Screen
22 Nov 2012

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Creative Europe reaches “important milestone”

The proposed Creative Europe programme reached “an important milestone” yesterday (26 Nov) after a decision taken by the EU’s 27 ministers of culture at a meeting in Brussels of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council under the chairmanship of Cyprus’ Minister for Education & Culture George Demosthenous.
David Lynch and Keanu Reeves open Plus Camerimage

Director David Lynch heaped praise on Poland’s Plus Camerimage festival as he picked up a lifetime achievement award - and Keanu Reeves spoke a little Polish.
EC addresses Cinema Communication concerns

European Commission VP Joaquín Almunia has tried to allay EU member states’ concerns about the forthcoming Cinema Communication, which aims to set out new State aid rules for films and other audiovisual works.
Eurimages to lower funding cap

Pan-European co-production fund Eurimages has unveiled a number of changes to its guidelines that will come into effect from January 2013.
Keanu Reeves: film industry "assaulted” by digital

Matrix actor Keanu Reeves has spoken about the effect of digital on the film industry and his upcoming directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi.
Mentors named for Film Agency Wales’ Film Junction

The Film Agency for Wales and Creative Skillset announced today the 12 successful applicants from across the UK selected for the Film Junction: Market Mentors scheme.
ParisFX's sixth edition welcomes speakers including Nicolas Duval, Angela Barson

Highlights include a presentation by Argentine director Juan Solanas about the creative and technical process of making his sci-fi feature Upside Down.
Ukraine's House With A Turret wins Black Nights

Germany’s Oh Boy picks up Audience Award.
1492 Pictures, Rise Entertainment sign five-year pact

Under the deal Michael Witherill’s Rise will invest in development and financing of the slate at Christopher Columbus’ company, kicking off with the Anne Rice adaptation Christ The Lord.
5 Broken Cameras producer reunites with Upian for Jerusalem project

5 Broken Cameras producer Serge Gordey is reteaming with Paris-based web agency Upian to create 24H Jerusalem Online, a multi-screen work aimed at tablets, computer screens and mobiles
A shared Blind Date experience

This week saw S4London hold its second monthly short film night in Bethnal Green, East London.
About the Pink Sky wins top prize at Gijon

Other winners include Barbie, Beyond The Hills, The Patience Stone.
Ambitious Film Clinic slate shows Egypt's new face

Cairo-based Film Clinic has solidified its status as one of the Arab world’s top production companies with a new slate of internationally oriented films, including a co-production with Fox International Pictures.
An international rendezvous

With a new December slot running concurrently with the Asia TV Forum & Market, ScreenSingapore is aiming to provide a crossing point for the Asian and international film businesses. Jean Noh reports
Annapurna Pictures to finance Lady Vengeance adaptation

Megan Ellison and Annapurna will finance the Charlize Theron starring vehicle and produce Sympathy For Lady Vengeance alongside Theron’s Denver & Delilah Films and CJ Entertainment. Panorama Media will handle international sales.
Arsam and Reservoir move to Pan Nalin's Known World

Ilann Girard of Paris-based Arsam International has boarded Pan Nalin’s Film Bazaar project, Beyond The Known World, as co-producer alongside New Zealand’s Reservoir Films.
ASEAN's inaugural FLY project wraps in Davao

The inaugural edition of the ASEAN-ROK Film Leaders Incubator (FLY) project wrapped in Davao City, the Philippines this weekend with a mandate for expansion in 2013.
Awards round-up: Jennifer Lawrence, Ang Lee find favour

Lawrence, riding high on her Spirit Award best actress nomination on Tuesday for Silver Linings Playbook, will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Outstanding Performer Of The Year Award.
Axiom Films takes UK rights for Keanu Reeves’ Side by Side

Axiom Films takes on UK and Irish rights to Side by Side, the documentary about the rise of digital technology in film co-produced by actor Keanu Reeves.
Baltic Event names top co-pro titles

Projects from Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Estonia were voted by sales agents, distributors and potential co-producers as the most promising at the Baltic Event’s 8th Co-Production Market.
Banerjee's Talkies short marks centennial of Indian cinema

Dibakar Banerjee’s short film, which forms a part of the omnibus Bombay Talkies commemorating 100 Years of Indian Cinema, will be based on Satyajit Ray’s short story Potol Babu Film Star.
BBFC launches new website

Classification board also bring its Consumer Advice and Extended Classification Information under one banner of BBFCinsight.
Beasts director Benh Zeitlin triumphs at Gothams

Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) executives announced the winners of the 22nd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards at a ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on Monday night [26].
Beautiful Bay takes up Arms with Shah

UK producers Michael Ward and Colin Burrows have established a production outfit, Beautiful Bay Entertainment (BBE), which is developing an adaptation of classic play Arms And The Man with Indian actor and filmmaker Naseeruddin Shah.
Beijing Blues, Principle sweep Golden Horse Awards

Johnnie To’s Life Without Principle scooped best director, best actor and best original screenplay at the Golden Horse Awards on Saturday (Nov 24), while Gao Qunshu’s Beijing Blues took best film and two technical awards.
Beyond The Hill wins best feature at APSA Awards

The Turkish film industry was honoured at the sixth annual Asia Pacific Film Awards (APSAs), with three films among the winning line-up including Beyond the Hill, which was judged best feature.
Beyond us-vs-them

Distribution and exhibition have to find a way to work together and even compromise on new models.
BFI calls on UK organisations to lead regional film 'hubs'

The BFI is reaching out to organisations across the UK to participate in its UK Audience Network as “cultural leaders” and “support” bodies.
Bob Last to chair EIFF parent company Centre for Moving Image

Last to chair parent company of Edinburgh International Film Festival and Filmhouse Cinema.
Breaking Dawn, Skyfall dazzle over record Thanksgiving

The five-day US holiday session generated approximately $288m as the Twilight finale held on to rule them all with a $43.1m weekend. Meanwhile Skyfall became the first James Bond release to cross $200m in North America.
Bringing Alan Moore's visions to life

Director Mitch Jenkins talks to Screen about his debut film project, a collaboration with graphic novelist Alan Moore.
Cherien Dabis, Sebastián Silva return to Sundance

The filmmakers behind Park City hits Amreeka and The Maid are back with new work as festival organisers unveiled the US and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary competition slate and the NEXT selections on Wednesday [28].
Cinema do Brasil takes 12 titles to Ventana Sur

The Brazilian film promotion body heads to Ventana Sur in Buenos Aires with a slate of 12 productions including Buddies by Marcelo Galvão and My Sweet Orange Tree from Marcos Bernstein.
CJ's Masquerade clocks up 12m admissions

CJ Entertainment’s period drama Masquerade has clocked up more than 12 million admissions, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), contributing to a record box office haul for local films in Korea this year.
Co-pro projects emerge ahead of Rendez-Vous

New projects by Arslan, Azoulay, Elkabetz to pitched at co-production market during 10th German-French Rendez-Vous
Dalan Musson to adapt Jeremiah Harm

Iron Sky’s Timo Vuorensola is attached to direct Cheyenne Enterprises’ action-sci-fi based on the BOOM! comic book.
David Lynch hints at new film

Surrealist director David Lynch looks set to embark on his first film since Inland Empire in 2006.
Death of a Man in the Balkans wins Athens' 25th Panorama of European Cinema Festival

Sandrine Bonnaire wins best director.
Distrify strikes deal with Sweden's Story AB

Distrify has further expanded internationally with a new deal with Swedish production company Story AB.
Doha reveals Arab Film winners

The winners of the Arab Film Competition have been unveiled at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, where China’s Full Circle and doc Searching for Sugar Man [pictured] were also named the ‘Best of the Fest’.
Drawing on diversity

Animated features are becoming less child-centric, with even Pixar exploring darker tones. John Hazelton surveys this year’s trends, plus the international productions that are making waves
Dresden to produce live action Grave of the Fireflies

Dresden Pictures has acquired the UK rights to Japanese war story Grave of the Fireflies for a live action adaptation.
Europa Cinemas secures two years of MEDIA funding

The Europa Cinemas (EC) network has secured a further two years of funding from the European Union’s MEDIA Programme.
Film Education up for Bett Awards

UK charity Film Education has been shortlisted for two Bett Awards for its Thinking Film teaching resources.
FilmNation, Lava Bear to finance Story Of Your Life

The companies are partnering to finance, produce and handle world sales on the sci-fi thriller.
First Cousin Once Removed

Dir/scr: Alan Berliner. US. 2012. 78mins
Flick The Switch turns on Porichoi

India and UK-based boutique studio Flick The Switch has boarded Bengali film Porichoi, directed by Rupali Guha, as co-producer and sales agent for English-speaking territories.
Gone Too Far

The directorial feature debut by Destiny Ekaragha is based on the stage play by Bola Agbaje and stars newcomers Malachi Kirby and O.C. Ukeje. Screen visits the film set to find out more about the project and its origin.
Hamptons names Anne Chaisson executive director

Chaisson has long been associated with the festival and served as advisory co-chair since 2003. She begins her new post at the end of November.
Hot projects on Screenbase

Germany and France have come on board for Prashant Nair’s Umrika; James Corden to star in Christmas comedy.
Hugh Jackman to receive MMI salute in New York

The star of Les Misérables will collect his honour at a ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Dec 11.
Iconic Spanish filmmaker José Luis Borau dies aged 83

For 50 years José Luis Borau was considered the godfather of Spanish cinema. A former president and founder of the Spanish Cinema Academy, Borau achieved international success with Poachers (1975), which won the Golden Shell in San Sebastián and became one of the most famous films in Spanish history.
IDFA winners include First Cousin Once Removed, Searching For Sugar Man

Plus hot sellers from the market side of IDFA.
Independent, Infinitum bask in Sunshine

Mumbai-based Independent Movies has finalised the financing on Film Bazaar project Sunrise (Arunoday), following a deal with India’s Infinitum Productions to increase its funding for the film.
India to be guest country at next edition of Cannes

India has been selected as the guest country at the next edition of the Cannes film festival, which takes place May 15-26, 2013.
Indian Kiss finds partners at Film Bazaar

Guneet Monga of India’s Sikhya Entertainment and Giulia Achilli of Italy’s Dugong Production have signed a deal at Film Bazaar to co-produce a documentary on the depiction of romance in Indian cinema.
John Gatins

Screenwriter John Gatins tells Jeremy Kay about his marathon struggle to write the screenplay that triggered arguably the finest performance of Denzel Washington’s career
Ken Loach rejects Turin award over worker dispute

Director Ken Loach has declined a lifetime achievement award from the Turin Film Festival and cancelled plans to attend the event in protest of an alleged labour dispute.
Les Misérables to get IMAX release in the UK

IMAX and Universal Pictures will digitally re-master Les Misérables into the IMAX format for a Jan 11 release in the UK.
Liar’s Autobiography to open Loco London

The 2013 Loco London film festival is to host a variety of previews and premieres from directors like Dan Wazer and will also feature a focus on women in comedy.
Life of Pi and Sightseers previewed by ICO

Independent Cinema Office’s event screened 25 upcoming independent releases to an audience of 162 representatives of the independent and cultural film exhibition sector.
Life Of Pi, Sapphires to bookend Dubai film festival

Ang Lee’s The Life Of Pi will open this year’s Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on December 9, while Wayne Blair’s The Sapphires will close the eight-day event.
Lionsgate, West Company unveil Russian output deal

The companies announced the formal partnership on Wednesday [28] hot on the heels of the franchise record $22m debut of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
Locarno's Open Doors 2013 to focus on South Caucasus

12 co-production projects to be selected from Armenia, Azerbaijan [pictured] and Georgia.
London Critics' Circle to honour Helena Bonham Carter

Actress to receive Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film at 33rd London Critics’ Circle Film Awards on Jan 20.
Mammootty to star in Ahamed's Shop

Malayalam superstar Mammootty will play the lead in Kunjanandan’s Shop (Kunjananthante Kada), the latest project from National Film Award-winning director Salim Ahamed.
Marrakech to fete Yimou, Huppert, Demme, Chopra

Festival also to focus on Hindi cinema, with attendees including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra.
Matador Pictures to focus on development as it launches separate film financing unit

EXCLUSIVE: UK independent film development and production company Matador Pictures has launched Gloucester Place Films in a move that will see the production and financing activities of the company split.
Metrodome promotes Ramchandani and Vernon

EXCLUSIVE: Independent distributor also announces internal restructure and expansion plans for its distribution team.
Michael Haneke

Michael Haneke’s latest film Amour won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year and continues to attract awards attention. The Austrian auteur talks to John Hazelton about tackling ageing and suffering on screen — and why he doesn’t like improvisation
Milos Forman to receive DGA Lifetime Achievement Award

The director of such films as One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and The People Vs Larry Flynt will collect the honour at the 65th Annual DGA Awards on Feb 2 in Los Angeles.
Miss Nikki And The Tiger Girls

Dir/scr: Juliet Lamont. Australia. 2012. 82mins
New Zealand and back again

Air New Zealand launches Hobbit-inspired aircraft to take Peter Jackson and his cast to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s premiere in New Zealand.
Organic acquires Romley Davies

Marketing and publicity outfit Organic Marketing has acquired publicity specialist Romley Davies.
Palm Springs to honour Flight director Robert Zemeckis

Zemeckis will collect the 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival’s (PSIFF) Director Of The Year Award on Jan 5.
Panorama of European Cinema Festival

25th edition of the festival ran Nov 15-25 with Miroslav Momsilovic’s black comedy Death of a Man in the Balkans winning best film.
Peepli Live directors option Sethi's A Free Man

Delhi-based filmmakers Anusha Rizvi and Mahmood Farooqui are planning an adaptation of Aman Sethi’s non-fiction work A Free Man, which they are planning as a sequel to their 2010 hit Peepli Live.
Pinewood and Shepperton fitted with Dolby Atmos

Mixing theatres at the two studios are the very first facilities in the UK to be fitted with Dolby’s end-to-end audio platform.
Pinewood posts increase in profit and revenue, Ruth Prior joins board

Former EMI executive Prior will chair Pinewood’s audit committee.
Polish Film Institute pacts with India on Kathiawar

The Polish Film Institute is teaming with Indian broadcaster Doordarshan and the government of Gujarat to co-produce the documentary Little Poland In Kathiawar, the first official co-production under the Indo-Polish treaty signed earlier this year.
Provincetown Film Society to receive NEA grant

The Society is one of 832 non-profit organisations nationwide to benefit from a National Endowment For The Arts grant for the 15th Annual Provincetown International Film Festival, set to run form Jun 19-23.
Q's Overdose Joint lines up treble

Bengali director Q is producing three new projects through his production house Overdose Joint, including Kolkata-set horror film Ludo.
R. Kelly's hip-hopera comes out of the Closet

Trapped in the Closet [pictured] to get a sing-along tour in the US.
Rafea: Solar Mama

Dirs: Jehane Noujaim, Mona Eldaief. Denmark-US-UK. 2012. 75mins
Richard Gere

Richard Gere could be in line for his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a conflicted financial executive and family man in Arbitrage.
Roman Coppola debuts Four Stories

Roman Coppola and The Directors Bureau premiered the short film series Four Stories at the Prince Charles Theatre in London’s Leicester Square alongside a host of young international film talent.
Secret Cinema announces 20th production

For the first time, the immersive live cinema experience will also take place in Athens and New York.
Serving The Master

Rumours flew about the subject of Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film during production. The director and his producer tell Andreas Wiseman about the real journey behind The Master.
Shooting begins on Still with Aidan Gillen

EXCLUSIVE: Simon Blake’s debut feature stars Aidan Gillen [pictured].
Silver Linings, Moonrise lead Spirit Award nominations

The leaders garnered five nods apiece on Tuesday [27] followed by Beasts Of The Southern Wild on four. David O Russell, Wes Anderson and Benh Zeitlin are nominated for best director, while Jennifer Lawrence and Quvenzhane Wallis are in contention for female lead and Bradley Cooper competes in the male category.
Simon Phillips’ The Broken sets shoot date

EXCLUSIVE: Thriller starring Mark Harris and Kristen Dalton will shoot on location in London and Los Angeles.
Sineng Pambansa film festival announces winners

Benji Garcia’s Malan won the jury award at the second Sineng Pambansa national film festival (Nov 22-25), which ran concurrently with the Philippines’ first ever film market.
Snails to open NYC's Romanian cinema season

Tudor Giurgiu’s comedy Of Snails And Men will open the season in New York, which will also feature Beyond the Hills [pictured].
South African delegation meets with senior US executives

A delegation of South African government officials, funders and film executives recently participated in a week-long programme of strategic meetings in Los Angeles with senior US executives.
Spanish thriller The Body racks up sales to seven territories at AFM

New thriller by Rodar y Rodar (The Orphanage, Julia’s Eyes) The Body was sold to seven territories during the recent American Film Market.
Stefansson’s Heaven and Hell trilogy to be adapted for screen

Icelandic book series to be adapted for release from late 2014.
Strand Releasing takes US rights to Post Tenebras Lux

Carlos Reygadas’ Mexico-set drama premiered in Cannes where it won the best director’s prize and most recently screened at AFI FEST.
Sundance Channel inks Turkish TV deal

AMC Sundance Channel inks first time carriage on largest pay TV platform in Turkey, expands Polish footprint.
Sundance unveils Spotlight, Midnight, New Frontier sections

Park City At Midnight features cannibalism, demonic possession and the follow-up to the 2012 festival’s shocker, V/H/S. Spotlight entries include Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers, Chilean Oscar submission No and acclaimed Israeli documentary The Gatekeepers.
Tangled Bank Studios launches with science focus

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is backing the venture and announced the launch on Monday [26] as the latest plank in its $60m film and TV production initiative.
The fight over formats

A Bafta and Directors UK panel brought industry experts together in London to discuss whether or not shooting on film is still viable in the digital world. Wendy Mitchell reports
The last bite

Currently rolling out worldwide, will the final instalment of the Twilight Saga manage to stake a bigger claim on the global market than previous films in the series? Ian Sandwell reports
Toby Jones joins Leave to Remain

Shooting is underway for director Bruce Goodison’s feature Leave to Remain, which will star Toby Jones.
Tony Hall named new BBC director general

Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall has been appointed the new BBC director general.
TorinoFilmLab awards cash prizes

This year’s TorinoFilmLab saw professionals showcase projects and compete for production grants.
Toronto Critics benefit from Rogers Communications largesse

The corporation will turn the Toronto Film Critics Association’s (TFCA) top award into the richest prize in Canada when it presents the director of the winning film with $100,000 on Jan 8.
Twilight holds firm at the UK box office

Climactic instalment of eOne’s popular franchise adds $8.4m (£5.3m) to retain top spot ahead of Skyfall and impressive debutant Nativity 2.
Twilight powers Lionsgate International to first $1bn year

UPDATED: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 dominated its second weekend through a confirmed $104.2m haul that came in much higher than Sunday estimates and propelled the early tally to $365.5m. In an unprecedented one-two for the company, combined box office crossed $1bn internationally and $2bn worldwide.
Twilight's Chaske Spencer signs on for Indian Summer

EXCLUSIVE: Film also stars Ashley Jensen and Kevin McKidd.
UK on course for record box office in 2012

UK cinema box office receipts crossed the £1bn threshold this week and are running 1% ahead of the same point in 2011.
UK producers talk about 'downward pressure on budgets'

Stephen Evans, Paul Webster, Neil Thompson and Richard Holmes spoke at GlobeScreen conference in London.
VFX breaks new ground

The shortlisted films for this year’s visual effects category at the Academy Awards reveal how the sector has moved beyond the sci-fi and fantasy realm into comedies and dramas. John Hazelton eyes the field of contenders.
VOD platform UniversCine partners with Torino Film Lab

The Torino Film Lab Collection on UniversCiné will showcase the work of the Lab, which is dedicated to first and second-time filmmakers.
Voice From Elsewhere, Phoring win awards at Film Bazaar

Director Vipin Vijay’s A Voice From Elsewhere, a drama set against the backdrop of the Kerala backwaters, picked up the $18,000 (Rs1m) Incredible India award as Film Bazaar wrapped on Saturday (Nov 24).
Warner Bros, Village Roadshow extend deal through 2017

The studio’s 15-year-old producer-financier partner has also increased its production facility to $1.125bn.
WFTV to honour Ruth Caleb

Veteran drama producer Ruth Caleb will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Sky WFTV Awards for her 40-year contribution to the industry.
WIFTS Foundation announces honourees

Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema will host the WIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards on Dec 1 in Los Angeles.
Will investors join EIS club?

The boosted Enterprise Investment Scheme was expected to be a big bonus for the UK film industry, but financiers say times are tougher than expected. Geoffrey Macnab talks to the experts.
Zero Dark Thirty

Dir: Kathryn Bigelow. US. 2012. 157mins

Screen22 Nov 2012

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22 Nov 2012