More Deals Mark Cannes Fest: "Control" and "Paranoid Park"

Another pair of Festival de Cannes films are finding distribution in the United States. The Weinstein Company has acquired North American rights to Anton Corbijn's "Control," according The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which opened the 2007 Directors' Fortnight section, also won a trio of awards on the sidebar's closing night. Meanwhile, Gus Van Sant's Cannes competition entry, "Paranoid Park," is closing in on a U.S. deal with IFC Entertainment. Despite word of a sealed deal, IFC reiterated yesterday that a deal is not yet finalized. 
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CANNES '07 | Marcus Hu: Cannes Fest Fixture Sits One Out; '08 Fest Awaits Her Return

Since 1989, my mom, Evelyn has been my trusty sidekick, best friend and confidant to accompany me to Cannes every consecutive year since. I am sure many of you have seen this 4'10" Asian American mom whizzing down the Croisette to a screening or to meet me at a reception, with the sparkle of a teenager in love with the movies. Her love for cinema rubbed off onto me as a child and stuck with me as a career... Strand Releasing co-president Marcus Hu writes about why he and his Mom are not at the Cannes Film Festival. 
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iW NEWS | Miramax Captures Schnabel's "Butterfly"

Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (Le Scaphandre et le Papillon) has been acquired by Miramax Films, in a deal for all North American rights to the Cannes '07 competition film. Adapted by Ronald Harwood, the film is the story of former editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine in France, Jean-Dominique Bauby. Mathieu Amalric portrays Bauby, who, after suffering a debilitating stroke, was forced compose his autobiography entirely by dictation through a series of blinks, grunts and movements. He died in France three days after the book was published. Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Jon Kilik, the film also stars Emmanuelle Seigner and Max Von Sydow. "What excited our whole team so much is that this film is a combination of all of the elements we look for and more - an amazing true story, a flawless adaptation of an incredible memoir, remarkably beautiful direction and extraordinary performances," said Miramax president Daniel Battsek, in a statement today in Cannes. "The end result is a film told with fantastic sensitivity and humanity that still manages to keep a sense of humor which audiences will find undoubtedly moving." Michael Luisi, an EVP at Miramax negotiated the deal with Cameron McCracken from Pathe UK and CAA, representing Schnabel. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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AFP: Cannes world cinema puts spotlight on India, Lebanon and more

"All the world's a stage" wrote Shakespeare, and this year at Cannes, India, Lebanon, Poland, Africa, Colombia and Slovenia are spotlighted at the festival event "All The World's Films." The world cinema affair is a recent and increasingly popular addition to the 12-day annual movie extravaganza, showcasing the vast and rich variety of cinema produced around the globe. Audrey Stuart reports. 
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The Guardian: Cannes Roundup

The race for the Palme d'Or in Cannes has been thrown open again with a mighty challenger coming up on the inside rail. Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" is a wonderfully acted and profoundly moving adaptation of the memoir by French magazine editor Jean- Dominique Bauby, who, at 42, and at the height of his brilliant media career, became paralysed with a stroke. Peter Bradshaw reports. 
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NYT: Alienated Europeans, Through a Cold Lens

One of the most fertile subjects of contemporary European cinema is the desolation of contemporary European life. The extravagance and high spirits outside the Cannes screening rooms thus frequently stand in jarring contrast to the misery displayed within them, where stories of privation, disconnection and violence hold up a corrective mirror to a continent that likes to present itself to the rest of the world as prosperous, unified and at peace. A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis reports. 
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The Guardian Interview: Gael Garcia Bernal

"Doing films in Mexico is pretty difficult; it's not yet a self-sustaining industry," says Gael Garcia Bernal. "But one thing you can do is manage to make films without very much money. There was an energy developing around the things that we wanted to do, and there came a point when we thought, 'You know what, why don't we concentrate all this energy? Why don't we make it in practical terms and build a company?'" Garcia Bernal is in Cannes with his directorial debut, "Deficit." The Guardian reports. 
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AFP: NKorea's first film to hit West: schoolgirl's dreams n'drama

North Korea's first film bidding for buyers at the Cannes market provides a rare look at the fortress nation seen through teenage eyes. "The Schoolgirl's Diary," one of only two films produced by Pyongyang last year, chronicles a girl's life through her school years, grappling with peer pressure and family problems much the same as those the world over. Claire Rosemberg reports. 
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AFP: Iran's ire leaves Cannes cartoon-maker cold

Iranian-born filmmaker Marjane Satrapi, whose black comedy about growing up under the ayatollahs is infuriating Iran, says Tehran is barking up the wrong tree and she will not return. With her animated feature "Persepolis," based on her eponymous comic book best-sellers, lined up as a front-runner for the top Cannes prize, Satrapi's hard-hitting autobiographical take on Tehran in the 70s and 80s has thrown the spotlight again on Iran. Claire Rosemberg reports. 
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Reuters: Akin takes German-Turkish "Edge" to Cannes

German-Turkish director Fatih Akin's latest film "The Edge of Heaven," showing at the Cannes festival, carries on from his 2003 success "Head On." Akin, who shot to prominence when "Head On" won the Golden Bear prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, looks at some of the same issues of identity and belonging in both films. James Mackenzie reports. 
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iW NEWS | "Once" Rules the Specialty Box office

John Carney's "Once" topped the indieWIRE box office chart (iBOT) in its second weekend in release, racking up a nearly $31,000 per site average. The Fox Searchlight release screened at two locations. Vitagraph's "Brand Upon the Brain!" placed second in the chart, as ranked on a per screen average, with a nearly $19,000 per site average. The film, directed by Guy Maddin, played three sites. "Chalk," which is being released by Arts Alliance America played one screen, taking in $13,363, while the late Adrienne Shelly's "Waitress" jumped to 116 screens, grossing over $1 million and placing fourth on the chart with a solid $9,319 average. "Paris Je T'Aime" rounded out the top five on this week's iBOT with an $8,750 average. The First Look release played 18 locations, taking in $157,504. For more numbers and the full chart, visit this week's indieWIRE box office table. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Roadside Buys "Caramel"

U.S. rights to Nadine Labaki's "Caramel" have been acquired by Roadside Attractions. The Cannes Directors Fortnight film is the story of five Lebanese women in a Beirut beauty shop. Roadside co-president Howard Cohen negotiated the deal with Raphael Berdugo of Roissy Films. Labaki wrote the first feature with Jihad Hojeily and Rodney Al Haddad. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | IFC Takes Two Cannes '07 Titles

IFC First Take, the day and date distribution label from U.S. based IFC Entertainment, has announced the acquisition of two films from the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival: Cristian Mungui's competition film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days" and Hsiao-Hsien's "Flight of the Red Balloon" from the Un Certain Regard section. "4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days," set during the last days of Communism in Romania, depicts two young women facing the end of unwelcome pregnancies, while "Flight of the Red Balloon," set in Paris, is the story of boy and his babysitter in the same imaginary world where they are followed around the city by a red balloon. It stars Juliet Binoche and Simon Iteanu. "'4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days' is powerfully provocative and should connect to audiences in some fundamental ways," commented IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring, in a statement, adding about "Red Balloon," "We know that this film will help further signify IFC First Take as the premiere distribution platform for celebrated foreign language films in the U.S." IFC acquisitions VP Arianna Bocco negotiated the "4 Months..." deal with Carol Baraton from Wild Bunch, and the "Red Balloon" deal with Nicolas Brigaud-Robert from Films Distribution. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | Arthouse Gets Graffiti Doc and Cartier-Bresson Set

Arthouse Films has announced its acquisition of North American, Australian, New Zealand, and South African rights (minus television), to Pablo Aravena's feature length documentary film on global graffiti, "NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting." Arthouse will continue the North American theatrical release in a deal brokered by David Koh, Head of Acquisitions and Production for Arthouse Films and partner Lilly Bright and her Curiously Bright Entertainment with Nadja Romain of Lovestreams Productions and Pablo Aravena. Additionally, the company has acquired North American DVD rights to the Henri Cartier-Bresson double DVD boxed set. The set features five films from the photographer and several documentaries made on his life and work. Koh and Bright brokered the deal with Mathilde Hentot of MK2. [Peter Knegt and Eugene Hernandez]  
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iW NEWS | Sony Classics Announces "Band" Deal

Eran Kolirin's first feature, "The Band's Visit" has been acquired for distribution in the U.S. and English-speaking Canada in an acquisition deal by Sony Pictures Classics here in Cannes. The Israeli film, screening in the festival's Un Certain Regard section, stars Sasson Gabai ("Made in Israel" and "Aviva Ahuvati") as well as three-time Best Actress winner at the Israeli Academy Awards, Ronit Elkabetz ("Sh'Chur," "Hatuna Meuheret," and "Ve'Lakhta Lehe Isha"). The film is described as the story of an Egyptian Police band that loses their way while traveling to Israel to perform at an Arab cultural center. Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and Dylan Leiner from Sony Pictures Classics acquired the film from producer Ehud Bleiberg of Bleiberg Entertainment. "The Band's Visit" marks the birth of a major new international filmmaker, Eran Kolirin, in a story that is so warm and human (and funny as well)," said Sony's executives in a statement. "It is an important movie about how in today's world there is a necessity for trust in human connection, and the restorative power of music. This is the kind of movie that wins major awards and is very commercial at the same time. This movie will bring people together." [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | Melbourne Fest Announces New Event

The Melbourne International Film Festival announced at Cannes the establishment of Australia's first international film forum within its festival environment. 37 South: Bridging The Gap will be a major networking event taking place July 26-28. The event is designed to bring together Australia feature film producers with a range of potential partners. "We will be inviting eight to ten key international sales agents, producers and financiers to join us for a combination of formal and informal sessions," said Executive Director Richard Moore. "This is a place where guests will meet the best of our established film community and the next wave of emerging talent." The announcement of 37 South was made possible through the support of the Victorian Government and complements new financing agreements made by the Australian government earlier this year. The Australian industry has been buoyed by the new financial arrangements and is predicting an upsurge of activity in the realm of 25% over the next two to three years. [Peter Knegt] 
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AFP: Cars clash! Girls strut! Tarantino's at Cannes

The king of pop cinema, Quentin Tarantino, paid homage to 1970s car action flicks at the Cannes film festival Tuesday with "Death Proof," in which gears and girls grind for his camera in an exercise heavy on style but light on substance. Marc Burleigh reports. 
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iW NEWS | Lynn Hirshfield Named VP at Participant

Lynn Hirshfield has joined Participant Productions as Vice President of Business Development, it was announced today by Ricky Strauss, the President of the L.A. based production company announced Tuesday. Hirshfield will report to Participant heads of marketing Buffy Shutt and Kathy Jones and will lead the development of strategic marketing partnerships and integrate these partners into social action and advocacy campaigns. In addition, part of Lynn's duties at Participant will be to launch a publishing division to support the company's films and social action campaigns. Throughout 2006, she consulted for Participant Productions on the social marketing and outreach for the Academy Award winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Upcoming releases include Mike Nichols' "Charlie Wilson's War," starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Sony Announces New Asian Collaboration, Acquisition

Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia announced a new multi-feature production collaboration with Stephen Chow's production company Star Overseas. The two companies will work on a series of films featuring new and emerging Asian talent. Chow's own film, "Jump," will be the first project of the joint venture. Described as a "hip-hop dance romantic comedy", "Jump" will be produced by Chui Po Chu ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") and will star Kitty Zhang. It will begin production later this summer with Sony Pictures Releasing International handling worldwide distribution, as it will for all films under the new deal. "Asia is producing some of the most exciting new talent," said Gareth Wigan, Vice Chairman of Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group. "With Stephen's superb artistic sensibilities and commercial instincts combined with Sony's distribution and marketing expertise, the prospects for this collaboration are extremely exciting." Chow's Star Overseas previously collaborated with Sony on "Kung Fu Hustle," which grossed over $100 million worldwide. Sony Pictures Entertainment has also acquired North American rights to HandMade Film's upcoming production, "The Long Good Friday." Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group and HandMade Films International jointly made the announcement at Cannes Monday. "The Long Good Friday" is a contemporary remake of the 1980 UK crime thriller. It will be written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson ("Alien Vs. Predator.") The deal was negotiated by Peter Schlessel and Lara Thompson on behalf of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, and Guy Collins and Michael Ryan on behalf of HandMade. [Peter Knegt]  
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iW NEWS | "Band's Visit" Buzz

Met with a lengthy standing ovation here in Cannes, Eran Kolirin's Cannes Un Certain Regard feature film, "The Band's Visit," is nearing a North American distribution deal after locking up pacts in international territories. Produced by July August Productions, Bleiberg Entertainment, and Sophie Dulac Productions, the film is about an Egyptian police band that gets lost in a remote Israeli town on their way to a festival. Sony Pictures Classics is a likely buyer according to multipe sources, but the company declined to comment late Monday in Cannes. Co-producer Sophie Dulac purchased the rights for France and will release the title on eighty prints, while Mikado bought the rights in Italy and Spanish rights went to Manga. Swen-Brazil bought the rights to all Latin American territories, Madman purchased both Australia and New Zealand, Audio Visual purchased rights for Greece, and Xenix obtained the rights to Switzerland. Roman Kopelevich, VP of World Sales for Bleiberg Entertainment, negotiated all deals and Bleiberg is currently in negotiations for all other territories. [Eugene Hernandez and Ashley Adams] 
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iW NEWS | Niki Caro To Direct Screen Adaptation of "The Vinter's Luck"

Niki Caro ("Whale Rider") will direct a screen adaptation of "The Vinter's Luck" from a screenplay adaptation she wrote herself of Elizabeth Knox's New Zealand novel of the same name. Principal photography should commence in February, 2008 for the film about a peasant wine maker in 19th century France and his life long relationship with an angel. The cast includes Keisha Castle-Hughes ("Whale Rider"), and production design by Academy Award Winner, Grant Major ("The Lord of the Rings" trilogy). "The Vinter's Luck" is an Ascension Films-Kortex co-production whose international sales are being handled by Kathleen Drumm of NZ Film, the sales arm of the New Zealand Film Commission, one of the films many financers. Also funding the film are: The New Zealand Production Fund, the Motion Investment Group of Belgium, Tokyo based OLC Rights Entertainment, and Kortex Cinema of France. [Ashley Adams]  
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iW NEWS | TLA Likes "Naked Boys"

TLA Releasing has acquired North American Theatrical and DVD Rights for the United Kingdom to Funny Boy Films' "Naked Boys Singing! The Movie." The film is co-directed by Robert Schrock and Troy Christian and is scheduled to be released this Fall. It is adapted from the popular play that debuted in 1998. "The fun-loving spirit of this movie is contagious, the cast is wonderful," said producer Kirkland Tibbels. "I guarantee you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen for a moment." Executive Producer Sterling Zinsmeyer brought the film to Funny Boy Films. [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | Graham King Launches GK Films

Producer Graham King has announced the launch of his new company, GK Films. The company will coincide with the 3-year extension of his overall production deal with Warner Brothers Pictures as well as the extension of King's production deal with Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil. The new deal gives Warner a first look option on films produced under GK Films including Infinitum Nihil films. King will partner with long time collaborator Tim Headington at GK. Among the titles being produced by King via GK is Mira Nair's "Shantaram," starring Johnny Depp. It will be produced with Warner Brothers in conjunction with Infinitum Nihil and Plan B. The slate also includes Martin Scorcese's adaptation of Brian Selznick's best selling "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and Jean-Marc Vallee's "The Young Victoria." "Victoria" will be the first GK Film to begin shooting when it does so in the UK this August. Introduced to the international marketplace at Cannes, "Victoria" stars Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria during her youth. King will remain a principal at Initial Entertainment Group and the agreement will extend Warner Brothers first look deal to Initial's titles. His current creative executive team is headed by President of Production Gail Lyon and also includes Vice President of Production Grey Rembert and Production Executive Denis O'Sullivan. King recently won an Academy Award for producing "The Departed." [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | "Angels in the Dust" Finds International Distribution with Cinema Libre

Cinema Libre Studio will distribute director Louise Hogarth's film, "Angels in the Dust." The documentary is about the AIDS crisis in South America and follows Marion Cloete and her family, who give up a life of privilege to establish a village and school that provide shelter, food and education to South African children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. "Angels in the Dust" was produced by Dream Out Loud Films and Participant Productions. Cinema Libre will be responsible for distributing the film in the US and selling it internationally. [Ashley Adams]  
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iW NEWS | Roberts Leads New Working Title Slate

Working Title Films has announced an impressive slate of films, six of which will shoot this year and be distributed by various divisions of Universal Pictures. A freshly announced Julia Roberts project about the life of African wildlife conservationist Joan Root leads the list. Roberts will produce and star in the as-yet-untitled film, inspired by Mark Seal's Vanity Fair aticle, "A Flowering Evil." "Finding Neverland" writer David Magee is writing the screenplay. Working Title's additional list is lead off by the Coen brothers, shooting "Burn After Reading" later this summer. It stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, and Frances McDormand. The Coens will follow it up with "A Serious Man." Both films are part of a deal with Focus Features and Working Title, with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner serving as producers. Pitt will also star in "State of Play," based on the BBC mini-series about the murder of a congressman's mistress. Kevin MacDonald will direct from Matthew Carnahan's screenplay. The other films include Ron Howard's adaptation of "Frost/Nixon," which Peter Morgan will adapt from his own play; "Imperial Life in the Emerald City," directed Paul Greengrass and set in the Iraq War; and Richard Curtis' directorial follow up to "Love, Actually," "The Boat That Rocked." Working Title has been co-chaired by Bevan and Fellner since 1992. Between them, they have produced 85 feature films, which have amassed $4 billion worldwide. Their current slate includes the anticipated "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," and Joe Wright's "Atonement." [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | ARP Takes French-speaking Rights to "The Good, the Bad, the Weird"

Korean director Kim Jee-woon's Asian-Western, "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" has been acquired by French distributor ARP from Seoul-based Cineclick for French-speaking territory rights. The deal was made after thirteen minutes of footage was screened on the $11 million USD budget project. The deal is described as a "high six digits figure," considered "quite high" for Asian film in the French market. "Kim Jee-woon has a unique flare for style and for humor," commented Michele Halberstadt," head of production and acquisitions at ARP. "We are very proud to bring his iconoclast Western to French audiences." Cineclick says it expects further sales of the film, and cited the film's three Korean stars Song Kang-ho ("The Host"), Lee Byung-hun ("A Bittersweet Life") and Jung Woo-sung ("A Moment to Remember") as prime draws. The company's chief Youngjoo Suh cited other Western countries were showing interest, including Italy, the home of the 'Spaghetti Western.' Japan has also shown interest. "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" began shooting in early April and delivery is slated for next spring. In other Cineclick news, Kim Ki-duk's Cannes competition film "Breath" (Soom) received a "flurry of offers" following its gala screening at the Lumiere on Saturday. ARP picked up French rights for the film prior to the start of Cannes, while other European countries inked deals for their territories in addition to agreements in Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina) and Turkey. Cineclick also just concluded deals for the title in Poland (SPI), Singapore (Festive Films) and the Baltic states (Lietuvos Kinas). Fellow Cineclick title "Opium War" by Siddiq Barmak, which is currently being shot in Afghanistan, has added Aztec International for Australia and New Zealand to its list of pre-buy distributors. Others include Alta (Spain), Shani (Greece), Maywin (ex-CIS) and Film House (Mexico). Japan's Happinet Pictures holds a stake in the project and holds Japanese rights. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Dreamachine To Help Revive Independent Animation

With this year's animated Cannes Competition entry, "Persepolis," directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, animation is high on Dreamachine's agenda. Additionally, three animated features are in the works for the company: "Fear(s) of the Dark," "Mia and Migoo," and "Brendan and the Secret of Kells." Dreamachine's co-chariman Hengameh Panahi first started promoting animated works by compiling Aardman Animation's early shorts into two feature length releases which succeeded in capturing top box office rankings in key territories. That was followed by films by Jan Svankmajer, Brothers Quay, Michel Ocelot and Sylvain Chomet's Oscar-nominated "Les Triplettes de Belleville." "Animation has been neglected by the cinema world for a long time and generally perceived as children's fare," Panahi commented. "However, the possibilities of invention are limitless and this form of artistic expression merits acknowledgement. The mindset is slowly changing to the extent that important festivals have now started to select animation films." Regarding the upcoming films, "Fear(s) of the Dark" returns to the fundamental roots of the comic book tradition, using the talents of many of the world's leading comic book artists. Under the artistic directorship of Etienne Robial, the film intends to screen the "essence of fear." "Mia & Magoo" is directed buy French animator Jacques-Remy Girerd ("Raining Cats and Frogs") and follows the story of a little girl and a mysterious creature who are pitted against an evil property developer in the rainforest. Taking from the Irish "Book of Kells," animation house Les Armateurs ("Les Triplettes de Belleville") will make "Brendan and the Secret of Kells," about an orphaned boy who rebels against his authoritarian upbringing. [Peter Knegt] 
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iw NEWS | Virgin Comics Teams Up With Studio 18

India's leading motion picture studio, Studio 18, and Virgin Comics announced the formation of a new production relationship to create a slate of teen horror properties for films, television, gaming and publishing. The new stories, which will be co-created and co-owned by both companies, will be released initially as graphic novels to be published worldwide by Virgin. The partnership will have an ongoing slate of teen horror properties to be made each year with the first comic released at the end of 2007. "Studio 18 and Virgin Comics will be pioneering the creation of genre-specific content and will be investing the building 'franchises/brands' out of these creative properties," said Studio 18 CEO Sandeep Bhargava. "On gauging the popularity of these properties, these will be launched into feature films and exploited on other platforms such as gaming, television series, wireless, etc." [Peter Knegt]  
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