Emile Hirsch (Dig) has signed on to star in the psychological serial killer thriller Past Life, a new entry in the “seeing murders through the killer’s eyes” sub-genre that also includes the likes of Eyes of Laura Mars and Malignant. In this one, Hirsch will be taking on the role of
Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
Set to start filming in March of next year, Past Life will be directed by Simeon Halligan (White Settlers) – who also happens to be the head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film – from a screenplay...
Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
Set to start filming in March of next year, Past Life will be directed by Simeon Halligan (White Settlers) – who also happens to be the head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film – from a screenplay...
- 11/4/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Emile Hirsch is set to star in Past Life, a psychological thriller scheduled to start shooting in March 2023. LA-based company Disrupting Influence will launch worldwide sales next month at AFM.
Simeon Halligan, head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, will direct the pic. Halligan’s previous feature directing credits includes White Settlers (2014).
Written by Dean Lines and Ray Bogdanovich, Past Life follows Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
The film is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones of Grimmfest films (Habit), Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of Swe (Son Of The...
Simeon Halligan, head of Grimmfest, Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, will direct the pic. Halligan’s previous feature directing credits includes White Settlers (2014).
Written by Dean Lines and Ray Bogdanovich, Past Life follows Jason Frey, an investigative reporter who reluctantly agrees to attend a hypnotism event with his pregnant wife Claira. Under hypnosis, Jason witnesses a murder through the eyes of a killer. Haunted by what he has seen, Jason uses past live regression techniques to investigate a series of unsolved murders from the eighties while unwittingly reawakening a psychopath’s killer tendencies.
The film is produced by Rachel Richardson-Jones of Grimmfest films (Habit), Pierre Romain and Susan Michels of Swe (Son Of The...
- 10/25/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Patricia Velasquez, Rumer Willis & More Set For Social Impact Film ‘Maya’ From Director Julia Verdin
Exclusive: Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy), Gian Franco Rodriguez (Halston), Rumer Willis (Sorority Row), Billy Budinich (Frank and Penelope) and newcomer Isabella Feliciana will star in the social impact film Maya from director Julia Verdin (Angie: Lost Girls), which has entered production in Los Angeles.
The film written by Verdin looks to raise awareness on key issues including child trafficking, domestic violence, alcoholism and child abuse. It’s inspired by true events and will show how predators use social media to lure vulnerable teens into their lair.
When Maya (Feliciana) is six years old, her father abandons her and her mother Camila. This, of course, has a lasting effect on them both. Camila resorts to seeking comfort in alcohol and an abusive boyfriend, with Maya suffers from feeling unlovable. No longer feeling safe in her own home, Maya searches for comfort outside of her family—finding it in Ray (Budinich), an edgy,...
The film written by Verdin looks to raise awareness on key issues including child trafficking, domestic violence, alcoholism and child abuse. It’s inspired by true events and will show how predators use social media to lure vulnerable teens into their lair.
When Maya (Feliciana) is six years old, her father abandons her and her mother Camila. This, of course, has a lasting effect on them both. Camila resorts to seeking comfort in alcohol and an abusive boyfriend, with Maya suffers from feeling unlovable. No longer feeling safe in her own home, Maya searches for comfort outside of her family—finding it in Ray (Budinich), an edgy,...
- 5/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American and UK rights to Hector Barron’s horror-thriller In the Forest, along with U.S. rights to Alice Blehart’s animated film Little Sorcerer. Both titles are slated for a day-and-date theatrical release, with the former from Disrupting Influence to hit screens on January 28, and the latter from Chinese independent animation studio Gold Valley Films to debut on May 6.
In the Forest watches as Helen (Debbon Ayer) and her daughter Emily (Cristina Spruell) reluctantly accompany Helen’s father Stan (Lyman Ward) on a family camping trip, driving deep into the forest for a real outdoors experience, only to have angry landowner Howard (Don Baldaramos) arrive and force them to leave. When their Rv gets stuck, Helen decides to seek help but discovers a disturbing secret on the man’s property. She must then fight to protect her family and make it out of...
In the Forest watches as Helen (Debbon Ayer) and her daughter Emily (Cristina Spruell) reluctantly accompany Helen’s father Stan (Lyman Ward) on a family camping trip, driving deep into the forest for a real outdoors experience, only to have angry landowner Howard (Don Baldaramos) arrive and force them to leave. When their Rv gets stuck, Helen decides to seek help but discovers a disturbing secret on the man’s property. She must then fight to protect her family and make it out of...
- 1/20/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Additions include sex trafficking drama ‘Lost Girls’.
UK-based genre specialist Jinga Films has added three titles to its slate ahead of next month’s American Film Market.
Described by Jinga CEO Julian Richards as “a classic whodunit mystery thriller in the vein of Knives Out,” Beast Within stars Steven Morana, Colm Feore, Ari Millen and Holly Deveaux as participants of an exclusive launch party for gaming app Werewolves Awaken. When a guest is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect and player in a real-life version of the game.
Chris Green and Morana directed the film, which received an online release...
UK-based genre specialist Jinga Films has added three titles to its slate ahead of next month’s American Film Market.
Described by Jinga CEO Julian Richards as “a classic whodunit mystery thriller in the vein of Knives Out,” Beast Within stars Steven Morana, Colm Feore, Ari Millen and Holly Deveaux as participants of an exclusive launch party for gaming app Werewolves Awaken. When a guest is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect and player in a real-life version of the game.
Chris Green and Morana directed the film, which received an online release...
- 10/29/2020
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
In today’s film news roundup, production starts on “Six Minutes to Midnight,” Artists for Change launches with “Lost Girls: Angie’s Story” and Sundance names five docs for its Edit and Story lab.
Production Start
Production has launched in the U.K. on the period thriller “Six Minutes To Midnight,” starring Eddie Izzard and Judi Dench.
The film also stars Carla Juri, James D’Arcy, Jim Broadbent. Andy Goddard is directing from a script he wrote with Celyn Jones and Izzard. The story, set in 1939, follows a teacher assigned to a finishing school on the south coast of England who becomes alarmed that the students include the daughters of high-ranking Nazis.
“Six Minutes to Midnight” is financed by Motion Picture Capital, the Welsh Government, Ffilm Cymru Wales and West Madison Entertainment. Producers are Sean Marley, Andy Evans and Ade Shannon of Mad as Birds, Sarah Townsend producing for Ella Communications...
Production Start
Production has launched in the U.K. on the period thriller “Six Minutes To Midnight,” starring Eddie Izzard and Judi Dench.
The film also stars Carla Juri, James D’Arcy, Jim Broadbent. Andy Goddard is directing from a script he wrote with Celyn Jones and Izzard. The story, set in 1939, follows a teacher assigned to a finishing school on the south coast of England who becomes alarmed that the students include the daughters of high-ranking Nazis.
“Six Minutes to Midnight” is financed by Motion Picture Capital, the Welsh Government, Ffilm Cymru Wales and West Madison Entertainment. Producers are Sean Marley, Andy Evans and Ade Shannon of Mad as Birds, Sarah Townsend producing for Ella Communications...
- 7/6/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Founder Julia Verdin announces first project, Lost Girls: Angie’s Story.
Artists for Change, a non-profit, socially minded community of filmmakers, has launched with the aim of stimulating social change in Hollywood through film and digital content and has announced its first project.
“Those of us who work in the film and TV industries carry an incredible responsibility in these troubled times,” said founder, producer and director Julia Verdin, who has assembled a group of industry professionals.
Artists for Change is looking to engage and enlighten audiences about issues, and inspire them to help influence change and plans to produce content for film and TV,...
Artists for Change, a non-profit, socially minded community of filmmakers, has launched with the aim of stimulating social change in Hollywood through film and digital content and has announced its first project.
“Those of us who work in the film and TV industries carry an incredible responsibility in these troubled times,” said founder, producer and director Julia Verdin, who has assembled a group of industry professionals.
Artists for Change is looking to engage and enlighten audiences about issues, and inspire them to help influence change and plans to produce content for film and TV,...
- 6/27/2018
- by Jenn Sherman
- ScreenDaily
Saban Films is stamping its passport for Germany, as the distributor has acquired “Berlin, I Love You” out of the Cannes Film Festival.
Part of the indie franchise that includes “New York, I Love You” and “Paris, je t’aime,” the film focuses on short romantic vignettes and tapestry of character that populate the city.
Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley and Jim Sturgess are among the ensemble cast. The acquisition price is unknown.
Directors on the 10 shorts include Fernando Eimbcke, Dennis Gansel, Massy Tadjedin, Peter Chelsom, Til Schweiger, Justin Franklin, Dani Levy and Dianna Agron.
Also Read: Cannes Report, Day 5: Salma Hayek Sounds Off, Gaspar Noé Redeemed
The film was produced by Claus Clausen and Edda Reiser with Galleon Films’ Alice de Sousa and Skady Lis as co-producers. Emmanuel Benbihy is executive producer. The film was financed by VX119 Media Capital, on behalf of managing partners Jeff Geoffray and Jeff Konvitz.
Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales together with Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette. CAA Media Finance co-repping the deal with Highland and Disrupting Influence.
Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated on behalf of Saban Films, who are planning a theatrical release.
Read original story Helen Mirren’s ‘Berlin, I Love You’ Sells to Saban Films At TheWrap...
Part of the indie franchise that includes “New York, I Love You” and “Paris, je t’aime,” the film focuses on short romantic vignettes and tapestry of character that populate the city.
Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley and Jim Sturgess are among the ensemble cast. The acquisition price is unknown.
Directors on the 10 shorts include Fernando Eimbcke, Dennis Gansel, Massy Tadjedin, Peter Chelsom, Til Schweiger, Justin Franklin, Dani Levy and Dianna Agron.
Also Read: Cannes Report, Day 5: Salma Hayek Sounds Off, Gaspar Noé Redeemed
The film was produced by Claus Clausen and Edda Reiser with Galleon Films’ Alice de Sousa and Skady Lis as co-producers. Emmanuel Benbihy is executive producer. The film was financed by VX119 Media Capital, on behalf of managing partners Jeff Geoffray and Jeff Konvitz.
Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales together with Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette. CAA Media Finance co-repping the deal with Highland and Disrupting Influence.
Bill Bromiley and Jonathan Saba negotiated on behalf of Saban Films, who are planning a theatrical release.
Read original story Helen Mirren’s ‘Berlin, I Love You’ Sells to Saban Films At TheWrap...
- 5/13/2018
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Highland Film Group handles worldwide sales.
Saban Films has acquired North American rights to Berlin, I Love You, its fourth acquisition announced in Cannes after Siberia, Keeper, and Viking Destiny.
Berlin, I Love You is the latest in the Cities Of Love portmanteau series and comprises 10 love stories set in the German capital. The cast includes Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Jim Sturgess.
Saban Films plans a theatrical release. Highland Film Group handles worldwide sales with Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette, and jointly represents Us rights with CAA Media Finance.
The directors are Fernando Eimbcke, Dennis Gansel,...
Saban Films has acquired North American rights to Berlin, I Love You, its fourth acquisition announced in Cannes after Siberia, Keeper, and Viking Destiny.
Berlin, I Love You is the latest in the Cities Of Love portmanteau series and comprises 10 love stories set in the German capital. The cast includes Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Jim Sturgess.
Saban Films plans a theatrical release. Highland Film Group handles worldwide sales with Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette, and jointly represents Us rights with CAA Media Finance.
The directors are Fernando Eimbcke, Dennis Gansel,...
- 5/13/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Helen Mirren and Keira Knightley’s Berlin, I Love You is heading to the U.S. after Saban Films has acquired the North American rights.
The anthology feature, which also stars Jim Sturgess, tells ten stories of romance set in the German capital with directors including Fernando Eimbcke, Dennis Gansel, Massy Tadjedin, Peter Chelsom, Til Schweiger, Justin Franklin, Dani Levy and Dianna Agron helming different segments with Josef Rusnak directing the transition sequences.
The film is produced by Claus Clausen and Edda Reiser (Walk on Water Films) alongside Alice De Sousa (Galleon Films) and Skady Lis (Getaway Pictures) as co-producers.
Emmanuel Benbihy is executive producing, and the film was financed by VX119 Media Capital, whose managing partners are Jeff Geoffray and Jeff Konvitz. Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales together with Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette, with CAA Media Finance co-repping the U.S. rights.
The anthology feature, which also stars Jim Sturgess, tells ten stories of romance set in the German capital with directors including Fernando Eimbcke, Dennis Gansel, Massy Tadjedin, Peter Chelsom, Til Schweiger, Justin Franklin, Dani Levy and Dianna Agron helming different segments with Josef Rusnak directing the transition sequences.
The film is produced by Claus Clausen and Edda Reiser (Walk on Water Films) alongside Alice De Sousa (Galleon Films) and Skady Lis (Getaway Pictures) as co-producers.
Emmanuel Benbihy is executive producing, and the film was financed by VX119 Media Capital, whose managing partners are Jeff Geoffray and Jeff Konvitz. Highland Film Group is handling worldwide sales together with Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette, with CAA Media Finance co-repping the U.S. rights.
- 5/13/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Bunraku writer and director Guy Moshe is reteaming with actor Josh Hartnett for a new revenge thriller on the horizon titled The Last Draw Of Jack Of Hearts. Production is reportedly commencing in April with Highland Film Group presenting the film this week to buyers at the European Film Market following its presentation at Toronto late last year by Disrupting Influence's Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette when Hartnett was in talks to star. Billed as a neo-noir espionage thriller, Moshe's script will see Hartnett as the leader of a black ops mercenary group who returns to Naples to seek revenge and reunite with the woman he loves after being betrayed by his team and left for dead in Africa. Ackermann and Piette are on...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 2/6/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Highland Film Group will commences talks with worldwide buyers in Berlin.
Guy Moshe wrote and will direct The Last Draw Of Jack Of Hearts, a thriller project that reunites him with Hartnett after the 2010 action fantasy Bunraku.
Hartnett will play a former black ops betrayed and left for dead during a covert operation in Africa.
When the expert solider resurfaces in Naples, he seeks revenge and resolves to win back the beautiful and mysterious love of his life.
Matthew G. Zamias and Moshe are producing with Chimera Pictures’ Pedro Tarantino, Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette and Lituanica Film’s Karolis Malinauskas.
Principal photography is set to commence in April on the thriller, one of several titles on the Highland Film Group slate that Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier bring to Berlin.
The Efm roster includes and a likely soft-launch on The Crow Reborn; three thrillers in post – Terminal starring Margot Robbie, [link...
Guy Moshe wrote and will direct The Last Draw Of Jack Of Hearts, a thriller project that reunites him with Hartnett after the 2010 action fantasy Bunraku.
Hartnett will play a former black ops betrayed and left for dead during a covert operation in Africa.
When the expert solider resurfaces in Naples, he seeks revenge and resolves to win back the beautiful and mysterious love of his life.
Matthew G. Zamias and Moshe are producing with Chimera Pictures’ Pedro Tarantino, Disrupting Influence’s Glenn Kendrick Ackermann and Jason Piette and Lituanica Film’s Karolis Malinauskas.
Principal photography is set to commence in April on the thriller, one of several titles on the Highland Film Group slate that Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier bring to Berlin.
The Efm roster includes and a likely soft-launch on The Crow Reborn; three thrillers in post – Terminal starring Margot Robbie, [link...
- 2/4/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Successful pitches will be crowdfunded through kickstarter.
The Iron Sky filmmakers are launching ‘Fanchise’, an open call for Iron Sky fans, young filmmakers, game developers and innovators to pitch their concepts of up-to-10-minute “experiences” - games, short films, Vr experiences, or graphic novels.
In the first phase, Iron Sky Universe will select the best pitches, which will then be taken to the web-based task management toolkit Iron Sky Online Film Studio, created to host and guide the productions.
Crowdfunding will be done as a source of production finance.
It’s not the first time that the Iron Sky team has engaged with fans. For 2017 sequel Iron Sky The Coming Race [pictured], fans served as extras and gave direct script feedback and comments on the film’s early rough cut in test screenings in Helsinki and Berlin.
The open call runs now through January 2017.
Meanwhile Iron Sky The Coming Race is in post production and is being sold by...
The Iron Sky filmmakers are launching ‘Fanchise’, an open call for Iron Sky fans, young filmmakers, game developers and innovators to pitch their concepts of up-to-10-minute “experiences” - games, short films, Vr experiences, or graphic novels.
In the first phase, Iron Sky Universe will select the best pitches, which will then be taken to the web-based task management toolkit Iron Sky Online Film Studio, created to host and guide the productions.
Crowdfunding will be done as a source of production finance.
It’s not the first time that the Iron Sky team has engaged with fans. For 2017 sequel Iron Sky The Coming Race [pictured], fans served as extras and gave direct script feedback and comments on the film’s early rough cut in test screenings in Helsinki and Berlin.
The open call runs now through January 2017.
Meanwhile Iron Sky The Coming Race is in post production and is being sold by...
- 5/17/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Sales outfit Stealth is to undergo a rebrand to become Phoenix Worldwide Entertainment.
According to the company the decision was taken following “a strategic review of the group’s ambitions”.
Production financing and co-production will be headed by Michael Cowan who will be based out of London.
Phoenix Worldwide Entertainment will focus on film and television sales and will be headed by principal and partner Glenn Kendrick Ackermann.
Head of production John Adams will help structure and supervise the feature films that Phoenix aims to produce.
Executive production and acquisitions activity will be headed by Jason Piette out of Los Angeles.
The group aims to have four distinct sub labels as well as a television division: Phoenix Sovereign will be aimed at commercial theatrical films; Phoenix Adrenalin for genre films; Phoenix Prestige for foreign language films; and Phoenix Docs.
Michael Cowan, CEO of Phoenix stated: “As we pursue other revenue generating opportunities and financing capabilities, we decided...
According to the company the decision was taken following “a strategic review of the group’s ambitions”.
Production financing and co-production will be headed by Michael Cowan who will be based out of London.
Phoenix Worldwide Entertainment will focus on film and television sales and will be headed by principal and partner Glenn Kendrick Ackermann.
Head of production John Adams will help structure and supervise the feature films that Phoenix aims to produce.
Executive production and acquisitions activity will be headed by Jason Piette out of Los Angeles.
The group aims to have four distinct sub labels as well as a television division: Phoenix Sovereign will be aimed at commercial theatrical films; Phoenix Adrenalin for genre films; Phoenix Prestige for foreign language films; and Phoenix Docs.
Michael Cowan, CEO of Phoenix stated: “As we pursue other revenue generating opportunities and financing capabilities, we decided...
- 9/3/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Visit SydneysBuzz Reports for the complete Fall 2013 Rights Roundup Report.
Stealth Media has changed since Cannes. Sean O'Kelly has moved on, leaving Michael Cowan as CEO based in the UK and Jason Piette director of L.A. operations, based in L.A. They have also brought in Glenn Kendrick Ackermann (formerly from Capitol Films) as President of world sales.
Stealth Media Group was founded by film entrepreneurs Michael L Cowan and Jason Piette to do international sales, finance and executive production. Their sales company encompasses theatrical, television and home video/dvd.
Michael L Cowan and Jason Piette founded Spice Factory in 1998, one of Europe’s most dynamic independent production companies, which has produced over 55 films from Us$1M to Us$55M. They are involved in structured financing of films, and have raised over £100M for film production in the last 10 years. Recently they have moved into television event mini-series.
Michael L Cowan and Jason Piette were founding partners in Arclight Films with Gary Hamilton and Victor Syrmis, which put together and sold such films as the 2004 Oscar winner Crash; 2007 Golden Globe nominated film Bobby, written and directed by Emilio Estevez; The Merchant of Venice starring Academy Award winners Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons; the action drama Lord of War, a film based on the true-life story of one of America's most notorious arms dealers, starring Nicolas Cage and Ethan Hawke; Head in the Clouds starring Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, Stuart Townsend, Thomas Kretschmann and Wolf Creek which went on to gross over $100M worldwide.
Stealth Media Group has built up a fast growing and recognizable brand at all major motion picture and television festivals and markets worldwide, including Cannes, Afm, Efm, Berlinale, The Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Pusan International Film Festival, Mipcom and Miptv.
Stealth Media Group focuses on international sales of film, television and film libraries. The company has offices in Los Angeles and U.K.. Michael Cowan is based in the U.K. focusing on sales and structured financing, Jason Piette is based in L.A .running Stealth's Us acquisition and production.
Stealth Media Group is able to provide:
- Minimum Guarantees against worldwide sales rights
- Access to equity and structured funds globally where we also act as co-producers or executive producers
- Cash flow tax credit rebates, distribution agreements and any other forms of collateral
- Source content from leading producers and agents worldwide with offices in La and partners in Europe and Asia
- Help package projects as executive producers both creatively and financially
- Film and television sales and licensing worldwide to independent distributors and major studios
- Creation of international and domestic marketing campaigns
- Royalty reports and overages collection by territory to maximize revenues
- P&A control by territory
- Access to film festivals e.g. Cannes, Toronto and Berlin
- Access to IMAX and digital distribution worldwide
New Film releases include: Latino Prize Winner Palm Springs Film Festival 2013: Sadourni's Butterflies, The Paddy Lincoln Gang, Outpost 11, The Knife that Killed Me, The Child, Crave, Dead Sand, The City that Rocked the World, Bliss!, Epic, Fangs of War, Wild Oats and The Coven.
Four indies from the U.S. Have expressed interest in the film after seeing the trailer.
See the trailer Here
The Coven
According to the production info below the paranormal events are 100% true, the notes also mentioned three sudden deaths of family members of the crew. See below:
Beneath the beautiful wild Woodland and Nature Reserve that is Queen’s Wood, Highgate hides the dark secret of lime filled plague pits. Thousands of victims from London’s Black Death were buried there in the sixteen hundreds. One is now concealed by an innocent Children’s Play Area. There is no signage to inform the unsuspecting parent of the horror that lies beneath.
The Coven in the middle of the woods, really exists. A strange clearing surrounded by ancient Oak trees. Robert Cochrane was a known Witch who committed suicide by ingesting Belladonna on the summer solstice in 1966. His Coven of Witches renamed themselves as ‘The Regency’ after his death, in his honour. The Regency would regularly meet in The Coven at Queen’s Wood.
There are some Wiccan Figurines placed high in the Oak trees as if they protect this foreboding space, almost hidden from view unless you purposefully look for them.
And it is said that despite the very many species of bird life that Queen’s Wood is home to, not one has been seen to fly across The Coven.
Today there are several Pagan groups who convene in The Coven.
During filming, our schedule unfortunately fell on Halloween and we were warned off by a group of Witches who didn’t want us to witness their ritual.
Arguments ensued but despite our permission to film, we eventually we gave in and wrapped for the day, concerned that they may curse our project.
Since that date we have sadly experienced three very sudden deaths relating to our crew.
Our first Editor lost her Mother.
The Director lost his brother.
Our Sound Designer lost his brother.
All three deaths were completely unexpected and out of the blue!
Stealth Media has changed since Cannes. Sean O'Kelly has moved on, leaving Michael Cowan as CEO based in the UK and Jason Piette director of L.A. operations, based in L.A. They have also brought in Glenn Kendrick Ackermann (formerly from Capitol Films) as President of world sales.
Stealth Media Group was founded by film entrepreneurs Michael L Cowan and Jason Piette to do international sales, finance and executive production. Their sales company encompasses theatrical, television and home video/dvd.
Michael L Cowan and Jason Piette founded Spice Factory in 1998, one of Europe’s most dynamic independent production companies, which has produced over 55 films from Us$1M to Us$55M. They are involved in structured financing of films, and have raised over £100M for film production in the last 10 years. Recently they have moved into television event mini-series.
Michael L Cowan and Jason Piette were founding partners in Arclight Films with Gary Hamilton and Victor Syrmis, which put together and sold such films as the 2004 Oscar winner Crash; 2007 Golden Globe nominated film Bobby, written and directed by Emilio Estevez; The Merchant of Venice starring Academy Award winners Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons; the action drama Lord of War, a film based on the true-life story of one of America's most notorious arms dealers, starring Nicolas Cage and Ethan Hawke; Head in the Clouds starring Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, Stuart Townsend, Thomas Kretschmann and Wolf Creek which went on to gross over $100M worldwide.
Stealth Media Group has built up a fast growing and recognizable brand at all major motion picture and television festivals and markets worldwide, including Cannes, Afm, Efm, Berlinale, The Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Pusan International Film Festival, Mipcom and Miptv.
Stealth Media Group focuses on international sales of film, television and film libraries. The company has offices in Los Angeles and U.K.. Michael Cowan is based in the U.K. focusing on sales and structured financing, Jason Piette is based in L.A .running Stealth's Us acquisition and production.
Stealth Media Group is able to provide:
- Minimum Guarantees against worldwide sales rights
- Access to equity and structured funds globally where we also act as co-producers or executive producers
- Cash flow tax credit rebates, distribution agreements and any other forms of collateral
- Source content from leading producers and agents worldwide with offices in La and partners in Europe and Asia
- Help package projects as executive producers both creatively and financially
- Film and television sales and licensing worldwide to independent distributors and major studios
- Creation of international and domestic marketing campaigns
- Royalty reports and overages collection by territory to maximize revenues
- P&A control by territory
- Access to film festivals e.g. Cannes, Toronto and Berlin
- Access to IMAX and digital distribution worldwide
New Film releases include: Latino Prize Winner Palm Springs Film Festival 2013: Sadourni's Butterflies, The Paddy Lincoln Gang, Outpost 11, The Knife that Killed Me, The Child, Crave, Dead Sand, The City that Rocked the World, Bliss!, Epic, Fangs of War, Wild Oats and The Coven.
Four indies from the U.S. Have expressed interest in the film after seeing the trailer.
See the trailer Here
The Coven
According to the production info below the paranormal events are 100% true, the notes also mentioned three sudden deaths of family members of the crew. See below:
Beneath the beautiful wild Woodland and Nature Reserve that is Queen’s Wood, Highgate hides the dark secret of lime filled plague pits. Thousands of victims from London’s Black Death were buried there in the sixteen hundreds. One is now concealed by an innocent Children’s Play Area. There is no signage to inform the unsuspecting parent of the horror that lies beneath.
The Coven in the middle of the woods, really exists. A strange clearing surrounded by ancient Oak trees. Robert Cochrane was a known Witch who committed suicide by ingesting Belladonna on the summer solstice in 1966. His Coven of Witches renamed themselves as ‘The Regency’ after his death, in his honour. The Regency would regularly meet in The Coven at Queen’s Wood.
There are some Wiccan Figurines placed high in the Oak trees as if they protect this foreboding space, almost hidden from view unless you purposefully look for them.
And it is said that despite the very many species of bird life that Queen’s Wood is home to, not one has been seen to fly across The Coven.
Today there are several Pagan groups who convene in The Coven.
During filming, our schedule unfortunately fell on Halloween and we were warned off by a group of Witches who didn’t want us to witness their ritual.
Arguments ensued but despite our permission to film, we eventually we gave in and wrapped for the day, concerned that they may curse our project.
Since that date we have sadly experienced three very sudden deaths relating to our crew.
Our first Editor lost her Mother.
The Director lost his brother.
Our Sound Designer lost his brother.
All three deaths were completely unexpected and out of the blue!
- 11/11/2013
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Brian Trenchard Smith will direct Australian action film Weekend Warriors.
The Spice Factory, Hannay Productions/Vincero Productions and Stealth Australia are on board to produce.
Stealth is handling sales.
Trevor Howis writes the script, about an army reserves officer who is disgraced and plots his revenge on his psychopathic former mentor.
The writer is Dhp head of development Trevor Howis. The producers are Michael Cowan, Jason Piette, David Hannay, and Trevor Howis.
Casting is underway with Maura Fay Casting.
Trenchard Smith’s credits include The Man From Hong Kong, Dead End Drive-In and The Quest.
The Spice Factory, Hannay Productions/Vincero Productions and Stealth Australia are on board to produce.
Stealth is handling sales.
Trevor Howis writes the script, about an army reserves officer who is disgraced and plots his revenge on his psychopathic former mentor.
The writer is Dhp head of development Trevor Howis. The producers are Michael Cowan, Jason Piette, David Hannay, and Trevor Howis.
Casting is underway with Maura Fay Casting.
Trenchard Smith’s credits include The Man From Hong Kong, Dead End Drive-In and The Quest.
- 6/18/2013
- ScreenDaily
The Cannes Film Festival is in full swing right now. Movies are being watched by critics, photos are being taken by papparazzi and studios are trying to get their upcoming films distributed. Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, Midnight Meat Train) has a new film in the works called Marble City. Nicolas Cage and now Mickey Rourke are set to star in the film that is being described as "Kill Bill meets Drive".
Jason Piette, Managing Director of Stealth Media Group La office made the announcement today. Marble City wil be financed by Polaris Pictures' Producer Jeremy Wall along with Premiere Pictures. Mike Nilon, Cage’s manager, is also producing.
Director Kitamura stated:
"This is Kill Bill meets Drive. The movie is a story of one man's journey of vengeance on a road filled with rage, bullets and ultra-violence. He needs to go through the darkest places to reach the light in a classic story of revenge,...
Jason Piette, Managing Director of Stealth Media Group La office made the announcement today. Marble City wil be financed by Polaris Pictures' Producer Jeremy Wall along with Premiere Pictures. Mike Nilon, Cage’s manager, is also producing.
Director Kitamura stated:
"This is Kill Bill meets Drive. The movie is a story of one man's journey of vengeance on a road filled with rage, bullets and ultra-violence. He needs to go through the darkest places to reach the light in a classic story of revenge,...
- 5/18/2012
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
It’s a pairing made in both heaven and hell. As a press release from Stealth Media Group reports, Nicolas Cage and Mickey Rourke — “his career should have crashed” and “his career will crash over and over again” — are planning to collaborate on Marble City, a revenge picture succinctly described as “Kill Bill meets Drive.” That’s all well and good, but a better way to describe it would be, in terms of plot, “a journey of a newly released prisoner who seeks revenge on those that put him inside.”
Director Ryûhei Kitamura (Midnight Mean Train) — who sees it as “the story of a man who finds his inner peace through vengeance” — will work from the Thomas Sjölund-penned screenplay, while Cage and Rourke will go head-to-head in a battle of overacting that’s sure to ultimately underwhelm our socks into a slight breeze. Well, okay, it’s possible I...
Director Ryûhei Kitamura (Midnight Mean Train) — who sees it as “the story of a man who finds his inner peace through vengeance” — will work from the Thomas Sjölund-penned screenplay, while Cage and Rourke will go head-to-head in a battle of overacting that’s sure to ultimately underwhelm our socks into a slight breeze. Well, okay, it’s possible I...
- 5/17/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Stealth Media Group announced today that Nicolas Cage and Mickey Rourke are in talks to star in director Ryuhei Kitamura's Marble City . The announcement was made by Jason Piette, Managing Director of Stealth Media Group La office. Polaris Pictures' Producer Jeremy Wall will co-finance the film along with Premiere Pictures. Mike Nilon, Nicolas Cage.s manager, is also Producing. "Ryuhei is the electric kind of filmmaker that Stealth Media is proud to be in business with," said Piette. "His vision of action filmmaking is truly unique as seen in 'Azumi' and we look forward to bringing a high octane smart action picture to the market that targets the critical young male demographic.. Marble City takes us on a journey of a newly released prisoner who seeks revenge...
- 5/17/2012
- Comingsoon.net
by Tim Mathis, MoreHorror.com
For those who remember the 1977 version of the classic monster film Kingdom of the Spiders, prepare yourself for a reboot, or is it a remake...or...well, you know, it's getting made again! Yep folks, the film is coming to the big screen in the big way in the form of, you guessed it, 3D.
The original version starred a younger, slender and probably a more sober William Shatner. Perhaps the producers will be able to tap "Shat" for a cameo. You never know, these things have been know to happen...from time to time.
About the project, the producers Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan said;
“We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.”
We'll keep you posted on further details about this...
For those who remember the 1977 version of the classic monster film Kingdom of the Spiders, prepare yourself for a reboot, or is it a remake...or...well, you know, it's getting made again! Yep folks, the film is coming to the big screen in the big way in the form of, you guessed it, 3D.
The original version starred a younger, slender and probably a more sober William Shatner. Perhaps the producers will be able to tap "Shat" for a cameo. You never know, these things have been know to happen...from time to time.
About the project, the producers Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan said;
“We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.”
We'll keep you posted on further details about this...
- 2/23/2011
- by admin
- MoreHorror
The 1977 cult hit Kingdom of the Spiders is getting the makeover treatment now and in glorious 3D ,of course. The original starred Captain Kirk himself William Shatner. Here's what producers Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan had to say; “We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.” So who all id pumped up about this remake and the super duper 3D it'll be in?...
- 1/5/2011
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
We make no bones about it ... the original Kingdom of the Spiders is a big-time favorite here around the Dread Central offices. The flick was badass, starred William Shatner, and was home to one of the best endings we've ever seen in a horror film.
At this year's Afm we reported to you that a 3D (of course) remake was on the way from Stealth Media Group that will focus on ... you guessed it ... a town that is besieged by deadly spiders.
Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan are producing the update of the 1977 cult classic. Producers Barton and Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D."
The original's film synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack" Hansen in this cult film about an...
At this year's Afm we reported to you that a 3D (of course) remake was on the way from Stealth Media Group that will focus on ... you guessed it ... a town that is besieged by deadly spiders.
Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan are producing the update of the 1977 cult classic. Producers Barton and Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D."
The original's film synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack" Hansen in this cult film about an...
- 1/5/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
If it wasn’t sharks, it was bees. If it wasn’t bees, it was tarantulas. Yes, the mid ’70s and ’80s sub-genre, which I’ll call “When Animals Attack!” brings back some fond memories, even if the films themselves were hokey. The Kingdom of the Spiders was the one that starred Captain James Tiberius Kirk a.k.a William Shatner and had a really mad ending.
News has ‘crawled’ out that Stealth Media Group have acquired the rights to remake the film, in 3D! The ‘eight-legged freaks’ will be over-hauled and dimensionalised for our viewing pleasure. The producers of the planned film, Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan have announced:
“We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.”
Of course they’ve probably bought a known title and...
News has ‘crawled’ out that Stealth Media Group have acquired the rights to remake the film, in 3D! The ‘eight-legged freaks’ will be over-hauled and dimensionalised for our viewing pleasure. The producers of the planned film, Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan have announced:
“We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.”
Of course they’ve probably bought a known title and...
- 9/15/2010
- by Martyn Conterio
- FilmShaft.com
I don't know that we necessarily have to call it Kingdom of the Spiders, let's just say that there is a 3D horror flick based around spiders in the works. I'm already getting the heebie jeebies. Full story below. According to Screen Daily , Stealth Media Group (now That's a name) is behind the 3D remake of the 1977 (I believe made for TV) flick Kingdom of the Spiders about a small town infested with spiders. Producers Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media's Jason Piette, Sean O'Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D." Let's hope they don't mess with the chilling...
- 9/14/2010
- FEARnet
One of our favorite films around the DC offices is without question the William Shatner classic Kingdom of the Spiders. Word just broke that a 3D redux is on the way, and the potential for some good old fashioned skin crawling goodness is through the roof!
According to Screen Daily Stealth Media Group has come on board for the 3D remake of Kingdom of the Spiders. No other plot details are known at this point other than it will center on a small town that is infested with spiders.
Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan are producing the update of the 1977 cult classic. Producers Barton and Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D."
The original's film synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack...
According to Screen Daily Stealth Media Group has come on board for the 3D remake of Kingdom of the Spiders. No other plot details are known at this point other than it will center on a small town that is infested with spiders.
Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan are producing the update of the 1977 cult classic. Producers Barton and Sheridan commented: "We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D."
The original's film synopsis is as follows: William Shatner stars as veterinarian "Rack...
- 9/14/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
We all knew this day was coming – with the horror reserves dwindling as the latest batch of remakes wind their way into production, Stealth Media Group have given up on name recognition all together.
According to ScreenDaily, the distribution company will be giving 1970′s cult-classic Kingdom of the Spiders the 3D remake treatment, with producing duties falling to Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan.
“We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.”
The original - notable for starring one William Shatner – followed a small town as it became overrun by spiders.
Spider movies have had varied success in cinema with 1990′s Arachnophobia pushing customers up onto their chairs and Eight Legged Freaks having them question what they were doing up their in the first place. In 3D, however, I...
According to ScreenDaily, the distribution company will be giving 1970′s cult-classic Kingdom of the Spiders the 3D remake treatment, with producing duties falling to Nuala Barton and Rene Sheridan.
“We are delighted to be working with Stealth Media’s Jason Piette, Sean O’Kelly and Michael Cowan to bring this cult classic back to larger than life, in 3D.”
The original - notable for starring one William Shatner – followed a small town as it became overrun by spiders.
Spider movies have had varied success in cinema with 1990′s Arachnophobia pushing customers up onto their chairs and Eight Legged Freaks having them question what they were doing up their in the first place. In 3D, however, I...
- 9/14/2010
- by Steven Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Santa Monica -- Hip-hop star Method Man ("The Wackness") and Angelic Zambrana ("Precious") have joined the cast for "The Mortician 3D."
Billed as a gritty, urban drama, the backers also said they are in talks with Tom Hardy ("Bronson") and Edward Furlong ("American History X") to join the cast.
"Mortician" is produced by New York label Belladonna Prods.' Rene Bastian, Linda Moran and Adam Folk, the team behind "Transamerica," and U.K.-based Full Circle Films.
The picture is set to shoot this month in Louisiana.
The film also counts Molinare and the U.K.'s Film and Music Entertainment as backing partners and is being repped at Afm by startup sales and finance house Stealth Media Group.
The $6 million project is written and will be helmed by Gareth Maxwell Roberts and produced by Rhys Thomas.
Smg was formed in November 2008 by Sean O'Kelly, founder of...
Billed as a gritty, urban drama, the backers also said they are in talks with Tom Hardy ("Bronson") and Edward Furlong ("American History X") to join the cast.
"Mortician" is produced by New York label Belladonna Prods.' Rene Bastian, Linda Moran and Adam Folk, the team behind "Transamerica," and U.K.-based Full Circle Films.
The picture is set to shoot this month in Louisiana.
The film also counts Molinare and the U.K.'s Film and Music Entertainment as backing partners and is being repped at Afm by startup sales and finance house Stealth Media Group.
The $6 million project is written and will be helmed by Gareth Maxwell Roberts and produced by Rhys Thomas.
Smg was formed in November 2008 by Sean O'Kelly, founder of...
- 11/5/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
According to Variety.com, the graphic novel “Ring Of Roses” has been picked up for a film adaptation by Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment. “Ring Of Roses” was created by Das Petrou and drawn by John Watkiss, and was originally published by Image Comics in 2005. Taking place in an alternate world where England continues to be ruled by the iron fist of organized religion, a lawyer and a hardened convict are tasked to solve the grisly murders of six priests, which is somehow tied to a vast conspiracy that his behind a bubonic plague outbreak. Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory’s Jason Piette and Michael L. [...]...
- 10/29/2009
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
The film rights for Das Petrou and John Watkiss’ original graphic novel “Ring of Roses” have been picked up by Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment.
According to Variety, Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory and Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent are on board to produce the film.
Originally published in 2005 by Image Comics, “Ring of Roses” takes place in an alternate world in which England is ruled by the iron hand of the church. Following the horrific murders of six high-powered priests; an ambitious lawyer and a hardened criminal are tasked to uncover the conspiracy behind the events amidst a lethal outbreak of the bubonic plague.
While “Ring of Roses” is set in a divergent 21st century, it seems to share a few thematic elements with Arvid Nelson and Eric Johnson’s “Rex Mundi,” which also takes place in an alternate history in which the Roman Catholic Church is all-powerful.
According to Variety, Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory and Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent are on board to produce the film.
Originally published in 2005 by Image Comics, “Ring of Roses” takes place in an alternate world in which England is ruled by the iron hand of the church. Following the horrific murders of six high-powered priests; an ambitious lawyer and a hardened criminal are tasked to uncover the conspiracy behind the events amidst a lethal outbreak of the bubonic plague.
While “Ring of Roses” is set in a divergent 21st century, it seems to share a few thematic elements with Arvid Nelson and Eric Johnson’s “Rex Mundi,” which also takes place in an alternate history in which the Roman Catholic Church is all-powerful.
- 10/27/2009
- by Blair Marnell
- MTV Splash Page
Image Comics graphic novel Ring Of Roses will be adapted for cinema by Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment, according to Variety. The 144-page book was created by Das Petrou and illustrated by John Watkiss. Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory will produce the movie in conjunction with Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent Entertainment. Set in an alternate version of 21st century London, the original story follows a lawyer and his criminal acquaintance as they investigate a series of murders. While on the case, (more)...
- 10/26/2009
- by By Mark Langshaw
- Digital Spy
Production companies Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment will develop an adaptation of the comic book Ring of Roses. Created by Das Petrou and illustrated by John Watkiss, the original graphic novel, set in London during the 21st Century, is an alternate universe where the Church is the sole ruler of England and in fear of losing its grip on power. When six high-powered priests are killed on the Thames, 'Samuel Waterhouse', a flamboyant barrister is hired to investigate, hiring hardened criminal 'William Barnett', to assist him. Then the 'Bubonic Plague' is deliberately released into the population, with thousands dead or dying. The feature will be produced by Jason Piette, Michael L. Cowan, for Spice and Matthew Rhodes, Aaron Cruze for Persistent...
- 10/26/2009
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment are working on an adaptation of the 144 page graphic novel"Ring of Roses," a thriller created by Das Petrou and drawn by John Watkiss which is set in an alternate London beset by the bubonic plague. Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory and Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent are producing. The story is centered on a successful lawyer and his criminal acquaintance who, while investigating the murders of a group of high-powered members of a secretive society, unveil a big conspiracy which involves the release of the plague as a cover-up to political assassination and government takeover.
- 10/26/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment have teamed to develop a big screen version of Image Comics’ graphic novel, Ring of Roses - a thriller set in an alternate London infested with the bubonic plague.
The original tomb was created by Das Petrou and drawn by John Watkiss, the film will be produced by Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory and Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent.
The 144 page graphic novel centered on a big-shot solicitor and his “criminal acquaintance” who, while investigating the murders of a group of high-powered members of a secretive society, stumble upon a vast criminal conspiracy involving the release of a deadly plague as a cover-up to political assassination and government takeover. Sound good? The comic’s own synopsis sounds even better:
Ring of Roses is set in London in the 21st century, but it’s a London we wouldn’t recognize.
The original tomb was created by Das Petrou and drawn by John Watkiss, the film will be produced by Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory and Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent.
The 144 page graphic novel centered on a big-shot solicitor and his “criminal acquaintance” who, while investigating the murders of a group of high-powered members of a secretive society, stumble upon a vast criminal conspiracy involving the release of a deadly plague as a cover-up to political assassination and government takeover. Sound good? The comic’s own synopsis sounds even better:
Ring of Roses is set in London in the 21st century, but it’s a London we wouldn’t recognize.
- 10/26/2009
- by Craig Sharp
- FilmShaft.com
Spice Factory and Persistent Entertainment are developing an adaptation of the graphic novel Ring Of Roses, a thriller set in an alternate London beset by the bubonic plague. The 144 page graphic novel, created by Das Petrou and drawn by John Watkiss, is centered on a prominent lawyer and his criminal acquaintance who -- while investigating the murders of a group of high-powered members of a secretive society -- uncover a vast conspiracy involving the release of the plague as a cover-up to political assassination and government takeover. "Roses" will be produced by Jason Piette and Michael L. Cowan of Spice Factory and Matthew Rhodes and Aaron Cruze of Persistent.
- 10/26/2009
- bloody-disgusting.com
Trevor Groth continues as CineVegas as Artistic Director and Mike Plante has been named Director of Programming. After Groth's recent appointment as Sundance's Director of Programming there had been a question about his continuing involvement with CineVegas.
Michelle Byrd is leaving the top post of he Independent Feature Project at the end of the year. A successor is being sought through Time Warner’s Worldwide Recruitment & Executive Search.
Rose Einstein and 10 others have been let go from Hollywood Reporter.
Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley’s have been named Presidents of Fox Searchlight following the departure last March of Peter Rice. Gilula and Utley, who served as COOs since 2006, have signed new multi-year deals and report directly to Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos.
William Morris Independent’s heads Cassian Elwes and Rena Ronson have left the merged William Morris Endeavor (Wme) Entertainment. Endeavor Independent head Graham Taylor...
Michelle Byrd is leaving the top post of he Independent Feature Project at the end of the year. A successor is being sought through Time Warner’s Worldwide Recruitment & Executive Search.
Rose Einstein and 10 others have been let go from Hollywood Reporter.
Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley’s have been named Presidents of Fox Searchlight following the departure last March of Peter Rice. Gilula and Utley, who served as COOs since 2006, have signed new multi-year deals and report directly to Fox Filmed Entertainment chairmen Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos.
William Morris Independent’s heads Cassian Elwes and Rena Ronson have left the merged William Morris Endeavor (Wme) Entertainment. Endeavor Independent head Graham Taylor...
- 5/28/2009
- by Sydney@SydneysBuzz.com (Sydney)
- Sydney's Buzz
Fate is the hunter in this romantic drama, covering the tumultuous '30s and early '40s in Europe, which wants to mix character study with historical context but winds up with unconvincing melodrama. As an infamous playgirl winning and breaking hearts with reckless abandon, newly crowned Oscar winner Charlize Theron delivers an eye-catching performance, while Penelope Cruz contents herself with an offbeat supporting role with homoerotic overtones. Evoking Hemingway's fiction and movies ranging from Casablanca to The English Patient, John Duigan's Head in the Clouds, for all its attentive period details, glamour and music, is a hollow exercise.
The film should appeal to older adults, who fondly recall old Hollywood tales of clandestine activities and affairs set in the crumbling social mores of a world at war. Dollops of nudity and kinky sex spice up what otherwise might pass for a Warner Bros. patriotic programr, circa 1942, about World War II and the heroic underground Resistance.
What perhaps distinguishes Duigan's version from those films is how the movie, its plot and characters pivot around the notion of fate. In the opening scene, a palm reader refuses to tell a young girl her fortune because I saw your 34th year. This ambiguous fate not only causes that girl, Gilda Besse (Theron), to lead a hedonistic life devoted to mind-numbing pleasure and multiple sex partners, but also seems to bring people together and thereafter intricately intertwine their destinies.
One night, fate directs Gilda, a French-American heiress already notorious for her affairs, into the quarters of Guy (Stuart Townsend), an Irish-born student at Cambridge. There she hides out until morning to avoid compromising her lover, a university don. For his chivalry, Guy gets invited to a party with the decadent aristocratic set, where he falls further in love with the madcap heiress.
Three years later, she pops up again in Paris and in a fit of nostalgia summons Guy to her studio/apartment. Here she lives with the beautiful but lame Spanish refugee and model-cum-striptease artist Mia (Cruz) and dabbles in avant-garde circles as a neorealist photographer. Soon all three live together, forming an interesting menage that passes for normal in Paris between the wars.
Unlike Gilda, though, Guy and Mia possess social consciences, so the Spanish Civil War beckons them both to the Republican cause. Gilda feels betrayed since she believes in living for the moment. There will always be wars, she pouts.
A brief interlude sums up Guy and Mia's civil war experiences, in which fate allows their paths to cross only for fate to snuff out Mia's life. Guy then returns to Paris, only Gilda coldly rejects him. Six years later, he parachutes into occupied France as an Allied spy. A pretty bad one, apparently, for he cannot resist returning to his old haunts, where everyone knows him, to confront Gilda, who has taken up with a Nazi officer (Thomas Kretschmann). One more surprise awaits us before Gilda faces her fateful 34th year.
In truth, there are no real surprises. Things follow the predictable course of most World War II movies. Unlike, say, Casablanca, where personal and historical destinies are masterfully intertwined, the two seem on parallel tracks in Head in the Clouds: Shallow lives superficially examined and brief snippets of 20th century history interrupt one another, with neither illuminating the other. The only real surprise is how little chemistry there is between Theron and Townsend.
Theron does suggest what might have been a fascinatingly complex and ambiguous heroine had Duigan chosen to focus his movie on her.
But Guy is the focus and, frankly, he is the least interesting person in the movie, more narrator than actor. Even Steven Berkoff as Gilda's father and several of her lovers come across with more elan.
Period music and decor are excellent, demonstrating what can be done on a modest budget.
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
Sony Pictures Classics
Movision
Credits:
Writer-director: John Duigan
Producers: Michael Cowan, Bertil Ohlsson, Jonathan Olsberg, Jason Piette, Andrew Rouleau, Maxime Remillard
Executive producers: Julia Palau, Matthew Payne
Director of photography: Paul Sarossy
Production designer: Jonathan Lee
Music: Terry Frewer
Costume designer: Mario Davignon
Editor: Dominique Fortin
Cast:
Gilda: Charlize Theron
Mia: Penelope Cruz
Guy: Stuart Townsend
Maj. Bietrich: Thomas Kretschmann
Charle Besse: Steven Berkoff
Lucien: David La Haye
Lisette: Karine Vanasse
MPAA rating: R
Running time -- 120 minutes...
The film should appeal to older adults, who fondly recall old Hollywood tales of clandestine activities and affairs set in the crumbling social mores of a world at war. Dollops of nudity and kinky sex spice up what otherwise might pass for a Warner Bros. patriotic programr, circa 1942, about World War II and the heroic underground Resistance.
What perhaps distinguishes Duigan's version from those films is how the movie, its plot and characters pivot around the notion of fate. In the opening scene, a palm reader refuses to tell a young girl her fortune because I saw your 34th year. This ambiguous fate not only causes that girl, Gilda Besse (Theron), to lead a hedonistic life devoted to mind-numbing pleasure and multiple sex partners, but also seems to bring people together and thereafter intricately intertwine their destinies.
One night, fate directs Gilda, a French-American heiress already notorious for her affairs, into the quarters of Guy (Stuart Townsend), an Irish-born student at Cambridge. There she hides out until morning to avoid compromising her lover, a university don. For his chivalry, Guy gets invited to a party with the decadent aristocratic set, where he falls further in love with the madcap heiress.
Three years later, she pops up again in Paris and in a fit of nostalgia summons Guy to her studio/apartment. Here she lives with the beautiful but lame Spanish refugee and model-cum-striptease artist Mia (Cruz) and dabbles in avant-garde circles as a neorealist photographer. Soon all three live together, forming an interesting menage that passes for normal in Paris between the wars.
Unlike Gilda, though, Guy and Mia possess social consciences, so the Spanish Civil War beckons them both to the Republican cause. Gilda feels betrayed since she believes in living for the moment. There will always be wars, she pouts.
A brief interlude sums up Guy and Mia's civil war experiences, in which fate allows their paths to cross only for fate to snuff out Mia's life. Guy then returns to Paris, only Gilda coldly rejects him. Six years later, he parachutes into occupied France as an Allied spy. A pretty bad one, apparently, for he cannot resist returning to his old haunts, where everyone knows him, to confront Gilda, who has taken up with a Nazi officer (Thomas Kretschmann). One more surprise awaits us before Gilda faces her fateful 34th year.
In truth, there are no real surprises. Things follow the predictable course of most World War II movies. Unlike, say, Casablanca, where personal and historical destinies are masterfully intertwined, the two seem on parallel tracks in Head in the Clouds: Shallow lives superficially examined and brief snippets of 20th century history interrupt one another, with neither illuminating the other. The only real surprise is how little chemistry there is between Theron and Townsend.
Theron does suggest what might have been a fascinatingly complex and ambiguous heroine had Duigan chosen to focus his movie on her.
But Guy is the focus and, frankly, he is the least interesting person in the movie, more narrator than actor. Even Steven Berkoff as Gilda's father and several of her lovers come across with more elan.
Period music and decor are excellent, demonstrating what can be done on a modest budget.
HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
Sony Pictures Classics
Movision
Credits:
Writer-director: John Duigan
Producers: Michael Cowan, Bertil Ohlsson, Jonathan Olsberg, Jason Piette, Andrew Rouleau, Maxime Remillard
Executive producers: Julia Palau, Matthew Payne
Director of photography: Paul Sarossy
Production designer: Jonathan Lee
Music: Terry Frewer
Costume designer: Mario Davignon
Editor: Dominique Fortin
Cast:
Gilda: Charlize Theron
Mia: Penelope Cruz
Guy: Stuart Townsend
Maj. Bietrich: Thomas Kretschmann
Charle Besse: Steven Berkoff
Lucien: David La Haye
Lisette: Karine Vanasse
MPAA rating: R
Running time -- 120 minutes...
- 9/24/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SYDNEY -- Darclight Films, the recently launched horror label of Australian production and international sales outfit Arclight, announced on Tuesday the preproduction of Beowulf, a medieval fantasy adventure loosely based on the 9th century poem of the same name. The budget is slated at about $15 million, Darclight said. The film, a blood-soaked tale of a Norse hero's battle with deadly monster, is to star Scott Speedman in the lead role. Written and co-produced by Canadian Andrew Rai Berzins, Beowulf will be directed by Iceland's Sturla Gunnarsson (Such a Long Journey, Rare Birds). A co-production of Canada, the United Kingdom and Iceland, the film will be shot in Iceland once casting is complete. Producers include Paul Stephens and Eric Jordan of the Film Works of Canada, Michael Lionello Cowan and Jason Piette of the Spice Factory in the U.K. and Fridrik Thor Fridriksson of the Icelandic Film Corp. Darclight will executive produce and handle international sales.
Dean Cain, Tim Curry, Jennifer Tilly and Jon Lovitz are set to star in the family comedy Bailey for director David Devine, making his feature directorial debut. Other actors on board include Laurie Holden, Kenneth Welsh, Sheila McCarthy and Angela Valee. Devine, along with partner Richard Mozer, is producing through his Devine Entertainment, as are Jason Piette and Michael Cowan of the Spice Factory. Bailey tells the story of a talking dog named Bailey (voiced by Lovitz), who can only be heard by his master, a billionaire animal behaviorist. When the master dies, Bailey inherits her fortune much to the incredulity of the surrounding family, who try various schemes to get their paws on it. Bailey was written by Mary Walsh and Heather Conkie.
Zuleikha Robinson is set to star opposite Al Pacino in Arclight Films' adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Principal photography begins late fall in Venice, Italy, and Luxembourg with Michael Radford directing from his own screenplay, which is set in 16th century Venice. Robinson will play Jessica, daughter of Shylock (Pacino). Ian McKellen and Joseph Fiennes also star. Merchant is being produced by Avenue CEO Cary Brokaw, Spice Factory co-managing director Michael Cowan, Barry Navidi and Jason Piette. Robinson next stars opposite Viggo Mortensen in the Walt Disney Co.'s $90 million epic Hidalgo, which is slated for a March release. Additional credits include Mike Figgis' Time Code and Chris Carter's Fox drama series The Lone Gunmen. She is represented by the Gersh Agency.
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.