"Death of a President" Set for Oct. 27th U.S. Release

Newmarket Films is planning to release its 2006 Toronto International Film Festival acquisition "Death of a President" nationally in U.S. theaters on Friday, October 27, 2006. In an announcement, the film is described as following, "the investigation of the fictional assassination of President George W. Bush in October 2007. Combining real archival footage with a credible but fictional story, "Death of a President" presents a fascinating and thought-provoking political thriller. Filmmaker Gabriel Range's previous film was the BAFTA TV nominee, "The Day Britain Stopped." The company released the film's trailer in 200 theaters today and also posted the clip online. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

New Yorker Gets Sissako's "Bamako"

New Yorker Films has announced its acquisition of Abderrahmane Sissako's "Bamako," which is screening early next week at the New York Film Festival. The film, which has already screened at the Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals, will be released in Februrary 2007. Described as, "The intimate personal story of an African couple on the verge of breaking up is told alongside very public political proceedings. The country’s civil society is taking action against the international financial institutions whom they directly blame for Africa’s woes." It was executive produced by Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, who will join the director at the festival. Additionally, on Tuesday, October 3, musician and activist Harry Belafonte, economist Jeffrey Sachs, filmmaker Sissako, Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, and moderator Mahmood Mamdani will participate in a panel discussion about the movie. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, World Cinema ]

AFP: Filmmakers face unimaginable difficulties in Iran: Director

Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi, whose film "Half Moon" has been highly praised at the San Sebastian Film Festival, has said it is increasingly difficult to work in Iran, where his latest movie has been banned because a woman sings in it. "Half Moon" tells the story of a group of Iranian Kurd musicians en route to a concert in Iraq but includes a taboo subject: women singing. "In my country it is forbidden to listen to a woman's voice," explained the film director. And in the film the musicians are accompanied by a female singer, Hesho, whose voice is heard several times during the film. Virginie Grognou reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

AP: Norway picks "Reprise" as Oscar entry

The lighthearted film "Reprise," about life's realities intruding on youthful assumptions, is Norway's entry for the best foreign film Academy Award. Director Joachim Trier's debut feature film will compete to be one of five finalists for the Oscar. Nominations will be announced Jan. 23. Earlier this week, Sweden announced that its entry would be Jesper Ganslandt's "Falkenberg Farewell," while Denmark last week picked Susanne Bier's "After the Wedding." AP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

AP: Movie sparks controversy in Egypt

It's an odd choice for Egyptian popular entertainment: a bleak movie about corruption, torture and political stagnation in a country where cinematic happy endings are the norm. But audiences are packing the theaters. The crowds are going to see "The Yacoubian Building" both for the cast of all-star Egyptian actors and because the unusually in-your-face criticism of the government has struck a chord. In one scene, a police officer calmly tells a young man he's about to be tortured. Behind the officer, a portrait of President Hosni Mubarak hangs prominently on the police station wall -- an unsubtle hint at the blind eye that the government has often turned toward police abuses. Nadia Abou El-Magd reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

Reykjavik International Film Festival Spotlights European/American Titles in Competition

Fourteen films from first and second-time directors will compete for the "Discovery of the Year" award at the 2nd Reykjavik International Film Festival (September 28 - October 8). Among the titles vying are "Shortbus" by John Cameron Mitchell (US), So Yong Kim's "In Between Days" (US/Canada/Korea), Laurie Collyer's "Sherrybaby" (US), Gyorgy Palfi's "Taxidermia" (Hungary), "12:08 East of Bucharest" by Corneliu Porumboiu (Romania), and the European debut of "Four Minutes" by Chris Kraus. In other highlights, Yoko Ono will travel to the Icelandic capital for a screening of directors David Leaf and John Scheinfeld's doc, "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" as well as her short "Onochord." Icleand's President, will present Canadian director Atom Egoyan with the festival's creative excellency award, while Russian filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov will be RIFF's "honorary guest." Visit the festival's website for more information and a full line up. [indieWIRE's Brian Brooks will report from the Reykjavik International Film Festival.] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Reuters: White House turns away "Kazakh reporter" Borat

Borat, the fictional TV reporter from Kazakhstan, may have gotten under the skin of Kazakh officials but on Thursday he couldn't get past the gates of the White House. Secret Service agents turned away British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as the boorish, anti-Semitic journalist, when he tried to invite "Premier George Walter Bush" to a screening of his upcoming movie, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." Cohen's stunt was timed to coincide with an official visit by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is scheduled to meet with Bush on Friday. Andy Sullivan reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

Tribeca and Rome Partner for Upcoming Festivals

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today joined Tribeca Film Festival founders Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff to welcome Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni and Rome Film Fest CEO Carlo Fuortes to discuss a partnership between the two events during a Thursday press conference in New York. As part of the partnership, the Rome Film Fest will screen six films from the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival, and in 2007, Tribeca plans to show a selection of films from Rome. De Niro will also screen 20 minutes of select scenes from his upcoming film, “The Good Shepherd,” at the Rome Fest, which he directed. Additionally, the Rome Fest announced it will present the Tribeca Film Festival its first "Steps and Stars Award," which "recognizes individuals and cultural entities that have made significant contributions to the film industry." The first annual Rome Film Fest will run from October 13 - 21 in the Italian capital. "We are pleased to be part of the inaugural Rome Film Fest and honored that the Tribeca Film Festival is receiving the first annual Steps and Stars Award," said Robert De Niro at the press conference. "I look forward to a long-term creative relationship between Rome and Tribeca." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Penelope Cruz to Receive AFI Fest Accolades

The 2006 AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival has named Penelope Cruz the recipient of the festival's annual Tribute. The Cruz fete will take place at ArcLight Hollywood's Cinerama Dome on Thursday, November 2nd (the festival takes place November 1 - 12). Pedro Almodovar's acclaimed film "Volver" in which Cruz stars, will also premiere that evening immediately following the Tribute as part of the fest's Centerpiece Gala series. The film, which was recently announced as Spain's official selection to the 79th Oscar Best Foreign Film category, is a Sony Pictures Classics release starring Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo and Yohana Cobo. The festival also announced a number of Special Presentations that are set for this year's festival, including the world premiere of Karen Moncrieff's "The Dead Girl" and the North American premiere of Nicholas Hytner's "The History Boys," along with Alexandra Lipsitz's "Air Guitar Nation," William Friedkin's "Bug," Joey Lauren Adams' "Come Early Morning," Matt Checkowski and Kurt Mattilla's "Lies and Alibis," Randolph Mark Viverito's "My Name is Jackie Beat," Michael Cain and Matt Radecki's "TV Junkie," and Roger Michell's "Venus." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Sundance and Open Society Institute Launch NYC Showcase

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

Nineteen films will screen at Film Forum in New York City next month as part of a retrospective presented by the Open Society Institute and Sundance Institute. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Soros/Sundance Documentary Fund, the film will open on October 26th with Mandy Jacobsen and Karmen Jelincic's "Calling The Ghosts: A Story About Rape, War and Women," an early film backed by the fund. Other films set to screen, through October 29th, include Elizabeth Barret's "Stranger With a Camera" (2000), Frances Reid and Deborah Hoffman's "Long Night's Journey Into Day" (1999), Jasmila Zbanic's "Red Rubber Boots" (2000), Michael Hammon and Jacqueline Gorgen's "Hillbrow Kids" (1999), Kate Davis' "Southern Comfort" (2000), Edet Belzberg's "Children Underground" (2001), Sandy McLeod and Gini Reticker's "Asylum" (2003), Alison Maclean and Tobias Perse's "Persons of Interest" (2003), Theirry Michel's "Iran: Vieled Appearances" (2002), Lindsay Fauntleroy's "Still Standing: A Youth Organizers' Television Documentary on Hurricane Katrina" (2006), Annie Goldman's "Punitive Damage" (1999), Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini's "My American Dream: How Democracy Works Now" (work-in-progress), Kevin MacDonald's "One Day in September" (1999), Pavel Kostomarov and Antonin Kattin's "There Are Women in Russian Villages" (2006), Lourdes Portillo's "Senorita Extraviada, Missing Young Women" (2001), Stephanie Black's "Life and Debt" (2001), Ra'anan Alexandrowicz' "The Inner Tour" (2001), and Jonathan Stack and James Brabazon's "Liberia: An Uncivil War" (2004).  
[permalink]   [ filed under Events, Park City ]

"Tripper" to Open 6th Screamfest

David Arquette's directorial debut film, "The Tripper," will have its world premiere on Friday, October 13th, kicking off the opening night of the 6th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival, Screamfest founder Rachel Belofsky announced Wednesday. Screamfest is one of the largest horror film festival in the United States and will be held from October 13 - 22 at the Mann Chinese Theaters in Hollywood. The film is a bloody political satire, starring Jamie King ("Sin City"), Thomas Jane ("The Punisher"), Lukas Haas ("Alpha Dog"), around a group of friends who escape to a modern-day Woodstock concert for a weekend of debauchery, only to be stalked by a fanatical killer determined to finish what he started years earlier. "We are extremely excited to present the world premiere of David Arquette's directing debut," commented Belofsky in a statement. "Horror fans are going to have a blood-soaked good time." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW Video: A Chat With Christine Vachon

indieWIRE Video: During a Q & A session hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Center on Monday night, film producer Christine Vachon ("Far From Heaven", "Boys Don't Cry", "One Hour Photo") talks about making movies within a changing business and explains how she maintain enthusiam for moviemaking amidst shifts among audiences and in production, including the new Todd Haynes film about Bob Dylan... in a new indieWIRE video clip (available via YouTube). 
[permalink]   [ filed under indieWIRE: VIdeo ]

H'Wood Reporter: Who knew? Filipino drag queens welcomed in Israel

You can't accuse filmmaker Tomer Heymann of tackling a mundane subject in this documentary, a multiple-award winner at various festivals. Dealing with a group of immigrant transvestite and transsexual Filipinos who care for elderly Orthodox Jews in Tel Aviv, "Paper Dolls" manages to wrest surprising amounts of emotion and humor from its exotic characters and situations. The Strand Releasing film received its U.S. theatrical premiere at New York's Film Forum. It opens Friday in San Francisco, and October 6 in Los Angeles. Frank Scheck reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

The Guardian Interview: Emilio Estevez, director of "Bobby"

He was one of the original brat-packers whose films defined the 80s. Then Emilio Estevez's career dived and the tabloids attacked. As he returns with an Oscar-tipped movie about the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, he tells Geoffrey Macnab about the good times and the bad. "I believe it was one of the most important events of the 20th century," Estevez says. "I believe we went into a free fall after that. We became cynical and resigned. The killing of Bobby was the death of decency and the death of hope, the death of manners, the death of grace and formality. We unravelled culturally and spiritually after his death." 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

AFP: US soldier who defected to North Korea tells story in new movie

A US soldier who defected to communist North Korea more than 40 years ago will finally get to tell his story to the world in an upcoming film, executives said. "Crossing the Line" covers the stories of four US army defectors to the North, including the last one known to be still in Pyongyang -- Private First Class James Joseph Dresnok. It will have its world premiere at South Korea's Pusan International Film Festival next month. Dresnok crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea to the North in August 1962 at age 21. "Crossing the Line" co-producer Nicholas Bonner and producer/director Daniel Gordon interviewed Dresnok several times in Pyongyang, said executive producer Paul Yi. Agence France Presse reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

SF360: Ian Inaba wants your vote

After the Y2K and 2004 presidential elections, we all learned to expect the unexpected. By now, more than a few realized they better actually begin to document the "unexpected" -- as it becomes clear just how much pre-planning really goes into making these election days so very mixed up. With yet another election bound to supply more sets of the usual disasters, Ian Inaba's documentary, "American Blackout," makes the case that election "accidents," especially when it comes to the U.S.'s African American voting population, aren't exactly random occurrences. Using the orchestrated campaigns against Cynthia McKinney's elections as a starting point, turning back to history as a guide, and hopping through a variety of regional debacles as evidence, the film offers the public a shot of adrenaline and a little advice for everyone who cares about this election season: Wake up. Susan Gerhard reports in SF360. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

Reuters: Rome unveils film fest lineup, plays down Venice row

A mix of big Hollywood productions and arty European movies will mark Rome's first international film festival next month, organizers said on Tuesday as they played down rivalry with Venice's venerable film contest. French and Italian movies dominate the 16-film lineup for the Rome festival's main competition, which has a distinct European, art-house flavor and includes no U.S. title. In fact, the official competition is almost certain to take a back seat to a series of special events and screenings which include the presentation of Martin Scorsese's new thriller "The Departed" and a tribute to Sean Connery. Silvia Aloisi reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Academy Awards Deadline Near for Animation, Shorts and Foreign Language Categories

Monday, October 2, is the deadline to submit Oscar entries in the Live Action Short Film and Animated Short Film categories as well as in the Foreign Language Film category. To be considered for the 79th Academy Awards, entry forms and supporting materials must arrive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by 5 p.m. that day. Foreign language film prints must be received no later than Friday, October 13. Only one picture will be accepted from each country. The 79th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, at 5:30 a.m. PST, in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. For all rules and other information required for submissions, please visit the Academy's website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

Delta and Gen Art Team Up for "Fly-In Movies"

Delta Air Lines is seeking emerging filmmakers to showcase original short films on its new in-flight entertainment system and on its website. Delta is partnering with Gen Art to host a national short film competition dubbed "Delta’s Fly-In Movies." Delta, which will be a sponsor of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, is offering filmmakers the chance to showcase their short films both on Delta's website and on Delta flights, and to win cash, travel and a trip to the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Film submissions will be accepted now through October 31st. Five finalists will be chosen and the winner will be announced at Sundance. The winning filmmaker will receive a $10,000 cash award, a pair of round-trip tickets valid for any international Delta flight and will be flown to the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. For more information including guidelines and an entry form, visit the Gen Art website. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

American Film Institute Launches AFI Project 20/20

The American Film Institute has announced a new international cultural exchange program aimed at marking the 20 year anniversary of AFI FEST and connecting filmmakers around the world. AFI Project 20/20 will include up to 20 filmmakers with movies playing at this year's festival (November 1-12 in Hollywood, CA). With support from a number of national organizations, the program will promote cultural understanding and nurture filmmakers, connecting the directors and their work with audiences at festivals and other venues around the world as part of an international tour that will also include events and universities and other institutions. 
[permalink]   [ filed under AFI Fest, Festivals ]

"A Stone's Throw" Takes Prize at 26th Atlantic Film Festival

Camelia Frieberg's "A Stone's Throw" won the best Atlantic Feature prize as well as best sound design at the recently concluded Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The sound design prize included a $10,000 CAD service award. Set on the pristine shores of rural Nova Scotia, the film follows the journey of impassioned photojournalist Jack Walker (Kris Holden-Ried) as he arrives unannounced at the home of his sister, Olivia (Kathryn MacLellan). While healing old wounds with his sister, and falling in love with local schoolteacher, Lia (Lisa Ray), Jack must attempt to conceal a dark secret, and is ultimately forced to confront his own unresolved personal history and the consequences of acting blindly. The 26th Atlantic Film Festival took place September 14 - 23. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

The Top Ten So Far...

Each week, indieWIRE receives the final weekend numbers for specialty releases in theaters. This is our top ten for the three day weekend so far, with most numbers already in. The top ten is subject to change before the final chart is published tomorrow and the weekly box office column is written. Weekend box office data provided by Rentrak as of Monday, 6:00 p.m. EST. 1. "The Science of Sleep" (Warner Independent Pictures) $347,925 wknd ($24,852 per scrn) 2. "American Hardcore" (Sony Pictures Classics) $18,102 wknd ($18,102 per scrn) 3. "Old Joy" (Kino Releasing) $17,556 wknd ($17,556 per scrn) 4. "Keeping Mum" (ThinkFilm) $20,153 wknd ($10,077 per scrn) 5. "The U.S. Vs. John Lennon" (Lionsgate) $43,409 wknd ($7,235 per scrn) 6. "Renaissance" (Miramax) $10,800 wknd ($5,400 per scrn) 7. "Le Petit Lieutenant" (Cinema Guild) $9,174 wknd ($4,587 per scrn) 8. "Red Doors" (Emerging Pictures) $22,855 wknd ($4,571 per scrn) 9. "Solo Con Tu Pareja" (IFC First Take) $3,921 wknd ($3,921 per scrn) 10. "Changing Times" (Koch Lorber Films) $18,665 wknd ($3,733 per scrn) 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

Julie Andrews to Receive SAG Honor

Julie Andrews will receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007. "Julie Andrews is a woman of great generosity, creativity, courage, elegance and wit. She embodies and transcends the memorable roles she has created," said SAG President Alan Rosenberg in a statement. "Julie has been a positive presence in my life and continues to inspire multiple generations. I believe it is exceptionally significant to be recognized by people who do the same work you do. Julie seems genuinely touched and thrilled to be receiving an award from her fellow actors. I have assured her the honor is ours." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

LAT: A Single-Screen Gem Fades to Black

In the LA Times, a report from New York State and the closing of the Scarsdale Fine Arts Cinema after 34 years. Owner of numerous movie theaters, Meyer Ackerman screened "Cinema Paradiso" as the theater's final movie:

Meyer Ackerman, who declined to give his age, insisted that he was not leaving the film world behind. He's been working on a documentary on a topic he won't reveal ("It's not finished yet") and hopes to complete his life story, 'Memoirs of an Exhibitionist', even if, like some of the films he has shown, it has a limited audience.

 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

ThinkFilm Gets French Oscar Entry

ThinkFilm has announced a deal for U.S. rights to "Orchestra Seats" ("Fauteuils D'Orchestre"), France's Oscar foreign language film entry which has been re-titled "Avenue Montaigne." Set for a February 2007 release, the film was directed by Daniele Thompson ("La Buche," "Jet Lag") and co-written by the filmmaker and her sonChristopher Thompson. It is described as the story of a woman from the French provinces (played by Cecile de France) who moves to Paris and becomes a waitress on the city's famous fashion boulevard, Avenue Montaigne. Her customers include a number of notable individuals, but according to an announcement, "Precisely because [the woman] doesn't know how celebrated these people are, her guileless and completely unintimidated engagement in their lives has a transforming effect on them - and ultimately her." In a statement, ThinkFilm head of U.S. theatrical distribution Mark Urman said, "'Avenue Montaigne' has it all - charm, wit, warmth, glamour and style - and it's that rare foreign language film that both critics and crowds can embrace." Urman and company VP of acquisitions Daniel Katz negotiated the deal with Pierre Weisben of Greenroom Pictures, representing the filmmakers. Daniele Thompson, daughter of late filmmaker Gerard Oury, made her name as the writer of such films as "Cousin, Cousine," "La Boum," "Queen Margot," and "Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Awards Watch ]

"Apocalypto" (and Gibson) in Austin

In Austin on Saturday night, the hot ticket was a surprise screening presented by Ain't It Cool News at Fantastic Fest, the week-long festival of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy films. 200 attendees at the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar were treated to the first public showing of Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto," with Gibson in attendance (and during a Q & A session comparing the film to current events in Iraq). AICN's Harry Knowles offers his take on the new film, indieLOOP member Jennifer Brown calls the film one of her favorite of the fest, so far, and SXSW's Matt Dentler reports on his blog:

Apocalypto is not perfect. It's also not complete (in fact, some of the finished effects will greatly improve some of the Mayan city scenes). What it is though, no matter what, is a fine adventure film with a charismatic lead character and some wonderfully choreographed action sequences. It's Bravheart, with subtitles. Some of the social and political commentary may get lost beneath the massive amounts of blood and body parts, but that echoed throughout the entire evening: At the end of the day, audiences want to be entertained, and Apocalypto does the trick.

The festival continues through Thursday, September 28th in Austin, for more information, visit the Fantastic Fest website.  
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]