• THE DANISH GIRL, AMY, BROOKLYN are Winners at 2015 Hollywood Film Awards

    ,
    THE DANISH GIRL The 2015 Hollywood Film Awards, the official launch of the awards season, took place last weekend at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The Danish Girl (pictured above) was a big winner, taking awards for Hollywood Director Award for Tom Hooper,  Hollywood Breakout Actress Award for Alicia Vikander, and Hollywood Film Composer Award for Alexandre Desplat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d88APYIGkjk Other winners included Carey Mulligan who spoke passionately about women’s rights while accepting the Hollywood Actress Award for her work in Suffragette, Asif Kapadia won the Hollywood Documentary Award for Amy, and Jane Fonda who received a standing ovation after stepping onstage to accept the “Supporting Actress Award” for her work in Youth. Ryan Gosling set the record straight on how to pronounce Saoirse Ronan’s name, while singing her praises, as she accepted the New Hollywood Award for her performance in Brooklyn. The 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards show honored the following: “Hollywood Career Achievement Award” Robert De Niro, presented by David O. Russell “Hollywood Producer Award” Ridley Scott for The Martian, presented by Russell Crowe “Hollywood Director Award” Tom Hooper for The Danish Girl, presented by Amber Heard “Hollywood Actor Award” Will Smith for Concussion, presented by Jamie Foxx “Hollywood Actress Award” Carey Mulligan for Suffragette, presented by Jake Gyllenhaal “Hollywood Supporting Actor Award” Benicio Del Toro for Sicario, presented by Reese Witherspoon “Hollywood Supporting Actress Award” Jane Fonda for Youth, presented by Laura Dern “Hollywood Breakout Actor Award” Joel Edgerton for Black Mass, presented by Johnny Depp and Dakota Johnson “Hollywood Breakout Actress Award” Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl, presented by Armie Hammer “New Hollywood Award” Saoirse Ronan for Brooklyn, presented by Ryan Gosling “Hollywood Ensemble Award” The Hateful Eight cast including Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Walton Goggins, Demian Bichir, presented by Jamie Foxx “Hollywood Breakout Ensemble Award” Straight Outta Compton cast including Corey Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson, Jr. & Jason Mitchell, presented by Ice Cube “Hollywood Comedy Award” Amy Schumer for Trainwreck, presented by Selena Gomez “Hollywood Breakthrough Director Award” Adam McKay for The Big Short, presented by Steve Carell “Hollywood Screenwriter Award” Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer for Spotlight, presented by Mark Ruffalo “Hollywood Blockbuster Award” Furious 7 (award accepted by Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez), presented by Kurt Russell “Hollywood Song Award” Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth for “See You Again” from the Furious 7 soundtrack, presented by Vin Diesel “Hollywood Animation Award” Inside Out (award accepted by director Pete Docter), presented by Amy Poehler “Hollywood Documentary Award” Asif Kapadia for Amy “Hollywood Cinematography Award” Janusz Kaminski for Bridge of Spies “Hollywood Film Composer Award” Alexandre Desplat for The Danish Girl and Suffragette “Hollywood Editor Award” David Rosenbloom for Black Mass “Hollywood Visual Effects Award” Tim Alexander for Jurassic World “Hollywood Sound Award” Gary Rydstrom for Bridge of Spies “Hollywood Costume Design Award” Sandy Powell for Cinderella “Hollywood Make-Up & Hair Styling Award” Lesley Vanderwalt for Mad Max: Fury Road “Hollywood Production Design Award” Cory Gibson for Mad Max: Fury Road

    Read more


  • Award Winning Documentary BARGE to NY Premiere at 2015 DOC NYC | TRAILER

    , ,
    BARGE directed by Ben Powell The award winning documentary BARGE directed by Ben Powell have its NY premiere at 2015 DOC NYC, where it will screen in the Viewfinders Section. BARGE had its World Premiere at SXSW 2015, and went on to win Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary Feature: Dallas International Film Festival 2015, Best Documentary Feature: Crossroads Film Festival 2015 and Honorable Mention, Best Documentary: Ashland Independent Film Festival 2015. BARGE evocatively depicts the lives of the Mississippi River’s ship workers over twenty-eight day shifts, shuttling cargo back and forth along America’s waterway. Dryland’s misfits, these men from all backgrounds and experience level fastidiously work to achieve their individual dreams while holding together our nation’s industrial backbone. A debut feature from Austin-based Ben Powell, BARGE is an intimate portrait of the machinery of American ambitions. A towboat drifts down the Mississippi River, on its way to the port of New Orleans. This is a barge whose life is the water, the banks, and the bright lights ahead. On board, dry land’s misfits find purpose and direction as the steady hands who move a few million tons of cargo up and down the river each year. A green deckhand; a former convict working his way up to first mate; an engineer with 38 years of experience, in no hurry to retire; and an ancient waterway pulling a double shift as the backbone of a national economy. As long as the boat is moving, they’re making money. Through the exquisitely observed details of modern river travel, this is a meditation on the importance of a meaningful job and the machinery of American ambitions. https://vimeo.com/121178742

    Read more


  • “Mediterranea” “Toto and His Sisters” “The Lesson” to Compete for 2015 LUX Film Prize at Cork Film Festival

    ,
    Mediterranea by Jonas Carpignano Three films, Mediterranea (pictured above), Toto and His Sisters and The Lesson/UROK, will compete for the 2015 LUX Film Prize at the 60TH Cork Film Festival. The festival runs November 06 to 15,  2015, in Cork, Ireland. This European Parliament LUX Film Prize places a spotlight on films which go to the heart of European Public Debate. Cork Film Festival, along with the European Parliament, believe that cinema can be used as a medium to discuss and debate topical issues. Mediterranea tells the tale of Ayiva who travels from his native Burkina Faso to Italy in search of a way to provide for his sister and daughter. He takes advantage of his position in an illegal smuggling operation to get himself and his best friend off the continent. It is massively topical given the current refugee crisis. There will also be a Q & A with cast and crew live from the film’s Brussels presentation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaALVBbde_A Toto and His Sisters is the compelling story of three siblings whose mother is imprisoned. During this time Toto passionately learns dancing, reading and writing all the while his sisters try to cope and keep the family together. The film explores topics like poverty, drugs and the importance of family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXtjJbB1Oh4 Finally, The Lesson/UROK, is set in Bulgaria and centres around a young teacher searching for a robber in her class while at the same time she is falling into further debt with loan sharks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCIQvmTMQr0

    Read more


  • DEMOLITION Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts to Open 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival ; Fest to Feature Retrospective of Alex Ross Perry’s Films

    ,
    Demolition, Jake Gyllenhaal The 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival will honor Quebecois writer and director Jean-Marc Vallée for his exceptional career achievements. After having presented Dallas Buyers Club (Los Cabos 2013 Closing Gala) and Wild (Los Cabos 2014 Opening Gala) as Latin American premieres, the Festival will host the Latin American Premiere of Demolition as the Opening Gala of this fourth edition. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts and Chris Cooper, the film opened the Toronto International Film Festival. In addition to the opening night film “Demolition” the festival will also feature two of the Vallée’s cornerstone films, C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) and Café de Flore (2011), to complete the tribute and retrospective to his work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTJ1qS7KOm4 The Festival launches a new program: Spotlight, to stress the Festival’s artistic focus and look at North America’s filmmakers, who have a central role in shaping contemporary cinema. This year the festival will feature a retrospective of Alex Ross Perry’s work. In spite of his age, 31-year-old Perry has become known at film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Locarno, with all of them having selected at least one of his four feature films: Impolex (2009), The Color Wheel (2011), Listen Up Phillip (Los Cabos 2014 Official Selection) and Queen of Earth, which will have its Latin American Premiere at Los Cabos this year. He will be accompanied by his regular co-worker, Sean Price Williams, one of the key cinematographers in current American independent cinema. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzPgN8eEI-c

    Read more


  • Cuban Drag Racing Documentary HAVANA MOTOR CLUB by Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt to Get 2016 Release | TRAILER

    ,
    Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt’s "Havana Motor Club" Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt’s “Havana Motor Club” which had its world premiere at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival is set to be released in 2016 via Samuel Goldwyn Films. HAVANA MOTOR CLUB tells a personal, character-driven story about Cuba’s vibrant community of underground drag racers and their quest to hold Cuba’s first official car race since shortly after the 1959 Revolution. It tackles how Cuba’s recent reforms — the owning of property, allowance of small businesses, and greater exchange between Cubans, Cuban Americans, tourists, and other foreigners — have affected the lives of these racers and their families. One racer enlists the help of a Cuban American patron in Miami to bring in parts for his modern Porsche. His main competitor is a renowned mechanic who uses ingenuity rather than resources to create a racing machine out of his 1955 Chevy Bel Air. Another racer ponders whether he will participate in the race or sell his motor — one that he recovered on the ocean floor from a ship used to smuggle Cubans off the island — in order to flee Cuba on a raft headed to Florida. Meanwhile, the race itself is in jeopardy of coming to fruition due to factors ranging from its status as an elitist sport to the arrival of the Pope in Cuba. Through the experiences of these racers and their community, HAVANA MOTOR CLUB explores how Cuba is changing today but also what its future holds in light of Obama’s recent move to normalize relations with the island nation. Perlmutt previously co-directed the documentary “Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel,” about the prolific Harpers Bazaar editor. The film was also released by Samuel Goldwyn Films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUTeldvSM3s

    Read more


  • Psychological Thriller EMELIE by Michael Thelin to be Released in Spring 2016 | TRAILER

    ,
    EMELIE, Michael Thelin EMELIE, a gripping new psychological thriller and the first feature from prolific concert film and short-film director Michael Thelin is set for theatrical release in early Spring 2016 via MPI Media Group’s Dark Sky label. EMELIE premiered earlier this year at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. In EMELIE, director Michael Thelin and writer Richard Raymond Harry Herbeck have taken an everyday experience – a couple handing their kids off to a babysitter – and created an original, nail-biting thriller. The Thompsons, a loving family living in a peaceful suburb of Buffalo, New York, are the definition of wholesome American normalcy. When their regular babysitter can’t make it, Dan and Joyce turn to her friend Anna to watch their three children while they go out to celebrate their anniversary. At first, the young woman seems like a dream come true for the kids, as she allows them to play with things that are usually off-limits. But, as her behavior becomes increasingly odd, the frightened kids realize her intentions are dark and twisted – and that she may not even be Anna at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aBFWG58pls

    Read more


  • Polish Horror Film “Demon” by Late Marcin Wrona, to Get a 2016 Release | TRAILER

    , ,
    Demon, Marcin Wrona The horror film Demon, from the late director Marcin Wrona, which had its world premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival (Vanguard Section), will be released in 2016 via The Orchard. Polish director Marcin Wrona was found dead in his hotel room in late September, while attending the Gdynia Film Festival in the Baltic city of Gdynia for the Poland premiere of Demon. In Demon, a young man travels to the hometown of his future wife where he knows no one. As a wedding gift from the bride’s grandfather, he receives a piece of land where the two can build a house and raise a happy family. While preparing the land to build, he finds human bones buried beneath the new property. Strange things begin to happen to change this happy couple’s life forever. Demon is a modern take on one of the most famous figures of Jewish folklore, the dybbuk, a spirit of a person not properly laid to rest that seeks to inhabit the body of a living person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn2zvlURSeU  

    Read more


  • “Noma: My Perfect Storm” Documentary on World’s Best Restaurant to Premiere at DOC NYC and Opens in Theaters on Dec. 18

    , ,
    Noma: My Perfect Storm “Noma: My Perfect Storm,” the documentary on the World’s Best Restaurant will have its North American premiere at 2015 DOC NYC before being released in theaters, On Demand and on iTunes on Dec. 18 via Magnolia Pictures. The documentary directed by Pierre Deschamps, follows celebrated chef Rene Redzepi against the backdrop of his Copenhagen-based restaurant called Noma,which was voted The World’s Best Restaurant in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. Noma: My Perfect Storm Inspired by two books written by celebrated chef René Redzepi, the film follows him on a culinary journey as he travels to find inspiration for creating novel dishes for travelers from around the world. Noma: My Perfect Storm is a creative journey into the mind of René Redzepi. How did he manage to revolutionize the entire world of gastronomy, inventing the alphabet and vocabulary that would infuse newfound pedigree to Nordic cuisine and establish a new edible world while radically changing the image of the modern chef? His story has the feel of a classic fairy tale: the ugly duckling transformed into a majestic swan, who now reigns over the realm of modern gourmet cuisine. But beneath the polished surface, cracks appear in the form of old wounds. 2013 stands as the worst year in René Redzepi’s career. We follow him as he fights his way back to the top, reinventing NOMA and reclaiming the title of best restaurant in the world in 2014 for the fourth time. https://vimeo.com/139779858

    Read more


  • THE LOBSTER Leads Nominations for 2015 Moët British Independent Film Awards

    ,
    Yorgos Lanthimos’ THE LOBSTER The Lobster topped the list of nominations for the 2015 Moët British Independent Film Awards with 7 nominations, including Best British Independent Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay andProducer of the Year. Colin Farrell is nominated for Best Actor and Olivia Colmanand Ben Whishaw for their supporting roles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_NcqD-Gfs 45 Years and Macbeth received six nominations each, including Best British Independent Film and Best Director. 45 Years also has nominations for its screenplay, for Producer of the Year, and for its stars Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillardare nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress and Macduff, Sean Harris, for Best Supporting Actor. The film’s Cinematography also gets a nod. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg5cpiX18TA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqHhKuCQmoY Asif Kapadia’s Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, has five nominations, for Director, Documentary, Producer of the Year, for its Editing and for Best British Independent Film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2yCIwmNuLE Completing the Best British Independent Film line up is Alex Garland’s Ex Machina, which is nominated for Director and Screenplay. The film’s Production Design and Visual Effects are also recognised. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bggUmgeMCdc Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne-Marie Duff are all nominated for their performances in Suffragette. Alicia Vikander is nominated for Best Actress for her performance in The Danish Girl. Tom Hardy is nominated (just once) for Best Actor for his performance as both Kray twins in Legend. Father and son Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson are both nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Suffragette and Brooklyn, respectively. Brooklyn’s other nominations come for Nick Hornby’s Screenplay and for Best Actress Saoirse Ronanand Best Supporting Actress Julie Walters. The film’s Casting is also nominated, in the Outstanding Achievement in Craft category. Amy Jump’s Screenplay for High-Rise, adapted from the novel by JG Ballard, is nominated. The film’s cast are recognised too: Tom Hiddleston is nominated forBest Actor, Sienna Miller for Supporting Actress and Luke Evans for Supporting Actor. There are five first-time performance nominees this year (Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Tom Hiddleston, Marion Cotillard and Luke Evans) and nine past winners: Tom Hardy, Brendan Gleeson Anne-Marie Duff, Olivia Colman, Michael Fassbender, Helena Bonham Carter, Julie Walters and Ben Whishaw, who was BIFA’s Most Promising Newcomer in 2001. This year’s Most Promising Newcomers are Agyness Deyn for Sunset Song, Mia Goth for The Survivalist, Abigail Hardingham for Nina Forever, Milo Parker for Mr Holmes and Bel Powley for A Royal Night Out. Nina Forever and The Survivalist are both nominated for The Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director for directors The Blaine Brothers and Stephen Fingleton. The other first-time directors nominated are John Maclean for Slow West, Corin Hardy for The Hallow and Paul Katis for Kajaki: The True Story, which is also nominated for Producer of the Year.The Violators is also nominated for Producer of the Year. Nominated for Best Documentary along with Amy, are Dark Horse: The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance, How to Change the World, Palio and A Syrian Love Story. The nominations for the new Discovery Award, which recognises innovation and vision in lower-budget films, are Aaaaaaaah!, Burn Burn Burn, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, The Return and Winter. The Variety Award, which recognizes a director, actor, writer or producer who has made a global impact and helped to focus the international spotlight on the UK, will be presented to Kate Winslet. The winners will be announced at The Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 6 December at Old Billingsgate. 2015 MOËT BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS NOMINATIONS Best British Independent Film sponsored by Moët & Chandon 45 YEARS Tristan Goligher, Andrew Haigh AMY James Gay-Rees, Asif Kapadia EX MACHINA Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, Alex Garland THE LOBSTER Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday, Efthymis Filippou, Yorgos Lanthimos MACBETH Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Laura Hastings-Smith, Todd Louiso, Jacob Koskoff, Michael Lesslie, Justin Kurzel Best Director 45 YEARS Andrew Haigh AMY Asif Kapadia EX MACHINA Alex Garland THE LOBSTER Yorgos Lanthimos MACBETH Justin Kurzel Best Screenplay sponsored by BBC Films 45 YEARS Andrew Haigh BROOKLYN Nick Hornby EX MACHINA Alex Garland HIGH-RISE Amy Jump THE LOBSTER Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou Best Actress sponsored by MAC MARION COTILLARD Macbeth CAREY MULLIGAN Suffragette CHARLOTTE RAMPLING 45 Years SAOIRSE RONAN Brooklyn ALICIA VIKANDER The Danish Girl Best Actor sponsored by Movado TOM COURTENAY 45 Years COLIN FARRELL The Lobster MICHAEL FASSBENDER Macbeth TOM HARDY Legend TOM HIDDLESTON High-Rise Best Supporting Actress HELENA BONHAM CARTER Suffragette OLIVIA COLMAN The Lobster ANNE-MARIE DUFF Suffragette SIENNA MILLER High-Rise JULIE WALTERS Brooklyn Best Supporting Actor LUKE EVANS High-Rise BRENDAN GLEESON Suffragette DOMHNALL GLEESON Brooklyn SEAN HARRIS Macbeth BEN WHISHAW The Lobster Most Promising Newcomer sponsored by The London Edition AGYNESS DEYN Sunset Song MIA GOTH The Survivalist ABIGAIL HARDINGHAM Nina Forever MILO PARKER Mr Holmes BEL POWLEY A Royal Night Out The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director) sponsored by 3 Mills Studios THE HALLOW Corin Hardy KAJAKI: THE TRUE STORY Paul Katis NINA FOREVER Chris & Ben Blaine SLOW WEST John Maclean THE SURVIVALIST Stephen Fingleton The Discovery Award sponsored by Raindance AAAAAAAAH! Andrew Starke, Steve Oram BURN BURN BURN Daniel-Konrad Cooper, Tim Phillips, Charlie Covell, Chanya Button ORION: THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING Jeanie Finlay THE RETURN Oliver Nias WINTER Tilly Wood, Paula Crickard, Heidi Greensmith Best Documentary AMY James Gay-Rees, Asif Kapadia DARK HORSE: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF DREAM ALLIANCE Judith Dawson, Louise Osmond HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD Bous De Jong, Al Morrow, Jerry Rothwell PALIO James Gay-Rees, John Hunt, Cosima Spender A SYRIAN LOVE STORY Elhum Shakerifar, Sean McAllister Producer of the Year TRISTAN GOLIGHER 45 Years JAMES GAY-REES Amy PAUL KATIS, ANDREW DE LOTBINIERE Kajaki: The True Story CECI DEMPSEY, ED GUINEY, YORGOS LANTHIMOS, LEE MAGIDAY The Lobster DAVID A HUGHES, DAVID MOORES The Violators Outstanding Achievement in Craft ADAM ARKAPAW Cinematography – Macbeth MARK DIGBY Production Design – Ex Machina CHRIS KING Editing – Amy FIONA WEIR Casting – Brooklyn ANDREW WHITEHURST Visual Effects, Ex Machina Best British Short Film BALCONY Tom Kimberly, Ali Mansuri, Toby Fell-Holden CRACK Joseph Taussig, Peter King EDMOND Emilie Jouffroy, Nina Gantz LOVE IS BLIND Lizzie Brown, Dan Hodgson MANoMAN Kamilla Kristiane Hodøl, Simon Cartwright Best International Independent Film CAROL Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Christine Vachon, Phyllis Nagy, Todd Haynes FORCE MAJEURE Erik Hemmendorff, Marie Kjellson, Philippe Bober, Ruben Östlund GIRLHOOD Bénédicte Couvreur, Céline Sciamma ROOM Ed Guiney, David Gross, Emma Donoghue, Lenny Abrahamson SON OF SAUL Gábor Sipos, Gábor Rajna, Cara Royer, László Nemes

    Read more


  • 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival Reveals Films in Tastes, B-Side and American Specials Sections

    ,
    Arcade Fire: The Reflektor Tapes The 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival taking place 11th to the 15th of November, continues to impress with its film lineup. The festival revealed the lineup for Tastes – a new section in the film program focusing on culinary themed films, B-Side program – focusing on music themed films, and American Specials, which presents the Mexican premieres of US films. Tastes program includes outstanding films from the international circuit of culinary cinema, including Cooking Up a Tribute by Luis González and Andrea Gómez (Mexican Premiere), about El Celler de Can Roca, the world’s best restaurant, which decided to shut down temporarily to go on the road and tour America; Sergio Herman: F***ing Perfect by Willemiek Kluijfhout (Latin American Premiere), which portrays one of the 50 best chefs in the world, who is a perfectionist obsessed with culinary excellence; and Baja Tastes by Roberto Najera (World Premiere), a first work made in Tijuana that introduces us to the culinary delights, variety and fusion of the Baja California peninsula. The B-Side program will have the most outstanding films in which music is a delight for both the ear and the eye. The tuneful world of Arcade Fire in Reflektor Tapes come together with the hip-hop rhythms created by Pharrell Williams for Dope, along with Office, by the Hongkongese director, Johnnie To, who breathes fresh air to this program by bringing a beautiful, nimble, musical cinema. New Trailer for 2015 Sundance Hit DOPE Dope (Mexican Premiere) Dir. Rick Famuyiwa (The Wood, Brown Sugar, Talk to Me) Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons Soundtrack by Pharrell Williams Premiered at Sundance. Arcade Fire: The Reflektor Tapes Dir. Hervé Martin-Delpierre (Daft Punk Unchained; Sport, mafia et corruption) Cast: Win Butler, Régine Chassagne, Arcade Fire Office (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Johnnie To Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Wang Ziyi, Lang Yueting Premiered at Sundance. In the new Film Program section, American Specials, which presents the Mexican premieres of US films that have won critical acclaim and set box-office records, the Festival has recently confirmed the Mexican premiere for Black Mass and The Diary of a Teenage Girl. Additionally, the lineup will include the following premieres: The Hollow Point (World Premiere) Dir. Gonzalo López-Gallego (El Rey de la Montaña, Nómadas, Apolo 18) Cast: Ian McShane, Lynn Collins, Patrick Wilson Max Rose (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Daniel Noah (Twelve) Cast: Illeana Douglas, Kerry Bishé, Jerry Lewis. Premiered at Festival de Cannes in 2013 El Ganzo (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Steve Balderson (Hell Town, Occupying Ed, The Far Flung Star) Cast: Mark Booker, Magdalena del Rio, Anslem Richardson. The Festival also confirmed the Mexican talent that will take part in gala events and Industry activities, among them: Eugenio Derbez, José María Yazpik, Manolo Caro, Tenoch Huerta, José Carlos Ruíz, Sebastián Aguirre, Sophie Alexander-Katz, José María Torre, Sofía Espinosa, Ianis Guerrero, Rosa María Bianchi, Jaime Garza, Adriana Paz, and many others.

    Read more


  • James Franco, Christian Slater, Molly Ringwald, Alicia Silverstone Lead All Star Cast Of Justin Kelly’s KING COBRA

    ,
    James Franco, I Am Michael James Franco, Christian Slater, Garrett Clayton, Keegan Allen, Molly Ringwald and Alicia Silverstone will lead the cast of King Cobra, the sophomore feature film from writer/director Justin Kelly. The film marks the second collaboration between Kelly and Franco, who previously starred in Kelly’s acclaimed feature directorial debut I Am Michael (pictured above). Based on a true story, King Cobra depicts the events surrounding a murder that rocked the adult entertainment industry in the mid-2000s. Slater plays Stephen, a lonely suburban man turned adult entertainment producer who discovers a hot, lucrative new star named Brent Corrigan (played by Garrett Clayton), then finds himself the target of rival producer Joe who will stop at nothing to steal his money maker. Franco plays Joe, a former male escort turned porn producer with a bad temper, whose desire to become a porn kingpin leads him to help commit a heinous crime. Keegan Allen plays Harlow, Joe’s boyfriend, business partner and accomplice. Molly Ringwald plays Stephen’s sister Amy, with Alicia Silverstone playing Brent Corrigan’s mother Janette. “We could not be more thrilled to have secured such a strong cast of exceptionally talented actors to lead the King Cobra cast,” commented writer/director Justin Kelly. “James, Christian, Garrett, Keegan, Molly and Alicia have consistently pushed the boundaries of film and culture at large with iconic performances. It’s been amazing watching them transform into these unique, fascinating characters.” Justin Kelly’s feature directorial debut I Am Michael, also starring James Franco, world premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Franco is also well known for his Oscar-nominated performance in 127 Hours as well as acclaimed turns in Milk, the Spider-Man franchise and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Christian Slater has recently earned high praise for his role as the titular character in USA Network’s popular series Mr. Robot, as well as roles in Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac Vol:1 and 2 and classic performances in True Romance and Heathers. Iconic actress Molly Ringwald is particularly well regarded for her starring roles in classic John Hughes films Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. Rising star Garrett Clayton has built a devoted following for his roles in Disney Channel’s original movies Teen Beach Movie 1 and 2, and ABC Family’s popular series The Fosters. Keegan Allen currently stars in ABC Family’s hit series Pretty Little Liars and also previously appeared in Palo Alto, also starring James Franco. Alicia Silverstone is well known for her iconic performance in Clueless and was recently seen in Butter for The Weinstein Company and Vamps, reteaming with Amy Heckerling. Her recent stage credits include Of Good Stock for the MTC and Time Stands Still on Broadway, which was nominated for Best Play at the Tonys. The film is produced by Jordan Yale Levine of Yale Productions, Scott Levenson, James Franco, Vince Jolivette and Iris Torres of Rabbit Bandini Productions and Shaun Sanghani of SSS Entertainment. Executive Producers include Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Joe Listhaus of BondIt, John D. Hickman, Brandon Baker and Jason Rose. Jon Keeyes will Co-Produce. Production of King Cobra was recently completed. Event Film Distribution is handling worldwide sales.

    Read more


  • 2015 Tokyo International Film Festival Awards, ‘Nise – The Heart of Madness’ Wins Tokyo Grand Prix Award

    ,
    Winners of the awards of the 2015 Tokyo International Film Festival Winners of the awards of the 2015 Tokyo International Film Festival were announced over the weekend and the Tokyo Grand Prix Award went to Nise – The Heart of Madness, directed by Roberto Berliner. Roberto Berliner’s exclaimed, “I wish I could speak in Portuguese but let’s see if I can find some words (in English). It was a very cruel job. I worked for 13 years on this film. I wrote and rewrote, and rewrote, and rewrote because Nise is such an important person who is a revolutionary figure. Only a few people know about her so it was my responsibility to show her to the world. In life, sometimes we know that we are doing something special, and I felt that way in the making of this film.” He also expressed his deepest appreciation towards his wife and children because he had spent so little time with them while shooting his film. The Japanese Cinema Splash Best Picture Award winner was Director Hiroshi Shoji with his film, Ken and Kazu. The 29- year-old up and coming director had transformed what was a short film into a feature film. “When I finished the short film five to six years ago, I realized there was room for more background depiction, so I made a feature film,” he explained. “I made Ken and Kazu without any financial backup. I only spent 2 million yen on the film, but TIFF chose my film and I received a prize. This proved that fair screening is conducted at TIFF and why I want TIFF to become a larger film festival.” Lastly when asked about the independent film industry in Japan, Hino commented, “I wanted to make the best film in Japan. And as I was writing the screenplay, I had a clear image of who I wanted the actors to be and how I wanted to shoot this film. It’s important to have a clear vision of what you want to do in indie filmmaking.” The Island Funeral directed by Pimpaka Towira won the Best Asian Future Film Award. Towira shared her story behind the scenes. “This is my second feature film and it is an honor to screen it at TIFF. There are many problems in Southern Thailand at the moment, which I wanted to portray in my film. Also, I thought the heroine should be a Muslim so casting took time. Heen Sasithorn is a well-knownTahi actress who was in New York when I thought of casting her for this film. We communicated via the internet and she agreed to be in this film. Heen expressed the theme of the film just as I wanted her to. The chemistry between the actors in this film was also just perfect,” Towira reflected. The Spirit of Asia Award by the Japan Foundation Asia Center winner was A Simple Goodbye directed by Degena Yun. Line Producer Zhao Yanming spoke on behalf of the film crew at the press conference. “Degena is very happy to receive this prize since this is her first feature film. This films is Degena’s life story and the issues she had with her parents. This award will give us the opportunity to come back to Japan and shoot a film which is more than we could wish for!” Mustafa Kara won the Award for Best Director and WOWOW Viewer’s Choice Award went with his film Cold of Kalandar. He quietly commented that “I think this was one of the longest and most difficult films at TIFF this year. In Turkish, Kalandar means ‘new year’ but it also takes on the connotation of rituals and traditions in certain regions. Therefore, the title of my film can be interpreted as ‘The Coldness of Time’ or even ‘The Hardest Times’. That is, it is portraying time and the vicious cycle of life.” With such a complex theme, Kara expressed his gratitude that this film was accepted by the audience and the judges. Family Film directed by Olmo Omerzu won the Award for Best Artistic Contribution. “I am glad and honored to win this award. I received a very warm and great response from the people of Tokyo which was surprising,” Omerzu said. His film was not a classic drama structure but he was pleased to see how open the audience was towards his film. On the theme of a parent abandoning the child, Omerzu explained, “When preparing the script, I knew people whose parents had left them at the age of 15-16. People who read the script were criticizing the parents but I think that once you become 50-60 years old, you want to start another life for yourself. So I think the theme of this film is reality.” The Audience Award winner was the Italian film God Willing directed by Edoardo Falcone. “This is a very Italian film in spirit. I felt it was accepted lovingly at TIFF and was happy to see the audience enjoy my film. Thank you very much,” beamed Falcone. As a comedy film director, he shared what it takes to make a good movie. “Obviously you have to make people laugh! Irony is important in Italian films—irony with a touch of intelligence. But Italy makes a lot of comedy films so making something different is important. I was able to do that with this film,” he said. The Award for Best Actress went to Gloria Pires in Nise – The Heart of Madness directed by Robert Berliner, which was also the Tokyo Grand Prix Award. Berliner expressed his joy once again. “Receiving such great prizes is something that we always expected, but there are so many good films that we only have a small percentage of winning.” He also said that even without a prize, he was already very satisfied. “When making this film, I felt like I was dealing with something special. And even if I didn’t receive this prize, I was already very happy that this film was screened at TIFF. But this film can have more appearance in the world thanks to this award. I am very excited about that. That the jury recognized the quality of my film,” Berliner said. The complete list of winners of 2015 Tokyo International Film Festival Competition Tokyo Grand Prix:  Nise – The Heart of Madness (directed by Robert Berliner) Special Jury Prize: All Three of Us (directed by Kheiron) Award for Best Director: Mustafa Kara (Cold of Kalandar) Award for Best Actress: Gloria Pires (Nise – The Heart of Madness) Award for Best Actor: Roland Møller, Louis Hoffman (Land of Mine) Award for Best Artistic Contribution: Family Film (directed by Olmo Omerzu) WOWOW Viewer’s Choice Award: Cold of Kalandar (directed by Mustafa Kara) The Audience Award: God Willing (directed by Edoardo Falcone) Asian Future Best Asian Future Film Award: The Island Funeral (directed by Pimpaka Towira) The Spirit of Asia Award by the Japan Foundation Asia Center: Director Degena Yun A Simple Goodbye Japanese Cinema Splash Best Picture Award: Ken and Kazu (directed by Hiroshi Shoji) Samurai Award Director Yoji Yamada, Director John Woo ARIGATO Award Kirin Kiki, Akihiro Hino, Suzu Hirose, Mamoru Hosoda, Lily Franky

    Read more