iW NEWS | THINKFilm Sprints for "The Walker" in North America

THINKFilm has acquired all North American rights to writer/director Paul Schrader's "The Walker," the company's Head of U.S. Theatrical, Mark Urman announced Friday. Urman and Randy Manis, THINKFilm's SVP of Acquisitions and Business Affairs, negotiated on behalf of the distributor, and Cinetic Media represented the filmmakers in the deal. The company plans to release the 2007 Berlinale film in late 2007 to "qualify for Oscar consideration," according to a THINKFilm release. The film "centers around Carter Page (Woody Harrelson), a well-heeled and popular socialite who serves as confidant, companion, and card partner to some of the capitol's leading ladies. These pampered women are married to the most powerful men in America, and when their husbands are too busy running the country to attend to their wives, they turn to their 'gay best friend,' Carter, for warmth, wit, and wisdom. Carter's loyalty is tested when his dearest friend (Scott Thomas) finds herself on the brink of a scandal that could destroy her reputation and her husband's career. Offering to cover for her, Carter suppresses incriminating evidence, only to find himself the chief suspect in a criminal investigation." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW NEWS | U.S. Rights to "Ira & Abby" Go to Magnolia Pictures

U.S. rights to Robert Cary's romantic comedy "Ira & Abby," written by and starring Jennifer Westfeldthave been acquired by Magnolia Pictures, the company announced Friday. Magnolia's Head of Acquisitions, Tom Quinn and Head of Business Affairs, Jason Janego negotiated the deal with Rena Ronson and Phil Alberstat of William Morris Independent and producer Brad Zions. Foreign sales will be handled at the Cannes Market by Odd Lot International. Chris Messina also stars, as a neurotic New Yorker with major issues. He is at a standstill, but this changes when he meets the free spirited Abby (Westfeldt) and the impossible happens: they fall in love, meet each other's parents and decide to get married, all in a few breathless hours. Multiple divorces, in-laws, affairs, exes, and many therapists later, the couple is forced to examine whether "I do" is the only path to life-long love and happiness. "It has been so gratifying for me to see how festival audiences have connected to this film," commented Westfeldt in a statement. "I feel so lucky that a smart, innovative company like Magnolia will give it a chance to be seen on a national scale." indieWIRE reported on the film last June at the Los Angeles Film Festival, where it won the festival's audience award. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Los Angeles Film Festival ]

iW NEWS | Palm Scares Up "The Method" for the U.S.

Palm Pictures has picked up U.S. rights to Argentinean/Spanish psychological thriller "The Method" by Marcelo Pineyro, the company's founder Chris Blackwell and Lisa Nishimura, General Manager announced Friday. Ed Arentz, Head of Theatrical Distribution brokered the deal on behalf of Palm Pictures with Massimo Saidel, International sales partner for Latido Films. Palm Pictures plans for a Summer 2007 theatrical release followed shortly by a DVD release. Written by Mateo Gil ("Vanilla Sky") the film centers on seven of the world's top corporate heads who pursue the top job at Dexia Corporation. What begins as a normal job interview quickly unravels as candidates fall prey to 'The Method,' a psychologically brutal recruiting system in which only one can remain. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

REUTERS | U.S. probes Moore's Cuba trip

The U.S. government has launched a probe into whether maverick director Michael Moore, whose 2004 documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" skewered the Bush administration, broke laws when he went to Cuba for a new movie about U.S. health care. Bob Tourtellotte reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

HR | Coppola's "Youth" sets Rome world premiere

Francis Ford Coppola will return to the old country for the world premiere of his first feature film in 10 years. The World War Two-set "Youth Without Youth" will screen during Italy's second annual RomaCinemaFest (October 18-27), sales agent Pathe Pictures International said Thursday. Chad Williams reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | "Rebel" and "Cats" Win VC Filmfest Prizes in L.A.

The VC Filmfest 2007: The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival concluded Thursday night, honoring Charlie Nguyen's "The Rebel" with the grand jury prize for narrative feature as the film screened on the closing night of the festival. Juwan Chung's "Baby" won a special jury prize at the festival. Linda Hattendorf's "The Cats of Mirikitani" won the grand jury prize for a documentary, with a special jury prize awarded to Lisette Marie Flannery's "Na Kamalei: Men of Hula." Special jury acting prizes went to Esai Morales in "American Fusion" for best actor, Meredith Scott Lynn in "Finishing The Game" for best actress, and David Hyunh in "Baby" for outstanding newcomer. Ruby Yang's "The Blood of Yingzhou District" won the Golden Reel jury prize for best short and Tadashi Nakamura's "Pilgrimage" won the Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions award. For more information, please visit the festival website. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

iW NEWS | NYC Human Rights Fest Unveils 24 Film Roster

The 18th Human Rights Watch International Film Festival in New York CIty will open on June 15, 2007 with Lynn Hershman Leeson’s Sundance '07 debut, "Strange Culture." The hybrid doc looks at the challenges facing upstate New York Steve Kurtz who is accused of bio-terrorism in the wake of 9/11. The film features dramatizd scenes with actors Thomas Jay Ryan, Tilda Swinton and Josh Kornbluth. Also set for an opening night screening is Laurent Herbiet's "Mon Colonel," looking at military corruption during the Alergian war of independence. The festival will continue through June 28th and is co-presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Other titles on tap for the fest include Eva Mulvad's "Enemies of Happiness," RIcki Stern and Annie Sunberg's "The Devil Came on Horseback," Jennifer Baichwal's "Manufactured Landcapes," Daniel Gold and Judith Helfand's "Everything's Cool," and Marco Williams' "Banished." For more information, please visit the Human Rights Watch website. "We look for character-driven films, whether documentary or fiction, that explore serious crises or issues," said Bruni Burres, director of the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, in a statement "Real films that are not simply reportage. There's a lot of disbelief in the media. With our festival, we provide a more in-depth look. People know these films are more than sound bites." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Jeremy Podeswa's "Fugitive Pieces" to Open Toronto

The 2007 Toronto International Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Jeremy Podeswa's "Fugitive Pieces" on September 6th. Based on Anne Michaels bestselling novel, "Fugitive Pieces" tells the story of a man (Stephen Dillane) "whose life is haunted by his childhood experiences during the Second World War." The film also features Rade Sherbedgia, Rosamund Pike, Ayelet Zurer, Robbie Kay, Ed Stoppard, Rachelle Lefevre, and Nina Dobrev. "From screening his short films, to his first feature "Eclipse," to "The Five Senses," the Festival is proud to have supported Jeremy's career and extraordinary talent over the years," said Toronto International Film Festival Co-Director Noah Cowan in a prepared statement. "We are honoured to have him open the Toronto International Film Festival with this touching and powerful film." [James Israel] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | Roadside Attractions Exits Goldwyn/IDP Deal

Samuel Goldwyn's theatrical distribution arm, IDP Distribution, will no longer handle Roadside Attractions releases, the companies confirmed earlier today. The separation is being called entirely amicable by both sides. Formed in 2000, IDP was initially conceived as an arm that would handle the releases for three separate companies. But, with the growth of Goldwyn's slate, that changed. In recent years, IDP only handled releases for both Goldwyn and Roadside. The IDP staff will remain in place.

"The split between Roadside and Goldwyn was 100% amicable," Roadside co-president Howard Cohen told indieWIRE, in a statement, "Our deal to participate with Goldwyn in the IDP partnership was up at the end of 2006 and we all decided not to continue after June 30, 2007. That said, Sam [Goldwyn] and Meyer [Gottlieb] of SGF are my mentors, and [Roadside co-president] Eric [d'Arbeloff] and I both have a great history with them - a 20 year history in my case. They have fantastic taste in films and have a company that is, and will continue to be, synonymous with great independent film. Eric and I feel privileged to have worked with them and they continue as our close friends." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | "Oceans Thirteen" to Launch Star-studded CineVegas Film Festival Opening

Steven Soderbergh's "Oceans Thirteen" will open the ninth CineVegas Film Festival, taking place June 6 - 16 at the Palm Casino Resort, the festival's artisitic director Trevor Groth announced Wednesday. The film's producer, Jerry Weintraub, will be honored with the fest's Vanguard Producer Award during the opening night's festivities, which will benefit International Rescue Committee for Not On Our Watch, which gives aid to Darfur. "Oceans Thirteen" stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin and Andy Garcia will attend the event in which CineVegas president Robin Greenspun will present Weintraub and the aid organization a check "representative" of the proceeds of the festival's fundraising efforts. "CineVegas has truly hit the jackpot with 'Ocean's Thirteen,'" said Groth in a statement. "From the original--starring the iconic Vegas legends the 'Rat-Pack'--through the first two installments of the new 'Ocean''s franchise, the films have emanated an unsurpassed coolness fueled by the essence of Las Vegas. CineVegas is honored to open the festival with a film based on our turf that will launch us into the stratosphere of global recognition." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW News | GreenStreet Int'l Picks Up "Expired" for Worldwide Sales

GreeneStreet Films International has acquired writer/director Cecilia Miniucchi's "Expired" for worldwide sales the company announced Wednesday. The film, which will close the Cannes Film Festival Critics Week sidebar and stars two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton, Jason Patric, Oscar-nominee Teri Garr and Illeana Douglas, is described as a "bittersweet comedy about Claire, a meter maid with a kind soul who resents having to enforce the law at all times, and Jay, an angry traffic officer who loves his job because it provides the perfect outlet for his anger and frustrations. Having both come from a place of despair and loneliness, Claire and Jay meet and engage in a tumultuous and twisted relationship, which eventually teaches them that love can spread magic seeds of redemption and hope, even in the most unlikely of people. The film's producer Jeffrey Coulter and Fred Ross negotiated the deal directly with GreenStreet Films International president Ariel Veneziano. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]

iW NEWS | Fortissimo Acquires "Bad Habits"

Winner of best film in the 22nd Guadalajara International Film Festival's Mexican section, Simon Bross' "Malos Habitos" (Bad Habits) has been acquired in a worldwide rights deal by Fortissimo Films. The Cannes Critics' Week film is described as, "the story of a family with diverse eating disorders." In a statement, producer Juan E. Garcia from Garcia Bross y Asociados said, "We are really happy that we got Fortissimo for our film and we think that we could not be in better hands. We believe that 'Bad Habits' is a film which was born with a good star; it is an honest film that will somehow contribute to better one of modern society's actual ailments." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]

VAR | "Sicko" Set for June 29th U.S. Release

Michael Moore's "Sicko," which will debut next week at the Cannes Film Festival, is set for a June 29th release in the U.S., according to Variety. The Hollywood trade paper indicated that The Weinstein Company will co-release the film with Lionsgate, in part to ride on the coattails of Lionsgate's pay TV output deal with the Showtime cable network.  
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz, Documentary ]

iW News | Screen Gems Guffaws to Moniot's "Armageddagain"

Screen Gems has acquired "Armageddagain: The Day Before Tomorrow," a comedy by director Robert Moniot from a screenplay he co-wrote with Travis Oates. Production is expected to begin in August for an '08 release. Noah Emmerich is producing through his company Sandbox Entertainment. Moniot will also produce via his Big Picture Entertainment, along with Phil Goldfine through his Hollywood Media Bridge banner. ICM represented North American rights on the project, negotiating the sale with Michael Helfand, of Screen Gems. Odd Lot International will handle foreign sales at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival, in a deal negotiated by Brian O'Shea and Laura Ivey at Odd Lot Entertainment. "'Armageddagain' is a terrific project with a very clever and funny script," commented Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper in a statement. "We are thrilled to be in the comedy business with Rob and Travis." [Brian Brooks]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

AFP: Acclaimed filmmaker new target of Thai censors

A critically acclaimed film by Thailand's darling of the international festival circuit has become the latest lightning rod in a growing debate over censorship by the country's military government. "Syndromes and a Century" by director Apichatpong Weerasethakul recounts memories of his childhood and his parents, who were doctors at a rural Thai hospital. Sam Reeves reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

iW News | 2929 International Takes On International Sales Rights for Guggenheim's "Gracie"

2929 International, the Los Angeles-based foreign distribution arm of 2929 Entertainment, has acquired international sales rights to soccer family drama "Gracie" by Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth"), the company's president Shebnem Askin announced Tuesday. The film stars Academy Award nominee Elisabeth Shue ("Leaving Las Vegas"), Andrew Shue ("Melrose Place"), Dermot Mulroney ("Zodiac") and Carly Schroeder ("Firewall") as Gracie. Set in 1978 and inspired by the Shue family's real life events, "Gracie" is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl, who, after a family tragedy changed her life, fought for and won the right to play competitive soccer on her high school boy's team. "We are delighted to be in business with such remarkable filmmakers," commented 2929 CEO Todd Wagner in a statement. "Davis Guggenheim is one of the hottest directors in the business and this film is evidence of his tremendous talents. We believe this film has themes and characters that will connect with audiences worldwide and we anticipate them being as enthused as we are." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

The Guardian | Interview: Isabella Rossellini

The result of a notorious and passionate romance between two screen legends, is it any wonder Isabella Rossellini is absorbed by the legacy of her parents? I can't imagine my mother didn't love her success and the ability to do films like 'Casablanca,'" says Rossellini, "but there must have been a longing in her, otherwise she wouldn't have had an affair with Robert Capa and wouldn't have become a friend of Hemingway." Graham Fuller reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

iW NEWS | Nantucket to Open With "Evening" and Close With "Science"

Lajos Koltai's "Evening" will open the 2007 Nantucket Film Festival, running from running June 13 - 17, 2007 on the island off the coast of Massachusetts. The film was adapted by Susan Minot and Michael Cunningham from Minot’s novel. The Focus Features film stars Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Natasha Richardson, Mamie Gummer, Eileen Atkins, Meryl Streep, and Glenn Close. Organizers also announced that writer Robert Benton will be the NBC Universal Screenwriter Honoree for the 2007 Festival. Additionally the festival announced the creation of the Adrienne Shelly Excellence in Filmmaking Award for a promising female writer/director at the Festival. The fest, which will show Garth Jennings' "Son of Rambow" as a centerpiece screening, will close with Jeffrey Blitz' "Rocket Science." For more information, please visit the Nantucket Film Festival website. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW BOX OFFICE | 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. "Waitress" (Fox Searchlight) $92,034 wknd ($23,009 per scrn) 2. "Paris Je T'Aime" (First Look) $39,242 wknd ($19,621 per scrn) 3. "Away From Her" (Lionsgate) $53,267 wknd ($13,317 per scrn) 4. "Triad Election" (Tartan Films) $6,576 wknd ($6,576 per scrn) 5. "The Earrings Of Madame De..." (Janus Films) $5,123 wknd ($5,123 per scrn) 6. "The Valet" (Sony Pictures Classics) $130,794 wknd ($4,844 per scrn) 7. "Alice Neel" (SeeThink Productions) $4,221 wknd ($4,221 per scrn) 8. "Zoo" (ThinkFilm) $7,913 wknd ($3,957 per scrn) 9. "Private Fears In Public Places" (IFC First Take) $12,551 wknd ($3,138 per scrn) 10. "Black Book" (Sony Pictures Classics) $430,815 wknd ($2,816 per scrn)

[To be included in the indieWIRE Box Office Chart, distributors must submit information about their films to Rentrak at studiogrosses@rentrak.com by the end of the day each Monday.]

 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

Reuters: "Four Minutes" best picture at German awards

A powerful drama about an elderly piano teacher and her relationship with a young prison convict won best picture at the German Film Prize awards on Friday. "Vier Minuten" (Four Minutes) took the Lola award worth 500,000 euros ($680,500), decided by more than 800 members of the German Film Academy in Berlin. Cornelia Krause reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Magnolia Pictures Acquires Dori Begley

Dori Begley has joined Magnolia Pictures in the newly created Director of Acquisitions position, the New York-based distributor announced Monday. She will report to Tom Quinn, Head of Acquisitions. Begley recently served as Associate Programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival. She worked in various capacities at Sony Pictures Entertainment, acting as Manager of Acquisitions of Sony Pictures Classics from 2000 through 2006. "I'm very excited to bring Dori on board," said Quinn in a statement. "I've known her for some time and have always wanted to work with her in some capacity. She brings a breadth of experience and talent which will enable us to be a more pro-active buyer as we continue to grow." Upcoming Magnolia releases include Hal Hartley's "Fay Grim," Christopher Smith's "Severance" and "Crazy Love" by Dan Klores. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | Intrepid Pictures Grabs "The Expendable One"

Intrepid Pictures has acquired the graphic novel "The Expendable One" and has brought on Shane Kuhn and Brendan Cowles to write the screenplay, Intrepid partners Marc D. Evans and Trevor Macy announced Monday. The action/comedy was created by Jason M. Burns and published by Viper Comics. Kuhn and Cowles are currently writing "Twitch," an action/adventure script set in the world of video gaming, for Sony Pictures and Neil Moritz's Original Film. They will make their directorial debut with the horror film, "Drive-Thru," which will be released by Lionsgate this spring. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

NYT | Manohla Dargis & A.O. Scott: 2 Takes on Summer Movies

With the opening of "Spiderman 3" this weekend, the summer moviegoing season is off to a swift start; the film made an estimated $148 million in its debut (the biggest opening of all-time). In today's New York Times, Manohla Dargis admits that despite their downside, a good blockbuster can, "remind you of what going to the movies can still be like." While A.O. Scott explores "Why the Movies keep digging into TV's bottomless dustbin." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | "We Are Together" Wins Tribeca Audience Prize

Paul Taylor's "We Are Together" (Thina Simunye) won The Cadillac Award, selected by audiences at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary, about South Afica's Agape orphanage for children left behind by people who have died of AIDS, debuted at IDFA in November where it also won a festival audience prize (and where indieWIRE first wrote about the film). Producer Teddy Leifer and Taylor confrmed that they will dedicate the film's $25,000 cash award to school fees for the children of Agape, through their RISE Foundation. The festival's other prizes were presented at a ceremony earlier this week, where "We Are Together" also won a Special Jury Mention. For additional coverage of the Tribeca Film Festival, visit indieWIRE's special section. "Audience reaction has been incredible and we've had a great festival," said Taylor. "Having some of the children from Agape with us during the festival has been very special. Everywhere they go people fall in love with them. This is their award." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors, New York ]