Warsaw-based sales outlet New Europe Film Sales has signed an international sales deal for the upcoming Belgian debut “Julie Keeps Quiet” by Leonardo Van Dijl, whose short film “Stephanie,” also repped by New Europe, played in Cannes competition in 2020.
Both films are set in the world of competitive youth sports: the short explored the world of gymnastics, while the feature film takes on tennis. The feature is to be shot in the second half of this year with delivery planned for mid-2024.
In “Julie Keeps Quiet,” when the practices of a prominent tennis coach are investigated, attention quickly shifts to Julie, a young and promising player who is always around him. As pressure mounts for her to share her experiences, Julie chooses to keep quiet and focus on her game, leaving the investigation and the coach’s future in doubt.
Van Dijl said: “In a society where speaking up is highly valued,...
Both films are set in the world of competitive youth sports: the short explored the world of gymnastics, while the feature film takes on tennis. The feature is to be shot in the second half of this year with delivery planned for mid-2024.
In “Julie Keeps Quiet,” when the practices of a prominent tennis coach are investigated, attention quickly shifts to Julie, a young and promising player who is always around him. As pressure mounts for her to share her experiences, Julie chooses to keep quiet and focus on her game, leaving the investigation and the coach’s future in doubt.
Van Dijl said: “In a society where speaking up is highly valued,...
- 5/19/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Duo previously collaborated on ’Bullhead’ and ’Racer And The Jailbird’.
Belgian filmmaker Michaël R. Roskam is reuniting with the team behind Bullhead and Racer And The Jailbird for wartime feature Le Faux Soir, set to star regular collaborator Matthias Schoenaerts.
Set in 1943, it tells the story of when the Belgian resistance secretly produced a spoof version of the country’s leading newspaper, Le Soir, which had become a propaganda tool of the occupying Nazi forces.
Schoenaerts, who starred in Roskam’s Oscar-nominated Bullhead and was more recently seen in David O Russell’s Amsterdam, is set to play the Belgian resistance hero.
Belgian filmmaker Michaël R. Roskam is reuniting with the team behind Bullhead and Racer And The Jailbird for wartime feature Le Faux Soir, set to star regular collaborator Matthias Schoenaerts.
Set in 1943, it tells the story of when the Belgian resistance secretly produced a spoof version of the country’s leading newspaper, Le Soir, which had become a propaganda tool of the occupying Nazi forces.
Schoenaerts, who starred in Roskam’s Oscar-nominated Bullhead and was more recently seen in David O Russell’s Amsterdam, is set to play the Belgian resistance hero.
- 2/19/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
‘Skunk’ is from writer-director Koen Mortier.
London-based sales and production outfit Reason8 Films has boarded worldwide sales rights to new Belgian drama Skunk, from writer-director Koen Mortier.
Skunk tells the story of Liam, who grows up in a family where alcohol, violence and sex dominate, to become a confused teenager who goes to extreme lengths to break with his past. It stars Natali Broods, Boris Van Severen and Thibaud Dooms as Liam. Top Belgian cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis is director of photography.
Mortier’s previous films include festival titles including Ex Drummer (2007), which won a Tiger award at International Film Festival Rotterdam,...
London-based sales and production outfit Reason8 Films has boarded worldwide sales rights to new Belgian drama Skunk, from writer-director Koen Mortier.
Skunk tells the story of Liam, who grows up in a family where alcohol, violence and sex dominate, to become a confused teenager who goes to extreme lengths to break with his past. It stars Natali Broods, Boris Van Severen and Thibaud Dooms as Liam. Top Belgian cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis is director of photography.
Mortier’s previous films include festival titles including Ex Drummer (2007), which won a Tiger award at International Film Festival Rotterdam,...
- 1/17/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Skunk
Blasting onto the film scene with Ex Drummer in 2007 and followed by 22nd of May in 2010 and distinct opposites attract in Angel in 2018, Koen Mortier is good to go in ’23 with his fourth feature which was an Out of Competition work-in-progress selection at Les Arcs Film Festival last month. The book to film adaptation of Skunk was filmed October of 2021 with thesps in first time actor Thibaud Dooms, Natali Broods, Boris Van Severen and Dirk Roofthooft with Nicolas Karakatsanis serving as cinematographer. Czar Film’s Eurydice Gysel and Mortier produced what is coined as a pitch dark teenage drama.…...
Blasting onto the film scene with Ex Drummer in 2007 and followed by 22nd of May in 2010 and distinct opposites attract in Angel in 2018, Koen Mortier is good to go in ’23 with his fourth feature which was an Out of Competition work-in-progress selection at Les Arcs Film Festival last month. The book to film adaptation of Skunk was filmed October of 2021 with thesps in first time actor Thibaud Dooms, Natali Broods, Boris Van Severen and Dirk Roofthooft with Nicolas Karakatsanis serving as cinematographer. Czar Film’s Eurydice Gysel and Mortier produced what is coined as a pitch dark teenage drama.…...
- 1/6/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Projects to receive funding include Tim Mielants’ Second World War drama ’Will’
Koen Mortier and Tim Mielants are among the Flemish directors to receive support for their new film projects in the latest round of investments made by Screen Flanders, which were announced today (Jan 17).
Mortier, the director of cult hit Ex-Drummer, is to receive €50,000 for his new feature Skunk, about a dysfunctional family scarred by alcohol, sex and violence. Their life is seen through the eyes of a young hero, Liam, a neglected teenager.
Mortier will again be working with leading Flemish cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis, whose US credits include Cruella and I,...
Koen Mortier and Tim Mielants are among the Flemish directors to receive support for their new film projects in the latest round of investments made by Screen Flanders, which were announced today (Jan 17).
Mortier, the director of cult hit Ex-Drummer, is to receive €50,000 for his new feature Skunk, about a dysfunctional family scarred by alcohol, sex and violence. Their life is seen through the eyes of a young hero, Liam, a neglected teenager.
Mortier will again be working with leading Flemish cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis, whose US credits include Cruella and I,...
- 1/17/2022
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Mélanie Laurent adapted, directs and stars in The Mad Women’s Ball (Le Bal Des Folles), a French Amazon Original that premiered in the Galas section at the Toronto International Film Festival. Lou de Laâge, who worked with Laurent in Breathe, co-stars in the moving story of oppressed women in late 19th century France. Based on the novel by Victoria Mas, it blends real-life characters with fictional ones in the disturbing setting of a mental institution.
Eugénie (de Laâge) is a well-heeled French girl who craves the education and experience men like her brother can enjoy. She also sees dead people — not all the time, but enough to concern her family. “I know what happens to girls like you,” says Eugénie’s worried brother, and sure enough, her father soon carts her off to La Pitié Salpétrière Hospital, the real-life clinic in Paris run by celebrated neurology pioneer Dr Charcot (Grégoire Bonnet...
Eugénie (de Laâge) is a well-heeled French girl who craves the education and experience men like her brother can enjoy. She also sees dead people — not all the time, but enough to concern her family. “I know what happens to girls like you,” says Eugénie’s worried brother, and sure enough, her father soon carts her off to La Pitié Salpétrière Hospital, the real-life clinic in Paris run by celebrated neurology pioneer Dr Charcot (Grégoire Bonnet...
- 9/13/2021
- by Anna Smith
- Deadline Film + TV
Mélanie Laurent is probably still best known to American filmgoers for her literal barn-burner of a performance in “Inglorious Basterds,” but on the global stage, she’s a filmmaking force, premiering her sixth film in ten years at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on its way to a global debut on Amazon Prime, the streaming service’s first original French production.
“The Mad Women’s Ball,” adapted by Laurent and Christophe Deslandes from Victoria Mas’ novel, explores outdated medical practices and even the supernatural, and it’s another powerful examination of how the asylum essentially served as the witch-burning post for more “enlightened” times — a place to take care of women who didn’t know their place, all under the guise of serving the public order.
Lou de Laâge stars as Eugénie, a spirited young woman who bristles against the expectations of her conservative father, taking every opportunity to hang out...
“The Mad Women’s Ball,” adapted by Laurent and Christophe Deslandes from Victoria Mas’ novel, explores outdated medical practices and even the supernatural, and it’s another powerful examination of how the asylum essentially served as the witch-burning post for more “enlightened” times — a place to take care of women who didn’t know their place, all under the guise of serving the public order.
Lou de Laâge stars as Eugénie, a spirited young woman who bristles against the expectations of her conservative father, taking every opportunity to hang out...
- 9/13/2021
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Of all the movies to debut at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, none helped raise their stock more than I, Tonya. Initially thought of as little more than a question mark in the awards race, enthusiastic reviews have shot it into the stratosphere. Now, it’s a true contender, along with being one of the year’s best films. This week, I, Tonya opens and hopes to establish distributor Neon as the next A24, striking gold almost immediately. Not only could this prove to be a crossover hit, it seems very likely to be a legitimate Oscar player. Especially in Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, the picture is looking for a gold medal. The film is a biopic of controversial figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie), who briefly capturing America’s attention in the 1990’s. Shot using occasional talking head interviews by the chief characters, we see Tonya rise...
- 12/5/2017
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
“Racer and the Jailbird” has all the makings of an elegant, old-school heist movie: fast cars, romance, high stakes, and beautiful people. The third feature from Belgian genre director Michael Roskum (“Bullhead,” “The Drop”) shows a strong eye for emulating those traditions, while co-stars Adèle Exarchopoulos and Matthias Schoenaerts bring a palpable sexual chemistry to the tragic relationship at its center. Yet no matter the sleek direction and skillful performances towing it along, “Racer and the Jailbird” struggles to make much out of its scenario that isn’t already evident from the opening act.
Nevertheless, the movie’s accessible drama holds water for some time, competently establishing the central couple as an appealing cinematic pair. Petite speed racer Bénédicte (Exarchopoulos) wows crowds at a local race track where the beefy Gino (Schoenaerts) finds her after one rousing triumph. He leaves an impression, the way the hyper-masculine Schoenaerts usually does, making...
Nevertheless, the movie’s accessible drama holds water for some time, competently establishing the central couple as an appealing cinematic pair. Petite speed racer Bénédicte (Exarchopoulos) wows crowds at a local race track where the beefy Gino (Schoenaerts) finds her after one rousing triumph. He leaves an impression, the way the hyper-masculine Schoenaerts usually does, making...
- 9/7/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
The summer movie season is upon us, which means a seemingly endless pile-up of superheroes, reboots, and sequels will crowd the multiplexes. While a select few show some promise, we’ve set out to highlight a vast range of titles — 40 in total — that will arrive over the next four months, many of which we’ve already given our stamp of approval.
There’s bound to be more late-summer announcements in the coming months, and a number of titles will arrive on VOD day-and-date, so follow us on Twitter for the latest updates. In the meantime, see our top 40 picks for what to watch this summer below, in chronological order, and let us know what you’re looking forward to most in the comments.
Berlin Syndrome (Cate Shortland; May 5)
While the recent 10 Cloverfield Lane and Room told stories of captivity with various hooks — science-fiction and the process of healing, respectively — Cate Shortland...
There’s bound to be more late-summer announcements in the coming months, and a number of titles will arrive on VOD day-and-date, so follow us on Twitter for the latest updates. In the meantime, see our top 40 picks for what to watch this summer below, in chronological order, and let us know what you’re looking forward to most in the comments.
Berlin Syndrome (Cate Shortland; May 5)
While the recent 10 Cloverfield Lane and Room told stories of captivity with various hooks — science-fiction and the process of healing, respectively — Cate Shortland...
- 4/18/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
After a success festival run, which included winning at Berlinale for Best Feature Film, the U.S. theatrical trailer has arrived for Violet, the feature directorial debut of writer-director Bas Devos. The drama follows a young boy (Cesar De Sutter), the sole witness to the stabbing of his friend by a BMX gang. Now, Jonas, who stood silent and passive as his friend was murdered, must process the dark journey of coping and turmoil of childhood on the cusp of adulthood.
Shot by Nicolas Karakatsanis (The Drop, Bullhead) — partially with gorgeous 8-perf 65mm film — Violet looks to be a lush, harrowing portrait of trauma and youth, and a startling debut for Devos. See the trailer below, along with a poster and synopsis.
During a routine trip to the mall, 15-year-old Jesse’s best friend is violently attacked at random. The attackers do not confront or acknowledge Jesse, and Jesse does...
Shot by Nicolas Karakatsanis (The Drop, Bullhead) — partially with gorgeous 8-perf 65mm film — Violet looks to be a lush, harrowing portrait of trauma and youth, and a startling debut for Devos. See the trailer below, along with a poster and synopsis.
During a routine trip to the mall, 15-year-old Jesse’s best friend is violently attacked at random. The attackers do not confront or acknowledge Jesse, and Jesse does...
- 4/10/2017
- by Mike Mazzanti
- The Film Stage
John Hillcoat is going to make a great film someday. Each of his last three films (Lawless, The Road, The Proposition) have skirted this quality to various degrees, bringing together top-tier casts, evocatively oppressive atmospheres, and muddied, morally-compromised perspectives, but they’ve never quite coalesced into something spectacular. Triple 9 is Hillcoat’s latest trip into the gray, and despite a pedigree of able performers in front of the camera, it’s an exhaustively cynical, morally-empty crime film that has neither the pacing to work as a B-film or the loftier ideas in place to work as a serious investigation of corruption.
Triple 9 centers on a group of various law enforcement members – detectives, police officers, special operations, etc. – who have been backed into a pact with the sadistic Russian Jewish mafia to rob federal banks. They orchestrate these heists with an exacting set of rules and nonlethal force (sort...
Triple 9 centers on a group of various law enforcement members – detectives, police officers, special operations, etc. – who have been backed into a pact with the sadistic Russian Jewish mafia to rob federal banks. They orchestrate these heists with an exacting set of rules and nonlethal force (sort...
- 2/26/2016
- by Michael Snydel
- The Film Stage
The Russians Are Coming: Hillcoat Juggles Strands in Sprawling Heist Thriller
About half way into John Hillcoat’s impressively staged heist thriller Triple 9, it becomes apparent the audience won’t be allowed to develop any sort of sympathy for any of its various characters, a pity considering the potentially rich subtext. Rather than lob gobs of exposition our way, Matt Cook’s screenplay attempts to streamline characterization into the full-tilt madness of criminal legacies and the corresponding demise gilding the future of the powerful and greedy. At times, this congeals into intoxicatingly energetic and disturbingly violent moments of survival play, but whenever the narrative returns to moments of static calm the film has a nagging sense of perfunctory ornamentation, it’s more important elements given short shrift in an effort to balance a variety of odds and ends.
Five masked men storm an Atlanta bank, successfully removing the contents...
About half way into John Hillcoat’s impressively staged heist thriller Triple 9, it becomes apparent the audience won’t be allowed to develop any sort of sympathy for any of its various characters, a pity considering the potentially rich subtext. Rather than lob gobs of exposition our way, Matt Cook’s screenplay attempts to streamline characterization into the full-tilt madness of criminal legacies and the corresponding demise gilding the future of the powerful and greedy. At times, this congeals into intoxicatingly energetic and disturbingly violent moments of survival play, but whenever the narrative returns to moments of static calm the film has a nagging sense of perfunctory ornamentation, it’s more important elements given short shrift in an effort to balance a variety of odds and ends.
Five masked men storm an Atlanta bank, successfully removing the contents...
- 2/25/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Watch out for Bas Devos, people. If his feature debut, “Violet,” is any indication, the Belgian director is going to be a major art-house name. Along with Dp Nicolas Karakatsanis, for that matter. This is an exquisitely shot suburban tale of trauma, stretching the "show-don’t-tell" golden rule of filmmaking to the furthest reaches. In fact, before advocates of sensational shot composition and meticulous camera control choke on too many superlatives here, it’s worth noting that “Violet” might suffer from a too-much-of-a-good-thing syndrome when it comes its visually arresting qualities. The film almost looks too good for the story it tells, which is spread noticeably thin over its succinct 90-minute run time. In any event, Devos and Karakatsanis need to be on everybody’s radar because “Violet” is a shoo-in candidate for one of the best looking films of 2015. After a few blips of digitized violet light, the film...
- 3/19/2015
- by Nikola Grozdanovic
- The Playlist
Coming off the white hot success of his hard hitting, Oscar nominated debut, Bullhead, Michaël Roskam signed on to helm a Hollywood backed crime film adapted by famed writer Dennis Lehane from the author’s own short story, Animal Rescue – an obvious next step that bears all the teetering weight that comes with the swagger of star power and the shimmer of golden statues. Though The Drop failed to live up to its sky high expectations upon world premiere at the Toronto International Film Fest last year, now that the hype has died down it’s recognizably a respectable attempt at roping cheap canine melodrama within a tightly wound yarn of underground corruption and long buried familiar dirty laundry.
Speaking of laundry, the criminal epicenter of Roskam’s tale stands as a seedy bar in Brooklyn where locals come to celebrate or drown their sorrows and the pub’s rough...
Speaking of laundry, the criminal epicenter of Roskam’s tale stands as a seedy bar in Brooklyn where locals come to celebrate or drown their sorrows and the pub’s rough...
- 2/11/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Who here wants to watch an evil Guy Pearce tormenting Stoker actress Mia Wasikowska in a new movie? All of you? Good, because Screen Daily has learned both Pearce and Wasikowska have joined Brimstone, a western thriller from Dutch filmmaker Martin Koolhoven (Winter In Wartime, Bonkers). Koolhoven also wrote the script for the upcoming film. Production is scheduled to begin in May of this year, and the Brimstone will be shot by The Drop and Bullhead cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis. Mia...
- 2/6/2015
- by Jesse Giroux
- JoBlo.com
Outside of Quentin Tarantino’s efforts, Westerns haven’t exactly been enjoying a lot of box-office success again recently. But mashing up the genre with others seems to pay dividends for some film. Brimstone, which blends the oater with a thriller, is hoping for some luck and has corralled Guy Pearce and Mia Wasikowska to star.Martin Koolhoven, who wrote the script and is directing the film in May this year, has Wasikowska on to play Liz, a heroine in the run from a difficult past who is fleeing pursuit by a diabolical preacher (Pearce, who knows how to deliver a dark character or two).With The Drop’s cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis on board to define the look of the thriller, Koolhoven is rounding up the rest of the cast as the producers start to tout the distribution rights to the film at the European Film Market.Pearce was last...
- 2/5/2015
- EmpireOnline
Exclusive: Embankment boards western thriller.
Mia Wasikowska and Guy Pearce are to lead cast of Martin Koolhoven’s thriller western Brimstone, which UK sales outfit Embankment Films has boarded ahead of Berlin’s Efm (Feb 5-13).
Stoker star Wasikowska will play Liz, a heroine on the run from her past and hunted by Pearce’s (The Rover) diabolical preacher.
Koolhoven, director of Second World War epic Winter in Wartime, directs from his own script which will be shot by Bullhead and The Drop cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis.
The film is due to start shooting in May 2015.
Els Vandevorst (Winter in Wartime, Dogville) of N279 Entertainment is producing, in co-production with Studio Babelsberg, The Film Farm and Prime Time.
Nik Powell and Backup Media’s Jean-Baptiste Babin and Joel Thibout are executive producers while CAA rep Us rights.
Mia Wasikowska and Guy Pearce are to lead cast of Martin Koolhoven’s thriller western Brimstone, which UK sales outfit Embankment Films has boarded ahead of Berlin’s Efm (Feb 5-13).
Stoker star Wasikowska will play Liz, a heroine on the run from her past and hunted by Pearce’s (The Rover) diabolical preacher.
Koolhoven, director of Second World War epic Winter in Wartime, directs from his own script which will be shot by Bullhead and The Drop cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis.
The film is due to start shooting in May 2015.
Els Vandevorst (Winter in Wartime, Dogville) of N279 Entertainment is producing, in co-production with Studio Babelsberg, The Film Farm and Prime Time.
Nik Powell and Backup Media’s Jean-Baptiste Babin and Joel Thibout are executive producers while CAA rep Us rights.
- 2/5/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
If you were to unleash a naughty, baroque prankster like Brian De Palma onto the grimly joyless adulterous goings-on of “The Loft,” you might wind up with the kind of delicious trash this thriller so wants to be. Filmed in blue-steel noir-in-color and featuring performances in which everyone’s either mumbling or screaming, however, this silly chamber piece about sex and murder elicits only yawns, interrupted by the occasional unintentional giggle.
A remake of a 2008 Belgian film, this movie does occasionally have that awkward feel of something that’s been translated from one language into Esperanto and then finally into English.
A remake of a 2008 Belgian film, this movie does occasionally have that awkward feel of something that’s been translated from one language into Esperanto and then finally into English.
- 1/30/2015
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
AFI Fest 2014 revealed the features and short film winners of this year’s Jury and Audience Awards today in Los Angeles. The New Auteurs section welcomed the discovery of talented first and second-time filmmakers who should be tracked by Hollywood. This excellent program of ten films was juried by Alonso Duralde (The Wrap), Tim Grierson (Screen International), Eric Kohn (Indiewire) and Anne Thompson (Thompson on Hollywood). The Shorts jury featured Kahlil Joseph (filmmaker), Sara Murphy (producer), Mike Ott (filmmaker), Matthew Takata (Sundance Institute) and Brian Udovich (producer). On the features side, Grand Jury Awards were presented to acclaimed Berlinale premiere (and AFI New Auteurs Audience winner) "Self Made," Cannes hit "The Tribe," gifted "Violent" Dp Nicolas Karakatsanis and the Mexican "Gueros" screenwriters. Pay attention to these filmmakers. The full list of winners, included juried short film prizes and...
- 11/13/2014
- by Anne Thompson and Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Debut competition titles at cinematography festival unveiled.
Camerimage, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography (Nov 15-22), has revealed the line-up of films screening in three of the festival’s competition sections including Cinematographers’ Debut, Directors’ Debut and Student Etudes.
The entries are:
Cinematographers’ Debut Competition
Duane Hopkins’ Bypass;
UK, 2014; Cinematographer: David Procter
Sidney Lexy Plaut’s Dark Samurai;
Denmark, 2014; Cinematographer: Sidney Lexy Plaut
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari’s Difret;
Ethiopia, USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Monika Lenczewska
Krzysztof Skonieczny’s Hardkor Disko;
Poland, 2014; Cinematographer: Kacper Fertacz
Arild Østin Ommundsen’s It’s Only Make Believe;
Norway, 2013; Cinematographer: Arild Østin Ommundsen
Michael Cody and Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s Ruin;
Australia, 2013; Cinematographer: Ari Wegner
Ester Martin Bergsmark’s Something Must Break;
Sweden, 2014; Cinematographers: Lisabi Fridell and Minka Jakerson
David Pablos’ The Life After;
Mexico, 2013; Cinematographer: José De- La-Torre
Saar Klein’s Things People Do;
USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Matthias Koenigswieser
Jonas Alexander Arnby’s When Animals Dream;
Denmark, 2013; Cinematographer: [link=nm...
Camerimage, the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography (Nov 15-22), has revealed the line-up of films screening in three of the festival’s competition sections including Cinematographers’ Debut, Directors’ Debut and Student Etudes.
The entries are:
Cinematographers’ Debut Competition
Duane Hopkins’ Bypass;
UK, 2014; Cinematographer: David Procter
Sidney Lexy Plaut’s Dark Samurai;
Denmark, 2014; Cinematographer: Sidney Lexy Plaut
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari’s Difret;
Ethiopia, USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Monika Lenczewska
Krzysztof Skonieczny’s Hardkor Disko;
Poland, 2014; Cinematographer: Kacper Fertacz
Arild Østin Ommundsen’s It’s Only Make Believe;
Norway, 2013; Cinematographer: Arild Østin Ommundsen
Michael Cody and Amiel Courtin-Wilson’s Ruin;
Australia, 2013; Cinematographer: Ari Wegner
Ester Martin Bergsmark’s Something Must Break;
Sweden, 2014; Cinematographers: Lisabi Fridell and Minka Jakerson
David Pablos’ The Life After;
Mexico, 2013; Cinematographer: José De- La-Torre
Saar Klein’s Things People Do;
USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Matthias Koenigswieser
Jonas Alexander Arnby’s When Animals Dream;
Denmark, 2013; Cinematographer: [link=nm...
- 10/16/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Dog Day Afternoon: Roskam Sets Romance Amidst Insider Heist
Coming off the white hot success of his hard hitting, Oscar nominated debut, Bullhead, Michaël Roskam signed on to helm a Hollywood backed crime film adapted by famed writer Dennis Lehane from the author’s own short story, Animal Rescue – an obvious next step that bears all the teetering weight that comes with the swagger of star power and the shimmer of golden statues. Though The Drop fails to live up to its sky high expectations, it’s no doubt a respectable attempt at roping cheap canine melodrama within a tightly wound yarn of underground corruption and long buried familiar dirty laundry.
Speaking of laundry, the criminal epicenter of Roskam’s tale stands as a seedy bar in Brooklyn where locals come to celebrate or drown their sorrows and the pub’s rough Chechen owners come to launder their dirty money.
Coming off the white hot success of his hard hitting, Oscar nominated debut, Bullhead, Michaël Roskam signed on to helm a Hollywood backed crime film adapted by famed writer Dennis Lehane from the author’s own short story, Animal Rescue – an obvious next step that bears all the teetering weight that comes with the swagger of star power and the shimmer of golden statues. Though The Drop fails to live up to its sky high expectations, it’s no doubt a respectable attempt at roping cheap canine melodrama within a tightly wound yarn of underground corruption and long buried familiar dirty laundry.
Speaking of laundry, the criminal epicenter of Roskam’s tale stands as a seedy bar in Brooklyn where locals come to celebrate or drown their sorrows and the pub’s rough Chechen owners come to launder their dirty money.
- 9/5/2014
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Gal Gadot (Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Fast & Furious 6) tweeted a couple photos from the set of John Hillcoat's Triple Nine (included at the bottom of this post), reminding me this is a film I think has only been mentioned once on this site and that was almost four years ago when Shia Labeouf was circling the pic after Labeouf worked with Hillcoat on Lawless. Now there's no Labeouf, but the cast is stacked for this corrupt cop drama. The film centers on a group of corrupt police officers who are blackmailed into pulling off a seemingly impossible heist. In order to orchestrate the plan a "999", code for 'officer down', must be executed and a rookie police officer is the proposed victim. Along with Gadot, the film stars Aaron Paul, Teresa Palmer, Kate Winslet, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael B. Jordan, Clifton Collins Jr., Anthony Mackie and Norman Reedus.
- 6/30/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
What do you mean you don't think 'Belgium' when you think 'horror'? Okay, fine, the nation known best for its monastic beer has never been much of a player in the horror scene but director Jonas Govaerts is looking to change that with Cub. With a string of (rightfully) acclaimed short films behind him, Govaerts is now preparing his debut feature with a talented team around him including Bullhead cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis and executive producer Richard Christian Matheson.Cub a horror movie about Sam, a twelve-year-old imaginative boy who goes to camp in the woods with his pack of cub scouts. Together with the other cubs and the leaders of the pack Sam finds himself in a dark wood where a psychopathic poacher and his masked...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 5/9/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Here's a plot synopsis for you, stop me if you've heard it before. This is the story of a young cattle farmer who's approached by a veterinarian to make a deal with a notorious beef trader. No, haven't heard it? Didn't think so. While the not-so-everyday nature of that synopsis may raise your eyebrow, I'm here to tell you the film it describes will do much more.
The film is Bullhead (Rundskop) and you absolutely should run out the door to see it as neither the title nor that pitiful description I just gave gives you any idea as to what to expect. That said, if you can take my word for it, then please do so. Go see the movie and read no further. Because walking into this film knowing only what I've told you so far is going to make the experience that much better. Trust me... go.
The film is Bullhead (Rundskop) and you absolutely should run out the door to see it as neither the title nor that pitiful description I just gave gives you any idea as to what to expect. That said, if you can take my word for it, then please do so. Go see the movie and read no further. Because walking into this film knowing only what I've told you so far is going to make the experience that much better. Trust me... go.
- 2/17/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Bullhead
Written by Michael R. Roskam
Directed by Michael R. Roskam
2011, Belgium
Writer/director Michaël Roskam delivers an assured directorial debut in Bulhead, a disturbingly visceral art-house drama that ably blends elements from other genres. While punctuated with moments of austere dark humour, Bullhead ranks as one of the most original crime pics in recent memory – one which is light on crime but heavy on drama, blending thriller elements into what amounts to a character study. This emotionally driven tale of revenge, redemption and fate is morally complex and constantly surprising, shattering the myths of brute machismo by way of its central standout performance in actor Matthias Schoenaerts.
In this hyper-masculine world of backwoods crime culture, Bullhead tells the story of the young Limburg cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille, whose family breeds cattle and tinkers in illegal hormones to enhance their meat. Jacky’s family is approached by a shady veterinarian...
Written by Michael R. Roskam
Directed by Michael R. Roskam
2011, Belgium
Writer/director Michaël Roskam delivers an assured directorial debut in Bulhead, a disturbingly visceral art-house drama that ably blends elements from other genres. While punctuated with moments of austere dark humour, Bullhead ranks as one of the most original crime pics in recent memory – one which is light on crime but heavy on drama, blending thriller elements into what amounts to a character study. This emotionally driven tale of revenge, redemption and fate is morally complex and constantly surprising, shattering the myths of brute machismo by way of its central standout performance in actor Matthias Schoenaerts.
In this hyper-masculine world of backwoods crime culture, Bullhead tells the story of the young Limburg cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille, whose family breeds cattle and tinkers in illegal hormones to enhance their meat. Jacky’s family is approached by a shady veterinarian...
- 2/16/2012
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Setting up my schedule for the Vancouver International Film Festival by rummaging through its website finding award-winners and acclaimed features worth checking out, it was still a bit of a happy accident I found myself in the Empire Granville 7 for a screening of Bullhead. Unaware of the press protocol for getting tickets due to it being my first day in the city, I found myself at the pass table about two hours too late from being in the tenacious daily morning queue. Miraculously, however, just a mere thirty minutes before the lights would dim, a ticket remained.
Director Michaël R. Roskam stood to give a brief introduction and the festival programmer in charge shared how Bullhead had just beat out the Dardennes for Belgium’s Oscar entry. My anticipation skyrocketed and my luck to be there became even more insane after learning the previous evening’s screening had malfunctioned. The...
Director Michaël R. Roskam stood to give a brief introduction and the festival programmer in charge shared how Bullhead had just beat out the Dardennes for Belgium’s Oscar entry. My anticipation skyrocketed and my luck to be there became even more insane after learning the previous evening’s screening had malfunctioned. The...
- 2/8/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Bullhead is the impassioned tale of Jacky Vanmarsenille (Matthias Schoenaerts), a Belgian cattle farmer who, due to a childhood act of harrowing violence, has become an emotional cripple, although a hunky one. Yes, thanks to all of the steroids and hormones he regularly ingests and shoots up, his physique is much more inviting than his personality. In fact, you might just call him the Travis Bickle of livestock.
As for the aforementioned cows, they're not left out when it comes to getting pharmaceutical aids. You see certain Belgian farmers want to fatten up their bovines in eight weeks instead of ten, and to do so, they are purchasing the most sophisticated drugs available, ones not even as of yet available in the "Hormonic States of America."
So what we have here is basically two plot lines, both including the brooding, muscle-bound Jackie. In the first, he's involved with the steroid-distributing Cow Mafia,...
As for the aforementioned cows, they're not left out when it comes to getting pharmaceutical aids. You see certain Belgian farmers want to fatten up their bovines in eight weeks instead of ten, and to do so, they are purchasing the most sophisticated drugs available, ones not even as of yet available in the "Hormonic States of America."
So what we have here is basically two plot lines, both including the brooding, muscle-bound Jackie. In the first, he's involved with the steroid-distributing Cow Mafia,...
- 2/7/2012
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
Bullhead
Written by Michael R. Roskam
Directed by Michael R. Roskam
2011, Belgium
Writer/director Michaël Roskam delivers an assured directorial debut in Bulhead, a disturbingly visceral art-house drama that ably blends elements from other genres. While punctuated with moments of austere dark humour, Bullhead ranks as one of the most original crime pics in recent memory – one which is light on crime but heavy on drama, blending thriller elements into what amounts to a character study. This emotionally driven tale of revenge, redemption and fate is morally complex and constantly surprising, shattering the myths of brute machismo by way of its central standout performance in actor Matthias Schoenaerts.
In this hyper-masculine world of backwoods crime culture, Bullhead tells the story of the young Limburg cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille, whose family breeds cattle and tinkers in illegal hormones to enhance their meat. Jacky’s family is approached by a shady veterinarian...
Written by Michael R. Roskam
Directed by Michael R. Roskam
2011, Belgium
Writer/director Michaël Roskam delivers an assured directorial debut in Bulhead, a disturbingly visceral art-house drama that ably blends elements from other genres. While punctuated with moments of austere dark humour, Bullhead ranks as one of the most original crime pics in recent memory – one which is light on crime but heavy on drama, blending thriller elements into what amounts to a character study. This emotionally driven tale of revenge, redemption and fate is morally complex and constantly surprising, shattering the myths of brute machismo by way of its central standout performance in actor Matthias Schoenaerts.
In this hyper-masculine world of backwoods crime culture, Bullhead tells the story of the young Limburg cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille, whose family breeds cattle and tinkers in illegal hormones to enhance their meat. Jacky’s family is approached by a shady veterinarian...
- 9/30/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Critics' Week has already begun celebrating its 50th anniversary by posting 50 video interviews with directors and actors who've seen their work debut in this section at Cannes. We're celebrating, too. In association with the 4+1 Film Festival, Mubi is presenting a retrospective of some of the greatest films first seen in Critics' Week over the past half-century. And even though the first 1000 views of each of the films will be free to you, the viewer, the rights holders will carry on receiving their duly earned revenue.
The retrospective encompasses over 100 titles in all, but please do keep in mind that rights issues can get complicated and not every film can be available in every country. That said, here's a quick overview of just some of the highlights:
Over in the Garage, a La Semaine Blogathon is already on the roll, starting with Kj Farrington's entry on Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know,...
The retrospective encompasses over 100 titles in all, but please do keep in mind that rights issues can get complicated and not every film can be available in every country. That said, here's a quick overview of just some of the highlights:
Over in the Garage, a La Semaine Blogathon is already on the roll, starting with Kj Farrington's entry on Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know,...
- 5/14/2011
- MUBI
In June of last year we were privy to the first batch of images from Michaël R. Roskam’s crime drama Bullhead (Rundskop). Around these parts we were pretty excited about the project which was being shot by one of our favoured cinematographers Nicolas Karakatsanis and the first batch of images were fantastic.
The film opened in Belgium earlier in the week and will likely make its way through a handful of festivals and as if preparing for its ocean crossing, an English subtitled trailer for the film has turned up and it’s a pretty fantastic little trailer. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise considering that nearly everything traded in the black market has some sort of shady underworld connection but I must admit I was a little surprised to see the term “cattle hormone mafia.”
The first thing that struck me about this trailer...
The film opened in Belgium earlier in the week and will likely make its way through a handful of festivals and as if preparing for its ocean crossing, an English subtitled trailer for the film has turned up and it’s a pretty fantastic little trailer. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise considering that nearly everything traded in the black market has some sort of shady underworld connection but I must admit I was a little surprised to see the term “cattle hormone mafia.”
The first thing that struck me about this trailer...
- 2/4/2011
- QuietEarth.us
Soon to premiere in the Panorama section of the Berlin Film Festival is Michael Roskam's Bullhead (Rundskop), a dark drama set in the world of illegal agricultural hormone trading. Shot by frequent Koen (Ex Drummer) Mortier collaborator Nicolas Karakatsanis there seems to be a lot to like in the trailer. Here's the official synopsis:
Set in the underworld of the Belgian agricultural hormone mafia, an illegal fatstocker and a police informer face each other in a crime investigation. But then a dark and unsettling story about loyalty and friendship unfolds through their tormented past as childhood friends.
Set in the underworld of the Belgian agricultural hormone mafia, an illegal fatstocker and a police informer face each other in a crime investigation. But then a dark and unsettling story about loyalty and friendship unfolds through their tormented past as childhood friends.
- 1/4/2011
- Screen Anarchy
While I've known about this for some time, I was waiting for it to go into production so I could show you something and now, we have some stunning stills. Stunning why? Because it's being shot by one of my favorite Dp's, Nicolas Karakatsanis who shot Lost Persons Area, Left Bank, and Small Gods among others. If you haven't noticed, Belgium is on a heavy genre upswing and there's some great film coming out of that little country, with a a lot more planned and a lot of talent waiting in the wings for the chance. But more on that later.
Set in the underworld of the Belgian agricultural hormone mafia, an illegal fatstocker and a police informer face each other in a crime investigation. But then a dark and unsettling story about loyalty and friendship unfolds through their tormented past as childhood friends.
Stills after the break.
Head to...
Set in the underworld of the Belgian agricultural hormone mafia, an illegal fatstocker and a police informer face each other in a crime investigation. But then a dark and unsettling story about loyalty and friendship unfolds through their tormented past as childhood friends.
Stills after the break.
Head to...
- 6/17/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2009
Directors: Caroline Strubbe
Writers: Caroline Strubbe
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Rick McGrath
Rating: 8 out of 10
It’s not often you come across a movie that’s freaky, creepy and depressing all at the same time. Welcome to Lost Person’s Area (Lpa), a sort of psychic dead zone of seekers, escapers, narcissists and one very zany little kid.
The basic characters and a trailer of Lpa have been posted here on Qe, but I’ll sort of repeat it: Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wanders through the movie, looking for bits and pieces of anything to aid her semi-autistic, artistic attempts to have her parents notice her. Marcus, Tessa's father, is a man searching to find happiness in an unconventional way of living. The day-to-day way. He’s a grasshopper and never plans ahead. Bettina, Marcus' wife, is a self-centered sensualist who runs the worker’s kitchen and...
Directors: Caroline Strubbe
Writers: Caroline Strubbe
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Rick McGrath
Rating: 8 out of 10
It’s not often you come across a movie that’s freaky, creepy and depressing all at the same time. Welcome to Lost Person’s Area (Lpa), a sort of psychic dead zone of seekers, escapers, narcissists and one very zany little kid.
The basic characters and a trailer of Lpa have been posted here on Qe, but I’ll sort of repeat it: Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wanders through the movie, looking for bits and pieces of anything to aid her semi-autistic, artistic attempts to have her parents notice her. Marcus, Tessa's father, is a man searching to find happiness in an unconventional way of living. The day-to-day way. He’s a grasshopper and never plans ahead. Bettina, Marcus' wife, is a self-centered sensualist who runs the worker’s kitchen and...
- 1/8/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Good news for fans of Ex Drummer and director Koen Mortier! Today is the final shooting day on Mortier's sophomore feature, the terrorism-themed 22nd of May, which means a look at some footage cannot be far off. But footage or no, director of photography Nicolas Karakatsanis has posted a generous collection of shots from the set on his personal blog and these are flat out stunning. There are more to be found over here but I've gathered a collection of my favorites below.
... While everything around him is burning, Sam tries his best to help. He drags a woman outside against her will. She is screaming, struggling to get back inside to save her child. But Sam is already back on the scene, trying to rescue other victims, all of them just as helpless as he is. They are strewn over the floor, covered in blood, their clothes shredded to pieces,...
... While everything around him is burning, Sam tries his best to help. He drags a woman outside against her will. She is screaming, struggling to get back inside to save her child. But Sam is already back on the scene, trying to rescue other victims, all of them just as helpless as he is. They are strewn over the floor, covered in blood, their clothes shredded to pieces,...
- 11/19/2009
- Screen Anarchy
About halfway through Pieter Van Hees' Left Bank, I stopped the movie, made lunch, watched Notting Hill (no, that's not the sound of my credibility darting away), did some laundry, made dinner, downloaded a couple episodes of The Big Bang Theory, and went to bed.
Such was the effect of Left Bank -- I felt no urgency, no pressing desire to learn about what happens to its characters, what evil is plaguing them. My spine did not tingle, nor did I find myself scooching to the edge of my seat.
Marie (the relatively unknown Eline Kuppens) is a devoted track junkie. She runs hard and does little else, until she collapses from an immune infection, leaving her to have to forfeit an upcoming championship. The break from training allows her to take up a relationship with a young archer named Bobby (Matthias Schoenaerts). She moves out of her mother's house,...
Such was the effect of Left Bank -- I felt no urgency, no pressing desire to learn about what happens to its characters, what evil is plaguing them. My spine did not tingle, nor did I find myself scooching to the edge of my seat.
Marie (the relatively unknown Eline Kuppens) is a devoted track junkie. She runs hard and does little else, until she collapses from an immune infection, leaving her to have to forfeit an upcoming championship. The break from training allows her to take up a relationship with a young archer named Bobby (Matthias Schoenaerts). She moves out of her mother's house,...
- 10/17/2009
- by Jess Goodwin
- JustPressPlay.net
As I don't think many people payed attention to this the first time we posted it, especially since it was linked on facebook and not embedded, we're posting it again. From Belgium, which, while only 11,787 square miles in size, is producing some of the best film on the planet. For example: Dirty Mind, Linkeroever, Nowhere Man, Small Gods, and Somewhere Between Here and Now, just to name a few. Directed by feature length first timer Caroline Strubbe and shot by one of my personal favorite (and one of the best) cinematographers Nicolas Karakatsanis, I'm still dying to see this.
Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wandering the field with endless pylons, looking for bits and pieces to occupy her mind. Marcus, Tessa’s father, a man searching to find happiness for his little family in an unconventional way of living. Bettina, a woman amongst men, figuring out which role to play as a mother and a wife.
Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wandering the field with endless pylons, looking for bits and pieces to occupy her mind. Marcus, Tessa’s father, a man searching to find happiness for his little family in an unconventional way of living. Bettina, a woman amongst men, figuring out which role to play as a mother and a wife.
- 9/2/2009
- QuietEarth.us
We previously reported on Caroline Strubbe's directorial debut, complete with georgeous stills, and to boot, one of my favorite cinematographers working today, Nicolas Karakatsanis (Left Bank, Small Gods) shot it. Reportedly a journalist even said Nicolas "outdid" himself on this one. We had a copy of the trailer before Cannes but weren't allowed to post, and now that it's on their Facebook account (only temporarily) I Highly recommend checking it out. This is a stunner.
Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wandering the field with endless pylons, looking for bits and pieces to occupy her mind. Marcus, Tessa’s father, a man searching to find happiness for his little family in an unconventional way of living. Bettina, a woman amongst men, figuring out which role to play as a mother and a wife. And Szabolcs, a Hungarian engineer, looking for a better life and a family far away from home.
Watch the trailer here.
Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wandering the field with endless pylons, looking for bits and pieces to occupy her mind. Marcus, Tessa’s father, a man searching to find happiness for his little family in an unconventional way of living. Bettina, a woman amongst men, figuring out which role to play as a mother and a wife. And Szabolcs, a Hungarian engineer, looking for a better life and a family far away from home.
Watch the trailer here.
- 7/8/2009
- QuietEarth.us
The first feature from writer/director Caroline Strubbe, Lost Persons Area is another in the growing cadre of incredible looking film coming out of Belgium. Maybe there's something in the water because they're one country to watch for serious talent like one of my favorite cinematographers Nicolas Karakatsanis (who also did Linkeroever and Small Gods) who could seriously give the likes of Nuri Bilge Ceylan and crew a run for their money. Nicolas shot this film and reportedly one journalist said "he outdid himself on this one", but back to the story. I've just watched the unfinished trailer (sorry folks, can't share) and yes, it is stunning and poignant, the story a seeming search for meaning against the backdrop of metaphorical emptiness of electrical pylons. We're expecting a full trailer in a couple of days so check back!
Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wandering the field with endless pylons, looking for...
Tessa, a nine-year-old girl, wandering the field with endless pylons, looking for...
- 4/24/2009
- QuietEarth.us
Year: 2008
Release date: Unknown
Directors: Pieter Van Hees
Writers: Pieter Van Hees, Christophe Dirickx, Dimitri Karakatsanis and Bert Hamelinck
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: cyberhal
Rating: 7.7 out of 10
A dark movie from the dark country of Belgium. Pieter Van Hees's beautifully shot debut feature is a story of horror that draws its power from slow build and unsettling suggestion. You don't get terror or slasher horror FX, but you do get great suspense and a thought provoking story. Think Polanski's Rosemarys Baby. The dark tone of the story is reflected in the atmospheric cinematography, and really hats off to lens man Nicolas Karakatsanis, who was responsible for the equally dark Small Gods which we reviewed back in Spring 2008. Left Bank was premiered in the USA at Fantastic Fest last September.
Marie (Eline Kuppens) is a dedicated track athlete. One day, she suddenly collapses due to an infection in her immune system,...
Release date: Unknown
Directors: Pieter Van Hees
Writers: Pieter Van Hees, Christophe Dirickx, Dimitri Karakatsanis and Bert Hamelinck
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: cyberhal
Rating: 7.7 out of 10
A dark movie from the dark country of Belgium. Pieter Van Hees's beautifully shot debut feature is a story of horror that draws its power from slow build and unsettling suggestion. You don't get terror or slasher horror FX, but you do get great suspense and a thought provoking story. Think Polanski's Rosemarys Baby. The dark tone of the story is reflected in the atmospheric cinematography, and really hats off to lens man Nicolas Karakatsanis, who was responsible for the equally dark Small Gods which we reviewed back in Spring 2008. Left Bank was premiered in the USA at Fantastic Fest last September.
Marie (Eline Kuppens) is a dedicated track athlete. One day, she suddenly collapses due to an infection in her immune system,...
- 1/11/2009
- QuietEarth.us
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