Billy (James Wirt), the anguished painter writhing and moaning through Billy Bates, is what trailer-speak might call a "tortured artist" — a man for whom misery is a prerequisite for creation. He spends a lot of time, it seems, pottering around his stylishly bedraggled studio apartment, staring meaningfully into the middle distance, as one does, alternately brooding and sobbing; how and when he manages to get any work done is left to the imagination. The work itself is rather dire: black-and-white photographs scuffed up and luridly graffitied, about as edgy as a decal on the underside of a skateboard. Nevertheless, Billy's star is on the rise. Early in the film, he meets the ravishing Kaia (Savannah Welch), a folk singer, at a nightclub where his work is o...
- 12/3/2014
- Village Voice
In the opening scene of Phoenix, a young woman reuniting with the man with whom she had a one-night stand a month earlier announces that she has three things to say to him. Anyone who’s ever dated immediately knows that things are not going to turn out well. And so it goes in Scott Organ’s two-hander romantic comedy co-starring Julia Stiles, returning to the New York stage after acclaimed turns in Oleanna and Twelfth Night, and James Wirt, soon to be seen in the indie feature Billy Bates. The three things that Sue (Stiles) has to say
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- 8/8/2014
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2013 Soho Film Fest took place between April 5th to April 12th at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema in Soho, New York. The fourth year in existence, the Soho Film Fest celebrates all types of filmmakers- from pros to amateurs and anything in between- to help promote the arts and the works of filmmakers everywhere. Anything from 2 minute shorts to full length feature films are shown, and it doesn’t matter who made them since all are shown to get the passion of filmmaking out throughout the world.
The following shorts and films were shown:
A Second Thought: Choice Skinner directed the 2 minute silent short, about a man’s encounter with a woman.
King Tigermore in Strawberry Fields: Tunde Reid-Kapo directed the 3 minute short, which is about a eight year who fell asleep during a chest match to find himself in another world.
Dance of the Books: directed by Lorena Fernandez,...
The following shorts and films were shown:
A Second Thought: Choice Skinner directed the 2 minute silent short, about a man’s encounter with a woman.
King Tigermore in Strawberry Fields: Tunde Reid-Kapo directed the 3 minute short, which is about a eight year who fell asleep during a chest match to find himself in another world.
Dance of the Books: directed by Lorena Fernandez,...
- 4/15/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Julia Stiles, who re-emerged with a great supporting turn in "Silver Linings Playbook," has signed on to play screenwriter Frances Marion--the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay--in Jennifer DeLia's "The First," based on Eileen Whitfield's biography on Mary Pickford, "Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood." Marion's Oscar was for "The Big House" in 1930. Pickford was muse to Marion during their collaborations, including “Rebecca from Sunnybrook Farm” and “Poor Little Rich Girl.” Other characters in the film will include Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith, and Lillian Gish. Lily Rabe is set to play Pickford, and "Boardwalk Empire"'s Michael Pitt is set to play Owen Moore. Julie Pacino is producing with Said Zahraoui and Dominick Fairbanks; she'll shopping the film at Berlin with Poverty Row's Billy Bates. Last November DeLia told Indiewire, "I didn't...
- 2/1/2013
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
Julia Stiles has landed a role in The First.
The Bourne Identity and Silver Linings Playbook actress will portray iconic screenwriter Frances Marion in the Mary Pickford biopic, Poverty Row Entertainment has confirmed.
© Pa Images
[Julia Stiles at the 24th annual Producers Guild of America Awards]
Marion was one of Pickford's frequent collaborators and became the first woman in history to win an Oscar in 1930, taking the 'Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)' award for The Big House.
She later won the 'Best Story' Oscar in 1932 for The Champ.
The First is based on the Eileen Whitfield biography entitled Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood, and is directed by Jennifer DeLia (Billy Bates).
© Rex Features / Everett Collection
[Frances Marion photographed in 1937]
"Julia is someone I could instantly envision in that era and within the world of Old Hollywood," said DeLia. "I've watched her work since I was a kid in the mid '90s when she was emerging as a very cool and very talented actress.
The Bourne Identity and Silver Linings Playbook actress will portray iconic screenwriter Frances Marion in the Mary Pickford biopic, Poverty Row Entertainment has confirmed.
© Pa Images
[Julia Stiles at the 24th annual Producers Guild of America Awards]
Marion was one of Pickford's frequent collaborators and became the first woman in history to win an Oscar in 1930, taking the 'Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)' award for The Big House.
She later won the 'Best Story' Oscar in 1932 for The Champ.
The First is based on the Eileen Whitfield biography entitled Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood, and is directed by Jennifer DeLia (Billy Bates).
© Rex Features / Everett Collection
[Frances Marion photographed in 1937]
"Julia is someone I could instantly envision in that era and within the world of Old Hollywood," said DeLia. "I've watched her work since I was a kid in the mid '90s when she was emerging as a very cool and very talented actress.
- 2/1/2013
- Digital Spy
When Jennifer DeLia was doing post-production on her last feature, "Billy Bates," she had a meeting in Toronto's Lighbox movie theater. After the meeting, DeLia walked into an exhibit that explored the life of Mary Pickford, widely acknowledged as Hollywood's first movie star. It was then that DeLia, who had only a passing knowledge of Pickford's role in film history, decided that a film of her life needed to be made. "I didn't know that Pickford was the pioneer that she was and that she had the journey from childhood that she had," DeLia says now. "I knew she was a silent screen legend and the first movie star. I didn't realize that she had helped make Hollywood culture as a fierce businesswoman." The film, titled "The First" and based on Eileen Whitfield's biography "Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood," is currently in development. DeLia, her producer Julie Pacino and co-writer Josh Fagin.
- 11/27/2012
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
Casting Net: Michael Pitt to play Hollywood legend's husband. Plus: Brie Larson, Thomas Ian Nicholas
• Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Pitt has joined The First, a biopic about the trailblazing silent film actress Mary Pickford (Lily Rabe). Pitt will play Pickford’s first husband, Owen Moore, who had a tumultuous relationship with Pickford before she took up with, and eventually married, actor Douglas Fairbanks. Jennifer DeLia (Billy Bates) is directing. [Deadline]
• Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) will headline Short Term 12, an indie about a woman who grapples with working at a home for foster children. Writer-director Destin Cretton (I Am Not a Hipster) adapted the film from his 2008 short film of the same name. [Deadline]
• Thomas Ian Nicholas...
• Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) will headline Short Term 12, an indie about a woman who grapples with working at a home for foster children. Writer-director Destin Cretton (I Am Not a Hipster) adapted the film from his 2008 short film of the same name. [Deadline]
• Thomas Ian Nicholas...
- 8/31/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
• Jason Bateman, Zac Efron, Goldie Hawn, Leslie Mann, Malin Akerman, and Jason Sudeikis are all in negotiations to star in the ensemble comedy This is Where I Leave You, author Jonathan Tropper’s adaptation of his own novel about four grown siblings who return home to grieve their deceased father. Adam Shankman is attach to direct. [Deadline, Variety]
• Michelle Pfeiffer is in talks to play Robert DeNiro’s wife in the dark comic thriller Malavita, about a mob family that moves to France under witness relocation, and falls back on old habits. Director Luc Besson adapted the script from Tony Benacquista’s unfortunately titled book Badfellas.
• Michelle Pfeiffer is in talks to play Robert DeNiro’s wife in the dark comic thriller Malavita, about a mob family that moves to France under witness relocation, and falls back on old habits. Director Luc Besson adapted the script from Tony Benacquista’s unfortunately titled book Badfellas.
- 5/30/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Quite often, the Oscar-winning success of a film will lead to studios jumping over themselves to greenlight anything they have in the works that might be vaguely similar. "Slumdog Millionaire," for instance, led to development on a number of India-set projects, including the current sleeper hit "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." "The King's Speech," meanwhile, has led to royal-related projects, from "W.E." and "Hyde Park On Hudson" to "Girls' Night Out" becoming quite the hot property.
But despite breathless, idiotic headlines asking if the success of "The Artist" meant that the era of sound film was over, the world of silent film hasn't yet been become the latest hot trend -- no one's asked Guy Maddin to direct "Die Hard 5" or anything. But there is one film that's coming together that promises to look at some of silent era's best known stars, and is assembling a pretty impressive selection of talent.
But despite breathless, idiotic headlines asking if the success of "The Artist" meant that the era of sound film was over, the world of silent film hasn't yet been become the latest hot trend -- no one's asked Guy Maddin to direct "Die Hard 5" or anything. But there is one film that's coming together that promises to look at some of silent era's best known stars, and is assembling a pretty impressive selection of talent.
- 5/29/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Perhaps the first real movie star, Mary Pickford got her start in the moving pictures back in 1909. She was 17 at the time, and the rest of her life would be dedicated to the crafts of acting, writing and producing. She’s probably best remembered for her starring role in Coquette, for which she won the Oscar in 1929. Of course, it helps that she was a founder of the Academy. According to Collider, Poverty Row Entertainment is going to give this titan her due. The production house acquired rights to “Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood” by Eileen Whitfield, and they’ve put together a team of director Jennifer DeLia (Billy Bates, I Am an Island) and writer Josh Fagin. It’s fantastic to see something like this being made, and it fits perfectly into a new mode where filmmakers are highly interested in other filmmakers. Now, who do you get to play her?...
- 5/4/2012
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
If you’ve taken a film history class or two, chances are you’ve heard of Mary Pickford. The Canadian actress was vital in crafting the Hollywood we have today, co-founding United Artists. She was briefly brought to screen in Chaplin with Robert Downey Jr., but now she’s about to get her proper due in her own biopic.
Deadline reports that Julie Pacino, daughter of the famous actor, will produce with Jennifer DeLia an adaptation of Eileen Whitfield’s book Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. DeLia, who last helmed the drama Billy Bates, would direct from Josh Fagin‘s script. I’m curious of the talent involved as they haven’t made anything worthwhile yet, but hopefully they’ll do justice to this icon.
The film will chronicle the life of Pickford, the figure known as “America’s Sweetheart” who later struggled with alcoholism. Aside from founding UA...
Deadline reports that Julie Pacino, daughter of the famous actor, will produce with Jennifer DeLia an adaptation of Eileen Whitfield’s book Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. DeLia, who last helmed the drama Billy Bates, would direct from Josh Fagin‘s script. I’m curious of the talent involved as they haven’t made anything worthwhile yet, but hopefully they’ll do justice to this icon.
The film will chronicle the life of Pickford, the figure known as “America’s Sweetheart” who later struggled with alcoholism. Aside from founding UA...
- 5/4/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
We scour the interwebs for the coolest movie news and more so you don't have to ...
Kissing, conflict, more kissing … you pretty much know what you're getting into with any film adapted from a Nicholas Sparks book. As "The Lucky One" is set to make you swoon on Friday, BuzzSugar has compiled a list of common themes that could be described as "Sparks-esque."
Speaking of Sparks, sometimes they just don't fly at all, do they? Moviefone reminds us that sometimes love stinks with a look at some of the worst-ever on-screen dates, from "Annie Hall" to "Knocked Up."
The "Clueless" reunion is getting closer! Deadline reports that good ol' Anchor Bay has picked up the distribution rights to "Vamps," the sexy supernatural comedy that re-teams Alicia Silverstone and writer-director Amy Heckerling.
A team of parapsychologists sets out to investigate some weird phenomena taking place in a newly occupied apartment … and...
Kissing, conflict, more kissing … you pretty much know what you're getting into with any film adapted from a Nicholas Sparks book. As "The Lucky One" is set to make you swoon on Friday, BuzzSugar has compiled a list of common themes that could be described as "Sparks-esque."
Speaking of Sparks, sometimes they just don't fly at all, do they? Moviefone reminds us that sometimes love stinks with a look at some of the worst-ever on-screen dates, from "Annie Hall" to "Knocked Up."
The "Clueless" reunion is getting closer! Deadline reports that good ol' Anchor Bay has picked up the distribution rights to "Vamps," the sexy supernatural comedy that re-teams Alicia Silverstone and writer-director Amy Heckerling.
A team of parapsychologists sets out to investigate some weird phenomena taking place in a newly occupied apartment … and...
- 4/18/2012
- by Bryan Enk
- NextMovie
From first-time feature helmer, Jennifer DeLia, Billy Bates is a experimental narrative project chronicling the trials and tribulations many go through to create art. If the newly released trailer is any indication, our title character is going through those motions, and then some. Check out a full synopsis and the trailer below.Billy Bates is the story of a young enigmatic artist (played by James Wirt) who faces his demons and through perseverance rises from the ashes of a broken soul. The layers of Billy's psyche are explored through an extensive interview done in documentary fashion infused with the dark and provocative images from Billy's past and present. Through fragmented memories of underground parties, inside an insane asylum, and on his rise to becoming a famous...
- 4/17/2012
- Screen Anarchy
HollywoodNews.com: The New York tabloids were quick to report yesterday that Julie Pacino, Al Pacino’s 21 year old daughter, was arrested for DUI on Friday night. According to my sources, Julie was driving a friend’s Mercedes from California with expired registration. She told the cops she’d had three beers and had smoked some pot earlier the evening. She was arraigned and released.
But here’s just a thought: Julie Pacino is no Lindsay Lohan. This is a mistake to be sure, but not a lifestyle. Julie Pacino, though young, has been working hard to start a career as a filmmaker. Let’s give her some credit. She’s had short films in a couple of film festivals already. I ran into her in Cannes a couple of months ago, and she was not partying. She was working, with her business partner, getting out her product. She’s written and produced a short,...
But here’s just a thought: Julie Pacino is no Lindsay Lohan. This is a mistake to be sure, but not a lifestyle. Julie Pacino, though young, has been working hard to start a career as a filmmaker. Let’s give her some credit. She’s had short films in a couple of film festivals already. I ran into her in Cannes a couple of months ago, and she was not partying. She was working, with her business partner, getting out her product. She’s written and produced a short,...
- 8/1/2011
- by Roger Friedman
- Hollywoodnews.com
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