TLC Makes Pre-SXSW Deal for "Crazy Sexy Cancer"

Documentary coverage sponsored by SnagFilms.

Kris Carr's "Crazy Sexy Cancer," having its world premiere on Sunday at SXSW, inked a pre-fest deal with TLC (a part of Discovery Communications). The documentary will be the first to screen on the cable network's new TLC Life Lens strand, in August. The company describes the new film as, "an irreverent and uplifting documentary about a young woman (Kris Carr) who looks for a cure and finds her life." Diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer in 2003, Carr (in the words of an announcement), uses the film to reveal, "her intimate thoughts, struggles and fears before the camera, sharing her story of survival with courage, strength, and lots of humor." The new TLC doc series is meant to showcase films that, "capture the independent voices, authentic personalities, and gripping real-life stories as delivered by today's emerging non-fiction filmmakers." The film was produced by Red House Pictures and Cactus Three. Brian Fassett is the producer, editor and cinematographer and Beth Nathanson is a producer, Jessica Wolfson and David Zellerford are co-producers, while Julie Goldman, Krysanne Katsoolis and Caroline Stevens from Cactus Three are executive producers and David Abraham, Marissa Ronca and Brooke Runnette are executive producers for TLC Life Lens. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Documentary ]

Canadian Cinema in New York

MoMA will present is fifth annual exhibition of Canadian films March 14-19 at The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters. Sarah Polley will be on hand to screen and answer questions regarding her first feature film as director, "Away from Her." Other films include Sophie Deraspe's "Looking for Victor Pellerin", Gary Burns and Jim Brown's doc "Radiant City," and Garine Torossian's "Stone Time Touch." For more info, visit MoMA's website. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Events ]

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Tokyo Sonata" Set with Fortissimo and Entertainment Farm

Fortissimo Films has announced a partnership with Entertainment Farm to co-produce Kiyoshi Kurosawa's new film. Tentatively titled, "Tokyo Sonata," the film will be (in the words of an annoncement) set in contemporary Japan and, "is a story of the facade of modern day family life and how once we look beyond what is presented to us we often discover something quite different, often sad and heartbreaking." "We have been impressed by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's body of work for a long time," said Fortissimo's Wouter Barendrecht, in a statement. "Similarly, Entertainment Farm is a very exciting production company that we have been following for a while now. We're proud and honoured to be working with them both on this powerful new project." Fortissimo co-chairmen Barendrecht and Michael J Werner negotiated the deal with Entertainment Farm's Yasushi Kotani and Yukie Kito. Kito will serve as producer on the film, according to the announcement and the project has been selected for the upcoming Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), running from March 20th to 22nd. Entertainment Farm is a Tokyo-based company founded five years ago and headed by Kotani and Son Taizo. Among its recent films are a number of J-Horror titles, as well as Mira Nair's "The Namesake" and Ethan Hawke's "The Hottest State." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies, World Cinema ]

"Nanking" Goes to THINKFilm

THINKFilm has acquired North American rights to Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman's doc "Nanking." The team behind the Oscar-winning doc "Twin Towers" debuted their new film at this year's Sundance, winning the Documentary Film Editing Award. It will continue its festival run at Silverdocs. The film tells the story of the Japanese invasion of Nanking, China during World War II through interviews with survivors, archival footage and testimonies from Japanese soldiers. "'Nanking' is an exceedingly well-crafted and moving historical recreation of a shocking event," said THINKFilm head Mark Urman, who plans to release the film in late 2007. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

The Rise and Fall of First Look Exec Henry Winterstern?

In The New York Times, Sharon Waxman takes a closer look at the recent news about the departure of First Look Pictures CEO Henry Winterstern. She writes:

The journey of Henry Winterstern is a classic Hollywood tale: of this town's irresistible lure, the particular hunger it breeds and the hubris that so often leads to a sudden demise. But this rapid rise and fall came with some trendy hedge-fund trimmings.

 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

INDUSTRY MOVES: Three Account Execs Promoted at Falco

Falco Ink. partners Janice Roland and Shannon Treusch have promoted three key account executives at their eight year old New York City PR and marketing firm. Steve Beeman has been promoted to Senior Vice President, while Erin Bruce has been upped to Vice President and Betsy Rudnick promoted to Senior Account Executive. Beeman and Bruce joined Falco at its inception in 1999 and previously worked at Clein + White and Rudnick joined the company in 2002. "It's rare to find a team that has worked together as long as ours has, over 10 years with Steve Beeman and Erin Bruce and over five with Betsy Rudnick. Their hard work and dedication to their projects is evident in their campaigns and they are a valuable part of this team" said Shannon Treusch, in a statement. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

Philadelphia to Fete Disney

TV critic and film author Leonard Maltin will join Roy Disney for the Philadelphia Film Festiva''s "Salute to Disney Animation" at the event's 16th edition taking place April 5 - 18. The "Salute to Disney Animation" weekend kicks off on Friday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater with a re-collaboration between Disney and the Philadelphia Orchestra, which will perform a live introduction to a screening of "Fantasia." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Allen to Salute Keaton at Lincoln Center

Woody Allen is among the film notables who will salute Diane Keaton on April 9, 2007 at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 34th Annual Gala Tribute to the acclaimed actress. The two have worked together on eight films, including such Allen classics as "Play It Again Sam," "Manhattan," and "Annie Hall," for which Keaton won the Oscar for best actress. Others saluting Keaton wil include Steve Martin and Martin Short, who worked with Keaton on "Father of the Bride" Parts I and II. "Diane is so beloved and admired that an extraordinary collection of friends and colleagues have agreed, to our delight, to gather on April 9th to personally pay tribute to her," said Gala Director Wendy Keys, in a statement. "This year's tribute will not only be a memorable evening but it will also be one for the ages." For more information and tickets, please visit the Film Society of Lincoln Center website. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

INDUSTRY MOVES: Slan Joins 42West

Heidi Slan has joined 42 West as a West Coast senior talent executive, the company announced today. She left PHK-HBH earlier this week and has already joined 42West in Century City, CA. At 42West, Slan expects to continue representing Marcia Cross, Nick Stahl, Tom Everett Scott, Jordana Brewster, among others. Additional talent executives in LA include Alex Dubee, Chantelle Aspey and Rene Ridinger. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

"Swedish Auto" and "Eagle Vs. Shark" Bookend 31st Cleveland Film Fest

Swedish director Derek Sieg's drama "Swedish Auto" will open the 31st Cleveland International Film Festival, taking place March 15 - 31. The film, follows a "small-town mechanic who voyeuristically observes life from the shadows. When he discovers that a young woman is similarly watching him, he is compelled to confront a world that he has always avoided." Taika Waititi's Sundance premiere "Eagle Vs. Shark" will close the fest. Also on tap is director Rolf de Heer ("Bad Boy Bubby," "The Quiet Room") who will be this year's "Director's Spotlight." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

With SXSW Nearing, Variety Explores '07 Fest

In Variety, Ian Mohr looks at the upcoming SXSW Film Festival, distinguishing it from other U.S. film fests. SXSW fest producer Matt Dentler tells Mohr, "Sundance, bar none, has the best programming of any festival in America. But it is hard to navigate. We have a degree of programming and organization where we want to include the filmmaker, the film industry and the film fan. That's the family tree we want to keep growing without an elitist vibe." Meanwhile, also in Variety, Peter DeBruge offers insights into the integration of the music, film and interactive sections of the upcoming SXSW. And Dentler explains, in a separate interview, "Today, with the way the music and the film businesses operate, they're all intertwined so much that it only makes South by Southwest more vital each year."  
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, SXSW ]

Picture This! Gets "Eternal Summer"

Picture This! has announced a deal for Leste Chen's "Eternal Summer" (Sheng xia guang nian), a Pusan International Film Festival official selection and 2006 Golden Horse Award winner. The company acquired the film in a deal with Taiwan's Three Dots Entertainment. The gay-themed drama is described as the story of two boys who meet as kids and re-connect many years later, discovering their, "long dormant feelings for each other." The company is planning a U.S. and Canadian release after film festival play. "Eternal Summer" opened the 2006 Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and screened at the 2006 Tokyo International Film Festival. Actor Bryant Chang won the best new performer prize at the 2006 Golden Horse Awards held in Taipei. The deal was negotiated for Picture This! Entertainment by president Doug Witkins and for Three Dots Entertainment by producer Michelle Yeh. "Director Leste Chen has imbued 'Eternal Summer' with a striking cinematic and audio sensibility," said Witkins in a statement, "Which elevates it from many other films in the gay genre." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, World Cinema ]

Berlinale Heads to Turin

Eight films from the recent Berlin International Film Festival are headed to Turin for a three-day showcase dubbed "Berlinale a Torino." The series will kick-off with Ryan Eslinger's Berlinale competition title "When A Man Falls in The Forest," starring Sharon Stone and Timothy Hutton, which will have its North American premiere at SXSW later this month. Also set to screen from the competition section are Li Yu's "Lost in Bejing," and Stefan Ruzowitsky's "The Counterfeiters." Other films set for the showcase are Paolo and Vittorio Taviani's "The Lark Farm," Hal Hartley's "Fay Grim," David Ondricek's "Grandhotel," and Uli M. Schueppel's "BerlinSong." The series, to be held at the Cinema Massimo in Piedmont's capital, will close Jay Anania's "Day on Fire." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Berlin, Festivals ]

Arthur Penn to Receive Berkshire Fest Tribute

Director Arthur Penn ("Bonnie and Clyde") will be feted by the Berkshire International Film Festival, which takes place May 17 - 20 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Penn will be on hand to receive the event's annual Lifetime Achievement Award, and the fest will "celebrate" Mr. Penn's career will be held on Saturday, May 19. Academy-Award winning actress Estelle Parsons will join the tribute, which also includes a screening of "Bonnie and Clyde," which garnered Parsons the best supporting actress Oscar. BIFF will showcase over 40 films this year, which will be announced later this month. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

SF360: The Orphanage adopts a creature with "The Host"

At last year's Cannes Film Festival--where Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" got a big boost from the New York Times' enthusiasm--Mike DeAngelo at Nerve wrote that "the first appearance of the monster ranks among the most thrilling and imaginative action sequences in recent memory." DeAngelo was speaking of course about "scene RB06," which is how The Orphanage's animation supervisor Webster Colcord and visual effects producer Arin Scott Finger coin the early reveal rampage on the Han riverbank. In an interview with the two of them held at The Orphanage in [San Francisco's] Presidio last week, they advised that RB06 was one of the first scenes they worked on and, ultimately, the last: "the infamous, hardest shot, that usually takes forever," but which they delivered to director Bong on time and under budget. Michael Guillen reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

AFP: African film world desperately seeking a boost

With cinemas closing, film subsidies shrivelling, and piracy on the rise, the thousands of film buffs in town for Africa's biggest film fest this week spent much time musing on how to keep African film alive across the continent. "Filmmakers need to make movies that interest the public, and the public needs to be provided with access to cinemas," said Dani Kouyate, a Burkinabe filmmaker who heads the Guild of African Directors and Producers. Claire Rosemberg reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Trends ]

Hachette Halts Premiere as a Print Magazine

Hachette Filipacchi Media announced today that it is shutting down the print operations at movie magazine Premiere, in the U.S. According to a Reuters report, the publication will shift to an online-only outlet. Reuters indicated that Editor-in-Chief Peter Herbst will leave Hachette, while Entertainment Group Vice President and Publisher Paul Turcotte will remain in a new role. A total of 25 positions will be cut, according to the story. Blogger Jeff Wells offers additional insights and details over at Hollywood Elsewhere. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

INDUSTRY MOVES: Variety Nabs Littleton and Thompson from Rival Hollywood Reporter

Variety has made a significant move, hiring two key editors from rival trade The Hollywood Reporter. According to an announcement today, Hollywood Reporter editor Cynthia Littleton and deputy film editor Anne Thompson will join the staff of Variety and Variety.com in senior editorial positions. Littleton has been named deputy editor for news development at Variety and Thompson, deputy editor, Variety.com (joining recently promoted website editor Dana Harris). Bloggers at industry insider sites are weighing in with opinions on the announcement, including David Poland, Nikki Finke and Tom Tapp. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

"The Ten" and "Waitress" to Bookend 16th Philadelphia Film Fest

David Wain's "The Ten" will open the 16th Philadelphia Film Festival, taking place April 5 - 18. PFF will close with the late Adrienne Shelly's "Waitress." Fest organizers commented that with the festival falling on Passover and Easter this year, they felt "it would be apt to choose a film about each of the Ten Commandments." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

American Cinematheque to Fete Werner Herzog

The American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre will fete director Werner Herzog March 22 - 25 in a program of screenings called "Films of Werner Herzog, Poet of Doom." The retrospective will open with a new 35mm print of "Nosferatu, The Vampyre" (1978). For a full schedule, visit their website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Events ]

San Francisco Film Society to Host "The Host"'s Bong

The San Francisco Film Society will host "The Host" director Bong Joon-ho Monday night for screenings of his films "Memories of Murder" (San Francisco Int'l Film Festival, 2004) and "Barking Dogs Never Bite" at Landmark's Clay Theatre. "While his exhilarating third feature, the blockbuster monster film 'The Host' confirms director Bong Joon-ho's place in the pantheon of genre benders, audiences at his policier 'Memories of Murder' witnessed the emergence of one of Korea's leading filmmakers," commented Linda Blackaby, the Film Society's director of programming in a statement. "We are so pleased to welcome him back to San Francisco. His first feature 'Barking Dogs Never Bite' has been hitherto unavailable here so I'll certainly be in the front row." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Events ]

Vicki Cherkas Named Sr. Exec VP of Operations at Picturehouse

Vicki Cherkas has been named Senior Executive Vice President of Operations at Picturehouse, it was announced today by Bob Berney, President. Cherkas will report directly to Berney. In her new position, Cherkas will be responsible for the operations of the company, including "overseeing productions and acquisitions deals, liaising and maximizing opportunities for Picturehouse within New Line and HBO and running the day-to-day business operations." She joins the company on April 1, after six years at GreeneStreet Films where she was responsible for business affairs, business development and new ventures, playing a major role in all the business, financial and legal aspects of the company's operations. She orchestrated the deals on such projects as "Tenderness," "A Prairie Home Companion," "Uptown Girls," and "In The Bedroom," among others. "Vicki is the perfect fit for Picturehouse, especially at this time when we are aggressively expanding into the global marketplace in all ways," commented Berney in a statement. "Her diverse background in both production and international operations rounds out our already great Picturehouse team." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

Reuters: Film depicting Germans as WW2 victims fires debate

A television drama portraying Germans as victims of atrocities as they fled Eastern Europe at the end of World War II marks a new step in ending a German taboo on lamenting one of the biggest refugee movements ever. "Die Flucht" (March of Millions"), a two-part film by public broadcaster ARD that concludes on Monday, had the highest ratings of the year on Sunday as more than 11 million viewers watched the first instalment. Until recently there was little discussion about the up to 14 million Germans who fled the Soviet army or were expelled after the Allies agreed to their eviction from Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Some 2 million civilians were killed or died. Erik Kirschbaum reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

Pressman Plans "God Is My Broker" Film from Buckley Novel

Producer Ed Pressman has announced the acquisition of rights to Christopher Buckley's 1998 novel God is My Broker. His Edward R. Pressman Film Corp. plans to to partner with Alan and Gabe Polsky's new production company Polsky Films and Stephen Belafonte's WhiteShark Films to produce the film from a script that will be written by Peter Himmelstein ("The Key Man"). The book is described as, in the words of an announcement, "a satirical comedy about a failed, alcoholic stock broker who retreats to a monastery that is about to file for bankruptcy protection.  When the monks discover the Wall Street insider may be able to save them from financial ruin, the broker is forced to watch in horror as the monks turn their religious institution into a corporation." The deal marks the latest partnership between Pressman and Belafonte. The two have worked together on six films, including Jason Reitman's "Thank You For Smoking," while Pressman is also producing Whit Stillman's upcoming "Little Green Men," also from a Buckley novel. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

INDUSTRY MOVES: Stephenson Leaving Dubai Fest as Event Plans for 4th Edition

Dubai International Film Festival director and CEO Neil Stephenson is leaving his position at the event to "pursue other endeavors," in the words of an announcement. Shivani Pandya, managing director of DIFF is on board for her fourth year at the event, reporting to Abdulhamid Juma, deputy director general of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority and chairman of DIFF. He will again lead International artistic director Simon Field and Arabic programming artistic director Masoud Amralla Al Ali. The 4th annual edition of the festival is set for December 9 - 16, 2007. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

LAT: "The case for Film Independent"

"The portrayal of Film Independent and the attempt to depict us as somehow undeserving of tax-exempt status displays a shocking ignorance of who we are and what we do," begins a letter from FIND board president Vondie Curtis Hall to the Los Angeles Times, published today. The letter is in response to a recent LA Times article that was critical of Film Independent. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

Sascha Baron Cohen to Receive Israel Film Festival Honors

Sacha Baron Cohen will be the first recipient of the Israel Film Festival Award for "Outstanding Achievement," joining Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chair Amy Pascal and Israeli actress Gila Almagor to receive honors at the 22nd annual Israel Film Festival's opening night gala Award dinner on March 6th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Almagor will receive the IFF 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award and Pascal will receive the 2007 IFF Visionary Award, as previously announced. The 22nd annual Israel Film Festival will launch with Shemi Zarhin's Israeli Academy Ophir Award recipient "Aviva My Love" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood on March 7th and wrap with closing night films "Sweet Mud" and "Three Mothers" on March 22nd. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]