Exclusive: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired U.S. rights to Art of Love, the romantic drama from writer-director Betty Kaplan that stars Esai Morales and Tigertail‘s Kunjue Li. It will now be released in domestic theaters and on digital July 22.
The film was originally titled Simone, which is the name of the 2013 Eduardo Lalo novel on which it is based. Set in Puerto Rico, the plot centers on a mysterious, erotic and haunting love story of a writer-professor at a leading university and an aspiring student from the immigrant Chinese community.
Caterina Murino, Joanna Cassidy Braulio Castillo, Zoribel Fonalledas, Bruno Irizarry, Eli Cay, Mélanie Ramos and Aris Mejias also star in the pic, which was released in Puerto Rico last fall.
Peter Rawley and Frances Lausell are producers; executive producers are the Sifre Group, Morris Ruskin, Robert Katz and the Phoenix Fund in Puerto Rico.
Check out the trailer...
The film was originally titled Simone, which is the name of the 2013 Eduardo Lalo novel on which it is based. Set in Puerto Rico, the plot centers on a mysterious, erotic and haunting love story of a writer-professor at a leading university and an aspiring student from the immigrant Chinese community.
Caterina Murino, Joanna Cassidy Braulio Castillo, Zoribel Fonalledas, Bruno Irizarry, Eli Cay, Mélanie Ramos and Aris Mejias also star in the pic, which was released in Puerto Rico last fall.
Peter Rawley and Frances Lausell are producers; executive producers are the Sifre Group, Morris Ruskin, Robert Katz and the Phoenix Fund in Puerto Rico.
Check out the trailer...
- 6/8/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Mark Neveldine directs 1980s-set story of ex-marine on undercover mission.
Saban Films has picked up North American and UK and Ireland rights to Yale Productions and Grandave Capital’s Cole Hauser and Mel Gibson action thriller Panama as Highland Film Group continues talks with international buyers at EFM.
Mark Neveldine, whose credits include the Crank franchise and Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance, directs from a screenplay by Daniel Adams and William Barber that takes place in 1989 in Panama as Becker, a decorated ex-marine played by Hauser who is sent undercover by his former commander Stark (Gibson) to execute a high-value deal with dangerous adversaries.
Saban Films has picked up North American and UK and Ireland rights to Yale Productions and Grandave Capital’s Cole Hauser and Mel Gibson action thriller Panama as Highland Film Group continues talks with international buyers at EFM.
Mark Neveldine, whose credits include the Crank franchise and Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance, directs from a screenplay by Daniel Adams and William Barber that takes place in 1989 in Panama as Becker, a decorated ex-marine played by Hauser who is sent undercover by his former commander Stark (Gibson) to execute a high-value deal with dangerous adversaries.
- 2/11/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Cory Hardrict has joined Orange Is The New Black alum Taryn Manning in Karen, the indie suspense thriller from writer and director Coke Daniels. Manning, who is producing the indie, will play Karen White, who believes that races should stick to their “own kind” and carries this belief into her neighborhood. Hardrict will star as Malik, a community activist in Atlanta dedicated to his wife and fighting social injustices. When Malik and his wife, Assata, become Karen’s new neighbor, she makes it her personal mission to remove them from the neighborhood, by any means necessary. However, Assata and Malik don’t have time for this and aren’t going down without a fight.
Manning is producing the pic with Daniels and Craig Chapman. Burke Management Firm founders Vanzil Burke and Victor Burke will serve as executive producers.
Hardrict’s film credits include Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper and Gran Torino...
Manning is producing the pic with Daniels and Craig Chapman. Burke Management Firm founders Vanzil Burke and Victor Burke will serve as executive producers.
Hardrict’s film credits include Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper and Gran Torino...
- 12/18/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: How to Get Away with Murder alum Charlie Weber and Victor Turpin have been added to the cast of Panama, the action thriller being directed by Mark Neveldine (Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance). The new additions are joining previously announced stars Cole Hauser, Mel Gibson and Kate Katzman.
Written by Daniel Adams and William R. Barber, the pic follows James Becker (Hauser), an ex-Marine who is sent undercover by his former commander, Stark (Gibson), to execute a high-value arms deal with untrustworthy adversaries.
Weber will play Hank Burns, a straight-edged ex-Marine also hired by Stark to join Becker’s mission. Turpin will play Brooklyn Rivera, a real-life member of the Contras, the revolutionary rebel group backed by the U.S. in opposition to the Sandinista government in Nicaragua.
Jordan Beckerman, Jordan Yale Levine, Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Michelle Reihel, Shaun Sanghani and Frances Lausell are producing the project, which will shoot in Puerto Rico.
Written by Daniel Adams and William R. Barber, the pic follows James Becker (Hauser), an ex-Marine who is sent undercover by his former commander, Stark (Gibson), to execute a high-value arms deal with untrustworthy adversaries.
Weber will play Hank Burns, a straight-edged ex-Marine also hired by Stark to join Becker’s mission. Turpin will play Brooklyn Rivera, a real-life member of the Contras, the revolutionary rebel group backed by the U.S. in opposition to the Sandinista government in Nicaragua.
Jordan Beckerman, Jordan Yale Levine, Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Michelle Reihel, Shaun Sanghani and Frances Lausell are producing the project, which will shoot in Puerto Rico.
- 12/1/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Principal photography scheduled for December in Puerto Rico.
Highland Film Group has come aboard to handle worldwide sales on action film Panama starring Cole Hauser (Yellowstone) with Mel Gibson in a supporting role.
Mark Neveldine directs the Yale Productions feature from a script by Daniel Adams and William R. Barber based on actual events in Panama in 1989, the year the US invaded the island.
Hauser will play an ex-Marine dispatched by his former commander (Gibson) on an undercover mission to carry out a deal with untrustworthy adversaries.
Jordan Beckerman, Jordan Yale Levine, Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Michelle Reihel, and Frances Lausell are producing,...
Highland Film Group has come aboard to handle worldwide sales on action film Panama starring Cole Hauser (Yellowstone) with Mel Gibson in a supporting role.
Mark Neveldine directs the Yale Productions feature from a script by Daniel Adams and William R. Barber based on actual events in Panama in 1989, the year the US invaded the island.
Hauser will play an ex-Marine dispatched by his former commander (Gibson) on an undercover mission to carry out a deal with untrustworthy adversaries.
Jordan Beckerman, Jordan Yale Levine, Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Michelle Reihel, and Frances Lausell are producing,...
- 10/22/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Quiver Distribution and Redbox Entertainment have announced the North American acquisition rights to Chick Fight, an action-comedy featuring a starry cast that includes Malin Akerman, Emmy winner Alec Baldwin, Bella Thorne, and Kevin Connolly. Paul Leyden directed the film which will get a day-and-date release on November 13.
Written by first-time feature writer Joseph Downey, the plot follows Anna Wyncomb (Akerman), who is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club in order to turn her life around, when she discovers she is much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine.
Dominique Jackson, former pro-wrestler Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster, Dulcé Sloan, and Alec Mapa round out the cast.
Producers are Akerman, Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Michael J. Rothstein, Idiot Savant Pictures’ Anne Clements as well as Frances Lausell and Ash Christian, who spearheaded the film’s development. Christian, a beloved Emmy-winning independent producer,...
Written by first-time feature writer Joseph Downey, the plot follows Anna Wyncomb (Akerman), who is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club in order to turn her life around, when she discovers she is much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine.
Dominique Jackson, former pro-wrestler Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster, Dulcé Sloan, and Alec Mapa round out the cast.
Producers are Akerman, Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Michael J. Rothstein, Idiot Savant Pictures’ Anne Clements as well as Frances Lausell and Ash Christian, who spearheaded the film’s development. Christian, a beloved Emmy-winning independent producer,...
- 9/10/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Crackle has set Thursday, February 21 for the Season 2 premiere of crime drama series The Oath, created by Joe Halpin and executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The network also released first-look images from the second season (see above and below).
The Oath explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend. Shedding light on corrupt and secret societies nearly impossible to join, only the chosen few make the cut—and once inside, members do what they must to shield each other from enemies who attack from both outside and within their own ranks. The sophomore season picks up with the Ravens attempting to free themselves from their debt to the cartel. Themes including redemption and the meaning of family are examined in season two pushing the characters to find a new path, conquer their inner demons and giving them one last chance to...
The Oath explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend. Shedding light on corrupt and secret societies nearly impossible to join, only the chosen few make the cut—and once inside, members do what they must to shield each other from enemies who attack from both outside and within their own ranks. The sophomore season picks up with the Ravens attempting to free themselves from their debt to the cartel. Themes including redemption and the meaning of family are examined in season two pushing the characters to find a new path, conquer their inner demons and giving them one last chance to...
- 11/29/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Dilshad Vadsaria, Sebastian Zurita, Erik King, J. Anthony Pena, Richard Burgi Rich Paul and Carlos Sanz (Stronger) are set for recurring roles on the second season of The Oath, Sony Crackle’s gritty drama from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
They join the previously announced cast for season two, which includes new series regular Christina Milian, and Leona Lewis and Zulay Henao who will recur, along with returning cast Ryan Kwanten – who’s also a producer – Cory Hardrict, Katrina Law and J.J. Soria.
Created by Joe Halpin, The Oath explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join.
They join the previously announced cast for season two, which includes new series regular Christina Milian, and Leona Lewis and Zulay Henao who will recur, along with returning cast Ryan Kwanten – who’s also a producer – Cory Hardrict, Katrina Law and J.J. Soria.
Created by Joe Halpin, The Oath explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join.
- 7/19/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Women in Film Foundation’s Film Finishing Fund, which is celebrating its 25th year of awarding grants to female filmmakers and films about women, has chosen three narrative features as grant recipients for the first time. The winners, which were chosen from a record 140-plus applicants, include Karin Chien’s “Circumstance,” Susan Youssef’s “Habibi Rasak Kharban” (photo) and Frances Lausell’s “America.” In addition, grants went to three feature documentaries: Lisa Gossel’s “My So-Called Enemy,” Yoav Potash’s “Crime After Crime” and Nisha Ligon’s “Twiga Stars: Tanzania’s Soccer Sisters.” The narrative short “Whakatiki,” by Melissa Dodds,...
- 11/10/2010
- The Wrap
AFI Fest
Drag queen Manuel, who prefers to be known as Manuela, is having a bad day. His lover has left, his landlady is demanding the rent, and to make matters worse, his best friend Coca is pregnant. The last thing he needs is to pass as straight in order to please Coca's conservative family, but he's loyal to a fault, and he agrees to play the part of Coca's fiance and father of her child.
The story has some not-so-subtle echoes of La Cage aux Folles, which has already been recycled into a Broadway musical as well as the Hollywood hit The Birdcage. Coca's conservative father is exactly like the hypocritical bluenose played by Gene Hackman in The Birdcage. While this version, transplanted to Puerto Rico, has some amusing twists and a pleasing color-drenched tropical palette, it doesn't come close to the hilarity of its predecessors. While it pleased audiences at AFI Fest and might find receptive crowds at gay film festivals, it isn't potent enough to have much future in U.S. theaters.
One problem is that the nightclub scenes don't have the musical verve needed to set the whole enterprise in motion. In addition, the script is shrill and broad when it should be witty. There are a lot of promising characters, including the landlady and her desperate niece, but most of the actors have been encouraged to play their roles at a hysterical pitch. They need some quieter moments. Nevertheless, Humberto Busto as the embattled hero does have the right pluck for the role of Manuela. The attractive Elena Iguina wins our sympathy as Coca. But Emmanuel Sunshine Logrono as the rightwing father overdoes his character's loutishness; he doesn't find the humor that Hackman brought to a similar role.
The plot lumbers along in fits and starts until it reaches the climactic wedding scene, when it finally hits some comic high notes. In the tradition of classic farce, all of the characters come together, and unexpected fireworks result. When the real father of Coca's child turns up to disrupt the proceedings, Manuela saves the day and wins the affection and respect of all. This scene works smoothly, but it comes too late, and a lengthy, unnecessary coda back at the nightclub dissipates some of the fun. The best elements in the picture are the colorful sets and costumes; they exhibit a flair not matched by the script.
MANUELA Y MANUEL
Caleidoscopio Films
Credits:
Director/Editor: Raul Marchand Sanchez
Screenwriter: Jose Ignacio Valenzuela
Producer: Frances Lausell Diaz
Executive producer: Sonia Fritz Macias
Director of photography: Sonnel Velazquez
Production designer: Rafi Mercado
Music: Geronimo Mercado
Cast:
Manuela/Manuel: Humberto Busto
Coca: Elena Iguina
Rosa: Luz Maria Rondon
German: Emmanuel Sunshine Logrono
Faraona: Marian Pabon
Margarita: Ineabelle Colon
Norma: Marisol Calero
Arturo: Israel Lugo
Ramon: Johnny Lozada
Running time -- 94 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Drag queen Manuel, who prefers to be known as Manuela, is having a bad day. His lover has left, his landlady is demanding the rent, and to make matters worse, his best friend Coca is pregnant. The last thing he needs is to pass as straight in order to please Coca's conservative family, but he's loyal to a fault, and he agrees to play the part of Coca's fiance and father of her child.
The story has some not-so-subtle echoes of La Cage aux Folles, which has already been recycled into a Broadway musical as well as the Hollywood hit The Birdcage. Coca's conservative father is exactly like the hypocritical bluenose played by Gene Hackman in The Birdcage. While this version, transplanted to Puerto Rico, has some amusing twists and a pleasing color-drenched tropical palette, it doesn't come close to the hilarity of its predecessors. While it pleased audiences at AFI Fest and might find receptive crowds at gay film festivals, it isn't potent enough to have much future in U.S. theaters.
One problem is that the nightclub scenes don't have the musical verve needed to set the whole enterprise in motion. In addition, the script is shrill and broad when it should be witty. There are a lot of promising characters, including the landlady and her desperate niece, but most of the actors have been encouraged to play their roles at a hysterical pitch. They need some quieter moments. Nevertheless, Humberto Busto as the embattled hero does have the right pluck for the role of Manuela. The attractive Elena Iguina wins our sympathy as Coca. But Emmanuel Sunshine Logrono as the rightwing father overdoes his character's loutishness; he doesn't find the humor that Hackman brought to a similar role.
The plot lumbers along in fits and starts until it reaches the climactic wedding scene, when it finally hits some comic high notes. In the tradition of classic farce, all of the characters come together, and unexpected fireworks result. When the real father of Coca's child turns up to disrupt the proceedings, Manuela saves the day and wins the affection and respect of all. This scene works smoothly, but it comes too late, and a lengthy, unnecessary coda back at the nightclub dissipates some of the fun. The best elements in the picture are the colorful sets and costumes; they exhibit a flair not matched by the script.
MANUELA Y MANUEL
Caleidoscopio Films
Credits:
Director/Editor: Raul Marchand Sanchez
Screenwriter: Jose Ignacio Valenzuela
Producer: Frances Lausell Diaz
Executive producer: Sonia Fritz Macias
Director of photography: Sonnel Velazquez
Production designer: Rafi Mercado
Music: Geronimo Mercado
Cast:
Manuela/Manuel: Humberto Busto
Coca: Elena Iguina
Rosa: Luz Maria Rondon
German: Emmanuel Sunshine Logrono
Faraona: Marian Pabon
Margarita: Ineabelle Colon
Norma: Marisol Calero
Arturo: Israel Lugo
Ramon: Johnny Lozada
Running time -- 94 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 11/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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