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 June 13, 2008 iW NEWS | SPC Gets "The Class"
Sony Pictures Classics has announced a deal for Laurent Cantent's "The Class," winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, acquiring distribution rights for North America, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.  [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 28, 2008  CANNES '08 | "Robbed" in Cannes
More from Cannes '08: "The Pleasure of Being Robbed" director Joshua Safdie and one of the film's stars, Eleonore Hendricks traveled to Cannes with their film, which closed the Directors Fortnight this year. IFC Films also officially announced during the festival that it will distribute the feature in the U.S. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | "Polanski" Director and Lawyer
More from Cannes '08: "Polanski: Wanted and Desired" director Marina Zenovich took her doc on the legendary director to France where the filmmaker now lives for its international premiere following its debut at Sundance in January. Joining Zenovich for a quick pic was Polanski's own lawyer, Ian Burlingham. At the time of the party, Polanski had supposedly not seen the doc, though the filmmaker's wife had a chance to view the film and liked it. "I hope he likes it, I'm curious to know what he thinks," said Zenovich. Arriving for the awards ceremony Sunday, a journalist asked Polanski about the film and he said he looked forward to seeing it. The film will air on HBO June 9 and will open in theaters July 11. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] May 27, 2008 CANNES '08 | Wrapping Up Two Weeks in Cannes: Dispatches, Notebooks, Deals and Snapshots
Highlighting two weeks of continuous coverage from France for the 61st Cannes Film Festival, indieWIRE offers links to all of this year's festival dispatches, critics notebooks, deal news, daily biz round-ups, and snapshots featuring the filmmakers and famous faces from the Croisette. Additional coverage will continue in iW's special Cannes festival section. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] May 26, 2008iW NEWS | Sony Classics Gets Cannes' "Waltz With Bashir"
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American and Latin American rights to Ari Folman's Cannes Film Festival competition entry, "Waltz With Bashir," its fourth deal of the festival after nabbing North American rights to The Dardenne Brothers' "The Silence of Lorna," Bent Hamer's "O'Horten," and James Toback's "Tyson." Based on Folman's own story, the animated documentary follows the filmmaker's exploration of his lost memories from the Lebanon War of the mid-1980s. "It's about dreams and it's about hallucinations, it's about the sub-conscious," noted Folman, during a Cannes press conference earlier this month. "The basic statement of the film and the understanding of the film is prosaic: wars are usless, completely useless, any war," offered Folman," continuing, he noted, "Because it is animated, I hope that a sixteen year old boy watching 'Waltz With Bashir' in Israel will say, 'I don't want to take any part in this war again.'" But, Folman also emphasized the personal nature of the independent project. "In a way," he noted, "I think that the film is not a political film, it just deals with the personal stories of the Israeli soldiers." indieWIRE reported on the film early in the festival. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 25, 2008 CANNES '08 DISPATCH: Laurent Cantent's "The Class" Wins the Palme d'Or
A film from France won the top award and pairs of films from Italy and Latin America were honored with top prizes as the 2008 Cannes Film Festival came to a close tonight. Laurent Cantet's "Entre Les Murs" ("The Class") won the Palme d'Or as a jury lead by Sean Penn presented the awards. The best director honor went to Nuri Bilge Ceylan for "Three Monkeys," while Jean Pierre Dardenne & Luc Dardenne received the award for best screenplay for "Le Silence de Lorna." Two competition films from Italy were among the big winners: "Gomorra," directed by Matteo Garrone won the grand prix runner-up prize and the festival's jury prize went to "Il Divo," directed by Paolo Sorrentino. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] May 24, 2008CANNES '08 | "Tulpan" Wins Un Certain Regard Prize
Sergey Dvortsevoy's "Tulpan" won the Prize of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival tonight in France, while Kurosawa Kiyoshi's "Tokyo Sonata" won the jury prize. Other prize winners include Andreas Dresen's "Wolke 9" (Heat Throb Jury Prize), James Toback's "Tyson" (The Knockout of Un Certain Regard) and Jean-Stephane Sauvaire's "Johnny Mad Dog" (The Prize of Hope). The Un Certain Regard section presented 20 films that were judged by a jury lead by filmmaker Fatih Akin, who offered the statement, "Our mission was to attribute three prizes for Un Certain Regard, but considering the quality and richness of the offerings, and as a testimony of our great enthusiasm, the jury requested of the festival permission to recognize two more films with honors." [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ]  CANNES '08 DISPATCH | Just Like the Weather, Biz Prospects Mostly Cloudy On Fest's Final Weekend
Perhaps it's appropriate that the documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" received a special screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival, considering that its firm distribution deal really does seem like something special. During the latest Sundance Film Festival, "Wanted and Desired" became the first purchase after days of trepidation emanating from niche distributors -- an indicator of the dispiriting trend among buyers that continued into the Cannes Film Festival, although there was a slight burst of activity as the event comes to a close this weekend. The increasing difficulty to get American distributors interested is all the more evident now, with diagnoses for the problem spanning from broad cultural associations to specific issues popping up in the corners of the independent film landscape. With the dollar weak and alternative distribution venues on the rise, Cannes arrived like an intervention, bringing everyone under the same umbrella to figure out if they can come to terms with the problems at hand. So far, it looks like they're able, at the very least, to acknowledge them. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ] INSIDE WORD | Magnolia Planning "What Just Happened" Release
Barry Levinson's "What Just Happened," which will close the 2008 Cannes Film Festival this weekend, is being positioned for an October theatrical release via Magnolia Pictures. Pending other possible offers for the 2929 Productions film, the company is planning a release through corporate sibling Magnolia and is tapping former New Line Cinema executive Russell Schwartz to work on the autumn release, according to sources. Execs involved would not comment on the plan. "What Just Happened," which debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, is a movie industry tale starring Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, John Turturro, Sean Penn, Robin Wright Penn, and Stanley Tucci. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Biz, Cannes ] INSIDE WORD | Sony Classics Closing Three Cannes Deals
Even as Variety proclaimed a dearth of Cannes dealmaking for U.S. based companies, Sony Pictures Classics was closing deals for three festival titles. Word on the Croisette Friday had the company acquiring North American rights to The Dardenne Brothers' "The Silence of Lorna" from the Cannes competition, James Toback's documentary "Tyson" and Bent Hamer's Un Certain Regard section film, "O'Horten." Company execs wouldn't comment on the record yesterday, but SPC had already sealed two of the three sales by Friday. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] INSIDE WORD | Madonna's Malawi Doc Headed to Sundance Channel
Nathan Rissman's "I Am Because We Are," in Cannes this week after a recent debut at the Tribeca Film Festival, is headed for a Sundance Channel deal after a round of negotiations. Madonna, writer, producer and narrator of the documentary about the children of Malawi, engaged in dealmaking with CAA and international sales company Fortissimo Films late in the festival. A formal announcement about the sale is expected soon according to reps for Sundance Channel and Madonna. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 23, 2008 CANNES '08 NOTEBOOK | And Then You Die: Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York
In terms of the political/social engagement of competition films at the 61st Cannes Film Festival, it isn't too much of a stretch to say that Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York" makes Arnaud Desplechin's dysfunctional family drama "A Christmas Tale" look like "Che," or even "Waltz With Bashir." Much-bruited, much-imitated screenwriter Kaufman's directorial debut features a parade of obsessively self-examining characters that never so much as talk politics, let alone practice any. The depths of the self-obsession of its main character, Schenectady-based theater director Caden (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) are made vivid in one shot in which he's half-hugging the toilet bowl and poking at his own feces, which he's convinced have blood in them. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ]  CANNES '08 | 'Charlie Kaufman'
"I write what I am thinking about at the time I am writing," explained writer and first time director Charlie Kaufman this morning at the Cannes Film Festival, talking about his new film, "Synecdoche, NY." "At this time I was thinking about issues of life, getting older, of dying, of illnes, of that sort of struggle...that's how it turned out." The hard to summarize new film examines the life and work of New York theater writer/director (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and the people around him (Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Tom Noonan). While members of his cast call his work very personal, Kaufman took exception to a journalist's question about the movie being filled with many "Charlie Kaufman's." "I am not ever writing a movie full of 'Charlie kaufman's', its not my intention it never has been, even (when) there is a character named 'Charlie Kaufman' its not me. It a character. That's very serious and important to me. and in this case I am not directing anybody to (be) like me." As for the odd title of the film -- which one journalist called "fatal" -- Kaufman defended, "The key is that is sounds like Schenectady, which is the city that its a play on. If you know how to say Schenectady, you just take out the 'kuh'." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Spike and Anthony
Chatting prior to the "Synecdoche, NY" press conference this morning in Cannes, the film's producers Spike Jonze and Anthony Bregman. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Fri PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
DOUBLE BILL DELIBERATION
FILM REVIEW: ADORATION
CAREFUL COIFS  CANNES '08 NOTEBOOK | Divided Reactions: "Headless Woman," "Sonata," "Liverpool," "Robbed" Find Detractors and Fans
Cannes' perennial post-screening boos are not to be trusted. Neither, for that matter, are the standing ovations. To each his own cinema, to be sure: one viewer's masterpiece is another's misstep, depending upon your taste and even where you sit. It's been alleged that the Salles Bazin screening room is far less kind to a film than the bigger venues. [ read more in Movies ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Lead Story, Reviews ] May 22, 2008 CANNES '08 | IFC at La Pizza Dinner
Almost everyone who makes it to Cannes eventually has dinner at La Pizza near the town's Old Port. It has pretty decent food, can accommodate large crowds and is relatively cheap as far as Cannes restaurants go (not a bad thing with the embarrassing euro/dollar exchange rate these days - thanks Bush!) Anyway, taking advantage of a Cannes tradition was the crowd from IFC Films (who have been buying up Cannes titles left and right here this year). Filmmakers from three of this year's Cannes titles eating up some yummy pizza here include: "The Pleasure of Being Robbed," "Wendy and Lucy," and "After School." Left side: Jonathan Sehring, Ryan Kampe (Visit Films), Aurelie Godet, Zach Treitz ("Pleasure of Being Robbed"), Submarine's Josh Braun, IFC's Jeff Deutchman and Anish Savjani. Right side: Betsy Rodgers (IFC), Ryan Werner (IFC), "The Pleasure of Being Robbed"'s Eleonore Hendricks , Sam Licenco and Brett Jutkiewicz; Antonio Campos, director of "After School"; IFC's Lizzie Nastro and Neil Kopp, producer of Wendy and Lucy" and "Paranoid Park." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Guerrilla Film: "Che"
"(We are) trying to give you a sense of what it was like to hang out with this person," Steven Soderbergh explained today, talking about his striking new two-part film, "Che". Elaborating, he noted, "We came to the current version of the movie backwards. To understand why [Che Guevara] thought they could win in Bolivia, you had to see [what happened] in Cuba." The unconventional biography has already provoked a critical debate, some challenging Soderbergh and writer Peter Buchman's decision to avoid what they called today the typical "movie moments" found in most filmed biographies. Probed about the move during today's press conference in Cannes, Soderbergh defended, "I find it hilarious that some of the stuff being written about movies is how conventional they are, and then you have people upset that they are conventional." As for the distribution challenges inherent in balancing a more than four hour, two-part film, Soderbergh said that his ideal release plan would employ a sort of roadshow approach. He elaborated today that he would like the film to open in a town for a week as one movie with no credits and a printed program. And then it would be split up into two films for the rest of its run in the theater. He said, "To me that would be an event, that would be something fun." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Wieland and Cameron
With an azure sky for a backdrop, Berlinale Panorama chief programmer Wieland Speck and Toronto International Film Festival co-director Cameron Bailey mingle in the crowd at the Fortissimo Films party at the Majestic Beach off the Croisette. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Thurs AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
SPIKE'S PRICKLY WORDS
LYNCH ON LYNCH
OH, I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT MARADONA
FILM REVIEW: GOMORRAH
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 NOTEBOOK | The Revolution By Night: Steven Soderbergh's "Che"
The one overwhelming message coming from the competition films at the 61st Cannes Film Festival is: shit's messed up. "Waltz With Bashir" digs into the never-fully-healed wounds of war. In Matteo Garrone's "Gomorra," organized crime isn't an aberration; it's just the shadow army of an irredeemably venal free-market system. The Dardenne Brothers' "The Silence of Lorna" expresses a horror at a not-too-underground economy in the trade of human lives. Lucia Martel's "Un Mujer Sin Cabeza" takes a still, near-surreal look at class (un)consciousness, and doesn't like what it sees. Even the period melodrama here, Clint Eastwood's fact-based "The Changeling," fairly bristles with anger at corrupt authoritarianism. And even the not-overtly socially conscious family saga here, Arnaud Desplechin's "A Christmas Tale" (Un Conte de Noel) emphasizes fissure and disruption over harmony and affinity. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatch, Lead Story ] May 21, 2008iW NEWS | IFC Gets "Hunger" in Cannes
IFC Films has announced its latest deal in Cannes, acquiring Steve McQueen's "Hunger" which opened the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section last week. Set in Northern Ireland, the film looks at life in Maze Prison and the 1981 hunger strike led by Bobby Sands. Produced by Laura Hastings-Smith and Robin Gutch as a Blast! Films production for Film4, the film was made in association with Northern Ireland Screen, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Wales Creative IP Fund. IFC's Arianna Bocco and Betsy Rodgers negotiated the deal with Jonathan Page and Ariel Veneziano from Icon Entertainment International and Cassian Elwes of William Morris Independent. IFC has dominated U.S. acquisitions at this year's Cannes festival and market, acquiring Arnaud Desplechin's "A Christmas Tale," Olivier Assayas' "Summer Hours," Josh Safdie's "The Pleasure of Being Robbed," and Anna Melikyan's "Mermaid." [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] CANNES '08 | Wed PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN
WE ALL KNOW YOU'VE TRIED AND FAILED...
ON A WIM (WENDERS)
BAREFOOT WANDERER
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 DISPATCH | Voices from the Croisette: Woody Allen, James Gray, and the Dardennes on the Delicate State of Personal Cinema Today
"It's always a neck and neck race with red ink," quipped Woody Allen at the end of a Martinez lunch with a few journalists earlier this week here at the Cannes Film Festival. While discussing his acclaimed new film, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Allen pondered the challenges of finding the funding to make his own movies, while at separate fest events this week the Dardenne Brothers and filmmaker James Gray -- all Cannes favorites who frequently bring new work to the festival -- discussed similar challenges facing the personal, auteur cinema typically showcased here each year. [ read more in On The Scene ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Festival Dispatches, Lead Story ]  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Film Department's Gill and Sacker Chat At AmPav, Arthouse Deals With Fortissimo, Jaman Takes Two, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. The Film Department's Mark Gill and Neil Sacker sat down with Mike Goodridge at the American Pavilion to update on the nearly one-year-old company's progress, Arthouse Films signs an exclusive deal with Fortissimo, both First Look Studios and Magnolia Pictures sign with Jaman.com, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies ]  CANNES '08 | Wong Kar-wai and Chris Doyle
Hong Kong director (and former Cannes jury president) Wong Kar-wai took to the beach with his longtime D.P. Chris Doyle and a couple of pretty friends for the Fortissimo Films party on a cloudy but not too cold afternoon Monday. Wong is in Cannes with a re-work of his classic "Ashes of Time," which is screening out of competition in the official selection. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Wed AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
TRAILER: HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE
UNDER THE SHROUD OF GOSSIP LIES A REAL FILM FESTIVAL
THE EPITOME OF FANDOM
WOODY SPEAKS
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 | Fortissimo guys
Fortissimo Films hosted its annual afternoon bash on the beach off the Croisette, one of the nicer early evening events to snag an invite for... Hanging out on the sand amid continuing cloudy skies are Fortissimo's Michael Werner, U.T.A.'s Rich Klubeck and Wouter Barendrecht from Fortissimo, who will receive a "Toast" at the Hamptons International Film Festival in October (co-hosted by good ol' indieWIRE). [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Wim Wenders and Ha Jung-woo at Korean party
Korean actor Ha Jung-woo of Korean crime thriller "The Chaser," directed by Hong Jin-na having a chit chat with director Wim Wenders hanging out at the KOFIC party Tuesday night on the beach. Wenders' "The Palermo Shooting" is screening in competition at this year's Festival de Cannes. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] May 20, 2008 CANNES '08 NOTEBOOK | Auteur Fatigue, "Gomorra" Pops and Wayward Youths
Good, but not great. Accomplished, but not amazing. A consistent thread is emerging within this year's Cannes selection: Name directors are showing up with solid work that displays their talents, but doesn't transcend them or spin them into new, novel directions. A familiar refrain has been heard over the last few days: "I liked it, but it wasn't as good as their last film." Are auteurs spinning their wheels? With several new movies to go, from Steven Soderbergh's "Che" epic to Laurent Cantet's high-school study "The Class" to Atom Egoyan's latest "Adoration" (which has been rumored to be a come-back film, of sorts), it's too early to make a judgment call about Cannes' 61st, but no film is blowing audiences out of the water. [ read more in Movies ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Lead Story, Reviews ] CANNES '08 | Tues PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
REVIEW: CHANGELING EXCHANGES TITLES
GWYNETH PALTROW RETURNS TO "ART"
MOVIE STARS MAKE WAY...
A DIVA IS BORN
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Spike Lee's "Miracle," Young Europeans, Cyrte Buy, Fortissimo and John Woo, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. Tuesday saw Spike Lee discussing his latest film, "Miracle at St. Anna," Zentropa announcing their "Young Europeans" project, Holland's Cyrte and their new worldwide label, Fortissmo's plans for a new John Woo film, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ]  CANNES '08 | Eastwood and Drama
"Conflict is a source of drama," noted Clint Eastwood this morning in Cannes, talking about his new film, "Changeling" (or "The Exchange" as it is also being called), "So stories like this, which have a lot of conflict, are very interesting to me. You wouldn't want to tell a story where everything just worked perfectly or there wouldn't be a reason to tell it." Screening in the Cannes competition, the Hollywood studio picture (starring Angelina Jolie) looks at a scandal that rocked the Los Angeles Police Department in the early 1930s when a local woman challenged the LAPD's version of events involving her missing son. Notably, as the film was screening inside the Palais des Festivals, filmmaker Spike Lee (wearing a Barack Obama t-shirt) was at a nearby press event for his latest film, "Miracle at St. Anna," and questioned Eastwood's decision to not include any African Americans in his recent Iwo Jima films. A journalist who tried to raise the issue with Eastwood at today's press conference was abruptly cut off by the moderator before finishing her question, preventing a potential discussion about the historical accuracy of the lack of diversity on screen in Eastwood's new portrait of Los Angeles in the '20s and '30s. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Gray and Gwyneth
James Gray's "Two Lovers" stirred audiences and buyers after last night's competition screening at the Cannes Film Festival, dividing some. The film, starring Gwyneth Paltrow (left), Joaquin Phonenix, and Vinessa Shaw (right), features the trio at the heart of a love triangle. Gray explained at today's press conference that he conceived of the film for his leads. "I had [Phoenix] in mind from the start, the same thing is true for Gwyneth," James Gray (center) offered. "I was very fortunate that they were both willing to submit." Probed about the nature of his atypical love story, Gray explained, "When you are dealing with a subject like love, there is an inherent preposterous idea...It's such a heightened state, almost of delirium. It lends itself to people acting insane," Gray noted, adding that he hoped to achieve a level of comedy with the film. "There was an intent to put some of that into the film. But I also greeted that as the challenge of the picture." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Tues AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
PEACE DRIVE
WHAT SHIA THINKS
QUESTIONING PRESS CONFERENCE QUESTIONS
PEACE AND CHAOS
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. May 19, 2008CANNES '08 | Mon PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
FILM REVIEW: LORNA'S SILENCE
HALFWAY THERE
ALL THE KING'S HORSES
STRUGGLING UNDER DEADLINES
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Europe Day, Another Pick-Up For IFC, Optimum Takes "Whiteout," Celluloid Options "UBIK," The Hungarian Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. Monday afternoon saw the 6th Europe Day program take place, IFC acquired the North American rights to "The Chaser," Optimum Releasing announced plans to release "Whiteout," Celluloid Dreams options the right to Phillip K. Dick's "UBIK," Lightning Media acquires the rights to Amy Redford's "Guitar," a look at the Hungarian Pavilion, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] IW NEWS | IFC Films Catches "The Chaser" in Cannes
IFC Films has announced a deal for all North American rights to "The Chaser," continuing a very busy Cannes with the recent acquisitions of "A Christmas Tale,"Summer Hours," "The Pleasure of Being Robbed," and "Mermaid. The Korean title screened as a midnight film here at Cannes this past Saturday. From first time director NA Hong-jin, "Chaser" tells the story of a detective turned pimp who finds himself in trouble when several of his girls disappear without paying him. "There's a reason that this film is already being remade. It's an ingeniously plotted twist on the serial killer genre," noted Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Films. "We are thrilled to introduce NA Hong-jin to an American audience and hope this is the beginning of a long relationship." [James Israel] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]  CANNES '08 | Arta Dobroshi
Sure to garner a wave attention at the Cannes Film Festival over the next few days is actress Arta Dobroshi, star of Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne's "Lorna's Silence." She emerged in the Albania feature "Magic Eye" just three years ago. The film will have its red carpet premiere tonight at the Palais des Festivals. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Belgian Brothers
"We are interested in human beings, people who come from elsewhere," explained Jean-Pierre Dardenne (right), in Cannes this year with "Lorna's Silence" (Le Silence de Lorna) co-directed with Luc Dardenne (left). The Belgian brothers, signing autographs earlier today in Cannes, took a different approach to filming their latest feature observed one journalist at a Cannes Film Festival press conference this morning. "We have a much quieter, calmer, more still camera here," agreed Luc Dardenne, "because we wanted to really look at Lorna." The film follows an the Albanian immigrant living in Belgium and the four men around her. "We wanted to record, rather then write Lorna," Luc Dardenne noted. Adding to the explanation, Jean-Pierre Dardenne explained, "What interests us is the characters, the individuals, the human beings." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Mon AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
THE GLAMOUR NEVER ENDS
THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO THE COIN
DIFFICULT TO PRONOUNCE, HOPEFULLY FUN TO WATCH
SODOM IS NEXT
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. May 18, 2008 CANNES '08 NOTEBOOK | In Competition, Desplechin Out in Front; Ceylan and Jia Don't Disappoint Fans
Rainy days here in Cannes may have dampened morale, but the films, and a much-needed burst of sunshine on Sunday morning, have boosted critics' spirits. Aside from "Blindness," Fernando Meirelles' apocalyptic opener, which received a mixed response, this year's competition slate has yielded a satisfying crop of art-cinema--though no masterpieces have yet emerged. Critical consensus has Arnaud Desplechin's "A Christmas Tale" as the competition's front-runner so far, though the animated Israeli drama "Waltz with Bashir," which screened on day two, also played extremely well. [ read more in Movies ] [ 1 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Lead Story, Reviews ]  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Weinstein Takes "The Alchemist," Reliance Gives Funding To Hollywood, MGM Discusses New Plans, the Korean Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. The Weinstein Company buys the rights to best-selling book "The Alchemist," Reliance announced plans to fund Hollywood production companies, IFC Films takes "L'Aventure," MGM heads discuss the company's future at the American Pavilion, a look at the Korean Pavillion, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ]  CANNES '08 | Indy 4
"We thought because this film was well known that the fair thing to do, and the fun thing to do, would be to view it where the entire world comes together once a year at this festival," enthused filmmaker Steven Spielberg earlier this afternoon at the Cannes Film Festival, after the press got their first look at his latest film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Asked whether he feared a critical backlash to the film, Harrison Ford was stalwart in his response, "I expect to have the whip turned on me," the actor admitted, "Its not unusual for something that is popular to be disdained by some people." He added that he is not afraid of any criticism, continuing, "I work for the people who pay to get in, they are my customers. My focus is on providing the best experience I can for those people." And concluding, Ford noted, "This kind of film is such a celebration of the movies that somehow I feel enured from professional criticism. I know that we made this movie to reacquaint people with the pure joy that can happen in a dark room with a bunch of people seeing something you haven't seen before, that will just kick your butt." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Sun PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CANNES 2008
ANOTHER STAR TO ADD TO THE "WATCH OUT FOR" LIST
YOU CAN BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF
LATIN AMERICA MAKES ITS PRESENCE KNOWN
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. CANNES '08 | Focus Spotlights Amenabar's "Agora"
Alejandro Amenabar's latest, "Agora," has landed at Focus Features International, the company announced this afternoon in Cannes. A English-language historical epic set in Roman Egypt in the 4th century AD, the film stars Rachel Weisz and is currently in production in Malta. Focus' deal includes worldwide rights with the exception of Spain and North America, joining the company's slate here at the Marche du Film. Weisz stars as real-life Hypatia of Alexandria, the Western world's first female astronomer and philosopher. Also in the cast are Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom, Michael Lonsdale, Rupert Evans, and Homayoun Ershadi. Amenabar co-wrote the film with frequent collaborator Mateo Gil and it produced by Amenabar's longtime producer Fernando Bovaira. Spain's Telecinco Cinema is the primary producer of the movie with Fernando Bovaira's Mod Producciones and Amenabar's Himenoptero, with the participation of Sogecable. Focus is in Cannes with a slate of projects that includes the latest from Fernando Meirelles ("Blindness"), Lucretia Martel ("La mujer sin cabeza"), Jim Jarmusch ("The Limits of Control"), Pedro Almodovar ("Broken Embraces"), Gus Van Sant ("Milk"), Sam Mendes's untitled comedy, and The Coen Brothers ("Burn After Reading"). [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]  CANNES '08 | Tyson and Toback
"We both had big [milestones] happening in our lives," commented director James Toback Saturday afternoon in Cannes about the timing of undertaking his project spotlighting boxer Mike Tyson. "My mother had died and he was in rehab. Mike thought it could be a DVD for sale on the street on 125th Street for cash, while I was thinking more about competition for the Palme d'Or." Tyson, who received a warm reception from some members of the press who were clearly star struck by his presence, said that he was overwhelmed by the amount of attention that he and the film, titled "Tyson," were receiving in Cannes and said some parts of the film were difficult to face. "I've always been critical of myself and never considered myself a role model, but my message is to never give up. Don't let other people bring you down, that is the biggest fight in life... Never give up." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES 08 | Moore with Overture and Paramount
Overture Films and Paramount Vantage hosted a reception at the Carlton Hotel off the Croisette for Michael Moore earlier in the weekend. The companies announced last week that they will team up for Moore's next doc project, described as a "follow-up" to his wildly successful "Fahrenheit 9/11," which won the Palme d'Or in 2004 and took in $120 million in the U.S. Pictured left to right with cloudy skies in the background: Overture Films COO Danny Rosett, Peter Adee, president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media Overture, the company's CEO Chris McGurk, Moore, and Paramount Vantage president, Nick Meyer. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Sun AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
POSTER PANDEMONIUM
NEW LINE IS OLD NEWS
WORLDWIDE WANDERER
THE MIDDLE EAST IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. May 17, 2008CANNES '08 | Sat PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
FESTIVAL PRESIDENT KEEPS THE ARTFORM ALIVE
FAMOUS EVEN BEFORE THEY'RE BORN
NOT TO BE PASSED BY
NOT SO BIOGRAPHICAL BIOPIC
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | IFC Takes Two More, WMA Launches $100M Fund, Celluloid Gets Animated & Scandinavian, Seville Evolves, Unifrance's Pavilion, and More
IFC continued to be among of the busiest dealmakers in Cannes, announcing today deals for both Olivier Assayas' "Summer Hours" and Anna Melikyan's "Mermaid." William Morris joined with Screen Capital International to unveil Incentive Filmed Entertainment, LLC (Incentive), a new production and financing vehicle for films under $15 million, while Celluloid Dreams announced deals for four new prokjcts, two of them animated and two from Scandinavian directors. Also, a closer look at the evolving Canadian-based Seville Pictures and , indieWIRE takes a look at the Unifrance Pavillion as biz coverage in Cannes continues. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ]  CANNES '08 | Woody and Penelope
"I made it romantic because I wanted the tragic part of it to sneak up on you," offered American auteur Woody Allen today (Saturday) in the South of France. Cannes Film Festival veterans Allen and Penelope Cruz shared the stage inside the Palais des Festivals, chatting with a standing room only gathering of journalists. Allen's romantic comedy (with a twist), "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," delves into a culture clash summer fling involving two women, Cruz & Scarlett Johansson, and one man, Javier Bardem. Set in Barcelona, the film mixes dialogue in both English and Spanish, as Cruz explained, "I love that Woody gave us that freedom to go back and forth with both languages and improvise," she praised, later adding that she would love to make many more movies with Allen. "He really gave us a lot of freedom in both languages," she added, despite her hesitation to change the written word of Woody Allen. As for Allen, his next film is a romantic comedy he is shooting in New York with Larry David in the lead role. "I can't say too much about it other than its a picture that takes place in New York about a group of highly neurotic characters who interact in ways I am hoping you will think is funny," Allen quipped, "You may or may not, if you don't I will have failed." [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ]  CANNES '08 | Salles, Thomas and De Oliveira
Set and shot in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Walter Salles (center) and Daniela Thomas' (right) "Linha de Passe" -- with its use of primarily non-actors -- was inspired by aspects of Italian neo-realism, explained Brazilian filmmaker Salles this morning (Saturday) at the Festival de Cannes. Twelve years after making "Foreign Land" together, Salles and Thomas again explore youth in Brazil. The story of a group of four brothers and their pregnant mother, Salles noted that "Linha de Passe" was sparked by the real-life tale of a teenaged boy who stole a bus a few years ago, hoping to find his dad. Noting the "chronic absence of the father" in Brazilian society, Salles cited a broader search that propels many back home. Vinicius De Oliveira (right), who worked with Salles ten years ago as the young boy in "Central Station" agreed, "(The film) fully reflects the country, the fathers arent there," De Oliveira said, "Kids have to struggle from an early age... we need a father figure and this is the kind of thing we are all searching for." The Cannes competition film will have its official debut tonight at the festival. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] CANNES '08 | Sat AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
"THIRD WAVE" CLEANS UP THE STARS
IT'S NO SECRET: EVERYONE IS ANTICIPATING THE LATEST "INDY" INSTALLMENT
FILM REVIEW: DESPLECHIN'S "A CHRISTMAS TALE"
"TYSON" DOMINATES THE RED CARPET
MARCHE MARCHES IN FULL FORCE
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. iW NEWS | "How About" For Strand
Strand Releasing has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to "How About You." "You," directed by Anthony Byrne, is the story of a young girl left in charge of a residential home over Christmas. It is based on the short story by Irish author Maeve Binchy, and stars Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton, Brenda Fricker, Joss Ackland and Hayley Atwell. The film is a co-production of Noel Pearson of Ferndale Films and Sarah Radclyffe of Sarah Radclyffe Productions, and is represented by London based international sales agency and financing company Bankside Films. "We are delighted that Strand Releasing will be releasing 'How About You' in the United States," said Bankside's Hilary Davis in a statement. "Their track record speaks for itself and we are confident that their individual approach will ensure a very successful release for this thoroughly enchanting film." Strand plans to release the film theatrically this September. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]  CANNES '08 | Morgan and Jeremy
Smiling for a quick iPhone snapshot at the Carlton Hotel, Morgan Spurlock and Jeremy Chilnick prepare for the Cannes screening of Alison Thompson's "The Third Wave." Producers Spurlock and Chilnick ushered the film to its special screening presented by jury president Sean Penn. After the showing, the team made their way to an after party on the beach where they were joined by Bono and other notables. The famous faces -- Spurlock, Penn, Bono, and others -- mingled on the beach and in a VIP area for awhile at the Chopard bash then some mysteriously slipped away. Walking down the Carlton pier away from the bash, a small group could be seen making their way to a small boat and speeding away to destinations unknown. [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] May 16, 2008IW NEWS | IFC Gets Assayas' Latest
IFC Films has acquired North American rights to Olivier Assayas' "Summer Hours," starring Juliette Binoche. The company is planning a 2009 release for the French drama which is screening this week in the Marche du Film here at the Cannes Film Festival. IFC's Arianna Bocco negotiated the deal with MK2 International's Matthieu Giblin. The film is described as following, "the divergent paths of three forty something siblings whose lives collide when their mother, heiress to her uncle's exceptional 19th century art collection, dies suddenly." [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ]  CANNES '08 BIZ DAILY | Reliance Talks Big Numbers, Weinsteins Acquire "Lake" & Make Asian TV Deal, GreeneStreet Takes "Long Time," The Argentine Pavilion, and More
Continuing coverage of the Marche du Film in Cannes, indieWIRE reports on the latest deals and news from the Croisette. India-based media company Reliance Big Entertainment commits to a $1 billion slate, the Weinsteins acquired "Eden Lake," and inked a pan-Asian deal with TV network STAR, Greenstreet nabs the international rights to "Long Time Gone," Flip Video puts on a shorts competition at Cannes, the Argentina Pavilion celebrates a full slate at the Festival, and more. [ read more in Biz ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Companies, Lead Story ] CANNES '08 | Fri PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
STRAIGHT TO THE (MARKETING) HEART
WHERE WORLDS COLLIDE
BEACH FARE
HUNGER STRIKE
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section.  CANNES '08 | Desplechin on Cinema
In Cannes for the fourth time, French filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin unveiled his French family story "A Christmas Tale" (Un Conte de Noel) this morning. At a post-screening press conference, Desplechin talked about his passion for cinema, noting that he spends much more time watching film than making them, gaining a sense of control through consuming cinema. "When I make films, I try to see how things work," Desplechin noted, "I go to the cinema to live better, to have a better life...What I see on the screen is better arranged than in real life." Earlier this week, IFC Films acquired the film for a U.S. release. It opens in France later this month. [Eugene Hernandez] [ read more in iPOP ] [ 0 comments ] [ filed under Cannes, Cannes: On the scene ] iW NEWS | Fortissimo Gets On Gibney's "Bus"
Fortissimo Films has acquired the worldwide rights (except the UK and US) to Jigsaw Film's new production, "Magic Bus." "Bus" will be directed by Alex Gibney, and chart the story of the infamous, LSD-fueled bus journey of avant-garde author Ken Kesey and his cohorts across America. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Alex Gibney and [the film's producer] Will Clarke on what no doubt will be a fascinating cinematic trip through the beginnings of the hippie and counter-culture movement that shook the US and the world set against the wonderful music that moved those times," said Fortissimo EVP Nicole Mackey in a statement. The film is partly financed and is being executive produced by Phoenix Wiley, and is expected to be completed next year. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] CANNES '08 | Fri AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
CANNES DAY 1 & 2 FILMS
"BLINDNESS" IS VISUALLY ARRESTING
A GREY CANNES (NOT JUST A WEATHER REPORT)
GUERILLA FILMMAKING...LITERALLY May 15, 2008 CANNES '08 DISPATCH | Serious, Silly Intersect In First 24 Hours of 61st Cannes Festival
While attendees sat inside the Cannes Film Festival's Debussy theater on Wednesday watching the morning press screening of Fe |