iW NEWS | Balcony Bringing "Kurt Cobain About A Son" to U.S. Theaters

Balcony Releasing has announced the theatrical release of A.J. Schnack's "Kurt Cobain About A Son," debuting at the IFC Center in Manhattan on October 3rd and opening two days later at The Nuart in Los Angeles. The Sidetrack Films production, which will then open at The Varsity in Seattle on October 12, debuted last year at the Toronto International Film Festival (where indieWIRE first reported on the film). Additional cities are still to be announced, according to Balcony's Greg Kendall. "Kurt Cobain About a Son" recounts the life of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, in his own words. The portrait features audio interviews Cobain conducted with Michael Azerrad, photographs by Charles Peterson and film footage Schnack shot in Aberdeen, Olympia and Seattle, WA where Kurt Cobain lived, worked, and created music. A DVD release is planned for the first quarter of next year, according to an insider. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Documentary ]

The Guardian: Chinese actor writes world's top blog

There are blogs that are popular, with thousands of hits every day; there are plenty more that are not so hot, lucky to get 10 page views a week. Then there is Xu Jinglei's blog, which can pull in visitors at a rate of more than 100 every second. The Chinese actor-director has been declared the world's most widely read blogger, with more than 100m page views in less than two years. The Guardian reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

AP: Del Toro to play 'Che' in new film

Benicio del Toro will play Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara in a film directed by Steve Soderbergh, the film's production company said Thursday. Soderbergh will spend nine weeks filming across Spain, Telecinco Cinema said. The production company did not release the title of the film, but del Toro's official Web site said it would be called "Guerrilla." The Spain-United States co-production will be filmed entirely in Spanish. AP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

LAT: Online critics expand boycott against Fox

Twentieth Century Fox is on the edge of an Internet publicity crisis. It's Day 10 of the Chicago Film Critics Assn. boycott on all Fox and Fox Searchlight films, a protest against the studio's practice of limiting online critics' access to screenings. Now critics all over the country are coming forward to echo their complaints and promise solidarity, revealing a simmering hostility between studios and many online journalists. Gina Piccalo reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

LAT: Film Critics v. Fox

"Twentieth Century Fox is on the edge of an Internet publicity crisis," writes the LA Times, in a story detailing the ongoing grudge match between the Hollywood studio and film critics who are upset about the company's limits to screenings for online journlists and critics. The article continues, "Now critics all over the country are coming forward to echo their complaints and promise solidarity, revealing a simmering hostility between studios and many online journalists." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | Short Slate Set for 2nd Faigele Film Fest

A joint effort between the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan and NewFest will mark the return of the Faigele Film Festival, New York's second annual Jewish LGBTQ film event. Set for screenings at the Upper West Side Jewish Community Center on July 30 and 31, screenings will include Barbara Hammer's "Lover Other," Dan Wolman's "Tied Hands," Xeth Feinberg's "Queer Duck: The Movie," and Craig Chester's "Adam & Steve." For more information, visit the JCC website. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Queer Cinema ]

SF360: The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Appeals Beyond the Niche

As recently as a decade ago, the various local "identity" film festivals provoked minimal interest and sold few tickets beyond their niche constituencies. Those days are long gone: A full 40 percent of the audience of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is now comprised of non-Asians. The S.F. Jewish Film Festival reports 25 to 30 percent of attendees aren't Jewish. What's going on? For one thing, savvy moviegoers outside the target demographic have learned to scout the niche fests' programs for films that premiered to raves at Berlin or Cannes. All of which is to say you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. Micahel Fox reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

AFP: Bangkok Film Festival opens with Asian focus but less sparkle

The Bangkok International Film Festival kicked off late Thursday with a new focus on Asian cinema, but considerably less sparkle than previous years when Hollywood stars filled the red carpet. More than 100 films are set to be screened over 10 days in a brand-new cinema complex in downtown Bangkok. AFP reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | Javier Bardem, Mira Nair and IFC's Sehring to be Honored at '07 Gotham Awards

Actor Javier Bardem, star of the upcoming Coen Brothers film "No Country For Old Men," will be honored with the international tribute at the 2007 Gotham Awards on November 27, 2007. The IFP event will also honor director Mira Nair ("The Namesake," "Monsoon Wedding," "Salaam Bombay!") with the filmmaker tribute while IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring will receive the industry tribute. Competitive nominees willl be announced on October 22nd for the ceremony, which this year will be held at the Steiner Studios in Brooklyn. The IFP indicated in an announcement that they intend to proactively "re-think how the public engages in awards shows" and bring the award recipients' films directly to the public as part of, "a month-long celebration of the year's best films." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | "Arithmetic" to Close Toronto Fest

Paolo Barzman's "Emotional Arithmetic" will close the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival. The film, based on Matt Cohen's eponymous novel and adapted by Jefferson Lewis and Barzman, is described as "a story of redemption, healing and reconciliation ignited by the reunion of three Holocaust survivors." It stars Susan Sarandon, Christopher Plummer, Gabriel Byrne, Roy Dupuis, and Max von Sydow. "We're absolutely delighted to have 'Emotional Arithmetic' close this year's Festival," 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | "Trade" and "Cantante" Bookend 8th NY Latino Int'l Film Fest

Marco Kreuzpaintner's "Trade" will open the eighth annual New York International Latino Film Festival, taking place July 24 - 29 at several Manhattan locations. The Roadside Attractions film, starring Kate Del Castillo and Kevin Kline, focuses on a 13 year-old girl from Mexico City, Adriana (Paulina Gaitan) who is kidnapped by sex traffickers, setting into motion her 17 year-old brother Jorge's desperate mission to save her. With both domestic and international feature films in this year's line up, NYILFF will showcase more than 80 narrative films, documentaries, and shorts at this year's event. The Picturehouse release "El Cantante," directed by Leon Ichaso and starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, wraps up the festival as its closing night feature. The film is the dramatic biography of Puerto Rican salsa pioneer Hector Lavoe. "Cantante" follows Lavoe's (Anthony) passionate relationship with Puchi (Lopez) and his quick ascent to international fame. NYILFF premieres include Alejandro Gomez Monteverde's "Bella," Brian Cox's "El Muerto," and Alfredo de Villa's "Adrift in Manhattan." For more information and a full roster, visit the festival's website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

NYT: A Part Made for Her, About Life With a Maid

As the grande dame of Latin American actresses, Norma Aleandro is accustomed to having choice roles gravitate in her direction. So it was with some apprehension that the director-screenwriter Jorge Gaggero, 37, approached Ms. Aleandro for his first feature-length film. He needn't have worried. As soon as Ms. Aleandro, 71, read the script, she was won over. The result is "Live-In Maid,," which opens Wednesday at Film Forum in New York. Larry Rohter reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

TU: A Decade of New Argentine Cinema

The exciting new Argentinian filmmaking that surfaced in the late '90s has grown in depth and breadth, encompassing harsh social realism, dark comedy, and elaborate family dramas. And it looks like it's here to stay. Michael Talbott reports for Tomorrow Unlimited. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies, World Cinema ]

FILMMAKER | 25 New Faces of Independent Film: 2007 Edition

Announced earlier today was FILMMAKER Magazine's annual "25 New Faces of Independent Film" list, included in the publication's Summer '07 issue. On the roster this year are filmaker Moon Molson, filmmaker Sophie Barthes, filmmaker Daniel Barnz, casting director turned filmmaker Jennifer Venditti, editor turned director Kim Reed, filmmaker Andy Blubaugh, filmmaker Azazel Jacobs, filmmaker Calvin Reeder, filmmaker Fellipe Barbosa, filmmaker Craig Zobel, filmmaker Phillip Van, cinematographer Sean Kirby, filmmaker Tze Chun, filmmaker Richard Goldgewicht and producer Jeremy Goldscheider, filmmaker Vicente Amorim, filmmaker M dot Strange, filmmaker Kentucker Audley, filmmaker Hope Dickson Leach, filmmaker Ronald Bronstein, filmmaker Vineet Dewan, actor turned filmmaker Georgina Lightning, filmmaking couple Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky, actor Jess Weixler, filmmaker Alex Holdridge, and filmmaker Stephane Gauger. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

NYT: A Sony Web Site to Offer Videos by Aspiring Filmmakers

Sony is trying to edge into Internet videos with a Web site to be introduced today called Crackle that will feature short segments by aspiring filmmakers, many of whom Sony paid for their productions. Crackle is the latest incarnation of Grouper, a Web site that began as a way for people to share music, photos and videos with friends. Saul Hansell reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | Arcand and Cronenberg Among Titles Added to Toronto Fest Line up

Two Canadian galas have been added to the Toronto International Film Festival's line up, including Denys Arcand's "Days of Darkness" (L'Age Des Tenebres) starring Marc Labreche and David Cronenberg's "Eastern Promises" starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts. The films join previously announced fest opener "Fugitive Pieces" by Jeremy Podeswa. This year, Canada First! section opens with Martin Gero's sex comedy "Young People F*cking." Other films set to screen in the section include: "Amal" by 2005 Telefilm Canada Pitch This! winner Richie Mehta; Rafael Ouellet's "Le Cedre Penche"; Stephane Lafleur's "Continental, Un Film Sans Fusil"; Chaz Thorne's "Just Buried"; Ernie Barbarash's "They Wait"; Ed Gass-Donnelly's "This Beautiful City", and Robert Cuffley's "Walk All Over Me." Films announced for TIFF's Contemporary World Cinema include: Leonard Farlinger's "All Hat"; Bruce Sweeney's "American Venus"; Laurie Lynd's "Breakfast With Scot"; Bernard Emond's "Contre Toute Esperance"; Carl Bessai's "Normal"; Denis Cote's "Nos Vies Privees"; Kari Skogland's "The Stone Angel"; and Allan Moyle's "Weirdsville." In TIFF's doc section Real to Reel, new titles include: Peter Raymont's "A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey Of Ariel Dorfman"; Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti's "Heavy Metal in Baghdad" and John Zaritsky's "The Wild Horse Redemption." Slated Special Presentations include "Here Is What Is" from Adam Vollick, Daniel Lanois, Adam Samuels; Guy Maddin's "My Winnipeg"; Clement Virgo's "Poor Boy's Game"; "Silk" by Francois Girard and Roger Spottiswoode's "Shake Hands with the Devil." The 32nd TIFF takes place September 6 - 15. [Brian Brooks]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Toronto ]

INDUSTRY MOVES | Sheldon Joins Lorber HT Digital

Lorber HT Digital, the new production and distribution company formed through the merger of Hidden Treasures Productions, Inc. and Lorber Media, Inc., has named Elizabeth Sheldon as Vice President. She is joining the company from Schlessinger Media, where she served as Director of Acquisitions & Co-Productions. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

SF360 Interview: Jennifer Baichwal and Edward Burtynsky on "Manufactured Landscapes"

"Manufactured Landscapes" was the title of photographer Edward Burtynsky's major 2003 exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada. It was filled with the artist's signature works: disturbingly gorgeous photographs of massive strip mined quarries that resemble ancient temples, rivers turned blood red with the residue of nickel, and towering rusty ships that dwarf the Bangladeshi workers who dismantle them. You might call Jennifer Baichwal's similarly titled documentary an adaptation of that show. Glen Helfand reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

iW NEWS | Michael Moore Unveils Traverse City Lineup

The third annual Traverse City Film Festival, July 31 - August 5, will open with dual screenings of John Carney's "Once," at the State Theater and the City Opera House in the Michigan resort city. Laurent Tirard's "Moliere" is set for closing night, alongside "Mike's Surprise," featuring a handpicked film from the filmmaker. More than 60 movies are on tap this year, including a special evening with Larry Charles screening uncensored, behind-the-scenes clips from the making of "Borat" and a sneak peak at Charles' new movie. Also tap are screenings of Brett Morgen's "Chicago 10," Amy Berg's "Deliver Us From Evil," James C. Strouse's "Grace is Gone," Charles Ferguson's "No End in Sight," Philip Haas's "The Situation," Jeff Blitz's "Rocket Science," Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus' "Al Franken: God Spoke," Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's "The Lives of Others," David Wain's "The Ten," Julia Loktev's "Day Night Day Night," and David Sington's "In the Shadow of the Moon," among others, along with a 40th anniversary screening "The Graduate" and a 50th anniversray showing of "The Bridge on the River Kwai." [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. "My Best Friend" (IFC Films) $45,246 wknd ($15,082 per scrn) 2. "Talk To Me" (Focus Features) $402,000 wknd ($12,182 per scrn) 3. "Rescue Dawn" (MGM) $363,093 wknd ($9,555 per scrn) 4. "Interview" (Sony Pictures Classics) $41,016 wknd ($6,836 per scrn) 5. "Fighting Words" (Indican Pictures) $6,780 wknd ($6,780 per scrn) 6. "Le Doulos" (Rialto) $5,987 wknd ($5,987 per scrn) 7. "Lady Chatterly" (Kino International) $72,660 wknd ($4,451 per scrn) 8. "Sicko" (Lionsgate) $2,604,139 wknd ($3,445 per scrn) 9. "La Vie En Rose" (Pictureshouse Films) $543,470 wknd ($3,123 per scrn) 10. "Broken English" (Magnolia Pictures) $84,807 wknd ($3,029 per scrn) 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

INDUSTRY MOVES | Hayek's Ventanazul Taps Stewart, Mosquera, and Davila

Salma Hayek's new company Ventanazul, recently launched with MGM, has named Annie Stewart its Vice President of Development, Lumumba Mosquera as Legal & Business Affairs and Juan Davila as Director of Development, the company's president of production Jose Tamez announced Monday. The company is aimed at, in the words of an announcement, "developing, producing and acquiring filmed entertainment that has worldwide market appeal and draws on Latin themes and/or features Hispanic talent, both in front and behind the camera." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | Jon Fitzgerald Named to Abu Dhabi Fest Post

The new Middle East International Film Festival - Abu Dhabi (MEIFF), set for October 12 - 17th, has named festival veteran Jon Fitzgerald as its Festival Director. The festival also announced that it will be produced by U.A.E./Cairo/Riyadh/London/NY based Pyramedia, LLC. Fitzgerald has worked for a number of festivals, including Slamdance, AFI Fest and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and has served as a consultant to numerous others. "The Middle East International Film Festival is shaping up as an original and innovative festival that will showcase the greatest talent from around the world," said Mohammed Al-Mazroui, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, in a statement. "The diverse slate of films will also be complemented with a first class finance conference that will become a clearinghouse for film financing opportunities worldwide." Nashwa Al-Ruwaini is on board as the festival executive director for the new event. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Sayles in Thessloniki's Spotlight

Filmmaker John Sayles will be saluted at the 48th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece, November 16-25, 2007, where his new film, "Honeydripper," will have its European premiere. He will be on hand to present and discuss his films with longtime partner and producer Maggie Renzi and actors Chris Cooper and David Strathairn. Sayles will receive the Golden Alexander for his work and will also conduct a Master Class. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

BBC: Director Lee eyes Venice comeback

Filmmaker Ang Lee has said his latest movie will compete for the main prize at this year's Venice Film Festival. Taiwanese Lee, who won the Golden Lion at Venice for "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005, said his Chinese thriller "Lust, Caution" had been invited by organizers. BBC reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Here! Gets "Fat Girls"

Here! Films has acquired North American rights to Ash Christian's "Fat Girls," which debuted the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. The film is described (in an announcement) as a coming-of-age comedy about "the trials and tribulations of Rodney Miller (Christian), a gay theater-obsessed high school senior who has his heart set on becoming a Broadway star. With his overweight best friend and fellow social outcast Sabrina (Ashley Fink) by his side, the pair tries to find dates for their high school graduation dance sending them on a journey of self-discovery." It will be released theatrically by Here's sister company, Regent Releasing. Here! EVP Mark Reinhart negotiated the deal with Ronna Wallace representing the film. "We are thrilled to help bring Mr. Christian's debut project to theaters across the country," said Reinhart in a statement. "Fat Girls explores the angst and social isolation so many teenagers face as they struggle to fit in during the tough high school years. We hope audiences will fall in love with these characters." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Queer Cinema ]

indieWIRE at 10 (+ 1)

Eleven years ago today, indieWIRE published its first daily newsletter, launching as an email publication on July 15, 1996. Since then we've published nearly 3,000 daily editions and thousands of individual articles. One year ago, we looked back with a First Person article celebrating ten years of indieWIRE, this year we are linking to the salute as we pat ourselves on the back for another year. In the last 12 months, the site has continued to evolve with a major redesign and our readership has grown steadily. And notably, some 7,300 people are now members of indieLOOP, our social network for filmmakers. We are also thrilled by the success of SF360, a joint publication with the San Francisco Film Society covering the film scene in The Bay Area. For fun, feel free to check out the hundreds of photos from indieWIRE's 10th Anniversary party last year... [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

HR: Rome enters "Golden Age" with Blanchet

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett will preside over the official opening of this year's RomaCinemaFest, and her new film, Shekar Kapur's "The Golden Age," will receive its world premiere there, organizers said Thursday. The RomaCinemaFest will take place October 18-27. Hollywood Reporter reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Reuters: Chinese director opens wounds in Yasukuni shrine film

An elderly Japanese swordmaker painstakingly forges his final masterpiece in the opening sequence of "Yasukuni," Chinese documentary filmmaker Li Ying's exploration of a controversial Tokyo shrine. The Yasukuni shrine honors millions of Japanese war dead and is seen by many in Asia as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. Lucy Hornby and Vivi Lin report. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Movies ]

AP: H'wood mural gets ready for its close-up

It's not your typical night at the movies: Fred and Ginger dance in the aisle, King Kong hangs out with Frankenstein, Liz and Dick are together, again, surrounded by dozens of other old-time movie idols. And all are fading into history on a drab corner of Hollywood. Raquel Maria Dillon reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Events ]