From Sergei Eisenstein to Andrei Konchalovsky, Russian filmmakers perfected a formula for manufacturing social reality out of highly concentrated mixes of activist outrage and artistic chutzpah. Political hindsight overshadows their unparalleled toying with film language, but it also deepens great works of art like Aleksandr Dovzhenko’s Earth and Mikhail Kalatozov’s I Am Cuba. These two enthralling synergies of sight and sound were made with the support of a communist machine that would eventually fail the people of the Soviet Union and Cuba, but they’re first and foremost exaltations of the rebel spirit, hurled at audiences with a fierce conviction and belief in cinema as a propagandistic vehicle for change.
For the Soviet Union, I Am Cuba was an opportunity to promote socialism abroad during de-Stalinization in the Khrushchev era, and for Cuba it was a way of staking out a cinematic presence. So it is that the...
For the Soviet Union, I Am Cuba was an opportunity to promote socialism abroad during de-Stalinization in the Khrushchev era, and for Cuba it was a way of staking out a cinematic presence. So it is that the...
- 4/19/2024
- by Ed Gonzalez
- Slant Magazine
David Anspaugh's 1986 sports drama "Hoosiers" has gone down in history as one of the most influential sports dramas ever made. Partly inspired by the real-life story of the 1954 Indiana state champions Milan High School, "Hoosiers" focuses on formerly-disgraced basketball coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman), who gets a rare second chance to prove his mettle at Indiana's Hickory High School. The rather tight-knit town of Hickory seems a little too unforgiving towards Norman due to his sketchy past, but redemption finds its way to him via a David vs. Goliath situation that soon transforms into a classic underdog tale about dreaming big and achieving the impossible.
Some of the more saccharine themes in "Hoosiers" might feel a tad corny at times, but it is a film that brandishes sincere authenticity when it comes to the magic of unexpected second chances and the highs and lows of small-town sports. Moreover, a...
Some of the more saccharine themes in "Hoosiers" might feel a tad corny at times, but it is a film that brandishes sincere authenticity when it comes to the magic of unexpected second chances and the highs and lows of small-town sports. Moreover, a...
- 4/13/2024
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
“The last thing I hate is that life always forces us to keep moving forwards.”
In the aftermath of the New York Film Festival, reporter Vincent Canby wrote an article about the films of the festival he aptly named “Why Some Films Don't Travel Well”. Works such as Zhang Yimou's “Red Sorghum”, Andrei Konchalovsky's “Asya's Happiness” and Hou Hsiao-Hsien's “Daughter of the Nile” are mostly relevant thanks to their “sociology factor” Canby begins his article, an aspect that these works are and have been applauded for around the world while as films themselves they are not that interesting. Hou Hsiao-Hien, one of the most popular directors of Taiwanese New Cinema along with Edward Yang, was still trying to find a cinematic language for his films, one which strongly resembled the works of Yasujiro Ozu in terms of style and content, the sense of resignation, as he writes...
In the aftermath of the New York Film Festival, reporter Vincent Canby wrote an article about the films of the festival he aptly named “Why Some Films Don't Travel Well”. Works such as Zhang Yimou's “Red Sorghum”, Andrei Konchalovsky's “Asya's Happiness” and Hou Hsiao-Hsien's “Daughter of the Nile” are mostly relevant thanks to their “sociology factor” Canby begins his article, an aspect that these works are and have been applauded for around the world while as films themselves they are not that interesting. Hou Hsiao-Hien, one of the most popular directors of Taiwanese New Cinema along with Edward Yang, was still trying to find a cinematic language for his films, one which strongly resembled the works of Yasujiro Ozu in terms of style and content, the sense of resignation, as he writes...
- 2/13/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
French film critic and historian Michel Ciment, the long-time publishing director of film magazine Positif, has died Monday, French media reported. He was 85.
Ciment first started writing for the Lyon-based magazine in 1963, when he contributed a piece about the cinema of Orson Welles.
The magazine was launched in 1952 shortly after Les Cahiers du Cinéma by Bernard Chardère, who also died this year.
In a talk at Paris’s Forum Des Images in 2022, marking Positif’s 70th anniversary, Ciment recounted how he started reading the magazine in the 1950s as a teenager, while hanging around the Le Minotaure bookshop in the Paris quarter of Saint-Germain-des-Près.
“It was an amazing place where you’d bump into other cinephiles like Jean-Claude Romer, who went on to create [the cinema magazine] Midi Minuit Fantastique,” recounted Ciment.
“There were a lot of people from Les Cahiers and Positif… You couldn’t find the cinema revues in kiosks then.
Ciment first started writing for the Lyon-based magazine in 1963, when he contributed a piece about the cinema of Orson Welles.
The magazine was launched in 1952 shortly after Les Cahiers du Cinéma by Bernard Chardère, who also died this year.
In a talk at Paris’s Forum Des Images in 2022, marking Positif’s 70th anniversary, Ciment recounted how he started reading the magazine in the 1950s as a teenager, while hanging around the Le Minotaure bookshop in the Paris quarter of Saint-Germain-des-Près.
“It was an amazing place where you’d bump into other cinephiles like Jean-Claude Romer, who went on to create [the cinema magazine] Midi Minuit Fantastique,” recounted Ciment.
“There were a lot of people from Les Cahiers and Positif… You couldn’t find the cinema revues in kiosks then.
- 11/13/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Danny Trejo has been sober for 55 years, the actor announced in an Instagram post.
“I’m 55 years clean and sober today by the grace of God! I’ve done this one day at a time, and for anyone out there struggling You Can Too!” Trejo stated.
Born to Mexican-American parents in Los Angeles, Trejo had a difficult upbringing, turning to a life of crime at age seven. He spent 11 years in and out of the California prison system, released from custody for the final time in 1969.
Right after he got out of prison, Trejo went on to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in 1969 and became a drug counselor. Fifteen years later, he stopped by the movie set for the film Runaway Train to help a struggling addict.
The director, Andrei Konchalovsky, learned about Trejo’s boxing in prison. He was offered a job as an extra and served as Eric Roberts’ personal trainer and boxer.
“I’m 55 years clean and sober today by the grace of God! I’ve done this one day at a time, and for anyone out there struggling You Can Too!” Trejo stated.
Born to Mexican-American parents in Los Angeles, Trejo had a difficult upbringing, turning to a life of crime at age seven. He spent 11 years in and out of the California prison system, released from custody for the final time in 1969.
Right after he got out of prison, Trejo went on to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in 1969 and became a drug counselor. Fifteen years later, he stopped by the movie set for the film Runaway Train to help a struggling addict.
The director, Andrei Konchalovsky, learned about Trejo’s boxing in prison. He was offered a job as an extra and served as Eric Roberts’ personal trainer and boxer.
- 8/29/2023
- by Zach Ament
- Uinterview
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Laura Poitras)
It is a fascinating thing to watch someone’s history of protest and addiction collide and conspire to hold a pharmaceutical company accountable and expose its parent family as reprehensible. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras profiles the renowned photographer and activist Nan Goldin and her fight through the AIDS and opioid crisis, but this is bigger than a biographical documentary. Through slideshows, interviews, and family videos, Poitras weaves a riveting, heartbreaking interconnected story of generational pain, its influence over the blurry boundaries between life and art. – Jake K-s.
Where to Stream: HBO Max
Hannah Ha Ha (Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky)
Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky’s dryly humorous character study picked up the...
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Laura Poitras)
It is a fascinating thing to watch someone’s history of protest and addiction collide and conspire to hold a pharmaceutical company accountable and expose its parent family as reprehensible. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras profiles the renowned photographer and activist Nan Goldin and her fight through the AIDS and opioid crisis, but this is bigger than a biographical documentary. Through slideshows, interviews, and family videos, Poitras weaves a riveting, heartbreaking interconnected story of generational pain, its influence over the blurry boundaries between life and art. – Jake K-s.
Where to Stream: HBO Max
Hannah Ha Ha (Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky)
Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky’s dryly humorous character study picked up the...
- 3/24/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: Veteran manager Aleksey Ageyev — who while repping a roster of top global filmmakers, has produced more than 30 scripted series and features — has joined David Unger’s global management company Artist International Group as Partner.
Ageyev brings to Aig clients including 2021 Tribeca prize-winning filmmaker Levan Koguashvili (Brighton 4th); screenwriter Elena Kiseleva, who co-wrote Andrey Konchalovskiy’s 2020 Venice Special Jury Prize winner Dear Comrades!; screenwriter Andrey Zolotarev (Sputnik); and showrunner Roman Kantor, among others.
Prior to joining Artist International Group, Ageyev headed up the global talent management company PlusSeven as well as the Los Angeles-based Storyworld Entertainment, where he specialized in adapting foreign formats for the U.S. market. Notable credits include To the Lake and Seven Seconds, both for Netflix.
“International projects are the future of our industry. David Unger has been nurturing international voices for two decades,” said Ageyev. “With our combined efforts, we...
Ageyev brings to Aig clients including 2021 Tribeca prize-winning filmmaker Levan Koguashvili (Brighton 4th); screenwriter Elena Kiseleva, who co-wrote Andrey Konchalovskiy’s 2020 Venice Special Jury Prize winner Dear Comrades!; screenwriter Andrey Zolotarev (Sputnik); and showrunner Roman Kantor, among others.
Prior to joining Artist International Group, Ageyev headed up the global talent management company PlusSeven as well as the Los Angeles-based Storyworld Entertainment, where he specialized in adapting foreign formats for the U.S. market. Notable credits include To the Lake and Seven Seconds, both for Netflix.
“International projects are the future of our industry. David Unger has been nurturing international voices for two decades,” said Ageyev. “With our combined efforts, we...
- 11/21/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Russia is boycotting the 2023 Academy Awards, further distancing itself from the West as the Kremlin’s war continues in Ukraine.
As first reported by the news outlet Afp, the Film Academy of Russia announced Monday that it would not be submitting a Russian film to contend in the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category.
The decision comes as Russia’s latest effort to distance itself from the West and particularly the United States, which has continued to send aid to Ukraine since President Vladimir Putin’s controversial Feb. 24 invasion of the sovereign nation.
Also Read:
How This Year’s Oscar Contenders Will Determine the Health of the Post-Pandemic Box Office
“The presidium of the Film Academy of Russia has decided not to nominate a national film for the Oscars award of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2022,” the Russian academy said in a statement.
The surprise...
As first reported by the news outlet Afp, the Film Academy of Russia announced Monday that it would not be submitting a Russian film to contend in the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film category.
The decision comes as Russia’s latest effort to distance itself from the West and particularly the United States, which has continued to send aid to Ukraine since President Vladimir Putin’s controversial Feb. 24 invasion of the sovereign nation.
Also Read:
How This Year’s Oscar Contenders Will Determine the Health of the Post-Pandemic Box Office
“The presidium of the Film Academy of Russia has decided not to nominate a national film for the Oscars award of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2022,” the Russian academy said in a statement.
The surprise...
- 9/27/2022
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
The Russian Film Academy has announced that it will not submit a film in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The decision to boycott the prestigious US-based award ceremony comes amid heightened international tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
Russia recently accused Joe Biden’s government of intervening in the ongoing war, and has threatened to sever ties with the US.
Pavel Tchoukhraï, the head of Russia’s Oscar nomination committee, announced in a letter that he was resigning following the move.
He said that the decision to withdraw was “illegal” and was made “behind his back”.
“The leadership of the [Film] Academy [of Russia] unilaterally decided not to nominate a Russian film for the Oscar nomination,” he wrote in a letter published by state news agency Tass.
In recent years, two films by Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev have been nominated for Best International Feature...
The decision to boycott the prestigious US-based award ceremony comes amid heightened international tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
Russia recently accused Joe Biden’s government of intervening in the ongoing war, and has threatened to sever ties with the US.
Pavel Tchoukhraï, the head of Russia’s Oscar nomination committee, announced in a letter that he was resigning following the move.
He said that the decision to withdraw was “illegal” and was made “behind his back”.
“The leadership of the [Film] Academy [of Russia] unilaterally decided not to nominate a Russian film for the Oscar nomination,” he wrote in a letter published by state news agency Tass.
In recent years, two films by Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev have been nominated for Best International Feature...
- 9/27/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - Film
Click here to read the full article.
In a further sign of Russia’s withdrawal from contact with the Western world, the country’s film academy has unveiled that it will not be submitting a film for the upcoming 2023 international Oscar race.
The Oscars boycott comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Moscow in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 and its ongoing war of aggression there.
Russia recently accused the U.S. administration of directly intervening in the war and has threatened to cut all official ties with the country.
But the decision by the Russian Academy to boycott the Oscars came as a surprise to Pavel Tchoukhraï, the head of the local Oscar committee, who told Afp the move was made “behind his back”. Tchoukhraï has since resigned.
Russia has regularly submitted films for the Oscars and Russian films have a strong track record with the US Academy.
In a further sign of Russia’s withdrawal from contact with the Western world, the country’s film academy has unveiled that it will not be submitting a film for the upcoming 2023 international Oscar race.
The Oscars boycott comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Moscow in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 and its ongoing war of aggression there.
Russia recently accused the U.S. administration of directly intervening in the war and has threatened to cut all official ties with the country.
But the decision by the Russian Academy to boycott the Oscars came as a surprise to Pavel Tchoukhraï, the head of the local Oscar committee, who told Afp the move was made “behind his back”. Tchoukhraï has since resigned.
Russia has regularly submitted films for the Oscars and Russian films have a strong track record with the US Academy.
- 9/27/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated– Russia will not be sending an official Oscar candidate for the upcoming international feature film race, Variety has confirmed.
The news, which was reported by the news outlet Afp, was announced by the Russian film academy on Monday evening (Sept. 27). Several members of Russia’s Oscar committee, including its president Pavel Tchoukhraï, have resigned to protest the decision of the Russian film academy.
Tchoukhraï issued a letter, unveiled by veteran journalist Larisa Malyukova, in which he blamed the Russian film academy for taking an “unilateral decision over the head of the committee” and said it was both “unfair and illegal.” Joel Chapron, an expert on the Russian film industry who is based in Paris, said Tchoukhraï had been followed by several other member of the committee who have now resigned, including Nikolaï Dostal, Sergey Selyanov, Vladimir Kott and Andrey Zvyagintsev, who is currently living in Paris.
The decision of...
The news, which was reported by the news outlet Afp, was announced by the Russian film academy on Monday evening (Sept. 27). Several members of Russia’s Oscar committee, including its president Pavel Tchoukhraï, have resigned to protest the decision of the Russian film academy.
Tchoukhraï issued a letter, unveiled by veteran journalist Larisa Malyukova, in which he blamed the Russian film academy for taking an “unilateral decision over the head of the committee” and said it was both “unfair and illegal.” Joel Chapron, an expert on the Russian film industry who is based in Paris, said Tchoukhraï had been followed by several other member of the committee who have now resigned, including Nikolaï Dostal, Sergey Selyanov, Vladimir Kott and Andrey Zvyagintsev, who is currently living in Paris.
The decision of...
- 9/27/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Sydney Film Festival has revealed the first 22 titles on its line-up for this year, which will see the festival return to cinemas around the city after 2020’s virtual iteration.
Leading the pack are a contingent of local docos including Philippa Bateman’s Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow; Amanda Blue’s Step into Paradise and Eddie Martin’s The Kids, recently selected for Tribeca.
Sff will also boast the Nsw premiere of Kiwi film The Justice of Bunny King, Gaysorn Thavat’s debut feature led by Essie Davis and Thomasin McKenzie; and Nz-Canadian co-production, NIght Raiders, directed by Danis Goulet and executive produced by Taika Waititi.
Festival director Nashen Moodley is excited to return to an in-person event come August, noting the festival already had a “incredible” response to its summer season in January at the State Theatre, when it screened High Ground, Firestarter, Girls Can’t Surf, Minari and Another Round.
Leading the pack are a contingent of local docos including Philippa Bateman’s Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow; Amanda Blue’s Step into Paradise and Eddie Martin’s The Kids, recently selected for Tribeca.
Sff will also boast the Nsw premiere of Kiwi film The Justice of Bunny King, Gaysorn Thavat’s debut feature led by Essie Davis and Thomasin McKenzie; and Nz-Canadian co-production, NIght Raiders, directed by Danis Goulet and executive produced by Taika Waititi.
Festival director Nashen Moodley is excited to return to an in-person event come August, noting the festival already had a “incredible” response to its summer season in January at the State Theatre, when it screened High Ground, Firestarter, Girls Can’t Surf, Minari and Another Round.
- 6/8/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Predicting the eventual five Oscar nominees for Best International Feature is made difficult by the three-step process that begins after the December 1 deadline for countries to submit entries. To be part of the selection process for this category, which was called Best Foreign Language Film before 2020, requires a great deal of dedication. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscar predictions for Best International Feature.)
First, the several hundred academy members of the International Feature screening committee are divided into groups and required to watch a number of the submissions over a two-month period that ends in early February. They will rate them from 6 to 10 and their top 15 vote-getters make it to the next round. This list of semi-finalists will be revealed on February 9, 2021.
Those 15 films will be available to the entire academy membership who can cast ballots for the final five nominees provided they attest to having watched all the entries.
First, the several hundred academy members of the International Feature screening committee are divided into groups and required to watch a number of the submissions over a two-month period that ends in early February. They will rate them from 6 to 10 and their top 15 vote-getters make it to the next round. This list of semi-finalists will be revealed on February 9, 2021.
Those 15 films will be available to the entire academy membership who can cast ballots for the final five nominees provided they attest to having watched all the entries.
- 2/9/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The shortlist for the Oscars’ Best International Feature Film is long on expected contenders, from Thomas Vinterberg’s Another Round to Andrei Konchalovsky’s Dear Comrades! The Academy’s expanded 15-strong list unveiled Tuesday has essentially made for few snubs while also noting a group of films from far and wide that highlight the power of cinema in all its forms and provenance.
Also on the shortlist, culled from submissions representing 93 countries, are notably two documentaries: The Mole Agent out of Chile and Alexander Nanau’s Collective from Romania.
Beyond those, there are some familiar faces including Agnieszka Holland with Charlatan; but there are a number of newcomers as well. First-time feature director Filippo Meneghetti just last week got nominated for a Golden Globe for France’s Two of Us, as did Guatemala’s Jayro Bustamante with La Llorona. There is also heat on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Quo Vadis,...
Also on the shortlist, culled from submissions representing 93 countries, are notably two documentaries: The Mole Agent out of Chile and Alexander Nanau’s Collective from Romania.
Beyond those, there are some familiar faces including Agnieszka Holland with Charlatan; but there are a number of newcomers as well. First-time feature director Filippo Meneghetti just last week got nominated for a Golden Globe for France’s Two of Us, as did Guatemala’s Jayro Bustamante with La Llorona. There is also heat on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Quo Vadis,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-winning playwright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton feted with Ciff’s Golden Pyramid Lifetime Achievement prize.
A streamlined edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) kicked off on Wednesday evening with a special video message of solidarity and support for the event and its director Mohamed Hefzy from the heads of the Berlin, Cannes and Venice film festivals.
“I wish I was there with you tonight attending the opening ceremony,” said Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera, who was one of the few A-list festival directors able to hold a physical edition this year. “We need cinema and we need to show it is alive.
A streamlined edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) kicked off on Wednesday evening with a special video message of solidarity and support for the event and its director Mohamed Hefzy from the heads of the Berlin, Cannes and Venice film festivals.
“I wish I was there with you tonight attending the opening ceremony,” said Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera, who was one of the few A-list festival directors able to hold a physical edition this year. “We need cinema and we need to show it is alive.
- 12/3/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Russia’s Oscar© 2020 Entry for Best International Feature: ‘Dear Comrades’ by Andrei Konchalovsky
A stalwart Stalin Communist Party member is put to a test of faith when her daughter is thought to have been killed in a workers’ uprising in an industrial town against the socialist Communist state. Quickly suppressed by force, The Novocherkassk Massacre took place in June 1962 during Nikita Khrushchev’s rule. Workers were slaughtered for going on strike over rising food prices and having their wages slashed. The incident was always wrapped in secrecy as everyone was forced to swear never to speak of it to anyone, ever.
Continue reading on SydneysBuzz The Blog »...
A stalwart Stalin Communist Party member is put to a test of faith when her daughter is thought to have been killed in a workers’ uprising in an industrial town against the socialist Communist state. Quickly suppressed by force, The Novocherkassk Massacre took place in June 1962 during Nikita Khrushchev’s rule. Workers were slaughtered for going on strike over rising food prices and having their wages slashed. The incident was always wrapped in secrecy as everyone was forced to swear never to speak of it to anyone, ever.
Continue reading on SydneysBuzz The Blog »...
- 11/23/2020
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
by Nathaniel R
Russia has announced that Andrey Konchalovskiy's Dear Comrades!, a Grand Jury Prize winner in Venice, will be their selection for the Oscars. This is the third time Russia has selected Konchalovsky to submit them. The 83 year old director is deeply tied to Russian cinematic history. He's the elder brother of Russia's most Oscar-loved director Nikita Mikhalkov (Burnt by the Sun) and he began his career writing and working for the legendary Andrei Tarkovsky (on Ivan's Childhood and Andre Rublev) in the early 1960s before launching his own directorial career. He even tried his hand at English language films in the 1980s making Duet for One with Julie Andrews and the underappreciated Shy People with Barbara Hershey. His first Russian submission House of Fools in 2002 was unsuccessul. His second submission, the hugely lauded Paradise in 2016, got close to the nomination, securing a finalist spot for itself. Will...
Russia has announced that Andrey Konchalovskiy's Dear Comrades!, a Grand Jury Prize winner in Venice, will be their selection for the Oscars. This is the third time Russia has selected Konchalovsky to submit them. The 83 year old director is deeply tied to Russian cinematic history. He's the elder brother of Russia's most Oscar-loved director Nikita Mikhalkov (Burnt by the Sun) and he began his career writing and working for the legendary Andrei Tarkovsky (on Ivan's Childhood and Andre Rublev) in the early 1960s before launching his own directorial career. He even tried his hand at English language films in the 1980s making Duet for One with Julie Andrews and the underappreciated Shy People with Barbara Hershey. His first Russian submission House of Fools in 2002 was unsuccessul. His second submission, the hugely lauded Paradise in 2016, got close to the nomination, securing a finalist spot for itself. Will...
- 11/14/2020
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Exclusive: Stephan Komandarev’s film is playing in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes.
French distributer Rezo Films has boarded Un Certain Regard selection Directions (Posoki), directed by Stephan Komandarev and being sold by Arri Media International.
Directions marks Komandarev’s return to Cannes after he co-produced Bogdan Mirica’s Dogs, which won the 2016 Fipresci Prize in Un Certain Regard.
“We are excited to take the French audience on this edgy Bulgarian Taxi Driver-like ride,” a Rezo spokesman commented on the pick-up, announced this week in Cannes.
Directions opens with an ambitious man taking his daughter to school in the taxi he drives as he sets up a new small business. After a short meeting with his crooked banker, he grasps the full extent of systemic corruption and injustice that will destroy his life. His way out is to shoot the banker and then himself. The incident becomes the subject of national debate held on call-in...
French distributer Rezo Films has boarded Un Certain Regard selection Directions (Posoki), directed by Stephan Komandarev and being sold by Arri Media International.
Directions marks Komandarev’s return to Cannes after he co-produced Bogdan Mirica’s Dogs, which won the 2016 Fipresci Prize in Un Certain Regard.
“We are excited to take the French audience on this edgy Bulgarian Taxi Driver-like ride,” a Rezo spokesman commented on the pick-up, announced this week in Cannes.
Directions opens with an ambitious man taking his daughter to school in the taxi he drives as he sets up a new small business. After a short meeting with his crooked banker, he grasps the full extent of systemic corruption and injustice that will destroy his life. His way out is to shoot the banker and then himself. The incident becomes the subject of national debate held on call-in...
- 5/19/2017
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Director and documentarian Mark Hartley scores both a film history and comedy success with this ‘wild, untold’ account of the 1980s film studio that was both revered and despised by everyone who had contact with it. The ‘cast list’ of interviewees is encyclopedic, everybody has a strong opinion, and some of them don’t need four-letter words to describe their experience!
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
On a double bill with
Machete Maidens Unleashed!
Blu-ray
Umbrella Entertainment (Au, all-region
2014 / Color / 1:77 widescreen / 106 min. / Street Date April 4, 2017 / Available from Umbrella Entertainment / 34.99
Starring: Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus, Al Ruban, Alain Jakubowicz, Albert Pyun, Alex Winter, Allen DeBevoise, Avi Lerner, Barbet Schroeder, Bo Derek, Boaz Davidson, Cassandra Peterson, Catherine Mary Stewart, Charles Matthau, Christopher C. Dewey, Christopher Pearce, Cynthia Hargrave, Dan Wolman, Daniel Loewenthal, David Del Valle, David Paulsen, David Sheehan, David Womark, Diane Franklin, Dolph Lundgren, Edward R. Pressman,...
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
On a double bill with
Machete Maidens Unleashed!
Blu-ray
Umbrella Entertainment (Au, all-region
2014 / Color / 1:77 widescreen / 106 min. / Street Date April 4, 2017 / Available from Umbrella Entertainment / 34.99
Starring: Menahem Golan, Yoram Globus, Al Ruban, Alain Jakubowicz, Albert Pyun, Alex Winter, Allen DeBevoise, Avi Lerner, Barbet Schroeder, Bo Derek, Boaz Davidson, Cassandra Peterson, Catherine Mary Stewart, Charles Matthau, Christopher C. Dewey, Christopher Pearce, Cynthia Hargrave, Dan Wolman, Daniel Loewenthal, David Del Valle, David Paulsen, David Sheehan, David Womark, Diane Franklin, Dolph Lundgren, Edward R. Pressman,...
- 4/8/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Andrei Konchalovsky's Rai (Paradise) won best film at the Russian film awards, the Nikas, held at Moscow's Mossovet theater on Tuesday.
The Holocaust-themed drama also won Konchalovsky the best director award, while the film's star, Yulia Vysotskaya, was awarded best actress.
Last year, the film collected the best director Silver Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and was later Russia's entry for the Academy Awards' best foreign-language film long list, but failed to make the final nominations.
The best actor award went to Timofey Tribuntsev for his role in Nikolai Dostal's Monakh i bes (Monk and Devil). The film's...
The Holocaust-themed drama also won Konchalovsky the best director award, while the film's star, Yulia Vysotskaya, was awarded best actress.
Last year, the film collected the best director Silver Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and was later Russia's entry for the Academy Awards' best foreign-language film long list, but failed to make the final nominations.
The best actor award went to Timofey Tribuntsev for his role in Nikolai Dostal's Monakh i bes (Monk and Devil). The film's...
- 3/29/2017
- by Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrei Konchalovsky's Holocaust-themed film Paradise won top honors at Russia's annual Golden Eagle Awards, nabbing the award for best film at Friday's ceremony.
The film, which had been in the running for best foreign Oscar until earlier this week when it failed to make the final five shortlist, also picked up best director for Konchalovsky and best female lead for his actress wife, Yuliya Vysotskaya.
The awards coincided with Holocaust Memorial Day, which marks the anniversary of the liberation by Soviet forces during World War Two of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.
Konchalovksy, speaking at the awards ceremony at Moscow's...
The film, which had been in the running for best foreign Oscar until earlier this week when it failed to make the final five shortlist, also picked up best director for Konchalovsky and best female lead for his actress wife, Yuliya Vysotskaya.
The awards coincided with Holocaust Memorial Day, which marks the anniversary of the liberation by Soviet forces during World War Two of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.
Konchalovksy, speaking at the awards ceremony at Moscow's...
- 1/27/2017
- by Nick Holdsworth
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrei Konchalovsky, the director of Warner Bros.' Tango & Cash starring Sylvester Stallone, who stopped doing Hollywood work a few years ago to focus on Russian films, said this week that "Hollywood offers a Russian director nothing."
Speaking to Russian news site Russia Beyond the Headlines, Konchalovksy, whose latest film is Holocaust drama Paradise, which was among the nine movies shortlisted for this year's best foreign-language film category at the Oscars but failed to get nominated, said: "Little did I realize…that Hollywood offers a Russian film director nothing. You are needed there only as a craftsman, but if suddenly you show ambition a bit...
Speaking to Russian news site Russia Beyond the Headlines, Konchalovksy, whose latest film is Holocaust drama Paradise, which was among the nine movies shortlisted for this year's best foreign-language film category at the Oscars but failed to get nominated, said: "Little did I realize…that Hollywood offers a Russian film director nothing. You are needed there only as a craftsman, but if suddenly you show ambition a bit...
- 1/25/2017
- by Nick Holdsworth
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– Bleecker Street has secured U.S. distribution rights to Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s true-life story, “Megan Leavey.” The film is based on the life of Leavey (Kate Mara), a young marine corporal in the K9 unit whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.
Bleecker Street will release the movie on June 9, 2017.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Samuel Goldwyn Films Picks Up ‘Youth in Oregon,’ The Orchard Buys ‘Monkey Business’ and More
The film co-stars Edie Falco, Ramon Rodriguez, Bradley Whitford, and Common. Directed by Cowperthwaite (“Blackfish”), the movie was written by Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo and Tim Lovestedt and produced by Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon and Jennifer Monroe.
– Bleecker Street has secured U.S. distribution rights to Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s true-life story, “Megan Leavey.” The film is based on the life of Leavey (Kate Mara), a young marine corporal in the K9 unit whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.
Bleecker Street will release the movie on June 9, 2017.
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: Samuel Goldwyn Films Picks Up ‘Youth in Oregon,’ The Orchard Buys ‘Monkey Business’ and More
The film co-stars Edie Falco, Ramon Rodriguez, Bradley Whitford, and Common. Directed by Cowperthwaite (“Blackfish”), the movie was written by Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo and Tim Lovestedt and produced by Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon and Jennifer Monroe.
- 1/13/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
‘Land of Mine’ (Courtesy: Toronto International Film Festival)
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
If there’s one thing for certain about the foreign-language film category at the Oscars it’s that the Academy sure has a soft spot for films about World War II. Just this year alone there are three movies on the Academy’s shortlist that are set during that very tumultuous time — Denmark’s Land of Mine, Norway’s The King’s Choice, and Russia’s Paradise. How often has the Academy nominated or given the win to films based specifically during the World War II era?
According to Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter, the best foreign-language film Oscar race is shaping up to potentially only feature one of these World War II-set movies in the official nominations. So far Land of Mine is listed as a frontrunner along with Germany’s Toni Erdmann, Iran’s The Salesman,...
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
If there’s one thing for certain about the foreign-language film category at the Oscars it’s that the Academy sure has a soft spot for films about World War II. Just this year alone there are three movies on the Academy’s shortlist that are set during that very tumultuous time — Denmark’s Land of Mine, Norway’s The King’s Choice, and Russia’s Paradise. How often has the Academy nominated or given the win to films based specifically during the World War II era?
According to Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter, the best foreign-language film Oscar race is shaping up to potentially only feature one of these World War II-set movies in the official nominations. So far Land of Mine is listed as a frontrunner along with Germany’s Toni Erdmann, Iran’s The Salesman,...
- 1/13/2017
- by Carson Blackwelder
- Scott Feinberg
Danny Trejo’s life will soon be the subject of a new documentary titled “Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo.” Directed by Brett Harvey, the film will chronicle his tumultuous upbringings, from an early life of drugs, his time in prison, getting clean and his eventual rise to fame.
Trejo will give a a firsthand account of everything he faced in his past, to getting a second chance and changing his life, to becoming a movie star and giving back to the community.
“Today, Danny Trejo is temperate, benevolent and likely one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. But he wasn’t always this way”, said producer Adam Scorgie in a statement. “Growing up in the mean streets of Pacoima, California, he was raised and mentored by his uncle, a drug addict and armed robber. By the age of 12, he had tried heroin. By age 15, he was...
Trejo will give a a firsthand account of everything he faced in his past, to getting a second chance and changing his life, to becoming a movie star and giving back to the community.
“Today, Danny Trejo is temperate, benevolent and likely one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. But he wasn’t always this way”, said producer Adam Scorgie in a statement. “Growing up in the mean streets of Pacoima, California, he was raised and mentored by his uncle, a drug addict and armed robber. By the age of 12, he had tried heroin. By age 15, he was...
- 1/13/2017
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
World-renowned actor Danny Trejo has teamed up with award-winning filmmaker Brett Harvey (Ice Guardians, The Culture High) to tell a story 71-years in the making… Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo, currently in production in California, explores the life and career of Hollywood’s most unlikely hero, Danny Trejo.
Trejo, whose myriad of TV and motion picture work includes Desperado, Machete, Sin City, Predators and Sons of Anarchy, executive produces alongside proficient producing team Adam Scorgie, Rocky Mudaliar, Iliana Nikolic and Craig Balkam.
Official synopsis:
From an early life of drugs, armed robbery and hard prison time, to the red carpets of Hollywood blockbusters all the way to helping troubled addicts; Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo gives a firsthand account of one of the greatest transformations of human character ever put to film.
Upon his release from prison in 1969, Danny’s life took a turn for the better.
Trejo, whose myriad of TV and motion picture work includes Desperado, Machete, Sin City, Predators and Sons of Anarchy, executive produces alongside proficient producing team Adam Scorgie, Rocky Mudaliar, Iliana Nikolic and Craig Balkam.
Official synopsis:
From an early life of drugs, armed robbery and hard prison time, to the red carpets of Hollywood blockbusters all the way to helping troubled addicts; Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo gives a firsthand account of one of the greatest transformations of human character ever put to film.
Upon his release from prison in 1969, Danny’s life took a turn for the better.
- 1/12/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
As one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, actor Danny Trejo has played thugs, assassins, villains, monsters and even hero vigilantes.
Now his life story will be seen in a documentary Inmate #1: The Rise Of Danny Trejo.
Award-winning filmmaker Bretty Harvey (Ice Guardians, The Culture High) has teamed up with the actor to tell his personal story.
The film is currently in production in California.
Fans know Trejo from his various roles that includes Desperado, Machete, Sin City, Predators and Sons Of Anarchy. And that’s the tip of the iceberg of hundreds of roles he had played in the past.
The untold story is Trejo’s life. He entered an early life of drugs by the age of 12, in which he tried heroin. By 15-years-old, he was in jail for the first time. At 23, he was sentenced at San Quentin for selling $30,000 bag of heroin to an undercover agent.
Now his life story will be seen in a documentary Inmate #1: The Rise Of Danny Trejo.
Award-winning filmmaker Bretty Harvey (Ice Guardians, The Culture High) has teamed up with the actor to tell his personal story.
The film is currently in production in California.
Fans know Trejo from his various roles that includes Desperado, Machete, Sin City, Predators and Sons Of Anarchy. And that’s the tip of the iceberg of hundreds of roles he had played in the past.
The untold story is Trejo’s life. He entered an early life of drugs by the age of 12, in which he tried heroin. By 15-years-old, he was in jail for the first time. At 23, he was sentenced at San Quentin for selling $30,000 bag of heroin to an undercover agent.
- 1/12/2017
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
HBO has acquired Evgeny Afineevsky’s Sundance selection and follow-up to Winter On Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom in a deal with executive producer David Dinerstein.
Cries From Syria chronicles the Middle East country’s civil war and draws on hundreds of hours of war footage as well as testimony from child protestors, human rights activists, citizens and high-ranking army generals who have defected from the Army.
The film receives its world premiere in Park City this month in the Documentary Premieres strand and will debut on HBO on March 13.
Annapurna Television is partnering with the Coen Brothers on Western anthology The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs. Annapurna issued a press release saying it intended to pursue “an innovative television and theatrical integrated approach” without elaborating. Joel and Ethen Coen wrote the script and will direct and produce through their Mike Zoss Productions label. Ellison and Annapurna Television president of television Sue Naegle are executive producers. UTA represents...
Cries From Syria chronicles the Middle East country’s civil war and draws on hundreds of hours of war footage as well as testimony from child protestors, human rights activists, citizens and high-ranking army generals who have defected from the Army.
The film receives its world premiere in Park City this month in the Documentary Premieres strand and will debut on HBO on March 13.
Annapurna Television is partnering with the Coen Brothers on Western anthology The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs. Annapurna issued a press release saying it intended to pursue “an innovative television and theatrical integrated approach” without elaborating. Joel and Ethen Coen wrote the script and will direct and produce through their Mike Zoss Productions label. Ellison and Annapurna Television president of television Sue Naegle are executive producers. UTA represents...
- 1/10/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film Movement has picked up U.S. rights to Andrei Konchalovsky’s Paradise which is shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. The Russian-German co-production is set during WWII and looks at the Holocaust from the perspective of three characters. Paradise debuted at the Venice Film Festival last year and won Konchalovsky the Silver Lion for Best Director. Arri Media International is handling sales. Shot in black and white by cinematographer Alexander…...
- 1/10/2017
- Deadline
The snubbing of “Neruda” and “Elle” from the shortlist will go down as one of the Foreign Language committee’s biggest failures, but frontrunner “Toni Erdmann” thankfully still made the cut. These are the current predictions based on the nine films officially on the shortlist. [Dec. 29]
Top Five
Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors
Denmark, “Land of Mine,” Martin Zandvliet, director
Germany, “Toni Erdmann,” Maren Ade, director
Iran, “The Salesman,” Asghar Farhadi, director
Sweden, “A Man Called Ove,” Hannes Holm, director
Almost There
Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director
Norway, “The King’s Choice,” Erik Poppe, director
Russia, “Paradise,” Andrei Konchalovsky, director
Switzerland, “My Life as a Zucchini,” Claude Barras, director
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film...
Top Five
Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors
Denmark, “Land of Mine,” Martin Zandvliet, director
Germany, “Toni Erdmann,” Maren Ade, director
Iran, “The Salesman,” Asghar Farhadi, director
Sweden, “A Man Called Ove,” Hannes Holm, director
Almost There
Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director
Norway, “The King’s Choice,” Erik Poppe, director
Russia, “Paradise,” Andrei Konchalovsky, director
Switzerland, “My Life as a Zucchini,” Claude Barras, director
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Animated Feature Film
Foreign Language Film...
- 12/30/2016
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Russian filmmakers have made numerous movies about World War II. But only on rare occasions they have specifically addressed the issue of Holocaust — and veteran director Andrei Konchalovsky did just that in his Paradise.
"One of the most terrifying moments of our generation’s history was the rise of the Nazi party and the extermination of millions of Jews and others who did not fit into the Nazi ideal of a 'perfect' German 'paradise'," says Konchalovsky.
According to the director, the film is his reflection on the twentieth century, "filled with great illusions buried in...
"One of the most terrifying moments of our generation’s history was the rise of the Nazi party and the extermination of millions of Jews and others who did not fit into the Nazi ideal of a 'perfect' German 'paradise'," says Konchalovsky.
According to the director, the film is his reflection on the twentieth century, "filled with great illusions buried in...
- 12/23/2016
- by Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘My Life as a Zucchini’ (Courtesy: Rita/Blue Spirit/Gebeka/Knm)
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
With a shortlist announced, the best foreign language film category is quickly whittling down and gearing up for the 2017 Oscars. A grand total of 85 movies were accepted from the record 89 submissions, but now the Academy is only eyeing nine of them to eventually nominate five from. Let’s take a closer look the lucky ones to make the shortlist — as controversial as they are — and get to know them better and see if history can provide context for what makes them so special.
Tanna (Australia)
Tanna, Australia’s submission, is set on the titular island that is a part of Vanuatu in the South Pacific and focuses on the Romeo and Juliet-esque romance between a couple who decide to marry for love instead of obeying their parents’ wishes. The film — co-directed by Martin Butler...
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
With a shortlist announced, the best foreign language film category is quickly whittling down and gearing up for the 2017 Oscars. A grand total of 85 movies were accepted from the record 89 submissions, but now the Academy is only eyeing nine of them to eventually nominate five from. Let’s take a closer look the lucky ones to make the shortlist — as controversial as they are — and get to know them better and see if history can provide context for what makes them so special.
Tanna (Australia)
Tanna, Australia’s submission, is set on the titular island that is a part of Vanuatu in the South Pacific and focuses on the Romeo and Juliet-esque romance between a couple who decide to marry for love instead of obeying their parents’ wishes. The film — co-directed by Martin Butler...
- 12/21/2016
- by Carson Blackwelder
- Scott Feinberg
Director Andrei Konchalovsky—whose past works include House Of Fools, Gloss, and, in a brief, bizarre turn into the world of brainless ’80s action blockbusters, Tango & Cash—has spoken out against a cornerstone of the communcal movie-going experience: eating popcorn. “My films are not for those who eat popcorn,” Konchalovsky told Russian news agency Tass, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I’ll try to make sure that popcorn is not sold at screenings of my films.”
Konchalovsky‘s latest movie, Paradise, was recently submitted as a Russian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Oscars, and has since been shortlisted for the award. The director denied himself a similar honor two years ago, when he refused to theatrically release The Postman’s White Nights, presumably because he was worried audiences would get butter on it. It’s not clear how serious the director was about his popcorn ...
Konchalovsky‘s latest movie, Paradise, was recently submitted as a Russian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Oscars, and has since been shortlisted for the award. The director denied himself a similar honor two years ago, when he refused to theatrically release The Postman’s White Nights, presumably because he was worried audiences would get butter on it. It’s not clear how serious the director was about his popcorn ...
- 12/17/2016
- by William Hughes
- avclub.com
Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, whose Venice Film Festival-winning WWII drama Paradise recently was shortlisted for the Oscar in the best foreign language film category, intends to ban popcorn sales at screenings of his film.
"My films are not for those who eat popcorn," Konchalovsky was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency Tass. "I'll try to make sure that popcorn is not sold at screenings of my films."
Wdsspr, Disney and Sony Pictures' Russian distribution venture, will release Paradise in Russia on Jan. 19.
Konchalovsky has long been lashing out against "popcorn-eating" audiences, who he says can only...
"My films are not for those who eat popcorn," Konchalovsky was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency Tass. "I'll try to make sure that popcorn is not sold at screenings of my films."
Wdsspr, Disney and Sony Pictures' Russian distribution venture, will release Paradise in Russia on Jan. 19.
Konchalovsky has long been lashing out against "popcorn-eating" audiences, who he says can only...
- 12/16/2016
- by Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maren Ade's Toni Erdmann won five European Film Awards Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The 89th Academy Awards Oscar Best Foreign Language Film shortlist has been revealed.
From Norway, The King’s Choice, Erik Poppe, director; Denmark, Land Of Mine, Martin Zandvliet, director; Germany, Toni Erdmann, Maren Ade, director; Iran, The Salesman, Asghar Farhadi, director; Sweden, A Man Called Ove, Hannes Holm, director; Canada, It’s Only The End Of The World, Xavier Dolan, Australia, Tanna, Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, directors; Switzerland, My Life As A Zucchini, Claude Barras, director; Russia, Paradise, Andrei Konchalovsky, director.
Julieta director Pedro Almodóvar is hopeful for his composer Alberto Iglesias. Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Gianfranco Rosi's Fire At Sea (Fuocoammare) Italy's Oscar submission is one of the nine documentaries that has been shortlisted for Best Documentary.
Pablo Larraín, the director of Neruda, Chile's submission, has Jackie, starring Natalie Portman, released this year that could...
The 89th Academy Awards Oscar Best Foreign Language Film shortlist has been revealed.
From Norway, The King’s Choice, Erik Poppe, director; Denmark, Land Of Mine, Martin Zandvliet, director; Germany, Toni Erdmann, Maren Ade, director; Iran, The Salesman, Asghar Farhadi, director; Sweden, A Man Called Ove, Hannes Holm, director; Canada, It’s Only The End Of The World, Xavier Dolan, Australia, Tanna, Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, directors; Switzerland, My Life As A Zucchini, Claude Barras, director; Russia, Paradise, Andrei Konchalovsky, director.
Julieta director Pedro Almodóvar is hopeful for his composer Alberto Iglesias. Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Gianfranco Rosi's Fire At Sea (Fuocoammare) Italy's Oscar submission is one of the nine documentaries that has been shortlisted for Best Documentary.
Pablo Larraín, the director of Neruda, Chile's submission, has Jackie, starring Natalie Portman, released this year that could...
- 12/16/2016
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Maren Ade’s much-fancied German crowd-pleaser is among nine selected by the Academy to proceed to the nominations phase but there is no joy for Asia or Latin America.
The shortlist, announced on Thursday afternoon, includes three from Scandinavia – Hannes Holm’s Swedish selection A Man Called Ove, Martin Zandvliet’s Danish entry Land Of Mine, and Erik Poppe’s The King’s Choice from Norway.
Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian submission The Salesman is in the mix, as are Australia’s Tanna by Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, and Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End Of The World for Canada.
Flying the flag for Russia is Andrei Konchalovsky’s Paradise, while Switzerland’s My Life As A Zucchini by Claude Barras also makes the cut.
Conspicuous by their absence are The Age Of Shadows (South Korea), Afterimage (Poland), Neruda (Chile), Elle (France), Julieta (Spain), Sieranevada (Romania) and The Happiest Day In The Life Of [link...
The shortlist, announced on Thursday afternoon, includes three from Scandinavia – Hannes Holm’s Swedish selection A Man Called Ove, Martin Zandvliet’s Danish entry Land Of Mine, and Erik Poppe’s The King’s Choice from Norway.
Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian submission The Salesman is in the mix, as are Australia’s Tanna by Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, and Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End Of The World for Canada.
Flying the flag for Russia is Andrei Konchalovsky’s Paradise, while Switzerland’s My Life As A Zucchini by Claude Barras also makes the cut.
Conspicuous by their absence are The Age Of Shadows (South Korea), Afterimage (Poland), Neruda (Chile), Elle (France), Julieta (Spain), Sieranevada (Romania) and The Happiest Day In The Life Of [link...
- 12/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Maren Ade’s much-fancied German crowd-pleaser is among nine selected by the Academy to proceed to the nominations phase but there is no joy for Asia or Latin America.
The shortlist, announced on Thursday afternoon, includes three from Scandinavia – Hannes Holm’s Swedish selection A Man Called Ove, Martin Zandvliet’s Danish entry Land Of Mine, and Erik Poppe’s The King’s Choice from Norway.
Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian submission The Salesman is in the mix, as are Australia’s Tanna by Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, and Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End Of The World for Canada.
Flying the flag for Russia is Andrei Konchalovsky’s Paradise, while Switzerland’s My Life As A Zucchini by Claude Barras also makes the cut.
Conspicuous by their absence are The Age Of Shadows (South Korea), Afterimage (Poland), Neruda (Chile), Elle (France), Julieta (Spain), Sieranevada (Romania) and The Happiest Day In The Life Of [link...
The shortlist, announced on Thursday afternoon, includes three from Scandinavia – Hannes Holm’s Swedish selection A Man Called Ove, Martin Zandvliet’s Danish entry Land Of Mine, and Erik Poppe’s The King’s Choice from Norway.
Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian submission The Salesman is in the mix, as are Australia’s Tanna by Bentley Dean and Martin Butler, and Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only The End Of The World for Canada.
Flying the flag for Russia is Andrei Konchalovsky’s Paradise, while Switzerland’s My Life As A Zucchini by Claude Barras also makes the cut.
Conspicuous by their absence are The Age Of Shadows (South Korea), Afterimage (Poland), Neruda (Chile), Elle (France), Julieta (Spain), Sieranevada (Romania) and The Happiest Day In The Life Of [link...
- 12/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Academy Foreign Language Executive Committee, comprised of about 20 people, met Thursday to choose three movies to create a shortlist of nine. The other six reflect the most popular, highest-ranked films of the 85 screened by a larger committee of about 300 voters between mid-October and December 12. (For more details about the arcane way that the Academy chooses the foreign language films, read here.)
Another committee of 30 — 10 people in New York, 10 in L.A. and 10 in London — will screen the nine films over three days, from Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15, viewing three films each day. They will then cast their ballots for the final five to be announced on Oscar nominations morning January 24.
Read More: Oscars 2017: How the Academy Picks the Foreign Language Shortlist
Those five films will be sent to the entire Academy to vote for the Oscar winner, which last year was “Son of Saul” (Hungary).
The films,...
Another committee of 30 — 10 people in New York, 10 in L.A. and 10 in London — will screen the nine films over three days, from Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15, viewing three films each day. They will then cast their ballots for the final five to be announced on Oscar nominations morning January 24.
Read More: Oscars 2017: How the Academy Picks the Foreign Language Shortlist
Those five films will be sent to the entire Academy to vote for the Oscar winner, which last year was “Son of Saul” (Hungary).
The films,...
- 12/16/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Academy Foreign Language Executive Committee, comprised of about 20 people, met Thursday to choose three movies to create a shortlist of nine. The other six reflect the most popular, highest-ranked films of the 85 screened by a larger committee of about 300 voters between mid-October and December 12. (For more details about the arcane way that the Academy chooses the foreign language films, read here.)
Another committee of 30 — 10 people in New York, 10 in L.A. and 10 in London — will screen the nine films over three days, from Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15, viewing three films each day. They will then cast their ballots for the final five to be announced on Oscar nominations morning January 24.
Read More: Oscars 2017: How the Academy Picks the Foreign Language Shortlist
Those five films will be sent to the entire Academy to vote for the Oscar winner, which last year was “Son of Saul” (Hungary).
The films,...
Another committee of 30 — 10 people in New York, 10 in L.A. and 10 in London — will screen the nine films over three days, from Friday, January 13, through Sunday, January 15, viewing three films each day. They will then cast their ballots for the final five to be announced on Oscar nominations morning January 24.
Read More: Oscars 2017: How the Academy Picks the Foreign Language Shortlist
Those five films will be sent to the entire Academy to vote for the Oscar winner, which last year was “Son of Saul” (Hungary).
The films,...
- 12/16/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Cannon Films knocks one out of the park: Jon Voight and Eric Roberts escape from prison only to end up on a huge, speeding, out of control juggernaut of a freight train plowing through the Alaskan wilderness. It's both an action bruise-fest and an existential statement, and it's still a wild thrill ride. Runaway Train Blu-ray Twilight Time 1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / Street Date October 11, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store 29.95 Starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner, John P. Ryan T.K. Carter, Kenneth McMillan, Edward Bunker, Hank Worden, Danny Trejo, Tommy Lister, Don MacLaughlin, Loren James, Dick Durock, Dennis Franz. Cinematography Alan Hume Original Music Trevor Jones Written by Djordje Milecevic, Paul Zindel, Edward Bunker based on a screenplay by Akira Kurosawa. Produced by Yoram Globus, Menachem Golan Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
When I stumbled into The Cannon Group on...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
When I stumbled into The Cannon Group on...
- 11/15/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Chicago – The recently completed 52nd Chicago International Film Festival offered a world perspective on cinema, and honors the films that will influence the arts culture for years to come. Their Awards Night was October 21st, 2016, and was hosted by Richard Roeper, film critic of the Chicago Sun Times. The recipient of the top prize of the fest, the Gold Hugo, was “Sieranevada” (Romania), directed by Cristi Puiu.
The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival Awards Night was Oct. 21, 2016
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
The awards event took place at the AMC River East Theatre. Presenters included Programming Director Mimi Plauché, programmers Anthony Kaufman and Sam Flancher, plus various jury members – which included Geraldine Chapman (actress and daughter of Charlie Chaplin), who presided over the International Feature Film Competition Jury. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com sat on the Animation Shorts jury. The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named...
The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival Awards Night was Oct. 21, 2016
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
The awards event took place at the AMC River East Theatre. Presenters included Programming Director Mimi Plauché, programmers Anthony Kaufman and Sam Flancher, plus various jury members – which included Geraldine Chapman (actress and daughter of Charlie Chaplin), who presided over the International Feature Film Competition Jury. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com sat on the Animation Shorts jury. The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named...
- 10/30/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Eighty-five countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 89th Academy Awards. Yemen is a first-time entrant.
The 2016 submissions are:
Albania, “Chromium,” Bujar Alimani, director;
Algeria, “The Well,” Lotfi Bouchouchi, director;
Argentina, “The Distinguished Citizen,” Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat, directors;
Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors;
Austria, “Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe,” Maria Schrader, director;
Bangladesh, “link=tt5510934 auto]The Unnamed[/link],” Tauquir Ahmed, director;
Belgium, “The Ardennes,” Robin Pront, director;
Bolivia, “Sealed Cargo,” Julia Vargas Weise, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Death in Sarajevo,” Danis Tanovic, director;
Brazil, “Little Secret,” David Schurmann, director;
Bulgaria, “Losers,” Ivaylo Hristov, director;
Cambodia, “Before the Fall,” Ian White, director;
Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, “Neruda,” Pablo Larraín, director;
China, “Xuan Zang,” Huo Jianqi, director;
Colombia, “Alias Maria,” José Luis Rugeles, director;
Costa Rica, “About Us,” Hernán Jiménez, director;
Croatia, “On the Other Side,...
The 2016 submissions are:
Albania, “Chromium,” Bujar Alimani, director;
Algeria, “The Well,” Lotfi Bouchouchi, director;
Argentina, “The Distinguished Citizen,” Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat, directors;
Australia, “Tanna,” Bentley Dean, Martin Butler, directors;
Austria, “Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe,” Maria Schrader, director;
Bangladesh, “link=tt5510934 auto]The Unnamed[/link],” Tauquir Ahmed, director;
Belgium, “The Ardennes,” Robin Pront, director;
Bolivia, “Sealed Cargo,” Julia Vargas Weise, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Death in Sarajevo,” Danis Tanovic, director;
Brazil, “Little Secret,” David Schurmann, director;
Bulgaria, “Losers,” Ivaylo Hristov, director;
Cambodia, “Before the Fall,” Ian White, director;
Canada, “It’s Only the End of the World,” Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, “Neruda,” Pablo Larraín, director;
China, “Xuan Zang,” Huo Jianqi, director;
Colombia, “Alias Maria,” José Luis Rugeles, director;
Costa Rica, “About Us,” Hernán Jiménez, director;
Croatia, “On the Other Side,...
- 10/12/2016
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The official submissions for the foreign language Oscar are in from around the world, and the Academy has deemed a record 85 eligible to compete. Last year, 81 submissions were released theatrically in their home countries between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015. (This year’s deadline for submissions was October 3, 2016.)
Several Academy foreign committees comprised of members from all the branches will whittle down the films to a shortlist of nine and finally, five Oscar nominees. (Last year’s winner was Cannes prize-winner “Son of Saul,” directed by Hungarian Lazlo Nemes.) Many countries pick films that do well on the festival circuit as their strongest Oscar contender; others do not.
Politics often intervene: Brazil’s submission was expected to be Cannes competition film “Aquarius,” starring Sonia Braga, but it was embroiled in controversy over filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’s support of outgoing impeached president Dilma Rousseff. Bruno Barreto’s Brazil selection committee went...
Several Academy foreign committees comprised of members from all the branches will whittle down the films to a shortlist of nine and finally, five Oscar nominees. (Last year’s winner was Cannes prize-winner “Son of Saul,” directed by Hungarian Lazlo Nemes.) Many countries pick films that do well on the festival circuit as their strongest Oscar contender; others do not.
Politics often intervene: Brazil’s submission was expected to be Cannes competition film “Aquarius,” starring Sonia Braga, but it was embroiled in controversy over filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’s support of outgoing impeached president Dilma Rousseff. Bruno Barreto’s Brazil selection committee went...
- 10/12/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The official submissions for the foreign language Oscar are in from around the world, and the Academy has deemed a record 85 eligible to compete. Last year, 81 submissions were released theatrically in their home countries between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015. (This year’s deadline for submissions was October 3, 2016.)
Several Academy foreign committees comprised of members from all the branches will whittle down the films to a shortlist of nine and finally, five Oscar nominees. (Last year’s winner was Cannes prize-winner “Son of Saul,” directed by Hungarian Lazlo Nemes.) Many countries pick films that do well on the festival circuit as their strongest Oscar contender; others do not.
Politics often intervene: Brazil’s submission was expected to be Cannes competition film “Aquarius,” starring Sonia Braga, but it was embroiled in controversy over filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’s support of outgoing impeached president Dilma Rousseff. Bruno Barreto’s Brazil selection committee went...
Several Academy foreign committees comprised of members from all the branches will whittle down the films to a shortlist of nine and finally, five Oscar nominees. (Last year’s winner was Cannes prize-winner “Son of Saul,” directed by Hungarian Lazlo Nemes.) Many countries pick films that do well on the festival circuit as their strongest Oscar contender; others do not.
Politics often intervene: Brazil’s submission was expected to be Cannes competition film “Aquarius,” starring Sonia Braga, but it was embroiled in controversy over filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’s support of outgoing impeached president Dilma Rousseff. Bruno Barreto’s Brazil selection committee went...
- 10/12/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Eighty-five countries have submitted a film for consideration in the 60th anniversary year of the foreign language film category.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Science said on Tuesday that this season also marks the first time Yemen has submitted a film, Khadija Al-Salami’s I Am Nojoom, Age 10 And Divorced.
The 89th Oscars will take place on February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. László Nemes’ Hungarian entry Son Of Saul won the award last February.
Foreign-language Academy Award Submissions
(Country, Title, director)
Albania, Chromium, dir Bujar Alimani;
Algeria, The Well, Lotfi Bouchouchi;
Argentina, The Distinguished Citizen, Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat;
Australia, Tanna, Bentley Dean, Martin Butler;
Austria, Stefan Zweig: Farewell To Europe, Maria Schrader;
Bangladesh, The Unnamed, Tauquir Ahmed;
Belgium, The Ardennes, Robin Pront;
Bolivia, Sealed Cargo, Julia Vargas Weise;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Death In Sarajevo, Danis Tanovic;
Brazil, Little Secret, David Schurmann.
Bulgaria, Losers, [link...
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Science said on Tuesday that this season also marks the first time Yemen has submitted a film, Khadija Al-Salami’s I Am Nojoom, Age 10 And Divorced.
The 89th Oscars will take place on February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood. László Nemes’ Hungarian entry Son Of Saul won the award last February.
Foreign-language Academy Award Submissions
(Country, Title, director)
Albania, Chromium, dir Bujar Alimani;
Algeria, The Well, Lotfi Bouchouchi;
Argentina, The Distinguished Citizen, Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat;
Australia, Tanna, Bentley Dean, Martin Butler;
Austria, Stefan Zweig: Farewell To Europe, Maria Schrader;
Bangladesh, The Unnamed, Tauquir Ahmed;
Belgium, The Ardennes, Robin Pront;
Bolivia, Sealed Cargo, Julia Vargas Weise;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Death In Sarajevo, Danis Tanovic;
Brazil, Little Secret, David Schurmann.
Bulgaria, Losers, [link...
- 10/11/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Over the weekend, the 73rd annual Venice Film Festival handed out their awards for 2016, with a few of the expected major Oscar hopefuls showing up among their winners. They included a few of the contenders being heavily mentioned not only at Venice, but over at the Telluride Film Festival as well. The awards did cite some smaller films and performances, but this was closer to a star studded slate of honorees than not, which is something a bit new. Venice is looking to be a launching pad for a handful of flicks as we move forward in the fall festival season, and that’s certainly exciting. The fest may now be in the books, with the Toronto International Film Festival (or Tiff) the center of attention, but my hat is off to Venice for some of these picks. They seem to have outdone themselves. The whole list of award winners...
- 9/12/2016
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
With the jury winners announced this past weekend (see at the bottom), the 73rd Venice International Film Festival has now come to an end. As always, it was a strong kick-off to the fall festivals, with some premieres of dramas that we’ll see over the next few months, as well as a great many that won’t arrive until next year (or perhaps later, pending distribution). We’ve wrapped up the festival by selecting our 9 favorite films, followed by our complete coverage. Check out everything below and let us know what you’re most looking forward to.
Austerlitz (Sergei Loznitsa)
Having experimented with feature-length fiction films, shorts, and archival-footage documentaries in the course of his career, Sergei Loznitsa’s output since his 2014 Ukrainian crisis documentary Maidan has both garnered him greater acclaim than before and zeroed in on cinema as a collectively generated form. – Tommaso T. (full review)
Hacksaw Ridge...
Austerlitz (Sergei Loznitsa)
Having experimented with feature-length fiction films, shorts, and archival-footage documentaries in the course of his career, Sergei Loznitsa’s output since his 2014 Ukrainian crisis documentary Maidan has both garnered him greater acclaim than before and zeroed in on cinema as a collectively generated form. – Tommaso T. (full review)
Hacksaw Ridge...
- 9/12/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
The 73rd annual Venice Film Festival came to a close today and with that comes jury prizes. Here's the list
Lav Diaz new film "The Woman Who Left" is inspired by Tolstoy's book "God Sees the Truth, But Waits". It's four hours long and took the top Venice prize.
Main Competition Jury (Jury President Sam Mendes)
Golden Lion: The Woman Who Left (Lav Diaz)
Grand Jury Prize: Nocturnal Animals (Tom Ford)
Silver Lion (Best Director): [tie] Amat Escalante for The Untamed and Andrei Konchalovsky for Paradise
Volpi Cup Best Actress: Emma Stone for La La Land
Volpi Cup Best Actor: Oscar Martínez for The Distinguished Citizen
Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor: Paula Beer for Frantz
A Few Notes on the winners after the jump...
Lav Diaz new film "The Woman Who Left" is inspired by Tolstoy's book "God Sees the Truth, But Waits". It's four hours long and took the top Venice prize.
Main Competition Jury (Jury President Sam Mendes)
Golden Lion: The Woman Who Left (Lav Diaz)
Grand Jury Prize: Nocturnal Animals (Tom Ford)
Silver Lion (Best Director): [tie] Amat Escalante for The Untamed and Andrei Konchalovsky for Paradise
Volpi Cup Best Actress: Emma Stone for La La Land
Volpi Cup Best Actor: Oscar Martínez for The Distinguished Citizen
Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor: Paula Beer for Frantz
A Few Notes on the winners after the jump...
- 9/10/2016
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Lav Diaz’s The Woman Who Left from the Philippines won the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice Film festival on Saturday while Emma Stone claimed the Coppa Volpi best actress prize for La La Land and Oscar Martínez took actor honours for El Ciudadano Ilustre.
The Silver Lion – grand jury prize went to Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals and the Silver Lion award for best director was a tie between Andrei Konchalovsky for Paradise and Amat Escalante for The Untamed.
Noah Oppenheim prevailed in the screenplay category for Jackie, while Ana Lily Amirpour earned a special jury prize for The Bad Batch.
Venice Winners In Full
Golden Lion for best film
The Woman Who Left (Ang Babaeng Humayo; Philippines) by Lav Diaz
Silver Lion – grand jury prize
Nocturnal Animals (USA) by Tom Ford
Silver Lion award for best director (tie)
Andrei Konchalovsky, Paradise (Cis)
Amat Escalante, The Untamed (La Región Salvaje, Mexico-Denmark-France-Germany- Norway-Switzerland...
The Silver Lion – grand jury prize went to Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals and the Silver Lion award for best director was a tie between Andrei Konchalovsky for Paradise and Amat Escalante for The Untamed.
Noah Oppenheim prevailed in the screenplay category for Jackie, while Ana Lily Amirpour earned a special jury prize for The Bad Batch.
Venice Winners In Full
Golden Lion for best film
The Woman Who Left (Ang Babaeng Humayo; Philippines) by Lav Diaz
Silver Lion – grand jury prize
Nocturnal Animals (USA) by Tom Ford
Silver Lion award for best director (tie)
Andrei Konchalovsky, Paradise (Cis)
Amat Escalante, The Untamed (La Región Salvaje, Mexico-Denmark-France-Germany- Norway-Switzerland...
- 9/10/2016
- ScreenDaily
The 73rd Venice International Film Festival comes to a close this evening with their annual awards ceremony. The festival ran from August 31st through September 10th, with Sam Mendes as the President of the Jury for the main competition. You can watch the winners accept their awards live with the Venice Film Festival live stream. Follow the link to watch the ceremony and check in on the winners list below.
Read More: Venice Film Festival Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Voyage of Time,’ ‘The Bad Batch,’ ‘Jackie’ and ‘Nocturnal Animals’
This year, Viff screened many high-profile films, including such anticipated fall features like Damien Chazelle’s musical “La La Land,” Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi film “Arrival,” and Terrence Malick’s “Voyage of Time.” They also premiered more more mainstream fare outside of competition, like Mel Gibson’s latest “Hacksaw Ridge” and Antoine Fuqua’s “The Magnificent Seven.”
Read More:...
Read More: Venice Film Festival Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Voyage of Time,’ ‘The Bad Batch,’ ‘Jackie’ and ‘Nocturnal Animals’
This year, Viff screened many high-profile films, including such anticipated fall features like Damien Chazelle’s musical “La La Land,” Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi film “Arrival,” and Terrence Malick’s “Voyage of Time.” They also premiered more more mainstream fare outside of competition, like Mel Gibson’s latest “Hacksaw Ridge” and Antoine Fuqua’s “The Magnificent Seven.”
Read More:...
- 9/10/2016
- by Vikram Murthi
- Indiewire
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