One week before production is scheduled to start on writer-director Ondi Timoner’s “Mapplethorpe,” the biopic starring Matt Smith as photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, “Imposters” actress Marianne Rendón has been cast as Patti Smith, IndieWire has learned. The role was originally slated for Zosia Mamet until she dropped out over scheduling conflicts.
What the film doesn’t have, however, is the support of Patti Smith.
Read More: HBO’s ‘Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures’ Doc Raises Questions, Producer Has Answers
A singer, poet, and influential member of the 1970s punk rock movement, Smith documented her seminal personal and artistic relationship with Mapplethorpe in the 2010 memoir “Just Kids,” which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction. However, a rep for Smith said she opted not to be involved in the production in any way, declining to comment as to why.
“When I saw Marianne for the first time, I knew we’d finally found our Patti,...
What the film doesn’t have, however, is the support of Patti Smith.
Read More: HBO’s ‘Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures’ Doc Raises Questions, Producer Has Answers
A singer, poet, and influential member of the 1970s punk rock movement, Smith documented her seminal personal and artistic relationship with Mapplethorpe in the 2010 memoir “Just Kids,” which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction. However, a rep for Smith said she opted not to be involved in the production in any way, declining to comment as to why.
“When I saw Marianne for the first time, I knew we’d finally found our Patti,...
- 7/3/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Updated: Per Zosia Mamet’s team, the actress is no longer attached to this project due to scheduling conflicts. Our original story has been updated to reflect this new information.
The Robert Mapplethorpe biopic “Mapplethorpe” starring Matt Smith is heading into production in July, according to Interloper Films. An intimate portrait of one of the most controversial photographers in American history, the film stars Smith as Mapplethorpe.
Documentary filmmaker Ondi Timoner will direct the film, which she co-wrote with Bruce Goodrich. The movie follows Mapplethorpe from his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989 due to complications from AIDS. Boston Diva Productions will produce alongside Timoner’s Interloper Films.
Timoner’s most recent feature documentary, 2015’s “Brand: A Second Coming,” focused on actor-comedian Russell Brand and his journey through addiction to...
The Robert Mapplethorpe biopic “Mapplethorpe” starring Matt Smith is heading into production in July, according to Interloper Films. An intimate portrait of one of the most controversial photographers in American history, the film stars Smith as Mapplethorpe.
Documentary filmmaker Ondi Timoner will direct the film, which she co-wrote with Bruce Goodrich. The movie follows Mapplethorpe from his rise to fame in the 1970s to his untimely death in 1989 due to complications from AIDS. Boston Diva Productions will produce alongside Timoner’s Interloper Films.
Timoner’s most recent feature documentary, 2015’s “Brand: A Second Coming,” focused on actor-comedian Russell Brand and his journey through addiction to...
- 5/31/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
When Ondi Timoner first flew to Kalu Yala, Panama, a place that its founders describe as the world’s “most sustainable” town, she was not exploring a subject for a potential new documentary. In fact, the two-time Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner had sworn off making another documentary after features like “Dig!,” “We Live in Public,” and “Brand: A Second Coming;” she wanted to move into fictional narratives.
Invited by real estate entrepreneur Jimmy Stice, who’s heading the for-profit development, Timoner went to Kalu Yala as a favor; she met Stice at an innovation conference and agreed to help the developer evaluate his data and figure out how to tell his story.
Kalu Yala, which translates as “Sacred Land,” is located 50 minutes outside Panama City, according to the official website. “It’s not on any map, and has some of the rockiest terrain I have driven on, plus crossing a couple of rivers,...
Invited by real estate entrepreneur Jimmy Stice, who’s heading the for-profit development, Timoner went to Kalu Yala as a favor; she met Stice at an innovation conference and agreed to help the developer evaluate his data and figure out how to tell his story.
Kalu Yala, which translates as “Sacred Land,” is located 50 minutes outside Panama City, according to the official website. “It’s not on any map, and has some of the rockiest terrain I have driven on, plus crossing a couple of rivers,...
- 3/7/2017
- by Chris O'Falt and Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
As the main topic of this year’s festival, Docaviv will feature a select group of thought-provoking films about a world that is changing with the collapse of physical and social boundaries, growing economic disparities, the waves of refugees and immigrants, civil wars, international terrorism, and the ultimate undoing of social solidarity.
Within the framework of this theme the program does not only include documentaries about terror and refugees, but also about a fragmented society which is losing its solidarity. Both in Israel and elsewhere the gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening, and so are the frustrations and the unrest. Israeli and international titles correlating to these themes can be found throughout the entire festival program:
“Death in the terminal” - Directors Tali Shemesh (“The Cemetery Club”) and Assaf Surd
A tense, minute-by-minute, Rashomon-style account of a tragic day. On October 18, 2015, a terrorist armed with a gun and a knife entered Beersheba’s bus terminal. Within 18 minutes Omri Levy, a soldier was killed and Abtum Zarhum, Eritrean immigrant asylum seeker, was lynched after being mistaken for a terrorist.
“The Settlers” - Premiered in Sundance, Director Shimon Dotan.
A far-reaching, comprehensive look at the Jewish settlement enterprise in the West Bank. It examines the origins of the settlement movement and the religious and ideological visions that propelled it, while providing an intimate look at the people at the center of the greatest geopolitical challenge now facing Israel and the international community. (Isa Contact: Cinephil)
“Town on a Wire” - premiered at Cph: Dox Dir: Uri Rosenwaks
While Tel Aviv is thriving, just ten minutes away lies the town of Lod, right in the backyard of Israel’s bustling urban center. Unlike its affluent neighbor, Lod is a city that suffers from the blight of racism, crime, and sheer desperation. Can it be saved? Is there some way to bring hope to Lod’s Arab and Jewish residents?
“Foucoammare”/ “Fire at Sea” - by Gianfranco Rosi - winner of Golden Bear, Berlinale 2016 -every day the inhabitants of the Italian Island Lampedusa are confronted with the flight of refugees to Europe . These people long for peace and freedom and often only their dead bodies are pulled out of the water. (Contact Isa: Doc & Film Int’l. U.S.: Kino Lorber)
“Between fences” – by Avi Mograbi -. In an Israeli detention center asylum-seekers from Eritrea and Sudan can’t be sent back to their own countries, but have no prospects in Israel either thanks to the country’s policies. Chen Alon and Avi Mograbi, initiate a theatre workshop to give these people the opportunity to address their own experiences of forced migration and discrimination and to confront an Israeli society that views them as dangerous infiltrators.
“A Syrian Love Story” – by Sean McAllister -You can’t be Che Guevara and a mother Amer tells Raghda, but maybe she can't do it any other way. After years of struggle, life without her homeland and the revolution has no meaning for her. It is hard to determine what is more demanding in this bold film: the revolution, or the search for inner peace. (Contact Isa: Cat & Docs)
“Homo Sapiens” – by Nikolaus Geyrhalter - what does humanity leave behind when its gone? It sometimes seems as if the mark that humans leave on this planet will last forever. The truth is that the iron, bricks, cement, and steel – the human traces everywhere abandoned and forgotten – are erased by the forces of nature. This unusually beautiful film may lack people and words, but that leaves even more room for thought.(Contact Isa: Autlook)
“Land of the Enlightened” – Premiered at Sundance Ff 2016. Shot over seven years on evocative 16mm footage, first-time director Pieter-Jan De Pue paints a whimsical yet haunting look at the condition of Afghanistan left for the next generation. As American soldiers prepare to leave, we follow De Pue deep into this hidden land where young boys form wild gangs to control trade routes, sell explosives from mines left over from war, making the new rules of war based on the harsh landscape left to them. (Contact Isa: Films Boutique)
“Flickering Truth” - Premiered at Toronto Ff 2015. Director Pietra Brettkelly (The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins) directs this harrowing, compelling film about the power of cinema to preserve our history and in so doing potentially change our futures. (Contact Isa: Film Sales Company)
“Requiem for the American Dream” - Directed by Peter D. Hutchison, Kelly Nyks, Jared P. Scott. In ten chilling but lucid chapters, Noam Chomsky, one of the great intellectuals of our time, analyzes the “system,” which allows wealthy capitalists to seize the reins of government and turn those without wealth into a passive herd, willing to forego power, solidarity, and democracy itself. (U.S.: Gravitas. Contact Isa: Films Transit)
The festival will open with a first film by Israeli director Roman Shumunov
“Babylon Dreamers” Directed by Roman Somonob. An intimate report about a troupe of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, from one of Ashdod’s poorest neighborhoods; they struggle to survive facing harsh conditions - poverty, mental illness, and broken families. They channel their anger and cling to their dream of attending and winning the International Breakdance Championship.
Israeli Competition
Some 70 Israeli films produced over the last year were submitted out of which 13 films have been selected for the Israeli Competition. They will be competing for the largest cash prize for documentary filmmaking in Israel 70,000 Nis (Us$ 15,000). Other awards in the competition include the Mayor’s Prize for the Most Promising Filmmaker, the Prize for Editing, the Prize for Cinematography, the Prize for Research, and the Prize for Original Score.
"The Wonderful Kingdom of Papa Alaev," directors Tal Barda, Noam Pinchas -Tajikistan’s answer to the Jackson Family. A modern-day Shakespearean tale about a famous Tajik musical family, controlled by their charismatic patriarch-grandfather - Papa Alaev.
"A Tale of Two Balloons" by Zohar Wagner - The tale of a women who thought a pair of perfect breasts would help her find true love. But when that love came along, those perfect breasts had to go.
"Aida's Secrets," director Alon Schwarz - At 68, Izak learns he has a brother he never knew about. As part of the discoveries about the family, the film uncovers the story of the Displaced Persons camps- the vibrant and often wild social life that flourished immediately after WW2.
"Child Mother" by Yael Kipper and Ronen Zaretzky - The story of elderly women born in Morocco and Yemen, who were married off when they were still little girls. Only now, as they enter the final chapter of their lives, do they openly face their past and the ways it still affects them and their families.
"The Last Shaman" directed by Raz Degan - Inspired by an article he read, James decides to travel to the Amazon rainforests, in search of a shaman whom he thinks can save him from a clinical depression that haunts him.
"The Patriarch's Room" by Danae Elon -The bizarre imprisonment of the former head of the Greek Orthodox Church in a tiny monastic cell in Jerusalem’s Old City leads to a fascinating journey in search of the truth, penetrating the remote world of the priesthood. The complex and unfamiliar picture that emerges is revealed here, on camera, for the very first time.
"Poetics of the Brain" by Nurith Aviv –weaving associative links between her personal biographical stories and neuroscientists’ accounts of their work. They discuss topics such as memory, bilingualism, reading, mirror neurons, smell, traces of experience.
"Shalom Italia," by Tamar Tal Anati (winner of Docaviv for Life in Stills) -Three Italian Jewish brothers set off on a journey through Tuscany, in search of a cave where they hid as children to escape the Nazis. Their quest, full of humor, food and Tuscan landscapes, straddles the boundary between history and myth, both of which really, truly happened.
"Week 23" by Ohad Milstein - Rahel, the daughter of a Swiss bishop, is coping with a difficult pregnancy in Israel. One of the identical twins she is carrying has died in utero, and now poses an almost certain threat to its sibling. The doctors are unequivocal about it. They tell Rahel that she should abort the surviving fetus and end her pregnancy.
"The Settlers" by Shimon Dotan; Town On A Wire directed by Uri Rosenwaksand Eyal Blachson; Death in the Terminal by Tali Shemesh and Asaf Sudry, and Babylon Dreamers by Roman Shumunov.
The Members of the selection committee included Sinai Abt, artistic director of the Docaviv Film Festival; director Reuven Brodsky, winner of Docaviv in 2012 for his film Home Movie and of Honorable Mention at Docaviv in 2015 and film editor Ayelet Ofarim.
Twelve films have been selected for the International Competition, which will open with the The Happy Film by Stefan Seigmeister. Also competing are Jerzy Sladkowski’s Don Juan, winner of the Idfa Award; Author: The J.T. LeRoy Story about the imaginary cult figure who became the darling of New York society and nightlife, picked up by Amazon at Sundance as its first doc title. Another festival favorite is A Flickering Truth and Sean McAllister's daring award winning documentary A Syrian Love Story.
The Depth of Field Competition will open with LoveTrue by director Alma Har’el, who will be a juror for the Israeli Film Competition. This is the Competition’s third year, held in conjunction with the Film Critics’ Forum that will award films for an outstanding and daring artistic vision. Other films that will be screened as part of the competition include Sundance winners Kate Plays Christine by Robert Greene, and Pieter-Jan De Pue’s hybrid documentary The Land of the Enlightened; other titles that will be shown are Hotel Dallas by wife and husband artist duo Livia Ungur and Sherng-Lee Huang, The Hong Kong Trilogy by noted cinematographer Christopher Doyle , and the musical- turned into documentary London Road by Rufus Norris and Alecky Blythe.
The Masters Section, a new category in the festival, highlighting new films by world renowned directors will be opened by Fire at Sea by director Gianfranco Rosi, winner of the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlinale. Avi Mograbi’s Between Fences will be accompanied by a play by the Holot Legislative Theater, with a cast of actors that includes Israelis and African asylum seekers.
Other films in this section include amongst others Junun, Paul Thomas Anderson’s portrayal of a musical project involving Shye Ben-Tzur and Jonny Greenwood, Homo Sapiens by director Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine by director Alex Gibney, To the Desert by director Judd Neeman, Unlocking the Cage by directors D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, De Palma by co-director Noah Baumbach and He Named Me Malala by David Guggenheim.
The Panorama selection of films will include amongst others the moving Strike a Pose, by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan about the dancers who accompanied Madonna on her “Blond Ambition” tour, Roger Ross Williams ‘Life, Animated depicting the remarkable story of an autistic boy, who learned how to communicate with his surroundings through Disney films, Those Who Jump about an African refugee who films attempts by other refugees to jump the barbed wire border fence in North Africa and Louis Theroux: My Scientology Film.
This year’s Arts Section will include Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble by Academy Award winner Morgan Neville; I Don’t Belong Anywhere: The Cinema of Chantal Akerman, which was produced shortly before her tragic death, Listen to Me, Marlon, which tells the story of Marlon Brando through the audio recordings he made throughout his life, Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict, the salacious story of art collector Peggy Guggenheim, Koudelka Shooting Holy Land, Gilad Baram’s film about famous Czech photographer Josef Koudelka’s travels along the Separation Fence, and more.
Seven films produced by the top film schools in Israel were selected to compete in the annual Student Film Competition. The prize for the competition was donated by the Gottesman family in memory of Ruti Gottesman, a leading supporter of Docaviv and of documentary.
The Members of the selection committee included Karin Ryvind Segal, programming director for Docaviv, Hila Avraham, curator and expert on film and audiovisual media preservation and screenwriter Danny Rosenberg, whose work includes the films My Father’s House , Susia and the television series Johnny and the Knights of the Galilee.
Special Guests attending the Festival:
Award winning Director Ondi Timoner, will be attending the Israeli premiere of her film Russell Brand: A Second Coming. Her Sundance-winning film Dig! will be among the music documentaries screened at the Tel Aviv Port. In conjunction with the Film Department of Beit Berl College, Timoner will also be conducting a special master class for students, professionals, and amateurs.
This year’s festival will include a special tribute to acclaimed director Nikolaus Geyrhalter who will be attending the festival with his recent Homo Sapiens. This year’s festival will also include two previous films of his, Our Daily Bread and Abendland,.
International jury members attending the festival include:
Adriek van Nieuwenhuyzen, Director of the Idfa industry office; Gary Kam, producer of Planet of Snail; film director Alma Har’el (Bombay Beach; LoveTrue) ; Nilotpal, Director of Docedge Kolkata, Sascha Lara Bleuler, Director of the Human Rights Film Festival in Zurich, and film director Tatiana Brandrup.
The Israeli jurors include:
Director Dror Moreh, director and producer Barak Heymann, director Robby Elmaliah, producer Elinor Kowarsky, photographer David Adika, and film editor Tal Rabiner.
Around town. A record number of twelve screening venues spread out across Tel Aviv will offer free screenings. These are: Habima Square, the Beit Danny Community Center, the Hatikvah neighborhood, the Arab-Jewish Community Center in Jaffa, the rooftop of Tel Aviv City Hall, WeWork, Levinsky Park, Bar Kayma, Beit Romano, the Nalaga’at Center, Picnic Little Italy-Sarona Tel Aviv, and Artport.
Outdoors. The Tel Aviv Port will continue to host the festival this year, with outdoor screenings of music films with guest deejays from KZRadio. Films to be screened at the port include Janis: Little Girl Blue, The Reflektor Tapes about the band Arcade Fire, P.T Andersoan’s Junun about the musical collaboration between Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, Nigel Godrich, and a dozen Indian musicians.
Festival Firsts. DocaviVR: a collaboration between Docaviv and Steamer, Israel’s first Interactive and Virtual Reality Film Festival, presents original documentary projects from Israel and around the world, created especially for viewing with Vr gear. The event will take place at Beit Romano. A cinema will pop up in one of Tel Aviv’s trendy hubs, with 25 stations equipped with Vr gear.
The Docommunity conference aims to promote dcomentary across the country by bringing together cultural coordinators and artistic directors from across the country to introduce them to the latest documentary films from Israel and around the world.
The Platform for Alternative Documentation at Artport art space: A performative piece that brings together film artists, social activists, and researchers studying the various aesthetic, social, and philosophical aspects of documentation. Curated by Laliv Melamed and Gilad Reich.
Young audiences. For the first time, films from The Next Doc will be screened, a special initiative of Docaviv, the Second Channel, and the New Fund for Film and Television, which led to the production of three films created especially for a teenage audience.
Docaviv will also be hosting the final event of Docu Young, at which films by students in residential schools, who participated in film workshops , will be screened.
The Docyouth Competition will feature the best documentary films produced by students in high school film programs throughout the country. For the first time, voting for this year’s competition will be held online and open to high school students across the country.
Among the Screenings of docs for kids are Victor Kosakovsky’s “Varicella”, and “Landfilharmonic”.
Over the course of the festival, 110 films will be screened.
Within the framework of this theme the program does not only include documentaries about terror and refugees, but also about a fragmented society which is losing its solidarity. Both in Israel and elsewhere the gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening, and so are the frustrations and the unrest. Israeli and international titles correlating to these themes can be found throughout the entire festival program:
“Death in the terminal” - Directors Tali Shemesh (“The Cemetery Club”) and Assaf Surd
A tense, minute-by-minute, Rashomon-style account of a tragic day. On October 18, 2015, a terrorist armed with a gun and a knife entered Beersheba’s bus terminal. Within 18 minutes Omri Levy, a soldier was killed and Abtum Zarhum, Eritrean immigrant asylum seeker, was lynched after being mistaken for a terrorist.
“The Settlers” - Premiered in Sundance, Director Shimon Dotan.
A far-reaching, comprehensive look at the Jewish settlement enterprise in the West Bank. It examines the origins of the settlement movement and the religious and ideological visions that propelled it, while providing an intimate look at the people at the center of the greatest geopolitical challenge now facing Israel and the international community. (Isa Contact: Cinephil)
“Town on a Wire” - premiered at Cph: Dox Dir: Uri Rosenwaks
While Tel Aviv is thriving, just ten minutes away lies the town of Lod, right in the backyard of Israel’s bustling urban center. Unlike its affluent neighbor, Lod is a city that suffers from the blight of racism, crime, and sheer desperation. Can it be saved? Is there some way to bring hope to Lod’s Arab and Jewish residents?
“Foucoammare”/ “Fire at Sea” - by Gianfranco Rosi - winner of Golden Bear, Berlinale 2016 -every day the inhabitants of the Italian Island Lampedusa are confronted with the flight of refugees to Europe . These people long for peace and freedom and often only their dead bodies are pulled out of the water. (Contact Isa: Doc & Film Int’l. U.S.: Kino Lorber)
“Between fences” – by Avi Mograbi -. In an Israeli detention center asylum-seekers from Eritrea and Sudan can’t be sent back to their own countries, but have no prospects in Israel either thanks to the country’s policies. Chen Alon and Avi Mograbi, initiate a theatre workshop to give these people the opportunity to address their own experiences of forced migration and discrimination and to confront an Israeli society that views them as dangerous infiltrators.
“A Syrian Love Story” – by Sean McAllister -You can’t be Che Guevara and a mother Amer tells Raghda, but maybe she can't do it any other way. After years of struggle, life without her homeland and the revolution has no meaning for her. It is hard to determine what is more demanding in this bold film: the revolution, or the search for inner peace. (Contact Isa: Cat & Docs)
“Homo Sapiens” – by Nikolaus Geyrhalter - what does humanity leave behind when its gone? It sometimes seems as if the mark that humans leave on this planet will last forever. The truth is that the iron, bricks, cement, and steel – the human traces everywhere abandoned and forgotten – are erased by the forces of nature. This unusually beautiful film may lack people and words, but that leaves even more room for thought.(Contact Isa: Autlook)
“Land of the Enlightened” – Premiered at Sundance Ff 2016. Shot over seven years on evocative 16mm footage, first-time director Pieter-Jan De Pue paints a whimsical yet haunting look at the condition of Afghanistan left for the next generation. As American soldiers prepare to leave, we follow De Pue deep into this hidden land where young boys form wild gangs to control trade routes, sell explosives from mines left over from war, making the new rules of war based on the harsh landscape left to them. (Contact Isa: Films Boutique)
“Flickering Truth” - Premiered at Toronto Ff 2015. Director Pietra Brettkelly (The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins) directs this harrowing, compelling film about the power of cinema to preserve our history and in so doing potentially change our futures. (Contact Isa: Film Sales Company)
“Requiem for the American Dream” - Directed by Peter D. Hutchison, Kelly Nyks, Jared P. Scott. In ten chilling but lucid chapters, Noam Chomsky, one of the great intellectuals of our time, analyzes the “system,” which allows wealthy capitalists to seize the reins of government and turn those without wealth into a passive herd, willing to forego power, solidarity, and democracy itself. (U.S.: Gravitas. Contact Isa: Films Transit)
The festival will open with a first film by Israeli director Roman Shumunov
“Babylon Dreamers” Directed by Roman Somonob. An intimate report about a troupe of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, from one of Ashdod’s poorest neighborhoods; they struggle to survive facing harsh conditions - poverty, mental illness, and broken families. They channel their anger and cling to their dream of attending and winning the International Breakdance Championship.
Israeli Competition
Some 70 Israeli films produced over the last year were submitted out of which 13 films have been selected for the Israeli Competition. They will be competing for the largest cash prize for documentary filmmaking in Israel 70,000 Nis (Us$ 15,000). Other awards in the competition include the Mayor’s Prize for the Most Promising Filmmaker, the Prize for Editing, the Prize for Cinematography, the Prize for Research, and the Prize for Original Score.
"The Wonderful Kingdom of Papa Alaev," directors Tal Barda, Noam Pinchas -Tajikistan’s answer to the Jackson Family. A modern-day Shakespearean tale about a famous Tajik musical family, controlled by their charismatic patriarch-grandfather - Papa Alaev.
"A Tale of Two Balloons" by Zohar Wagner - The tale of a women who thought a pair of perfect breasts would help her find true love. But when that love came along, those perfect breasts had to go.
"Aida's Secrets," director Alon Schwarz - At 68, Izak learns he has a brother he never knew about. As part of the discoveries about the family, the film uncovers the story of the Displaced Persons camps- the vibrant and often wild social life that flourished immediately after WW2.
"Child Mother" by Yael Kipper and Ronen Zaretzky - The story of elderly women born in Morocco and Yemen, who were married off when they were still little girls. Only now, as they enter the final chapter of their lives, do they openly face their past and the ways it still affects them and their families.
"The Last Shaman" directed by Raz Degan - Inspired by an article he read, James decides to travel to the Amazon rainforests, in search of a shaman whom he thinks can save him from a clinical depression that haunts him.
"The Patriarch's Room" by Danae Elon -The bizarre imprisonment of the former head of the Greek Orthodox Church in a tiny monastic cell in Jerusalem’s Old City leads to a fascinating journey in search of the truth, penetrating the remote world of the priesthood. The complex and unfamiliar picture that emerges is revealed here, on camera, for the very first time.
"Poetics of the Brain" by Nurith Aviv –weaving associative links between her personal biographical stories and neuroscientists’ accounts of their work. They discuss topics such as memory, bilingualism, reading, mirror neurons, smell, traces of experience.
"Shalom Italia," by Tamar Tal Anati (winner of Docaviv for Life in Stills) -Three Italian Jewish brothers set off on a journey through Tuscany, in search of a cave where they hid as children to escape the Nazis. Their quest, full of humor, food and Tuscan landscapes, straddles the boundary between history and myth, both of which really, truly happened.
"Week 23" by Ohad Milstein - Rahel, the daughter of a Swiss bishop, is coping with a difficult pregnancy in Israel. One of the identical twins she is carrying has died in utero, and now poses an almost certain threat to its sibling. The doctors are unequivocal about it. They tell Rahel that she should abort the surviving fetus and end her pregnancy.
"The Settlers" by Shimon Dotan; Town On A Wire directed by Uri Rosenwaksand Eyal Blachson; Death in the Terminal by Tali Shemesh and Asaf Sudry, and Babylon Dreamers by Roman Shumunov.
The Members of the selection committee included Sinai Abt, artistic director of the Docaviv Film Festival; director Reuven Brodsky, winner of Docaviv in 2012 for his film Home Movie and of Honorable Mention at Docaviv in 2015 and film editor Ayelet Ofarim.
Twelve films have been selected for the International Competition, which will open with the The Happy Film by Stefan Seigmeister. Also competing are Jerzy Sladkowski’s Don Juan, winner of the Idfa Award; Author: The J.T. LeRoy Story about the imaginary cult figure who became the darling of New York society and nightlife, picked up by Amazon at Sundance as its first doc title. Another festival favorite is A Flickering Truth and Sean McAllister's daring award winning documentary A Syrian Love Story.
The Depth of Field Competition will open with LoveTrue by director Alma Har’el, who will be a juror for the Israeli Film Competition. This is the Competition’s third year, held in conjunction with the Film Critics’ Forum that will award films for an outstanding and daring artistic vision. Other films that will be screened as part of the competition include Sundance winners Kate Plays Christine by Robert Greene, and Pieter-Jan De Pue’s hybrid documentary The Land of the Enlightened; other titles that will be shown are Hotel Dallas by wife and husband artist duo Livia Ungur and Sherng-Lee Huang, The Hong Kong Trilogy by noted cinematographer Christopher Doyle , and the musical- turned into documentary London Road by Rufus Norris and Alecky Blythe.
The Masters Section, a new category in the festival, highlighting new films by world renowned directors will be opened by Fire at Sea by director Gianfranco Rosi, winner of the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlinale. Avi Mograbi’s Between Fences will be accompanied by a play by the Holot Legislative Theater, with a cast of actors that includes Israelis and African asylum seekers.
Other films in this section include amongst others Junun, Paul Thomas Anderson’s portrayal of a musical project involving Shye Ben-Tzur and Jonny Greenwood, Homo Sapiens by director Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine by director Alex Gibney, To the Desert by director Judd Neeman, Unlocking the Cage by directors D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, De Palma by co-director Noah Baumbach and He Named Me Malala by David Guggenheim.
The Panorama selection of films will include amongst others the moving Strike a Pose, by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan about the dancers who accompanied Madonna on her “Blond Ambition” tour, Roger Ross Williams ‘Life, Animated depicting the remarkable story of an autistic boy, who learned how to communicate with his surroundings through Disney films, Those Who Jump about an African refugee who films attempts by other refugees to jump the barbed wire border fence in North Africa and Louis Theroux: My Scientology Film.
This year’s Arts Section will include Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble by Academy Award winner Morgan Neville; I Don’t Belong Anywhere: The Cinema of Chantal Akerman, which was produced shortly before her tragic death, Listen to Me, Marlon, which tells the story of Marlon Brando through the audio recordings he made throughout his life, Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict, the salacious story of art collector Peggy Guggenheim, Koudelka Shooting Holy Land, Gilad Baram’s film about famous Czech photographer Josef Koudelka’s travels along the Separation Fence, and more.
Seven films produced by the top film schools in Israel were selected to compete in the annual Student Film Competition. The prize for the competition was donated by the Gottesman family in memory of Ruti Gottesman, a leading supporter of Docaviv and of documentary.
The Members of the selection committee included Karin Ryvind Segal, programming director for Docaviv, Hila Avraham, curator and expert on film and audiovisual media preservation and screenwriter Danny Rosenberg, whose work includes the films My Father’s House , Susia and the television series Johnny and the Knights of the Galilee.
Special Guests attending the Festival:
Award winning Director Ondi Timoner, will be attending the Israeli premiere of her film Russell Brand: A Second Coming. Her Sundance-winning film Dig! will be among the music documentaries screened at the Tel Aviv Port. In conjunction with the Film Department of Beit Berl College, Timoner will also be conducting a special master class for students, professionals, and amateurs.
This year’s festival will include a special tribute to acclaimed director Nikolaus Geyrhalter who will be attending the festival with his recent Homo Sapiens. This year’s festival will also include two previous films of his, Our Daily Bread and Abendland,.
International jury members attending the festival include:
Adriek van Nieuwenhuyzen, Director of the Idfa industry office; Gary Kam, producer of Planet of Snail; film director Alma Har’el (Bombay Beach; LoveTrue) ; Nilotpal, Director of Docedge Kolkata, Sascha Lara Bleuler, Director of the Human Rights Film Festival in Zurich, and film director Tatiana Brandrup.
The Israeli jurors include:
Director Dror Moreh, director and producer Barak Heymann, director Robby Elmaliah, producer Elinor Kowarsky, photographer David Adika, and film editor Tal Rabiner.
Around town. A record number of twelve screening venues spread out across Tel Aviv will offer free screenings. These are: Habima Square, the Beit Danny Community Center, the Hatikvah neighborhood, the Arab-Jewish Community Center in Jaffa, the rooftop of Tel Aviv City Hall, WeWork, Levinsky Park, Bar Kayma, Beit Romano, the Nalaga’at Center, Picnic Little Italy-Sarona Tel Aviv, and Artport.
Outdoors. The Tel Aviv Port will continue to host the festival this year, with outdoor screenings of music films with guest deejays from KZRadio. Films to be screened at the port include Janis: Little Girl Blue, The Reflektor Tapes about the band Arcade Fire, P.T Andersoan’s Junun about the musical collaboration between Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, Nigel Godrich, and a dozen Indian musicians.
Festival Firsts. DocaviVR: a collaboration between Docaviv and Steamer, Israel’s first Interactive and Virtual Reality Film Festival, presents original documentary projects from Israel and around the world, created especially for viewing with Vr gear. The event will take place at Beit Romano. A cinema will pop up in one of Tel Aviv’s trendy hubs, with 25 stations equipped with Vr gear.
The Docommunity conference aims to promote dcomentary across the country by bringing together cultural coordinators and artistic directors from across the country to introduce them to the latest documentary films from Israel and around the world.
The Platform for Alternative Documentation at Artport art space: A performative piece that brings together film artists, social activists, and researchers studying the various aesthetic, social, and philosophical aspects of documentation. Curated by Laliv Melamed and Gilad Reich.
Young audiences. For the first time, films from The Next Doc will be screened, a special initiative of Docaviv, the Second Channel, and the New Fund for Film and Television, which led to the production of three films created especially for a teenage audience.
Docaviv will also be hosting the final event of Docu Young, at which films by students in residential schools, who participated in film workshops , will be screened.
The Docyouth Competition will feature the best documentary films produced by students in high school film programs throughout the country. For the first time, voting for this year’s competition will be held online and open to high school students across the country.
Among the Screenings of docs for kids are Victor Kosakovsky’s “Varicella”, and “Landfilharmonic”.
Over the course of the festival, 110 films will be screened.
- 5/11/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Istanbul event will host a total of 23 gala screenings, including the latest films from Charlie Kaufman and Jean-Marc Vallee, as well as a David Bowie tribute programme.Scroll down for the full line-up
!f Istanbul Independent Film Festival has revealed its programme for the 2016 edition (February 18-28).
Charlie Kaufman’s Anomalisa, which premiered at Telluride last year, and Jean-Marc Vallee’s Demolition, which opened the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015, will open and close the festival respectively.
!f Istanbul - in its 15th edition - will host screenings, competitions and events dedicated to bringing the best of independent film to the Turkish city.
Other gala presentations will include Luca Guadagnino’s A Bigger Splash, Gaspar Noé’s Love 3D, Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room and Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s BAFTA-nominated The Assassin.
In memory of the late musician David Bowie, the festival will show remastered versions of his films The Man Who Fell To Earth and The Hunger...
!f Istanbul Independent Film Festival has revealed its programme for the 2016 edition (February 18-28).
Charlie Kaufman’s Anomalisa, which premiered at Telluride last year, and Jean-Marc Vallee’s Demolition, which opened the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015, will open and close the festival respectively.
!f Istanbul - in its 15th edition - will host screenings, competitions and events dedicated to bringing the best of independent film to the Turkish city.
Other gala presentations will include Luca Guadagnino’s A Bigger Splash, Gaspar Noé’s Love 3D, Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room and Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s BAFTA-nominated The Assassin.
In memory of the late musician David Bowie, the festival will show remastered versions of his films The Man Who Fell To Earth and The Hunger...
- 1/29/2016
- ScreenDaily
Former Doctor Who star will play controversial photographer opposite Girls’ Zosia Mamet as Patti Smith in film directed by Ondi Timoner
Former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith has signed up to play the celebrated photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in a new biopic, Deadline have reported.
The film, entitled Mapplethorpe, will be directed by Ondi Timoner (best known for her documentaries Dig! and Brand: A Second Coming), and is set to feature Girls’ Zosia Mamet as musician Patti Smith, Mapplethorpe’s former lover. Mapplethorpe died in 1989 from Aids-related illnesses, after creating a controversial body of work that included celebrity portraiture, album covers (notably Smith’s Horses) and erotica.
Continue reading...
Former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith has signed up to play the celebrated photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in a new biopic, Deadline have reported.
The film, entitled Mapplethorpe, will be directed by Ondi Timoner (best known for her documentaries Dig! and Brand: A Second Coming), and is set to feature Girls’ Zosia Mamet as musician Patti Smith, Mapplethorpe’s former lover. Mapplethorpe died in 1989 from Aids-related illnesses, after creating a controversial body of work that included celebrity portraiture, album covers (notably Smith’s Horses) and erotica.
Continue reading...
- 1/26/2016
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Matt Smith, best known for playing Doctor Who in that iconic BBC series, is taking on another larger-than-life figure. He has landed the lead role as avant-garde photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in a biopic titled Mapplethorpe in the works from writer-director Ondi Timoner, the two-time Sundance-winning director whose 2015 pic Brand: A Second Coming opened SXSW last year. Girls regular Zosia Mamet has been cast to play Patti Smith, Mapplethorpe’s one-time lover…...
- 1/25/2016
- Deadline
Our resident VOD expert tells you what's new to rent and/or own this week via various Digital HD providers such as cable Movies On Demand, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play and, of course, Netflix. Cable Movies On Demand: Same-day-as-disc releases, older titles and pretheatrical exclusives for rent, priced from $3-$10, in 24- or 48-hour periods 90 Minutes in Heaven (drama; Hayden Christensen, Kate Bosworth; rated PG-13) Amy (music documentary; Amy Winehouse; rated R) Brand: A Second Coming (documentary; Russell Brand; rated R) Goodnight Mommy (horror-thriller; Susanne Wuest, Lukas Schwarz, Elias Schwarz; rated R) Roger Waters The Wall (music; Roger Waters, Dave Kilminster; rated R) Christmas Eve (comedy-romance; Jon Heder, Patrick Stewart; premieres 12/4 on...
Read More...
Read More...
- 12/2/2015
- by Robert B. DeSalvo
- Movies.com
To mark the release of Brand: A Second Coming on 9th november, we’ve been given 2 copies to give away on Blu-ray. The film follows comedian/author/activist Russell Brand as he dives headlong into drugs, sex and fame in an attempt to find happiness, only to realise we have all been nurtured on bad ideas and
The post Win Brand: A Second Coming on Blu-ray appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Win Brand: A Second Coming on Blu-ray appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 10/30/2015
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Never one to hold his tongue, Russell Brand shares his feelings about ex-wife Katy Perry's penchant for posh living in the trailer for his new documentary “Brand: A Second Coming.”
The “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star explains, “Oh my f—king god. I’m living this life of the very thing I detest. Vapid, vacuous celebrity. Fame and power is bulls—t.”
In the film, Brand also tells his friend Stephen Merchant that following his 2010 trip to Africa he realized his relationship with Perry was “not a resolution to anything spiritual- at some point, to be happy, I’m going to have to walk away.” Check the clip!
The “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star explains, “Oh my f—king god. I’m living this life of the very thing I detest. Vapid, vacuous celebrity. Fame and power is bulls—t.”
In the film, Brand also tells his friend Stephen Merchant that following his 2010 trip to Africa he realized his relationship with Perry was “not a resolution to anything spiritual- at some point, to be happy, I’m going to have to walk away.” Check the clip!
- 10/28/2015
- GossipCenter
If you read some of the papers this morning, you may have seen a headline which stated Russell Brand slammed his ex-wife Katy Perry as a "vapid, vacuous, plastic, constructed, mindless celebrity". How dare he? How very dare he?
Well, if you then read the rest of the actual piece in the Daily Mail or Metro or elsewhere, you'll soon realise he wasn't saying that at all. At the absolute most he was throwing some shade in her general direction, but he probably wasn't even doing that.
From the trailer to his new documentary Brand: A Second Coming - which was released a month ago but for some reason has only been brought up now - he is heard saying: "The stuff in Africa hit me really hard.
"I'm associated with the very thing I detest: vapid, vacuous, plastic, constructed, mindless celebrity. That's the very sea we're swimming in, 'Oh,...
Well, if you then read the rest of the actual piece in the Daily Mail or Metro or elsewhere, you'll soon realise he wasn't saying that at all. At the absolute most he was throwing some shade in her general direction, but he probably wasn't even doing that.
From the trailer to his new documentary Brand: A Second Coming - which was released a month ago but for some reason has only been brought up now - he is heard saying: "The stuff in Africa hit me really hard.
"I'm associated with the very thing I detest: vapid, vacuous, plastic, constructed, mindless celebrity. That's the very sea we're swimming in, 'Oh,...
- 10/28/2015
- Digital Spy
Is Russell Brand slamming his ex-wife Katy Perry’s lifestyle? Sure sounds like it! In a trailer for Brand’s new documentary, Brand: A Second Coming, the actor has choice words while talking about his past marriage. Photos: Hollywood divorces “Oh my f—king god. I’m living this life of the very thing I detest,” Brand is seen exclaiming before a video of Perry is shown. “Vapid, vacuous celebrity. Fame and power is bulls—t.” According to the Daily Mail, the actor, 40, also mocks Perry’s accent in the film and tells his [...]...
- 10/27/2015
- Us Weekly
As is always the case around this time of year, the Academy has given us a hint as to what’s eligible for nominations in certain categories. Today, I have the recently released list of eligible contenders in Best Documentary Feature to share with you all. There’s 124 docs in total hoping to score one of the five slots open at the Academy Awards. Historically, Oscar is fairly picky with their subject matter, but they do throw up some curveballs from time to time. This year, they’ll have as unique a choice to make as any, especially considering how there’s no true frontrunner right now. Of the numerous titles in contention, there’s a large group that bears specifically keeping an eye on. Just a small sample includes 1971, Above and Beyond, Amy, The Armor of Light, Batkid Begins, Best of Enemies, Cartel Land, The Diplomat, Every Last Child,...
- 10/26/2015
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Titles include Asif Kapadia’s Amy Winehouse documentary, Michael Moore’s Where To Invade Next and Matthew Heineman’s Cartel Land.
Among those in consideration for the 88th Academy Awards are Cartel Land, He Named Me Malala, Amy, Janis: Little Girl Blue, Sherpa, Where To Invade Next, Winter On Fire, Wolfpack, Meet The Patels and A Sinner In Mecca.
Several of the submissions have not yet had their Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases.
A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.
The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 14 2016 and the ceremony takes place on February 28 2016 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood .
The submitted features in alphabetical order are:
Above And Beyond
All Things Must Pass
Amy
The Armor Of Light
Ballet 422
Batkid Begins
Becoming Bulletproof
Being Evel
Beltracchi – The Art Of Forgery
Best Of Enemies
The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution
Bolshoi Babylon
[link...
Among those in consideration for the 88th Academy Awards are Cartel Land, He Named Me Malala, Amy, Janis: Little Girl Blue, Sherpa, Where To Invade Next, Winter On Fire, Wolfpack, Meet The Patels and A Sinner In Mecca.
Several of the submissions have not yet had their Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases.
A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.
The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 14 2016 and the ceremony takes place on February 28 2016 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood .
The submitted features in alphabetical order are:
Above And Beyond
All Things Must Pass
Amy
The Armor Of Light
Ballet 422
Batkid Begins
Becoming Bulletproof
Being Evel
Beltracchi – The Art Of Forgery
Best Of Enemies
The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution
Bolshoi Babylon
[link...
- 10/23/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Among those in consideration for the 88th Academy Awards are Cartel Land, He Named Me Malala, Amy, Janie: Little Girl Blue, Sherpa, Where To Invade Next, Winter On Fire, Wolfpack, Meet The Patels and A Sinner In Mecca.Several of the submissions have not yet had their Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases.A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 14 2016 and the ceremony takes place on
Among those in consideration for the 88th Academy Awards are Cartel Land, He Named Me Malala, Amy, Janie: Little Girl Blue, Sherpa, Where To Invade Next, Winter On Fire, Wolfpack, Meet The Patels and A Sinner In Mecca.
Several of the submissions have not yet had their Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases.
A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.
The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 14 2016 and the ceremony takes place on...
Among those in consideration for the 88th Academy Awards are Cartel Land, He Named Me Malala, Amy, Janie: Little Girl Blue, Sherpa, Where To Invade Next, Winter On Fire, Wolfpack, Meet The Patels and A Sinner In Mecca.
Several of the submissions have not yet had their Los Angeles and New York qualifying releases.
A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December.
The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 14 2016 and the ceremony takes place on...
- 10/23/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
One hundred twenty-four features have been submitted for consideration in the Documentary Feature category for the 88th Academy Awards.
Last year’s winner was Citizenfour (Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky)
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
“Above and Beyond”
“All Things Must Pass”
“Amy”
“The Armor of Light”
“Ballet 422”
“Batkid Begins”
“Becoming Bulletproof”
“Being Evel”
“Beltracchi – The Art of Forgery”
“Best of Enemies”
“The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”
“Bolshoi Babylon”
“Brand: A Second Coming”
“A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story”
“Call Me Lucky”
“Cartel Land”
“Censored Voices”
“Champs”
“CodeGirl”
“Coming Home”
“Dark Horse”
“Deli Man”
“Dior and I”
“The Diplomat”
“(Dis)Honesty – The Truth about Lies”
“Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll”
“Dreamcatcher”
“dream/killer”
“Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon”
“Eating Happiness”
“Every Last Child”
“Evidence of Harm”
“Farewell to Hollywood...
Last year’s winner was Citizenfour (Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky)
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
“Above and Beyond”
“All Things Must Pass”
“Amy”
“The Armor of Light”
“Ballet 422”
“Batkid Begins”
“Becoming Bulletproof”
“Being Evel”
“Beltracchi – The Art of Forgery”
“Best of Enemies”
“The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”
“Bolshoi Babylon”
“Brand: A Second Coming”
“A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story”
“Call Me Lucky”
“Cartel Land”
“Censored Voices”
“Champs”
“CodeGirl”
“Coming Home”
“Dark Horse”
“Deli Man”
“Dior and I”
“The Diplomat”
“(Dis)Honesty – The Truth about Lies”
“Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll”
“Dreamcatcher”
“dream/killer”
“Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon”
“Eating Happiness”
“Every Last Child”
“Evidence of Harm”
“Farewell to Hollywood...
- 10/23/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This week the team review the new James Bond Film Spectre, Brand: A Second Coming, Mississippi Grind and Listen To Me Marlon
Catherine Shoard and Peter Bradshaw join Xan Brooks for our weekly round-up of the big cinema releases. This week the team watch Daniel Craig hone his spy game in the 24th Bond adventure Spectre; see Russell Brand try to match up to Gandhi, Malcolm X and Jesus in Brand: A Second Coming; have a flutter on Ryan Reynolds in gambling drama Mississippi Grind; and listen to a legend re-evaluate himself from beyond the grave in Listen to Me Marlon. Also available in a video version
Continue reading...
Catherine Shoard and Peter Bradshaw join Xan Brooks for our weekly round-up of the big cinema releases. This week the team watch Daniel Craig hone his spy game in the 24th Bond adventure Spectre; see Russell Brand try to match up to Gandhi, Malcolm X and Jesus in Brand: A Second Coming; have a flutter on Ryan Reynolds in gambling drama Mississippi Grind; and listen to a legend re-evaluate himself from beyond the grave in Listen to Me Marlon. Also available in a video version
Continue reading...
- 10/23/2015
- by Presented by Xan Brooks with Catherine Shoard, Peter Bradshaw. Produced by Rowan Slaney
- The Guardian - Film News
Xan Brooks, Catherine Shoard and Peter Bradshaw listen to the gospel of Russell Brand, delivered via a new documentary by Dig! director Ondi Timoner. Following Brand as he visits his parents, meets his fans and sets out his plan for revolution, Brand: A Second Coming asks the question: is Brand the messiah? Or just a very naughty boy?
Watch this week’s Guardian film show Continue reading...
Watch this week’s Guardian film show Continue reading...
- 10/23/2015
- by Xan Brooks, Catherine Shoard, Peter Bradshaw, Richard Sprenger, Henry Barnes and Ben Kape
- The Guardian - Film News
Listen To Me Marlon | The Last Witch Hunter | The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution | Mississippi Grind | Brand: A Second Coming
The fact that Marlon Brando left hundreds of hours of candid audio recordings is revelation enough, but they’re set to images from his movies and public appearances with such skill and care here it’s as if we’re inside Brando’s head. And the Brando that’s revealed is equally surprising: lyrical, humble, insightful, conflicted. It’s as close to any movie star you’ll get – especially a dead one.
Continue reading...
The fact that Marlon Brando left hundreds of hours of candid audio recordings is revelation enough, but they’re set to images from his movies and public appearances with such skill and care here it’s as if we’re inside Brando’s head. And the Brando that’s revealed is equally surprising: lyrical, humble, insightful, conflicted. It’s as close to any movie star you’ll get – especially a dead one.
Continue reading...
- 10/23/2015
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Catherine Shoard and Peter Bradshaw join Xan Brooks for our weekly round-up of the big cinema releases. This week the team watch Daniel Craig hone his spy game in the 24th Bond adventure Spectre; see Russell Brand try to match up to Gandhi, Malcolm X and Jesus in Brand: A Second Coming; have a flutter on Ryan Reynolds in gambling drama Mississippi Grind; and listen to a legend re-evaluate himself from beyond the grave in Listen to Me Marlon
Continue reading...
Continue reading...
- 10/23/2015
- by Xan Brooks, Catherine Shoard, Peter Bradshaw, Henry Barnes, Richard Sprenger and Ben Kape
- The Guardian - Film News
Ignite Channel
Russell Brand documentaries with ostentatious titles are like Katy Perry songs or jokes about how that showbiz pair used to be married – they just won’t bloody stop.
In April we got The Emperor’s New Clothes and now, while that’s still at full price in HMV, we have Brand: A Second Coming. But, unlike Michael Winterbottom’s ostensibly well-meaning but confused propaganda piece for the “former” comedian’s Trews movement, A Second Coming gets it right, adding a dose of perspective and winding up actually enlightening its subject.
The key difference between the two films (and there are many – here there’s a central narrative, with footage carefully edited together rather than freewheeling) is that A Second Coming doesn’t feel like it was made with excessive involvement from Brand himself; director Ondi Timoner asks the star highly personal questions that make him uncomfortable and his numerous,...
Russell Brand documentaries with ostentatious titles are like Katy Perry songs or jokes about how that showbiz pair used to be married – they just won’t bloody stop.
In April we got The Emperor’s New Clothes and now, while that’s still at full price in HMV, we have Brand: A Second Coming. But, unlike Michael Winterbottom’s ostensibly well-meaning but confused propaganda piece for the “former” comedian’s Trews movement, A Second Coming gets it right, adding a dose of perspective and winding up actually enlightening its subject.
The key difference between the two films (and there are many – here there’s a central narrative, with footage carefully edited together rather than freewheeling) is that A Second Coming doesn’t feel like it was made with excessive involvement from Brand himself; director Ondi Timoner asks the star highly personal questions that make him uncomfortable and his numerous,...
- 10/9/2015
- by Alex Leadbeater
- Obsessed with Film
It is only fitting that actor, comedian, and author Russell Brand has ramped up his activist side in the past several years, as few other recent figures in pop culture have tested the powers of public perception quite as strongly. Once a Dickensian stage caricature whose act was telegraphed as such, he’s exploded into fame, burned out on it, and since retreated into visions of inner peace and social justice. He’s kept and even grown a massive following on social media, and one of those members is Ondi Timoner, director of “Dig” and “We Live in Public," and perhaps the perfect person to track Brand’s ambitions, contradictions, and self-described martyrdom. “Brand: A Second Coming” moves to both deconstruct Brand's deific quality, while exploring the reasons why he’s essential to the media landscape. Filmed as Brand writes and performs his comedy special, “Messiah Complex,” worldwide, as well...
- 10/8/2015
- by Charlie Schmidlin
- The Playlist
An unexpected but near-perfect pairing of filmmaker and subject, Ondi Timoner and Russell Brand recognize one another’s talents and position on the media landscape. In “Brand: A Second Coming” —Timoner’s documentary which premiered at SXSW 2015 (review here)— this dynamic makes for a nuanced look at the comedian, actor, and author’s personality and politics, while the “Dig” and “We Live In Public” director launches into a larger look at the illusions of fame. Read More: The Best Films Of The 2015 SXSW Film Festival The intersection of cultural shifts and intimate narratives has grown into a significant portion of Timoner’s non-feature work: she runs A Total Disruption, a platform for tech innovators and entrepreneurs that is soon to branching off into Lean Content, an online course for artists. She also hosts “B.Y.O.D.”, a talk show featuring in-depth interviews with documentary filmmakers about their work. We...
- 10/7/2015
- by Charlie Schmidlin
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Metrodome inks deals for autumn festival titles and more.
UK distributor Metrodome has closed deals on a raft of autumn festival films including Simon Stone’s The Daughter, Eva Husson’s Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story) and Julio Medem drama Ma Ma, starring Penelope Cruz.
Geoffrey Rush, Ewen Leslie, Paul Schneider, Miranda Otto and Sam Neill star in Simon Stone’s well-received Venice closer The Daughter, produced by Jan Chapman and Nicole O’Donohue, in which a man returns home to discover a long-buried family secret.
The deal was negotiated between head of acquisitions Giles Edwards, acquisitions manager Ella Field and Mongrel International’s Charlotte Mickie, with Metrodome set to release with a theatrical component in 2016.
Eva Husson’s Toronto drama Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story), picked up from Films Distribution, explores the sexual exploits and awakenings of a group of teenagers on the beaches (and in the beds) of Biarritz.
The film is...
UK distributor Metrodome has closed deals on a raft of autumn festival films including Simon Stone’s The Daughter, Eva Husson’s Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story) and Julio Medem drama Ma Ma, starring Penelope Cruz.
Geoffrey Rush, Ewen Leslie, Paul Schneider, Miranda Otto and Sam Neill star in Simon Stone’s well-received Venice closer The Daughter, produced by Jan Chapman and Nicole O’Donohue, in which a man returns home to discover a long-buried family secret.
The deal was negotiated between head of acquisitions Giles Edwards, acquisitions manager Ella Field and Mongrel International’s Charlotte Mickie, with Metrodome set to release with a theatrical component in 2016.
Eva Husson’s Toronto drama Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story), picked up from Films Distribution, explores the sexual exploits and awakenings of a group of teenagers on the beaches (and in the beds) of Biarritz.
The film is...
- 9/29/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Very early in Ondi Timoner‘s new documentary “Brand: A Second Coming,” BBC commentator Jeremy Paxman is asked for his opinion of how British stand-up comic Russell Brand has apparently transformed himself from a serious funnyman into a political and social commentator who makes jokes. Paxman references a line from Monty Python’s “Life of Brian,” speaking to the great traditions of British humor even as he mocks Brand’s new mission to save the world by changing it: “He’s not the Messiah; he’s a very naughty boy.” Also Read: Russell Brand Documentary 'Brand: A Second Coming...
- 9/22/2015
- by James Rocchi
- The Wrap
Brand: A Second Coming Trailer. Ondi Timoner‘s Brand: A Second Coming (2015) movie trailer stars Russell Brand, Katy Perry, and Noel Gallagher. Brand: A Second Coming‘s plot synopsis: “Follows comedian/author/activist Russell Brand as he dives headlong into drugs, sex & fame in an attempt to find happiness, only to realize that our culture feeds us bad ideas & empty idols. […]...
- 9/16/2015
- by Marco Margaritoff
- Film-Book
"I've seen what happens if you take loads of drugs... I've now seen what happens if you make money in Hollywood..." The official trailer for the new Russell Brand documentary has debuted, for those interested in seeing where the comedian/actor/activist/maniac is at now. Titled Brand: A Second Coming, from doc director Ondi Timoner, the film is about a "second coming" of Russell Brand following his rise to fame and subsequent fall thanks to criticism. It looks like it tells a cautionary tale of excess and consumerism, which is the message behind his recent activism anyway. Go "behind the scenes of this wildly complex man for an intimate look at what drives Russell Brand as he continues to be the consummate disruptor." Enjoy! Here's the first official trailer for Ondi Timoner's doc Brand: A Second Coming, direct from YouTube: Brand: A Second Coming chronicles actor/comedian/activist...
- 9/14/2015
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: What better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? This week […]
The post This Week In Trailers: Deathgasm, The Night Crew, Barista, Brand: A Second Coming, Super Mansion appeared first on /Film.
The post This Week In Trailers: Deathgasm, The Night Crew, Barista, Brand: A Second Coming, Super Mansion appeared first on /Film.
- 9/14/2015
- by Christopher Stipp
- Slash Film
Ignite Channel (Twinsters, Poached), which acquired Brand: A Second Coming after its subject tried to get the Russell Brand documenary pulled from last spring’s SXSW fest, has released the trailer and set a limited-run date beginning October 2 at New York’s Village East Cinema, with more screens to follow. The film, helmed by two-time Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Ondi Timoner (Dig!, We Live In Public), traces the rise, fall and possible resurrection of the high-living…...
- 9/12/2015
- Deadline
The Adelaide Film Festival has announced its competition line-up for 2015.
Four directorial debuts are among the Adelaide Film Festival’s (Oct 15-25) 10 competition titles: Visar Morina’s Father, a refugee story that opens in 1990s Kosovo and closes in Germany; Danish director Daniel Dencik’s historical drama Gold Coast, set in Africa; Lamb, set in director Yared Zaleke’s homeland of Ethiopia; and South Korean thriller Office from Hong Won-Chan.
The two Australian films in the mix are Sue Brooks’ Looking For Grace, starring Richard Roxburgh, Radha Mitchell and rising star Odessa Young, and a love story complicated by tribal tradition that was filmed in Vanuatu and sees documentary collaborators Bentley Dean and Martin Butler cross over into narrative drama.
Carol, Todd Haynes’ story of lady love set in Manhattan in the 1950s, also has a strong Australian connection given that the homegrown Cate Blanchett plays a wealthy socialite whose life becomes entangled with that of a shop...
Four directorial debuts are among the Adelaide Film Festival’s (Oct 15-25) 10 competition titles: Visar Morina’s Father, a refugee story that opens in 1990s Kosovo and closes in Germany; Danish director Daniel Dencik’s historical drama Gold Coast, set in Africa; Lamb, set in director Yared Zaleke’s homeland of Ethiopia; and South Korean thriller Office from Hong Won-Chan.
The two Australian films in the mix are Sue Brooks’ Looking For Grace, starring Richard Roxburgh, Radha Mitchell and rising star Odessa Young, and a love story complicated by tribal tradition that was filmed in Vanuatu and sees documentary collaborators Bentley Dean and Martin Butler cross over into narrative drama.
Carol, Todd Haynes’ story of lady love set in Manhattan in the 1950s, also has a strong Australian connection given that the homegrown Cate Blanchett plays a wealthy socialite whose life becomes entangled with that of a shop...
- 9/9/2015
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
The Australian premiere of Cate Blanchett's Carol is set to headline this year's Adelaide Film Festival.
One-hundred and eighty films will screen at the Festival - including over 40 Australian films, and 24 South Australian films - with 51 countries represented at the Festival.
Some of films' biggest names, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, Michael Keaton, Richard Roxburgh, Anthony Lapaglia and Rachel McAdams.
In its eleventh year, the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival will provide the best of local, Australian and internationally produced films, with an eclectic mix of cinema, television, art and the moving image . plus the one night only reunion of Festival ambassadors Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, as they host the Ultimate Quiz night.
The Festival will feature new work from Australian directors including Scott Hicks, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Matt Saville, Sue Brooks, Stephen Page, Matthew Bate, Meryl Tankard and Rosemary Myers.
It will also include work from international filmmakers Todd Haynes,...
One-hundred and eighty films will screen at the Festival - including over 40 Australian films, and 24 South Australian films - with 51 countries represented at the Festival.
Some of films' biggest names, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, Michael Keaton, Richard Roxburgh, Anthony Lapaglia and Rachel McAdams.
In its eleventh year, the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival will provide the best of local, Australian and internationally produced films, with an eclectic mix of cinema, television, art and the moving image . plus the one night only reunion of Festival ambassadors Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, as they host the Ultimate Quiz night.
The Festival will feature new work from Australian directors including Scott Hicks, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Matt Saville, Sue Brooks, Stephen Page, Matthew Bate, Meryl Tankard and Rosemary Myers.
It will also include work from international filmmakers Todd Haynes,...
- 9/8/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The 59Th BFI London Film Festival Announces Full 2015 Programme
You can peruse the programme at your leisure here.
The programme for the 59th BFI London Film Festival in partnership launched today, with Festival Director Clare Stewart presenting this year’s rich and diverse selection of films and events. BFI London Film Festival is Britain’s leading film event and one of the world’s oldest film festivals. It introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience. The Festival provides an essential platform for films seeking global success; and promotes the careers of British and international filmmakers through its industry and awards programmes. With this year’s industry programme stronger than ever, offering international filmmakers and leaders a programme of insightful events covering every area of the film industry Lff positions London as the world’s leading creative city.
The Festival will screen a...
You can peruse the programme at your leisure here.
The programme for the 59th BFI London Film Festival in partnership launched today, with Festival Director Clare Stewart presenting this year’s rich and diverse selection of films and events. BFI London Film Festival is Britain’s leading film event and one of the world’s oldest film festivals. It introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience. The Festival provides an essential platform for films seeking global success; and promotes the careers of British and international filmmakers through its industry and awards programmes. With this year’s industry programme stronger than ever, offering international filmmakers and leaders a programme of insightful events covering every area of the film industry Lff positions London as the world’s leading creative city.
The Festival will screen a...
- 9/1/2015
- by John
- SoundOnSight
The 59th annual BFI London Film Festival (October 7 through 8) has scooped plenty of top-tier titles off the festival circuit, landing European premieres of opening nighter "Suffragette" and closing selection "Steve Jobs." Both should pop up in Telluride this weekend. All in all, the festival will screen a total of 238 fiction and documentary features, including 16 World Premieres, 8 International Premieres, 40 European Premieres and 11 Archive films including 5 Restoration World Premieres. This year's galas include Cannes winner "Carol," along with a talk with director Todd Haynes, plus Venice world-premiere "Black Mass," "Trumbo," "Brooklyn," and European productions "The Lady in the Van" and Tiff premiere "High-Rise." Strand galas include "A Bigger Splash" (also in Venice), "The Program," Cannes winner "The Lobster," acclaimed SXSW doc "Brand: A Second Coming"...
- 9/1/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Official competition to include Cary Fukunaga’s Beasts Of No Nation and European premieres for Jonás Cuarón’s Desierto and Johnnie To’s Office.Scroll down for competition titles
The full line-up for the 59th BFI London Film Festival (Oct 7-18) has been unveiled this morning, including the titles set to compete in its four competitions.
The festival will screen a total of 238 fiction and documentary features, including 16 world premieres, eight international premieres, 40 European premieres and 11 archive films including five restoration world premieres. The line-up also includes 182 live action and animated shorts.
As previously announced, the festival will open with Sarah Gavron’s period drama Suffragette, starring Carey Mulligan, and will close with Danny Boyle’s biopic Steve Jobs, starring Michael Fassbender as the home computer pioneer and Apple co-founder. Both are European premieres.
Further headline galas at the festival will be Todd Haynes’ Carol, Jay Roach’s Trumbo, Scott Cooper’s Black Mass, John Crowley...
The full line-up for the 59th BFI London Film Festival (Oct 7-18) has been unveiled this morning, including the titles set to compete in its four competitions.
The festival will screen a total of 238 fiction and documentary features, including 16 world premieres, eight international premieres, 40 European premieres and 11 archive films including five restoration world premieres. The line-up also includes 182 live action and animated shorts.
As previously announced, the festival will open with Sarah Gavron’s period drama Suffragette, starring Carey Mulligan, and will close with Danny Boyle’s biopic Steve Jobs, starring Michael Fassbender as the home computer pioneer and Apple co-founder. Both are European premieres.
Further headline galas at the festival will be Todd Haynes’ Carol, Jay Roach’s Trumbo, Scott Cooper’s Black Mass, John Crowley...
- 9/1/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Fifties Ireland: Eilis must confront a terrible dilemma — a heartbreaking choice between two men and two countries, between duty and true love. Photo: Kerry Brown The full programme of the 59th London Film Festival has been announced by director Clare Stewart.
Galas will include the European premieres of John Crowley's Brooklyn and Jay Roach's Trumbo, while Johnnie To's Office, Jonás Cuarón's Desierto and Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya's Very Big Shot will all have their European premiere in the Official Competition.
The festival will screen 238 features, including 16 world premieres, eight international premieres, 40 European premieres and 11 archive films.
As previously announced, the 59th edition will open with Sarah Gavron's Suffragette and close with Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs - both European premieres.
Each of the festival's nine strands will feature its own gala. They are Luca Guadadnino’s A Bigger Splash, Stephen Frears’ The Program, Yorgos Lathimos’ The Lobster,...
Galas will include the European premieres of John Crowley's Brooklyn and Jay Roach's Trumbo, while Johnnie To's Office, Jonás Cuarón's Desierto and Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya's Very Big Shot will all have their European premiere in the Official Competition.
The festival will screen 238 features, including 16 world premieres, eight international premieres, 40 European premieres and 11 archive films.
As previously announced, the 59th edition will open with Sarah Gavron's Suffragette and close with Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs - both European premieres.
Each of the festival's nine strands will feature its own gala. They are Luca Guadadnino’s A Bigger Splash, Stephen Frears’ The Program, Yorgos Lathimos’ The Lobster,...
- 9/1/2015
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Ondi Timoner is a documentarian, but that doesn’t cover the half of it. Her most recent film, "Brand: A Second Coming," sufficiently unnerved its subject, Russell Brand, that he canceled his trip to SXSW, where the film made its world premiere. (The film will be released by Ignite Entertainment later this year.) And that’s just her day job. There’s also A Total Disruption, which features hundreds of webisode interviews with entrepreneurs and thought leaders. That's not to be confused with Byod, her online talk show that features hundreds of her fellow documentary filmmakers. She’s also launching "Lean Content," an online course that takes the lean startup model to content creators. On this episode of the Indiewire Influencers podcast, we sit down with Ondi as she explains how she works with "impossible visionaries" and gives us the backstory of the power struggles...
- 7/28/2015
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
It's hard to think of Russell Brand as just a comedian and actor when he's really lived the life of a rockstar. Always dressed in Bohemian glam garb, Brand has been candid about his struggles with drugs and sex, and he has seemed to turn towards activism as a way to battle his demons. While the "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" star has fled the Hollywood scene as of late, Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Odni Timoner ("Dig!") has taken on the task of documenting his whereabouts in "Brand: A Second Coming.' Read More: SXSW: Ondi Timoner on Why Russell Brand Will Never Be at Peace with the Film She Made About HimThe official synopsis reads: ""Brand: A Second Coming" follows comedian/author/activist Russell Brand as he dives headlong into drugs, sex and fame in an attempt to find happiness, only to realize that our culture feeds us bad ideas and empty idols.
- 6/18/2015
- by Sarah Choi
- Indiewire
Brand: A Second Coming, the Russell Brand documentary whose subject tried to get the film pulled from its opening-night slot at SXSW in March, has found a North American distributor. Ignite Channel, whose pickups include Twinsters and Poached, both from SXSW, has acquired director Ondi Timoner’s film for theatrical release but gave no date. A Second Coming follows the erstwhile Mr. Katy Perry’s transformation from Hollywood star to political and social activist. Former FX…...
- 6/18/2015
- Deadline
Hours before it screens at the Los Angeles Film Festival, Ondi Timoner‘s acclaimed Russell Brand documentary “Brand: A Second Coming” has been acquired by Ignite Channel, an independent distributor focused on theatrical releases of award-winning documentaries with strong cultural impact. Ignite Channel will release “Brand: A Second Coming” in theaters across America, having purchased North American rights to the documentary, TheWrap has learned. Award-winning filmmaker Timoner (“We Live in Public”) turns her camera on Brand, the comedian, activist, and author who starred in the Judd Apatow productions “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek.” “Brand: A Second Coming” is.
- 6/18/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
With 39 world premieres coming out of this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, it’s quite possible there are serious discoveries to be made on the West Coast. Among the selections are 74 features, nearly half of which are directed by women and/or filmmakers of color, and 60 shorts with over 30 countries represented across the board. Here are six we can’t wait to see! “Too Late”Described as a “dark love letter to Los Angeles,” this drama shot on 35mm follows a private investigator as he searches for clues about a missing woman with whom he shares a past. Submitted to the U.S. Fiction Competition and starring John Hawkes (“Eastbound & Down”), Rider Strong (“Boy Meets World”), Vail Bloom (“The Young and the Restless”), and others, “Too Late” is a story melding a journey of self-discovery with all there is to find in L.A. “Brand: A Second Coming”Russell Brand...
- 6/10/2015
- backstage.com
As Film Independent's 21st Los Angeles Film Festival gets under way at La Live downtown with the June 10th opening of Paul Weitz's Sundance hit comedy "Grandma," starring the incomparable Lily Tomlin, the big question surrounding this year's program is whether festival director Stephanie Allain's new vision for the selection (booked by a new, less experienced programming team led by Roya Rastegar) will lure audiences. Read: David Ansen's Departure from Laff Signals New Direction for the Festival The fourth festival under producer Allain ("Beyond the Lights") has taken a dramatic turn. While there are plenty of Cannes, SXSW and Sundance hits such as Ken Loach’s "Jimmy’s Hall," "Diary of a Teenage Girl," "Infinitely Polar Bear," and Russell Brand doc "Brand: A Second Coming," among the 45 world premieres there are fewer galas with...
- 6/9/2015
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Santa Monica-based sales agent will handle international rights in Cannes on the documentary that recently opened SXSW.
Ondi Timoner wrote and directed Brand: A Second Coming, in which the comedian throws himself into political activism while on a quest for happiness.
The film features appearances by David Lynch, Noel Gallagher, Oliver Stone, Mike Tyson and Stephen Merchant, among others.
“We were so impressed with Ondi Timoner’s provocative and at times even shocking portrait of Russell Brand”, said Myriad president and CEO Kirk D’Amico. “She was able to get truly amazing footage that shows us this extraordinarily brilliant comedian – warts and all.”
Timoner produced and her Interloper Films associate Nick Corcorran served as co-producer. Gareth Roy served as co-producer and Andrew Antonio is executive producer.
Myriad director of production and acquisitions Theresa Won brought the project to the company. Senior vice-president of business and legal affairs Thomas Loftus negotiated international sales rights with Wme Global...
Ondi Timoner wrote and directed Brand: A Second Coming, in which the comedian throws himself into political activism while on a quest for happiness.
The film features appearances by David Lynch, Noel Gallagher, Oliver Stone, Mike Tyson and Stephen Merchant, among others.
“We were so impressed with Ondi Timoner’s provocative and at times even shocking portrait of Russell Brand”, said Myriad president and CEO Kirk D’Amico. “She was able to get truly amazing footage that shows us this extraordinarily brilliant comedian – warts and all.”
Timoner produced and her Interloper Films associate Nick Corcorran served as co-producer. Gareth Roy served as co-producer and Andrew Antonio is executive producer.
Myriad director of production and acquisitions Theresa Won brought the project to the company. Senior vice-president of business and legal affairs Thomas Loftus negotiated international sales rights with Wme Global...
- 5/12/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Jen Peedom.s feature doc Sherpa will have their world premieres at the Sydney Film Festival.
The festival program unveiled today includes 33 world premieres (including 22 shorts) and 135 Australian premieres (with 18 shorts) among 251 titles from 68 countries.
Among the other premieres will be Daina Reid.s The Secret River, Ruby Entertainment's. ABC-tv miniseries starring Oliver Jackson Cohen and Sarah Snook, and three Oz docs, Marc Eberle.s The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock .n. Roll, Steve Thomas. Freedom Stories and Lisa Nicol.s Wide Open Sky.
Festival director Nashen Moodley boasted. this year.s event will be far larger than 2014's when 183 films from 47 countries were screened, including 15 world premieres. The expansion is possible in part due to the addition of two new screening venues in Newtown and Liverpool.
As previously announced, Brendan Cowell...
The festival program unveiled today includes 33 world premieres (including 22 shorts) and 135 Australian premieres (with 18 shorts) among 251 titles from 68 countries.
Among the other premieres will be Daina Reid.s The Secret River, Ruby Entertainment's. ABC-tv miniseries starring Oliver Jackson Cohen and Sarah Snook, and three Oz docs, Marc Eberle.s The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock .n. Roll, Steve Thomas. Freedom Stories and Lisa Nicol.s Wide Open Sky.
Festival director Nashen Moodley boasted. this year.s event will be far larger than 2014's when 183 films from 47 countries were screened, including 15 world premieres. The expansion is possible in part due to the addition of two new screening venues in Newtown and Liverpool.
As previously announced, Brendan Cowell...
- 5/6/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Los Angeles Film Festival, which runs from June 10-18 in downtown Los Angeles, announced a lineup Tuesday of 74 feature films, 60 short films, and more than 50 new media works representing 35 countries. Opening with Paul Weitz’ Grandma, starring Lily Tomlin, the festival will offer up such films as Ondi Timoner’s Brand: A Second Coming, the documentary about Russell Brand that bowed at South by Southwest; Marielle Heller’s Diary of a Teenage Girl, which played Sundance; and new films like Zoe Cassavetes’ drama about a 40-something actress, Day Out of Days; and Emily Ting’s romantic comedy
read more...
read more...
- 5/5/2015
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Read More: SXSW Review: Russell Brand Needs to Make Peace With Ondi Timoner's 'Brand: A Second Coming' British standup comedian and actor Russell Brand's radical transformation into a rambunctious ideologue assailing the persecution of the lower classes has baffled his fellow citizens while going largely ignored in America, but that's hardly slowed down his passionate crusade. Brand's enviable cause received fascinating context in Ondi Timoner's recent "Brand: A Second Coming," which tracked its subject from his humble beginnings through various struggles with drugs, women and fame before the most recent and complicated phase of his public life. While the star turned his back on Timoner's project, citing the sensitivities associated with confronting his troubled past, it turns out he had an authorized encapsulation of his current state in the pipeline. "The Emperor's New Clothes," which is credited as being "made by" Brand and prolific British.
- 4/24/2015
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Brand: A Second Coming is the latest documentary from Ondi Timoner, charting some of Russell Brand’s hope for worldwide social revolution. The film also was one of the rare documentaries to be the opening night film of South By Southwest.
After the movie’s premiere, we had a chance to sit down with Ondi and discuss the project. We talked about opening the festival, working with Russell, the process of choosing what to cut from a documentary, and much more. Check out the full interview below!
First of all, congrats on opening the festival.
Timoner: Thank you. It’s an awesome honor.
How’d it feel when you found out you were opening SXSW?
Timoner: I was very excited, especially because my whole family was over. It was New Year’s Day. Janet (Pierson) called me and asked if I had a moment to speak. Called me on New...
After the movie’s premiere, we had a chance to sit down with Ondi and discuss the project. We talked about opening the festival, working with Russell, the process of choosing what to cut from a documentary, and much more. Check out the full interview below!
First of all, congrats on opening the festival.
Timoner: Thank you. It’s an awesome honor.
How’d it feel when you found out you were opening SXSW?
Timoner: I was very excited, especially because my whole family was over. It was New Year’s Day. Janet (Pierson) called me and asked if I had a moment to speak. Called me on New...
- 4/1/2015
- by Alexander Lowe
- We Got This Covered
Earlier this week we brought you a gallery of images from the studio we set up at SXSW in partnership with photographer Daniel Bergeron and Movies on Demand. As the 2015 edition of the festival comes to a close, we have put together a gallery of select images pulled from the second two days of our four-day shoot. Click here to access the first gallery. Read More: SXSW 2015 Portraits of Sally Field, Nick Kroll, Jason Schwartzman and More "Wild Horses" writer-director Robert Duvall."Manson Family Vacation" executive producers Mark and Jay Duplass."Creative Control" director Benjamin Dickinson, actress Alexia Rasmussen and actor Dan Gill."Brand: A Second Coming" director Ondi Timoner.Read More: The 2015 Indiewire SXSW Bible: Every Review, Interview and News Item Posted During Run of Festival "Breaking a Monster" subjects Unlocking the Truth bandmates Alec Atkins, Malcolm Brickhouse and Jarad Dawkins."Love and Mercy"...
- 3/21/2015
- by Shipra Gupta
- Indiewire
Russell Brand, the former drug addict and sex addict who, in most quarters, is most famous for marrying and divorcing Katy Perry, would not seem the ideal candidate to lead a global consciousness-raising, oligarchy-shattering revolution. But Ondi Timoner demonstrates why that prospect makes sense to some in Brand: A Second Coming, a thoroughly entertaining doc that serves also as a primer on Brand's shockingly successful comedy career and an introduction to his singular personality. Though more of a sure thing commercially in the U.K., where he has filled arenas for one-man shows, the film has strong appeal
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read more...
- 3/19/2015
- by John DeFore
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SXSW 2015 Film Review
complete coverage of the SXSW Film Festival 2015
The Overnight
Director/Screenwriter: Patrick Brice
Two families meet at the park and set up a playdate that has unexpected outcomes for all. Cast: Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman, Taylor Schilling, Judith Godrèche. (film synopsis from sxsw.com)
Overall
It’s hilarious. The boundaries of bromance, marriage, friendship and even penis comedy are pushed to a very funny limit with this film. It’s great to see Schilling doing great work outside of “Orange is the New Black.”
Final Score: 8/10
Manglehorn
Director: David Gordon Green, Screenwriter: Paul Logan
Reclusive small town locksmith, A.J. Manglehorn, who has never recovered from his losing his true love embarks on a new tenuous relationship with a local woman he meets at the bank. Cast: Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine, Chris Messina. (U.S. Premiere)
(film synopsis from sxsw.com)
Overall
You probably...
complete coverage of the SXSW Film Festival 2015
The Overnight
Director/Screenwriter: Patrick Brice
Two families meet at the park and set up a playdate that has unexpected outcomes for all. Cast: Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman, Taylor Schilling, Judith Godrèche. (film synopsis from sxsw.com)
Overall
It’s hilarious. The boundaries of bromance, marriage, friendship and even penis comedy are pushed to a very funny limit with this film. It’s great to see Schilling doing great work outside of “Orange is the New Black.”
Final Score: 8/10
Manglehorn
Director: David Gordon Green, Screenwriter: Paul Logan
Reclusive small town locksmith, A.J. Manglehorn, who has never recovered from his losing his true love embarks on a new tenuous relationship with a local woman he meets at the bank. Cast: Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine, Chris Messina. (U.S. Premiere)
(film synopsis from sxsw.com)
Overall
You probably...
- 3/19/2015
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
WaxWord sat with director Ondi Timoner at SXSW to talk about her differences with Russell Brand during the editing of “Brand: A Second Coming,” which opened the festival, but which prompted the sensitive actor to pull out of the festival appearance where he was supposed to be the opening keynote. Timoner revealed that Brand intervened to make changes after the editing process., most of which the director resisted. “It was like non-violent protest,” Timoner said. The comedian passed on attending the festival, writing that watching the film would be too painful. Sharon Waxman: Your documentary “Brand: A Second Coming” debuted to great.
- 3/16/2015
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
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