Editors Note: Over the horrendous last couple of weeks as America began its final withdrawal from Afghanistan and Taliban zealots took control again after two decades, veteran foreign affairs correspondent and Only Cry for the Living: Memos from Inside the Isis Battlefield author Hollie McKay has been back in the South Asian nation to see history sadly repeat itself.
In another special report for Deadline, coming after the fatal terror attack of Thursday, McKay focuses on the burgeoning film industry that emerged since the Taliban was tossed out by American forces in 2001, and the dark days ahead for Afghani cinema and filmmakers.
An Afghan man – his face of map of exaggerated agony – runs from his Kabul home, picking up the blood-drenched body of the woman he loves most in this world.
“My wife,” preeminent actor Salim Shaheen wails in Dari, the native Afghan dialect of Farsi. “Who did this to you?...
In another special report for Deadline, coming after the fatal terror attack of Thursday, McKay focuses on the burgeoning film industry that emerged since the Taliban was tossed out by American forces in 2001, and the dark days ahead for Afghani cinema and filmmakers.
An Afghan man – his face of map of exaggerated agony – runs from his Kabul home, picking up the blood-drenched body of the woman he loves most in this world.
“My wife,” preeminent actor Salim Shaheen wails in Dari, the native Afghan dialect of Farsi. “Who did this to you?...
- 8/27/2021
- by Hollie McKay
- Deadline Film + TV
Afghanistan’s most prolific director literally puts his life on the line to make movies, as seen in this riveting and hilarious documentary
In the current release The Disaster Artist, James Franco celebrates the tale of Tommy Wiseau, who realised his dream of getting a movie made when all the odds were apparently against him. Yet Wiseau made his 2003 “disasterpiece” The Room with seemingly endless financial resources, in the heart of Hollywood, where all the perks and luxuries of modern cinema were available to him and his crew. Would he have been able to pull it off if he’d been shooting on the fly in war-torn surroundings with nothing but his belief in the power of B-movies to see him through?
Meet Salim Shaheen, the “most popular and prolific actor-director-producer in Afghanistan” (which he laughingly calls “Nothingwood!”), who has made and distributed more than a hundred movies, working on shoestring budgets,...
In the current release The Disaster Artist, James Franco celebrates the tale of Tommy Wiseau, who realised his dream of getting a movie made when all the odds were apparently against him. Yet Wiseau made his 2003 “disasterpiece” The Room with seemingly endless financial resources, in the heart of Hollywood, where all the perks and luxuries of modern cinema were available to him and his crew. Would he have been able to pull it off if he’d been shooting on the fly in war-torn surroundings with nothing but his belief in the power of B-movies to see him through?
Meet Salim Shaheen, the “most popular and prolific actor-director-producer in Afghanistan” (which he laughingly calls “Nothingwood!”), who has made and distributed more than a hundred movies, working on shoestring budgets,...
- 12/17/2017
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
Sonia Kronlund’s engaging documentary focuses on the indomitable Salim Shaheen, who has made more than 100 films in war-torn Afghanistan
The show must go on, and movies must get made, and this holds true even or especially in troubled war zones. Film-maker Sonia Kronlund has made this funny and affectionate documentary portrait of veteran Afghan movie mogul Salim Shaheen: actor, producer, director and creator of more than 100 features. He is the prince of an industry he calls “Nothingwood” – a Hollywood that must make do with nothing at all.
The indomitable and bulky Shaheen, perennially giving his cast and public observers rousing pep talks and calling for a round of applause, resembles Diego Maradona. He admires the Bollywood style and the Bollywood work ethic and his work resembles those films, with a strong dash of the cheap’n’cheerful action shlock produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus at Cannon Films in the 80s.
The show must go on, and movies must get made, and this holds true even or especially in troubled war zones. Film-maker Sonia Kronlund has made this funny and affectionate documentary portrait of veteran Afghan movie mogul Salim Shaheen: actor, producer, director and creator of more than 100 features. He is the prince of an industry he calls “Nothingwood” – a Hollywood that must make do with nothing at all.
The indomitable and bulky Shaheen, perennially giving his cast and public observers rousing pep talks and calling for a round of applause, resembles Diego Maradona. He admires the Bollywood style and the Bollywood work ethic and his work resembles those films, with a strong dash of the cheap’n’cheerful action shlock produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus at Cannon Films in the 80s.
- 12/15/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Eight other films are being released in the UK in the same week as the new Star Wars movie. Who thought that was a good idea?
If you thought Luke Skywalker’s victory over the empire was the most thrilling tale of against-the-odds rebellion in the universe, then you haven’t been paying attention to the cinema listings for the weekend of 15 December. That’s when The Last Jedi, Aka Star Wars: Episode VIII, opens at UK cinemas, along with eight films you’ve probably never heard of. “When you’ve got a behemoth like that, a lot of films will run terrified,” says Andreas Wiseman, deputy editor of Screen International. “They did when The Force Awakens came out in 2015. But it’s interesting to see that this time they’re not quite as terrified.”
Indeed, a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away etc), a film...
If you thought Luke Skywalker’s victory over the empire was the most thrilling tale of against-the-odds rebellion in the universe, then you haven’t been paying attention to the cinema listings for the weekend of 15 December. That’s when The Last Jedi, Aka Star Wars: Episode VIII, opens at UK cinemas, along with eight films you’ve probably never heard of. “When you’ve got a behemoth like that, a lot of films will run terrified,” says Andreas Wiseman, deputy editor of Screen International. “They did when The Force Awakens came out in 2015. But it’s interesting to see that this time they’re not quite as terrified.”
Indeed, a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away etc), a film...
- 12/7/2017
- by Ellen E Jones
- The Guardian - Film News
"Hollywood (Us), Bollywood (India), Nollywood (Nigeria)... Nothingwood (Afghanistan!)" You don't want to miss this. Vertigo Releasing has debuted an official UK trailer for a documentary titled The Prince of Nothingwood, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. The film profiles an actor named Salim Shaheen, the most famous actor in Afghanistan, who produces, directs, and stars in extremely low budget movies made in his own country. He's basically the most famous guy from "Nothingwood" and is beloved by everyone there, no matter who they are or where they're from (in the midst of Afghanistan's wars and poverty). It's actually an engaging, fascinating documentary that shows the power of movies and how they can bring people together, along with an inside look at this embattled country and its people. Have fun. Here's the UK trailer (+ poster) for Sonia Kronlund's doc The Prince of Nothingwood, from YouTube: Salim Shaheen...
- 10/18/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This year, Fantastic Fest turned 13, a number that felt apt if you’ve been following the news. Most conversations started like this:
“How are you?”
“How are you?”
Exhale. Hug. Repeat.
Eventually, people got around to talking about the films. Even those were emotional.
Tortured Souls
In past years, bringing context into the Alamo Drafthouse theater meant deciding not to chomp chips and queso during a hushed thriller. This time, audiences welled up watching Carla Guigino confront a lifetime of abuse as the emotionally and physically handcuffed wife in Stephen King’s “Gerald’s Game,” a Lifetime movie-looking low budget adaptation whose blockbuster impact at the Fest might not translate to people at home when it premieres on Netflix. (Guigino, however, is terrific in a dual-of-sorts role as the manacled victim and her empowered subconscious.)
Read More:Fantastic Fest Under Fire: Why America’s Preeminent Genre Festival Needs Its Fans...
“How are you?”
“How are you?”
Exhale. Hug. Repeat.
Eventually, people got around to talking about the films. Even those were emotional.
Tortured Souls
In past years, bringing context into the Alamo Drafthouse theater meant deciding not to chomp chips and queso during a hushed thriller. This time, audiences welled up watching Carla Guigino confront a lifetime of abuse as the emotionally and physically handcuffed wife in Stephen King’s “Gerald’s Game,” a Lifetime movie-looking low budget adaptation whose blockbuster impact at the Fest might not translate to people at home when it premieres on Netflix. (Guigino, however, is terrific in a dual-of-sorts role as the manacled victim and her empowered subconscious.)
Read More:Fantastic Fest Under Fire: Why America’s Preeminent Genre Festival Needs Its Fans...
- 9/29/2017
- by Amy Nicholson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Well-received Directors’ Fortnight doc charts Afghan actor-director.
Vertigo Releasing has picked up Sonia Kronlund’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title The Prince of Nothingwood from Pyramide International.
The well-received feature follows Salim Shaheen, the most popular and prolific actor-director-producer in Afghanistan, as he shoots his 111th film. Movie buff Shaheen and his troupe of eccentric actors have been making ‘z’ movies tirelessly in a country at war.
The deal was concluded between Ed Caffrey from Vertigo and Agathe Valentin of Pyramide. Vertigo is planning to release in late 2017.
Producers are Laurent Lavolé, Maud Huynh and Mélanie Andernach.
French radio journalist...
Vertigo Releasing has picked up Sonia Kronlund’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title The Prince of Nothingwood from Pyramide International.
The well-received feature follows Salim Shaheen, the most popular and prolific actor-director-producer in Afghanistan, as he shoots his 111th film. Movie buff Shaheen and his troupe of eccentric actors have been making ‘z’ movies tirelessly in a country at war.
The deal was concluded between Ed Caffrey from Vertigo and Agathe Valentin of Pyramide. Vertigo is planning to release in late 2017.
Producers are Laurent Lavolé, Maud Huynh and Mélanie Andernach.
French radio journalist...
- 6/21/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
“Film is a battleground,” director Sam Fuller famously said. But what happens when you’re literally trying to make films in the middle of a warzone?
In Sonia Kronlund’s fascinating behind-the-scenes documentary Nothingwood, we are introduced to the life and work of Salim Shaheen, an actor-director-jack-of-all-trades who may be the most prolific filmmaker in Afghanistan, if not the entire world.
About to embark on his 111th production, the exuberant cineaste – who looks like a cross between Gerard Depardieu and Steven Seagal (with his craft clearly inspired by the latter) – travels to a remote mountain village to shoot...
In Sonia Kronlund’s fascinating behind-the-scenes documentary Nothingwood, we are introduced to the life and work of Salim Shaheen, an actor-director-jack-of-all-trades who may be the most prolific filmmaker in Afghanistan, if not the entire world.
About to embark on his 111th production, the exuberant cineaste – who looks like a cross between Gerard Depardieu and Steven Seagal (with his craft clearly inspired by the latter) – travels to a remote mountain village to shoot...
- 5/24/2017
- by Jordan Mintzer
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Doha Film Institute unveils spring 2017 grants.
Palestinian film-maker Annemarie Jacir’s upcoming dark comedy Wajib and Tunisian director Mohamed Ben Attia’s [pictured] new film Weldi have won funding in the latest round of grants from the Doha Film Institute (Dfi).
Unveiling its spring 2017 grants round during Cannes, the Qatari institution said it had supported 29 projects from 16 countries, with 80% of the selected projects hailing from the Arab world.Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi highlighted the fact that 19 out of the 29 projects were directed by female film-makers.
“This year’s grants projects are even more special for the large representation of women directors as well as themes that focus on coming-of-age stories of central female characters,” she said.
“Stories of hope, self-discovery, women empowerment, tales of family life and of life in conflict zones are highlighted in the selections this Spring,” she added
It has been a high-profile Cannes this year for the Dfi grants programme which backed Un Certain...
Palestinian film-maker Annemarie Jacir’s upcoming dark comedy Wajib and Tunisian director Mohamed Ben Attia’s [pictured] new film Weldi have won funding in the latest round of grants from the Doha Film Institute (Dfi).
Unveiling its spring 2017 grants round during Cannes, the Qatari institution said it had supported 29 projects from 16 countries, with 80% of the selected projects hailing from the Arab world.Dfi CEO Fatma Al Remaihi highlighted the fact that 19 out of the 29 projects were directed by female film-makers.
“This year’s grants projects are even more special for the large representation of women directors as well as themes that focus on coming-of-age stories of central female characters,” she said.
“Stories of hope, self-discovery, women empowerment, tales of family life and of life in conflict zones are highlighted in the selections this Spring,” she added
It has been a high-profile Cannes this year for the Dfi grants programme which backed Un Certain...
- 5/23/2017
- ScreenDaily
Baker, Nyoni, Jasper and Carpignano join Cannes veterans Denis, Ferrara, Dumont, Garrel and Gitai.Scroll Down For Full List
Tangerine director Sean Baker, the UK’s Rungano Nyoni and Italo-American film-maker Jonas Carpignano will be among the buzzed-about names premiering new works at the 49th edition of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight this year (18-28 May).
Artistic director Edouard Waintrop unveiled the eclectic selection, comprising 19 feature-length films and another 11 shorts, at a press conference at the Cinéma Le Grand Action in Paris on Thursday (20 April).
Read more: Cannes 2017: Official Selection in full
Opening And Closing Films
Claire Denis will open the 49th edition – running May 18-28 - with Un Beau Soleil Intérieur starring Juliette Binoche, Gérard Depardieu and Xavier Beauvois.
Us director Geremy Jasper’s debut feature Patti Cake$ - which world premiered at Sundance this year has been selected as the closing film.
Us Presence
It is one of two Sundance titles in this year’s selection...
Tangerine director Sean Baker, the UK’s Rungano Nyoni and Italo-American film-maker Jonas Carpignano will be among the buzzed-about names premiering new works at the 49th edition of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight this year (18-28 May).
Artistic director Edouard Waintrop unveiled the eclectic selection, comprising 19 feature-length films and another 11 shorts, at a press conference at the Cinéma Le Grand Action in Paris on Thursday (20 April).
Read more: Cannes 2017: Official Selection in full
Opening And Closing Films
Claire Denis will open the 49th edition – running May 18-28 - with Un Beau Soleil Intérieur starring Juliette Binoche, Gérard Depardieu and Xavier Beauvois.
Us director Geremy Jasper’s debut feature Patti Cake$ - which world premiered at Sundance this year has been selected as the closing film.
Us Presence
It is one of two Sundance titles in this year’s selection...
- 4/20/2017
- ScreenDaily
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