on the true story of a Florida reform school that damaged the lives of thousands of children over more than a century, its protagonist is Elwood Curtis, a Black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee who is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy,...
- 10/27/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The nominees list for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Board of Governors has been revealed before its June 6-10 balloting.
The candidates are hoping to fill the open seats on the 54-member board. Up to four candidates are set for the open seat at each each branch, which carries three governors with staggered terms per branch.
Board members who have termed out include Academy president David Rubin (from the casting directors branch), Jan Pascale (production designers), Mark Johnson (producers) and Nancy Utley (PR).
Candidates vying for a seat include actress Marlee Matlin, composer Hans Zimmer, and executive Toby Emmerich.
The slate faces some crucial tests once installed, including selecting a new Academy president and new CEO to replace outgoing Dawn Hudson. The Academy also must overcome perceptions created in a rocky year, with its Will Smith Oscars slap incident and the uproar over what categories would make it into the Oscars broadcast.
The candidates are hoping to fill the open seats on the 54-member board. Up to four candidates are set for the open seat at each each branch, which carries three governors with staggered terms per branch.
Board members who have termed out include Academy president David Rubin (from the casting directors branch), Jan Pascale (production designers), Mark Johnson (producers) and Nancy Utley (PR).
Candidates vying for a seat include actress Marlee Matlin, composer Hans Zimmer, and executive Toby Emmerich.
The slate faces some crucial tests once installed, including selecting a new Academy president and new CEO to replace outgoing Dawn Hudson. The Academy also must overcome perceptions created in a rocky year, with its Will Smith Oscars slap incident and the uproar over what categories would make it into the Oscars broadcast.
- 6/2/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Louverture Films, the production company founded by actor Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes, is moving into television as well as animation, gaming and installation works. With two new principal partners in situ, the expansion has enlisted a host of creatives, including directors Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Lucrecia Martel.
Co-founded by Glover and Barnes in 2005 — alongside long-time partners Susan Rockefeller and the Bertha Foundation’s Tony Tabatznik — the company has brought on board Sawsan Asfari and Jeffrey Clark as principal partners. Variety understands that the new partners will allow Louverture to access more funding resources.
In addition, producer Karin Chien, who on Sunday delivered a rousing Sundance Institute Producing Fellows’ keynote, is becoming a partner and executive VP. Meanwhile, Barnes has been promoted to president while Glover remains CEO and co-founder.
Louverture, named after Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, has built its reputation on international and arthouse films and a strong theatrical documentary slate.
Co-founded by Glover and Barnes in 2005 — alongside long-time partners Susan Rockefeller and the Bertha Foundation’s Tony Tabatznik — the company has brought on board Sawsan Asfari and Jeffrey Clark as principal partners. Variety understands that the new partners will allow Louverture to access more funding resources.
In addition, producer Karin Chien, who on Sunday delivered a rousing Sundance Institute Producing Fellows’ keynote, is becoming a partner and executive VP. Meanwhile, Barnes has been promoted to president while Glover remains CEO and co-founder.
Louverture, named after Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, has built its reputation on international and arthouse films and a strong theatrical documentary slate.
- 1/24/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC’s Storyville strand, which sets out to showcase the world’s best international documentaries, has picked up a new slate of eight films.
They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.
“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.
“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”
Check out the full slate below:
“Final Account” [Pictured above]
About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich
Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland
Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...
They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.
“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.
“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”
Check out the full slate below:
“Final Account” [Pictured above]
About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich
Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland
Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...
- 1/21/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The Gotham Awards will be the first awards body on the independent circuit to choose its winners for the year on Monday.
On the film side, two Netflix features lead the tally, both from debut women filmmakers — Rebecca Hall’s “Passing” and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Lost Daughter.” There isn’t always an obvious blueprint to predicting this group. As we saw with last year’s two tied categories, things could get interesting at Cipriani Wall Street. The Gotham are just the start of a busy week that has a great influence on the Oscar race. After Monday’s first critics and guild screening of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” and Wednesday’s unveiling of Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley,” Thursday brings us the National Board of Review selections before the New York Film Critics Circle weighs in on Friday.
As for the television side, the Gothams will...
On the film side, two Netflix features lead the tally, both from debut women filmmakers — Rebecca Hall’s “Passing” and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Lost Daughter.” There isn’t always an obvious blueprint to predicting this group. As we saw with last year’s two tied categories, things could get interesting at Cipriani Wall Street. The Gotham are just the start of a busy week that has a great influence on the Oscar race. After Monday’s first critics and guild screening of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” and Wednesday’s unveiling of Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley,” Thursday brings us the National Board of Review selections before the New York Film Critics Circle weighs in on Friday.
As for the television side, the Gothams will...
- 11/28/2021
- by Clayton Davis and Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s singular animated doc Flee and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Summer of Soul will head into the 15th annual Cinema Eye Honors as the leaders in nominations, Cinema Eye announced today.
Flee led all films with seven nominations, with Summer of Soul claiming six. Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension, Jessica Beshir’s Faya Dayi and E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue followed with five noms apiece, with Todd Haynes’ Apple pic The Velvet Underground claiming four. HBO led all distributors with 16 nominations, with Hulu notching 12. Nat Geo and Neon followed with 11 each.
Of particular note with regard to the noms list was a newly introduced category for Outstanding Sound Design, which will see All Light, Everywhere contending alongside Faya Dayi, Flee, Summer of Soul and The Velvet Underground.
The award ceremony recognizing...
Flee led all films with seven nominations, with Summer of Soul claiming six. Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension, Jessica Beshir’s Faya Dayi and E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue followed with five noms apiece, with Todd Haynes’ Apple pic The Velvet Underground claiming four. HBO led all distributors with 16 nominations, with Hulu notching 12. Nat Geo and Neon followed with 11 each.
Of particular note with regard to the noms list was a newly introduced category for Outstanding Sound Design, which will see All Light, Everywhere contending alongside Faya Dayi, Flee, Summer of Soul and The Velvet Underground.
The award ceremony recognizing...
- 11/10/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers are Elşən Abbasov, Carlos Reygadas and Baydarov, with Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes executive producing.
Screen can unveil the first trailer for Hilal Baydarov’s Crane Lantern, which is set to world premiere in the main competition at the 2021 Tokyo international Film Festival.
The film is about a law student’s interviews with a serial kidnapper whose female victims never press charges. The lead actors include Orkhan Iskandarli and Elshan Abbasov.
Producers are Elşən Abbasov, Carlos Reygadas and Baydarov, with Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes executive producing. It a co-production between Azerbaijan’s Ucqar Film, Mexico’s Splendor Omnia Studios and US-based Louverture Films.
Screen can unveil the first trailer for Hilal Baydarov’s Crane Lantern, which is set to world premiere in the main competition at the 2021 Tokyo international Film Festival.
The film is about a law student’s interviews with a serial kidnapper whose female victims never press charges. The lead actors include Orkhan Iskandarli and Elshan Abbasov.
Producers are Elşən Abbasov, Carlos Reygadas and Baydarov, with Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes executive producing. It a co-production between Azerbaijan’s Ucqar Film, Mexico’s Splendor Omnia Studios and US-based Louverture Films.
- 10/28/2021
- by Madeleine Morgan
- ScreenDaily
The International Documentary Association came out with its shortlist of the year’s best documentaries today, a list as notable for what was left out as what made it in.
A total of 29 feature films earned a spot on the IDA shortlist, including some considered Oscar frontrunners: Summer of Soul, Ascension, and Flee—each of which earned nominations last week for both the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards and the Gotham Awards. But several other films making a strong bid for Oscar attention were snubbed, among them The Rescue, Becoming Cousteau, Attica, Procession, and My Name Is Pauli Murray.
The IDA gave recognition to several documentaries with an international dimension, like Faya Dayi, from Mexican-Ethiopian director Jessica Bashir, Chinese-born filmmaker Nanfu Wang’s Covid-19-related doc In The Same Breath, and Miguel’s War, the story of a gay Lebanese man who exiles himself to Spain. The IDA-shortlisted President focuses on...
A total of 29 feature films earned a spot on the IDA shortlist, including some considered Oscar frontrunners: Summer of Soul, Ascension, and Flee—each of which earned nominations last week for both the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards and the Gotham Awards. But several other films making a strong bid for Oscar attention were snubbed, among them The Rescue, Becoming Cousteau, Attica, Procession, and My Name Is Pauli Murray.
The IDA gave recognition to several documentaries with an international dimension, like Faya Dayi, from Mexican-Ethiopian director Jessica Bashir, Chinese-born filmmaker Nanfu Wang’s Covid-19-related doc In The Same Breath, and Miguel’s War, the story of a gay Lebanese man who exiles himself to Spain. The IDA-shortlisted President focuses on...
- 10/25/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter and Rebecca Hall’s Passing, both from Netflix, swept the top nominations for the Gotham Awards this year as the independent film honors and awards-season portal unveiled its noms list Thursday morning ahead of an in-person ceremony next month.
The Lost Daughter was nominated in the Best Feature, Breakthrough Director and Screenplay for Gyllenhall, lead performance for Olivia Colman and Supporting Performance for Jessie Buckley. Passing scored four noms including Best Feature.
Others in the Best Feature category include The Green Knight (A24), Pig (Neon) and Test Pattern (Kino Lorber).
Films released from March 1-December 31, 2021 and TV series from Oct. 1, 2020-September 30, 2021 were eligible. See full list of nominations below.
A24 and Netflix each had 10 nominations overall. Others were spread across distributors. A24 titles included Red Rocket; lead performance nods to Taylour Paige...
The Lost Daughter was nominated in the Best Feature, Breakthrough Director and Screenplay for Gyllenhall, lead performance for Olivia Colman and Supporting Performance for Jessie Buckley. Passing scored four noms including Best Feature.
Others in the Best Feature category include The Green Knight (A24), Pig (Neon) and Test Pattern (Kino Lorber).
Films released from March 1-December 31, 2021 and TV series from Oct. 1, 2020-September 30, 2021 were eligible. See full list of nominations below.
A24 and Netflix each had 10 nominations overall. Others were spread across distributors. A24 titles included Red Rocket; lead performance nods to Taylour Paige...
- 10/21/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Ahead of a ceremony on November 29, this year’s Gotham Awards nominations have been unveiled, featuring some of the year’s finest cinema. Among the nominations are some personal favorites here at The Film Stage, including Drive My Car, Faya Dayi, The Worst Person in the World (a film that still doesn’t have an actual 2021 U.S. release date), Test Pattern, and El Planeta.
This year, the Gothams made a switch to have all performance categories be gender neutral, with those categories have been restructured into Outstanding Leading and Supporting Performance categories for feature films, joining the already existing Breakthrough Performer category.
Check out the film nominations for the Gotham Awards below.
Best Feature
The Green Knight
David Lowery, director; Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, David Lowery, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, producers (A24)
The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal, director; Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Charles Dorfman,...
This year, the Gothams made a switch to have all performance categories be gender neutral, with those categories have been restructured into Outstanding Leading and Supporting Performance categories for feature films, joining the already existing Breakthrough Performer category.
Check out the film nominations for the Gotham Awards below.
Best Feature
The Green Knight
David Lowery, director; Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, David Lowery, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, producers (A24)
The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal, director; Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Charles Dorfman,...
- 10/21/2021
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
“The Green Knight,” “The Lost Daughter,” “Passing,” “Pig” and “Test Pattern” will compete for best feature film at the 31st annual Gotham Awards. The event is key stop in the awards season marathon, particularly for lower-budgeted indie fare that is looking to elbow into the Oscars race.
At the Gothams, “Passing,” a black-and-white drama that examines racism and colorist, and “The Lost Daughter,” a searing look at motherhood, led the pack with five nominations apiece. Close behind was “Coda,” a tender look at a teenager who is the only hearing member of a deaf family, earned three nominations including one of breakthrough performer for its star Emilia Jones. “Red Rocket,” the story of a washed-up porn star who returns to his hometown, also nabbed three nominations.
Nominees for the best documentary prize include “Ascension,” “Faya Dayi,” “Flee,” “President,” and “Summer Of Soul.” Best international feature is a race between “Azor,...
At the Gothams, “Passing,” a black-and-white drama that examines racism and colorist, and “The Lost Daughter,” a searing look at motherhood, led the pack with five nominations apiece. Close behind was “Coda,” a tender look at a teenager who is the only hearing member of a deaf family, earned three nominations including one of breakthrough performer for its star Emilia Jones. “Red Rocket,” the story of a washed-up porn star who returns to his hometown, also nabbed three nominations.
Nominees for the best documentary prize include “Ascension,” “Faya Dayi,” “Flee,” “President,” and “Summer Of Soul.” Best international feature is a race between “Azor,...
- 10/21/2021
- by Brent Lang and Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has picked up North American distribution rights to President, directed by Camilla Nielsson (Democrats).
Produced by Danish company Final Cut For Real and U.S.-based Louverture Films, in co-production with Norway-based Sant & Usant, the film premiered to strong notices at the Sundance Film Festival.
Nielsson won a Special Jury Award for Verité Filmmaking in Park City. Greenwich is aiming to generate awards traction for the film with a December theatrical release.
The movie charts the dangerous aftermath of Robert Mugabe’s removal from power in Zimbabwe. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”. After decades...
Produced by Danish company Final Cut For Real and U.S.-based Louverture Films, in co-production with Norway-based Sant & Usant, the film premiered to strong notices at the Sundance Film Festival.
Nielsson won a Special Jury Award for Verité Filmmaking in Park City. Greenwich is aiming to generate awards traction for the film with a December theatrical release.
The movie charts the dangerous aftermath of Robert Mugabe’s removal from power in Zimbabwe. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”. After decades...
- 9/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
When documentary filmmaker Ezra Edelman, an Oscar winner with “O.J.: Made in America,” sat down at a panel during the Cannes Doc Day last week and started off by saying he was just talking about the rise of fascism in the world and enduring racism in sports, there was a feeling this session would be an especially poignant one.
The event, organized by Cannes Docs – Marché du Film, in association with L’Œil d’or – Documentary Award, the Cnc, UniFrance and Acid, saw Edelman sit down for an hour-long conversation with film producer Joslyn Barnes, an Oscar nominee with “Strong Island” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” in which they delved into issues ranging from social media anxiety to identity and legitimacy as a filmmaker.
Edelman, who is known for his sports-themed documentaries, was in Cannes this year as jury president of the L’Œil d’Or Documentary Awards,...
The event, organized by Cannes Docs – Marché du Film, in association with L’Œil d’or – Documentary Award, the Cnc, UniFrance and Acid, saw Edelman sit down for an hour-long conversation with film producer Joslyn Barnes, an Oscar nominee with “Strong Island” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” in which they delved into issues ranging from social media anxiety to identity and legitimacy as a filmmaker.
Edelman, who is known for his sports-themed documentaries, was in Cannes this year as jury president of the L’Œil d’Or Documentary Awards,...
- 7/19/2021
- by Alexander Durie
- Variety Film + TV
Two days after Italy defeated England on penalties in the Euro 2020 soccer championship final, followed by England fans heaping racist online abuse on Black players from the team, the topic continues to reverberate at the Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes virtually shut down on Sunday evening while the final was on, with even Spike Lee getting in on the action at the Kering Women in Motion dinner. Lee’s compatriot, documentary filmmaker Ezra Edelman, Oscar winner for “O.J.: Made in America,” was also among those following the game.
Edelman, renowned for his sports-themed documentaries, is in Cannes as the documentary award jury president. Some of the people Edelman was with on Sunday almost scoffed at the idea that he wanted to go and watch a soccer game during the festival, the filmmaker said at a panel during the Cannes Doc Day on Tuesday.
“Some people were confused why I cared about...
Cannes virtually shut down on Sunday evening while the final was on, with even Spike Lee getting in on the action at the Kering Women in Motion dinner. Lee’s compatriot, documentary filmmaker Ezra Edelman, Oscar winner for “O.J.: Made in America,” was also among those following the game.
Edelman, renowned for his sports-themed documentaries, is in Cannes as the documentary award jury president. Some of the people Edelman was with on Sunday almost scoffed at the idea that he wanted to go and watch a soccer game during the festival, the filmmaker said at a panel during the Cannes Doc Day on Tuesday.
“Some people were confused why I cared about...
- 7/13/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
British-Zimbabwean actor and activist Thandiwe Newton, who was named to the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List, receiving an OBE for services to film and charity, has joined documentary “President” as executive producer. The film won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival this year and will screen at AFI Docs on Thursday.
The film captures Zimbabwe at a crossroads. In the first election since the removal of Robert Mugabe, the new leader of the opposition Nelson Chamisa is challenging the dictator’s corrupt legacy, and his successor Emmerson “the crocodile” Mnangagwa. The election will be the ultimate test for both sides. How they interpret the principles of democracy, if they can inspire trust among the citizenry, not succumb to violence, and foster faith in institutions, will set the course for the future for the country.
Newton said: “Zimbabwe needs this film like a body needs oxygen. It...
The film captures Zimbabwe at a crossroads. In the first election since the removal of Robert Mugabe, the new leader of the opposition Nelson Chamisa is challenging the dictator’s corrupt legacy, and his successor Emmerson “the crocodile” Mnangagwa. The election will be the ultimate test for both sides. How they interpret the principles of democracy, if they can inspire trust among the citizenry, not succumb to violence, and foster faith in institutions, will set the course for the future for the country.
Newton said: “Zimbabwe needs this film like a body needs oxygen. It...
- 6/24/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Preparing to launch its biggest and broadest sales slate ever at Cannes, driven by 13 festival titles, The Match Factory has dropped a first trailer to Tatiana Huezo’s “Prayers for the Stolen,” lead-produced by the award-winning producer of “Roma” Nicolás Celis.
Playing at Cannes in Un Certain Regard, the new feature – glimpsed via a couple of excerpts at Los Cabos Festival in 2019 – marks the much anticipated fiction film debut of Huezo, who has risen to prominence as one of Latin America’s most respected documentary filmmakers on the back on just two doc-features, 2011’s “The Tiniest Place” and 2016’s “Tempestad,” which was selected for Berlin Forum.
“The Tiniest Place” was hailed by Variety as one of the most impressive debuts by a Mexican filmmaker since Carlos Reygadas’ “Japón” in 2002.
Lead produced by Celis’ Pimienta Films, “Prayers for the Stolen” is backed by a pedigree partnership of co-producers, taking in Match Factory Productions itself,...
Playing at Cannes in Un Certain Regard, the new feature – glimpsed via a couple of excerpts at Los Cabos Festival in 2019 – marks the much anticipated fiction film debut of Huezo, who has risen to prominence as one of Latin America’s most respected documentary filmmakers on the back on just two doc-features, 2011’s “The Tiniest Place” and 2016’s “Tempestad,” which was selected for Berlin Forum.
“The Tiniest Place” was hailed by Variety as one of the most impressive debuts by a Mexican filmmaker since Carlos Reygadas’ “Japón” in 2002.
Lead produced by Celis’ Pimienta Films, “Prayers for the Stolen” is backed by a pedigree partnership of co-producers, taking in Match Factory Productions itself,...
- 6/21/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Jewish Story Partners, a new Los Angeles-based film foundation with initial funding from Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw’s Righteous Persons Foundation, named its first round of grantees Wednesday including projects from Joey Soloway (Transparent), Maxim Pozdorovkin (Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer, Our New President) and Luke Lorentzen (Midnight Family).
Jsp awarded a total of $225,000 to ten U.S. documentary projects. The selections jury included Lou Cove, founder of Jewish arts funding collaborative Canvas; documentary film producer Julie Goldman, and Kim Yutani, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival.
“We are honored to support this bold and imaginative group of filmmakers and their projects,” the trio said in a joint statement. “These excellent films reflect a broad range of Jewish experiences, from the spiritual and artistic to the cultural and political.”
Jsp is led by Roberta Grossman, who serves as Producing Director, and veteran film festival programmer, former Sundance Catalyst director,...
Jsp awarded a total of $225,000 to ten U.S. documentary projects. The selections jury included Lou Cove, founder of Jewish arts funding collaborative Canvas; documentary film producer Julie Goldman, and Kim Yutani, Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival.
“We are honored to support this bold and imaginative group of filmmakers and their projects,” the trio said in a joint statement. “These excellent films reflect a broad range of Jewish experiences, from the spiritual and artistic to the cultural and political.”
Jsp is led by Roberta Grossman, who serves as Producing Director, and veteran film festival programmer, former Sundance Catalyst director,...
- 4/28/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The Greek filmmaker’s new feature is based on Jim Crace’s novel of the same name. Greece’s Athina Rachel Tsangari is ready to direct her new project, a drama entitled Harvest. The Athens-born filmmaker is best known for her sophomore feature, Attenberg (2010), and for her buddy comedy Chevalier (2015), as well as for her recent television endeavour, the BBC Two series Trigonometry, which premiered during this year’s Berlinale Series and is set in a crowded, expensive London, where a cash-strapped couple is forced to open their small flat to a third person. The announcement was first reported by Screen International. The script of Harvest, based on Jim Crace’s 2013 novel of the same name and penned by veteran producer Joslyn Barnes, is set in a medieval village in England and follows the villagers’ reaction to three newcomers, who become scapegoats in a time of economic turmoil. The project benefited from.
- 11/18/2020
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
If you think the folks in Days if Heaven had it rough…think again. Athina Rachel Tsangari is setting her sights on the book to film adaptation of Harvest – a 2013 novel by Jim Crace which features intimation, revenge, displacement and social decomposition. While her second and third features in coming-of-age a tad bit late anthropological bliss Attenberg (2010) and the one upping competition comedy Chevalier (2015) were contemporary setting affairs, this drama promises to bring out the best in harsh economic horse and trolley era with a healthy helping of The Crucible type denouement. The project will be produced by Sixteen Films’ co-founder Rebecca O’Brien (they obviously produce all of Ken Loach’s films and most recently Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here) who is teaming with the docu and distinctly auteur cinema producer Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films (this year they released Gunda in Berlin (read review) and In...
- 11/16/2020
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films to produce the UK drama based on Jim Crace’s award-winning novel.
Award-winning Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari is set to direct Harvest, a drama produced by Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films and Louverture Films on which The Match Factory will handle international sales.
Tsangari is known for features including Attenberg, which won prizes at Venice in 2010, and Chevalier, which screened at Toronto and won best film at the London Film Festival in 2015. Her most recent project was UK TV series Trigonometry, which screened at the Berlinale in February.
Harvest, based on the award-winning 2013 novel...
Award-winning Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari is set to direct Harvest, a drama produced by Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films and Louverture Films on which The Match Factory will handle international sales.
Tsangari is known for features including Attenberg, which won prizes at Venice in 2010, and Chevalier, which screened at Toronto and won best film at the London Film Festival in 2015. Her most recent project was UK TV series Trigonometry, which screened at the Berlinale in February.
Harvest, based on the award-winning 2013 novel...
- 11/16/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Robert Yapkowitz and Rich Peete’s In My Own Time: A Portrait Of Karen Dalton executive producer Wim Wenders on Nick Cave and Karen Dalton: “Just like Nick, Karen’s music had a profound effect on me.” Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Victor Kossakovsky’s Gunda, co-written with Ainara Vera, executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix, co-produced by Anita Rehoff Larsen from Sant & Usant with Joslyn Barnes and Susan Rockefeller of Louverture Films and a Main Slate selection of the 58th New York Film Festival; Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker’s ever more timely The Meaning Of Hitler; Malia Scharf and Max Basch’s intimate portrait, Kenny Scharf: When Worlds Collide, produced with David Koh (featuring remembrances from Kenny of Keith Haring, Klaus Nomi, <a...
Victor Kossakovsky’s Gunda, co-written with Ainara Vera, executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix, co-produced by Anita Rehoff Larsen from Sant & Usant with Joslyn Barnes and Susan Rockefeller of Louverture Films and a Main Slate selection of the 58th New York Film Festival; Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker’s ever more timely The Meaning Of Hitler; Malia Scharf and Max Basch’s intimate portrait, Kenny Scharf: When Worlds Collide, produced with David Koh (featuring remembrances from Kenny of Keith Haring, Klaus Nomi, <a...
- 11/15/2020
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Gunda is an extraordinarily impactful, loving, and urgent film and the more people stumble upon it, because they are lured by a magnificent pig with the cutest piglets, shot in poised black and white, the better off they will be.
Victor Kossakovsky’s film, co-written with Ainara Vera, is executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix, co-produced by Anita Rehoff Larsen from Sant & Usant with Joslyn Barnes and Susan Rockefeller of Louverture Films and a Main Slate selection of the 58th New York Film Festival, after it had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
We meet Gunda, it seems, while she is giving birth to her 13 piglets. The camera stays respectfully outside the small barn structure at first. A bit later we get very very close - one...
Victor Kossakovsky’s film, co-written with Ainara Vera, is executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix, co-produced by Anita Rehoff Larsen from Sant & Usant with Joslyn Barnes and Susan Rockefeller of Louverture Films and a Main Slate selection of the 58th New York Film Festival, after it had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
We meet Gunda, it seems, while she is giving birth to her 13 piglets. The camera stays respectfully outside the small barn structure at first. A bit later we get very very close - one...
- 9/16/2020
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Celebrated Azerbaijani filmmaker Hilal Baydarov has won international acclaim for a fast-growing body of work that has included seven films in the past two years while also attracting high-profile collaborators.
Baydarov is making his Venice debut with the competition title “In Between Dying,” a film he produced with Elshan Abbasov and co-producers Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films and Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas and his Splendor Omnia Studios. Danny Glover and Susan Rockefeller also served as executive producers for Louverture.
“In Between Dying” follows a troubled young man, Davud (Orkhan Iskandarli), who leaves his home on what is to become a fateful and dreamlike journey that spans a single day as he flees pursuers and searches for meaning in his life.
Baydarov’s largely improvised work was inspired by the story of Buddha – the early life of the pampered Siddhartha, who was kept sheltered in his father’s palace and shielded...
Baydarov is making his Venice debut with the competition title “In Between Dying,” a film he produced with Elshan Abbasov and co-producers Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films and Mexican filmmaker Carlos Reygadas and his Splendor Omnia Studios. Danny Glover and Susan Rockefeller also served as executive producers for Louverture.
“In Between Dying” follows a troubled young man, Davud (Orkhan Iskandarli), who leaves his home on what is to become a fateful and dreamlike journey that spans a single day as he flees pursuers and searches for meaning in his life.
Baydarov’s largely improvised work was inspired by the story of Buddha – the early life of the pampered Siddhartha, who was kept sheltered in his father’s palace and shielded...
- 9/8/2020
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
The first major in-person-only film festival to get underway during the pandemic, plans are full steam ahead for Venice Film Festival to kick off this week, taking place September 2 through September 12. While the lineup surely would’ve looked definitely if it was a standard year, festival director Alberto Barbera and team have delivered an impressive-looking slate of premieres. Ahead of our coverage from the festival (which you can follow here), we’ve rounded up our most-anticipated films.
The Book of Vision (Carlo Hintermann)
Executive produced by Terrence Malick, Carlo Hintermann’s The Book of Vision explores a doctor-patient relationship seen through the eyes of a female medical student named Eva as we jump between the present and the 18th century. Led by Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Lotte Verbeek (Outlander), and Sverrir Gudnason (Borg/McEnroe), the first intriguing trailer showcases beautiful cinematography from Jörg Widmer (A Hidden Life) and extravagant production design from David Crank.
The Book of Vision (Carlo Hintermann)
Executive produced by Terrence Malick, Carlo Hintermann’s The Book of Vision explores a doctor-patient relationship seen through the eyes of a female medical student named Eva as we jump between the present and the 18th century. Led by Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Lotte Verbeek (Outlander), and Sverrir Gudnason (Borg/McEnroe), the first intriguing trailer showcases beautiful cinematography from Jörg Widmer (A Hidden Life) and extravagant production design from David Crank.
- 8/31/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The Venice Film Festival will kick off early next month entirely in person and among our most-anticipated premieres is coming from a new voice in filmmaking backed by some impressive names. Director Hilal Baydarov (When The Persimmons Grew) will premiere In Between Dying in competition at the festival, a drama co-produced by Carlos Reygadas and Joslyn Barnes, executive produced by Danny Glover, and supported by Cristian Mungiu.
Following a man on a journey of self-discovery through rural Azerbaijan, the first trailer has now arrived and it displays no shortage of gorgeous imagery. “[Baydarov] sent me his films and I found them to be so rooted in a tradition of cinema that is today an endangered species – and at the same time so mystical,” Reygadas said. “I felt grateful for the depth and the originality of this vision and thought I would be lucky if I could contribute in any way to...
Following a man on a journey of self-discovery through rural Azerbaijan, the first trailer has now arrived and it displays no shortage of gorgeous imagery. “[Baydarov] sent me his films and I found them to be so rooted in a tradition of cinema that is today an endangered species – and at the same time so mystical,” Reygadas said. “I felt grateful for the depth and the originality of this vision and thought I would be lucky if I could contribute in any way to...
- 8/17/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Friend and supporter Christian Mungiu hails “meditation on the state of the world”.
Berlin-based Pluto Film has picked up world sales on Hilal Baydarov’s In Between Dying, which will receive its world premiere in competition at the 77th Venice Film Festival in September.
In Between Dying tells the love story of Davud, a young man trying to find his “real” family, who completes his life cycle in a single day. When he does find love, it’s in the place he has always lived. But it may be too late.
Baydarov, a former student of Béla Tarr’s Sarajevo-based film.
Berlin-based Pluto Film has picked up world sales on Hilal Baydarov’s In Between Dying, which will receive its world premiere in competition at the 77th Venice Film Festival in September.
In Between Dying tells the love story of Davud, a young man trying to find his “real” family, who completes his life cycle in a single day. When he does find love, it’s in the place he has always lived. But it may be too late.
Baydarov, a former student of Béla Tarr’s Sarajevo-based film.
- 7/28/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
RaMell Ross, director/cinematographer of the Oscar-nominated Hale County This Morning, This Evening Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
RaMell Ross, director/cinematographer of the Oscar-nominated documentary Hale County This Morning, This Evening will participate in a Film at Lincoln Center free virtual conversation moderated by Time director Garrett Bradley on June 24, starting at 6:00pm (Edt). Hale County This Morning, This Evening has an impressive producing team with Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover of Louverture Films to Laura Poitras (Citizenfour) and Charlotte Cook of Field of Vision, Susan Rockefeller (Oceana), Tony Tabatznik, Lynda Weinman, Su Kim, and co-writer Maya Krinsky.
RaMell Ross's subjects Daniel Collins and Quincy Bryant, a scene with Bert Williams from Edwin Middleton and T. Hayes Hunter's Lime Kiln Club Field Day (1913), the atmosphere of the local community in Hale County, Alabama, thunderstorms, starlit night...
RaMell Ross, director/cinematographer of the Oscar-nominated documentary Hale County This Morning, This Evening will participate in a Film at Lincoln Center free virtual conversation moderated by Time director Garrett Bradley on June 24, starting at 6:00pm (Edt). Hale County This Morning, This Evening has an impressive producing team with Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover of Louverture Films to Laura Poitras (Citizenfour) and Charlotte Cook of Field of Vision, Susan Rockefeller (Oceana), Tony Tabatznik, Lynda Weinman, Su Kim, and co-writer Maya Krinsky.
RaMell Ross's subjects Daniel Collins and Quincy Bryant, a scene with Bert Williams from Edwin Middleton and T. Hayes Hunter's Lime Kiln Club Field Day (1913), the atmosphere of the local community in Hale County, Alabama, thunderstorms, starlit night...
- 6/24/2020
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Animal rights campaigner and Ep Joaquin Phoenix to support Us release.
Cinephil has announced major sales led by the UK, France and Germany on Gunda, one of the most lauded films of the Berlinale’s Encounters selection, as it prepares to continue talks on outstanding territories at the Cannes virtual market.
Neon acquired North American rights to Victor Kossakovsky’s documentary and meditation on animal consciousness following the world premiere, and Tel Aviv-based Cinephil has maintained momentum with a set of deals that underscores the film’s global appeal.
Gunda has sold in the UK (Altitude), France (Metropolitan), Germany (Filmwelt...
Cinephil has announced major sales led by the UK, France and Germany on Gunda, one of the most lauded films of the Berlinale’s Encounters selection, as it prepares to continue talks on outstanding territories at the Cannes virtual market.
Neon acquired North American rights to Victor Kossakovsky’s documentary and meditation on animal consciousness following the world premiere, and Tel Aviv-based Cinephil has maintained momentum with a set of deals that underscores the film’s global appeal.
Gunda has sold in the UK (Altitude), France (Metropolitan), Germany (Filmwelt...
- 6/22/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Documentarians from Ecuador, Argentina, Kenya, Vietnam and France are among projects from 19 countries to receive support totalling $520,000 from Sundance Institute.
Documentarians from Ecuador, Argentina, Kenya, Vietnam and France are among projects from 19 countries to receive support totalling $520,000 from Sundance Institute.
Documentary Fund recipients encompass projects in development, production, and post-production stages and their work spans subject matter from a deeply personal family project in Ecuador, to a mission to save libraries in Kenya, to a musical involving female and trans prisoners in Buenos Aires.
Frederick Wiseman’s Boston City Hall project, City Hall, is among post-production grant recipients.
A little...
Documentarians from Ecuador, Argentina, Kenya, Vietnam and France are among projects from 19 countries to receive support totalling $520,000 from Sundance Institute.
Documentary Fund recipients encompass projects in development, production, and post-production stages and their work spans subject matter from a deeply personal family project in Ecuador, to a mission to save libraries in Kenya, to a musical involving female and trans prisoners in Buenos Aires.
Frederick Wiseman’s Boston City Hall project, City Hall, is among post-production grant recipients.
A little...
- 5/20/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Rithy Panh, Karim Ainouz, Annemarie Jacir, Tala Hadid, Ghassan Salhab join efforts to continue key project development activities.
The Doha Film Institute (Dfi) has set up an online mentorship programme to replace its Qumra talent and project development event which was cancelled earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 46 projects were to have received support and advice from some 100 industry professionals at the sixth edition of the meeting, originally scheduled to run March 20-25 in Doha.
French director Claire Denis, Greek cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, Us director James Gray, Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner and Oscar-winning sound editor...
The Doha Film Institute (Dfi) has set up an online mentorship programme to replace its Qumra talent and project development event which was cancelled earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 46 projects were to have received support and advice from some 100 industry professionals at the sixth edition of the meeting, originally scheduled to run March 20-25 in Doha.
French director Claire Denis, Greek cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, Us director James Gray, Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner and Oscar-winning sound editor...
- 3/19/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Viktor Kossakovsky’s Berlinale documentary sells to Parasite distributor.
Continuing to ride a wave of awards season success, Neon has acquired North American rights to Gunda, director Viktor Kossakovsky’s acclaimed documentary about a group of farm animals that had its world premiere in the new Encounters competitive section at this week’s Berlinale.
Neon, Us distributor of surprise multiple Oscar winner Parasite, picked the film up from the UTA Independent Film Group, which was handling North American sales.
Gunda, produced by Sand & Usant in a co-production with Louverture Films, follows its title character, a mother sow, through interactions with...
Continuing to ride a wave of awards season success, Neon has acquired North American rights to Gunda, director Viktor Kossakovsky’s acclaimed documentary about a group of farm animals that had its world premiere in the new Encounters competitive section at this week’s Berlinale.
Neon, Us distributor of surprise multiple Oscar winner Parasite, picked the film up from the UTA Independent Film Group, which was handling North American sales.
Gunda, produced by Sand & Usant in a co-production with Louverture Films, follows its title character, a mother sow, through interactions with...
- 2/25/2020
- ScreenDaily
Joaquin Phoenix has came onboard as executive producer.
Neon has acquired North American rights to Victor Kossakovsky’s animal rights documentary Gunda, which had its world premiere in the new Encounters section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Screen revealed last week that passionate animal rights advocate Joaquin Phoenix came onboard as executive producer, describing the project as a “mesmerising perspective on sentience within animal species.”
Gunda, which Kossakovsky also wrote alongside Ainara Vera, is a black and white meditation on the lives of the eponymous sow and other farm animals.
Sant & Usant produced the project, which is a co-production with Louverture Films.
Neon has acquired North American rights to Victor Kossakovsky’s animal rights documentary Gunda, which had its world premiere in the new Encounters section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Screen revealed last week that passionate animal rights advocate Joaquin Phoenix came onboard as executive producer, describing the project as a “mesmerising perspective on sentience within animal species.”
Gunda, which Kossakovsky also wrote alongside Ainara Vera, is a black and white meditation on the lives of the eponymous sow and other farm animals.
Sant & Usant produced the project, which is a co-production with Louverture Films.
- 2/25/2020
- by 1101184¦Orlando Parfitt¦38¦
- ScreenDaily
Joaquin Phoenix has came onboard as executive producer.
Neon has acquired North American rights to Viktor Kossakovsky’s animal rights documentary Gunda, which had its world premiere in the new Encounters section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Screen revealed last week that passionate animal rights advocate Joaquin Phoenix came onboard as executive producer, describing the project as a “mesmerising perspective on sentience within animal species.”
Gunda, which Kossakovsky also wrote alongside Ainara Vera, is a black and white meditation on the lives of the eponymous sow and other farm animals.
Sant & Usant produced the project, which is a co-production with Louverture Films.
Neon has acquired North American rights to Viktor Kossakovsky’s animal rights documentary Gunda, which had its world premiere in the new Encounters section at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Screen revealed last week that passionate animal rights advocate Joaquin Phoenix came onboard as executive producer, describing the project as a “mesmerising perspective on sentience within animal species.”
Gunda, which Kossakovsky also wrote alongside Ainara Vera, is a black and white meditation on the lives of the eponymous sow and other farm animals.
Sant & Usant produced the project, which is a co-production with Louverture Films.
- 2/25/2020
- by 1101184¦Orlando Parfitt¦38¦
- ScreenDaily
Neon is continuing its busy streak and picked up the North American rights to the documentary “Gunda,” which premiered at the Berlinale festival and is executive produced by Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix, the studio announced Tuesday. It’s the first sale of a festival title.
“Gunda” is shot in mesmerizing black and white and follows a day in the life of some livestock on a farm, including a mother sow (the eponymous Gunda) two ingenious cows, and a scene-stealing, one-legged chicken in an artful, dialogue-free triptych.
“Gunda” was directed by the famed nature filmmaker of “Aquarela” Victor Kossakovsky. It made its world premiere in the new competitive section at the festival, Encounters, where it was nominated for the Berlinale Documentary Award.
Also Read: Joaquin Phoenix Calls Out BAFTAs for Lack of Diversity During 'Joker' Acceptance Speech (Video)
Whereas his previous film “Aquarela” was a reminder of the fragility of human tenure on earth,...
“Gunda” is shot in mesmerizing black and white and follows a day in the life of some livestock on a farm, including a mother sow (the eponymous Gunda) two ingenious cows, and a scene-stealing, one-legged chicken in an artful, dialogue-free triptych.
“Gunda” was directed by the famed nature filmmaker of “Aquarela” Victor Kossakovsky. It made its world premiere in the new competitive section at the festival, Encounters, where it was nominated for the Berlinale Documentary Award.
Also Read: Joaquin Phoenix Calls Out BAFTAs for Lack of Diversity During 'Joker' Acceptance Speech (Video)
Whereas his previous film “Aquarela” was a reminder of the fragility of human tenure on earth,...
- 2/25/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Neon has acquired North American rights to “Gunda,” directed by “Aquarela” helmer Viktor Kossakovsky and executive produced by Joaquin Phoenix. The film made its world premiere in the Encounters section of the Berlin Film Festival. It is one of the few films in the festival this year to have closed a U.S. distribution deal so far.
“In ‘Gunda,’ Kossakovsky reminds us that we share our planet with billions of other animals,” according to a statement. “Through encounters with a mother sow (the eponymous Gunda), two ingenious cows, and a scene-stealing, one-legged chicken, Kossakovsky movingly recalibrates our moral universe, reminding us of the inherent value of life and the mystery of all animal consciousness, including our own.”
Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal for Neon along with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Cinephil is handling international sales.
Anita Rehoff Larsen produced “Gunda” for Sant & Usant; it is a co-production with Louverture Films.
“In ‘Gunda,’ Kossakovsky reminds us that we share our planet with billions of other animals,” according to a statement. “Through encounters with a mother sow (the eponymous Gunda), two ingenious cows, and a scene-stealing, one-legged chicken, Kossakovsky movingly recalibrates our moral universe, reminding us of the inherent value of life and the mystery of all animal consciousness, including our own.”
Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal for Neon along with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Cinephil is handling international sales.
Anita Rehoff Larsen produced “Gunda” for Sant & Usant; it is a co-production with Louverture Films.
- 2/25/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.