Last April, Sphere Media took the Canadian Screen Awards by storm with 22 awards for its scripted content, including a record 12 wins for the historical Black drama “The Porter” and seven for queer comedy “Sort Of.” It was a big night for Canada’s third-largest independent producer, and in particular for Jennifer Kawaja, Sphere’s president of scripted and feature films for English Canada.
Previously, Kawaja spent decades heading up Sienna Films with her business partner, Julia Sereny, helming several award-winning projects like “Cardinal,” “Trickster” and “One Dead Indian.” The duo sold the company to Kew Media Group in 2017 and in 2020, Montreal-based Datsit Sphere snatched it up when Kew was placed into receivership. Last year, Sphere restructured and rebranded under a single banner with the intention of streamlining content creation, production and distribution.
Now, it’s full speed ahead.
In an interview with Variety, Kawaja confirms several upcoming projects. The company...
Previously, Kawaja spent decades heading up Sienna Films with her business partner, Julia Sereny, helming several award-winning projects like “Cardinal,” “Trickster” and “One Dead Indian.” The duo sold the company to Kew Media Group in 2017 and in 2020, Montreal-based Datsit Sphere snatched it up when Kew was placed into receivership. Last year, Sphere restructured and rebranded under a single banner with the intention of streamlining content creation, production and distribution.
Now, it’s full speed ahead.
In an interview with Variety, Kawaja confirms several upcoming projects. The company...
- 5/30/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max said Thursday that it is launching a new eight-episode half-hour comedy series Sort Of this fall.
The series stars Bilal Baig (Acha Bacha) who, along with Fab Filippo (Save Me) created the show. Commissioned by HBO Max and the CBC, the series is produced by Sienna Films, a Sphere Media company, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.
The series will also launch in Canada this fall on the CBC Gem streaming service and CBC TV.
Sort Of follows the journey of Sabi Mehboob (Baig), a gender-fluid millennial who straddles various identities from sexy bartender at an LGBTQ bookstore/bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown hipster family. Sabi feels like they’re in transition in every aspect of their life, from gender to love to sexuality to family to career. A coming-of-age story, Sort Of...
The series stars Bilal Baig (Acha Bacha) who, along with Fab Filippo (Save Me) created the show. Commissioned by HBO Max and the CBC, the series is produced by Sienna Films, a Sphere Media company, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.
The series will also launch in Canada this fall on the CBC Gem streaming service and CBC TV.
Sort Of follows the journey of Sabi Mehboob (Baig), a gender-fluid millennial who straddles various identities from sexy bartender at an LGBTQ bookstore/bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown hipster family. Sabi feels like they’re in transition in every aspect of their life, from gender to love to sexuality to family to career. A coming-of-age story, Sort Of...
- 8/12/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix released a trailer for “Q-Force,” an animated series starring Sean Hayes, Gary Cole, David Harbour, Patti Harrison, Laurie Metcalf, Matt Rogers, Wanda Sykes and Gabe Liedman that launches Sept. 2.
“Q-Force” follows Steve Mayweather, Aka Agent Mary (voiced by Hayes), who was once the leader of the American Intelligence Agency (Aia) until he came out as gay. The Agency was not able to fire him on the basis of his sexual orientation, so they sent him to West Hollywood to disappear into obscurity. Instead, Steve put together a rag-tag group of LGBTQ geniuses, joining forces with the expert mechanic Deb (Sykes), master of drag and disguise Twink Rogers), and hacker Stat (Harrison), making the “Q-Force” squad.
“Q-Force” is created by Liedman, who executive produces alongside Hayes, Todd Milliner, Ben Heins, Mike Schur and David Miner.
Watch the trailer below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup…
Programming
HBO Max announced...
“Q-Force” follows Steve Mayweather, Aka Agent Mary (voiced by Hayes), who was once the leader of the American Intelligence Agency (Aia) until he came out as gay. The Agency was not able to fire him on the basis of his sexual orientation, so they sent him to West Hollywood to disappear into obscurity. Instead, Steve put together a rag-tag group of LGBTQ geniuses, joining forces with the expert mechanic Deb (Sykes), master of drag and disguise Twink Rogers), and hacker Stat (Harrison), making the “Q-Force” squad.
“Q-Force” is created by Liedman, who executive produces alongside Hayes, Todd Milliner, Ben Heins, Mike Schur and David Miner.
Watch the trailer below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup…
Programming
HBO Max announced...
- 8/12/2021
- by Jennifer Yuma
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Telepool’s Global Screen consolidates sales and acquisitions and puts Julia Weber in charge, Izzy snags six series for streaming, ITV will adapt “Our House,” Abacus Media Rights will distribute Canadian Comedy “Sort Of,” and Zdfe and taglicht team on historical cold cases.
Appointment
Telepool’s international distribution division Global Screen is consolidating its sales and acquisition activities for both film and TV content and has appointed Julia Weber as the company’s new head of international acquisitions and sales, effective January 2021. Alexandra Heidrich, who previously held the role, will exit Telepool before the end of 2020.
“I kicked off my career in TV sales and have also spent years dedicating myself to the film business,” said Webber in a release. “This move allows me to bring it all together just as the lines between cinema, TV and VOD are becoming increasingly blurred.”
“The traditional international...
Appointment
Telepool’s international distribution division Global Screen is consolidating its sales and acquisition activities for both film and TV content and has appointed Julia Weber as the company’s new head of international acquisitions and sales, effective January 2021. Alexandra Heidrich, who previously held the role, will exit Telepool before the end of 2020.
“I kicked off my career in TV sales and have also spent years dedicating myself to the film business,” said Webber in a release. “This move allows me to bring it all together just as the lines between cinema, TV and VOD are becoming increasingly blurred.”
“The traditional international...
- 11/9/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Sky reports its latest Diamond diversity data, Abacus Media sells “Trickster” abroad, Channel 4 commissions a new home remodeling format and Pier 21 announces two executive appointments.
Diversity
Sky in the U.K. has released its latest Diamond diversity data, reporting progress towards diversity targets for original U.K. productions. The Diamond system was created by the TV industry’s Creative Diversity Network (Cdn) to allow broadcasters to collect and use data to track representation across a wide range of characteristics.
Updated numbers show that 25% of Sky’s on-screen talent now comes from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (Bame) backgrounds, surpassing the broadcaster’s initial 20% target. Sky has also reported improved minority representation in senior production roles, reaching 10% for the first time ever. Among writing positions, Bame representation in drama and comedy reached 17%, 9 points up from Sky’s full-year report shared earlier this summer.
Results come...
Diversity
Sky in the U.K. has released its latest Diamond diversity data, reporting progress towards diversity targets for original U.K. productions. The Diamond system was created by the TV industry’s Creative Diversity Network (Cdn) to allow broadcasters to collect and use data to track representation across a wide range of characteristics.
Updated numbers show that 25% of Sky’s on-screen talent now comes from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (Bame) backgrounds, surpassing the broadcaster’s initial 20% target. Sky has also reported improved minority representation in senior production roles, reaching 10% for the first time ever. Among writing positions, Bame representation in drama and comedy reached 17%, 9 points up from Sky’s full-year report shared earlier this summer.
Results come...
- 9/16/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Sienna Films, producer of Hulu's Cardinal, has been sold off as asset sales at Kew Media Group after it was tipped into receivership by the Ontario Superior Court.
Terms of the acquisition by Montreal-based Datsit Sphere, which produces series like Transplant, 19-2 and Rumours, were not disclosed.
Sienna Films, led by Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny and acquired by Kew Media in 2017, also has such TV credits as Ransom for CBS and Trickster for CBC and Aptn.
Datsit Sphere earlier this month also acquired the Toronto-based TV producer Bgm from Kew Media, while Jamie Brown's Frantic Films bought ...
Terms of the acquisition by Montreal-based Datsit Sphere, which produces series like Transplant, 19-2 and Rumours, were not disclosed.
Sienna Films, led by Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny and acquired by Kew Media in 2017, also has such TV credits as Ransom for CBS and Trickster for CBC and Aptn.
Datsit Sphere earlier this month also acquired the Toronto-based TV producer Bgm from Kew Media, while Jamie Brown's Frantic Films bought ...
- 3/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
French Canadian producer-distributor Datsit Sphere has made its second acquisition of a Kew Media Group business, swooping in to buy “Cardinal” producer Sienna Films from the embattled production group.
The Montreal and Toronto-based Datsit Sphere, which previously acquired Bgm, picked up Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny’s Sienna Films in a bid to expand its global-facing drama.
Datsit Sphere spans multiple genres and its portfolio includes theatrical scripted producer Go Films, Montreal based 2D animation specialist Oasis Animation and international sales agency Wazabi Films.
Meanwhile, Toronto-based Sienna makes Billy Campbell-fronted crime drama “Cardinal,” which airs on CTV in Canada, Hulu in the U.S. and BBC Four in the U.K. Other TV credits include “Ransom” for CBS and Corus and the forthcoming “Trickster” for CBC and Aptn, the indigenous supernatural-inspired drama series based on the bestselling “Son of A Trickster” trilogy by Eden Robinson.
The firm’s feature...
The Montreal and Toronto-based Datsit Sphere, which previously acquired Bgm, picked up Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny’s Sienna Films in a bid to expand its global-facing drama.
Datsit Sphere spans multiple genres and its portfolio includes theatrical scripted producer Go Films, Montreal based 2D animation specialist Oasis Animation and international sales agency Wazabi Films.
Meanwhile, Toronto-based Sienna makes Billy Campbell-fronted crime drama “Cardinal,” which airs on CTV in Canada, Hulu in the U.S. and BBC Four in the U.K. Other TV credits include “Ransom” for CBS and Corus and the forthcoming “Trickster” for CBC and Aptn, the indigenous supernatural-inspired drama series based on the bestselling “Son of A Trickster” trilogy by Eden Robinson.
The firm’s feature...
- 3/18/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Suspense drama series Ransom, which has aired on CBS in the U.S., Global in Canada and TF1 in France, will not be getting a fourth season. The series’ team announced the end of the show to fans Wednesday.
“We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you,” the post on the series’ official Twitter account reads. “Unfortunately, we have to bid the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence.”
For CBS, Ransom was a low-cost acquisition, which the network had been using to keep the lights on Saturdays. According to sources, it was the producers’ decision to end the series over funding issues.
Ransom followed crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont (Luke Roberts) and his elite Crisis Resolution team who work to balance the demands of their personal lives with their careers as negotiators...
“We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you,” the post on the series’ official Twitter account reads. “Unfortunately, we have to bid the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence.”
For CBS, Ransom was a low-cost acquisition, which the network had been using to keep the lights on Saturdays. According to sources, it was the producers’ decision to end the series over funding issues.
Ransom followed crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont (Luke Roberts) and his elite Crisis Resolution team who work to balance the demands of their personal lives with their careers as negotiators...
- 7/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“Ransom” is coming to an end after three seasons on CBS.
The cancelation hardly comes as a surprise given that “Ransom” was among the lowest-rated shows on broadcast last season. It averaged a 0.26 rating in the key 18-49 demographic and just over 2.3 million viewers per episode throughout its third season.
News of the show’s end was confirmed via a Tweet from the official “Ransom” series account.
#Ransom fans: We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you. Unfortunately, we have to bid the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence. Thank you for watching.
— Ransom (@RansomSeries) July 3, 2019
“We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you. Unfortunately, we have to the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence. Thank you for watching,...
The cancelation hardly comes as a surprise given that “Ransom” was among the lowest-rated shows on broadcast last season. It averaged a 0.26 rating in the key 18-49 demographic and just over 2.3 million viewers per episode throughout its third season.
News of the show’s end was confirmed via a Tweet from the official “Ransom” series account.
#Ransom fans: We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you. Unfortunately, we have to bid the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence. Thank you for watching.
— Ransom (@RansomSeries) July 3, 2019
“We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you. Unfortunately, we have to the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence. Thank you for watching,...
- 7/3/2019
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
“Ransom” has been canceled after a three-season run on CBS in the U.S. and Global in Canada.
“We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you,” the show’s official Twitter account wrote Wednesday. “Unfortunately, we have to bid the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence. Thank you for watching.”
An individual with knowledge of the situation tells TheWrap the cancellation did not come from CBS, and was due to the fact the producers behind “Ransom” — which is an internationally co-produced series — made the decision not to go forward with the show due to a lack of funding.
Also Read: Fall TV 2019: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered So Far (Updating)
“Ransom” follows crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont (Luke Roberts) and his elite Crisis Resolution team who work to balance...
“We’re joyful & lucky to have shared these past three seasons with you,” the show’s official Twitter account wrote Wednesday. “Unfortunately, we have to bid the CriRes team farewell. We loved telling stories about strong, smart characters resolving conflicts with words instead of violence. Thank you for watching.”
An individual with knowledge of the situation tells TheWrap the cancellation did not come from CBS, and was due to the fact the producers behind “Ransom” — which is an internationally co-produced series — made the decision not to go forward with the show due to a lack of funding.
Also Read: Fall TV 2019: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered So Far (Updating)
“Ransom” follows crisis and hostage negotiator Eric Beaumont (Luke Roberts) and his elite Crisis Resolution team who work to balance...
- 7/3/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
London-based sales agency HanWay Films has released the first-look image of Zeresenay Berhane Mehari’s “Sweetness in the Belly,” which Variety has exclusively. The shot shows the film’s stars Dakota Fanning and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
The cast also features Wunmi Mosaku, best-known for British crime series “Luther,” and a BAFTA winner for “Damilola, Our Loved Boy,” and “The Big Bang Theory” star Kunal Nayyar.
Fanning plays Lilly Abdal, a woman caught between two worlds. Orphaned in Africa as a child, she escapes to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war.
“Lost in this cold new world, Lilly embraces the immigrant community in London, attempting to reunite people with their scattered families,” according to HanWay. “But as her friend Amina (Mosaku) discovers, Lilly’s mission isn’t purely selfless: A passionate lost love affair is revealed between Lilly and Aziz, an idealistic doctor. But can Lilly let go of the past?...
The cast also features Wunmi Mosaku, best-known for British crime series “Luther,” and a BAFTA winner for “Damilola, Our Loved Boy,” and “The Big Bang Theory” star Kunal Nayyar.
Fanning plays Lilly Abdal, a woman caught between two worlds. Orphaned in Africa as a child, she escapes to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war.
“Lost in this cold new world, Lilly embraces the immigrant community in London, attempting to reunite people with their scattered families,” according to HanWay. “But as her friend Amina (Mosaku) discovers, Lilly’s mission isn’t purely selfless: A passionate lost love affair is revealed between Lilly and Aziz, an idealistic doctor. But can Lilly let go of the past?...
- 2/7/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is set to star opposite Dakota Fanning in the Zeresenay Berhane Mehari-directed Sweetness In The Belly based on the bestselling novel by Camilla Gibb.
Adapted for the screen by Laura Phillips, the film is a powerful love story that explores an immigrant’s life from a unique perspective. In a story that is relevant to today’s cultural landscape, Fanning stars Lilly Abdal (a role which Saoirse Ronan was originally attached), who was orphaned in Africa as a child and escaped to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war. Lost in this cold new world, Lilly embraces the immigrant community in London, attempting to reunite people with their scattered families. However, Lilly’s mission isn’t purely selfless: A passionate lost love affair is revealed between Lilly and Aziz (Abdul-Mateen II), an idealistic doctor. But can Lilly let go of the past?...
Adapted for the screen by Laura Phillips, the film is a powerful love story that explores an immigrant’s life from a unique perspective. In a story that is relevant to today’s cultural landscape, Fanning stars Lilly Abdal (a role which Saoirse Ronan was originally attached), who was orphaned in Africa as a child and escaped to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war. Lost in this cold new world, Lilly embraces the immigrant community in London, attempting to reunite people with their scattered families. However, Lilly’s mission isn’t purely selfless: A passionate lost love affair is revealed between Lilly and Aziz (Abdul-Mateen II), an idealistic doctor. But can Lilly let go of the past?...
- 11/2/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Dakota Fanning is starring in the immigrant drama “Sweetness in the Belly,” which has begun shooting in Ireland and will continue in Ethiopia.
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari is directing from a script by Laura Phillips, adapted from Camilla Gibb’s bestselling novel that explores an immigrant’s life from the unique perspective of being orphaned in Africa as a child, escaping to England as a refugee, embracing the immigrant community in London, and attempting to reunite people with their scattered families — while dealing with a passionate lost love affair with a doctor.
Other cast members include Wunmi Mosaku and Kunal Nayyar (“The Big Bang Theory”). The project was unveiled at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival with Saoirse Ronan initially attached.
Berhane Mehari’s first feature film, “Difret,” was executive produced by Angelina Jolie and won the audience awards at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and in the panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival.
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari is directing from a script by Laura Phillips, adapted from Camilla Gibb’s bestselling novel that explores an immigrant’s life from the unique perspective of being orphaned in Africa as a child, escaping to England as a refugee, embracing the immigrant community in London, and attempting to reunite people with their scattered families — while dealing with a passionate lost love affair with a doctor.
Other cast members include Wunmi Mosaku and Kunal Nayyar (“The Big Bang Theory”). The project was unveiled at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival with Saoirse Ronan initially attached.
Berhane Mehari’s first feature film, “Difret,” was executive produced by Angelina Jolie and won the audience awards at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and in the panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival.
- 11/2/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari directing project. Entertainment One takes Canada rights.
Dakota Fanning has signed up to play the lead in refugee story Sweetness In The Belly for director Zeresenay Berhane Mehari.
Principal photography gets underway this week in Dublin and will continue in Ethiopia including the Unesco world heritage site Harar Jugol. Further cast include Wunmi Mosaku and Kunal Nayyar.
The film will tell the story of a woman caught between two worlds. Orphaned in Africa as a child, and raised Muslim, Lilly Abdal (Fanning) escapes to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war. Lost in a cold new world,...
Dakota Fanning has signed up to play the lead in refugee story Sweetness In The Belly for director Zeresenay Berhane Mehari.
Principal photography gets underway this week in Dublin and will continue in Ethiopia including the Unesco world heritage site Harar Jugol. Further cast include Wunmi Mosaku and Kunal Nayyar.
The film will tell the story of a woman caught between two worlds. Orphaned in Africa as a child, and raised Muslim, Lilly Abdal (Fanning) escapes to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war. Lost in a cold new world,...
- 11/2/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
CBS and Canadian broadcaster Global have renewed Ransom for a third season.
Production on the new season is set to begin in October. As with past seasons, CBS will be the U.S. home for the series, with Global broadcasting the show in Canada.
CBS for two seasons has scheduled “Ransom” on Saturday nights, where original sscripted programming is rarely seen on broadcast. As an international acquisition, however, “Ransom” provides a low-cost programming option for CBS at a time when reruns perform increasingly poorly against the wealth of viewing options available on streaming and cable, and broadasters are under pressure to actively program year-round.
“Ransom” was created by David Vainola and Frank Spotnitz. It is a Canada-Hungary treaty co-production, produced by Entertainment One (eOne) with executive producers Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films and Spotnitz for Big Light Productions.
Valerie Pechels and Odile McDonald of Wildcats Productions will...
Production on the new season is set to begin in October. As with past seasons, CBS will be the U.S. home for the series, with Global broadcasting the show in Canada.
CBS for two seasons has scheduled “Ransom” on Saturday nights, where original sscripted programming is rarely seen on broadcast. As an international acquisition, however, “Ransom” provides a low-cost programming option for CBS at a time when reruns perform increasingly poorly against the wealth of viewing options available on streaming and cable, and broadasters are under pressure to actively program year-round.
“Ransom” was created by David Vainola and Frank Spotnitz. It is a Canada-Hungary treaty co-production, produced by Entertainment One (eOne) with executive producers Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films and Spotnitz for Big Light Productions.
Valerie Pechels and Odile McDonald of Wildcats Productions will...
- 7/16/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Global has picked up a third season of suspense drama series Ransom for premiere next year on Global in Canada and CBS in the U.S.
Created by Frank Spotnitz and David Vainola, the series hails from Entertainment One, Big Light Productions, Sienna Films and Korda Studios. The 13-episode Season 3 will begin shooting in October in Budapest, Hungary. The principal cast includes Luke Roberts, Nazneen Contractor, Brandon Jay McLaren and Karen LeBlanc
Ransom is inspired by the professional experiences of crisis negotiator Laurent Combalbert, who, along with his partner, Marwan Mery, are among the top negotiators in the world. They travel the globe to help multinational corporations and government agencies with complex negotiations and conflict resolution. Season 3 follows the world of international crisis and hostage negotiating with Eric Beaumont (Roberts) and his elite team as they save lives when no one else can.
Created by Frank Spotnitz and David Vainola, the series hails from Entertainment One, Big Light Productions, Sienna Films and Korda Studios. The 13-episode Season 3 will begin shooting in October in Budapest, Hungary. The principal cast includes Luke Roberts, Nazneen Contractor, Brandon Jay McLaren and Karen LeBlanc
Ransom is inspired by the professional experiences of crisis negotiator Laurent Combalbert, who, along with his partner, Marwan Mery, are among the top negotiators in the world. They travel the globe to help multinational corporations and government agencies with complex negotiations and conflict resolution. Season 3 follows the world of international crisis and hostage negotiating with Eric Beaumont (Roberts) and his elite team as they save lives when no one else can.
- 7/16/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Check out the Cardinal TV show trailer. The serial killer crime drama thriller, based on the Giles Blunt novels, drops to Hulu on Friday, June 16th. Billy Campbell stars as Detective John Cardinal. You may remember him as a veteran of Syfy's Helix, as well as the oft cancelled and revived AMC/Netflix drama, The Killing. Karine Vanasse co-stars as Detective Lise Delorme, Cardinal's new partner.The Cardinal cast also includes Kristen Thomson, Glen Gould, Deborah Hay, Alden Adair, James Downing, Erick Hicks, and James Thomas. Orphan Black's Aubrey Nealon writes Cardinal and executive produces the Hulu TV series with Sienna Films’ Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny. Read More…...
- 6/7/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Kayti Burt Feb 1, 2017
Saoirse Ronan has been cast in another immigration-themed romance based on a bestselling novel.
Saoirse Ronan is taking on another immigration-themed drama for her next project. According to Deadline, the Irish actress will be starring in Sweetness In The Belly, a film adaptation of the bestselling novel from Camilla Gibb. If Sweetness In The Belly is half as mesmerising as Brooklyn, then this film will be one to anticipate. (Not to mention, immigration is kind of a timely subject right now... you know, even more than it always is.)
Ronan will play Lily Abdal, a woman who was orphaned in Africa as a child only to return to her English homeland as an adult refugee, fleeing from a civil war. Once there, she is caught between the homeland of her birth parents and the home she grew up in. Lily quickly becomes the heart of a London community of disenfranchised immigrants,...
Saoirse Ronan has been cast in another immigration-themed romance based on a bestselling novel.
Saoirse Ronan is taking on another immigration-themed drama for her next project. According to Deadline, the Irish actress will be starring in Sweetness In The Belly, a film adaptation of the bestselling novel from Camilla Gibb. If Sweetness In The Belly is half as mesmerising as Brooklyn, then this film will be one to anticipate. (Not to mention, immigration is kind of a timely subject right now... you know, even more than it always is.)
Ronan will play Lily Abdal, a woman who was orphaned in Africa as a child only to return to her English homeland as an adult refugee, fleeing from a civil war. Once there, she is caught between the homeland of her birth parents and the home she grew up in. Lily quickly becomes the heart of a London community of disenfranchised immigrants,...
- 1/31/2017
- Den of Geek
HanWay to sell film based on the novel by Camilla Gibb.
Brooklyn and The Grand Budapest Hotel star Saoirse Ronan is attached to star in Sweetness In The Belly, adapted from the novel of the same name by Camilla Gibb.
Zeresenay “Zee” Berhane Mehari, whose first feature Difret won the audience award at Sundance in 2014, directs with Laura Phillips writing the screenplay.
Two-time Oscar nominee Ronan stars as a woman who is orphaned at a young age in Africa. Forced to flee her adopted home years later due to civil war, she becomes a refugee in England and works to reunite disenfranchised people with their scattered families. Her motive isn’t just altruistic though, with a passionate lost love affair revealed between Lilly and Aziz, an idealistic doctor.
HanWay Films will handle worldwide sales and will take the package to the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
Sienna Films optioned the novel and developed the screenplay and were...
Brooklyn and The Grand Budapest Hotel star Saoirse Ronan is attached to star in Sweetness In The Belly, adapted from the novel of the same name by Camilla Gibb.
Zeresenay “Zee” Berhane Mehari, whose first feature Difret won the audience award at Sundance in 2014, directs with Laura Phillips writing the screenplay.
Two-time Oscar nominee Ronan stars as a woman who is orphaned at a young age in Africa. Forced to flee her adopted home years later due to civil war, she becomes a refugee in England and works to reunite disenfranchised people with their scattered families. Her motive isn’t just altruistic though, with a passionate lost love affair revealed between Lilly and Aziz, an idealistic doctor.
HanWay Films will handle worldwide sales and will take the package to the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin.
Sienna Films optioned the novel and developed the screenplay and were...
- 1/31/2017
- ScreenDaily
Saoirse Ronan is set to star in the immigrant romance Sweetness in the Belly.
Zeresenay "Zee" Berhane Mehari will direct the adaptation of Camilla Gibb's best-seller, from a screenplay by Laura Phillips. Brooklyn producers Alan Moloney and Susan Mullen of Parallel Films are producing with Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films, who optioned the novel and developed the screenplay. Mehret Mandefro and Adrian Sturges are executive producers. HanWay Films will shop the title to buyers at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival.
The two-time Oscar nominee will play Lilly, who was orphaned in Africa as a child and experiences her parents’ homeland of England for the first...
Zeresenay "Zee" Berhane Mehari will direct the adaptation of Camilla Gibb's best-seller, from a screenplay by Laura Phillips. Brooklyn producers Alan Moloney and Susan Mullen of Parallel Films are producing with Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films, who optioned the novel and developed the screenplay. Mehret Mandefro and Adrian Sturges are executive producers. HanWay Films will shop the title to buyers at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival.
The two-time Oscar nominee will play Lilly, who was orphaned in Africa as a child and experiences her parents’ homeland of England for the first...
- 1/31/2017
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Other Half, a romantic drama starring Tatiana Maslany and Tom Cullen, has gotten a release date in the U.S.
Brainstorm Media will release the feature from writer-director Joey Klein on March 10, both in theaters and on VOD.
The Other Half tracks the relationship of a grief-stricken man (Cullen) and a bipolar woman (Maslany).
JoBro Productions’ Jonathan Bronfman, Motel Pictures’ Nicole Hilliard-Forde and Joey Klein produced the film, with Prodigy Pictures' Jay Firestone executive producing.
Cullen and Maslany also executive produced, along with David Miller, Mark Gingras, John Laing, Hussain Amarshi, Julia Sereny, Jennifer Kawaja and Andra Gordon.
American Entertainment Investors negotiated...
Brainstorm Media will release the feature from writer-director Joey Klein on March 10, both in theaters and on VOD.
The Other Half tracks the relationship of a grief-stricken man (Cullen) and a bipolar woman (Maslany).
JoBro Productions’ Jonathan Bronfman, Motel Pictures’ Nicole Hilliard-Forde and Joey Klein produced the film, with Prodigy Pictures' Jay Firestone executive producing.
Cullen and Maslany also executive produced, along with David Miller, Mark Gingras, John Laing, Hussain Amarshi, Julia Sereny, Jennifer Kawaja and Andra Gordon.
American Entertainment Investors negotiated...
- 1/10/2017
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for September 2016, including "American Gods", "Flatliners", "Taken" and a whole lot more:
Click Here To Register With A Toronto Extras Agent
Alias Grace
Mini Series
Halfire Entertainment
Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson
Dir.: Mary Harron
Aug 15 - Nov 15/16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Dir.: David Slade & Various
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Dir.: Andrew Niccol
Jul 11 - Aug 26/16
Baroness Von Sketch Show
Season 2
TV Series
Bvss 2 Productions Ontario Inc. / Frantic Films
Prod.: Graham Ludlow, Jeff Peeler
Exec.Prod.: Jamie Brown, Carolyn Taylor, Meredith MacNeill, Aurora Browne, Jennifer Whalen
Dir.: Yael Staav
Sep 12 - Oct 28/16
Bruno & Boots II And III
TV Movie (2)
Aircraft Pictures
Prod.: Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen
Dir.: Vivieno Caldinelli
Jul 22 -...
Click Here To Register With A Toronto Extras Agent
Alias Grace
Mini Series
Halfire Entertainment
Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson
Dir.: Mary Harron
Aug 15 - Nov 15/16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Dir.: David Slade & Various
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Dir.: Andrew Niccol
Jul 11 - Aug 26/16
Baroness Von Sketch Show
Season 2
TV Series
Bvss 2 Productions Ontario Inc. / Frantic Films
Prod.: Graham Ludlow, Jeff Peeler
Exec.Prod.: Jamie Brown, Carolyn Taylor, Meredith MacNeill, Aurora Browne, Jennifer Whalen
Dir.: Yael Staav
Sep 12 - Oct 28/16
Bruno & Boots II And III
TV Movie (2)
Aircraft Pictures
Prod.: Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen
Dir.: Vivieno Caldinelli
Jul 22 -...
- 8/24/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for August 2016, including "Taken", "Flatliners", "People Of Earth" and a whole lot more:
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
Alias Grace
Mini Series
Halfire Entertainment
Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson
Dir.: Mary Harron
Aug 15 - Nov 15/16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Dir.: David Slade & Various
Mar. 14 – Sep 30/16
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Dir.: Andrew Niccol
Backstage
Season 2
TV Series
Fresh TV
Prod.: Brian Campbell
Exec. Prod.: Brian Irving,
Lara Azzopardi
Dir.: Mario Azzopardi,
Wendy Morgan, Director X, Rt!,
Warren P. Sonoda, Lara Azzopardi
Jul 5 - Aug 19/16
Bruno & Boots II And III
TV Movie (2)
Aircraft Pictures
Prod.: Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen
Dir.: Vivieno Caldinelli
Jul 22 - Sep 2
Buckout Road
Feature
Buckout Productions Ltd
Prod.
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
Alias Grace
Mini Series
Halfire Entertainment
Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson
Dir.: Mary Harron
Aug 15 - Nov 15/16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Dir.: David Slade & Various
Mar. 14 – Sep 30/16
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Dir.: Andrew Niccol
Backstage
Season 2
TV Series
Fresh TV
Prod.: Brian Campbell
Exec. Prod.: Brian Irving,
Lara Azzopardi
Dir.: Mario Azzopardi,
Wendy Morgan, Director X, Rt!,
Warren P. Sonoda, Lara Azzopardi
Jul 5 - Aug 19/16
Bruno & Boots II And III
TV Movie (2)
Aircraft Pictures
Prod.: Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen
Dir.: Vivieno Caldinelli
Jul 22 - Sep 2
Buckout Road
Feature
Buckout Productions Ltd
Prod.
- 7/25/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for July 2016, including "Alias Grace", "American Gods", "Downsizing" and a whole lot more:
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
Alias Grace
Mini Series
Halfire Entertainment
Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson
Dir.: Mary Harron
Aug 15 - Nov 15/16
Toronto, On
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle/Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Dir.: David Slade & Various
Mar. 14 – Sep 30/16
Toronto, On
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Dir.: Andrew Niccol
Jul 11 - Aug 26/16
Toronto, On
Degrassi: Next Class
TV Series
Dhx-Degrassi Productions XVI inc.
Prods.: Michael Bawcutt
Exec. Prod.: Stephen Stohn,
Linda Schulyer, Sarah Gilinski,
Matt Huether
Dir: various
May 16 - Aug 11/16
Toronto, On
Designated Survivor
Season 1
TV Series
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: David Guggenheim
Dir.: various
July 25 - Nov 30/16
Toronto,...
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
Alias Grace
Mini Series
Halfire Entertainment
Prod.: Sarah Polley, DJ Carson
Dir.: Mary Harron
Aug 15 - Nov 15/16
Toronto, On
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle/Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Dir.: David Slade & Various
Mar. 14 – Sep 30/16
Toronto, On
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Dir.: Andrew Niccol
Jul 11 - Aug 26/16
Toronto, On
Degrassi: Next Class
TV Series
Dhx-Degrassi Productions XVI inc.
Prods.: Michael Bawcutt
Exec. Prod.: Stephen Stohn,
Linda Schulyer, Sarah Gilinski,
Matt Huether
Dir: various
May 16 - Aug 11/16
Toronto, On
Designated Survivor
Season 1
TV Series
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: David Guggenheim
Dir.: various
July 25 - Nov 30/16
Toronto,...
- 6/23/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for June 2016, including "Downsizing", "Flatliners:, "It" and a whole lot more:
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Executive Producers: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gothic
TV Series
Amblin /CBS Studios
Feb 29 - Jul 1/16
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Jul 11 - Aug 26 / 16
Blood And Water
TV Series
Wu Project Productions Inc.
Prod: Paula Smith, Audrey Velichka
May 9 – Jun 2 / 16
Degrassi: Next Class
TV Series
Dhx-Degrassi Productions XVI inc.
Prods.: Michael Bawcutt
Exec. Prod.: Stephen Stohn,
Linda Schulyer, Sarah Gilinski,
Matt Huether
May 16 - Aug 11 / 16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Mar.
Click Here To List With A Toronto Agent
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Executive Producers: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle / Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gothic
TV Series
Amblin /CBS Studios
Feb 29 - Jul 1/16
Anon
Feature
Anon Film Prods. Canada Inc.
Prod.: Dan Bekerman
Jul 11 - Aug 26 / 16
Blood And Water
TV Series
Wu Project Productions Inc.
Prod: Paula Smith, Audrey Velichka
May 9 – Jun 2 / 16
Degrassi: Next Class
TV Series
Dhx-Degrassi Productions XVI inc.
Prods.: Michael Bawcutt
Exec. Prod.: Stephen Stohn,
Linda Schulyer, Sarah Gilinski,
Matt Huether
May 16 - Aug 11 / 16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: Amy Harris,
David Guggenheim
Mar.
- 5/27/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Thanks to TorontoFilm.Net, here is the Toronto Film Production Update for April 2016, including "Taken", "Rocky Horror Picture Show", "XXX 3" and a whole lot more:
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle /Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gothic
TV Series
Amblin /CBS Studios
Prods.: Frank Siracusa, John Weber
Feb 29 - Jul 1/16
Cardinal
Mini Series
Sienna Films Inc.
Prod: Jessica Daniel
Exec. Prod.: Jennifer Kawaja,
Julia Sereny
Co Producers: Elise Cousineau, Andrea Glinski
Feb 11 - Apr 21/16
Dark Matter Season 2
TV Series
Prod: Norman Denver
Exec. Prod.: Jay Firestone,
Vanessa Piazza, Joseph Mallozzi
Dec 9/15 - May 9/16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: Amy Harris, David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: Amy Harris, David Guggenheim
Mar. 7 - Oct. 21/16
Downsizing
Feature
Paramount /
Mega Omaha Films Inc.
Prods.: Mark Johnson, James Burk, James Taylor
Exec. Prod.: Diana Pokorny
Apr. 12 - Jul 11/16
Eyewitness...
American Gods
TV Series
Fremantle /Starz Network
Exec. Prod.: Bryan Fuller,
Michael Green, Neil Gaiman
Mar. 14 – Sep 30 /16
American Gothic
TV Series
Amblin /CBS Studios
Prods.: Frank Siracusa, John Weber
Feb 29 - Jul 1/16
Cardinal
Mini Series
Sienna Films Inc.
Prod: Jessica Daniel
Exec. Prod.: Jennifer Kawaja,
Julia Sereny
Co Producers: Elise Cousineau, Andrea Glinski
Feb 11 - Apr 21/16
Dark Matter Season 2
TV Series
Prod: Norman Denver
Exec. Prod.: Jay Firestone,
Vanessa Piazza, Joseph Mallozzi
Dec 9/15 - May 9/16
Designated Survivor
TV Pilot
Designated 1 Ltd.
Prod.: Amy Harris, David Guggenheim
Exec. Prod.: Amy Harris, David Guggenheim
Mar. 7 - Oct. 21/16
Downsizing
Feature
Paramount /
Mega Omaha Films Inc.
Prods.: Mark Johnson, James Burk, James Taylor
Exec. Prod.: Diana Pokorny
Apr. 12 - Jul 11/16
Eyewitness...
- 3/25/2016
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Antonio Banderas is set to play the lead in premium cabler Starz's new drama series "Havana Quartet" which eOne will produce and distribute worldwide.
Based on the popular noir-tinged novel series by Leonardo Padura, Banderas will play a hard-drinking, romantic Cuban Police Detective named Mario Conde who longs to be a writer but settled for a job as a detective. It sis
Eduardo Machado ("Magic City") will pen the pilot and serve as executive producer alongside Banderas, Peter Nadermann, Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny.
Source: Variety...
Based on the popular noir-tinged novel series by Leonardo Padura, Banderas will play a hard-drinking, romantic Cuban Police Detective named Mario Conde who longs to be a writer but settled for a job as a detective. It sis
Eduardo Machado ("Magic City") will pen the pilot and serve as executive producer alongside Banderas, Peter Nadermann, Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny.
Source: Variety...
- 7/31/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Film is based on the final novel from Canadian author Carol Shields and stars Catherine Keener.
Principal photography has commenced on Unless in Toronto.
Based on the award-winning and final novel from Canadian author Carol Shields, the film stars Catherine Keener and was adapted for the screen by Alan Gilsenan, who will also direct.
Unless is a Canada-Ireland co-production, produced by Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films and Tristan Orpen Lynch and Aoife O’Sullivan of Subotica.
Gilsenan commented: “Carol Shields’ Unless is her surprising, moving and angry swan-song, a book both for our time and very much of our time. It is a real honour and delight to be finally bringing it to the cinema screen with such an extraordinary cast.”
Matt Craven, Hannah Gross, Chloe Rose, Abigail Winter, Martha Henry and Hanna Schygulla also star.
Unless centres on writer and translator Reta Winters (Keener) whose life is rocked when her eldest daugher Norah (Gross...
Principal photography has commenced on Unless in Toronto.
Based on the award-winning and final novel from Canadian author Carol Shields, the film stars Catherine Keener and was adapted for the screen by Alan Gilsenan, who will also direct.
Unless is a Canada-Ireland co-production, produced by Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny of Sienna Films and Tristan Orpen Lynch and Aoife O’Sullivan of Subotica.
Gilsenan commented: “Carol Shields’ Unless is her surprising, moving and angry swan-song, a book both for our time and very much of our time. It is a real honour and delight to be finally bringing it to the cinema screen with such an extraordinary cast.”
Matt Craven, Hannah Gross, Chloe Rose, Abigail Winter, Martha Henry and Hanna Schygulla also star.
Unless centres on writer and translator Reta Winters (Keener) whose life is rocked when her eldest daugher Norah (Gross...
- 3/16/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Here's how short fantasy film The Portal, starring Tahmoh Penikett, was turned into TV series Riftworld Chronicles...
A not so very long time ago, in this galaxy, in those geeky communities where the card-carrying members of the geek clubs congregate, a trailer was making its rounds for a certain short film. Entitled The Portal,” it starred Tahmoh Penikett (of Supernatural and Battlestar Galactica fame, thus upping the geek factor some more) and promised an intriguing premise: the dimension-travelling wizard Alar (played by the aforementioned Penikett) accidentally ends up in our magic-less, technology-full world, and attempts to navigate it. Hilarity, naturally, ensues. Fans watched the trailer, shared, liked, commented, and demanded, when do we get to see the damn thing?
Tempers grew. Frustrated keysmashes occurred. The question was repeated again and again. Supernatural aired some more episodes with Penikett, and everyone wanted to see the charming and adorably clueless Alar battle...
A not so very long time ago, in this galaxy, in those geeky communities where the card-carrying members of the geek clubs congregate, a trailer was making its rounds for a certain short film. Entitled The Portal,” it starred Tahmoh Penikett (of Supernatural and Battlestar Galactica fame, thus upping the geek factor some more) and promised an intriguing premise: the dimension-travelling wizard Alar (played by the aforementioned Penikett) accidentally ends up in our magic-less, technology-full world, and attempts to navigate it. Hilarity, naturally, ensues. Fans watched the trailer, shared, liked, commented, and demanded, when do we get to see the damn thing?
Tempers grew. Frustrated keysmashes occurred. The question was repeated again and again. Supernatural aired some more episodes with Penikett, and everyone wanted to see the charming and adorably clueless Alar battle...
- 3/2/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Forty Canadian and international producers will head to the Ontario Media Development Corporation’s annual International Financing Forum in Toronto.Scroll down for full list of projects
The ninth-annual International Financing Forum (Iff), a feature co-financing market for English-language projects, will run Sept 7-8 during Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 4-14).
The two-day event includes one-on-one meetings, an industry panel discussion, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon, and a producers’ opening night networking reception.
Iff partners include Telefilm Canada, UK Trade and Investment (Ukti), and Toronto Film Commission & Entertainment Industries.
Among this year’s international projects are:
The Lunchbox producer Guneet Monga with sci-fi drama Punha, starring Kanal Nayyar of The Big Bang Theory;
Land Ho! producers Mynette Louie and Sara Murphy reteaming with director Aaron Katz on Settlers;
former Screen International Future Leader Sol Bondy of Germany’s One Two Films with Us-based Jennifer Fox with her thriller The Tale to star Laura Dern, Ellen Burstyn and [link...
The ninth-annual International Financing Forum (Iff), a feature co-financing market for English-language projects, will run Sept 7-8 during Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 4-14).
The two-day event includes one-on-one meetings, an industry panel discussion, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon, and a producers’ opening night networking reception.
Iff partners include Telefilm Canada, UK Trade and Investment (Ukti), and Toronto Film Commission & Entertainment Industries.
Among this year’s international projects are:
The Lunchbox producer Guneet Monga with sci-fi drama Punha, starring Kanal Nayyar of The Big Bang Theory;
Land Ho! producers Mynette Louie and Sara Murphy reteaming with director Aaron Katz on Settlers;
former Screen International Future Leader Sol Bondy of Germany’s One Two Films with Us-based Jennifer Fox with her thriller The Tale to star Laura Dern, Ellen Burstyn and [link...
- 8/26/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Denis Villeneuve will have two films in the festival as it emerged that Canadian Features world premiere Enemy starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a man and his doppelganger [pictured] has joined the previously announced Prisoners, also starring Gyllenhaal.
The Canadian Features selection includes Michael Dowse’s Goon follow-up The F Word, Xavier Dolan’s Tom At The Farm and Chloe Robichaud’s Sarah Prefers To Run as well as work from Jeff Barnaby, Bruce McDonald and Bruce Labruce. Also receiving its world premiere is All The Wrong Reasons featuring the final performance by the late Glee star Cory Monteith.
Festival organisers also unveiled Producers Lab Toronto participants and Telefilm Canada Pitch This! finallists, the shorts programme and participants in the tenth Tiff Talent Lab.
“The scope of this year’s feature films is as broad as Canada’s filmmaking community and demonstrates the deep versatility of our filmmakers,” said Tiff senior programmer Steve Gravestock. “From clever...
The Canadian Features selection includes Michael Dowse’s Goon follow-up The F Word, Xavier Dolan’s Tom At The Farm and Chloe Robichaud’s Sarah Prefers To Run as well as work from Jeff Barnaby, Bruce McDonald and Bruce Labruce. Also receiving its world premiere is All The Wrong Reasons featuring the final performance by the late Glee star Cory Monteith.
Festival organisers also unveiled Producers Lab Toronto participants and Telefilm Canada Pitch This! finallists, the shorts programme and participants in the tenth Tiff Talent Lab.
“The scope of this year’s feature films is as broad as Canada’s filmmaking community and demonstrates the deep versatility of our filmmakers,” said Tiff senior programmer Steve Gravestock. “From clever...
- 8/7/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Denis Villeneuve will have two films in the festival as it emerged on Wednesday [7] that Canadian Features world premiere Enemy starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a man and his doppelganger [pictured] has joined the previously announced Prisoners, also starring Gyllenhaal.
The Canadian Features selection includes Michael Dowse’s Goon follow-up The F Word, Xavier Dolan’s Tom At The Farm and Chloe Robichaud’s Sarah Prefers To Run as well as work from Jeff Barnaby, Bruce McDonald and Bruce Labruce.
“The scope of this year’s feature films is as broad as Canada’s filmmaking community and demonstrates the deep versatility of our filmmakers,” said Tiff senior programmer Steve Gravestock. “From clever, biting satire to intimate social commentary, powerful dramas and even a truly magical comedy, the settings and themes vary, but the perspectives are always uniquely Canadian.”
The City Of Toronto and Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film will be given to one of many outstanding...
The Canadian Features selection includes Michael Dowse’s Goon follow-up The F Word, Xavier Dolan’s Tom At The Farm and Chloe Robichaud’s Sarah Prefers To Run as well as work from Jeff Barnaby, Bruce McDonald and Bruce Labruce.
“The scope of this year’s feature films is as broad as Canada’s filmmaking community and demonstrates the deep versatility of our filmmakers,” said Tiff senior programmer Steve Gravestock. “From clever, biting satire to intimate social commentary, powerful dramas and even a truly magical comedy, the settings and themes vary, but the perspectives are always uniquely Canadian.”
The City Of Toronto and Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film will be given to one of many outstanding...
- 8/7/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
ABC has announced the original programming it will be featuring during the summer of 2011. If you're a fan of reality TV, you're in luck, because the alphabet has new episodes of Wipeout, Bachelor Pad, and The Bachelorette coming down the pipeline, as well as a new show about karaoke, two Amazing Race-ish challenge shows, a new Extreme Makeover spinoff, and a game show built around people exiting a game show. Joining the mostly unscripted line-up, which can be found on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will be the second season of Rookie Blue and military hospital drama The Hot Zone.
There is no word yet on what reruns ABC will be airing or what canceled shows they'll be burning off, but until then, you can check out the press release below that gives detailed descriptions of each show as well as premiere dates/times.
What will you be watching this summer on ABC?...
There is no word yet on what reruns ABC will be airing or what canceled shows they'll be burning off, but until then, you can check out the press release below that gives detailed descriptions of each show as well as premiere dates/times.
What will you be watching this summer on ABC?...
- 3/25/2011
- by Shilo Adams
- TVovermind.com
Shaw Media reports that production on Global Television’s new, medical drama "The Hot Zone" (aka "Combat Hospital") has started shooting in Toronto. Commissioned by Global’s original content team and picked up by ABC in the Us, the 13 x 1 hour-episode series will lense in Toronto to July 2011.
"...'The Hot Zone' is a fictional medical procedural set in 2006 at the only military hospital providing advanced surgical care in all of Southern Afghanistan. The series charts the frantic lives of the hospital’s resident doctors and nurses from Canada, America, the U.K. and other allied countries. This highly-charged series follows the characters as they navigate their way through the relentless life-and-death battles on the operating table, and the never-ending conflicts that arise from working in a war zone military hospital..."
Cast includes Elias Koteas as 'Colonel Marks', Michelle Borth as Canadian surgeon 'Dr. Rebecca Gordon', Luke Mably as neurosurgeon 'Dr.
"...'The Hot Zone' is a fictional medical procedural set in 2006 at the only military hospital providing advanced surgical care in all of Southern Afghanistan. The series charts the frantic lives of the hospital’s resident doctors and nurses from Canada, America, the U.K. and other allied countries. This highly-charged series follows the characters as they navigate their way through the relentless life-and-death battles on the operating table, and the never-ending conflicts that arise from working in a war zone military hospital..."
Cast includes Elias Koteas as 'Colonel Marks', Michelle Borth as Canadian surgeon 'Dr. Rebecca Gordon', Luke Mably as neurosurgeon 'Dr.
- 3/15/2011
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Corus Entertainment announced the identity of its Corus Made with Pay Fund recipients. Of course, the recepients in question are actually 34 upcoming Canadian films.
By reading the press release, we can come to the conclusion that the high-profile upcoming films among the 34 recipients are:
King Leary, the novel from acclaimed screenwriter and author Paul Quarrington and Verite Films Inc., which follows the final adventure of old-timer Percival Leary, a one-time hockey legend, as he heads to Toronto to become the face of a marketing campaign. Quarrington’s previous works include Galveston, which was nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Whale Music, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 1989 and King Leary, winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal.Author and screenwriter Miriam Toews’ The Flying Troutmans brings her hilarious and heartwarming novel about a family’s road trip across Canada to life in collaboration with screenwriter Semi Chellas...
By reading the press release, we can come to the conclusion that the high-profile upcoming films among the 34 recipients are:
King Leary, the novel from acclaimed screenwriter and author Paul Quarrington and Verite Films Inc., which follows the final adventure of old-timer Percival Leary, a one-time hockey legend, as he heads to Toronto to become the face of a marketing campaign. Quarrington’s previous works include Galveston, which was nominated for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Whale Music, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 1989 and King Leary, winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal.Author and screenwriter Miriam Toews’ The Flying Troutmans brings her hilarious and heartwarming novel about a family’s road trip across Canada to life in collaboration with screenwriter Semi Chellas...
- 12/24/2009
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
More Afm news
Myriad Pictures, which first offered the psychological thriller "Cry of the Owl" for presale at the 2007 Cannes Film Market, plans to release the film itself in U.S. theaters this fall.
Written and directed by Jamie Thraves and based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith, "Owl" stars Julia Stiles as a woman being stalked by a man, played by Paddy Considine.
Paramount Home Entertainment will release "Owl" on DVD, VOD and PPV, and Myriad will handle the pay TV and other markets in the U.S.
Myriad took a similar tact last year when it released the Dario Argento horror-thriller "Mother of Tears" to U.S. theaters.
"We decided to try to be more proactive and in control of the U.S. exploitation of our titles which we hope will also benefit our producers," Myriad president and CEO Kirk D'Amico said. "Our U.S. distribution model allows...
Myriad Pictures, which first offered the psychological thriller "Cry of the Owl" for presale at the 2007 Cannes Film Market, plans to release the film itself in U.S. theaters this fall.
Written and directed by Jamie Thraves and based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith, "Owl" stars Julia Stiles as a woman being stalked by a man, played by Paddy Considine.
Paramount Home Entertainment will release "Owl" on DVD, VOD and PPV, and Myriad will handle the pay TV and other markets in the U.S.
Myriad took a similar tact last year when it released the Dario Argento horror-thriller "Mother of Tears" to U.S. theaters.
"We decided to try to be more proactive and in control of the U.S. exploitation of our titles which we hope will also benefit our producers," Myriad president and CEO Kirk D'Amico said. "Our U.S. distribution model allows...
- 11/5/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Arriving almost exactly one year after the surprise boxoffice hit "Stomp the Yard" is this grittier, Canadian-made drama also showcasing the exhilarating urban dance form.
Considering that it features the sort of cliched story line that wouldn't have been out of place in an Andy Hardy movie, "How She Move" doesn't exactly break any new ground. But the terrific dance numbers on display should please its teenage target audience.
Set in the gritty Jane-Finch Corridor of Toronto, the film depicts the travails of young Raya Green (Rutina Wesley), the daughter of hard-working Jamaican immigrants. It looked like Raya, a terrific dancer as well as brilliant student, was on the fast track out of the ghetto, thanks to her acceptance into an exclusive prep school. But when her sister dies of a drug overdose, she's forced to return to the public school in her own neighborhood where she started her education.
But she thinks she's found a way back out in the form of a dance competition featuring a major cash payoff. She persuades the members of the all-male "Jane Street Junta" to allow her to join their dance outfit led by the charismatic Bishop (Dwain Murphy). It isn't long before sparks fly between the two, as Raya dazzles him and the other boys in the group with her aggressive dance moves. But her determination to succeed at any cost drives a wedge between her and her fellow troupe members, and Raya ultimately has to decide where her true loyalties lie.
Annmarie Morais' semi-autobiographical script admirably attempts to inject thoughtful sociological ideas into the mix, displaying a thematic complexity uncommon to such teen-oriented genre efforts. But the strength of the film ultimately comes less from the dramatic elements than the highly energetic dance numbers choreographed by Hi Hat that, while not photographed to their best advantage, nonetheless manage to be thrilling.
Director Ian Iqbal Rashid, using mainly 16mm hand-held photography, applies an interestingly gritty touch to the proceedings. Young Wesley displays an intense charisma and powerful moves in the central role, while Melanie Nicholls-King is deeply moving as Raya's concerned Mom.
HOW SHE MOVE
Paramount Vantage
MTV Films
Credits:
Director: Ian Iqbal Rashid
Screenwriter: Annmarie Morais
Producers: Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny, Brent Barclay
Director of photography: Andre Pienaar
Production designer: Aidan Leroux
Music: Andrew Lockington
Co-producer: Claire Prieto
Costume designer: Kimberley Ann Rush
Editor: Susan Maggi
Cast:
Raya Green: Rutina Wesley
Bishop: Dwain Murphy
Michelle: Tre Armstrong
Quake: Brennan Gademans
Trey: Shawn Desman
E. C.: Kevin Duhaney
Faye Green: Melanie Nicholls-King
Running time -- 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Considering that it features the sort of cliched story line that wouldn't have been out of place in an Andy Hardy movie, "How She Move" doesn't exactly break any new ground. But the terrific dance numbers on display should please its teenage target audience.
Set in the gritty Jane-Finch Corridor of Toronto, the film depicts the travails of young Raya Green (Rutina Wesley), the daughter of hard-working Jamaican immigrants. It looked like Raya, a terrific dancer as well as brilliant student, was on the fast track out of the ghetto, thanks to her acceptance into an exclusive prep school. But when her sister dies of a drug overdose, she's forced to return to the public school in her own neighborhood where she started her education.
But she thinks she's found a way back out in the form of a dance competition featuring a major cash payoff. She persuades the members of the all-male "Jane Street Junta" to allow her to join their dance outfit led by the charismatic Bishop (Dwain Murphy). It isn't long before sparks fly between the two, as Raya dazzles him and the other boys in the group with her aggressive dance moves. But her determination to succeed at any cost drives a wedge between her and her fellow troupe members, and Raya ultimately has to decide where her true loyalties lie.
Annmarie Morais' semi-autobiographical script admirably attempts to inject thoughtful sociological ideas into the mix, displaying a thematic complexity uncommon to such teen-oriented genre efforts. But the strength of the film ultimately comes less from the dramatic elements than the highly energetic dance numbers choreographed by Hi Hat that, while not photographed to their best advantage, nonetheless manage to be thrilling.
Director Ian Iqbal Rashid, using mainly 16mm hand-held photography, applies an interestingly gritty touch to the proceedings. Young Wesley displays an intense charisma and powerful moves in the central role, while Melanie Nicholls-King is deeply moving as Raya's concerned Mom.
HOW SHE MOVE
Paramount Vantage
MTV Films
Credits:
Director: Ian Iqbal Rashid
Screenwriter: Annmarie Morais
Producers: Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny, Brent Barclay
Director of photography: Andre Pienaar
Production designer: Aidan Leroux
Music: Andrew Lockington
Co-producer: Claire Prieto
Costume designer: Kimberley Ann Rush
Editor: Susan Maggi
Cast:
Raya Green: Rutina Wesley
Bishop: Dwain Murphy
Michelle: Tre Armstrong
Quake: Brennan Gademans
Trey: Shawn Desman
E. C.: Kevin Duhaney
Faye Green: Melanie Nicholls-King
Running time -- 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 1/25/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Arriving almost exactly one year after the surprise boxoffice hit Stomp the Yard is this grittier, Canadian-made drama also showcasing the exhilarating urban dance form.
Considering that it features the sort of cliched story line that wouldn't have been out of place in an Andy Hardy movie, How She Move doesn't exactly break any new ground. But the terrific dance numbers on display should please its teenage target audience.
Set in the gritty Jane-Finch Corridor of Toronto, the film depicts the travails of young Raya Green (Rutina Wesley), the daughter of hard-working Jamaican immigrants. It looked like Raya, a terrific dancer as well as brilliant student, was on the fast track out of the ghetto, thanks to her acceptance into an exclusive prep school. But when her sister dies of a drug overdose, she's forced to return to the public school in her own neighborhood where she started her education.
But she thinks she's found a way back out in the form of a dance competition featuring a major cash payoff. She persuades the members of the all-male Jane Street Junta to allow her to join their dance outfit led by the charismatic Bishop (Dwain Murphy). It isn't long before sparks fly between the two, as Raya dazzles him and the other boys in the group with her aggressive dance moves. But her determination to succeed at any cost drives a wedge between her and her fellow troupe members, and Raya ultimately has to decide where her true loyalties lie.
Annmarie Morais' semi-autobiographical script admirably attempts to inject thoughtful sociological ideas into the mix, displaying a thematic complexity uncommon to such teen-oriented genre efforts. But the strength of the film ultimately comes less from the dramatic elements than the highly energetic dance numbers choreographed by Hi Hat that, while not photographed to their best advantage, nonetheless manage to be thrilling.
Director Ian Iqbal Rashid, using mainly 16mm hand-held photography, applies an interestingly gritty touch to the proceedings. Young Wesley displays an intense charisma and powerful moves in the central role, while Melanie Nicholls-King is deeply moving as Raya's concerned Mom.
HOW SHE MOVE
Paramount Vantage
MTV Films
Credits:
Director: Ian Iqbal Rashid
Screenwriter: Annmarie Morais
Producers: Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny, Brent Barclay
Director of photography: Andre Pienaar
Production designer: Aidan Leroux
Music: Andrew Lockington
Co-producer: Claire Prieto
Costume designer: Kimberley Ann Rush
Editor: Susan Maggi
Cast:
Raya Green: Rutina Wesley
Bishop: Dwain Murphy
Michelle: Tre Armstrong
Quake: Brennan Gademans
Trey: Shawn Desman
E. C.: Kevin Duhaney
Faye Green: Melanie Nicholls-King
Running time -- 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Considering that it features the sort of cliched story line that wouldn't have been out of place in an Andy Hardy movie, How She Move doesn't exactly break any new ground. But the terrific dance numbers on display should please its teenage target audience.
Set in the gritty Jane-Finch Corridor of Toronto, the film depicts the travails of young Raya Green (Rutina Wesley), the daughter of hard-working Jamaican immigrants. It looked like Raya, a terrific dancer as well as brilliant student, was on the fast track out of the ghetto, thanks to her acceptance into an exclusive prep school. But when her sister dies of a drug overdose, she's forced to return to the public school in her own neighborhood where she started her education.
But she thinks she's found a way back out in the form of a dance competition featuring a major cash payoff. She persuades the members of the all-male Jane Street Junta to allow her to join their dance outfit led by the charismatic Bishop (Dwain Murphy). It isn't long before sparks fly between the two, as Raya dazzles him and the other boys in the group with her aggressive dance moves. But her determination to succeed at any cost drives a wedge between her and her fellow troupe members, and Raya ultimately has to decide where her true loyalties lie.
Annmarie Morais' semi-autobiographical script admirably attempts to inject thoughtful sociological ideas into the mix, displaying a thematic complexity uncommon to such teen-oriented genre efforts. But the strength of the film ultimately comes less from the dramatic elements than the highly energetic dance numbers choreographed by Hi Hat that, while not photographed to their best advantage, nonetheless manage to be thrilling.
Director Ian Iqbal Rashid, using mainly 16mm hand-held photography, applies an interestingly gritty touch to the proceedings. Young Wesley displays an intense charisma and powerful moves in the central role, while Melanie Nicholls-King is deeply moving as Raya's concerned Mom.
HOW SHE MOVE
Paramount Vantage
MTV Films
Credits:
Director: Ian Iqbal Rashid
Screenwriter: Annmarie Morais
Producers: Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny, Brent Barclay
Director of photography: Andre Pienaar
Production designer: Aidan Leroux
Music: Andrew Lockington
Co-producer: Claire Prieto
Costume designer: Kimberley Ann Rush
Editor: Susan Maggi
Cast:
Raya Green: Rutina Wesley
Bishop: Dwain Murphy
Michelle: Tre Armstrong
Quake: Brennan Gademans
Trey: Shawn Desman
E. C.: Kevin Duhaney
Faye Green: Melanie Nicholls-King
Running time -- 90 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 1/25/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY -- As the unexpectedly insane buying frenzy at the Sundance festival was reaching a fever pitch, Paramount Vantage seemed to be staying out of the spotlight. That all changed Tuesday morning when the studio announced that it has acquired two films, How She Move for $3-4 million and Son of Rambow, the fest's biggest buy so far at $7 million.
Each hefty purchase was notable because neither film features any big or even recognizable actors. How She Move, an urban drama centered in the world of step dancing, closed early Tuesday morning after an all-night bidding war that attracted several specialty divisions. Vantage picked up virtually all worldwide rights to the film from director Ian Iqbal Rashid and first-time feature screenwriter Annmarie Morais.
Move, an entry in the World Cinema dramatic competition, was produced by Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny and Brent Barclay. UTA and Celluloid Dreams represented the project in the sale.
Vantage also picked up worldwide rights (excluding Japan, Germany and French free tv) to Son of Rambow, an 80s-era tale of young friends inspired to become filmmakers by their favorite Sylvester Stallone movie.
Each hefty purchase was notable because neither film features any big or even recognizable actors. How She Move, an urban drama centered in the world of step dancing, closed early Tuesday morning after an all-night bidding war that attracted several specialty divisions. Vantage picked up virtually all worldwide rights to the film from director Ian Iqbal Rashid and first-time feature screenwriter Annmarie Morais.
Move, an entry in the World Cinema dramatic competition, was produced by Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny and Brent Barclay. UTA and Celluloid Dreams represented the project in the sale.
Vantage also picked up worldwide rights (excluding Japan, Germany and French free tv) to Son of Rambow, an 80s-era tale of young friends inspired to become filmmakers by their favorite Sylvester Stallone movie.
- 1/24/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY -- As the unexpectedly insane buying frenzy at the Sundance festival was reaching a fever pitch, Paramount Vantage seemed to be staying out of the spotlight. That all changed Tuesday morning when the studio announced that it has acquired two films, "How She Move" for $3-4 million and "Son of Rambow", the fest's biggest buy so far at $7 million.
Each hefty purchase was notable because neither film features any big or even recognizable actors. "How She Move", an urban drama centered in the world of step dancing, closed early Tuesday morning after an all-night bidding war that attracted several specialty divisions. Vantage picked up virtually all worldwide rights to the film from director Ian Iqbal Rashid and first-time feature screenwriter Annmarie Morais.
"Move", an entry in the World Cinema dramatic competition, was produced by Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny and Brent Barclay. UTA and Celluloid Dreams represented the project in the sale.
Vantage also picked up worldwide rights (excluding Japan, Germany and French free tv) to "Son of Rambow", an 80s-era tale of young friends inspired to become filmmakers by their favorite Sylvester Stallone movie.
Each hefty purchase was notable because neither film features any big or even recognizable actors. "How She Move", an urban drama centered in the world of step dancing, closed early Tuesday morning after an all-night bidding war that attracted several specialty divisions. Vantage picked up virtually all worldwide rights to the film from director Ian Iqbal Rashid and first-time feature screenwriter Annmarie Morais.
"Move", an entry in the World Cinema dramatic competition, was produced by Jennifer Kawaja, Julia Sereny and Brent Barclay. UTA and Celluloid Dreams represented the project in the sale.
Vantage also picked up worldwide rights (excluding Japan, Germany and French free tv) to "Son of Rambow", an 80s-era tale of young friends inspired to become filmmakers by their favorite Sylvester Stallone movie.
- 1/23/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedic Jabs Rarely Land in Overly Cute 'Waterford' / Canadian film can't overcome the improbable
Quirkiness is a commodity in film comedies that should be doled out sparingly; perhaps the ratings board, besides evaluating material for violence and sexual explicitness, could monitor films for being excessively cutesy.
The group would certainly have their hands full with this new Canadian comedy, set in the coal mining town of New Waterford in Canada's Cape Breton, but which might as well take place in Oz. "New Waterford Girl" is receiving its U.S. theatrical premiere at New York's Film Forum.
Tricia Fish's supposedly autobiographical screenplay (another syndrome that should be carefuly restricted) is set in the mid-1970s and concerns the travails of the title character, Mooney Pottie (Liane Balaban), a 15-year-old desperate to break free of her constrained existence and move to a cosmopolitan city like New York. Her dreams are encouraged by her sympathetic and highly eccentric teacher (Andrew McCarthy), who lives in a trailer perched at the edge of a cliff.
Mooney, not exactly popular with the other kids, finds companionship in the form of the toyboyish Lou (Tara Spencer-Nairn), the new girl in town, a refugee from the Bronx who has arrived with her mother (Cathy Moriarty), a Latin dance instructor and the wife of a boxer who was jailed for killing an opponent (Jake LaMotta, perhaps?). Lou has inherited her father's pugilistic abilities, but she employs her skills to odd effect; she punches out various boys in town and evaluates their morality by whether or not they hit the ground. She also suggests a solution to Mooney's problem: namely to spread the false rumor that she's pregnant, so she can be sent away from the heavily Catholic town in disgrace. Needless to say, wacky complications ensue.
The film is far too precious for its own good, and the jokes and situations are not nearly funny enough to compensate for the material's improbabilities. Still, there are moments of charm, mostly provided by Balaban's refreshingly unaffected performance in the central role.
NEW WATERFORD GIRL
Alliance-Atlantis
Credits: Director: Allan Moyle; Screenwriter-associate producer: Tricia Fish; Producers: Julia Sereny, Jennifer Kawaja; Executive producer: Christopher Zimmer; Director of photography: Derek Rogers; Production designer: Emanuel Jannasch. Cast: Mooney Pottie: Liane Balaban; Lou Benoza: Tara Spencer-Nairn; Francis Pottie: Nicholas Campbell; Cookie Pottie: Mary Walsh; Cecil Sweeney: Andrew McCarthy; Midge Benoza: Cathy Moriarty. No MPAA rating. Running time - 97 minutes. Color/stereo.
Quirkiness is a commodity in film comedies that should be doled out sparingly; perhaps the ratings board, besides evaluating material for violence and sexual explicitness, could monitor films for being excessively cutesy.
The group would certainly have their hands full with this new Canadian comedy, set in the coal mining town of New Waterford in Canada's Cape Breton, but which might as well take place in Oz. "New Waterford Girl" is receiving its U.S. theatrical premiere at New York's Film Forum.
Tricia Fish's supposedly autobiographical screenplay (another syndrome that should be carefuly restricted) is set in the mid-1970s and concerns the travails of the title character, Mooney Pottie (Liane Balaban), a 15-year-old desperate to break free of her constrained existence and move to a cosmopolitan city like New York. Her dreams are encouraged by her sympathetic and highly eccentric teacher (Andrew McCarthy), who lives in a trailer perched at the edge of a cliff.
Mooney, not exactly popular with the other kids, finds companionship in the form of the toyboyish Lou (Tara Spencer-Nairn), the new girl in town, a refugee from the Bronx who has arrived with her mother (Cathy Moriarty), a Latin dance instructor and the wife of a boxer who was jailed for killing an opponent (Jake LaMotta, perhaps?). Lou has inherited her father's pugilistic abilities, but she employs her skills to odd effect; she punches out various boys in town and evaluates their morality by whether or not they hit the ground. She also suggests a solution to Mooney's problem: namely to spread the false rumor that she's pregnant, so she can be sent away from the heavily Catholic town in disgrace. Needless to say, wacky complications ensue.
The film is far too precious for its own good, and the jokes and situations are not nearly funny enough to compensate for the material's improbabilities. Still, there are moments of charm, mostly provided by Balaban's refreshingly unaffected performance in the central role.
NEW WATERFORD GIRL
Alliance-Atlantis
Credits: Director: Allan Moyle; Screenwriter-associate producer: Tricia Fish; Producers: Julia Sereny, Jennifer Kawaja; Executive producer: Christopher Zimmer; Director of photography: Derek Rogers; Production designer: Emanuel Jannasch. Cast: Mooney Pottie: Liane Balaban; Lou Benoza: Tara Spencer-Nairn; Francis Pottie: Nicholas Campbell; Cookie Pottie: Mary Walsh; Cecil Sweeney: Andrew McCarthy; Midge Benoza: Cathy Moriarty. No MPAA rating. Running time - 97 minutes. Color/stereo.
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