SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global has unveiled a teaser trailer for six-part original crime drama series Codename: Annika at the Stockholm International Film Festival outdoor cinema, Sommarbio.
The Finnish-Swedish production, which originally had the working title ID, was part of a deal that the streamer struck early this year with Warner Bros. Discovery for exclusive rights across all of Europe to 21 HBO Max European originals. Codename: Annika will launch on SkyShowtime in September.
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production company Helsinki-Filmi (Tove, Ladies of Steel, Tom of Finland, Heart of a Lion, Lapland Odyssey) and directed by Finnish director Aj Annila (Peacemaker), the show promises to take audiences behind the scenes of the world of high-class art fraud, while also exploring “the reality of navigating a double identity.”
The series stars Sannah Nedergård (Yellow Sulphur Sky) as Finnish art fraud investigator Emma/Annika.
The Finnish-Swedish production, which originally had the working title ID, was part of a deal that the streamer struck early this year with Warner Bros. Discovery for exclusive rights across all of Europe to 21 HBO Max European originals. Codename: Annika will launch on SkyShowtime in September.
Created by Mia Ylönen and Aleksi Bardy of production company Helsinki-Filmi (Tove, Ladies of Steel, Tom of Finland, Heart of a Lion, Lapland Odyssey) and directed by Finnish director Aj Annila (Peacemaker), the show promises to take audiences behind the scenes of the world of high-class art fraud, while also exploring “the reality of navigating a double identity.”
The series stars Sannah Nedergård (Yellow Sulphur Sky) as Finnish art fraud investigator Emma/Annika.
- 8/16/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Also world premiering is HBO Max series ‘Spy/Master’ and Indian drama ‘Roar’
Italian crime drama The Good Mothers is among the seven titles selected for Berlinale (February 16-26) Series strand.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The Disney+ series is directed by the UK’s Julian Jarrold, whose credits include Kinky Boots, Becoming Jane and Brideshead Revisted, and Italian filmmaker Elisa Amoruso. The Good Mothers is a UK-Italy co-production and follows three women trying to bring down the Italian mafia.
The first two episodes of the six-part series is one of five series world premiering at Berlinale.
These...
Italian crime drama The Good Mothers is among the seven titles selected for Berlinale (February 16-26) Series strand.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The Disney+ series is directed by the UK’s Julian Jarrold, whose credits include Kinky Boots, Becoming Jane and Brideshead Revisted, and Italian filmmaker Elisa Amoruso. The Good Mothers is a UK-Italy co-production and follows three women trying to bring down the Italian mafia.
The first two episodes of the six-part series is one of five series world premiering at Berlinale.
These...
- 1/16/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Versatile Finnish helmer A.J. Annila is on board to direct the thriller series with a working title of “ID” which marks HBO Max’s first commission of a Finnish premium TV show.
Set in the art fraud world, the six-part series is co-created by seasoned writer Aleksi Bardy and Mia Ylönen for Finnish production powerhouse Helsinki-Filmi, a subsidiary of Finland’s Aurora Studios.
“ID” revolves around art fraud investigator Emma who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm in order to investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as Blanko. Under her new identity, the quiet Emma morphs into a different person, the party animal and hot-headed socialite Annika. Her change of persona triggers long-hidden memories to resurface, forcing Emma to confront her past.
Annila, who contributed earlier to HBO Nordic’s anthology series of short films “At Home” (Eristyksissä), said he is thrilled...
Set in the art fraud world, the six-part series is co-created by seasoned writer Aleksi Bardy and Mia Ylönen for Finnish production powerhouse Helsinki-Filmi, a subsidiary of Finland’s Aurora Studios.
“ID” revolves around art fraud investigator Emma who goes undercover to infiltrate an auction house in Stockholm in order to investigate the firm’s connection to a notorious money launderer known as Blanko. Under her new identity, the quiet Emma morphs into a different person, the party animal and hot-headed socialite Annika. Her change of persona triggers long-hidden memories to resurface, forcing Emma to confront her past.
Annila, who contributed earlier to HBO Nordic’s anthology series of short films “At Home” (Eristyksissä), said he is thrilled...
- 2/6/2022
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Despite the devastating mudslides that overwhelmed the Santa Barbara, California community of Montecito last week — resulting in at least 20 deaths and the destruction of 100-plus homes — the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Sbiff) will go on as usual. A reason to celebrate is “needed now more than ever,” wrote Sbiff director Roger Durling in a letter soon to be shared with festival-goers. He continued, “It is an opportunity for people to gather – reflect – experience – feel – and process,” noting that cinema attendance was strong during the Great Depression.
Launched in 1986, this year’s Sbiff will include films from 58 countries. Numbered among its 45 world premieres is opening night film “the public,” the first feature written and directed by Emilio Estevez since 2010’s “The Way.” Set at a Cincinnati public library, the film follows its homeless and marginalized patrons during a dangerous cold spell. The cast includes Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone (“Neon Demon...
Launched in 1986, this year’s Sbiff will include films from 58 countries. Numbered among its 45 world premieres is opening night film “the public,” the first feature written and directed by Emilio Estevez since 2010’s “The Way.” Set at a Cincinnati public library, the film follows its homeless and marginalized patrons during a dangerous cold spell. The cast includes Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone (“Neon Demon...
- 1/17/2018
- by Jenna Marotta
- Indiewire
Projects participated in the Nordic festival’s works in progress event.
Ruben Ostlund got buyers and festival programmers hopping with excitement in Goteborg as he presented the first footage from his forthcoming fifth feature The Square during the festival’s work in progress pitches.
Ostlund screened about seven minutes from one scene of the new film, during which a controversial performance artist (played by Terry Notary) makes guests at a black-tie art gala very uncomfortable. “You know I love awkward situations,” the director said.
Goteborg’s audience of industry experts commented that they were impressed by the confidence of the unnerving scene, which showed Ostlund working on a bigger scale even than his last hit, Force Majeure.
At a festival session later for the public, Ostlund previewed a second clip from the film, in which a museum director (Claes Bang) delivers a self-centered video apology to a boy he had accused of being a thief.
Another high-profile...
Ruben Ostlund got buyers and festival programmers hopping with excitement in Goteborg as he presented the first footage from his forthcoming fifth feature The Square during the festival’s work in progress pitches.
Ostlund screened about seven minutes from one scene of the new film, during which a controversial performance artist (played by Terry Notary) makes guests at a black-tie art gala very uncomfortable. “You know I love awkward situations,” the director said.
Goteborg’s audience of industry experts commented that they were impressed by the confidence of the unnerving scene, which showed Ostlund working on a bigger scale even than his last hit, Force Majeure.
At a festival session later for the public, Ostlund previewed a second clip from the film, in which a museum director (Claes Bang) delivers a self-centered video apology to a boy he had accused of being a thief.
Another high-profile...
- 2/6/2017
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The Works in Progress 2016 Awards at the 20th Tallinn Black Nights Film FestivalIndustry@Tallinn and Baltic Event is one of the fastest growing entertainment sector development summits in the winter season. They are held during the annual Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, the only Fiapf accredited Competition Feature Film Festival in Northern Europe.
The Works in Progress sessions were first organized 15 years ago as a regional showcase part of the Baltic Event. Last year, upcoming international films were added to the program and today, its 2 sections, Baltic Event Works in Progress and International Works in Progress, offer buyers, producers and programmers a diverse and dynamic range of local and international projects to discover.
Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event organized this year as well their Works in Progress pitching sessions. As a matter of fact, 26 films in production or postproduction looking for sales agents or festivals for international premieres were presented on...
The Works in Progress sessions were first organized 15 years ago as a regional showcase part of the Baltic Event. Last year, upcoming international films were added to the program and today, its 2 sections, Baltic Event Works in Progress and International Works in Progress, offer buyers, producers and programmers a diverse and dynamic range of local and international projects to discover.
Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event organized this year as well their Works in Progress pitching sessions. As a matter of fact, 26 films in production or postproduction looking for sales agents or festivals for international premieres were presented on...
- 11/26/2016
- by Tara Karajica
- Sydney's Buzz
A total of 21 projects are set to be presented at the event, which last year showcased Cannes hit The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Mäki.
The fifth edition of the Finnish Film Affair runs from September 20 -22. The programme will showcase 40 Finnish titles, screening 24 recent releases and presenting a further 21 films as works in progress, 11 of which are currently in production while 10 are in development.
Expectation is high as it was at the Finnish Film Affair works in progress presentations in 2015 that sales agents and buyers got their first look at Aamu Film Compnay´s The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Mäki, directed by Juho Kuosmanen, which won the Un Certain Regard best film prize at this year´s Cannes Film Festival.
A jury will select a Best Pitch from the eleven Works in Progress projects. The following projects will be vying for the prize awarded by a jury comprising Sergei Rakhlin, chair...
The fifth edition of the Finnish Film Affair runs from September 20 -22. The programme will showcase 40 Finnish titles, screening 24 recent releases and presenting a further 21 films as works in progress, 11 of which are currently in production while 10 are in development.
Expectation is high as it was at the Finnish Film Affair works in progress presentations in 2015 that sales agents and buyers got their first look at Aamu Film Compnay´s The Happiest Day In The Life of Olli Mäki, directed by Juho Kuosmanen, which won the Un Certain Regard best film prize at this year´s Cannes Film Festival.
A jury will select a Best Pitch from the eleven Works in Progress projects. The following projects will be vying for the prize awarded by a jury comprising Sergei Rakhlin, chair...
- 9/19/2016
- ScreenDaily
Finland event has announced its films, Work In Progress projects and international guests for this year.
The line-up of films and international guests has been revealed for this year’s Finnish Film Affair.
There will be 24 completed films and 21 Work In Progress projects presented at the event, which acts as a showcase for new Finnish films.
Screenings of completed films include drama Little Wing [pictured], the debut feature from Oscar-nominated short film-maker Selma Vilhunen which recently premiered at Tiff, Antti J. Jokinen’s Flowers Of Evil, which premiered at Shanghai International Film Festival, winning Best Director, and Taneli Mustonen’s upcoming horror Lake Bodom.
You can see the full list of projects here.
Film-makers presenting Work In Progress projects include Aku Louhimies (Rebellion), Dome Karukoski (The Home Of Dark Butterflies) and Aj Annila (Jade Warrior). Directors Jukka Kärkkäinen and J-p Passi will also present a sequel to their SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary Punk Syndrome, titled Post-Punk...
The line-up of films and international guests has been revealed for this year’s Finnish Film Affair.
There will be 24 completed films and 21 Work In Progress projects presented at the event, which acts as a showcase for new Finnish films.
Screenings of completed films include drama Little Wing [pictured], the debut feature from Oscar-nominated short film-maker Selma Vilhunen which recently premiered at Tiff, Antti J. Jokinen’s Flowers Of Evil, which premiered at Shanghai International Film Festival, winning Best Director, and Taneli Mustonen’s upcoming horror Lake Bodom.
You can see the full list of projects here.
Film-makers presenting Work In Progress projects include Aku Louhimies (Rebellion), Dome Karukoski (The Home Of Dark Butterflies) and Aj Annila (Jade Warrior). Directors Jukka Kärkkäinen and J-p Passi will also present a sequel to their SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary Punk Syndrome, titled Post-Punk...
- 9/15/2016
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Sidse Babett Knudsen joins cast of Finnish-Swedish-Estonian drama.
Borgen and The Duke Of Burgundy star Sidse Babett Knudsen has joined the cast of The Eternal Road (Ikitie), the Finnish-Swedish-Estonian drama directed by Aj Annila that begins shooting in Estonia today (June 20).
Ilkka Matila produces for Helsinki-based Mrp Matila Rohr Productions while co-producers are Martin Person from Sweden’s Person Anagram and Kristian Taska from Estonia’s Taska Film.
The film, which will shoot for about six weeks between now and January 2017, is based on Antti Tuuri’s bestselling book of the same name; Tuuri has written the screenplay alongside the director.
Tommi Korpela (A Man’s Job) plays Jussi Ketola, an American who returns to his Finnish homeland during the Great Depression. He is abducted by right wing thugs and flees to establish a new life in the Soviet Union where American immigrants take part in building a worker’s paradise until Stalin’s government turns against...
Borgen and The Duke Of Burgundy star Sidse Babett Knudsen has joined the cast of The Eternal Road (Ikitie), the Finnish-Swedish-Estonian drama directed by Aj Annila that begins shooting in Estonia today (June 20).
Ilkka Matila produces for Helsinki-based Mrp Matila Rohr Productions while co-producers are Martin Person from Sweden’s Person Anagram and Kristian Taska from Estonia’s Taska Film.
The film, which will shoot for about six weeks between now and January 2017, is based on Antti Tuuri’s bestselling book of the same name; Tuuri has written the screenplay alongside the director.
Tommi Korpela (A Man’s Job) plays Jussi Ketola, an American who returns to his Finnish homeland during the Great Depression. He is abducted by right wing thugs and flees to establish a new life in the Soviet Union where American immigrants take part in building a worker’s paradise until Stalin’s government turns against...
- 6/20/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Fans of Finnish helmer Aj Annila wondering when he might return to the martial arts influences of his debut feature, Jade Warrior, your question has just been answered. Annila and producer Dean English have just launched a crowd funding campaign to help support the preproduction process of their latest picture, an adaptation of Ben Nunn's cult Warrior Nun graphic novels. If you're at all a fan of super powered women battling the forces of hell on earth, well, this is the one for you.Now, it should be said that Annila has been already been working on the development process for this film for quite some time and they team behind it is enormously impressive. It was nearly 18 months ago that the director first pitched...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 10/8/2015
- Screen Anarchy
We have been fans and supporters of Finnish helmer Aj Annila (Jade Warrior, Sauna) in these pages for a great many years now and it would appear that the long wait for his (surprisingly difficult) third film may now be over. After a couple of false starts with other projects Annila will soon be moving into production on a new, English language thriller titled Every Good Boy Does Fine with stars Famke Janssen and Michael Nyqvist. Here's the full announcement:Los Angeles, CA (May 5, 2015) - Michael Nyqvist (John Wick, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol) and Famke Janssen (X-men franchise, Taken trilogy) are set to star in the new Hitchcockian thriller Every Good Boy Does Fine, it was announced today by producers Jana Edelbaum and...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 5/5/2015
- Screen Anarchy
Michael Nyqvist and Famke Janssen will star in the Hitchcockian thriller set to begin production in July.
Finnish filmmaker Aj Annila, who made his debut on Jade Warrior, directs his first English-language feature about a young piano prodigy who suspects his brilliant tutor might be a serial killer targetting musicians.
13 Films’ Tannaz Anisi will commence pre-sales on Every Good Boy Does Fine and heads to the Croisette a with newly appointed director of international sales Juliana Lubin, who arrives from The Exchange, and existing director Jae-woo Kim.
Jana Edelbaum and Rachel Cohen of iDeal Partners Film Fund produce the project with Margo Klewans.
The Us producers are partnering with Frederik Zander of Swedish post production house The Chimney Group and Jesse Fryckman of Solar Films in Finland. The producers hold Us rights to the project.
Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur of Olive Productions serve as executive producers alongside Anisi.
“We’ve been working hard on this project...
Finnish filmmaker Aj Annila, who made his debut on Jade Warrior, directs his first English-language feature about a young piano prodigy who suspects his brilliant tutor might be a serial killer targetting musicians.
13 Films’ Tannaz Anisi will commence pre-sales on Every Good Boy Does Fine and heads to the Croisette a with newly appointed director of international sales Juliana Lubin, who arrives from The Exchange, and existing director Jae-woo Kim.
Jana Edelbaum and Rachel Cohen of iDeal Partners Film Fund produce the project with Margo Klewans.
The Us producers are partnering with Frederik Zander of Swedish post production house The Chimney Group and Jesse Fryckman of Solar Films in Finland. The producers hold Us rights to the project.
Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur of Olive Productions serve as executive producers alongside Anisi.
“We’ve been working hard on this project...
- 5/5/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Michael Nyqvist and Famke Janssen will star in the thriller Every Good Boy Does Fine, Finnish filmmaker Aj Annila's English-language feature film debut. The project, slated to shoot in July, will be produced by Jana Edelbaum and Rachel Cohen of iDeal Partners Film Fund, and Margo Klewans. Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur of Olive Productions are executive producing. Tannaz Anisi of 13 Films, who will introduce the film to buyers in Cannes, is executive producing the thriller and repping international rights. From a script by Jonathan Dees, Every Good Boy Does Fine centers on a young boy named Brian who is
read more...
read more...
- 5/5/2015
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Nyqvist and Famke Janssen are set to star in Every Good Boy Does Fine, a thriller that will be executive produced by Steve Buscemi. Finnish filmmaker Aj Annila will make his English-language debut on the pic written by Jonathan Dees. It will go before buyers at Cannes this month via 13 Films, which adds this to its slate of pics on offer on the Croisette. The plot centers on a young boy Brian, verging on adolescence, a little angry and quite possibly a piano…...
- 5/5/2015
- Deadline
Michael Nyqvist (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”) and Famke Janssen (“X-Men,” “Taken”) are set to star in the Hitchcockian thriller “Every Good Boy Does Fine,” it was announced today by producers Jana Edelbaum and Rachel Cohen of iDeal Partners Film Fund and Margo Klewans. Emerging Finnish filmmaker Aj Annila (“Sauna”) will make his English-language feature film debut on the project, which Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur of Olive Productions are executive producing with Tannaz Anisi, whose 13 Films will sell foreign rights at the Cannes Film Market. Written by Jonathan Dees, “Every Good Boy Does Fine” is a taut thriller about.
- 5/5/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
What's that? An Iranian martial arts star seems like an unlikely sort of thing to you? Well, I'd wager very few people were wondering where the next Iranian vampire story would come from before A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night sauntered through Sundance and that ended up working out just fine, so ...Meet Ramin Sohrab, the son of an Iranian martial arts master who spends at least part of his time in Finland - where he had some involvement in Aj Annila's Jade Warrior - but his focus now is on the Tehran set feature film Malek. With the film currently in development, Sohrab has released a promo reel which he directed and choreographed himself to show off both his skills and the look...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 11/25/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Third edition will include pitching of 17 projects and screening of 19 completed features.Scroll down for full lists
The Finnish Film Affair is to host its third edition during the Helsinki International Film Festival (Sept 23-25).
The showcase for new Finnish films will include 17 projects being pitched and the screening of 19 completed films. A Project Development Clinic has been added for first and second-time directors.
The 17 new projects will be pitched to 60 guests including sales agents, festival programmers, distributors and TV buyers, including Fortissimo Films, Wild Bunch, Memento Films International, Films Transit, Sundance Film Festival, Koch Media and Zdf/Arte.
The pitches include The Fencer by Klaus Härö, whose previous film Letters to Father Jacob sold worldwide; and Stupid Young Heart from Oscar-nominated Selma Vilhunen (Do I Have To Take Care Of Everything?).
Other titles include Tsamo by Markku Lehmuskallio, documentary Mother’s Wish by Joonas Berghäll (Steam Of Life), and Cross Your Heart by Petri Kotwica, whose...
The Finnish Film Affair is to host its third edition during the Helsinki International Film Festival (Sept 23-25).
The showcase for new Finnish films will include 17 projects being pitched and the screening of 19 completed films. A Project Development Clinic has been added for first and second-time directors.
The 17 new projects will be pitched to 60 guests including sales agents, festival programmers, distributors and TV buyers, including Fortissimo Films, Wild Bunch, Memento Films International, Films Transit, Sundance Film Festival, Koch Media and Zdf/Arte.
The pitches include The Fencer by Klaus Härö, whose previous film Letters to Father Jacob sold worldwide; and Stupid Young Heart from Oscar-nominated Selma Vilhunen (Do I Have To Take Care Of Everything?).
Other titles include Tsamo by Markku Lehmuskallio, documentary Mother’s Wish by Joonas Berghäll (Steam Of Life), and Cross Your Heart by Petri Kotwica, whose...
- 8/26/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Third edition of the international co-production market focused specifically on genre film production to take place in Brussels in April.
Fantasia International Film Festival’s international co-production market Frontières has unveiled the lineup for its third edition.
Taking place at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifff) from April 10-12, the market will feature 12 Frontières projects and 11 Off-Frontières projects.
Frontières is the first and only co-production market to connect North America with Europe in an environment focused specifically on genre film production.
Among the 12 Frontières projects are new works from the likes of Martin Villeneuve (Aquarica), Borys Lankosz (The Chosen Child), Aj Annila (Don’t Come After Me) and Vincent Lannoo (Robin Hood Vs. Zombies).
Meanwhile, the 11 Off-Frontières projects include Beasts from Resolution directors Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead and Warg from Frostbite’s Anders Banke.
The full lineup is as follows:
FRONTIÈRESLES AFFAMÉS (Quebec) Dir. Robin Aubert / Prod. Stéphanie MorissetteAQUARICA (Quebec) Dir. Martin VilleneuveCHLOE...
Fantasia International Film Festival’s international co-production market Frontières has unveiled the lineup for its third edition.
Taking place at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifff) from April 10-12, the market will feature 12 Frontières projects and 11 Off-Frontières projects.
Frontières is the first and only co-production market to connect North America with Europe in an environment focused specifically on genre film production.
Among the 12 Frontières projects are new works from the likes of Martin Villeneuve (Aquarica), Borys Lankosz (The Chosen Child), Aj Annila (Don’t Come After Me) and Vincent Lannoo (Robin Hood Vs. Zombies).
Meanwhile, the 11 Off-Frontières projects include Beasts from Resolution directors Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead and Warg from Frostbite’s Anders Banke.
The full lineup is as follows:
FRONTIÈRESLES AFFAMÉS (Quebec) Dir. Robin Aubert / Prod. Stéphanie MorissetteAQUARICA (Quebec) Dir. Martin VilleneuveCHLOE...
- 2/6/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
German sales agents have revealed a raft of market premieres to be presented at the forthcoming American Film Market (Afm) (Nov 6-13).
Ida Martins’ Cologne-based Media Luna will have screenings of five new titles as market premieres:
Stijn Coninx’s romantic feel-good drama Marina, based on the childhood memories of the Italian-Belgian singer Rocco Granata;
Menno Meyjes’ psychological drama-thriller The Dinner, based on Herman Koch’s eponymous international bestseller, which had its world premiere at last month’s Toronto International Film Festival;
Jan Verheyen’s courtroom drama The Verdict, which received the Best Award at the Montreal World Film Festival;
Julia von Heinz’s German-Israeli romantic comedy Hanna’s Journey which celebrates its German premiere on at this week’s Hof Film Days and is nominated for the Millbrook Authors Prize;
Bettina Blümner’s coming of age drama Broken Glass Park which was awarded the Goethe Institut’s Youth and Children’s Film Prize at the Schlingel...
Ida Martins’ Cologne-based Media Luna will have screenings of five new titles as market premieres:
Stijn Coninx’s romantic feel-good drama Marina, based on the childhood memories of the Italian-Belgian singer Rocco Granata;
Menno Meyjes’ psychological drama-thriller The Dinner, based on Herman Koch’s eponymous international bestseller, which had its world premiere at last month’s Toronto International Film Festival;
Jan Verheyen’s courtroom drama The Verdict, which received the Best Award at the Montreal World Film Festival;
Julia von Heinz’s German-Israeli romantic comedy Hanna’s Journey which celebrates its German premiere on at this week’s Hof Film Days and is nominated for the Millbrook Authors Prize;
Bettina Blümner’s coming of age drama Broken Glass Park which was awarded the Goethe Institut’s Youth and Children’s Film Prize at the Schlingel...
- 10/23/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
It contains a thicker premise with perhaps a more “fleshed” out backstory than the original on which it is based on (Jorge Michel Grau’s 2010 Somos lo que hay) and its prequel and sequel potential will be exploited fairly soon: helmer Aj Annila has been signed to go back in time with the saga/family tree.
Jim Mickle’s third film after 2006′s Mulberry Street and Stake Land, eOneFilms has provided us (here’s the official site too) with some exclusive set of pics for the Sundance preemed, internationally launched in Cannes We Are What We Are. The psychological horror flick features the Parker family comprised of possible indie queen it-girl Julia Garner, the always awesome Michael Parks (see him in Red State) and supporting players in Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Wyatt Russell and Mickle-muse Kelly McGillis lands in theaters September 27th.
Jim Mickle’s third film after 2006′s Mulberry Street and Stake Land, eOneFilms has provided us (here’s the official site too) with some exclusive set of pics for the Sundance preemed, internationally launched in Cannes We Are What We Are. The psychological horror flick features the Parker family comprised of possible indie queen it-girl Julia Garner, the always awesome Michael Parks (see him in Red State) and supporting players in Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Wyatt Russell and Mickle-muse Kelly McGillis lands in theaters September 27th.
- 9/19/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Berlin-based sales agent Picture Tree International (Pti) has picked up two Toronto titles – Mary Queen Of Scots and Metalhead – for international distribution.
Swiss director Thomas Imbach’s historical drama Mary Queen Of Scots, which had its world premiere in Competition at Locarno earlier this month, will have its North American premiere as a Special Presentation at Toronto on Sept 9.
Based on Stefan Zweig’s Maria Stuart and starring the young French actress Camille Rutherford as the Scottish queen, Mary Queen Of Scots will be released in Switzerland by Pathé Films on Nov 7, 2013.
Review: Mary Queen of Scots
Icelandic film-maker Ragnar Bragason’s comic drama Metalhead about a teenage girl immersing herself in the world of heavy metal after experiencing a family tragedy will have its world premiere in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section on Sept 7.
Pti’s Toronto sales lineup will also include two ‘works in progress’: Jacques Ouaniche’s French-Israeli-Bulgarian co-production Victor “Young” Perez...
Swiss director Thomas Imbach’s historical drama Mary Queen Of Scots, which had its world premiere in Competition at Locarno earlier this month, will have its North American premiere as a Special Presentation at Toronto on Sept 9.
Based on Stefan Zweig’s Maria Stuart and starring the young French actress Camille Rutherford as the Scottish queen, Mary Queen Of Scots will be released in Switzerland by Pathé Films on Nov 7, 2013.
Review: Mary Queen of Scots
Icelandic film-maker Ragnar Bragason’s comic drama Metalhead about a teenage girl immersing herself in the world of heavy metal after experiencing a family tragedy will have its world premiere in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section on Sept 7.
Pti’s Toronto sales lineup will also include two ‘works in progress’: Jacques Ouaniche’s French-Israeli-Bulgarian co-production Victor “Young” Perez...
- 8/23/2013
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Memento Film International has reportedly launched sales on a prequel and sequel to Jim Mickel's upcoming horror remake "We Are What We Are".
The story explores the dynamics of a family of cannibals as they try and band together after being struck by tragedy. The remake has been screened at several festivals to a good response so far.
Aj Annila ("Jade Warrior") is attached to direct the prequel "What We Were" which will explore how the parents came to be both a couple and cannibals. Nick Damici will draft the script.
Jorge Michel Grau, who helmed the original Mexican film, has signed on to helm the remake's sequel. That film will shoot next year.
Source: The Playlist...
The story explores the dynamics of a family of cannibals as they try and band together after being struck by tragedy. The remake has been screened at several festivals to a good response so far.
Aj Annila ("Jade Warrior") is attached to direct the prequel "What We Were" which will explore how the parents came to be both a couple and cannibals. Nick Damici will draft the script.
Jorge Michel Grau, who helmed the original Mexican film, has signed on to helm the remake's sequel. That film will shoot next year.
Source: The Playlist...
- 5/18/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
In the critically acclaimed genre remake We Are What We Are, director Jim Mickle and his screenwriting partner Nick Damici take the meat of the 2010 Mexican thriller of the same name, and cook up an entirely different feast. For the unfamiliar, the original film not only made our staff list of Best Films of 2010, but it also made my personal list of Best Horror Films Ever Made. After receiving many positive reviews earlier this year at Sundance, Mickel’s well-regarded film is about to make its European debut at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. We Are What We Are explores the dynamics of a family of cannibals as they try and work together after the sudden loss of a family member. Although I am not fond of remakes, the film looks incredibly promising, and Memento Film International is so confident in its success, it has announced that they have launched sales on a prequel and sequel.
- 5/17/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Earlier this week we shared a few clips from Jim Mickel’s well-regarded horror remake “We Are What We Are,” which is currently having a showing at this year’s Cannes. Today brings another clip to us by way of Deadline and some surprising news about the future of this festival favorite. “We Are What We Are” explores the dynamics of a family of cannibals as they try and band together after being struck by tragedy. The clip, which you can watch below, presents a quiet moment between sisters Iris and Rose Parker. While the film delves into the dark world of cannibalism, the clip presented here highlights some of the more relatable family drama. And while we wait to see how the film is received at Cannes, Memento Film International seems to have a lot of faith in the project, revealing to Screen Daily that they had launched sales...
- 5/17/2013
- by Jason McDonald
- The Playlist
Memento Films International are ramping up a new prequel and a sequel to Jim Mickle's upcoming remake of 'We Are What We Are'. Yup, without the English-language redo even gracing theatres yet it seems a planned trilogy of sorts is high on the agenda giving tremendous faith in Mickle's project which screen's during this week Cannes festival. The prequel is set to be named 'What We Were' and will be directed by Finnish helmer Aj Annila and penned by Nick Damici ('Stake Land'). The project will begin shooting in 2014. The upcoming remake stars Kelly McGillis, Odeya Rush, Ambyr Childers, Michael Parks ('Red State'), Wyatt Russell, Julia Garner and Bill Sage. 'We Are What We Are' is based on the original Mexican cannibalistic horror thriller 'Somos lo que hay' from writer/director Jorge Michel Grau which was released back in 2010. Grau himself will tackle the planned sequel.
- 5/17/2013
- Horror Asylum
We Are What We Are, Jim Mickle's remake of Jorge Grau's film, is hitting Cannes and, inside, you can check out a clip. eOne has already taken U.S. rights to the flick. We're just awaiting a release date.
Meanwhile, Aj Annila (Sauna) has been enlisted to direct a prequel to Mickle's remake, says Screen Daily. The film will be called What We Were. Jorge Grau is currently at work on a treatment for and will direct a sequel.
Memento Films International is handling sales at Cannes.
Read more...
Meanwhile, Aj Annila (Sauna) has been enlisted to direct a prequel to Mickle's remake, says Screen Daily. The film will be called What We Were. Jorge Grau is currently at work on a treatment for and will direct a sequel.
Memento Films International is handling sales at Cannes.
Read more...
- 5/16/2013
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Jim Mickle’s English-language remake of the incredible Spanish thriller Somo Lo Que Hay (We Are What We Are [review]) just joined the trilogy parade with the announcement of a prequel and a sequel, the former of which is set to shoot in 2014.
Screen Daily is reporting that Memento Films International is heading up sales on the remake’s sequel and prequel, the latter of which will be helmed by Finnish director Aj Annila. Concerning Annila’s first English-language film, Mickle said “Sauna is one of my favorite movies to come out in the last few years. I think Aj will take this world and the characters and make something personal, unique, and scary as hell. Can’t wait to see it all come to life.”
The prequel, which will be a Finnish-French-us co-production, will be called What We Were and will be written by Nick Damici, who also worked on...
Screen Daily is reporting that Memento Films International is heading up sales on the remake’s sequel and prequel, the latter of which will be helmed by Finnish director Aj Annila. Concerning Annila’s first English-language film, Mickle said “Sauna is one of my favorite movies to come out in the last few years. I think Aj will take this world and the characters and make something personal, unique, and scary as hell. Can’t wait to see it all come to life.”
The prequel, which will be a Finnish-French-us co-production, will be called What We Were and will be written by Nick Damici, who also worked on...
- 5/16/2013
- by Brad McHargue
- DreadCentral.com
Film and television composer Daniel Licht will receive Composer of the Year at the Third Annual Russian Horror Film Awards on January 28, 2012, in Moscow. Other honorees include director Stuart Gordon (Stuck), director Aj Annila (Sauna), and actress Jodelle Ferland (Twilight Saga: Eclipse).
From the Press Release:
Supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Russian Cinematography Union, this event honors both native and foreign films, actors, directors, and composers within the horror genre. Past honorees include Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator). Daniel Licht (pictured) will be honored with Composer of the Year for his repertoire within the horror genre, which includes Thinner, Children of the Corn, "Dexter", and the upcoming video game Silent Hill: Downpour score.
Daniel Licht’s scoring approach has solidified him as one of a kind. Licht’s eccentric techniques create an anxious and fearful environment for his most notable work,...
From the Press Release:
Supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Russian Cinematography Union, this event honors both native and foreign films, actors, directors, and composers within the horror genre. Past honorees include Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator). Daniel Licht (pictured) will be honored with Composer of the Year for his repertoire within the horror genre, which includes Thinner, Children of the Corn, "Dexter", and the upcoming video game Silent Hill: Downpour score.
Daniel Licht’s scoring approach has solidified him as one of a kind. Licht’s eccentric techniques create an anxious and fearful environment for his most notable work,...
- 12/21/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
Evil Rising (also known as 'Sauna' [2008]), the second feature from award winning Finnish director Antti-Jussi Annila, is a challenging horror film with a heavy, exceptionally well-achieved eerie atmosphere that doesn’t let up. Unfortunately, despite his efforts towards evoking supernatural chills, Annila doesn’t appear to have been all that interested in the horror-side of his film, which, with a title like Evil Rising is initially disappointing.
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- 7/25/2011
- by Daniel Green
- CineVue
Antti-Jussi Annila's Sauna (or Evil Rising, for this UK DVD release) is undeniably a very good movie, if a clear case of the director slightly over-reaching after his magnificent (and sadly under-rated) debut, Jade Warrior. That film leant heavily on style over substance, but it was absolutely beautifully constructed and so clearly heartfelt it made something lasting and profound out of what was a fairly simple story. Sauna tries for cerebral and searching, only it doesn't quite manage to convince. It's a bitter, cynical little morality play where it's clear none of the cast are going to get off lightly, but Annila doesn't really introduce them well enough for this to have the impact it ought to. Couple that with the very specific period setting...
- 7/24/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Evil Rising Although name changes for foreign films can sometimes be a little baffling, Finnish horror “Evil Rising” is one of the few cases where it’s probably justified, as although its new moniker may sound depressingly generic, the original title “Sauna” really just conjures too many inappropriate and misleading images. The 2008 film was helmed by award-winning director Antti-Jussi Annila of “Jade Warrior” fame, and having garnered a fair amount of praise on the festival circuit now arrives on region 2 DVD through Matchbox Films. The film is set in 1595 and kicks off not long after the end of a long and bitter war between Russia and Sweden, following brothers called Erik and Knut who are part of a group of men from the two countries charged with marking out the new borders. Their task leads them through the harsh, snowy wilderness and brings out the worst in the two, leading...
- 7/21/2011
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Director: Antti-Jussi Annila. Review: Adam Wing. The name change is a little misleading perhaps, but there’s much to recommend about Antti-Jussi Annila’s slow burning Finnish horror hit. Sauna was released back home in 2008, a striking experience if ever there was one, but not in the way a name like Evil Rising might suggest. Sauna is a haunting, thoughtful, sombre affair that refuses to conform to modern day excess. Not quite what I was expecting from a film called Evil Rising, all it’s really missing is an exclamation mark, then at least we would surely have a candidate for ‘Most redundant film title of the year.’ It’s 1595 and the end of a twenty-five year war between Russia and Finland. Finnish brothers Eerik (Ville Virtanen) and Knut Spore (Tommi Eronen) have been commissioned to meet with Russian soldiers to form a joint commission that marks the new border.
- 7/14/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
If you're a fan of European films and their raw, visceral and very un-Hollywood approach, you will be interested to hear that the atmospheric chiller Evil Rising will be hitting shelves in the UK later this month.
Matchbox Films has announced a DVD release date of July 25 for the Finnish film, which is also known as Sauna and was directed by Antti-Jussi Annila. The official poster, a still from the film and a trailer are included here.
The synopsis says the films is "set in war-ravaged 16th century Europe where the horrors of battle are nothing compared to the darker fears that lurk in an isolated community."
The director subsequently teamed with Splice writer Doug Taylor for an upcoming project called Human, a twist on the werewolf genre in which a wolf is transformed into a man.
Matchbox Films has announced a DVD release date of July 25 for the Finnish film, which is also known as Sauna and was directed by Antti-Jussi Annila. The official poster, a still from the film and a trailer are included here.
The synopsis says the films is "set in war-ravaged 16th century Europe where the horrors of battle are nothing compared to the darker fears that lurk in an isolated community."
The director subsequently teamed with Splice writer Doug Taylor for an upcoming project called Human, a twist on the werewolf genre in which a wolf is transformed into a man.
- 7/2/2011
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Finnish production outfit Bronson Club - familiar around these parts thanks to their backing of Aj Annila's Sauna - have taken a step into the documentary world with their latest film. Titled Reindeerspotting, the film is a shockingly candid look into the world of Finnish drug and youth culture. The trailer is pretty uncomfortable stuff, shot by someone who was pretty clearly involved in the scene at the time and therefore given the sort of intimate access that comes from an insider's position. We've just gotten hold of an English subtitled version of the trailer, check it below.
- 4/24/2010
- Screen Anarchy
In Human , a "twist on the traditional werewolf story," a wolf turns into a man. If you dig that, you'll be happy to know that Perfect Circle Productions and Blind Spot are partnering for this tale and are moving on it with director Aj Annila and writer Doug Taylor. Annila directed Sauna and Taylor is one of the screenwriters on Splice . Annila says, "With Human I expect to do a totally different kind of werewolf film, so don't expect anything familiar to this sub-genre."...
- 2/17/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
We've all seen what happens when a man (or lately a bunch of shirtless brooding teenagers) transforms into a hairy beast that stalks the night, but ever wonder what would happen if the metamorphosis went the other way?
According to Screen Daily that's exactly what we're going to get as Vancouver’s Perfect Circle Productions has boarded Aj Annila’s (Sauna) new project Human as co-producers with Blind Spot Pictures.
Splice writer Doug Taylor is on board to pen the script for the film, which is said to be twist on the traditional werewolf story with the main character turning from a wolf into a human.
Excited? Yeah, we're not either, but we shall see, right?
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Morph into something interesting in the Dread Central forums!
According to Screen Daily that's exactly what we're going to get as Vancouver’s Perfect Circle Productions has boarded Aj Annila’s (Sauna) new project Human as co-producers with Blind Spot Pictures.
Splice writer Doug Taylor is on board to pen the script for the film, which is said to be twist on the traditional werewolf story with the main character turning from a wolf into a human.
Excited? Yeah, we're not either, but we shall see, right?
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Morph into something interesting in the Dread Central forums!
- 2/17/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
I'm pretty sure I hate this idea: Aj Annila and Doug Taylor's Human offers a twist on the traditional werewolf story, with the main character turning from a wolf into a human. How uneventful. Given the Sundance buzz surrounding Splice's finale, a script by Taylor, maybe he's got some ideas on how to make this just as controversial? Vancouvers Perfect Circle Productions will serve as co-producers with Blind Spot Pictures. Annila, best known for horror film Sauna (which I absolutely despise), commented: "With Human I expect to do a totally different kind of werewolf film, so dont expect anything familiar to this sub-genre. I Dare You.
- 2/17/2010
- bloody-disgusting.com
I've read an early draft of the upcoming project from Sauna and Jade Warrior director Aj Annila and it's going to be gooooood. Beyond that I'll let them speak for themselves:
Aj Annila's werewolf inversion "Human" adds Canadian Bite
Tero Kaukomaa, of Helsinki prod co Blind Spot Pictures today announced that Aj Annila's latest project, a werewolf inversion picture called Human, has added several Canadian partners to the project.
Dean English and Karen Powell of Vancouver's Perfect Circle will co-produce, Doug Taylor (Splice) will co-write the screenplay, and Andrew Simpsons (I, Robot) will be the wolf wrangler.
Kaukomaa said, "It's really exciting to get all this international talent to work alongside with Aj and our Finnish team. Their participation will definitely broaden the international appeal for the film"
When describing what audiences should expect, director Aj Annila, best known for his genre defying horror film Sauna, said, "I...
Aj Annila's werewolf inversion "Human" adds Canadian Bite
Tero Kaukomaa, of Helsinki prod co Blind Spot Pictures today announced that Aj Annila's latest project, a werewolf inversion picture called Human, has added several Canadian partners to the project.
Dean English and Karen Powell of Vancouver's Perfect Circle will co-produce, Doug Taylor (Splice) will co-write the screenplay, and Andrew Simpsons (I, Robot) will be the wolf wrangler.
Kaukomaa said, "It's really exciting to get all this international talent to work alongside with Aj and our Finnish team. Their participation will definitely broaden the international appeal for the film"
When describing what audiences should expect, director Aj Annila, best known for his genre defying horror film Sauna, said, "I...
- 2/14/2010
- Screen Anarchy
One important lesson I have learned over my years running Twitch is that when a film maker you like and respect feels the need to direct you to another film maker that you've never heard of, you'd best pay attention. And when a film maker you like and respect tells you a particular director is one of their favorites, then you'd really better pay attention. Which leads me to Aleksi Salmenperäand his new film Paha Perhe or Bad Family. Look on the left of that still. See that man? That's Ville Virtanen, one of the leads in Aj Annila's Sauna. And, yes, it was Annila who dropped the 'favorite' word and sent me to this one. Here's the official synopsis from the Finnish Film Institute:
Followed by an ugly divorce the father has been bringing up the son by himself while the mother has had the custody of the daughter.
Followed by an ugly divorce the father has been bringing up the son by himself while the mother has had the custody of the daughter.
- 11/26/2009
- Screen Anarchy
Are you ready for a massive list of must-view DVD titles from the last two weeks? Good, let's go!
F. Javier Gutiérrez's apocalyptic Before the Fall (amazon), about a small town in the south of Spain that finds out they have 72 hours before a meteorite destroys the earth. Our Cali correspondent Hal got a chance to see the film and called it a "good exploration of how much we should protect innocence," and I can't wait to finally check it out.
Another film that's been around for a while, but is only now hitting DVD is Dead Air (amazon). About a douchey radio dj who has to deal with a virus outbreak, the film sounds a lot like Pontypool, but I imagine it is far more literal minded.
On the TV front we've got a couple sets worth looking at. The bloody, bestselling Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions...
F. Javier Gutiérrez's apocalyptic Before the Fall (amazon), about a small town in the south of Spain that finds out they have 72 hours before a meteorite destroys the earth. Our Cali correspondent Hal got a chance to see the film and called it a "good exploration of how much we should protect innocence," and I can't wait to finally check it out.
Another film that's been around for a while, but is only now hitting DVD is Dead Air (amazon). About a douchey radio dj who has to deal with a virus outbreak, the film sounds a lot like Pontypool, but I imagine it is far more literal minded.
On the TV front we've got a couple sets worth looking at. The bloody, bestselling Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions...
- 11/3/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Chicago – Many editions of the DVD Round-Up have featured a different genre and focus for each title within it. This week seems a little more thematically linked as we have a trio of foreign horror films and a few more independent films than usual. Of course, there has to a holiday comedy to spice things up.
Consider this column informational with synopsis, tech specs, and special features info for titles that might go otherwise unnoticed, but if you’re looking for more critical opinion, we covered “Sauna” when it played at the EU Film Fest, “Medicine For Melancholy” when it was available on IFC Direct, and “Nothing Like the Holidays” when it played in theaters.
“P” and “The Tournament” were released on October 20th, 2009
“The Butcher,” “Medicine For Melancholy,” “Nothing Like the Holidays,” and “Sauna” were released on October 27th, 2009
“Nothing Like the Holidays”
Photo credit: Anchor Bay
Synopsis: “John Leguizamo (Ice Age,...
Consider this column informational with synopsis, tech specs, and special features info for titles that might go otherwise unnoticed, but if you’re looking for more critical opinion, we covered “Sauna” when it played at the EU Film Fest, “Medicine For Melancholy” when it was available on IFC Direct, and “Nothing Like the Holidays” when it played in theaters.
“P” and “The Tournament” were released on October 20th, 2009
“The Butcher,” “Medicine For Melancholy,” “Nothing Like the Holidays,” and “Sauna” were released on October 27th, 2009
“Nothing Like the Holidays”
Photo credit: Anchor Bay
Synopsis: “John Leguizamo (Ice Age,...
- 10/30/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Lionsgate Home Entertainment sent Fango the cover art (see it below) for its DVD of Train, which we initially reported on here. Starring Thora Birch (pictured) and written/directed by Gideon Raff, the movie, in which a college wrestling team is butchered while traveling on an Eastern European train, arrives November 17. See our Raff interview in Fango #288, on sale in October.
IFC Films and Mpi Home Video sent along info and covers for a quartet of genre titles they’re jointly releasing in October. Streeting Oct. 13 are The Objective, the paranormal thriller centering on a group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, directed and co-written by The Blair Witch Project’s Daniel Myrick (see our review here), and Left Bank, an acclaimed occult chiller by Belgian director Pieter Van Hees about a young woman encountering frightening phenomena after moving into her boyfriend’s apartment. Coming Oct. 27 are Sauna, a Finnish...
IFC Films and Mpi Home Video sent along info and covers for a quartet of genre titles they’re jointly releasing in October. Streeting Oct. 13 are The Objective, the paranormal thriller centering on a group of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, directed and co-written by The Blair Witch Project’s Daniel Myrick (see our review here), and Left Bank, an acclaimed occult chiller by Belgian director Pieter Van Hees about a young woman encountering frightening phenomena after moving into her boyfriend’s apartment. Coming Oct. 27 are Sauna, a Finnish...
- 8/25/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
• Fango got the scoop on the DVD dates for several horror films coming from IFC Films in the next several months. All of these titles either have played or can be seen now via video-on-demand, and they’ll be Blockbuster exclusives before being made available for general retail sales.
The animation omnibus Fear(S) Of The Dark and Christopher Denham’s disturbing family study Home Movie are already in Blockbuster stores, and will hit retail in October. A bunch more have Blockbuster berths only, with no retail slots determined yet: Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, which just joined the on-demand lineup and opened theatrically in New York today (see review here), hits October 13; Antti-Jussi Annila’s Sauna is coming June 23; Daniel Myrick’s The Objective has been moved from its previous Blockbuster date of July 28 to July 14; Duane Graves and Justin Meeks’ The Wild Man Of The Navidad attacks in August...
The animation omnibus Fear(S) Of The Dark and Christopher Denham’s disturbing family study Home Movie are already in Blockbuster stores, and will hit retail in October. A bunch more have Blockbuster berths only, with no retail slots determined yet: Bruce McDonald’s Pontypool, which just joined the on-demand lineup and opened theatrically in New York today (see review here), hits October 13; Antti-Jussi Annila’s Sauna is coming June 23; Daniel Myrick’s The Objective has been moved from its previous Blockbuster date of July 28 to July 14; Duane Graves and Justin Meeks’ The Wild Man Of The Navidad attacks in August...
- 5/29/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Year: 2008
Directors: Aj Annila
Writers: Iiro Küttner
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: projectcyclops
Rating: 5 out of 10
Antti-Jussi Annila’s ‘Sauna’ is the story of two brothers working to carry out The Treaty of Teusina in 1595 at the end of the Russo-Swedish war, revising the border in Russian territory as part of a border-recognition treaty detachment. Cavalry Master Eerik has lived through the war since the beginning and is hard-bitten and extremely ruthless to the point of actually being psychotic, and obsessed with the number 73, for that is his body-count. His younger brother Knut has led a comparatively sheltered life, studying to become a geography teacher back in Stockholm, Sweden. The brothers are joined by their Russian counterparts, the straightforward Captain Semenski, Musko and homosexual Ivan, who’s got his eye on Knut...
The film starts slowly and basically continues as such, early on Eerik and Knut arrive at a...
Directors: Aj Annila
Writers: Iiro Küttner
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: projectcyclops
Rating: 5 out of 10
Antti-Jussi Annila’s ‘Sauna’ is the story of two brothers working to carry out The Treaty of Teusina in 1595 at the end of the Russo-Swedish war, revising the border in Russian territory as part of a border-recognition treaty detachment. Cavalry Master Eerik has lived through the war since the beginning and is hard-bitten and extremely ruthless to the point of actually being psychotic, and obsessed with the number 73, for that is his body-count. His younger brother Knut has led a comparatively sheltered life, studying to become a geography teacher back in Stockholm, Sweden. The brothers are joined by their Russian counterparts, the straightforward Captain Semenski, Musko and homosexual Ivan, who’s got his eye on Knut...
The film starts slowly and basically continues as such, early on Eerik and Knut arrive at a...
- 5/4/2009
- QuietEarth.us
The trailer for IFC Entertainment's latest horror V.O.D. offering Sauna hit the Net today, so you know we've got a look at it for ya! We're good like that!
Directed by Antti-Jussi Annila, Sauna is playing right now on IFC Festival Direct, video-on-demand.
Official Synopsis:
"Year 1595 - the long and brutal war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik - who are part of the commission marking the border between Finland and Russia - commit a terrible sin as they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses the uncharted swamp, the girl returns to haunt them, her face pouring endless filth.
Weary men find solace from the nameless village and find a sauna - the sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness, the brothers step in..."
Sauna - Trailer
Uploaded by dreadcentral
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
Directed by Antti-Jussi Annila, Sauna is playing right now on IFC Festival Direct, video-on-demand.
Official Synopsis:
"Year 1595 - the long and brutal war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik - who are part of the commission marking the border between Finland and Russia - commit a terrible sin as they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses the uncharted swamp, the girl returns to haunt them, her face pouring endless filth.
Weary men find solace from the nameless village and find a sauna - the sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness, the brothers step in..."
Sauna - Trailer
Uploaded by dreadcentral
- Uncle Creepy
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news?...
- 3/27/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Chicago – The final week of the 12th Annual EU Film Festival at the Siskel Film Center perfectly illustrates the main strength of this festival - amazing diversity. From what we had time to see of the final stretch of films, the four highlights couldn’t be more diverse, featuring movies from four different countries with four completely different tones and styles.
The highlights of the first three weeks of EU included a coming-of-age drama from Ireland (“Kisses”), a sexy romantic comedy from France (“The Girl From Monaco”), an amazing Danish drama (“Worlds Apart”), and a very interesting horror film from Belgium (“Left Bank”). Read more here, here, and here)
The final week takes us back to two of those countries - Belgium and France - and also features a fascinating Finnish shocker before closing with a gentle and sweet film from Sweden. Overall, it’s been a fantastic festival for...
The highlights of the first three weeks of EU included a coming-of-age drama from Ireland (“Kisses”), a sexy romantic comedy from France (“The Girl From Monaco”), an amazing Danish drama (“Worlds Apart”), and a very interesting horror film from Belgium (“Left Bank”). Read more here, here, and here)
The final week takes us back to two of those countries - Belgium and France - and also features a fascinating Finnish shocker before closing with a gentle and sweet film from Sweden. Overall, it’s been a fantastic festival for...
- 3/25/2009
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Fangoria and IFC Films are pleased to debut the new trailer for Sauna, a cruel and beautiful horror film bathing in the Finnish sauna culture, in the no-zone between Christianity and paganism. The film will premiere tomorrow on IFC Festival Direct, video-on-demand.
Year 1595 - the long and brutal war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik - who are part of the commission marking the border between Finland and Russia - commit a terrible sin as they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses the uncharted swamp the girl returns to haunt them, her face pouring endless filth.
Weary men find solace from the nameless village and find a sauna - the sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness the brothers step in...
A Note From The Director:
I never wanted to do a horror film. I do like watching them, though; that cathartic experience,...
Year 1595 - the long and brutal war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik - who are part of the commission marking the border between Finland and Russia - commit a terrible sin as they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses the uncharted swamp the girl returns to haunt them, her face pouring endless filth.
Weary men find solace from the nameless village and find a sauna - the sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness the brothers step in...
A Note From The Director:
I never wanted to do a horror film. I do like watching them, though; that cathartic experience,...
- 3/24/2009
- Fangoria
[**Updated** Fully acknowledging the technical merits of Sauna, the Annual Finish Film Awards, the Jussi’s have were handed out yesterday and Sauna collected a handful of technical nods: Sound Design, Costume Design, Art Direction. While the film is undoubtedly handsome, it is also a very richly textured beast. So is this just another reason to bump the film back up onto the front page? If it means people will discover this little gem, then, well, uh, yes.]
With the Oscars being more than a little bit of a write-off this year, it is time to look to a film industry that nominates a little more challenging and unusual cinema. Regular reader Niko Jutila passes along that Antti-Jussi Annila‘s Sauna, despite having a dismal commercial run it is native country, is the 2nd most nominated film by their local film industry - garnering Jussi nods across the board in the acting and production design categories (although not in picture or director). The Jussi’s have been awarded to Finnish filmmakers excelling at their craft since 1944. One of the best horror films of 2008, (along with Let The Right One In, Vinyan, Blindness, Pontypool, Funny Games, The Strangers and The Ruins, which pretty much rounds out my personal favourites) Sauna is an interesting fusion of European sensibilities, J-Horror visuals and good old fashioned Edgar Allen Poe malaise that somehow...
With the Oscars being more than a little bit of a write-off this year, it is time to look to a film industry that nominates a little more challenging and unusual cinema. Regular reader Niko Jutila passes along that Antti-Jussi Annila‘s Sauna, despite having a dismal commercial run it is native country, is the 2nd most nominated film by their local film industry - garnering Jussi nods across the board in the acting and production design categories (although not in picture or director). The Jussi’s have been awarded to Finnish filmmakers excelling at their craft since 1944. One of the best horror films of 2008, (along with Let The Right One In, Vinyan, Blindness, Pontypool, Funny Games, The Strangers and The Ruins, which pretty much rounds out my personal favourites) Sauna is an interesting fusion of European sensibilities, J-Horror visuals and good old fashioned Edgar Allen Poe malaise that somehow...
- 2/2/2009
- by Kurt Halfyard
- Screen Anarchy
According to reader Tommy finish Director Aj Annila will direct the upcoming horror film Adrift. 'Adrift' is the story of a fishing crew that comes across an abandoned yacht only to discover it's haunted. Suzuki's novel spawned several Japanese and Korean film adaptations before it inspired DreamWorks' 2002 remake. This sounds all good but we are gonna have to wait and see how this turns out. Hopefully they will do his writing justice. I also hope that they do not try to "Americanize" his book to much because when Hollywood does that they usually lose the atmosphere that the Japanese b...
- 2/2/2009
- MoviesOnline.ca
There are a few of us in these parts that are big, Big fans of Antti-Jussi Annila‘s period horror, Sauna. Despite some real indifference in Annila’s native country of Finland (for a sad story, read this), IFC picked it up for distribution shortly after it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. They are finally releasing the film as Video on Demand on March 25th. Do yourself a favour, turn the lights down, and watch this great horror picture.
- 1/21/2009
- by Kurt Halfyard
- Screen Anarchy
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