iW NEWS | "No Country" Takes Chicago

Joel and Ethan Coen's "No Country For Old Men led the 20th annual Chicago Film Critics Association Awards winners that were announced Thursday. "No Country" picked up four wins, including best film, best director, best adapted screenplay and supporting actor Javier Bardem. "Juno was also a big winner, taking best actress for Ellen Page and best original screenplay for Diablo Cody. Other winners included 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days for best foreign language film, Daniel-Day Lewis for best actor in "There Will Be Blood, and Cate Blanchett for best supporting actress in "I'm Not There." [Peter Knegt] 
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NYT: Directors Plan Talks as Writers' Strike Drags On

In a move that could realign Hollywood's troubled labor front, movie and television directors said Thursday that they were prepared to begin bargaining toward a new master contract with production companies after the New Year's Day holiday. Michael Cieply reports. 
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HR: Almodovar, Cruz embrace "Hugs"

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar has decided to switch projects and next will shoot the film noir "Broken Hugs," starring Penelope Cruz...The script, he added, is his longest ever. Pamela Rolfe reports. 
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Guardian: Jodie Foster comes out - at last!

It's standard practice for Hollywood stars to thank friends and family when accepting awards. But when Jodie Foster paid tribute to "my beautiful Cydney" during a speech at the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment breakfast last week, it caused a ripple of excitement. Justine Hankins reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

iW NEWS | SBIFF to Honor Affleck, Cotillard, McAvoy, Page, and Ryan

Unveiling a new award for the 2008 edition of its event, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced that it will honor Casey Affleck, Marion Cotillard, James McAvoy, Ellen Page, and Amy Ryan with its first Virtuosos Award at the 23rd annual festival. "There will always be one or two performances that stand out, but this year in particular there were several performances by actors that truly set them apart from the pack," noted fest exec director Roger Durling, in a statement. "These talented actors have proven themselves to be a strong presence on-screen, and these performances have given a glimpse at the bright future that cinema has to offer audiences for years to come." [Eugene Hernandez]  
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iW NEWS | Koch Lorber Gets Bahrani's "Chop Shop"

Ramin Bahrani's "Chop Shop" has been acquired by Koch Lorber for a February 2008 release that will kick-off at Film Forum in New York City. The company, which also handled the DVD release of his previous film, "Man Push Cart" earlier this year, acquired the film from Big Beach in a deal brokered by Cinetic Media. "In only a few short years, Ramin has proven to be one of his generation's most original new voices," said Lorber. "Following the storytelling success of 'Man Push Cart', 'Chop Shop', which received universal acclaim at the world's most prestigious film festivals, is certain to strike an emotional chord with audiences. We're excited to continue our relationship with such a gifted filmmaker." The film, which was recently nominated for the Someone to Watch Award at the Independent Spirit Awards, is the story of a young Latino street orphan who works at an auto-body repair shop in Willet's Point, Queens. It debuted earlier this year in Cannes and later had its North American debut in Toronto. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

AFP: Japanese film discredits Nanjing massacre

As China tries to keep memories alive of the Nanjing Massacre, which started 70 years ago this week, a Japanese filmmaker is doing his part to convince the world it never happened. Hiroshi Hiyama reports. 
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iW NEWS | Canadian Top Ten Unveiled

The Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) unveiled the top ten Canadian films of the year on Tuesday night. On Canada's Top Ten list are, in alphabetical order: Denys Archand's "L'Age des Tenebres," Richie Mehta's "Amal," Stéphane Lafleur's "Continental, Un Film Sans Fusil," David Cronenberg's "Eastern Promises," Jeremy Podeswa's "Fugitive Pieces," Guy Maddin's "My Winnipeg," Peter Raymont's "A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman," Bruce McDonald's "The Tracey Fragments," Yung Chang's "Up The Yangtze," and Martin Gero's "Young People Fucking." TIFFG, which also unveiled the top ten short films of the year for the first time, is planning public screenings of the films and panel discussions from January 25 - February 5, 2008 in Toronto. EDITORS NOTE: This buzz item has been revised because Canada's Top Ten is an alphabetical listing of the top films of the year, unranked. We apologize for the error. [Eugene Hernandez]  
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iW NEWS | Maddin, Rossellino to Open Berlinale Forum

Guy Maddin's "My Winnipeg" and Isabella Rossellini's short films, "Green Porno" (made for mobile devices) will open the Forum section of the Berlin International Film Festival on February 8, 2008 in the German capital. "Fun in experimentation plays a shaping role in both 'Green Porno' and 'My Winnipeg'," noted the festival, in an announcement, adding that Maddin will narrate his film live at the event. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Berlin, Festivals ]

iW NEWS | U.S. Debut of "Then She Found Me" to Launch 19th Palm Springs Film Fest

The U.S. premiere of Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt's "Then She Found Me" will open the 19th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, taking place January 3 - 14. The film, written, directed and starring Hunt, is described as "a funny and moving story of April Epner, a New York school teacher and her very unlikely path towards personal fulfilment." Also from PSIFF, director John Sayles will receive this year's "American Maverick Award" following a screening of his latest film, "Honeydripper," which he wrote and directed. Announced galas slated for this year include direcrtor Fatih Akin's "The Edge of Heaven," Joseph Cedar's "Beaufort," Jonah Markowitz's "The Gay!La: Shelter," and Danielle Luchetti's "My Brother is an Only Child." And in celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary, the PSIFF will host a spotlight on Israeli film. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Global Film Initiative Award Seven Projects

The Global Film Initiative announced that seven filmmakers have been awarded completion funds for their film projects during the Intitative's Fall granting cycle. The seven projects were selected from a group of forty-four applications, from twenty-six different countries, for "their artistic excellence, accomplished storytelling, and cultural perspective on daily life around the world." They include Ahmed Rashwan's "100% Alive," Hassan Yektapanah's "Bibi," Oscar Ruiz Navia's "Crab Trap," Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu's "Europe By Road," Nabin Subba's "Goodbye Kathmandu," Cristian Pellegrini's "Veronica's Passion" and Murali Nair's "Virgin Goat." "This Fall's grant-recipients represent a diverse spectrum of global filmmaking," says Santhosh Daniel, Director of Programs. "We're very impressed by the high quality of projects, and the cultural breadth they represent." Since its founding in 2002, the Initiative has awarded more than fifty grants to emerging and established filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

iW BOT UPDATE | "Juno" High Atop iW BOT

Jason Reitman' "Juno" was atop the iW BOT, according to final numbers posted this afternoon at indieWIRE.com. "Juno," which scored six Critic's Choice nominations this morning, averaged $58,127 from seven locations. Joe Wright's "Atonement," which also did well with the Critic's Choice, placed behind it, averaging a still potent $24,901 on 32 locations. This week's indieWIRE box office article was posted yesterday. [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | "Wild" Tops BFCA Noms

Sean Penn's "Into The Wild" led the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award nominations Tuesday morning, with 7 nominations including best picture, best director, best actor (Emile Hirsch) and best supporting actor (Hal Holbrook). "Juno" was just behind with 6 nods, including best picture and best actress Ellen Page, while "No Country For Old Men, "Sweeney Todd," Atonement" and "Michael Clayton" each got 5 nods apiece. Some surprises included best actor nominations for Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises" and Ryan Gosling in "Lars and the Real Girl" over heavier favorites James McAvoy and Denzel Washington. For a complete list of nominations, visit the BFCAs website. The winners will be announced at the 13th annual ceremony on January 7, 2008 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, broadcast live on VH1. [Peter Knegt]  
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iW NEWS | "Elah" and "Ladies" Win Top Bahamas Fest Prizes

Paul Haggis' "In the Valley of Elah" won the Bahamas International Film Festival's "Spirit of Freedom: Dramatic" prize over the weekend, capping the competition on the fest's fourth annual run. "The Iron Ladies of Liberia" by Daniel Junge and and Siatta Scott Johnson took the prize in the dramatic category, while BIFF's "New Vision" award went to "I'm Through with White Girls" by Jennifer Sharp. Best short meanwhile went to director Hoku Uchiyama's "Rose." Eighty-eight films are screening at this year's BIFF which continues through December 13 at the Atlantis Hotel and Resort and Nassau. For more information, visit the festival's website. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Eight Films Revealed for Berlinale 2008 Competition Program

Eight initial titles have been confirmed for the 2008 Berlinale competition program (with one screening out of competition), including films from China, Brazil, Mexico, the U.K., the U.S., Poland and Germany. Included in the line up so far are: "Kirschbluten - Hanami" (Germany) by Doris Doerrie; "There Will Be Blood" by Paul Thomas Anderson (U.S.); "Zuo You" (In Love We Trust) by Wang Xiaoshuai (China); "Lake Tahoe" by Fernando Eimbcke (Mexico); "Gardens of the Night" by Damian Harris (U.K., U.S.); "Katyn" by Andrzej Wajda (out of competition); "Tropa de Elite" (The Elite Squad) by Jose Padiha (Brazil); "S.O.P. Standard Operating Procedure" by Errol Morris. The selection for the Berlinale competition program will be completed by mid-January. [Brian Brooks]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Berlin, Festivals ]

iW NEWS | "No Country" For D.C. Critics

In the fourth and final critics' award announcement of the day, Joel and Ethan Coen's "No Country For Old Men swept the Washington D.C. Film Critics Awards. Bringing the day's best picture tally to a tie between "No Country" and "There Will Be Blood," the Coens' film took best picture, best director, best cast ensemble and best supporting actor for Javier Bardem. George Clooney won best actor for "Michael Clayton" while Julie Christie won best actress for "Away From Her." Amy Ryan increased her supporting actress stash for "Gone Baby Gone" and Ellen Page did the same for breakthrough performance, with her "Juno" scribe Diablo Cody also winning best original screenplay. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Biz ]

iW NEWS | New York Online Go For "Blood"

Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" tied Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" for best picture at the New York Film Critics Online's annual awards. "Blood" received 5 awards in total, including Anderson for director, Daniel Day-Lewis for actor, Jonny Greenwood's score and Robert Elswit's cinematography. Other winners included "Away From Her"'s Julie Christie for actress and Sarah Polley for directorial debut, Javier Bardem for best supporting actor for "No Country For Old Men," and Cate Blanchett's turn as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There" for supporting actress. Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman shared the best screenplay award for "The Darjeeling Limted," while "Persepolis" tied "The Lives of Others" for best foreign film and also took best animated feature. Michael Moore's "Sicko" won best documentary and Ellen Page added another breakthrough performance award to her pile for "Juno." [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Biz ]

iW NEWS | Boston Critics Celebrate "No Country," "Diving Bell"

"No Country For Old Men won best picture honors at the Boston Society of Film Critics awards Sunday afternoon. Joel and Ethan Coen's film also took best supporting actor for Javier Bardem. Julian Schnabel beat the Coens for best director, with his "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" also taking best foreign-language film and best cinematography for Janusz Kaminski. Among other winners, Frank Langella took best actor for his performance in "Starting Out In The Evening," while "La Vie En Rose"'s Marion Cotillard won best actress. Boston-set "Gone Baby Gone" won best supporting actress for Amy Ryan and best directorial debut for Bostonian Ben Affleck. Brad Bird was a surprise choice for best screenplay for "Ratatouille," Before The Devil Knows You're Dead won best ensemble cast, and Dan Klores and Fisher Stevens won best documentary for "Crazy Love." Last year, Boston honored Oscar winner "The Departed" with picture and director kudos. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Weekend Estimates: Huge Opening For "Juno"

According to indieWIRE Box Office Tracking (iW BOT) estimates from Rentrak, Jason Reitman's "Juno" (from Fox Searchlight) averaged a massive $60,016 on seven locations over the weekend, bringing its total gross to $531,399 since opening Wednesday. Its average more than doubled its closest competitor on the iW BOT, Joe Wright's "Atonement" (from Focus Features) which averaged a solid $25,528 on 28 screens. Both Oscar hopefuls, the films look promising as they expand throughout awards season, particlarly "Juno," with an average that ranks among the top five of 2007. Other openers didn't fare as well, including "Grace Is Gone from The Weinstein Company, which averaged just $3,500 on 4 screens and "Revolver" from Samuel Goldwyn Films which earned $2,315 per screen at 18 theaters. Among holdovers, Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (from Miramax) held on to a substantial part of its average, dropping just a few thousand dollars per location to $20,001, while last week's iW BOT champion fell a little harder as Tamara Jenkins' "The Savages" (also from Searchlight) averaged $16,243 from 9 locations. indieWIRE publishes its weekly box office column on Mondays and final weekend numbers for specialty and limited release films on Tuesdays. Get the latest in the indieWIRE Box Office section. [Peter Knegt] 
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INSIDE WORD | BNAT Sneaks "Sweeney," "Wilson's," More

24 hour fest. Surprises... Still underway at the new Alamo Drafthouse Ritz in Austin, TX, Harry Knowles ninth annual 24-hour birthday film fest -- Butt-Numb-A-Thon (BNAT) -- is screening a number of new films for attendees. An attendee told indieWIRE that among the upcoming releases that have been previewed are Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd," Mike Nichol's "Charlie Wilson's War," and Sergei Bodrov's "Mongol." The event began at Noon, local time on Saturday and continues until noon today (Sunday). Knowles also noted that BNAT 9 will over a bonus film on Monday night at the Alamo South. We invite readers to send anonymous news tips and buzz to indieWIRE at the email address: tips [@] indiewire [dot] com.  
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