Oscar-nominated “Robot Dreams” is getting a theatrical release almost one year after its Cannes debut.
Directed by Pablo Berger, “Robot Dreams” is based on a graphic novel by Sara Varon and follows the unexpected friendship between a dog and a robot. Dog lives in Manhattan and is tired of being alone, so he does what any good boy would do: build himself a robot companion. Their friendship blossoms until they become inseparable — until Dog is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. And it’s all set to ’80s music.
The Oscar-nominated feature premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and later won the Special Jury Prize at the Animation Is Film Festival. “Robot Dreams” marks the “Blancanieves” filmmaker Berger’s animated feature debut.
“With ‘Robot Dreams’ I wanted to explore the infinite narrative possibilities of animation. A medium
where everything is possible and there are no formal limits,” Berger said in a press statement.
Directed by Pablo Berger, “Robot Dreams” is based on a graphic novel by Sara Varon and follows the unexpected friendship between a dog and a robot. Dog lives in Manhattan and is tired of being alone, so he does what any good boy would do: build himself a robot companion. Their friendship blossoms until they become inseparable — until Dog is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. And it’s all set to ’80s music.
The Oscar-nominated feature premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and later won the Special Jury Prize at the Animation Is Film Festival. “Robot Dreams” marks the “Blancanieves” filmmaker Berger’s animated feature debut.
“With ‘Robot Dreams’ I wanted to explore the infinite narrative possibilities of animation. A medium
where everything is possible and there are no formal limits,” Berger said in a press statement.
- 4/23/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“I’m Nevenka,” a Movistar Plus+ original film and the awaited next feature from Spain’s Iciar Bollaín, has closed its earliest pre-sales, struck by Film Factory Entertainment, including a bellwether deal in France.
The deals come as “I’m Nevenka” has wrapped production, shooting in the Basque city of Bilbao before transferring to rural Zamora, western Spain.
Daniel Chabannes’ Epicentre Films, a classic 30-year-old distributor and producer of non-English language art pics, especially from Europe and Latin America, whose recent acquisitions take in San Sebastian Gold Shell winner “The Rye Horn” and Amos Gitai’s “It’s Not Over,” has acquired French rights.
A distributor of both big Cannes winners – “Triangle of Sadness,” “Rosetta,” “The Child” – and slightly more out-there propositions, such as Pablo Berger’s silent movie “Blancanieves,” Xenix Film Distribution has clinched rights to Switzerland.
Iciar Bollaín: A Broader Audience Auteur
The early pre-sales are hardly surprising. Since her big breakout,...
The deals come as “I’m Nevenka” has wrapped production, shooting in the Basque city of Bilbao before transferring to rural Zamora, western Spain.
Daniel Chabannes’ Epicentre Films, a classic 30-year-old distributor and producer of non-English language art pics, especially from Europe and Latin America, whose recent acquisitions take in San Sebastian Gold Shell winner “The Rye Horn” and Amos Gitai’s “It’s Not Over,” has acquired French rights.
A distributor of both big Cannes winners – “Triangle of Sadness,” “Rosetta,” “The Child” – and slightly more out-there propositions, such as Pablo Berger’s silent movie “Blancanieves,” Xenix Film Distribution has clinched rights to Switzerland.
Iciar Bollaín: A Broader Audience Auteur
The early pre-sales are hardly surprising. Since her big breakout,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Pablo Sandoval and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
“The Killing” star Sofie Gråbøl will serve as the president of this year’s Canneseries competition jury, it was announced on Tuesday.
The Danish actor kickstarted her career with the 1986 film “Barndommens gade” (“The Streets of My Childhood”) and is known for her TV roles including “The Killing,” “Nikolaj og Julie” and “Taxa.”
Joining Gråbøl on the jury are “Madame Hollywood” director, screenwriter and producer Olivier Abbou; “Four Daughters” composer Amine Bouhafa; “City of God” actor Alice Braga; “Blancanieves” actor Macarena García; and “Samber” actor Alix Poisson.
Together, the jury will judge the eight series in competition and unveil the winners on April 10. The series competing in the festival’s main lineup include “Dark Horse” (Denmark), “Dumbsday” (Norway), “Living on a Razor’s Edge” (Brazil), “Moresnet” (Belgium), “Operation Sabre” (Serbia), “This Is Not Sweden” (Spain and Sweden), “To the Wonder” (China) and “The Zweiflers” (Germany).
“This upcoming edition feels like the...
The Danish actor kickstarted her career with the 1986 film “Barndommens gade” (“The Streets of My Childhood”) and is known for her TV roles including “The Killing,” “Nikolaj og Julie” and “Taxa.”
Joining Gråbøl on the jury are “Madame Hollywood” director, screenwriter and producer Olivier Abbou; “Four Daughters” composer Amine Bouhafa; “City of God” actor Alice Braga; “Blancanieves” actor Macarena García; and “Samber” actor Alix Poisson.
Together, the jury will judge the eight series in competition and unveil the winners on April 10. The series competing in the festival’s main lineup include “Dark Horse” (Denmark), “Dumbsday” (Norway), “Living on a Razor’s Edge” (Brazil), “Moresnet” (Belgium), “Operation Sabre” (Serbia), “This Is Not Sweden” (Spain and Sweden), “To the Wonder” (China) and “The Zweiflers” (Germany).
“This upcoming edition feels like the...
- 4/2/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
The Killing star Sofie Gråbøl is leading the Canneseries jury.
Gråbøl will be joined by Olivier Abbou, Amine Bouhafa, Alice Braga, Macarena García and Alix Poisson in the six-strong jury judging a strong competition lineup that includes the likes of Denmark’s Dark Horse, Euro co-pro This is Not Sweden and Beta Film’s Operation Sabre.
Multi-award-winner Gråbøl is best known as the star of Scandi noir smash The Killing, in which she played the role of police inspector Sarah Lund, which brought her international fame. Past credits include breakout Early Spring, Taxa and Nikolaj og Julie.
She is joined by Abbou, the director and producer of a number of series and movies including Madame Hollywood, Territories and Get In, along with Braga, the Brazilian actress who has starred in internationally-acclaimed City of God and Hollywood movies such as The Suicide Squad.
García, meanwhile, made her film debut with Pablo Berger...
Gråbøl will be joined by Olivier Abbou, Amine Bouhafa, Alice Braga, Macarena García and Alix Poisson in the six-strong jury judging a strong competition lineup that includes the likes of Denmark’s Dark Horse, Euro co-pro This is Not Sweden and Beta Film’s Operation Sabre.
Multi-award-winner Gråbøl is best known as the star of Scandi noir smash The Killing, in which she played the role of police inspector Sarah Lund, which brought her international fame. Past credits include breakout Early Spring, Taxa and Nikolaj og Julie.
She is joined by Abbou, the director and producer of a number of series and movies including Madame Hollywood, Territories and Get In, along with Braga, the Brazilian actress who has starred in internationally-acclaimed City of God and Hollywood movies such as The Suicide Squad.
García, meanwhile, made her film debut with Pablo Berger...
- 4/2/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Pablo Berger’s “Robot Dreams,” which gets a theatrical release from Neon at an as-yet-unannounced time this year, was one of the animated delights of 2023. The Spanish/French hand-drawn dramedy (adapted from Sarah Varon’s wordless graphic novel) concerns the bittersweet friendship between lonely Dog and Robot, which he buys for company, in a version of ’80s Manhattan populated with animals. It’s garnered awards buzz in a longshot quest for an Oscar nomination this season.
After premiering at Cannes, “Robot Dreams” earned the Annecy Contrecham Award along with The Animation Is Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize. It was also selected as the runner-up for Best Animated Film by both the Los Angeles and Boston Film Critics groups.
Although the Spanish director was enamored with the graphic novel when he read it in 2010, he didn’t consider turning it into an animated feature until after making two live-action films,...
After premiering at Cannes, “Robot Dreams” earned the Annecy Contrecham Award along with The Animation Is Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize. It was also selected as the runner-up for Best Animated Film by both the Los Angeles and Boston Film Critics groups.
Although the Spanish director was enamored with the graphic novel when he read it in 2010, he didn’t consider turning it into an animated feature until after making two live-action films,...
- 1/6/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
‘Robot Dreams’ Review: Androids Dream of Disco Beats in Pablo Berger’s Sweetly Sorrowful Buddy Movie
Android or artificial intelligence isn’t the enemy in “Robot Dreams,” Pablo Berger’s gently whimsical fantasy of a loner finding manufactured friendship in a scuzzy vision of 1980s New York City. Indeed, one takeaway from this portrait of a shabby-happy Big Apple populated solely with anthropomorphic animals and surprisingly sensitive automatons is that the world might be a better place without humans in it. Like “Blancanieves,” his silent, flamenco-styled spin on Snow White, Berger’s fourth feature dispenses with dialogue in favor of cheerfully expressive, faux-naive visual storytelling. In all other respects, however, “Robot Dreams” is a significant left turn for the Spanish writer-director, beginning with an entirely fresh medium for him: simple, sharp-lined 2D animation in the manner of a pastel-softened “BoJack Horseman.”
Both the film’s aesthetic and its wordless approach, however, are rooted in American author and illustrator Sara Varon’s 2007 graphic novel of the same name.
Both the film’s aesthetic and its wordless approach, however, are rooted in American author and illustrator Sara Varon’s 2007 graphic novel of the same name.
- 12/31/2023
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Disney's streak of live-action remakes continues, and one we're looking forward to is the upcoming film "Snow White," a revival of 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The original "Snow White" was Disney's first animated feature film and, adjusted for inflation, is one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time. The new version stars Rachel Zegler as the titular heroine, with Gal Gadot joining her as the Evil Queen intent on being the fairest of them all.
The movie is directed by Marc Webb and wrapped filming in the summer of 2022, though Walt Disney Studios revealed on Oct. 27 that fans will have to wait until 2025 to see it. Besides that, not a whole lot is known about the film, though the team behind it have teased that there will be some pretty big differences between the original and the new one.
First, there's the casting of Zegler, who is of Colombian descent,...
The movie is directed by Marc Webb and wrapped filming in the summer of 2022, though Walt Disney Studios revealed on Oct. 27 that fans will have to wait until 2025 to see it. Besides that, not a whole lot is known about the film, though the team behind it have teased that there will be some pretty big differences between the original and the new one.
First, there's the casting of Zegler, who is of Colombian descent,...
- 10/27/2023
- by Victoria Edel
- Popsugar.com
“Chicken for Linda!” (GKids), the French/Italian 2D comedy from the husband-and-wife animation team of Sébastien Laudenbach and Chiara Malta, won the Grand Jury Prize at the sixth annual Animation Is Film Festival. “Robot Dreams” (Neon), the bittersweet Spanish/French hand-drawn dramedy from Pablo Berger, earned the Special Jury Prize.
For the Shorts section, Tal Kantor’s “Letter to a Pig,” a mixed media short about a Holocaust survivor who writes a thank-you letter to a pig that saved his life, won the Grand Prize, and the Special Jury Prize went to “Wild Summon” (from Saul Freed and Karni Arieli), which follows the dramatic life cycle of the wild salmon in human form.
The Aif win for “Chicken for Linda!” comes on the heels of taking the Annecy Cristal top prize. The film combines an imaginative hand-drawn style (color-coded characters with watercolor backgrounds) with a wacky premise concerning a frustrated...
For the Shorts section, Tal Kantor’s “Letter to a Pig,” a mixed media short about a Holocaust survivor who writes a thank-you letter to a pig that saved his life, won the Grand Prize, and the Special Jury Prize went to “Wild Summon” (from Saul Freed and Karni Arieli), which follows the dramatic life cycle of the wild salmon in human form.
The Aif win for “Chicken for Linda!” comes on the heels of taking the Annecy Cristal top prize. The film combines an imaginative hand-drawn style (color-coded characters with watercolor backgrounds) with a wacky premise concerning a frustrated...
- 10/25/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Pablo Berger’s buzzy animation is a selling machine following its Cannes premiere in Special Screenings.
Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger’s Robot Dreams is a selling machine following its Cannes premiere in the Special Screenings section with Elle Driver inking deals worldwide for the buzzy animated feature.
Robot Dreams sold to Neon for North America at the start of the market, the first major deal for the territory of Cannes 2023.
Elle Driver has since inked deals for the film in the UK and Ireland (Curzon), Australia (Madman), Benelux (Cineart), Italy (I Wonder Pictures), Switzerland (Praesens), Germany (Plaion), Scandinavia (Selmer Media...
Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger’s Robot Dreams is a selling machine following its Cannes premiere in the Special Screenings section with Elle Driver inking deals worldwide for the buzzy animated feature.
Robot Dreams sold to Neon for North America at the start of the market, the first major deal for the territory of Cannes 2023.
Elle Driver has since inked deals for the film in the UK and Ireland (Curzon), Australia (Madman), Benelux (Cineart), Italy (I Wonder Pictures), Switzerland (Praesens), Germany (Plaion), Scandinavia (Selmer Media...
- 6/2/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
It might be counterintuitive to suggest that film festivals are lonely places. What about the crowds, all the social gatherings and random conversations with strangers, you might rightfully ask. But they ultimately are, often leaving one alone with their own thoughts and a painfully sleep-deprived stamina. Which is perhaps why that the undercurrent of loneliness in the melancholic and dialogue-free “Robot Dreams,” a wonderful 2D animation by Spanish director Pablo Berger, felt so real and disarming straightaway to this critic on a lonesome, rainy morning in Cannes.
But make no mistake; even outside of the festival circuits, this sweet film on love, friendship and life in New York City is bound to strike a chord with general audiences willing to be coddled with something both innocent and grown-up, that defies the bloat of present-day Disney in its warmth and complexities. After all, the need to have that one special companion...
But make no mistake; even outside of the festival circuits, this sweet film on love, friendship and life in New York City is bound to strike a chord with general audiences willing to be coddled with something both innocent and grown-up, that defies the bloat of present-day Disney in its warmth and complexities. After all, the need to have that one special companion...
- 5/24/2023
- by Tomris Laffly
- The Wrap
The unseasonably cold and rainy weather in Cannes this year didn’t put a damper on business, but the writers strike loomed like a storm cloud, threatening a deluge.
There were plenty of deals, big and small, in the Cannes Marché du Film, which drew more than 13,500 participants this year, an all-time record, exceeding pre-pandemic figures. As the market drew to a close, Netflix closed an eight-figure deal for North America for May December, the Todd Haynes-directed dramedy starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. The pickup, reportedly worth $11 million, is a domestic-only, non-global agreement, a setup that used to be rare but could become increasingly common as streamers tighten their focus on individual territories and local audiences. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group are handling domestic rights for May December, with Rocket Science brokering international deals.
Sony did a major deal for Paddington in Peru, the third...
There were plenty of deals, big and small, in the Cannes Marché du Film, which drew more than 13,500 participants this year, an all-time record, exceeding pre-pandemic figures. As the market drew to a close, Netflix closed an eight-figure deal for North America for May December, the Todd Haynes-directed dramedy starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman. The pickup, reportedly worth $11 million, is a domestic-only, non-global agreement, a setup that used to be rare but could become increasingly common as streamers tighten their focus on individual territories and local audiences. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group are handling domestic rights for May December, with Rocket Science brokering international deals.
Sony did a major deal for Paddington in Peru, the third...
- 5/23/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the surprise animated films premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival this year is called Robot Dreams, a Spanish production made by Catalan filmmaker named Pablo Berger. The delightful animated movie is an entirely dialogue-free story set in the 1980s in New York City, following a dog character known simply as "Dog" as he builds a relationship with his new robot friend. This is Pablo Berger's first animated film, after making the features Blancanieves and Abracadabra previously. It's a super sweet, uplifting story about friendship and even though there's not a single spoken word in the entire 90 minute film, it's still captivating throughout anyway. It's one of these off-beat discoveries from a film festival that I'm glad I took the time to watch. And more good news - Neon has already acquired the film for a US release later in 2023. // Continue Reading ›...
- 5/21/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Spain’s Revelations showcase has focused on shorts, not features, unveiling the huge breadth of animation talent and techniques in Spain.
Some shorts directors are already stars, such as Alberto Mielgo with the Oscar-winner “The Windshield Wiper.” Diego Porral, director of “Leopoldo From the Bar,” served as animation lead on “Love, Death + Robots” episode “Kill Team Kill.”
Standouts among new projects in Revelations included “Latente,” a Next Lab Generation winner from Carlos Zaragoza and Aurora Jiménez, and Martín Romero’s “To Bird or Not to Bird,” from Uniko and Abano Producións, which is a 2D short made largely in black and white featuring an angst-ridden clock cuckoo and other birds beset by environmental destruction.
Revelations climaxes with a special screening, the first in a cinema, of “Sith,” Rodrigo Blaas’ episode in Disney+’s “Star Wars: Visions.”
As for features, here are 10 toon titles to track. Further international co-productions – Mr.
Some shorts directors are already stars, such as Alberto Mielgo with the Oscar-winner “The Windshield Wiper.” Diego Porral, director of “Leopoldo From the Bar,” served as animation lead on “Love, Death + Robots” episode “Kill Team Kill.”
Standouts among new projects in Revelations included “Latente,” a Next Lab Generation winner from Carlos Zaragoza and Aurora Jiménez, and Martín Romero’s “To Bird or Not to Bird,” from Uniko and Abano Producións, which is a 2D short made largely in black and white featuring an angst-ridden clock cuckoo and other birds beset by environmental destruction.
Revelations climaxes with a special screening, the first in a cinema, of “Sith,” Rodrigo Blaas’ episode in Disney+’s “Star Wars: Visions.”
As for features, here are 10 toon titles to track. Further international co-productions – Mr.
- 5/21/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The miracle of friendship rather than the image of electric sheep is what occupies the subconscious of the charming android gleefully strolling through “Robot Dreams,” Spanish director Pablo Berger’s first animated venture. Fashioned into moving form from the graphic novel by Sara Varon, this hand-drawn buddy dramedy preserves both the cartoon strip aesthetic and lack of dialogue of the source material for a delightfully bittersweet animated wonder that embodies the medium’s most purely cinematic qualities. Now the fierce battle for the title of the best animated film of the year has a new strong contender.
More akin to the sophisticated world of “BoJack Horseman” than that of Disney’s “Zootopia,” the setting is 1980s New York City — the twin towers of the World Trade Center still frame the skyline — but densely populated with an array of anthropomorphic animals. The bustling energy of the Big Apple shines through in...
More akin to the sophisticated world of “BoJack Horseman” than that of Disney’s “Zootopia,” the setting is 1980s New York City — the twin towers of the World Trade Center still frame the skyline — but densely populated with an array of anthropomorphic animals. The bustling energy of the Big Apple shines through in...
- 5/20/2023
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Indiewire
“20,000 Species of Bees,” (Estibaliz Urresola)
One of the big winners at Berlin, taking Leading Performance, and now racking up healthy sales, the story of a family off for a village summer holiday which builds to a moving ode to women’s freedoms. Sales: Luxbox
“21 Paraíso,” (Nestor Ruiz Medina)
Living in an idyllic Andalusia, a couple in love grapples with the realities of making a living through OnlyFans. Screened at Seville and Tallinn. Sales: Begin Again Films.
“All the Names of God,” (Daniel Calparsoro)
One of the big Spanish action-thrillers hitting this Cannes market, from a specialist (“Sky High”). Pre-sold to France (Kinovista), Germany and Italy (Koch Media) with Tripictures releasing in Spain. Sales: Latido
“Un amor,” (Isabel Coixet)
The multi-prized Coixet (“The Secret Life of Words”).
directs Goya winner Laia Costa (“Lullaby”) in a village-set study of an isolated woman’s succumbing to devouring passion. Sales: Film Constellation.
“Ashes in the Sky,...
One of the big winners at Berlin, taking Leading Performance, and now racking up healthy sales, the story of a family off for a village summer holiday which builds to a moving ode to women’s freedoms. Sales: Luxbox
“21 Paraíso,” (Nestor Ruiz Medina)
Living in an idyllic Andalusia, a couple in love grapples with the realities of making a living through OnlyFans. Screened at Seville and Tallinn. Sales: Begin Again Films.
“All the Names of God,” (Daniel Calparsoro)
One of the big Spanish action-thrillers hitting this Cannes market, from a specialist (“Sky High”). Pre-sold to France (Kinovista), Germany and Italy (Koch Media) with Tripictures releasing in Spain. Sales: Latido
“Un amor,” (Isabel Coixet)
The multi-prized Coixet (“The Secret Life of Words”).
directs Goya winner Laia Costa (“Lullaby”) in a village-set study of an isolated woman’s succumbing to devouring passion. Sales: Film Constellation.
“Ashes in the Sky,...
- 5/19/2023
- by John Hopewell and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Neon announced today that they have taken the North American rights to Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger’s first animated feature film “Robot Dreams,” based on the award-winning graphic novel of the same name by Sara Varon. The movie will be screened for the first time in Cannes this coming Saturday, May 20 in the Special Screenings section of the festival. The acquisition marks the first sale made at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
According to the official synopsis, “Robot Dreams” “follows Dog, who lives in Manhattan and one day, tired of being alone, decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80’s NYC. One summer night, Dog, with great sadness, is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. Will they ever meet again?” Well that certainly sounds traumatic (but potentially heartwarming).
Also Read:
Cannes 2023: See the Star-Studded Red Carpet Arrivals (Photos)
Berger,...
According to the official synopsis, “Robot Dreams” “follows Dog, who lives in Manhattan and one day, tired of being alone, decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80’s NYC. One summer night, Dog, with great sadness, is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. Will they ever meet again?” Well that certainly sounds traumatic (but potentially heartwarming).
Also Read:
Cannes 2023: See the Star-Studded Red Carpet Arrivals (Photos)
Berger,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
In its first acquisition at the Cannes Film Festival, Neon has picked up North American rights to director Pablo Berger’s animated feature “Robot Dreams” ahead of its world premiere in Cannes on Saturday.
The Spanish filmmaker of “Blancanieves” based his first animated feature on the award-winning graphic novel by Sara Varon. “Robot Dreams” screens Saturday in the Special Screenings section of the festival.
Neon previously scored three consecutive Palme d’Or wins with “Parasite,” “Titane” and “Triangle of Sadness.”
“Robot Dreams” is described as a “universal exploration of the importance and fragility of friendship.” It follows Dog, a New York canine who decides to build himself a robot companion. They become inseparable, to the rhythm of 1980s New York city, until the sad summer night when Dog is forced to abandon Robot at the beach.
Berger is also a producer on the film, alongside Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, Sandra Tapia Diaz and Ángel Durández,...
The Spanish filmmaker of “Blancanieves” based his first animated feature on the award-winning graphic novel by Sara Varon. “Robot Dreams” screens Saturday in the Special Screenings section of the festival.
Neon previously scored three consecutive Palme d’Or wins with “Parasite,” “Titane” and “Triangle of Sadness.”
“Robot Dreams” is described as a “universal exploration of the importance and fragility of friendship.” It follows Dog, a New York canine who decides to build himself a robot companion. They become inseparable, to the rhythm of 1980s New York city, until the sad summer night when Dog is forced to abandon Robot at the beach.
Berger is also a producer on the film, alongside Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, Sandra Tapia Diaz and Ángel Durández,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Five Catalan movies made Cannes Festival’s cut, six were selected for Marché du Film sections. Details and other top Catalan movies on the Croisette:
“20,000 Species of Bees,” (Estibaliz Urresola)
One of the big winners at Berlin, taking Leading Performance, and two other key prizes, and now healthy racking up healthy sales, including a Film Movement U.S. pickup, “Bees” builds from a naturalistic base – a family off for a village summer holiday – to become a moving an ode to women’s freedom. Produced out of Barcelona by Valérie Delpierre’s Inicia Films. Sales: Luxbox
“Blondi,” (Dolores Fonzi)
From La Unión de los Ríos, behind “Argentina, 1985”), the awaited directorial debut of Fonzi, star of Santiago Mitre’s Cannes winner “Paulina,” a double mother-son coming of age dramedy. Sales: Film Factory
“A Bright Sun,” (Monica Cambra, Ariadna Fortuny)
Facing the end of the world, Mila, 11, tries to keep her family together by celebrating a party.
“20,000 Species of Bees,” (Estibaliz Urresola)
One of the big winners at Berlin, taking Leading Performance, and two other key prizes, and now healthy racking up healthy sales, including a Film Movement U.S. pickup, “Bees” builds from a naturalistic base – a family off for a village summer holiday – to become a moving an ode to women’s freedom. Produced out of Barcelona by Valérie Delpierre’s Inicia Films. Sales: Luxbox
“Blondi,” (Dolores Fonzi)
From La Unión de los Ríos, behind “Argentina, 1985”), the awaited directorial debut of Fonzi, star of Santiago Mitre’s Cannes winner “Paulina,” a double mother-son coming of age dramedy. Sales: Film Factory
“A Bright Sun,” (Monica Cambra, Ariadna Fortuny)
Facing the end of the world, Mila, 11, tries to keep her family together by celebrating a party.
- 5/17/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The Paris sales outfit is also handling Pablo Berger’s ‘Robot Dreams’ in Official Selection.
Paris-based sales powerhouse Elle Driver has added Greek director Alexandros Avranas’ Apathy, now in pre-production, to its line-up heading into Cannes.
Apathy is a drama exploring the real-life phenomenon of ‘resignation syndrome’, a catatonic state that has affected around 700 refugee children in Sweden, sparking a wave of concern among doctors and politicians. Told from the perspective of a family, Apathy follows the parents as they struggle in their daily lives and gives a voice to the children. The multi-territory co-production is produced by France’s...
Paris-based sales powerhouse Elle Driver has added Greek director Alexandros Avranas’ Apathy, now in pre-production, to its line-up heading into Cannes.
Apathy is a drama exploring the real-life phenomenon of ‘resignation syndrome’, a catatonic state that has affected around 700 refugee children in Sweden, sparking a wave of concern among doctors and politicians. Told from the perspective of a family, Apathy follows the parents as they struggle in their daily lives and gives a voice to the children. The multi-territory co-production is produced by France’s...
- 5/11/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The Paris sales outfit is also handling Pablo Berger’s ‘Robot Dreams’ in Official Selection.
Paris-based sales powerhouse Elle Driver has added Greek director Alexandros Avranas’ Apathy, now in pre-production, to its line-up heading into Cannes.
Apathy is a drama exploring the real-life phenomenon of ‘resignation syndrome’, a catatonic state that has affected around 700 refugee children in Sweden, sparking a wave of concern among doctors and politicians. Told from the perspective of a family, Apathy follows the parents as they struggle in their daily lives and gives a voice to the children. The multi-territory co-production is produced by France’s...
Paris-based sales powerhouse Elle Driver has added Greek director Alexandros Avranas’ Apathy, now in pre-production, to its line-up heading into Cannes.
Apathy is a drama exploring the real-life phenomenon of ‘resignation syndrome’, a catatonic state that has affected around 700 refugee children in Sweden, sparking a wave of concern among doctors and politicians. Told from the perspective of a family, Apathy follows the parents as they struggle in their daily lives and gives a voice to the children. The multi-territory co-production is produced by France’s...
- 5/11/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its 2023 edition, running from June 11 to 17.
More than 13,000 animation professionals are set to descend on the French festival’s lakeside setting for its traditional mix of screenings programs across all formats, Work-in-Progress and First-Look sneak peeks, and presentations going behind the scenes of upcoming animation productions.
Competition title Sirocco And The Kingdom Of The Winds by French director Benoît Chieux opens the festival. The fantasy follows the adventures of two young sisters as they try to make their way home after getting trapped in the world of their favorite book.
A Cat In Paris and Phantom Boy director Alain Gagnol co-wrote the screenplay for the feature lead produced by Paris-based Sacrebleu Productions.
The film, which world premieres in Annecy, is among 11 titles competing for the festival’s Crystal award.
Another three French productions debut in Competition: Chiara Malta and...
More than 13,000 animation professionals are set to descend on the French festival’s lakeside setting for its traditional mix of screenings programs across all formats, Work-in-Progress and First-Look sneak peeks, and presentations going behind the scenes of upcoming animation productions.
Competition title Sirocco And The Kingdom Of The Winds by French director Benoît Chieux opens the festival. The fantasy follows the adventures of two young sisters as they try to make their way home after getting trapped in the world of their favorite book.
A Cat In Paris and Phantom Boy director Alain Gagnol co-wrote the screenplay for the feature lead produced by Paris-based Sacrebleu Productions.
The film, which world premieres in Annecy, is among 11 titles competing for the festival’s Crystal award.
Another three French productions debut in Competition: Chiara Malta and...
- 4/27/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
In a bid to give more opportunities to women directors and boost the romcom genre, Sony Pictures International has teamed up with Maria Ripoll’s Cahuenga Filmmakers and transatlantic production shingle El Estudio to launch The Love Collection, a series of romantic comedy features to be written and helmed by women.
Ripoll, best known for her romcom “Ahora o nunca,” the highest-grossing femme-directed film in Spain, will serve as executive producer on all the titles, and will direct the first in the collection, “Yo no soy esa,” (roughly translated to “I’m Not That One” or “I’m Not Her”) starring Verónica Echegui. El Estudio’s Enrique López Lavigne will serve as producer on all the titles.
In “Yo no soy esa,” Susana (Echegui) wakes up after a 20-year coma. Stuck in a grown woman’s body but emotionally and psychologically still a teenager, Susana must learn to navigate an unfamiliar world and rediscover herself.
Ripoll, best known for her romcom “Ahora o nunca,” the highest-grossing femme-directed film in Spain, will serve as executive producer on all the titles, and will direct the first in the collection, “Yo no soy esa,” (roughly translated to “I’m Not That One” or “I’m Not Her”) starring Verónica Echegui. El Estudio’s Enrique López Lavigne will serve as producer on all the titles.
In “Yo no soy esa,” Susana (Echegui) wakes up after a 20-year coma. Stuck in a grown woman’s body but emotionally and psychologically still a teenager, Susana must learn to navigate an unfamiliar world and rediscover herself.
- 3/3/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Filmmaker Olmo Schnabel has assembled a cast of heavyweights for his directorial debut – a romantic thriller about two young men exploring the underbelly of New York and one other.
“Pet Shop Boys” will mark the first time behind the camera for Schnabel, son of Oscar-nommed director Julian Schnabel. Already wrapped, the project is led by newcomers Dario Yazebek Bernal (“The House of the Flowers”) and Jack Irv (“Giants Being Lonely”).
The film follows the impulsive black sheep Alejandro (Bernal) and college-age pet store employee Jack (Irv) who engage in a whirlwind affair that sends them down a rabbit hole of vice.
The men will have pedigreed costars in four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe and the prolific Peter Sarsgaard. Also on board is Emmanuelle Seigner (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Jordi Mollà (“Riddick”), Louis Cancelmi (“The Looming Tower”), Camille Rowe (“The Deep House”), Maribel Verdu (“Blancanieves”) and Angela Sarafyan.
“Someone...
“Pet Shop Boys” will mark the first time behind the camera for Schnabel, son of Oscar-nommed director Julian Schnabel. Already wrapped, the project is led by newcomers Dario Yazebek Bernal (“The House of the Flowers”) and Jack Irv (“Giants Being Lonely”).
The film follows the impulsive black sheep Alejandro (Bernal) and college-age pet store employee Jack (Irv) who engage in a whirlwind affair that sends them down a rabbit hole of vice.
The men will have pedigreed costars in four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe and the prolific Peter Sarsgaard. Also on board is Emmanuelle Seigner (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Jordi Mollà (“Riddick”), Louis Cancelmi (“The Looming Tower”), Camille Rowe (“The Deep House”), Maribel Verdu (“Blancanieves”) and Angela Sarafyan.
“Someone...
- 1/24/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
As the wise heads of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences deliberate their latest headache — the rapid demise of Kevin Hart as prospective Oscar host — here’s a heartfelt plea. Please, please give serious thought to the no-host option.
As noted two weeks ago, the host-free shows of 1969, 1970, and 1971 were actually pretty good. Granted, no-host 1989 — producer Allan Carr’s Snow White year — was a bust. But the earlier host-less ceremonies were short, entertaining, and widely viewed. You could do worse.
This year, eliminating the host would clean up a multitude of problems, all at once. For starters, the painful search for a trouble-free emcee could be over as early as this evening, if the Academy’s Board of Governors were to sign on during their regularly scheduled gathering. No intrusive vetting. No preemptive apologies. No diversity debate. No one tagged as an unfortunate stop-gap. No host.
True, Oscar...
As noted two weeks ago, the host-free shows of 1969, 1970, and 1971 were actually pretty good. Granted, no-host 1989 — producer Allan Carr’s Snow White year — was a bust. But the earlier host-less ceremonies were short, entertaining, and widely viewed. You could do worse.
This year, eliminating the host would clean up a multitude of problems, all at once. For starters, the painful search for a trouble-free emcee could be over as early as this evening, if the Academy’s Board of Governors were to sign on during their regularly scheduled gathering. No intrusive vetting. No preemptive apologies. No diversity debate. No one tagged as an unfortunate stop-gap. No host.
True, Oscar...
- 12/12/2018
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
The Walt Disney Company’s legacy is built upon it beloved animated characters and the films they star in. This is a look at how and why Walt Disney decided to start making live-action films in the 1950’s.
Disney is traditionally known as a creator of animated films. However, the studio has found a lot of success these days adapting some of its best-loved cartoons into live-action feature films. But live-action Disney films are not a new development. In fact, the company has been making them for almost 70 years, starting with 1950’s Treasure Island.
Walt Disney’s company had its first major success with the 1928 short film, Steamboat Willie, which featured the first appearance of Mickey Mouse. Today Mickey Mouse is widely seen as Disney’s most influential contribution to animation because of the iconic style of animation and the character’s lovable qualities. But the truth was Disney had...
Disney is traditionally known as a creator of animated films. However, the studio has found a lot of success these days adapting some of its best-loved cartoons into live-action feature films. But live-action Disney films are not a new development. In fact, the company has been making them for almost 70 years, starting with 1950’s Treasure Island.
Walt Disney’s company had its first major success with the 1928 short film, Steamboat Willie, which featured the first appearance of Mickey Mouse. Today Mickey Mouse is widely seen as Disney’s most influential contribution to animation because of the iconic style of animation and the character’s lovable qualities. But the truth was Disney had...
- 12/5/2018
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (G.S. Perno)
- Cinelinx
Lindsay Lohan is bringing a modern twist to Disney's fairy tale princesses. The entrepreneur covers Paper magazine's Break the Internet issue in fabulous style. Dressed in an array of fanciful — and revealing — ensembles, the former Disney star shows she is no longer the young girl people remember from hit movies like The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday. Her fashionable interpretation of a busty-looking Snow White is surely why her candid interview is featured in the Break the Internet issue. It could also be because she finally addresses that controversial video of her attempting to help a "refugee family" in Russia. In a brief statement, Lindsay...
- 12/3/2018
- E! Online
Aaron Sagers Dec 1, 2018
Ralph Breaks the Internet also breaks the rules for how Disney lets its properties interact, starting with the Disney Princesses.
This article contains Ralph Breaks the Internet spoilers.
In Ralph Breaks The Internet, the titular character literally brings the internet to a halt. But his parent company Disney deserves credit for internet-breaking, as well as for breaking their own rules, by colliding worlds in a way that could mark a new direction for the way their characters interact. In the movie, arcade characters Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz leave their games in Litwak’s Family Fun Center & Arcade and venture online. As teased in the trailer, Vanellope heads to the Oh My Disney section of the internet, and encounters the 11 Disney Princesses.
The scene, which culminates in a princess chatfest in comfy clothes is pivotal for grouping these animated heroines together for the first time – and...
Ralph Breaks the Internet also breaks the rules for how Disney lets its properties interact, starting with the Disney Princesses.
This article contains Ralph Breaks the Internet spoilers.
In Ralph Breaks The Internet, the titular character literally brings the internet to a halt. But his parent company Disney deserves credit for internet-breaking, as well as for breaking their own rules, by colliding worlds in a way that could mark a new direction for the way their characters interact. In the movie, arcade characters Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz leave their games in Litwak’s Family Fun Center & Arcade and venture online. As teased in the trailer, Vanellope heads to the Oh My Disney section of the internet, and encounters the 11 Disney Princesses.
The scene, which culminates in a princess chatfest in comfy clothes is pivotal for grouping these animated heroines together for the first time – and...
- 12/1/2018
- Den of Geek
Ralph Breaks the Internet is just a couple of days away from reaching cinemas, and it’s set to bring a plethora of familiar pop culture figures with it, from the Star Wars Stormtroopers to Buzz Lightyear. But the cameos that have really dominated the hype for this Wreck-It-Ralph sequel are those of the Disney princesses.
Vanellope’s scene with this all-star line-up has worked its way into nearly every trailer for the animated film, but courtesy of USA Today, we now have access to the full clip, moving from the princesses’ initial hostility towards Sarah Silverman’s character, to their eventual bonding over common tropes.
Vanellope von Schweetz runs into Cinderella, Snow White, Moana, Ariel and more in this Exclusive clip from @Disney's #RalphBreaksTheInternet: https://t.co/AbQrjBSGUD pic.twitter.com/8bK5TAJnkL
— USA Today Life (@usatodaylife) November 19, 2018
A few weeks ago, writer Pamela Ribon reflected on this satirical sequence,...
Vanellope’s scene with this all-star line-up has worked its way into nearly every trailer for the animated film, but courtesy of USA Today, we now have access to the full clip, moving from the princesses’ initial hostility towards Sarah Silverman’s character, to their eventual bonding over common tropes.
Vanellope von Schweetz runs into Cinderella, Snow White, Moana, Ariel and more in this Exclusive clip from @Disney's #RalphBreaksTheInternet: https://t.co/AbQrjBSGUD pic.twitter.com/8bK5TAJnkL
— USA Today Life (@usatodaylife) November 19, 2018
A few weeks ago, writer Pamela Ribon reflected on this satirical sequence,...
- 11/19/2018
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
Now that Sanaa Lathan has over 20 years of experience working in movie business, she's reflecting on her evolution, as well as Hollywood's. In honor of the launch of Ralph Lauren Fragrances' new "Woman" perfume and its accompanying empowerment initiative, Lead Like a Woman, the star of Netflix's Nappily Ever After shared her perspective on what it means to be a woman in the industry—and more specifically, what it means to be a black woman in Hollywood. "I always talk about the fairy tales that we grew up on—Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White—I mean, these are the stories that we are read as little girls to show us what is valued and what is...
- 10/31/2018
- E! Online
Kristen Bell has had enough with the critical comments about her Parents magazine interview. In the interview, the Frozen actress shared her concerns over a few of the storylines in Snow White and how she uses them as a teaching lesson for her and husband Dax Shepard's two daughters, Lincoln, 5, and Delta, 3. "Every time we close Snow White I look at my girls and ask, 'Don't you think it's weird that Snow White didn't ask the old witch why she needed to eat the apple? Or where she got that apple?' I say, 'I would never take food from a stranger, would you?' And my kids are like, 'No!' And I'm like, 'Okay, I'm doing something right,'" Bell told the...
- 10/18/2018
- E! Online
Kristen Bell may be the voice of Anna in Disney's Frozen, but that doesn't mean she approves of all the Disney princesses and their actions.
In an interview with Parents, Bell admitted that some of the characters may be teaching her daughters, Lincoln and Delta, bad lessons.
"I glance away from the book and see their brains working while we're all cuddled up like meerkats," she told Parents about reading to her daughters every night.
Bell added that the family discusses the stories that they read together. "Every time we close Snow White I look at ...
In an interview with Parents, Bell admitted that some of the characters may be teaching her daughters, Lincoln and Delta, bad lessons.
"I glance away from the book and see their brains working while we're all cuddled up like meerkats," she told Parents about reading to her daughters every night.
Bell added that the family discusses the stories that they read together. "Every time we close Snow White I look at ...
- 10/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Kristen Bell may play a Disney princess, but that doesn’t mean she’s okay with the lessons they teach her daughters.
The 38-year-old mother to Delta, 3½, and Lincoln, 5½, revealed in a new interview with Parents magazine that she is especially concerned about some of the plot points in Snow White.
Bell told the outlet that she reads to her little ones every night — “It’s truly my favorite part of the day,” she gushed — and she makes time to discuss the books afterwards.
“Every time we close Snow White I look at my girls and ask, ‘Don’t you...
The 38-year-old mother to Delta, 3½, and Lincoln, 5½, revealed in a new interview with Parents magazine that she is especially concerned about some of the plot points in Snow White.
Bell told the outlet that she reads to her little ones every night — “It’s truly my favorite part of the day,” she gushed — and she makes time to discuss the books afterwards.
“Every time we close Snow White I look at my girls and ask, ‘Don’t you...
- 10/18/2018
- by Maura Hohman
- PEOPLE.com
Joseph Baxter Oct 1, 2018
Netflix will utilize an experimental choose-your-own-adventure style episode in the upcoming fifth season of Black Mirror.
Black Mirror has always walked on the cutting edge of suspense, brandishing its signature style of technology-centric horror stories. However, Netflix is using the upcoming fifth season of the acclaimed anthology series as part of a planned slate of interactive programming.
Netflix is getting deeper into the interactive television medium –allowing viewers to make decisions that affect the outcome of the programs – with a slate of specials, which are expected to be launched before the year’s end, according to a report by Bloomberg. While details are scarce, the report cites that Black Mirror Season 5 will feature – in a technology experiment apropos to the series – a choose-your-own-adventure style episode, allowing audiences to interact with the course of likely-freaky events unfolding onscreen.
The streaming giant first dabbled with interactive television back in...
Netflix will utilize an experimental choose-your-own-adventure style episode in the upcoming fifth season of Black Mirror.
Black Mirror has always walked on the cutting edge of suspense, brandishing its signature style of technology-centric horror stories. However, Netflix is using the upcoming fifth season of the acclaimed anthology series as part of a planned slate of interactive programming.
Netflix is getting deeper into the interactive television medium –allowing viewers to make decisions that affect the outcome of the programs – with a slate of specials, which are expected to be launched before the year’s end, according to a report by Bloomberg. While details are scarce, the report cites that Black Mirror Season 5 will feature – in a technology experiment apropos to the series – a choose-your-own-adventure style episode, allowing audiences to interact with the course of likely-freaky events unfolding onscreen.
The streaming giant first dabbled with interactive television back in...
- 10/1/2018
- Den of Geek
Toy maker Mattel Inc. announced on Thursday that it’s getting into the film business, launching a new division to develop and produce projects based on the company’s toy franchises.
The new Mattel Films division will be led by Oscar-nominated producer Robbie Brenner (“Dallas Buyers Club”), who will serve as the company’s executive producer. Brenner will report to Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz.
“Mattel is home to one of the world’s greatest portfolios of beloved franchises, and the creation of Mattel Films will allow us to unlock significant value across our IP,” Kreiz said in a statement. “[Robbie Brenner] is a gifted storyteller and a highly respected filmmaker with deep relationships in entertainment. She is the perfect leader to bring our celebrated brands to life.”
Also Read: 'American Girl' Doll Movie in the Works at Mattel, Original Film (Exclusive)
Brenner has held leadership positions at a...
The new Mattel Films division will be led by Oscar-nominated producer Robbie Brenner (“Dallas Buyers Club”), who will serve as the company’s executive producer. Brenner will report to Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz.
“Mattel is home to one of the world’s greatest portfolios of beloved franchises, and the creation of Mattel Films will allow us to unlock significant value across our IP,” Kreiz said in a statement. “[Robbie Brenner] is a gifted storyteller and a highly respected filmmaker with deep relationships in entertainment. She is the perfect leader to bring our celebrated brands to life.”
Also Read: 'American Girl' Doll Movie in the Works at Mattel, Original Film (Exclusive)
Brenner has held leadership positions at a...
- 9/6/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Santiago, Chile — Dissatisfied with the way that females are represented in horror films, a group of filmmakers from Latin America and Spain have teamed up to create a new narrative of five short stories – each playing on a common theme, and each with a unique cast of actors and directors attached – in “28,” an in-development project presented as part of this week’s Santiago Lab at the Santiago Intl. Film Festival (Sanfic).
Created with participation from five countries – Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Spain – with an eye on picking up a sixth contributor from the U.S., the stories in “28” will play off the themes of the 28-day female cycle, paralleled with the four-week lunar cycle.
The segments will range from classic slasher-thriller to sci-fi musical to psychological drama, and each story feature a female lead meant to break the mold of the “damsel in distress” trope so common in the horror genre.
Created with participation from five countries – Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Spain – with an eye on picking up a sixth contributor from the U.S., the stories in “28” will play off the themes of the 28-day female cycle, paralleled with the four-week lunar cycle.
The segments will range from classic slasher-thriller to sci-fi musical to psychological drama, and each story feature a female lead meant to break the mold of the “damsel in distress” trope so common in the horror genre.
- 8/22/2018
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy’s new Oscars popular film category isn’t so popular.
Many have taken to social media to criticize Academy members’ Wednesday announcement to add the new bracket, which some view as an excuse not to nominate critically acclaimed blockbusters like “Black Panther” for best picture.
Variety journalists Meredith Woerner, Stuart Oldham, and Kristopher Tapley were among the first to comment on the news, calling the addition “lazy,” “staggeringly ham-fisted,” and “a Huge step back for genre film.”
“So…does that mean that films like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Mission Impossible’ can’t compete for Best Picture?” Oldham mused.
So…does that mean films like 'Black Panther' and 'Mission Impossible' can't compete for Best Picture? https://t.co/ed4NfFcflX
— Stuart Oldham (@s_oldham) August 8, 2018
The Academy has a long reputation of snubbing hit films whose genres aren’t usually considered Oscar material. Last year, “Wonder Woman’s...
Many have taken to social media to criticize Academy members’ Wednesday announcement to add the new bracket, which some view as an excuse not to nominate critically acclaimed blockbusters like “Black Panther” for best picture.
Variety journalists Meredith Woerner, Stuart Oldham, and Kristopher Tapley were among the first to comment on the news, calling the addition “lazy,” “staggeringly ham-fisted,” and “a Huge step back for genre film.”
“So…does that mean that films like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Mission Impossible’ can’t compete for Best Picture?” Oldham mused.
So…does that mean films like 'Black Panther' and 'Mission Impossible' can't compete for Best Picture? https://t.co/ed4NfFcflX
— Stuart Oldham (@s_oldham) August 8, 2018
The Academy has a long reputation of snubbing hit films whose genres aren’t usually considered Oscar material. Last year, “Wonder Woman’s...
- 8/8/2018
- by Christi Carras
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s 11th hour purchase of “Mowgli” has been hailed as a coming-of-age moment for the streaming service and as a sign that changing tastes have left some big-budget studio films struggling to justify a traditional theatrical release.
But it’s also an acknowledgement that a certain kind of franchise hunting has only resulted in diminishing returns. For a time, Warner Bros., the studio that sold off “Mowgli,” had banked heavily on exploiting intellectual property that had drifted into the public domain. The hope was that classic fantasy stories could be re-imagined for modern audiences, inspiring epic films that could lead to sequels and that would hit multiplexes with built-in “brand awareness.” They also had the added benefit of having creators that were long dead. That meant that studios wouldn’t have to engage in elaborate author appeasement (see: E.L. James) or become embroiled in long-standing litigation over rights (see: the Tolkien estate).
At Warners,...
But it’s also an acknowledgement that a certain kind of franchise hunting has only resulted in diminishing returns. For a time, Warner Bros., the studio that sold off “Mowgli,” had banked heavily on exploiting intellectual property that had drifted into the public domain. The hope was that classic fantasy stories could be re-imagined for modern audiences, inspiring epic films that could lead to sequels and that would hit multiplexes with built-in “brand awareness.” They also had the added benefit of having creators that were long dead. That meant that studios wouldn’t have to engage in elaborate author appeasement (see: E.L. James) or become embroiled in long-standing litigation over rights (see: the Tolkien estate).
At Warners,...
- 7/30/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Turner is touting its brands this morning at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, including TBS, CNN, TNT, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, truTV and Turner Sports. Among things that may be discussed:
Just days ago TBS announced a new half-hour format for Conan O’Brien’s late-night show, meaning fewer celebrity interviews, more comedy. TruTV came out with its 2018-19 programming slate, highlighted by a series pickup for its Tacoma Fd pilot from two of the Broken Lizard guys.
CNN and PBS announced a new late-night public affairs show hosted by CNN veteran Christiane Amanpour, expanding on the cable newsers’ Amanpour. Speaking of CNN, Sinclair Broadcast Group continued to conscript its local TV stations as soldiers in Donald Trump’s war on CNN, slapping a video attacking the cable news networks at the top of its station’s websites.
Expect a certain amount of dire warning/snarking, about...
Just days ago TBS announced a new half-hour format for Conan O’Brien’s late-night show, meaning fewer celebrity interviews, more comedy. TruTV came out with its 2018-19 programming slate, highlighted by a series pickup for its Tacoma Fd pilot from two of the Broken Lizard guys.
CNN and PBS announced a new late-night public affairs show hosted by CNN veteran Christiane Amanpour, expanding on the cable newsers’ Amanpour. Speaking of CNN, Sinclair Broadcast Group continued to conscript its local TV stations as soldiers in Donald Trump’s war on CNN, slapping a video attacking the cable news networks at the top of its station’s websites.
Expect a certain amount of dire warning/snarking, about...
- 5/16/2018
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s sequel to <em>Bright</em>, the digital streamer’s Will Smith-starring action fantasy, is moving ahead with a new writer.
Evan Spiliotopoulos, who worked on Disney's live-action <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> as well as the Snow White-centric fantasy <em>The Huntsman: Winter's War,</em> has been tapped to pen the script for the follow-up, which will once again be directed by David Ayer.
Not returning is Max Landis, the scribe who wrote the initial spec script for the first movie and was paid a reported $3 million to $4 million in 2016, when the project ignited a bidding war that Netflix ultimately ...
Evan Spiliotopoulos, who worked on Disney's live-action <em>Beauty and the Beast</em> as well as the Snow White-centric fantasy <em>The Huntsman: Winter's War,</em> has been tapped to pen the script for the follow-up, which will once again be directed by David Ayer.
Not returning is Max Landis, the scribe who wrote the initial spec script for the first movie and was paid a reported $3 million to $4 million in 2016, when the project ignited a bidding war that Netflix ultimately ...
Netflix’s sequel to Bright, the digital streamer’s Will Smith-starring action fantasy, is moving ahead with a new writer.
Evan Spiliotopoulos, who worked on Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast as well as the Snow White-centric fantasy The Huntsman: Winter's War, has been tapped to pen the script for the follow-up, which will once again be directed by David Ayer.
Not returning is Max Landis, the scribe who wrote the initial spec script for the first movie and was paid a reported $3 million to $4 million in 2016, when the project ignited a bidding war that Netflix ultimately won. Sources say...
Evan Spiliotopoulos, who worked on Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast as well as the Snow White-centric fantasy The Huntsman: Winter's War, has been tapped to pen the script for the follow-up, which will once again be directed by David Ayer.
Not returning is Max Landis, the scribe who wrote the initial spec script for the first movie and was paid a reported $3 million to $4 million in 2016, when the project ignited a bidding war that Netflix ultimately won. Sources say...
- 5/3/2018
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
French star Isabelle Huppert, whose role in Paul Verhoeven’s “Elle” earned her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe last year, served as president of the Cannes Film Festival jury in 2009.
Huppert was reportedly at odds with fellow juror James Gray over awarding the Palme d’Or to Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon” and was accused by
some of favoring Haneke because he had directed her in “The Piano Teacher,” which earned her the prize for best actress at Cannes in 2001. Winning that year and also in 1978 for her performance in Claude Chabrol’s “Violette Noziere” remain her strongest memories of Cannes.
“The festival is first and foremost a competition, and when you’re in competition, the best thing is to win,” Huppert says. “Honestly, without blushing, I can say that each time it was an intense and immense pleasure.”
Although she is one of fewer than a...
Huppert was reportedly at odds with fellow juror James Gray over awarding the Palme d’Or to Michael Haneke’s “The White Ribbon” and was accused by
some of favoring Haneke because he had directed her in “The Piano Teacher,” which earned her the prize for best actress at Cannes in 2001. Winning that year and also in 1978 for her performance in Claude Chabrol’s “Violette Noziere” remain her strongest memories of Cannes.
“The festival is first and foremost a competition, and when you’re in competition, the best thing is to win,” Huppert says. “Honestly, without blushing, I can say that each time it was an intense and immense pleasure.”
Although she is one of fewer than a...
- 5/2/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
For the first time in American Idol history, the reality singing competition had a Disney-themed night. To mark the occassion, Katy Perry decided to dress as the first Disney princess ever — Snow White. Wearing a black wig, glittery red lipstick, and the iconic yellow, red, and blue costume, Katy transformed into the animated royal, all that was missing was her gang of dwarves. Unless you count fellow judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and host Ryan Seacrest. However, she would still be four squad members short. And she stayed in character through Maddie Poppe's kick-off performance of "Bare Neccessities" calling her "sweetie" and congratulating her on her "bravery" in Snow White's high-pitched voice. Snow White!!!!
- 4/30/2018
- by Anna Quintana
- Life and Style
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a time-honoured story that’s gone on to become a fixture of Disney’s prestigious archive – but what of her sister Rose Red?
From what we understand, the House of Mouse has now hatched a live-action “companion piece” designed to tell the famous tale from the perspective of Rose, with screenwriters Justin Merz and Evan Daugherty – creative mind behind Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman – developing a revisionist take on the classic fairytale.
It’s still early, early days for the project, but tonight, we’re hearing that the studio has their eye on Captain Marvel star Brie Larson for the titular role. Though this scoop doesn’t come to us from Disney itself, it does make sense, given Larson’s connection to the House of Mouse via her involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
For those unfamiliar with Red Rose, she...
From what we understand, the House of Mouse has now hatched a live-action “companion piece” designed to tell the famous tale from the perspective of Rose, with screenwriters Justin Merz and Evan Daugherty – creative mind behind Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman – developing a revisionist take on the classic fairytale.
It’s still early, early days for the project, but tonight, we’re hearing that the studio has their eye on Captain Marvel star Brie Larson for the titular role. Though this scoop doesn’t come to us from Disney itself, it does make sense, given Larson’s connection to the House of Mouse via her involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
For those unfamiliar with Red Rose, she...
- 4/24/2018
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Diane Kruger reads from Lamarr's letters in Alexandra Dean's revelatory documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
In the final installment of my conversation with Alexandra Dean, the director of the revelatory documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, we explore the background of the woman who inspired the looks of Catwoman, as well as Disney's Snow White, Mel Brooks and his Hedley Lamarr character (portrayed by Harvey Korman) in Blazing Saddles, the impact Hedy Lamarr had from the start with a role in Gustav Machatý's 1933 film Ecstasy (Ekstase), and the discovery of the interview tapes done by Fleming Meeks, that allow Hedy herself to guide us through her life.
With interviews (including Peter Bogdanovich, Jeanine Basinger, Robert Osborne, Michael Tilson Thomas, Mel Brooks, and Lamarr's family), expertly edited (by Dean, Penelope Falk and Lindy Jankur), Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story is assembled with care. Her life plays out...
In the final installment of my conversation with Alexandra Dean, the director of the revelatory documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, we explore the background of the woman who inspired the looks of Catwoman, as well as Disney's Snow White, Mel Brooks and his Hedley Lamarr character (portrayed by Harvey Korman) in Blazing Saddles, the impact Hedy Lamarr had from the start with a role in Gustav Machatý's 1933 film Ecstasy (Ekstase), and the discovery of the interview tapes done by Fleming Meeks, that allow Hedy herself to guide us through her life.
With interviews (including Peter Bogdanovich, Jeanine Basinger, Robert Osborne, Michael Tilson Thomas, Mel Brooks, and Lamarr's family), expertly edited (by Dean, Penelope Falk and Lindy Jankur), Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story is assembled with care. Her life plays out...
- 3/8/2018
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
MaryAnn’s quick take… My pick: I suspect that this year’s winner will be “Garden Party” [pictured], a spectacular debut from new French animation studio Illogic that I am sure we will be seeing a lot more stunning work from. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Death, despair, and decay. Some very black humor. These motifs run through most of this year’s Oscar-nominated animated short films. Oh, and childhood. In one case, the despair of childhood. Fun times.
I suspect that this year’s winner will be “Garden Party” [IMDb|official site], from a new French animation studio called Illogic — consisting of filmmakers Florian Babikian, Vincent Bayoux, Victor Caire, Théophile Dufresne, Gabriel Grapperon, and Lucas Navarro — that I am sure we will be seeing a lot more stunning work from. The adventures of frogs and toads and...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Death, despair, and decay. Some very black humor. These motifs run through most of this year’s Oscar-nominated animated short films. Oh, and childhood. In one case, the despair of childhood. Fun times.
I suspect that this year’s winner will be “Garden Party” [IMDb|official site], from a new French animation studio called Illogic — consisting of filmmakers Florian Babikian, Vincent Bayoux, Victor Caire, Théophile Dufresne, Gabriel Grapperon, and Lucas Navarro — that I am sure we will be seeing a lot more stunning work from. The adventures of frogs and toads and...
- 3/4/2018
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Revolting Rhymes is the fourth film by Magic Light to be nominated for an Academy Award
The list of British talent contending for Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night is topped by some illustrious names: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Hawkins, Dunkirk director Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman and newcomer Daniel Kaluuya. Yet a handful of other characters will not have their moment of red-carpet glory, despite having played starring roles in an Oscar-nominated British film already enjoyed by millions.
Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Prince Charming and the wolf are a few of the much-loved fictional heroes and villains of Revolting Rhymes, the acclaimed movie of Roald Dahl’s quirky selection of fairytale yarns tipped to have a strong chance of winning the best animated short film award.
The list of British talent contending for Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night is topped by some illustrious names: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Hawkins, Dunkirk director Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman and newcomer Daniel Kaluuya. Yet a handful of other characters will not have their moment of red-carpet glory, despite having played starring roles in an Oscar-nominated British film already enjoyed by millions.
Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Prince Charming and the wolf are a few of the much-loved fictional heroes and villains of Revolting Rhymes, the acclaimed movie of Roald Dahl’s quirky selection of fairytale yarns tipped to have a strong chance of winning the best animated short film award.
- 3/3/2018
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
This year’s Oscar Week Shorts Program showcased a diverse group of talented filmmakers delivering crowd-pleasing and thoughtful short films. The evening kicked off with an extended, hilarious riff by the host Taika Waititi, director of Thor: Ragnarok and director/co-star of What We Do In the Shadows. Waititi was so annoyed by latecomers entering the Samuel Goldwyn Theater he yelled at them, “Where have you been?!” and recalled the pressure of being a short film nominee in 2004 while carrying the expectations of his native New Zealand on his shoulders.
His irreverence toward an Academy that let’s people wander around during his presentation and denies him Oscar gold kept the audience howling throughout his hosting duties.
Host Taika Waititi prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Oscar Week: Shorts” event.
The animated films were all worthy of a statuette in terms of quality and originality. Kobe Bryant...
His irreverence toward an Academy that let’s people wander around during his presentation and denies him Oscar gold kept the audience howling throughout his hosting duties.
Host Taika Waititi prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Oscar Week: Shorts” event.
The animated films were all worthy of a statuette in terms of quality and originality. Kobe Bryant...
- 3/1/2018
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The animated shorts race is defined by memorable characters: A dance between young and adult Kobe Bryant in “Dear Basketball,” a father and son bonding over ritual packing in “Negative Space,” a collection of lost and found schoolyard objects thwarting a bully in Pixar’s “Lou,” a mysterious wolf recounting the unusual bonding between Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White in “Revolting Rhymes,” and a wacky amphibian takeover of a mansion in “Garden Party.”
Despite the backlash against Bryant for his sexual assault charge back in 2003 and the limited scope of his short, “Dear Basketball” remains the favorite to win the Oscar. That’s due to the irresistible pairing of the former Lakers legend with former Disney legend Glen Keane, who directed the short. However, “Negative Space” could pull an upset for its inventive animation and resonating theme.
Read more about these nominees, ranked in order of their likelihood...
Despite the backlash against Bryant for his sexual assault charge back in 2003 and the limited scope of his short, “Dear Basketball” remains the favorite to win the Oscar. That’s due to the irresistible pairing of the former Lakers legend with former Disney legend Glen Keane, who directed the short. However, “Negative Space” could pull an upset for its inventive animation and resonating theme.
Read more about these nominees, ranked in order of their likelihood...
- 2/20/2018
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
After giving a pair of performances among the best in her iconic career with Elle and Things to Come, Isabelle Huppert recently reteamed with Michael Haneke, Hong Sang-soo, Serge Bozon, and more. She’s now once again returning to Berlinale with Benoît Jacquot’s Eva, and while there, two more of the prolific actress’ projects have been announced.
First up, she’ll be leading the drama from Ira Sachs, who recently gave us the wonderful Love is Strange and Little Men. Titled A Family Vacation, it also stars Marisa Tomei, Greg Kinnear, Jérémie Renier and Andre Wilms, and it marks the director’s first time working outside the United States as he’ll be shooting it this fall in Portugal. Backed by Saïd Ben Saïd, it follows “three generations of a family grappling with a life-changing experience during one day of a vacation in the historic town of Sintra, Portugal.
First up, she’ll be leading the drama from Ira Sachs, who recently gave us the wonderful Love is Strange and Little Men. Titled A Family Vacation, it also stars Marisa Tomei, Greg Kinnear, Jérémie Renier and Andre Wilms, and it marks the director’s first time working outside the United States as he’ll be shooting it this fall in Portugal. Backed by Saïd Ben Saïd, it follows “three generations of a family grappling with a life-changing experience during one day of a vacation in the historic town of Sintra, Portugal.
- 2/17/2018
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Bill Maher wants to know why, in the era of #MeToo, the most popular movie in America is “Fifty Shades Freed” — a film he describes as being about “a woman on a leash.” During his New Rules segment last night, the controversial TV host turned his attention to the seeming disparity between the growing calls for gender equality and an end to sexual harassment and the content of successful films like “Call Me by Your Name” and “The Shape of Water.”
“2017 was a great year for women because finally men have been put on notice. Harassment is going to be noted now, so you’re going to have to think of another way to meet women,” Maher said before adding that “all men are playing with five fouls now, as we should, but the movement falters if it thinks we can make pain-free the messy transition from two people not...
“2017 was a great year for women because finally men have been put on notice. Harassment is going to be noted now, so you’re going to have to think of another way to meet women,” Maher said before adding that “all men are playing with five fouls now, as we should, but the movement falters if it thinks we can make pain-free the messy transition from two people not...
- 2/17/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
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