Screen
15 May 2009

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Breaking the boundaries

Slumdog Millionaire shot Anil Kapoor onto a global stage. Now, he tells Mike Goodridge, he’s discovering what Indian film-makers can learn from Hollywood.
A Brand New Life (Une Vie Toute Neuve)

Dir/scr Ounie Lecomte. France-S. Korea. 2009. 92 mins.
Bullet-proof box office?

Despite a disappointing first quarter, international markets are proving surprisingly resilient to the economic downturn.
Don’t Look Back (Ne Te Retourne Pas)

Dir: Marina de Van. France/Lux/Belgium. 2009. 110 mins.
Entertaining the text generation

With technology integral to their lives, teens are growing up expecting everything to be available immediately — and for free. Can the film industry still meet their needs?
Eyes Wide Open (Eynaim Pekukhot)

Dir. Haim Tabakman. Israel-France-Germany, 2009. 90 min.
Irène

Dir. Alain Cavalier. France. 2009. 85 mins.
Karaoke

Dir: Chris Chong Chan Fui. Malaysia. 2009. 74mins.
Navidad

Dir. Sebastián Lelio. Chile-France. 2009. 104 mins.
Petition (La Cour Des Plaignants)

Director. Zhao Liang. France-China. 2009. 123 mins.
The Misfortunates (La Merditude des Choses)

Dir. Felix van Groeningen. Belgium/France, 2009. 108 min.
To Die Like A Man (Morrer Como Um Homen)

Dir. João Pedro Rodrigues. Portugal-France. 2009. 133 mins.
12 Rounds

Dir: Renny Harlin. US. 2009.
A Prophet

Dir: Jacques Audiard. Fr/t. 2009.
A Prophet tops Screen Jury chart as Cannes reaches mid-way

With the 62nd Cannes Competition at precisely the mid-way point, overall reaction to this year’s selection is warm so far.
A Town Called Panic (Panique Au Village)

Directors Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar. Belgium. 2009. 75 mins
Actor Daniel Brühl launches production venture with Film1

German actor Daniel Brühl is launching a production company with Berlin-based Film1. Fouronfilm will concentrate on international co-productions.
ADFC unveils initiatives for local film-makers

The recently-launched Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) has unveiled a raft of initiatives to support the country’s burgeoning film and TV industry, including a tie-up with Mira Nair’s Maisha Film Lab.
Adlabs' BIG to open Chicago multiplex

Adlabs’ exhibition arm, BIG Cinemas, is opening its first BIG-branded cinema in the US, with a five-screen multiplex planned in Chicago.
Adrift (A Deriva)

Dir/scr. Heitor Dhalia. Brazil. 2009. 103mins
Agness Deyn trips into Matthew Greenhalgh's directing debut

English screenwriter Matthew Greenhalgh, whose credits include Nowhere Boy and Control, is making his first foray into film directing with short film Acid Burn.
Agora

Dir: Alejandro Amenabar. Spain. 2009. 141 minutes.
Ajami

Dirs. Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani. Israel - Germany, 2009. 120 min.
Alejandro Jodorowsky plans October shoot for King Shot

UJ Budapest FilmStudio’s Laszlo Kantor has revealed further details of one of the more colourful projects currently being hatched in the market, Alejandro Jodorowsky’s King Shot.
Alex De La Iglesia set to become Spanish Film Academy president

Spanish film-maker Alex De La Iglesia is set to take over as president of the Spanish Film Academy after becoming the only candidate to put his name forward.
Alta Films picks up Eric, A Prophet and Fish Tank

Alta Films has picked up three Cannes competition titles, Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric, Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet and Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank, for distribution in Spain.
Alta Films picks up Ghobadi’s Persian Cats for Spain

Alta Films has taken Spanish distribution rights to Bahman Ghobadi’s docu-fiction No One Knows About Persian Cats, which picked up a special prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Canne
Alta Films picks up Map Of The Sounds Of Tokyo for Spain

Spanish director Isabel Coixet’s Cannes competition title Map Of The Sounds Of Tokyo has been sold to Alta Films for distribution in Spain.
Altiplano

Directors/Screenwriters/Producers: Peter Brosens, Jessica Woodworth. Belg-Ger-The Netherlands. 2009. 109 mins
Altiplano

Dir: Peter Brosens
An Education leads London Film Critics' nominees

Lone Scherfig’s An Education leads this year’s nominations for the 30th Annual London Film Critics’ Circle Awards.
Anchor Bay buys UK rights to Sunshine Cleaning

Anchor Bay Films has acquired all UK rights to HanWay Films’ comedy Sunshine Cleaning starring Emily Blunt and Amy Adams.
Andy Thompson introduces The Scar Crow

Andy Thompson, the UK independent producer/director/writer, is in Cannes to introduce sales companies to TheScar Crow, his feature film made with director Pete Benson.
Angelopoulos demands overhaul of Greek national film awards

Filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos is threatening to boycott the Greek national film awards claiming that the current jury system is corrupt and biased.
Angels & Demons summons up $104.3m opening weekend

Angels & Demons took over the international box office this weekend with an estimated $104.3m from 10,468 screens in 96 territories.
Angels & Demons unleashed on global box office

Angels & Demons swoops into the global marketplace this weekend, opening, almost exactly three years after predecessor The Da Vinci Code, in 96 international markets as well as North America.
Angels And Demons

Dir: Ron Howard, US, 2009.
Anything For Her

Dir: Fred Cavayé. France. 2009.
Arclight to partner with Jeff Most

Gary Hamilton’s Arclight Films has partnered with Jeff Most Productions to develop and produce the $15m live-action production Razor.
Around The World drives strong Cannes for StudioCanal

As the market winds down, StudioCanal executive vice president Harold van Lier told ScreenDaily that the company has had the best Cannes in its history.
Arthouse Films takes Picasso & Braque To The Movies

Arthouse Films has acquired worldwide rights, including North America, to Arne Glimcher’s documentary Picasso & Braque Go To The Movies.
Ashes And Blood (Cendres Et Sang)

Dir/scr. Fanny Ardant. France, Portugal, Romania, 2009. 105 min
Asia’s Fox Star to develop Tamil films with Murugadoss

Fox Star Studios, the pan-Asian joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and broadcaster Star, has signed a two-picture deal with Tamil filmmaker AR Murugadoss, director of recent blockbuster Ghajini.
Audiard plans "dark and tragic" follow up to A Prophet

French film-maker Jacques Audiard, whose new prison drama A Prophet is one of the buzz films in this year’s competition, is plotting a new film that promises to be in the same gritty, hardboiled groove
AV Pictures picks up Obsession

AV Pictures will handle the sales on Obsession after signing a deal with new London-based production company Corona Pictures.
Awaydays breaks UK, Spain sees Good

ScreenDaily takes a look at the local and independent openings in key markets this week
BAFTA/LA to honour Blunt with Britannia Award

BAFTA/LA will honour Emily Blunt with the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year.
Balibo and Bran Nue Dae to bookend Melbourne Film Festival

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) will open and close with world premieres of new Australian films. Political thriller Balibo will open this year’s edition on July 24 while music comedy Bran Nue Dae will close it on August 8.
Bankside Films acquires The Galapagos Affair

Bankside Films has acquired the $6m (€4.4m) The Galapagos Affair, to be directed by Andy De Emmony.
Battle for hearts and minds

As the international film industry gathers in Cannes this week, the French government is pushing through legislation to stop internet piracy with a bill that appears ill-conceived and could well backfire on the very industries it seeks to protect.
BBC Films sings with Loncraine, dances with Bourne

BBC Films is kicking up a song and dance about a number of new projects in development.
Belgrade's Megacom picks up Cannes winners

Belgrade-based distributor Megacom Film has acquired rights to a raft of Cannes competition winners including Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or winner, The White Ribbon, for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Beta Cinema closes deals on Princess Lillifee

Blue chip German sales outfit Beta Cinema has closed further deals on kids’ movie Princess Lillifee, screening in the Cannes Marche today (May 17).
BIFAs to be held on December 6

The twelfth annual British Independent Film Awards will be held in Central London on December 6.
Bjorkman’s Ingmar Bergman short to get British premiere next month

Stig Bjorkman’s Images From The Playground: Ingmar Bergman At Work will receive its British premiere at the Barbican next month.
Black & Blue Films starts shooting Just For The Record

Shooting has begun on Just For The Record, a mockumentary looking at the world of low budget film-making.
Black Camel hunts sales agency for Legacy

Black Camel Productions are in Cannes scouting for a sales agent for their new project Legacy, which is currentlyshooting and stars Idris Elba (The Wire, Obsessed).
Blood And Bone leads robust Cannes sales for CMG

Ed Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group has reported robust sales on his slate, led by a UK deal with G2 on the action title Blood And Bone.
Blu Cinematografica picks up Italian rights on Expendables, Mechanic

Nu Image has sold Italian rights to the Jason Statham films The Expendables and The Mechanic to Blu Cinematografica.
Bob Hoskins, Jaime Winstone sign for Cole's Sex

Principal photography on We Want Sex will start on June 29 for seven weeks on location in Britain and at 3 Mills Studios.
Buena Onda, Orient Group collaborate on Latin American features

Buena Onda producer Donald K Ranvaud has formed a partnership with Syrian company The Orient Group, headed by humanitarian and Unesco award winner Nabil Toumeh.
Buyers avoid riskier pre-buys as hot titles emerge in Cannes market

As the global recession forces the business to take a long, hard look at how it operates, a steely focus has coalesced around the market stands and hotel corridors on the Croisette here in Cannes.
Canada pacts with French speaking Europe for film development fund

Public sector film funders in Canada have joined their counterparts from Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland in creating a development fund for French-language films.
Canada's Cineplex to offer National Theatre performances

Canadian exhibitor Cineplex Entertainment will be offering satellite-delivered HD screenings of performances from the UK’s National Theatre.
Cannes 2009 Winners

Screen brings you the 2009 Cannes winners list.
Cannes Competition Blog

Fionnuala Halligan blogs on the Competition titles straight from the Palais des Festivals.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the latest pictures from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the latest pictures from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the latest pictures from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the latest pictures from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the latest pictures from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

Screen brings you the Cinefondation Jury photocall from Cannes Film Festival 2009.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the pictures from the premier of Inglourious Basterds at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the pictures from the premier of Inglourious Basterds at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Gallery

ScreenDaily brings you the latest pictures from the The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus photocall at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes Sales

ScreenDaily brings you a round-up of the deals at this year’s Cannes Marche.
Carry On producer leaves cash to industry charity

British producer Peter Rogers, who made his name with the classic British comedy franchise Carry On, has left a substantial part of his estate to The Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF).
Chang and Woo unveil 3D fantasy epic Magic Bell

Terence Chang and John Woo’s Lion Rock Productions has unveiled details of upcoming 3D fantasy epic LegendOf The Magic Bell, to be directed by renowned Korean TV director Kim Jonghak.
China shows its strength

The Chinese box office got off to a bright start in 2009, boosting the theory cinema booms in a downturn. Can it continue throughout the year?
Cinefondation top prize goes to Baba

Zuzana Kirchnerova-Spidlova’s short film Baba has been awarded the Cinefondation first prize.
Cinema City opens new screens in Poland

Cinema City International has opened a 10-screen multiplex in Bielsko Biala and a Cinema Park multimedia complex in Poznan as part of is plan to open 117 new screens this year.
Cinema City's theatrical revenues up 6.1% in first quarter

Cinema City International has posted strong first-quarter results with big gains in revenue and ticket sales even as exchange rates pushed ticket prices down.
Cinema Libre and Corsan partner to make arthouse features

Los Angeles-based Cinema Libre Studio and Belgium’s Corsan NV have formed Global Talent Laboratory, a production partnership that will make three arthouse pictures a year.
Cinemavault goes to the dogs with Tulip

Cinemavault is talking to buyers in Cannes about the animated feature My Dog Tulip boasting the vocal talents of Christopher Plummer, Isabella Rossellini and Lynn Redgrave.
Cinetic pacts with UK-based portal Blinkbox

New York-based Cinetic Rights Management has made its first foray into the international market, through a slate of films offered online at UK-based broadband portal Blinkbox.
CineVegas to honour Voight, Dafoe and Kuchars

Actors Jon Voight and Willem Dafoe and homemade movie pioneers George & Mike Kuchar will be among the Vanguard Award honorees at CineVegas 2009.
Coach 14 sees The Way with Estevez and Sheen

Coach 14 has taken worldwide rights excluding Spain on the latest feature to be written and directed by Emilio Estevez, The Way.
Content Republic takes digital rights to Conspiracy Of Silence

Digital distribution company Content Republic has taken worldwide digital rights to Conspiracy Of Silence from Flick Features.
ContentFilm picks up horror sequel Outpost II

ContentFilm International, the UK and US based sales outfit, has acquired worldwide sales rights to Outpost II:Black Sun.
Cutting Edge launches $100m music services fund

Film music production company the Cutting Edge Group will launch a new $100m (€ 74m) fund following the success of the $13.3m (€9.8m) Resonant Music Fund.
Dabis to focus on Middle East through new production vehicle

Cherien Dabis, whose Amreeka screened in Directors’ Fortnight last night (May 19), has teamed up with a US-based private investor to form the development, financing and production company Levantine Entertainment.
Daddy Long Legs

Dirs. Josh and Benny Safdie. US. 2009. 100mins.
Directors showcase dream projects in Cannes

Abel Ferrara, Mike Figgis and Gaspar Noe are among the directors taking part in a showcase of short films about dreams.
D'Onofrio, Sorvino join cast of Irishman for Lightning

Vincent D’Onofrio, Paul Sorvino and Vinnie Jones have joined Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken and Val Kilmer in Code Entertainment’s The Irishman.
Drag Me to Hell

Dir: Sam Raimi. US. 2009. 99 mins.
Drag Me To Hell

Dir: Sam Raimi. US. 2009.
Dubai Film Festival puts France in the spotlight

The Dubai International Film Festival has announced that this year’s edition will include a focus on French cinema.
Dungog promotes Australian film with eight world premieres

The Dungog Film Festival opens this Thursday with the world premiere of Stone Bros. It is one of eight film that will debut at the events.
Dylan Leiner renews SPC contract through 2012

Sony Pictures Classics’ executive vice-president of acquisitions and production Dylan Leiner has extended his contract by three years.
E1 and DeaPlaneta beam up Astro Boy

E1 has taken UK and DeaPlaneta has acquired Spanish rights to Astro Boy following a work-in-progress screening and marketing presentation by Summit Entertainment and Imagi Studios here.
E1 Entertainment takes UK and Irish rights to Nativity

Protagonist Pictures has sold the UK and Irish rights to festive British comedy Nativity to E1 Entertainment.
E1 travels down Rue Des Ormes, adds sales

The Toronto-based sales outfit E1 International has acquired world rights on Eric Tessier’s thriller 5150 Rue Des Ormes (5150 Elm’s Way).
Easternlight Films buys rights to Future X-Cops

Arclight Films’ Asian division, Easternlight Films, has acquired world rights excluding Hong Kong, China and Taiwan to sci-fi action film Future X-Cops, starring Andy Lau.
Ecumenical jury awards Looking for Eric

Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric took top prize of the Ecumenical jury while special mention went to Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon.
Educate consumers to win the piracy battle

The UK must tackle pirates by talking to consumers before applying sanctions, argues Eddy Leviten, head of communications at the Federation Against Copyright Theft.
EFP elects Eva Vezer as president

European Film Promotion, the EU-funded film marketing body, has elected a new president and vice president at its General Assembly meeting at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Eleven Arts takes on Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl

Los Angeles-based Eleven Arts has picked up international rights to Vampire Girl Vs. Frankenstein Girl.
Endeavor takes revenge tale Hisss

Endeavor Independent is handling worldwide sales in Cannes on Split Image Pictures and Venus Records And Tapes’ $5m (€ 3.7m) Indian revenge tale Hisss.
Enter The Void

Dir: Gaspar Noé, France. 2009. 163mins.
Enter The Void

Dir: Gaspar Noe, France, 2009.
Entertainment 7 delivers sales on Baby On Board

Entertainment 7, Emilio Ferrari’s Los Angeles-based production and distribution company, has closed sales on the comedy Baby On Board, which stars John Corbett, Heather Graham, Jerry O’Connell and Lara Flynn Boyle
Europa Distribution looks toward Latin America

Europa Distribution, the pan-European network of independent distributors, is seeking extra EU funds to forge closer ties with Latin America.
European productions up 10% in 2008

European film production hit a record high in 2008, according to new research from The European Audiovisual Observatory.
Ewan McGregor to star in Mackenzie's The Last Word

Scottish star Ewan McGregor, currently winning plaudits for his performance in Angels & Demons, will team up with director David Mackenzie on the forthcoming film, The Last Word.
Face

Dir:Tsai Ming-Liang.Taiwan-France-Belgium-Netherlands.2009. 139m.
Father Of My Children (Le Père De Mes Enfants)

Dir/scr. Mia Hansen-Løve. France. 2009. 110 mins.
Fighting

Dir: Dito Montiel. US. 2009.
Film Distribution closes deals on Happy Ever Afters at busy market

Films Distribution has reported a busy market concluding sales on Happy Ever Afters in Australia (Hopscotch) and Germany (Telepool) with US negotiations currently underway for the film, which stars Sally Hawkins.
Film London Microwave seeks fledgling film-makers

Film London has called for applications for its Microwave scheme, the micro-budget film-making initiative set up with BBC Films and Skillset.
Film Messenger takes Korean rights to Go, Thaddeus

Singapore production outfit Lighthouse Pictures has pre-sold Korean rights to Yasmin Ahmad’s upcoming Go,Thaddeus! to Seoul-based distributor and sales agent Film Messenger.
Finecut sells French speaking rights on Like You Know It All

South Korea’s Finecut has sold Hong Sang-soo’s Directors’ Fortnight title, Like You Know It, to CTV International for French-speaking territories.
First members join Tokyo's Green Carpet Club

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has signed up the first raft of members for its environmental initiative, the Green Carpet Club (GCC), including Jon Voight, John Woo, Fernando Meirelles and Julianne Moore.
Fish Tank

Dir: Andrea Arnold, UK, 2009.
Focus goes ga-ga for StudioCanal's Baby(ies)

Focus Features has acquired North America, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Scandinavia and South Africa from StudioCanal to the documentary Baby(ies).
Focus signs Ole Bornedal to direct The Husband

Focus Features has signed Ole Bornedal to direct the thriller The Husband, based on the bestselling Dean Koontz novel.
Focus soars with Macdonald’s Eagle Of The Ninth

Focus Features International has virtually sold out the world on Kevin Macdonald’s upcoming Roman Britain epic Eagle Of The Ninth, which is set to begin shooting later this summer with Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell.
Fortissimo picks up international rights to Yonfan's Prince of Tears

Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan to Prince Of Tears from acclaimed filmmaker Yonfan and has already sold it to Ocean Films for France.
Fortissimo reteams with Demme for Neil Young Trunk Show

Fortissimo Films has picked up all rights outside North America to Neil Young Trunk Show, directed by Jonathan Demme.
Fortissimo sets off on Road, Movie

Fortissimo Films is continuing its foray into Indian cinema by picking up international rights outside Indian territories to Dev Benegal’s Road, Movie.
Foundation Films closes sales on The Crew

Foundation Films, the UK-based sales company, has closed a number of further sales of crime thriller The Crew at Cannes.
France gets Dragon Tattoo, UK regards French Film

ScreenDaily takes a look at the local and independent openings in key markets this week
Freeway and RevCheck launch revenue recovery service

Freeway Entertainment Group and German-based distribution auditor RevCheck have launched a new joint venture offering worldwide revenue reconciliation services to the international film industry.
Galloping picks up explorer doc Lost World

Galloping Films Australia will handle worldwide distribution on explorer documentary The Lost World Of The Crystal Skull.
German court lifts ban on Martin Weisz’s cannibal film

The German Federal Supreme Court has lifted the ban on Martin Weisz’s Butterfly – A Grimm Story (Rohtenburg), a horror film based on the true story of a cannibal.
Germany's Splendid acquires Petrie's Your Perfect Angel

Intandem Films has sold Donald Petrie’s Your Perfect Angel to German distributor Splendid Film.
Gheko attaches Alvaro Begines to direct Saving Grace remake

Spanish production company Gheko Films is pushing ahead with a remake of Nigel Cole’s Sundance winner Saving Grace three years after it bought the rights.
Golem picks up Air Doll, Partir

Golem has taken Spanish rights to four titles, including Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Un Certain Regard title Air Doll and Catherine Corsini’s drama Partir (Leaving).
Golem picks up Spanish rights to Antichrist, White Ribbon

Spanish distributor Golem has bought the rights to Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist and Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon for distribution in Spain.
Gooding, Martinez line up for John Eyre's The Last Warrior

Cuba Gooding Jr, Olivier Martinez and Sergio Peris-Mencheta are in final negotiations to star in John Eyres’ $15m (€11m) post-apocalyptic action film The Last Warrior.
Greggory, Depardieu and Garrel cast In Four Winds

Globetrotting Portuguese producer Paulo Branco has announced casting on the new Jacques Doillon feature, the Bergman-style drama In Four Winds.
Halcyon buys rights to Estulin's The True Story Of The Bilderberg Group

Los Angeles-based The Halcyon Company has bought the film rights to writer Daniel Estulin’s best selling book, The True Story Of The Bilderberg Group, from publishing house TrineDay.
HBO dances with Sweethearts Of The Prison Rodeo

HBO Documentary Films has acquired US rights to Sweethearts Of The Prison Rodeo directed by Bradley Beesley.
Heaven On Earth begins shooting in Croatia

Franco-Croatian co-production Heaven On Earth began shooting Wednesday (May 20) on the Adriatic coast of Croatia.
High Fliers soars with City Of Life And Death

High Fliers Films has acquired City of Life and Death from Media Asia for the UK and Ireland.
High Point takes worldwide rights on Storage

High Point Films, the film sales arm of High Point Media Group, has scooped worldwide rights, excluding Australia and New Zealand, for thriller Storage.
Holland’s Doku.Arts Festival reveals 2009 programme

The Doku.Arts Festival has revealed a programmed of 23 features and 10 shorts for this year’s edition, which runs from June 11 – 14.
Hugh Hudson to adapt George Orwell's Homage To Catalonia

Director Hugh Hudson (Chariots Of Fire) is to direct Catalonia, an adaptation of George Orwell’s book Homage To Catalonia by Australian screenwriter Bob Ellis.
Hungarian director Kenyeres reveals first feature

Young Hungarian auteur Balint Kenyeres, whose short The History Of Aviation screens in The Quinzaine, has announced details of his first feature, Hier.
I Killed My Mother (J’ai Tue Ma Mere)

Dir/prod/scr. Xavier Dolan. Canada. 2009. 100 mins
Icon cheers buyers with Oranges and Sunshine

Icon Entertainment International has sold key territory sales for Jim Loach’s Oranges and Sunshine.
IFC Films acquires US rights to Ozon's Ricky

IFC Films has acquired North American rights to Francois Ozon’s fantasy thriller Ricky following its world premiere in Berlin.
IFC scores US rights to Loach’s Looking For Eric

IFC Films has swooped on US rights from Wild Bunch to Ken Loach’s competition crowd-pleaser Looking For Eric following its world premiere on Monday (May 18).
Image Entertainment acquired US rights to Adam Resurrected

Image Entertainment has acquired US rights from Bleiberg Entertainment to Paul Schrader’s post-war drama Adam Resurrected.
In The Beginning (A L’Origine)

Dir/scr: Xavier Giannoli. France. 2009. 155 minutes.
Independencia

Dir. Raya Martin. Philippines/France/Germany/Netherlands. 77mins.
Indian Film Company strikes digital deal with Saavn

The Indian Film Company (TIFC) has struck a deal with New York-based digital distributor Saavn for 14 titles to be released across the company’s cable VoD network in the UK and North America.
India's NFDC teams up with Locarno on Screenwriters Lab

India’s National Film Development Corp (NFDC) is teaming up with the Locarno International Film Festival for the third edition of its Screenwriters Lab.
Inglourious Basterds

Dir/scr: Quentin Tarantino. 2009. US-Germany. 154 minutes.
Intandem Films joins The Good War

Intandem Films will be tempting buyers with $18m (€13.3m) World War II action thriller, The Good War. The UK film finance and international sales company has worldwide sales rights.
Interview with John Cameron Mitchell

Director John Cameron Mitchell talks exclusively to Screen International about his new project, which starts shooting in New York on June 1.
Isabella Films and F&ME go Dutch

The Netherlands’ Isabella Films and the UK’s Film and Music Entertainment (F&ME) are to co-produce two films, one in English, the other in Dutch and French.
Ischia to honour directors Joel Schumacher and Citto Massello

Directors Joel Schumacher and Citto Masselli will receive lifetime achievement awards at this year’s Ischia Global Festival.
Italian cinema bodies combine to create film industry super agency

Italian national cinema has moved into a new era with the merger between two of Italy’s most venerable cinema organisations, Cinecitta Holdings and Instituto Luce.
Jaffa (Kalat Hayam)

Dir. Keren Yedaya. Israel/France/Germany, 2009. 145 min.
Japan and India step up at Cannes

The Japanese and Indian presence at Cannes has increased this year as both territories look beyond their huge domestic markets.
Japan Digital Contents Trust ordered to reform

Japan Digital Contents Trust (JDC) the film and content fund management firm, has been ordered to reform its business practices by Japan’s financial services agency (FSA).
Japan's Sion Sono summons Lords of Chaos for English debut

Hot Japanese director Sion Sono is set to make his English-language debut with Lords Of Chaos, about Norway’s black metal music scene, which has Twilight’s Jackson Rathbone lined up to star.
Japan's Zappallas acquires 6% stake in Nikkatsu

Japanese mobile content provider Zappallas has acquired a 5.99% share in film producer-distributor Nikkatsu.
Jaz Films develops Michelangelo Antonioni’s last script

Jaz Films has acquired Michelangelo Antonioni’s last script Two Telegrams and has already fully financed the feature and is in the process of attaching a director and cast.Antonioni, whose 1960 mystery L’Avventura screens tonight (May 20) in the Cannes Classics programme decades after its world premiere on the Croisette, co-wrote the script shortly before he died aged 95 in 2007 with veteran screenwriter Rudy Wurlitzer.Jaz Films’ Jeremy Wall and Zev Guber acqui
Jump Street acquires Australasian rights to The Eclipse

Jump Street Films has acquired Australia/New Zealand rights from Magnolia International to Conor McPherson’s Tribeca hit The Eclipse.
Kaleidoscope buys rights to The Horseman

The UK’s Kaleidoscope Entertainment has boarded UK rights for Media 8’s film The Horseman.
Kaleidoscope picks up The Heavy

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment has acquired UK rights to The Heavy from London-based Parkland Pictures, the sales, distribution and production company.
Kate Hudson gets Earthbound with Film Department

Kate Hudson will star in the romantic comedy Earthbound, which Mark Gill and Neil Sacker’s The Film Department has lined up for a September 21 start in Montreal.
Kinatay

Dir: Brillante Mendoza. 2009. France/Philippines. 110 minutes
Korea’s CJ closes deals on Thirst and Mother

Korea’s CJ Entertainment has closed a batch of sales on Park Chan-wook’s competition title Thirst and Bong Joon-ho’s Mother, which screened in Un Certain Regard. Spain’s Lola Film has sucked up vampire drama Thirst, which has also gone to Avsar Film for Turkey, Discovery for ex-Yugoslavia, Edko Films for Hong Kong and Paris Filmes for Brazil.Bong’s Mother, one of the hottest films in the market, also went to Discovery and Edko Films, along wi
Korea’s Showbox bucks pre-sales trend on Sword With No Name

Bucking the trend for buyers to wait for completed product, Korea’s Showbox has pre-sold big-budget martial arts epic The Sword With No Name to the UK and Germany.
Korea's Showbox closes deals on Breathless, The Murderer

Korea’s Showbox has closed a duo of French distribution deals in the early days of the market – selling Breathless to Tadrart Films and The Murderer to Wild Side.
Kounen to discover The Secret Histories Of The Dalai Lama

Returning to the Far East after his foray into the love life of fashion icon Coco Chanel, Jan Kounen will head to Tibet to shoot The Secret Histories Of The Dalai Lama.
Latido gets off to roaring start at Cannes

Early in the Marche, Spanish sales outfit Latido is reporting roaring trade on its Cannes slate.
Latido lures buyers with Sex, Party & Lies

Spanish sales outfit Latido has been racking up yet more sales on its Cannes titles.
Le Pacte to co-produce Nanni Moretti comedy We Have A Pope

Jean Labadie’s Le Pacte will co-produce Nanni Moretti’s next film, We Have A Pope. French sales company Wild Bunch will handle international sales.
Levine, Belsito leave IMDB Pro

Sydney Levine and Peter Belsito have left online industry database IMDB Pro after 18 months at the company.
Lightning acquires US rights to four titles

Lightning Media has acquired US rights to four new titles that the company plans to release theatrically in late 2009 and early 2010.
Lily Cole to star in Harron, Pressman's vampire tale

Producer Edward Pressman and director Mary Harron are teaming up for the first time since American Psycho on the Gothic horror The Moth Diaries.
Little Film Company boards adaptation of Poe's Usher

The Little Film Company has boarded rights to The Ushers, a 3D contemporary adaptation of the revered Edgar Alan Poe short story The Fall Of The House Of Usher.
London Film Focus reveals 2009 showcase

Ealing Studio’s Time To Time and Carnaby International’s Doghouse are among the films that will screen a this year’s London UK Film Focus (LUFF).
London's Production Finance Market receives $75,000 EU boost

Film London’s Production Finance Market (PFM) will receive almost $75,000 (€55,192) from MEDIA - the EU support programme for the European audiovisual industry.
Looking For Eric

Dir. Ken Loach. UK/Fr/Belg/It/Sp. 2009. 116mins.
Lorber buys US rights to The Sun

Richard Lorber’s Lorber HT Digital has acquired all US rights to The Sun, the third feature in Aleksandr Sokurov’s Dictator Trilogy.
Los Angeles Film Festival to host US premiere of Transformers sequel

Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen will have its US premiere on June 22 as part of the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Loving Barack with Nuclear Mango

US-India consultancy and production company Nuclear Mango is lining up a summer shoot on its first film, the tentatively titled Love, Barack.
Luc Besson dives in The Cove

Filmmaking giant Luc Besson has acquired French rights to award-winning documentary The Cove.
Lucky Red takes Italian rights on We Want Sex, Gorbachev

Producer and distributor Lucky Red has picked up Italian rights to We Want Sex, Happy Ever Afters and Gorbachev – The Cashier Who Liked Gambling.
Macedonian Film Fund joins EFP

The Macedonian Film Fund has become the 30th member of European Film Promotion (EFP), the pan-European network of film promotion and export organisations.
Magnet Releasing buys US rights to Red Cliff

Magnolia Pictures’ genre arm Magnet Releasing has acquired US rights to John Woos’ period military epic Red Cliff from CAA and Howard Frumes of Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes & Labowitz.
Magnet Relesing takes on US rights to Warlords

Magnolia Pictures’ genre arm Magnet Releasing has bought North American rights to Peter Ho-Sun Chan’s historical war epic Warlords. It stars Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Magnolia/Magnet takes on D-13 Ultimatum

Magnolia’s genre arm Magnet Releasing has acquired US rights to Patrick Alessandrin’s D13 - Ultimatum, the sequel to Magnet’s 2004 action release D-13.
Map Of The Sounds Of Tokyo

Dir/scr Isabel Coixet. Spain. 2009. 106 mins
Mark Of An Angel

Dir: Safy Nebbou. France. 2008.
Match Factory sells Ajami in UK and France

Match Factory has concluded two major deals on Ajami, the film that will close this year’s Cannes Quinzaine later this week.
Maya sees the light with Reyes’ Ministers

Maya Entertainment has taken the US rights to the crime thriller The Ministers, starring John Leguizamo and Harvey Keitel
Media 8 picks up Brief Interviews With Hideous Men

Media 8 Entertainment is to handle international sales for John Krasinkski’s Brief Interviews With Hideous Men
Media 8 snares The Horseman

Media 8 Entertainment has acquired the worldwide rights to Steven Kastrissios’ revenge thriller, The Horseman.
Media 8 stomps to Whitehall

Media 8 Entertainment has picked up worldwide sales rights to Jackboots on Whitehall, an animated feature by Edward and Rory McHenry.
Metrodome scores UK and Irish rights to Goal III

London distributor Metrodome has picked up UK and Irish rights to Goal III: Taking On The World.
Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon wins Palme d'Or

Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon won the Palme d’Or on Sunday night (May 24) in Cannes.
Miike to direct $30m adaptation of Terasawa’s Takeru

Japanese director Takashi Miike is set to direct a $30m adaptation of Buichi Terasawa’s original manga Takeru.
Milla Jovovich joins cast of thriller Stone

Milla Jovovich has joined Robert De Niro and Ed Norton on the cast of Mimran Schur Pictures’ thriller Stone.
Miyazaki's Ponyo to close LA Film Festival

Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo On A Cliff By The Sea close this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival on June 28.
MJTV and Helion seek sales companies for Genie In The House

Moi J’aime La Télévision (MJTV) and Helion Pictures are seeking sales companies and distributors for their trilogy of films based on long-running TV series, Genie in the House.
Momentum's Sam Nichols to step down

Momentum managing director Sam Nichols is leaving the company at the end of the month to go travelling.
Moore's "roots of recession" doc gets October release

Michael Moore’s still untitled documentary will be released through Overture Films in North America on October 2.
MPower close deals on The Stoning of Soraya M.

US-based MPower International has sold The Stoning Of Soraya M. to Scanbox in Scandinavia, Nu Metro in South Africa and Independent Distributors in Israel.
Mumbai's CCVF readies $50m for international, Indian projects

The management team behind $50m Mumbai-based Cinema Capital Venture Fund (CCVF) is in Cannes looking for international projects.
Museum 2 exhibits $50.1m global opening weekend

Night At The Museum 2 made a strong start at the international box office taking an estimated $50.1m, although last weekend’s big opener, Angels & Demons, remained the top earner with an estimated $60.4m.
Museum beats Terminator in battle of the US box office

Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian grossed an estimated $70m over the four day Memorial Day holiday, beating rival opener Terminator Salvation, which took $53.8m.
Myriad buys worldwide rights to Serious Moonlight

Myriad Pictures has acquired all international rights from The Film Sales Company to Cheryl Hines’ dark romantic comedy Serious Moonlight following a marathon negotiating session that ran late into Wednesday night
Myriad Pictures to co-finance Chris Keyser's feature debut

Myriad Pictures will co-finance and produce A Great Education with Laurence Mark.
Nadel and Federer square up in new Jose Luiz Lopez-Linares doc

Tennis titans Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, yesterday (May 17) doing battle on the court in Madrid, will be the focus on a new crossover documentary by Jose Luiz Lopez-Linares.
New Films closes deals with Falcon, BBI

New Films International has sold a seven-title package to Falcon Films in the Middle East for Witch Hunt,P.V.C.-1, Mysterious Hearts,Peter And Vandy, Camp Hope, Circle, and Keepsake.
New Moon shines as Cannes buyers snap up commercial fare

As Cannes 2009 approached its final days a clear picture emerged of the haves and have-nots, as streamlined teams of buyers focused in on broadly commercial fare with theatrical potential.
Newport festival to kick off June 3 with In The Loop

The 12th annual Newport International Film Festival will open June 3 with Armando Iannucci’s In The Loop, and will close on June 7 with Pierre Marcel’s new documentary Tabarly.
Next Vikas Swarup adaptation underway

Six Suspects, the new film project based on the next novel by Slumdog Millionaire writer Vikas Swarup, is picking up speed.
Night At The Museum 2

Dir: Shawn Levy, US, 95mins
Night At The Museum 2 descends on global box office

Comedy Night At The Museum 2 romps into the global box office this weekend, opening in 93 international territories at the same time as it debuts in North America.
Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian

Dir: Shawn Levy. US. 2009. 104 mins.
NonStop sells Magic Silver ahead of first screening

NonStop Sales has closed a deal on Nowegian family drama Magic Silver despite not yet screening the film. The deal has been signed with Korean buyer Rich Entertainment.
Nymph

Dir/scr: Pen-ek Ratanaruang. Thailand. 2009. 109mins.
Ong Bak 2 kicks it to EuropaCorp, Aurum

Thailand’s Sahamongkolfilm International has sold action title Ong Bak 2, starring Tony Jaa, to France’s EuropaCorp and Aurum for Spain.
Osaka sells 9% stake in Universal Studios Japan

Osaka has announced that it will sell its 9% stake in USJ Co Ltd, the firm that operates Universal Studios Japan (USJ), to majority shareholder Goldman Sachs.
Oscilloscope takes on Gondry's Thorn In The Heart

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Michel Gondry’s documentary The Thorn In The Heart(L’Epine Dans Le Coeur).
Oscilloscope to re-release The Law for 50th anniversary

Oscilloscope Laboratories will re-release to Jules Dassin’s little-known classic The Law (La Loi) after picking up North American rights.
Other Angle makes strong Cannes Marche debut

French sales company Other Angle reported robust business at its first Cannes Marche.
Overlook turns Macabre for Europe and US

Overlook Entertainment has picked up Europe and US rights for horror film Macabre, the first feature from new Asian genre label Gorylah.
Overture acquires The Men Who Stare At Goats

Overture Films has acquired The Men Who Stare At Goats, starring George Clooney and Ewan McGregor, from CAA.
Paris Indeed Not (In) France

Paris Hilton is jetting in to the Cote D’Azur on Tuesday to promote the documentary Paris, Not France after missing her flight over the weekend.
Passion is still running high

If Cannes is the international film industry distilled into two weeks along the Croisette, then there were some clear messages about what we should all expect over the next couple of years.
Pathe sparkles at Cannes with Bright Star

Pathé International had a busy time at the Cannes Marche with over 75 deals sealed across its slate.
Pepper, Preston and Lafevre join the cast of Casino Jack

Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston and Rachelle Lafevre will join Kevin Spacey on the thriller Casino Jack, which set to begin shooting on May 23 in Toronto.
Picture This! picks up Broken Promise

Picture This! Entertainment announced has picked up North American rights from Film Europe to Jiri Chlumsky’s Broken Promise.
PiFan announces line-up for NAFF It Projects market

The Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan), Asia’s largest genre film festival, has announced the line-up for its sophomore Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) It Project market.
Poots takes on Cordelia for Chris Coen's Unanimous

Imogen Poots is to play Cordelia in the untold story of King Lear’s favourite daughter.
Premieres from Wai Ka-Fai and Sion Sono bookend NY Asian fest

The world premiere of Wai Ka-fai’s Hong Kong drama Written By will open the New York Asian Film Festival, set to run from June 19-July 5
Protagonist launches Submarine; Soda finds Beds

Protagonist Pictures will be handling international sales on Warp Films’ new project Submarine; Soda buys Unmade Beds for UK/Ireland.
Provocateur Von Trier remains true to form with Antichrist

As ever, provocateur Lars von Trier is stirring strong emotions on the Croisette. Depending on which newspapers you read, his new Competition title Antichrist is either a six-star special or a “big fat art film fart”.
Puerto Rico’s warm welcome

With US-style services, skilled crews, impressive locations and a 40% tax incentive, this Caribbean island has a lot to offer producers. Wendy Mitchell reports
Quebec producers unite to stimulate coproduction

Seven Quebec-based independent film producers are uniting to push the cause of Quebec as an international coproduction partner and lobby the Canada government to lower the barriers to potential foreign co-production partners.
Ralph Fiennes revs up thrilling Coriolanus with Icon

Ralph Fiennes spoke exclusively to ScreenDaily yesterday (May 16) about his directorial debut Coriolanus.
Regent Worldwide and CineTel Films join forces

Regent Worldwide Sales and CineTel Films have entered into a strategic alliance for international sales of television and DVD rights.
Regent/Here takes two from MK2

Regent Releasing and Here Media have acquired North American rights from MK2 to two projects.
Revolver brings Sin Nombre to the UK

Revolver Entertainment, the UK distributor, has snapped up Sin Nombre in the UK in its first deal with Focus Features.The thriller, directed by newcomer Cary Joji Fukunaga, follows a Honduran woman seeking the promise of America. Along the way she meets a Mexican gang member struggling to outrun his past towards a new life. It screened at Sundance and SXSW.Revolver plans to release the crime thriller across the UK and Ireland in August.The distributor has also
Revolver falls for The Girlfriend Experience

Revolver has picked up UK rights to Steven Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience following its world premiere at Tribeca last month.
Roadside acquires US rights to Lichtenstein's Happy Tears

Roadside Attractions has acquired all US rights to Mitchell Lichtenstein’s family comedy Happy Tears, starring Parker Posey, Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin and Rip Torn.
Rogers & Cowans moves Nikki Parker to London

Entertainment PR and marketing agency Rogers & Cowan is reshuffling its film divisions in a move that will see executive vice-president Nikki Parker transfer from Los Angeles to London.
Roseblood to produce next Bret Easton Ellis project

Myriad Pictures and RKO Pictures’ genre division The Roseblood Movie Company are co-financing and producing a film based on an original screenplay by Bret Easton Ellis
Russian distributors hit US sellers with ultimatum

Russian distributors have issued a stark warning to US sales agents – renegotiate deals on films acquired before the economic crisis or else they will stop buying altogether.
Russian World's St Petersburg studio gets Dolby distinction

Russian World Studios has announced that its St. Petersburg studio has started construction on a Dolby Premier studio.
Safety net

Meta Louise Foldager has succeeded Vibeke Windelov as Lars von Trier’s producer and explains the challenges she faced to Jacob Wendt Jensen.
Sara Johnsen's Upperdog to open Norwegian Film Festival

The 37th Norwegian International Film Festival (NIFF) in Haugesund will open on August 23 with local title Upperdog.
Sarajevo selects 19 for CineLink

The Sarajevo Film Festival has selected 19 projects for its 2009 CineLink and CineLink+ co-production market.
Sarasota's Kielbasa heads to Virginia Film Festival

Jody Kielbasa has been named as the new director of the Virginia Film Festival.
Scherfig, Otto join Sydney competition jury

Danish director Lone Scherfig and Australian actress Miranda Otto have joined the judging panel for the official competition of this year’s Sydney Film Festival (June 3-14).
Schwartz to replace Rosen as dean at UCLA film school

UCLA has appointed Teri Schwartz as dean of its School of Theatre, Film and Television.
Scope Invest unveils details of latest film projects

Scope Invest, the Belgian tax shelter financier, has revealed details of its new film projects.
Scorsese and Schoonmaker return to British cinema doc

Martin Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker will resume work on their long-gestating feature documentary about the history of British cinema.
Scott Mann boards Balefire

London based sales outfit AV Pictures has signed up Scott Mann (The Tournament) to direct their $20m action thriller Balefire.
Screen International Advertising

Screen can meet your marketing objectives throughout the year using our growing portfolio of products. Our tailor-made marketing and advertising packages give you print, digital, direct marketing and face-to-face options to ensure that your message reaches the right audience with maximum impact.
Screen International Daily

ScreenDaily brings you the newest Screen International Daily Covers and content from the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
Screenwriters who are helping themselves

Writers need to be more entrepreneurial in the current climate — and that’s good for the film industry, says David Pearson, director of the Screenwriters’ Festival.
Servillo to star as compulsive gambler in Gorbachev

Italian actor Toni Servillo is to star in Gorbachev – The Cashier Who Liked Gambling (Gorbacio – Il Cassiere ColVizio Del Gioco), a new drama being introduced to buyers by RAI Trade at the Cannes Market.
Seville Festival to focus on British film

The Seville European Film Festival will showcase a selection of British films at this year’s event in November.
Shanghai Film Festival announces project market line-up

The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has announced the line-up of 32 Co-production Film Pitch and Catch (Co-FPC) projects and eight China Film Pitch and Catch (CFPC) projects.
Silverdocs reveals 2009 competition line-up

Silverdocs has announced its competition films for this year’s event, which runs from June 15-22 on the East Coast.
Singapore's MDA appoints Distribution Workshop to handle first IFF titles

Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) has appointed Hong Kong-based Distribution Workshop as the international sales agent for the first batch of films produced under its International Film Fund (IFF).
Siritzky seeks new Emmanuelle for 3D feature

Veteran French-American producer Alain Siritzky is lining up a 3D version of Emmanuelle almost 35 years after he boarded the erotic franchise.
Sola continues on its journey with Turtle

Sola Media is continuing to do business on Turtle: The Incredible Journey and closed deals after the second screening for Greece (PAS Distribution) and Korea (Line Tree) and is about to sign on further for Middle East and South East Asia.
Sony Pictures takes US video and TV rights to St Trinian’s

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group has acquired US video and television rights to St. Trinian’s and will collaborate with NeoClassics Films on the theatrical release.
South Africa’s DV8 kicks off football projects

DV8, the South African production and financing project, is planning to harness the football mania already descending on the country in advance of the 2010 World Cup.
Spanish director Paula Ortiz to make first feature film

Spanish director Paula Ortiz is set to make her first feature film De Tu Ventana A La Mia. Local stars Raul Arevalo and Maribel Verdu likely are expected to play lead roles.
SPC acquires US rights to A Prophet

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired North American and other territory rights to Jacques Audiard’s Palme d’Or frontrunner A Prophet from Celluloid Dreams.
Star Trek edged out of US top spot by Angels & Demons

Angels & Demons opened strongly in North America over the weekend with an estimated gross of $48m, though that was only just enough to knock a still powerful Star Trek off the top of the chart.
Strand Releasing acquires US rights to Emily Abt's Toe To Toe

Strand Releasing has acquired all US rights to Emily Abt’s friendship drama Toe To Toe following its premiere at Sundance earlier in the year.
Strand Releasing to Drool all over US

Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to Nancy Kissam’s Slamdance romantic comedy Drool starring Laura Harring.
Studio building

Thomas Peter Friedl tells Martin Blaney why running the new German film company UFA Cinema is his dream job
StudioCanal sells Change of Plans

StudioCanal has sold Daniele Thompson’s latest ensemble work Change Of Plans to IFC for US distribution.
Swedish director Lisa Ohlin joins Simon And The Oaks

Swedish director Lisa Ohlin will helm Simon And The Oaks (Simon Och Ekarne) after Björn Runge walked out on the project earlier this year.
Taiwan pumps $228m into local film and co-productions

Taiwanese government announced that it will pump $228m (NT$7.5bn) over five years into its local film industry.
Talk Of The Town

International producers give Wendy Mitchell the lowdown on their recent experiences of filming in Puerto Rico.
Tell Me Who You Are (Min Ye)

Dir/prod/scr. Souleymane Cisse. Mali-France. 2009. 140mins.
Teodora takes Italian rights to Hansen Love's Father

Teodora Film has picked up Italian rights to Mia Hansen Love’s The Father Of My Children (Le Pere De Mes Enfants) from Les Film de Losange.
Terminator Salvation

Dir: McG, US, 2009
Terminator Salvation

Dir McG. US. 2009. 114 mins
Thailand's Five Star turns Macabre for first international pick up

Thailand’s Five Star Entertainment has picked up Asian rights to horror film Macabre, marking the first time the Bangkok-based studio has handled a non-Thai film.
The Actors

The diverse crop of actors in Screen’s 2010 UK Stars of Tomorrow have an overarching ambition in common - to take risks and explore all the possibilities of their craft. Patricia Dobson profiles these vibrant new performers
The Girl Cut In Two (La fille coupée en deux)

Dir: Claude Chabrol, France, 2007.
The Hangover

Dir: Todd Phillips. US. 2009. 100 mins.
The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus

Dir:Terry Gilliam. Fr-UK-Canada. 122mins.
The Match Factory acquires three Christian Wagner titles

Further ramping up its library, German outfit The Match Factory acquired three films by German writer-director Christian Wagner.
The Silent Army

Dir/scr Jean van de Velde. The Netherlands. 2008. 92mins.
The Time That Remains

Dir/scr Elia Suleiman. Palestine-France. 109mins.
The trouble with critics

Cannes is the world’s greatest showcase for international cinema, but film-makers take a bold risk exposing their works to the festival’s critical hothouse
The UK private film funds

Who are the leading players at the UK film funds and what are they backing?
The Weinstein Company takes on The Fighter

David Glasser, president of international at The Weinstein Company, has acquired The Fighter in selected territories from Relativity Media and is close to finalising deals for Germany, France, Spain and South Korea.
The White Ribbon

Dir: Michael Haneke. 2009. Germany-Austria-France-Italy. 145 minutes.
The Wind Journeys (Los Viajes Del Viento)

Dir/scr. Ciro Guerra. Colombia-Germany-Holland-Argentina. 2009. 120mins.
The Works signs post-Cannes deals

The Works has announced post-Cannes sales on My Year Without Sex, Man On Wire and Loft.
Tiger8 and Wuxi launch $150m fund to take Chinese films global

Tiger8 Media and Wuxi Jinyuan Industry Investment And Development Company have launched a $150m (€74m) fund dedicated to financing and producing features in China for worldwide distribution.
TLA picks up rights to British gang thriller Shank

TLA Releasing has picked up North America, UK and Irish rights to Simon Pearce’s British gang culture thriller Shank.
Toei sells Good Husband to K&Entertainment

Japan’s Toei has sold love fantasy A Good Husband, directed by Isao Yukisada, to South Korea’sK&Entertainment.The film stars Etsushi Toyokawa, who first achieved international recognition in Shunji Iwai’s Love Letter, and Hiroko Yakushimaru, as a couple in their forties battling over the husband’s infidelity. It is scheduled for release in January 2010.Yukisada previously directed 2004 mega-hit Crying Out Love, In The Center Of The World,
Tom Hiddleston to play Loki in Branagh's Thor

Marvel Studios has cast Tom Hiddleston to play the villain Loki in the studio’s upcoming Thor adaptation.
Top Un Certain Regard prize goes to Dogtooth

Un Certain Regard sidebar honoured Dogtooth by Greece’s Yorgos Lanthimos with its Fondation Groupama Gan For Cinema prize on May 23 in Cannes.
Tormented

Dir: Jon Wright. UK. Comedy, Horror. 2009.
Toronto's Cinemavault drives international sales of Trucker

Toronto-based Cinemavault has closed international sales on Plum Pictures’ drama Trucker, which stars Michelle Monaghan as a truck driver who is reunited with her estranged son.
Transilvania Film Festival announces line-up and jury

The Transilvania International Film Festival has announced its competition line-up and jury for its eighth edition.
TriPictures picks up Summit’s Tree Of Life, Letters To Juliet

Leading Spanish outfit TriPictures has taken the distribution rights for Spain to Terrence Malick’s Tree Of Life, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, and Gary Winnick’s Letters To Juliet.
TrustNordisk signs deals on Antichrist despite mixed reviews

Days after the stormy screening of Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist, a film that fiercely divided critics, two major deals have been concluded on the film.
Tsar

Dir/prod. Pavel Lungin. France. 2009. 116mins
Tuscany launches $12.1m production fund

The Toscana Film Commission has announced a new $12.1m (€9m) fund to attract productions to the region.
UK actress Sienna Guillory cast in Canada’s Gunless

UK actress Sienna Guillory has been cast opposite Paul Gross in the Canadian western spoof Gunless.
UK’s Jinga closes deals on horror flick Salvage

UK sales agent Jinga Films has closed sales on Lawrence Gough’s horror film Salvage for Germany (MIG Films) Middle East (Italia) and Japan.
UK's Dogwoof and retailer The Co-op develop social conscience

Distributor Dogwoof and UK retail group The Co-operative have formed a partnership to finance and distribute socially-conscious films theatrically
UK's F&ME joins sci-fi comedy Iron Sky

London-based Film and Music Entertainment has boarded Blind Spot Pictures’ Iron Sky as co-producer.
UK's FAQS closes sales on Simon Pearce’s Shank

Bristol-based FAQS has closed a number of deal on Simon Pearce’s Shank including to Optimale in France, GM Films in Germany, TLA Releasing for the UK and USA.
UK's Film4 unveils debuts from Chris Morris and Joe Cornish

Film4 has a slate of new projects in development including feature directorial debuts from Chris Morris and Joe Cornish.
Universal Music rocks with Around The World In 50 Years

In an unusual deal, Universal Music Group has swooped to take all North American rights to Belgian director Ben Stassen’s forthcoming 3D animated feature Around The World In 50 Years.
Universum picks up four titles in Cannes spending spree

Munich-based Universum Film has picked up German rights for another four titles to add to its previous acquisition of Hideo Nakata’s psychological thriller Chatroom.
Vanguard picks up US rights to Distant Course and Island Etude

Taipei-based producer-distributor Joint Entertainment International has sold two award-winning Taiwanese titles – The Most Distant Course and Island Etude – to Vanguard International Cinema for the US.
Vertigo Films picks up Bright Star for Spain

Vertigo Films, one of the Spain’s leading distributors, has bought the Spanish rights to Jane Campion’s Cannes competition title Bright Star.
Vincere

Dir: Marco Bellocchio. Italy-France. 2008. 128 mins.
Vivendi takes US multi-platform rights to Palisades Tartan titles

Vivendi Entertainment has acquired US home video, digital and mobile rights to the Palisades Tartan catalogue, marking the first time the films will be available digitally to US audiences.
Wardrop's His and Hers wins Irish Directors Finders award

Ken Wardrop has won the 2009 Screen Directors Guild of Ireland’s (SDGI) Directors Finders Series award for his documentary, His and Hers.
Warner Bros UK joins The Firm

Warner Bros. Pictures UK will release Nick Love’s latest movie The Firm in a joint venture with Vertigo Films.Set for release in the UK and Ireland on September 25, The Firm which was written and directed by Love, is loosely adapted from Alan Clarke’s classic 1989 drama of the same name.Set in England during Eighties, the violent drama tells the story of Dom (Calum McNab), a young man with no direction in life who becomes entranced by football
Warp Films challenges directors to a five day shoot

Director Shane Meadows and producer Mark Herbert of Sheffield-based film production company Warp Films have launched 5 Day Features, a movement inviting film-makers of all levels to shoot a film in five days.
Was the Marché the real deal?

Buyers on the Croisette were decisive — and surprisingly plentiful — for international sales companies with solid projects.
We Distribution closes sales on Bodyguards And Assassins

Beijing and Hong Kong-based We Distribution has closed a raft of South-East Asian sales on Teddy Chen’s $23m Bodyguards And Assassins, starring Donnie Yen.
Wenders to direct first 3D dance feature

Wim Wenders and the legendary choreographer Pina Bausch are collaborating on the first dance feature film to be shot in 3D.
WestEnd closes deals on Nakata's Chatroom

WestEnd Films has completed a number of sales on teenage thriller-drama Chatroom.
Who’s got the money?

The UK’s private film funds are becoming increasingly important to cash-strapped independent producers. But are investors interested?
Wide signs co-production deals for Laure Charpentier’s Gigola

Wide Management has concluded co-production deals with Spain and Belgium on its upcoming Gigola. The Marie Emilie Production for France has partnered with MG Films in Belgium and Mate Cantero in Spain.
Wolff, Ross launch new distributor Entertaining Pictures

Economist Joe Barber has joined film executives Richard Wolff and Richard Ross to launch Philadelphia-based distributor, Entertaining Pictures.
Xavier Dolan's Mother sweeps up Directors' Fortnight prizes

Nineteen year old Canadian director Xavier Dolan swept the Directors’ Fortnight prizes in Cannes Friday night for I Killed My Mother.
Yellow Bird reveals dates for Millennium Trilogy release

The dates have been set for the release of the second and third instalments of Scandinavian box-office sensation, The Millennium Trilogy.
Zentropa recruits trio of Norwegian directors

Norwegian film directors Unni Straume, Petter Næss and Jens Lien have joined Zentropa International Norway, it was announced in Cannes yesterday (May 20).

Screen15 May 2009

Screen
15 May 2009