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‘Room,’ ‘Semana Santa’ Take Cabos Film Festival Prizes
16 minutes ago
“Room” and “Semana Santa” were among the winners at the fourth Los Cabos Film Festival, which wraps Sunday. The prizes were presented Saturday night at a ceremony that also honored Ewan McGregor with the Protagonist acting award.
“Last Days in the Desert” director Rodrigo Garcia presented McGregor with the award, saying, “He lowers a director’s anxiety level,” then joked, “He’s also done a lot of full-frontal nudity, for which we’re all grateful.”
McGregor said he first met Garcia in Mexico and has developed a love for the country, travelling to many different areas. “Last Days in the Desert,” in which McGregor plays both Jesus and Satan, screened in Cabo after premiering at Sundance.
Lenny Abrahamson’s “Room” won both the audience award and the juried Cinemex Competencia award.
The festival gives out more than $425,000 in prizes, and the winner of the México Primero Fox+ award, “Semana Santa” director Alejandra Márquez, »
- Pat Saperstein
Los Cabos: ‘Greywater,’ ‘Tongue,’ ‘Landscapes,’ ‘Negro’ Tap Gabriel Figueroa Funding
3 hours ago
Los Cabos — Jeff Unay’s “Greywater,” Kyzza Terrazas’ “We Are Tongue” and Rodrigo Cervantes’ “Landscapes” were among the big winners of 2015 Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund grants, all awarded the equivalent of $52,000 in post-production services by LaboDigital, a Latin American film service group.
An initiative of Los Cabos Festival, the Gfff also adjudicated $5,000 development awards to seven projects, including two at this year’s Cabos’ Discovery co-pro forum: Andrea Pallaoro’s “Beauty Salon” and Paulina del Paso’s “Skin Deep.”
In a further award, producer Nicolas Celis took home a $25,000 worth of services from Splendor Omnia-Mantarraya for “Soy Negro,” a war film that marks a change of direction for Iran-born Rafi Pitts that Celis co-produced with Thanassis Karathanos (“Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Ajami”).
Sourced from the Tribeca Film Institute Documentary Film Fund, in a project exchange relationship between Los Cabos and the Tfi, “Grey Water” is a profile of Mixed Martial »
- John Hopewell
Governors Award Winner Spike Lee to Hollywood: ‘You Better Get Smart’
7 hours ago
Governors Awards recipient Spike Lee reminded hundreds of Hollywood heavy-hitters about their failure at diversity, warning that “You better get smart” about making films that represent the population — because by 2043, Caucasians are going to be the minority in the U.S.
Lee’s 15-minute speech was delivered in a calm and genial manner, concluding Saturday’s awards ceremony that also honored Debbie Reynolds and Gena Rowlands. Lee said when he goes through Hollywood offices, there are only white faces, and the only person of color is the man checking the name at the door. “This industry is so behind, is ridiculous.” He said it’s apparently easier for a black person to become president of the U.S. than the head of a studio or TV network.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs opened the evening by urging Hollywood to move ahead on diversity, saying “Words »
- Tim Gray
‘Off Course,’ ‘Summer Camp,’ ‘Requirements’ Set to Screen at Madrid de Cine
19 hours ago
Nacho Garcia Velilla’s “Off Course,” Alberto Marini’s “Summer Camp” and Leticia Dolera’s “Requirements To Be a Normal Person” will screen at next week’s 9th Madrid de Cine-Spanish Film Screenings, Spain’s biggest annual international sales market for Spanish titles.
The three-day minimart, aimed to promote export sales on Spanish productions, returns after a one-year hiatus, reportedly determined by economic reasons and also to rethink the event. The 2015 edition suggests continuity, at least in format terms.
Madrid de Cine also allows a snapshot of major film industry trends in Spain. The impact of Spanish broadcast groups on local film production is evident in 2015 box office results. Scoring a successful €10.4 million ($11.4 million) B.O., Germany-set immigration dramedy “Off Course” represents a recent investment by Atresmedia Cine, the film production arm of broadcaster Atresmedia, in a surer play of boarding local comedies in partnership with box office-friendly filmmakers such as Garcia Velilla. »
- Emiliano De Pablos
Los Cabos: Eugenio Derbez Sets ‘Latin Lover’ as ‘Instructions Not Included’ Follow-Up (Exclusive)
20 hours ago
Los Cabos – Eugenio Derbez has set “How To Be a Latin Lover” as his follow-up to “Instructions Not Included.” The movie will also be Derbez’s first English-language movie in a lead role.
Set up at 3Pas Studios, the Santa Monica-based company Derbez runs with producer partner Benjamin Odell, “Latin Lover” will shoot from around March 2016. Parts of the film will be in Spanish.
A high concept comedy, “Latin Lover” turns on an ageing Mexican Romeo (Derbez), for whom women are objects, who is suddenly thrown out by his rich lady and forced out into the real world. “Latin Lover” is a homage to the ‘60s Mexican movies starring Mauricio Garces, about a handsome Lothario, an elegant George Clooney-ish figure in his movies, who thinks nobody is good enough for him, said Derbez. “Latin Lover’s” protagonist “has the same attitude, but is older, out of shape, has no »
- John Hopewell and Anna Marie de la Fuente
Los Cabos: Liam Neeson Shares Details of Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’
20 hours ago
Liam Neeson dropped by the Los Cabos Film Festival Saturday to share his excitement over Martin Scorsese’s long-in-the-works historical drama “Silence,” which is finally nearing the finish line.
“Martin requires a lot of commitment,” Neeson said at the Las Ventanas Hotel press conference, explaining that he dropped 20 pounds off his already-lean frame to play a Jesuit missionary, while co-star Adam Driver became extremely gaunt and Garfield is already “a piece of wire.”
Scorsese “gives 200%,” said Neeson. “All he requires is that you give 100%.” “He’s intimidating,” Neeson explained. “He requires absolute silence on the set — if he hears one tiny sound, it shatters it for him.”
Liam Neeson in “Silence”
It was a physically demanding shoot for co-stars Andrew Garfield and Driver, and a big departure from roles like “Spider-Man” and “Star Wars.”
Neeson said the production started off shakily — literally — when Taipei was hit by a 6.1 earthquake and »
- Pat Saperstein
Arab Film Community Reacts With Outrage To Paris Terror Attacks
22 hours ago
The Arab film community is reacting to the tragic Paris attacks with shock, outrage and fears of a global backlash.
“It’s another 9/11 that we are living again,” said Egyptian auteur Mohamed Diab who is shooting a film titled “Clash” about Islamic extremism. “I feel so bad for France and everyone who is not going to feel safe at home. It’s the worse feeling in the world.”
Diab added that “as an Arab and someone who lived in the U.S. post-9/11, I feel that we are also going to pay the price for all of this.”
Speaking from Cairo he noted that “here in my country I’m faced with terrorist attacks and unbelievable life conditions. Now when I go abroad I will be running from terrorists and from people who think that I am one.”
“And that’s not just me, all Arabs and Muslims are in this condition. »
- Nick Vivarelli
‘Spectre’ Shows Staying Power, Heading for $35 Million Weekend
23 hours ago
Moviegoers are opting to stick with James Bond and Charlie Brown at North American multiplexes, with “Spectre” heading for $35 million in its second weekend.
The 24th Bondpic took in $10.2 million on Friday from 3,929 locations for Sony with a decline of about 50% from its opening weekend. Fox’s “The Peanuts Movie” remained a solid draw with $5.6 million on Friday — portending a $24 million sophomore frame, or a 45% decline.
Holiday comedy “Love the Coopers” led the newcomers, heading for a third-place finish following a respectable $2.8 million Friday. That would give the CBS Films production, distributed in conjunction with Lionsgate, as much as $9 million opening at 2,603 sites — in line with or above recent forecasts.
Warner Bros.’ mining drama “The 33” showed only modest traction on Friday with $1.8 million at 2,452 sites, which projects to a modest $5 million for its opening frame with an A- Cinemascore from patrons. “The 33,” which centers on the 2010 rescue of Chilean miners, »
- Dave McNary
Stockholm: Festival Reacts to Paris Terror Attacks
23 hours ago
Festivalgoers and officials at the Stockholm Film Festival, which is in full swing, reacted to the tragedy that unfolded Friday night in Paris as terrorists attacks killed an estimated 120 people.
“Our thoughts are with the people of France today. What has happened in Paris is a terrible tragedy, and the events have shocked and saddened us all. We will hold a moment of silence before the Scandiavian premiere of ‘Marguerite’ by the French director Xavier Giannoli instead of the scheduled Face2Face,” said Git Scheynius, director of Stockholm Intl. Film Festival.
Giannoli cut his festival trip short Saturday returned to Paris.
Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven condemned the attacks yesterday evening: “We must never allow ourselves to be defeated. We stand united with France in this dark, immense grief,” said Lofven.
The Paris assaults, and the bombings outside Paris’ Stade de France, where France and Germany were playing a soccer friendly match, »
- Jon Asp
Paris Attacks Force Theater Closures, High-Profile Screening Cancellations
14 November 2015 7:12 AM, PST
Paris — Paris cinemas are going dark after a series of terrorist attacks targeting crowded public locations have raised safety concerns in the French capital. Furthermore, upcoming red-carpet film events — including screenings of Nanni Moretti’s “My Mother” and Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies,” as well as a weekend press junket and Monday night sneak preview for Natalie Portman western “Jane Got a Gun” — have been canceled for reasons of safety and sensitivity.
“In light of the tragic events in Paris, Monday’s preview screening and filmmaker Q&A for ‘Steve Jobs’ has been cancelled,” a Universal spokesperson said Saturday evening, referring to an event director Danny Boyle was scheduled to attend. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all the victims, families and the people of France during this difficult time.”
The timing of the attacks directly affects a high-profile French pre-release run of Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur, »
- Peter Debruge
Los Cabos: Dolores Fonzi Set for ‘Wind Traces’
14 November 2015 6:44 AM, PST
Los Cabos – Argentina’s Dolores Fonzi, star of Santiago Mitre’s Cannes Critics’ Week winner “Paulina” and a praised supporting role presence in Cesc Gay’s “Truman,” will co-star in Jimena Montemayor’s “Wind Traces,” which is set up at Varios Lobos, a rising star in the ranks of Mexico’s production sector.
Cinematographer on Elisa Miller’s Palme d’Or winning short “Ver llover,” Montemayor’s “Wind Traces” won the Churubusco Prize at the Guadalajara Festival in March, worth Pesos 500,000-1,500,000 ($32,438-$97,314) in co-production equity from the Mexico City studios.
Montemayor’s follow-up to “En la sangre,” seen at Locarno’s Carte Blanche, but already “Wind Traces” turns on the impact of a father’s sudden death on his two children. Told by their mother that their father will return, the seven-year-old son imagines the father coming back as a cadaver. Fonzi will play the boy’s mother. Victor Leycegui, »
- John Hopewell
Stockholm: Docs Enjoy Golden Age With Eager Audiences
14 November 2015 6:44 AM, PST
The feature documentary seems to be continuing to enjoy a golden age, with the thirst for authentic stories seemingly bigger than ever.
Journalists as well as artists are drawn to the documentary, which leads to more and more hybrid approaches to the material, with fiction storytelling touches applied to traditional docs.
To recognize documentaries, Stockholm Film Festival will give out, in additional to the fiction narrative Bronze Horse, a Bronze Horse for documentary feature in a competitive section for contemporary and controversial documentaries.
Among 20 works are Sundance winner “The Wolfpack,” pictured, about six brothers and a sister who are raised in an apartment in New York that they never leave but have access to a film library; “Chuck Norris vs. Communism,” set in 1980s; and “Palio,” about the ancient horse race in Siena, Italy.
The selection also features a local contribution: “The Swedish Theory of Love,” by Erik Gandini, one »
- Jon Asp
Stockholm: Swedish Helmer von Horn Talks About His Debut ‘Here After’
14 November 2015 6:30 AM, PST
One of the biggest revelations in Scandinavian films at Cannes this year was Magnus von Horn’s feature debut, “The Here After,” a Swedish-Polish-French production, shot by “Ida” cinematographer Lukasz Zal. It’s played to acclaim at several international festivals on its way to Stockholm. TrustNordisk has sold “The Here After” to France, U.K., Ireland, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland and Korea.
The drama follows John, a man who returns to his small town hoping to start a new life after serving time in prison. Feeling abandoned by his former friends, John loses hope and decides to confront his past.
Magnus von Horn was born in Goteborg, Sweden, but was educated at the Film School in Lodz, Poland, where he teaches.
“The Here After” is competing for the Bronze horse at Stockholm.
The film had a great reception at this year’s Cannes, in a strong selection of films in Directors’ Fortnight. »
- Jon Asp
Stockholm: Films About Migration in the Festival Spotlight
14 November 2015 6:15 AM, PST
Migration is in the spotlight at the Stockholm Film Festival. A wide range of films dealing with migration, displacement and exile — from the pan-European thriller “One Breath” to the world premiere of “In Pursuit of Better Life,” a story about two Romanian women in Sweden, to the Liberian immigration tale “Out of My Hand” — are unspooling in a special section.
”We have to tackle and to reflect on today’s refugee and migration crisis, and we also have the films telling the stories behind the headlines,” said festival director Git Scheynius.
Olivier Guerpillon, a French-Swedish producer based in Stockholm (2010’s ”Sound of Noise,” 2013’s “Broken Hill Blues”), is competing at Stockholm with his short film on migration, “in/out,” which he directed. He’s also the co-writer of the upcoming Swedish feature “Banjul,” being screened as a work-in-progress at Stockholm.
Guerpillon sees a historical shift in films tackling the subject of migration, »
- Jon Asp
Isis Claims Responsibility for Paris Attacks in Video: ‘Just the Beginning’
14 November 2015 3:37 AM, PST
Isis released a video on Saturday claiming responsibility for the Friday attacks that killed over 120 people and wounded more than 200 across Paris.
In the video, a militant threatens to pursue attacks if France continues “bombing” and incites French Muslims to carry out attacks.
“This attack is just the beginning of the storm… Eight brothers targeted sites that were meticulously chosen in advance in the heart of the city… As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear traveling to the market,” said the bearded man.
The Islamist State also said in a written document that “France and those who follow its path must know that they remain the main targets of the Islamist State and that they will continue smelling the odor of death for leading the crusade, for having insulted our Prophet, for bragging that they’re fighting against Islam in France »
- Elsa Keslassy
Disneyland Paris Closed In The Wake of Terrorist Attack
14 November 2015 3:19 AM, PST
Disneyland Paris will remain closed today in the wake of the terrorist attack that killed over 120 people and wounded over 200 in Paris on Nov. 13.
Located in Marne-la-Vallee, a Eastern suburb near Paris, Disneyland Paris claimed it was closing for security reasons and to show some solidarity.
“Considering the gravity of the events that occurred in France and by solidarity for the French government and the victims of these hideous attacks, Disneyland Paris has decided to not open on November 14,” said the park in an official statement. “Our prayers go out to all those who were hurt by these horrific events.” Disneyland Paris will reimburse all the tickets purchased.
Reacting to the unprecedented attacks, Francois Hollande declared last night that the country had been placed under a state of emergency and passed several measures, including the shutting down of borders and the mobilization of all police and military forces on the »
- Elsa Keslassy
Paris Attacks: ‘Bridge of Spies’ Premiere Canceled
13 November 2015 9:42 PM, PST
Reacting to Friday’s terrorist attacks, Fox has called off the Paris premiere of Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies,” which had been set for Nov. 15.
“In light of the tragedy in Paris, we have canceled our scheduled film events,” Fox said. “Further, we stand with the people of Paris and our thoughts go out to all those affected by these horrible events.”
Spielberg had been in Berlin on Friday for the German premiere of “Bridge of Spies” — much of which takes place in Berlin. Tom Hanks stars as James B. Donovan, who negotiated the exchange of captured U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers and an American student for Russian spy Rudolf Abel.
Fox is distributing the movie internationally. Disney has domestic distribution rights.
Following Friday’s attacks, French president Francois Hollande closed the country’s borders and declared a state of emergency.
As many as 120 people were killed in »
- Dave McNary
Kelly Lynch and Jocelin Donahue’s ‘The Frontier’ Bought for U.S. by Alchemy
13 November 2015 6:05 PM, PST
Alchemy has acquired U.S. distribution rights for the thriller “The Frontier,” starring Jocelin Donahue, Kelly Lynch and Jim Beaver.
“The Frontier,” directed by Oren Shai from a script he co-wrote with Webb Wilcoxen, premiered this year at SXSW. Dana Lustig is the producer.
Donahue stars as a desperate woman on the run from the law who discovers a violent gang of thieves at a desert motel, where Lynch’s character is the proprietess. She hatches a plan to escape with their stolen cash. Izabella Miko, Jamie Harris, Liam Aiken and Aj Bowen also star.
Donahue’s credits include “Insidious 2” and “House of the Devil.” Lynch’s recent credits include “The L Word,” “90210” and “Magic City.”
Zac Bright and Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content and attorney William Immerman negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. Instrum International is handling foreign rights.
»
- Dave McNary
Golden Globes: HFPA Vetoes Rooney Mara, Alicia Vikander Supporting Submissions
13 November 2015 6:00 PM, PST
After The Weinstein Co. and Focus Features, rather controversially to some, decided on supporting actress campaigns for Rooney Mara and Alicia Vikander in “Carol” and “The Danish Girl,” respectively, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has called foul.
I’m told the international press group, which puts on the annual Golden Globe Awards, has vetoed the studio’s submissions. Both performances will compete in the lead actress – drama category.
There was news elsewhere as well. Variety originally reported last month that Fox was considering a comedy submission for Ridley Scott’s “The Martian.” They went ahead with that, the HFPA voted on it and agreed, and now the film will compete alongside others like “The Big Short,” “Trainwreck” and “Spy.”
The team behind David O. Russell’s “Joy” also submitted in comedy, perhaps sensing a lack of major Oscar firepower in the category. But despite reports that the HFPA acquiesced, the »
- Kristopher Tapley
Paris Attacks Put French Terrorist Thriller ‘Made in France’ in Jeopardy
13 November 2015 4:45 PM, PST
Paris — The devastating violence that hit Paris late Friday night — a coordinated series of terrorist attacks against crowded locations around the city — eerily mirrors elements of a shock thriller entitled “Made in France” directed by Nicolas Boukhrief that was set to open in French theaters next Wednesday.
Update: According to a statement issued Saturday morning, “Following the tragic events of last night, the distributor Pretty Pictures and producer Radar Films immediately decided to postpone the film’s release to an later date.”
The film, which has already raised controversy with a provocative poster depicting an Ak-47 assault rifle superimposed over the Eiffel Tower (tagline: “The threat comes from inside”), had its release canceled once before this year when original distributor Snd Distribution pulled out following the terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper headquarters last January.
Whereas sensitivity to actual events motivated Snd’s decision to drop the film, Pretty »
- Peter Debruge
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