While the coronavirus pandemic briefly shut down local production last year and sent the exhibition industry into a tailspin, Artem Vasilyev, of Metrafilms, is among the many Russian producers who did not sit idly by in quarantine.
“We had a very, very fruitful autumn in the industry,” says Vasilyev, who shot four features between August and November, including “30 Days and 30 Nights,” the new film from Venice Silver Lion winner Alexey German, Jr. (“Paper Soldier”), and “Jetlag,” a feature film and episodic series from Michael Idov (“The Humorist”).
Despite the financial and logistical challenges, cameras continued to roll in Russia throughout most of 2020. Coupled with optimism over the rollout of a locally produced coronavirus vaccine, Vasilyev says industry players are hopeful that the growing Russian biz can come roaring back in 2021. “I really see things on the bright side at the moment,” he says.
Alexander Rodnyansky shares that optimism. The two-time...
“We had a very, very fruitful autumn in the industry,” says Vasilyev, who shot four features between August and November, including “30 Days and 30 Nights,” the new film from Venice Silver Lion winner Alexey German, Jr. (“Paper Soldier”), and “Jetlag,” a feature film and episodic series from Michael Idov (“The Humorist”).
Despite the financial and logistical challenges, cameras continued to roll in Russia throughout most of 2020. Coupled with optimism over the rollout of a locally produced coronavirus vaccine, Vasilyev says industry players are hopeful that the growing Russian biz can come roaring back in 2021. “I really see things on the bright side at the moment,” he says.
Alexander Rodnyansky shares that optimism. The two-time...
- 3/4/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Production in Russia has continued apace throughout much of the coronavirus pandemic, and a broad slate of titles launching at the virtual edition of this year’s European Film Market — from high-concept period dramas to psychological thrillers to horror pics — will look to tap into international interest in the fast-growing industry. “For us, it’s business as usual — boosting that potential,” says Vadim Vereshchagin, CEO of Central Partnership.
During EFM, Vereshchagin’s production and distribution outfit will launch sales on a raft of titles including “The World Champion,” a drama based on the legendary 1978 chess match between Soviet world champion Anatoly Karpov and the dissident Viktor Korchnoi. The co-production with Nikita Mikhalkov’s Studio TriTe and pubcaster Russia-1 is directed by Alexey Sidorov, who helmed the WWII blockbuster “T-34.”
Set in the noir atmosphere of 1920s Russia, “December” follows the last days of Sergey Yesenin, a famous Russian poet and...
During EFM, Vereshchagin’s production and distribution outfit will launch sales on a raft of titles including “The World Champion,” a drama based on the legendary 1978 chess match between Soviet world champion Anatoly Karpov and the dissident Viktor Korchnoi. The co-production with Nikita Mikhalkov’s Studio TriTe and pubcaster Russia-1 is directed by Alexey Sidorov, who helmed the WWII blockbuster “T-34.”
Set in the noir atmosphere of 1920s Russia, “December” follows the last days of Sergey Yesenin, a famous Russian poet and...
- 3/4/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
MK2 Films has come on board to handle world sales on “House Arrest,” a satirical drama directed by critically acclaimed Russian helmer Aleksey German Jr. (“Dovlatov”) that tackles Russia’s judicial system.
“House Arrest” follows David, a Russian university professor who takes to social media to criticize his city’s administration and the Mayor’s dodgy dealings. But David soon finds himself accused of embezzlement and placed under house arrest. Despite the overbearing surveillance, double-crossing acquaintances, and growing media interest, David remains defiant and will not apologize.
“I came up with this project many years ago. The drama of a man fighting to keep his dignity,” said German Jr. “This film is an essential and intimate statement about what inner freedom is and how important it is to stay honest to yourself,” added the politically-engaged helmer.
German Jr.’s credits include “Paper Soldier,” which won Venice’s best director award,...
“House Arrest” follows David, a Russian university professor who takes to social media to criticize his city’s administration and the Mayor’s dodgy dealings. But David soon finds himself accused of embezzlement and placed under house arrest. Despite the overbearing surveillance, double-crossing acquaintances, and growing media interest, David remains defiant and will not apologize.
“I came up with this project many years ago. The drama of a man fighting to keep his dignity,” said German Jr. “This film is an essential and intimate statement about what inner freedom is and how important it is to stay honest to yourself,” added the politically-engaged helmer.
German Jr.’s credits include “Paper Soldier,” which won Venice’s best director award,...
- 3/2/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Slate is led by Roman Vasyanov’s ‘The Dorm’, which has secured a world sales agent.
Russian production outfit MetraFilms is showcasing multiple projects at the EFM, led by Roman Vasyanov’s The Dorm, on which New Europe Film Sales has boarded world sales.
The Dorm marks the directorial debut of Vasyanov, who is best known as David Ayer’s cinematographer on End Of Watch, Fury, Suicide Squad and Bright.
Vasyanov’s debut, which he also co-wrote, is an adaptation of Alexei Ivanov’s novel Dorm To Blood. Set in the Soviet Union of 1984, it follows five students whose friendship...
Russian production outfit MetraFilms is showcasing multiple projects at the EFM, led by Roman Vasyanov’s The Dorm, on which New Europe Film Sales has boarded world sales.
The Dorm marks the directorial debut of Vasyanov, who is best known as David Ayer’s cinematographer on End Of Watch, Fury, Suicide Squad and Bright.
Vasyanov’s debut, which he also co-wrote, is an adaptation of Alexei Ivanov’s novel Dorm To Blood. Set in the Soviet Union of 1984, it follows five students whose friendship...
- 3/2/2021
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Rising Russian director Kirill Sokolov (“Why Don’t You Just Die!”) and “Vikings” star Danila Kozlovsky have boarded “Alone in the Ocean,” a big-budget survival drama based on the true story of a Soviet man who spent three days lost at sea.
Pic is produced by Artem Vasilyev of Metrafilms, Roman Borisevich of Plan 9 and Konstantin Buslov of Rb Production, and co-produced by André Logie of Belgium’s Panache Prods. It’s being prepped to go into production in 2022.
Set in the 1970s and based on the book of the same name, “Alone in the Ocean” tells the story of Slava Kurilov, an oceanographer aboard a Soviet vessel plying the Philippine Sea who decides to leap overboard, only to learn that after a grave miscalculation he’s more than a hundred miles offshore. Kurilov spends the next three days at sea fighting for survival, determined to live his passion for the ocean,...
Pic is produced by Artem Vasilyev of Metrafilms, Roman Borisevich of Plan 9 and Konstantin Buslov of Rb Production, and co-produced by André Logie of Belgium’s Panache Prods. It’s being prepped to go into production in 2022.
Set in the 1970s and based on the book of the same name, “Alone in the Ocean” tells the story of Slava Kurilov, an oceanographer aboard a Soviet vessel plying the Philippine Sea who decides to leap overboard, only to learn that after a grave miscalculation he’s more than a hundred miles offshore. Kurilov spends the next three days at sea fighting for survival, determined to live his passion for the ocean,...
- 3/1/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
One project now nearing completing is Roman Vasyanov’s debut feature as a director, The Dorm.
Prolific Russian producer and Metrafilms boss Artem Vasilyev has revealed new details on his booming feature film slate.
One Vasilyev project now nearing completing is Roman Vasyanov’s debut feature as a director, The Dorm (previously known as Tenerife), based on Alexei Ivanov’s novel, Dorm To Blood.
Vasyanov, a top Hollywood cinematographer with credits ranging from Fury and Suicide Squad to Triple Frontier, returned to Russia to direct the film. Sony will handle the Russian release which is set for later this autumn.
Prolific Russian producer and Metrafilms boss Artem Vasilyev has revealed new details on his booming feature film slate.
One Vasilyev project now nearing completing is Roman Vasyanov’s debut feature as a director, The Dorm (previously known as Tenerife), based on Alexei Ivanov’s novel, Dorm To Blood.
Vasyanov, a top Hollywood cinematographer with credits ranging from Fury and Suicide Squad to Triple Frontier, returned to Russia to direct the film. Sony will handle the Russian release which is set for later this autumn.
- 2/25/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Metrafilm’s Russian spy series project “Pawns,” pitching at this year’s CoPro Series event at the Berlinale, will be joined by Latvian co-producer Tasse Film.
“Pawns” is the brainchild of writers Michael and Lily Idov, co-writers of 2018 Cannes Palme d’Or competitor “Leto,” and creators of two hugely popular Russian series in “Londongrad” and “The Optimists.” Metrafilms’ Artem Vasilyev is producing.
It’s 1965, the middle of the Cold War, and the Kgb has recruited a timid chess pro named Max to aid in trapping a Western spy recruiter working out of Austria. When the sting goes badly, Max proves his genius goes in more than black and white and proves himself an adept stand-in field agent.
Max gets partnered with alpha-male spy-master Ivan, before the Soviet odd couple are joined by a young, leftist West German activist named Hanna. The trio investigate the attack, and learn more than they could have bargained for.
“Pawns” is the brainchild of writers Michael and Lily Idov, co-writers of 2018 Cannes Palme d’Or competitor “Leto,” and creators of two hugely popular Russian series in “Londongrad” and “The Optimists.” Metrafilms’ Artem Vasilyev is producing.
It’s 1965, the middle of the Cold War, and the Kgb has recruited a timid chess pro named Max to aid in trapping a Western spy recruiter working out of Austria. When the sting goes badly, Max proves his genius goes in more than black and white and proves himself an adept stand-in field agent.
Max gets partnered with alpha-male spy-master Ivan, before the Soviet odd couple are joined by a young, leftist West German activist named Hanna. The trio investigate the attack, and learn more than they could have bargained for.
- 2/25/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin-based sales agent M-appeal has picked up the rights to black comedy “The Humorist,” directed by Michael Idov, one of the scriptwriters of “Leto,” a competition title at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.
“The Humorist,” which makes its market premiere at Berlin’s European Film Market on Feb. 8, stars Aleksey Agranovich, Alisa Khazanova and Yuri Kolokolnikov. It is produced by Metrafilms’ Artem Vasilyev, who was one of the producers on Alexey German Jr.’s “Dovlatov,” a competition title at last year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Set in the mid-80s in the Soviet Union, “The Humorist” revolves around Boris Arkadiev, a Russian-Jewish stand-up comedian who is tormented not only by external oppression and censorship, but also by his own insecurities. Fame and the lack of personal freedom contribute to his unbalanced state of mind. When the leaders who dictate what he can and can’t joke about summon him to their villa,...
“The Humorist,” which makes its market premiere at Berlin’s European Film Market on Feb. 8, stars Aleksey Agranovich, Alisa Khazanova and Yuri Kolokolnikov. It is produced by Metrafilms’ Artem Vasilyev, who was one of the producers on Alexey German Jr.’s “Dovlatov,” a competition title at last year’s Berlin Film Festival.
Set in the mid-80s in the Soviet Union, “The Humorist” revolves around Boris Arkadiev, a Russian-Jewish stand-up comedian who is tormented not only by external oppression and censorship, but also by his own insecurities. Fame and the lack of personal freedom contribute to his unbalanced state of mind. When the leaders who dictate what he can and can’t joke about summon him to their villa,...
- 1/25/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
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