Exclusive: ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘Gangs of London’ star Joe Cole and ‘True Spirit’ and ‘Titans’ actor Teagan Croft have both just wrapped contemporary neo-noir thriller Override, the fourth feature from directing duo Natasha Merkulova and Alexey Chupov. It marks the English-language debut for the Russian helmers, whose Captain Volkonogov Escaped played in Venice’s Competition strand in 2021.
Paris-based sales and production outfit Charades has boarded international sales for title, which was shot in L.A. in March, while AC Independent and WME Independent will co-represent North American rights for the film. The project will be launched to buyers in Cannes next month.
Override, which is currently in post-production, follows Ron Camp (Cole), a 31-year-old taxi driver in L.A. and Becca (Croft), his 16-year-old passenger, as they are plunged into a modern-day nightmare. Unaware of Ron’s identity as a spree killer, Becca becomes entangled in a series of terrifying events.
Paris-based sales and production outfit Charades has boarded international sales for title, which was shot in L.A. in March, while AC Independent and WME Independent will co-represent North American rights for the film. The project will be launched to buyers in Cannes next month.
Override, which is currently in post-production, follows Ron Camp (Cole), a 31-year-old taxi driver in L.A. and Becca (Croft), his 16-year-old passenger, as they are plunged into a modern-day nightmare. Unaware of Ron’s identity as a spree killer, Becca becomes entangled in a series of terrifying events.
- 4/25/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Any project Samara Weaving is involved with has our attention here at JoBlo and Arrow in the Head, so we’ve been anxiously waiting to hear updates on the action horror film Azrael, in which Weaving plays the title character. A great update has reached us today, as Republic Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to Azrael, for release through Paramount Global Distribution, in a high seven figure deal. They haven’t revealed their release plans yet, but it shouldn’t be long before they do.
Directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett, Azrael has the following synopsis: In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient...
Directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett, Azrael has the following synopsis: In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient...
- 9/27/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Samara Weaving (Ready or Not, Scream VI) leads the cast of the upcoming Azrael from writer Simon Barrett (The Guest, You’re Next), and we’ve got the latest this afternoon.
Republic Pictures has acquired North American rights to C2 Motion Picture Group’s Azrael, for distribution by Paramount Global Distribution, in a high seven figure deal.
The high concept action-horror film stars Samara Weaving and was directed by E.L. Katz from an original script by Simon Barrett.
“In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness – yet she will stop at nothing to ensure her own freedom and survival. From the seeds of this gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, comes an immersive,...
Republic Pictures has acquired North American rights to C2 Motion Picture Group’s Azrael, for distribution by Paramount Global Distribution, in a high seven figure deal.
The high concept action-horror film stars Samara Weaving and was directed by E.L. Katz from an original script by Simon Barrett.
“In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness – yet she will stop at nothing to ensure her own freedom and survival. From the seeds of this gritty, relentless parable of sacrifice and salvation, comes an immersive,...
- 9/27/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Republic Pictures, the acquisitions label under Paramount Pictures, has picked up North American rights to Azrael, an action-horror movie from the C2 Motion Picture Group.
The high-concept feature comes with a strong horror pedigree. It is toplined by Samara Weaving, a star in the genre thanks to Ready or Not and The Babysitter movie series, and was directed by E.L. Katz, a rising name who has directed episodes of Haunting of Bly Manor and Channel Zero. And it was written by Simon Barrett, the scribe behind fan favorites The Guest and You’re Next.
No distribution plans were revealed, but there is hope for a theatrical release.
Azrael is set in a world in which no one speaks and centers on a devout, female-led community that hunts down a young woman, the self-titled character played by Weaving, who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be...
The high-concept feature comes with a strong horror pedigree. It is toplined by Samara Weaving, a star in the genre thanks to Ready or Not and The Babysitter movie series, and was directed by E.L. Katz, a rising name who has directed episodes of Haunting of Bly Manor and Channel Zero. And it was written by Simon Barrett, the scribe behind fan favorites The Guest and You’re Next.
No distribution plans were revealed, but there is hope for a theatrical release.
Azrael is set in a world in which no one speaks and centers on a devout, female-led community that hunts down a young woman, the self-titled character played by Weaving, who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be...
- 9/27/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Kino Lorber has acquired North American distribution rights to Fantastic Fest and Sitges 2023 movie The Invisible Fight from LevelK. Above is a new international teaser for the movie.
The Estonian heavy metal kung fu comedy is written and directed by Rainer Sarnet (November) and got its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival. Kino Lorber is lining up a theatrical, digital, and home video release in 2024.
The Invisible Fight is a satirical take on the martial arts film, paying tribute to the genre’s Chinese wuxia roots through a Northern European story. In the movie, a guard on the Soviet-Chinese border survives a deadly attack but then decides to become a monk and must continually prove along the way that he’s capable of becoming the enlightened man he set out to be.
The deal was negotiated by Kino Lorber Senior Vice President Wendy Lidell and Tine Klint of LevelK.
The Estonian heavy metal kung fu comedy is written and directed by Rainer Sarnet (November) and got its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival. Kino Lorber is lining up a theatrical, digital, and home video release in 2024.
The Invisible Fight is a satirical take on the martial arts film, paying tribute to the genre’s Chinese wuxia roots through a Northern European story. In the movie, a guard on the Soviet-Chinese border survives a deadly attack but then decides to become a monk and must continually prove along the way that he’s capable of becoming the enlightened man he set out to be.
The deal was negotiated by Kino Lorber Senior Vice President Wendy Lidell and Tine Klint of LevelK.
- 9/27/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
LevelK has boarded “The Invisible Fight,” Estonian director Rainer Sarnet’s kung fu comedy set in an Orthodox monastery in the former Soviet Union. The film world premieres Aug. 11 in the main competition of the Locarno Film Festival.
“The Invisible Fight” is set in 1973 on the Soviet-Chinese border, where Private Rafael is on guard duty when his border post is attacked by a band of Chinese warriors schooled in the ancient art of kung fu. The only one to miraculously survive, Rafael, is fascinated by the long-haired, black-clad, kung fu hippies flying through the treetops while blasting forbidden Black Sabbath music from their portable radio. He’s suddenly struck by a revelation: he, too, wants to become a kung fu warrior.
Faith leads Rafael to an Orthodox monastery where the black-clad monks do their training, but his road to achieving the almighty power of humility required is long, winding and full of adventures.
“The Invisible Fight” is set in 1973 on the Soviet-Chinese border, where Private Rafael is on guard duty when his border post is attacked by a band of Chinese warriors schooled in the ancient art of kung fu. The only one to miraculously survive, Rafael, is fascinated by the long-haired, black-clad, kung fu hippies flying through the treetops while blasting forbidden Black Sabbath music from their portable radio. He’s suddenly struck by a revelation: he, too, wants to become a kung fu warrior.
Faith leads Rafael to an Orthodox monastery where the black-clad monks do their training, but his road to achieving the almighty power of humility required is long, winding and full of adventures.
- 8/9/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias and Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival, Europe’s biggest mid-Summer movie event, has announced its lineup, welcoming recognizable names to its main competition, from Filipino auteur Lav Diaz (“Essential Truths of the Lake”) to Romanian powerhouse Radu Jude, who will show “Do Not Expect Too Much of the End of the World.”
As already announced, Cate Blanchett and Zar Amir Ebrahimi are set to attend the Locarno Film Festival’s closing night to promote the European launch of Iranian-Australian director Noora Niasari’s debut film “Shayda.”
Among the titles selected for Locarno’s more broad-audience-friendly Piazza Grande lineup, Justine Triet will attend with her Cannes Palme’ d’Or winner “Anatomy of a Fall,” along with Ken Loach and his “The Old Oak.”
The festival will also celebrate the careers of Harmony Korine, producer Marianne Slot, editor Pietro Scalia, Tsai Ming-liang and present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Italian producer Renzo Rossellini.
As already announced, Cate Blanchett and Zar Amir Ebrahimi are set to attend the Locarno Film Festival’s closing night to promote the European launch of Iranian-Australian director Noora Niasari’s debut film “Shayda.”
Among the titles selected for Locarno’s more broad-audience-friendly Piazza Grande lineup, Justine Triet will attend with her Cannes Palme’ d’Or winner “Anatomy of a Fall,” along with Ken Loach and his “The Old Oak.”
The festival will also celebrate the careers of Harmony Korine, producer Marianne Slot, editor Pietro Scalia, Tsai Ming-liang and present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Italian producer Renzo Rossellini.
- 7/5/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett, the action horror film Azrael will be presented to potential distributors at the upcoming European Film Market – and ahead of the film’s market debut, an image has arrived online to give us our first look at the title character, played by Samara Weaving of Ready or Not, Mayhem, and The Babysitter. You can check that image out at the bottom of this article.
Deadline reports that Azrael is set in a world in which no one speaks and follows a devout female-led community which hunts down a young woman who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael (Weaving) is due to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil deep within the surrounding wilderness – but she has other ideas.
Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group...
Deadline reports that Azrael is set in a world in which no one speaks and follows a devout female-led community which hunts down a young woman who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael (Weaving) is due to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil deep within the surrounding wilderness – but she has other ideas.
Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group...
- 2/7/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Ahead of the EFM, Michael Rothstein and Sam Hall’s Mossbank is launching international sales on action-horror film Azrael, starring Samara Weaving (Ready Or Not). CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group will co-rep domestic.
Details about the movie have been kept under wraps to date but we can now reveal plot and a first look image. Currently in post-production, the film is set in a world in which no one speaks and follows a devout female-led community which hunts down a young woman who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael (Weaving) is due to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil deep within the surrounding wilderness – but she has other ideas.
Pic was directed by E.L. Katz (Haunting Of Bly Manor) from an original script by Simon Barrett.
As we first revealed last year, Jason Cloth and Dave Caplan...
Details about the movie have been kept under wraps to date but we can now reveal plot and a first look image. Currently in post-production, the film is set in a world in which no one speaks and follows a devout female-led community which hunts down a young woman who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael (Weaving) is due to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil deep within the surrounding wilderness – but she has other ideas.
Pic was directed by E.L. Katz (Haunting Of Bly Manor) from an original script by Simon Barrett.
As we first revealed last year, Jason Cloth and Dave Caplan...
- 2/7/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Ready or Not, Mayhem, and The Babysitter star Samara Weaving went directly from the set of Scream 6 to working on the comedic thriller Borderline, and now she’s set to star in the action horror project Azrael, which is scheduled to begin filming in Estonia on October 10th!
Deadline wasn’t able to dig up any plots details for Azrael, but we do know the film is going to be directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett. We also know that the producers are hoping that Azrael is going to kick off a franchise.
We also know that there was a competitive situation over which company would get the chance to finance this project, and the winner ended up being Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group partner Dave Caplan. Caplan and Barrett...
Deadline wasn’t able to dig up any plots details for Azrael, but we do know the film is going to be directed by E.L. Katz (The Haunting of Bly Manor) from an original screenplay by You’re Next writer Simon Barrett. We also know that the producers are hoping that Azrael is going to kick off a franchise.
We also know that there was a competitive situation over which company would get the chance to finance this project, and the winner ended up being Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group partner Dave Caplan. Caplan and Barrett...
- 9/27/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Azrael: Everything We Know So Far About The Samara Weaving Action Horror From The You're Next Writer
The reign of Samara Weaving in the horror genre is far from over. Deadline exclusively revealed that the "Ready or Not" actress will be starring in a mysterious new movie from screenwriter Simon Barrett, who wrote "You're Next" and "The Guest." Simply titled "Azrael," this film is billed as an action-horror, an intriguing genre mashup that can be associated with movies like "Predator" and "Overlord."
While little is known about the movie, we do know that it will likely be Barrett's last horror movie for an indefinite amount of time. The screenwriter, a longtime collaborator of director Adam Wingard, revealed this in a Twitter post.
"Azrael is the reason I've spent the last month in Estonia working with my friends E.L. Katz and Dan Kagan. This will also be my last horror project for a long while, because we're putting everything scary we've got into this one. Very excited, but...
While little is known about the movie, we do know that it will likely be Barrett's last horror movie for an indefinite amount of time. The screenwriter, a longtime collaborator of director Adam Wingard, revealed this in a Twitter post.
"Azrael is the reason I've spent the last month in Estonia working with my friends E.L. Katz and Dan Kagan. This will also be my last horror project for a long while, because we're putting everything scary we've got into this one. Very excited, but...
- 9/27/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Ready Or Not and Scream 6 actress Samara Weaving is attached to star in action-horror movie Azrael, which is being eyed by producers as a franchise.
Evan Katz (Haunting Of Bly Manor) is aboard to direct the original script by You’re Next scribe Simon Barrett who has the Godzilla Vs Kong sequel coming in 2024. Principal photography is slated to begin October 10 in Estonia.
Story details are being kept under wraps on this one, but we know that Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group partner Dave Caplan (The End We Start From) recently won the rights in a competitive situation and will finance and produce. UTA and CAA will co rep world sales.
Also producing are Dan Kagan (Significant Other) and Simon Barrett. Cloth and Katrin Kissa (November) are executive producers.
Weaving’s upcoming films include Damien Chazelle’s Babylon opposite Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie...
Evan Katz (Haunting Of Bly Manor) is aboard to direct the original script by You’re Next scribe Simon Barrett who has the Godzilla Vs Kong sequel coming in 2024. Principal photography is slated to begin October 10 in Estonia.
Story details are being kept under wraps on this one, but we know that Joker financier Jason Cloth and his C2 Motion Picture Group partner Dave Caplan (The End We Start From) recently won the rights in a competitive situation and will finance and produce. UTA and CAA will co rep world sales.
Also producing are Dan Kagan (Significant Other) and Simon Barrett. Cloth and Katrin Kissa (November) are executive producers.
Weaving’s upcoming films include Damien Chazelle’s Babylon opposite Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie...
- 9/27/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Riding the high of a production-servicing boom, Estonia’s domestic industry has likewise shown no signs of slowing down. Here’s a roundup of top local productions in the pipeline, from producers who are searching for international partners in Cannes:
The Invisible Fight
Director: Rainer Sarnet
Producers: Katrin Kissa, Homeless Bob Production (Estonia), Alise Gelze, White Picture (Latvia), Amanda Livanou, Neda Film (Greece), Helen Vinogradov, Helsinki-filmi (Finland)
Sarnet, whose fantasy-drama “November” played at Tribeca in 2017, returns with a ‘70s-set kung-fu comedy about a guard on the Soviet-Chinese border who, after surviving a deadly attack, decides to become a monk but must continually prove along the way that he’s capable of becoming the enlightened man he set out to be.
Lioness
Director: Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo
Producers: Ivo Felt (Estonia), Guntis Trekteris (Latvia)
The sophomore feature from Trishkina-Vanhatalo, whose debut “Take It or Leave It” was Estonia’s submission for the international feature Oscar,...
The Invisible Fight
Director: Rainer Sarnet
Producers: Katrin Kissa, Homeless Bob Production (Estonia), Alise Gelze, White Picture (Latvia), Amanda Livanou, Neda Film (Greece), Helen Vinogradov, Helsinki-filmi (Finland)
Sarnet, whose fantasy-drama “November” played at Tribeca in 2017, returns with a ‘70s-set kung-fu comedy about a guard on the Soviet-Chinese border who, after surviving a deadly attack, decides to become a monk but must continually prove along the way that he’s capable of becoming the enlightened man he set out to be.
Lioness
Director: Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo
Producers: Ivo Felt (Estonia), Guntis Trekteris (Latvia)
The sophomore feature from Trishkina-Vanhatalo, whose debut “Take It or Leave It” was Estonia’s submission for the international feature Oscar,...
- 5/21/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The fund will make at least 15 film investments over four years.
Tallifornia Film Fund, Estonia’s first private film investment fund, has launched at the country’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, with three initial investments including Estonia-Germany-uk co-production Sentinel.
The fund has been established by Estonian production company Tallifornia, and was announced at the European Film Forum industry event this week.
It will make a minimum of 15 equity investments in both Estonian and international film projects across four years.
The fund, which is financed entirely through private capital with participation from several Estonian investors, is managed by Tallifornia’s Rain Rannu and Tonu Hiielaid.
Tallifornia Film Fund, Estonia’s first private film investment fund, has launched at the country’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, with three initial investments including Estonia-Germany-uk co-production Sentinel.
The fund has been established by Estonian production company Tallifornia, and was announced at the European Film Forum industry event this week.
It will make a minimum of 15 equity investments in both Estonian and international film projects across four years.
The fund, which is financed entirely through private capital with participation from several Estonian investors, is managed by Tallifornia’s Rain Rannu and Tonu Hiielaid.
- 11/25/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Natasha Merkulova and Aleksey Chupov, directorial duo behind the Venice title “Captain Volkonogov Escaped” – vying for a Golden Lion – thought about Jean-Paul Belmondo when creating their main character, a Ussr law enforcer who suddenly goes on the run and finds himself pursued by his former colleagues. The legendary French actor, known for “Breathless” and “Pierrot le Fou,” died on Sept. 6.
“In one of the earlier versions of the script, we even had a similar ending to ‘Breathless’. Then we changed it, but its spirit remained,” Chupov tells Variety in Venice after the film’s world premiere. “We grew up on his movies.”
The Russian-Estonian-French co-production, though set in 1938, is not a faithful take on the politically charged period, with the directors opting for a “retro-utopia” instead and, as they say, reinventing the past.
“Making a typical historical drama just wasn’t interesting to us. I know people who like making them,...
“In one of the earlier versions of the script, we even had a similar ending to ‘Breathless’. Then we changed it, but its spirit remained,” Chupov tells Variety in Venice after the film’s world premiere. “We grew up on his movies.”
The Russian-Estonian-French co-production, though set in 1938, is not a faithful take on the politically charged period, with the directors opting for a “retro-utopia” instead and, as they say, reinventing the past.
“Making a typical historical drama just wasn’t interesting to us. I know people who like making them,...
- 9/10/2021
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Estonia is the latest country to select its entry for the International Feature Film category of the Oscars with the Nordic Western “The Last Ones,” directed by Veiko Õunpuu, flying the flag for the Baltic country.
The film will world premiere as part of the Baltic Competition program of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, which runs Nov. 13-29.
An expert committee called together by the Estonian Film Institute chose the film. The committee consisted of film director Tanel Toom, producers Evelin Penttilä and Ivo Felt, film journalist Tõnu Karjatse, costume designer Eugen Tamberg, former distributor and current advisor on audio-visual matters to the Minister of Culture, Siim Rohtla, and the Estonian Film Institute’s Edith Sepp.
“The Last Ones” takes place in the wild tundra of Lapland. Young miner Rupi is hollowing out the tundra in the hope of putting together enough money to leave the mining village behind forever.
The film will world premiere as part of the Baltic Competition program of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, which runs Nov. 13-29.
An expert committee called together by the Estonian Film Institute chose the film. The committee consisted of film director Tanel Toom, producers Evelin Penttilä and Ivo Felt, film journalist Tõnu Karjatse, costume designer Eugen Tamberg, former distributor and current advisor on audio-visual matters to the Minister of Culture, Siim Rohtla, and the Estonian Film Institute’s Edith Sepp.
“The Last Ones” takes place in the wild tundra of Lapland. Young miner Rupi is hollowing out the tundra in the hope of putting together enough money to leave the mining village behind forever.
- 10/30/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Nfts scheme has chosen 20 participants representing 13 territories.
Executives from UK producers Warp Films and Fulwell 73, and Ireland’s Element Cinemas, are among the 20 selected for the 2020 edition of the National Film and TV School’s 2020 Inside Pictures business training and leadership skills development programme.
The scheme has chosen 20 participants representing 13 territories, from sectors including acquisitions, development, production, sales, distribution, finance, marketing, publicity, exhibition, legal and business affairs.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
This year’s industry mentor is BBC Films director Rose Garnett, who was previously head of creative at Film4.
The participants have all...
Executives from UK producers Warp Films and Fulwell 73, and Ireland’s Element Cinemas, are among the 20 selected for the 2020 edition of the National Film and TV School’s 2020 Inside Pictures business training and leadership skills development programme.
The scheme has chosen 20 participants representing 13 territories, from sectors including acquisitions, development, production, sales, distribution, finance, marketing, publicity, exhibition, legal and business affairs.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
This year’s industry mentor is BBC Films director Rose Garnett, who was previously head of creative at Film4.
The participants have all...
- 5/7/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
The Estonia 100 project ignites local production and cinema-going.
Estonia is one of Europe’s most interesting emerging co-production territories. Buoyed by the success of the six films supported by last year’s government-backed Estonia 100 film programme, created to celebrate the country’s centenary, local producers are now putting together a wide array of productions aimed at an international market.
Veteran producer Ivo Felt of Allfilm is close to completing the finance on the English-language sci-fi thriller Gateway 6, which is set to star Olga Kurylenko It is being set up as a UK-Estonian-German coproduction. It will be the...
Estonia is one of Europe’s most interesting emerging co-production territories. Buoyed by the success of the six films supported by last year’s government-backed Estonia 100 film programme, created to celebrate the country’s centenary, local producers are now putting together a wide array of productions aimed at an international market.
Veteran producer Ivo Felt of Allfilm is close to completing the finance on the English-language sci-fi thriller Gateway 6, which is set to star Olga Kurylenko It is being set up as a UK-Estonian-German coproduction. It will be the...
- 11/25/2019
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Pluto Film boards Siberia-set feature.
Ahead of its premiere in the Horizons Competition at the Venice Film Festival, The Man Who Surprised Everyone has been boarded for world sales by Berlin-based Pluto Film.
Directed by Natasha Merkulova and Aleksey Chupov, the feature follows a fearless state forest guard in Siberia. One day, he finds out he only has two months to live, and decides to make a desperate attempt to trick death by taking the identity of a woman. It stars Evgeniy Tsiganov and Natalya Kudryashowa.
The project was produced by Katia Filipova, from Russia’s Pan Atlantic Studio, alongside...
Ahead of its premiere in the Horizons Competition at the Venice Film Festival, The Man Who Surprised Everyone has been boarded for world sales by Berlin-based Pluto Film.
Directed by Natasha Merkulova and Aleksey Chupov, the feature follows a fearless state forest guard in Siberia. One day, he finds out he only has two months to live, and decides to make a desperate attempt to trick death by taking the identity of a woman. It stars Evgeniy Tsiganov and Natalya Kudryashowa.
The project was produced by Katia Filipova, from Russia’s Pan Atlantic Studio, alongside...
- 8/21/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Feb. 24 marked the centenary of the proclamation of Estonia as an independent, democratic republic. In preparation for that milestone anniversary, a special initiative, Estonia Film 100, brought an extra €9.6 million ($11.7 million) into the domestic production coffers. The Estonian Film Institute used the money to fund five feature films; two documentaries; a feature-length animation (“Lotte and the Lost Dragons”); and the TV series “The Bank,” which will air this fall.
The period drama “The Little Comrade,” directed and written by documentarian-turned-feature-debutant Moonika Siimets and produced by Riina Sildos of Amrion Production, was the first of the Estonia Film 100 titles out of the gate. Released domestically on March 23, it has ranked No. 1 at the box office for four consecutive weeks. With 99,191 admissions so far, it is on course to rank No. 4 in the top domestic box office of all time.
“The Little Comrade” is based on an autobiographical novel by Estonia’s beloved writer Leelo Tungal.
The period drama “The Little Comrade,” directed and written by documentarian-turned-feature-debutant Moonika Siimets and produced by Riina Sildos of Amrion Production, was the first of the Estonia Film 100 titles out of the gate. Released domestically on March 23, it has ranked No. 1 at the box office for four consecutive weeks. With 99,191 admissions so far, it is on course to rank No. 4 in the top domestic box office of all time.
“The Little Comrade” is based on an autobiographical novel by Estonia’s beloved writer Leelo Tungal.
- 5/10/2018
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
Plzen winnners also announced.
Rainer Sarnet’s dark folklore fairytale November received the €10,000 Golden Lily award for best film at goEast’s closing ceremony in Wiesbaden, Germany on Tuesday (24 April).
The International Jury headed by Golden Bear winner Ildikó Enyedi praised the Estonian filmmaker’s third feature ”for the powerful vision, the true poetry, the free humour” as well as “the courage of the producer [Katrin Kissa] to fight for this vision.”
Produced by Homeless Bob Production, November is handled internationally by the UK-based sales company One Eyed Films.
Meanwhile, the City of Wiesbaden’s Best Director Award went to...
Rainer Sarnet’s dark folklore fairytale November received the €10,000 Golden Lily award for best film at goEast’s closing ceremony in Wiesbaden, Germany on Tuesday (24 April).
The International Jury headed by Golden Bear winner Ildikó Enyedi praised the Estonian filmmaker’s third feature ”for the powerful vision, the true poetry, the free humour” as well as “the courage of the producer [Katrin Kissa] to fight for this vision.”
Produced by Homeless Bob Production, November is handled internationally by the UK-based sales company One Eyed Films.
Meanwhile, the City of Wiesbaden’s Best Director Award went to...
- 4/26/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Estonia-set folk tale will open later in the year.
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Rainer Sarnet’s November ahead of its Tribeca Film Festival premiere on Monday night.
The film is based on Andrus Kivirähk’s folk tale Rehepapp, a 19th century story of an Estonian peasant girl who sets out to win the heart of an infatuated young man while supernatural forces converge around the village.
Katrin Kissa of Homeless Bob Production (Estonia) produced with Ellen Havenith of Prpl (The Netherlands), and Łukasz Dzięcioł of Opus Film (Poland).
Oscilloscope acquired rights from the producers and will open the film theatrically later this year.
The distributor’s credits include Embrace Of The Serpent, We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Vanished Elephant, and The Love Witch.
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Rainer Sarnet’s November ahead of its Tribeca Film Festival premiere on Monday night.
The film is based on Andrus Kivirähk’s folk tale Rehepapp, a 19th century story of an Estonian peasant girl who sets out to win the heart of an infatuated young man while supernatural forces converge around the village.
Katrin Kissa of Homeless Bob Production (Estonia) produced with Ellen Havenith of Prpl (The Netherlands), and Łukasz Dzięcioł of Opus Film (Poland).
Oscilloscope acquired rights from the producers and will open the film theatrically later this year.
The distributor’s credits include Embrace Of The Serpent, We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Vanished Elephant, and The Love Witch.
- 4/24/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Rainer Sarnet’s November, which is having its international premiere Monday at the Tribeca Film Festival. The distributor will release the fantasy-drama theatrically later this year.
Based on Andrus Kivirähk’s novel Rehepapp, the film is set in 19th century Estonia and tells the story of a peasant girl Liina who longs for village boy Hans, who in turn is infatuated by a visiting German baroness. It combines elements of folktales that include spirits, werewolves, plagues, and the devil himself.
November was produced by Katrin Kissa from Homeless Bob Production (Estonia) and co-produced by Ellen...
Based on Andrus Kivirähk’s novel Rehepapp, the film is set in 19th century Estonia and tells the story of a peasant girl Liina who longs for village boy Hans, who in turn is infatuated by a visiting German baroness. It combines elements of folktales that include spirits, werewolves, plagues, and the devil himself.
November was produced by Katrin Kissa from Homeless Bob Production (Estonia) and co-produced by Ellen...
- 4/24/2017
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival or in native Estonian — PÖFF — winners were announced in one of the largest and most distinctive film events in Northern Europe.
The festival is a long one from November 11 to 27, 2016 to accomodate the public and it embraces a cluster of events, accommodating three full-blown sub-festivals (Animated Dreams, Just Film, Sleepwalkers) as well as international industry events bringing together filmmakers from all over the world.
The festival includes two international competition programs (Main Competition and First Features Competition), a traditional film festival program with documentaries and feature films as well as programs for short films, retrospectives and film related special events (concerts, exhibitions, talks and more).
The winners of this year’s festival are:
Main Competition Jury Members: Uberto Pasolini, Steen Bille, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Laura Birn, Kang Soo-Yeon, William Goldstei
Grand Prix for the Best Film (Bronze wolf statuette and a grant of 10,000 Euros, equally...
The festival is a long one from November 11 to 27, 2016 to accomodate the public and it embraces a cluster of events, accommodating three full-blown sub-festivals (Animated Dreams, Just Film, Sleepwalkers) as well as international industry events bringing together filmmakers from all over the world.
The festival includes two international competition programs (Main Competition and First Features Competition), a traditional film festival program with documentaries and feature films as well as programs for short films, retrospectives and film related special events (concerts, exhibitions, talks and more).
The winners of this year’s festival are:
Main Competition Jury Members: Uberto Pasolini, Steen Bille, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Laura Birn, Kang Soo-Yeon, William Goldstei
Grand Prix for the Best Film (Bronze wolf statuette and a grant of 10,000 Euros, equally...
- 11/29/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The Estonian film industry is expanding, which is resulting in a bigger impact at home and abroad.
The Estonian film industry is expanding, which is resulting in a bigger impact at home and abroad.
This year has seen 10 new Estonian features released in cinemas, compared to five in 2015. Admissions for local films are also up, with a tally of over 300,000 mid-way through 2016 compared to 350,000 for the whole of 2015.
The additional theatrical offerings made up of largely European, Russian and American cinema brought the 2015 box-office to €15.5m.
Film Funds
One contributing factor to industry development is the growing number of film funds provided by the Estonian government.
Adding to the Estonian Film Institute’s (Efi) support for features, shorts, animation and docs, the government has issued further funding for a selection of films centred around the Republic of Estonia’s 100 year-anniversary in 2018. The films were chosen from a three-year long competition, and are predominantly...
The Estonian film industry is expanding, which is resulting in a bigger impact at home and abroad.
This year has seen 10 new Estonian features released in cinemas, compared to five in 2015. Admissions for local films are also up, with a tally of over 300,000 mid-way through 2016 compared to 350,000 for the whole of 2015.
The additional theatrical offerings made up of largely European, Russian and American cinema brought the 2015 box-office to €15.5m.
Film Funds
One contributing factor to industry development is the growing number of film funds provided by the Estonian government.
Adding to the Estonian Film Institute’s (Efi) support for features, shorts, animation and docs, the government has issued further funding for a selection of films centred around the Republic of Estonia’s 100 year-anniversary in 2018. The films were chosen from a three-year long competition, and are predominantly...
- 11/23/2016
- ScreenDaily
The UK’s Camilla Deakin, Ireland’s Kathryn Kennedy and Germany’s Amir Hamz are among those selected.
The 24 participants of the 2016 Producers Lab Toronto have been unveiled.
The selected producers include Camilla Deakin from the UK, who is currently in post-production on the Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn-voiced animation feature Ethel And Ernest [pictured].
Kathryn Kennedy from Ireland also makes the cut, having produced 2015 drama My Name Is Emily starring Evanna Lynch and Michael Smiley.
Also participating is Germany’s Amir Hamz - who produced surreal drama Der Nachtmahr, which played at Toronto last year - and France’s Hélène Cases, who was a Producer On The Move in 2012 and has feature credits including 2014 Venice-winning The Last Hammer Blow and 2010 César-nominated Angel & Tony.
Now in its seventh year, the initiative for emerging producers is run by European Film Promotion in collaboration with Ontario Media Development Corporation and Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff).
Taking place September 6-9 at...
The 24 participants of the 2016 Producers Lab Toronto have been unveiled.
The selected producers include Camilla Deakin from the UK, who is currently in post-production on the Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn-voiced animation feature Ethel And Ernest [pictured].
Kathryn Kennedy from Ireland also makes the cut, having produced 2015 drama My Name Is Emily starring Evanna Lynch and Michael Smiley.
Also participating is Germany’s Amir Hamz - who produced surreal drama Der Nachtmahr, which played at Toronto last year - and France’s Hélène Cases, who was a Producer On The Move in 2012 and has feature credits including 2014 Venice-winning The Last Hammer Blow and 2010 César-nominated Angel & Tony.
Now in its seventh year, the initiative for emerging producers is run by European Film Promotion in collaboration with Ontario Media Development Corporation and Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff).
Taking place September 6-9 at...
- 8/23/2016
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Wending its way through the development process now in Estonia is an intriguing, fantastically charged fusion of both live action and stop motion animation in a stew of traditional pagan and Christian folklore produced by Katrin Kissa at Homeless Bob Productions. Titled Rehepapp (or Jesus' Blood and Red Currants for the international market), Kissa describes the film like this:The story is set in a pagan Estonian village where werewolves, the plague, and spirits roam. The villagers' main problem is how to survive the cold, dark winter. And, to that aim, nothing is taboo. People steal from each other, from their German manor lords, and from spirits, the devil, and Christ. To guard their souls, they'll give them away to thieving creatures made of wood and...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 10/25/2013
- Screen Anarchy
European Film Promotion (Efp) announces its 10th lineup of Producers On The Move at the Cannes International Film Festival (13-24 May, 2009)
Efp's goal is to support producer networking on a European level and attract the attention of the international film industry and press. Funded by the Media Programme of the European Union, the Efp member organizations have established a label and a platform to make new contacts.
Efp producers in the festival itself include Official Selection/ Special Screening of Jaffa coproduced by Emmanuel Agneray (Bizibi) for France, Critics Week short film Party (Tulum) coproduced by Ankija Juric Tilic, and the Directors Fortnight short film History of Aviation produced by Emmanuel Agneray.
This year, the Efp members have selected 23 up-and-coming, independent producers who have already made a mark with their outstanding productions in their home countries and at film festivals, but are still at the beginning of their international careers. A...
Efp's goal is to support producer networking on a European level and attract the attention of the international film industry and press. Funded by the Media Programme of the European Union, the Efp member organizations have established a label and a platform to make new contacts.
Efp producers in the festival itself include Official Selection/ Special Screening of Jaffa coproduced by Emmanuel Agneray (Bizibi) for France, Critics Week short film Party (Tulum) coproduced by Ankija Juric Tilic, and the Directors Fortnight short film History of Aviation produced by Emmanuel Agneray.
This year, the Efp members have selected 23 up-and-coming, independent producers who have already made a mark with their outstanding productions in their home countries and at film festivals, but are still at the beginning of their international careers. A...
- 5/3/2009
- by Sydney@SydneysBuzz.com (Sydney)
- Sydney's Buzz
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