Heracles, or Hercules in the Roman interpretation, is probably one of the most recognizable figures of ancient mythology. In fact, along with the Mesopotamian Gilgamesh, the stories associated with Hercules are among the oldest representatives of adventure fiction that still have a significant impact on pop culture.
But obviously, given the mythical nature of the life of the famous ancient Greek hero, many movies and shows about Heracles were set in the fantasy genre and therefore did not care too much about historicity. But is this really the case, or did some filmmakers still try to convey period-accurate aspects?
Renowned Dutch historian Dr. Roel Konijnendijk, who specializes in classical Greek warfare, has evaluated a number of battles in films about antiquity, and one of them was 2014's Hercules, in which Dwayne Johnson took on the titular role. The film was rather coldly received by critics, but Konijnendijk gave it a much warmer reception,...
But obviously, given the mythical nature of the life of the famous ancient Greek hero, many movies and shows about Heracles were set in the fantasy genre and therefore did not care too much about historicity. But is this really the case, or did some filmmakers still try to convey period-accurate aspects?
Renowned Dutch historian Dr. Roel Konijnendijk, who specializes in classical Greek warfare, has evaluated a number of battles in films about antiquity, and one of them was 2014's Hercules, in which Dwayne Johnson took on the titular role. The film was rather coldly received by critics, but Konijnendijk gave it a much warmer reception,...
- 4/19/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
Plex is bringing a host of heavy hitters to its January lineup! This coming month, the streamer will start 2024 on a high note with dozens of new titles, including Bo Burnham’s acclaimed and affirming directorial debut “Eighth Grade,” Nordic box office toppers, Robert De Niro-led crime epics, and more.
Check out the full list of everything coming to Plex in January and add The Streamable’s top picks to the top of your to-watch list!
Watch Now Free plex.tv What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Plex in January 2024? “A Single Man” | Monday, Jan. 1
Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directorial debut to turn Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name into the lush and fashionable feature. Colin Firth stars as George Falconer, a depressed English college professor in 1960s Los Angeles grieving the death of his longtime partner, Jim. Julianne Moore co-stars as...
Check out the full list of everything coming to Plex in January and add The Streamable’s top picks to the top of your to-watch list!
Watch Now Free plex.tv What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Plex in January 2024? “A Single Man” | Monday, Jan. 1
Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directorial debut to turn Christopher Isherwood’s novel of the same name into the lush and fashionable feature. Colin Firth stars as George Falconer, a depressed English college professor in 1960s Los Angeles grieving the death of his longtime partner, Jim. Julianne Moore co-stars as...
- 12/22/2023
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo, Onni Tommila | Written and Directed by Jalmari Helander
Finnish writer-director Jalmari Helander returns with an outrageously violent and deliriously entertaining WWII action movie that’s an absolute must-see if you’re a fan of exploding Nazis. An inspired mash-up of Inglourious Basterds, Road Runner cartoons and Liam Neeson vengeful-old-man thrillers, it’s a wild ride from beginning to end.
Sisu opens with a caption that explains the title as an untranslateable Finnish word for “a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination … [manifested] when all hope is lost.” A further caption then sets the scene – it’s 1944 and the defeated Nazis are retreating from Finland, but not without destroying everything in their path.
We’re then introduced to grizzled prospector Aatami (Jorma Tommila), described by a voiceover as “one man who has decided to leave the war behind him, for good.” Accompanied...
Finnish writer-director Jalmari Helander returns with an outrageously violent and deliriously entertaining WWII action movie that’s an absolute must-see if you’re a fan of exploding Nazis. An inspired mash-up of Inglourious Basterds, Road Runner cartoons and Liam Neeson vengeful-old-man thrillers, it’s a wild ride from beginning to end.
Sisu opens with a caption that explains the title as an untranslateable Finnish word for “a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination … [manifested] when all hope is lost.” A further caption then sets the scene – it’s 1944 and the defeated Nazis are retreating from Finland, but not without destroying everything in their path.
We’re then introduced to grizzled prospector Aatami (Jorma Tommila), described by a voiceover as “one man who has decided to leave the war behind him, for good.” Accompanied...
- 9/7/2023
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo, Onni Tommila | Written and Directed by Jalmari Helander
Our film tells us that Sisu is an untranslatable Finnish word, for extreme courage. I would debate who that word is supposed to apply to, as our protagonist here is an unfeeling mass murderer Perhaps it refers best to the rape victims of the Nazis, doing their best to survive.
Sisu had me thinking about real history. If I were to create a list of all the peoples and counties who had a legitimate beef with Nazi Germany, during the Second World War the Jews would be at the top and Finland would be at the very bottom. Finland was in a horrible position (literally) as it fought a nasty civil war, to keep Stalin from taking control of their country, but in doing so they signed a pact with the devil, and for most of the war,...
Our film tells us that Sisu is an untranslatable Finnish word, for extreme courage. I would debate who that word is supposed to apply to, as our protagonist here is an unfeeling mass murderer Perhaps it refers best to the rape victims of the Nazis, doing their best to survive.
Sisu had me thinking about real history. If I were to create a list of all the peoples and counties who had a legitimate beef with Nazi Germany, during the Second World War the Jews would be at the top and Finland would be at the very bottom. Finland was in a horrible position (literally) as it fought a nasty civil war, to keep Stalin from taking control of their country, but in doing so they signed a pact with the devil, and for most of the war,...
- 7/18/2023
- by Chris Thomas
- Nerdly
It’s a new month, and we’re officially in the back half of 2023. That also means that it’s a new month for streaming. Netflix’s horror offerings might be light when it comes to new releases, the most notable of which is Bird Box Barcelona, set to debut on the streaming service on July 14.
Whether you’re looking for underseen horror gems on Netflix or revisiting spooky favorites, here are ten great horror movies you can stream on Netflix in July.
Apostle
Writer/Director Gareth Evans brings the bone-crunching brutality of The Raid and The Raid 2 to his period folk horror film. The Guest’s Dan Stevens stars as Thomas, a man who travels to a remote island in 1905 to infiltrate the cult that’s kidnapped his sister for ransom. The cult leaders claim that the barren island was made fertile through blood sacrifice, and in his quest,...
Whether you’re looking for underseen horror gems on Netflix or revisiting spooky favorites, here are ten great horror movies you can stream on Netflix in July.
Apostle
Writer/Director Gareth Evans brings the bone-crunching brutality of The Raid and The Raid 2 to his period folk horror film. The Guest’s Dan Stevens stars as Thomas, a man who travels to a remote island in 1905 to infiltrate the cult that’s kidnapped his sister for ransom. The cult leaders claim that the barren island was made fertile through blood sacrifice, and in his quest,...
- 7/6/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Crimson Peak Vinyl Soundtrack from Waxwork Records
Crimson Peak’s original motion picture soundtrack is available on 2xLP vinyl for $40 via Waxwork Records. The score is composed by Fernando Velázquez.
Between Jérémy Pailler’s ethereal artwork on the gatefold jacket and the “Ice Blue & Red Clay” splatter color vinyl, not to mention Velázquez’s haunting music, this is certain to be one of the most beautiful records in your collection.
My Best Friend Is a Vampire Blu-ray from Lionsgate
My Best Friend Is a Vampire will be released on Blu-ray on July 25 as the 30th installment in Lionsgate’s Vestron Video Collector’s Series. Matthew Therrien designed the cover art for the 1987 horror-comedy.
Also known...
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Crimson Peak Vinyl Soundtrack from Waxwork Records
Crimson Peak’s original motion picture soundtrack is available on 2xLP vinyl for $40 via Waxwork Records. The score is composed by Fernando Velázquez.
Between Jérémy Pailler’s ethereal artwork on the gatefold jacket and the “Ice Blue & Red Clay” splatter color vinyl, not to mention Velázquez’s haunting music, this is certain to be one of the most beautiful records in your collection.
My Best Friend Is a Vampire Blu-ray from Lionsgate
My Best Friend Is a Vampire will be released on Blu-ray on July 25 as the 30th installment in Lionsgate’s Vestron Video Collector’s Series. Matthew Therrien designed the cover art for the 1987 horror-comedy.
Also known...
- 6/9/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
The historical Finnish action movie Sisu, written and directed by Jalmari Helander, follows a gold prospector in 1944 during World War II, who tries to secure his stolen gold against a Nazi death squad. The film is set in Finnish Lapland and stars Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, and Mimosa Willamo. It has since received much praise from critics. Although the movie is reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino‘s Inglorious Basterds, which is completely fictional, Sisu entails many “truthful” elements and also convinces viewers through its almost wordless thriller nature. The hero and gold prospector, Aatami Korpi, is not just repetitively going on a...
- 5/28/2023
- by Elena Wasserzier
- TVovermind.com
In Sisu, a lone fighter takes on legions of Nazis, finding ever-inventive – and grisly – ways to annihilate them. We talk to those responsible about the year’s most outrageous war movie.
Read an extract of our exclusive Sisu feature from our Summer 2023 issue below, or see the full piece here.
When Sisu begins, we are told there is a word in the Finnish language that cannot be neatly translated into one in English: we need a whole bunch of them. “Sisu” describes a white-knuckled form of courage and determination; an internal resistance that rises when all hope is lost. But even that doesn’t fully cover it. “Sisu” is as intrinsic to Finnish culture as sauna and salt liquorice, and we need something more, maybe like a 90-minute film, to serve as a dictionary definition. Conveniently, this is what writer and director Jelmari Helander has made us, in the form...
Read an extract of our exclusive Sisu feature from our Summer 2023 issue below, or see the full piece here.
When Sisu begins, we are told there is a word in the Finnish language that cannot be neatly translated into one in English: we need a whole bunch of them. “Sisu” describes a white-knuckled form of courage and determination; an internal resistance that rises when all hope is lost. But even that doesn’t fully cover it. “Sisu” is as intrinsic to Finnish culture as sauna and salt liquorice, and we need something more, maybe like a 90-minute film, to serve as a dictionary definition. Conveniently, this is what writer and director Jelmari Helander has made us, in the form...
- 5/25/2023
- by Hayley Campbell
- Empire - Movies
Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo, Onni Tommila | Written and Directed by Jalmari Helander
Finnish writer-director Jalmari Helander returns with an outrageously violent and deliriously entertaining WWII action movie that’s an absolute must-see if you’re a fan of exploding Nazis. An inspired mash-up of Inglourious Basterds, Road Runner cartoons and Liam Neeson vengeful-old-man thrillers, it’s a wild ride from beginning to end.
Sisu opens with a caption that explains the title as an untranslateable Finnish word for “a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination … [manifested] when all hope is lost.” A further caption then sets the scene – it’s 1944 and the defeated Nazis are retreating from Finland, but not without destroying everything in their path.
We’re then introduced to grizzled prospector Aatami (Jorma Tommila), described by a voiceover as “one man who has decided to leave the war behind him, for good.” Accompanied...
Finnish writer-director Jalmari Helander returns with an outrageously violent and deliriously entertaining WWII action movie that’s an absolute must-see if you’re a fan of exploding Nazis. An inspired mash-up of Inglourious Basterds, Road Runner cartoons and Liam Neeson vengeful-old-man thrillers, it’s a wild ride from beginning to end.
Sisu opens with a caption that explains the title as an untranslateable Finnish word for “a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination … [manifested] when all hope is lost.” A further caption then sets the scene – it’s 1944 and the defeated Nazis are retreating from Finland, but not without destroying everything in their path.
We’re then introduced to grizzled prospector Aatami (Jorma Tommila), described by a voiceover as “one man who has decided to leave the war behind him, for good.” Accompanied...
- 5/19/2023
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Sisu is a film written and directed by Jalmari Helander starring Jorma Tommila.
Plot
During World War II, a lone man finds gold. On his way, the Nazi army tries to steal it, but they’ll meet a man who is very tenacious when defending his gold.
Sisu (2022) About the film
Extravagant, gory, funny and ironic. An action film plagued with sanguinary scenes and viscera everywhere, yes, but also a film created from the editing room with a production that, although modest, bets on the spectacularity of its images and the rhythm of the shots.
A film created out of editing and sound, very well directed and to which you can only object (if you want) to the bloody scenes. If you don’t fancy that, don’t watch it, but if you are in the mood for a well-done (and gory) action, Sisu is quite an opportunity.
A film with a lot of design,...
Plot
During World War II, a lone man finds gold. On his way, the Nazi army tries to steal it, but they’ll meet a man who is very tenacious when defending his gold.
Sisu (2022) About the film
Extravagant, gory, funny and ironic. An action film plagued with sanguinary scenes and viscera everywhere, yes, but also a film created from the editing room with a production that, although modest, bets on the spectacularity of its images and the rhythm of the shots.
A film created out of editing and sound, very well directed and to which you can only object (if you want) to the bloody scenes. If you don’t fancy that, don’t watch it, but if you are in the mood for a well-done (and gory) action, Sisu is quite an opportunity.
A film with a lot of design,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
On Super Bowl Sunday 2018, director Ava DuVernay tweeted, "#FilmTwitter is going to explode tonight. Something is coming that I can hardly believe. Lawd. History in the making." She was teasing Netflix's surprise release of "The Cloverfield Paradox," the third installment in the hit sci-fi and horror franchise. The film hadn't officially been announced, but it dropped on the streaming service right after the game ended, sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Unfortunately -- perhaps in part because the hype reached wild levels in the hours leading up to the film's release -- critics were not fans of the movie. DuVernay has since deleted her tweet.
"The Cloverfield Paradox" is a relatively derivative sci-fi thriller. It spends much of its runtime explaining what's going on, spelling out the rules of its plot mechanics. At the same time, its story can be tough to follow. It also bends over backwards to...
"The Cloverfield Paradox" is a relatively derivative sci-fi thriller. It spends much of its runtime explaining what's going on, spelling out the rules of its plot mechanics. At the same time, its story can be tough to follow. It also bends over backwards to...
- 5/13/2023
- by Eric Langberg
- Slash Film
For a decade and a half, Nick Fury has been a pillar of the Marvel Cinematic Universe feature on the show’s, well, secrets.
You’ll find copies on newsstands from Thursday 11 May – but for now, take a sneak peek inside the pages below. Become an Empire member here.
Secret Invasion
Spies. Skrulls. Samuel L. Jackson. The MCU’s next blockbuster series is bringing the MCU back to Earth for a gritty, noir-inspired espionage thriller, pitching Nick Fury into a political, paranoia-fulled mystery – and nobody is to be trusted. Empire gets the full story on a Marvel series like no other, speaking to stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Don Cheadle, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, director Ali Selim and producer Jonathan Schwartz – and a declassified batch of brand new images.
Star Wars Blowout
This year’s Star Wars Celebration brought a swathe of the galaxy’s brightest stars to London,...
You’ll find copies on newsstands from Thursday 11 May – but for now, take a sneak peek inside the pages below. Become an Empire member here.
Secret Invasion
Spies. Skrulls. Samuel L. Jackson. The MCU’s next blockbuster series is bringing the MCU back to Earth for a gritty, noir-inspired espionage thriller, pitching Nick Fury into a political, paranoia-fulled mystery – and nobody is to be trusted. Empire gets the full story on a Marvel series like no other, speaking to stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Don Cheadle, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, director Ali Selim and producer Jonathan Schwartz – and a declassified batch of brand new images.
Star Wars Blowout
This year’s Star Wars Celebration brought a swathe of the galaxy’s brightest stars to London,...
- 5/10/2023
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
The thing about Nazis is: Fuck those guys.
Finland began World War II by fighting off the Soviet forces that tried to invade the country in the “Winter War” from 1939 to 1940. They were conscripted by the Axis powers to fight alongside Hitler’s army until 1944, the year of the Moscow Armistice — that treaty not only allied Finnish troops with the Russians, it started a major campaign that sought to drive the Nazis out of the country once and for all. This was known as the “Lapland War,” for those of you playing along at home.
Finland began World War II by fighting off the Soviet forces that tried to invade the country in the “Winter War” from 1939 to 1940. They were conscripted by the Axis powers to fight alongside Hitler’s army until 1944, the year of the Moscow Armistice — that treaty not only allied Finnish troops with the Russians, it started a major campaign that sought to drive the Nazis out of the country once and for all. This was known as the “Lapland War,” for those of you playing along at home.
- 5/4/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Writer/Director Jalmari Helander delivered a delightfully wicked twist to Santa Claus in 2010’s genre-bender Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. Helander’s latest, Sisu, sees the filmmaker reteaming with some familiar Rare Exports faces for another crowd-pleasing genre-bender, this time an R-rated journey through Lapland near the end of World War II. The period action adventure goes hard on hyper-violence and has a sense of humor to match.
Jorma Tommila (Rare Exports) stars as Aatami, a former soldier turned solitary miner living out in the wilderness with his loyal dog and horse. When Aatami uncovers an impressive pile of gold, he loads up his haul and begins a trek to the closest town to trade it for cash. He crosses paths with a Nazi battalion led by the ruthless SS Obersturmführer (Aksel Hennie). The Nazis intend to leave Aatami for dead and steal his gold, but they don’t realize...
Jorma Tommila (Rare Exports) stars as Aatami, a former soldier turned solitary miner living out in the wilderness with his loyal dog and horse. When Aatami uncovers an impressive pile of gold, he loads up his haul and begins a trek to the closest town to trade it for cash. He crosses paths with a Nazi battalion led by the ruthless SS Obersturmführer (Aksel Hennie). The Nazis intend to leave Aatami for dead and steal his gold, but they don’t realize...
- 4/28/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Plot: When an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness tries to take the loot into the city, Nazi soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him.
Review: If you saw John Wick: Chapter 4 in the theater, chances are you saw the trailer for Sisu. The brutally bloody teaser showcased the same level of carnage we have expected from David Leitch films like Nobody and Bullet Train, but Sisu is very different. Harkening to the bloodlust one feels dispatching Nazis in games like Wolfenstein 3D or in zombie films like Dead Snow and Iron Sky; Sisu is chock full of World War II German monsters getting what they deserve in every conceivable way as well as some you likely never would have thought up in a million years. Lionsgate is betting that American audiences will appreciate Sisu much like they did Inglourious Basterds, and I can confirm that they absolutely will.
Review: If you saw John Wick: Chapter 4 in the theater, chances are you saw the trailer for Sisu. The brutally bloody teaser showcased the same level of carnage we have expected from David Leitch films like Nobody and Bullet Train, but Sisu is very different. Harkening to the bloodlust one feels dispatching Nazis in games like Wolfenstein 3D or in zombie films like Dead Snow and Iron Sky; Sisu is chock full of World War II German monsters getting what they deserve in every conceivable way as well as some you likely never would have thought up in a million years. Lionsgate is betting that American audiences will appreciate Sisu much like they did Inglourious Basterds, and I can confirm that they absolutely will.
- 4/28/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
, Jalmari Helander’s “Sisu” is basically what might happen if someone transplanted “Fury Road” into Finland, lost 90 percent of what made that film into an unrepeatable force of nature, and tried to make up the difference by exploding as many Nazis as possible in outrageously violent fashion.
If you think that sounds like a decent trade-off for 91 minutes’ worth of brainless midnight fun, then I’ve got some good news for you: “Sisu” does exactly what it says on the tin.
Straightforward and unpretentious to the point that its hero doesn’t isn’t even afforded dialogue — let alone a meaningful character arc — this is the kind of movie that starts with a tank fighting a gold miner before escalating to “Dr. Strangelove” levels of destruction. “All killer, no filler” would be a wildly generous way of describing Helander’s latest bid for an international breakout (previous efforts include the...
If you think that sounds like a decent trade-off for 91 minutes’ worth of brainless midnight fun, then I’ve got some good news for you: “Sisu” does exactly what it says on the tin.
Straightforward and unpretentious to the point that its hero doesn’t isn’t even afforded dialogue — let alone a meaningful character arc — this is the kind of movie that starts with a tank fighting a gold miner before escalating to “Dr. Strangelove” levels of destruction. “All killer, no filler” would be a wildly generous way of describing Helander’s latest bid for an international breakout (previous efforts include the...
- 4/25/2023
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Writer/director Jalmari Helander is the mind behind 2010’s Rare Exports, which put its own warped spin on the Christmas movie. Now, he’s diving into a Finnish war actioner that brings a John Wick-level threat into the era of World War II. Sisu is as narratively straightforward as they come, but you can bank on Helander once again delivering on exactly what he’s selling.
‘Sisu’ pits a Finnish legend against Nazis Jorma Tommila as Aatami Korpi | Freezing Point Oy/Antti Rastivo/Lionsgate
Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) is an ex-soldier who lost everything, mining for gold in the Lapland wilderness along with his dog. He left the war behind him, seeking to live the rest of his days in solitude. Set in 1944, the end of WWII is in sight, as the remaining Nazi soldiers led by SS Obersturmführer Bruno Helldorf (Aksel Hennie) realize that they don’t have...
‘Sisu’ pits a Finnish legend against Nazis Jorma Tommila as Aatami Korpi | Freezing Point Oy/Antti Rastivo/Lionsgate
Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila) is an ex-soldier who lost everything, mining for gold in the Lapland wilderness along with his dog. He left the war behind him, seeking to live the rest of his days in solitude. Set in 1944, the end of WWII is in sight, as the remaining Nazi soldiers led by SS Obersturmführer Bruno Helldorf (Aksel Hennie) realize that they don’t have...
- 4/24/2023
- by Jeff Nelson
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Lionsgate is teaming up with Stage 6 Films, Subzero Film Entertainment, and Good Chaos to give the World War II action movie Sisu, a Finnish production, a theatrical release in the United States on April 28th – and with that date just a couple months away, a trailer for Sisu has arrived online and can be seen in the embed above.
Written and directed by Jalmari Helander, who previously brought us the 2010 fantasy horror film Rare Exports and the 2014 Samuel L. Jackson action movie Big Game, Sisu has the following synopsis: During the last desperate days of WWII, a solitary prospector (Jorma Tommila) crosses paths with Nazis on a scorched-earth retreat in northern Finland. When the Nazis steal his gold, they quickly discover that they have just tangled with no ordinary miner. While there is no direct translation for the Finnish word “sisu”, this legendary ex-commando will embody what sisu means:...
Written and directed by Jalmari Helander, who previously brought us the 2010 fantasy horror film Rare Exports and the 2014 Samuel L. Jackson action movie Big Game, Sisu has the following synopsis: During the last desperate days of WWII, a solitary prospector (Jorma Tommila) crosses paths with Nazis on a scorched-earth retreat in northern Finland. When the Nazis steal his gold, they quickly discover that they have just tangled with no ordinary miner. While there is no direct translation for the Finnish word “sisu”, this legendary ex-commando will embody what sisu means:...
- 2/22/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
"You'll see what happens when you take everything from him." Lionsgate has revealed an official US trailer for the most awesome Finnish action movie Sisu, arriving in US theaters this April. Finally!! I saw this at the Sitges Film Festival last fall and it absolutely Rules. When an ex-soldier discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness and tries to take the loot back home, Nazi soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him. Jorma Tommila stars as Aatami, who takes on the entire Nazi battalion himself. "Sisu" is a Finnish idea described as "stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery" - and this movie embodies that perfectly. The cast also includes Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo, & Onni Tommila. I raved in my review: "This guy is now an action cinema icon, all hail Jorma Tommila!! Even if it is an obvious homage to Mad Max, Tommila's mostly dialogue-free performance is the epitome of awesome.
- 2/21/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Click here to read the full article.
Morten Tyldum, the Norwegian director of The Imitation Game, Headhunters and Passengers, has signed on to direct Ibelin, based on the true-story of Norwegian gamer Mats Steen.
Steen, who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, died in 2014 at the age of 25. On the day of his funeral, held in a chapel in Oslo, people from all over Europe showed up to pay tribute to Mats, who they knew by his World of Warcraft handle Ibelin, giving heartfelt speeches about how he had enriched and changed their lives. On the surface, Mats Steen lived an isolated and lonely life alone with his parents. Online, he helped create and support a global community that transcended age, geography and time.
“Ever since hearing about Mats and meeting his family, this is a story I felt needed to be shared with the world,” Tyldum said in a statement.
Morten Tyldum, the Norwegian director of The Imitation Game, Headhunters and Passengers, has signed on to direct Ibelin, based on the true-story of Norwegian gamer Mats Steen.
Steen, who suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, died in 2014 at the age of 25. On the day of his funeral, held in a chapel in Oslo, people from all over Europe showed up to pay tribute to Mats, who they knew by his World of Warcraft handle Ibelin, giving heartfelt speeches about how he had enriched and changed their lives. On the surface, Mats Steen lived an isolated and lonely life alone with his parents. Online, he helped create and support a global community that transcended age, geography and time.
“Ever since hearing about Mats and meeting his family, this is a story I felt needed to be shared with the world,” Tyldum said in a statement.
- 11/14/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lionsgate emerged victorious from a competitive bidding war over Finnish film “Sisu,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews.
The Midnight Madness favorite will be released in U.S. theaters on a to-be-announced date. Sony’s Stage 6 Films financed the film and will handle international rights, with the exception of Nordics, which are held by Nordisk Film.
Written and directed by Jalmari Helander, “Sisu” begins in 1945 when ex-soldier Aatami (Jorma Tommila) discovers a golden treasure trove buried in the Finnish wilderness. On his way back into the city, a group of Nazis find his fortune, kicking into motion an outrageous, bloody revenge plot to recover what was stolen from him. Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo and Onni Tommila co-star.
Also Read:
Simu Liu to Star in ‘Seven Wonders’ Series Adaptation at Prime Video
The film is produced by Petri Jokiranta on behalf of Subzero Film Entertainment,...
The Midnight Madness favorite will be released in U.S. theaters on a to-be-announced date. Sony’s Stage 6 Films financed the film and will handle international rights, with the exception of Nordics, which are held by Nordisk Film.
Written and directed by Jalmari Helander, “Sisu” begins in 1945 when ex-soldier Aatami (Jorma Tommila) discovers a golden treasure trove buried in the Finnish wilderness. On his way back into the city, a group of Nazis find his fortune, kicking into motion an outrageous, bloody revenge plot to recover what was stolen from him. Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo and Onni Tommila co-star.
Also Read:
Simu Liu to Star in ‘Seven Wonders’ Series Adaptation at Prime Video
The film is produced by Petri Jokiranta on behalf of Subzero Film Entertainment,...
- 10/18/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Writer/Director Jalmari Helander’s Rare Exports quickly became requisite holiday viewing among horror fans for its delightfully twisted take on Santa Claus. Get ready to fall even harder for his latest, gory crowd-pleaser Sisu.
After receiving rave reviews from its world premiere at TIFF, including ours, Lionsgate emerged victorious in a bidding war over Sisu, per Deadline.
The film will receive a theatrical release sometime in the future.
Helander reteams with Rare Exports actor Jorma Tommila for one epic and hyper-violent period adventure through the wilderness of Lapland in Northern Finland. Sisu sees Tommila playing Aatami, a solitary gold prospector that embarks on a trek to the nearest town to cash in his find of the century. Aatami crosses paths with a troop of Nazi soldiers led by the vile and villainous SS Obersturmführer (Aksel Hennie). The Nazis decide to take the gold for themselves, but they don’t...
After receiving rave reviews from its world premiere at TIFF, including ours, Lionsgate emerged victorious in a bidding war over Sisu, per Deadline.
The film will receive a theatrical release sometime in the future.
Helander reteams with Rare Exports actor Jorma Tommila for one epic and hyper-violent period adventure through the wilderness of Lapland in Northern Finland. Sisu sees Tommila playing Aatami, a solitary gold prospector that embarks on a trek to the nearest town to cash in his find of the century. Aatami crosses paths with a troop of Nazi soldiers led by the vile and villainous SS Obersturmführer (Aksel Hennie). The Nazis decide to take the gold for themselves, but they don’t...
- 10/18/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: After receiving rave reviews from its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival which instigated a bidding war, Sony’s Stage 6 Finnish feature Sisu has been scooped up by Lionsgate. The film will receive a theatrical release at some point in the future.
The movie is from filmmaker Jalmari Helander and follows Aatami, an ex-soldier in 1945 who discovers gold in the deep wilderness of Finland while on his way into the city. Brutal Nazis on a scorched-earth mission discover his treasure trove. He must go through outrageous lengths to get his gold back – even if it means killing every last Nazi. Aatami is portrayed by the filmmaker’s long-time collaborator Jorma Tommila.
Related Story 'Nostalgia': Breaking Glass Pictures Acquires Italy's Oscar Entry For North America Related Story Tom Hanks Movie 'A Man Called Otto' Shifts To Christmas Related Story Lionsgate Signs Worldwide...
The movie is from filmmaker Jalmari Helander and follows Aatami, an ex-soldier in 1945 who discovers gold in the deep wilderness of Finland while on his way into the city. Brutal Nazis on a scorched-earth mission discover his treasure trove. He must go through outrageous lengths to get his gold back – even if it means killing every last Nazi. Aatami is portrayed by the filmmaker’s long-time collaborator Jorma Tommila.
Related Story 'Nostalgia': Breaking Glass Pictures Acquires Italy's Oscar Entry For North America Related Story Tom Hanks Movie 'A Man Called Otto' Shifts To Christmas Related Story Lionsgate Signs Worldwide...
- 10/18/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Jalmari Helander hasn’t made a feature since 2014’s “Big Game,” then the most expensive Finnish film to date. It was an unabashed, bombastic, good-humored action crowd-pleaser that indeed pleased crowds — at festivals, while mysteriously failing to catch on with general audiences. Presumably his concept was just too “high” for mainstream viewers to swallow: Though they don’t have any problem with Gerard Butler or Will Smith doing similar honors, it seemed too much to accept a 13-year-old Finn boy singlehandedly rescuing the president of the United States from an obstacle course of assassination peril.
That failure must have hurt; Helander has spent the interim on episodic work. His new “Sisu” is, in many ways, cut from the same cloth as “Big Game” as a splashy popcorn action piece unconcerned with credibility, pushing well-worn ideas to outlandish, and outrageously entertaining, ends. But the writer-director has hedged his bets by moving...
That failure must have hurt; Helander has spent the interim on episodic work. His new “Sisu” is, in many ways, cut from the same cloth as “Big Game” as a splashy popcorn action piece unconcerned with credibility, pushing well-worn ideas to outlandish, and outrageously entertaining, ends. But the writer-director has hedged his bets by moving...
- 10/1/2022
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
It's been a while since we've seen a Jalmari Helander movie, with his most recent film "Big Game" premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival back in 2014. Considering how both "Rare Exports" and "Big Game" are considered cult favorites among genre fans, this absence might feel a bit strange.
Thankfully, he's returned to fill that void after an eight-year hiatus. "Sisu," also known by its English title "Immortal," is schlock in the purest sense, making for a great addition to this year's TIFF under the Midnight Madness block. Set towards the tail-end of World War II, it centers around the solitary gold miner Aatami (Jorma Tommila), whose good fortune is interrupted by an army of Nazis enacting a scorched earth protocol throughout Finland. Of course, these Nazis realize too late that the old man they are dealing with is a legendary soldier with a reputation for killing anyone who gets in his way.
Thankfully, he's returned to fill that void after an eight-year hiatus. "Sisu," also known by its English title "Immortal," is schlock in the purest sense, making for a great addition to this year's TIFF under the Midnight Madness block. Set towards the tail-end of World War II, it centers around the solitary gold miner Aatami (Jorma Tommila), whose good fortune is interrupted by an army of Nazis enacting a scorched earth protocol throughout Finland. Of course, these Nazis realize too late that the old man they are dealing with is a legendary soldier with a reputation for killing anyone who gets in his way.
- 9/10/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to the gripping historical drama Kent State from writer, director Karen Slade. The film will star Dermot Mulroney, Clancy Brown, Aksel Hennie, Christopher Backus, Christopher Ammanuel, Andrew Ortenberg and Jacqueline Emerson.
Grandave International is handling foreign sales on the film. The pic will begin filming this November in Columbus, Ga with a US theatrical release anticipated for 2023.
Inspired by true events, the movie tells the story of how a family’s buried past coincides with the brutal truth of one of the most significant events in American history, when the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of student protestors, killing four, and injuring 7 on May 4th, 1970, at Kent State University. Told through the perspective of Will McCormack in two time periods in his life, the film asks the question of not just what happened then, but why these kinds of events continue to happen.
Grandave International is handling foreign sales on the film. The pic will begin filming this November in Columbus, Ga with a US theatrical release anticipated for 2023.
Inspired by true events, the movie tells the story of how a family’s buried past coincides with the brutal truth of one of the most significant events in American history, when the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of student protestors, killing four, and injuring 7 on May 4th, 1970, at Kent State University. Told through the perspective of Will McCormack in two time periods in his life, the film asks the question of not just what happened then, but why these kinds of events continue to happen.
- 9/10/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Nazis die and Finns triumph in the Finnish WW2 thriller “Sisu,” a spaghetti Western–style action-adventure set in the Lapland plains of Finland. In this polished genre exercise, a stubborn Finnish gold prospector runs away from, and also violently dispatches, a group of Nazis during the war’s concluding months.
Writer-director Jalmari Helander doesn’t really develop his post-post-modern pastiche beyond its basic high-concept premise, so “Sisu” — premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival — never becomes more than an energetically realized live-action cartoon. Thankfully, Helander and his collaborators deliver a good-enough potboiler, thanks especially to the invigorating contributions of cinematographer Kjell Lagerroos and editor Juho Virolainen.
There’s not much more to “Sisu”, but it certainly looks good and moves briskly from one action scene to the next.
That said, you might be disappointed by “Sisu” if you expect it to develop, either in terms of narrative momentum or dramatic tension.
Writer-director Jalmari Helander doesn’t really develop his post-post-modern pastiche beyond its basic high-concept premise, so “Sisu” — premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival — never becomes more than an energetically realized live-action cartoon. Thankfully, Helander and his collaborators deliver a good-enough potboiler, thanks especially to the invigorating contributions of cinematographer Kjell Lagerroos and editor Juho Virolainen.
There’s not much more to “Sisu”, but it certainly looks good and moves briskly from one action scene to the next.
That said, you might be disappointed by “Sisu” if you expect it to develop, either in terms of narrative momentum or dramatic tension.
- 9/10/2022
- by Simon Abrams
- The Wrap
As they say here north of the border: Time to drop the puck on the 2022 Toronto Film Festival.
The weather is beautiful, and they’ve cordoned off King Street from the Lightbox to Roy Thomson Hall. People are getting their bearings, most not wearing masks in the open air. This is a sight better than last year, when the cable cars were not rerouted from King Street because so few came for the festivities. Not surprisingly, not a single major deal happened on the ground as the festivals and specialty theatrical business were still feeling the fallout from Covid.
Toronto Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Will this year be any better? Some believe it certainly can’t get worse. Buyers and sellers expect the pace to be on the slow side, with some possible exceptions. I hear that the hot title is one that isn’t officially on the for-sale lists,...
The weather is beautiful, and they’ve cordoned off King Street from the Lightbox to Roy Thomson Hall. People are getting their bearings, most not wearing masks in the open air. This is a sight better than last year, when the cable cars were not rerouted from King Street because so few came for the festivities. Not surprisingly, not a single major deal happened on the ground as the festivals and specialty theatrical business were still feeling the fallout from Covid.
Toronto Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Will this year be any better? Some believe it certainly can’t get worse. Buyers and sellers expect the pace to be on the slow side, with some possible exceptions. I hear that the hot title is one that isn’t officially on the for-sale lists,...
- 9/8/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer/Director Jalmari Helander’s Rare Exports quickly became requisite holiday viewing among horror fans for its delightfully twisted take on Santa Claus and his not-so-merry elves. Helander is upping the ante on genre-bending mayhem for his latest, Sisu, set to make its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022.
The filmmaker reteams with Rare Exports actor Jorma Tommila for one epic and hyper-violent period adventure through the wilderness of Lapland in Northern Finland. Sisu sees Tommila playing Aatami, a solitary gold prospector that embarks on a trek to the nearest town to cash in his find of the century. Aatami crosses paths with a troop of Nazi soldiers led by the vile and villainous SS Obersturmführer (Aksel Hennie). The Nazis decide to take the gold for themselves, but they don’t realize they’ve picked a fight with the wrong man. Aatami is a one-man army of legendary proportions,...
The filmmaker reteams with Rare Exports actor Jorma Tommila for one epic and hyper-violent period adventure through the wilderness of Lapland in Northern Finland. Sisu sees Tommila playing Aatami, a solitary gold prospector that embarks on a trek to the nearest town to cash in his find of the century. Aatami crosses paths with a troop of Nazi soldiers led by the vile and villainous SS Obersturmführer (Aksel Hennie). The Nazis decide to take the gold for themselves, but they don’t realize they’ve picked a fight with the wrong man. Aatami is a one-man army of legendary proportions,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
"Death is a hard way to make a living." LevelFilm has revealed an official trailer for the indie dark comedy The Middle Man, the latest film made by an award-winning Norwegian filmmaker named Bent Hamer - one of his biggest hits was the indie Factotum from 2005 with Matt Dillon. This new one already premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year, but it hasn't made its way down to the US yet despite taking place in the US. The film is set in Karmack, a small town in the American Midwest that is so economically depressed that it hires Frank Farrelli as a middle man to deliver bad news to people because none of the residents can bear to do it themselves anymore. Norwegian actor Pål Sverre Hagen stars as Frank, with a cast including Don McKellar, Kenneth Welsh, Paul Gross, Trond Fausa, Aksel Hennie, and Bill Lake. This looks like a very strange,...
- 5/18/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
[Editor’s note: The following review contains major spoilers for “The Trip (Onde Dager).”]
In real life, when married people say they think about murdering their spouse, most don’t actually mean it. In Tommy Wirkola’s devilishly fun black comedy “The Trip” (Norwegian title: “Onde Dager”), they do. Landing somewhere in a delicious Venn diagram between thriller, horror, and comedy, “The Trip” is a fast-paced joy ride that should make even the squeamish delight in a little bloodbath.
(Since much of the fun comes from an endless parade of rabbits Wirkola pulls out of his insane hat, knowing too much about the action could take the edge off. Consider yourself warned.)
The movie opens on a soap opera set, where a smoldering couple is fighting over an outrageous infidelity. “That’s right, I’m pregnant with your dead brother’s son’s baby,” a blonde actress cries, before the sleepy director calls cut. This is Lars (Aksel Hennie), a dissatisfied TV director whose...
In real life, when married people say they think about murdering their spouse, most don’t actually mean it. In Tommy Wirkola’s devilishly fun black comedy “The Trip” (Norwegian title: “Onde Dager”), they do. Landing somewhere in a delicious Venn diagram between thriller, horror, and comedy, “The Trip” is a fast-paced joy ride that should make even the squeamish delight in a little bloodbath.
(Since much of the fun comes from an endless parade of rabbits Wirkola pulls out of his insane hat, knowing too much about the action could take the edge off. Consider yourself warned.)
The movie opens on a soap opera set, where a smoldering couple is fighting over an outrageous infidelity. “That’s right, I’m pregnant with your dead brother’s son’s baby,” a blonde actress cries, before the sleepy director calls cut. This is Lars (Aksel Hennie), a dissatisfied TV director whose...
- 10/15/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
There's gold in them hills.
Deadline reports that principal photography has begun on "Immortal," a World War II action picture from "Rare Exports" director Jalmari Helander. The film follows a one-man army going into battle against the Nazi army in the Finnish wilderness. Set in 1945, "Immortal" tells the story of ex-soldier Aatami (Jorma Tommila), who stumbles upon gold in the deep woods of Lapland, where the filming will primarily take place along with Helsinki. His efforts to bring the gold along with him are thwarted by SS goons, led by a ruthless officer played by "Peaky Blinders" star Thomas Anderson.
Besides Tommila and Anderson, "Immortal" also stars Aksel Hennie...
The post Rare Exports Director Is Finally Making Another Movie appeared first on /Film.
Deadline reports that principal photography has begun on "Immortal," a World War II action picture from "Rare Exports" director Jalmari Helander. The film follows a one-man army going into battle against the Nazi army in the Finnish wilderness. Set in 1945, "Immortal" tells the story of ex-soldier Aatami (Jorma Tommila), who stumbles upon gold in the deep woods of Lapland, where the filming will primarily take place along with Helsinki. His efforts to bring the gold along with him are thwarted by SS goons, led by a ruthless officer played by "Peaky Blinders" star Thomas Anderson.
Besides Tommila and Anderson, "Immortal" also stars Aksel Hennie...
The post Rare Exports Director Is Finally Making Another Movie appeared first on /Film.
- 9/22/2021
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Sales
Abacus Media Rights has sold documentary “The Beatles and India” to HBO Max for Latin America, BritBox North America for the U.S. and Canada, Channel 4 for the U.K., Foxtel for Australia, Channel One for Russia, and A Contracorriente Films for Spain, with more deals in the pipeline.
Inspired by Ajoy Bose’s “book Across The Universe – The Beatles in India,” the film marks Bose’s directorial debut, is co-directed by Peter Compton and is produced by Reynold D’Silva, CEO of Silva Screen Music Group.
Abacus MD Jonathan Ford said: “Using rare archival footage, an array of unseen recordings and photographs, eye-witness accounts and stunning location shoots across India, ‘The Beatles and India’ energetically reveals a fascinating journey which was to have a profound impact on The Beatles’ spiritual lives and their music.”
“The universal appeal of the subject has been one of our main aims in...
Abacus Media Rights has sold documentary “The Beatles and India” to HBO Max for Latin America, BritBox North America for the U.S. and Canada, Channel 4 for the U.K., Foxtel for Australia, Channel One for Russia, and A Contracorriente Films for Spain, with more deals in the pipeline.
Inspired by Ajoy Bose’s “book Across The Universe – The Beatles in India,” the film marks Bose’s directorial debut, is co-directed by Peter Compton and is produced by Reynold D’Silva, CEO of Silva Screen Music Group.
Abacus MD Jonathan Ford said: “Using rare archival footage, an array of unseen recordings and photographs, eye-witness accounts and stunning location shoots across India, ‘The Beatles and India’ energetically reveals a fascinating journey which was to have a profound impact on The Beatles’ spiritual lives and their music.”
“The universal appeal of the subject has been one of our main aims in...
- 9/21/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
WWII Action Film Begins In Helsinki
Principal photography has begun on Immortal, the World War II action film from Rare Exports director Jalmari Helander, in which a man goes to war against the Nazi army in the Finnish wilderness. Starring are Jorma Tommila (Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale), Aksel Hennie (The Martian), Jack Doolan (The Hatton Garden Job) and Onni Tommila (Big Game). Filming will take place in Lapland and Helsinki, Finland. Petri Jokiranta and Subzero Film Entertainment produce. Executive producers are Mike Goodridge, Gregory Ouanhon and Antonio Salas. As previously announced, Stage 6 Films acquired worldwide rights, excluding the Nordics, which will be handled by Nordisk Film. Pic is backed by the Finnish Film Foundation, Business Finland – Audiovisual Production Incentive and MTV Cmore.
Sony Pictures & EbonyLife Writers Initiative
EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Television are launching Alo, a program for writers of African heritage. The word ‘Alo’ is from the...
Principal photography has begun on Immortal, the World War II action film from Rare Exports director Jalmari Helander, in which a man goes to war against the Nazi army in the Finnish wilderness. Starring are Jorma Tommila (Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale), Aksel Hennie (The Martian), Jack Doolan (The Hatton Garden Job) and Onni Tommila (Big Game). Filming will take place in Lapland and Helsinki, Finland. Petri Jokiranta and Subzero Film Entertainment produce. Executive producers are Mike Goodridge, Gregory Ouanhon and Antonio Salas. As previously announced, Stage 6 Films acquired worldwide rights, excluding the Nordics, which will be handled by Nordisk Film. Pic is backed by the Finnish Film Foundation, Business Finland – Audiovisual Production Incentive and MTV Cmore.
Sony Pictures & EbonyLife Writers Initiative
EbonyLife and Sony Pictures Television are launching Alo, a program for writers of African heritage. The word ‘Alo’ is from the...
- 9/21/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman and Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Asia Argento (xXx), French rapper-actor JoeyStarr (Polisse) and Italian star Riccardo Scamarcio (John Wick: Chapter 2) are set to lead cast in French-language thriller Interstate (La Saveur De La Mort).
The movie is a supernatural thriller in which a hitman (JoeyStarr), facing an existential crisis, decides to exit the game and leave town with the woman he loves, but his plans are disrupted by a mysterious young man and his ruthless former boss.
Jean Luc Herbulot – whose Senegalese action film Saloum is playing in TIFF’s Midnight Madness strand — is directing.
XYZ is handling world sales minus France and Belgium and will begin discussing with buyers during the Toronto market.
Pic was written by Anthony Jaswinski (The Shallows) and is produced by Jean-Jacques Neira for Fontana (Belgium), Christophe Mazodier for Polaris Films (France) and Hicham Benkirane at Hbk F.C.
Filming is slated to begin this winter for a late 2022 release.
The movie is a supernatural thriller in which a hitman (JoeyStarr), facing an existential crisis, decides to exit the game and leave town with the woman he loves, but his plans are disrupted by a mysterious young man and his ruthless former boss.
Jean Luc Herbulot – whose Senegalese action film Saloum is playing in TIFF’s Midnight Madness strand — is directing.
XYZ is handling world sales minus France and Belgium and will begin discussing with buyers during the Toronto market.
Pic was written by Anthony Jaswinski (The Shallows) and is produced by Jean-Jacques Neira for Fontana (Belgium), Christophe Mazodier for Polaris Films (France) and Hicham Benkirane at Hbk F.C.
Filming is slated to begin this winter for a late 2022 release.
- 9/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“Community” and “Love” star Gillian Jacobs and “Aladdin” break-out Marwan Kenzari are set to lead Berlin-set romantic comedy “Any Other Night.”
Written by Patrick Whistler and directed by Michiel Ten Horn, the comedy follows two strangers thrown together as their lives are falling apart. Freshly dumped Maggie (Jacobs) and flailing cab driver Max (Kenzari) meet the night of a crippling transit strike, with the latter loading all of Maggie’s worldly possessions into the back of his decrepit van-cab. What should have been a simple fare becomes a wild, late-night odyssey.
“Any Other Night” is produced by Mike MacMillan of Lithium Studios, the outfit behind Cannes Director’s Fortnight selection “Mobile Homes,” alongside Sol Bondy of One Two Films (“The Tale”). Todd Brown of XYZ Films executive produces the film with XYZ handling sales.
The film marks the first English-language effort from acclaimed Dutch helmer Michiel Ten Horn (one of...
Written by Patrick Whistler and directed by Michiel Ten Horn, the comedy follows two strangers thrown together as their lives are falling apart. Freshly dumped Maggie (Jacobs) and flailing cab driver Max (Kenzari) meet the night of a crippling transit strike, with the latter loading all of Maggie’s worldly possessions into the back of his decrepit van-cab. What should have been a simple fare becomes a wild, late-night odyssey.
“Any Other Night” is produced by Mike MacMillan of Lithium Studios, the outfit behind Cannes Director’s Fortnight selection “Mobile Homes,” alongside Sol Bondy of One Two Films (“The Tale”). Todd Brown of XYZ Films executive produces the film with XYZ handling sales.
The film marks the first English-language effort from acclaimed Dutch helmer Michiel Ten Horn (one of...
- 5/6/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
First look at Nico van den Brink’s horror-thriller Moloch: "Production is underway in the Netherlands on director Nico van den Brink’s horror-thriller Moloch. With a screenplay by van den Brink and Daan Bakker, from a story by Nico van den Brink with additional support from Jaap Peter Enderle, Moloch is produced by Sabine Brian and Ronald Versteeg for Nl Film (Amsterdam). Todd Brown and Maxime Cottray are executive producing for XYZ Films. Moloch will be released theatrically throughout the Benelux by Splendid Film with XYZ Films representing worldwide sales outside of Benelux.
In the film, 38-year-old Betriek lives at the edge of a peat bog in the North of the Netherlands. When she and her family are attacked by a random stranger one night, Betriek sets out to find an explanation. The more she digs, the more she becomes convinced that she is being hunted by something ancient.
In the film, 38-year-old Betriek lives at the edge of a peat bog in the North of the Netherlands. When she and her family are attacked by a random stranger one night, Betriek sets out to find an explanation. The more she digs, the more she becomes convinced that she is being hunted by something ancient.
- 3/31/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Exclusive: XYZ Films has boarded world sales, excluding Canada and Australia/Nz, on Berlin Panorama entry Night Raiders, the apocalyptic sci-fi exec-produced by Taika Waititi.
Set in the year 2043 when a military occupation controls disenfranchised cities in North America and children are property of the state, the female-driven dystopian story follows a woman who joins an underground band of vigilantes to infiltrate a ‘children’s academy’ and get her daughter back.
The Canada-New Zealand co-production from writer-director Danis Goulet stars Elle-Maija Tailfeathers (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) with Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction), Brooklyn Letexier-Hart, Alex Tarrant, Violet Nelson and Gail Maurice.
XYZ Films, which was previously aboard for U.S. rights only has upped its involvement to world rights ahead of the virtual EFM.
Producing are Paul Barkin, Tara Woodbury, Georgina Condor, Chelsea Winstanley (JoJo Rabbit) and Ainsley Gardiner (The Breaker Uppers). Thor: Ragnarok director Waititi is exec-producing along with Noah Segal,...
Set in the year 2043 when a military occupation controls disenfranchised cities in North America and children are property of the state, the female-driven dystopian story follows a woman who joins an underground band of vigilantes to infiltrate a ‘children’s academy’ and get her daughter back.
The Canada-New Zealand co-production from writer-director Danis Goulet stars Elle-Maija Tailfeathers (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) with Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction), Brooklyn Letexier-Hart, Alex Tarrant, Violet Nelson and Gail Maurice.
XYZ Films, which was previously aboard for U.S. rights only has upped its involvement to world rights ahead of the virtual EFM.
Producing are Paul Barkin, Tara Woodbury, Georgina Condor, Chelsea Winstanley (JoJo Rabbit) and Ainsley Gardiner (The Breaker Uppers). Thor: Ragnarok director Waititi is exec-producing along with Noah Segal,...
- 2/11/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
XYZ Films has boarded action thriller “Yakuza Princess,” starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Japanese-American singer Masumi. The film will be shopped to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in early March.
XYZ will sell worldwide rights save Latin America for the English-language feature, directed by Vicente Amorim, whose previous film, “Motorrad,” screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. The film is written by Amorim, Fernando Toste, Kimi Lee and Tubaldini Shelling.
Based on the graphic novel “Samurai Shiro” by Danilo Beyruth and set in the expansive Japanese community of Sao Paulo in Brazil — the largest Japanese diaspora in the world — “Yakuza Princess” turns on orphan Akemi (Masumi), who turns 21 and finds out she is the heiress to half of the Yakuza (Japanese crime syndicate) empire. The other half, however, wants her dead, and her one hope is an amnesiac gaijin who awakes in hospital believing that an ancient...
XYZ will sell worldwide rights save Latin America for the English-language feature, directed by Vicente Amorim, whose previous film, “Motorrad,” screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. The film is written by Amorim, Fernando Toste, Kimi Lee and Tubaldini Shelling.
Based on the graphic novel “Samurai Shiro” by Danilo Beyruth and set in the expansive Japanese community of Sao Paulo in Brazil — the largest Japanese diaspora in the world — “Yakuza Princess” turns on orphan Akemi (Masumi), who turns 21 and finds out she is the heiress to half of the Yakuza (Japanese crime syndicate) empire. The other half, however, wants her dead, and her one hope is an amnesiac gaijin who awakes in hospital believing that an ancient...
- 2/10/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Production on Dual wraps safely in Finland.
XYZ Films and Film Tampere in Finland have entered into a strategic alliance as the parties announced production in the Scandinavian country has wrapped safely on sci-fi Dual starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale.
Dual is the first Hollywood production to film entirely in Finland and shot under Covid protocols, employing approximately 100 Finnish film professionals.
The new alliance aims to strengthen Tampere and Finland as international production locations, and nurture a filmmaking culture across the region.
The primary goal is to bring more international filmmaking opportunities to Tampere and Finland that...
XYZ Films and Film Tampere in Finland have entered into a strategic alliance as the parties announced production in the Scandinavian country has wrapped safely on sci-fi Dual starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale.
Dual is the first Hollywood production to film entirely in Finland and shot under Covid protocols, employing approximately 100 Finnish film professionals.
The new alliance aims to strengthen Tampere and Finland as international production locations, and nurture a filmmaking culture across the region.
The primary goal is to bring more international filmmaking opportunities to Tampere and Finland that...
- 12/2/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Production on Dual wraps safely in Finland.
XYZ Films and Film Tampere in Finland have announced a strategic alliance as the parties announced production in the Scandinavian country has wrapped safely on sci-fi Dual starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale.
Dual is the first Hollywood production to film entirely in Finland and shot under Covid protocols, employing approximately 100 Finnish film professionals.
The new alliance aims to strengthen Tampere and Finland as international production locations, and nurture a filmmaking culture across the region.
The primary goal is to bring more international filmmaking opportunities to Tampere and Finland that will include both XYZ Films productions,...
XYZ Films and Film Tampere in Finland have announced a strategic alliance as the parties announced production in the Scandinavian country has wrapped safely on sci-fi Dual starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale.
Dual is the first Hollywood production to film entirely in Finland and shot under Covid protocols, employing approximately 100 Finnish film professionals.
The new alliance aims to strengthen Tampere and Finland as international production locations, and nurture a filmmaking culture across the region.
The primary goal is to bring more international filmmaking opportunities to Tampere and Finland that will include both XYZ Films productions,...
- 12/2/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Production scheduled for spring 2021; Emma Slade, Katie Holly to produce.
Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga will star in Ant Timpson’s mystery thriller The Salamander Lives Twice, which XYZ Films has boarded for worldwide sales at AFM 2020 Online and jointly represents the US with CAA Media Finance.
Production is scheduled for spring 2021 with Emma Slade of Firefly Films producing alongside Katie Holly for Blinder Films. Timpson and XYZ Films serve as executive producers.
Toby Harvard wrote the screenplay from a story by Timpson and Harvard about an injured man (Brody) with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory who washes up on a remote island.
Adrien Brody and Vera Farmiga will star in Ant Timpson’s mystery thriller The Salamander Lives Twice, which XYZ Films has boarded for worldwide sales at AFM 2020 Online and jointly represents the US with CAA Media Finance.
Production is scheduled for spring 2021 with Emma Slade of Firefly Films producing alongside Katie Holly for Blinder Films. Timpson and XYZ Films serve as executive producers.
Toby Harvard wrote the screenplay from a story by Timpson and Harvard about an injured man (Brody) with an impenetrable briefcase and no memory who washes up on a remote island.
- 11/9/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Former "Batwoman" actress Ruby Rose stars in the new action thriller "The Doorman", co-starring Jean Reno ("Leon The Professional") directed by Ryuhei Kitamura:
"...a former female 'Marine' turned doorman (Rose)...
"...battles mercenaries intent on destroying her apartment building...
"...to retrieve precious artwork hidden in the walls..."
Cast also includes Louis Mandylor, Rupert Evans, Aksel Hennie, David Sakurai, Philip Whitchurch, Julian Feder, Hideaki Itô, Jamie Satterthwaite, Kíla Lord Cassidy and Dan Cade.
Click the images to enlarge...
"...a former female 'Marine' turned doorman (Rose)...
"...battles mercenaries intent on destroying her apartment building...
"...to retrieve precious artwork hidden in the walls..."
Cast also includes Louis Mandylor, Rupert Evans, Aksel Hennie, David Sakurai, Philip Whitchurch, Julian Feder, Hideaki Itô, Jamie Satterthwaite, Kíla Lord Cassidy and Dan Cade.
Click the images to enlarge...
- 11/7/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Home invasion dark comedy premiered at Fantastic Fest.
XYZ Films will handle worldwide sales at the upcoming virtual AFM on Maria Bissell’s home invasion dark comedy How To Deter A Robber.
The film premiered at the recent Fantastic Fest and takes place in a desolate northern Wisconsin town where two teens playing amateur detectives get more than they bargained for when they investigate the wrong cabin.
The ensemble cast includes Vanessa Marano, Benjamin Papac, Abbie Cobb, Sonny Valicenti, Jonah Ray, Gabrielle Carteris, and Chris Mulkey.
Bissell produced alongside Joshua Adam Fu, Max Silver, and Stephen Tringali.
XYZ Films will...
XYZ Films will handle worldwide sales at the upcoming virtual AFM on Maria Bissell’s home invasion dark comedy How To Deter A Robber.
The film premiered at the recent Fantastic Fest and takes place in a desolate northern Wisconsin town where two teens playing amateur detectives get more than they bargained for when they investigate the wrong cabin.
The ensemble cast includes Vanessa Marano, Benjamin Papac, Abbie Cobb, Sonny Valicenti, Jonah Ray, Gabrielle Carteris, and Chris Mulkey.
Bissell produced alongside Joshua Adam Fu, Max Silver, and Stephen Tringali.
XYZ Films will...
- 10/22/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Film is first Hollywood production to shoot entirely in the Scandinavian country.
Production has begun in Tampere, Finland, on XYZ Films’ satirical sci-fi Dual starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul, Beulah Koale, marking the first Hollywood production to shoot entirely in the Scandinavian country.
The story centres on a woman who opts for a cloning procedure after she receives a terminal diagnosis and is court-martialled to a dual to the death when she starts to recover.
Paul and Koale (Hawaii Five-o) round out the key cast.
Riley Stearns is directing from his screenplay and produces alongside XYZ Films and Lee Kim,...
Production has begun in Tampere, Finland, on XYZ Films’ satirical sci-fi Dual starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul, Beulah Koale, marking the first Hollywood production to shoot entirely in the Scandinavian country.
The story centres on a woman who opts for a cloning procedure after she receives a terminal diagnosis and is court-martialled to a dual to the death when she starts to recover.
Paul and Koale (Hawaii Five-o) round out the key cast.
Riley Stearns is directing from his screenplay and produces alongside XYZ Films and Lee Kim,...
- 10/21/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Ruby Rose, Jean Reno, Rupert Evans, Aksel Hennie, Julian Feder, David Sakurai, Louis Mandylor, Hideaki Ito, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Philip Whitchurch | Written by Lior Chefetz, Joe Swanson | Directed by Ryûhei Kitamura
Years ago, when DVD was in its infancy, I used to frequent a few DVD forums where people would discuss not only this new format but also have in-depth discussions about films that never made it to these shores – oftentimes due to said films getting fancy limited edition box set release; and sometimes (cough) bootleg (cough) discs of certain, more exploitative, films would be passed between members.
That’s how I discovered Versus, the third film from director Ryûhei Kitamura – as a bootleg Dvdr. A bootleg without subtitles, without any information beyond the sheer enthusiasm other people had for the film. And I was blown away. Versus‘ reputation kept growing, eventually getting a legitimate UK DVD release from the now-defunct Tartan Films.
Years ago, when DVD was in its infancy, I used to frequent a few DVD forums where people would discuss not only this new format but also have in-depth discussions about films that never made it to these shores – oftentimes due to said films getting fancy limited edition box set release; and sometimes (cough) bootleg (cough) discs of certain, more exploitative, films would be passed between members.
That’s how I discovered Versus, the third film from director Ryûhei Kitamura – as a bootleg Dvdr. A bootleg without subtitles, without any information beyond the sheer enthusiasm other people had for the film. And I was blown away. Versus‘ reputation kept growing, eventually getting a legitimate UK DVD release from the now-defunct Tartan Films.
- 10/15/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The Doorman Review — The Doorman (2020) Film Review, a movie directed by Ryûhei Kitamura, and starring Ruby Rose, Jean Reno, Aksel Hennie, Rupert Evans, Julian Feder, Kíla Lord Cassidy and Philip Whitchurch. Ryûhei Kitamura’s The Doorman is a tedious movie to watch. It is much like a gourmet meal that was not because one took [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: The Doorman (2020): A Predictable Heist Tale Gone Wrong...
Continue reading: Film Review: The Doorman (2020): A Predictable Heist Tale Gone Wrong...
- 10/10/2020
- by Tanushree Mukherjee
- Film-Book
Filmmaker Tommy Wirkola made his bones with the splatter horror-comedy Dead Snow (2009) and then helmed the consistently entertaining fantasy-action picture Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013). In between those two, he contributed his writing talents to the great Norwegian TV series Hellfjord. After that, he made the requisite sequel, Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead, which was even more splattery, and What Happened to Monday?, an admirably ambitious film starring Noomi Rapace that still rolls around my head from time to time. Now comes word that Tommy Wirkola's next project is titled The Trip, which will star Noomi Rapace and Aksel Hennie, the latter of whom starred in the superb Headhunters and has appeared in a host of other films since, including The Martian...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/10/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Noomi Rapace (Prometheus) and Aksel Hennie (The Martian) have been set to co-star in director Tommy Wirkola’s Norwegian-language thriller The Trip, which XYZ will launch world sales on during the Toronto Film Festival.
The film will follow a dysfunctional husband (Hennie) and wife (Rapace) who head to a remote lakeside cabin under the guise of reconnecting, but each has secret designs to kill the other. Before they can carry out their respective plans, unexpected visitors arrive and the couple is faced with a greater danger than anything they could have plotted.
Written by Wirkola (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters), Nick Ball and John Niven, the film is produced by Kjetil Omberg and Jørgen Storm Rosenberg for 74 Entertainment. XYZ Films is financing and co-reps U.S. with CAA. Nordisk Film Distribution will release in Scandinavia.
The film reunites Wirkola with Rapace after the two worked together on action pic What Happened to Monday.
The film will follow a dysfunctional husband (Hennie) and wife (Rapace) who head to a remote lakeside cabin under the guise of reconnecting, but each has secret designs to kill the other. Before they can carry out their respective plans, unexpected visitors arrive and the couple is faced with a greater danger than anything they could have plotted.
Written by Wirkola (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters), Nick Ball and John Niven, the film is produced by Kjetil Omberg and Jørgen Storm Rosenberg for 74 Entertainment. XYZ Films is financing and co-reps U.S. with CAA. Nordisk Film Distribution will release in Scandinavia.
The film reunites Wirkola with Rapace after the two worked together on action pic What Happened to Monday.
- 9/10/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Former "Batwoman" actress Ruby Rose stars in the new action thriller "The Doorman", co-starring Jean Reno ("Leon The Professional"), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura:
"...a former female 'Marine' turned doorman (Rose)...
"...battles mercenaries intent on destroying her apartment building...
"...to retrieve precious artwork hidden in the walls..."
Cast also includes Louis Mandylor, Rupert Evans, Aksel Hennie, David Sakurai, Philip Whitchurch, Julian Feder, Hideaki Itô, Jamie Satterthwaite, Kíla Lord Cassidy and Dan Cade.
Click the images to enlarge...
"...a former female 'Marine' turned doorman (Rose)...
"...battles mercenaries intent on destroying her apartment building...
"...to retrieve precious artwork hidden in the walls..."
Cast also includes Louis Mandylor, Rupert Evans, Aksel Hennie, David Sakurai, Philip Whitchurch, Julian Feder, Hideaki Itô, Jamie Satterthwaite, Kíla Lord Cassidy and Dan Cade.
Click the images to enlarge...
- 9/2/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
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