Cinema Management Group has reported brisk sales on Kensuke’s Kingdom featuring Cillian Murphy on the back of wins at the British Animation Awards for best picture, best screenplay and best original music.
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired the film for North America; Modern Films for the UK & Ireland; Movies Inspired for Italy Periscoop for Benelux; Arthouse Traffic for Ukraine; New Horizon for Poland; Playarte for Brazil; and Cinetopia for Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. Encore Inflight acquired worldwide airline rights.
Based on the best-selling novel by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) and adapted for screen by Frank Cottrell-Boyce,...
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired the film for North America; Modern Films for the UK & Ireland; Movies Inspired for Italy Periscoop for Benelux; Arthouse Traffic for Ukraine; New Horizon for Poland; Playarte for Brazil; and Cinetopia for Chile, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia. Encore Inflight acquired worldwide airline rights.
Based on the best-selling novel by Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) and adapted for screen by Frank Cottrell-Boyce,...
- 5/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire and The Green Knight leads the cast of Rabbit Trap, the latest horror film from Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s production company SpectreVision, and Deadline reports that the project recently completed filming on location in Wales. This film marks the feature directorial debut of Bryn Chainey and has the following synopsis:
Set in 1973, Rabbit Trap charts the story of married musicians Daphne and Darcy Davenport, who have relocated from London to an isolated cabin in Wales in order to complete their new record. When they accidentally make a field recording of a mystical sound never before heard by human ears, a strange child enters their lives who gradually untethers them from reality, and the couple soon find themselves caught between the ancient spirits of the natural world and the lives they once knew.
Patel is joined in the cast by Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean...
Set in 1973, Rabbit Trap charts the story of married musicians Daphne and Darcy Davenport, who have relocated from London to an isolated cabin in Wales in order to complete their new record. When they accidentally make a field recording of a mystical sound never before heard by human ears, a strange child enters their lives who gradually untethers them from reality, and the couple soon find themselves caught between the ancient spirits of the natural world and the lives they once knew.
Patel is joined in the cast by Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean...
- 10/20/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: BAFTA winner Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Blue Jean breakout Rosy McEwen and Jade Croot (The Serpent Queen) are starring in under-the-radar horror movie Rabbit Trap, which recently completed filming on location in Wales.
Bankside Films and CAA Media Finance are launching the project for sales at the upcoming AFM. Producing are Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s SpectreVision (Mandy) and Lawrence Inglee (The Tale), along with Elisa Lleras and Alex Ashworth and Sean Marley of Mad As Birds (Poms).
Set in 1973, the film charts the story of married musicians Daphne and Darcy Davenport, who have relocated from London to an isolated cabin in Wales in order to complete their new record. When they accidentally make a field recording of a mystical sound never before heard by human ears, a strange child enters their lives who gradually untethers them from reality, and the couple soon find themselves caught between the...
Bankside Films and CAA Media Finance are launching the project for sales at the upcoming AFM. Producing are Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s SpectreVision (Mandy) and Lawrence Inglee (The Tale), along with Elisa Lleras and Alex Ashworth and Sean Marley of Mad As Birds (Poms).
Set in 1973, the film charts the story of married musicians Daphne and Darcy Davenport, who have relocated from London to an isolated cabin in Wales in order to complete their new record. When they accidentally make a field recording of a mystical sound never before heard by human ears, a strange child enters their lives who gradually untethers them from reality, and the couple soon find themselves caught between the...
- 10/20/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A new animated feature adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost is on the way. Deadline reports today that Shout! Studios and Blue Fox have teamed up to bring The Canterville Ghost to theaters this Halloween.
While no release date has been set just yet, Deadline reports that Shout! Studios and Blue Fox “sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.” That might make this another great gateway horror entry for the whole family this spooky season.
The animated reimagining of Wilde’s short story tells “of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries...
While no release date has been set just yet, Deadline reports that Shout! Studios and Blue Fox “sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.” That might make this another great gateway horror entry for the whole family this spooky season.
The animated reimagining of Wilde’s short story tells “of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries...
- 8/28/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Shout! Studios and Blue Fox Entertainment have jointly acquired North American rights to the starry new animated feature The Canterville Ghost from Beverly Hills-based sales agent Cinema Management Group, Deadline has learned.
Emerging from a multi-year alliance between Shout! Studios and Blue Fox, the deal sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.
A Stephen Fry-led reimagining of the same-name short story by Oscar Wilde that screened as an Official Selection of the 2023 Annecy Animation Film Festival, The Canterville Ghost tells the story of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries to scare out the new arrivals.
Emerging from a multi-year alliance between Shout! Studios and Blue Fox, the deal sets the film for a strategic rollout across multiple platforms, beginning with a theatrical launch timed for Halloween.
A Stephen Fry-led reimagining of the same-name short story by Oscar Wilde that screened as an Official Selection of the 2023 Annecy Animation Film Festival, The Canterville Ghost tells the story of a modern American family that moves to their recently purchased country home, Canterville Chase in England, only to find it is haunted by a ghost. Effectively, Sir Simon de Canterville (Fry) has been haunting the grounds of Canterville Chase successfully for over 300 years, but he meets his match when he tries to scare out the new arrivals.
- 8/28/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers target autumn release ahead of Halloween.
Signature Entertainment has struck a deal with Cinema Management Group (Cmg) for all UK rights to the animated adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost featuring an all-star cast led by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Freddie Highmore.
The feature played at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Official Selection as a Special Event and the producers are targeting an autumn release ahead of Halloween.
The story takes place in 1900 as an American family moves into the infamous Canterville Chase, an ancestral home that has been haunted for 300 years by a cursed ghost,...
Signature Entertainment has struck a deal with Cinema Management Group (Cmg) for all UK rights to the animated adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost featuring an all-star cast led by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Freddie Highmore.
The feature played at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Official Selection as a Special Event and the producers are targeting an autumn release ahead of Halloween.
The story takes place in 1900 as an American family moves into the infamous Canterville Chase, an ancestral home that has been haunted for 300 years by a cursed ghost,...
- 7/12/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Searchlight Pictures has acquired the U.S. rights to “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” a comedy and drama about sex and intimacy from director Sophie Hyde that premiered at Sundance and stars Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack.
Searchlight acquired the film to stream as an original film on Hulu in the U.S.
Searchlight previously picked up Mimi Cave’s “Fresh” ahead of its premiere at Sundance and will also stream the film on Hulu. “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” was also reportedly sold in a competitive situation in the range of $7.5 million.
Thompson in “Leo Grande” plays Nancy Stokes, a retired school teacher yearning for some adventure, but most importantly, some good sex. She hires a young sex worker named Leo Grande (McCormack) to help her have the good sex that has eluded her her entire life.
The film is a two-hander set primarily in a hotel...
Searchlight acquired the film to stream as an original film on Hulu in the U.S.
Searchlight previously picked up Mimi Cave’s “Fresh” ahead of its premiere at Sundance and will also stream the film on Hulu. “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” was also reportedly sold in a competitive situation in the range of $7.5 million.
Thompson in “Leo Grande” plays Nancy Stokes, a retired school teacher yearning for some adventure, but most importantly, some good sex. She hires a young sex worker named Leo Grande (McCormack) to help her have the good sex that has eluded her her entire life.
The film is a two-hander set primarily in a hotel...
- 1/26/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Searchlight Pictures has closed a deal around $7.5 million for U.S. rights to Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. the Sophie Hyde-directed film that stars Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack (The Wheel of Time & Peaky Blinders).
Deadline reported yesterday that Searchlight was poised to win the film that was bid on by several distributors, and the plan is to wage an awards-season campaign for Thompson in a standout turn. Searchlight will release through Hulu, in a deal similar to the pre-emptive one it made for another Sundance film, Fresh.
Hyde directed 52 Tuesdays and Animals. The new film is scripted by Katy Brand, whose credits include Nanny McPhee Returns, which starred Thompson, and Walking on Sunshine.
In Leo Grande, Nancy Stokes (Thompson) has led a full life. A retired schoolteacher and widower, she finds herself yearning for the one thing that has eluded her: a satisfying sexual experience. She...
Deadline reported yesterday that Searchlight was poised to win the film that was bid on by several distributors, and the plan is to wage an awards-season campaign for Thompson in a standout turn. Searchlight will release through Hulu, in a deal similar to the pre-emptive one it made for another Sundance film, Fresh.
Hyde directed 52 Tuesdays and Animals. The new film is scripted by Katy Brand, whose credits include Nanny McPhee Returns, which starred Thompson, and Walking on Sunshine.
In Leo Grande, Nancy Stokes (Thompson) has led a full life. A retired schoolteacher and widower, she finds herself yearning for the one thing that has eluded her: a satisfying sexual experience. She...
- 1/26/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” starring Oscar and BAFTA winner Emma Thompson and emerging star Daryl McCormack, has been acquired by Lionsgate U.K.
The film is directed by Sophie Hyde (“Animals”) from an original screenplay by comedian and writer Katy Brand (“Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show”).
Thompson stars as Nancy Stokes, a 55-year-old widow yearning for some adventure, human connection and good sex, which she was robbed of in her stable but stale marriage. To make things right, the ex-teacher devises a plan and hires the services of Leo Grande, a sex worker in his early 20s, for a night of bliss.
“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” is the first joint project between Cornerstone and Genesius Pictures who are partners in The Reset Collective, the Australian production and distribution company that launched last year. Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution, co-representing the U.S. sales...
The film is directed by Sophie Hyde (“Animals”) from an original screenplay by comedian and writer Katy Brand (“Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show”).
Thompson stars as Nancy Stokes, a 55-year-old widow yearning for some adventure, human connection and good sex, which she was robbed of in her stable but stale marriage. To make things right, the ex-teacher devises a plan and hires the services of Leo Grande, a sex worker in his early 20s, for a night of bliss.
“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” is the first joint project between Cornerstone and Genesius Pictures who are partners in The Reset Collective, the Australian production and distribution company that launched last year. Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution, co-representing the U.S. sales...
- 10/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Cornerstone has unveiled the first look of Oscar and BAFTA winner Emma Thompson and emerging star Daryl McCormack in Sophie Hyde’s “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” ahead of the Cannes virtual market, where the company will also showcase footage from the film.
The film is directed by Sophie Hyde (“Animals”) from an original screenplay by comedian and writer Katy Brand (“Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show”).
Thompson stars as Nancy Stokes, a 55-year-old widow yearning for some adventure, human connection and good sex, which she was robbed of in her stable but stale marriage. To make things right, the ex-teacher devises a plan and hires the services of Leo Grande, a sex worker — or “sex therapist,” as he puts it — in his early 20s for a night of bliss.
Align is financing the film with principal Adrian Politowski producing alongside Debbie Gray from Genesius Pictures. Executive producers include Martin Metz,...
The film is directed by Sophie Hyde (“Animals”) from an original screenplay by comedian and writer Katy Brand (“Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show”).
Thompson stars as Nancy Stokes, a 55-year-old widow yearning for some adventure, human connection and good sex, which she was robbed of in her stable but stale marriage. To make things right, the ex-teacher devises a plan and hires the services of Leo Grande, a sex worker — or “sex therapist,” as he puts it — in his early 20s for a night of bliss.
Align is financing the film with principal Adrian Politowski producing alongside Debbie Gray from Genesius Pictures. Executive producers include Martin Metz,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Freddie Highmore to voice Oscar Wilde adaptation.
Production is underway on animated family feature The Canterville Ghost after closing financing with Adrian Politowski’s LA-based production and finance Align.
Align joins India-based Toonz Media Group, which is producing the adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale, and work has begun at Toonz Animation Studio in Trivandrum, India.
UK producers include Robert Chandler of Space Age Films as well as Gina Carter and Stephen Fry of Sprout Pictures. Politowski and Martin Metz will produce for Align. LA-based Cinema Management Group (Cmg) is handling worldwide sales.
Fry...
Production is underway on animated family feature The Canterville Ghost after closing financing with Adrian Politowski’s LA-based production and finance Align.
Align joins India-based Toonz Media Group, which is producing the adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale, and work has begun at Toonz Animation Studio in Trivandrum, India.
UK producers include Robert Chandler of Space Age Films as well as Gina Carter and Stephen Fry of Sprout Pictures. Politowski and Martin Metz will produce for Align. LA-based Cinema Management Group (Cmg) is handling worldwide sales.
Fry...
- 5/25/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Former Umedia exec Adrian Politowski’s new company invests $6.5m into the animated feature.
Adrian Politowski’s LA-based production and finance company Align has boarded Kensuke’s Kingdom, the animated adaptation of the best-selling 1999 novel by UK author Michael Morpurgo.
Sold by Bankside Films, Kensuke’s Kingdom has been put together as a UK-France-Luxembourg co-production. It is directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, and has Sally Hawkins, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe and Raffey Cassidy in the voice cast.
The film tells the story of a boy swept overboard with his dog during a storm while on a sailing trip with his family.
Adrian Politowski’s LA-based production and finance company Align has boarded Kensuke’s Kingdom, the animated adaptation of the best-selling 1999 novel by UK author Michael Morpurgo.
Sold by Bankside Films, Kensuke’s Kingdom has been put together as a UK-France-Luxembourg co-production. It is directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry, and has Sally Hawkins, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe and Raffey Cassidy in the voice cast.
The film tells the story of a boy swept overboard with his dog during a storm while on a sailing trip with his family.
- 4/16/2021
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution.
Rising Irish actor Daryl McCormack has signed to star with Emma Thompson in Sophie Hyde’s Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, which will begin shooting in early March.
McCormack will play a sex worker in his 20s hired by a former teacher who longs for the adventure, human connection and good sex that were missing from her stable but stale marriage.
Filming will take place in Norwich, southern England. Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution, having brought the film to market at November’s virtual American Film Market. CAA Media Finance co-represents US sales rights.
Rising Irish actor Daryl McCormack has signed to star with Emma Thompson in Sophie Hyde’s Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, which will begin shooting in early March.
McCormack will play a sex worker in his 20s hired by a former teacher who longs for the adventure, human connection and good sex that were missing from her stable but stale marriage.
Filming will take place in Norwich, southern England. Cornerstone is handling international sales and distribution, having brought the film to market at November’s virtual American Film Market. CAA Media Finance co-represents US sales rights.
- 2/25/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Adrian Politowski’s LA-based Align has come aboard to contribute production financing on animated comedy Blazing Samurai. The $46M toon is a re-imagining of Mel Brooks’ classic Blazing Saddles and is currently in CG production with Aniventure at Cinesite’s Montréal and Vancouver facilities. Completion is expected for late summer 2021. Rob Minkoff and Adam Nagle are producers.
The story, directed by Mark Koetsier, follows Hank, a loveable mutt with big dreams of becoming a Samurai. When he finds himself with a new job as sheriff of Kakamucho, he also finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew given the town is inhabited solely by cats.
The voice cast includes Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, George Takei, Michelle Yeoh, Djimon Hounsou and Brooks.
Blazing Samurai was originally mooted in 2015, but got held up when animation studio Arc was put into receivership. There was a long...
The story, directed by Mark Koetsier, follows Hank, a loveable mutt with big dreams of becoming a Samurai. When he finds himself with a new job as sheriff of Kakamucho, he also finds he may have bitten off more than he can chew given the town is inhabited solely by cats.
The voice cast includes Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, George Takei, Michelle Yeoh, Djimon Hounsou and Brooks.
Blazing Samurai was originally mooted in 2015, but got held up when animation studio Arc was put into receivership. There was a long...
- 8/7/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Outlander star Sam Heughan is to play Paul Newman in the untitled biopic of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl.
Production wraps this week on the movie, which stars Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard) as American actress Neal and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as her husband, the British children’s author Dahl.
Heughan has joined as screen icon Newman who co-starred with Neal in 1963 classic Hud, for which she won an Oscar and he was Oscar-nominated.
Formerly known as An Unquiet Life, the film charts the early 1960s period when Charlie And The Chocolate Factory author Dahl and Breakfast At Tiffany’s star Neal retreated to the English countryside to bring up their young family. The somewhat unlikely pair – an in-demand Hollywood actress and a burgeoning children’s author – find their relationship put to the test, and ultimately strengthened, by tragic events.
The Align and Goldcrest Features movie is being directed by...
Production wraps this week on the movie, which stars Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard) as American actress Neal and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as her husband, the British children’s author Dahl.
Heughan has joined as screen icon Newman who co-starred with Neal in 1963 classic Hud, for which she won an Oscar and he was Oscar-nominated.
Formerly known as An Unquiet Life, the film charts the early 1960s period when Charlie And The Chocolate Factory author Dahl and Breakfast At Tiffany’s star Neal retreated to the English countryside to bring up their young family. The somewhat unlikely pair – an in-demand Hollywood actress and a burgeoning children’s author – find their relationship put to the test, and ultimately strengthened, by tragic events.
The Align and Goldcrest Features movie is being directed by...
- 12/17/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Gersh and Endeavor Content handle Us rights.
Diane Keaton, and Jeremy Irons will star in Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, Big Daddy director Dennis Duggan’s first foray into independent film that Fortitude will introduce to Toronto buyers next week.
Diego Boneta, Dnce guitarist JinJoo Lee, Jesse McCartney and Veronica Ferres also star in the female-driven rom-com about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for the loving couple, while their own relationships are far from perfect.
Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi’s Los Angeles-based Align is fully financing the project and filming is scheduled to commence on Sept.
Diane Keaton, and Jeremy Irons will star in Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, Big Daddy director Dennis Duggan’s first foray into independent film that Fortitude will introduce to Toronto buyers next week.
Diego Boneta, Dnce guitarist JinJoo Lee, Jesse McCartney and Veronica Ferres also star in the female-driven rom-com about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for the loving couple, while their own relationships are far from perfect.
Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi’s Los Angeles-based Align is fully financing the project and filming is scheduled to commence on Sept.
- 8/29/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Writer-director Dennis Dugan is set to direct Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons in the comedy Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, to be introduced to buyers at the Toronto Film Festival.
Dugan, a frequent collaborator with Adam Sandler, is directing his first indie project, which will also star Terminator: Dark Fate lead Diego Boneta, Dnce guitarist JinJoo Lee, Jesse McCartney and Veronica Ferres.
Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, financed by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi's Align shingle, is a multistory romantic comedy about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for the loving couple, while their own relationships are ...
Dugan, a frequent collaborator with Adam Sandler, is directing his first indie project, which will also star Terminator: Dark Fate lead Diego Boneta, Dnce guitarist JinJoo Lee, Jesse McCartney and Veronica Ferres.
Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, financed by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi's Align shingle, is a multistory romantic comedy about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for the loving couple, while their own relationships are ...
- 8/29/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Writer-director Dennis Dugan is set to direct Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons in the comedy Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, to be introduced to buyers at the Toronto Film Festival.
Dugan, a frequent collaborator with Adam Sandler, is directing his first indie project, which will also star Terminator: Dark Fate lead Diego Boneta, Dnce guitarist JinJoo Lee, Jesse McCartney and Veronica Ferres.
Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, financed by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi's Align shingle, is a multistory romantic comedy about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for the loving couple, while their own relationships are ...
Dugan, a frequent collaborator with Adam Sandler, is directing his first indie project, which will also star Terminator: Dark Fate lead Diego Boneta, Dnce guitarist JinJoo Lee, Jesse McCartney and Veronica Ferres.
Love, Weddings & Other Disasters, financed by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi's Align shingle, is a multistory romantic comedy about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for the loving couple, while their own relationships are ...
- 8/29/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: After 15 years as co-ceo of international production group Umedia, Adrian Politowski has stepped down to launch La-based production and finance outfit Align. The new company, co-founded by Umedia’s Nadia Khamlichi, intends to deploy $150M from now through 2022, focusing on three-five English-language projects per year across film and television, and with budgets in the $5M-$30M range. Align is backed by its officers as well as high-net-worth individuals out of Europe.
The company’s first project to launch, Blithe Spirit, began principal photography last week. A comedy, it’s directed by Downton Abbey’s Edward Hall and stars Leslie Mann, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher and Judi Dench. Align is majority financing with additional equity secured by Fred Films.
Politowski tells me that after working with dozens of titles a year at Umedia, he “wanted to produce fewer films and be much more involved in them.” Khamlichi, with whom he co-founded Umedia,...
The company’s first project to launch, Blithe Spirit, began principal photography last week. A comedy, it’s directed by Downton Abbey’s Edward Hall and stars Leslie Mann, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher and Judi Dench. Align is majority financing with additional equity secured by Fred Films.
Politowski tells me that after working with dozens of titles a year at Umedia, he “wanted to produce fewer films and be much more involved in them.” Khamlichi, with whom he co-founded Umedia,...
- 6/24/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Each company will give a 10% discount on its services for gender-balanced productions.
The new 10% For 5050 Campaign will be launched at the Berlinale today. The initiative is a collaboration between post-production powerhouse Chimney, which operates in nine countries, and Women in Film and TV International (Wifti).
Already, 21 companies have signed up for the initiative, which will see each company give a 10% discount on its services for film productions that are gender balanced. Any service provider in the film and TV industry around the globe is invited to join the campaign and can find out more info at www.10percentfor5050.com.
Productions...
The new 10% For 5050 Campaign will be launched at the Berlinale today. The initiative is a collaboration between post-production powerhouse Chimney, which operates in nine countries, and Women in Film and TV International (Wifti).
Already, 21 companies have signed up for the initiative, which will see each company give a 10% discount on its services for film productions that are gender balanced. Any service provider in the film and TV industry around the globe is invited to join the campaign and can find out more info at www.10percentfor5050.com.
Productions...
- 2/8/2019
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
After grabbing the U.S. rights to Johnny Tri Nguyen’s actioner “The Clash”, Indomina Releasing is now going into the French horror movie business with Franck Richard’s “The Pack”. Press release below. Indomina Releasing, a new distributor of feature films, acquired all North American rights to the French horror film, The Pack , from international sales agent, Films Distribution. The Pack first premiered at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, where Indomina executives first saw the movie. The film, starring Yolande Moreau ( Micmacs, The Last Mistress ) and Emilie Dequenne ( The Girl on the Train ), was written and directed by Franck Richard, produced by Verane Frediani, Christophe Louis and Frank Ribiere, and executive produced by Priscilla Bertin, Jeremy Burdek, Nadia Khamlichi and Adrian Politowski. Indomina Releasing’s Vice President of Acquisitions Rob Williams and Films Distribution’s Managing Partner Nicolas Brigaud-Robert negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. The deal was...
- 11/3/2010
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Hong Kong International Film Festival
HONG KONG -- In what is sure to be viewed as a Russian spin on The Devil Wears Prada, director Andrei Konchalovsky (Sibiriada, Runaway Train) turns an only partially jaundiced eye at the modern fixation on celebrity and fashion.
This is somewhat outdated and well-worn material, and explorations of the encroachment of Western celebrity culture on developing nations isn't new either. On top of that, a good amount of the film relies on tired character archetypes. Although cinematically polished and possessing an engaging lead, Gloss never manages to take flight as an effective satire.
Any film skewering the fashion industry and what was once called The Jet Set is likely to get attention from independent and Art House distributors. Gloss certainly has the production values for limited overseas release, but it's just as likely to be consigned to DVD after a spin on the festival circuit.
Galya (an appropriately low-rent Yulia Vysotskaya) is a working-class seamstress in the backwater town of Rostov-on-Don who dreams of becoming Russia's next great supermodel. After she's featured in a second-rate ad in a local newspaper, she decides the time is right to move to Moscow. She borrows enough money to get there from her on-and-off thug boyfriend, Vitya (Ilya Isaev), and quickly finesses her way into the office of the editor of Beauty magazine.
The editor, Marina (Irina Rozanova), lays the brutal truth on Galya: She doesn't stand a chance of making her mag's cover. Only temporarily defeated, Galya lands on her feet by working as a seamstress for the Karl Lagerfeld-like Mark (Yefim Shifrin), stumbles (literally) onto the runway in his new collection's show, loses her job and winds up working for erstwhile agent and escort mogul Petya (Gennady Smirnov). In the end, she does make the cover of Beauty after being transformed into a latter-day Grace Kelly and marrying up to politico Klimenko (Alekander Domogarov).
There's a lot going on in Gloss, and Konchalovsky and co-writer Dunya Smirnova go to great pains to draw links among fashion, prostitution, power and celebrity while at the same time peeling some of the glamor from the glitterati. The film is populated by shallow, fundamentally unhappy people who are simply spinning their wheels.
Marina's magazine is just a little behind the curve, and she feels her age when she looks at her competition, some of which comes in the form of her arrogant, needling daughter Nastya (Olga Arntgolts). Rozanova is affecting as a former beauty facing forced retirement, but she's only in Galya's sphere for a fleeting moment. Gloss is loaded with partially explored ideas, but therein lies the problem: They're also partially unexplored.
GLOSS
A Mosfilm, Motion Investment Group, Cadran Prods., Studio Canal, Backup Films production
Sales agent: Fortissimo Films
Credits:
Director: Andrei Konchalovsky
Screenwriters: Andrei Konchalovsky, Dunya Smirnova
Producer: Andrei Konchalovsky
Director of photography: Mariya Solovyova
Production designer: Yekaterina Zaletayeva
Music: Eduard Artemyev
Co-producers: Jeremy Burdek, Nadia Khamlichi, Adrian Politowski
Editor: Olga Grinshpun
Cast:
Galya: Yulia Vysotskaya
Zhanna: Olga Meloyanina
Vitya: Ilya Isaev
Marina: Irina Rozanova
Nastya: Olga Arntgolts
Mark: Yefim Shifrin
Petya: Gennady Smirnov
Klimenko: Alekander Domogarov
Running time -- 118 minutes
No MPAA rating...
HONG KONG -- In what is sure to be viewed as a Russian spin on The Devil Wears Prada, director Andrei Konchalovsky (Sibiriada, Runaway Train) turns an only partially jaundiced eye at the modern fixation on celebrity and fashion.
This is somewhat outdated and well-worn material, and explorations of the encroachment of Western celebrity culture on developing nations isn't new either. On top of that, a good amount of the film relies on tired character archetypes. Although cinematically polished and possessing an engaging lead, Gloss never manages to take flight as an effective satire.
Any film skewering the fashion industry and what was once called The Jet Set is likely to get attention from independent and Art House distributors. Gloss certainly has the production values for limited overseas release, but it's just as likely to be consigned to DVD after a spin on the festival circuit.
Galya (an appropriately low-rent Yulia Vysotskaya) is a working-class seamstress in the backwater town of Rostov-on-Don who dreams of becoming Russia's next great supermodel. After she's featured in a second-rate ad in a local newspaper, she decides the time is right to move to Moscow. She borrows enough money to get there from her on-and-off thug boyfriend, Vitya (Ilya Isaev), and quickly finesses her way into the office of the editor of Beauty magazine.
The editor, Marina (Irina Rozanova), lays the brutal truth on Galya: She doesn't stand a chance of making her mag's cover. Only temporarily defeated, Galya lands on her feet by working as a seamstress for the Karl Lagerfeld-like Mark (Yefim Shifrin), stumbles (literally) onto the runway in his new collection's show, loses her job and winds up working for erstwhile agent and escort mogul Petya (Gennady Smirnov). In the end, she does make the cover of Beauty after being transformed into a latter-day Grace Kelly and marrying up to politico Klimenko (Alekander Domogarov).
There's a lot going on in Gloss, and Konchalovsky and co-writer Dunya Smirnova go to great pains to draw links among fashion, prostitution, power and celebrity while at the same time peeling some of the glamor from the glitterati. The film is populated by shallow, fundamentally unhappy people who are simply spinning their wheels.
Marina's magazine is just a little behind the curve, and she feels her age when she looks at her competition, some of which comes in the form of her arrogant, needling daughter Nastya (Olga Arntgolts). Rozanova is affecting as a former beauty facing forced retirement, but she's only in Galya's sphere for a fleeting moment. Gloss is loaded with partially explored ideas, but therein lies the problem: They're also partially unexplored.
GLOSS
A Mosfilm, Motion Investment Group, Cadran Prods., Studio Canal, Backup Films production
Sales agent: Fortissimo Films
Credits:
Director: Andrei Konchalovsky
Screenwriters: Andrei Konchalovsky, Dunya Smirnova
Producer: Andrei Konchalovsky
Director of photography: Mariya Solovyova
Production designer: Yekaterina Zaletayeva
Music: Eduard Artemyev
Co-producers: Jeremy Burdek, Nadia Khamlichi, Adrian Politowski
Editor: Olga Grinshpun
Cast:
Galya: Yulia Vysotskaya
Zhanna: Olga Meloyanina
Vitya: Ilya Isaev
Marina: Irina Rozanova
Nastya: Olga Arntgolts
Mark: Yefim Shifrin
Petya: Gennady Smirnov
Klimenko: Alekander Domogarov
Running time -- 118 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 3/27/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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