Prime Video Mexico is firing up a new original series, “Mentiras,” based on the popular Mexican stage musical.
Singer-actor Belinda and Luis Gerardo Méndez lead a stellar cast that includes Mariana Treviño (“A Man Called Otto”), Diana Bovio (“Lecciones para canallas”) and Regina Blandón (“Maquíllame otra vez”).
Gabriel Ripstein, whose credits include series “An Unknown Enemy” (“Un extraño enemigo”) and Berlin best first feature winner “600 Miles,” created the series and will serve as director and showrunner.
“In this adaptation, we will pay tribute to a story and characters that the audience adores and expand their universe, thanks to a completely innovative visual narrative,” Ripstein said. “To bring this story to life, told with more than 30 of the most successful songs of the ’80s, we have assembled a spectacular cast and crew.”
The move comes despite system-wide cutbacks announced in January that have seen layoffs across Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios and livestreaming platform Twitch.
Singer-actor Belinda and Luis Gerardo Méndez lead a stellar cast that includes Mariana Treviño (“A Man Called Otto”), Diana Bovio (“Lecciones para canallas”) and Regina Blandón (“Maquíllame otra vez”).
Gabriel Ripstein, whose credits include series “An Unknown Enemy” (“Un extraño enemigo”) and Berlin best first feature winner “600 Miles,” created the series and will serve as director and showrunner.
“In this adaptation, we will pay tribute to a story and characters that the audience adores and expand their universe, thanks to a completely innovative visual narrative,” Ripstein said. “To bring this story to life, told with more than 30 of the most successful songs of the ’80s, we have assembled a spectacular cast and crew.”
The move comes despite system-wide cutbacks announced in January that have seen layoffs across Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios and livestreaming platform Twitch.
- 3/11/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Luis Gerardo Méndez will be in front of and behind the camera in Technoboys, a Netflix movie about a boyband on the comeback trail.
Hailing from Netflix Mexico, the Spanish-language film follows the titular band two decades after they topped the charts. Now they are back to reclaim their pop throne, but the music world has changed and they have to battle rival groups and make it all over again in a world they barely understand. Meanwhile, the lead singer of the Technoboys has a hidden reasons for wanting to return to the music scene. The film will bow on Netflix later this year.
Méndez will play the band’s lead singer, Alan, and co-directs Technoboys alongside Gerardo Gatica. The pair’s production company, Cine Vaquero, is making the movie, alongside Panorama and Bengala. Alexandro Aldrete penned the script.
The Noble Family, Murder Mystery, Narcos: Mexico, Netflix’s first...
Hailing from Netflix Mexico, the Spanish-language film follows the titular band two decades after they topped the charts. Now they are back to reclaim their pop throne, but the music world has changed and they have to battle rival groups and make it all over again in a world they barely understand. Meanwhile, the lead singer of the Technoboys has a hidden reasons for wanting to return to the music scene. The film will bow on Netflix later this year.
Méndez will play the band’s lead singer, Alan, and co-directs Technoboys alongside Gerardo Gatica. The pair’s production company, Cine Vaquero, is making the movie, alongside Panorama and Bengala. Alexandro Aldrete penned the script.
The Noble Family, Murder Mystery, Narcos: Mexico, Netflix’s first...
- 2/26/2024
- by Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
Picturehouse Entertainment has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Berlinale Competition title La Cocina.
Picturehouse’s newly-announced acquisitions team James Brown and Julia Trawinska acquired the film from sales agent HanWay Films in Berlin.
La Cocina had its world premiere on Friday, February 16 in Berlin.
The black-and-white drama follows a Mexican cook in a New York tourist trap restaurant, who is in love with an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship with an undocumented alien.
Rooney Mara stars alongside Raul Briones Carmona. The film is co-financed by Fifth Season, which co-represents North America rights with WME Independent.
Picturehouse’s newly-announced acquisitions team James Brown and Julia Trawinska acquired the film from sales agent HanWay Films in Berlin.
La Cocina had its world premiere on Friday, February 16 in Berlin.
The black-and-white drama follows a Mexican cook in a New York tourist trap restaurant, who is in love with an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship with an undocumented alien.
Rooney Mara stars alongside Raul Briones Carmona. The film is co-financed by Fifth Season, which co-represents North America rights with WME Independent.
- 2/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
“La Cocina,” the Rooney Mara-starring drama that recently bowed in competition at the Berlinale, has been acquired for most international territories.
HanWay Films has closed sales for France (Originals Factory), Australia and New Zealand (Vendetta), Spain (Avalon), Italy (Teodora Film), Benelux (Cherry Pickers), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Scandinavia (Mis. Label), Poland (Monolith), Romania (Bad Unicorn), Baltics (Acme), Czech Republic (Film Europe), South Korea (The Coup Inc.), Japan (Sundae), Taiwan (Filmware International), China (HiShow), Greece (Tfg), the Middle East (Front Row), Israel (Forum Film), Singapore (Shaw), Ukraine (Arthouse Traffic), Indonesia (Falcon Pictures) and Ships and Airlines (Cinesky). Before the Berlin Film Festival began, a key deal with Germany and Austria was closed with Square One Entertainment.
Variety understands that a U.K. and Ireland deal is very close to being finalized, while Fifth Season — which co-financed the film — is co-representing the North American sale with WME.
The fourth feature from one of...
HanWay Films has closed sales for France (Originals Factory), Australia and New Zealand (Vendetta), Spain (Avalon), Italy (Teodora Film), Benelux (Cherry Pickers), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Scandinavia (Mis. Label), Poland (Monolith), Romania (Bad Unicorn), Baltics (Acme), Czech Republic (Film Europe), South Korea (The Coup Inc.), Japan (Sundae), Taiwan (Filmware International), China (HiShow), Greece (Tfg), the Middle East (Front Row), Israel (Forum Film), Singapore (Shaw), Ukraine (Arthouse Traffic), Indonesia (Falcon Pictures) and Ships and Airlines (Cinesky). Before the Berlin Film Festival began, a key deal with Germany and Austria was closed with Square One Entertainment.
Variety understands that a U.K. and Ireland deal is very close to being finalized, while Fifth Season — which co-financed the film — is co-representing the North American sale with WME.
The fourth feature from one of...
- 2/26/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: HanWay Films has closed a Germany & Austria pre-sale on Berlinale competition title La Cocina with SquareOne Entertainment.
From Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios (A Cop Movie), and starring two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (The Girl with Dragon Tattoo) and Mexican star Raúl Briones (A Cop Movie), the love story is set over one day in a Times Square kitchen.
The deal was negotiated by SquareOne Entertainment‘s Head of Acquisitions Thomas Sierk with Vinh-Minh Nguyen and CEO Al Munteanu, and Nicole Mackey, Head of Sales at HanWay Films.
Fifth Season has co-financed the film and is co-representing North America with WME.
The film’s synopsis reads: “It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro (Briones) is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer and a troublemaker, and in love with...
From Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios (A Cop Movie), and starring two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (The Girl with Dragon Tattoo) and Mexican star Raúl Briones (A Cop Movie), the love story is set over one day in a Times Square kitchen.
The deal was negotiated by SquareOne Entertainment‘s Head of Acquisitions Thomas Sierk with Vinh-Minh Nguyen and CEO Al Munteanu, and Nicole Mackey, Head of Sales at HanWay Films.
Fifth Season has co-financed the film and is co-representing North America with WME.
The film’s synopsis reads: “It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro (Briones) is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer and a troublemaker, and in love with...
- 2/14/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: HanWay Films will represent international sales at next month’s EFM on Berlinale Competition title La Cocina. Fifth Season co-financed the film and is co-representing North America with WME.
Two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (Carol) stars in the movie which is set over one day in a Times Square kitchen. Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios (Güeros) directs and Raúl Briones (A Cop Movie) co-stars.
The film’s synopsis reads: “It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro (Briones) is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer and a troublemaker, and in love with Julia (Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, The Grills owner, has promised to help Pedro with his papers so he can “become legal”. But a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral...
Two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara (Carol) stars in the movie which is set over one day in a Times Square kitchen. Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios (Güeros) directs and Raúl Briones (A Cop Movie) co-stars.
The film’s synopsis reads: “It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro (Briones) is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer and a troublemaker, and in love with Julia (Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, The Grills owner, has promised to help Pedro with his papers so he can “become legal”. But a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral...
- 1/23/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
September. Labor Day, come and gone. Fall… theoretically. Back to school, back to theaters. That’s right: despite Hollywood’s ongoing labor shutdown, new product continues to leech out from the national Don’t-Miss Indies reserves, spilling its way onto screens in art houses cinemas worldwide. And yeah, a piping hot pumpkin-spice latte probably sounds like the last thing you want to consume after a long, hot day on the picket line. But you gotta admit: it’s nice to have the option.
Scouts Honor: The Secret Files Of The Scouts Of America
When You Can Watch: September 6
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Executive Producers: Diane Becker, Nan Goldin, Amy Ziering
Why We’re Excited: “The length certain people were going to [in order to] try and get you to shut up got me the angriest.” So says one of the 80,000+ documented survivors embroiled in the Boy Scouts of America...
Scouts Honor: The Secret Files Of The Scouts Of America
When You Can Watch: September 6
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Executive Producers: Diane Becker, Nan Goldin, Amy Ziering
Why We’re Excited: “The length certain people were going to [in order to] try and get you to shut up got me the angriest.” So says one of the 80,000+ documented survivors embroiled in the Boy Scouts of America...
- 9/6/2023
- by Su Fang Tham
- Film Independent News & More
Even if professional wrestling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, numerous stories behind the sports entertainment phenomena are usually quite engaging. Darren Aronofsky has been able to give a heartbreaking look into the complex life using various real-life inspirations for his film, The Wrestler. We will also be getting an equally rough drama with the upcoming Von Erich biopic, The Iron Claw. Even a lighter, more inspiring film like Fighting with My Family can prove to be just as compelling. Prime Video has just released a trailer for a film that gives us a look at the Mexican legacy of pro wrestling, the Lucha Libre, with Cassandro. The film is a biopic of real-life luchador, Saúl Armendáriz.
The official synopsis from Prime Video reads,
“Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character ‘Cassandro,’ the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.
The official synopsis from Prime Video reads,
“Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character ‘Cassandro,’ the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.
- 8/22/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Gael García Bernal transformed into an iconic gay amateur wrestler, luchador Saúl Armendáriz, for “Cassandro,” based on Armendáriz’s legacy as the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.”
“Cassandro” follows Armendáriz as he upends not just the macho wrestling world but also his own life. The film is based on a true story, with “Life, Animated” Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams directing from a script he co-wrote with David Teague. The real-life Armendáriz served as a consultant on the film.
In addition to Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla de la Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, and Raúl Castillo also star, with with special appearances from El Hijo del Santo and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
Director Williams previously collaborated with Armendáriz for 2016 Prime Video documentary short “The Man Without a Mask.” Williams was inspired to fictionalize Armendáriz’s story to showcase the dichotomy of macho Mexican culture along with Armendáriz’s fandom.
“All of these macho guys were embracing him backstage,...
“Cassandro” follows Armendáriz as he upends not just the macho wrestling world but also his own life. The film is based on a true story, with “Life, Animated” Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams directing from a script he co-wrote with David Teague. The real-life Armendáriz served as a consultant on the film.
In addition to Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla de la Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, and Raúl Castillo also star, with with special appearances from El Hijo del Santo and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
Director Williams previously collaborated with Armendáriz for 2016 Prime Video documentary short “The Man Without a Mask.” Williams was inspired to fictionalize Armendáriz’s story to showcase the dichotomy of macho Mexican culture along with Armendáriz’s fandom.
“All of these macho guys were embracing him backstage,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Colombian-Mexican filmmaker Rodrigo García has wrapped his first Spanish-language feature, “Familia,” which was shot in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico for Netflix.
García, who has directed such acclaimed films as “Mother and Child” and “Albert Nobbs,” and whose TV credits include “Six Feet Under,” “Big Love” and “In Treatment,” said: “Shooting ‘Familia’ has been a great experience.” He added: “Great producers, collaborators, several of my favorite Mexican actors and actresses and Netflix’s full support have made this project an unforgettable trip back home.”
This is the first time García, who is the son of Colombian Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Marquez, has directed a film in Mexico. He’s an executive producer in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of his father’s literary classic “100 Years of Solitude,” which will be shooting in Colombia.
According to the synopsis, “Familia” follows “a peculiar family and explores the complexities of cohabitation around a decision that will change them forever.
García, who has directed such acclaimed films as “Mother and Child” and “Albert Nobbs,” and whose TV credits include “Six Feet Under,” “Big Love” and “In Treatment,” said: “Shooting ‘Familia’ has been a great experience.” He added: “Great producers, collaborators, several of my favorite Mexican actors and actresses and Netflix’s full support have made this project an unforgettable trip back home.”
This is the first time García, who is the son of Colombian Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Marquez, has directed a film in Mexico. He’s an executive producer in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of his father’s literary classic “100 Years of Solitude,” which will be shooting in Colombia.
According to the synopsis, “Familia” follows “a peculiar family and explores the complexities of cohabitation around a decision that will change them forever.
- 5/22/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
So far nearly all the 2023 Sundance Film Festival films I have seen are based on true stories, from a teacher in Radical, to a gay single father in San Francisco circa ’70s and ’80s in Fairyland, to Michael J. Fox as himself, and now yet another iconic character gets his story told on the big screen. World Premiering at Sundance tonight is Cassandro, a wild story of the first openly gay wrestler in the ultra macho sport of Mexico’s Lucha Libre.
Although the Lucha Libre and their outragous contingent known as the Exotico is a well-known in Mexico, it is not so well known outside of the country. That is about to change thanks to this film which represents the narrative feature film debut of Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams (Life Animated), who became fascinated with the life of famed wrestler Saul Armendariz — aka Cassandro — when he made a short docu on his life.
Although the Lucha Libre and their outragous contingent known as the Exotico is a well-known in Mexico, it is not so well known outside of the country. That is about to change thanks to this film which represents the narrative feature film debut of Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams (Life Animated), who became fascinated with the life of famed wrestler Saul Armendariz — aka Cassandro — when he made a short docu on his life.
- 1/21/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lucía Méndez and Jorge Perugorría have been cast as series regulars in La Máquina, the Hulu limited series that follows an aging boxer (Gael García Bernal) whose crafty manager (Diego Luna) secures him one last shot at a title.
Karina Gidi, Raul Briones, and Luis Gnecco have also joined the project in heavily recurring roles. La Máquina is produced by Searchlight Television, 20th Television, and Bernal and Luna’s La Corriente del Golfo. It will stream on Disney’s Dtc platforms as a Hulu Original in the U.S. Marco Ramirez (Daredevil) serves as executive producer and showrunner, with Bernal, Luna, Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperín, Adam Fishbach, and Kyzza Terrazas onboard as executive producers. Gabriel Ripstein will direct.
Méndez will play Josefina, a woman from humble means but has pushed her way into upper class society. She smothers her son, Andy (Luna), constantly commenting on...
Karina Gidi, Raul Briones, and Luis Gnecco have also joined the project in heavily recurring roles. La Máquina is produced by Searchlight Television, 20th Television, and Bernal and Luna’s La Corriente del Golfo. It will stream on Disney’s Dtc platforms as a Hulu Original in the U.S. Marco Ramirez (Daredevil) serves as executive producer and showrunner, with Bernal, Luna, Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperín, Adam Fishbach, and Kyzza Terrazas onboard as executive producers. Gabriel Ripstein will direct.
Méndez will play Josefina, a woman from humble means but has pushed her way into upper class society. She smothers her son, Andy (Luna), constantly commenting on...
- 11/16/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Eiza González is getting ready to put up her dukes as she prepares to join the cast of La Máquina, Hulu‘s limited series that takes place inside the squared circle. González joins Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, who already star in the Spanish-speaking series. According to La Máquina’s official synopsis, the story follows an aging boxer (García Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
According to her character’s description, González will play Irasema, an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (García Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Luna) since they were teenagers.
González stars in various fan-favorite films, including Edgar Wright...
According to her character’s description, González will play Irasema, an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (García Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Luna) since they were teenagers.
González stars in various fan-favorite films, including Edgar Wright...
- 9/2/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Eiza González (Ambulance) has been cast in the role of Irasema opposite Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal in the Hulu Originals limited series La Máquina.
Irasema is an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (Gael García Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Diego Luna) since they were teenagers.
La Máquina follows an aging boxer (Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
González most recently wrapped filming The Three-Body Problem for Netflix, and Apple TV+’s anthology series Extrapolations with Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker, and Marion Cotillard. González can also be seen in Michael Bay’s Ambulance opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen.
She is...
Irasema is an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (Gael García Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Diego Luna) since they were teenagers.
La Máquina follows an aging boxer (Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
González most recently wrapped filming The Three-Body Problem for Netflix, and Apple TV+’s anthology series Extrapolations with Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker, and Marion Cotillard. González can also be seen in Michael Bay’s Ambulance opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen.
She is...
- 9/2/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Eiza González will be joining Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal in the Hulu Original “La Máquina,” a limited series that follows an aging boxer, Esteban, played by Bernal.
González will portray Irasema, an aspiring sports journalist whose approach to boxing is more as “an art form,” per her character description. She’s Esteban’s ex-wife who still deeply cares for him, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and his manager, Andy (Luna), since they were teenagers.
“La Máquina” follows Esteban as he attempts to secure one last shot at a title at Andy’s behest. But to make it to fight night, the duo are forced to navigate a mysterious underworld force.
Also Read:
Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna Reteam for Hulu, Searchlight TV Limited Series ‘La Máquina’
González most recently wrapped filming “The Three-Body Problem” for Netflix, and Apple TV+’s anthology series “Extrapolations,...
González will portray Irasema, an aspiring sports journalist whose approach to boxing is more as “an art form,” per her character description. She’s Esteban’s ex-wife who still deeply cares for him, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and his manager, Andy (Luna), since they were teenagers.
“La Máquina” follows Esteban as he attempts to secure one last shot at a title at Andy’s behest. But to make it to fight night, the duo are forced to navigate a mysterious underworld force.
Also Read:
Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna Reteam for Hulu, Searchlight TV Limited Series ‘La Máquina’
González most recently wrapped filming “The Three-Body Problem” for Netflix, and Apple TV+’s anthology series “Extrapolations,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Eiza González has joined Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal in the Hulu limited series “La Máquina.”
The Spanish-language series was picked up at Hulu in July. Per the official logline, “‘La Máquina’ follows an aging boxer (García Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.”
González will star as Irasema. Her character descriptions says she is “an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (García Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Luna) since they were teenagers.”
González is best known for her breakout role in the Edgar Wright film “Baby Driver,” in which she played Darling. She recently wrapped filming on the Netflix series adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem.
The Spanish-language series was picked up at Hulu in July. Per the official logline, “‘La Máquina’ follows an aging boxer (García Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.”
González will star as Irasema. Her character descriptions says she is “an aspiring sports journalist who approaches boxing as more of an art form. She’s the ex-wife of Esteban (García Bernal), who she still deeply cares for, and mother to their two children. She’s known Esteban and Andy (Luna) since they were teenagers.”
González is best known for her breakout role in the Edgar Wright film “Baby Driver,” in which she played Darling. She recently wrapped filming on the Netflix series adaptation of “The Three-Body Problem.
- 9/2/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal are teaming to star in a Spanish-language limited series at Hulu produced by Searchlight Television.
The pair will star in the drama series “La Maquina,” which hails from writer Marco Ramirez. It follows an aging boxer (García Bernal), whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
Both Luna and García Bernal will produce under their La Corriente del Golfo banner. Ramirez will serve as executive producer and showrunner in addition to writing. Gabriel Ripstein will direct the entire series. Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperin, and Adam Fishbach will serve as producers. Searchlight TV is the studio. Searchlight recently co-produced the critically-acclaimed Hulu limited series “The Dropout” as well as the upcoming Hulu comedy series “History of the World Part II.”
“We are proud to partner again with...
The pair will star in the drama series “La Maquina,” which hails from writer Marco Ramirez. It follows an aging boxer (García Bernal), whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
Both Luna and García Bernal will produce under their La Corriente del Golfo banner. Ramirez will serve as executive producer and showrunner in addition to writing. Gabriel Ripstein will direct the entire series. Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperin, and Adam Fishbach will serve as producers. Searchlight TV is the studio. Searchlight recently co-produced the critically-acclaimed Hulu limited series “The Dropout” as well as the upcoming Hulu comedy series “History of the World Part II.”
“We are proud to partner again with...
- 7/27/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna are teaming up for a Spanish-language boxing series for Hulu.
The pair, who first worked together on Y Tu Mamá También, will star and produce La Máquina for the streamer.
The series is produced by Searchlight TV, the Disney-owned television arm of Searchlight Pictures and marks its third series for the streamer following The Dropout and History of the World, Part II.
Daredevil’s Marco Ramirez will serve as showrunner and 600 Miles’ Gabriel Ripstein will direct. García Bernal and Luna will produce under their La Corriente del Golfo banner along with Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperin and Adam Fishbach.
La Máquina follows an aging boxer, played by García Bernal, whose crafty manager, played by Luna, secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
“We are proud to partner again with Searchlight Television...
The pair, who first worked together on Y Tu Mamá También, will star and produce La Máquina for the streamer.
The series is produced by Searchlight TV, the Disney-owned television arm of Searchlight Pictures and marks its third series for the streamer following The Dropout and History of the World, Part II.
Daredevil’s Marco Ramirez will serve as showrunner and 600 Miles’ Gabriel Ripstein will direct. García Bernal and Luna will produce under their La Corriente del Golfo banner along with Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperin and Adam Fishbach.
La Máquina follows an aging boxer, played by García Bernal, whose crafty manager, played by Luna, secures him one last shot at a title. But to make it to fight night, they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
“We are proud to partner again with Searchlight Television...
- 7/27/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Gabriel Ripstein to direct eight-episode eries of boxing story.
Hulu has ordered Searchlight Television’s Spanish-language limited series La Máquina straight to series, reuniting Y Tu Mama Tambien stars Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna on screen.
Marco Ramirez (Daredevil) is the showrunner and Gabriel Ripstein (600 Miles) will direct all eight episodes of the story about an aging boxer (Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. However in order to make it to fight night they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperin and Adam Fishbach are producing the series alongside...
Hulu has ordered Searchlight Television’s Spanish-language limited series La Máquina straight to series, reuniting Y Tu Mama Tambien stars Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna on screen.
Marco Ramirez (Daredevil) is the showrunner and Gabriel Ripstein (600 Miles) will direct all eight episodes of the story about an aging boxer (Bernal) whose crafty manager (Luna) secures him one last shot at a title. However in order to make it to fight night they must navigate a mysterious underworld force.
Gerardo Gatica, Leandro Halperin and Adam Fishbach are producing the series alongside...
- 7/27/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018.
Fernando Frías de la Parra’s I’m No Longer Here has been selected as Mexico’s international feature film Oscar submissions.
The drama premiered at 2019 Morelia Film Festival where it won the feature film competition award and the audience award, and went on to screen at Tallinn Black Nights.
I’m No Longer Here centres on a gang member who flees Monterrey for New York and is forced to question where he belongs when he learns his gang and its defining Kolombia culture are under threat.
Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018 and debuted it on the platform in May.
Fernando Frías de la Parra’s I’m No Longer Here has been selected as Mexico’s international feature film Oscar submissions.
The drama premiered at 2019 Morelia Film Festival where it won the feature film competition award and the audience award, and went on to screen at Tallinn Black Nights.
I’m No Longer Here centres on a gang member who flees Monterrey for New York and is forced to question where he belongs when he learns his gang and its defining Kolombia culture are under threat.
Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018 and debuted it on the platform in May.
- 11/17/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018.
Fernando Frías de la Parra’s I’m No Longer Here has been selected as Mexico’s international feature film Oscar submissions.
The drama premiered at 2019 Morelia Film Festival where it won the feature film competition award and the audience award, and went on to screen at Tallinn Black Nights.
I’m No Longer Here centres on a gang member who flees Monterrey for New York and is forced to question where he belongs when he learns his gang and the Kolombia culture is under threat.
Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018 and debuted it on the platform in May.
Fernando Frías de la Parra’s I’m No Longer Here has been selected as Mexico’s international feature film Oscar submissions.
The drama premiered at 2019 Morelia Film Festival where it won the feature film competition award and the audience award, and went on to screen at Tallinn Black Nights.
I’m No Longer Here centres on a gang member who flees Monterrey for New York and is forced to question where he belongs when he learns his gang and the Kolombia culture is under threat.
Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018 and debuted it on the platform in May.
- 11/17/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Monday, Nov. 16 Netflix Drama Vies for Best International Award
Mexico has chosen Fernando Frías de la Parra’s drama “I’m No Longer Here” as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film to the 93rd Academy Awards.
“I’m No Longer Here” premiered in the 2019 edition of the Morelia Film Festival, where it was awarded the Feature Film Competition Award and the Audience Award. Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018 and released it in May. Producers are Alberto Muffelmann, Fernando Frías de la Parra, Gerry Kim and Gerardo Gatica.
“I’m No Longer Here” is set in the mountains of Monterrey, Mexico, where the leader of the street gang Los Terkos tries to protect his friends from the nefarious elements of a quickly evolving drug/political war. But after a misunderstanding with a local cartel, he is forced to leave for Jackson Heights, Queens. The film stars Juan Daniel Garcia Treviño.
Masi Oka...
Mexico has chosen Fernando Frías de la Parra’s drama “I’m No Longer Here” as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film to the 93rd Academy Awards.
“I’m No Longer Here” premiered in the 2019 edition of the Morelia Film Festival, where it was awarded the Feature Film Competition Award and the Audience Award. Netflix acquired worldwide rights in 2018 and released it in May. Producers are Alberto Muffelmann, Fernando Frías de la Parra, Gerry Kim and Gerardo Gatica.
“I’m No Longer Here” is set in the mountains of Monterrey, Mexico, where the leader of the street gang Los Terkos tries to protect his friends from the nefarious elements of a quickly evolving drug/political war. But after a misunderstanding with a local cartel, he is forced to leave for Jackson Heights, Queens. The film stars Juan Daniel Garcia Treviño.
Masi Oka...
- 11/16/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences has chosen Fernando Frías de la Parra’s I’m No Longer Here as Mexico’s official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar race.
The pic centers on the young leader (Juan Daniel Garcia Trevino) of a small Monterrey street gang from the Cholombiano subculture who longs for home after being forced to move to Jackson Heights, Queens, after an altercation with a local cartel. It premiered at the 2019 Morelia Film Festival, where it won Best Feature and was a selection of this year’s truncated Tribeca Film Festival.
The film received 10 Ariel Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and is Mexico’s official submission for Spain’s Goya Awards. Netflix acquired worldwide rights back in 2018, and it bowed on the streamer on May 27.
Producers are Alberto Muffelmann, Frías, Gerry Kim and Gerardo Gatica.
“The news took me by surprise,...
The pic centers on the young leader (Juan Daniel Garcia Trevino) of a small Monterrey street gang from the Cholombiano subculture who longs for home after being forced to move to Jackson Heights, Queens, after an altercation with a local cartel. It premiered at the 2019 Morelia Film Festival, where it won Best Feature and was a selection of this year’s truncated Tribeca Film Festival.
The film received 10 Ariel Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and is Mexico’s official submission for Spain’s Goya Awards. Netflix acquired worldwide rights back in 2018, and it bowed on the streamer on May 27.
Producers are Alberto Muffelmann, Frías, Gerry Kim and Gerardo Gatica.
“The news took me by surprise,...
- 11/16/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Endeavor Content is upping its local-language game, signing a significant first look deal with Mexico City-based producer Subtrama.
Endeavor enters the deal with Exile Content Studio, a long-form English and Spanish content maker. Subtrama is behind films like Gael García Bernal’s “Museo.” Mauricio Katz, Manuel Alcalá, and Panorama Global’s Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann run Subtrama.
“We are thrilled to power an engine that combines Mauricio and Manuel’s unique style with Gerardo and Alberto’s seasoned experience producing compelling content for global markets”, said Daniel Eilemberg, president of content at Exile.
Adds Endeavor VP of international strategy Kelly Miller, “Subtrama is at the intersection of compelling content, global audience, and gripping storytelling, all of which are paramount to the Endeavor Content fold, and we’re excited to be working with Mauricio and the entire team.”
This deal will focus primarily on Spanish-speaking projects. First up is “Litempo,...
Endeavor enters the deal with Exile Content Studio, a long-form English and Spanish content maker. Subtrama is behind films like Gael García Bernal’s “Museo.” Mauricio Katz, Manuel Alcalá, and Panorama Global’s Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann run Subtrama.
“We are thrilled to power an engine that combines Mauricio and Manuel’s unique style with Gerardo and Alberto’s seasoned experience producing compelling content for global markets”, said Daniel Eilemberg, president of content at Exile.
Adds Endeavor VP of international strategy Kelly Miller, “Subtrama is at the intersection of compelling content, global audience, and gripping storytelling, all of which are paramount to the Endeavor Content fold, and we’re excited to be working with Mauricio and the entire team.”
This deal will focus primarily on Spanish-speaking projects. First up is “Litempo,...
- 1/21/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Headed by Alberto Müffelmann and Gerardo Gatica, Mexican indie production house Panorama Global has boarded Luis Javier Henaine’s feature “Desaparecer del todo,” a Moonlight Pictures production co-produced with Pablo Zimbron’s Varios Lobos.
The supernatural thriller, based on true events, explores witchcraft in Mexico through the eyes of a tabloid crime photographer.
Varios Lobos and Panorama previously co-produced Henaine’s popular comedy “Ready to Mingle,” and it’s a relationship Müffelmann was eager to rekindle.
“It is not just a business thing either,” he elaborated. “We understand one another well in a creative manner as well as for the economic and financial aspects. We work hand-in-hand. I think we’ve grown together. They came to us as a smaller company, but they are growing at the same time that we are.”
Also announced at Los Cabos, “Moonwalker,” is co-directed by Rodrigo Guardiola (“Zoé: Panoramas”) and Gabriel Nuncio (SXSW player “Cumbres”) of production house Bengala,...
The supernatural thriller, based on true events, explores witchcraft in Mexico through the eyes of a tabloid crime photographer.
Varios Lobos and Panorama previously co-produced Henaine’s popular comedy “Ready to Mingle,” and it’s a relationship Müffelmann was eager to rekindle.
“It is not just a business thing either,” he elaborated. “We understand one another well in a creative manner as well as for the economic and financial aspects. We work hand-in-hand. I think we’ve grown together. They came to us as a smaller company, but they are growing at the same time that we are.”
Also announced at Los Cabos, “Moonwalker,” is co-directed by Rodrigo Guardiola (“Zoé: Panoramas”) and Gabriel Nuncio (SXSW player “Cumbres”) of production house Bengala,...
- 11/18/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Los Cabos — The 2019 Los Cabos Film Festival caught the industry in the throes of change. That and other takeaways from the 2019 edition:
1.Indie Mainstream Move
In 2002, Carlos Reygadas’s released “Japan,” an extraordinary debut feature movie which broke just about every rule in the filmmaker’s guidebook, if Reygadas had ever read one. Now, getting on for two decades later, Mexican cinema may be losing its arthouse mojo, if this year’s Los Cabos was anything to go by.
There’s little choice, producer argue: the bottom is falling out of the theatrical market for more rarified indie fare, Panorama Global’s Alberto Müffelmann argued at Los Cabos.“I’m No Longer Here.” Netflix et al., once willing to take a punt on high-art festival standouts, no longer buy them. So films like Morelia winner “I’n No Longer Here” are “no longer financially viable.”
So Panorama’s new slate,...
1.Indie Mainstream Move
In 2002, Carlos Reygadas’s released “Japan,” an extraordinary debut feature movie which broke just about every rule in the filmmaker’s guidebook, if Reygadas had ever read one. Now, getting on for two decades later, Mexican cinema may be losing its arthouse mojo, if this year’s Los Cabos was anything to go by.
There’s little choice, producer argue: the bottom is falling out of the theatrical market for more rarified indie fare, Panorama Global’s Alberto Müffelmann argued at Los Cabos.“I’m No Longer Here.” Netflix et al., once willing to take a punt on high-art festival standouts, no longer buy them. So films like Morelia winner “I’n No Longer Here” are “no longer financially viable.”
So Panorama’s new slate,...
- 11/18/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
I’m No Longer Here
Mexico City’s Fernando Frias has completed his sophomore feature Ya no estoy aqui (I’m No Longer Here), which was part of the 2014 Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Produced by Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann of Panorama Global and Gerry Kim of Ppw Films, Frias tapped Dp Damian Garcia (of Jonas Cuaron’s Desierto and Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Berlin success Museo) to lens the feature. Frias also reteams with his Rezeta (2012) editor Yibran Asuad, who has edited features for Ruizpalacios and Gerardo Naranjo. Frias’ cast includes newcomers and nonprofessionals. Frias’ 2012 debut Rezeta premiered at the 2012 Morelia Film Festival and took home the award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival.…...
Mexico City’s Fernando Frias has completed his sophomore feature Ya no estoy aqui (I’m No Longer Here), which was part of the 2014 Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Produced by Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann of Panorama Global and Gerry Kim of Ppw Films, Frias tapped Dp Damian Garcia (of Jonas Cuaron’s Desierto and Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Berlin success Museo) to lens the feature. Frias also reteams with his Rezeta (2012) editor Yibran Asuad, who has edited features for Ruizpalacios and Gerardo Naranjo. Frias’ cast includes newcomers and nonprofessionals. Frias’ 2012 debut Rezeta premiered at the 2012 Morelia Film Festival and took home the award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival.…...
- 1/1/2019
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Los Cabos, Mexico — Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann’s Panorama Global, the company behind Alfonso Ruizpalacios’ “Museo,” are partnering with its co-screenwriter, Manuel Alcalá, and Mauricio Katz, screenwriter of “Miss Bala,” and Netflix “Maniac,” on futuristic thriller “Frogtown.”
As talent become one – if not the – key competitive issue in the world’s new film-tv landscape for every company from Netflix downwards, the deal sees Panorama, fast emerging as a Mexican movie powerhouse, teaming with two of Mexico’s top writing talents. “Frogtown” will mark both the writers’ directorial debuts.
Alcala co-won a Berlin screenwriting Silver Bear with Ruizpalacios for “Museo”; Katz co-wrote “Miss Bala,” produced by Canana, wrote and executive produced Netflix original series “Maniac,” and is a co-creator on one of the biggest upcoming TV series from continental Europe, the Sky-Canal Plus “ZeroZeroZero,” starring Gabriel Byrne and Andrea Riseborough, and from the creative team behind “Gomorrah.”
“Manuel and Mauricio...
As talent become one – if not the – key competitive issue in the world’s new film-tv landscape for every company from Netflix downwards, the deal sees Panorama, fast emerging as a Mexican movie powerhouse, teaming with two of Mexico’s top writing talents. “Frogtown” will mark both the writers’ directorial debuts.
Alcala co-won a Berlin screenwriting Silver Bear with Ruizpalacios for “Museo”; Katz co-wrote “Miss Bala,” produced by Canana, wrote and executive produced Netflix original series “Maniac,” and is a co-creator on one of the biggest upcoming TV series from continental Europe, the Sky-Canal Plus “ZeroZeroZero,” starring Gabriel Byrne and Andrea Riseborough, and from the creative team behind “Gomorrah.”
“Manuel and Mauricio...
- 11/9/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube has revealed details of its first Spanish-language project – boarding Gael Garcia Bernal-fronted Mexican heist thriller Museo, which has its North American premiere in Toronto.
The Google-owned company is to launch the film on YouTube Premium later this year after a theatrical debut. The film was inspired by the most infamous cultural artifact heist in Mexican history, when two regular guys looted 140 priceless Mayan and Meso-American pieces from Mexico’s National Anthropology Museum on Christmas Eve 1985.
Garcia Bernal stars alongside Leonardo Ortizgris and Alfredo Castro in the two-hour thriller.
Co-produced and co-financed by Panorama Global, Ring Cine, Detalle Films, Distant Horizon and Serendipity Point Films, it was written and directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (Gueros), and was co-written with Manuel Alcalá (Bellas de Noche). Museo premiered at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival, where Ruizpalacios and Alcalá won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay and was also nominated for a Gold Bear...
The Google-owned company is to launch the film on YouTube Premium later this year after a theatrical debut. The film was inspired by the most infamous cultural artifact heist in Mexican history, when two regular guys looted 140 priceless Mayan and Meso-American pieces from Mexico’s National Anthropology Museum on Christmas Eve 1985.
Garcia Bernal stars alongside Leonardo Ortizgris and Alfredo Castro in the two-hour thriller.
Co-produced and co-financed by Panorama Global, Ring Cine, Detalle Films, Distant Horizon and Serendipity Point Films, it was written and directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (Gueros), and was co-written with Manuel Alcalá (Bellas de Noche). Museo premiered at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival, where Ruizpalacios and Alcalá won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay and was also nominated for a Gold Bear...
- 9/6/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Alonso Ruizpalacios’ second feature will get autumn theatrical release before launch on subcription platform YouTube Premium.
Signalling its ambitions to build a global entertainment platform, YouTube has acquired Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museo starring Gael García Bernal and Leonardo Ortizgris as its first Spanish-language YouTube Original film ahead of the Mexican heist saga’s North American premiere at Tiff.
YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels and her team will regard Museo, which screens to press and industry on Thursday (September 6) and receives its North American premere on September 11, as a prestige catch as the platform rolls out across the world.
Signalling its ambitions to build a global entertainment platform, YouTube has acquired Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museo starring Gael García Bernal and Leonardo Ortizgris as its first Spanish-language YouTube Original film ahead of the Mexican heist saga’s North American premiere at Tiff.
YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels and her team will regard Museo, which screens to press and industry on Thursday (September 6) and receives its North American premere on September 11, as a prestige catch as the platform rolls out across the world.
- 9/6/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Alonso Ruizpalacios’ second feature will get autumn theatrical release before launch on subcription platform YouTube Premium.
Signalling its ambitions to build a global entertainment platform, YouTube has acquired Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museo starring Gael García Bernal and Leonardo Ortizgris as its first Spanish-language YouTube Original film ahead of the Mexican heist saga’s North American premiere at Tiff.
YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels and her team will regard Museo, which screens to press and industry on Thursday (September 6) and receives its North American premere on September 11, as a prestige catch as the platform rolls out across the world.
Signalling its ambitions to build a global entertainment platform, YouTube has acquired Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museo starring Gael García Bernal and Leonardo Ortizgris as its first Spanish-language YouTube Original film ahead of the Mexican heist saga’s North American premiere at Tiff.
YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels and her team will regard Museo, which screens to press and industry on Thursday (September 6) and receives its North American premere on September 11, as a prestige catch as the platform rolls out across the world.
- 9/6/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Vitagraph Films, the U.S. distributor of Alonso Ruizpalacios’ “Museo,” starring Gael García Bernal, which is arguably the best-received Latin American movie to date this year, has dropped the film’s first trailer, ahead of its North American premiere at the Toronto Festival and U.S theatrical roll-out.
Also screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival in September and the Mill Valley Film Festival in October, “Museo” will be released in NewYork from Sept. 14, in Washington D.C. and South Florida from Sept. 21 and in Los Angeles a week later. Other markets will follow. Variety has had exclusive access to the film’s trailer and poster.
A “gorgeous, giddy shaggy-dog movie,” Variety announced upon the film’s world premiere in competition at Berlin, “Museo,” which is sold by Luxbox, won a Silver Bear for best screenplay at this year’s Berlinale, garnering some of the festival’s best reviews.
Ruizpalacios...
Also screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival in September and the Mill Valley Film Festival in October, “Museo” will be released in NewYork from Sept. 14, in Washington D.C. and South Florida from Sept. 21 and in Los Angeles a week later. Other markets will follow. Variety has had exclusive access to the film’s trailer and poster.
A “gorgeous, giddy shaggy-dog movie,” Variety announced upon the film’s world premiere in competition at Berlin, “Museo,” which is sold by Luxbox, won a Silver Bear for best screenplay at this year’s Berlinale, garnering some of the festival’s best reviews.
Ruizpalacios...
- 8/27/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
San Francisco Bay Area film festival promoters Sffilm, in partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, has announced the development projects that will receive a total of $250,000 in funding in the latest round of Sffilm Rainin Grants.
The organization has backed a prominent slate of past grant winners, including current buzz films Sorry To Bother You and Blindspotting, as well as prominent alumni films Fruitvale Station and Beasts of the Southern Wild.
“Our track record of alerting the Us indie world to its most important new talent got a major shot in the arm with four-time Sffilm grant-winner Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You opening huge this past week, following in the footsteps of previous Sffilm/Rainin discoveries like Ryan Coogler with Fruitvale Station, Rei Green with Monsters and Men, and Benh Zeitlin with Beasts of the Southern Wild,” Sffilm Executive Director Noah Cowan told Deadline. “These are films we...
The organization has backed a prominent slate of past grant winners, including current buzz films Sorry To Bother You and Blindspotting, as well as prominent alumni films Fruitvale Station and Beasts of the Southern Wild.
“Our track record of alerting the Us indie world to its most important new talent got a major shot in the arm with four-time Sffilm grant-winner Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You opening huge this past week, following in the footsteps of previous Sffilm/Rainin discoveries like Ryan Coogler with Fruitvale Station, Rei Green with Monsters and Men, and Benh Zeitlin with Beasts of the Southern Wild,” Sffilm Executive Director Noah Cowan told Deadline. “These are films we...
- 7/13/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Heist film has World Premiere in Competition at Berlinale.
Paris-based Luxbox will represent international sales on Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museum (Museo), a heist drama exploring Mexico’s past starring Gael García Bernal.
Based loosely on true events, Museum sees two veterinary school drop-outs who commit a heist at Mexico’s Anthropology Museum, but find themselves cursed by the treasure they take.
Alongside García Bernal in the cast are Leonardo Ortizgris, Alfredo Castro and The Death Of Stalin’s Simon Russell Beale.
Ruizpalacios, who won the best first feature award at the 2014 Berlinale for Gueros, co-wrote the screenplay with Manuel Alcalá, while Alcalá, Ramiro Ruiz, and Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Müffelmann of Panorama Global produced.
Distant Horizon signed Luxbox to the film and president Anant Singh praised the company’s “solid track record representing foreign language films.” Hedi Zardi of Luxbox called the film “an impressive artistic achievement…pure pleasure for cinema audiences worldwide. We launch sales at...
Paris-based Luxbox will represent international sales on Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museum (Museo), a heist drama exploring Mexico’s past starring Gael García Bernal.
Based loosely on true events, Museum sees two veterinary school drop-outs who commit a heist at Mexico’s Anthropology Museum, but find themselves cursed by the treasure they take.
Alongside García Bernal in the cast are Leonardo Ortizgris, Alfredo Castro and The Death Of Stalin’s Simon Russell Beale.
Ruizpalacios, who won the best first feature award at the 2014 Berlinale for Gueros, co-wrote the screenplay with Manuel Alcalá, while Alcalá, Ramiro Ruiz, and Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Müffelmann of Panorama Global produced.
Distant Horizon signed Luxbox to the film and president Anant Singh praised the company’s “solid track record representing foreign language films.” Hedi Zardi of Luxbox called the film “an impressive artistic achievement…pure pleasure for cinema audiences worldwide. We launch sales at...
- 2/15/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Cinépolis Distribución picks up film starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Simon Russell Beale.
Cinépolis Distribución has taken Latin American rights from world sales agent Distant Horizon to Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museum (Museo) ahead of the world premiere in competition in Berlin on February 22.
Loosely based on true events, Museum follows two veterinary school drop-outs as they attempt a high-stakes heist by looting Mexico’s sacred Anthropology Museum.
The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris, Alfredo Castro and Simon Russell Beale.
Ruizpalacios, who won the best first feature award at the 2014 Berlinale for Gueros, co-wrote the screenplay with Manuel Alcalá, while Alcalá, Ramiro Ruiz, and Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Müffelmann of Panorama Global produced.
Gatica said: “We are extremely happy to continue our long-time relationship with Cinépolis. Museo will be the biggest release in the history of Cinépolis Distribución.”
Head of Cinépolis distribution Leo Cordero added: “In our quest for outstanding stories to distribute through Cinépolis Distribución, Museo stands...
Cinépolis Distribución has taken Latin American rights from world sales agent Distant Horizon to Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museum (Museo) ahead of the world premiere in competition in Berlin on February 22.
Loosely based on true events, Museum follows two veterinary school drop-outs as they attempt a high-stakes heist by looting Mexico’s sacred Anthropology Museum.
The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris, Alfredo Castro and Simon Russell Beale.
Ruizpalacios, who won the best first feature award at the 2014 Berlinale for Gueros, co-wrote the screenplay with Manuel Alcalá, while Alcalá, Ramiro Ruiz, and Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Müffelmann of Panorama Global produced.
Gatica said: “We are extremely happy to continue our long-time relationship with Cinépolis. Museo will be the biggest release in the history of Cinépolis Distribución.”
Head of Cinépolis distribution Leo Cordero added: “In our quest for outstanding stories to distribute through Cinépolis Distribución, Museo stands...
- 2/14/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Cinépolis Distribución picks up film starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Simon Russell Beale.
Cinépolis Distribución has taken Latin America rights to Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museo ahead of the film’s world premiere in Berlin’s Official Competition on February 22.
Loosely based on true events, Museo depicts two veterinary school drop-outs attempting a high-stakes heist by looting Mexico’s sacred Anthropology Museum.
It stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris, Alfredo Castro and Simon Russell Beale.
The film was written by Ruizpalacios and Manuel Alcalá and produced by Alcalá, Ramiro Ruiz, and Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Müffelmann of Panorama Global.
Distant Horizon is handling worldwide sales.
Gatica commented: “We are extremely happy to continue our long-time relationship with Cinépolis. Museo will be the biggest release in the history of Cinépolis Distribución.”
Head of Cinépolis distribución Leo Cordero added: “In our quest for outstanding stories to distribute through Cinépolis Distribución, Museo stands out as one of the best and most compelling...
Cinépolis Distribución has taken Latin America rights to Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Museo ahead of the film’s world premiere in Berlin’s Official Competition on February 22.
Loosely based on true events, Museo depicts two veterinary school drop-outs attempting a high-stakes heist by looting Mexico’s sacred Anthropology Museum.
It stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Leonardo Ortizgris, Alfredo Castro and Simon Russell Beale.
The film was written by Ruizpalacios and Manuel Alcalá and produced by Alcalá, Ramiro Ruiz, and Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Müffelmann of Panorama Global.
Distant Horizon is handling worldwide sales.
Gatica commented: “We are extremely happy to continue our long-time relationship with Cinépolis. Museo will be the biggest release in the history of Cinépolis Distribución.”
Head of Cinépolis distribución Leo Cordero added: “In our quest for outstanding stories to distribute through Cinépolis Distribución, Museo stands out as one of the best and most compelling...
- 2/14/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The festival, set to run in Mexico from November 11-15, has unveiled the selections in its After Dark, American Specials and Green programmes.
Entries in the After Dark genre section feature films that have garnered acclaim at other festivals and include Matteo Garrone’s Tale Of Tales and the Latin American premieres of Robert Eggers’ The Witch (pictured) and Bo Mikkelsen’s What We Become.
The American Specials selections present Mexican permieres of Scott Cooper’s Black Mass and Marielle Heller’s The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The Green strand presented by Discovery Channel showcases the Latin American premiere of Cyril Barbançon and Andy Byatt’s Hurricane 3D and the Mexican premieres of Louie Psihoyos’s Racing Extinction and Luc Jacqyet’s La Glace Et Le Ciel.
Festival top brass have also announced entries in the Cabos In Progress initiative for films in post that are made in or being produced with Mexico.
The selections...
Entries in the After Dark genre section feature films that have garnered acclaim at other festivals and include Matteo Garrone’s Tale Of Tales and the Latin American premieres of Robert Eggers’ The Witch (pictured) and Bo Mikkelsen’s What We Become.
The American Specials selections present Mexican permieres of Scott Cooper’s Black Mass and Marielle Heller’s The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The Green strand presented by Discovery Channel showcases the Latin American premiere of Cyril Barbançon and Andy Byatt’s Hurricane 3D and the Mexican premieres of Louie Psihoyos’s Racing Extinction and Luc Jacqyet’s La Glace Et Le Ciel.
Festival top brass have also announced entries in the Cabos In Progress initiative for films in post that are made in or being produced with Mexico.
The selections...
- 10/20/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Los Cabos International Film Festival took place this month of November. It was a brave move to keep it going after Cabo had been so hard hit by Hurricane Odile with winds of 125mph less than a month earlier. The vast destruction in our part of town was quickly being repaired though traces remained visible and repairs still to be done necessitated cutting the normal invitation list by half and doubling up hotel rooms for a few unlucky journalists. That being said, there were 15,000 attending the festival. Volunteers wore the worthy words on their t-shirts: #Unstoppable, and they were that.
For all the infrastructure problems of the city in the midst of rebuilding itself, the festival seemed to thrive with all sorts of invitees showing up from all over the world. It seemed like gala events, panels, master classes, coproduction meetings, works in progress, screenings and interviews were constantly taking place. It was a great team and we all felt part of it.
The festival is overseen by the executive board members Eduardo Sánchez Navarro, Alfonso Pascal Barcenas, Scott Cross and Sean Cross (who also founded Vail Film Festival) and is organized by the festival team of Alonso Aguilar (General Director), Alejandra Paulin (General Coordinator) - who was a great market director in Guadajalara before coming here, Maru Garzon (Head of Programming), Ana Molinar Trujillo (Communication Manager), and Monica Herrera (Film Programmer). My friend from Guadalajara, normally an English teacher, Fabian Cruz was also there working for the festival.
When Eduardo Sánchez Navarro Redo remembers how he first came to Los Cabos, there is no doubt in his mind that destiny and luck played an important part. When he married his wife 30 years ago, he decided to travel along the entire Pacific Coast, from Acapulco to Mazatlan, where he crossed over to La Paz eventually driving to Los Cabos. The beauty of the area impressed him and it was during this trip that he and his wife decided to buy a vacation home in Los Cabos, thus beginning a distinguished career as a principal player and developer of what is Los Cabos today. Over the course of more than 20 years, his company, Grupo Questro, has emerged as one of the most highly respected developers in all of Mexico. He, together with Juan Gallardo Thurlow, Scott Cross, and Sean Cross, founded the festival in 2012.
My job as a journalist was to explore and write, hard to do when you are having such fun 24/7. We journalists were all in one hotel where we were given space and time to bond. Travel writers mixed with trade writers: from Film Journal David Noh, whose article is worth sharing here, my colleagues Peter Rainer from NPR and Christian Science Monitor, Anne Thompson from Thompson on Hollywood on Indiewire, Godfrey Cheshire of RogerEbert.com and many others met and mixed. Also Ira Deutchman of Colombia University Film School and Emerging Pictures and Robin Brock of Creative Coalition were there with time to share dinners.
The filmmakers, in another hotel, mixed by day and at the communal lunches and parties. I will write more on them in an upcoming blog! After all, filmmakers are the backbone of our industry. Without them, we have nothing!
The agents, mostly from CAA, were placed in another hotel, luxurious and far away. As someone said, Cabos is like Cannes, only in November. If so, perhaps they were at the Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes. (Actually they were at Hacienda Beach Club & Residences) CAA has always been an honored part of this festival. I have heard that that is because someone with lots of money from Mexico invests it in cinema through CAA and even started the festival. That is, however, pure conjecture. Under the guidance of CAA agent, Micah Green, people can be assured that the directions he sees and the decisions he makes about investing private individuals' capital into filmed entertainment is priceless. I could think of no one I would trust more --in this untrustworthy business we are in-- than Micah.
At least two other agents – Bec Smith and Rena Ronson from UTA -- were also there. Rena and Micah were on the Film Financing Panel moderated by Variety’s expert in all things Iberoamerican and my idol, John Hopewell. Other participants on the Film Finance Panel were Jonathan King, Evp of Production at Jeff Skoll’s Participant Media whose partnership with Canana formed Participant PanAmerican production fund. “No” by Pablo Lorrain was their first investment. Pp also financed "El Ardor" which played in Cannes and “Cesar Chavez”, directed by Diego Luna. Also on the panel were Mark Musselman of Canada’s 10X2yinc, the exec producer of “Eastern Promises” and most recently of “Remember” by Atom Egoyan which was also produced by Robert Lantos and son, also in Los Cabos. It went into production in 2014 and is tipped for Cannes. Other panelists included Raul Del Alto of Mexico’s Ag Studios (Itaca Films Mexico, Itaca Films USA, Itaca Films Colombia and Itaca Filkms Brazil, and Rena Ronson of UTA who, like Micah Green of CAA focuses on global film finance, distribution and marketing strategies for Independents and co-financed features and is fluent in Spanish because of her long time experience with Latin America.
At one point I looked up and found the European fund chiefs there as well, Laufey Gudjonsdottir from Iceland (where Interstellar was filmed), Katriel Schory from Israel Film Fund and Edith Sepp-Dallas from the Estonian Film Institute. They were there for Bpx. Best Practice Exchange is an initiative that brings together the leaders of film funding agencies from across the world to take part in high-level-workshops – one or two each year – designed to promote new standards of excellence in the provision of public funding for the support of film production, development and distribution. The aim of Bpx is to ensure that policies and procedures adopted by film funding agencies will act together, positively and proactively, to stimulate and sustain practices of international coproduction and cofinancing worldwide.
Triggered by the situation in which filmmaking outside the main production centers of Hollywood and Bollywood now finds itself, Bpx was created by Simon Perry, president of Ace (Ateliers du Cinéma Européen), in collaboration with Katriel Schory, executive director of the Israel Film Fund. It held its first workshop in February 2013 in Israel, and two further workshops in Toronto (September 2013) and Berlin (February 2014) and this was the third! Bravo!
Among the Mexican, Canadian and U.S. films that showed, the winners were as follow:
Mexico First
Mexico First winning film was ¨Llevate mis amores” ("All of Me") by Arturo Gonzalez. The film narrates the story of the generosity of the women of Las Patronas who feed the immigrants who ride La Bestia. The director was awarded a cash Prize of Usd $15,000. This film made me cry. I thought of it again when reading the L.A. Times article about the murder of Adrian Rodriguez and his assistant, Mexican good Samaritans who dedicated their scarce resources to feeding Central American migrants passing by on La Bestia, which is what the women in this movie do. And one of the women was at the festival too.
Los Cabos Competition
The Los Cabos Competition winner was “Güeros” by Alonso Ruizpalacios, also a winner at the Berlinale, Jerusalem Film Festival, Tribeca, Toronto and San Sebastian. Being sold internationally by Mundial, the joint venture of Canana (again!) and Im Global, the film has sold to Kino Lorber for U.S., Cannibal for Mexico, Dreams Hill for Italy, Noori for So. Korea and Maison Motion for Taiwan … "Güeros" is the undeniable triumph of a nouveau director who dares to pay homage the French New Wave on a wild detective hunt through Mexico City. In light of the 43 murdered students, this film, about students on strike, strikes a chord within the watcher. The film´s producer won a Usd $15,000 cash prize.
Work In Progress Mexico
The second Work in Progress Mexico prize was awarded to "Los Herederos," by Jorge Hernandez, a film that describes adolescent effervescence and idleness through a group of friends who spend their vacations adrenaline-seeking through parties, sex and alcohol. The winner received a Usd $10,000 cash prize.
Mexico-usa-canada Co-production Forum
The winner of the first Mexico- USA- Canada Co-production Forum was also announced: "Afronauts" by Frances Bodomo, based on the real life story of the Academia Nacional de Ciencias, Investigación Espacial e Investigación Astronómica of Zambia. Writer- Director Frances Bodomo received a Usd $8,000 cash prize. It also received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Mexico First: Fox +
In its second year running the México Primero: Fox+ chose one of the films that participated to have its distribution rights pre-bought for the Latin American and Caribbean (Except Brazil) markets. The México Primero: Fox+ prize consists of Usd $40,000 and was awarded to Isaac Ezban´s "El Incidente" ("The Incident"), two M.C. Escher-maze-like parallel stories about characters trapped in illogical endless spaces: two brothers and a detective locked on an infinite staircase, and a family locked on an infinite road… for a very long time. The international sales agent, Shoreline, will be showing the film at Ventana Sur December 3rd at 17:00 at Cinemark 3.
Work In Progress Mexico Fox +
In its second year running as well, Work in Progress México Fox+ selected a participating film to have its distribution rights pre-bought for the Latin American and Caribbean (Except Brazil) markets. The Usd $30,000 prize was awarded to Katina Medina Mora’s "Sabras que hacer conmigo" aka "En Contraluz", produced by Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann.
Work In Progress Mexico Chemistry
This Third edition of the Festival also witnessed the first Work In Progress México –Chemistry award. Chemistry post-production studios granted the winner, Jorge Hernandez’s "Los Herederos", $45,000 Usd in color correction services.
Mexico – USA – Canada Splendor Omnia Mantarraya Co-production Forum
On its first year running, the Coproduction Forum Mexico- USA- Canada Splendor Omnia – MANTArraya will be granting a $30,000 Usd equivalent prize worth 40 hours of color correction, 40 hours of sound mixing, as well as a paid stay in Tepoztlan Morelos, site of their studios, to the winner "Afronauts" by Francez Bodomo (U.S.).
The key phrase to understanding Cabo is "Seeing what the neighbors do" as the festival and market connects Canada, U,S, and Mexico in showing of films and exploring coproduction. And the mixing of filmmakers and journalists from all three Americas was exciting in the possibilities it offered to everyone.
As for the hard-core business done there:
Mark Kassen will be directing "Criminal Empire for Dummies" written by Cliff Dorman. Kassen will also be producing the film along with James Gibb of Cutting Edge Group and Greg Hajdarowicz of Gremi Films. The deal took place at the exclusive resort Hacienda Beach Club & Residences and was reported by Variety.
Actor and producer Luis Gerardo Mendez ("Nosotros Los Nobles") signed a representation agreement with Paradigm. Reported by Variety. So I guess Paradigm also sent agents to Los Cabos.
Pat Saperstein of Variety also attended Los Cabos and scooped a story, that “Wolverine Hotel” from director Patricia Chica who was participating in the Coproduction Forum, is closing in on production with a "recent financing commitment from Jean-Guy Després, who will serve as exec producer. The edgy crime thriller is produced by Canada-based Byron Martin. Looking to cast a Latino actor as co-star, Chica met with rising Mexican thesp Luis Gerardo Mendez ('We Are the Nobles') during Afm though he has not yet been attached. 'A Latino star opens up a market', said Martin."
Celebrated producer Monica Lozano announced the launch of Alebrije Distribución. She has had her hand in 23 productions since her first film, "Amores Perros". "Instructions Not Included" the Us$ 5.5 million film that grossed Us$ 100 million worldwide was also her production. With this Pan-American initiative, the company will acquire distribution rights for the Latin and North American markets. Reported by Variety again!! You would think John was the only real reporter there. Pinske should be proud of him! Most of us got no scoops, but then, I guess we have to prove ourselves worthy - which I am not because at heart, I am not a reporter hunting for news, but rather a gatherer of information and a writer.
Speaking of Monica Lozano, the Germany-based international sales agent, Media Luna, acquired world rights to Internet Junkie, directed by Alexander Katzowicz and produced by Monica Lozano. Variety reports on this again!
"Yamaha 300", a participating project of the 1st Mexico – USA- Canada Coproduction Forum, produced by Valerium Arts (Mayra Espinosa y Jorge Michel Grau, producer and writer-director of the horror hit "Somos lo que hay" respectively, and Grau, the writer of the remake "We Are What We Are") and Uncorked Productions (Andrew Corkin, the producer of the horror film "What We Were"), will be one of the first projects to receive the development stage and postproduction support offered by The Good Film Fund, an initiative of Media Darling (Amy Darling) and The Chatanooga Film Festival. See Variety.
New York producer Dodgeville Films ("To Be Takei") will be joining Varios Lobos in Mexico to produce "Ya no estoy aquí", Fernando Frias’s second film, which was also a winner during Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund second edition. This film in the Coproduction Forum was reported on in Variety.
"Siete Horas" ("Seven Hours"), one of the winning projects of the second Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund edition, which will be directed by Chema Rodriguez and produced by Francisco Vargas, the renowned director of the film "El violin", made an alliance with the Spanish production companies Sin un Duro and Noodles Prods to co-produce the project. (Variety)
CineTren closed deals to handle Latin American distribution for Spring, a Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead film, whose Latin American Premiere was held at Los Cabos International Film Festival. Negotiations between Nate Bolotin and Marie Katz fromLos Angeles-based Xyz and Manuel Garcia from CineTren, took place at the Hotel Grand Solmar. Next time, I'll have to visit all the hotels!! See Variety article.
BH5 Group, which participates in the executive production of "Remember" by Atom Egoyan, will be working with Alonso Ruizpalacios, director of Güeros, in his second movie: Museo, a project that participated in the Ist Mexico- USA- Canada Co-production Forum. Even though Variety wrote about this, my blog on the three year old conglomerate of companies, BH5, was more complete:
BH5 Group Makes a Splash with Three Impressive Films at Los Cabos Int'l Film Fest
BH5, a conglomerate of five formerly independent production companies all run by various friends from the same film school, will be working the international markets much more. Besides the Toronto hit, Jodorowsky's "Dance of Reality", they are working with larger companies like Pathe now. Their work in progress, "You Will Know What To Do With Me" ("Sabras que hacer conmigo" aka "En Contraluz") which just won the The Usd $30,000 prize of Fox+, is seeking an international sales agent.
"Entrevero" by Max Zunino, also winner of the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund second edition, was selected in the development project category by Ibermedia. See Variety.
And though Colombian Ciro Guerra, whose "The Wind Journeys" was produced by our German friends Roman Paul and Gerhard Meixner at Razor Film Production and by Burning Blue's prolific Diana Bustamente -- who is now also heading the Carthagena Film Festival -- showed in 2009 Cannes Un Certain Regard and was sold by Paris’ Elle Driver to 19 countries including Film Movement for U.S., announced to Variety's John Hopewell that his next film, "Embrace of the Serpent" will star U.S. actor Brionne Davis (“Savaged”) and Belgium’s Jan Bijvoet, the lead in Cannes Competition entry “Borgman” a really creepy dark comedy, he did not discuss his next project "Taganga" in the Coproduction Forum. "Taganga" is about a fisherman from a small village by the Colombian coast where many foreign-owned scuba diving centers have been established. A new law requiring local fisherman to change the motors of their boats forces him to earn quick money, so he chooses to dynamite to fish. The owner of the largest scuba diving center opposes this use of explosives. When the fisherman receives a death threat if he continues the dynamiting of fish, he assumes the center's owner is behind the threat. In order to prove it, he begins a series of fateful actions.
Finally, while it seems like Variety wrote all the news, I have one item which no one has reported on. Reese Witherspoon stated at her press conference in Los Cabos, where her film "Wild" premiered in a red carpet gala, that she is talking to Eugenio Derbez ("Instructions Not Included") to make a movie with him. I heard her say it and later spoke of this to Ben Odell (my next blog on Los Cabos features him). Ben (now partners with Eugenio at 3Pas Studios) said, Actually that would be a great idea but they had not spoken about it. However, they are both represented by CAA, so it would seem like a natural and really exciting pairing. After all, aren't "Legally Blond" and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" the same film? She is certainly on a role as a producer with "Wild" and David Fincher's "Gone Girl" as he is with his U.S. career. The studios are all courting her now, she said. More to come on this...
For all the infrastructure problems of the city in the midst of rebuilding itself, the festival seemed to thrive with all sorts of invitees showing up from all over the world. It seemed like gala events, panels, master classes, coproduction meetings, works in progress, screenings and interviews were constantly taking place. It was a great team and we all felt part of it.
The festival is overseen by the executive board members Eduardo Sánchez Navarro, Alfonso Pascal Barcenas, Scott Cross and Sean Cross (who also founded Vail Film Festival) and is organized by the festival team of Alonso Aguilar (General Director), Alejandra Paulin (General Coordinator) - who was a great market director in Guadajalara before coming here, Maru Garzon (Head of Programming), Ana Molinar Trujillo (Communication Manager), and Monica Herrera (Film Programmer). My friend from Guadalajara, normally an English teacher, Fabian Cruz was also there working for the festival.
When Eduardo Sánchez Navarro Redo remembers how he first came to Los Cabos, there is no doubt in his mind that destiny and luck played an important part. When he married his wife 30 years ago, he decided to travel along the entire Pacific Coast, from Acapulco to Mazatlan, where he crossed over to La Paz eventually driving to Los Cabos. The beauty of the area impressed him and it was during this trip that he and his wife decided to buy a vacation home in Los Cabos, thus beginning a distinguished career as a principal player and developer of what is Los Cabos today. Over the course of more than 20 years, his company, Grupo Questro, has emerged as one of the most highly respected developers in all of Mexico. He, together with Juan Gallardo Thurlow, Scott Cross, and Sean Cross, founded the festival in 2012.
My job as a journalist was to explore and write, hard to do when you are having such fun 24/7. We journalists were all in one hotel where we were given space and time to bond. Travel writers mixed with trade writers: from Film Journal David Noh, whose article is worth sharing here, my colleagues Peter Rainer from NPR and Christian Science Monitor, Anne Thompson from Thompson on Hollywood on Indiewire, Godfrey Cheshire of RogerEbert.com and many others met and mixed. Also Ira Deutchman of Colombia University Film School and Emerging Pictures and Robin Brock of Creative Coalition were there with time to share dinners.
The filmmakers, in another hotel, mixed by day and at the communal lunches and parties. I will write more on them in an upcoming blog! After all, filmmakers are the backbone of our industry. Without them, we have nothing!
The agents, mostly from CAA, were placed in another hotel, luxurious and far away. As someone said, Cabos is like Cannes, only in November. If so, perhaps they were at the Eden Roc in Cap d’Antibes. (Actually they were at Hacienda Beach Club & Residences) CAA has always been an honored part of this festival. I have heard that that is because someone with lots of money from Mexico invests it in cinema through CAA and even started the festival. That is, however, pure conjecture. Under the guidance of CAA agent, Micah Green, people can be assured that the directions he sees and the decisions he makes about investing private individuals' capital into filmed entertainment is priceless. I could think of no one I would trust more --in this untrustworthy business we are in-- than Micah.
At least two other agents – Bec Smith and Rena Ronson from UTA -- were also there. Rena and Micah were on the Film Financing Panel moderated by Variety’s expert in all things Iberoamerican and my idol, John Hopewell. Other participants on the Film Finance Panel were Jonathan King, Evp of Production at Jeff Skoll’s Participant Media whose partnership with Canana formed Participant PanAmerican production fund. “No” by Pablo Lorrain was their first investment. Pp also financed "El Ardor" which played in Cannes and “Cesar Chavez”, directed by Diego Luna. Also on the panel were Mark Musselman of Canada’s 10X2yinc, the exec producer of “Eastern Promises” and most recently of “Remember” by Atom Egoyan which was also produced by Robert Lantos and son, also in Los Cabos. It went into production in 2014 and is tipped for Cannes. Other panelists included Raul Del Alto of Mexico’s Ag Studios (Itaca Films Mexico, Itaca Films USA, Itaca Films Colombia and Itaca Filkms Brazil, and Rena Ronson of UTA who, like Micah Green of CAA focuses on global film finance, distribution and marketing strategies for Independents and co-financed features and is fluent in Spanish because of her long time experience with Latin America.
At one point I looked up and found the European fund chiefs there as well, Laufey Gudjonsdottir from Iceland (where Interstellar was filmed), Katriel Schory from Israel Film Fund and Edith Sepp-Dallas from the Estonian Film Institute. They were there for Bpx. Best Practice Exchange is an initiative that brings together the leaders of film funding agencies from across the world to take part in high-level-workshops – one or two each year – designed to promote new standards of excellence in the provision of public funding for the support of film production, development and distribution. The aim of Bpx is to ensure that policies and procedures adopted by film funding agencies will act together, positively and proactively, to stimulate and sustain practices of international coproduction and cofinancing worldwide.
Triggered by the situation in which filmmaking outside the main production centers of Hollywood and Bollywood now finds itself, Bpx was created by Simon Perry, president of Ace (Ateliers du Cinéma Européen), in collaboration with Katriel Schory, executive director of the Israel Film Fund. It held its first workshop in February 2013 in Israel, and two further workshops in Toronto (September 2013) and Berlin (February 2014) and this was the third! Bravo!
Among the Mexican, Canadian and U.S. films that showed, the winners were as follow:
Mexico First
Mexico First winning film was ¨Llevate mis amores” ("All of Me") by Arturo Gonzalez. The film narrates the story of the generosity of the women of Las Patronas who feed the immigrants who ride La Bestia. The director was awarded a cash Prize of Usd $15,000. This film made me cry. I thought of it again when reading the L.A. Times article about the murder of Adrian Rodriguez and his assistant, Mexican good Samaritans who dedicated their scarce resources to feeding Central American migrants passing by on La Bestia, which is what the women in this movie do. And one of the women was at the festival too.
Los Cabos Competition
The Los Cabos Competition winner was “Güeros” by Alonso Ruizpalacios, also a winner at the Berlinale, Jerusalem Film Festival, Tribeca, Toronto and San Sebastian. Being sold internationally by Mundial, the joint venture of Canana (again!) and Im Global, the film has sold to Kino Lorber for U.S., Cannibal for Mexico, Dreams Hill for Italy, Noori for So. Korea and Maison Motion for Taiwan … "Güeros" is the undeniable triumph of a nouveau director who dares to pay homage the French New Wave on a wild detective hunt through Mexico City. In light of the 43 murdered students, this film, about students on strike, strikes a chord within the watcher. The film´s producer won a Usd $15,000 cash prize.
Work In Progress Mexico
The second Work in Progress Mexico prize was awarded to "Los Herederos," by Jorge Hernandez, a film that describes adolescent effervescence and idleness through a group of friends who spend their vacations adrenaline-seeking through parties, sex and alcohol. The winner received a Usd $10,000 cash prize.
Mexico-usa-canada Co-production Forum
The winner of the first Mexico- USA- Canada Co-production Forum was also announced: "Afronauts" by Frances Bodomo, based on the real life story of the Academia Nacional de Ciencias, Investigación Espacial e Investigación Astronómica of Zambia. Writer- Director Frances Bodomo received a Usd $8,000 cash prize. It also received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Mexico First: Fox +
In its second year running the México Primero: Fox+ chose one of the films that participated to have its distribution rights pre-bought for the Latin American and Caribbean (Except Brazil) markets. The México Primero: Fox+ prize consists of Usd $40,000 and was awarded to Isaac Ezban´s "El Incidente" ("The Incident"), two M.C. Escher-maze-like parallel stories about characters trapped in illogical endless spaces: two brothers and a detective locked on an infinite staircase, and a family locked on an infinite road… for a very long time. The international sales agent, Shoreline, will be showing the film at Ventana Sur December 3rd at 17:00 at Cinemark 3.
Work In Progress Mexico Fox +
In its second year running as well, Work in Progress México Fox+ selected a participating film to have its distribution rights pre-bought for the Latin American and Caribbean (Except Brazil) markets. The Usd $30,000 prize was awarded to Katina Medina Mora’s "Sabras que hacer conmigo" aka "En Contraluz", produced by Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann.
Work In Progress Mexico Chemistry
This Third edition of the Festival also witnessed the first Work In Progress México –Chemistry award. Chemistry post-production studios granted the winner, Jorge Hernandez’s "Los Herederos", $45,000 Usd in color correction services.
Mexico – USA – Canada Splendor Omnia Mantarraya Co-production Forum
On its first year running, the Coproduction Forum Mexico- USA- Canada Splendor Omnia – MANTArraya will be granting a $30,000 Usd equivalent prize worth 40 hours of color correction, 40 hours of sound mixing, as well as a paid stay in Tepoztlan Morelos, site of their studios, to the winner "Afronauts" by Francez Bodomo (U.S.).
The key phrase to understanding Cabo is "Seeing what the neighbors do" as the festival and market connects Canada, U,S, and Mexico in showing of films and exploring coproduction. And the mixing of filmmakers and journalists from all three Americas was exciting in the possibilities it offered to everyone.
As for the hard-core business done there:
Mark Kassen will be directing "Criminal Empire for Dummies" written by Cliff Dorman. Kassen will also be producing the film along with James Gibb of Cutting Edge Group and Greg Hajdarowicz of Gremi Films. The deal took place at the exclusive resort Hacienda Beach Club & Residences and was reported by Variety.
Actor and producer Luis Gerardo Mendez ("Nosotros Los Nobles") signed a representation agreement with Paradigm. Reported by Variety. So I guess Paradigm also sent agents to Los Cabos.
Pat Saperstein of Variety also attended Los Cabos and scooped a story, that “Wolverine Hotel” from director Patricia Chica who was participating in the Coproduction Forum, is closing in on production with a "recent financing commitment from Jean-Guy Després, who will serve as exec producer. The edgy crime thriller is produced by Canada-based Byron Martin. Looking to cast a Latino actor as co-star, Chica met with rising Mexican thesp Luis Gerardo Mendez ('We Are the Nobles') during Afm though he has not yet been attached. 'A Latino star opens up a market', said Martin."
Celebrated producer Monica Lozano announced the launch of Alebrije Distribución. She has had her hand in 23 productions since her first film, "Amores Perros". "Instructions Not Included" the Us$ 5.5 million film that grossed Us$ 100 million worldwide was also her production. With this Pan-American initiative, the company will acquire distribution rights for the Latin and North American markets. Reported by Variety again!! You would think John was the only real reporter there. Pinske should be proud of him! Most of us got no scoops, but then, I guess we have to prove ourselves worthy - which I am not because at heart, I am not a reporter hunting for news, but rather a gatherer of information and a writer.
Speaking of Monica Lozano, the Germany-based international sales agent, Media Luna, acquired world rights to Internet Junkie, directed by Alexander Katzowicz and produced by Monica Lozano. Variety reports on this again!
"Yamaha 300", a participating project of the 1st Mexico – USA- Canada Coproduction Forum, produced by Valerium Arts (Mayra Espinosa y Jorge Michel Grau, producer and writer-director of the horror hit "Somos lo que hay" respectively, and Grau, the writer of the remake "We Are What We Are") and Uncorked Productions (Andrew Corkin, the producer of the horror film "What We Were"), will be one of the first projects to receive the development stage and postproduction support offered by The Good Film Fund, an initiative of Media Darling (Amy Darling) and The Chatanooga Film Festival. See Variety.
New York producer Dodgeville Films ("To Be Takei") will be joining Varios Lobos in Mexico to produce "Ya no estoy aquí", Fernando Frias’s second film, which was also a winner during Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund second edition. This film in the Coproduction Forum was reported on in Variety.
"Siete Horas" ("Seven Hours"), one of the winning projects of the second Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund edition, which will be directed by Chema Rodriguez and produced by Francisco Vargas, the renowned director of the film "El violin", made an alliance with the Spanish production companies Sin un Duro and Noodles Prods to co-produce the project. (Variety)
CineTren closed deals to handle Latin American distribution for Spring, a Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead film, whose Latin American Premiere was held at Los Cabos International Film Festival. Negotiations between Nate Bolotin and Marie Katz fromLos Angeles-based Xyz and Manuel Garcia from CineTren, took place at the Hotel Grand Solmar. Next time, I'll have to visit all the hotels!! See Variety article.
BH5 Group, which participates in the executive production of "Remember" by Atom Egoyan, will be working with Alonso Ruizpalacios, director of Güeros, in his second movie: Museo, a project that participated in the Ist Mexico- USA- Canada Co-production Forum. Even though Variety wrote about this, my blog on the three year old conglomerate of companies, BH5, was more complete:
BH5 Group Makes a Splash with Three Impressive Films at Los Cabos Int'l Film Fest
BH5, a conglomerate of five formerly independent production companies all run by various friends from the same film school, will be working the international markets much more. Besides the Toronto hit, Jodorowsky's "Dance of Reality", they are working with larger companies like Pathe now. Their work in progress, "You Will Know What To Do With Me" ("Sabras que hacer conmigo" aka "En Contraluz") which just won the The Usd $30,000 prize of Fox+, is seeking an international sales agent.
"Entrevero" by Max Zunino, also winner of the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund second edition, was selected in the development project category by Ibermedia. See Variety.
And though Colombian Ciro Guerra, whose "The Wind Journeys" was produced by our German friends Roman Paul and Gerhard Meixner at Razor Film Production and by Burning Blue's prolific Diana Bustamente -- who is now also heading the Carthagena Film Festival -- showed in 2009 Cannes Un Certain Regard and was sold by Paris’ Elle Driver to 19 countries including Film Movement for U.S., announced to Variety's John Hopewell that his next film, "Embrace of the Serpent" will star U.S. actor Brionne Davis (“Savaged”) and Belgium’s Jan Bijvoet, the lead in Cannes Competition entry “Borgman” a really creepy dark comedy, he did not discuss his next project "Taganga" in the Coproduction Forum. "Taganga" is about a fisherman from a small village by the Colombian coast where many foreign-owned scuba diving centers have been established. A new law requiring local fisherman to change the motors of their boats forces him to earn quick money, so he chooses to dynamite to fish. The owner of the largest scuba diving center opposes this use of explosives. When the fisherman receives a death threat if he continues the dynamiting of fish, he assumes the center's owner is behind the threat. In order to prove it, he begins a series of fateful actions.
Finally, while it seems like Variety wrote all the news, I have one item which no one has reported on. Reese Witherspoon stated at her press conference in Los Cabos, where her film "Wild" premiered in a red carpet gala, that she is talking to Eugenio Derbez ("Instructions Not Included") to make a movie with him. I heard her say it and later spoke of this to Ben Odell (my next blog on Los Cabos features him). Ben (now partners with Eugenio at 3Pas Studios) said, Actually that would be a great idea but they had not spoken about it. However, they are both represented by CAA, so it would seem like a natural and really exciting pairing. After all, aren't "Legally Blond" and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" the same film? She is certainly on a role as a producer with "Wild" and David Fincher's "Gone Girl" as he is with his U.S. career. The studios are all courting her now, she said. More to come on this...
- 12/1/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Bh5 Group was in a unique position when they presented three films at recent Los Cabos International Film Festival. The burgeoning Mexican production-finance hub which co-produces Atom Egoyan’s upcoming “Remember,” has attached Alonso Ruiz Palacios, director of Güeros,"one of the most notable feature debuts of 2014, to direct “Museum.” The other Mexican production they are are behind is "You'll Know What To Do With Me," which stars Ilse Salas , one of the rising stars of Mexican cinema.
-"You'll Know What To Do With Me" is a part of the Works in Progress Competition starring award winning Spanish actor Pablo Derqui and Ilse Salas, who stars both in this year’s Oscar entry, “Cantinflas,” and big 2014 fest winner, “Güeros.”
-"Museum" is a project in development in the Co-Production Forum with Filmmaker Alfonso Ruizpalacios, whose recent debut film “Güeros” took Best First Feature in Berlin 2014 and Best New Director at Tribeca as well as multiple trophies at San Sebastian and Morelia.
-Atom Egoyan will offer a Master Class, during which the central theme will be about his new film "Remember," now in post-production. The chat will be moderated by Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of Toronto International Film Festival, and the film director will be accompanied by his producer Robert Lantos and Gerardo Gatica, CEO of Bh5 Group, the Mexican company that holds Detalle Films, which participates in the executive production of "Remember." Bh5's head of production Alberto Müffelmann will also attend the festival in search of new projects and ventures as an "Industry Guest."
“You'll Know What To Do With Me" (Sabras Que Hacer Conmigo)
Mexico
Director: Katina Medina Mora
Production: Gerardo Gatica, Alberto Müffelmann, Rodrigo Trujillo, Jacobo Nazar, Moises Cosio
Section: Works in Progress Competition
Synopsis
In a mundane hospital hallway, fine arts photographer Nicolas, epileptic since childhood, falls for the aloof Isabel, unaware she is visiting her suicidal mother. The narrative begins through Nicolas's lens then cuts back to follow Isabel prior to their meeting. Their stories merge as they're suddenly engaged in a highly charged relationship. When the intense getting acquainted period wanes, it seems worth attempting to transcend respective flaws and demons, yet commitment is not something that comes easy to either of these resolutely independent people. Nico and Isabel find the future increasingly less foreseeable and the vivid present ever more deeply affecting.
“Museum" (Museo)
Mexico
Director: Alonso Ruiz Palacios
Production: Gerardo Gatica, Manuel Alcalá, Alberto Müffelman n
Section: Co-Production Forum Competition (Mexico-u.S.A.-Canada)
Synopsis
On December 25, 1985, adding to the chaos of September's earthquake, Mexico awakened with news of the theft of 140+ pieces from the capitol city's National Museum of Anthropology. The heist was perfectly executed, bypassing the guards who were busy celebrating Christmas Eve. No one imagined that the perpetrators of the robbery slept peacefully, nightly, in the suburb of Ciudad Satélite - veterinary students and lifelong friends, Carlos Perches and Ramon Sardina. The magnitude of the theft wildly exceeded the expectations of the thieves. Carlos and Ramon depart their comfortable life for an underworld adventure that drags them into the abyss.
"Remember"
Direcor: Atom Egoyan
"Remember" stars Academy Award Winners Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau, directed by Acadamy Award Nominee Atom Egoyan, produced by Golden Globe Nominee Robert Lantos. See pertinent info on page 31 of Lcff Industry Catalogue: http://issuu.com/cabosfilmfestival/docs/catalogo-industria2014-web
* Please Note: Bh5 has a production company credit on "Remember" is through Detalle Films (a company held by Bh5 Group), which participated in the executive production of "Remember."
Bh5 Company Profile
http://www.bh5group.com/
Bh5 Group is a conglomerate integrated by many production companies specialised in different areas of the entertainment business, including Detalle Films, Balero Films, Cacao Production Services, CoCo, Detalle TV and La Rama de Teatro. These companies have jointly or independently produced dozens of feature films, including "Nos Vemos Papá" by Lucía Carreras (Karlovy Vary 2012), "The Dance of Reality" by Alejandro Jodorowski (Cannes 2013), "Rezeta" by Fernando Frías (Slamdance Winner 2014), feature film "Kite" starring Samuel L. Jackson (2014), "Remember" (2014) by Atom Egoyan, among others.
Filmography
• "La Decisión del Presidente" (2007) - Documentary directed by Lucía Kaplan and Diego Delgado
• "Arresto Domiciliario" (2008) - Feature Film directed by Gabriel Retes
• "Jimigration" (2008) - Documentary directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra
• "Allá y en Tonses" (2010) - Feature Film by Angel Flores
• "Malaventura" (2011) - Feature Film directed by Carlos Rincones
• "Nos Vemos Papá" (2012) - by Lucía Carreras
• "Rezeta" (2013) - Feature Film directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra
• "95'" (2012) - Documentary directed by Renato Ornelas
• "Inner Dragons" (2013) - Short film directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra
• "Buoy" (2013) - Short Film directed by David Higgs
• "LuTo" (2013) - Feature Film directed by Katina Medina Mora
• "Kite" (2014) - Feature Film directed by Ralph Zimman
• "Contraluz" (2014) - Feature Film directed by Katina Medina Mora
• "Remember" (2014) - Feature Film directed by Atom Egoyan
Bh5 Partners: Gerardo Gatica (CEO), Moisés Cosío (Head of Project Development and New Businesses), Alberto Müffelmann (Head of Production - Detalle Films/Production Services), Rodrigo Trujillo (Head of Production - Balero Films/La Rama de Teatro), Jacobo Nazar (CFO). All five partners of Bh5Group come from different backgrounds, ranging from law to economics to industrial engineering.
-"You'll Know What To Do With Me" is a part of the Works in Progress Competition starring award winning Spanish actor Pablo Derqui and Ilse Salas, who stars both in this year’s Oscar entry, “Cantinflas,” and big 2014 fest winner, “Güeros.”
-"Museum" is a project in development in the Co-Production Forum with Filmmaker Alfonso Ruizpalacios, whose recent debut film “Güeros” took Best First Feature in Berlin 2014 and Best New Director at Tribeca as well as multiple trophies at San Sebastian and Morelia.
-Atom Egoyan will offer a Master Class, during which the central theme will be about his new film "Remember," now in post-production. The chat will be moderated by Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of Toronto International Film Festival, and the film director will be accompanied by his producer Robert Lantos and Gerardo Gatica, CEO of Bh5 Group, the Mexican company that holds Detalle Films, which participates in the executive production of "Remember." Bh5's head of production Alberto Müffelmann will also attend the festival in search of new projects and ventures as an "Industry Guest."
“You'll Know What To Do With Me" (Sabras Que Hacer Conmigo)
Mexico
Director: Katina Medina Mora
Production: Gerardo Gatica, Alberto Müffelmann, Rodrigo Trujillo, Jacobo Nazar, Moises Cosio
Section: Works in Progress Competition
Synopsis
In a mundane hospital hallway, fine arts photographer Nicolas, epileptic since childhood, falls for the aloof Isabel, unaware she is visiting her suicidal mother. The narrative begins through Nicolas's lens then cuts back to follow Isabel prior to their meeting. Their stories merge as they're suddenly engaged in a highly charged relationship. When the intense getting acquainted period wanes, it seems worth attempting to transcend respective flaws and demons, yet commitment is not something that comes easy to either of these resolutely independent people. Nico and Isabel find the future increasingly less foreseeable and the vivid present ever more deeply affecting.
“Museum" (Museo)
Mexico
Director: Alonso Ruiz Palacios
Production: Gerardo Gatica, Manuel Alcalá, Alberto Müffelman n
Section: Co-Production Forum Competition (Mexico-u.S.A.-Canada)
Synopsis
On December 25, 1985, adding to the chaos of September's earthquake, Mexico awakened with news of the theft of 140+ pieces from the capitol city's National Museum of Anthropology. The heist was perfectly executed, bypassing the guards who were busy celebrating Christmas Eve. No one imagined that the perpetrators of the robbery slept peacefully, nightly, in the suburb of Ciudad Satélite - veterinary students and lifelong friends, Carlos Perches and Ramon Sardina. The magnitude of the theft wildly exceeded the expectations of the thieves. Carlos and Ramon depart their comfortable life for an underworld adventure that drags them into the abyss.
"Remember"
Direcor: Atom Egoyan
"Remember" stars Academy Award Winners Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau, directed by Acadamy Award Nominee Atom Egoyan, produced by Golden Globe Nominee Robert Lantos. See pertinent info on page 31 of Lcff Industry Catalogue: http://issuu.com/cabosfilmfestival/docs/catalogo-industria2014-web
* Please Note: Bh5 has a production company credit on "Remember" is through Detalle Films (a company held by Bh5 Group), which participated in the executive production of "Remember."
Bh5 Company Profile
http://www.bh5group.com/
Bh5 Group is a conglomerate integrated by many production companies specialised in different areas of the entertainment business, including Detalle Films, Balero Films, Cacao Production Services, CoCo, Detalle TV and La Rama de Teatro. These companies have jointly or independently produced dozens of feature films, including "Nos Vemos Papá" by Lucía Carreras (Karlovy Vary 2012), "The Dance of Reality" by Alejandro Jodorowski (Cannes 2013), "Rezeta" by Fernando Frías (Slamdance Winner 2014), feature film "Kite" starring Samuel L. Jackson (2014), "Remember" (2014) by Atom Egoyan, among others.
Filmography
• "La Decisión del Presidente" (2007) - Documentary directed by Lucía Kaplan and Diego Delgado
• "Arresto Domiciliario" (2008) - Feature Film directed by Gabriel Retes
• "Jimigration" (2008) - Documentary directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra
• "Allá y en Tonses" (2010) - Feature Film by Angel Flores
• "Malaventura" (2011) - Feature Film directed by Carlos Rincones
• "Nos Vemos Papá" (2012) - by Lucía Carreras
• "Rezeta" (2013) - Feature Film directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra
• "95'" (2012) - Documentary directed by Renato Ornelas
• "Inner Dragons" (2013) - Short film directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra
• "Buoy" (2013) - Short Film directed by David Higgs
• "LuTo" (2013) - Feature Film directed by Katina Medina Mora
• "Kite" (2014) - Feature Film directed by Ralph Zimman
• "Contraluz" (2014) - Feature Film directed by Katina Medina Mora
• "Remember" (2014) - Feature Film directed by Atom Egoyan
Bh5 Partners: Gerardo Gatica (CEO), Moisés Cosío (Head of Project Development and New Businesses), Alberto Müffelmann (Head of Production - Detalle Films/Production Services), Rodrigo Trujillo (Head of Production - Balero Films/La Rama de Teatro), Jacobo Nazar (CFO). All five partners of Bh5Group come from different backgrounds, ranging from law to economics to industrial engineering.
- 11/26/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Los Cabos International Film Festival will offer, within its industry activities, a total of Usd $227,000 to support projects from Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada.
In its Third Edition, in an effort to contribute the development and consolidation of the North American film industry, presents as part of its industry activities, the first Mexico-usa-Canada Co-production Forum .
Los Cabos Film Festival , announces the 13 participant projects in the Forum:
Afronauts by Frances Bodomo (USA). Coward by Boris Rodriguez, an Anne Marie Gélinas production (Canada). The Other Tom by Rodrigo Plá, a Sandino Saravia production (Mexico). First Match by Olivia Newman, a Veronica Nickel and Chanelle Elaine production (USA). Away from Meaning by Olivia Luengas Magaña, a Vanessa Romo Gutiérrez production (Mexico). Butterfly by Maria Saakya, a Jeff Kalousdian production (USA). Museum by Alonso Ruizpalacios, a Manuel Alcalá and Alberto Muffelman production (Mexico). Permanent by Colette Burson, a Haroula Rose and Joshua Blum production (USA). Taganga by Ciro Guerra, a Katrin Pors and Serge Noel production (Canada- Colombia). Wolverine Hotel by Patricia Chica, a Byron A. Martin production (Canada). X Quinientos by Juan Andrés Arango, a Edher Campos and Yanick Letourneau production (Canada- Mexico- Colombia). I’m No Longer Here by Fernando Frías, a Gerry Kim and Mayuran Tiruchelvam production (Mexico- USA). Yamaha 300 by Jorge Michel Grau, a Mayra Espinosa Castro production (Mexico - USA). Representatives from each project will have access to a series of one-to-one meetings with key members of the international film industry and potential co-producers.
The Co-production Forum Jury, composed of Fabien Westerhoff , Sales and Distribution Director at WestEnd Films (UK), Nick Ogiony , Sales Agent at Creative Artists Agency (USA) and Lyse Lafontaine , renowned Canadian producer, will announce the winning project at the Festival, which will receive a cash prize of Usd $8,000.
Also, the recognized studios Splendor - Omnia Mantarraya will award a prize valued at Usd$30,000 to one of the participating projects, consisting of a 40 hours of color correction, 40 hours of sound mixing, accommodation and food for two people in Tepoztlán, Mexico.
Supporting the completion of Mexican feature or documentary films in post-production stage, Los Cabos Film Festival has announced the six films participating in the second Work In Progress Mexico :
El charro de Toluquilla by José Villalobos Romero, a Sergio Adrián Morkin and José Villalobos Romero production. Charity by Marcelino Islas Hernández, a Santiago García Galván production. Heirs by Jorge Hernández Aldana, a Michel Franco production. Light Feet by Juan Carlos Núñez, a Henry Lesperance Álvarez production. You Will Know what to Do with Me by Katina Medina Mora, a Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann production. Holy Days by Alejandra Márquez Abella, a Nicolás Celis and Sebastián Celis production.
Jaie Laplante, Director of the Miami International Film Festival (USA), Nicole Mackey, Vice President of sales agency Fortissimo Films (UK), and Nate Bolotin, Xyz Films cofounder (USA), as members of the Work In Progress Mexico Jury, will evaluate six films that compete for a cash prize of Usd$10,000 .
The TV station Fox+ will also award a prize of Usd $30,000 to one of the participating films (the equivalent to the anticipated purchase of broadcast rights for Latin America and the Caribbean, excluding Brazil through the channel’s windows). And the outstanding post-production company Chemistry will award a prize worth Usd $45,000 consisting of 80 hours of color correction, 40 hours of conform and digital mastering, and packaging in Dcp.
In addition, the two winning films of the Post-production Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund , each received from Labodigital’s Usd $52,000 in post-production services. These two films will also be part of the Work In Progress Mexico selection.
In its Third Edition, in an effort to contribute the development and consolidation of the North American film industry, presents as part of its industry activities, the first Mexico-usa-Canada Co-production Forum .
Los Cabos Film Festival , announces the 13 participant projects in the Forum:
Afronauts by Frances Bodomo (USA). Coward by Boris Rodriguez, an Anne Marie Gélinas production (Canada). The Other Tom by Rodrigo Plá, a Sandino Saravia production (Mexico). First Match by Olivia Newman, a Veronica Nickel and Chanelle Elaine production (USA). Away from Meaning by Olivia Luengas Magaña, a Vanessa Romo Gutiérrez production (Mexico). Butterfly by Maria Saakya, a Jeff Kalousdian production (USA). Museum by Alonso Ruizpalacios, a Manuel Alcalá and Alberto Muffelman production (Mexico). Permanent by Colette Burson, a Haroula Rose and Joshua Blum production (USA). Taganga by Ciro Guerra, a Katrin Pors and Serge Noel production (Canada- Colombia). Wolverine Hotel by Patricia Chica, a Byron A. Martin production (Canada). X Quinientos by Juan Andrés Arango, a Edher Campos and Yanick Letourneau production (Canada- Mexico- Colombia). I’m No Longer Here by Fernando Frías, a Gerry Kim and Mayuran Tiruchelvam production (Mexico- USA). Yamaha 300 by Jorge Michel Grau, a Mayra Espinosa Castro production (Mexico - USA). Representatives from each project will have access to a series of one-to-one meetings with key members of the international film industry and potential co-producers.
The Co-production Forum Jury, composed of Fabien Westerhoff , Sales and Distribution Director at WestEnd Films (UK), Nick Ogiony , Sales Agent at Creative Artists Agency (USA) and Lyse Lafontaine , renowned Canadian producer, will announce the winning project at the Festival, which will receive a cash prize of Usd $8,000.
Also, the recognized studios Splendor - Omnia Mantarraya will award a prize valued at Usd$30,000 to one of the participating projects, consisting of a 40 hours of color correction, 40 hours of sound mixing, accommodation and food for two people in Tepoztlán, Mexico.
Supporting the completion of Mexican feature or documentary films in post-production stage, Los Cabos Film Festival has announced the six films participating in the second Work In Progress Mexico :
El charro de Toluquilla by José Villalobos Romero, a Sergio Adrián Morkin and José Villalobos Romero production. Charity by Marcelino Islas Hernández, a Santiago García Galván production. Heirs by Jorge Hernández Aldana, a Michel Franco production. Light Feet by Juan Carlos Núñez, a Henry Lesperance Álvarez production. You Will Know what to Do with Me by Katina Medina Mora, a Gerardo Gatica and Alberto Muffelmann production. Holy Days by Alejandra Márquez Abella, a Nicolás Celis and Sebastián Celis production.
Jaie Laplante, Director of the Miami International Film Festival (USA), Nicole Mackey, Vice President of sales agency Fortissimo Films (UK), and Nate Bolotin, Xyz Films cofounder (USA), as members of the Work In Progress Mexico Jury, will evaluate six films that compete for a cash prize of Usd$10,000 .
The TV station Fox+ will also award a prize of Usd $30,000 to one of the participating films (the equivalent to the anticipated purchase of broadcast rights for Latin America and the Caribbean, excluding Brazil through the channel’s windows). And the outstanding post-production company Chemistry will award a prize worth Usd $45,000 consisting of 80 hours of color correction, 40 hours of conform and digital mastering, and packaging in Dcp.
In addition, the two winning films of the Post-production Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund , each received from Labodigital’s Usd $52,000 in post-production services. These two films will also be part of the Work In Progress Mexico selection.
- 10/23/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Organisers at the third annual Los Cabos International Film Festival continue to build on the event’s affiliation with Canada.
Atom Egoyan will deliver the masterclass and talk about his latest work, Serendipity Point Films’ Holocaust-themed revenge thriller Remember, currently in post.
Producers Robert Lantos and Gerardo Gatica will accompany the director during the talk, moderated by Toronto International Film Festival artistic director Cameron Bailey.
Im Global’s Acclaim division handles international sales on Remember, which stars Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, Dean Norris, Bruno Ganz, Heinz Lieven and Günter Lamprecht.
Serendipity Point produces in association with Distant Horizon, Detalle, Telefilm Canada and Egoli Tossell.
The Los Cabos International Film Festival is set to run from November 12-16.
Atom Egoyan will deliver the masterclass and talk about his latest work, Serendipity Point Films’ Holocaust-themed revenge thriller Remember, currently in post.
Producers Robert Lantos and Gerardo Gatica will accompany the director during the talk, moderated by Toronto International Film Festival artistic director Cameron Bailey.
Im Global’s Acclaim division handles international sales on Remember, which stars Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, Dean Norris, Bruno Ganz, Heinz Lieven and Günter Lamprecht.
Serendipity Point produces in association with Distant Horizon, Detalle, Telefilm Canada and Egoli Tossell.
The Los Cabos International Film Festival is set to run from November 12-16.
- 10/7/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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