Kate Winslet was told she would have to settle for "fat girl parts" when she first embarked on her acting career.
The 41-year-old actress may now be a Best Actress Oscar winner and one of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood but when started her journey on screen she had to deal with a lot of rejections.
And for Kate a lot of the knock-backs she experienced were based on her appearance because she "wasn't the prettiest" as a teenager and casting directors would tell her that her looks would be a drawback for her.
Giving a speech to young people at We Day held at The Sse Arena, Wembley in London on Wednesday (03.22.17), she said: "I got bullied at school, they called me 'blubber', they teased me for wanting to act, they locked me in the cupboard, laughed at me. I wasn't the prettiest, I've always had big feet,...
The 41-year-old actress may now be a Best Actress Oscar winner and one of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood but when started her journey on screen she had to deal with a lot of rejections.
And for Kate a lot of the knock-backs she experienced were based on her appearance because she "wasn't the prettiest" as a teenager and casting directors would tell her that her looks would be a drawback for her.
Giving a speech to young people at We Day held at The Sse Arena, Wembley in London on Wednesday (03.22.17), she said: "I got bullied at school, they called me 'blubber', they teased me for wanting to act, they locked me in the cupboard, laughed at me. I wasn't the prettiest, I've always had big feet,...
- 3/22/2017
- GossipCenter
If you listen to country radio, you’ve no doubt heard Brett Young’s catchy No. 1 song “Sleep Without You,” and you probably can’t get it out of your head.
It was a surprising hit for the singer, who on Friday released his self-titled album — his first from a major record label.
“I think it was a very delayed reaction,” Young tells People of the song’s chart-topping status. “It’s one of those things where it doesn’t set in right away.”
Flash forward a few days and the California native found himself performing the hit in front of a large crowd,...
It was a surprising hit for the singer, who on Friday released his self-titled album — his first from a major record label.
“I think it was a very delayed reaction,” Young tells People of the song’s chart-topping status. “It’s one of those things where it doesn’t set in right away.”
Flash forward a few days and the California native found himself performing the hit in front of a large crowd,...
- 2/10/2017
- by Katie Kauss
- PEOPLE.com
So being the nerd I am I love seeing characters from some of my favorite storied being taken up by fans. No they may not have the budget of a summer blockbuster but something can be said for when you know the characters enough you produce a compelling story that truly captures these heroes and villains. Basically I love fan films. I've been very lucky to talk to lots of creators out there. Mark Cheng from Red Retrieval, Chelton Perry from Teen Titans Project and a few others. Well after watching Sweet Madness by Peter Dukes I've got another favorite added to my list.
So Sweet Madness is a Harley Quinn short and while some would say the character is over exposed I can agree with them on the terms that Harley is a good guy. No I tend to lean towards the Harley that's a villain, sure she's likable...
So Sweet Madness is a Harley Quinn short and while some would say the character is over exposed I can agree with them on the terms that Harley is a good guy. No I tend to lean towards the Harley that's a villain, sure she's likable...
- 10/21/2015
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jason The X)
- Cinelinx
“Big Bang Theory” star Simon Helberg and his wife Jocelyn Towne have closed an exclusive pod deal with Warner Bros. Television, the studio announced Thursday. Under the terms of the two-year deal, Helberg and Towne will develop series for the studio via their new production banner, Wildline Entertainment. The duo has brought in former movie producer Cora Olson to head development and supervise projects for the studio. Hailing from the independent film world, Olson has produced six features including the Sundance hit “Good Dick.” Olson, Towne and Helberg previously worked together when they made Towne’s debut feature “I Am I.
- 8/20/2015
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
Source: Getty / Steve Granitz Patricia Arquette was honored once again this award season for her work in Boyhood when she picked up the Academy Award for best supporting actress at the Oscars in La on Sunday night. While on stage, she took the opportunity to make a powerful statement about women's equality and equal pay that had Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lopez, and others in the audience nearly jumping out of their seats with excitement. Her discussion of the topic continued in the press room, where she spoke further about women's equality. Read her quotes and her follow up statements on Twitter, and watch the full video below. "It's time for women. Equal means equal. The truth is the older women get, the less money they make. The highest percentage of children living in poverty are in female-headed households. It's inexcusable that we go around the world and we talk about...
- 2/24/2015
- by Lauren-Turner
- Popsugar.com
Eric Lavallee: Name me three of your favorite “2014 discoveries” …
Logan Miller: Alejandro Jodorowsky’s graphic novel The Incal, Raymond Pettibon, and the Private island where Biggie, Tupac, and Elvis are currently living on.
Lavallee: In Take Me to the River, you take on the lead role. Was wondering if you could discuss Ryder’s emotional story arch and give some insight on how he perceives the world and the people who surround him?
Miller: With his newfound lifestyle, Ryder comes into our story with the mindset that his extended family will have a lack of understanding of who he is. What he comes to find out is the lack of understanding is coming from him. After the the incident that occurs with Ryder and Molly, a stream of past issues with the family begin to reveal themselves, showing Ryder that there is more at stake here then he could of ever imagined.
Logan Miller: Alejandro Jodorowsky’s graphic novel The Incal, Raymond Pettibon, and the Private island where Biggie, Tupac, and Elvis are currently living on.
Lavallee: In Take Me to the River, you take on the lead role. Was wondering if you could discuss Ryder’s emotional story arch and give some insight on how he perceives the world and the people who surround him?
Miller: With his newfound lifestyle, Ryder comes into our story with the mindset that his extended family will have a lack of understanding of who he is. What he comes to find out is the lack of understanding is coming from him. After the the incident that occurs with Ryder and Molly, a stream of past issues with the family begin to reveal themselves, showing Ryder that there is more at stake here then he could of ever imagined.
- 2/5/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Anne Hathaway took "Song One" co-star Johnny Flynn under her wing to show him the ropes of filming a love scene.
"It's a closed set, so there's not all these production people around and…I've done a few of these now," she said of her seasoned experience. "It was Johnny's first one, so I was more concerned about, you know, about making sure he was comfortable, so being the pro that I am I brought the Jameson and we each did a whiskey shot before we did it and it didn't take that long and then it was good."
Copyright 2015 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
"It's a closed set, so there's not all these production people around and…I've done a few of these now," she said of her seasoned experience. "It was Johnny's first one, so I was more concerned about, you know, about making sure he was comfortable, so being the pro that I am I brought the Jameson and we each did a whiskey shot before we did it and it didn't take that long and then it was good."
Copyright 2015 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- 1/15/2015
- by access.hollywood@nbcuni.com (AccessHollywood.com Editorial Staff)
- Access Hollywood
We’re still playing catch-up after all of the Halloween celebrations, and we’re having a tough time with it. So far, Kevin will continue his Stalker coverage as well as covering for Gotham again this week. He’ll also add Grimm. I’ve got American Horror Story: Freak Show, Sleepy Hollow, and Resurrection still. Shawn will be posting a separate update with his updated coverage of Z-Nation, The Walking Dead, and more. Also, be on the lookout for a complete overhaul of the formatting of DEADtime TV.
Resurrection: “Old Scars” - Sunday, October 19 at 9 Pm
A Langston family reunion is the subject of “Old Scars,” bringing together both the alive and the returned for a feast reminiscent of Thanksgiving, especially with all of the family fights and glares across the table – and the wine is flowing too. Watching Resurrection week-to-week, it’s easy to forget that most of the...
Resurrection: “Old Scars” - Sunday, October 19 at 9 Pm
A Langston family reunion is the subject of “Old Scars,” bringing together both the alive and the returned for a feast reminiscent of Thanksgiving, especially with all of the family fights and glares across the table – and the wine is flowing too. Watching Resurrection week-to-week, it’s easy to forget that most of the...
- 11/10/2014
- by Ryne Barber
- The Liberal Dead
Snooki finally popped!The reality TV star and fiance Jionni Lavalle just welcomed their second child together Friday morning -- with the "Jersey Shore" alum sharing the news herself on Twitter."So happy to let you know we had our beautiful daughter this morning," announced Snooks. "Giovanna Marie Lavalle. 6.7 lbs, full head of black hair & perfect."Giovanna joins son Lorenzo. The baby news comes just one day after the new mama took to her blog to vent her frustrations with still being pregnant."Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," she wrote. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue." "I'm at that point where I can't move,...
- 9/26/2014
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
Nicole Polizzi, Aka Snooki's bun meatball in the oven is pretty much cooked!
The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."
As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water...
The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."
As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water...
- 9/26/2014
- icelebz.com
Nicole Polizzi, Aka Snooki's bun meatball in the oven is pretty much cooked!
The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."
As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water...
The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."
As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water...
- 9/26/2014
- icelebz.com
Nicole Polizzi, Aka Snooki's bun meatball in the oven is pretty much cooked!
The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."
As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water...
The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."
As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water...
- 9/26/2014
- icelebz.com
Snooki has had it with being pregnant!The pint-sized reality star, who's expecting her second child with fiance Jionni Lavalle, took to her blog on Thursday to express her frustration. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," she wrote. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue."As her due date approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I can't move, I can't sleep, I'm waking up 20 times throughout the night, rolling out of bed, waddling to the bathroom and praying that my mucus plug falls out and my water breaks and I'm just ready to go at this point," she continued.
- 9/25/2014
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
Snooki's bun meatball in the oven is pretty much cooked! The 26-year-old MTV reality star is awaiting the imminent arrival of her second child with her fiancé, Jionni Lavalle. "Guess what, I'm still freaking pregnant. Omg! I can't deal with this anymore," Snooki informed fans via her Celebuzz blog Thursday. "I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever. This time when I was pregnant with [my 13-month-old son] Lorenzo, I had already given birth so I'm already a step behind. I gave birth to Lorenzo two weeks and two days early! I feel like I am I going to be overdue." As the end of her third trimester approaches, she's getting antsy. "I'm at that point where I...
- 9/25/2014
- E! Online
Over the weekend, leaked photos seemed to indicate that Liam Payne was involved in a gay affair, however the One Direction singer insists the snapshots are fake.
In a new Twitter rant, Payne confirmed that he’s not gay and that he’s also not homophobic, trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Liam explained, "Wow as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me lol think I’d rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that.”
"I'm 100% not homophobic. But I'm also 100% not gay so when somebody says I am I'm gunna say I'm not which does not make me a homophobe."...
In a new Twitter rant, Payne confirmed that he’s not gay and that he’s also not homophobic, trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Liam explained, "Wow as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me lol think I’d rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that.”
"I'm 100% not homophobic. But I'm also 100% not gay so when somebody says I am I'm gunna say I'm not which does not make me a homophobe."...
- 9/22/2014
- GossipCenter
Liam Payne of One Direction is one of the latest celebrities targeted in a nude picture hoax.
Liam Payne Responds To Nude Picture Leak
Payne has claimed that the pictures purported to be of him are fake. On Twitter, Payne shut down the possibility that the pictures were of him, seeming somewhat incredulous that people would believe that it was him in the compromising picture with another man in the background.
"Wow as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me lol,” Payne tweeted, adding, “Think id rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that."
Wow as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me lol think id rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that...
Liam Payne Responds To Nude Picture Leak
Payne has claimed that the pictures purported to be of him are fake. On Twitter, Payne shut down the possibility that the pictures were of him, seeming somewhat incredulous that people would believe that it was him in the compromising picture with another man in the background.
"Wow as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me lol,” Payne tweeted, adding, “Think id rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that."
Wow as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me lol think id rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that...
- 9/22/2014
- Uinterview
It was a busy week, and we covered The Fault in Our Stars, which probably needed no introduction, the Critics Choice Television Awards, and a few indie gems that had limited releases – I Am I, We Are The Best!, and Obvious Child. If nothing else, you owe it to yourself to get some exposure to those indie films.
The Fault in Our Stars surprised us more than any film in at least a year, earning not only high marks, but marks far higher than we would have guessed. Shailene Woodley continues to surprise us, and though I did have a few problems with certain elements of the screenplay, the boldly honest and realistic storytelling blew us away. We went in thinking we were probably going to get something like a supercharged Lifetime movie, and instead we had so much fun with the characters that we left shaking our heads.
We...
The Fault in Our Stars surprised us more than any film in at least a year, earning not only high marks, but marks far higher than we would have guessed. Shailene Woodley continues to surprise us, and though I did have a few problems with certain elements of the screenplay, the boldly honest and realistic storytelling blew us away. We went in thinking we were probably going to get something like a supercharged Lifetime movie, and instead we had so much fun with the characters that we left shaking our heads.
We...
- 9/3/2014
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Jocelyn Towne is the latest actor to wear a number of different hats on a movie with her new feature film, I Am I. Not only did she write, executive produce and direct, but she also stars in the movie as Rachael, a young woman mourning the death of her mother when she becomes reacquainted with her estranged father, Gene (played by Kevin Tighe).
Rachael wants to get to know him better, but she soon realizes that her father is suffering from memory loss and is convinced that Rachael is actually his wife/her mother. After trying and failing to make him remember who she really is, Rachael decides to play along with her father’s delusions and pretends to be her mother in order to get to know him better. But what starts off as a joyful reunion soon becomes a race against time as Rachael comes to see...
Rachael wants to get to know him better, but she soon realizes that her father is suffering from memory loss and is convinced that Rachael is actually his wife/her mother. After trying and failing to make him remember who she really is, Rachael decides to play along with her father’s delusions and pretends to be her mother in order to get to know him better. But what starts off as a joyful reunion soon becomes a race against time as Rachael comes to see...
- 7/8/2014
- by Ben Kenber
- We Got This Covered
The Hollywood baby boom is getting bigger, thanks to Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg! The actor and his wife, Jocelyn Towne, have welcomed their second child, Helberg's rep tells E! News. The couple have kept quiet about son Wilder Towne Helberg's birth for months—he was born Apr. 23! The couple first shared their baby news news during a Reddit Q&A on June 12. At the time, the duo described themselves as "married working filmmakers who made 2 babies and 2 films in the last 2 years." Helberg and Towne first became parents in May 2012 when Towne birthed a daughter, Adeline. The pair most recently worked together on the movie I Am I, which Towne wrote, starred in, executive produced...
- 6/25/2014
- E! Online
Jocelyn Towne’s directorial debut “I Am I” has the greatest intentions in the world, but thanks in large part to a hollow concept, the surface peels off quickly and reveals an emotionally vacant core. It’s worth noting how enticing that surface actually is, with the trailer doing a great job of inviting you into an intimate story of father-daughter bonding, which looks to be just sweet enough to dilute the familiar toxicity of Hollywood’s formulas. And something about Towne’s screen presence, which gives off an offbeat quirky vibe similar to Lisa Kudrow on a quiet day, contrasting against Kevin Tighe’s kindly, oblivious old man, makes the delicate evolution of the central relationship endearing to behold. Anyone who has an estranged relationship with one or both of their parents can easily relate to the emotional jolts experienced by the central character, and the situation she’s...
- 6/17/2014
- by Nikola Grozdanovic
- The Playlist
Written and directed by Jocelyn Towne, the moving I Am I presents a refreshing spin on both the amnesia and daddy issues genres.
On the occasion of her mother Sarah's funeral, Rachel (Towne) discovers that her long-lost father, Gene (Kevin Tighe), is alive, in an assisted living home, and is an amnesiac who believes that it's 1979 and that he's still the young man who abandoned his family.
When Gene refuses to believe that Rachel is not actually Sarah, Rachel goes with it, dressing and role-playing as her 1970s-era mother in order to get to know her father.
I Am I is a remarkably assured debut for director Towne, especially since she's onscreen the majority of the time, and her script eschews the rules of the standard Hollywood amnesia plot, ins...
On the occasion of her mother Sarah's funeral, Rachel (Towne) discovers that her long-lost father, Gene (Kevin Tighe), is alive, in an assisted living home, and is an amnesiac who believes that it's 1979 and that he's still the young man who abandoned his family.
When Gene refuses to believe that Rachel is not actually Sarah, Rachel goes with it, dressing and role-playing as her 1970s-era mother in order to get to know her father.
I Am I is a remarkably assured debut for director Towne, especially since she's onscreen the majority of the time, and her script eschews the rules of the standard Hollywood amnesia plot, ins...
- 6/11/2014
- Village Voice
Sometimes there’s a little bit of legwork involved in being a Jason Ritter fan. With a career that’s toggled between interesting character roles in limited-release movies (2005’s Happy Endings, 2008’s Good Dick) and bigger parts in short-lived TV shows (Joan of Arcadia, The Class, The Event), his always-nuanced performances can often prove hard to catch. That changes today with the Vimeo On Demand release of I Am I, a Kickstarter-funded movie about a woman posing as her recently deceased mother in order to get to know her long-lost father, who is suffering from memory loss. The actor co-stars with Jocelyn Towne, who also wrote and directed the film, and her husband The Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg, who has been a friend of Ritter’s since high school. Next week will see the release of The Big Ask, another indie Ritter shot with a cast of TV thespians,...
- 5/13/2014
- by Rose Maura Lorre
- Vulture
Justin Tranter may have known who he was meant to be since the age of 14, but the music of Semi Precious Weapons is still catching up with his creative vision. Evolving from an underground glam rock sound to sing-a-long alternative rock, the edgy four-member band released their third album Aviation last week in debut style, re-introducing themselves to fans.
After a packed house album release last week at Hollywood’s swanky Sayer’s Club (which Tranter describes as “a secret club with the best sound in the world”), Semi Precious Weapons played an Alt 98.7 rooftop private listening party for contest winners at La’s Sunset Towers this past Wednesday.
If you were there, here’s what you would have seen…
Coming out on stage to chat with radio personality Trey Morgan, lead singer Justin Tranter tells the crowd how it came to be that Semi Precious Weapons opened for Lady Gaga...
After a packed house album release last week at Hollywood’s swanky Sayer’s Club (which Tranter describes as “a secret club with the best sound in the world”), Semi Precious Weapons played an Alt 98.7 rooftop private listening party for contest winners at La’s Sunset Towers this past Wednesday.
If you were there, here’s what you would have seen…
Coming out on stage to chat with radio personality Trey Morgan, lead singer Justin Tranter tells the crowd how it came to be that Semi Precious Weapons opened for Lady Gaga...
- 4/29/2014
- by Nicole Hanratty
- The Backlot
Chairman and CEO Charles S Cohen announced (17) that the company has picked up North American and English-language remake rights to the French thriller.
Eric Barbier directed Berenice Bejo, Yvan Attal and Jean-Francois Stévenin in The Last Diamond (Le Dernier Diamant), the French Vertigo Productions thriller about a jewel thief who befriends a gem expert in the run-up to a significant auction.
Cohen Media Group evp John Kochman brokered the deal with agency Other Angle Pictures head of sales Olivier Albou and anticipates an early 2015 Us theatrical release.
The film is set to receive its international premiere at Colcoa in Los Angeles on April 25 and opens in France at the end of the month.
Cohen recently partnered with Dreamworks Studios on the remake of French thriller The Prey, which Charles Cohen is producing.
Anchor Bay Films has secured North American rights to Distant Horizon’s live action adaption of Yasuomi Umetsu’s anime revenge story Kite starring [link=nm...
Eric Barbier directed Berenice Bejo, Yvan Attal and Jean-Francois Stévenin in The Last Diamond (Le Dernier Diamant), the French Vertigo Productions thriller about a jewel thief who befriends a gem expert in the run-up to a significant auction.
Cohen Media Group evp John Kochman brokered the deal with agency Other Angle Pictures head of sales Olivier Albou and anticipates an early 2015 Us theatrical release.
The film is set to receive its international premiere at Colcoa in Los Angeles on April 25 and opens in France at the end of the month.
Cohen recently partnered with Dreamworks Studios on the remake of French thriller The Prey, which Charles Cohen is producing.
Anchor Bay Films has secured North American rights to Distant Horizon’s live action adaption of Yasuomi Umetsu’s anime revenge story Kite starring [link=nm...
- 4/17/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The former James Bond on new film A Long Way Down, talking to strangers at bus stops and his admiration for Richard Madeley
Hello, Pierce. Are you at home in Hawaii?
No, I'm in Paris.
Your character in A Long Way Down, Martin Sharp, asks the others (1) what their three wishes would be. How about yours?
I would wish for a healthier planet. A cure for cancer. Let me see … ooh, a fuller bank account. That's alright, isn't it?
Sure! So do you share any of Martin's feelings towards fame (2)?
No – I'm not as narcissistic or idiotic, thank God. I do understand where he's coming from: fame is a very seductive thing, and it can turn around and bite you on the ass as quickly as walk in the door. Martin is a kind of lost soul. I don't think he was a very good actor or talkshow host; he...
Hello, Pierce. Are you at home in Hawaii?
No, I'm in Paris.
Your character in A Long Way Down, Martin Sharp, asks the others (1) what their three wishes would be. How about yours?
I would wish for a healthier planet. A cure for cancer. Let me see … ooh, a fuller bank account. That's alright, isn't it?
Sure! So do you share any of Martin's feelings towards fame (2)?
No – I'm not as narcissistic or idiotic, thank God. I do understand where he's coming from: fame is a very seductive thing, and it can turn around and bite you on the ass as quickly as walk in the door. Martin is a kind of lost soul. I don't think he was a very good actor or talkshow host; he...
- 3/19/2014
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
She’s been plugging her new Wrapped in Red Christmas album, and Kelly Clarkson stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to talk about her experience as a mom-to-be.
The “My Life Would Suck Without You” singer began, "Oh my god, like it is so upsetting! When I ask women ... they're like, 'Oh ...going to love this.' And I'm like, 'Oh were you sick ... and they're like, 'No.' And I want to like hit all of them with my car. I vomit a good dozen times a day. It's, like ,bad. Like, I vomited before coming out here..."
Kelly continued, "I'm not even kidding it's so bad. It's so bad. I know, it's like so gross. And that's the thing, too, you're not attractive when you're pregnant. Like everybody tells you, you glow and you're hair is pretty and your nails are pretty. That is total crap. My nails are short,...
The “My Life Would Suck Without You” singer began, "Oh my god, like it is so upsetting! When I ask women ... they're like, 'Oh ...going to love this.' And I'm like, 'Oh were you sick ... and they're like, 'No.' And I want to like hit all of them with my car. I vomit a good dozen times a day. It's, like ,bad. Like, I vomited before coming out here..."
Kelly continued, "I'm not even kidding it's so bad. It's so bad. I know, it's like so gross. And that's the thing, too, you're not attractive when you're pregnant. Like everybody tells you, you glow and you're hair is pretty and your nails are pretty. That is total crap. My nails are short,...
- 12/6/2013
- GossipCenter
When we look back at Em’s career, we know that he’s notable for constantly making fun of other celebs. So it’s not surprising that in his new song, ‘Evil Dead,’ he dropped a line about the Biebs.
Eminem‘s new record, MMLP2, is already a fan favorite — but is he dissing Justin Bieber on a new track? The rapper makes fun of everyone from Casey Anthony to Britney Spears in the new song, “Evil Twin” — and yes, he mentions the Believe singer.
Eminem’s ‘Evil Twin’ Disses — Did He Bash Justin Bieber?
It looks like Eminem is actually taking the high road! He explains in the new song, that he’s bummed there aren’t any boy bands to make fun of anymore (apparently he’s unaware of One Direction).
So, he straight out asks:
So who’s left? Lady Gaga? Messed with the Bieber? Nah.
It...
Eminem‘s new record, MMLP2, is already a fan favorite — but is he dissing Justin Bieber on a new track? The rapper makes fun of everyone from Casey Anthony to Britney Spears in the new song, “Evil Twin” — and yes, he mentions the Believe singer.
Eminem’s ‘Evil Twin’ Disses — Did He Bash Justin Bieber?
It looks like Eminem is actually taking the high road! He explains in the new song, that he’s bummed there aren’t any boy bands to make fun of anymore (apparently he’s unaware of One Direction).
So, he straight out asks:
So who’s left? Lady Gaga? Messed with the Bieber? Nah.
It...
- 11/4/2013
- by Emily Longeretta
- HollywoodLife
My only instruction going into my day as an extra on ABC’s Scandal was to make my best attempt at dressing like a member of the White House press corps. Having worked on Capitol Hill for a summer about six years ago, I didn’t stress too much about the instruction . I got this, I thought.
That is, until I looked at my closet the day I was scheduled to report to set and realized that in the course of my many moves since leaving D.C., I had purged all remnants of my ill-fitting Ann Taylor Loft business...
That is, until I looked at my closet the day I was scheduled to report to set and realized that in the course of my many moves since leaving D.C., I had purged all remnants of my ill-fitting Ann Taylor Loft business...
- 10/10/2013
- by Sandra Gonzalez
- EW.com - PopWatch
Justin just released his new song, ‘Heartbreaker,’ — and also tweeted a message along with it, admitting he’s still going through a hard time after his breakup with Selena Gomez! What did he reveal to his fans?
Justin Bieber,19, is still missing Selena Gomez, 21! Even though the two don’t talk anymore, it doesn’t mean that Selena isn’t on Justin’s mind! What did he say about his own emotions during the “Heartbreaker” release?
Justin Bieber Still Isn’t Over Selena Gomez
Justin tweeted a message displayed on iTunes Oct. 7 that he wrote to his fans about his thought process for “Heartbreaker.”
He wrote, “It’s a song for people going through heartbreak — like I was when I wrote it. It means so much to me to be able to share what I was, and still am going through, with my fans. I’m very proud of this...
Justin Bieber,19, is still missing Selena Gomez, 21! Even though the two don’t talk anymore, it doesn’t mean that Selena isn’t on Justin’s mind! What did he say about his own emotions during the “Heartbreaker” release?
Justin Bieber Still Isn’t Over Selena Gomez
Justin tweeted a message displayed on iTunes Oct. 7 that he wrote to his fans about his thought process for “Heartbreaker.”
He wrote, “It’s a song for people going through heartbreak — like I was when I wrote it. It means so much to me to be able to share what I was, and still am going through, with my fans. I’m very proud of this...
- 10/7/2013
- by Ivy Jacobson
- HollywoodLife
Justin Bieber recently released his newest single, "Heartbreaker," and Selena Gomez may want to take a listen. The romantic slow jam, which Justin says is a mark of his new, more mature sound, is about a man trying to get his ex-girlfriend back. Justin has publicly admitted that the song is inspired by his on-again, off-again romance with Selena Gomez, writing, "It's a song for people going through heartbreak - like I was when I wrote it. It means so much to me to be able to share what I was, and still am going through, with my fans. I'm very proud of this song and I hope it gives my fans some insight into my heart." The song includes deeply personal lyrics, with Justin singing, "Despite of all the imperfections of who I am I still wanna/ Be your man" and, "This is personal, this is for me and...
- 10/7/2013
- by Maria Mercedes Lara
- Popsugar.com
The day has finally come! After waiting for what felt like forever, Justin, 19, finally released his new single, ‘Heartbreaker’ on Oct. 7. Let’s just say it’s nice to have Justin’s music back in our lives. Listen to the song below!
We started hearing about Justin Bieber’s new single, “Heartbreaker,” in early June 2013 when he first started tweeting about it. More than four months later, we can finally listen to it.
Justin Bieber Releases ‘Heartbreaker’
“Heartbreaker” is super sexy! The sultry, seductive song is chill, and a far cry from Justin’s younger material. This jam is mature — and clearly expresses Bieb’s emotions over a certain heartbreaker in his life!
So is this new single — which we already have playing on repeat — about Selena Gomez, 21? The lyrics definitely suggest he’s singing about someone he’s very close to, and the way he expresses his desire for...
We started hearing about Justin Bieber’s new single, “Heartbreaker,” in early June 2013 when he first started tweeting about it. More than four months later, we can finally listen to it.
Justin Bieber Releases ‘Heartbreaker’
“Heartbreaker” is super sexy! The sultry, seductive song is chill, and a far cry from Justin’s younger material. This jam is mature — and clearly expresses Bieb’s emotions over a certain heartbreaker in his life!
So is this new single — which we already have playing on repeat — about Selena Gomez, 21? The lyrics definitely suggest he’s singing about someone he’s very close to, and the way he expresses his desire for...
- 10/7/2013
- by Andrew Gruttadaro
- HollywoodLife
Heading Down Under to promote some stylish handbags, Olivia Palermo made an in-store appearance for Coach at Chatswood Chase Shopping Centre in Sydney, Australia on Friday (August 30).
The former reality star looked chic in a crisp white short-sleeved dress with a gold necklace and colorful heels as she posed for pics.
Just the day before, the 27-year-old fashion fiend headed to the "Morning Show," where she chatted with the Aussie hosts about her take on style.
In the interview, Olivia was asked where she got her inspiration, to which she replied, "I get inspiration through seeing stylish girls on the street throughout my travels. I love seeing street style. It could be a Damien Hirst painting, it could be architecture, it's a little bit everywhere I am I sort of get inspiration. Color, I find, is very important in everyday."...
The former reality star looked chic in a crisp white short-sleeved dress with a gold necklace and colorful heels as she posed for pics.
Just the day before, the 27-year-old fashion fiend headed to the "Morning Show," where she chatted with the Aussie hosts about her take on style.
In the interview, Olivia was asked where she got her inspiration, to which she replied, "I get inspiration through seeing stylish girls on the street throughout my travels. I love seeing street style. It could be a Damien Hirst painting, it could be architecture, it's a little bit everywhere I am I sort of get inspiration. Color, I find, is very important in everyday."...
- 9/1/2013
- GossipCenter
So begins my interview with Sophie Dulac, President of the Champs Élysées Film Festival, film distributor, exhibitor and producer. The first edition of the Festival, co-presided by actors Lambert Wilson and Michael Madsen reached an audience of 15,000 people in Paris, June 6 – 12, 2012.
"And I work with another real blond and her name is Isabelle” [Svanda, General Manager], she adds.
Champs Elysees Film Festival
We are sitting in the outdoor restaurant of Fouquet’s Barriere Hotel, Paris. Also with us are Astrid de Beauregard who has handled all the 50 industry-ites converging on the festival to view four well curated U.S. indie films for the second edition of U.S. in Progress. Maxine Leonard, the festival's publicist and Matthew Akers, the director and cinematographer of Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present are also present. Little did I know he was going to win the Audience Prize for a feature length film from the U.S.
The Festival ended for me with current French resident, with white hair and beard, Donald Sutherland presenting Klute by Alan J. Pakula and starring Jane Fonda, and then giving a A Hollywood Conversation in his American accented but fluent French in a good humored atmosphere. I could write an entire blog on what that film and all that he and Jane meant to me at the very beginning of my career in the film business, but I won’t do that here. He was subsequently post-film appointed Commandeur des Arts & Lettres by Frédéric Mitterrand.
My interview with Sophie is the summit of my experience so far as a "blogger". After all I am not a journalist, nor do I pal around with the glitterati or the “elite” folks in the film business. I knew I was entering a rare atmosphere strolling everyday along the Rue de Montaigne to the Champs Elysees. And now, I was going to talk to the granddaughter of one of France's most illustrious citizens. (and no slouch herself! What a truly lovely, amazing woman!!)
U.S. in Progress
The night before, we, the jury of 9, presented the winners of the 2nd edition of U.S. in Progress with their prizes of post production services. First Prize went to a film worthy of a Cannes slot in Un Certain Regard or Fortnight or Critics Week, A Teacher by Hannah Fidell ♀, whose about-to-turn-thirty protagonist is forced to acknowledge her sin of having an affair with a student. The film's affect upon us women was overwhelmingly cathartic. Receiving an Honorable Mention, I Am I, a Sundance-worthy film, well executed very interesting story, well acted by the extremely professional first-time director Joceyln Towne ♀ with additional casting by Ronnie Yeskel ♀, one of the top indie film casting agents. Julie Bergeron, one of the nine-member jury loved Desert Cathedral, a man's quest for peace after an increasing estrangement from his life. She liked its combination of documentary depiction of the desert and the fictional story about a contemporary and universal dilemma faced by too many people today. I want to see more of the three actors, Lee Tergesen is a young and handsome William Macy type and Chaske Spencer, a charismatic First Nation descendant of Lakota (Sioux) Nation, and Petra Wright. The fourth film Michael Bartlett's House Of Last Things is Bonnie Darko meets Twin Peaks, a paean to the Maestro, David Lynch. More than 50 distributors and sales agent watched these films with us.
As part of the selection, the winner of U.S. in Progress from the 1st edition in Wroclaw, Poland last November, Not Waving But Drowning directed by Devyn Waitt and produced by Nicole Emanuele was also showing and Nicole was accompanied by the star, her boyfriend Steven Farneth from Cinetic, the godmother of the movie and other "family" members. Nicole is now working with Google and YouTube in Content Partnerships, Film/ TV while contemplating her next moves in the business.
Created by Sophie Dulac, the Festival programmed some 50 films enabling Parisian audiences to discover the variety of productions available from France and the United States, in the 5 cinema theaters of the Champs Elysees, the most beautiful avenue in the world: the normally rival cinemas Le Balzac and Le Lincoln, the rivals Gaumont Champs-Elysées and Ugc George V, and the Publicis Cinéma.
This success was thanks to an inquiring public which appreciated the simplicity of organization, the fact that projections started on time, and also the quality of programming, with a special heartfelt interest for the 10 independent films from the U.S. in the official selection.
What Makes Sophie Run?
One night at an extraordinary dinner at the Renault Restaurant on the Champs Elysees, where we sat with Julie Bergeron (of Cannes Marche prominence), Pascal Diot (former Paris based sales agent and now organizer in chief of both Venice and Dubai Ff’s Markets), Adeline Monzier (founder of U.S. in Progress and Europa Distribution), and Producer Christophe Bruncher (whose latest film, If We All Lived Together stars Jane Fonda), I learned about Sophie’s grandfather, Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet,who founded Publicis in 1926 and in effect, invented modern advertising in much the same way that Lucien Barriere invented the resort and the casino. Today Publicis is a French multinational advertising and communications company, headquartered in Paris, France and one of the world's three largest advertising holding companies holding among others, Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett Worldwide. The company conducts its operations in over 200 cities in 104 countries and has a strategic alliance with Dentsu, Inc. He began it as a young man and the Nazis confiscated it as Jewish property. He fled and fought with The Free French...and worked in the Resistance under the name of Blanchet. When he returned to France, he got back his advertising agency and continued doing the sort of pioneering work he loved the best. He also added Blanchet onto his surname. Publicis' current president is Maurice Lévy who was just in the news for having called for higher taxes on the wealthy and now objecting to France’s new President's pledging that he would tax the rich 75% of their income. Read more about the company here.
One more boast about this family: One of Bleustein-Blanchet’s daughters was a legislator and is responsible for abolishing capital punishment in France.
Aside from being totally impressed by all I was hearing, I was beginning to see what informed the personality of the festival and of Sophie herself who was there and everywhere, meeting and mixing with us all. As Maxine said, in effect, Sophie is a mensch. She is the real thing, feet planted firmly on the ground and real. And yet she seems so idealistic in the choices she makes. To this remark of mine, she responded, that in fact, she is very pragmatic, but one must take pleasure in life.
Her grandfather and grandmother raised her and her brother and half brother after their 27 year old mother died in an automobile accident. Sophie was eight years old at the time.
Her grandfather told her that when he began Publicis as a teenager, he never thought about the money he might make. He did it for pleasure. He thought of how best to do what he loved to do the most. For her too, life is about innovation and being happy. She hopes that in ten years the festival and her film business will continue to inspire and motivate her.
Sophie has three children and she tells them to do whatever they want as she would advise everyone: Do what is inside of you, even if it is not what you end up doing. It will make you a better person. Her first son, whom she had when she was 17 and who is now 24, lived one year in Australia and another year in Canada. He is now working with her at the festival. Her 22 year old daughter whom she had when she was 19, lives in London, and the 19 year old, following in his brother’s footsteps, is spending a year in Australia, alone and exploring on his own.
If she succeeds in the movie business, it is because she was not born into films. She has been in the business of Arthouse film production, distribution and exhibition for ten years. Before that she was a practicing psycho graphologist, counseling people from 16 to 60 years old, male and female. You can know a person totally through the handwriting she says. She also did a stint in PR which she hated, before going into film. Her father was a writer and told her to read and so she can talk of many things, not only of business. At the end of the day, she closes her door and business does not exist (unless of course there is a problem at one of her theaters which she does drop in on on Sundays when she is not expected.) She has no scripts at home and does not watch movies for work at home. She has a well rounded education and is proud not to be 100% business.
Today she is also a sort of guardian of Israeli films in France as well. She even wears a small gold Jewish star.
Film Career
She began her film career in 2003 producing a documentary DÉCryptage which examined the French media coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflictand concludes that the media's presentation of the Arab–Israeli conflict in France is consistently skewed against Israel and may be responsible for exacerbating anti-semitism. That documentary was very successful in France, drawing some 300,000 viewers and it caught the attention of Israeli filmmakers.
Famed Israeli actress Ronit Elkabetz, ♀a friend of hers, suggested she help her produce a film she wrote and wanted to direct and she agreed to make Rendre Femme (aka To Take A Wife ♀ produced by Marek Rozenbaum. When Ronit asked her to produce The Band’S Visit, she did not know what to make of the script. But when she saw the footage, she recognized its great potential and stepped in as producer. Unfortunately it could not qualify for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film because it was filmed in Hebrew, Egyptian and English. She went on to produce My Father My Lord an implicit critique of ultra-Orthodox dogma by a filmmaker who grew up in a Hasidic community but abandoned it when he was 25 to study film.
Sophie produces other world films, including her second American film Benny And The Kids (Go Get Some Rosemary), Argentina’s Little Sky and The Camera Obscura both by Maria Victoria Menis ♀ and others including French films like the upcoming film by Jacques Douvenne.
In Cannes this year, she acquired Room 514 (Isa: Docs & Film) de Sharon Bar-Ziv ♀ which played in l'Acid in Cannes and Les Voisins De Dieu (God’S Neighbors) (Isa: Rezo) de Meni Yaesh which played in La Semaine de la Critique in Cannes as well as Directors’ Fortnight entry Le Repenti and Bence Fliegauf’s Berlin competition entry Just The Wind.
She sees festivals as a place where people can discover new films. Theaters need new ideas, directors, and distributors can take risks only if they own theaters. The triangle of festivals, distributors and exhibitors are complimentary and she finds that having all three allows her to keep selected films longer in theaters or allows for changing theaters (she owns 5 theaters including the famous St. Germain arthouse Harlequin). She recognizes that France has so many subsidies for production and distribution – 12 to 15 new films are released every week – and that gives her films more of a chance to succeed as well.
France also has, after 3 years of discussion, finally, in one year made all its theaters digital. The cost to convert is 1 million Euros. 30% of that is paid by Cnc, the government fund made up of a percentage of box office receipts. The digital norm is 2K and the Vpf (Virtual Print Fee is 5,000 Euros. All distributors must pay this first the first time showing for 4 weeks and then, there are not more VPFs.
When she asks Americans for DCPs, she is surprised to learn that they don’t have them. Even Harvey Weinstein who had a retrospective at the Festival did not have digital prints and he said that to use Blu-Ray or HD was all right with him.
Why Harvey?
Everyone loves a good Harvey story. We had heard that he did not want to travel and I was curious how she had such good luck to get him to Paris. Apparently he flew in, appeared, and flew out again.
“The opening night, with the tribute paid to American producer Harvey Weinstein who accepted, with modesty and as a film enthusiast, a trophy was presented by Sophie Dulac, in the presence of VIP guests: Virginie Ledoyen, Deborah François, Audrey Dana, Thomas Langmann, Olivier Nackache and Eric Toledan.”
What he said at this opening event was that Sophie’s brother is the godfather of his son. And when the Godfather makes a request, he cannot refuse to honor it.
So ended my interview with Sophie. As we all struck out to continue the day, Matthew Akers of Marina Abramovic said, “See you in Sarajevo”. And Sophie responded, “How chic!”...
"And I work with another real blond and her name is Isabelle” [Svanda, General Manager], she adds.
Champs Elysees Film Festival
We are sitting in the outdoor restaurant of Fouquet’s Barriere Hotel, Paris. Also with us are Astrid de Beauregard who has handled all the 50 industry-ites converging on the festival to view four well curated U.S. indie films for the second edition of U.S. in Progress. Maxine Leonard, the festival's publicist and Matthew Akers, the director and cinematographer of Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present are also present. Little did I know he was going to win the Audience Prize for a feature length film from the U.S.
The Festival ended for me with current French resident, with white hair and beard, Donald Sutherland presenting Klute by Alan J. Pakula and starring Jane Fonda, and then giving a A Hollywood Conversation in his American accented but fluent French in a good humored atmosphere. I could write an entire blog on what that film and all that he and Jane meant to me at the very beginning of my career in the film business, but I won’t do that here. He was subsequently post-film appointed Commandeur des Arts & Lettres by Frédéric Mitterrand.
My interview with Sophie is the summit of my experience so far as a "blogger". After all I am not a journalist, nor do I pal around with the glitterati or the “elite” folks in the film business. I knew I was entering a rare atmosphere strolling everyday along the Rue de Montaigne to the Champs Elysees. And now, I was going to talk to the granddaughter of one of France's most illustrious citizens. (and no slouch herself! What a truly lovely, amazing woman!!)
U.S. in Progress
The night before, we, the jury of 9, presented the winners of the 2nd edition of U.S. in Progress with their prizes of post production services. First Prize went to a film worthy of a Cannes slot in Un Certain Regard or Fortnight or Critics Week, A Teacher by Hannah Fidell ♀, whose about-to-turn-thirty protagonist is forced to acknowledge her sin of having an affair with a student. The film's affect upon us women was overwhelmingly cathartic. Receiving an Honorable Mention, I Am I, a Sundance-worthy film, well executed very interesting story, well acted by the extremely professional first-time director Joceyln Towne ♀ with additional casting by Ronnie Yeskel ♀, one of the top indie film casting agents. Julie Bergeron, one of the nine-member jury loved Desert Cathedral, a man's quest for peace after an increasing estrangement from his life. She liked its combination of documentary depiction of the desert and the fictional story about a contemporary and universal dilemma faced by too many people today. I want to see more of the three actors, Lee Tergesen is a young and handsome William Macy type and Chaske Spencer, a charismatic First Nation descendant of Lakota (Sioux) Nation, and Petra Wright. The fourth film Michael Bartlett's House Of Last Things is Bonnie Darko meets Twin Peaks, a paean to the Maestro, David Lynch. More than 50 distributors and sales agent watched these films with us.
As part of the selection, the winner of U.S. in Progress from the 1st edition in Wroclaw, Poland last November, Not Waving But Drowning directed by Devyn Waitt and produced by Nicole Emanuele was also showing and Nicole was accompanied by the star, her boyfriend Steven Farneth from Cinetic, the godmother of the movie and other "family" members. Nicole is now working with Google and YouTube in Content Partnerships, Film/ TV while contemplating her next moves in the business.
Created by Sophie Dulac, the Festival programmed some 50 films enabling Parisian audiences to discover the variety of productions available from France and the United States, in the 5 cinema theaters of the Champs Elysees, the most beautiful avenue in the world: the normally rival cinemas Le Balzac and Le Lincoln, the rivals Gaumont Champs-Elysées and Ugc George V, and the Publicis Cinéma.
This success was thanks to an inquiring public which appreciated the simplicity of organization, the fact that projections started on time, and also the quality of programming, with a special heartfelt interest for the 10 independent films from the U.S. in the official selection.
What Makes Sophie Run?
One night at an extraordinary dinner at the Renault Restaurant on the Champs Elysees, where we sat with Julie Bergeron (of Cannes Marche prominence), Pascal Diot (former Paris based sales agent and now organizer in chief of both Venice and Dubai Ff’s Markets), Adeline Monzier (founder of U.S. in Progress and Europa Distribution), and Producer Christophe Bruncher (whose latest film, If We All Lived Together stars Jane Fonda), I learned about Sophie’s grandfather, Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet,who founded Publicis in 1926 and in effect, invented modern advertising in much the same way that Lucien Barriere invented the resort and the casino. Today Publicis is a French multinational advertising and communications company, headquartered in Paris, France and one of the world's three largest advertising holding companies holding among others, Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett Worldwide. The company conducts its operations in over 200 cities in 104 countries and has a strategic alliance with Dentsu, Inc. He began it as a young man and the Nazis confiscated it as Jewish property. He fled and fought with The Free French...and worked in the Resistance under the name of Blanchet. When he returned to France, he got back his advertising agency and continued doing the sort of pioneering work he loved the best. He also added Blanchet onto his surname. Publicis' current president is Maurice Lévy who was just in the news for having called for higher taxes on the wealthy and now objecting to France’s new President's pledging that he would tax the rich 75% of their income. Read more about the company here.
One more boast about this family: One of Bleustein-Blanchet’s daughters was a legislator and is responsible for abolishing capital punishment in France.
Aside from being totally impressed by all I was hearing, I was beginning to see what informed the personality of the festival and of Sophie herself who was there and everywhere, meeting and mixing with us all. As Maxine said, in effect, Sophie is a mensch. She is the real thing, feet planted firmly on the ground and real. And yet she seems so idealistic in the choices she makes. To this remark of mine, she responded, that in fact, she is very pragmatic, but one must take pleasure in life.
Her grandfather and grandmother raised her and her brother and half brother after their 27 year old mother died in an automobile accident. Sophie was eight years old at the time.
Her grandfather told her that when he began Publicis as a teenager, he never thought about the money he might make. He did it for pleasure. He thought of how best to do what he loved to do the most. For her too, life is about innovation and being happy. She hopes that in ten years the festival and her film business will continue to inspire and motivate her.
Sophie has three children and she tells them to do whatever they want as she would advise everyone: Do what is inside of you, even if it is not what you end up doing. It will make you a better person. Her first son, whom she had when she was 17 and who is now 24, lived one year in Australia and another year in Canada. He is now working with her at the festival. Her 22 year old daughter whom she had when she was 19, lives in London, and the 19 year old, following in his brother’s footsteps, is spending a year in Australia, alone and exploring on his own.
If she succeeds in the movie business, it is because she was not born into films. She has been in the business of Arthouse film production, distribution and exhibition for ten years. Before that she was a practicing psycho graphologist, counseling people from 16 to 60 years old, male and female. You can know a person totally through the handwriting she says. She also did a stint in PR which she hated, before going into film. Her father was a writer and told her to read and so she can talk of many things, not only of business. At the end of the day, she closes her door and business does not exist (unless of course there is a problem at one of her theaters which she does drop in on on Sundays when she is not expected.) She has no scripts at home and does not watch movies for work at home. She has a well rounded education and is proud not to be 100% business.
Today she is also a sort of guardian of Israeli films in France as well. She even wears a small gold Jewish star.
Film Career
She began her film career in 2003 producing a documentary DÉCryptage which examined the French media coverage of the Arab–Israeli conflictand concludes that the media's presentation of the Arab–Israeli conflict in France is consistently skewed against Israel and may be responsible for exacerbating anti-semitism. That documentary was very successful in France, drawing some 300,000 viewers and it caught the attention of Israeli filmmakers.
Famed Israeli actress Ronit Elkabetz, ♀a friend of hers, suggested she help her produce a film she wrote and wanted to direct and she agreed to make Rendre Femme (aka To Take A Wife ♀ produced by Marek Rozenbaum. When Ronit asked her to produce The Band’S Visit, she did not know what to make of the script. But when she saw the footage, she recognized its great potential and stepped in as producer. Unfortunately it could not qualify for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film because it was filmed in Hebrew, Egyptian and English. She went on to produce My Father My Lord an implicit critique of ultra-Orthodox dogma by a filmmaker who grew up in a Hasidic community but abandoned it when he was 25 to study film.
Sophie produces other world films, including her second American film Benny And The Kids (Go Get Some Rosemary), Argentina’s Little Sky and The Camera Obscura both by Maria Victoria Menis ♀ and others including French films like the upcoming film by Jacques Douvenne.
In Cannes this year, she acquired Room 514 (Isa: Docs & Film) de Sharon Bar-Ziv ♀ which played in l'Acid in Cannes and Les Voisins De Dieu (God’S Neighbors) (Isa: Rezo) de Meni Yaesh which played in La Semaine de la Critique in Cannes as well as Directors’ Fortnight entry Le Repenti and Bence Fliegauf’s Berlin competition entry Just The Wind.
She sees festivals as a place where people can discover new films. Theaters need new ideas, directors, and distributors can take risks only if they own theaters. The triangle of festivals, distributors and exhibitors are complimentary and she finds that having all three allows her to keep selected films longer in theaters or allows for changing theaters (she owns 5 theaters including the famous St. Germain arthouse Harlequin). She recognizes that France has so many subsidies for production and distribution – 12 to 15 new films are released every week – and that gives her films more of a chance to succeed as well.
France also has, after 3 years of discussion, finally, in one year made all its theaters digital. The cost to convert is 1 million Euros. 30% of that is paid by Cnc, the government fund made up of a percentage of box office receipts. The digital norm is 2K and the Vpf (Virtual Print Fee is 5,000 Euros. All distributors must pay this first the first time showing for 4 weeks and then, there are not more VPFs.
When she asks Americans for DCPs, she is surprised to learn that they don’t have them. Even Harvey Weinstein who had a retrospective at the Festival did not have digital prints and he said that to use Blu-Ray or HD was all right with him.
Why Harvey?
Everyone loves a good Harvey story. We had heard that he did not want to travel and I was curious how she had such good luck to get him to Paris. Apparently he flew in, appeared, and flew out again.
“The opening night, with the tribute paid to American producer Harvey Weinstein who accepted, with modesty and as a film enthusiast, a trophy was presented by Sophie Dulac, in the presence of VIP guests: Virginie Ledoyen, Deborah François, Audrey Dana, Thomas Langmann, Olivier Nackache and Eric Toledan.”
What he said at this opening event was that Sophie’s brother is the godfather of his son. And when the Godfather makes a request, he cannot refuse to honor it.
So ended my interview with Sophie. As we all struck out to continue the day, Matthew Akers of Marina Abramovic said, “See you in Sarajevo”. And Sophie responded, “How chic!”...
- 6/19/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Drake Doremus‘ Sundance Grand Prize winner Like Crazy will be the opening night film for the 7th annual Film Independent Forum, according to the non-profit.
Taking place Oct. 21-23 at the Director Guild of America in L.A., Like Crazy (which Paramount Vantage opens on Oct. 28) will kick off the the three-day forum for emerging and established independent filmmakers that covers production, distribution, documentary and new media.
Speakers for the 2011 Film Independent Forum include:
Sara Bernstein, HBO Documentary Films
Laura Bickford, producer, Duplicity, Che
Josh Braun, Submarine
Lisa Callif, Donaldson & Callif, Llp
Juan Devis, Kcet Public Media
Arthur Dong, director, Hollywood Chinese
Jennifer Dubin, producer, The Perfect Family, Good Dick
Craig Emanuel, Loeb & Loeb
Christian Gaines, withoutabox.com and imdb.com
Matthew Greenfield, Fox Searchlight
Azazel Jacobs, director, Terri
Patty Jenkins, director, Monster, The Killing
Gina Kwon, producer, The Future
Greg Laemmle, Laemmle Theatres
Lisa Leeman, director, One Lucky Elephant
David Magdael,...
Taking place Oct. 21-23 at the Director Guild of America in L.A., Like Crazy (which Paramount Vantage opens on Oct. 28) will kick off the the three-day forum for emerging and established independent filmmakers that covers production, distribution, documentary and new media.
Speakers for the 2011 Film Independent Forum include:
Sara Bernstein, HBO Documentary Films
Laura Bickford, producer, Duplicity, Che
Josh Braun, Submarine
Lisa Callif, Donaldson & Callif, Llp
Juan Devis, Kcet Public Media
Arthur Dong, director, Hollywood Chinese
Jennifer Dubin, producer, The Perfect Family, Good Dick
Craig Emanuel, Loeb & Loeb
Christian Gaines, withoutabox.com and imdb.com
Matthew Greenfield, Fox Searchlight
Azazel Jacobs, director, Terri
Patty Jenkins, director, Monster, The Killing
Gina Kwon, producer, The Future
Greg Laemmle, Laemmle Theatres
Lisa Leeman, director, One Lucky Elephant
David Magdael,...
- 9/14/2011
- by Jason Guerrasio
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
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