“Harley” director Jean-Cosme Delaloye has wrapped production on a documentary celebrating pioneering Detroit techno music producer Carl Craig.
“Desire: The Carl Craig Story” is structured as an intimate portrait of Craig and an ode to his beloved Detroit. With Detroit’s decline and recovery as a backdrop, the film follows the career of producer whose genre-defying techno has been performed to jazz enthusiasts at the Montreux Jazz Festival and in the premier classical auditoriums around the world, including Carnegie Hall. The film features artists including Gilles Peterson, Roni Size, Laurent Garnier, DJ Minx, Kenny Larkin, Moritz von Oswald and James Lavelle, who worked with Craig and played a major role in bringing techno and electronic music to the masses over the years.
The globe-hopping documentary moves from dance floor to dance floor with stops in Detroit, the Montreux Jazz Festival, London, Bristol, Chicago, New York and Ciudad Juarez among many other places.
“Desire: The Carl Craig Story” is structured as an intimate portrait of Craig and an ode to his beloved Detroit. With Detroit’s decline and recovery as a backdrop, the film follows the career of producer whose genre-defying techno has been performed to jazz enthusiasts at the Montreux Jazz Festival and in the premier classical auditoriums around the world, including Carnegie Hall. The film features artists including Gilles Peterson, Roni Size, Laurent Garnier, DJ Minx, Kenny Larkin, Moritz von Oswald and James Lavelle, who worked with Craig and played a major role in bringing techno and electronic music to the masses over the years.
The globe-hopping documentary moves from dance floor to dance floor with stops in Detroit, the Montreux Jazz Festival, London, Bristol, Chicago, New York and Ciudad Juarez among many other places.
- 2/13/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Lana Parrilla and Branko Tomovic have joined the cast of Action Xtreme’s Pov action thriller “Bad Day at the Office” from writer-director Chee Keong Cheung.
The two join the previously announced cast of John Hannah, Radha Mitchell, Tamer Hassan, Roxanne Mckee (“Game of Thrones”) and Tim Fellingham (“Final Destination 5”).
Filmed entirely in the first-person perspective using GoPros, “Bad Day at the Office” follows Karl (Hannah) after he wakes up in a wrecked hotel room with no memory of what’s happened, where he is, or even who he is. When he discovers a dead body in the bathtub, it sets into motion a terrifying and explosive series of events that force Karl and hotel maid Molly (Mitchell) on a blind descent into a deceptive world of confusion and conspiracy.
Producers on “Bad Day at the Office,” which is currently shooting in several locations around London, include Andreas Roald,...
The two join the previously announced cast of John Hannah, Radha Mitchell, Tamer Hassan, Roxanne Mckee (“Game of Thrones”) and Tim Fellingham (“Final Destination 5”).
Filmed entirely in the first-person perspective using GoPros, “Bad Day at the Office” follows Karl (Hannah) after he wakes up in a wrecked hotel room with no memory of what’s happened, where he is, or even who he is. When he discovers a dead body in the bathtub, it sets into motion a terrifying and explosive series of events that force Karl and hotel maid Molly (Mitchell) on a blind descent into a deceptive world of confusion and conspiracy.
Producers on “Bad Day at the Office,” which is currently shooting in several locations around London, include Andreas Roald,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
UK producer and distributor Sovereign is expanding into US distribution and has set its first title as Laurent Negre’s A Forgotten Man.
The company aims to release up to three titles a year in US cinemas and across VOD platforms. The first will be Swiss thriller A Forgotten Man, which Sovereign released in the UK and Ireland on November 10, following its premiere at Zurich Film Festival in 2022. It is now set to open in the US on April 12.
It marks a further expansion for the London-based company, which was founded by Andreas Roald in 2008 and launched Sovereign Film Distribution...
The company aims to release up to three titles a year in US cinemas and across VOD platforms. The first will be Swiss thriller A Forgotten Man, which Sovereign released in the UK and Ireland on November 10, following its premiere at Zurich Film Festival in 2022. It is now set to open in the US on April 12.
It marks a further expansion for the London-based company, which was founded by Andreas Roald in 2008 and launched Sovereign Film Distribution...
- 1/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
U.K.-based film production and distribution company Sovereign is expanding across the Atlantic with the launch of a distribution arm in the U.S.
With a plan to release two to three titles a year theatrically and across VOD platforms, the first film slated for release from the new entity is Laurent Nègre’s World War II thriller “A Forgotten Man,” which Sovereign also produced. Set in 1945 after the surrender of Nazi Germany, the story follows the Swiss ambassador (played by Michael Neuenschwander) after he leaves Berlin, but finds himself haunted by his past.
The film, which recently had its U.S. premiere at the Miami Jewish Film Festival and first bowed in Zurich, was released in the U.K. by Sovereign with support from the Swiss Confederation and Swiss Films. Its U.S. release is now slated for April.
Andreas Roald, who first founded Sovereign in 2008, and the head of U.
With a plan to release two to three titles a year theatrically and across VOD platforms, the first film slated for release from the new entity is Laurent Nègre’s World War II thriller “A Forgotten Man,” which Sovereign also produced. Set in 1945 after the surrender of Nazi Germany, the story follows the Swiss ambassador (played by Michael Neuenschwander) after he leaves Berlin, but finds himself haunted by his past.
The film, which recently had its U.S. premiere at the Miami Jewish Film Festival and first bowed in Zurich, was released in the U.K. by Sovereign with support from the Swiss Confederation and Swiss Films. Its U.S. release is now slated for April.
Andreas Roald, who first founded Sovereign in 2008, and the head of U.
- 1/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Cameras are rolling in London on the action thriller Bad Day At The Office from filmmaker Chee Keong Cheung with John Hannah (The Mummy), Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill), and Tamer Hassan (Layer Cake) signed on to star.
The cast also includes Roxanne Mckee (Game of Thrones) and Tim Fellingham (Final Destination 5). The film opens with Karl Davis (Hannah) waking in a wrecked hotel room with no memory of what’s happened, where he is, or even who he is. When he discovers a dead body in the bathtub, and two police officers soon knock at his door, it sets into motion a terrifying and explosive series of events that force Karl and hotel maid Molly on a blind descent into a deceptive world of confusion and conspiracy and at the same time with a price on his head and half the city in murderous pursuit.
The cast also includes Roxanne Mckee (Game of Thrones) and Tim Fellingham (Final Destination 5). The film opens with Karl Davis (Hannah) waking in a wrecked hotel room with no memory of what’s happened, where he is, or even who he is. When he discovers a dead body in the bathtub, and two police officers soon knock at his door, it sets into motion a terrifying and explosive series of events that force Karl and hotel maid Molly on a blind descent into a deceptive world of confusion and conspiracy and at the same time with a price on his head and half the city in murderous pursuit.
- 12/14/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Chile’s Francisca Alegria, whose debut feature “The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future” premiered at Sundance 2022, is launching a Latinx production company called Madre, with offices based in Chile, Uruguay and the U.S.
Together with her partners Fernanda Urrejola, Gabriela Rosés and Cristóbal Güell, Alegria said: “We firmly believe that stories have the ability to shape perspectives, challenge norms, and inspire action. With this in mind, we strive to select projects that not only entertain but also provoke thought and spark meaningful conversations.”
Recognizing that “representation matters,” the company intends to showcase Latinx culture “beyond surface-level diversity” stating: “We aim to portray the complexities, nuances, and rich tapestry of our community, shedding light on the multifaceted experiences and identities that often go unseen or are misunderstood.”
The new company is working on a fantasy feature set in Chile with Latinx producers Sergio Lira and Lynette Coll atLuz Films and “The Cow…...
Together with her partners Fernanda Urrejola, Gabriela Rosés and Cristóbal Güell, Alegria said: “We firmly believe that stories have the ability to shape perspectives, challenge norms, and inspire action. With this in mind, we strive to select projects that not only entertain but also provoke thought and spark meaningful conversations.”
Recognizing that “representation matters,” the company intends to showcase Latinx culture “beyond surface-level diversity” stating: “We aim to portray the complexities, nuances, and rich tapestry of our community, shedding light on the multifaceted experiences and identities that often go unseen or are misunderstood.”
The new company is working on a fantasy feature set in Chile with Latinx producers Sergio Lira and Lynette Coll atLuz Films and “The Cow…...
- 8/18/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Sovereign has acquired the U.K. and Ireland rights to Radu Jude’s latest feature, “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World,” which won the special jury prize at Locarno Film Festival.
Written and directed by Jude, the comedy stars Ilinca Manolache, Ovidiu Pîrșan, Dorina Lazăr, László Miske, Katia Pascariu and Sofia Nicolaescu, with cameos from Nina Hoss and Uwe Boll. According to its official synopsis, the film follows an overworked production assistant who is instructed to “film a workplace safety video commissioned by a multinational company. But an interviewee makes a statement which forces him to reinvent his story to suit the company’s narrative.”
“Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World” recently premiered at Locarno, where it was nominated for the Golden Leopard Award for best film and won the festival’s special jury prize. The film was well-received by critics at the fest,...
Written and directed by Jude, the comedy stars Ilinca Manolache, Ovidiu Pîrșan, Dorina Lazăr, László Miske, Katia Pascariu and Sofia Nicolaescu, with cameos from Nina Hoss and Uwe Boll. According to its official synopsis, the film follows an overworked production assistant who is instructed to “film a workplace safety video commissioned by a multinational company. But an interviewee makes a statement which forces him to reinvent his story to suit the company’s narrative.”
“Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World” recently premiered at Locarno, where it was nominated for the Golden Leopard Award for best film and won the festival’s special jury prize. The film was well-received by critics at the fest,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Sovereign has acquired U.K. and Ireland distribution rights for Lisandro Alonso’s Cannes title “Eureka,” starring Viggo Mortensen.
The film recently had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s Cannes Premiere strand in May.
“Eureka” follows the story of Alaina (Alaina Clifford), a police officer in the Pine Ridge Reservation who decides to stop responding to her radio, leaving her niece Sadie waiting in vain for her return. Hurt by Alaina’s absence, Sadie embarks on a journey with the guidance of her grandfather. The journey transcends time and space, taking her to South America and transforming her perception of the world. As Sadie encounters the dreams of the forest dwellers, she learns that birds, if understood, hold truths that humans can’t grasp.
The narrative of “Eureka” unfolds in three distinct segments, centered around a woman who becomes a migratory bird, bridging continents and eras. The first part,...
The film recently had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s Cannes Premiere strand in May.
“Eureka” follows the story of Alaina (Alaina Clifford), a police officer in the Pine Ridge Reservation who decides to stop responding to her radio, leaving her niece Sadie waiting in vain for her return. Hurt by Alaina’s absence, Sadie embarks on a journey with the guidance of her grandfather. The journey transcends time and space, taking her to South America and transforming her perception of the world. As Sadie encounters the dreams of the forest dwellers, she learns that birds, if understood, hold truths that humans can’t grasp.
The narrative of “Eureka” unfolds in three distinct segments, centered around a woman who becomes a migratory bird, bridging continents and eras. The first part,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Amat Escalante’s title debuted in the Cannes Premiere section.
Mexican auteur Amat Escalante’s Lost In The Night is to be released in the UK and Ireland by Sovereign, following its debut in the Cannes Premiere section.
Sovereign is aiming for a late 2023, early 2024 theatrical release, with The Match Factory handling international sales.
The social thriller tells the story of a Mexican activist who disappears without a trace following her protests against the local mining industry. Five years later, her son attempts to find the culprit.
It was written by Escalante in collaboration with his brother Martín Escalante and Paulina Mendoza.
Mexican auteur Amat Escalante’s Lost In The Night is to be released in the UK and Ireland by Sovereign, following its debut in the Cannes Premiere section.
Sovereign is aiming for a late 2023, early 2024 theatrical release, with The Match Factory handling international sales.
The social thriller tells the story of a Mexican activist who disappears without a trace following her protests against the local mining industry. Five years later, her son attempts to find the culprit.
It was written by Escalante in collaboration with his brother Martín Escalante and Paulina Mendoza.
- 5/21/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Noel Goodwin was director of BFI Future Film Festival for more than a decade.
UK production and distribution company Sovereign has appointed Noel Goodwin to scout rising filmmaking talent for its Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin has been appointed talent development director and creative producer at Action Xtreme, which launched last year, and will aim to find writers, directors and producers that the label can support to develop their skills and scripts through investment. This includes mentoring, script development, shadowing and film financing to create new action film content under the Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin was previously director of BFI Future Film Festival,...
UK production and distribution company Sovereign has appointed Noel Goodwin to scout rising filmmaking talent for its Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin has been appointed talent development director and creative producer at Action Xtreme, which launched last year, and will aim to find writers, directors and producers that the label can support to develop their skills and scripts through investment. This includes mentoring, script development, shadowing and film financing to create new action film content under the Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin was previously director of BFI Future Film Festival,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Noel Goodwin was director of BFI Future Film Festival for more than a decade.
UK production and distribution company Sovereign has appointed Noel Goodwin to scout rising filmmaking talent for its Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin has been appointed talent development director and creative producer at Action Xtreme, which launched last year, and will aim to find writers, directors and producers that the label can support to develop their skills and scripts through investment. This includes mentoring, script development, shadowing and film financing to create new action film content under the Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin was previously director of BFI Future Film Festival,...
UK production and distribution company Sovereign has appointed Noel Goodwin to scout rising filmmaking talent for its Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin has been appointed talent development director and creative producer at Action Xtreme, which launched last year, and will aim to find writers, directors and producers that the label can support to develop their skills and scripts through investment. This includes mentoring, script development, shadowing and film financing to create new action film content under the Action Xtreme label.
Goodwin was previously director of BFI Future Film Festival,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Documentary world premiered this weekend at Hot Docs in Toronto.
Berlin-based Films Boutique has launched international sales on leading Mexican filmmaker Everardo González’s latest documentary A Wolfpack Called Ernesto, which world premiered at the weekend at Hot Docs in Toronto.
Films Boutique has also co-produced the doc, which is backed by TelevisaUnivision’s Spanish language streamer ViX and N+ Docs, the documentary division of the Mexican news content producer N+. The film is supported by the Berlinale’s World Cinema Fund.
A Wolfpack Called Ernesto focuses on the impact of gang violence on young people in Mexico City, with...
Berlin-based Films Boutique has launched international sales on leading Mexican filmmaker Everardo González’s latest documentary A Wolfpack Called Ernesto, which world premiered at the weekend at Hot Docs in Toronto.
Films Boutique has also co-produced the doc, which is backed by TelevisaUnivision’s Spanish language streamer ViX and N+ Docs, the documentary division of the Mexican news content producer N+. The film is supported by the Berlinale’s World Cinema Fund.
A Wolfpack Called Ernesto focuses on the impact of gang violence on young people in Mexico City, with...
- 5/2/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Italy-based sales agent Lights On has acquired world rights for “Mammalia” by Romanian director Sebastian Mihăilescu, ahead of its world premiere in the Berlinale Forum strand. It has debuted the film’s trailer (below).
In “Mammalia,” 39-year-old Camil (István Téglás) embarks on a dreamlike trip where the banal and the surreal merge. Struggling to come to terms with losing control – of his work, his social status, his relationship – Camil sets off on a search that leads him to question the basis of his identity as a man. He pursues his girlfriend (Mălina Manovici) into an increasingly bizarre and disturbing world of community and ritual before being confronted by a tragi-comic role-reversal that leads us to question everything.
Mihăilescu comments: “The film satirizes the way that classic binary gender roles are often rigidly defined in society, and it highlights the performative nature of gender identity, emphasizing the ways in which, by assuming our gendered role,...
In “Mammalia,” 39-year-old Camil (István Téglás) embarks on a dreamlike trip where the banal and the surreal merge. Struggling to come to terms with losing control – of his work, his social status, his relationship – Camil sets off on a search that leads him to question the basis of his identity as a man. He pursues his girlfriend (Mălina Manovici) into an increasingly bizarre and disturbing world of community and ritual before being confronted by a tragi-comic role-reversal that leads us to question everything.
Mihăilescu comments: “The film satirizes the way that classic binary gender roles are often rigidly defined in society, and it highlights the performative nature of gender identity, emphasizing the ways in which, by assuming our gendered role,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The film has screened at Toronto and San Sebastian
Sovereign has secured UK and Ireland rights to Diego Lerman’s Argentinian thriller The Substitute from Urban Sales.
Set in Buenos Aires, the film follows a substitute teacher who becomes caught in a conflict between a drug gang and one of his students.
‘The Substitute’: San Sebastian Review
After a world premiere at Toronto The Substitute screened in competition in San Sebastian, winning the best supporting actor award for Renata Lerman. She stars with Juan Minujín, Alfredo Castro, Barbara Lennie and Lucas Arrua
The producers are El Campo Cine; Italy...
Sovereign has secured UK and Ireland rights to Diego Lerman’s Argentinian thriller The Substitute from Urban Sales.
Set in Buenos Aires, the film follows a substitute teacher who becomes caught in a conflict between a drug gang and one of his students.
‘The Substitute’: San Sebastian Review
After a world premiere at Toronto The Substitute screened in competition in San Sebastian, winning the best supporting actor award for Renata Lerman. She stars with Juan Minujín, Alfredo Castro, Barbara Lennie and Lucas Arrua
The producers are El Campo Cine; Italy...
- 10/21/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Feature film focuses on the landless Batwa people of Africaʼs Great Lakes Region.
The UK’s Sovereign and Scala Productions, in association with Prestige Films, have begun production on Small Gods, a feature film about the landless Batwa people of Africaʼs Great Lakes region, directed by Asher Rosen and Ezra Mugisha.
Small Gods tells the story of Florenz, a struggling single mother, and Bizimana, a charismatic street performer, who both sing for international tourists in their fight to rise above the cycle of poverty. When a crisis strikes, it threatens their growing hopes for a better future.
The feature is...
The UK’s Sovereign and Scala Productions, in association with Prestige Films, have begun production on Small Gods, a feature film about the landless Batwa people of Africaʼs Great Lakes region, directed by Asher Rosen and Ezra Mugisha.
Small Gods tells the story of Florenz, a struggling single mother, and Bizimana, a charismatic street performer, who both sing for international tourists in their fight to rise above the cycle of poverty. When a crisis strikes, it threatens their growing hopes for a better future.
The feature is...
- 10/11/2022
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Rhona Mitra (Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans), Famke Janssen (X-Men) and Stefani Martin (The Last Kingdom) have been set to star in sci-fi action horror movie The Experiment, which is underway at Rebellion Studios in the UK.
Set in 2080 in a world recovering from catastrophic nuclear war, The Experiment follows an elite spec-ops team, led by Captain Ava Stone (Mitra), sent on a rescue mission into a top secret military research facility after a rogue employee takes a group of scientists hostage.
The project marks the first for action label Action Xtreme, the genre division of UK arthouse producer-distributor Sovereign Media (Triangle Of Sadness).
Chee Keong Cheung (Redcon-1) is directing. Producers are Andreas Roald, Chee Keong Cheung and Ioanna Karavela and executive producer is Derek Rogers. Script comes from Alistair Cave, Matthew Thomas Edwards and Oliver Morran (Every Last One of Them) from a story by Chee Keong Cheung.
Set in 2080 in a world recovering from catastrophic nuclear war, The Experiment follows an elite spec-ops team, led by Captain Ava Stone (Mitra), sent on a rescue mission into a top secret military research facility after a rogue employee takes a group of scientists hostage.
The project marks the first for action label Action Xtreme, the genre division of UK arthouse producer-distributor Sovereign Media (Triangle Of Sadness).
Chee Keong Cheung (Redcon-1) is directing. Producers are Andreas Roald, Chee Keong Cheung and Ioanna Karavela and executive producer is Derek Rogers. Script comes from Alistair Cave, Matthew Thomas Edwards and Oliver Morran (Every Last One of Them) from a story by Chee Keong Cheung.
- 9/15/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Action Xtreme, the newly launched genre division of U.K. production and distribution banner Sovereign (Triangle of Sadness, Memoria, Bad Luck Banging or Looney Porn), has announced its first feature production.
The Experiment, an action sci-fi horror conceived by British-Chinese writer-director and Action Xtreme head Chee Keong Cheung (Redcon-1), will go into production this summer at the U.K.’s Rebellion Studios.
Set in 2080 in a world recovering from catastrophic nuclear war, The Experiment will follow an elite Spec-Ops team, led by Captain Ava Stone, sent on a rescue mission into a top-secret military research facility after a rogue employee takes a group of scientists hostage.
The mission soon turns into a terrifying fight for survival as the team faces a relentless and savage onslaught from countless mutated flesh-eating creatures, all the while forced into a cruel and perverse game of cat and...
Action Xtreme, the newly launched genre division of U.K. production and distribution banner Sovereign (Triangle of Sadness, Memoria, Bad Luck Banging or Looney Porn), has announced its first feature production.
The Experiment, an action sci-fi horror conceived by British-Chinese writer-director and Action Xtreme head Chee Keong Cheung (Redcon-1), will go into production this summer at the U.K.’s Rebellion Studios.
Set in 2080 in a world recovering from catastrophic nuclear war, The Experiment will follow an elite Spec-Ops team, led by Captain Ava Stone, sent on a rescue mission into a top-secret military research facility after a rogue employee takes a group of scientists hostage.
The mission soon turns into a terrifying fight for survival as the team faces a relentless and savage onslaught from countless mutated flesh-eating creatures, all the while forced into a cruel and perverse game of cat and...
- 8/5/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sovereign Distribution has launched a new label to develop action content for film and TV.
Action Xtreme will be headed up by writer and director Chee Keong Cheung, with Sovereign founder and CEO Andreas Roald joining the board. The label will join the U.K. outfit’s various other arms, which span film production, distribution, television, theater and music publishing.
The company has said Action Xtreme will “create content featuring spectacular physical action and stunts, with a targeted focus on grassroots talent growth, development and training, and a remit to develop franchisable content for a worldwide audience.”
Action Xtreme will develop talent and action-based content across feature films, TV series, graphic novels, novels, multi-platform computer games and merchandise. It will also tap into a U.K. fan base for action content via social media, as well as recruiting brand ambassadors and collaborating with prominent figures in the action industry.
Cheung...
Action Xtreme will be headed up by writer and director Chee Keong Cheung, with Sovereign founder and CEO Andreas Roald joining the board. The label will join the U.K. outfit’s various other arms, which span film production, distribution, television, theater and music publishing.
The company has said Action Xtreme will “create content featuring spectacular physical action and stunts, with a targeted focus on grassroots talent growth, development and training, and a remit to develop franchisable content for a worldwide audience.”
Action Xtreme will develop talent and action-based content across feature films, TV series, graphic novels, novels, multi-platform computer games and merchandise. It will also tap into a U.K. fan base for action content via social media, as well as recruiting brand ambassadors and collaborating with prominent figures in the action industry.
Cheung...
- 2/15/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin Golden Bear winner Radu Jude (“Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn”) is set to begin production in Romania on his next feature, Variety can reveal.
“A Case History” analyzes the relations between individuals and multinational companies in the mad dash of new Romanian capitalism, starting from the real story of preparing and shooting a problematic work safety video. Principal photography is slated to begin in summer or early fall.
“The film is composed of two parts which respond to each other, forming a diptych of sorts,” Jude told Variety. “Each of them explores a certain aspect of the main theme, and the final picture is obtained by juxtaposing the two of them in what we can call ‘a tale of cinema and economy.’” It is a film about work relations, but also a film about images and the way they are made and their place in society.
The first...
“A Case History” analyzes the relations between individuals and multinational companies in the mad dash of new Romanian capitalism, starting from the real story of preparing and shooting a problematic work safety video. Principal photography is slated to begin in summer or early fall.
“The film is composed of two parts which respond to each other, forming a diptych of sorts,” Jude told Variety. “Each of them explores a certain aspect of the main theme, and the final picture is obtained by juxtaposing the two of them in what we can call ‘a tale of cinema and economy.’” It is a film about work relations, but also a film about images and the way they are made and their place in society.
The first...
- 2/10/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Romanian “I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians” and “Aferim!” director Radu Jude is back with another shocking and brilliant satire, “Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn.” This pandemic-era take on society’s awful state won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival this year, and just recently played the New York Film Festival. Next up, it’s set to open in theaters from Magnolia Pictures on November 19. Exclusive to IndieWire, watch the trailer for the film below.
Here’s the synopsis courtesy of Magnolia Pictures: “Emi (Katia Pascariu), a schoolteacher, finds her reputation under threat after a personal sex tape is uploaded onto the internet. Forced to meet the parents demanding her dismissal, Emi refuses to surrender. ‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn’ is a film in three loosely connected parts: a walk in the city of Bucharest, then a playful essay on obscenities,...
Here’s the synopsis courtesy of Magnolia Pictures: “Emi (Katia Pascariu), a schoolteacher, finds her reputation under threat after a personal sex tape is uploaded onto the internet. Forced to meet the parents demanding her dismissal, Emi refuses to surrender. ‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn’ is a film in three loosely connected parts: a walk in the city of Bucharest, then a playful essay on obscenities,...
- 9/30/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Sovereign Film Distribution has acquired U.K. and Ireland rights to “El Gran Movimiento,” which won the special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival Horizons strand.
Sovereign is planning a theatrical release in 2022.
Following its world premiere at Venice, the film will be screening at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it is nominated for the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Prize, and also at the New York Film Festival in late September.
Bolivian writer-director Kiro Russo’s “El Gran Movimiento” (The Great Movement) follows a young man who arrives in the big city after a seven-day walk, where his persistent ill health sees him seek alternative methods of rejuvenation. The film explores the collision of nature and urbanization.
Russo said: “I wanted to make a film about La Paz, with characters who could provide a singular point of view upon the city. I found these characters in Elder, a young miner,...
Sovereign is planning a theatrical release in 2022.
Following its world premiere at Venice, the film will be screening at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it is nominated for the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Prize, and also at the New York Film Festival in late September.
Bolivian writer-director Kiro Russo’s “El Gran Movimiento” (The Great Movement) follows a young man who arrives in the big city after a seven-day walk, where his persistent ill health sees him seek alternative methods of rejuvenation. The film explores the collision of nature and urbanization.
Russo said: “I wanted to make a film about La Paz, with characters who could provide a singular point of view upon the city. I found these characters in Elder, a young miner,...
- 9/17/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Tilda Swinton stars in Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Cannes Jury Prize winner.
Sovereign Film Distribution has secured UK and Ireland rights to Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s drama Memoria, starring Tilda Swinton, which won the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The London-based distributor closed the deal with leading German sales company The Match Factory and is planning a wide theatrical release for the feature in January 2022.
The latest film from Thai writer/director Weerasethakul stars Oscar-winner Swinton as an Englishwoman who lives in the Colombian city of Medellin as an orchid farmer. After travelling to Bogota to visit her hospitalised sister,...
Sovereign Film Distribution has secured UK and Ireland rights to Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s drama Memoria, starring Tilda Swinton, which won the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The London-based distributor closed the deal with leading German sales company The Match Factory and is planning a wide theatrical release for the feature in January 2022.
The latest film from Thai writer/director Weerasethakul stars Oscar-winner Swinton as an Englishwoman who lives in the Colombian city of Medellin as an orchid farmer. After travelling to Bogota to visit her hospitalised sister,...
- 8/17/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired Bolivian director Kiro Russo’s “El Gran Movimiento” which will world premiere at Venice in the Horizons section.
“El Gran Movimiento” marks Russo’s follow up to his 2016 feature debut “Dark Skull” which won a prize at Locarno and played at San Sebastian, among other festivals. “Dark Skull” went on to represent Bolivia in the Oscar race.
Set in contemporary Bolivia, the movie follows Elder and his companions who arrive in La Paz after a seven-day walk and seeks to be reinstated in his work at the mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health starts to deteriorate. An elderly woman known as Mama Pancha connects him to Max, a witch doctor, hermit, and clown, who will try to bring the young man back to life.
The movie is produced by Russo and Pablo Paniagua at Socavón and Alexa Rivero...
“El Gran Movimiento” marks Russo’s follow up to his 2016 feature debut “Dark Skull” which won a prize at Locarno and played at San Sebastian, among other festivals. “Dark Skull” went on to represent Bolivia in the Oscar race.
Set in contemporary Bolivia, the movie follows Elder and his companions who arrive in La Paz after a seven-day walk and seeks to be reinstated in his work at the mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health starts to deteriorate. An elderly woman known as Mama Pancha connects him to Max, a witch doctor, hermit, and clown, who will try to bring the young man back to life.
The movie is produced by Russo and Pablo Paniagua at Socavón and Alexa Rivero...
- 7/27/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes title “Petrov’s Flu” has been picked up for the U.K. and Ireland by Sovereign Distribution.
The U.K.-based producer-distributor bought rights for Kirill Serebrennikov’s film from French sales agent Charades. The sci-fi drama, which was written and directed by the Russian helmer, enjoyed its world premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or, earlier this month.
Charades has closed deals for the title in France (Bad Films), Benelux (Imagine), Greece (Weird Wave), Italy (I Wonder Pictures), Portugal (Films4you), Poland (Gutek Films), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Film Europe), Baltics (Kino Soprus) and ex-Yugoslavia (Megacom), Israel (Lev Cinema/Shani Films), Turkey (Fabula Films), Mexico (Cine Canibal) and Indonesia (Falcon Pictures).
Adapted from the novel “The Petrovs In And Around Flu” by Russian author Alexey Sainikov, the film was described by Variety as a delirious, deadpan romp through post-Soviet Russia. The story...
The U.K.-based producer-distributor bought rights for Kirill Serebrennikov’s film from French sales agent Charades. The sci-fi drama, which was written and directed by the Russian helmer, enjoyed its world premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d’Or, earlier this month.
Charades has closed deals for the title in France (Bad Films), Benelux (Imagine), Greece (Weird Wave), Italy (I Wonder Pictures), Portugal (Films4you), Poland (Gutek Films), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Film Europe), Baltics (Kino Soprus) and ex-Yugoslavia (Megacom), Israel (Lev Cinema/Shani Films), Turkey (Fabula Films), Mexico (Cine Canibal) and Indonesia (Falcon Pictures).
Adapted from the novel “The Petrovs In And Around Flu” by Russian author Alexey Sainikov, the film was described by Variety as a delirious, deadpan romp through post-Soviet Russia. The story...
- 7/21/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Radu Jude’s satire won the top prize at the 2021 Berlinale.
Sovereign Film Distribution has secured UK and Ireland rights to Radu Jude’s Romanian irreverent satire Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn, which won the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.
The London-based distributor struck the deal with Athens-based sales agent Heretic Outreach and is planning a theatrical release for the feature.
The latest film from Romanian writer/director Jude stars Katia Pascariu as a school teacher who finds her career and reputation under threat after a personal sex tape is leaked onto the Internet.
Sovereign Film Distribution has secured UK and Ireland rights to Radu Jude’s Romanian irreverent satire Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn, which won the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival.
The London-based distributor struck the deal with Athens-based sales agent Heretic Outreach and is planning a theatrical release for the feature.
The latest film from Romanian writer/director Jude stars Katia Pascariu as a school teacher who finds her career and reputation under threat after a personal sex tape is leaked onto the Internet.
- 7/1/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Vasilis Katsoupis’ fiction feature directorial debut is Heretic’s first English-language production.
Greek producers Heretic have just wrapped their first English-language production, Inside, starring Willem Dafoe.
Vasilis Katsoupis makes his fiction feature directorial debut, from a script written by Ben Hopkins based on an original idea by Katsoupis.
Bankside has boarded international sales and Square One Entertainment will distribute in German-speaking territories.
The under-the-radar project wrapped principal photography on June 1 after a Covid-safe seven-week shoot at Cologne’s Mmc TV & Film Studios. The film will be delivered in spring 2022.
The high-concept psychological suspense drama is about a high-end art thief,...
Greek producers Heretic have just wrapped their first English-language production, Inside, starring Willem Dafoe.
Vasilis Katsoupis makes his fiction feature directorial debut, from a script written by Ben Hopkins based on an original idea by Katsoupis.
Bankside has boarded international sales and Square One Entertainment will distribute in German-speaking territories.
The under-the-radar project wrapped principal photography on June 1 after a Covid-safe seven-week shoot at Cologne’s Mmc TV & Film Studios. The film will be delivered in spring 2022.
The high-concept psychological suspense drama is about a high-end art thief,...
- 6/4/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Hungarian drama from award-winning filmmaker previously screened at Film Festival Cottbus and Russia’s Sofia International Film Festival.
Sovereign Film Distribution has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Szabolcs Hajdu’s Hungarian drama Treasure City in a direct deal with the filmmakers.
The film received its international premiere at Germany’s Film Festival Cottbus in December and was also selected for Russia’s Sofia International Film Festival.
Sovereign is scheduling a theatrical release in the UK on June 18 and is also making the title available for virtual cinema release, currently closing agreements with several sites.
Treasure City explores the darker side of human relationships,...
Sovereign Film Distribution has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Szabolcs Hajdu’s Hungarian drama Treasure City in a direct deal with the filmmakers.
The film received its international premiere at Germany’s Film Festival Cottbus in December and was also selected for Russia’s Sofia International Film Festival.
Sovereign is scheduling a theatrical release in the UK on June 18 and is also making the title available for virtual cinema release, currently closing agreements with several sites.
Treasure City explores the darker side of human relationships,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Francisco Márquez’s feature premiered at the Berlinale in 2020.
Sovereign Film Distribution has acquird UK and Ireland rights to Francisco Márquez’s Argentinian thriller A Common Crime from Dubai-based Cercamon.
The film premiered in the Panorama at the Berlinale in 2020 and screened at the BFI London Film Festival later in the year.
Sovereign is aiming for a day-and-date release on April 9 if cinemas are open. The distributor is also making the title available for virtual cinema release and is closing agreements with several sites.
The story centres on a teacher, played by played by Elisa Carricajo, who is disturbed one...
Sovereign Film Distribution has acquird UK and Ireland rights to Francisco Márquez’s Argentinian thriller A Common Crime from Dubai-based Cercamon.
The film premiered in the Panorama at the Berlinale in 2020 and screened at the BFI London Film Festival later in the year.
Sovereign is aiming for a day-and-date release on April 9 if cinemas are open. The distributor is also making the title available for virtual cinema release and is closing agreements with several sites.
The story centres on a teacher, played by played by Elisa Carricajo, who is disturbed one...
- 2/11/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Sovereign Film Distribution has acquired U.K. and Ireland rights to writer-director Cristi Puiu’s Berlin and Seville winner “Malmkrog” (Manor House).
Puiu won the best director award at the Encounters section of the 2020 Berlin Film Festival, in addition to best screenplay and the Golden Giraldillo Award for best film at the Seville European Film Festival.
An adaptation of Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov’s book “Three Conversations,” “Malmkrog” follows a politician, a countess, a general and his wife as they gather over the Christmas holidays in a manor house to discuss death, war, progress and morality. As the debate becomes more heated, cultural differences become increasingly apparent and the mood grows tense.
The film is billed as a unique mixture of “Downton Abbey” and Dostoyevsky, as it recalls the drawing room masterworks of Max Ophüls, and the stark cerebral work of Ingmar Bergman.
The cast includes Frederic Schulz-Richard, Agathe Bosch,...
Puiu won the best director award at the Encounters section of the 2020 Berlin Film Festival, in addition to best screenplay and the Golden Giraldillo Award for best film at the Seville European Film Festival.
An adaptation of Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov’s book “Three Conversations,” “Malmkrog” follows a politician, a countess, a general and his wife as they gather over the Christmas holidays in a manor house to discuss death, war, progress and morality. As the debate becomes more heated, cultural differences become increasingly apparent and the mood grows tense.
The film is billed as a unique mixture of “Downton Abbey” and Dostoyevsky, as it recalls the drawing room masterworks of Max Ophüls, and the stark cerebral work of Ingmar Bergman.
The cast includes Frederic Schulz-Richard, Agathe Bosch,...
- 1/19/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Pilipino drama marks the feature debut of Raymund Ribay Gutierrez.
Award-winning Pilipino drama Verdict has been secured for the UK and Ireland by Sovereign Film Distribution, in a deal with Films Boutique.
The feature debut of Raymund Ribay Gutierrez premiered at Venice in 2019, where it won the special jury prize in the Horizons strand, and went on to screen at Telluride, Toronto and Busan. It was also the Philippines submission for the Academy Award.
Sovereign is planning a day-and-date release for Verdict on March 12, with any theatrical element dependent on an easing of pandemic restrictions.
The story centres on a battered wife,...
Award-winning Pilipino drama Verdict has been secured for the UK and Ireland by Sovereign Film Distribution, in a deal with Films Boutique.
The feature debut of Raymund Ribay Gutierrez premiered at Venice in 2019, where it won the special jury prize in the Horizons strand, and went on to screen at Telluride, Toronto and Busan. It was also the Philippines submission for the Academy Award.
Sovereign is planning a day-and-date release for Verdict on March 12, with any theatrical element dependent on an easing of pandemic restrictions.
The story centres on a battered wife,...
- 1/12/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Principal shooting is set to begin next month on the latest feature from critically acclaimed Russian director Yury Bykov, whose sophomore film “The Major” played in Cannes’ Critics’ Week, Variety has learned.
“The Owner” is produced by Ilya Stewart, Pavel Buria, and Murad Osmann of Moscow-based Hype Film, in their first collaboration with Kinopoisk, Russia’s leading streaming platform. Olga Filipuk is producing for Kinopoisk, which is owned by search engine Yandex.
Also co-producing are Dan Wechsler and Jamal Zeinal Zade of Switzerland’s Bord Cadre Films and Andreas Roald of the U.K.’s Sovereign Films, who are both co-producers on Cannes Palme d’Or winner Ruben Östlund’s upcoming feature “Triangle of Sadness.” Mexico’s Pimienta Films headed by Nicolas Celis (“Roma”), and Jim Stark are on board as executive producers.
Handling world sales and boarding the film as co-producers are Carole Baraton, Yohann Comte, and Pierre Mazars of Paris-based Charades.
“The Owner” is produced by Ilya Stewart, Pavel Buria, and Murad Osmann of Moscow-based Hype Film, in their first collaboration with Kinopoisk, Russia’s leading streaming platform. Olga Filipuk is producing for Kinopoisk, which is owned by search engine Yandex.
Also co-producing are Dan Wechsler and Jamal Zeinal Zade of Switzerland’s Bord Cadre Films and Andreas Roald of the U.K.’s Sovereign Films, who are both co-producers on Cannes Palme d’Or winner Ruben Östlund’s upcoming feature “Triangle of Sadness.” Mexico’s Pimienta Films headed by Nicolas Celis (“Roma”), and Jim Stark are on board as executive producers.
Handling world sales and boarding the film as co-producers are Carole Baraton, Yohann Comte, and Pierre Mazars of Paris-based Charades.
- 9/15/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Argentina restarts production with new health and safety regulations, Sovereign Film Distribution picks up Melina León’s award-winning debut “Song Without a Name,” ITV preps for Black History Month and commissions “The Confessions of Frannie Langton,” and Idfa will honor Gianfranco Rosi.
Shooting
After a shutdown of more than five months, the Argentina government this week presented its “General Protocol for the Prevention of Covid-19 in the Filming and/or Recording of Fiction for Film, Television and Platforms,” where the measures were approved by the country’s Ministry of Culture, allowing production to resume in the country.
More than 20 leading industry organizations aided in compiling the 70-page document and endorsed the final version.
Under the agreed conditions, each production must provide to the Ministry of Culture a shot-by-shot breakdown which will be evaluated to establish if a project can be executed within the new guidelines.
Shooting
After a shutdown of more than five months, the Argentina government this week presented its “General Protocol for the Prevention of Covid-19 in the Filming and/or Recording of Fiction for Film, Television and Platforms,” where the measures were approved by the country’s Ministry of Culture, allowing production to resume in the country.
More than 20 leading industry organizations aided in compiling the 70-page document and endorsed the final version.
Under the agreed conditions, each production must provide to the Ministry of Culture a shot-by-shot breakdown which will be evaluated to establish if a project can be executed within the new guidelines.
- 8/28/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Award-winning Peruvian drama debuted at Cannes.
The UK’s Sovereign Media Group has launched a new distribution arm and has acquired Melina León’s award-winning Peruvian drama Song Without A Name from Luxbox.
Sovereign Film Distribution will be led by managing director Andreas Roald and aims to release five to six titles a year in the UK and Ireland both theatrically and on VoD platforms.
Based in London, it is an offshoot of Sovereign Media Group, founded by Roald and former Merchant Ivory president Donald Rosenfeld. Sister company Sovereign Films is known for productions including Effie Gray, written by and starring Emma Thompson,...
The UK’s Sovereign Media Group has launched a new distribution arm and has acquired Melina León’s award-winning Peruvian drama Song Without A Name from Luxbox.
Sovereign Film Distribution will be led by managing director Andreas Roald and aims to release five to six titles a year in the UK and Ireland both theatrically and on VoD platforms.
Based in London, it is an offshoot of Sovereign Media Group, founded by Roald and former Merchant Ivory president Donald Rosenfeld. Sister company Sovereign Films is known for productions including Effie Gray, written by and starring Emma Thompson,...
- 8/26/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Don Rosenfeld on Cate Blanchett and Emma Thompson: "They've never been in a movie together. I think they need to be." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Over sea bass at Sette Mezzo on New York's Upper East Side, Don Rosenfeld, founder of Sovereign Films (with Andreas Roald) and the former head of Merchant Ivory Productions, discussed with me his upcoming projects and the twisting history behind filming Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains Of The Day, which included Mike Nichols, Anjelica Huston, Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Susan Sarandon, Harold Pinter, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and James Ivory.
Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins in Remains Of The Day
Rosenfeld, who worked as producer on Howards End, The Remains Of The Day, and Richard Laxton's Effie Gray (starring and written by Emma Thompson), sees her teaming up with Cate Blanchett (who narrated Terrence Malick's fantastic Voyage Of Time: Life's Journey) on a film...
Over sea bass at Sette Mezzo on New York's Upper East Side, Don Rosenfeld, founder of Sovereign Films (with Andreas Roald) and the former head of Merchant Ivory Productions, discussed with me his upcoming projects and the twisting history behind filming Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains Of The Day, which included Mike Nichols, Anjelica Huston, Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Susan Sarandon, Harold Pinter, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, and James Ivory.
Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins in Remains Of The Day
Rosenfeld, who worked as producer on Howards End, The Remains Of The Day, and Richard Laxton's Effie Gray (starring and written by Emma Thompson), sees her teaming up with Cate Blanchett (who narrated Terrence Malick's fantastic Voyage Of Time: Life's Journey) on a film...
- 12/17/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
It’s been a couple months since the last edition of What’s Up Doc? placed Michael Moore’s surprise world premiere of Where To Invade Next at the top of this list and in the meantime much shuffling has taken place and much time has been spent on various new endeavors (namely my Buffalo-based film series, Cultivate Cinema Circle). Finally taking its rightful place at the top, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hagedus’ Unlocking the Cage is in the midst of being scored by composer James Lavino, according to Lavino’s own personal site. Though the project has been taking shape at its own leisurely pace, I’d expect to see the film making its festival debut in early 2016.
Right behind, the American direct cinema masters is a Texan soon to make his non-fiction debut with Voyage of Time. Just two weeks ago indieWIRE reported that Ennio Morricone, who scored...
Right behind, the American direct cinema masters is a Texan soon to make his non-fiction debut with Voyage of Time. Just two weeks ago indieWIRE reported that Ennio Morricone, who scored...
- 11/5/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
The fall festival rush is upon us. Locarno is currently ramping up. Venice has released their line-up and Thom Powers and the Toronto International Film Festival team have dropped a bomb with a previously unannounced new feature from powerhouse docu-provocateur Michael Moore. It is truly a miracle that the production of a film such as Moore’s upcoming Where To Invade Next (see still above) managed to go completely undetected by the filmmaking community until it was literally announced to world premiere at one of the largest film festivals in the world. Programmed as a one of the key films in the Special Presentations section at Tiff, the film sees Moore telling “the Pentagon to ‘stand down’ — he will do the invading for America from now on.” Also announced to premiere at Tiff was Avi Lewis’ This Changes Everything, which has slowly been rising up this list, as well as...
- 8/7/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
It’s been a surprisingly interesting month of moving and shaking in terms of doc development. Just a month after making his first public funding pitch at Toronto’s Hot Docs Forum, legendary doc filmmaker Frederick Wiseman took to Kickstarter to help cover the remaining expenses for his 40th feature film In Jackson Heights (see the film’s first trailer below). Unrelentingly rigorous in his determination to capture the American institutional landscape on film, his latest continues down this thematic rabbit hole, taking on the immensely diverse New York City neighborhood of Jackson Heights as his latest subject. According to the Kickstarter page, Wiseman is currently editing the 120 hours of rushes he shot with hopes of having the film ready for a fall festival premiere (my guess would be Tiff, where both National Gallery and At Berkeley made their North American debut), though he’s currently quite a ways away from his $75,000 goal.
- 7/6/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Coming to theater on April 3rd is the film Effie Gray.
The film explores the fascinating, true story of the relationship between Victorian England’s greatest mind, John Ruskin, and his teenage bride, Euphemia “Effie” Gray, who leaves him for the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais.
Effie Gray is the first original screenplay written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Emma Thompson. In this impeccably crafted period drama, Thompson delicately and incisively probes the marital politics of the Victorian Era, and beyond.
Dakota Fanning stars as Effie Gray Ruskin. The cast includes Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Tom Sturridge, David Suchet, Greg Wise, Claudia Cardinale, James Fox, Sir Derek Jacobi and Robbie Coltrane.
The film is produced by Andreas Roald (Terrence Malick’s Voyage Of Time) and Donald Rosenfeld (Malick’s Tree Of Life and Voyage Of Time).
Producer Donald Rosenfeld spent 1987 to 1998 as President of Merchant Ivory Productions, in charge of the financing...
The film explores the fascinating, true story of the relationship between Victorian England’s greatest mind, John Ruskin, and his teenage bride, Euphemia “Effie” Gray, who leaves him for the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais.
Effie Gray is the first original screenplay written by Oscar-winning screenwriter Emma Thompson. In this impeccably crafted period drama, Thompson delicately and incisively probes the marital politics of the Victorian Era, and beyond.
Dakota Fanning stars as Effie Gray Ruskin. The cast includes Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Tom Sturridge, David Suchet, Greg Wise, Claudia Cardinale, James Fox, Sir Derek Jacobi and Robbie Coltrane.
The film is produced by Andreas Roald (Terrence Malick’s Voyage Of Time) and Donald Rosenfeld (Malick’s Tree Of Life and Voyage Of Time).
Producer Donald Rosenfeld spent 1987 to 1998 as President of Merchant Ivory Productions, in charge of the financing...
- 4/2/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: Tim Grady and Jeff Lipsky’s New York-based Adopt Films has acquired Effie Gray, the period drama penned by Emma Thompson. Dakota Fanning stars as the eponymous character in the biopic of the 19th century Scotswoman who married critic and author John Ruskin as a teenager only to see their six-year relationship finally annulled with Gray still a virgin. She later wed celebrated pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais. For Millais, Gray bore eight children and became his muse (along with her younger sister Sophie).
The company plans an early spring 2015 release.
Julie Walters plays Ruskin’s baleful, controlling mother, and David Suchet is Ruskin’s feckless, enabling father. Thompson, Tom Sturridge, Greg Wise, Claudia Cardinale, James Fox, Derek Jacobi and Robbie Coltrane round out the cast.
Richard Laxton (Burton & Taylor) directs from Thompson’s first original screenplay. (She won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for 1995’s Sense And Sensibility.
The company plans an early spring 2015 release.
Julie Walters plays Ruskin’s baleful, controlling mother, and David Suchet is Ruskin’s feckless, enabling father. Thompson, Tom Sturridge, Greg Wise, Claudia Cardinale, James Fox, Derek Jacobi and Robbie Coltrane round out the cast.
Richard Laxton (Burton & Taylor) directs from Thompson’s first original screenplay. (She won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for 1995’s Sense And Sensibility.
- 12/2/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
Exclusive: Metrodome to give wide UK release to period drama held up by legal disputes.
The long-running legal disputes holding back Emma Thompson’s period-drama Effie Gray would seem to be finally over, as the film is due for UK, Us and international release this autumn.
UK distributor Metrodome has struck a deal for a wide release in October while producers Donald Rosenfeld and Andreas Roald expect a November release in the Us.
Emma Thompson wrote and stars in the long-awaited period drama about the mysterious relationship between Victorian art critic John Ruskin and his teenage bride Effie Gray.
The film’s cast includes Dakota Fanning as Effie, Thompson’s husband Greg Wise as Ruskin, Tom Sturridge as painter Everett Millais as well as David Suchet, Derek Jacobi, Robbie Coltrane, James Fox and Claudia Cardinale.
The UK deal was negotiated by Metrodome’s head of acquisitions Giles Edwards and Norwegian financier Roald of Sovereign Films.
Effie is based...
The long-running legal disputes holding back Emma Thompson’s period-drama Effie Gray would seem to be finally over, as the film is due for UK, Us and international release this autumn.
UK distributor Metrodome has struck a deal for a wide release in October while producers Donald Rosenfeld and Andreas Roald expect a November release in the Us.
Emma Thompson wrote and stars in the long-awaited period drama about the mysterious relationship between Victorian art critic John Ruskin and his teenage bride Effie Gray.
The film’s cast includes Dakota Fanning as Effie, Thompson’s husband Greg Wise as Ruskin, Tom Sturridge as painter Everett Millais as well as David Suchet, Derek Jacobi, Robbie Coltrane, James Fox and Claudia Cardinale.
The UK deal was negotiated by Metrodome’s head of acquisitions Giles Edwards and Norwegian financier Roald of Sovereign Films.
Effie is based...
- 8/14/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Director responds to accusations from financiers that he failed to deliver 'much cherished' film as promised
• Terrence Malick taken to court for 'forgetting' to make film
• To The Wonder - video review
To the Wonder director Terrence Malick has hit back at accusations that he misused funds for his long-gestating documentary Voyage of Time, as his lawyers filed a counter-claim in a New York court against his one time financial backers.
Seven Seas Partnership Limited, a Jersey-based financing outfit founded by Andreas Roald, launched legal action in July this year, alleging that they had paid Malick nearly $6m towards a feature length film and two 45-minute Imax films, but that nothing had materialised. Furthermore, they alleged that Malick had used the money to fund other films he was working on, including To the Wonder.
Malick's lawyers, however, have been robust in their denial. When Seven Seas first took legal action,...
• Terrence Malick taken to court for 'forgetting' to make film
• To The Wonder - video review
To the Wonder director Terrence Malick has hit back at accusations that he misused funds for his long-gestating documentary Voyage of Time, as his lawyers filed a counter-claim in a New York court against his one time financial backers.
Seven Seas Partnership Limited, a Jersey-based financing outfit founded by Andreas Roald, launched legal action in July this year, alleging that they had paid Malick nearly $6m towards a feature length film and two 45-minute Imax films, but that nothing had materialised. Furthermore, they alleged that Malick had used the money to fund other films he was working on, including To the Wonder.
Malick's lawyers, however, have been robust in their denial. When Seven Seas first took legal action,...
- 9/24/2013
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Elle Fanning (Super 8) has landed the lead role in Olive’s Ocean, a forthcoming adaptation of Kevin Henkes’ young adult novel, Deadline has reported.
Fanning, who made her feature film debut with I Am Sam and has been slowly rising up the ranks ever since with plum roles in Babel, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Somewhere, will start work on the adaptation after the in-development Maleficent wraps, in which she stars opposite Angelina Jolie.
Olive’s Ocean centres on a teen (Fanning) who goes on a summer of soul searching after discovering that a classmate who recently died in a tragic accident had secretly hoped to become her friend.
Donald Rosenfeld, Andreas Roald and Celestia Fox are on board as producers, while Christina Hammonds Reed, a recent Nicholl Fellowship finalist, has been hired to write the adapted screenplay.
The film will be primarily financed through private equity firms.
Fanning, who made her feature film debut with I Am Sam and has been slowly rising up the ranks ever since with plum roles in Babel, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Somewhere, will start work on the adaptation after the in-development Maleficent wraps, in which she stars opposite Angelina Jolie.
Olive’s Ocean centres on a teen (Fanning) who goes on a summer of soul searching after discovering that a classmate who recently died in a tragic accident had secretly hoped to become her friend.
Donald Rosenfeld, Andreas Roald and Celestia Fox are on board as producers, while Christina Hammonds Reed, a recent Nicholl Fellowship finalist, has been hired to write the adapted screenplay.
The film will be primarily financed through private equity firms.
- 8/16/2012
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Elle Fanning is set to star in an $11 million film adaptation of Kevin Henkes' young adult novel "Olive's Ocean" says Deadline.
Fanning plays a teen who goes on a summer of soul searching after discovering that a classmate who recently died in a tragic accident had secretly hoped to become her friend.
Christina Hammonds Reed is adapting the script while Donald Rosenfeld, Andreas Roald and Celestia Fox will produce.
Fanning plays a teen who goes on a summer of soul searching after discovering that a classmate who recently died in a tragic accident had secretly hoped to become her friend.
Christina Hammonds Reed is adapting the script while Donald Rosenfeld, Andreas Roald and Celestia Fox will produce.
- 8/16/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Elle Fanning will star in Olive’s Ocean, a feature adaptation of the Kevin Henkes young adult novel that was optioned by producer Donald Rosenfeld. Christina Hammonds Reed, a Nicholl Fellowship finalist, has been set to write the screenplay. Andreas Roald and Celestia Fox will produce alongside Rosenfeld. She will play a teen who goes on a summer of soul searching after discovering that a classmate who recently died in a tragic accident had secretly hoped to become her friend. Henkes won the 2004 Newbury Honor for this book. Fanning is currently in production on Disney’s Maleficent, opposite Angelina Jolie. She will next be seen starring in Sally Potter’s Ginger And Rosa, which has its world premiere next month at the Toronto Film Festival. She most recently starred in the J.J. Abrams-directed Super 8 and the Cameron Crowe-helmed We Bought A Zoo. The movie, which will...
- 8/15/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
#11. Voyage of Time Director: Terrence MalickProducers: The mega production team includes: Dede Gardner, Nicolas Gonda, Sarah Green, Brad Pitt, Bill Pohlad, Andreas Roald and Donald RosenfeldDistributor: Rights Available The Gist: This is an examination of the birth and death of the universe...(more) Cast: At this point we've got no clue if Pitt, Penn, Chastain or the children used in Tree of Life will make it into this picture, but the narration is provided by Pitt and Emma Thompson. List Worthy Reasons...: Expecting this docu essay to be reminiscent of such canvases as Koyaanisqatsi, Microcosmos, Powaqqatsi and Baraka, we expect this to not only reveal some of the larger in scope ideas Malick has been toying with for Tree of Life, and we'll be pleasantly surprised if Voyage comes across as more than just a companion piece. Employing several formats (including IMAX) this features the work from renowned natural...
- 1/10/2012
- IONCINEMA.com
Taking the spotlight once again, Dakota Fanning is set to replace "Lovely Bones" star Saoirse Ronan as the lead in "Effie," Emma Thompson's new film based on the famed Ruskin marriage. The movie is about the marriage between Euphemia “Effie” Gray (Fanning) and art critic John Ruskin (Greg Wise). Taking place in the 1850's, the movie documents the strained marriage between Ruskin and Effie; he was alledgely disgusted with her looks and made his feelings towards her quite clear. As a result, the marriage is annulled and Effie falls in love with and marries painter John Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge), according to Deadline.com. _______________________ Read more: Dakota and Elle Fanning Photo Gallery ‘Hanna’ star Saoirse Ronan among Irish celebrities featured in anti-bullying campaign Dakota Fanning is the face of Marc Jacobs new scent, Oh, Lola _______________________ Thompson herself will also appear in the movie as Lady Eastlake, who takes Effie...
- 8/23/2011
- IrishCentral
I’m not sure when Dakota Fanning will make the transition to being considered a serious actress, but this is a decent first step. As Deadline reports, she’ll be starring in the biopic Effie, which is being directed by Richard Laxton and written by Emma Thompson. The movie is focused on the marriage of Euphemia Gray and John Ruskin in 1850′s London, and how this marriage failed, eventually leading to her marrying a protege of Ruskin, John Everett Millais.
The film’s cast has been filled out pretty heavily, with Greg Wise set for Ruskin, Tom Sturridge playing Millais, and Thompson as Lady Eastlake, “who takes Effie under her wing when it was clear the union was destroying the young woman.” Additionally, the parents of Ruskin are being played by Derek Jacobi and Julie Walters, while Edward Fox has the part of Sir Charles Eastlake, the husband of Lady Eastlake.
The film’s cast has been filled out pretty heavily, with Greg Wise set for Ruskin, Tom Sturridge playing Millais, and Thompson as Lady Eastlake, “who takes Effie under her wing when it was clear the union was destroying the young woman.” Additionally, the parents of Ruskin are being played by Derek Jacobi and Julie Walters, while Edward Fox has the part of Sir Charles Eastlake, the husband of Lady Eastlake.
- 8/17/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Dakota Fanning is set to star in the Victorian period drama Effie. Deadline reports that Fanning will will star in the title role in the Emma Thompson-scripted period biopic "about the unfortunate marriage between Euphemia Gray and the famed critic John Ruskin in 1850s London. Though the teenager was gorgeous, Effie's husband never consummated the marriage over five years because Ruskin was for some reason disgusted by her body. After suffering through a loveless marriage and browbeating by her in-laws, Effie fell in love with Ruskin's protégé, painter John Everett Millais."
The film is being directed by Richard Laxton (An Englishman in New York). Greg Wise will play Ruskin, and Tom Sturridge is starring as Millais. Thompson is also set to star as Lady Eastlake, "who takes Effie under her wing when it was clear the union was destroying the young woman." Ruskin's parents will be played by Julie Walters and Derek Jacobi,...
The film is being directed by Richard Laxton (An Englishman in New York). Greg Wise will play Ruskin, and Tom Sturridge is starring as Millais. Thompson is also set to star as Lady Eastlake, "who takes Effie under her wing when it was clear the union was destroying the young woman." Ruskin's parents will be played by Julie Walters and Derek Jacobi,...
- 8/16/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Exclusive: Dakota Fanning will star in the title role of Effie, the Emma Thompson-scripted period biopic about the unfortunate marriage between Euphemia Gray and the famed critic John Ruskin in 1850s London. Richard Laxton (An Englishman in New York) is directing. Though the teenager was gorgeous, Effie's husband never consummated the marriage over five years because Ruskin was for some reason disgusted by her body. After suffering through a loveless marriage and browbeating by her in-laws, Effie fell in love with Ruskin's protégé, painter John Everett Millais. Greg Wise will play Ruskin, and Tom Sturridge will play Millais. Thompson plays Lady Eastlake, who takes Effie under her wing when it was clear the union was destroying the young woman. Julie Walters and Derek Jacobi play Ruskin’s parents, and Edward Fox is in talks to play Lady Eastlake's husband, Sir Charles Eastlake. He was the main patron of the Royal Academy,...
- 8/16/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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