The specialty market had a Shah Rukh Khan-nice weekend as Yash Raj Films’ Jawan pulled in an estimated $6.2 million in 813 theaters — a per-theater average $7.6k — taking the no. 4 spot at the North American box office. That’s a $7.56 million cume for the Bollywood action thriller including Thursday shows.
Srk plays a man facing down a villanous foe as he sets out to rectify the wrongs of society, driven by a personal vendetta, and a promise made years ago. Directed by Atlee Kumar, it also stars Nayanthara, Deepika Padukone, Vijay Sethupathi, Sunil Grover and Sanya Malhotra. The film by Red Chillies Entertainment is playing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions, each with English subtitles, in all top U.S. markets, including some Imax screens.
Expansion: Notably, Bottoms from MGM, rounded out the top 10 (at no.
Srk plays a man facing down a villanous foe as he sets out to rectify the wrongs of society, driven by a personal vendetta, and a promise made years ago. Directed by Atlee Kumar, it also stars Nayanthara, Deepika Padukone, Vijay Sethupathi, Sunil Grover and Sanya Malhotra. The film by Red Chillies Entertainment is playing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions, each with English subtitles, in all top U.S. markets, including some Imax screens.
Expansion: Notably, Bottoms from MGM, rounded out the top 10 (at no.
- 9/10/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” director Aitch Alberto became emotional talking about the the title characters’ first kiss, which makes for a tense scene in Aristotle’s (Max Pelayo) red pickup truck.
The film, based on the young adult Pen/Faulkner prize-winning novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, tells the eventual love story of two young boys. Aristotle, who goes by Ari, meets Dante (Reese Gonzales) one summer day at the pool. What starts as swimming lessons becomes a fast friendship, which eventually leads to more between the two young Mexican boys from El Paso, Texas.
The friendship faces its first obstacle when Dante and his parents, Sam and Soledad Quintana, move away to Chicago so Sam can take a visiting professorship at the University of Chicago. The Quintanas eventually return to El Paso, and in the period between the move and the joyful reunion between the boys,...
The film, based on the young adult Pen/Faulkner prize-winning novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, tells the eventual love story of two young boys. Aristotle, who goes by Ari, meets Dante (Reese Gonzales) one summer day at the pool. What starts as swimming lessons becomes a fast friendship, which eventually leads to more between the two young Mexican boys from El Paso, Texas.
The friendship faces its first obstacle when Dante and his parents, Sam and Soledad Quintana, move away to Chicago so Sam can take a visiting professorship at the University of Chicago. The Quintanas eventually return to El Paso, and in the period between the move and the joyful reunion between the boys,...
- 9/9/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe director Aitch Alberto talks to CineMovie about her adaptation of the NY Times best-selling YA novel of the same name by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. The filmmaker reveals Blue Beetle's Xolo Maridueña was up for the role of Aristotle years back, but she continued her search for the perfect Mexican-American teens for this coming-of-age story that stays away from "queer and Latininad" tropes.
- 9/9/2023
- by luperhaas@cinemovie.tv (Lupe R Haas)
- CineMovie
“Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” director Aitch Alberto considers her film adaptation timely yet “long overdue” for several reasons.
Aitch, who hails from Cuba and identifies as transgender, penned the screen adaptation of the novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz after spending four days in El Paso with the author, who gave her his blessing to adapt the story. She spoke with TheWrap about intentional directorial choices for specific scenes, her take on the relationship between Aristotle (Max Pelayo) and his father Jaime (Eugenio Derbez) and the broader implications of the film in a growing canon of LGBTQ+ and Latin American stories released during a tense political time.
How is this film uniquely Mexican-American?
Alberto: This film is uniquely Latino. I’m not Mexican American. I’m Cuban, so I really tried to focus on the similarities that we have as a culture because there are also a lot of differences.
Aitch, who hails from Cuba and identifies as transgender, penned the screen adaptation of the novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz after spending four days in El Paso with the author, who gave her his blessing to adapt the story. She spoke with TheWrap about intentional directorial choices for specific scenes, her take on the relationship between Aristotle (Max Pelayo) and his father Jaime (Eugenio Derbez) and the broader implications of the film in a growing canon of LGBTQ+ and Latin American stories released during a tense political time.
How is this film uniquely Mexican-American?
Alberto: This film is uniquely Latino. I’m not Mexican American. I’m Cuban, so I really tried to focus on the similarities that we have as a culture because there are also a lot of differences.
- 9/8/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
As someone who grew up in Texas back in the late 1980s, when “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” takes place, I can assure you: The last thing any closeted Southern teen wants is to stand out. That must make it a special kind of torture to be named after thinkers one’s peers aren’t likely to read until college. Then again, it’s also a rather wonderful bonding opportunity for two boys who don’t fit in until they find one another — though it’ll take some figuring out to untangle what both of them want in a movie I dearly wish had existed several decades earlier.
Now’s as good a time as any for the world to discover Aristotle and Dante — not the Greek philosopher and the “Divine Comedy” author, but the title characters of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s beloved YA novel. Imagine...
Now’s as good a time as any for the world to discover Aristotle and Dante — not the Greek philosopher and the “Divine Comedy” author, but the title characters of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s beloved YA novel. Imagine...
- 7/25/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
"If you can't stick by me, it would kill me..." Freestyle Digital Media has unveiled the official trailer for an indie film titled Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, arriving in theaters to watch this September. This first premiered at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival last year, and it also played at the Palm Springs & Miami Film Festivals earlier this year. Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel of the same name, the film centres on the friendship between two young Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso, TX who explore a new, unusual friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery. At a swimming pool, two outcast teens – the handsome, troubled Ari and the cultured, confident Dante – become instant friends. But when Dante wants friendship to turn into romance, everything changes. The film stars Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Veronica Falcón, and Kevin Alejandro. Fests say this "beautiful,...
- 6/29/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe to open, Chasing Chasing Amy to close Los Angeles fest.
For the first time features by trans filmmakers will bookend Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (July 13-23), with opener Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe and closing selection Chasing Chasing Amy.
Both Aitch Alberto and Sav Rodgers are alumni of Outfest’s artist development programmes. Alberto took part in the Outfest Screenwriting Lab in 2007 and has returned to mentor young filmmakers in Outfest’s programmes.
Rodgers is an alum of both OutSet – Outfest’s filmmaking lab and...
For the first time features by trans filmmakers will bookend Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival (July 13-23), with opener Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe and closing selection Chasing Chasing Amy.
Both Aitch Alberto and Sav Rodgers are alumni of Outfest’s artist development programmes. Alberto took part in the Outfest Screenwriting Lab in 2007 and has returned to mentor young filmmakers in Outfest’s programmes.
Rodgers is an alum of both OutSet – Outfest’s filmmaking lab and...
- 6/6/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Outfest has lined up its opening and closing night films.
The Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival — scheduled for July 13-23 and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America — will open with Aitch Alberto’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe at the Orpheum Theatre and close with Sav Rodgers’ Chasing Chasing Amy at the Montalbán Theatre.
The selections mark the first time in the fest’s history that both the opening and closing night films come from trans filmmakers. Furthermore, both Alberto and Rodgers hail from Outfest’s artist development programs. Alberto participated in the Outfest screenwriting lab in 2007 and has since served as a mentor to young filmmakers in Outfest programs, while Rodgers participated in Outfest’s OutSet filmmaking lab and mentorship program as well as the screenwriting lab in 2021.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s young adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the...
The Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival — scheduled for July 13-23 and presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America — will open with Aitch Alberto’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe at the Orpheum Theatre and close with Sav Rodgers’ Chasing Chasing Amy at the Montalbán Theatre.
The selections mark the first time in the fest’s history that both the opening and closing night films come from trans filmmakers. Furthermore, both Alberto and Rodgers hail from Outfest’s artist development programs. Alberto participated in the Outfest screenwriting lab in 2007 and has since served as a mentor to young filmmakers in Outfest programs, while Rodgers participated in Outfest’s OutSet filmmaking lab and mentorship program as well as the screenwriting lab in 2021.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s young adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the...
- 6/6/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 41st annual Outfest, Los Angeles’ premier LGBTQ+ film festival, is making history with its 2023 lineup.
The festival (July 13-23) will for the first time open and close with films created by trans artists: “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” (directed by Aitch Alberto) will kick off the festivities on July 13, with the 11-day event closing with “Chasing Chasing Amy” (directed by Sav Rodgers). The Opening Night Gala will screen at the Orpheum Theatre, with the Closing Night Gala screening at The Montalbán Theatre. More films in the lineup will be announced soon.
These events also represent a homecoming for both Alberto and Rodgers, both of whom are alumni of Outfest’s Artist Development programs.
“Aristotle and Dante,” based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s beloved young adult novel, centers on the friendship between two teenage Mexican-American boys in 1987 El Paso. Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales star along with Eugenio Derbez,...
The festival (July 13-23) will for the first time open and close with films created by trans artists: “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” (directed by Aitch Alberto) will kick off the festivities on July 13, with the 11-day event closing with “Chasing Chasing Amy” (directed by Sav Rodgers). The Opening Night Gala will screen at the Orpheum Theatre, with the Closing Night Gala screening at The Montalbán Theatre. More films in the lineup will be announced soon.
These events also represent a homecoming for both Alberto and Rodgers, both of whom are alumni of Outfest’s Artist Development programs.
“Aristotle and Dante,” based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s beloved young adult novel, centers on the friendship between two teenage Mexican-American boys in 1987 El Paso. Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales star along with Eugenio Derbez,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Today, Outfest announced the Opening and Closing Night gala film selections for the 41st edition of the Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival, taking place from July 13 – 23 in Los Angeles, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America. The festival will open with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, directed by Aitch Alberto, and the 11-day event will close with Chasing Chasing Amy, directed by Sav Rodgers. The Opening Night Gala will screen at the Orpheum Theatre, with the Closing Night Gala screening at The Montalbán Theatre.
This marks the first time in Outfest’s history that both Opening and Closing night will feature films made by trans artists, underlining the deep roster of trans, non-binary, and intersex talent working in the entertainment industry as well as the diversity of trans storytelling at this moment in history. These events also represent a homecoming for both Alberto and Rodgers,...
This marks the first time in Outfest’s history that both Opening and Closing night will feature films made by trans artists, underlining the deep roster of trans, non-binary, and intersex talent working in the entertainment industry as well as the diversity of trans storytelling at this moment in history. These events also represent a homecoming for both Alberto and Rodgers,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired North American rights to “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” a queer coming-of-age story about two teens who form a special bond after a chance meeting one summer. The sale comes a few months after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Blue Fox is planning a wide theatrical release of the film this summer, though the exact date has yet to be determined. Blue Fox’s international division is handling the international sales.
“It’s rare when a best-selling book, talented crew, amazing director and cast all come together to create a ‘must see’ film, and we are very proud to bring ‘Aristotle and Dante’ to audiences across the U.S.,” said Blue Fox executive James Huntsman.
Filmmaker Aitch Alberto wrote and directed “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” marking her directorial debut. It’s based on...
Blue Fox is planning a wide theatrical release of the film this summer, though the exact date has yet to be determined. Blue Fox’s international division is handling the international sales.
“It’s rare when a best-selling book, talented crew, amazing director and cast all come together to create a ‘must see’ film, and we are very proud to bring ‘Aristotle and Dante’ to audiences across the U.S.,” said Blue Fox executive James Huntsman.
Filmmaker Aitch Alberto wrote and directed “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” marking her directorial debut. It’s based on...
- 4/18/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Coming-of-age story based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel.
Blue Fox Entertainment has launched AFM sales talks on TIFF selection Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The coming-of-age film is written and directed by Aitch Alberto and features breakout performances from young leads Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales alongside Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Veronica Falcon, and Kevin Alejandro.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel, the film centres on the friendship between two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso who explore a new, unusual friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery.
Blue Fox Entertainment has launched AFM sales talks on TIFF selection Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The coming-of-age film is written and directed by Aitch Alberto and features breakout performances from young leads Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales alongside Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Veronica Falcon, and Kevin Alejandro.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel, the film centres on the friendship between two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso who explore a new, unusual friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery.
- 11/3/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Movies, at least the ones Hollywood has produced for over a century, frequently leave a lot of people out of the frame.
But with the industry under pressure to tell more diverse stories, several of the movies that are premiering and screening at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival are highlighting protagonists who are Black, queer, indigenous or members of other underrepresented groups. In the process, many of these films deal with pieces of forgotten history (“The Woman King” with its true story of a all-female warrior unit protecting a West African kingdom), a fading past and a rapidly changing present.
Often, these films are deeply personal efforts. Take “The Inspection,” one of the festival’s opening night films and the story of a gay man who enlists in the army during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era. Director Elegance Bratton drew on his own service to...
But with the industry under pressure to tell more diverse stories, several of the movies that are premiering and screening at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival are highlighting protagonists who are Black, queer, indigenous or members of other underrepresented groups. In the process, many of these films deal with pieces of forgotten history (“The Woman King” with its true story of a all-female warrior unit protecting a West African kingdom), a fading past and a rapidly changing present.
Often, these films are deeply personal efforts. Take “The Inspection,” one of the festival’s opening night films and the story of a gay man who enlists in the army during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era. Director Elegance Bratton drew on his own service to...
- 9/11/2022
- by Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, written and directed by Aitch Alberto, is a film about two queer Mexican boys who discover deep secrets within themselves over the course of a school year. The movie is an adaptation of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel of the same name.
Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza (Max Pelayo) opens the film by introducing the audience to his family and life as a high school student. He’s not interested in being one of the cool kids and wants something more than a provincial life in 1985 New Mexico. A chance encounter with Dante (Reese Gonzales), a young man Ari meets at the local pool, leads to an intense connection between the two of them. Aristotle’s father, Jamie (Eugenio Derbez), mopes about the house in a melancholic mood, which is why he’s closer to his mother, Liliana (Veronica Falcon). She takes...
Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza (Max Pelayo) opens the film by introducing the audience to his family and life as a high school student. He’s not interested in being one of the cool kids and wants something more than a provincial life in 1985 New Mexico. A chance encounter with Dante (Reese Gonzales), a young man Ari meets at the local pool, leads to an intense connection between the two of them. Aristotle’s father, Jamie (Eugenio Derbez), mopes about the house in a melancholic mood, which is why he’s closer to his mother, Liliana (Veronica Falcon). She takes...
- 9/10/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
It takes Aristotle (Max Pelayo) almost the entirety of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to express how he really feels. For most of the 90-plus-minute run time, he hems and haws, as terrified of being seen as he is of going ignored. When he finally reveals himself, it comes as a hard-won moment of catharsis, a cool rain piercing through after days of unsettling heat.
It also makes for an odd sort of irony. Because while Aristotle might prefer to keep himself bottled up, Aristotle and Dante, from its opening moments, is a film so anxious to be understood that it can’t seem to stop getting in its own way. It tells when it could show, shouts when it could whisper, underlines its own themes in blunt lines of dialogue — and in its rush to explain itself, Aristotle...
It takes Aristotle (Max Pelayo) almost the entirety of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to express how he really feels. For most of the 90-plus-minute run time, he hems and haws, as terrified of being seen as he is of going ignored. When he finally reveals himself, it comes as a hard-won moment of catharsis, a cool rain piercing through after days of unsettling heat.
It also makes for an odd sort of irony. Because while Aristotle might prefer to keep himself bottled up, Aristotle and Dante, from its opening moments, is a film so anxious to be understood that it can’t seem to stop getting in its own way. It tells when it could show, shouts when it could whisper, underlines its own themes in blunt lines of dialogue — and in its rush to explain itself, Aristotle...
- 9/10/2022
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Don’t forget to pack your wallet.
Hollywood is hitting the Toronto International Film Festival this week hoping to land the next buzzy breakout. After two years of virtual or reduced capacity gatherings as a Covid-era concession, the film business is back in force, and that means deals, deals and more deals.
Here’s a look at some of the hottest movies on offer — the kinds of splashy projects that could result in the next massive sale.
Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Director: Aitch Alberto
Cast: Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Veronica Falcón, Kevin Alejandro
Sales agent: UTA
Buzz factor: This touching story of two teenage boys in 1987 El Paso whose friendship both deepens and is challenged in surprising ways will leave audiences reaching for the tissues. It also marks the feature debut of Alberto, an exciting new filmmaking talent, who deftly adapts Benjamin Alire Sáenz...
Hollywood is hitting the Toronto International Film Festival this week hoping to land the next buzzy breakout. After two years of virtual or reduced capacity gatherings as a Covid-era concession, the film business is back in force, and that means deals, deals and more deals.
Here’s a look at some of the hottest movies on offer — the kinds of splashy projects that could result in the next massive sale.
Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Director: Aitch Alberto
Cast: Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Veronica Falcón, Kevin Alejandro
Sales agent: UTA
Buzz factor: This touching story of two teenage boys in 1987 El Paso whose friendship both deepens and is challenged in surprising ways will leave audiences reaching for the tissues. It also marks the feature debut of Alberto, an exciting new filmmaking talent, who deftly adapts Benjamin Alire Sáenz...
- 9/9/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin, Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Most independent producer/financiers would be glad to have one hot title up for sale in Toronto. Limelight arrives this week with three: the Jane Fonda/Lily Tomlin-led comedy-drama “Moving On,” plus a pair of distinctive coming-of-age dramas, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” and “Wildflower.”
Now Limelight is developing the script for a comedy tentatively titled “Coachella,” written by Andy Siara (“Palm Springs”) and Joey Siara. The feature centers on teens who tell their parents they’re going on a church trip, but sneak off to the famed desert music festival instead. The Siara brothers are loosely drawing on their experiences playing the fest with their indie rock band, The Henry Clay People.
By any measure, Limelight partners Dylan Sellers, Chris Parker and Alex Dong are on a roll. Their comedy “Palm Springs” sold to Neon and Hulu for around 22 million in 2020, a record-breaking Sundance deal at the time.
Now Limelight is developing the script for a comedy tentatively titled “Coachella,” written by Andy Siara (“Palm Springs”) and Joey Siara. The feature centers on teens who tell their parents they’re going on a church trip, but sneak off to the famed desert music festival instead. The Siara brothers are loosely drawing on their experiences playing the fest with their indie rock band, The Henry Clay People.
By any measure, Limelight partners Dylan Sellers, Chris Parker and Alex Dong are on a roll. Their comedy “Palm Springs” sold to Neon and Hulu for around 22 million in 2020, a record-breaking Sundance deal at the time.
- 9/9/2022
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
As they say here north of the border: Time to drop the puck on the 2022 Toronto Film Festival.
The weather is beautiful, and they’ve cordoned off King Street from the Lightbox to Roy Thomson Hall. People are getting their bearings, most not wearing masks in the open air. This is a sight better than last year, when the cable cars were not rerouted from King Street because so few came for the festivities. Not surprisingly, not a single major deal happened on the ground as the festivals and specialty theatrical business were still feeling the fallout from Covid.
Toronto Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Will this year be any better? Some believe it certainly can’t get worse. Buyers and sellers expect the pace to be on the slow side, with some possible exceptions. I hear that the hot title is one that isn’t officially on the for-sale lists,...
The weather is beautiful, and they’ve cordoned off King Street from the Lightbox to Roy Thomson Hall. People are getting their bearings, most not wearing masks in the open air. This is a sight better than last year, when the cable cars were not rerouted from King Street because so few came for the festivities. Not surprisingly, not a single major deal happened on the ground as the festivals and specialty theatrical business were still feeling the fallout from Covid.
Toronto Film Festival: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
Will this year be any better? Some believe it certainly can’t get worse. Buyers and sellers expect the pace to be on the slow side, with some possible exceptions. I hear that the hot title is one that isn’t officially on the for-sale lists,...
- 9/8/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The Toronto International Film Festival isn’t as well-known for dealmaking as Sundance, and the clamor around Oscar-friendly titles tends to dominate, but buyers attending the festival always have a lot of possibilities to dig through. Many of the roughly 200 feature films screening the the biggest fall festival arrive without distribution.
In the past, TIFF has yielded plenty of big deals, including some that impact awards season, such as Neon’s 6 million 2017 pickup of “I, Tonya” that resulted in a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Allison Janney and Sony Pictures Classics’ 2014 acquisition of “Still Alice” that ultimately landed Julianne Moore her first statuette for Best Actress. Even during the pandemic, the sales continued: In 2020, Netflix picked up Halle Berry’s directorial debut “Bruised” for a reported 20 million after it premiered at a drive-in.
Still, buyers aren’t exactly bullish on acquisitions these days, as arthouse box office continues to struggle on every level,...
In the past, TIFF has yielded plenty of big deals, including some that impact awards season, such as Neon’s 6 million 2017 pickup of “I, Tonya” that resulted in a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Allison Janney and Sony Pictures Classics’ 2014 acquisition of “Still Alice” that ultimately landed Julianne Moore her first statuette for Best Actress. Even during the pandemic, the sales continued: In 2020, Netflix picked up Halle Berry’s directorial debut “Bruised” for a reported 20 million after it premiered at a drive-in.
Still, buyers aren’t exactly bullish on acquisitions these days, as arthouse box office continues to struggle on every level,...
- 9/8/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
With few big sales titles available at TIFF this year — a Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin two-hander and Lin-Manuel Miranda-produced YA feature excepted — business coming out of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival looks muted at best.
The vast majority of TIFF films already have domestic distribution in place — with studios and indie players like Neon and A24 looking to use the North America festival as an awards season springboard. What’s left is a smattering of sales titles, Cannes holdovers and a handful of out-of-festival buyers’ screenings to stir up interest.
Focus Features’ production and acquisitions head Kiska Higgs is optimistic that the sluggish indie theatrical market will eventually bounce back from its Covid slump and pull people away from streaming services — “I can’t imagine a world in which I want to be on my couch for any second longer than...
With few big sales titles available at TIFF this year — a Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin two-hander and Lin-Manuel Miranda-produced YA feature excepted — business coming out of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival looks muted at best.
The vast majority of TIFF films already have domestic distribution in place — with studios and indie players like Neon and A24 looking to use the North America festival as an awards season springboard. What’s left is a smattering of sales titles, Cannes holdovers and a handful of out-of-festival buyers’ screenings to stir up interest.
Focus Features’ production and acquisitions head Kiska Higgs is optimistic that the sluggish indie theatrical market will eventually bounce back from its Covid slump and pull people away from streaming services — “I can’t imagine a world in which I want to be on my couch for any second longer than...
- 9/7/2022
- by Mia Galuppo and Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel), Bobby Soto (Narcos: Mexico), Julio Cesar Cedillo (Narcos: Mexico), Veronica Falcón (Ozark), Sarayu Blue (I Feel Bad) and Eric Johnson (Fifty Shades franchise) are among the newest additions to Prime Video’s Michael Peña starrer A Million Miles Away, which has entered production in Mexico City. Others rounding out the ensemble of the Alejandra Márquez Abella-helmed film include Jordan Dean (Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace), Ashley Ciarra (Chupa), Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood), Emma Fassler (Recovery Road), Michael Adler (Super Pumped), Carlos S. Sanchez (Chicago Fire) and Isaac Arellanes (Ghostwriter).
A Million Miles Away is based on the inspiring true story of Jose Hernandez, who defied insurmountable odds to become the first migrant farmworker to travel to space. From six years old, he toiled in the fields between Michoacán and Stockton, California —dreaming of traveling the night skies on a rocket ship. Through his...
A Million Miles Away is based on the inspiring true story of Jose Hernandez, who defied insurmountable odds to become the first migrant farmworker to travel to space. From six years old, he toiled in the fields between Michoacán and Stockton, California —dreaming of traveling the night skies on a rocket ship. Through his...
- 8/30/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Olivia Mascheroni has joined Verve Ventures. She will be part of a growing independent sales and financing team that is led by Amy Beecroft and Ross Putman.
Mascheroni most recently served as director of Ddvelopment at Madre Venturers, a venture capital firm, and served as executive of new media at The Blacklist prior to that. She has also held positions at both Blumhouse and CAA, where she worked in both the Television and Motion Picture Literary Departments.
“Coming over feels like coming home,” says Mascheroni. “I know so many of the people who work here and admire what they do. And there’s such a great creative approach to things that offers a lot to filmmakers and allows us to make great independent projects.”
Verve’s talent team has quadrupled in size since last year and the film team says it expects to continue expanding.
“Olivia is joining us because...
Mascheroni most recently served as director of Ddvelopment at Madre Venturers, a venture capital firm, and served as executive of new media at The Blacklist prior to that. She has also held positions at both Blumhouse and CAA, where she worked in both the Television and Motion Picture Literary Departments.
“Coming over feels like coming home,” says Mascheroni. “I know so many of the people who work here and admire what they do. And there’s such a great creative approach to things that offers a lot to filmmakers and allows us to make great independent projects.”
Verve’s talent team has quadrupled in size since last year and the film team says it expects to continue expanding.
“Olivia is joining us because...
- 2/11/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Aitch Alberto to make feature directorial debut, adapted screenplay from YA novel.
Eugenio Derbez and Eva Longoria are among cast to join Limelight’s Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe.
Aitch Alberto will make her feature directorial debut and adapted the screenplay from the YA novel of the same name by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. The story centres on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a life-changing bond after a chance meeting at an El Paso pool in the summer of 1987.
Cast includes Max Pelayo,...
Eugenio Derbez and Eva Longoria are among cast to join Limelight’s Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe.
Aitch Alberto will make her feature directorial debut and adapted the screenplay from the YA novel of the same name by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. The story centres on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a life-changing bond after a chance meeting at an El Paso pool in the summer of 1987.
Cast includes Max Pelayo,...
- 10/11/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales, Veronica Falcón, Isabella Gomez, Luna Blaise and Kevin Alejandro have been set to star in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a feature film adaptation of Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s YA novel. Aitch Alberto wrote the script and will make her directorial debut on the pic, which is being financing and produced by Limelight alongside 3Pas Studios and Big Swing Productions, in association with Boies Schiller Entertainment. The film counts Derbez, Kyra Sedgwick and Lin-Manuel Miranda among its producers.
Aristotle and Dante, originally published in 2014, centers on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza (to be played by Pelayo) and Dante Quintana (Gonzales), two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a life-changing bond after a chance meeting at an El Paso pool in the summer of 1987.
Alberto’s writing credits include the HBO Max drama...
Aristotle and Dante, originally published in 2014, centers on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza (to be played by Pelayo) and Dante Quintana (Gonzales), two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a life-changing bond after a chance meeting at an El Paso pool in the summer of 1987.
Alberto’s writing credits include the HBO Max drama...
- 10/11/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Eugenio Derbez and Eva Longoria will star in a film adaptation of the young adult story Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, which has Lin-Manuel Miranda as a producer.
Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales will play the titular heroes, with Veronica Falcón, Isabella Gomez, Luna Blaise and Kevin Alejandro also joining the cast. The movie will serve as the directorial debut for Aitch Alberto, who adapted the screenplay from the novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
The movie centers on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a ...
Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales will play the titular heroes, with Veronica Falcón, Isabella Gomez, Luna Blaise and Kevin Alejandro also joining the cast. The movie will serve as the directorial debut for Aitch Alberto, who adapted the screenplay from the novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
The movie centers on the friendship between Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana, two Mexican American boys on the cusp of manhood who form a ...
- 10/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Latino audiences have the highest moviegoing rate in the Us, but make up only a 5.2% share of all film roles, and The Black List — the annual survey of Hollywood executives’ favorite unproduced screenplays — wants to do something about that.
The Black List has partnered with The Latin Tracking Board, Mijente, Nalip, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Remezcla, and UnidosUS to launch The Latinx List, a curated list of promising screenplays written by Latinx writers that explore the Latinx experience.
The Latinx List will include the same caliber of screenwriting that The Black List has become known for, telling the kinds of stories that all participating organizations would like to see onscreen.
“The last two years have cast many of the consequences of a movie industry that doesn’t look like the country or the world into sharp relief,” said Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List. “The scripts on the Latinx...
The Black List has partnered with The Latin Tracking Board, Mijente, Nalip, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Remezcla, and UnidosUS to launch The Latinx List, a curated list of promising screenplays written by Latinx writers that explore the Latinx experience.
The Latinx List will include the same caliber of screenwriting that The Black List has become known for, telling the kinds of stories that all participating organizations would like to see onscreen.
“The last two years have cast many of the consequences of a movie industry that doesn’t look like the country or the world into sharp relief,” said Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List. “The scripts on the Latinx...
- 7/27/2019
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: The Black List is expanding its scope of inclusion and representation in Hollywood with The Latinx List. The inaugural list, a roster of promising screenplays written by Latinx writers, will include literary adaptations, stories based on true events, the immigrant experience, and other narratives encompassing the Latinx experience.
The Latinx List is a collaboration of Franklin Leonard’s The Black List, The Latin Tracking Board, Mijente, Nalip, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Remezcla and UnidosUS. It will be officially unveiled at the 2019 Nalip Summit, which kicks off today in Los Angeles.
The newly launched Latinx List includes the stories The Black List and all aforementioned organizations would like to see onscreen. The stories about the Latinx community for the Latinx community continue to give shine to vital stories that promote the need for authentic representation in film that not only entertains but puts the lens on cultures. In turn, the...
The Latinx List is a collaboration of Franklin Leonard’s The Black List, The Latin Tracking Board, Mijente, Nalip, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Remezcla and UnidosUS. It will be officially unveiled at the 2019 Nalip Summit, which kicks off today in Los Angeles.
The newly launched Latinx List includes the stories The Black List and all aforementioned organizations would like to see onscreen. The stories about the Latinx community for the Latinx community continue to give shine to vital stories that promote the need for authentic representation in film that not only entertains but puts the lens on cultures. In turn, the...
- 7/26/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
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