DA Y
3
FRIDAY, MAY 19 2017
AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL www.ScreenDaily.com
Editorial +33 4 9706 8494
Advertising +44 7765 257 260
TODAY
SCREENINGS
» Page 74
CONGRATULATES
A FILM BY TAKASHI MIIKE
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL TAKUYA KIMURA
•
HANA SUGISAKI
•
SOTA FUKUSHI
•
EBIZO ICHIKAWA
AND
MIN TANAKA
•
TSUTOMU YAMAZAKI
SCREENING | MAY 18 | CINE LUMIERE
A FILM BY JEAN-STÉPHANE SAUVAIRE
A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN JOE COLE
•
VITHAYA PANSRINGARM
•
YIMUMPHAI PANYA
SCREENING | MAY 19 | CINE LUMIERE HanWay Films - Cannes 1st Floor, Résidence Gray d’Albion • +33 (0)4 93 38 62 13 www.hanwayfilms.com
THE FILMMAKING TEAMS 2017
A FILM BY JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL
HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES ELLE FANNING
•
ALEX SHARP
•
RUTH WILSON
•
MATT LUCAS
AND
NICOLE KIDMAN
SCREENING | MAY 21 | CINE LUMIERE
A FILM BY YORGOS LANTHIMOS
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER COLIN FARRELL
•
NICOLE KIDMAN
•
BARRY KEOGHAN
•
RAFFEY CASSIDY
•
ALICIA SILVERSTONE
SCREENING | MAY 22 | CINE LUMIERE HanWay Films - London 24 Hanway Street, London W1T 1UH UK • +44 (0)20 7290 0750 www.hanwayfilms.com
DA Y
3
FRIDAY, MAY 19 2017
AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL www.ScreenDaily.com
Emperor bags its own Penny Pincher! BY LIZ SHACKLETON
Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) has acquired remake rights to TF1 Studio’s 2016 box-office hit Penny Pincher! (Radin!), which it is setting up as a project for leading Chinese actor Ge You. Produced by Paris-based Jerico Films, the original version starred Dany Boon as a miserly music teacher in a small town whose life is turned upside-down when he falls in love. Directed by Fred Cavayé, it was the fourth biggest local release in France last year, grossing $19.6m (¤17.7m). EMP’s Chinese -language remake is scheduled to go into production at the end of the year for a wide release in 2018.
Editorial +33 4 9706 8494
Advertising +44 7765 257 260
Wild Bunch unleashes Sauvaire’s Violence BY MELANIE GOODFELLOW
Wild Bunch is cranking up sales on French director Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s Addicted To Violence, an English-language project about a young photojournalist who develops a deadly obsession with dangerous situations during an assignment in Central America. It will be Sauvaire’s third narrative feature after 2008 debut Johnny Mad Dog, which premiered in Un Certain Regard, and kickboxing thriller A Prayer Before Dawn, which bows in Midnight Screenings tonight after going down a storm in early Cannes screenings. “He is the hot new director to
sign,” commented Wild Bunch cochief Vincent Maraval. Wild Bunch is producing and handling world sales in all territories apart from North America, where the project is represented by CAA, which is also financing and casting the film. No actors have been confirmed yet. Wild Bunch is also kicking off sales on Lorenzo Mattotti’s The Bears’ Famous Invasion Of Sicily, an adaptation of Italian writer Dino Buzzati’s children’s classic. Sales head Eva Diederix is reporting strong business on Cannes titles. Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Palme d’Or contender Loveless has sold to Switzerland (Cineworx), Benelux (Lumi-
ere), Spain (Golem), Greece (Seven), Italy (Academy Two), Denmark (Filmbazar), Finland (Atlantic Film), Sweden (TriArt Film), exYugoslavia (MCF), Hungary (Mozinet), Czech Republic (Film Europe), Poland (Against Gravity), Israel (Shani), Australia (Palace) and Taiwan (Swallow Wings). Previously announced deals include to Sony Pictures Classics for North and Latin America, and Altitude for the UK. Ismael’s Ghost has sold to Benelux (September Film), Switzerland (Xenix), Bulgaria (Film Vision), Hungary (Vertigo), Czech Republic (Film Europe), Poland (Kino Swiat) and Russia (Russian Report).
Beta Cinema nets Trautmann
SOURCE OF WONDER Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore and director Todd Haynes take to the Palais red carpet at last night’s premiere of Competition title Wonderstruck. See review, page 26
WestEnd raises laughs with remake Saving Mum BY ANDREAS WISEMAN
WestEnd Films is launching world sales on Saving Mum (working title), a comedy that reunites the team behind Connasse: writerdirector Eloise Lang and French actress Camille Cottin. Rounding
Loveless, review, page 28
NEWS Ed Harris measures up Foresight’s The Last Full Measure tops up cast with Westworld star » Page 6
REVIEW Loveless An unforgiving portrait of Russia’s new middle class » Page 28
FEATURES All eyes to the east Upcoming projects from Hong Kong and China » Page 34
Future Leaders Screen profiles the rising stars of sales and acquisition » Page 51
Luchini, Bekhti are In A Hurry BY MELANIE GOODFELLOW
Gaumont has officially kicked off sales on comedy A Man In A Hurry, starring Fabrice Luchini as a successful and eloquent businessman who is struck down by a stroke, opposite Leila Bekhti as a speech therapist. Deals tied up in the first two days of the market include to Switzerland (JMH), Benelux (Cinéart), Canada (AZ Films), Israel (Shoval) and Poland (Kino Swiat). Directed by Hervé Mimran, the film begins shooting this month. Other titles on Gaumont’s Cannes slate include Orchestra Class starring Kad Merad as a disillusioned violinist who rediscovers his love of music when he takes a job as the conductor-tutor for an orchestra in a disadvantaged neighbourhood. The film is the debut feature of French actorturned-filmmaker Rachid Hami.
Hubert Boesl
Beta Cinema has come on board to handle world sales on Trautmann, the long-gestating biopic of Nazi soldier-turned-English football hero Bert Trautmann. Trautmann was one of the larger-than-life personalities of post-war European sport: a former Nazi paratrooper who became a hero as the most famous goalkeeper of his time. The film, the first Englishlanguage feature for German director Marcus H Rosenmüller (Grave Decisions), is now fully financed and will shoot this summer. German actor David Kross (The Reader) is still on board to play Trautmann. The film is produced by Robert Marciniak, Chris Curling and Steve Milne with Lieblingsfilm, Zephyr Films, the British Film Company and Degeto Film as co-financing partners. SquareOne Entertainment will release in German cinemas. Trautmann will shoot this summer in the UK and Germany, and Beta Cinema is starting pre-sales in Cannes. Geoffrey Macnab
TODAY
out the cast are Miou-Miou, Camille Chamoux and Johan Heldenbergh. The film is currently shooting on Reunion Island. Saving Mum is a French-language remake of Danish comedy All Inclusive. WestEnd acquired the
remake rights for All Inclusive from Happy Ending Film, and is introducing Saving Mum to buyers here in Cannes, where it will begin world sales (excluding Frenchspeaking territories). Pathé will release the title in France.
Merkt on Land Swiss producer Michel Merkt has boarded Babak Jalali’s upcoming drama Land. Merkt’s recent credits include My Life As A Courgette and Toni Erdmann. The deal was begun during the Doha Film Institute’s talent development event Qumra in March.
NEWS
Bureau Sales moves Daphne BY TOM GRATER
Better Tomorrow dawns for Chan’s Sparkle Roll
The Bureau Sales has closed an allrights deal for North America with Gravitas Ventures for comedy BY LIZ SHACKLETON Ma and Talu Wang. It traces the drama Daphne. The film stars Jackie Chan’s new international journey of a former smuggler Emily Beecham as a quick-witted, sales outfit, Sparkle Roll Media, attempting to start his life anew 30-something Londoner whose has clinched two early pre-sales and repair his relationship with life spirals after she witnesses a on Ding Sheng’s A Better Tomor- his estranged brother after his violent attack. It marks the direct- row 4, selling the film to Kidarient release from prison. ing debut of Peter Mackie Burns, Corp for South Korea and Clover Produced by Beijing Jingxi Culwho won a Golden Bear in 2005 Films for Singapore. The reboot of ture & Tourism Co, the film is in for his short film Milk. John Woo’s iconic heroic blood- post-production for a year-end The deal was negotiated by shed series stars Wang Kai, Ray release. Sparkle Roll is showing a Rym Hachimi for The Bureau and Josh Spector on behalf of Gravitas. The Bureau had already closed deals with Altitude for the UK, Cinemien for Benelux, Mag for The screenplay by Hopkins and France, Bilibili for China and BY ANDREAS WISEMAN Vista India Digital Media for Vertical Entertainment has Richard Hobley charts the story of India. Valentina Brazzini and acquired all US rights to super- Alice (Maggie Q), a sleep doctor Tristan Goligher of The Bureau’s natural thriller Slumber, starring whose family is terrorised by a production arm produced. Execu- Maggie Q. Director Jonathan Hop- parasitic demon that paralyses victive producers included Lizzie kins’ film is being lined up for a tims as they slumber. The film is Francke for the BFI and Robbie theatrical release in the US later produced by The Tea Shop & Film Allen for Creative Scotland. this year. Company’s Mark Lane and James ScreenDaily - Half Page 218x150 Cannes 2016.qxp_Layout 1 13/04/17 15:15 Pagina 1
new promo and artwork here in Cannes. Sparkle Roll’s slate also includes documentary Jackie Chan: Down To Earth, which traces five decades of Chan’s career and features filmmakers and stars such as James Cameron, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film is also in post-production.
Vertical wakes up to Slumber Harris and by Pascal Degove for Goldcrest Films, which handles sales on the project. Vertical’s 2017 slate includes Blind starring Alec Baldwin, Cate Shortland’s Berlin Syndrome and Toa Fraser’s 6 Days, starring Abbie Cornish and Jamie Bell.
lings a e D l a c i Diabol
FilmSharks’ Inseparables goes global Buenos Aires-based FilmSharks has scored fresh deals on Inseparables, the Latin American remake of French smash Intouchables starring Venice best actor winner Oscar Martinez as a wealthy quadriplegic and Rodrigo de la Serna as his caregiver. Rights have gone for Australia and New Zealand (Palace), CIS and Baltics (Big Film) and Taiwan (Cineplex). Global Eagle took airlines and FilmSharks chief Guido Rud is in talks for the UK, Germany, France, Japan and China. Buena Vista International distributed Inseparables in Argentina last year. Film Movement holds North American rights excluding pay-TV and streaming, which HBO Latino previously licensed. Jeremy Kay
devil works
art by barresi@graficafluida.it
.eu
isit us v d n a e Com rina Club Ma ra H6 Rivie
Contact info@devilworks.eu devilworksales Matteo Rolleri | Director - Sales & Marketing | matteo@devilworks.eu Samantha Richardson | President - Sales & Acquisition | samantha@devilworks.eu
4 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
PIERRE
RICHARD NATACHA
REGNIER
FRANÇOIS
GWENDOLYN
LES FILMS DU CAP AND LES PARTENAIRES PRESENT
DAMIENS
PHILIPPE
GOURVENEC
KATERINE
ARMELLE
All the greats were once little !
PUBLISHED BY DUPUIS
PHOTOS THIBAULT GRABHERR
BASED ON TOME & JANRY’S COMIC BOOKS
A FILM BY
NICOLAS BARY
SATURDAY, MAY 20TH @ 4:00 PM - OLYMPIA 5
MARKET SCREENING
RELAIS DE LA REINE 42-43, BLD DE LA CROISETTE
SALES@TF1.FR
NEWS
Westworld star Ed Harris is the latest prestige element to join drama The Last Full Measure, which Foresight Unlimited is selling here at the market. Director Todd Robinson is currently shooting the film in Atlanta and Costa Rica. Sebastian Stan leads the cast as a Pentagon official investigating the record of a dead Vietnam War rescue officer eligible for the Medal of Honor. Harris is riding high on the back of rave reviews for Westworld and will be seen later this year in Darren Aronofsky’s Mother!. The Last Full Measure also stars Christopher Plummer, William Hurt and Samuel L Jackson. Foresight Unlimited is producing the film in association with Provocator and SSS Entertainment. Jeremy Kay
WAR STORY China’s DMG Entertainment has boarded Guillaume Nicloux’s Indochina War drama To The Ends Of The Earth, starring Gaspard Ulliel and Gérard Depardieu. The deal, struck by Paris-based sales outfit Alma Cinema, marks a first foray into the Chinese arthouse market for DMG. Alma has also presold to Blue Lantern Entertainment for Vietnam, while Ad Vitam has taken France. The feature, produced by Sylvie Pialat, is in post-production. Melanie Goodfellow
F LO IRS OK T
Full Measure for Harris
Independent ups slate BY TOM GRATER
UK sales outfit Independent Film Company has added a host of projects to its Cannes slate. Among them is The Secret Of The Universe, the second feature from Guy Myhill, whose debut The Goob premiered in Venice Days. Produced by Mike Elliott of Emu Films, it tells the story of a coldhearted circus clown.
Also on Independent’s slate is The Lemon Grove, the second feature from writer-director Helen Walsh, whose debut The Violators played at Edinburgh and Karlovy Vary. The film follows a husband and wife whose annual holiday to Mallorca is interrupted by the arrival of the wife’s stepdaughter and her new boyfriend. Producers are
David Moores, Dave Hughes and Kevin Sampson. The company has also boarded Tom Beard’s feature debut Two For Joy, an exploration of a family’s life as their relationships reach critical mass. Samantha Morton and Billie Piper will star. Sadie Frost, Emma Comley and Andrew Green produce for Blonde to Black Pictures.
TrustNordisk gives Order BY WENDY MITCHELL
TrustNordisk has confirmed a raft of new sales for Petra Volpe’s award-winning Swiss drama The Divine Order. The film has sold to Canada (Films We Like), Benelux (September Film), France (Version Originale), Spain (Surtsey Films), former Yugoslavia (Discovery Film) and Poland (Bomba Film). Several other territories, including the US and Italy, are in negotiation. Previously reported sales include to China (DDDream) and Germany and Austria (Alamode Film). The Divine Order follows a young housewife and mother who starts a public petition for women’s suffrage, shocking her quaint countryside village. The film premiered this year at Tribeca, where it won the audience narrative award. It has been a box-office hit in Switzerland with more than 250,000 admissions.
OFFICIAL SCREENINGS Saturday, May 20 - 2:15 pm - Debussy Thursday, May 25- 2:00 pm - Debussy Friday, May 26 - 4:00 pm - Bazin MARKET SCREENINGS (Priority Buyers) Sunday, May 21 - 11:30 am - Olympia 3 Monday, May 22 - 9:15 am - Olympia 3
INTERNATIONAL SALES
mk2 films & Protagonist Pictures CONTACTS
intlsales@mk2.com info@protagonistpictures.com
HalfPageScreen150x218mm.indd 1
6 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
films 17/05/2017 22:22:20
www.screendaily.com
MARKET SCREENING FINAL FooTAGE SCENES fINaL fOOtagE COMPILatION Of SCENES May 20th, gRay 3 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 01:00 PM REgIStERED BUyERS ONLy – NO PRESS | RSVP
gunnar karlSSon | lead character modeller filiP van mieghem | muSic atli örvarSSon | Sound gunnar ÁrnSon | editor Jón StefÁnSSon | director of animation dirk henrotay frederik SallaertS | Story fridrik erlingSSon | ProducerS hilmar SigurdSSon & iveS agemanS | co-directorS gunnar karlSSon & iveS agemanS | director Árni ólafur ÁSgeirSSon
character deSign director of lighting
Palais des Festivals | Lerins booth M.11 | worldsales@arri.de | www.arrimedia.de ARRI_SCREEN_Cannes_17_Ads.indd 5
15.05.17 11:06
BAC FILMS IN CANNES THE TEACHER MARKET SCREENINGS MAY 18TH I 9:30 AM I at Arcades 3 MAY 20TH I 11:30 AM I at Palais D MAY 23RD I 9:30 AM I at Olympia 7
THE THIRD WAVE
LAND
UNA FAMIGLIA
LET THE CORPSES TAN
24, BD DE LA CROISETTE 5 TH FLOOR Gilles Sousa g.sousa@bacfilms.fr l +33 6 26 98 85 59 Marie Garrett m.garrett@bacfilms.fr l +33 7 63 19 10 36 Juliette Béchu j.bechu@bacfilms.fr l +33 7 63 19 10 35
THE LEISURE SEEKER
OFFICIAL PREMIERE
PRESS AND INDUSTRY
MARKET SCREENINGS
MAY 19TH I 11:30 AM I at Espace Miramar
MAY 19TH I 6:15 PM I at Espace Miramar MAY 19TH I 10:00 PM I at Espace Miramar MAY 20TH I 8:30 AM I at Espace Miramar
MAY 19TH MAY 20TH MAY 22ND MAY 25TH
I I I I
3:30 PM 3:30 PM 12:00 PM 3:30 PM
I I I I
at Olympia 3 at Olympia 9 at Palais I at Riviera 1
NEWS
Le Collier Rouge heads to China BY MELANIE GOODFELLOW
France TV Distribution (FTD) has sealed its first sales on French director Jean Becker’s First World War drama Le Collier Rouge, starring Francois Cluzet and Nicolas Duvauchelle. Hugo East acquired the film for release in China in 2018 and has started drawing in European buyers with a pre-sale to Spain’s A Contracorriente. The tale revolves around the interrogation of a young French man, once hailed a war hero, who has fallen from grace after committing a strange crime. Cluzet plays the judge and Duvauchelle the disgraced soldier. Belgian actress Sophie Verbeeck plays the young man’s devoted lover. “It’s a profoundly humanist tale with a resonance for today,” says FTD director of international sales Julia Schulte. The $7.4m (€6.7m) production will start shooting in late May in south-west France.
True Colours brightens up with Ozpetek’s Veils BY GABRIELE NIOLA
True Colours has acquired the worldwide sales rights to Ferzan Ozpetek’s next project, Naples In Veils. Ozpetek co-wrote the script with Gianni Romoli, who is producing with Tilde Corsi, Faros Film and Warner Bros Entertainment Italia. Set in the titular city,
the film revolves around a woman who is overwhelmed by a sudden love and a violent crime. Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Alessandro Borghi star. It is the second film in a row from the Turkey-born filmmaker dedicated to a city, following previous feature Istanbul Red. The
film’s Naples shoot kicked off on May 13, with an Italian release date pencilled for early 2018. True Colours kicks off sales on the project here in Cannes. The company has also acquired sales rights to previous Ozpetek films, including The Ignorant Fairies and Facing Windows.
Catalyst brings Potter on board BY ANDREAS WISEMAN
UK film and TV outfit Catalyst Global Media has appointed former Irish Film Board executive Keith Potter as in-house executive producer of feature film projects. Potter will be charged with sourcing commercially viable projects for Catalyst’s development and
production slate, and expanding the company’s national and international partnerships with filmmakers, agents, financiers and platforms. Potter most recently served as project manager at the Irish Film Board; he was executive producer on projects such as Lenny Abra-
hamson’s Oscar winner Room and Whit Stillman’s Love & Friendship. Catalyst’s upcoming films include romantic comedy Finding Your Feet, with Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall and Joanna Lumley, and Ghost Stories, made with Warp Films. TV projects include Cognition, a neo-noir crime series.
Rezo takes Directions French distributor Rezo Films has boarded Un Certain Regard title Directions (Posoki ), directed by Stephan Komandarev and being sold by ARRI Media International. The film marks Komandarev’s return to Cannes after he co-produced Bogdan Mirica’s Dogs, which won the 2016 Fipresci prize after playing in Un Certain Regard. “We are excited to take the French audience on this edgy, Bulgarian Taxi Driver-like ride,” a Rezo spokesman commented on the pick-up, announced here in Cannes. The film revolves around an ambitious man’s fateful encounter with a crooked banker that ends in tragedy. ARRI will hold two market screenings ahead of the festival premiere on May 26. Andreas Wiseman
MY BOX PRODUCTIONS AND MARS FILMS PRESENT
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY STÉPHANE DE CO-DIRECTED BY LADJ LY
FREITAS
FRENCH RELEASE:
+120 000 ADMISSIONS AFTER 5 WEEKS - ONGOING
MARKET PREMIERE MARKET SCREENING
TODAY FRI. 19TH MAY – 13:30 PM – PALAIS J MON. 22ND MAY – 09:30 AM – PALAIS F
VISIT US @CANNES | DOC CORNER RIVIERA H8 | +33 6 43 48 00 37 Cannes2017_PubScreen4_150x218_CMJN.indd 1
10 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
16/05/2017 20:19
www.screendaily.com
Golden Network - Screen Day 3 RHP - Reset.pdf 1 10/5/2017 16:41:35
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
NEWS
Abduction has its Premiere Los Angeles-based Premiere Entertainment Group has added Tribeca sci-fi thriller Abduction to its roster and begun talks with international buyers on the Croisette. Milo Ventimiglia stars alongside Amanda Schull and Shawn Ashmore. The film premiered at Tribeca last month under its US title Devil’s Gate. The story centres on an FBI investigation into the case of a missing woman and her son. CAA represents US rights. Clay Staub, who served as second-unit director on 300 and Dawn Of The Dead, makes his feature directorial debut and wrote the screenplay. Scott Mednick produces with Valérie d’Auteuil and André Rouleau of Caramel Film, and Ian Dimerman and Brendon Sawatzky of Inferno Pictures. Jeremy Kay
Belga sinks cash into Kursk BY GEOFFREY MACNAB
Belga Films Fund, the tax shelter arm of Belga Films Group, has raised more than $5.6m (¤5m) for Thomas Vinterberg’s Kursk. The film tells the true story of the K-141 Kursk, the Russian submarine that sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea in August 2000. The $39m (¤35m) project is also looking for extra funding from Belgian funds Screen Brussels, Wallimage and Screen Flanders.
The EuropaCorp -backed feature, which started production on May 10, is shooting partly at AED Studios near Antwerp, a facility with one of the largest indoor water tanks in Europe. It will be released in Benelux by Belga Films under the terms of the output deal Belga has with EuropaCorp. Details of the extent of Belga’s involvement in Kursk were revealed by Fabrice Delville, founder and general manager of
Belga Films Fund and Belga Productions. Belga is also providing around $4.4m (¤4m) toward The Queen’s Corgi, the new $22m (¤20m) animation from Ben Stassen’s nWave. Delville said Belga raised $15.5m (¤14m) in tax shelter financing in 2016, and expects to raise the same amount this year. Belga is one of the funders of Roman Polanski’s Based On A True Story, screening here out of competition.
Devil makes light work for Radiant BY JEREMY KAY
Radiant Films International has sold key territories on Irish comedy Handsome Devil. President and CEO Mimi Steinbauer and her team have licensed Australia and New Zealand to Rialto, and closed deals with Salzgeber for Germany and Tongariro Releas-
ing for Poland. Breaking Glass Pictures plans a US theatrical release in June and Icon Film Distribution released the film in the UK and Ireland last month. Handsome Devil premiered in Toronto and has become a festival darling, opening Glasgow Film Festival and closing Dublin Inter-
national Film Festival in February. The film centres on a bullied outsider and a star athlete who bond when they share a room at school. Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine, Moe Dunford and Andrew Scott star. Rebecca O’Flanagan and Robert Walpole produced for Treasure Entertainment.
MandarinVision has Bold plans BY LIZ SHACKLETON
Taipei-based sales company MandarinVision has picked up the international rights to The Bold, The Corrupt And The Beautiful, the third feature from Taiwanese filmmaker Yang Ya-che following Orz Boys and Gf*Bf. Now in post-production, the film revolves around the ‘white gloves’ deal-making between businessmen and politicians in Chinese business culture, which is rarely discussed in local cinema. The film’s cast includes Hong Kong’s Kara Wai, who recently won the best actress prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards for Happiness. Headed by former Atom Cinema executive Desmond Yang, MandarinVision is also selling Who Killed Cock Robin, which marks Cheng Wei-Hao’s second film following 2015 horror hit The Tag-Along.
SIBERIA
ELEVATED PRESENTS A COMPANY FILMS /SUMMERSTORM PRODUCTION SALES AGENT: IM GLOBAL
“Working with The Fyzz is a dream. They are the Rolls Royce of lenders.” CASSIAN ELWES PRODUCER 6 YEARS | 175+ FILMS | $200M INVESTED GREAT FILMS NEED GREAT PARTNERS
Cannes_Screen_Dailies (SIBERIA).indd 1
12 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
15/05/2017 19:30
www.screendaily.com
MARKET SCREENING May 20th 01:30 PM, aRCaDES 3
Palais des Festivals | Lerins booth M.11 | worldsales@arri.de | www.arrimedia.de ARRI_SCREEN_Cannes_17_Ads.indd 4
15.05.17 11:06
NEWS
Samir’s Baghdad is out of shadows BY GEOFFREY MACNAB
Baghdad-born, Switzerlandbased director Samir’s latest feature Baghdad In My Shadow, a thriller about Iraqi exiles living in north London, starts shooting on June 8. It will film over eight weeks in Baghdad, Zurich, London and Cologne, and is produced by Joel Jent, who also produced Samir’s 2014 documentary Iraqi Odyssey. Baghdad In My Shadow is a Switzerland-Germany-UK co-production between Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion with Coin Film and Ipso Facto Productions. The latter’s credits include Nicolas Winding Refn’s Valhalla Rising. The cast of Baghdad In My Shadow includes Haytham A Ali Al Jadah (also a professor at the University of Baghdad), Iraqi newcomer Zahraa Ghandour, Kerry Fox, Meriam Abbas, Daniel Adegboyega and Felix Scott.
Film Mode pacts with Screen Corp, hires Epstein BY JEREMY KAY
Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment continues to ramp up a year after launch, partnering with James M Vernon’s Screen Corporation on a slate of films and bringing in sales veteran and Screen International Future Leader Mathilde Epstein as COO. Epstein kicks off with worldwide sales on The Ninth Passenger
starring Jesse Metcalfe. The film is about students on a luxury yacht who fall prey to a mutant creature. Ian Pfaff directed and Corey Large and Felipe Dieppa produced. Screen Corporation will develop and finance the roster, which includes The Girl Who Invented Kissing starring Suki Waterhouse as a seductive drifter who beguiles two smalltown brothers. Abbie
Cornish and Luke Wilson star and Tom Sierchio directed. Large produced with George Zakk. “We believe in the strength of a husband-and-wife team and feel confident we’re poised for continued growth with the team we have assembled,” Mathilde Epstein said. Film Mode’s sales slate includes action adventure Knights Of The Damned.
Mindjazz in tune with doc sales BY MARTIN BLANEY
A raft of deals have been concluded by new German sales agent mindjazz pictures international (mpi) ahead of its first attendance at the Marché. Arthouse label KimStim has secured all North American rights to Hanna Henigin and
14 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Julian Wildgruber’s From Business To Being and Sobo Swobodnik’s feature documentary Silentium — From Life In The Convent. Alessandro Lombardo, mpi’s head of sales, said that buyers from Latin America and Spain had also picked up Henigin and
Wildgruber’s documentary about three executives embarking on a quest to find ways out of the ratrace: Argentina’s Energia Entusiasta secured Latin American VoD rights, while Spain’s Cameo Media acquired exclusive home video and DVD/Blu-ray rights.
CONNeXT firms up Ghent event Flanders Image’s CONNeXT (formerly NeXT) has confirmed the first 15 titles for its second invitation-only event in Ghent (October 8-11). Completed Flemish films set to screen for industry professionals include Racer And The Jailbird by Bullhead director Michael R Roskam and Gilles Coulier’s debut feature Cargo. The works-in-progress sessions will include Ascension Day by Bas Devos; Kenneth Mercken’s Coureur, winner of last year’s Perfect Pitch Award; Patser, from Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah; and animated feature Ploey — You Never Fly Alone. The attendees include top sales companies and programmers from festivals such as Berlin, Toronto and SXSW. Wendy Mitchell
www.screendaily.com
C I N E T E L E F I L M S , TA N I T F I L M S
AND
JOUR2FÊTE
PRESENT
Freely adapted from the novel «COUPABLE D’AVOIR ÉTÉ VIOLÉE» by Meriem BEN MOHAMED and Ava DJAMSHIDI - published by Michel Lafon
MARIAM AL FERJANI GHANEM ZRELLI NOOMANE HAMDA MOHAMED AKKARI CHEDLY ARFAOUI ANISSA DAOUD MOURAD GHARSALLI WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY KAOUTHER BEN HANIA PRODUCED BY HABIB ATTIA AND NADIM CHEIKHROUHA COPRODUCED BY GEORGES SCHOUCAIR, NEFISE OZKAL LORENTZEN, JORGEN LORENTZEN, ANDREAS ROCKSEN, TOMAS ESKILSSON, JON MANKELL CINEMATOGRAPHER JOHAN HOLMQUIST STEADYCAM OPERATOR NESTOR SALAZAR EDITING NADIA BEN RACHID ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK AMINE BOUHAFA SOUND MOEZ CHEIKH, RAPHAËL SOHIER, FLORENT DENIZOT, THIERRY DELOR SET DESIGN MONCEF HAKOUNA FIRST ASSISTANT-DIRECTOR MEHDI M. BARSAOUI PRODUCTION MANAGER KHALED WALID BARSAOUI MAKE UP ARTIST HAJER BOUHAWALA COSTUME DESIGNER NEDRA GRIBAA PRODUCED BY CINETELEFILMS AND TANIT FILMS IN COPRODUCTION WITH LAIKA FILM & TELEVISION, FILM I VAST, SCHORTCUT FILMS, INTEGRAL FILM & LITERATURE, CHIMNEY WITH THE SUPPORT OF MINISTERE DES AFFAIRES CULTURELLES & CENTRE NATIONAL DU CINEMA ET DE L’IMAGE - TUNISIA, SWEDISH FILM INSTITUTE, SORFOND - NORWAY, VISIONS SUD EST - SWITZERLAND, FONDS IMAGE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE, DOHA FILM INSTITUTE, AIDE AUX CINEMAS DU MONDE - CENTRE NATIONAL DU CINEMA ET DE L’IMAGE
ANIMEE - INSTITUT FRANÇAIS, WORLD CINEMA FUND EUROPE, HUBERT BALS FUND OF THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM, LA SACEM, COMUNE IMAGE © CINETELEFILMS - TANIT FILMS - LAIKA FILM & TELEVISION - FILM I VAST - SCHORTCUT FILMS - INTEGRAL FILM & LITTERATURE - CHIMNEY 2017
OFFICIAL SCREENINGS: FRI. MAY 19TH - 14:00 - DEBUSSY FRI. MAY 19TH - 22:15 - DEBUSSY SAT. MAY 20TH - 16:00 - BAZIN
MARKET SCREENINGS: SAT. MAY 20TH - 14:00 - ARCADES 2 SUN. MAY 21ST - 12:00 - OLYMPIA 5
WORLD SALES: JOUR2FÊTE (RIVIERA D8)
NEWS
UK industry in grip of Brexit anxiety BY GEOFFREY MACNAB
Almost a year on from the Brexit referendum, the uncertainty surrounding the possible impact of the UK’s departure from the EU on the European film industry shows no sign of lifting. There will be a panel here today (UK Film Centre, 11am-12pm) chaired by Isabel Davis, head of international at the BFI, mulling the challenges Brexit poses to everything from freedom of movement to customs tariffs, and whether other European countries might be able to wrest away some of the $2bn (£1.6bn) spent on film production in the UK last year. The UK production sector has benefited hugely in inward investment terms from the weakness of the British currency post-referendum — but the impact on UK distributors looking to acquire foreign films has been far less positive.
Eurimages’ Roberto Olla
For Chris Curling, a UK producer who works extensively with European partners, the key issue for British producers is that the UK continues to be able to use the Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Coproduction. Given that non-EU countries are part of the convention, Curling anticipates the UK’s continuing involvement should not be an issue. However, if the UK withdraws from the Council of Europe as well as from the EU, Eurimages director Roberto Olla anticipates there could be problems for UK producers wanting to use the convention. “It
would require unanimity from all the other countries about the UK joining the convention,” Olla explained. Another key question is whether the UK will stay in the EU’s MEDIA Programme, which among other things offers support to UK distributors releasing European films. There is a clamour in certain quarters for the UK to rejoin Eurimages, which the country left in the 1990s. At present, it would be easy for the UK to do that. “The door is wide open,” Olla said, while cautioning that if the UK leaves the Council of Europe, the procedure would become more complicated. A recent proposal by UK producers’ body Pact for the UK tax credit to be raised to 40% for films in the $2.6m-$13m (£2m-£10m) budget range would be more easily achieved if the UK is outside the EU, and not subject to EU state aid laws.
Chloe Grace Moretz
Moretz to voice 3D Snow White BY LIZ SHACKLETON
South Korea’s Finecut has announced Chloe Grace Moretz will provide the voice of the heroine Snow White in its 3D animation Red Shoes & The 7 Dwarfs, directed by Hong Sungho. Moretz joins a voice cast that includes Gina Gershon and Jim Rash. The film is in
16 Screen International at Cannes UKFC_SCREEN_HPV_107X304_DAY3_5.indd 2 May 19, 2017
15/05/2017 18:08
production for completion in early 2018. Produced by CGI studio Locus Corporation, the $20m family animation retells the story behind Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs by posing the question: what if the seven dwarfs were actually seven cursed princes?
China’s Zhejiang Jinke Entertainment has signed an exclusive partnership with Japan’s Kurosawa Production through which it will acquire all of the unproduced screenplays of Akira Kurosawa, excluding The Masque Of The Black Death. The first film under the deal will be Kurosawa’s unfinished project Silvering Spear (working title), which will mark Jinke Entertainment’s debut film production. The Masque Of The Black Death has already been optioned by China’s Huayi Brothers, which is currently seeking a director for the project. Liz Shackleton
www.screendaily.com
Tribeca
Kurosawa revived
WWW.CARNABYSALES.COM
Based on a true story of love, lust and murder set in 1787 Prague -- following Mozart (Dunkirk’s Aneurin Barnard) and the events that influenced the masterpiece opera Don Giovanni. Director: John Stephenson O.B.E. (The Christmas Candle, Animal Farm) Starring: Aneurin Barnard (Dunkirk, War and Peace, Citadel) James Purefoy (Churchill, Solomon Kane, Resident Evil) Samantha Barks (Bitter Harvest, Les Miserables) Morfydd Clark (Love & Friendship, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Madame Bovary) Prague, 1787. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spends a few turbulent months escaping the frustrating, privileged elite of Vienna. However his unconventional presence soon unleashes a series of dramatic and tragic events. Overwhelmed by the tangled web of violence and intrigue that surrounds him and with his mind affected, Mozart creates the astonishing music and drama that becomes “Don Giovanni”.
FINAL MARKET SCREENING DAY 6 MONDAY 22ND 15:30 GRAY 2 OFFICE: 23 RUE MACE 2ND FLOOR For Sales inquiries contact Tania Sarra, Director of International Sales E: tania@carnabyinternational.com T: +44 7557 515 707
DIARY
Today
Edited by Tom Grater & Orlando Parfitt
tom.grater@screendaily.com
@ScreenDaily
Cole comes out swinging Muay Thai boxing feature spearheads UK actor’s big-screen rise The year 2017 could be Joe Cole’s breakthrough in film. The UK actor has made a name for himself in TV with a role in the BBC’s Peaky Blinders, as well as having parts in Secret In Their Eyes and Green Room. This year, he stars alongside Kirsten Dunst in thriller Woodshock, has a role in Dreamworks’ PTSD drama Thank You For Your Service, and leads Kim Nguyen’s drone drama Eye On Juliet. While the combination of all of those roles is likely to see Cole catapulted further into the mainstream, the part that has him the most excited is his lead in JeanStéphane Sauvaire’s Muay Thai boxing film A Prayer Before Dawn, which premieres today as a Midnight Screening. “The story was incredible, but the main thing was JeanStéphane,” Cole recalls on taking up the role. “He wanted authenticity. He wanted guys who had spent many years in jail, who knew the inside of a prison better than the inside of their homes.”
Tomorrow
Scattered thunderstorms
middle of the prison and I had to go toe-to-toe with a pro Thai boxer. It was a case of knocking seven shades of shit out of each other and hoping you didn’t get knocked out,” reveals Cole, who feels privileged to have been through such an unusual shoot. “99.9% of actors won’t experience what I got to experience.” HanWay Films has international rights to A Prayer Before Dawn, A24 will distribute in the US and Altitude in the UK. Tom Grater Emmanuel Lubezki
#CannesChatter Events production company ADR snapped a shot of Cannes jury president Pedro Almodovar settling in for the festival’s 70th edition.
Carne Y Arena
Inarritu breaks VR borders
adr.prod LET’S GO ! Pedro Almodovar @hotelbarrierelemajestic #cannes70 #cannes2017 #plagemajestic70
Screen was among the first in Cannes to experience Oscar winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s virtual-reality installation Carne Y Arena, the first VR project to play in the festival’s official selection. Housed in a hangar at a nearby airfield, the experience places the viewer into the shoes of a migrant attempting to cross the border from Mexico into the US. It plays here until May 28 before moving to the Fondazione Prada in Milan. Tom Grater
» Full story on ScreenDaily.com
20 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
High 21°c (70°f)
In conversation with... JONAS CARPIGNANO (A Ciambra, Directors’ Fortnight)
Jonas Carpignano (left) with actor Francesco Berlingieri
Joe Cole in A Prayer Before Dawn
The low-budget, guerrilla-style shoot took place largely in an abandoned prison in Thailand. Cole found himself working alongside a cohort of ex-cons as well as Thai actor Vithaya Pansringarm, whose credits include Only God Forgives. “One guy had killed three people. He became a champion Muay Thai fighter in prison and was subsequently released early,” Cole says. The final sequence was shot in a real prison in front of 2,500 inmates. “They put a ring in the
Sunny
High 20°c (68°f)
Italian director Jonas Carpignano is back in Cannes with A Ciambra, his follow-up feature to refugee drama Mediterranea, which premiered in Critics’ Week in 2015. His second feature is an evolution of his 2014 short of the same name, and follows a Romani boy who struggles to keep his family together and repay his brother’s debt. It premieres in Directors’ Fortnight today. Luxbox is handling sales. Can you explain what is Ciambra? Ciambra is a sort of favela on the outskirts of Gioia Tauro in southern Italy, the town where I live. For the past 20 years, it has been solely occupied by the Romani community. Why did you return to the subject matter of your short film? When I make short films, it’s to explore a new world, and to see the possible directions a character can go when confronted with a challenging situation. I knew I wanted to tell a story about a boy and his brother in Ciambra.
Do you think films about the refugee crisis are helping to raise awareness? We need to go past presenting information about what is happening, and instead create empathy for the individuals living these stories. Cinema can make an audience feel that world more than a newspaper or TV news. Martin Scorsese and Emma Tillinger Koskoff helped produce your feature with their emerging filmmakers fund. How beneficial was that? It didn’t really sink in until we got to the edit. I was lucky to have his [Scorsese’s] notes on several versions of the cut, and that made a big impact on the film. What are your best experiences at Cannes? In 2014, we were at the closingnight party for Critics’ Week, where A Ciambra had just won the Discovery Award. I was shooting Mediterranea, so I was tired. But then Andrea Arnold came over to congratulate me. We drank and danced the night away. Tiffany Pritchard
TODAY’S VR SCREENINGS (Marché du Film) Today’s VR screenings at the NEXT VR Theatre include episodes of futuristic VR series Defrost (10am-11am); a selection of experiences from media company Orange (11am-12pm); a presentation of Canadian VR from Telefilm Canada and the Phi Centre (12pm-1pm); a showcase of upcoming VR projects from Québec (3pm-4pm); a presentation of VR projects from ARTE (4pm-5pm); and a screening from VR specialist Diversion Cinema (5pm-6pm).
www.screendaily.com
FILM IN SCOTLAND FOR THE PERFECT LOCATION
Join us at Pavilion 119 – UK Film Centre and find out about our fast, free, confidential location-finding service, award-winning production companies, experienced crew and great facilities.
www.creativescotlandlocations.com E locations@creativescotland.com T +44 (0) 141 302 1724 Stacks of Duncansby, Caithness Photo: Mark Ferguson/Scottish Viewpoint
SPOTLIGHT CANNES AT 70
Cannes Decades 1966-1975 In today’s look back at 70 years of Cannes, Nikki Baughan reaches the decade that saw the festival react to the social upheaval of 1968, the launch of Directors’ Fortnight and Gilles Jacob join as festival president Sipa Press/REX/Shutterstock
A
year after Olivia De Havilland became the first female jury president, in 1966 Sophia Loren headed a jury that included Richard Lester and Peter Ustinov. Two years later, Cannes endured its biggest uproar since being closed by the Second World War in 1939. Jury member Louis Malle, along with directors including Jean-Luc Godard and Milos Forman, spearheaded a movement to have festivities stopped in sympathy with the student protests and workers’ strikes that were sweeping France. In 1969, as a direct result of this protest, the French Directors Guild presented the festival’s inaugural Directors’ Fortnight strand, described as a way to “meet the new need to present works corresponding to the ideas of May 1968”, and comprising a programme of features, documentaries and shorts from international filmmakers. As the 1970s dawned, Cannes continued to undergo major changes. In 1972, president Robert Favre Le Bret and managing director Maurice Bessy introduced an important new approach to the selection of films. Previously, countries had chosen which works to send to the festival; now, internal committees were created to select French and international films. They also introduced parallel strands encompassing a broader range of titles. In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation became the final winner of the Grand Prix du Festival; after a decade under that name, the top prize reverted to the Palme d’Or in 1975. The same year, new president Gilles Jacob limited the festival to 13 days and introduced industry figures and celebrities to the jury, which had previously comprised film academics and historians. He also brought in the Camera d’Or for the best first feature in any of the festival selections, and Un Certain Regard, celebrats ing films that tell stories in non-traditional ways. ■
WINNERS GRAND PRIX & PALME D’OR Grand Prix du Festival 1966 A Man And A Woman (Claude Lelouch, France); The Birds, The Bees And The Italians (Pietro Germi, Italy) 1967 Blow-Up (Michelangelo Antonioni, Italy) 1969 If… (Lindsay Anderson, UK) 1970 M.A.S.H. (Robert Altman, US) 1971 The Go-Between (Joseph Losey, UK) 1972 The Working Class Goes To Heaven (Elio Petri, Italy); The Mattei Affair (Francesco Rosi, Italy) 1973 The Hireling (Alan Bridges, UK); Scarecrow (Jerry Schatzberg, UK) 1974 The Conversation (Francis Ford Coppola, US) Palme d’Or 1975 Chronicle Of The Years Of Fire (Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina, Algeria) Raquel Welch in 1966
22 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Siudmak ©ADAGP
DR
René Ferracci
Beaugendre
CANNES POSTERS ACROSS THE DECADE
www.screendaily.com
REVIEWS Reviews edited by Fionnuala Halligan finn.halligan@screendaily.com
» Wonderstruck p26 » Sea Sorrow p30 » Loveless p28 » Brigsby Bear p30 » Sicilian Ghost Story p28
Wonderstruck Reviewed by Wendy Ide Todd Haynes’ peerless world-building skills are exploited to their full extent in this beguiling semi-silent film adaptation of the young adult novel by Brian Selznick (The Invention Of Hugo Cabret). Haynes might initially seem an ungainly fit for a pair of parallel stories about deaf children, potentially aimed at a family audience. But as an innovative filmmaker who naturally chimes with the perspective of the outsider looking in, Haynes takes a semigraphic novel, which comes with a strong visual identity, and makes it very much his own. While some might question the key role that serendipity plays in this story, more will respond to the immaculate period work, the engaged approach to disability and the gradual swell of emotion that builds to a belter of a tearjerking climax. Although Selznick’s book features child protagonists, and was initially aimed at a younger audience, it connected with readers of all ages. You sense that Haynes is aiming to pull off the same trick here. He has not moderated his approach, nor does he talk down to the younger members of his potential audience. The emotional intelligence at play here is every bit as sophisticated as that in any of his other films. Whether this will help Wonderstruck’s prospects
26 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
COMPETITION US. 2017. 117mins Director Todd Haynes Production company Cinetic Media, Killer Content International sales FilmNation Entertainment, nyoffice@filmnation.com Producers Christine Vachon, John Sloss, Pamela Koffler Screenplay Brian Selznick Cinematography Edward Lachman Editor Affonso Goncalves Music Carter Burwell Production Design Mark Friedberg Costume design Sandy Powell Main cast Oakes Fegley, Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Millicent Simmonds, Jaden Michael, Tom Noonan
or hinder them with the book’s YA fanbase remains to be seen. One thing is for certain: audiences hoping for a Todd Haynes movie will not be disappointed. First-rate work from cinematographer Edward Lachman, costume designer (and executive producer) Sandy Powell, production designer Mark Friedberg and — particularly — composer Carter Burwell should ensure the film is an awards-season contender. Selznick’s story, which he adapted himself, traces mirror-image journeys of two children, 50 years apart. Rose (impressive hearingimpaired newcomer Millicent Simmonds), deaf from birth, sets out from the stifling constraints of the home she shares with her father in 1927 Hoboken. In 1977, Ben (Oakes Fegley, excellent) skips out from the hospital in Gunflint, Minnesota, where he is recovering from the freak accident that cost him his hearing. The destination of both children is New York. While in the book, Rose’s storyline is told entirely with pictures, the film uses the language of silent cinema. Rose’s adventure unfolds in crisp black-and-white, with scrawled messages on notepads standing in for inter titles. It is here that Burwell’s score really sings — sound design is threaded through the music, emphasising the baffling assault of stimuli for a deaf child discovering the adult world. In a nod
to silent-movie practice, Haynes cast several deaf actors in key roles, although Simmonds is the only one playing a deaf character. New York in 1927 is all brisk, bustling optimism. At night, the city takes on a graphic, almost abstract quality — like an Art Deco illustration of itself. In contrast, the New York that Ben discovers is a garbage-strewn wasteland; the city and its inhabitants seem exhausted by its inexorable decline. There is an elegant symmetry to the two stories. Both children seek an absent parent. Rose wants to reconnect with the mother (Julianne Moore, in one half of a dual role) who has relinquished her maternal responsibilities to focus on her acting career. Ben, whose mother (Michelle Williams) died recently, is following a tenuous paper trail that he hopes will introduce him to the father he never knew. The presence of an artificially aged Moore in a second role, as the older Rose, is slightly jarring. Her prosthetic make-up competes with her performance rather than harmonises with it. But a semi-animated sequence that fills in the links between the two stories is an achingly potent climax to this idiosyncratic charmer of a film.
SCREEN SCORE
★★★ www.screendaily.com
REVIEWS
Sicilian Ghost Story Reviewed by Allan Hunter
Loveless Reviewed by Dan Fainaru
COMPETITION
Faithful to his film’s title, Andrey Zvyagintsev (Leviathan) delivers a cruel, desolate, unforgiving image of Russia’s new middle class, ruled by selfishness, greed, frustration, envy, anger and anxiety in Loveless. Like all his sombre portraits of Russia today, it is centred around family life, or the lack of it, when a couple who are about to divorce realise their 12-year-old son has gone missing. Refraining from the much larger canvas he used for Leviathan, Zvyagintsev drills into each of his two main characters pitilessly, suggesting that on top of their other emotional shortcomings, they have learned nothing from the past and will remain the same in future. Though Loveless tends to overstay its welcome at more than two hours, festival and arthouse careers are assured, given the director’s reputation. There is nothing to keep Zhenia (Maryana Spivak) and Boris (Alexey Rozin) together any longer, certainly not their son Alyosha (Matvey Novikov), whom they consider mainly as an impediment to them starting new lives with new partners. She has found an older, wealthier man willing to marry her right away, while he has a heavily pregnant girlfriend eagerly waiting for him to be free. Neither one has much time to devote to their son until one morning they find out he has disappeared without trace. It is only then, about one third of the way into the picture, that the story really gets going. In truth, there isn’t much of a plot, and what there is can be predictable. But the main attribute here is the painstaking observation of characters and situations, whether that be Boris’s workplace, run like a dictatorship, or Zhenia’s mother spouting invectives against the whole world — but mainly her daughter. Splendidly shot in and around St Petersburg (but carefully avoiding the picturesque historical centre) in mid-winter by Mikhail Krichman, Zvyagintsev’s regular cinematographer, the chill of frozen nature spreads into humans as well, with use of Arvo Part’s music adding to the effect. Spivak and Rozin convey perfectly the spirit of a generation far too concerned with its own personal needs to consider those of others.
SCREEN SCORE
Rus-Fr-Bel-Ger. 2017. 127mins Director Andrey Zvyagintsev Production company Nonstop Productions, Why Not Productions, Arte France Cinema, WDR, Les Films du Fleuve — Belgium, Fetissof Illusion International sales Wild Bunch, sales@wildbunch.eu Producers Alexandre Rodnyansky, Serguey Melkumov Screenplay Andrey Zvyagintsev, Oleg Negin Cinematography Mikhail Krichman Editor Anna Mass Production design Andrey Ponkratov Music Evgeny Galperin Cast Maryana Spivak, Alexey Rozin, Matvey Novikov, Marina Vasilyeva, Andris Keishs, Alexey Fateev
Revisiting and expanding the themes of their prize-winning debut Salvo, Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza have crafted a hugely ambitious, darkly intriguing second feature. The fusion of teenage romance, gothic fantasy and Mafia thriller becomes an immersive, atmospheric drama that should secure sustained festival exposure, boosting the commercial prospects for this filmmaking duo. Sicilian Ghost Story is inspired by the true story of teenager Giuseppe Di Matteo (Gaetano Fernandez) who was kidnapped in 1993 to silence his father Santino, a Mafia supergrass. His ordeal is viewed through the torment of classmate Luna (Julia Jedlikowska). The film confidently walks the line between grim reality and comforting fantasy. The fervour of Luna’s determination to discover what happened to Giuseppe edges her towards a supernatural connection with the captive boy. A letter from Luna becomes the boy’s one solace and escape from weeks of being held in chains. There are constant fairytale references throughout with Luna’s wardrobe of a red duffel coat and red jacket pointing to a Little Red Riding Hood connection. There is an enchanted forest, a magical lake and even a big bad wolf in the form of a vicious attack dog. Luna’s affinity with animals also makes her seem like Snow White, while Giuseppe has the qualities of a noble knight as he seeks to protect her in their brief time together. Cinematographer Luca Bigazzi enhances the emotional intensity of the story with daylight scenes in which the piercing Sicilian light makes everything look larger than life. The interiors are rich and treacly and Bigazzi manages to imbue the banal with a sense of the sinister. A good deal of the film rests on the performances of the two newcomers. Julia Jedlikowska invests Luna with a burning ferocity. She has all the temper and sense of injustice of a teenager coping with her transition to adulthood. Gaetano Fernandez has a natural charm and vulnerability as Giuseppe. The only misjudged performance comes from Sabine Timoteo whose severe, mannered work as Luna’s unsympathetic mother seems to belong to a more florid horror story. Sicilian Ghost Story is overlong and expects a lot of an audience with its mixture of genres but in the end it is a love story with moments that are both tender and touching. Just like Salvo, it asserts that the only true challenge to the stranglehold of the Mafia is the power of love.
CRITICS’ WEEK OPENING FILM It-Fr-Switz. 2017. 122mins Directors/screenplay Fabio Grassadonia, Antonio Piazza Production companies Indigo Film, Cristaldi Pics, RAI Cinema, Mact Productions, Ventura Film International sales The Match Factory, info@matchfactory.de Producers Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima, Carlotta Calori, Massimo Cristaldi Executive producer Francesco Tato Cinematography Luca Bigazzi Production design Marco Dentici Editor Cristiano Travaglioli Music Soap&Skin, Anton Spielmann Main cast Julia Jedlikowska, Gaetano Fernandez, Corinne Musallari, Andrea Falzone, Vincenzo Amato, Sabine Timoteo
★★★
28 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
Supporting Emerging Voices in Cinema Worldwide
Doha Film Institute Grants Programme Call for submissions open: 18–31 July, 2017 Doha Film Institute continues its commitment to nurturing emerging filmmakers through its Grants Programme. First- and second-time filmmakers from around the world, as well as established directors from the MENA region, are invited to apply for funding, subject to eligibility criteria. Since 2010, the Doha Film Institute has provided funding to more than 340 filmmakers from around the globe. For more information on eligibility criteria and submission guidelines, please visit: www.dohafilminstitute.com/financing/grants/guidelines
Doha Film Institute congratulates its funding recipients selected for the 70th Festival de Cannes.
‘Beauty and the Dogs’ by Kaouther Ben Hania
‘Until the Birds Return’ by Karim Moussaoui
‘They’ by Anahita Ghazvinizadeh
‘Plot 35’ by Eric Caravaca
Connect with us: DohaFilmInstitute
DFI Grants 2017 + funding recipients_Screen Ad_335x245mm.indd 1
@DohaFilm
‘Nothingwood’ by Sonia Kronlund
DohaFilm
5/15/17 3:43 PM
REVIEWS
Brigsby Bear Reviewed by Tim Grierson
Sea Sorrow Reviewed by Allan Hunter The personal and the political are carefully intertwined in Sea Sorrow, the directorial debut of actress and activist Vanessa Redgrave. Reflecting on the global refugee crisis, the 80-year-old Redgrave combines reportage, historical context, memoir and agitprop to create a thoughtful documentary that serves as a call to embrace a shared humanity with the vulnerable and displaced. Its Cannes platform will raise the profile of a modest production that should find its audience at festival screenings and one-off events allowing further discussion of the issues raised. Sea Sorrow is a continuation of the work Redgrave has created with her producer (and son) Carlo Nero through their Dissent Projects and follows on from documentaries Wake Up World (2005), The Killing Fields (2011) and Bosnia Rules (2014). It is a response to the death of threeyear-old Syrian boy Alan Kurdi, drowned off the Turkish coast, and to the belief that the UK government was failing to take a fair share of refugees from around the world. Individual refugees from Afghanistan and Guinea tell stories of lengthy journeys to escape wartorn homelands and reach the safety of Europe. Redgrave keeps everything simple, fading to black between testimonies and creating links through close-ups of shimmering gold foil. The film expands gradually in scope and ambition. A wider understanding of the refugee issue is provided by contrasting the present day with events during the Second World War. UK politician Alf Dubs recalls escaping from Prague as part of the Kindertransport in 1939 and starting a new life in London. Redgrave remembers being a refugee in her own country when she was evacuated from London in 1940. Lest that period is seen as a golden age of compassion, Emma Thompson reads a 1938 letter from activist Sylvia Pankhurst expressing dismay at the UK government’s staunch refusal to accept two Jewish refugees, despite the assurance she will provide for their welfare and they will not accept any paid employment. Redgrave cites the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as cornerstones of protection for refugees and pays tribute to non-governmental organisations from Amnesty International to Safe Passage and Citizens UK. Sincere and wide-ranging but never hectoring, Sea Sorrow is a worthwhile attempt to shine a light on a complex issue and to find reasons for hope in a situation that seems eternally disheartening.
30 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
SPECIAL SCREENING UK 2016. 74mins Director Vanessa Redgrave Production company Dissent Projects International sales Autlook, salma@ autlookfilms.com Producer Carlo Nero Cinematography Andrew Dearden Editor Folasade Oyeleye Featuring Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes
The television shows and movies we absorb as kids can have powerful, even unsettling influences on our development. The wistful comedy Brigsby Bear explores that notion to the extreme, telling the story of a 25-year-old who has only recently learned he was abducted at birth — and that his favourite programme was crafted by his kidnappers specifically for him. The premise proves stronger than the execution but, guided by a fragile performance from co-writer Kyle Mooney, this Sundance hit plumbs significant emotional depths while being warmly funny. Picked up at Sundance by Sony Pictures Classics, the Critics’ Week closing film will open in the US on July 28, aiming to be arthouse counterprogramming amid the summer blockbusters. Mooney, a Saturday Night Live cast member, is relatively unknown, so it is Brigsby Bear’s quirky plot and critical buzz that will need to coax mainstream audiences. Mooney’s James has lived a sheltered existence with his parents (Jane Adams, Mark Hamill), obsessively watching episodes of Brigsby Bear Adventures, a cheesy live-action children’s programme. But one day James discovers a terrifying truth: these adults stole him from the hospital and his real parents (Matt Walsh, Michaela Watkins) have spent decades searching for him. Introduced to a world he does not understand, James decides to make a film version of his beloved show — unwilling to believe it was created by his abductors and that nobody has heard of it. From Being There to Forrest Gump, cinema has produced plenty of comparable innocents, and Brigsby Bear sometimes labours to find fresh angles on a familiar construction. What helps is the specificity Mooney brings to the role. James is exceptionally sweet and open, but whenever he tries acclimating to the real world he retreats to Brigsby Bear Adventures, enjoying its comforting sameness. Gradually, the movie becomes a compassionate but constructive commentary on the danger of nostalgia — how it seduces us into sticking with worn-out pleasures at the expense of new experiences and challenges. Finding sympathetic friends who help him realise his vision, James uses his adaptation to exorcise deep emotional trauma in a language he understands, laying his soul bare for anyone to see. It is an easy but apt metaphor for the risks and rewards of the creative impulse.
CRITICS’ WEEK, CLOSING FILM US. 2017. 97mins Director Dave McCary Production companies 3311 Productions, YL Pictures, Lonely Island, LM Films Worldwide distribution Sony Pictures Classics Producers Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, William Rosenberg, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Will Allegra, Mark Roberts, Al Di, Jason Zaro Screenplay Kevin Costello, Kyle Mooney; story by Kyle Mooney Cinematography Christian Sprenger Production design Brandon Tonner-Connolly Editor Jacob Craycroft Music David Wingo Main cast Kyle Mooney, Jane Adams, Claire Danes, Mark Hamill, Greg Kinnear, Andy Samberg, Matt Walsh, Michaela Watkins
www.screendaily.com
SCREEN COVER 266Hx245W FINAL.pdf
www.ScreenDaily.com www.ScreenDaily.com
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
MY
K
1
14/5/2017
2:56 PM
China - Hong Kong focus
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Explosive stuff Shock Wave is director Herman Yau’s biggest film to date — an action thriller focusing on Hong Kong’s bomb squad and set in its iconic Cross Harbour Tunnel
H
ong Kong director Herman Yau is well known for 1990s gore titles The Untold Story and Ebola Syndrome and, more recently, for his martial-arts offerings The Legend Is Born: Ip Man and Ip Man: The Final Fight. In his latest film, Shock Wave, Yau pumps up the adrenaline by focusing on Hong Kong’s bomb squad. “It’s the first time the bomb squad is seen in a Hong Kong film as the main subject matter,” says Yau, who was inspired to write the film following a chance meeting with the first Chinese bomb-disposal expert. “Only the British assumed this top position when colonial Hong Kong was under British rule,” Yau explains. The UK handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997. Filmed entirely in Hong Kong, Shock Wave is a high-tension action thriller produced by and starring Andy Lau. He plays the head of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, who is up against a criminal gang’s masterplan to blow up the Cross Harbour Tunnel, one of the busiest crossings in the world. It is the first action thriller Yau and Lau have made together, although Yau directed the young Lau in comedies Don’t Fool Me and Fascination Amour in the 1990s. The cast is rounded out by Jiang Wu, Song Jia, Philip Keung and Ron Ng. Action setpieces The 1.8km Cross Harbour Tunnel opened in 1972. It was built underwater, crossing Victoria Harbour and connecting Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. “It quickly became an iconic structure for both Hong Kong people and tourists,” says Yau of the pioneering piece of engineering. Half of the film’s action takes place in the tunnel. After the gang has seized control, the crossing is rigged with explosives, with hundreds of people trapped inside as hostages. As it was impossible to film in the actual location, the tunnel that features on screen is a set. “It’s not easy to find a site that is long enough as the tunnel. It has to be away from crowds, too, because there are plenty of explosion action scenes,” Yau explains. After securing a vacant government site in Kwai Chung, Yau’s production design team, led by Eric Lam, spent five months designing and constructing the
32 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Herman Yau (centre right) on the set of Shock Wave with Andy Lau (centre left and below)
tunnel set. Action choreographer Dion Lam, whose credits include the Matrix series and Spider-Man 2, and car stunt director Ng Hoi Tong are responsible for the action-packed explosions. Shock Wave was shot in 53 days. Yau’s technical crew included his regular collaborators, editor Azrael Chung and DoP Joe Chan, with whom he has recently made Sara, Nessun Dorma, The Mobfathers and The Sleep Curse. Budgeted at $22m, the film is majority financed by Daniel Lam’s Hong Kong-based Universe Entertainment and China’s Bona Film Group. Lau’s Infinitus Entertainment produced the project. S h o c k Wa v e h a s opened in 10 territories since it premiered in April, including North America, the UK (both on May 5) and Australia (May 4), all via CMC Pictures. It received its European premiere last month as the closing film of the Far East Film Festival in Udine in Italy.
Shock Wave opened in China on April 28 and fired up the box office with a gross of more than $24m (¥165m) from its three-day opening weekend, stealing the weekend box-office crown from The Fate Of The Furious. On home turf in Hong Kong, it grossed more than $2m (HK$15.6m) after 12 days for Universe. Record of achievement The large-scale production is one of the most expensive Yau has worked on. His career spans three decades, with some 80 films to his credit, and he has worked as a DoP on a further 24 titles. He is also a screenwriter, collaborating frequently with Erica Lee. Yau’s films span genres from horror to comedy and gangster flicks, action thrillers and social dramas. Many have received special mentions by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society and festival accolades — From The Queen To The Chief Executive was selected to open the Berlinale’s Panorama section in 2001.
‘It’s the first time the bomb squad is seen in a Hong Kong film as the main subject matter’ Herman Yau, director
Yau’s actors have won plaudits too, including Anthony Wong (Hong Kong Film Awards best actor for The Untold Story), Prudence Liew (Golden Horse Awards best actress for True Women For Sale) and Charlene Choi (special mention at Osaka Asian Film Festival for Sara). Yau graduated from the department of communications at Baptist College (now known as Hong Kong Baptist University) in 1984. Despite his hectic filming schedule, he found time to return to school, studying seven years for a masters and a doctoral degree. In 2014, he graduated with a PhD in cultural studies from Hong Kong’s Lingnan University. Contact Universe Films Distribution, Riviera booth G11 distribution@uih.com.hk
www.screendaily.com
HOT PROJECTS HONG KONG & CHINA
Master builders The latest films by auteurs John Woo, Tsui Hark, Yuen Woo-ping and Chen Kaige are among the Hong Kong and China highlights for international buyers in this year’s market. Liz Shackleton reports
G
reater China only has one feature in official selection at Cannes this year, Li Ruijun’s Walking Past The Future in Un Certain Regard, which partly reflects how Beijing and Hong Kong-based producers continue to focus on their huge and currently very mainstream local market. Timing has also played a part, however: Cannes regular Jia Zhangke’s crime romance Money & Love will not be ready for delivery until the end of the year. The quality of Chinese movies was cited as one of the reasons for China’s box-office growth flatlining last year, but the downturn also means some of the speculative investment in the industry should be subsiding, leaving more room for projects from established studios that have been properly developed. Since the Chinese New Year peak box-office period in February, two local productions have scored decent box office and been critically acclaimed: Enlight Pictures’ The Devotion Of Suspect X, which grossed $58m, and Hong KongChina co-production Shock Wave, which was still on release at the time of writing and had grossed $56m after 18 days. The lure of Hollywood Local films have their work cut out, however, to compete with a strong Hollywood line-up. So far this year, The Fate Of The Furious has become the highest-grossing US film of all time in China with $362m, while Kong: Skull Island took $169m. Chinese films that may have some chance of winning back market share include City Of Rock, directed by Da Peng, whose 2015 hit Pancake Man grossed $178m; John Woo’s action thriller Manhunt; Wong Jing and Jason Kwan’s Chasing The Dragon; and Yuen Woo-ping’s The Thousand Faces Of Dunjia. Heading into 2018, highly anticipated titles include Tsui Hark’s Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings and fantasy sequel Monster Hunt 2.
34 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Walking Past The Future
Walking Past The Future
SELECTED PROJECTS IN THE MARKET
A Better Tomorrow 4 Dir Ding Sheng
marks the feature debut of Jonathan Li, associate director on Overheard 2, Overheard 3 and Blind Detective. Soi Cheang and Paco Wong are producing for Hong Kong-based Sun Entertainment and YL Pictures, China’s iQiyi Motion Pictures and Sil-Metropole Organisation.
Jackie Chan’s long-time collaborator Ding Sheng is rebooting John Woo’s classic A Better Tomorrow series with this ‘heroic bloodshed’ action title, which is currently in post-production. Starring Wang Kai (Railroad Tigers), Ray Ma (Ice Fantasy) and Talu Wang (Railroad Tigers, Our Times), the film follows the conflict between two brothers — one heading a smuggling operation and the other an up-and-coming star in the police department’s narcotics division.
Contact Queenie Li, Bravos Pictures queenie.li@bravospictures.com
Contact Andree Sham, Sparkle Roll Media andree.sham@sparklerollmedia.com
Dirs Wong Jing, Jason Kwan
The Brink Dir Jonathan Li Zhang Jin (Ip Man 3), Shawn Yue, Wu Yue and Janice Man star in this $15m action thriller about a cop who is caught in the crossfire between rival factions in a gold-smuggling ring. Currently in post-production, the film
Dir Li Ruijun A late addition to Un Certain Regard, Li Ruijun’s drama stars Yang Zishan as the daughter of ageing migrant workers living in the city, who takes part in a series of highly paid but risky medical experiments as a way of providing her parents with their own home. Li has previously directed critically acclaimed dramas such as River Road (2014) and Fly With The Crane (2012), while Yang has been considered a star since her highly praised turn in Vicki Zhao Wei’s college drama So Young (2013). Contact Julian Chiu, Edko Films chiujulian@edkofilms.com.hk
Chasing The Dragon
Chasing The Dragon Donnie Yen plays real-life 1970s gangster Ng Sek-ho (aka Crippled Ho) in this action crime drama, backed by Bona Film Group and Wong Jing’s Mega-Vision Project Workshop. Andy Lau also stars and Wong is directing along with acclaimed cinematographer Jason Kwan. Currently in post-production, the film follows Ho from his days as an illegal immigrant through his rise to
becoming one of Hong Kong’s most powerful drug lords. Contact Angela Wong, Mega-Vision Project Workshop angelaolwong@mvphk.biz
City Of Rock Dir Dong Chengpeng Following his 2015 megahit Pancake Man, actor and filmmaker Dong Chengpeng (aka Da Peng) has directed this comedy drama about a young man from a small town in China, who stages a charity rock concert to save the town’s treasured ‘Rock Park’ from redevelopment by »
www.screendaily.com
Canne ads 245 x 335 output.pdf 1 11/5/2017 下午4:32
CANNES OFFICE : 3rd floor, 81 Rue Félix Faure (next to Cinema Les Arcades)
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
Down to Earth
K
JACKIE CHAN : DOWN TO EARTH 2017 / China / English, Mandarin
POST PRODUCTION
A BETTER TOMORROW 4 2017 / China / Mandarin
GENRE
DOCUMENTARY
GENRE
POLICE ACTION DRAMA
DIRECTOR
SUN LIN
DIRECTOR
DING SHENG
FEATURING
JACKIE CHAN JAMES CAMERON SYLVESTER STALLONE ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER BRETT RATNER
FEATURING
WANG KAI (RAILROAD TIGERS) RAY MA (ICE FANTASY) TALU WANG (OUR TIMES)
LIONEL RICHIE STANLEY TONG OWEN WILSON CHRIS TUCKER ANG LEE
An illuminating documentary that dissects five decades of martial-arts legend Jackie Chan’s signature brand of action comedies, as well as their impact on world cinema.
ANDREE SHAM, Director, International Sales andree.sham@sparklerollmedia.com +33 6 404 355 37
POST PRODUCTION
This reboot of the popular 1980s film series, started by John Woo, sees brothers Kai and Chao go head-to-head following the death of their father in a botched drugs deal.
WILL LIN, Director, International Sales will.lin@sparklerollmedia.com +33 6 403 308 51
HOT PROJECTS HONG KONG & CHINA
a corporate real-estate agent. Da Peng also stars along with Gulnazar and Qiao Shan. Produced by Enlight Pictures, the film is scheduled for release around China’s National Day holiday in October. Contact Leslie Chen, IM Global leslie_chen@imglobalfilm.com
Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings Dir Tsui Hark The third film in Huayi Brothers’ blockbuster Detective Dee franchise reunites the cast of the second instalment: Mark Zhao, Feng Shaofeng, Lin Gengxin and Carina Lau. The story follows Detective Dee as he battles a surreal crimewave at the same time as defending himself against accusations of wrongdoing from his most formidable opponent, Empress Wu. Currently in production, the film is being lined up for release over Chinese New Year 2018. Contact Leslie Chen, IM Global leslie_chen@imglobalfilm.com Heavyweight Assassin
production, the film is produced by Entertaining Power Co. Contact Grace Chan, Young Live Entertainment gcxfilm@gmail.com
The Invincible Dragon Dir Fruit Chan
The Dude’s Manual
The Dude’s Manual Dir Kevin Ko Produced by Taiwanese filmmaker Leste Chen (Battle Of Memories) and directed by Taiwan’s Kevin Ko (Invitation Only), this coming-of-age campus sex comedy stars a cast of hot newcomers, including Dong Zijian (De Lan), Elane Zhong (Bloom Of Youth) and Jessie Li (Port Of Call). Produced by Beijing Magilm Media, the film is currently in post-production for tentative release at the end of the year. Contact Clarence Tang, Golden Network Asia clarence@goldnetasia.com
Fraud Squad Dir Oxide Pang Currently in production, the latest suspense action film from Oxide Pang (Bangkok Dangerous) follows Chinese police attempting to hunt down a phone-fraud gang hiding out in Thailand. Shooting in China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan, the $12m film stars Cheney Chen (Tiny
36 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Invincible Dragon
Times series), Joseph Chang (Wild City), Gwei Lun Mei (Black Coal, Thin Ice) and Jiang Mengjie (Sword Master). Contact Mia Sin, Universe Films Distribution mia_sin@uih.com.hk
Guns And Kidneys Dir Zhang Meng Best known as the director of award-winning 2010 drama The Piano In A Factory, Zhang Meng’s latest project follows a small-time conman who invites a Hollywood studio to shoot a film in an old industrial town in order to earn some kickback money. The town appreciates (Left) Fraud Squad
his efforts, but a jealous partner threatens to reveal the real motivation behind his plan. Currently in production for release over the National Day holiday, the comedy drama stars Wang Qianyuan, Huang Jingyu and Ivy Chen. Contact Dian Song, Wanda Pictures diansong@wanda.com.cn
Heavyweight Assassin Dir Jeffrey Lau Veteran filmmaker Jeffrey Lau, best known for the iconic A Chinese Odyssey series, is directing this martial-arts adventure about a group of assassins attempting to track down a stash of hidden gold. Zhang Jin heads the cast, which also includes Ada Choi and Andy On, while behind-the-scenes talent includes art director Lau Man Hung (Call Of Heroes) and visual-effects director Cecil Cheng (Cold War). Currently in
Zhang Jin (Ip Man 3) and mixed martialarts star Anderson Silva star in Fruit Chan’s $12m action film about a detective on the trail of a serial killer who may have abducted his fiancée. Produced by Pegasus Motion Pictures, the film is in post-production after shooting in Hong Kong and Macau. The crew includes cinematographer Cheng Siu Keung (Election) and action director Stephen Tung Wei (Operation Mekong). Contact Alvina Wong, Pegasus Motion Pictures alvina.wong@ pegasusmovie.com
Ip Man Series: Cheung Tin Chi 3D Dir Yuen Woo-ping Currently in pre-production, this $28m spin-off of the successful Ip Man series follows the character played by Zhang Jin. He is laying low after being defeated by martial-arts master Ip Man, but manages to cross an influential female gangster and the foreign ‘big boss’ behind the local bar district. In addition to Zhang, the topflight kung-fu cast includes Dave Bautista, Michelle Yeoh and Tony Jaa. Contact Alvina Wong, Pegasus Motion Pictures alvina.wong@ pegasusmovie.com
www.screendaily.com
»
A FRESH STEAM BUN, A COLD SUSHI, THE TWO ARCH ENEMIES ARE FORCED TO GET TOGETHER AND SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF PREVENTING THE WORLD FROM OUT OF CONTROL.
C O M I N G
S O O N
Cannes Office: J.W. Marriott Hotel, Cannes #209 Contact: pear@yianimation.com \ tracylee@yianimation.com www.yianimation.com
HOT PROJECTS HONG KONG & CHINA
Legend Of The Demon Cat Dir Chen Kaige Based on a novel by Baku Yumemakura, Chen Kaige’s Tang Dynasty-set drama revolves around a Chinese monk and Japanese poet who join forces to investigate a demonic cat that appears to have possessed a general’s wife. A co-production between China’s New Classics Media and Japan’s Kadokawa, Legend Of The Demon Cat stars Huang Xuan, Zhang Yuqi and Japanese actor Shota Sometani. Currently in post-production, the film is being lined up for release at the end of the year. Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures is handling select territories. Contact May Yip, Emperor Motion Pictures mayyip@emperorgroup.com (select territories)
The Thousand Faces Of Dunjia
Our Time Will Come Dir Ann Hui
Manhunt
Manhunt Dir John Woo Chinese actor Zhang Hanyu and Japan’s Masaharu Fukuyama star in John Woo’s $50m action thriller Manhunt, which is in post-production after shooting in Japan. Produced by Chan Hing Kai and Gordon Chan, the film is based on a novel by Juko Nishimura about a lawyer who is framed for murder and sets out on a mission to clear his name. The book was first adapted into a popular 1976 Japanese film starring Ken Takakura. Contact Fred Tsui, Media Asia frederick_tsui@mediaasia.com
Monster Hunt 2 Dir Raman Hui The sequel to the 2015 blockbuster fantasy adventure, which grossed more than $400m worldwide, Monster Hunt 2 reunites the stars of the first instalment, Jing Boran and Bai Baihe, while Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (The Grandmaster) has also joined the cast. The story follows the baby monster king Wuba as he faces another threat from the dark lord who plots to overthrow the empire. Contact Julian Chiu, Edko Films chiujulian@edkofilms.com.hk
38 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Following her critically acclaimed biopic The Golden Era, Ann Hui is tackling another historical drama, this time following a group of plucky youths fighting for freedom during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Eddie Peng and Zhou Xun head the cast of the film, which Bona Film Group is lining up for release in July. Contact Virginia Leung, Distribution Workshop virginia@ distributionworkshop.com
Paradox Dir Wilson Yip Louis Koo, Wu Yue and Lam Ka Tung star in this action thriller about a Hong Kong cop who teams up with local police in Thailand to search for his missing daughter. Currently in post-production, the film is produced by Soi Cheang and Paco Wong and also features Tony Jaa in a special appearance. Sammo Hung is on board as action director. Contact Queenie Li, Bravos Pictures queenie.li@bravospictures.com
The Thousand Faces Of Dunjia Dir Yuen Woo-ping Tsui Hark and Nansun Shi are producing this martial-arts action fantasy directed by Yuen Woo-ping and starring Aarif Lee, Zhou Dongyu, Dong Chengpeng (aka Da Peng) and Ni Ni. Set during the Northern Song Dynasty, the story follows a band of
martial-arts warriors who secretly protect the human race from evil outer-space creatures. The film is in post-production for release around the end of the year. Contact Virginia Leung, Distribution Workshop virginia@ distributionworkshop.com
the $22m action title, which is currently in production, along with Chinese actresses Xu Jinglei and Yu Nan. Contact Christy Choi, One Cool Pictures christy@onecoolfilm.com
Triple Threat Dir Chad Stahelski Currently in production, this action thriller unites three of Asia’s hottest action stars: Thailand’s Tony Jaa, China’s Tiger Chen and Indonesia’s Iko Uwais (The Raid, The Raid 2). Chad Stahelski, whose credits include John Wick and its sequel, is directing from a script by Dwayne Smith about a Chinese martial artist who goes to Mexico on a mission to rescue his ex-wife. The film is produced by Beijing-based Kungfuman Culture Media and Hamilton Entertainment. Contact Elliot Tong, Arclight Films elliot@arclightfilms.com
The Trough Dir Nick Cheung Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung’s third film as director following Ghost Rituals and Keeper Of Darkness, The Trough follows an undercover cop who unveils collusion between the highest level of government and the triads. Cheung also stars in
(Left) Paradox
Warriors Of Future
Warriors Of Future Dir Ng Yuen-fai Louis Koo and Sean Lau star in this sci-fi action title set in the near future when the Earth’s atmosphere has been destroyed and a mysterious vine is running rampant, leaving genetic modification as the only hope for mankind. Currently in production, the $45m film is directed by visualeffects veteran Ng Yuen-fai (Bodyguards And Assassins), who runs One Cool Group’s VFX firm FatFace Production. Contact Christy Choi, One Cool Pictures christy@onecoolfilm.com
Wine War Dir Leon Lai The directorial debut of Hong Kong star Leon Lai tells the story of a renowned Chinese sommelier, residing in France, who is drawn into an age-old feud surrounding a bottle of vintage wine said to have a connection to Kublai Khan and Marco Polo. Lai also stars, along with Zhang Hanyu, in the action drama, which screens here in the market. Contact Fred Tsui, Media Asia s frederick_tsui@mediaasia.com ■
www.screendaily.com
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Gateway to China Tianjin Binhai Hi-tech Industrial Development Area (THT) and Tianying Media are positioning the northern city of Tianjin as the entry point for international producers looking to do business in China
A
s one of the largest cities in China, with a population of 15 million, Tianjin has long been a major financial, logistics and industrial hub and the country’s biggest port city. The city’s state-sponsored hightech park, the Tianjin Binhai Hi-tech Industrial Development Area (THT), is home to dozens of cutting-edge Chinese and international companies, and research institutes involved in green energy, IT and advanced manufacturing. The free-trade zone is also home to Cameron Pace Group China (CPGC), a joint venture established by James Cameron’s 3D production equipment company and state-owned Tianjin North Film Group (TNFG), the producer of 2011 animated movie Legend Of A Rabbit. TNFG also distributed Cameron’s documentary Deepsea Challenge 3D in China. Following the success of this joint venture, THT is now planning to reach out to other sectors of the film industry, including international producers, to collaborate in areas such as film-related technology and co-productions. Among other incentives, THT can offer equity investment and production resources for companies that are registered in the park. “Everyone knows that China is the world’s second-biggest film market, but they don’t know how to participate in this market,” says THT deputy director Wang Wei. “There are too many local regulations, tax problems and customs issues. That’s why we want to build a world-class industrial system for the Chinese film industry, so it’s easier for foreign companies to do business here.” Creating an industry At the same time, Wang hopes Chinese companies can learn from their foreign counterparts. “In China, we’ve tended to regard film production as art rather than industry, so need to learn from others to build the kind of industrial systems available in Hollywood.” Wang says THT is working with companies such as Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital and The Jim Henson Company on the technology front, and is also seeking to set up international co-productions with overseas producers. In the first phase, THT will be able to offer companies the benefits of a free-trade zone, including
40 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Tianjin is China’s biggest port city
‘We want to build a world-class industrial system for the Chinese film industry’ Wang Wei, THT
Cameron Pace Group China
‘Tianying is dedicated to co-operation with international film companies’ Wu Jian, Tianying Media
assistance with work visas and reduction of import taxes, while in the second phase it plans to offer a wider range of financial incentives. “We have some production and postproduction facilities, but we’re more focused on co-production than building huge studios,” explains Wang, adding that he is studying New Zealand as a model for subsidies and production incentives. “We are trying to build a policy system to support big films with budgets over $100m.
We’ll start with co-productions then move towards rebates for films that shoot or do post-production in Tianjin.” At a presentation in Cannes today, THT will also introduce Tianjin-based companies with which international producers can collaborate, including producer-distributor Tianying Media, post-production solutions company Magnet Stone Digital Technology and producer-financier Europe China Pictures Group (ECPG). Part-owned by TNFG, Tianying Media is a commercially driven production and distribution outfit with both government and private backers, which is investing in a slate of fantasy and animation features. “Tianying Media is dedicated to cooperation with international film companies and to exploring the global market for film production and distribution,” says Tianying Media CEO and former investment banker Wu Jian. “We have worked with Chinese finan-
cial institutions that are interested in investing in film but had concerns about risk, as there are no completion guarantee companies in China,” Wu continues. “The formation of Tianying Media solved this problem for TNFG. For example, Deepsea Challenge 3D had financial support from Bohai Securities, Ping An Bank and Bank of China, among others.” In Cannes, Tianying Media is announcing a slate of new productions including Lucky 5, a collaboration with Hong Kong martial-arts star Sammo Hung; fantasy thriller Demon Hunter, based on a hit Chinese audiobook; and animated feature Bobby & Husk from the creators of Legend Of A Rabbit. The company is seeking co-productions that it can support with funding and steer through the government approval process. Meanwhile, Magnet Cloud, which has built a high-end B2B digital production platform, is announcing in Cannes a collaboration with an Australian postproduction house. ECPG is already involved in co-productions with UK and Canadian partners, including Justin Chadwick’s The Lady And The Panda, which ECPG CEO Michelle Qi is producing with Laura Bickford. For further information Serena Wang, Tianying Media siyun_wang@sina.com CANNES EVENT
THT: New opportunities in the China market and co-productions with Tianjin Date May 19, 2pm–5pm Location Grand Hotel front lawn, Sunny Media Asia Pacific Centre Announcement programme 2pm-3pm Cocktail reception 3pm-5pm
www.screendaily.com
FRONTIÈRES INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTION MARKET: 9th EDITION July 20-23, 2017 - Fantasia International Film Festival, Montreal INDUSTRY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN AT FRONTIERESMARKET.COM We are pleased to announce a first wave of projects selected to participate in this year’s Frontières market:
GEORGE A.ROMERO PRESENTS ROAD OF THE DEAD DIRECTOR Matt Birman WRITERS George A. Romero, Matt Birman PRODUCERS George A. Romero (New Romero Productions),
Matt Manjourides, Justin Martell (Not the Funeral Home), Matt Birman (Pig Dreams) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Canada
HIGH DIVE DIRECTOR Ádám Császi WRITERS Ádám Császi, Iván Szabó PRODUCERS Titus Kreyenberg (unafilm), Samm Haillay (Third Films),
Adrás Muht (Focus fox) PRODUCTION COUNTRIES Germany/UK/Hungary
KICKING BLOOD DIRECTOR / WRITER Blaine Thurier PRODUCERS Leonard Farlinger, Jennifer Jonas (New Real Films) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Canada
NAMELESS DIRECTOR Yannick Muller WRITERS Yannick Muller, Nicolas Fleureau PRODUCERS Delphine Crozatier (Contrebande Productions),
Sylvain Goldberg, Serge de Poucques (Nexus Factory) PRODUCTION COUNTRIES France/Belgium
A NIGHTMARE WAKES DIRECTOR / WRITER Nora Unkel PRODUCERS Devin Shepherd, Nora Unkel (Wild Obscura Films) PRODUCTION COUNTRY USA
PROTECT US FROM OUR HUNGER DIRECTOR / WRITER Jacques Molitor PRODUCERS Gilles Chanial, Caroline Piras (Les Films Fauves) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Luxembourg
THE RESTORATION AT GRAYSON MANOR DIRECTOR Glenn McQuaid WRITERS Script by Clay McLeod Chapman, story by Glenn McQuaid PRODUCER Larry Fessenden (Glass Eye Pix) PRODUCTION COUNTRY USA
RESTORE POINT DIRECTOR Robert Hloz WRITERS Tomislav Cecka PRODUCER Jan Kallista (Film Kolektiv) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Czech Republic
THE STOLEN CHILD DIRECTOR / WRITER Sebastian McKinnon PRODUCERS Sebastian McKinnon (Five Knights Productions Inc),
Victoria Sanchez-Mandryk, Sandy Martinez (Just Believe Productions) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Canada
ZOO DIRECTOR / WRITER Antonio Tublén PRODUCER Alexander Brondsted (Pingpong Film) PRODUCTION COUNTRIES Sweden/Denmark
FRONTIÈRES is an international co-production market and networking platform specifically focused on genre film financing and co-production between Europe and North America. It is organised by the Fantasia International Film Festival, in partnership with the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, and co-funded by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the European Union.
JULY 13- AUGUST 2 2017
FRONTIÈRES PLATFORM IN CANNES For the First time, the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes and the Fantasia International Film Festival co-present the Frontières Platform in Cannes, a dedicated section of industry programming & networking events for the genre film industry at the Marché du Film. The key players of the genre film industry will be invited to attend the events designed to meet their needs and to foster networking among the participants. The Frontières Platform in Cannes will present a Proof of Concept Presentation
and a Buyers Showcase at the Goes to Cannes screenings. At the end of these two days, the Fantastic Fanatics Mixer will offer casual networking with a focus on genre. Entry to the Proof of Concept Presentation & Buyers Showcase with Marché du Film badge or printed ticket. Entry to the Fantastic Fanatics Mixer upon personal invitation only. For more information, please visit FRONTIERESMARKET.COM
PROOF OF CONCEPT PRESENTATION Saturday May 20 10am-12pm | Marché du Film – Palais K, Level 4 ANIMAS
EXTRA ORDINARY
ROOM SERVICE
DIRECTORS Laura Alvea, Jose Ortuño PRODUCER Olmo Figueredo González - Quevedo (La Claqueta)
Mike Ahern
DIRECTOR Elbert van Strien PRODUCERS Claudia Brandt, Elbert
DIRECTOR Yedidya Gorsetman PRODUCERS Matthew Smaglik,
PRODUCERS Katie Holly, Ailish Bracken (Blinder Films)
van Strien (Accento Films),Burny Bos (BosBros)
Josh Itzkowitz
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Spain/Belgium
Ireland/United Kingdom
Netherlands/Belgium/UK
DON'T COME AFTER ME
DIRECTORS Enda Loughman,
MARIONETTE
HAPPY FACE
DIRECTOR AJ Annila PRODUCERS Gudrun Giddings (G4C
DIRECTOR Alexandre Franchi PRODUCERS Alexandre Franchi
Innovation), AJ Annila, Patrick Ewald (Epic Pictures)
(Les Films de la Mancha), Stéphane Gérin Lajoie (Line and Content) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Canada
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Finland/Sweden/Ireland
MALEVOLENT
THE EXISTENCE OF LIBERTY WHITE
DIRECTOR Chris Cronin PRODUCERS Julie Baines (Dan
DIRECTOR Nick Parish PRODUCER Zack Winfield
Films), Jennifer Monks (Penciltrick Productions)
(Milkwood Film Productions) PRODUCTION COUNTRIES UK/USA
United Kingdom
PRODUCTION COUNTRY
ONCE UPON A TIME IN JERUSALEM DIRECTORS David Muñoz,
Adrian Cardona PRODUCERS Rafael Gonzalez Vallinas (Ek Degol Productions), Oriol Maymo (Corte y Confección de Películas S.L.L), Vincent Brançon & François Cognard (To Be Continued), Jan Doense + Herman Slagter (House of Netherhorror) PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Spain/France/Netherlands
PRODUCTION COUNTRY USA
SOME KIND OF MADNESS DIRECTOR Casey Walker PRODUCERS Casey Walker (Cave
Painting Pictures), Jonathan Bronfman (JoBro Productions) PRODUCTION COUNTRY Canada
WARG DIRECTOR Anders Banke PRODUCERS Magnus Paulsson
(Solid Entertainment AB), Paula Devonshire (Devonshire Productions), Helena Danielsson (Brain Academy) PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Sweden/Canada
FRONTIÈRES GOES TO CANNES | BUYERS SHOWCASE Sunday May 21, 4 - 6pm | Palais K - Level 4 LES AFFAMÉS / RAVENOUS
RADIUS / RADIUS
DIRECTOR Robin Aubert PRODUCER Stéphanie Morissette PRODUCTION COMPANY La Maison de Prod SALES AGENT Alma Cinema COUNTRY Canada
DIRECTORS Caroline Labrèche, Steeve Léonard PRODUCERS Anne-Marie Gélinas, Benoit Beaulieu, Jean Du Toit PRODUCTION COMPANY EMAfilms, Peripatetic Pictures SALES AGENT Epic Pictures COUNTRY Canada
Robin Aubert’s (ST. MARTYRS OF THE DAMNED) comeback to arthouse horror is a deeply committed, emotionally gripping and poetic take on the zombie genre.
An amnesiac man discovers than anyone who comes within a 50-foot radius of him dies instantly.
THE DARK / THE DARK DIRECTORS Justin P Lange, Klemens Hufnagl PRODUCERS Danny Krausz, Kurt Stocker, Florian Krügel, Andrew Nicholas
McCann Smith, Laura Perlmutter PRODUCTION COMPANY DOR Film, First Love Films COUNTRIES Austria/Canada The story of a murderous, flesh-eating, undead girl, haunting the remote stretch of woods where she was killed decades earlier, who finds her humanity after befriending a blind kidnapped boy.
SVART CIRKEL / BLACK CIRCLE DIRECTOR Adrian Garcia Bogliano PRODUCERS Andrea Quiroz, Bo Gramfors, Rickard Gramfors PRODUCTION COMPANIES Salto de Fe Films, Black Circle AB COUNTRIES Sweden/Finland/UK/US/Mexico
The lives of two sisters are dramatically altered upon the discovery of a hypnotizing vinyl record from the 1970s.
MEDIA PARTNER
Alamy
TERRITORY FOCUS CHINA
US president Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in the former’s Mar-aLago resort, Florida, April 2017
Uncharted territory The fast-blossoming romance between the Chinese and US film industries has cooled a little recently, with both countries’ governments in full protectionist mode. But both sides are expected to overcome political and economic obstacles to continue working together. Liz Shackleton reports
W
hen Chinese president Xi Jinping visited US president Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in early April, film industry executives on both sides of the Pacific were watching with bated breath. Thanks to the anti-China rhetoric espoused by Trump and figures in his administration, there was every reason to believe a misplaced word or gesture could derail the deepening relationship between the world’s two biggest film markets. Both sides were aware the fallout from that kind of political rupture could hit the US movie business hard. In recent years, Hollywood and the larger US independents have become increasingly dependent on Chinese financing, and China has become a key overseas market for the studios’ films. But that doesn’t sit easily with everyone. Last September, a group of US Congressmen called for closer
44 Screen International in Cannes May 19, 2017
‘While Xi’s government is concerned about capital leaving China, they may also be trying to protect Chinese companies’ Stephen Scharf, O’Melveny & Myers
scrutiny of Chinese investment in US entertainment assets, while others have noted China has not reciprocated by opening its own film production and distribution sectors to foreign investment. And yet it became clear at the beginning of this year that it’s not just the US that is acting like a disapproving parent towards the blossoming Sino-Holly-
wood romance. Starting late last year with the collapse of Anhui Xinke’s proposed $345m acquisition of Voltage Pictures, Chinese authorities appear to have stepped in and scuppered several high-profile US-China deals. Over the past few months, deals that have either been delayed or aborted — seemingly because of Chinese regulatory restrictions — include Wanda Group’s $1bn acquisition of Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Productions; Shanghai Film Group (SFG) and Huahua Media’s $1bn slate financing deal with Paramount Pictures; and LeEco’s $2bn acquisition of US smart TV maker Vizio. Capital concerns The reason most often cited for the slowdown in deals is the Chinese government’s concerns over the large volumes of capital that are leaving the
country and driving down the value of the yuan. In 2016, China’s outbound investment jumped 44% to reach $170bn, prompting the government to rein in cross-border activity across many sectors, with the potentially sensitive entertainment, media and sports industries an easy target. But some of the Chinese companies that had deals blocked already had substantial amounts of currency overseas, which suggests other factors are at play. “It’s about more than foreign exchange controls,” says Stephen Scharf of US law firm O’Melveny & Myers. “While the government is concerned about capital leaving China, they may also be trying to protect Chinese companies from making deals that just aren’t very good.” Indeed, some of the proposed deals didn’t appear to make much sense — especially those in which Chinese companies were overpaying or acquiring »
www.screendaily.com
- Moon and Thunder -
- GIRLS & PANZER The Final -
©2017「月と雷」製作委員会
2017 October/ Drama, Based on a novel Director: Hiroshi Ando Cast: Eriko Hatsune/ Kengo Kora/ Tamiyo Kusakari
- TORI GIRL -
©GPFP
- Is the Order a Rabbit?? -
©2017 TORI GIRL Film Partners
2017 September/ School comedy, Based on a novel Director: Tsutomu Hanabusa Cast: Tao Tsuchiya/ Shotaro Mamiya/ Mahiro Takasugi
©Koi・芳文社／ご注文は製作委員会ですか？？
Hakuhodo DY music & pictures Inc. Office at Cannes Marché du Film 2017: C-10/ Riviera Tokyo office: S-GATE AKASAKA, 6-2-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 JAPAN Phone: +81-3-6441-9696/ Fax: +81-3-6441-7965 E-mail: isales@hakuhodody-map.jp/ Website: http://showgate.jp/eng/
TERRITORY FOCUS CHINA
CHINA BOX OFFICE THE QUOTAS QUESTION
‘China needs to undertake massive economic reforms’ Tom Ara, Greenberg Traurig
The Fate Of The Furious
Is there hope for a new deal on the number of foreign films released in China and a restructuring of the existing profit-sharing arrangement? Liz Shackleton reports ith issues such as North Korea and Syria to discuss, it is unlikely Donald Trump and Xi Jinping tackled film import quotas during their meeting at Mar-a-Lago. But as the five-year US-China film agreement came up for renegotiation in February 2017, the US trade representative will be talking to Chinese regulators at some point this year — although it’s unlikely a new deal will be hammered out for several months. The agreement not only governs the number of US films allowed into China each year, but also the percentage of revenue that goes back to the foreign rights holders and the number and nature of Chinese companies that are allowed to distribute foreign films. The last agreement, signed in February 2012 by then-vice presidents Xi and Joe Biden, increased the number of revenue-sharing imports from 20 to 34, including 14 Imax or 3D films, while the foreign revenue share rose from 13% to 25%. It took lawyers three years to turn the agreement into a contract, which then had only two years left to run. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which represents the big six studios, would like to see further increases to the revenue-sharing quota and the revenue split, along with greater control over release dates and marketing activities. The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) is hoping the increase in revenuesharing quota will not lead to a reduction in non-revenue sharing imports, which its members’ films are usually allocated when they sell to China. IFTA also wants to hold China to a commitment made in the last agreement, which was never implemented, that private Chinese companies should be allowed to handle theatrical distribution of non-revenue sharing imports without the involvement of China Film Group (CFG).
W
46 Screen International in Cannes May 19, 2017
“The guidelines for licensing such private distribution ventures remain unclear,” says IFTA president Jean Prewitt. “CFG and its affiliates also retain exclusive control over various services that are part of the theatrical distribution process, including issuing digital keys to cinemas and boxoffice reporting, which are available from private vendors and for which CFG charges enormous sums.” Complicating negotiations could be the slowdown last year in China’s box-office growth to just 3.7% and the fact Trump’s nomination for US trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, has previously been a fierce China critic. In theory, the slowdown could encourage Chinese regulators to expand the revenue-sharing quota — in 2016, China unofficially allowed around 39 Hollywood films to enter the market in a bid to boost box office. But ironically, the success of this year’s crop of US studio films, including Kong: Skull Island ($169m) and The Fate Of The Furious ($375m), is returning the overall box office to rude health, which could make expansion of the revenue-sharing quota less pressing. It’s also unlikely officials will allow for a situation in which foreign films could gain more than a 51% market share. The Film Industry Promotion Law, which came into effect on March 1, states that the screening time for local movies must not be less than two thirds of the screening time for all films. Meanwhile, some local distributors and exhibitors are quietly lobbying for greater diversity among imported movies. “Increasing the number of tentpoles won’t make the studios much richer or the market much bigger, as most of the films that could work here already get in,” says one local executive. “What would help is more quota allocated to US indies, as well as films from Europe, Australia, Korea and Japan.” (Left) Kong: Skull Island
assets way outside their existing business activities — raising qualms these deals were driven more by the need to move capital offshore, boost stock market valuations or pursue a new stock market listing back in China than any genuine desire to enter the Hollywood movie business. The Chinese government certainly appears to harbour these suspicions. In March, China’s commerce minister Zhong Shan said officials would be clamping down on “blind and irrational investments”, while central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan said he was concerned some recent deals “didn’t bring much benefit to China and caused some complaints overseas”. As it turned out, Trump and Xi seemed to hit it off at Mar-a-Lago — presumably both world leaders had too much to lose to be antagonistic — and they had much bigger issues to discuss than Wanda’s acquisition of Hollywood baubles or the number of US films allowed into China each year. Holding pattern But while the US and China may not currently be at loggerheads, there is no reason to believe the Chinese government will loosen up restrictions on overseas investment any time soon. Tom Ara of law firm Greenberg Traurig explains the slowdown in deal flow is also linked, in part, to the fact China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has been given oversight of outbound investments, which is all part of Xi’s overhaul and streamlining of government agencies and consolidation of power. “Xi is streamlining the government because China needs to undertake massive economic reforms in the next few years to enable the economy to continue growing without taking on unsustainable levels of debt,” Ara explains. China’s debt reportedly rose to 277% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016, thanks to a debt-fuelled spending binge that helped prop up GDP growth to just under 7%, but which economists believe could lead to systemic crisis if allowed to continue. Ara believes there won’t be any loosening of outbound monetary restrictions until after the »
www.screendaily.com
MARKET SCREENINGS · TODAY, Friday 19th 1:30pm at PALAIS B · Tuesday 23rd 10:00am at GRAY 3
Come and have a laugh with Filmax's new comedies!
FILMAX INTERNATIONAL IN CANNES: RIVIERA A1
www.filmaxinternational.com filmaxint@filmax.com
TERRITORY FOCUS CHINA
‘Huayi Brothers will continue to extend its “going global” strategy’ James Wang, Huayi Brothers
The Adventurers
National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), scheduled for autumn 2017, an event that takes place once every five years and determines leadership transitions in the CCP. After that key event, at which Xi is expected to strengthen his grip over the Party, it may take a little longer to see how the relationship between the US and Chinese administrations shakes out. Yet Ara, who also serves as a trustee on the board of the Capitol Hill-based USAsia Institute and recently returned from taking a Congressional delegation to meet Chinese government ministries, agencies and state-owned enterprises, is optimistic about the relationship: “The first thing everyone talked about was what a great meeting Xi and Trump had,” he says. Whatever happens on a macroeconomic or political level, it’s unlikely the US and Chinese film industries will stop trying to do business with one another. Deals are still being negotiated and there is no shortage of Chinese companies interested in investing in the US film business. “While the [Chinese] government is giving these deals more careful scrutiny, they’re not being shut off entirely,” says Lindsay Conner of law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. “Chinese companies with a track record in entertainment will find it much easier to get deals through than companies who are investing in this area for the first time.” Scharf adds: “Deals in which the Chinese side is securing Chinese distribution rights, or there’s some synergy with or logical expansion of their exist-
48 Screen International May 19, 2017
ing business activities, seem to be easier to get done.” Conner also believes SFG and Huahua’s deal with Paramount may simply have been postponed, rather than aborted. Indeed, Paramount’s new chairman, Jim Gianopulos, was recently in Beijing, where it is understood he tried to resurrect the agreement. “People have written that deal off and I don’t think it should be,” says Conner. “It could be a case of intelligent business people hitting the pause button when the entire leadership of the studio has changed.” One factor that will keep both sides talking is the fact several existing deals appear to have proved that Chinese companies can be trustworthy partners. Whether or not they worked out financially for both sides, happy marriages are thought to include Huayi Brothers’ partnership with STX Entertainment, Perfect World’s slate financing deal with Universal and Bona Film Group’s deal with Chip Seelig’s TSG Entertainment and Fox. Wanda’s acquisition of AMC Entertainment is cited as a success story, and while its $3.5bn acquisition of Legendary Entertainment may not look quite so shrewd at present, all of Wanda’s deals are part of a much broader strategic plan. There are also deals that industry observers say may not have worked out financially, such as Hunan TV’s $375m financing pact with Lionsgate, due to the performance of the films they backed, although both sides fulfilled their obligations. Then there are a couple of highly publicised partnerships — including Studio 8 with Fosun International and Dick Cook Studios with CITIC Guoan — that
have not yet yielded many films, but are still technically in progress. “The truth is that these are challenging deals regardless of the nationality of companies involved,” says Conner. “No matter where you’re from, if you invest in films that are less successful, the results are the same. There’s nothing cultural about that.” Meanwhile, Chinese studios that have been active internationally, including Wanda, Huayi Brothers and Bona Film Group, have all gone on record to say they are keen to continue working with foreign partners. “Huayi Brothers has been following and will continue to extend its ‘going global’ strategy by working with international film professionals and simultaneously representing Chinese film culture to the world,” says Huayi Brothers Media Corp CEO James Wang, speaking exclusively to Screen International. China’s objectives But Wang echoes wider industry sentiments when he describes China as “the most important market for Huayi Brothers” and explains the end goal of global partnerships is to strengthen the domestic Chinese industry. China’s film industry is still young and, despite the country’s rapid box-office growth, is not bulletproof. In 2016, several companies, including Huayi Brothers, saw a big drop in profits because of a slowdown in box office and the vicious battle among online ticketing sites to secure market share. Some deeppocketed recent entrants, including Alibaba and Tencent, appear to be pulling back from domestic production to focus on investing in other people’s films. Moving forward, it’s likely both the old
guard and newer players, such as the tech giants, will be looking for deals that somehow benefit Chinese domestic infrastructure, content creation and film-related technology. “Apart from investment returns, Huayi Brothers wishes to learn, integrate and grow with our foreign partners,” says Wang. “We want to learn about well-developed entertainment systems and successful business models in the West.” Ara believes that rather than Chinese companies investing offshore into Hollywood, there are likely to be more deals along the lines of China Media Capital (CMC)’s joint venture with Warner Bros, Flagship Entertainment, and recently forged partnership with CAA. “There will be opportunities, not for money coming into Hollywood necessarily, but for money coming into Hollywood-type opportunities on a local level in China — joint ventures or other partnerships that focus on developing the China media market,” Ara says. Most of CMC’s investments so far have focused on Chinese-language production or the development of local infrastructure. Beijing-based Flagship Entertainment is producing a slate of Chinese- and English-language films for global markets, including Jon Turteltaub’s shark thriller Meg and Stephen Fung’s The Adventurers. Under its partnership with CAA, CMC has made a “minority strategic investment” in the US agency and is expanding its 12-year-old operations in Beijing. Perhaps the biggest challenge for Western companies hoping to work with China is that there are still not that many cash-rich companies with entertainment experience — and the ones the Chinese government is comfortable about unleashing overseas already have multiple US partners. But there are too many reasons for the US and Chinese film industries to work together for either side to give up. “China still needs the US to build out its industry and wants us to film there, whether at Qingdao or studios in Beijing,” says Ara. “The pause button on outbound investments has been hit for a variety of political reasons, but the situation should become clearer in the s coming months.” ■
www.screendaily.com
BIFF_245x335_Screen.pdf 1 2017. 5. 11. 오후 5:15
BIFF breaks the mold be-
tween documentaries and
The hub of Asian cinema, Busan International Film Festival
animations, commercial and independent films,
BIFF BIFF BIFF BIFF digital and analog films, and
goes beyond to play a role in helping Korean and Asian
films equally grow successfully.
Also, it hopes to bridge the gap and break the walls b -etween central and remote countries, advanced and de-
Asian Film Academy, Asian Cinema Fund, Asian Film Market,etc.
are strategic moves to achieve its goal.
veloping countries, in Asia and other continents,
and help Asian films stand in the
center of the film world.
BIFF will persistently strive for new visions to become the festival of constant awakening, of continuous transformation, of unyielding fundamentals,
and more
importantly,
of new cultural paradigm.
Unlock Dreams Celebrating 10 years of the Dubai Film Connection.
DFC 2017 submissions now open. Visit us at the UAE Pavilion Village International Riviera 136
dubaifilmfest.com
dubaifilmfestival
dubaifilm
# diff17
PROFILES BY Martin Blaney, Melanie Goodfellow, Tom Grater, Jeremy Kay, Geoffrey Macnab, Wendy Mitchell, Gabriele Niola, Jean Noh, Silvia Wong
SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Screen selects and profiles the rising stars who are already making an impact on the film sales landscape
I
“
love the global vision you get of the film industry,” says Martin Gondre of France’s Indie Sales. His words are echoed by the 38 rising stars of sales and acquisitions profiled in Screen International’s annual Future Leaders special. Our writers have selected the executives beginning to make an impact in their businesses and a name for themselves at international markets.
All our Future Leaders say they are invigorated by the dynamic transformation the sales and acquisitions business is undergoing. “It’s fast, frenetic and competitive — a bit like a game of blackjack,” says Altitude Films’ Ellie Gibbons of working in acquisitions. These Future Leaders relish the 360-degree perspective of the business given to them by
www.screendaily.com
working in sales and acquisitions. Becoming involved with projects at an early stage gives them a real ownership of and passion for the films and filmmakers. “Nurture the talent early, establish relationships with the filmmakers and try to do more for them than just sell the film,” says International Film Festival of Rotterdam’s Inge de Leeuw, now making a name for herself at Stray Dogs. What jumps off the page when reading about these whipsmart executives is their passion and dedication to the film industry. In their hands, the future looks bright.
Louise Tutt, contributing editor MEET THE LEADERS
May 19, 2017 Screen International at Cannes 51
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Hunter Gatherer and this year’s Sundance US Documentary Grand Jury Prize winner Dina. Alvarez says her present boss, Danielle DiGiacomo, is her biggest mentor. “More than anything, she impresses the importance of developing your own opinion and taste onto her team and learning how to speak to it.”
Maite Alvarez Manager of acquisitions, The Orchard (US) malvarez@theorchard.com
gallery in Toronto was not going to cut it. She joined Mongrel Media in 2013 and segued into sales when Charlotte Mickie joined the company a year later. “I have incredible colleagues at Mongrel and I’m constantly learning from them,” says Chateauneuf. “Charlotte taught me to always seek out creative solutions in moments of crisis and Andrew Frank, our vice president of sales and acquisitions and my former boss, taught me the value of diligence in all aspects of my work.” She has been involved in bringing in Joshua Z Weinstein’s Menashe, Eliza Hittman’s Beach Rats and Thomas Riedelsheimer’s Leaning Into The Wind: Andy Goldsworthy. “I’ve learned to never be complacent. This industry is constantly evolving and we as sales agents need to anticipate what’s next to bring the right kinds of films to our clients.”
■ Studied at Northwestern University, majoring in
communications and religion ■ Theatre actress for several years in New York ■ Joined WME Global as an assistant in the global film and
■
financing group in 2014 Joined The Orchard as co-ordinator in acquisitions and was promoted to manager in 2015
It was as an assistant to the global film and financing team at WME Global that Alvarez knew she wanted to become an advocate for films she loved. “There is a responsibility for companies with theatrical releases built into their business model to be more selective and support those films and filmmakers that they feel deserve a traditional release,” Alvarez says. “The Orchard seemed like a natural fit.” Firm in the belief buyers should “go beyond giving [audiences] only what they think they want to see”, she championed Pablo Larrain’s 2016 Directors’ Fortnight selection Neruda, as well as Joshua Locy’s
Chantal Chateauneuf Sales executive, Mongrel International (Can) chantal@mongrelmedia.com ■ Studied art history at McGill University ■ Joined Mongrel Media as home entertainment sales
co-ordinator in 2013 ■ Progressed to Mongrel International as international sales
co-ordinator in 2014 ■ Promoted to international sales executive; won the
Cinando Best Seller Award (ex aequo) at the Marché du Film in 2016
Chateauneuf may have developed her aesthetic sensibilities at Montreal’s McGill University but she soon realised working in sales at a commercial
Anne Cherel Head of international sales for current movies, Studiocanal (Fr) anne.cherel@studiocanal.com ■ Studied law in Paris followed by a masters in management
at EMLYON Business School ■ Interned at Studiocanal UK in 2008, when it was still
Optimum Releasing
Ed Caffrey
■ Moved back to Paris to join Studiocanal’s international
Head of acquisitions, Vertigo Releasing (UK) ed.caffrey@vertigofilms.com
sales team in 2011
■ Head of sales and acquisitions at Journeyman Pictures
from 2011-14 ■ Joined Vertigo in 2014 as acquisitions manager;
promoted to head of acquisitions in May 2016
Working at a nimble company like Vertigo suits Caffrey. “The aim is always very high and there’s never a fear of trying something new, which is an exciting atmosphere to work in,” he says. He knows there is a challenge for all distributors because of “the shift of a big part of our audience to watching films online, the increased quality of TV and the challenges posed to local distribution by global deals. But all of these bring opportunities that we’re trying to make the most of.” Vertigo is evolving to partner on films at an earlier stage, co-producing and executive producing more, and “looking at projects on a cross-territory
basis”, Caffrey explains. One of his most recent favourite acquisitions was Taika Waititi’s Hunt For The Wilderpeople. “When we picked it up, a lot of people were slightly worried about where it fit in the market as it’s ostensibly a small indie comedy, but also has the feel of a family film,” he says. “We managed to hit both demographics and the film has just run and run.”
“I love that we get to follow films from A to Z, reading scripts when they don’t even have cast or directors attached,” says Cherel. “We get to see projects greenlit, launch the sales and then have the satisfaction of seeing them play in theatres all over the world.” The French exec arrives in Cannes as the freshly appointed head of international sales for current movies at Studiocanal. In career terms, she has grown up at Studiocanal, receiving her first taste of the business during an internship at Optimum Releasing (as Studiocanal UK was then known) in 2008. “I did a bit of everything, from working on the releases to liaising with the international sales team in Paris. It gave me a wider, more international outlook than if I’d stayed in France,” she says. After a stint in the licensing department of parent company Canal Plus, Cherel secured a sales position at Studiocanal in 2011, and has been working her way up ever since, reporting first to Harold van Lier and then successor Anna Marsh, both of whom she describes as important mentors.
» 52 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Christy Choi Distribution director, One Cool Pictures (HK) christy@onecoolfilm.com ■ Worked in video distribution at Modern Audio in 2002 ■ Started in film distribution with Raymond Wong’s
Mandarin Films in 2005 ■ Joined Bona Film Group’s Distribution Workshop
in 2009; promoted to senior distribution manager in 2011 ■ Appointed distribution director of One Cool Film Production’s new sales arm, One Cool Pictures, in 2016
Choi began her sales career when Virginia Leung asked her to join Mandarin Films, and she was there to witness the huge box-office success of Ip Man, starring Donnie Yen. “All the distributors were so happy with the results,” says Choi. She went on to work with veterans Nansun Shi and Jeffrey Chan at Distribution Workshop and was closely involved with titles such as The Sorcerer And The White Snake, starring Jet Li, Tsui Hark’s Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate and The Taking Of Tiger Mountain, as well as Dante Lam’s
MMA action drama Unbeatable, starring Nick Cheung and Eddie Peng. Although the international market is getting tougher, Choi is buoyed by the challenge of setting up the sales arm for One Cool, a company putting a great deal of emphasis on production. With a slate of six projects in production and in post, plus more than 10 projects in preproduction, One Cool is one of the most active producers in Hong Kong. Key titles are $45m sci-fi actioner Warriors Of Future,, starring Louis Koo and Sean Lau, and $22m crime action Taste Of Crime,, directed by and starring Nick Cheung.
ing there’s no better way to get to know my buyers or the country they’re buying for than making a trip to the heart of the action.” Chettle is excited to come to Cannes as HanWay has four diverse titles in the festival: A Prayer Before Dawn, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, How To Talk To Girls At Parties and Blade Of The Immortal. “It’s going to be the busiest Cannes since I’ve been at the company, but they’re the sorts of films you don’t mind being exhausted for.”
Mike Dougherty Anna Chettle Senior sales manager, HanWay Films (UK) ac@hanwayfilms.com
Acquisitions and distribution executive, Radiant Films International (US) mike@radiant-films.com ■ ■ ■
Studied at Pennsylvania State University Joined Hyde Park Entertainment in 2008 Moved to Radiant Films International in 2013
■ Joined HanWay in September 2012 as assistant to the
managing director ■ Promoted to sales co-ordinator then sales manager;
promoted to senior sales manager in December 2016
Chettle loves the international aspect of her job. “I’m half English and half Hong Kong-Chinese and I immediately felt like that part of my background was of value in our company culture,” she says. “Our office is often abuzz with different languages, stories of families back home and trips taken.” Her areas of expertise are expanding. “Since our new managing director Gabrielle Stewart joined in October 2016, I’ve taken on more territories and more responsibility. I’m enjoying getting to know my distributors from Japan, Middle East, CIS, Israel and for airlines. I’m travelling to more festivals and find-
Dougherty has seen enough to know it makes no sense to throw one’s weight behind average content at a time of broad audience choice. “We need to be laser-focused on material that is unique and bold, that will attract high-level talent but also work for our distributors around the world,” he says. Dougherty puts that into practice at Radiant Films International, where he has played a key role in identifying Hands o m e D e v il , The Changeo-
ver and Rita Hayworth With A Hand Grenade, among others. As a creative executive at Hyde Park Entertainment, Dougherty met head of sales Mimi Steinbauer and says they “got along famously”. When she left to set up her new venture, he was not far behind. He describes Steinbauer as a “whip-smart industry player who has been incredibly generous with her knowledge and time. She’s helped shape the way I look for material that’s both artistically satisfying and viable for the marketplace”.
Diane Ferrandez Head of international sales, Wide Management (Fr) df@widemanagement.com ■ Studied international business and law, then media
and communications ■ Interned at Films Distribution, Celluloid Dreams and SND
before landing a sales job at Wide Management in 2016 ■ Worked as an assistant to Cohen Media Group’s John
Kochman and Daniel Battsek during Cannes 2015; read scripts for Cinetic Media in New York
“It’s about getting the best visibility possible for the films,” says Ferrandez of the role she has held as head of international sales at Loic Magneron’s Parisbased indie sales stalwart Wide Management since July 2016. She was promoted to the position shortly after her arrival in March last year. Ferrandez credits Paul Newman’s 1972 adaptation of the Pulitzer-winning play The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-In-TheMoon Marigolds for switching her onto sales. “I saw it once and wanted to watch it again but it wasn’t available anywhere,” she says. “I ended up researching the whole distribution chain and that’s how I came across film sales.” Ferrandez was on a masters in international business and law at the time and about to embark on training for the Bar. Instead, she enrolled for a masters in media and communication at ESCP Europe Business School and set about gaining experience with some of France’s top film companies. Of other work experience, she notes, “My time with John Kochman and Daniel Battsek [at Cohen Media Group] was valuable. I got to see the business from the buyers’ side; it’s a different rhythm.”
» 54 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
C
M
Y
M
Y
Y
MY
K
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Ellie Gibbons
Seeing Harvey Weinstein’s way of working has inspired him to have an “unwavering drive and enthusiasm for the business”. Working closely with TWC UK’s Negeen Yazdi, president, international production and acquisitions, and former colleague Robert Walak, now at Focus, has taught him “the importance of cultivating close relationships across the board with talent, producers and agents, as well as getting across projects at the earliest stage possible”. One recent project he is very proud to have worked on is Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, which has been selected for Cannes. He describes it as “an intelligent, rich and powerful adult drama; the kind of film we always need more of in theatres”.
Acquisitions and development manager, Altitude Distribution (UK) elliegibbons@altitudefilment.com ■ Worked at Independent Talent Group from 2011-12 ■ Joined Altitude in September 2012 as assistant to Will
Clarke and Andy Mayson; started doing acquisitions in mid-2013. Promoted to her current position in 2016
Gibbons loves the excitement of working in acquisitions. “It’s fast, frenetic and competitive — a bit like a game of blackjack.” And working at Altitude since its inception has also been exciting. “I started as a general assistant and there were five of us in a tiny office. I now run acquisitions and there are 22 of us.” She enjoys working at a company where every employee is encouraged to be vocal. “Altitude truly is a community, an in-built mentality born directly from being a start-up,” she says. “We’ve all left our mark on its DNA.” Gibbons knows an Altitude film has to be the best of the best. “I see the current distribution climate as a quality checker and an effective filter. Audiences today are demanding, intelligent and spoilt for modes of viewing. There’s no space for middling films in theatrical.” Altitude’s recent slate has been particularly fulfilling for her to work on. She points to “Moonlight’s Oscar moment, to sold out Q&A screenings for I Am Not Your Negro, to releasing the feminist period film Lady Macbeth” as highlights.
James Gold Acquisitions and productions executive, film and TV, The Weinstein Company (UK) james.gold@weinsteinco.com ■ Studied law at BPP University in London ■ Joined The Weinstein Company’s UK office in
November 2010 as an intern. Hired as acquisitions assistant in early 2011. Promoted to his present role in January 2015
Working across film and TV at The Weinstein Company (TWC), Gold enjoys the “fluidity” his role allows. “TWC has an environment that places a lot of trust in you and encourages you to get out there and be autonomous,” he says. “It’s very motivating and a n e t h i c t h a t I fe e l has really helped me to thrive.”
Zach Glueck Director of international sales and distribution, Bloom Media (US) zglueck@bloom-media.com ■ Studied English literature at Ohio State University ■ Worked at Shoreline as head of servicing ■ Joined Lionsgate International in 2012; promoted
to manager in 2014 ■ Moved to Bloom Media in late 2014
It was 2012 and Glueck was living in Las Vegas when he got the call to interview for an assistant role at Lionsgate International. Securing the job, he rose to manager, overseeing sales on more than 20 titles such as Twilight, The Hunger Games and Now You See Me. In 2014 he landed at Bloom, where as director of international sales and distribution he has embraced the company ethos of focusing on distinctive material and worked on Suburbicon, The Nice Guys and Hostiles. He credits Bloom chief Alex Walton and former Bloom senior vice president of international sales
Gabrielle Stewart as his formative influences (Stewart is now managing director of HanWay Films). “Gabrielle taught me early on to focus on being myself in negotiations,” he says. “Alex taught me that no matter what happens on a deal, conducting yourself with honesty and integrity determines your longevity in the industry.”
Martin Gondre Sales and festivals, Indie Sales (Fr) mgondre@indiesales.eu ■ Lived in Wuhan, China, for a year as part of his studies ■ Interned at production house Fidélité Films and Memento
Films International
“What I like about sales, beyond the negotiation, is accompanying an auteur and creating a space for them in the market in which they can develop, all the while keeping an eye on the economic viability of their work,” says Gondre. “I also love the global vision you get of the film industry, which goes beyond France and Europe.” Prior to pursuing his ambition to work in the film industry, Gondre gained a degree in law and Chinese, spending a year in Wuhan, central China, followed by a masters in Chinese civilisation and culture with a cinema component. Initially he wanted to go into production — he interned at Paris-based production powerhouse Fidélité Films — but mentor Thomas Pibarot, head of acquisitions at Le Pacte, suggested Gondre’s passion for cinema, travel and cultural exchange would make him well suited to international sales. Gondre secured an internship at Memento Film International, attending Cannes with the company in 2013. Since arriving at Indie Sales in January 2014, Gondre has put his knowledge of China to good use, securing several China deals. He also works on festivals, marketing and arthouse acquisitions. His longterm goal — endorsed by Indie Sales co-founder Nicolas Eschbach — is to create a sister label to focus on the development and international distribution of new auteurs.
» 58 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
George Hamilton International sales manager, Protagonist Pictures (UK) george@protagonistpictures.com ■ Creative director at VCL from 2011-13, working on
digital online content for major international brands including Mini Cooper ■ Founded production company Sentinel Films in 2007 to make narrative shorts ■ Joined Protagonist Pictures in 2013 as sales assistant; promoted to current post in 2016
Gabor Greiner Head of acquisitions, Films Boutique (Ger) gabor@filmsboutique.com ■ Earned a masters of business administration and
masters of advanced studies: cultural management ■ After working at the MEDIA Programme in Brussels,
Greiner started working in the sales industry at The Match Factory in 2009 ■ Joined Films Boutique in 2010 as acquisitions executive
The fast-paced world of sales really suits Greiner. “I love that I can watch films and read scripts and talk about cinema 24 hours a day, seven days a week and I never get bored,” he says. He is especially busy in Cannes this year with Valeska Grisebach’s Western in Un Certain Regard and Marcela Said’s Los Perros and Fellipe Barbosa’s Gabriel And The Mountain in Critics’ Week. Films Boutique is also handling a hot crop of upcoming films from some of his favourite auteurs: Ciro Guerra, Ildiko Enyedi, Lav Diaz and Alexander Sokurov. Those filmmakers inspire him to remember that “life without cinema would be a rather unspectacular endeavour”. And the one key lesson he has learned in the film business? “Not to take things for sure or too seriously. Including myself.”
Tassilo Hallbauer Sales and acquisitions executive, Beta Cinema (Ger) tassilo.hallbauer@betacinema.com ■ Studied mechanical engineering and business
administration in Berlin and Rome ■ Attended the atelier/masterclass for film production and distribution in Ludwigsburg and Paris ■ Founded Colorstorm Films in Berlin in 2008, producing more than 30 documentaries, video clips, image films and commercials ■ Joined Beta Cinema in 2011. Responsible for acquiring such films as Oh Boy, Aferim! and Child’s Pose
Hallbauer did not intend to work in sales, believing he would prefer a career as a film producer. But he has never
Hamilton believes sales is the most fascinating side of the industry. “Seeing a film travel on the way from the earliest stages, through to production and then distribution is a fascinating vantage point. The industry is changing so much year to year as established norms are evolving at high speed and being at the coalface of these changes is thrilling. In sales you truly get a 360-degree industry view.” He is proud Protagonist is a company that concentrates on both the creative and commercial sides of a film’s journey. “We place the quality of the material and talented filmmakers at the fore-
front of our strategy, but always grounded by a savvy commercial mindset. This approach allows us to work on exciting, ever bigger and more commercial projects with established filmmakers and cast but also to continue to collaborate with and champion the best of emerging talent.” Two of his favourite recent films to work on have been “the hilarious and in your face, bloodsplattered” Free Fire and “an emotional, raw and touching debut” God’s Own Country.
regretted answering a job advert for a sales and acquisition executive almost six years ago. “I have the freedom to do exactly what I loved about producing,” he says. “Finding and developing interesting projects, watching them take shape and then getting them out into the world.” Hallbauer describes the industry as going through “turbulent but exciting times” with the advent of players such as Netflix and Amazon, and is optimistic about the future for sales agents. “Even though it’s hard to see where we will be in 10 years, one thing is for sure — the ways of delivery may change but people all over the world will always want to consume culture, art and entertainment,” he says. “Sales agents are a very flexible breed so I don’t worry too much about our existence.”
Mirva Huusko Sales executive, TV and digital sales, Nonstop Entertainment (Swe) mirva.huusko@nonstopentertainment.com ■ Master of arts from the department of cinema
studies at Stockholm University ■ Studied project management, language
studies and art history; participant in Locarno’s Industry Academy ■ Joined Nonstop Television in 2011; moved to Nonstop Entertainment in 2013
Finland-born, Sweden-based Huusko was working at Nonstop’s TV company when sister film distribution outfit
Nonstop Entertainment had an opening four years ago. “It was a company I had secretly admired,” she says. “I really like our mix of critically acclaimed festival winners such as The Handmaiden, thoughtprovoking documentaries like City Of Ghosts, classics and some genre goodies.” Working specifically with TV and digital sales, it has been “fascinating to see how quickly things can change in terms of consumption patterns, platforms and content available, and competition”, she says. Huusko relishes working at a smaller independent company where the whole team can pitch in and learn. “It’s a fun path to be part of, the initial aspect of discovering the film and then creating the film’s path for the audience to discover: through cinemas, video on demand and broadcasters.” She adds: “I find it exciting to work with experimental release strategies like day-and-date releases, as we recently did with Todd Solondz’s Wiener-Dog.”
» 60 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Lindsay Jensen Manager of acquisitions, Films We Like (Can) lindsay@filmswelike.com Took a BA and MA in cinema studies from the University of Toronto ■ Joined Sphinx Productions as research and production co-ordinator in 2014 ■ Moved into acquisitions at Films We Like in 2016 ■
Jensen started in production and soon realised it was not for her. “Kudos for those who can do it but I prefer to deal with the finished product,” she says. She got a job at Toronto-based Films We Like where president and filmmaker Ron Mann “treats the films we distribute with an enormous amount of respect and understanding. It’s very important to remember the films we release are the product of many people’s dreams and hard work.” Jensen brought Mia Hansen-Love’s Eden to the
company and was thrilled when Films We Like acquired the director’s last film Things To Come. “It is crucial to get the right film to the right audience, but the mindset has to be spot on,” she says. “Expect to be surprised by the films you like or don’t like, by the ones that connect or don’t connect with audiences, by the ones that are nominated for or overlooked by awards.”
Jun has worked on The Family Fang, among others, and is now focusing on Ophelia starring Daisy Ridley and Naomi Watts. He says it is imperative to keep smiling. “The landscape will continue to shift, so we as the independent film ambassadors to the rest of the world have to pay more attention to local tastes and preferences.”
Paul Jun Manager, international distribution and marketing, Covert Media (US) pjun@covert-media.com ■ Studied psychology at the University of California, San Diego ■ Received MBA from California State University, Fullerton ■ Joined QED International in 2013 ■ Joined Covert Media in 2015
Jun received his break in the industry working as an intern at QED International under his mentor John Friedberg, who now serves as president of international at STX Entertainment. “He showed me the type of drive that it takes to be successful in international sales,” Jun says. The young executive learned a lot working on Brad Pitt vehicle Fury, where he analysed P&A budgets, helped develop marketing campaigns, and tracked box office and participations. When the opportunity arose to join former QED International and Annapurna Pictures COO Paul Hanson at his new company Covert Media, Jun could not resist.
Cate Kane Head of acquisitions, Curzon Artificial Eye (UK) cate.kane@curzon.com ■ Worked as agent co-ordinator, Casarotto Ramsay
& Associates, 2010-11 ■ Joined BBC Films in 2008 as commercial assistant,
PA to managing director Jane Wright ■ Took a job at Curzon Artificial Eye in July 2011 as
acquisitions co-ordinator; promoted to head of acquisitions in January 2017
“We love cinema, every one of us, and while we may not hold the same opinions, our office is in constant discus-
sion about film,” says Kane of Curzon Artificial Eye. “When you all feel passionate about what you do and why you’re doing it, it makes a huge difference. Nobody in our team calls a film ‘product’ and this makes me very happy.” Kane has been fortunate to have been mentored by a trio of impressive women throughout her career: Jenne Casarotto, Jane Wright and now Artificial Eye’s Louisa Dent. “I wouldn’t be in my position if Louisa hadn’t shown such faith in me and been such an open book,” she says. “I spend more time with her than anyone else for most of the year and it wouldn’t work if we didn’t have a shorthand between us. She’s very collaborative.” Kane’s favourite recent acquisitions include Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson’s Anomalisa, Ruben Ostlund’s Force Majeure, Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty and Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years. “We genuinely love the films we distribute and pride ourselves on the filmmakers in the Artificial Eye family. I’m expected to constantly chase the best films available, which is a nice problem to have. I also love Cannes, even if it does contribute massively to my grey hairs.”
Moritz kleine Bornhorst Licensing and business affairs co-ordinator, Picture Tree International (Ger) moritz@picturetree-international.com ■ Graduated with BA in media management and MA in
brands, communication and culture from universities in Hanover and London ■ Sales and marketing executive, T Films, Luxembourg from 2013-14 ■ Became junior media planner at Pilot Berlin in 2014 ■ Joined Picture Tree International as sales executive in November 2014; licensing and business affairs co-ordinator since December 2016
Kleine Bornhorst’s passion for the film industry was triggered when he worked as an intern for the Monaco-based sales outfit Daro Film Distribution in 2010. “I was fascinated by the internationality and vast range of different people I encountered,” he says. “They all had one thing in common — their love for film. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in international film distribution. “It is very important to keep your eyes open for every aspect affecting the industry and acquire knowledge about the entertainment technology sector to fully grasp how content, technology and the viewer interconnect,” he adds. For kleine Bornhorst, changing viewing habits mean “international distribution is not only about finding the right product but also about becoming more creative and developing individual distribution strategies for every single project in order to stand out in this fiercely competitive marketplace”.
» 62 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Derek Lui President of sales, LevelK (Den) derek@levelk.dk ■ Worked as an actor in Los Angeles before moving back
to Hong Kong to work in acquisitions at UA Cinemas’ CineHub from 2012-15 ■ Joined LevelK as sales manager in August 2015 (opening LevelK’s Hong Kong office). Promoted to senior sales manager in August 2016 and then to president of sales in October 2016
Lui had a wealth of diverse experience before moving into sales with the launch of Danish company LevelK’s Hong Kong office in 2015. “I was a film buyer before I became a seller, so I’m constantly trying to think from the perspective of both sides,” he says. “The exciting part for me has always been confirming a deal that can bridge the gap between differences of expectations from the producers and the film distributors.” Honest communication is key in those discussions and deals. “Trying to reach an agreement that everybody feels fair and happy about is tough sometimes when everyone perceives the potential of a film differently. That’s why communication is really important.”
Danny Lee Director of international business, Contents Panda (S Kor) dannylee@its-new.co.kr ■ Studied telecommunications, information studies and
media at Michigan State University ■ Joined Taewon Entertainment’s international business
team in 2007 ■ Joined Opus Pictures/United Pictures (UP) as acquisitions
Some of the projects Lui has been closely involved with recently include Jan Hrebejk’s Slovak-Czech drama The Teacher and Aslaug Holm’s Norwegian documentary Brothers. “We used all kinds of ways to approach potential buyers to make them shine,” he says. On LevelK’s current slate, Hong Kong-based Lui is excited about Christian Tafdrup’s A Horrible Woman “with a keen observation on gender politics”, the “heartbreakingly moving” While We Live by Mehdi Avaz, and the thriller Rabbit by Luke Shanahan.
executive in 2010. Relaunched UP’s sales team in 2013 ■ In 2015, launched Next Entertainment World’s (NEW)
international business and ancillary rights division Contents Panda
Lee started out at Taewon Entertainment in late 2007, buying films such as The Golden Compass, dealing with sales agents for Taewon’s in-house productions such as Eye For An Eye and handling international business on the company’s ChinaKorea co-production Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon. “When I was a buyer, I handled everything on a film from contract to local release, and learned the work of a sales agent shouldn’t end at the signing of the contract and the payment of the minimum guarantee. You have to support the film through to a successful release,” says Lee. After joining Opus Pictures and its distribution outfit United Pictures in 2013, Lee says, “I learned how to think like a producer from CEO Lee Tae Hun and how to be more thoughtful about creators when handling their films.” At the international arm of investor/distributor NEW’s Contents Panda, which he helped launch in 2015, Lee takes special pains to communicate and share release information and materials with his buyers. Local hit zombie thriller Train To Busan clocked up $54m at the international box office. “I’m thinking, ‘This is my film,’ when I help our buyers,” he says. Lee handled Lucid Dream, which was the first South Korean film to do a worldwide pre-sales deal with Netflix. He also sold Pandora to the online platform, and is handling The Villainess, premiering in Cannes’ Midnight Screenings, just as Train To Busan did last year.
64 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
Inge de Leeuw Acquisition manager, Stray Dogs (Fr) inge@stray-dogs.com Took an MA in film and television studies at the University of Utrecht and a BA in cultural studies at Erasmus University, Rotterdam ■ Joined Paris-based Stray Dogs in early 2016 and has picked up such titles as Thirst Street, Psycho Raman and Jayne Mansfield documentary Mansfield 66/67 ■ Also a film programmer at International Film Festival Rotterdam, curating several major projects including Changing Channels and Out of Fashion ■
“In Rotterdam, when I was studying, I was a volunteer in the video library of the festival,” says De Leeuw of the origins of her film career. “When I fin-
ished my studies, I got a job co-ordinating this video library. I started working in the programming department, did some special projects and then I started programming.” De Leeuw branched into sales following a meeting with Nathan Fischer, the founder of Stray Dogs, at Tribeca Film Festival in 2015 just after he had launched the company. De Leeuw started working with him just before Berlin in 2016. “We take all the acquisitions decisions together,” she says. “The most useful lesson I’ve learned is that it is good to follow talent from an early stage and not to be arrogant about the smaller films. Nurture the talent early, establish relationships with the filmmakers and try to do more for them than just sell the film. We’re looking for films for a younger audience, films with a cult potential… and directors with edge and energy.” De Leeuw believes the biggest challenge in the sales business right now is the sheer number of sales companies. “There are so many sales agents. There is a polarisation between the really big films and the smaller, more difficult films. We do smaller sales, but a lot of them.”
Gaetano Maiorino Festival and sales manager, True Colors (It) gaetano@truecolors.it ■ Studied distribution and sales at Anica ■ Joined Adriana Chiesa Enterprises as a sales assistant and
technical co-ordinator in 2011
www.screendaily.com
■ Moved to work as head of distribution at Canana, Mexico ■ Worked as head of international sales at the Mexican Film
Institute Imcine in 2014 ■ Joined the Mexico City office of Mundial in 2017
■ Worked in the Industry Office of Toronto International Film
Festival in 2013 ■ Returned to Italy to work as festival and sales co-ordinator at True Colors. Promoted to festival and sales manager earlier this year
Two years’ experience at the renowned Rome-based outfit Adriana Chiesa Enterprises gave Maiorino a good grounding in the international sales business. “It was there, with [head of international sales] Rossella Gori, that I learned everything I needed to start in this business,” says Maiorino. “Now at True Colors I’m still learning, working closely with [head of sales] Catia Rossi.” At Adriana Chiesa, Maiorino worked on Andrea Segre’s Shun Li And The Poet. “That was a movie I followed from acquisition to sales and festivals,” he says. At True Colors, he has most recently worked on Edoardo de Angelis’ Indivisible. His role combines festivals and sales. Being involved from the earliest stages is crucial for Maiorino. “What I’ve learned is that you have to be transparent and reliable with your business partners. It’s the only way to build strong relationships.”
Marquez Moreno has one supreme love in this industry. “In all my jobs, the sole constant has been the passion to promote Latin American films.” Early in her career, Marquez Moreno left Mexico for Spain where she first studied and then worked in sales for Latido Films. She returned to Mexico and converted an interview with head of distribution Cristina Garza at Canana (the company established by Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz) into a job offer. “The next day I was working with her. We’ve been inseparable ever since,” says Marquez Moreno. Almost. She spent three years as head of international sales at the national film institute Imcine, where she learned the value of teamwork under directorgeneral Jorge Sanchez. Earlier this year she reunited with Garza at IM Global’s Latino division Mundial, and has already licensed North American rights on Tormentero to FilmRise and negotiated a deal for Mundial to represent the Brazilian documentary and recent SXSW award-winner Divine Divas. Marquez Moreno is excited by TV, VR and emerging formats, but adds: “Cinema is not going anywhere.”
Anne-Sophie Martel (Fr) International sales manager, Gaumont annesophie.martel@gaumont.com ■ Qualified as a lawyer, specialising in intellectual property ■ Interned at Studiocanal as part of her studies ■ Joined the business affairs department at Gaumont and
“It’s about building long-term relationships and making sure a film is in good hands,” says Martel of her take on the international sales business. She first worked in business affairs at Gaumont, working closely with then sales chief Cécile Gaget (who now also oversees international production) and her team, tying up contracts on deals done at markets such as Cannes, AFM or Berlin’s EFM. “It gave me an excellent understanding of the financing and details of these deals but after a while I started to get frustrated by the lack of human contact with the buyers,” says Martel. “I told this to Cécile who took my comments on board and offered me a junior role. I’m lucky she believed in me. It’s not easy to cross over from business affairs into sales in that way.” Martel’s territories have steadily expanded to include most of eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, apart from Japan, Israel, Portugal and Greece.
moved into sales at the company two years ago
Bianca Obermaier Manager, acquisitions and co-productions, Weltkino Filmverleih (Ger) bobermaier@weltkino.de ■ Began her career as an intern at Kinowelt
Filmproduktion in 2007 before joining the company as acquisitions manager ■ Moved to Weltkino Filmverleih to work as an acquisitions consultant ■ Joined Capelight Pictures as a junior PR, working also in TV sales ■ Returned to Weltkino Filmverleih as manager of acquisitions and co-productions in April 2011
Sofia Marquez Moreno Sales manager, Mundial (Mex) sofia_marquez@mundialsales.com ■ Earned a masters in film business at the University of
Carlos III de Madrid
When Obermaier worked as an intern at Munichbased Kinowelt, head of acquisitions Daniel Guckau inspired her to focus on this sector. “He taught me to always trust your initial gut feeling and stick to it,” she says. “That you can do this job and keep your calm and humour even during the most stressful moments. And that it’s a people business, first and foremost.” During her stint at Capelight Pictures, Obermaier worked closely on
the theatrical releases of films including Hardcore, The Duff and The Babadook, with social mediadriven marketing campaigns. Obermaier’s new role at Weltkino sees her becoming involved in the company’s move into co-productions. “I’m looking forward to the process of seeing a project through from beginning to end. A welcome change after so many years of the fast-paced acquisitions world.”
■ Joined Latido Films in Spain as sales assistant in 2010
» www.screendaily.com
May 19, 2017 Screen International at Cannes 65
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Francesco Polimanti Head of acquisitions, Leone Film Group (It) fpo@leonefilmgroup.com Graduated from the University of Miami in 2013 with a degree in economics and business administration ■ Joined the marketing department at the Leone Film Group in 2013 ■ Promoted to vice president of international acquisitions at the company in 2014 ■ Became head of acquisitions and board member in 2015 ■
Brian Mates Worldwide sales manager, The Exchange (US) bmates@theexchange.ws ■ Began career as intern at WME in 2013 ■ Graduated from Chapman University, California, in 2014 ■ Worked at Paradigm in 2014
As the nephew of Sergio Leone, Polimanti regards the film industry as the family business. “I’ve worked in movie production since I was 21,” he says. “I’ve covered all bases.” Working closely with his mother Raffaella and his uncle Andrea Leone, he learned everything from them and now is head of acquisition for the family’s Leone Film Group. “This is the most complete part of the business,” he says. “You need to understand the possible box
office of a movie and always be up to date when buying a film 12 months in advance of its release.” Polimanti has recently secured the Italian rights to George Clooney’s Suburbicon, starring Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac and Matt Damon. “To bid for a movie with such a cast is a chance you don’t often get to exploit,” he says. He has also picked up The Current War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
■ Joined The Exchange in 2015
“Hard work gets noticed,” says Mates. “Even when you’re at the point at which results are the most important thing, as is the case with sales, hard work still gets noticed internally and externally.” Mates worked at Paradigm and interned at Film Rites, Muse Productions, the Chicago Board of Trade — in the S&P 500 options pit — and WME. He believes his job at The Exchange has taught him the most. Three months after starting as an assistant for founder Brian O’Shea in 2015, Mates was in the sales team and recently struck pre-sales on family film Patrick, including a deal with China. “I learned how to handle things from a big-picture perspective and how to handle stressful situations with a level head from Brian,” he says. Now Mates is bringing those lessons to bear on an industry where consumers have become more selective. “I think the best way to thrive moving forward is to create strong content with an original voice.”
Isabelle Hyejin Park Acquisitions and marketing director, theatre management department, Atnine Film (S Kor) isabelle@at9film.com ■ Studied English literature at Kyunghee University, Seoul ■ From 2007-09, worked on Jeonju International Film
Festival’s programming team (which executive produced annual omnibuses) and handled industry programmes ■ In 2009, worked at Busan International Film Festival as manager of Pusan Project Plan (now Asian Project Market) ■ Worked at Mirovision as sales team manager, 2009-13 ■ Moved to distributor and theatre owner Atnine Film in 2013
Park believes her festival and sales background helps her to be more innovative in her role at Atnine Film and its cinema arm Artnine. “Bidding wars for Korean rights are fierce these days, inflating prices.
But I know what it’s like to be a seller. The asking price isn’t always the most important thing when you have trust and can make better proposals,” says Park. She has overseen the marketing and release of Atnine’s eclectic slate, which has recently included documentaries The Act Of Killing and The Look Of Silence, Belgian comedy The Brand New Testament, Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 and the films of Xavier Dolan. “For The Brand New Testament, we made a deal with Le Pacte where the minimum guarantee wasn’t too high, but we’d provide box-office bumpers — a bonus if we got over 30,000 admissions and another if over 50,000,” she says. “It turned into a successful case of profit-sharing. We ended up paying both bonuses and overage when we got 97,000 admissions, which for an art film is a success.” Working closely and regularly with TrustNordisk, Park played a role in helping to get South Korean actor Yoo Ji-tae cast in von Trier’s upcoming The House That Jack Built, to which Atnine has rights. “New opportunities present themselves when you have solid relationships,” she says.
Emmanuel Pisarra International sales manager, Doc & Film (Fr) e.pisarra@docandfilm.com ■ Studied political science, then public affairs with a focus
on cultural sector at the Paris Institute of Political Studies ■ Discovered sales after working as a volunteer at
Unifrance’s French Film Festival in Japan ■ Gained sales experience interning at TF1 studio during
campaign for Serial (Bad) Wedding
“The job of sales agent combines everything I’m interested in — film, international relations, negotiation and business,” says Pisarra. After a stint as an intern at TF1, working with the sales team on the French hit comedy Serial (Bad) Weddings, which sold to more than 80 territories, Pisarra joined Doc & Film in 2015. He focused initially on the new digital rights markets before being promoted to international sales manager. For Pisarra, the company’s co-founding chief Daniela Elstner is an inspiration for the way she gets behind films she believes in, he says.
» 66 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
3333_Film London_Ad_295x220_Outlined_AW.indd 1
11/04/2017 10:11
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
Highlights of Pisarra’s time at the company include working on Gianfranco Rosi’s refugee documentary Fire At Sea at the Berlinale in 2016. The film went on to win the Golden Bear. “It was incredibly exciting to see the buzz build and then the distributors turn up, all of them passionate,” says Pisarra. “We ended up closing 60 territories and I personally did deals on China, Mexico and Japan. It was an extraordinary experience for a first Berlin.”
trained his sights on acquisitions at MGM and brought that focus to Gravitas Ventures, where he has been involved in festival buys on the likes of Two Pigeons at SXSW, and God’s Own County at Sundance. Influenced by senior buyers including Sam Wollman at MGM and Gary Garfinkel at Showtime, Spector tries to adhere to the following mantra: “Be flexible, be creative, don’t overplay your hand and never burn a bridge.” As new distribution platforms proliferate and industry disruptors affect the value chain, remaining calm and trying to tap into consumer appetites are paramount. “The key is to embrace the change and evolve with it, rather than try to fight it.”
■ Teamed with Greek producers Giorgos Karnavas and
Konstantinos Kontovrakis of Heretic Productions to launch sales division Heretic Outreach
Athens-born Stais heads up sales and acquisitions at Greek company Heretic Outreach, which she launched with Heretic Productions’ Giorgos Karnavas and Konstantinos Kontovrakis in 2014. It focuses on representing titles from south-east Europe, and titles to date include Ralitza Petrova’s Godless, which won a host of awards on the festival circuit including Locarno’s Golden Leopard in 2016. Stais says her proudest achievement to date is setting up Heretic Outreach as a small, dynamic company in the face of Greece’s ongoing financial crisis. “There is nothing more fulfilling than starting something from scratch, committing to it and watching it grow,” she says. The company is beginning to expand its activities by boarding films at earlier stages and casting its net further afield. For Stais, her burgeoning reputation in the international film community is a key focus. “You only have one name and the film industry world is a rather small place; your reputation is worth gold.”
Josh Spector Director of acquisitions, Gravitas Ventures (US) josh@gravitasventures.com ■ Graduated with degree in fine arts in film and television
from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts ■ From 2011-13 served as executive assistant at eOne ■ Started at MGM in 2013 and became manager
of acquisitions
Ioanna Stais Head of sales and acquisitions, Heretic Productions (Gre) ionna@heretic.gr
■ Joined Gravitas Ventures in 2017 ■ Studied for an MA in cultural management at the
Spector believes he is lucky to have learned from wise heads at a time of dynamic change in the industry. As an assistant at Crystal Sky, he sat in on AFM meetings, while his work for eOne sales executives exposed him to the international markets. Spector
Mia Sin Assistant distribution manager, Universe Films Distribution (HK) mia_sin@uih.com.hk ■ Started at Universe Films Distribution as
distribution executive in 2009 ■ Promoted to assistant distribution manager in 2017
Sin fell in love with movies at university when she would watch three or four a day, every day, in her final year. She says her manager at Universe Films, Alice Leung (who has since moved onto iQiyi.com), taught her everything she
Sorbonne ■ Worked in Cannes’ accreditation department for two years ■ Joined French sales outfit Wide Management to head up
the Eye on Films label, which focuses on first-time filmmakers
knows as an international sales executive. “I’ve learned how to close deals and deliver deals in various circumstances. She’s my anchor and most importantly, she taught me the right attitude to handle our work,” Sin says. As she deals with clients from all over the world, Sin believes it is essential to create a relationship built on mutual trust. Some of the more recent high-profile projects she has handled include Out Of Inferno, The White Storm, Little Big Master and Call Of Heroes. In Cannes, her main titles are Herman Yau’s Shock Wave, starring Andy Lau, and Oxide Pang’s new suspense action Fraud Squad, starring Cheney Chen, Joseph Chang and Gwei Lun Mei.
Isabelle Stewart Director, acquisitions and production, Focus Features (UK) isabelle.stewart@focusfeatures.com ■ Served as acquisitions manager at Studiocanal from
2008-11 ■ Joined Universal Pictures International Productions in
2011 as international production manager. Promoted to director, acquisitions and production, in July 2015 ■ Named director, acquisitions and production at Focus Features in February 2016
When Stewart first saw Julia Ducournau’s Raw at Cannes this time last year, she was not one of those who (reportedly) fainted in the aisles. “It was a reinvigorating jolt. The filmmaking is so confident and singular,” she says. “We loved it and had to have it. I’m delighted to work at the kind of company that is willing to take those risks.”
» 68 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
FUTURE LEADERS SALES AND ACQUISITIONS
After working at parent company Universal, she moved to Focus after its reboot in 2016. “Focus really embraces diversity,” she says. “There is a passion for great stories at all scales told by innovative filmmakers and we cast the net far and wide to find them.” She adds: “I love how varied my role is, which is reflected in the range of people I speak to every day. I have been fortunate to develop strong relationships with European producers and talent through the studio’s local acquisitions business and following Focus’s relaunch, I have the opportunity to work with international talent on a bigger, global platform.” At Cannes 2017, she is working on Sergio Castellitto’s Un Certain Regard title Fortunata, about a single mother who wants to open a hair salon. “We totally fell for the lead character,” she says.
Anna Strunevskaya Head of sales and international relations, Art Pictures Studio (Rus) strunevskaya@art-pictures.ru
Gaetan Trigot International sales, Celluloid Dreams (Fr) gaetan@celluloid-dreams.com Ran a short film festival as a business student Gained experience with Pathé International and Wild Bunch before being hired by Celluloid Dreams ■ Worked on sales campaign for sell-out title The Eagle Huntress ■ ■
“It’s all about sharing,” says Trigot of his approach to sales. “Buyers share their tastes with you, make you discover little local gems. It’s kind of a mining industry. The market is tough but it makes it very special when a distributor decides to promote an arthouse film in his own territory and takes the risk to defend his taste.” Since joining Celluloid Dreams, Trigot has worked on the feature documentary The Eagle Huntress, about a young Mongolian girl’s quest to become her nomadic tribe’s first female hunting champion. “It was my first experience of a film that ‘sold out’ in the market,” he says. Working for Celluloid founder Hengameh Panahi is truly inspirational for Trigot. “I’m a fan of the so-called new French extremism of the
Bryce Tsao Director of international distribution, iQiyi.com (China) bryce@qiyi.com
■ Worked as the co-ordinator of marketing, distribution and
sales department at Bazelevs from 2010-14 ■ Joined Central Partnership as assistant of executive vice
president from 2014-15 ■ Became head of sales and international relations at Art Pictures Studio in 2015
Strunevskaya says she could not have had a better start to her career than her stints at Timur Bekmambetov’s dynamic outfit Bazelevs, and then Central Partnership. “Not only did I learn how to negotiate with international partners, but I also gained some solid strategy and research skills,” Strunevskaya says of her time at the latter. “It was quite a risk for [Art Pictures’ owners Fedor Bondarchuk and Dmitriy Rudovskiy] to hire a young sales girl with little experience. And frankly, it was a big challenge for me as well. I had to do my best to live up to their expectations.” Most recently, she has worked on Bondarchuk’s sci-fi epic Attraction, which has been sold to 74 countries. She sees monetising feature films in a time of abundant content as one of the major challenges facing sales. “Sales departments have to be more strategic than they have ever been,” she says. “We need to be able to adapt quickly and navigate ways that work best for each film individually.”
70 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
■ Joined Taipei Film Commission as co-ordinator in 2013
and worked on two high-profile foreign shoots, Lucy and Silence ■ Moved into international sales and acquisitions at Double Edge Entertainment in 2015 ■ Relocated to Beijing for iQiyi.com in 2016
turn of the 21st century. When I arrived at Celluloid Dreams, I discovered that many of its directors such as Francois Ozon, Bertrand Bonello and Gaspar Noé had been launched by Hengameh,” he says. “She always supports the best possible films, works with the authors to make them known and permanently innovates ways to sell films.”
“As English content continues to rule the global entertainment business, it is no easy feat for Chinese content to break boundaries,” says Tsao. “Unlike Hollywood studios that localise their products for the Chinese market, Chinese filmmakers tend to internationalise their producs tion and distribution models.” ■
When he was with Taipei Film Commission, Tsao feels he was fortunate to work on two particularly high-profile foreign productions that chose Taiwan as a filming location. “It was an eyeopening experience to work with such renowned directors and their teams,” says Tsao of his work on Luc Besson’s Lucy and Martin Scorsese’s Silence while at the commission. His move last year to iQiyi brought Tsao into the huge Chinese market. As China’s largest VoD platform, iQiyi’s diverse portfolios enable him to handle not only films, but also drama series, animations and variety shows. Major upcoming iQiyi-produced titles include web series Burning Ice, produced by renowned filmmaker Han Sanping, feature My Town and animated series Totem Warriors.
www.screendaily.com
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Region of surprises In a country bursting with spectacular locations, Film Madrid turns the spotlight on Spain’s capital and smooths the way for incoming film and TV productions
S
pain is booming as a location for local and international productions, thanks to its generous tax incentives and stunningly diverse landscapes and urban vistas. Film Madrid, or the Region of Madrid Filming Promotion Office, opened its doors at the beginning of 2016 to ensure a first-class shooting experience and attract further productions to the Spanish capital and surrounding area. The organisation’s purpose is to draw international attention to the highly qualified technicians based in the region and put producers in touch with local talent. “Part of our job is to highlight the muscle of the Spanish industry,” says Samuel Castro, co-ordinator of Film Madrid. In January 2015, Spain launched a 15% tax rebate on local costs for film and TV producers spending at least $1.1m in the country. A year later Film Madrid opened its doors to welcome the growing interest in the region.
Strong track record In the 12 months, Film Madrid has lent its expertise to a wealth of homegrown and foreign production shoots, including 12 features. There have been 38 shoots in total, including TV series, short films, and publicity and photo shoots. In addition to Fernando Trueba’s high-profile The Queen Of Spain, starring Penélope Cruz, Film Madrid has worked on Victor Moreno’s The Hidden City, an inventive combination of sci-fi and documentary that takes in Madrid’s sewers and underground tunnels. It won the Eurimages Lab Project Award at Les Arcs European Film Festival last December and is now shooting in Madrid. Further feature shoots include Pablo Berger’s Abracadabra and Dome Karukoski’s Sweden-Denmark-Germany co-production Tom Of Finland. The second series of Netflix’s Cable Girls, which is set in 1920s Madrid and stars Blanca Suárez, will shoot later this year. Also lined up are a slew of Movistar projects, including The Zone, a postnuclear apocalypse-noir directed by Alberto and Jorge Sánchez-Cabezudo, and starring Eduard Fernández and Emma Suárez; and Gigantes, directed by Enrique Urbizu. They are both part of the drive by Movistar Plus to increase its production of locally made TV drama with
72 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
On the set of The Queen Of Spain
The Sala Canal Isabel II watertank is among the city’s many distinctive, visually striking locations
‘Part of our job is to highlight the muscle of the Spanish industry’ Samuel Castro, Film Madrid
high production values in the face of increasing competition from Netflix, HBO and Amazon. Production services companies headquartered in Madrid with experience of international productions include Babieka Films, which worked with director Terry George on The Promise, starring Christian Bale; and José Luis
Puerta del Sol square
Escolar’s Calle Cruzada, which has been involved with productions including Still Star-Crossed, The Night Manager and Megan Leavey. Spectacular sites Highlighting the region’s blockbuster locations is also a big part of Film Madrid’s remit. They include natural landscapes such as Manzanares Park and the Old Penitentiary in Bustarviejo, a preserved historical site. Both were used by Trueba in the The Queen Of Spain. There are also spectacular buildings such as the Manzanares el Real castle, Circulo de Bellas Artes and the Hospital
de Jornaleros in the city of Madrid, modernist gems all designed by Antonio Palacios. There are also myriad buildings well-suited to period films, including the 17th-century house where playwright Lope de Vega lived and worked, right in Madrid’s historical centre. There are no fees to shoot in any of these locales. As a city and well-established tourist hub, Madrid brings plenty of added value, including a sophisticated travel and services network, and a huge array of accommodation and restaurants. For further information 8 www.madrid.org/filmmadrid
www.screendaily.com
CANNES SCREENINGS
Tuesday, May 23rd 11:30am | Gray 2
Wednesday, May 24th 11:30am | Palais D
SCREENING TOMORROW Saturday, May 20th 11:30am | Gray 4
Come visit us in Cannes - LERINS M-8 For Sales Inquiries, contact: Jack Campbell, President Tamara Nagahiro, Vice President Jack@OctaneEnt.com Tamara@OctaneEnt.com
www.octaneent.com
+1-818-508-6601
SCREENINGS Edited by Paul Lindsell
JURY GRID, PAGE 112
paullindsell@gmail.com » Screening times and venues are correct at the time of going to press but subject to alteration
Nicole Coffineau. Fourteen-year-old J goes by the pronoun ‘They’ and lives with ‘their’ parents in the suburbs of Chicago. J is exploring their gender identity while taking hormone blockers to postpone puberty. After two years of medication and therapy, J has to make a decision whether or not to transition. Over a crucial weekend while their parents are away, J’s sister Lauren and her maybe/ maybe-not Iranian partner Araz arrive to take care of ‘They’.
FESTIVAL
AND PRESS
08:30 LOS PERROS
(France) 94mins. Dir: Marcela Said. Cast: Antonia Zegers, Alfredo Castro. Mariana is 42 years old, a member of the Chilean upper class that takes privilege for granted. Scorned by her father and neglected by her husband, Mariana still has the means to occupy her days with fertility treatments, running an art gallery and learning to ride a horse. Her riding instructor, Juan, is 20 years her senior, a former cavalry officer known as The Colonel who is under investigation for human rights abuses committed decades before. When Mariana embarks on an affair with her enigmatic teacher, she’s directly confronted with the outrages of the dictatorship for the first time and her increasing interest threatens to tear down the invisible walls protecting her family from the past.
Out of Competition Bazin Press
13:30 YOL — THE FULL VERSION
FESTIVAL & PRESS 08:30 OKJA
(South Korea) 118mins. Dir: Bong Joon Ho. Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, An Seo Hyun, Byun Heebong, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Yoon Je Moon, Shirley Henderson, Daniel Henshall,
Devon Bostick. Meet Mija, a young girl who risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend — a massive animal named Okja. Competition Lumiere Ticket required, press & Debussy
See box, above
SICILIAN GHOST STORY
(Italy) 122mins. Dir: Fabio Grassadonia, Antonio Piazza. Cast: Julia Jedlikowska, Gaetano Fernandez, Corinne Musallari. In a little Sicilian village on the edge of a forest, Giuseppe, a boy of 13, vanishes. Luna, his classmate who loves him, refuses to accept his mysterious disappearance. She rebels against the silence and complicity that surrounds her, and to find him she descends into the dark world that has swallowed him up and which has a lake as its mysterious entrance. Only their indestructible
(France) 100mins. Dir: Agnes Varda Jr. Cast: Agnes Varda Jr. Documentary about two artists travelling around France and the relationship that grows between them. Out of Competition Bazin Press
KORHINTA
Critics’ Week Miramar
OKJA
FACES PLACES (VISAGES VILLAGES)
love will be able to bring her back alive. Critics’ Week Bunuel
08:45 LOVER FOR A DAY
(France) 76mins. Dir: Philippe Garrel. Cast: Esther Garrel. Studies relationships in contemporary Paris. Directors’ Fortnight Theatre Croisette
10:00 LOVELESS
(Russia) 128mins. Dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev. Cast: Aleksei Serebryakov, Elena Lyadova. After ‘Leviathan’, Andrey Zvyagintsev once again depicts a brutal and pitiless humanity — fragile, broken — in this uncompromising portrait of the struggles of a
74 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
loveless family. Competition Salle Du 60Eme
11:00 A MAN OF INTEGRITY
(Iran) 117mins. Dir: Mohammad Rasoulof. Cast: Reza Akhlaghirad, Soudabeh Beizaee, Nasim Adabi. Having distanced himself from urban life years ago, Reza turned to goldfish breeding. Somewhere deep in the countryside, his breeding farm provides him with a way of life. But the farm’s administration has recently met a series of difficulties, so he tries to circumvent them while avoiding falling into the trap of a corrupt nexus of human relations. Un Certain Regard Debussy Press
(Hungary) 90mins. Dir: Zoltan Fabri. Cast: Mari Torocsik, Soos Imre. A romance set in 1950s Hungary: can love overcome traditional parental reservations? Cannes Classics Bunuel
11:30 A CIAMBRA
(Italy) 120mins. Dir: Jonas Carpignano. Cast: Pio Amato, Koudous Seihon, Iolanda Amato, Damiano Amato. In ‘A Ciambra’, a small Romani community in Calabria, Pio Amato is desperate to grow up fast. At 14, he drinks, smokes and is one of the few to easily slide between the region’s factions — the local Italians, the African refugees and his fellow
Romani. Pio follows his older brother Cosimo everywhere, learning the necessary skills for life on the streets of their hometown. When Cosimo disappears and things start to go wrong, Pio sets out to prove he’s ready to step into his big brother’s shoes but soon finds himself faced with an impossible decision that will show if he is truly ready to become a man. Directors’ Fortnight Theatre Croisette
12:00 JUPITER’S MOON
(Hungary) 123mins. Dir: Kornel Mundruczo. Cast: Merab Ninidze, Gyorgy Cserhalmi, Zsombor Jeger, Moni Balsai. A young illegal immigrant becomes a slave to his power to fly in a world where miracles are trafficked for small change. A cautionary thriller about disillusionment and faith. Competition Lumiere Ticket required
13:15
(Turkey) 113mins. Dir: Yilmaz Guney, Serif Goren. Cast: Halil Ergun, Serif Sezer. A portrait of Turkey in the aftermath of the 1980 Turkish coup d’etat. Cannes Classics Bunuel
14:00 BEAUTY AND THE DOGS
(Tunisia) 100mins. Dir: Kaouther Ben Hania. Cast: Ghanem Zrelli, Mariam Al Ferjani. During a student party, Mariam, a young Tunisian woman, meets the mysterious Youssef and leaves with him. A long night will begin, during which she’ll have to fight for her rights and her dignity. But how can justice be done when it lies on the side of the tormentors? Un Certain Regard Debussy Press
JUPITER’S MOON
(Hungary) 123mins. Dir: Kornel Mundruczo. Cast: Merab Ninidze, Gyorgy Cserhalmi, Zsombor Jeger, Moni Balsai. Competition Salle Du 60Eme
14:45
THEY
BARBARA
(US) 80mins. Dir: Anahita Ghazvinizadeh. Cast: Rhys Fehrenbacher, Koohyar Hosseini,
(France) 94mins. Dir: Mathieu Amalric. Cast: Jeanne Balibar, Mathieu Amalric. www.screendaily.com
»
Screen_Summit_Friday19.indd 1
12/5/17 14:37
SØRFOND SUPPORTS FILMS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
SCREENINGS
DEADLINE FOR PRODUCTION SUPPORT MARCH 2018 DEADLINE FOR PITCHING FORUM SEPTEMBER 1 ST 2017
SØRFOND CONGRATULATES
KAOUTHER BEN HANIA ON BEING SELECTED FOR
UN CERTAIN REGARD AND
GUSTAVO RONDÓN C Ó R D OVA FOR
SEMAINE DE LA CRITIQUE WE ARE PROUD CONTRIBUTORS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON BOARD!
FESTIVAL & PRESS
An actress, Brigitte, is playing Barbara in a film that soon begins shooting. Brigitte works on her character: her voice, the songs and scores, the imitation of her gestures, her knitting, the lines to learn. Things move along. The character grows inside her. Invades her, even… Yves, the director, is also working — via encounters, archival footage, the music. He seems inhabited and inspired by her… but by whom? The actress or Barbara? Un Certain Regard Bazin
15:00 LET THE SUNSHINE IN
Beauty and the Dogs, Kaouther Ben Hania
(France) 95mins. Dir: Claire Denis. Cast: Juliette Binoche, Xavier Beauvois, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Josiane Balasko, Philippe Katerine, Gerard Depardieu, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Isabelle, a Parisian artist, divorced with one child, is looking for love — true love — at last.
VISIT THE SCANDINAVIAN TERRACE, 55 LA CROISETTE, NORWEGIAN FILM INSTITUTE
W W W. S O R F O N D. C O M
76 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
THE WAGES OF FEAR
17:00 WESTERN
(Germany) 119mins. Dir: Valeska Grisebach. Cast: Meinhard Neumann, Reinhardt Wetrek. A group of German workers set off to a construction site in the border region between Bulgaria and Greece. This foreign land and its breathtaking landscape
awaken the men’s sense of adventure, but they are also confronted with their own prejudice and mistrust due to the language barrier and cultural differences. The stage is quickly set for a showdown when the men begin to compete for recognition and favour from the local villagers.
(France) 151mins. Dir: Henri-Georges Clouzot. Cast: Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folco Lulli. When an oil well owned by an American company catches fire, the company hires four down-on-theirluck European men to drive two trucks over mountain dirt roads, loaded with nitroglycerine needed to extinguish the flames.
Soudabeh Beizaee, Nasim Adabi, Misagh Zare.
installation that gets out of hand.
Cannes Classics Bunuel
Un Certain Regard Debussy Press
Competition Bazin Press
16:15
17:00
Un Certain Regard Bazin
19:15
WONDERSTRUCK
WESTERN
THEY
See box, above
(US) 80mins. Dir: Anahita Ghazvinizadeh. Cast: Rhys Fehrenbacher, Koohyar Hosseini, Nicole Coffineau.
(Italy) 122mins. Dir: Fabio Grassadonia, Antonio Piazza. Cast: Julia Jedlikowska, Gaetano Fernandez, Corinne Musallari. Critics’ Week Miramar
Competition Salle Du 60Eme
Competition Lumiere Ticket required
SICILIAN GHOST STORY
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Out of Competition Lumiere Ticket required
(US) 115mins. Dir: Todd Haynes. Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Oakes Fegley, Millicent Simmonds. Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his home and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out on quests to find what they are missing, which unfold with mesmerising symmetry.
Directors’ Fortnight Theatre Croisette
La Familia, Gustavo Rondón Córdova
Cast: Agnes Varda Jr.
16:00 FACES PLACES (VISAGES VILLAGES)
(France) 100mins. Dir: Agnes Varda Jr.
16:30 A MAN OF INTEGRITY
(Iran) 117mins. Dir: Mohammad Rasoulof. Cast: Reza Akhlaghirad,
17:30 LOVER FOR A DAY
(France) 76mins. Dir: Philippe Garrel. Cast: Esther Garrel. Directors’ Fortnight Theatre Croisette
19:00 OKJA
(South Korea) 118mins. Dir: Bong Joon Ho. Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, An Seo Hyun, Byun Heebong, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Yoon Je Moon, Shirley Henderson, Daniel Henshall, Devon Bostick.
THE SQUARE
(Sweden) 142mins. Dir: Ruben Ostlund. Cast: Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss. Drama about an art
Out of Competition Salle Du 60Eme
19:30 FILMWORKER
(US) 89mins. Dir: Tony Zierra. Documentary about the actor Leon Vitali, who gave up his career in front of the camera to work with Stanley Kubrick behind it. Cannes Classics Bunuel
20:00 A CIAMBRA
(Italy) 120mins. Dir: Jonas Carpignano. Cast: Pio Amato, Koudous Seihon, Iolanda Amato, Damiano Amato. Directors’ Fortnight Theatre Croisette
www.screendaily.com
»
SCREENINGS
FESTIVAL & PRESS 00:30 A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN
(France) 116mins. Dir: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire. Cast: Charlie Hunnam.
NO FAREWELLS
(France) 99mins. Dir: Christophe Agou. In the Forez, in the east of the Massif Central, France, Claudette, 75 years old, and her neighbours, all peasant farmers from a rural underclass, feel that consumerist society is ignoring them while at the same time gradually taking over what remains of their cultural heritage and know-how. But Claudette, Jean-Clement and Christiane do not intend to be pushed around. ACID Arcades 1
The shocking story of a man’s descent into hell in a Thai jail and his incredible journey to redemption. Out of Competition Lumiere Ticket required
Hana Sugisaki. Based on the cult manga of the same name about a samurai cursed with immortality. Out of Competition Salle Du 60Eme
21:30 BUGSY MALONE
(UK) 93mins. Dir: Alan Parker. Cast: Jodie Foster, Scott Baio. Classic musical about prohibition-era gangland America — starring children. Cinema De La Plage Plage Mace
22:00
22:15 BEAUTY AND THE DOGS
(Tunisia) 100mins. Dir: Kaouther Ben Hania. Cast: Ghanem Zrelli, Mariam Al Ferjani. During a student party, Mariam, a young Tunisian woman, meets the mysterious Youssef and leaves with him. A long night will begin, during which she’ll have to fight for her rights and her dignity. But how can justice be done when it lies on the side of the tormentors? Un Certain Regard Debussy Press
22:30 IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES
(Japan) 103mins. Dir: Nagisa Oshima. Cast: Eiko Matsuda, Tatsuya Fuji. A controversial film about passion, adultery, prostitution and murder. Cannes Classics Bunuel
JUPITER’S MOON OKJA
(South Korea) 118mins. Dir: Bong Joon Ho. Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, An Seo Hyun, Byun Heebong, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Yoon Je Moon, Shirley Henderson, Daniel Henshall, Devon Bostick. Competition Olympia 1 Market + Festival badges allowed/no press
21:00 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL
(Japan) 120mins. Dir: Takashi Miike. Cast: Takuya Kimura, 78 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
(Hungary) 123mins. Dir: Kornel Mundruczo. Cast: Merab Ninidze, Gyorgy Cserhalmi, Zsombor Jeger, Moni Balsai. Competition Lumiere Ticket required
JUPITER’S MOON
(Hungary) 123mins. Dir: Kornel Mundruczo. Cast: Merab Ninidze, Gyorgy Cserhalmi, Zsombor Jeger, Moni Balsai. Competition Olympia 1
THE SQUARE
(Sweden) 142mins. Dir: Ruben Ostlund. Cast: Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss. Drama about an art installation that gets out of hand. Competition Bazin Press
NO FAREWELLS
(France) 99mins. Dir: Christophe Agou. ACID Arcades 2
00:30 A PRAYER BEFORE DAWN See box, above
MARKET SCREENINGS
09:00 HANGMAN
(US) Moonstone Entertainment/Prestige Films. 25mins. Dir: Johnny Martin. Cast: Al Pacino, Brittany Snow, Karl Urban, Sarah Shahi. Detectives Ray Archer and Will Ruiney partner up with journalist Christi Davies to catch a serial killer playing a murderous version of the game ‘Hangman’. Lerins 3
THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS
(Canada) The Solution Entertainment Group. 108mins. Dir: Bharat Nalluri. Cast: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce. After a series of his books have been flops, Charles Dickens decides to write and selfpublish ‘A Christmas Carol’. Olympia 1 By invitation only
SICILIAN GHOST STORY
(Italy) The Match Factory. 122mins. Dir: Fabio Grassadonia, Antonio Piazza. Cast: Julia Jedlikowska, Gaetano Fernandez, Corinne Musallari, Vincenzo Amato, Sabine Timoteo, Filippo Luna, Lorenzo Curcio, Andrea Falzone, Federico Finocchiaro, Nino Prester. In a little Sicilian village »
www.screendaily.com
Screen_Ron Goossens.indd 1
17-05-17 21:12
SCREENINGS
Once a year the Dream Boat sets sail on a cruise for gay men only. About 3,000 guys from around the world have prepared for months for this journey, far from their families and political restrictions. The cruise promises seven days of sunshine, love and freedom, but once on board, this holiday trip unexpectedly turns into an inner odyssey, a trip to everyone’s own core.
on the edge of a forest, Giuseppe, a boy of 13, vanishes. Luna, his classmate who loves him, refuses to accept his mysterious disappearance. She rebels against the silence and complicity that surrounds her, and to find him she descends into the dark world that has swallowed him up and which has a lake as its mysterious entrance. Only their indestructible love will be able to bring her back alive.
Palais B
SMITTEN! THE EXES
09:30 AN INDIAN TALE
Palais J
(Germany) Autlook Filmsales. 98mins. Dir: Marieke Schroeder. From the Dead Rabbit in New York, the Hemingway Bar in Paris, El Floridita in Havana and the High Five bar in Tokyo, Charles Schumann explores the secrets of bar culture, meets bar proprietors, the hearts and souls of bars and their chroniclers.
Doc Corner
Olympia 9
(France) Other Angle Pictures. 90mins. Dir: Hector Cabello Reilles. Cast: Benoit Poelvoorde, Pitobash, Alexandra Lamy. In Le Havre, the bitter and methodic Pierre is the owner of a hardware store. One day, he sees an Indian named Ajit being expelled from a taxi while he is watching ships passing in the harbour and he helps the man. Ajit does not speak French and shows a tattoo with an address on his arm. Pierre heads to the spot with Ajit and discovers the place belonged to Ajit’s uncle, who sold it three years earlier. Pierre accompanies Ajit to the police station, to the Indian embassy and to a local neighbourhood to seek out his uncle but it is a fruitless search. Ajit stays with Pierre who, after a series of incidents, finds a delivery boy to translate what Ajit says and learns the dramatic story of his life.
SCHUMANN’S BAR TALKS
MARKET 09:30 MINDHACK: #SAVETHEWORLD
(US) Film Mode Entertainment. 106mins. Dir: Royce Gorsuch. Cast: Spencer Locke, Faran Tahir, Scott Mechlowicz, Chris Mason.
A brilliant scientist is on a mission to hack the human mind in order to save humanity from its own catastrophic errors, and is pushed to do whatever is necessary to accomplish his mission.
Ellar Coltrane, Willa Fitzgerald, Jacob Artist. Three friends on a wilderness excursion must outrun a white collar criminal hellbent on retrieving his cash, but soon their greed turns them against each other.
Lerins 2
Gray 4
DEAD AWAKE BAD BLOOD
BEUYS
(Australia) The Little Film Company. 92mins. Dir: David Pulbrook. Cast: Xavier Samuel, Morgan Griffin. When Carrie accepts an invitation from Vincent to spend a long weekend at his mountain resort, she realises something is terribly wrong. What she now discovers about Vincent turns everything on its head and hurls her into a one-sided battle against a psychopathic killer.
(Germany) Beta Cinema. 107mins. Dir: Andres Veiel. An intimate look at a visionary artist, his art and his world of ideas. Seen through a montage of previously untapped sources, the artist appears more relevant than ever before.
Palais H
Lerins 1
(US) Archstone Distribution. 99mins. Dir: Phillip Guzman. Cast: Lori Petty, Jesse Bradford, Brea Grant. A young woman must save herself and her friends from an ancient evil that stalks its victims through the real-life phenomenon of sleep paralysis. Palais F
BLOOD MONEY
(US) Radiant Films International. 90mins. Dir: Lucky McKee. Cast: John Cusack,
(France) SND — Groupe M6. 105mins. Dir: Maurice Barthelemy. Cast: Jean-Paul Rouve, Arnaud Ducret, Patrick Chesnais. In Paris, the City of Love, five very different couples cross paths while dealing with break-ups, exes and new love interests. Olympia 7
JIMAMI TOFU
(Singapore) UP/Opus Pictures. 121mins. Dir: Christian Lee, Jason Chan. Cast: Jason Chan, Christian Lee, Mari Yamamoto, Rino Nakasone, Masatane Tsukayama. A love story between a Chinese Singaporean chef and a Japanese food critic, woven around centuriesold Okinawan Ryukyu Dynastic cuisine that becomes medicine for their broken hearts. Gray 3
DREAM BOAT
(Germany) Cinephil. 91mins. Dir: Tristan Ferland Milewski.
MINDHACK: #SAVETHEWORLD See box, above
(US) Film Sales Company. 107mins. Dir: Barry Morrow. Cast: Darren Criss, Madalina Diana Ghenea, Duccio Camerini. A young New York fashion executive’s trip to Milan takes a bad turn when he is kidnapped and whisked off to an Alpine village to be held for ransom money. Little does he (or his three abductors) know that the small, rustic cottage they end up spending the night in is under a gypsy love spell. Or that when they awaken, they will be ‘Smitten!’ by the first living soul that meets their eyes. Olympia 6
SMOKIN’ ON THE MOON
(Japan) Open Sesame Co. 135mins. Dir: Kanata Wolf. Cast: Arata Iura, Ryo Narita. Sota and Rakuto, two young men who work latenight shifts at a bar, have a secret: serving drinks isn’t their only means of living, they are also drug dealers, illegally trafficking marijuana. But they’re not gangsters, more like
»
80 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
IN POST PRODUCTION PRESENTS
PRESENTS
PRESENTS
IN DEVELOPMENT PRESENTS
PRESENTS
COMING SOON
RAVEN BANNER ENTERTAINMENT | RIVIERA LEVEL | BOOTH #B2 Kyla Jorgensen +16475195175 kjorgensen@ravenbanner.ca
James Fler +14164283537 jfler@ravenbanner.ca
Michaelangelo Masangkay +14169852544 michaelangelo@ravenbanner.ca
WWW.RAVENBANNERENTERTAINMENT.COM
SCREENINGS
wannabe gangsters. Lacking motivation and a plan, they’re at the bottom of the bucket, and are always tripping over their past.
separation, which she does her best to prevent.
Gray 5
(France) UDI — Urban Distribution International. 80mins. Dir: Arthur De Pins, Alexis Ducord. ‘Zombillenium’ is an amusement park like no other: only genuine werewolves, vampires and zombies are employed there… for eternity.
THERE IS A LIGHT
(Italy) Rai Com. 93mins. Dir: Fabio Mollo. Paolo is a sceptical 30-yearold who works unwillingly as a sales clerk in a Turin department store. Mia is a backing singer in a band and lives her life haphazardly, which leads her to being practically homeless. Palais D
TOMORROW AND THEREAFTER
(France) Gaumont. 95mins. Dir: Noemie Lvovsky. Cast: Noemie Lvovsky, Mathieu Amalric, Anais Demoustier. Ten-year-old Mathilde is living with her disturbed mother, trying to cope. She can sense the threat of
Arcades 1
by interviewing leading apologists, only to discover the truth for himself. Riviera 1
ZOMBILLENIUM
Riviera 2
09:45 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
(US) Pure Flix/Quality Fix. 126mins. Dir: Jonathan Gunn. Cast: Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Faye Dunaway, L Scott Caldwell, Frankie Faison, Robert Forster. When an atheist reporter for the ‘Chicago Tribune’ learns his wife has become born again, he sets out to prove Christianity is a cult
FELICITE
(France) Jour2Fete. 123mins. Dir: Alain Gomis. Felicite is a proud, freewilled woman working as a singer in a bar in Kinshasa. Her life is thrown into turmoil when her 14-yearold son falls victim to an accident. To save him, she sets out on a breakneck race through the streets of electric Kinshasa — a world of music and dreams where she’ll cross paths with Tabu. Lerins 3
GODDESSES IN THE FLAMES OF WAR
(China) China Sunny Media Co. 114mins. Palais G
10:00 ALL THE DREAMS IN THE WORLD
(France) Alfama Films.
108mins. Dir: Laurence Ferreira Barbosa. Cast: Pamela Ramos, Rosa Da Costa, Antonio Torres Lima. Pamela is stuck in her contradictions, failures and absolute love for her family; she feels lost and seems incapable of imagining how she could live her life. She will try to find her own way between France and Portugal. Palais I
ANNECY GOES TO CANNES
Citia. 110mins. Palais K
THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS
(US) Altitude Film Sales. 90mins. Dir: Sophie Brooks. Cast: Zosia Mamet, Matthew Shear, Deidre O’Connell, Sarah Ramos, Diana Irvine. A young woman returns to New York City and inadvertently moves into her ex-boyfriend’s apartment building, forcing
her to reflect on the nature of her first love. Olympia 2
DEFROST: THE VIRTUAL SERIES (6 EPISODES)
(US) Next. 60mins. Next VR Cinema
I REMEMBER YOU
(Iceland) TrustNordisk. 110mins. Dir: Oskar Thor Axelsson. Cast: Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Anna Gunndis Gudmundsdottir, Thor Kristjansson. A story about a young man and woman who move into a small abandoned town in Iceland to renovate an old house. Little do they know the town has a dark history. Olympia 8
LOST IN PARADISE 2
(Vietnam) Vietnam Media Corp/BHD Co. 83mins. Dir: Vu Ngoc Dang. Cast: Luong Manh Hai, La Quoc Hung, Tran Huy Anh. Olympia 4
MOTHERLAND
(US) Dogwoof. 94mins. Dir: Ramona S Diaz. Takes us into the heart of the planet’s busiest maternity hospital — a world unto itself in the Philippines. Palais E
WISH (WORK IN PROGRESS)
(US) SC Films International. 100mins. Dir: Cory Edwards. ‘Wish’ tells the story of Doran, a whip-smart Wish-Agent who embarks on a fun-filled and action-packed adventure to defeat an evil villain, restore the world’s faith and belief, and make one little girl’s special dream come true. Gray 1
11:00 ORANGE VR EXPERIENCE
(France) Next. 60mins. Next VR Cinema
»
82 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
SCREENINGS
11:30 AMBITION
(US) Film Sales Company. 87mins. Dir: Robert Shaye. Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Katherine Hughes, Kyanna Simone. An aspiring musician preparing for a competition is incredibly confident and gets herself involved in a frightening trap that she has to find her way out of. It raises the question: if an insane person is telling a story, is it real? Olympia 3
AYLA
90mins. Edge Creative Consultancy.
Von Kant’ — director Vera wants the perfect cast. But the first day of shooting is fast approaching and the numerous casting sessions have yet to find a suitable actress to play the leading role. Although the producer and crew are getting ever more exasperated with Vera, Gerwin is happy about the extra work, because he earns his money as an audition reader, delivering the lines of dialogue to the starry candidates at the various castings. When the male lead suddenly has to back out, Gerwin thinks that this might just be his chance.
protect herself begins to crack.
Lerins 1
(Bulgaria) Arri Media International. 103mins. Dir: Stephan Komandarev. Cast: Vassil VasilevZuek, Ivan Barnev, Assen Blatechki, Irini Jambonas. In the span of 24 hours, while the death of one person gives a chance for a new life to another, in six taxicabs in Sofia the destinies of different people from contemporary Bulgarian reality are irrevocably intertwined.
Arcades 1
CATCH THE WIND CAN HITLER HAPPEN HERE?
(US) Pilgrims 7 Corp. 75mins. Dir: Saskia Rifkin. Cast: Laura Esterman. Meddling neighbours, ambitious social workers and real-estate vultures conspire to torment an eccentric old lady. Or maybe they’re just trying to help. Palais J
CASTING
(Germany) The Match Factory. 91mins. Dir: Nicolas Wackerbarth. For her first television film — a remake of Fassbinder’s ‘The Bitter Tears Of Petra
See box, below
DAPHNE
(UK) The Bureau Sales. 93mins. Dir: Peter Mackie Burns. Cast: Emily Beecham, Geraldine James, Tom VaughanLawlor, Nathaniel Martello-White. Londoner Daphne is caught up in the daily rush of her restaurant job and an agitated nightlife. She is strong, funny and acerbic but deep down she is not happy. When she saves the life of a shop keeper, stabbed in a failed robbery, the armour she wears to
Lerins 2
THE DEPARTURE
(US) Dogwoof. 88mins. Dir: Lana Wilson. A punk-rocker-turnedBuddhist-priest in Japan has made a career out of helping suicidal people find reasons to live. This work, though, has increasingly come at the cost of his own health and family life, as he refuses to draw a line between his patients and himself. Palais B
DIRECTIONS
Olympia 6
EVERYDAY HEROES
(France) TF1 Studio. 80mins. Dir: Anne Dauphine Julliand. About the power of life and resiliency. The documentary
MARKET 11:30 CATCH THE WIND
(France) Doc & Film International. 103mins. Dir: Gael Morel. Cast: Sandrine Bonnaire, Lubna Azabal, Mouna Fettou, Ilian Bergala. Edith, a 45-year-old textile factory worker, sees her life turned upside
down by the company’s downsizing measures. Estranged from her son and without any other ties, rather than go into unemployment she decides to leave her life behind and follow her work at the factory, which has been relocated in Morocco. Riviera 2
»
84 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
intramovies_cannes_daily_may19.qxp_The Furlough 10/05/17 17:25 Pagina 1
WORLD SALES
- RIVIERA C1 - ITALIAN PAVILION
Screening: TODAY - 15.30 - PALAIS B
SCREENINGS
features five children who are willing to share with us their everyday life, their doubts and their joys. These children among all children have a particularity. Imad, Ambre, Charles, Tugdual and Camille have been diagnosed with serious pathologies, which make them both very mature and self-aware of the power of now. Olympia 7
HEARTBEATS
MARKET 11:30 THE SUMMIT
(Argentina) Film Factory Entertainment. 117mins. Dir: Santiago Mitre. Cast: Ricardo Darin, Dolores Fonzi, Erica Rivas, Elena Anaya, Paulina Garcia, Christian Slater. At a summit for Latin American presidents in Chile, Argentinian president Hernaan Blanco endures a
political and family drama that will force him to face his own demons. He will have to come to two decisions that could change the course of his public and private life forever: one regarding a complicated emotional situation with his daughter, and the other the most important political decision of his career.
(US) Myriad Pictures. 108mins. Dir: Duane Adler. Cast: Krystal Ellsworth, Amitash Pradhan, Daphne Zuniga, Justin Chon, Paul McGillion. The story of a feisty American hip hop dancer who travels to India with her family for a wedding and falls in love. Gray 2
IT’S THE LAW
Olympia 1
“INTENSELY ENGAGING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MESMERIZING.” BLOODY DISGUSTING
(Italy) True Colours. 99mins. Dir: Salvatore Ficarra, Valentino Picone. Cast: Salvatore Ficarra, Valentino Picone, Vincenzo Amato. In the small Sicilian village of Pietrammare, the election of the new mayor is approaching. The town has been ruled for many years by the crooked Gaetano Patane. The people are used to the wheeling and dealing of politics and go with the flow, but this time the mayor’s opponent is Pierpaolo Natoli, a straight-arrow honest professor full of courage and ideals. Against all odds, Pierpaolo wins and immediately starts to a new age of legality and respect for the rules in town. But are the citizens of Pietrammare ready for that? Olympia 9
FRANCESCA EASTWOOD
CLIFTON COLLINS JR.
(OUTLAWS AND ANGELS)
(PACIFIC RIM)
After being sexually assaulted by a fellow classmate, an art student takes justice into her own hands.
Lerins M4 / info@visitfilms.com
86 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
MARKET SCREENINGS: TODAY / 15:30 / Lerins 2 May 22 / 12:00 / Lerins 3
LAST RAMPAGE: THE ESCAPE OF GARY TISON
(US) The Little Film Company. 100mins. Dir: Dwight Little. Cast: Robert Patrick, Heather Graham, Bruce Davison, John Heard. The nightmare begins when convicted murderer Gary Tison’s three sons break him out of an Arizona prison. Tison and his gang kill six people before finally
being stopped near the Mexican border following a manhunt involving cold-blooded murder and criminal ruthlessness.
Discover the best Canadian films from the 2016 selection of FNC Explore.
Palais H
CHOPIN NOCTURNE OP. 37, NO. 2 IN G
THE LITTLE VAMPIRE 3D
(Taiwan) Great Leap Forward Entertainment. 42mins. Dir: Jia-Kai Wu. A country girl decides to help the newly transferred city boy who plays ‘Chopin’s Nocturnes, Op.37 No.2 in G’ in the church.
(UK) Cinema Management Group. 85mins. Dir: Richard Claus, Karsten Kiilerich. Cast: Jim Carter, Miriam Margolys, Roger Allam. Rudolph, a young vampire whose clan is threatened by a vampire hunter, meets Tony, a mortal of the same age. Lerins 4
MADTOWN
(US) Bleiberg Entertainment. 112mins. Dir: Charles Moore. Cast: Milo Ventimiglia, Rachel Melvin, John Billingsley. A troubled young man confesses to a murder on stage at an open mic comedy night to a shocked audience. His crime is the result of a deadly triangle formed between his older sister, just released from prison after a 20-year stay for the murder of their parents, the loving bond he now shares with a beautiful new co-worker, and the ultimate choice he must make between them. Will the pull of blood ties drag him further down or will he be able to sever them and start his life anew? Gray 4
MIST & THE MAIDEN
(Spain) Latido Films. 104mins. Dir: Andres Koppel. Palais D
THE SUMMIT See box, above, left
TONIGHT SHE COMES
(US) Jinga Films. 94mins. Dir: Matt Stuertz. Cast: Adam Hartley, Jenna McDonald, Frankie Ray, Larissa White, Dal Nicole, Nathan Eswine, Brock Russell, Camisha Cotten. The search for a missing girl leads four friends to a cabin in the woods inhabited by an insane family of rednecks. Palais F
12:00 CANADA. BIG ON VR 2
(Canada) Next. 60mins.
Next VR Cinema
Gray 5
FORTUNATA
(Italy) True Colours. 103mins. Dir: Sergio Castellitto. Cast: Jasmine Trinca, Stefano Accorsi, Alessandro Borghi, Edoardo Pesce, Anna Schygulla. Fortunata struggles to achieve her dreams, trying her best to be a good mother while fighting hard with her ex-husband. But the overturning power of love will change her life, giving her new hope and a new chance for happiness. Un Certain Regard Gray 1
HOUSE OF THE DISAPPEARED
(South Korea) Finecut Co. 100mins. Dir: Lim DaeWoong. Cast: Kim Yunjin, Ok Taec Yeon, Jo Jaeyun. After 25 years in prison for the murder of her son and husband, Mi-hee returns home. Priest Choi, the only person to trust her, asks for the truth but she repeats: “They killed my husband and kidnapped my son.” After some research, Priest Choi detects other missing persons’ cases at Mi-hee’s house. In her desperate efforts searching for her son, Mi-hee begins to unveil traces of inexplicable beings and Priest Choi perceives unfathomable danger drawing near. On the night of Priest Choi’s order to evacuate, Mi-hee realises there’s someone else in the house, just like 25 years ago. Palais E
I AM A POLITICIAN
(Puerto Rico) Lupercal Communication. 93mins. Dir: Javier Colon. Cast: Carlos Riviera Marchand, Marise Alvarez. »
www.screendaily.com
SCREENINGS
With the current lowly status of world leaders in their publics’ eye, and questionable rewards to come for all of us with the new president of the US, this is the perfect time for a genius satire on a country’s fake president. Palais C
IGNORANCE IS BLISS
MARKET 13:30 ALIVE IN FRANCE
(France) The Match Factory. 79mins. Dir: Abel Ferrara. Cast: Abel Ferrara, Joe Delia, Paul Hipp, Cristina Chiriac, Dounia Sichov,
Anna Ferrara, PJ Delia. A rock ’n’ roll glance at cult director Abel Ferrara when he headlines a series of concerts dedicated to songs and music from his films. Olympia 6
MARK WEBBER
MADELINE BREWER
(Green Room)
(A Handmaid’s Tale)
(Italy) Intramovies. 102mins. Dir: Massimiliano Bruno. Cast: Marco Giallini, Alessandro Gassmann, Valeria Bilello, Carolina Crescentini. Ernesto and Filippo, two high-school teachers, couldn’t be more different: Filippo is a cheerful liberal who is constantly online. Handsome and youthful, he is a serial seducer on the social networks. Ernesto is a stern conservative, rigorously computerless. He is probably the last person around who still has a first-generation cell phone. They used to be best friends but an unresolved fight kept them far apart, until the day fate intervened and they found themselves teaching at the same school. Their opposite viewpoints will soon and inevitably lead to a new clash. Riviera 1
JEANNETTE, THE CHILDHOOD OF JOAN OF ARC
“QUIETLY SEARING.” THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Mixing fiction and reality, filmmaker Mark Webber (The End of Love) captures the story of a man who returns home from prison and attempts to rebuild his life in his impoverished neighborhood in Philadelphia.
Lerins M4 / info@visitfilms.com
88 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
MARKET SCREENINGS: TODAY / 14:00 / Lerins 3 May 23 / 14:00 / Lerins 3
(France) Luxbox. 106mins. Dir: Bruno Dumont. France, 1425: in the midst of the Hundred Years’ War, the young Jeannette, at the still tender age of eight, looks after her sheep in the village of Domremy. One day, she tells her friend Hauviette how she cannot bear to see the suffering caused by the English. Madame Gervaise, a nun, tries to reason with the young girl but Jeannette is ready to take up arms for the salvation of souls and the liberation of the Kingdom of France. Carried by her faith, she will become Joan of Arc. Olympia 8
LET THE GIRLS PLAY
(France) Indie Sales. 88mins. Dir: Julien Hallard. Cast: Max Boublil, Vanessa Guide, Bruno Lochet.
Reims, France, 1969: Paul Coutard is a sports journalist at daily newspaper ‘Le Champenois’. Forced to plan the newspaper’s annual fair with Emmanuelle Bruno, executive assistant, he comes up with a crazy idea: organise the first women’s football match in France. Olympia 4
THE JUNGLE BUNCH — THE 3D MOVIE
(France) SND — Groupe M6. 95mins. Dir: David Alaux. Meet the Jungle Bunch, led by the tiger-striped kung fu penguin Maurice. Having just defeated the latest menace to the jungle — evil baboons — they face Igor, the koala. Years ago Igor’s evil plan to blow up the jungle came to a halt when he faced the Champs — the original heroes of the jungle, led by Natasha the tiger, Maurice’s adoptive mother. Now Igor wants revenge. Olympia 2
THE MIDNIGHT MAN
(US) Voltage Pictures. 93mins. Dir: Travis Zarwiny. Cast: Gabrielle Haugh, Robert Englund, Lin Shaye, Kyle Strauts, Louise Linton. Alex is a typical teenage girl who lives with her sick grandmother, Anna. While searching through the attic, Alex finds directions to a game, which played properly will awaken ‘The Midnight Man’, an evil being who will make your worst nightmare come true. At first, Alex and her friends think the game is harmless fun. It is — until The Midnight Man comes to play for real. Lerins 3
THE STRONGHOLD
(UKraine) Film.Ua Group. 110mins. Dir: Yury Kovaliov. Cast: Daniil Kamensky, Eva Kosheva, Roman Lutsky. A solar eclipse activates a magic time portal, and a regular schoolboy from the 21st century goes a thousand years back in time. Gray 3
VILLA DWELLERS
(Iran) Farabi Cinema
Foundation. 100mins. Dir: Monir Gheydi. Cast: Tanaz Tabatabaie, Parinaz Izadyar, Anahita Afshar. During the Iran-Iraq war, some of the families of the Iranian soldiers stayed at residential villas near the frontline waiting to see their loved ones. Aziz and her grandchildren go to the complex to get a chance to visit her son, Davoud. After her arrival, new adventures begin. Palais G
13:00 THE STOLEN PRINCESS
(UKraine) Film.Ua Group. 85mins. Dir: Oleg Malamuzh. Told in the time of valiant knights, beautiful princesses and battling sorcerers, this is a story about a determined young warrior named Ruslan who travels to meet the King’s daughter, Mila. In spite of their disparate standings in society, Mila and Ruslan find themselves to be kindred spirits and quickly fall in love. But their happiness is short-lived when Mila is abducted by Chernomor, an evil sorcerer with many ruthless tricks up his sleeve. Gray 3
13:30 A VIOLENT LIFE
(France) Pyramide International. 107mins. Dir: Thierry De Peretti. Cast: Jean Michelangeli, Henri-Noel Tabary. Despite the death threat hanging over his head, Stephane decides to return to Corsica to attend the funeral of his best friend and comrade in arms, Christophe, murdered the day before. It’s an opportunity for Stephane to reminisce about the events that led him, a cultured petty bourgeois from Bastia, to move from small crime onto political radicalisation and the underground movement. Riviera 2
ALIVE IN FRANCE See box, above left
BOWIE
(New Zealand) The Loft. 110mins. Dir: Jarod Murray, Amanda Phillips. Cast: Delaney Tabron, »
www.screendaily.com
SCREENING TOMORROW
SATURDAY, MAY 20 – 9:30AM – GRAY 4
CAST Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire) Dash Mihok (Silver Linings Playbook, Ray Donovan) Suki Waterhouse (Billionaire Boys Club, Insurgent) Abbie Cornish (Seven Psychopaths, Limitless) Luke Wilson (Old School) DIRECTOR Tom Sierchio
RIVIERA, BOOTH L14 | +33-4-92-99-33-12 Clay Epstein clay@filmmodeentertainment.com Mobile: +1 (818) 426-6359 Mathilde Epstein mathilde@filmmodeentertainment.com Mobile: +1 (310) 266-9987 John Buffalo john@filmmodeentertainment.com Mobile: +1 (805) 387-5996
SCREENINGS
Kahurangi Carter, Doug Brooks, Jacob Pickering, Aisling Baker. Follows young woman Lexi’s experience navigating the frustrations and challenges of motherhood and self. It also offers a unique and often humorous perspective of a motherdaughter relationship through the eyes of Bowie, Lexi’s autistic teenage daughter. Gray 4
THE BRITS ARE COMING
MARKET 13:30 ROBIN
(Denmark) Yellow Affair. 81mins. Dir: Antonio Tublen. Cast: Rosalinde Mynster, Jesper Christensen, Julie G Wester. A female-centric psychological thriller about Robin, who mysteriously awakens in a forest, naked and confused, and comes to the conclusion, without any
tangible evidence, she has witnessed a murder. Fearing the worst, she engages the police but they too find nothing to back up her claim. As her internal anguish grows, and a puzzle-like dream world grows more real, she becomes more isolated and frightened. The terror that plagues her is that the murderer is now coming after her. Palais D
*MARKET PREMIERE*
COLD NOVEMBER
On the cusp of womanhood, 12-year-old Florence goes on her first deer hunt, a traditional rite-of-passage in her matriarchal family.
Lerins M4 / info@visitfilms.com
90 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
MARKET SCREENING: TODAY / 18:00 / Riviera 1
(US) Fortitude International. 93mins. Dir: James Oakley. Cast: Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Sofia Vergara. An eccentric British conartist couple, Harriet and Peter Fox, flee to Los Angeles to get away from paying a large debt to a notorious gangster after a failed poker game. With the gangster hot on their trail, the pair scheme to win back the money by executing a jewel theft operation involving Peter’s ex-wife and her new husband, Gabriel.
committed decades before. When Mariana embarks on an affair with her enigmatic teacher, she’s directly confronted with the outrages of the dictatorship for the first time and her increasing interest threatens to tear down the invisible walls protecting her family from the past. Lerins 2
MOHAWK
(US) MPI Media Group. 100mins. Dir: Ted Geoghegan. Cast: Kaniehtiio Horn, Jon Huber, Eamon Farren. During the War of 1812, a young Mohawk warrior brutally turns the tables on her bloodthirsty American pursuers after they murder her kinsman and partner. Olympia 7
OLD SITTING
(Germany) Beta Cinema. 104mins. Dir: Franziska Buch. Cast: Emma Schweiger, Heino Ferch, Oskar Keymer, Iris Berben, Lisa Bitter, Ken Duken, Anne Kim Sarnau, Til Schweiger. A story about the lively and adventurous Conni and her new four-legged friend Frodo.
(France) Gaumont. 87mins. Dir: Frederic Quiring. Cast: Thomas Soliveres, Frederique Bel, Albert Delpy, Carmen Maura, Jacques Boudet, Issa Doumbia, Michelle Moretti. Alex, 20, has once again flunked medical school. He will have to work this summer as he promised, instead of going on vacation with his friends. His parents have even found him a job: camp counsellor. But in a very special ‘camp’. Because this one has no blonde-and blue-eyed kiddies: its happy campers are all whitehaired pensioners!
Lerins 1
Olympia 3
LOS PERROS
PORK PIE
(France) Films Boutique. 94mins. Dir: Marcela Said. Cast: Blanca Lewin, Hector Noguera, Jorge Becker. Mariana is 42 years old, a member of the Chilean upper class that takes privilege for granted. Scorned by her father and neglected by her husband, Mariana still has the means to occupy her days with fertility treatments, running an art gallery and learning to ride a horse. Her riding instructor, Juan, is 20 years her senior, a former cavalry officer known as The Colonel who is under investigation for human rights abuses
(New Zealand) Metro International Entertainment. 105mins. Dir: Matt Murphy. Cast: Dean O’Gorman, James Rolleston, Ashleigh Cummings. Tracks the escapades of a trio of accidental outlaws as they travel the length of New Zealand in a yellow mini, protesting conformity and chasing lost love, with a posse of cops and a media frenzy in hot pursuit.
Olympia 9
CONNI & CO.
Gray 2
REMEMBER US: THE HUNGARIAN HIDDEN CHILDREN
(US) Adler & Associates
Entertainment. 89mins. Dir: Rudy Vegliante. Cast: Evi Blaikie, Gabor Vermes, Marika Barnett, Susan Bendor. Documentary about the ‘Hidden Children’, the title given to countless children who survived the Holocaust by being placed out of harm’s way — by finding sanctuary in the arms of strangers, through the assistance of friends and acquaintances or even soldiers, ‘the enemy’ who ended up looking the other way for one reason or another. Doc Corner
ROBIN See box, left
SPEAK UP
(France) Upside Distribution. 99mins. Dir: Stephane De Freitas, Ladj Ly. Cast: Leila Alaouf, Eddy Moniot, Elhadj Toure. Follows a group of college students partaking in an annual oratory competition in the suburbs of Paris. Palais J
SUPERLOVERS
(France) Jour2Fete. 90mins. Dir: Guilhem Amesland. Cast: Vincent Macaigne, Philippe Rebbot, Hafsia Herzi, Suzanne Clement. Michel and his brother Franck are associates in a small construction company. It’s love at first sight when Michel meets Michele, a real-estate agent who entrusts them with a big project. But in order to seduce her, Michel has to deal with Franck, whose scheming soon begins to threaten his romantic designs. Lerins 4
THE TUNNEL GANG
(Spain) Filmax International. 97mins. Dir: Pepon Montero. Cast: Natalia De Molina, Arturo Valls, Manolo Solo, Raul Cimas. A group of survivors are finally pulled from the rubble of a collapsed tunnel, 15 days after their terrifying ordeal began. Sounds like a typical happy ending to a film, right? But what happened next, after the »
www.screendaily.com
SCREENINGS
cameras had gone? Were the group’s lives changed forever? How did those characters get over such a traumatic experience? By meeting for dinner every Friday night!
at the hospital suspect something is amiss, the pair are forced to switch roles to convince them that the ID belongs to Zari. However, many unfortunate events take place in the process.
Palais B
Palais G
TWO TAILS AND PRINCESS IN WONDERLAND SELECTED SCENES
CHARMING (WORK IN PROGRESS)
(Russia) Recreation. 40mins. Dir: Marina Nefedova. Arcades 3
THE WITCHING
(US) California Pictures. 90mins. Dir: Corey Norman. Cast: Jessica Bedell, Ian Carlsen, Joanna Clarke. A group of teens go camping in the woods and share ghost stories, but they happen to be sitting on the grave site of an ancient witch that haunts the woods.
MARKET 14:00
Palais H
JULIAN SCHNABEL — A PRIVATE PORTRAIT
13:45
(Italy) Global Screen. 90mins. Dir: Pappi Corsicato.
SALYUT 7
(Russia) Indie Sales. 121mins. Dir: Klim Shipenko. Cast: Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Pavel Derevyanko, Alexandr Samoylenko, Maria Mironova, Oksana Fandera, Lubov Novikova. Based on actual events. 1985: the Soviet space station Salyut 7, which is in low Earth orbit, suddenly stops responding to commands from the control centre. To investigate the failure, people must be sent to the station. Yet no one in history has ever attempted
Cast: Julian Schnabel. A look at the personal life and public career of New York artist Julian Schnabel. Riviera 1
to dock an uncontrolled vehicle in space.
pushes both emotional and physical boundaries.
Olympia 4
Olympia 8
13:50 NEWNESS
(US) Seville International. 112mins. Dir: Drake Doremus. Cast: Luke Baybak, Rene Cadet, Eva Ceja. In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social mediadriven hookup culture begin a relationship that
14:00 A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY
(US) Cinetel Films. 90mins. Dir: Susan Walter. Cast: Sharon Stone, Tony Goldwyn, Ellen Burstyn, Famke Janssen, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Liza Lapira, Ryan Lochte. An aspiring fashion designer struggles to find
success and love. The story cuts into her life once a year, always on the same date: her birthday. Palais C
APPENDIX
(Iran) Farabi Cinema Foundation. 83mins. Dir: Hossein Namazi. Cast: Ana Nemati, Amir Ali Danaei, Reza Akbarpour, Pardis Manouchehri. Due to severe abdominal pain, Zari and her husband, Reza, go to the hospital. However, Zari’s insurance ID has expired and they are forced to borrow her friend Leila Attarod’s ID. Eventually, Zari undergoes an appendectomy using Leila’s ID. When staff
Flanders Audiovisual Area
(Canada) SC Films International. 100mins. Dir: Ross Venokur. Cast: Demi Lovato, Sia, Wilmer Valderrama. An irreverent family animated comedy adventure about a young prince cursed with an irresistible appeal, and the one kick-ass girl who wants him for nothing but money. From the moment he can speak, Prince Philip Charming, the victim of Blessing Fairy 117’s enchantments, compulsively proposes to every woman he encounters. Behind him lies a trail of lovesick ladies and furious scorned lovers wreaking vengeful havoc on the entire Charming Kingdom.
the film are played by their real-life counterparts. Lerins 3
IVAN
(Slovenia) Slovenian Film Centre. 95mins. Dir: Janez Burger. Cast: Maruasa Majer, Matjaz Tribuson, Natasa Barbara Gracner, Branko Sturbej, Leon Lucev, Mojca Funkl, Mateja Pucko, Vlado Vlaskalic, Damjana Cerne. Mara gives birth to the illegitimate boy Ivan, whose father Rok is a businessman she loves obsessively. When Rok is accused of whitecollar crime, his friends abandon him. Mara feels the consequences as well. She gets beaten up by Rok’s cronies and ends up in a safe house. Rok takes her and Ivan away, and she is convinced her dreams have come true. However, Rok uses them only to get to the money he keeps in a safe. On the run from the men chasing them, he forces Mara to make the worst sacrifice imaginable. Palais E
Gray 3
FLESH & BLOOD
(US) Visit Films. 88mins. Dir: Mark Webber. Cast: Mark Webber, Cheri Honkala, Madeline Brewer. Based on real-life events, ‘Flesh & Blood’ unapologetically straddles the line between narrative and documentary to lay bare the beautifully flawed nature of life. Reality belies fiction and vice versa as the characters in
JULIAN SCHNABEL — A PRIVATE PORTRAIT See box, left
MY FRIEND DAHMER
(US) Altitude Film Sales. 107mins. Dir: Marc Meyers. Cast: Ross Lynch, Anne Heche, Dallas Roberts. Jeffrey Dahmer struggles with a difficult family life as a young boy — and in his teenage years he slowly transforms, edging closer to the serial killer he became. Olympia 2
Flanders Image A2 Screen Flanders A4 Riviera
JOIN US FROM 17 TO 26 MAY AT THE CANNES FILM MARKET » AD_LFF_218x75_flanders17.indd 1
92 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
15/05/17 09:41
www.screendaily.com
MAZE
Director: Stephen Burke (Happy Ever Afters) Cast: Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Love/Hate), Barry Ward (Jimmy’s Hall), Martin McCann (The Survivalist) Based on the true story of the 1983 mass break-out of 38 prisoners from the HMP Maze high security prison, Maze is a gripping prison break film that follows the relationship between two men on opposite sides of the prison bars.
MARKET SCREENINGS: May 20 / 9:30 / Lerins 4 (Buyers Only) May 23 / 16:00 / Lerins 3 (Buyers Only)
*MARKET PREMIERE* - PRIVATE SCREENING
M.F.A.
Director: Natalia Leite (Bare) Cast: Francesca Eastwood (Outlaws and Angels), Clifton Collins Jr. (Pacific Rim, Star Trek), Leah McKendrick (Bad Moms), Peter Vack (Mozart in the Jungle) After being sexually assaulted by a fellow classmate, an art student takes justice into her own hands.
MARKET SCREENINGS: TODAY / 15:30 / Lerins 2 May 22 / 12:00 / Lerins 3
“Intensely engaging, thought-provoking, and mesmerizing.” – Bloody Disgusting
FLESH AND BLOOD
Director: Mark Webber (The Ever After, The End of Love) Cast: Mark Webber (Green Room), Madeline Brewer (A Handmaid’s Tale)
“Perhaps the bravest, rawest rape-revenge thriller yet.” – No Film School
Mixing fiction and reality, filmmaker Mark Webber captures the story of a man who returns home from prison and attempts to rebuild his life in his impoverished neighborhood in Philadelphia. “Quietly searing (...) Webber harnesses the natural dynamics of offscreen bonds, however strong or frayed they may be.” – The Hollywood Reporter
MARKET SCREENINGS: TODAY / 14:00 / Lerins 3 May 23 / 14:00 / Lerins 3
“Beautiful to behold. Gritty, revealing, realistic.” – The Iris
COLD NOVEMBER
Director: Karl Jacob (Pollywogs) Cast: Bijou Abas, Karl Jacob (Pollywogs, Applesauce), Anna Klemp, Heidi Fellner On the cusp of womanhood, 12-year-old Florence goes on her first deer hunt, a traditional rite-of-passage in her matriarchal family.
MARKET SCREENING: TODAY / 18:00 / Riviera 1
*MARKET PREMIERE*
COLUMBUS
Director: Kogonada Cast: John Cho (Star Trek, Harold & Kumar), Haley Lu Richardson (The Edge of Seventeen), Parker Posey (Café Society, Mascots), Rory Culkin (Scream 4) A younger girl reluctant to leave home forms a close bond with a son visiting his dying father. “Imbued with warmth and humanity (…) simply gorgeous.” – Variety “A remarkable first film from new and exciting director Kogonada.” – Vanity Fair
FAMILY LIFE
Directors: Alicia Scherson (Il Futuro, Tourists), Cristián Jiménez (Bonsai, Voice Over)
DAYVEON
Director: Amman Abbasi Exec. Producers: David Gordon Green, James Schamus, Jody Hill, Danny McBride
A lonely man fabricates the existence of a vindictive ex-wife withholding his daughter in order to gain the sympathy of the single mother he has just met.
Mourning the death of his older brother, 13-year-old Dayveon becomes drawn to the camaraderie of a local gang.
“A sharply observed and poignant parable.” - The Hollywood Reporter
“A gorgeous mix of emotional sincerity and pure cinema.” – RogerEbert.com
“If you enjoy love stories and misadventures therein, Family Life will be worth seeing.”
“A bold and imaginative debut.” – Hammer to Nail
- SLUG Magazine SALES: Ryan Kampe rk@visitfilms.com +1 646 548 4700
Morgane Dubief md@visitfilms.com +1 917 530 6815
Lydia Rodman lsr@visitfilms.com +1 617 835 6307
ACQUISITIONS: Ania Trzebiatowska at@visitfilms.com +1 323 360 7277
FESTIVALS: Joe Yanick jy@visitfilms.com +1 440 479 9879
CANNES BOOTH: Lerins M4 www.visitfilms.com info@visitfilms.com
SCREENINGS
JUSTICE
(US) VMI WorldWide. 89mins. Dir: Richard Gabai. Cast: Stephen Lang, Jackson Rathbone, Jamie Singer. A US marshal seeking justice for his brother’s murder defends a small town from a corrupt mayor and his henchmen intent on revive the civil war. Gray 4
KALEIDOSCOPE See box, below
M.F.A.
MARKET 15:30 FIRSTBORN
(Latvia) Reel Suspects. 90mins. Dir: Aik Karapetian. Cast: Kaspars Znotins, Maija Doveika, Kaspars Zale. A middle-aged intellectual commits an act of unintentional homicide while trying to regain
PURE HEARTS
(Italy) The Match Factory. 114mins. Dir: Roberto De Paolis. Cast: Selene Caramazza, Simone Liberati, Barbora Bobulova, Stefano Fresi, Edoardo Pesce. An encounter between two worlds that are about to collide. Love made of stolen moments, but also mutual help. Directors’ Fortnight Gray 1
THE ROAD TO MANDALAY
(Taiwan) Flash Forward Entertainment. 108mins. Dir: Midi Z. Cast: Kai Ko, Ke-Xi Wu. Two Burmese immigrants flee their country’s civil war in search of a new life in Thailand. Gray 5
SILICON VALLEY AND BEYOND
his dignity in the eyes of his wife, but soon after it occurs to him there is a strange connection between the victim, the sudden pregnancy of his wife and the mysterious blackmailer who tries to force him to do yet another awful thing. Palais D
preview the best Quebec VR projects under development and discover the next big thing in virtual reality — a showcase for the talent of our creators and producers. Next VR Cinema
15:30 AVA
(France) Bac Films. 106mins. Dir: Lea Mysius. Cast: Noee Abita, Laure Calamy, Juan Cano. Ava, 13, is spending the summer on the Atlantic coast when she learns that she will lose her sight sooner than expected. Her mother decides to act as if everything were normal so as to spend their best summer ever. Ava confronts the problem in her own way: she steals a big black dog that belongs to a young man on the run. Olympia 3
Next. 110mins. Palais K Press allowed
15:00 COMING NEXT FROM QUEBEC
(Canada) Next. 60mins. A unique opportunity to
C’EST LA VIE!
(France) Gaumont. 115mins. Dir: Eric Toledano, Olivier Nakache. Cast: Gilles Lellouche. Offers a behind-the-scenes
94 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
view of a wedding party that is like life itself: full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, hardships and humour. A roller-coaster of emotions, both realistic and magical. Arcades 1
CROOKED HOUSE
(UK) Metro International Entertainment. 110mins. Dir: Gilles PaquetBrenner. Cast: Glenn Close, Max Irons, Gilian Anderson, Christina Hendricks, Stefanie Martini, Terence Stamp, Julian Sands, Christian Mackay, Honor Kneafsey. Private detective Charles Hayward is invited to solve a gruesome crime where nobody is above suspicion, including Sophia, his client and former lover.
drug trafficking. Angelo, 20, a suburban boy convicted for robbery. All of them finally benefit from a 48-hour furlough. An occasion for redemption for some… a search for vengeance for others. In their 48 hours of freedom, each one, with their contradictions and inner desperation, will regain a lost personal dignity and pride. Palais B
(US) Visit Films. 93mins. Dir: Natalia Leite. Cast: Francesca Eastwood, Clifton Collins Jr, Leah Mckendrick, Peter Vack. After being sexually assaulted by a fellow classmate, an art student takes justice into her own hands.
and Bob, a wealthy and well-connected American couple, move into a manor house in romantic Paris. While preparing a particularly luxurious dinner for sophisticated international friends, our hostess discovers there are 13 guests. Panic-stricken, Anne insists her loyal maid Maria disguise herself as a mysterious Spanish noblewoman to even out the numbers. But a little too much wine and some playful chat lead Maria to accidently endear herself to a dandy British artbroker. Their budding romance will have Anne chasing her maid around Paris and finally plotting to destroy this most unexpected and joyous love affair. Olympia 7
Lerins 2
MOUNTAIN MIRACLE — AN UNEXPECTED FRIENDSHIP
MADAME
(Germany) Arri Media International. 97mins. Dir: Tobias Wiemann. Cast: Mia Kasalo, Samuel Girardi, Susanne Bormann, Denis Moschitto, Jasmin Tabatabai,
(France) Studiocanal. 110mins. Dir: Amanda Sthers. Cast: Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel, Rossy De Palma. Adding a little spice to a waning marriage, Anne
Gray 2
DEPARTURE
(UK) Destiny Films. 109mins. Dir: Andrew Steggall. Palais H
FIRSTBORN See box, above
THE FURLOUGH
(Italy) Intramovies. 95mins. Dir: Claudio Amendola. Cast: Claudio Amendola, Luca Argentero, Giacomo Ferrara, Valentina Belle. Luigi, 50, convicted for double murder. Donato, a 30-something innocent, convicted to cover for the crimes of his boss. Rossana, 25, a diplomat daughter, arrested for international
MARKET 15:30 KALEIDOSCOPE
(UK) Independent. 100mins. Dir: Rupert Jones. Cast: Toby Jones, Anne Reid, Sinead Matthews. A year after being released from prison, Carl Woods has done well to carve out a life for himself in the outside world. Having found some work and a flat, he now embarks on his first date in
15 years. The event coincides with his estranged mother’s reappearance in his life, and her subsequent attempts to mend the differences that drove them apart many years before. As Carl tries to withstand the insidious influences of his past, so he finds himself increasingly drawn in to the dark imaginings of his own psychological vortex. Olympia 6
»
www.screendaily.com
COHEN MEDIA GROUP & COHEN FILM COLLECTION PROUDLY PRESENT THE FOLLOWING
CANNES MARCHÉ SCREENINGS
COHEN MEDIA GROUP PRESENTS
a film by
AGNÈS VARDA AND JR
THE STORY OF ONE FAMILY’S ESCAPE FROM NAZI-OCCUPIED PRAGUE TO A NEW LIFE IN BRAZIL
PRIORITY BADGES ONLY PRIORITY BADGES ONLY
Friday 19 MAY / Palais I / 4:00pm
Saturday 20 MAY / Lérins 3 / 12:00pm Sunday 21 MAY / Riveria 1 / 12:00pm Monday 22 MAY / Palais I / 6:00pm
MERCHANT IVORY COLLECTION RESTORATIONS
SHAKESPEARE WALLAH Monday 22 MAY Palais E / 9:30am
HEAT AND DUST Sunday 21 MAY Palais B / 5:30pm
1983
2K RESTORATION
4K RESTORATION
INTERNATIONAL SALES: Liz Mackiewicz, SVP International Distribution +1 310 567 9337 · lmackiewicz@cohenmedia.net Cannes Office: Riviera - Marina Club – H6
SCREENINGS
Jerry Hoffmann, David Bredin, Shenia Pitschmann. Amelie, 13, thinks of herself as a tough big-city brat and she probably is indeed the most stubborn girl in all of Berlin. Amelie doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do, least of all her parents, who ship her off to a special clinic in the mountains after just another asthma attack. Exactly what Amelie definitely doesn’t want. But instead of getting help at the clinic, she runs off and flees to a place where no one would expect to find her: the top of the mountain.
Charlotte. However, he soon learns that the life he created is far from perfect, and that being yourself, imperfections and all, is the only way to find true happiness in life. Lerins 3
STEGMAN IS DEAD
Lerins 4
NURSERY RHYME OF A MADMAN
(Canada) Rados Film Corp. 98mins. Dir: Igor Stephen Rados. Cast: Christoper James, Pola Stankovic, Keith Fernandes, Tim Kachurov. An established poet is trapped in an asylum by two crazy doctors in competition over opposing schools of thought. Palais J
THE PRINCE OF NOTHINGWOOD
(France) Pyramide International. 85mins. Dir: Sonia Kronlund. About a hundred kilometers away from Kabul, Salim Shaheen, the most popular and prolific actor-director-producer in Afghanistan, comes to show some of his films and to shoot the next in the process. He has brought with him his regular troupe of actors, each more eccentric and out of control than the next. That trip is an opportunity for us to get to know Shaheen, a real movie buff who has been making Z movies tirelessly for more than 30 years in a country at war. Riviera 2
ROUND OZ RIDE
(Australia) Imagine If. 15mins. Dir: Peter ‘Kog’ Godfrey. An epic 18,000km motorcycle journey of awakening for a father and his son, circumnavigating Australia in 40 days. Doc Corner
MARKET 16:00 THE LAST SUIT
(Spain) Latido Films. 89mins. Dir: Pablo Solarz. Cast: Miguel Angel Sola, Angela Molina, Natalia Verbeke, Martin Piroyansky, Julia Beerhold, Olga Boladz. Abraham Bursztein, an 88-year-old Jewish tailor, leaves Buenos Aires for Poland, where he will try to find the man
16:00 ARTE VR EXPERIENCES
(France) Next. 60mins. ARTE supports talented creators as a co-producer and, as a broadcaster, features ambitious documentaries, creative new programmes, and original movies and series for TV and digital platforms. Thanks to immersive narration using VR, ARTE promotes creativity, innovation and new story-telling. Next VR Cinema
CINDERELLA 3D
(US) Gold Valley Films. 90mins. Dir: Lynn Southerland. Cinderella and her loyal friends embark on a perilous adventure to restore the real Prince to his true self, and help him defeat the evil forces. Olympia 8
CLEMENTINA
(Argentina) Blood
96 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
who saved him from certain death during the Nazi occupation. Against all odds, after more than seven decades with no news from him, Abraham will attempt to find his old friend and fulfil his promise of returning one day to tell him all about the life he lived, thanks to his courage. Riviera 1
Window. 90mins. Dir: Jimena Monteoliva. Cast: Cecilia Cartasegna, Emiliano Carrazzone, Susana Varela. After being brutally attacked by her husband, Juana returns home. He has run away so she starts her recovery by herself, slowly. Strange sounds, objects that change places, shadows and voices that follow her: Juana doesn’t know if her husband is hidden there, if everything is a figment of her imagination, or if the house is haunted by a ghost. Olympia 4
HEAVY WATER
(US) Red Bull Media House. 90mins. Dir: Michael Oblowitz. Cast: Nathan Fletcher, Makua Rothman, Danny Fuller, Herbie Fletcher. A close look at Nathan Fletcher’s relationship with big-wave surfing, tracing
his lineage back to his grandfather, one of the pioneers of Oahu’s North Shore, and examining the consequences that Fletcher and his friends have faced in the pursuit of their passion for big waves. Palais E
THE LAST SUIT See box, left
Lucia is married to Gero, a politician who is dazzled by the possibility of becoming governor. Lucia is willing to support him, but after he calls her crazy she flees to Rio de Janeiro. There she rediscovers the joy of being single and pursuing one’s dreams. Gero needs her to get elected and Lucia has to get rid of him to be happy. Gray 5
THE LEARS
(US) Cineville International. 99mins. Dir: Carl Bessai. Cast: Bruce Dern, Sean Astin, Anthony Michael Hall, Aly Michalka, Victoria Smurfit, Nic Bishop. World-renowned, cuttingedge architect Davenport Lear, nearing retirement, summons his dysfunctional children to a weekend family retreat in one of his architectural creations, a magnificent Malibu estate. When they learn that he has decided to marry his personal assistant the next day, and subsequently feigns his own death, it sets off an explosive and funny round of devious behaviour and conflict as each of them jockeys for position borne by self-interest, greed and jealousy. Olympia 5
MAD ABOUT HER
(Brazil) Summerside International. 90mins. Dir: Marcus Ligocki Jr. Cast: Mariana Ximenez, Mia Mello, Sergio Guize, Bruno Garcia.
RED TREES
(UK) Cohen Media Group. 80mins. Dir: Marina Willer. Cast: Alfred Willer. Filmmaker Marina Willer retraces her father’s family journey as one of only 12 Jewish families to survive the Nazi occupation of Prague during the Second World War. Palais I
STATUS UPDATE
(US) Voltage Pictures. 104mins. Dir: Scott Speer. Cast: Ross Lynch, Olivia Holt, Courtney Eaton, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Martin Donovan, John Michael Higgins, Rob Riggle, Famke Janssen, Josh Ostrovsky. A timeless story for the millennial generation. When Kyle, a social outcast, happens upon a magical phone app that causes anything he posts to come true, he uses it to create his idea of the ‘perfect’ life. He even wins the affection of the two most beautiful girls in school, Dani and
(Canada) Julijette. 83mins. Dir: David Hyde. Cast: Michael Eklund, Bernice Liu, Michael Ironside. Meet Stegman. He’s dead. In this crime comedy, bizarre assassins must come together to unravel the puzzle of Stegman’s blackmail secret and why he’s already dead on the set of his own porn film. Stegman’s secret is somewhere within the rooms of his expansive suburban 1970s bungalow, and the cops are already circling. Gus and Evy, two of the central characters, escape Stegman’s house only to discover the true nature of his secret at last, and with it, the awful realisation that now they have to break back in. Gray 3
THE SOUND
(US) Spotlight Pictures. 91mins. Dir: Jenna Mattison. Cast: Rose McGowan, Michael Eklund. Kelly is a writer and a skeptic of the supernatural. As a specialist in acoustic physics she uses lowfrequency tactile soundwaves to debunk reported paranormal activities for her online blog. When presented a new case of a supposedly haunted subway station, Kelly sets off to uncover the truth behind the hoax that involves a 40-year-old unexplained suicide. Her investigation takes her deep into the abandoned station where her skepticism is tested. As Kelly ascends into the depths of the metro’s darkness, she is confronted by an unforeseen evil. In the vastness, she must face her own haunted memories to find the truth and surface back into the light. Lerins 1
WEIRDOS
(Canada) Double Dutch International. 89mins.
www.screendaily.com
»
SCREENINGS
FILMS FROM ISRAEL CANNES 2017
DIRECTORS’ FORTNIGHT WEST OF THE JORDANIAN RIVER (FIELD DIARY REVISTED)
Director: Amos Gitai Producer: Patricia Butinard, Laurent Truchot, Romain Card Production: Nilaya Films & Agav Films World Sales: Doc & Film E-mail: d.elstner@docandfilm.com Web: www.docandfilm.com SUN MON TUE TUE WED
MAY 21 MAY 22 MAY 23 MAY 23 MAY 24
15:00 15:00 11:30 16:00 18:30
THÉÂTRE CROISETTE MARKET SCREENINGS: THÉÂTRE CROISETTE MON MAY 22 13:30 CINEMA LES ARCADES 1 TUE MAY 23 11:30 CINEMA ALEXANDRE III STUDIO 13
RIVIERA 2 LERNIS 4
Gray 1
CANNES CLASSICS
WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY! 2
MATZOR (SIEGE)
Director: Gilberto Tofano Producer: Yaacov Agmon Sales: United King Films Web: www.unitedking.co.il WED MAY 24 12:30
BUNUEL THEATRE
ACID SCAFFOLDING
Director: Matan Yair Producers: Gal Greenspan, Roi Kurland, Stanislaw Dziedzic, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery Associate Producers: Maya Fischer, Adi Bar Yossef Production Companies: Green Productions, Film Produkcja, United King Films World Sales: New Europe Film Sales Web: www.neweuropefilmsales E-mail: kat@neweuropefilmsales SAT SAT SAT WED
MAY 20 MAY 20 MAY 20 MAY 24
11:00 20:00 22:30 14:00
STUDIO 13 ARCADES 1 (PREMIER) ARCADES 2 ALEXANDRE 3
MARKET SCREENINGS: SUN MAY 21 18:00 TUE MAY 23 12:00
PALAIS E PALAIS I
CINEFONDATION HERITAGE
Director: Yuval Aharoni Producers: Shlomi Elkabetz, Eilon Shani Production Company: Deux Beaux Garçons Films Sales Contact: Yuval Aharoni E-mail: aharoni.yuval@gmail.com THU MAY 25 11:00
Dir: Bruce McDonald. Cast: Dylan Authors. Coming-of-age comedydrama about two Nova Scotian teens who hit the road in July 1976 accompanied by the laconic ghost of (the still-living) Andy Warhol.
BUNUEL
(Japan) Shochiku Co. 113mins. Dir: Yoji Yamada. Cast: Isao Hashizume, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Yu Aoi. Several years have passed since Shuzo Hirata and his wife Tomiko came within inches of getting divorced. Shuzo enjoys getting out of the house and going for drives, but after his car starts to collect more dents that ever before, his eldest son Konosuke and daughterin-law Fumie begin to worry about his safety as an elderly driver and decide to ask him to relinquish his licence. However, how on earth are they going to convince such a stubborn old man to do so? Palais C
MARKET SCREENINGS THE TESTAMENT
17:00
Director: Amichai Greenberg Producers: Yoav Roeh, Aurit Zamir Co-producers: Sabine Moser, Oliver Neumann Production Company: Gum Films World Sales: INTRAMOVIES E-mail: Fabio.tucci@intramovies.com SAT MAY 20 16:00 MON MAY 22 16:00
PALAIS C LERNIS 1
FISTFUL OF STARS, AUTO, EXTRAVAGANZA
(US) Next. 60mins. Next VR Cinema
17:30 A MAN OF INTEGRITY
THE CAKEBAKER
Director: Ofir Raul Graizer Producer: Itai Tamir Co-Producer: Mathias Schwerbrock, Production Companies: Laila Films, Film Base Berlin World Sales: Films Boutique Web: www.filmsboutique.com E-mail: contact@filmsboutique.com SAT MAY 10 20:00 SUN MAY 21 18:00
(Iran) The Match Factory.
117mins. Dir: Mohammad Rasoulof. Cast: Reza Akhlaghirad, Soudabeh Beizaee, Nasim Adabi,. Having distanced himself from urban life years ago, Reza turned to goldfish breeding. Somewhere deep in the countryside, his breeding farm provides him with a way of life. But the farm’s administration has recently met a series of difficulties, so he tries to circumvent them while avoiding falling into the trap of a corrupt nexus of human relations. Olympia 3
A TAXI DRIVER
(South Korea) Showbox. 139mins. Dir: Hoon Jang. Cast: Kang-Ho Song, Thomas Kretschmann, Yoo Hai-Jin. May, 1980. A taxi driver in Seoul drives a foreigner, a German journalist, down to Gwangju city for big money, not knowing his hidden agenda. Lerins 2
COBY See box, below
CRASH TEST AGLAE
(France) Le Pacte. 85mins. Dir: Eric Gravel. Cast: India Hair, Julie Depardieu, Yolande Moreau. A young woman with a hopelessly rigid personality has one reason for living:
her job. She works in the crash test team of a carmanufacturing plant. When the management announces that the activity will be relocated to India, she decides, to everyone’s astonishment, that she prefers to move there rather than lose her job. After all, she does enjoy playing cricket! Together with two (reluctant) colleagues and an old shabby car as means of transportation, she embarks on an absurd journey to the end of the world, which will transform a fixed idea into an unlikely personal quest. Riviera 2
HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS
(Japan) Kadokawa Corporation. 114mins. Dir: Mari Asato. Cast: Kento Yamazaki, Alice Hirose, Yuki Saito, Fujiko Kojima, Amane Okayama, Kanata Hongo. Hotaro doesn’t like to do things that he considers a waste of energy. However, things start to change when he joins the memberless Classics Club that is on the verge of dissolution. There, he meets Eru, a gorgeous yet mysterious girl with a hearty curiosity. Although she seems shy and reserved, once she utters the fateful words “I need to know!”,
PALAIS C RIVIERA 1
HOLY AIR (HAWA MOQADDAS)
Director: Shady Srour Producer: Ilan Moskovitch, Shady Srour Production Company: Tree M Productions World Sales: New Europe Film Sales Web: www.neweuropefilmsales.com E-mail: kat@neweuropefilmsales WED MAY 7
16:00
PALAIS E
PAST LIFE
Director: Avi Nesher Producers: Dr. David M. Milch, David Silber, Avi Nesher, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, Ruth Cats Co-Producers: Ellamilch Sheriff, Elad Naggar Production Companies: Metro Communications, Artomas Communicaitons, Ars Veritas Productions, Sunshine Productions World Sales: Beliberg Entertainment E-mail: sales@bleibergent.com Web: www. bleibergent.com THU MAY 18 9:30
LERNIS 4
ISRAEL FILM FUND TEL: +972-3-562-8180, FAX: +972-3-562-5992 INFO@FILMFUND.CO.IL / WWW.FILMFUND.ORG.IL THE YEHOSHUA RABINOVIC H FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS CINEMA PROJECT / INFO@CINEMAPROJECT.ORG.IL TEL: +972-3-525-5020 / FAX: +972-3-525-5130 / WWW.CINEMAPROJECT.ORG.IL
Ministry of Culture
and Sport
MARKET 17:30 COBY
(France) Alpha Violet. 77mins. Dir: Christian Sonderegger. Chagrin Falls, a snow-covered village in
the Middle West. That’s the place where Jacob and Sara, a perfectly matched couple, live. But Jacob has a secret: before being a man, he was a woman. Palais D
»
98 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
mainos.indd 2
16.5.2017 23.48
SCREENINGS
her tenacious curiosity is unstoppable. One day, Eru asks Hotaro for his help in solving a 33-year-old school mystery involving her uncle, a former Classics Club member who has gone missing. As Hotaro attempts to unearth the truth behind the disappearance of Eru’s uncle, he finds traces of clues that his secret is locked inside a tragic tale, found within the club’s mysterious anthology entitled ‘Hyouka’. Gray 4
JUST DIVORCED
(France) Other Angle Pictures. 95mins. Dir: Maxime Govare. Cast: Vincent Elbaz, Laurence Arne, Gregory Fitoussi, Jean-Francois Cayrey. After 10 years of marriage, Adrien, an eternally irresponsible teenager, gets dumped by Maude, who wants to start a family. Still in love with her and co-owner of their apartment, Adrien refuses to leave the place, despite Maude’s new boyfriend living with them. He strikes back by opening a nursery in his soon-to-be former apartment. From now on, they will have to live together with a bunch of three-year-old children, managed by Adrien.
The start of an unlikely educational journey. Palais H
PERMANENT
(US) Magnolia Pictures and Magnet Releasing. 87mins. Dir: Colette Burson. Cast: Patricia Arquette, Rainn Wilson, Kira Mclean. It’s the early 1980s in small-town Virginia and ‘perms’ are all the rage. Thirteen-year-old Aurelie dreams about getting one to fit in at her new school, but when her clueless parents take her to a hairdressing academy to save a few bucks, things go incredibly wrong. This is a story about adolescence, socially awkward family members and bad hair. Palais J
TEXT FOR YOU See box, below
ULTIMATE JUSTICE
Vision Films. 92mins. Dir: Martin Christopher Bode.
believe in the war he’s fighting. While stationed at an inactive posting, he falls madly in love with Carlana, a swindling landowner whose only thirst is for power. Carlana tricks him and tramples on Lluis’s self-esteem, dragging him into a downward spiral of passion, betrayal and humiliation that will have devastating consequences for everyone involved. Palais B
WHEN THE DAY HAD NO NAME
(Macedonia) Cercamon. 85mins. Dir: Teona Strugar Mitevska. A group of teenage boys’ night out is tainted by ethnic tensions and a visit gone wrong to a young prostitute. A Balkan portrait of a whole generation of youth raised in a time of transition and questionable values. Arcades 3
18:00 A BEAUTIFUL STAR
Palais F
UNCERTAIN GLORY
(Spain) Film Factory Entertainment. 115mins. Dir: Agusti Villaronga. Cast: Marcel Borras, Oriol Pla, Nuria Prims, Terele Pavez. Spain, 1937. Lluis is a soldier, a loner who doesn’t
(Japan) Gaga Corporation. 127mins. Dir: Daihachi Yoshida. Cast: Lily Franky, Kazuya Kamenashi, Ai Hashimoto, Tomoko Nakajima. Portrays a family on Earth who come to believe that they are actually from other planets all of a sudden.
MARKET 17:30 TEXT FOR YOU United States of America Embassy Warsaw
(Germany) Beta Cinema. 107mins. Dir: Karoline Herfurth. Cast: Karoline Herfurth, Friedrich Mucke,
Nora Tschirner, Frederick Lau. A romantic dramedy about a woman sending texts to her late fiance and finding new love where she didn’t expect to. Lerins 4
»
100 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
RSVP: INDONESIAN-CINEMA.EVENTBRITE.CO.UK
SCREENINGS
They try so hard to save the endangered planet Earth but things get crazy along the way. Lerins 3
A PROMINENT PATIENT See box, left
A SILENT VOICE
MARKET 18:00
Story about the life of diplomat and later Czech foreign minister Jan Masaryk, dealing with the dramatic events leading to the outbreak of the Second World War.
A PROMINENT PATIENT
(Czech Republic) Beta Cinema. 100mins. Dir: Julius Sevcik. Cast: Karel Roden, Hanns Zischler.
Palais I
(Japan) Viz Media Europe. 129mins. Dir: Naoko Yamada. Cast: Miyu Irino, Saori Hayami, Aoi Yuuki, Kensho Ono, Yuki Kaneko, Yui Ishikawa, Megumi Han. Nishimiya Shoko, a grade-school student with impaired hearing, transfers to a new school where she is bullied by her classmates, especially Ishida Shouya. It gets to the point where she transfers to another school and, as a result, Shouya is ostracised and bullied himself. Years later, he sets himself on a path to redemption. Gray 5
BACK TO BURGUNDY
(France) Studiocanal. 114mins. Dir: Cedric Klapisch. Cast: Pio Marmai, Ana Girardot, Francois Civil. Jean is 30 years old and has spent the past decade travelling around the world, cutting all ties with his family and with Burgundy, the region of his childhood. Now settled abroad, he is called back home to France to the bedside of his terminally ill father. It’s the end of the summer and the approaching grape harvest gives Jean the opportunity to reunite with his sister Juliette and his brother Jeremie, to agree on the future of the family vineyard. Over the course of one year, following the rhythm of the seasons and the winemaking process, the three siblings slowly rebuild their relationship, bonded by their genuine
and vital passion for the craft. Arcades 2
THE GODDESSES OF FOOD
(France) Autlook Filmsales. 90mins. Dir: Verane Frediani. In the male-dominated food universe, discover the women changing the game on all levels. Palais E
COLD NOVEMBER
(US) Visit Films. 91mins. Dir: Karl Jacob. Cast: Bijou Abas, Karl Jacob, Anna Klemp, Heidi Fellner. On the cusp of womanhood, 12-year-old Florence goes on her first deer hunt, a traditional rite-of-passage in her matriarchal family. Riviera 1
JOAQUIM
(Brazil) Films Boutique. 100mins. Dir: Marcelo Gomes. Cast: Julio
Shoot in Lithuania
Now you save up to 20% of your Lithuanian production budget. Le a r n m o r e a b o u t t h e t a x i n c e n t i v e s s c h e m e a t w w w. l k c . l t
»
102 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
SITUATED IN SOUTH WEST LONDON, IN THE FASHIONABLE LONDON BOROUGH OF RICHMOND UPON THAMES, TWICKENHAM STUDIOS HOLDS THE UNIQUE POSITION OF BEING THE ONLY STUDIO IN LONDON THAT OFFERS A COMPLETE SCRIPT TO SCREEN SERVICE FOR BOTH FILM AND TELEVISION.
PREP
SHOOT
POST
RELAX
LOVE FILM MAKING… LOVE LONDON… LOVE TWICKENHAM For more information, please contact:
sales@twickenhamstudios.com @TwickStudios
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8607 8888 @TwickenhamStudios
www.twickenhamstudios.com @twickenhamstudios
SCREENINGS
Machado, Isabel Zuaa, Romulo Braga. Based on the true story of Tiradentes, the first leader of the Brazilian revolutionary movement. Lerins 1
IN THE FADE See box, left
KANGAROO
MARKET 18:00 IN THE FADE
(Germany, France) The Match Factory. 106mins. Dir: Fatih Akin. Cast: Diane Kruger, Denis Moschitto, Johannes
Krisch, Numan Acar, Samia Chancrin. The contemporary story of a grieving wife and mother’s unrelenting love for her family. Palais K
(Australia) Second Nature Films. 90mins. Dir: Michael McIntyre, Kate Clere. This groundbreaking film reveals the truth surrounding Australia’s love-hate relationship with its beloved icon. The kangaroo image is proudly used by Australia’s top companies, sports teams and on tourist souvenirs, yet as they hop across the vast continent they are considered pests to be shot and sold for profit. ‘Kangaroo’ unpacks a national paradigm where the relationship with
kangaroos is examined. Gray 3
victims as they sleep, the ‘Night Hag’ is the original nightmare.
KISS ME
Olympia 5
(France) WTFilms. 90mins. Dir: Cyprien Vial. Cast: Alice Pol. A young, modern, happy woman falls in love with beautiful Cecile. The only cloud in this perfect picture: her collection of ex-girlfriends! Gray 1
SLUMBER
(UK) Goldcrest Films International. 86mins. Dir: Jonathan Hopkins. Cast: Maggie Q, Will Kemp, Sylvester McCoy, William Hope. ‘Slumber’ tells the story of Alice, a rationally minded sleep doctor who is forced to abandon scientific reason and accept a family is being terrorised by a parasitic demon that has existed in every human culture since records began. Paralysing
THUMPER
(US) The Works International. 93mins. Dir: Jordan Ross. Cast: Eliza Taylor, Pablo Schreiber, Lena Headey. Troubled new girl Kat Carter struggles to fit in with her high-school classmates in a community where drugs and violence run rampant. When she is befriended by sweetnatured Beaver, Kat realises that the reach of the local drug ring is far deeper than she imagined. But Kat has a dark secret of her own. She soon attracts the attention of the group’s leader, Wyatt, a menacing individual who would kill to protect his livelihood. Surviving in this treacherous environment is no mean feat. Olympia 1
subscribe from 99€ www.ScreenDaily.com/Cannes Contact customer services and quote code CFF17 +44 (0) 330 333 9414
help@subscribe.screendaily.com »
104 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
www.screendaily.com
SCREENINGS
Galindez, Victoria Gonzalez, Nick Romano. Palais D
THE OPEN DOOR See box, below
RED SHOES & THE 7 DWARFS
MARKET 18:00 YOU ARE KILLING ME SUSANA
(Mexico) Filmsharks International. 102mins. Dir: Roberto Sneider. Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Veronica Echegui.
YOU ARE KILLING ME SUSANA See box, above
19:30 REPLACE
(Canada) Jinga Films. 101mins. Dir: Norbert Keil. Cast: Rebecca Forsythe, Lucie Aron, Barbara Crampton, Sean Knopp, Adnan Maral. Afflicted with a dermatological disease, young and beautiful Kira discovers that she can replace her skin with that of other girls. Helped by her lover, she plots a murder and the victim becomes her donor, but when the disease returns she is forced to find more victims.
Follow Eligio’s quest to find and win back the woman he loves, who without a word left Mexico City behind for a writer’s conference held in the chilly US heartland. Palais C
Cast: Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried. Eddie Krumble is a ‘clapper’, someone who is paid to be in the audience for infomercials, and he books any gig he can get. A late-night talk show host ridicules Eddie’s repeat appearances on the infomercials in varying unintentionally hilarious disguises and calls for a
Lerins 4
20:00 BUY ME
(Russia) Art Pictures Studio/Art Pictures Group. 100mins. Dir: Perelman Vadim. Riviera 2
THE CLAPPER
(US) Fortitude International. 90mins. Dir: Dito Montiel. 106 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
nationwide search to find him. Eddie, apprehensive of the attention and caught up in a budding romance with Judy, tries to avoid the fame at all costs. Ultimately left with no other choice, he goes on the late-night show and embraces the fame, which backfires, Judy gets unnerved at the attention and leaves Eddie. Chewed up and spat out by the media, he must find a way to restore his reputation, rekindle his relationship with Judy and return to his abnormal life. Olympia 7
DANGEROUS GAME
(UK) Wonderphil Entertainment. 94mins. Dir: Richard Colton.
Cast: Darren Day, Amar Adatia, Lucy Pinder. Chris Rose is a young professional footballer from Essex who finally gets the opportunity to play for his favourite professional team. But Chris gets involved with a Russian organised crime syndicate that has its sights set on using young players to fix matches. Gray 3
ILEGITIMO
(Panama) Panama Film Commission. 90mins. Dir: Juan Camilo Gamba. Cast: Jorge Enrique Abello, Julieth Restrepo, Elmis Castillo, Robin Duran, Mariela Aragon Chiari, Hannah Schobitz, Aaron Zebede, Augusto
(South Korea) Finecut Co. 7mins. Dir: Sungho Hong. The true story behind ‘Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs’. What if the seven dwarfs were actually seven cursed princes? Snow White, the beauty in red shoes, appears in front of the seven dwarfs, who must be kissed by the most beautiful woman in the world to break the curse. As they get into an absurd competition over her kiss, the once arrogant, looksobsessed princes gradually realise the true meaning of beauty. Palais H
WIN MARATHON
(India) Soulandhearts Film. 94mins. Dir: Aryan Neerraj Anand. Cast: Aryan Neerraj Anand, Ankita Bahuguna, Preena Jhamb, Anjani Kumar Singh. A man runs a distance of 42.195km to win back the love of his wife, but instead falls in love with himself. Palais F
20:30 MAN OF WILL
(South Korea) Finecut Co. 109mins. Dir: Lee WonTae. Cast: Cho Jin-Woong, Song Seung-Heon. Young Kim Chang-
Soo is placed behind bars, charged with murdering a Japanese ronin who took part in Empress Myeongseong’s assassination. In prison, Kim Chang-Soo sees how Koreans are persecuted and grows into a fighter for Korean independence. Palais H
SALTY
(UK) Carnaby International Sales & Distribution. 100mins. Dir: Simon West. Cast: Antonio Banderas, Olga Kurylenko. Turk Henry is a megaplatinum rock star who’s married to a supermodel and rich beyond his wildest dreams. While on holiday, his wife is mysteriously abducted by a group of renegade, shipless pirates. With little assistance from local authorities, Turk is forced to embark on a mission to rescue his wife. With life skills better suited to playing bass, playing the field and partying, he is forced to navigate through deadly jungles and take on ruthless bandits in this truly hilarious, actionpacked romp. Arcades 2
SEA SORROW
(UK) Autlook Filmsales. 74mins. Dir: Vanessa Redgrave. Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Emma Thompson. An examination of the historical context for the current migrant crisis. Olympia 4
MARKET 20:00 THE OPEN DOOR
(Spain) True Colours. 84mins. Dir: Marina Seresesky. Cast: Carmen Machi, Terele Pavez, Asier Etxeandia, Lucia Balas, Paco Tous, Sonia Almarcha. Rosa is a prostitute who inherited the profession from her mother, Antonia, who thinks she is Sara Montiel and makes Rosa’s daily life hell. Rosa does not know how to be happy. But the unexpected arrival of a new member to her particular family will give her a unique opportunity to achieve happiness. Olympia 9
www.screendaily.com
May 19 th, 2017
BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING NOW Contact Scott Benfold
+44 7765 257260
scott.benfold@screendaily.com
MAY 19 TH, 2017
. E R E H S T R A T IT ALLRSE. CONNECT. EXPLO . S S E N I S U DO B 8 1 0 2 B E F 3 15ïš» 2
WWW.EFM-BERLINALE.DE
EFM18_Screen_245x335mm_RZ.indd 1
02.05.17 14:19
WONDERSTRUCK (US) Todd Haynes
★★
★★
LOVELESS (Fr-Rus) Andrey Zvyagintsev
★★ ★★
★
★★
★★★
★★ ★★
★★★ ★★★ ★★★
★★★
★★
★★★
★★ ★★
★★ ★★
★★ ★★
★★ ★★
★★ ★★
★★★
Good
AVERAGE
SCREEN INTERNATIONAL
KATJA NICODEMUS Die Zeit, Germany
Excellent
ANTON DOLIN Meduza, Russia
TIM ROBEY, ROBBIE COLLIN The Daily Telegraph, UK
NICK JAMES Sight & Sound, UK
JUSTIN CHANG Los Angeles Times, US
STEPHANIE ZACHAREK Time Magazine, US
KONG RITHDEE Bangkok Post, Thailand
MICHEL CIMENT Positif, France Culture, France
★★★★
JULIEN GESTER, DIDIER PERON Libération, France
THE SCREEN JURY AT CANNES
FABIO FERZETTI Il Fatto Quotidiano, Italy
JURY GRID
★★
★★★
2.7
★★
★★★
3.2
OKJA (S Kor-US) Bong Joon Ho
Ahn Seo Hyun a young★★ girl who sets save her best a massive animal named from a ★★ ★★stars as ★★ ★★out to★★ ★★friend,★★ ★★ ★★ Okja, ★★ powerful company. Tilda Swinton, Gyllenhaal Dano co-star. ★★ multinational ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ Jake ★★ ★★and Paul ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
JUPITER’S MOON (Hun-Ger) Kornel Mundruczo
A★★ 17-year-old boy illegally the border is shot by★★ a police ★★ officer and, as result★★ of his injuries, ★★ ★★crosses ★★ ★★into Hungary. ★★ He★★ ★★ develops ability to★★ levitate. Merab ★★ the ★★ ★★ Ninidze ★★ and Zsombor ★★ Jeger ★★ star. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) (Fr) Robin Campillo
Based own experiences an Aids★★ activist, Campillo’s film centres on direct-action ★★ on his ★★ ★★ as ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ group ★★ Act Up, ★★which targeted potential★★ cures. Adele and Nahuel Biscayart★★ star. ★★ pharmaceutical ★★ ★★labs withholding ★★ ★★ ★★Haenel★★ ★★Pérez ★★
0.0 0.0 0.0
museum ★★ director (Claes is about★★ to unveil ★★ a show featuring artist (Dominic whose ★★ latest THE SQUARE (Swe-Ger-Fr-Den) A★★ ★★ Bang) ★★ ★★ an★★ ★★ West) ★★ installation makes the★★ news thanks shock tactics company. Ruben Ostlund ★★ ★★ ★★to the★★ ★★ of a PR ★★ ★★Elisabeth ★★Moss co-stars. ★★ ★★
0.0
THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES (NEW AND SELECTED) (US) Noah Baumbach
Baumbach makes his★★ Cannes debut film starring Sandler★★ alongside Ben Stiller, Hoffman and ★★ ★★ ★★ in this ★★ ★★ Adam ★★ ★★ ★★Dustin★★ Emma story follows siblings ★★ dealing with their ageing ★★ Thompson. ★★ The ★★ ★★ adult★★ ★★ ★★ father. ★★ ★★ ★★
REDOUBTABLE (Fr) Michel Hazanavicius
Hazanavicius offers up his take★★ on the romance Wave director ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ between ★★ New★★ ★★ Jean-Luc ★★ Godard ★★and actress ★★ Anne Wiazemsky, who he would in 1967 ★★ after directing La Chinoise . Louis ★★ Garrel and★★ Stacy Martin ★★ ★★ ★★ marry ★★ ★★ her in★★ ★★ ★★ star.
0.0 0.0
Colin stars opposite Kidman★★ in a dark★★ tale inspired surgeon finds THE KILLING OF A SACRED ★★Farrell★★ ★★ Nicole ★★ ★★by a Euripides ★★ tragedy. ★★ A charismatic ★★ ★★ life starting apart after★★ meeting★★ a troubled★★ teenage★★ boy. DEER (UK-US) Yorgos Lanthimos his ★★ ★★to fall ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
0.0
HAPPY END (Fr-Ger-Aust) Michael Haneke
An★★ exploration it means★★ to be oblivious suffering of others, Haneke★★ chronicles the lives★★ of a bourgeois ★★of what★★ ★★ to the ★★ ★★ ★★ family the backdrop refugee★★ crisis. Isabelle Trintignant star. ★★ in Calais, ★★against ★★ ★★ of the ★★ ★★ Huppert and Jean-Louis ★★ ★★ ★★
THE DAY AFTER (S Kor) Hong Sangsoo
Kim Minhee★★ stars as a★★ new employee small publishing a philandering Haehyo and ★★ ★★ at a★★ ★★ company ★★ with ★★ ★★ boss. ★★Kwon ★★ Kim Saebyuk co-star ★★ in Hong’s ★★ fourth appearance in Competition. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
RADIANCE (Jap-Fr) Naomi Kawase
Masatoshi with failing★★ eyesight★★ who strikes up a relationship with a writer. ★★ Nagase ★★ plays ★★a photographer ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★Ayame Misaki co-star ★★ for Cannes regular Kawase. ★★ and Tatsuya ★★ Fuji ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
THE BEGUILED (US) Sofia Coppola
A★★ Civil War potboiler who stirs★★ up sexual★★ tension at the all-girl’s in Virginia ★★ about ★★ a wounded ★★ Union ★★soldier★★ ★★ ★★school ★★ where Coppola★★ stalwart ★★ Kirsten Dunst alongside★★ Nicole Kidman, Fanning and ★★ he takes ★★shelter. ★★ ★★stars ★★ ★★ Elle★★ ★★Colin Farrell.
RODIN (Fr-Bel) Jacques Doillon
Vincent moody proto-modernist a film that charts ★★ his stormy★★ relationship ★★ Lindon ★★plays ★★ ★★ ★★ sculptor ★★Auguste ★★Rodin in ★★ ★★ with Claudel (Izia his junior, who becomes lover, model ★★Camille★★ ★★Higelin), ★★25 years ★★ ★★ ★★ his★★ ★★and co-worker. ★★ ★★
GOOD TIME (US) Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
The Safdie brothers for the★★ first time.★★ Robert Pattinson on the run ★★ ★★ step ★★up to Competition ★★ ★★ ★★ stars ★★as a bank ★★robber★★ from streets ★★ of New York. Jennifer★★ Jason Leigh co-star.★★ ★★dangerous ★★ criminals ★★ on the ★★ ★★ ★★and Barkhad ★★ Abdi ★★
A GENTLE CREATURE (Fr-RusGer-Neth-Lith) Sergei Loznitsa
A★★ Gentle Creature Dostoyevsky of the same about the★★ relationship ★★ is loosely ★★ inspired ★★ by the ★★ ★★ story★★ ★★name★★ ★★between an executioner and his victim, from the ★★ executioner’s of view. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ told★★ ★★point ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
IN THE FADE (Ger-Fr) Fatih Akin
Akin’s death of her in a bomb★★ blast. ★★ Hamburg-set ★★ thriller ★★ follows ★★a woman ★★who takes ★★revenge ★★for the★★ ★★family★★ Germany-born, stars in★★ her first German-language ★★ ★★France-based ★★ Diane ★★ Kruger ★★ ★★ ★★ film. ★★ ★★ ★★
L’AMANT DOUBLE (Fr-Bel) Francois Ozon
Ozon with Marine and Jérémie in an erotically of a fragile young woman ★★reunites ★★ ★★ Vacth★★ ★★ Renier ★★ ★★ charged ★★ tale★★ ★★ ★★ who moves her therapist, to find he is not what ★★ in with ★★ ★★ only ★★ ★★ ★★he seems. ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★
YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (US-Fr) Lynne Ramsay
Joaquin this thriller veteran★★ who attempts a young★★ girl from★★ a sex-trafficking ★★ Phoenix ★★ leads★★ ★★as a war ★★ ★★ to save ★★ ★★ ring. But things not go to plan. Ekaterina co-star.★★ ★★ do ★★ ★★ ★★ Samsonov ★★ and ★★Alessandro ★★ Nivola ★★ ★★ ★★
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
112 Screen International at Cannes May 19, 2017
★★ Average ★ Poor
✖ Bad
Screen International office Majestic Barriere, 1st floor, Suites Joy and Alexandre, 10 Boulevard De La Croisette, 06400 Cannes E-mail: firstname.lastname@ screendaily.com (unless stated) Editorial +33 4 9706 8494 Editor Matt Mueller US editor Jeremy Kay (jeremykay67@gmail.com) Deputy editor Andreas Wiseman Reviews editor and chief film critic Fionnuala Halligan (finn.halligan@ screendaily.com) Asia editor Liz Shackleton (lizshackleton@gmail. com) Senior editor, online Orlando Parfitt Deputy editor, online and reporter Tom Grater Group head of production and art Mark Mowbray Group art editor Peter Gingell Reporters Melanie Goodfellow (melanie. goodfellow@btinternet.com), Geoffrey Macnab (geoffrey@macnab. demon.co.uk), Tiffany Pritchard (tiffanypritchard@gmail.com), Liz Shackleton (lizshackleton@gmail. com) Sub-editors Sam Andrews, Paul Lindsell, David Powning, Adam Richmond, Richard Young Advertising and publishing Commercial director Scott Benfold +44 7765 257 260 International account managers Ingrid Hammond +44 7880 584 182 (ingridhammond@mac.com) Pierre-Louis Manes +44 7768 237 487 Gunter Zerbich +44 7540 100 254 VP business development, North America Nigel Daly +1 213 447 5120 (nigeldalymail@gmail.com) Sales and business development executive, North America Nikki Tilmouth (nikki. screeninternational@gmail.com) Production manager Jonathon Cooke +44 7584 335 148 (jonathon.cooke@mb-insight.com) Production assistant Neil Sinclair +44 7826 942 693 (neil.sinclair@ mb-insight.com) Sales co-ordinator Rebecca Moran +44 7834 902 528 Festival manager Mai Thornley +44 7436 096 549 (mai.thornley@mb-insight.com) Chief executive, MBI Conor Dignam Printer Riccobono Imprimeur ZA Les Ferrieres, 83490 Le Muy Screen International, London Zetland House, 5-25 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4HJ Subscription enquiries +44 330 333 9414 help@subscribe.screendaily.com
0.0
www.screendaily.com
REMEMORY REMEMORY DIRECTOR: Mark Palansky DIRECTOR: Mark Palansky CAST: Peter Dinklage, Julia CAST: Peter
Ormond, Anton Yelchin Dinklage, Julia Ormond, Anton Yelchin
“A thought-provoking film “A film curiosity” that’ll piquethought-provoking any Black Mirror fan’s that’ll pique any Black Mirror fan’s curiosity” - Bustle - Bustle
“A cerebral thriller” “A cerebral thriller” – CNET – CNET
“A talented ensemble that includes Julia Ormond, “A talented ensemble that includes Julia Ormond, Henry Ian Cusick, and the late Anton Yelchin.” Henry Ian Cusick,–and the late Anton Yelchin.” The Daily Beast – The Daily Beast
“Dinklageisishypnotic” hypnotic” “Dinklage – No Film School – No Film School
SCREENING: SCREENING:
21st May // Palais PalaisII//12:00 12:00 21st May
THEPARTY PARTY THE DIRECTOR: SallyPotter Potter DIRECTOR: Sally CAST: KristinScott ScottThomas, Thomas,Patricia PatriciaClarkson, Clarkson, CAST: Kristin
CillianMurphy, Murphy,Bruno BrunoGanz, Ganz,Emily EmilyMortimer, Mortimer, Timothy Timothy Spall Spall Cillian “There’snothing nothingto todislike” dislike” “There’s Variety --Variety
“Potterkeeps keepsthe theenergy energyfizzing fizzing “Potter and the jokes crackling” and–the jokes crackling” The Hollywood Reporter – The Hollywood Reporter
“A crisp, energetic, highly compact comedy” “A crisp, energetic, highly – Screencompact comedy” – Screen
SCREENING: SCREENING:
20th May / Gray 3 / 14:00 20th May / Gray 3 / 14:00
Cannes office:
Cannes office:
gpm_screen-daily_page_245x335_9.indd 2
THE GRAY D’ALBION - GRAY 4D5 20 BIS, RUED’ALBION DE SERBES, 06400, THE GRAY - GRAY 4D5CANNES 20 BIS, RUE DE SERBES, 06400, CANNES
Email: jalexander@greatpointmedia.com Tel: +44 jalexander@greatpointmedia.com (0) 20 3873 0033 Email:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3873 0033
05/05/2017 12:12