Jason Cloth, a Canadian financier with credits on dozens of films including “Babylon” and “Joker,” was hit with a $19.6 million verdict last week after failing to appear at a fraud trial in West Palm Beach, Fla.
A seven-member jury found that Cloth defrauded an investor on “The Pathway,” a TNT docuseries about the NBA draft, out of $6.6 million. The jury also awarded $13 million in punitive damages.
Cloth is also facing a class action suit in Chicago, where is accused of defrauding investors on “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Monkey Man” and other films out of more than $80 million.
“He’s made a career of telling people whatever they want to hear in order to get what he wants,” said attorney David Jonelis, who represented the plaintiff in the Florida case.
At the two-day trial, Jonelis presented evidence that Cloth had solicited the investment on “The Pathway” by claiming that it had been greenlit for five seasons.
A seven-member jury found that Cloth defrauded an investor on “The Pathway,” a TNT docuseries about the NBA draft, out of $6.6 million. The jury also awarded $13 million in punitive damages.
Cloth is also facing a class action suit in Chicago, where is accused of defrauding investors on “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Monkey Man” and other films out of more than $80 million.
“He’s made a career of telling people whatever they want to hear in order to get what he wants,” said attorney David Jonelis, who represented the plaintiff in the Florida case.
At the two-day trial, Jonelis presented evidence that Cloth had solicited the investment on “The Pathway” by claiming that it had been greenlit for five seasons.
- 5/13/2024
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Last Updated on April 08, 2024
Update: Producer and Archivist Robert Harris has reached out to JoBlo to add his take on James Cameron’s 4K releases, saying, “These films have not been restored in any way, nor was restoration needed. There should be no problems with the original elements. The work performed was a re-visualization. An entirely new digital product, which (to varying degrees of success) appears to have achieved Mr. Cameron’s goals. If these were attempts at restoration, they would fail in all regards. All best, Robert Harris.”
Not long after reaching out to us, Harris sent a follow-up email with more comments:
Allow me to chime in again and possibly clarify. Very much akin to Titanic, these films seemingly were restricted during production based upon accessible technology – be it film stock, optics – whatever.
The original filmmaker, by virtue of newer technologies, has seen fit to update the way...
Update: Producer and Archivist Robert Harris has reached out to JoBlo to add his take on James Cameron’s 4K releases, saying, “These films have not been restored in any way, nor was restoration needed. There should be no problems with the original elements. The work performed was a re-visualization. An entirely new digital product, which (to varying degrees of success) appears to have achieved Mr. Cameron’s goals. If these were attempts at restoration, they would fail in all regards. All best, Robert Harris.”
Not long after reaching out to us, Harris sent a follow-up email with more comments:
Allow me to chime in again and possibly clarify. Very much akin to Titanic, these films seemingly were restricted during production based upon accessible technology – be it film stock, optics – whatever.
The original filmmaker, by virtue of newer technologies, has seen fit to update the way...
- 4/8/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Ridley Scott’s production company has a new UK television chief.
Sharon Hughff, who was previously Creative Director, Scripted Television at eOne in the UK, has been named Head of Television at Scott Free UK.
Reporting to Scott Free’s Cco David W Zucker, and President of Television, Clayton Krueger, Hughff will oversee development and production for the company’s slate of scripted programming out of London.
It comes two years after Hughff joined eOne from The Crown producer Left Bank, where she produced series including Netflix’s White Lines and Sky/Cinemax series Strike Back.
She most recently exec produced the adaptation of Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow for Paramount+ and Showtime, which premieres later this month. The series stars Ewan McGregor and was written by Ben Vanstone.
Previous credits at Left Bank, where she was an executive producer include an adaptation of Louise Penny’s Three Pines...
Sharon Hughff, who was previously Creative Director, Scripted Television at eOne in the UK, has been named Head of Television at Scott Free UK.
Reporting to Scott Free’s Cco David W Zucker, and President of Television, Clayton Krueger, Hughff will oversee development and production for the company’s slate of scripted programming out of London.
It comes two years after Hughff joined eOne from The Crown producer Left Bank, where she produced series including Netflix’s White Lines and Sky/Cinemax series Strike Back.
She most recently exec produced the adaptation of Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow for Paramount+ and Showtime, which premieres later this month. The series stars Ewan McGregor and was written by Ben Vanstone.
Previous credits at Left Bank, where she was an executive producer include an adaptation of Louise Penny’s Three Pines...
- 3/26/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Clockwise left to right: Joker: Folie A Deux (Warner Bros.) The Bikeriders, (Focus Features), Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros.), Furiosa (Warner Bros.)Graphic: The A.V. Club
Two years ago, right around the time Everything Everywhere All At Once came out during awards season, we thought it would be...
Two years ago, right around the time Everything Everywhere All At Once came out during awards season, we thought it would be...
- 3/13/2024
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
Focus Features has set a U.S. release date for Edward Berger’s new thriller, Conclave, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.
The film, set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope, will be released in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2024, before going wider a week later on Nov. 8.
Conclave is German director Berger’s follow up to his 2022 anti-war epic and Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
The film, set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope, will be released in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2024, before going wider a week later on Nov. 8.
Conclave is German director Berger’s follow up to his 2022 anti-war epic and Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
- 3/8/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Focus Features has firmed up release plans for Conclave, the papal thriller marking filmmaker Edward Berger’s follow-up to his 2022 Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. An adaptation of Robert Harris’ same-name bestseller, penned by Peter Straughan, the film releases in theaters in New York and L.A. on November 1st, before expanding on the 8th.
Currently, the 1st is only occupied by an unknown title from Universal Pictures. Titles set to open on the 8th include Sony’s Venom 3 and 20th’s action thriller The Amateur starring Rami Malek.
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds...
Currently, the 1st is only occupied by an unknown title from Universal Pictures. Titles set to open on the 8th include Sony’s Venom 3 and 20th’s action thriller The Amateur starring Rami Malek.
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A series of three features drawing from the life of pioneering electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla is in development at Showdog Studio. The project will be co-written by Tim Eaton, a visual effects veteran whose credits include “Men in Black,” “Twister” and “Beowulf.”
The banner has optioned the rights for the 1996 biography “Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla” and the 2021 biography “Tesla: Wizard at War,” as well as various other research by the author of both works, Marc J. Seifer. Seifer also co-wrote the films with Eaton. Showdog also shares that it has received access to various other letters and artifacts from Tesla’s life.
“We are proud to be working with Marc and Tim and believe they will be a strong vehicle through which we can explore how, in a world increasingly influenced by technology and its misuse, Tesla’s very human story about the burden...
The banner has optioned the rights for the 1996 biography “Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla” and the 2021 biography “Tesla: Wizard at War,” as well as various other research by the author of both works, Marc J. Seifer. Seifer also co-wrote the films with Eaton. Showdog also shares that it has received access to various other letters and artifacts from Tesla’s life.
“We are proud to be working with Marc and Tim and believe they will be a strong vehicle through which we can explore how, in a world increasingly influenced by technology and its misuse, Tesla’s very human story about the burden...
- 3/6/2024
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: After his World War I epic All Quiet on the Western Front took home the Oscar for Best International Feature Film and three others, director Edward Berger might have found his follow-up project with one of the biggest action heroes of this century. Sources tell Deadline that Universal Pictures is looking to get back in business with Jason Bourne as the studio has begun early development on a new installment in the Jason Bourne franchise and that Berger is in negotiations to oversee development and direct the pic.
Universal could not be reached for comment, and insiders close to the project say there is no script at this time and that it is still in early development. That said, Berger has been in high demand following All Quiet‘s big night at the Oscars, and his potential involvement with the project has all parties very excited about the future of Bourne.
Universal could not be reached for comment, and insiders close to the project say there is no script at this time and that it is still in early development. That said, Berger has been in high demand following All Quiet‘s big night at the Oscars, and his potential involvement with the project has all parties very excited about the future of Bourne.
- 11/20/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s time for another episode of the Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? video series, and with this one we’re preparing for director Eli Roth’s long-awaited slasher Thanksgiving – which reaches theatres this Friday, November 17th – by looking back at his 2002 feature debut Cabin Fever (watch it Here). To hear all about it, check out the video embedded above.
Directed by Roth from a screenplay he wrote with Randy Pearlstein, Cabin Fever has the following synopsis: Bert, a college student vacationing with friends in the mountains, mistakenly shoots a local man with a skin infection while hunting in the woods. Panicking, he abandons the scene and leaves the man for dead. When the man stumbles into a reservoir, he infects the water supply, and soon one of Bert’s friends becomes infected. The friends struggle to stop the contagious, flesh-eating disease while on the run from a group...
Directed by Roth from a screenplay he wrote with Randy Pearlstein, Cabin Fever has the following synopsis: Bert, a college student vacationing with friends in the mountains, mistakenly shoots a local man with a skin infection while hunting in the woods. Panicking, he abandons the scene and leaves the man for dead. When the man stumbles into a reservoir, he infects the water supply, and soon one of Bert’s friends becomes infected. The friends struggle to stop the contagious, flesh-eating disease while on the run from a group...
- 11/15/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
“Conclave,” the latest from Oscar-winning director Edward Berger, has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Focus Features, TheWrap has learned. Berger’s follow-up to Netflix’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” remake stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini.
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, the Peter Straughan-penned film centers on a secret papal conclave as they go about electing a new Pope — and a conspiracy amid rival factions and self-serving political ambitions. Spoiler: The previous pope was hiding a secret or two.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus,” Berger said. “Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return. To now work with Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team...
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, the Peter Straughan-penned film centers on a secret papal conclave as they go about electing a new Pope — and a conspiracy amid rival factions and self-serving political ambitions. Spoiler: The previous pope was hiding a secret or two.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus,” Berger said. “Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return. To now work with Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team...
- 11/10/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Edward Berger’s upcoming thriller “Conclave,” starring Ralph Fiennes and John Lithgow, has been acquired by Focus Features for U.S. distribution.
Directed by Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of the world’s most secretive event: election of a new Pope.
The script was written by Peter Straughan.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in the film, a Catholic dignitary tasked with running the Vatican’s mysterious papal conclave who finds himself trapped in a treasonous web as groups of ambitious rival cardinals form factions in the hope of swaying the vote.
“As ambitions, divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen,” reads the logline.
Joining Fiennes and Lithgow in the feature are Stanley Tucci,...
Directed by Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of the world’s most secretive event: election of a new Pope.
The script was written by Peter Straughan.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in the film, a Catholic dignitary tasked with running the Vatican’s mysterious papal conclave who finds himself trapped in a treasonous web as groups of ambitious rival cardinals form factions in the hope of swaying the vote.
“As ambitions, divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen,” reads the logline.
Joining Fiennes and Lithgow in the feature are Stanley Tucci,...
- 11/10/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Ralph Fiennes stars as a Vatican cardinal who finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy
Focus Features will distribute Edward Berger’s new thriller Conclave starring Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes in the US.
FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales on the new feature from the All Quiet On The Western Front director. A release date has not yet been confirmed.
Conclave is set in the Vatican and follows a Cardinal who finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy as he races to uncover a secret before the new Pope is chosen. Additional cast includes John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz,...
Focus Features will distribute Edward Berger’s new thriller Conclave starring Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes in the US.
FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales on the new feature from the All Quiet On The Western Front director. A release date has not yet been confirmed.
Conclave is set in the Vatican and follows a Cardinal who finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy as he races to uncover a secret before the new Pope is chosen. Additional cast includes John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Edward Berger is coming home to Focus Features with his upcoming film “Conclave.”
The “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning director helms upcoming adaptation “Conclave” about the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features for his first job in Hollywood; Focus Features now has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave.”
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus. Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return,” Berger said in a press statement. “To now work with [Focus Features Chairman] Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team feels like I have arrived at a home that I‘ve always missed. I am grateful and so cannot wait to share the movie with audiences in the U.
The “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning director helms upcoming adaptation “Conclave” about the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features for his first job in Hollywood; Focus Features now has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave.”
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus. Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return,” Berger said in a press statement. “To now work with [Focus Features Chairman] Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team feels like I have arrived at a home that I‘ve always missed. I am grateful and so cannot wait to share the movie with audiences in the U.
- 11/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Focus Features has picked up the U.S. rights to Edward Berger’s new thriller, Conclave, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.
Based on Robert Harris’ best-selling novel of the same name, Conclave is set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope. Fiennes plays Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
Lithgow will play Cardinal Tremblay, Tucci will play Cardinal Bellini and Isabella Rossellini will play Sister Agnes.
Conclave is produced by House Productions and FilmNation Entertainment, with Peter Straughan writing the script. The ensemble cast includes Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze and Sergio Castellitto.
Based on Robert Harris’ best-selling novel of the same name, Conclave is set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope. Fiennes plays Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
Lithgow will play Cardinal Tremblay, Tucci will play Cardinal Bellini and Isabella Rossellini will play Sister Agnes.
Conclave is produced by House Productions and FilmNation Entertainment, with Peter Straughan writing the script. The ensemble cast includes Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze and Sergio Castellitto.
- 11/10/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
More movies potentially for next year’s starved 2024 theatrical release calendar: Focus Features has taken U.S. distribution rights to Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front filmmaker Edward Berger’s papal thriller Conclave. The movie’s starry cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini.
The Peter Straughan-penned script based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel centers on the secret papal conclave, which is electing a new Pope. After the death of a beloved Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process inside the back corners of the Vatican. Lawrence quickly finds himself the center of a conspiracy, as the cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes the departed Pope had...
The Peter Straughan-penned script based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel centers on the secret papal conclave, which is electing a new Pope. After the death of a beloved Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process inside the back corners of the Vatican. Lawrence quickly finds himself the center of a conspiracy, as the cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes the departed Pope had...
- 11/10/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Production veterans John Attard and David “Doc” Abbott have launched Showdog Studios, a content company based in Franklin, Tenn.
The partners are self-financing the business and have established a development fund to create their own content. The pair are at work on an anthology series, “Revive: Portraits of Redemption,” with producer Tom Evans that they intend to shop to buyers down the road. Another industry veteran, Robert Harris, has joined Showdog as executive producer to help shepherd “Revive” and other projects. Franklin is about 20 miles south of Nashville.
“Doc and I are extremely excited to have Robert join the Showdog Studio team. We want to create stories of hope along the lines of the stories I’ve enjoyed watching over the years – many of which were deftly shepherded by Robert’s steady hand,” Attard said.
John Attard
The partners vow to produce TV shows, films and other content that revolve...
The partners are self-financing the business and have established a development fund to create their own content. The pair are at work on an anthology series, “Revive: Portraits of Redemption,” with producer Tom Evans that they intend to shop to buyers down the road. Another industry veteran, Robert Harris, has joined Showdog as executive producer to help shepherd “Revive” and other projects. Franklin is about 20 miles south of Nashville.
“Doc and I are extremely excited to have Robert join the Showdog Studio team. We want to create stories of hope along the lines of the stories I’ve enjoyed watching over the years – many of which were deftly shepherded by Robert’s steady hand,” Attard said.
John Attard
The partners vow to produce TV shows, films and other content that revolve...
- 8/7/2023
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
A more valid criterion will be to see how its influence survives today, or say, how at home we would be if we are somehow sent back to one of these civilisations?
On both these standards, ancient Rome, say in the late Republican period (1st century Bce), could well qualify.
In Rome of this period, you would find yourself in a large sprawling city, where plush neighbourhoods with elegant villas are interspersed with more crowded areas full of multi-storey buildings, streets teem with people from all over the known world, there are markets and various services, common people eagerly follow and gossip over the foibles of the rich and famous, are swayed by sops and entertainment spectacles, stay keenly involved in governance which, however, is largely a preserve of professional politicians with issues over public works, food subsidies, corruption et al predominating.
Unlike most other ancient civilisations across Europe, Asia,...
On both these standards, ancient Rome, say in the late Republican period (1st century Bce), could well qualify.
In Rome of this period, you would find yourself in a large sprawling city, where plush neighbourhoods with elegant villas are interspersed with more crowded areas full of multi-storey buildings, streets teem with people from all over the known world, there are markets and various services, common people eagerly follow and gossip over the foibles of the rich and famous, are swayed by sops and entertainment spectacles, stay keenly involved in governance which, however, is largely a preserve of professional politicians with issues over public works, food subsidies, corruption et al predominating.
Unlike most other ancient civilisations across Europe, Asia,...
- 4/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
To celebrate the release of The Fear Index, we spoke to the stars of the thrilling mini-series!
Based on a book by Robert Harris, The Fear Index revolves around a physicist Dr. Alexander Hoffman who is plunged into the scariest 24 hours of his life, following an attack in his home.
Lead actor Josh Hartnett and supporting actor Arsher Ali talk about what drew them to the project and how our reliance of technology is so terrifying. We also spoke with Leila Farzad about tackling trauma and art, and Gregory Montel’s homage to Colombo!
The Fear Index will be released on Sky Atlantic and Now on the 10th of February, 2022.
Plot:
Dr Alex Hoffman is launching Vixal-4 to investors – an AI-driven system that exploits fear in the financial markets and operates at lightning speed to make big returns. The promise is billions, the rich are ready to get richer… but...
Based on a book by Robert Harris, The Fear Index revolves around a physicist Dr. Alexander Hoffman who is plunged into the scariest 24 hours of his life, following an attack in his home.
Lead actor Josh Hartnett and supporting actor Arsher Ali talk about what drew them to the project and how our reliance of technology is so terrifying. We also spoke with Leila Farzad about tackling trauma and art, and Gregory Montel’s homage to Colombo!
The Fear Index will be released on Sky Atlantic and Now on the 10th of February, 2022.
Plot:
Dr Alex Hoffman is launching Vixal-4 to investors – an AI-driven system that exploits fear in the financial markets and operates at lightning speed to make big returns. The promise is billions, the rich are ready to get richer… but...
- 2/10/2022
- by Sarah Cook
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Jeremy Irons as Neville Chamberlain leads this Netflix adaptation of the novelist’s conspiracy story set on the eve of the second world war
Plush offices, candlelit speakeasies and tasteful walled gardens; such cosy confines feel built for lovers. In Christian Schwochow’s handsome spy thriller, they are the clandestine meeting points for undercover agents. Set in 1938, in the run-up to the second world war, and based on Robert Harris’s 2017 historical novel, it stars a quietly dignified Jeremy Irons as prime minister Neville Chamberlain as he prepares to meet with Adolf Hitler (Ulrich Matthes) to discuss what would become the ill-fated Munich agreement.
Advising, or rather, advising against, is George MacKay’s sombre political aide Hugh Legat, who in turn is fed information by former university pal Paul von Hartman (Jannis Niewöhner), now a German diplomat. MacKay is muted; his character is teased for his reserve, a quality he shares with the film.
Plush offices, candlelit speakeasies and tasteful walled gardens; such cosy confines feel built for lovers. In Christian Schwochow’s handsome spy thriller, they are the clandestine meeting points for undercover agents. Set in 1938, in the run-up to the second world war, and based on Robert Harris’s 2017 historical novel, it stars a quietly dignified Jeremy Irons as prime minister Neville Chamberlain as he prepares to meet with Adolf Hitler (Ulrich Matthes) to discuss what would become the ill-fated Munich agreement.
Advising, or rather, advising against, is George MacKay’s sombre political aide Hugh Legat, who in turn is fed information by former university pal Paul von Hartman (Jannis Niewöhner), now a German diplomat. MacKay is muted; his character is teased for his reserve, a quality he shares with the film.
- 1/9/2022
- by Simran Hans
- The Guardian - Film News
The Fipresci (International Federation of Film Critics) has handed out its prize in the 76th Venice International Film Festival’s competition to Roman Polanski’s “An Officer and a Spy,” which wraps its 2019 edition on September 7.
Originally titled “J’accuse,” the French drama about the Dreyfus affair, scripted by Polanski and Robert Harris, is based on Harris’ 2013 novel of the same name. It tells the true story of Georges Picquart, the 19th-century French army officer and Minister of War, as he struggles to expose the truth about the doctored evidence that sent Alfred Dreyfus, a French artillery officer of Jewish ancestry convicted in 1894 of treason, to Devil’s Island. The French penal colony operated in the 19th and 20th century in the Islands of French Guiana, located in South America.
Starring as Georges Picquart is French actor Jean Dujardin, who leaped to international fame with his performance as George Valentin...
Originally titled “J’accuse,” the French drama about the Dreyfus affair, scripted by Polanski and Robert Harris, is based on Harris’ 2013 novel of the same name. It tells the true story of Georges Picquart, the 19th-century French army officer and Minister of War, as he struggles to expose the truth about the doctored evidence that sent Alfred Dreyfus, a French artillery officer of Jewish ancestry convicted in 1894 of treason, to Devil’s Island. The French penal colony operated in the 19th and 20th century in the Islands of French Guiana, located in South America.
Starring as Georges Picquart is French actor Jean Dujardin, who leaped to international fame with his performance as George Valentin...
- 9/7/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
The BBC’s five-part miniseries, adapted from Len Deighton’s novel, holds up handsomely on the big screen, favouring film noir style over pulp content
The alternative history genre is built on “what ifs?”. The 1931 essay collection If It Had Happened Otherwise contains one piece wondering how history might have been different had John Wilkes Booth’s gun had jammed, leaving Abraham Lincoln to enjoy a perfectly pleasant evening at the theatre; another essay, written by Winston Churchill, imagines the world following a Confederate triumph at Gettysburg. There also exists an entire subgenre conditional on an undesirable outcome to the second world war. Robert Harris’s Fatherland and Philip K Dick’s The Man in the High Castle have been filmed for television. Now Len Deighton’s SS-gb, which shows the Metropolitan police adopting a business-as-usual approach in London after Britain’s capitulation to Germany, has been turned into a...
The alternative history genre is built on “what ifs?”. The 1931 essay collection If It Had Happened Otherwise contains one piece wondering how history might have been different had John Wilkes Booth’s gun had jammed, leaving Abraham Lincoln to enjoy a perfectly pleasant evening at the theatre; another essay, written by Winston Churchill, imagines the world following a Confederate triumph at Gettysburg. There also exists an entire subgenre conditional on an undesirable outcome to the second world war. Robert Harris’s Fatherland and Philip K Dick’s The Man in the High Castle have been filmed for television. Now Len Deighton’s SS-gb, which shows the Metropolitan police adopting a business-as-usual approach in London after Britain’s capitulation to Germany, has been turned into a...
- 2/15/2017
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
Michael Caine young. Michael Caine movies: From Irwin Allen bombs to Woody Allen classic It's hard to believe that Michael Caine has been around making movies for nearly six decades. No wonder he's had time to appear – in roles big and small and tiny – in more than 120 films, ranging from unwatchable stuff like the Sylvester Stallone soccer flick Victory and Michael Ritchie's adventure flick The Island to Brian G. Hutton's X, Y and Zee, Joseph L. Mankiewicz's Sleuth (a duel of wits and acting styles with Laurence Olivier), and Alfonso Cuarón's Children of Men. (See TCM's Michael Caine movie schedule further below.) Throughout his long, long career, Caine has played heroes and villains and everything in between. Sometimes, in his worst vehicles, he has floundered along with everybody else. At other times, he was the best element in otherwise disappointing fare, e.g., Philip Kaufman's Quills.
- 8/6/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Film: "Pompeii"; Cast: Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Jared Harris, Carrie-Anne Moss, Adewale Akkinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica Lucas and Kiefer Sutherland; Director: Paul W.S. Anderson; Rating: ***1/2
A historical drama based on the ill-fated Roman city of the same name, director Paul W.S. Anderson's "Pompeii" is a far cry from Robert Harris' 2003 novel. Yet, the film is distinct and appealing. It's a revenge drama with a tinge of romance and dollops of natural disaster.
The film begins eerily with the camera drooling over fossilized bodies. The stoned images, gruesome and weather-beaten, are accompanied by a quote - "In the darkness some prayed for help, others for death," attributed to Pliny the Younger". It claims it is accurate.
A historical drama based on the ill-fated Roman city of the same name, director Paul W.S. Anderson's "Pompeii" is a far cry from Robert Harris' 2003 novel. Yet, the film is distinct and appealing. It's a revenge drama with a tinge of romance and dollops of natural disaster.
The film begins eerily with the camera drooling over fossilized bodies. The stoned images, gruesome and weather-beaten, are accompanied by a quote - "In the darkness some prayed for help, others for death," attributed to Pliny the Younger". It claims it is accurate.
- 2/21/2014
- by Amith Ostwal
- RealBollywood.com
London, Dec. 29: Researchers have suggested that reading a novel can trigger actual, measurable changes in the brain that could remain for at least five days after reading.
The new research, which was carried out at Emory University in the Us, found that reading a good book could cause heightened connectivity in the brain and neurological changes that persist in a similar way to muscle memory, The Independent reported.
The changes happened in the left temporal cortex, an area of the brain associated with language receptivity, as well as the primary sensory motor region of the brain.
For the study, 21 students read the same book - Pompeii, a 2003 thriller by Robert Harris, chosen for its page turning plot.
Over.
The new research, which was carried out at Emory University in the Us, found that reading a good book could cause heightened connectivity in the brain and neurological changes that persist in a similar way to muscle memory, The Independent reported.
The changes happened in the left temporal cortex, an area of the brain associated with language receptivity, as well as the primary sensory motor region of the brain.
For the study, 21 students read the same book - Pompeii, a 2003 thriller by Robert Harris, chosen for its page turning plot.
Over.
- 12/29/2013
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
We had the final trailer earlier this month, and now here's the ultimate* poster for Paul W. S. Anderson's Pompeii, promising "No warning" and "No escape". No emphasis on the stars either: the thinking is clearly that the focus of the film is the angry Mount Vesuvius. Kit Harington and Emily Browning are relegated to an anonymous embrace. Still, an anonymous embrace is better than no embrace at all, we're saying.In the film, Game Of Thrones' Harington plays Milo, a slave who must rescue not only his best pal (fellow gladiator Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) but also the woman he loves, Cassia (Browning), when Vesuvius erupts and begins to bury the shining Roman city of Pompeii under ash and debris. There’s just one other issue when it comes to Cassia and Milo’s happiness: she’s promised to a nasty Roman senator, played by Kiefer Sutherland.{New Pompeii Pics...
- 12/24/2013
- EmpireOnline
It's been a few years now since we've had a new Paul Greengrass film to look forward to. His next film, Captain Phillips, won't hit theatres until late next year, but in the meantime, he has no shortage of follow-up projects in development. His Martin Luther King Jr. drama Memphis fell apart last year after it lost studio backing, but recently it was revealed that he is in the process of securing independent funding. He also has an adaptation of Robert Harris' The Fear Index in development along with a documentary about the Fc Barcelona soccer team. Now another project has surfaced that could potentially trump all of these: an untitled crime thriller starring George Clooney. Read on for more details. According to Variety, Paul Greengrass is attached to direct and produce an upcoming film for Sony from the same team that brought us Ben Affleck's Argo. George Clooney...
- 11/30/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Watch: Roman Polanski's Prada-Funded Short Film 'A Therapy' With Ben Kingsley & Helena Bonham Carter
Last year's "Carnage" might have been something of a disappointment, but it hasn't fazed Roman Polanski: the director's already gearing up for his next film "D," about the famous Dreyfus Affair in France in the 19th century, which will see the director reteam with his "The Ghost Writer" scribe Robert Harris. The plan is for the film to shoot at the end of the year, but Polanski's not been idle in the meantime: he's been in Cannes this week with a threefold purpose: the screening of the documentary "Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir" (read our review here), another screening, of his 1979 picture "Tess," and the unveiling of a new short film that he's directed.
The film, essentially a commercial for Prada, who funded it, is entitled "A Therapy," and is seemingly shot on a left-over set from "Carnage," with Polanski's "Death And The Maiden" and "Oliver Twist" star Ben Kingsley...
The film, essentially a commercial for Prada, who funded it, is entitled "A Therapy," and is seemingly shot on a left-over set from "Carnage," with Polanski's "Death And The Maiden" and "Oliver Twist" star Ben Kingsley...
- 5/23/2012
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
It was no surprise to hear this week that studios already have sequels like The Avengers 2 and Smurfs 3 in the works, but with Cannes kicking off, there are bound to be many more, new and exciting projects announced soon. In the meantime, here are a few interesting and/or noteworthy projects that were recently added to IMDbPro's database of development titles:
Amazing Girl – Zoe Saldana stars in this project from Transformers producer Ian Bryce. Written by Pool Boys scribe Justin Ware, the comedy centers on a burnt-out superhero looking to make a fresh start for herself as a normal civilian.
They Came Together – Parks and Recreation rivals Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler are set to star in this romcom from their Wet Hot American Summer creators David Wain and Michael Showalter. Lionsgate is producing the project with Wain on board to direct.
D – Roman Polanski reunites with his Ghost Writer scribe Robert Harris for this dramatic feature based on the scandalous Dreyfus Affair, which involved the wrongful conviction of a Jewish French captain who was accused of treason in the late 19th Century and sentenced to death.
This Man, This Woman – Pariah filmmaker Dee Rees has been tapped to direct this indie drama about a divorced couple who begin to rekindle their relationship after randomly being seated next to each other on an airplane. Veteran screenwriter Frederic Raphael (Two for the Road, Eyes Wide Shut) penned the script. Mike Lobell produces.
Cali – Nick Cassavettes teams up with Twilight's Kristen Stewart for this action comedy about a guy and a girl trying to flee L.A., but are forced to return in order to save the woman's sister. Voltage Pictures and New School Media are producing the film written by 30:Minutes or Less writer Michael Diliberti.
If you know of something in the works, please consider submitting it for listing it via our online submission form.
Amazing Girl – Zoe Saldana stars in this project from Transformers producer Ian Bryce. Written by Pool Boys scribe Justin Ware, the comedy centers on a burnt-out superhero looking to make a fresh start for herself as a normal civilian.
They Came Together – Parks and Recreation rivals Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler are set to star in this romcom from their Wet Hot American Summer creators David Wain and Michael Showalter. Lionsgate is producing the project with Wain on board to direct.
D – Roman Polanski reunites with his Ghost Writer scribe Robert Harris for this dramatic feature based on the scandalous Dreyfus Affair, which involved the wrongful conviction of a Jewish French captain who was accused of treason in the late 19th Century and sentenced to death.
This Man, This Woman – Pariah filmmaker Dee Rees has been tapped to direct this indie drama about a divorced couple who begin to rekindle their relationship after randomly being seated next to each other on an airplane. Veteran screenwriter Frederic Raphael (Two for the Road, Eyes Wide Shut) penned the script. Mike Lobell produces.
Cali – Nick Cassavettes teams up with Twilight's Kristen Stewart for this action comedy about a guy and a girl trying to flee L.A., but are forced to return in order to save the woman's sister. Voltage Pictures and New School Media are producing the film written by 30:Minutes or Less writer Michael Diliberti.
If you know of something in the works, please consider submitting it for listing it via our online submission form.
- 5/14/2012
- by Eric Greene
- IMDbPro News
Following on from last year's "Carnage", Roman Polanski has announced that his next project will be the period political thriller "D" which Lionsgate/Summit International are shopping around at Cannes reports Variety.
The project deals with the famed 'Dreyfus Affair', a political scandal that divided France in the 1890s and the early 1900s.
Said scandal involved Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a young French artillery officer of Alsatian Jewish descent accused of giving French military secrets to the German Embassy in Paris.
Robert Harris, who penned both the source novel and screenplay for Polanski's 2010 thriller "The Ghost Writer", penned the script. Shooting aims to kick off later this year. Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde are producing.
The project deals with the famed 'Dreyfus Affair', a political scandal that divided France in the 1890s and the early 1900s.
Said scandal involved Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a young French artillery officer of Alsatian Jewish descent accused of giving French military secrets to the German Embassy in Paris.
Robert Harris, who penned both the source novel and screenplay for Polanski's 2010 thriller "The Ghost Writer", penned the script. Shooting aims to kick off later this year. Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde are producing.
- 5/10/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
While this news is not big for most geeks, it may be big for fellow film geeks that read the site. Roman Polanski has found his next directing project, and is reuniting with the team behind The Ghost Writer. Polanski is directing D, a film based on the Dreyfus affair, one of the biggest political scandals in history.
Robert Harris penned the screenplay for the film, which is being produced by Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde. Casting will begin soon, with production kicking-off in Paris by the end of this year. For more information read the press release below:
Paris, France / Los Angeles, CA – May 9 , 2012 — Roman Polanski announced today that his next feature film project will be the political thriller “D,” based on the Dreyfus affair, one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in history.
“D” reunites the team behind Polanski’s 2010 award-winning movie The Ghost Writer.
Robert Harris penned the screenplay for the film, which is being produced by Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde. Casting will begin soon, with production kicking-off in Paris by the end of this year. For more information read the press release below:
Paris, France / Los Angeles, CA – May 9 , 2012 — Roman Polanski announced today that his next feature film project will be the political thriller “D,” based on the Dreyfus affair, one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in history.
“D” reunites the team behind Polanski’s 2010 award-winning movie The Ghost Writer.
- 5/10/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Carnage director to work with author Robert Harris on film about turn-of-the-century French spy scandal
Roman Polanski is to follow up his success with Carnage with a film about the Dreyfus affair, the notorious turn-of-the-century French spy scandal that became a cause celebre for the fight against anti-semitism.
Fatherland author Robert Harris will work on the film's script, having recently collaborated with Polanski on the adaptation of his novel The Ghost Writer.
Polanski said he had "long wanted" to make a film about the scandal, adding, "one can show its absolute relevance to what is happening in today's world – the age-old spectacle of the witch hunt on a minority group, security paranoia, secret military tribunals, out-of-control intelligence agencies, governmental cover-ups and a rabid press."
The Dreyfus affair rocked fin-de-siecle France after Alfred Dreyfus, a young Jewish artillery captain, was convicted of treason in 1894 and sent to the brutal Devil's Island prison in French Guiana.
Roman Polanski is to follow up his success with Carnage with a film about the Dreyfus affair, the notorious turn-of-the-century French spy scandal that became a cause celebre for the fight against anti-semitism.
Fatherland author Robert Harris will work on the film's script, having recently collaborated with Polanski on the adaptation of his novel The Ghost Writer.
Polanski said he had "long wanted" to make a film about the scandal, adding, "one can show its absolute relevance to what is happening in today's world – the age-old spectacle of the witch hunt on a minority group, security paranoia, secret military tribunals, out-of-control intelligence agencies, governmental cover-ups and a rabid press."
The Dreyfus affair rocked fin-de-siecle France after Alfred Dreyfus, a young Jewish artillery captain, was convicted of treason in 1894 and sent to the brutal Devil's Island prison in French Guiana.
- 5/10/2012
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Roman Polanski‘s next movie will be D, described as a political thriller based on the infamous Dreyfus Affair. Polanski (photo), 79 next August 18, will once again work with The Ghost Writer‘s novelist / screenwriter Robert Harris. The Dreyfus Affair revolved around French army captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish man who was sentenced to life in prison for passing military secrets to the Germans in 1894. Though eventually proven innocent, Dreyfus languished for several years in solitary confinement on Devil’s Island. Partly as a result of the efforts of progressive novelist Émile Zola and others outraged by widespread corruption and bigotry within the ranks of France’s military establishment, Dreyfus was pardoned in 1899. Seven years later, he was officially exonerated of all charges. "I have long wanted to make a film about the Dreyfus Affair, treating it not as a costume drama but as a spy story,” Polanski was quoted as saying in a statement.
- 5/10/2012
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Roman Polanski knows a thing or two about scandalous affairs, on screen and off, with word coming today that the filmmaker’s next directorial project will be the political thriller ‘D’, based on the infamous Dreyfus Affair of 1894.
For those not in the know, the Dreyfus Affair is considered to be one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in legal history. In December 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, one of the few Jewish Officers on the general staff of the French Army, was secretly subjected to a court martial following accusations of passing secrets to the Germans. Found guilty, Dreyfus was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Devil’s Island. However, Col. Georges Picquart slowly began to realize that he may have the wrong man and the real traitor is still at large. In his attempts to prove his theory, he found himself in direct conflict with...
For those not in the know, the Dreyfus Affair is considered to be one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in legal history. In December 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, one of the few Jewish Officers on the general staff of the French Army, was secretly subjected to a court martial following accusations of passing secrets to the Germans. Found guilty, Dreyfus was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Devil’s Island. However, Col. Georges Picquart slowly began to realize that he may have the wrong man and the real traitor is still at large. In his attempts to prove his theory, he found himself in direct conflict with...
- 5/9/2012
- by Nick Savvides
- Obsessed with Film
While we were fairly disappointed by his last film, the star-studded one-room dramedy Carnage, director Roman Polanski is changing gears as he’s known to do and has announced his next project just as Cannes approaches. Deadline reports that he will helm a feature based on a French political affair that this writer hadn’t known about until today. Titled simply D, it follows the Dreyfus affair, which takes the director back to the late 1800′s. The Ghost Writer screenwriter Robert Harris will re-team with the helmer on this project.
One can see a rundown of the actual story below, but instead of a dry, reserved style, Polanski would like to turn this story into more of a spy thriller. He said, “in this way one can show its absolute relevance to what is happening in today’s world – the age-old spectacle of the witch-hunt of a minority group, security paranoia,...
One can see a rundown of the actual story below, but instead of a dry, reserved style, Polanski would like to turn this story into more of a spy thriller. He said, “in this way one can show its absolute relevance to what is happening in today’s world – the age-old spectacle of the witch-hunt of a minority group, security paranoia,...
- 5/9/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Roman Polanski announced his next film would be a period espionage thriller based on the Dreyfus Affair, a turn-of-the-20th-century miscarriage of justice soaked in the era’s anti-Semitism. Captain Alfred Dreyfus was the first Jewish officer to be appointed to the French army’s general staff. Brilliant but unpopular with his peers, he was accused of high treason in 1894 when a German spy made off with French military secrets. Dreyfus was scapegoated and sentenced to life in prison, fueling populist anti-Semitic sentiments across the country. The facts would ultimately reveal that he had nothing to do with the betrayal,...
- 5/9/2012
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Roman Polanski will direct “D,” a political thriller based on the Dreyfus Affair – one of the biggest political scandals in French history. Polanski will direct from a script by Robert Harris, who also worked with the director on 2010's "The Ghost Writer." One of the main draws of the project, Polanski said, was the opportunity to connect a past tragedy with current affairs. "I have long wanted to make a film about the Dreyfus Affair, treating it not as a costume drama but as a spy story,” Polanski said in a...
- 5/9/2012
- by Lucas Shaw
- The Wrap
While his personal/legal affairs unfortuantely continue to overshadow the late stage career of Roman Polanski, he continues to solider on, taking on challenging, intriguing fare. Last fall he delivered the drama/satire "Carnage," the big-screen version of the acclaimed play "God Of Carnage," and before that he helmed the underrated political potboiler "The Ghost Writer." And for his next effort, he's turning to a true-life tale.
The director has announced that his next film will be the single letter titled "D" based on the Dreyfus Affair. What is the Drefus Affair? That's why we have Wikipedia, but here's the rundown of what happened from the press release:
In December 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, one of the few Jewish officers on the General Staff of the French Army, was subjected to a secret court martial for passing secrets to the Germans. Found guilty, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Devil’s Island.
The director has announced that his next film will be the single letter titled "D" based on the Dreyfus Affair. What is the Drefus Affair? That's why we have Wikipedia, but here's the rundown of what happened from the press release:
In December 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, one of the few Jewish officers on the General Staff of the French Army, was subjected to a secret court martial for passing secrets to the Germans. Found guilty, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Devil’s Island.
- 5/9/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Controversial director Roman Polanski is getting political again. The legendary -- and legendarily controversial -- director is focusing his gaze on the notorious 19th century Dreyfuss affair for his next film, simply titled "D." Polanski will direct from a screenplay by Robert Harris (who wrote Polanski's 2010 film "The Ghost Writer"), with Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde producing. "D" will soon begin casting and is tentatively scheduled to begin production in Paris by the end of 2012. The infamous Dreyfuss affair was one of history's greatest miscarriages of justice. In December 1894, French Army Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was Jewish, was...
- 5/9/2012
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
Roman Polanski's next film will be the political thriller D, based on the notorious Dreyfus Affair. D reunites Polanski with The Ghost Writer screenwriter Robert Harris and producers Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde. The film will be independently financed. Lionsgate/Summit International is representing foreign rights, while ICM is representing North American rights. Polanski intends to begin shooting in Paris by the end of the year. Casting is underway. The Dreyfus Affair is considered on the most sensational political scandals in history, as well as a miscarriage of justice. In December 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus -- one of the few Jewish officers
read more...
read more...
- 5/9/2012
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paris, France / Los Angeles, CA – May 9 , 2012 — Roman Polanski announced today that his next feature film project will be the political thriller “D,” based on the Dreyfus affair, one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in history. “D” reunites the team behind Polanski’s 2010 award-winning movie The Ghost Writer. Polanski will direct from a screenplay written by Robert Harris, with long-time Polanski collaborators Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde serving as producers. The independently financed film will begin casting shortly and currently plans to be in production in Paris by the end of this year. Lionsgate/Summit International will represent the film’s international sales. ICM will represent North American rights. “I have long wanted to make a film about the Dreyfus Affair, treating it not as a costume drama but as a spy story,” said Polanski. “In this way one can show its absolute relevance to what...
- 5/9/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Roman Polanski announced today that his next feature film project will be the political thriller D , based on the Dreyfus affair, one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in history. D reunites the team behind Polanski's 2010 award-winning movie The Ghost Writer . Polanski will direct from a screenplay written by Robert Harris, with long-time Polanski collaborators Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde serving as producers. The independently-financed film will begin casting shortly and currently plans to be in production in Paris by the end of this year. Lionsgate/Summit International will represent the film.s international sales. ICM will represent North American rights. "I have long wanted to make a film about the Dreyfus Affair, treating...
- 5/9/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The living room of the actor's central London flat is an oasis of calm
Olivia Williams is a London girl, which is fitting for someone who we'll next see playing a mayoral candidate in the TV play City Hall, written by her husband, the actor and playwright Rhashan Stone. Growing up in Camden, she used to pass through Marylebone, where she now lives with Stone and their two daughters, on her way to Saturday-morning ballet class; she originally thought this flat would be her "bachelorette pad… my happy acceptance of permanent singledom".
Now it is filled with the evidence of busy family life, but this sitting room, with its pristine white carpet, remains an oasis of serenity. A clutch of disembodied heads adorns the mantelpiece. The largest is, somewhat unexpectedly, a polystyrene wig block, the middle one a plaster-of-Paris cast made for a special effect in a film, and the...
Olivia Williams is a London girl, which is fitting for someone who we'll next see playing a mayoral candidate in the TV play City Hall, written by her husband, the actor and playwright Rhashan Stone. Growing up in Camden, she used to pass through Marylebone, where she now lives with Stone and their two daughters, on her way to Saturday-morning ballet class; she originally thought this flat would be her "bachelorette pad… my happy acceptance of permanent singledom".
Now it is filled with the evidence of busy family life, but this sitting room, with its pristine white carpet, remains an oasis of serenity. A clutch of disembodied heads adorns the mantelpiece. The largest is, somewhat unexpectedly, a polystyrene wig block, the middle one a plaster-of-Paris cast made for a special effect in a film, and the...
- 4/28/2012
- by Alex Clark
- The Guardian - Film News
Compared to his last film, Roman Polanski's "Carnage" must have been a breeze. Not that the shoot for "The Ghost Writer" was "Fitzcarraldo" or anything, but, famously, the project hit a major speed bump in September 2009, while the film was in post-production, when the helmer was arrested in Zurich, and deportation proceedings were begun against him for the statutory rape case that has overshadowed the last thirty-odd years of his career. The Swiss authorities decided not to hand Polanski over, but he still spent months in prison, and was forced to complete post on his Robert Harris adaptation from there. But somehow, the troubled process paid off -- the film was showered with praise on release last year, and is generally regarded as one of the director's best late-period films (to the eternal puzzlement of some, including this writer). In comparison "Carnage" has been a cakewalk: the film only went before cameras in January,...
- 12/15/2011
- The Playlist
TorontoFilm.Net reports that the Tiff Bell Lightbox run of director Roman Polanski's "Carnage", opens Friday December 30, 2011.
Tiff will also host a retrospective looking back at specific films during Polanski's career, tracing the recurring themes that have shaped his vision.
"Roman Polanski" runs December 17 - December 25, 2011, including special screenings of the features "Knife in the Water", "Cul-de-sac", "Chinatown", "Repulsion", "The Tenant", "Rosemary's Baby", and "The Ghost Writer" :
"...In a career spanning more than fifty years, Roman Polanski has firmly established himself as one of the contemporary masters of cinema with his nerve-wrackingly suspenseful and darkly comic portraits of cruelty, violence, claustrophobia and madness.
"Often confining his characters within suffocatingly cloistered locations—a sailboat on a lonely lake, a crumbling castle, an isolated beach house and a succession of ominous apartment houses—Polanski observes with cynical, diabolical glee as the thin pretenses of civilization are quickly stripped away in the face of human vanities,...
Tiff will also host a retrospective looking back at specific films during Polanski's career, tracing the recurring themes that have shaped his vision.
"Roman Polanski" runs December 17 - December 25, 2011, including special screenings of the features "Knife in the Water", "Cul-de-sac", "Chinatown", "Repulsion", "The Tenant", "Rosemary's Baby", and "The Ghost Writer" :
"...In a career spanning more than fifty years, Roman Polanski has firmly established himself as one of the contemporary masters of cinema with his nerve-wrackingly suspenseful and darkly comic portraits of cruelty, violence, claustrophobia and madness.
"Often confining his characters within suffocatingly cloistered locations—a sailboat on a lonely lake, a crumbling castle, an isolated beach house and a succession of ominous apartment houses—Polanski observes with cynical, diabolical glee as the thin pretenses of civilization are quickly stripped away in the face of human vanities,...
- 12/6/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
He's turned 40, moved his family to Los Angeles and spends his time tinkering with motorbikes. Midlife crisis? No fear
In the corner of his regular haunt, a bustling restaurant in the posh suburb of Brentwood, Los Angeles, Ewan McGregor takes a break from his shrimp salad to consider the apocalypse.
"I'm not remotely worried," he says. "For all of the hurtling towards climate change, there's also a lot more understanding of it than there was when we were kids. They don't call environmentalists tree huggers any more, so there's hope!"
Doomsday would be an odd fixation for McGregor. After all, life is rather good. He has five movies coming down the pipe, and promising ones, too. There's Bryan Singer's sword-swinging fantasy Jack the Giant Killer and The Impossible, in which he and Naomi Watts face the 2004 tsunami. He also plays a stuffy scientist who falls for Emily Blunt in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,...
In the corner of his regular haunt, a bustling restaurant in the posh suburb of Brentwood, Los Angeles, Ewan McGregor takes a break from his shrimp salad to consider the apocalypse.
"I'm not remotely worried," he says. "For all of the hurtling towards climate change, there's also a lot more understanding of it than there was when we were kids. They don't call environmentalists tree huggers any more, so there's hope!"
Doomsday would be an odd fixation for McGregor. After all, life is rather good. He has five movies coming down the pipe, and promising ones, too. There's Bryan Singer's sword-swinging fantasy Jack the Giant Killer and The Impossible, in which he and Naomi Watts face the 2004 tsunami. He also plays a stuffy scientist who falls for Emily Blunt in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,...
- 10/3/2011
- by Sanjiv Bhattacharya
- The Guardian - Film News
What if the Germans had won the war? It's a question that's plagued hacky science-fiction and historical novel writers since...well, the Germans didn't win the war, but that doesn't mean it can't be the source of compelling fiction. Philip K Dick's masterpiece "The Man In The High Castle" is a good example, or Robert Harris' gripping thriller "Fatherland," while the cinematic high watermark is probably the underseen 1966 British film "It Happened Here." It's been a while since the sub-genre made it to screens, but The Guardian yesterday brought us a trailer for a new example from the U.K., the…...
- 9/30/2011
- The Playlist
Emmanuel Roman is intrigued by the hi-tech banking methods imagined in Robert Harris's latest work
Post-financial crisis, it was only a matter of time before Robert Harris introduced a new set of bad guys. We had Nazis in Fatherland, corrupt Roman politicians in Pompeii and, closer to home, a barely disguised Tony Blair-like figure in Ghost. In The Fear Index, Harris's latest thriller – which he is already adapting for film, to be directed by Paul Greengrass – we are cast into the dystopic world of finance where nerdy hedge fund managers and their computers may be the modern embodiment of evil. Perhaps Harris has been reading too much Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, as he gives the impression of believing that financial markets are one step away from some kind of twisted final stage of evolution.
The hero of The Fear Index is a brilliant physicist called Dr Alex Hoffman.
Post-financial crisis, it was only a matter of time before Robert Harris introduced a new set of bad guys. We had Nazis in Fatherland, corrupt Roman politicians in Pompeii and, closer to home, a barely disguised Tony Blair-like figure in Ghost. In The Fear Index, Harris's latest thriller – which he is already adapting for film, to be directed by Paul Greengrass – we are cast into the dystopic world of finance where nerdy hedge fund managers and their computers may be the modern embodiment of evil. Perhaps Harris has been reading too much Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, as he gives the impression of believing that financial markets are one step away from some kind of twisted final stage of evolution.
The hero of The Fear Index is a brilliant physicist called Dr Alex Hoffman.
- 9/17/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Compared to his last film, Roman Polanski's "Carnage" must have been a breeze. Not that the shoot for "The Ghost Writer" was "Fitzcarraldo" or anything, but, famously, the project hit a major speed bump in September 2009, while the film was in post-production, when the helmer was arrested in Zurich, and deportation proceedings were begun against him for the statutory rape case that has overshadowed the last thirty-odd years of his career. The Swiss authorities decided not to hand Polanski over, but he still spent months in prison, and was forced to complete post on his Robert Harris adaptation from…...
- 9/1/2011
- The Playlist
Update: This is now confirmed. At this point Paul Greengrass has not directed more movies than he's directed. Let me explain. Since his last film, Green Zone, the director has been attached to at least nine different projects. Some he's committed to doing [1], others just floated [2] his name, but considering he's only directed seven features (though we really only talk about five) it's a pretty staggering number of possible projects to be attached to in under two years. Either he's really unlucky, like was the case with [3] Memphis, or really picky, as was probably the case [4] with Fantastic Voyage. Most likely a combination of both. All this, of course, leads to the obvious. Novelist and screenwriter [5] Robert Harris said that Paul Greengrass is "on board" to direct the film version of his upcoming novel, The Fear Index. Read more after the jump. The news broke in an interview The Telegraph...
- 8/26/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Has Paul Greengrass’ adaptation of Captain Richard Phillips’ story of when his ship Maersk Alabama (also the title of the film) was held hostage by Somali Pirates in 2009 and looked like it was ready to film this year with Tom Hanks in the leading role, fallen down at Sony Pictures? The film had huge momentum just two months ago but for a thriller that was looking ready to go in front of camera’s, things have gone eerily quiet leading some to believe Maersk Alabama is just the latest in a long line of unrealised Greengrass projects of 2010. Presumably Hanks has realised he is too busy with The Wachowski’s ambitious adaptation of Cloud Atlas and he has had to drop out…. and without Hanks, Sony don’t have a movie.
That would be a huge shame, not least because we are desperate for Greengrass to work again but also...
That would be a huge shame, not least because we are desperate for Greengrass to work again but also...
- 8/26/2011
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.