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Netflix kicked off February with news of the streaming service’s 2024 film slate.

The steamer, which landed 18 Oscar nominations this year – including seven for Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” – will debut numerous populist films in 2024, including new projects from Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, Jenifer Lopez, Millie Bobby Brown, Eddie Murphy, and more.

Well-known directors with movies set to premiere on Netflix this year include Tyler Perry (two titles), McG, Richard Linklater, and Lee Daniels. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will also make his directorial debut with “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.”

On the awards front, while it’s too early to tell which projects might pop – and what movies Netflix might acquire for release this year, similarly to how the studio purchased Todd Haynes’ “May December” at the Cannes Film Festival last year – titles to flag include “The Piano Lesson” from Malcolm Washington with Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington,...

Sundance 2016 is fast approaching. Last week we posted the movie lineup of Midnight and Competition film selections. We now have the complete lineup for the premieres in both the feature film and documentary categories. We also have their selections for the Spotlight and Kid films. I've also included a list of special events.

There are a lot of great films on this list that I'm excited about seeing because of the incredible talent involved. Viggo Mortensen and Frank Langella star in Captain Fantastic; Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams star in Certain Women; Rachel Weisz, Michael Shannon, Kathy Bates and Danny Glover star in Complete Unknown; Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez star in The Fundamentals of Caring; John Krasinski directed a film called The Hollars which he stars in with Anna Kendrick, Margo Martindale, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley, and Charlie Day; Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi has made a new...

Sundance programmers have unveiled what is a jaw-dropping, savoury Premieres line-up. With names such as Asif Kapadia (Ali & Nino), Kelly Reichardt (Certain Women), Joshua Marston (Complete Unknown), Ira Sachs (Little Men), Whit Stillman (Love & Friendship), Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea), Todd Solondz (Wiener-Dog) and James Schamus’ directorial debut (Indignation), the 2016 edition could be considered a “gold” level edition that in the decade plus years we’ve been covering the fest easily rivals what we might find in the Main Comp in Cannes later that year. In addition to titan auteurs names mentioned above, the fest also have faves in Anne Fontaine, Taika Waititi, John Carney and Diego Luna on tap plus will showcase work from Matthew Ross (directorial debut – Frank & Lola) and Matt Ross (sophomore film – Captain Fantastic). Here is the Premieres line-up.

Agnus Dei / France, Poland (Director: Anne Fontaine, Screenwriters: Sabrina N. Karine, Alice Vial, Pascal Bonitzer) — 1945 Poland: Mathilde,...

Kate Plays ChristineThe lineup for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, taking place between January 21 -31, has been announced.U.S. Dramatic COMPETITIONAs You Are (Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, USA): As You Are is the telling and retelling of a relationship between three teenagers as it traces the course of their friendship through a construction of disparate memories prompted by a police investigation. Cast: Owen Campbell, Charlie Heaton, Amandla Stenberg, John Scurti, Scott Cohen, Mary Stuart Masterson. World Premiere The Birth of a Nation (Nate Parker, USA): Set against the antebellum South, this story follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. After witnessing countless atrocities against fellow slaves, Nat devises a plan to lead his people to freedom. Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Gabrielle Union, Mark Boone Jr. World PremiereChristine (Antonio Campos,...

Sundance Institute today announces the remainder of its feature film lineup for the 2016 Sundance Film Festival - narratives, documentaries, episodic work and events in the Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Spotlight, Sundance Kids and Special Events sections. Of note, given this blog's interests, are:  - "Mr. Pig" from director Diego Luna, based on a script he co-wrote with Augusto Mendoza, starring Danny Glover, Maya Rudolph, José María Yazpik, Joel Murray, Angélica Aragón, and Gabriela Araujo. Synopsis: On a mission to sell his last remaining prize hog and reunite with old friends, an aging farmer abandons his foreclosed farm and journeys to...

Top brass at the Park City festival have rounded out the feature line-up with a dazzling selection on paper that includes new work from Asif Kapadia and other returning alumni such as Todd Solondz, Taika Waititi and Joshua Marston.Scroll Down For Full List

Road movie The Fundamentals Of Caring by Rob Burnett starring Paul Rudd will close the festival, while Maggie Greenwald’s Sophie And The Rising Sun is the Salt Lake City Gala Film. Heid Ewing and Rachel Grady’s Norman Lear: Just Another Version Of You is a Day One Film.

The Premieres line-up introduces Indignation, the feature directorial debut from former Focus Features CEO and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon screenwriter James Schamus, and the latest world premieres from John Carney, Kenneth Lonergan, Ira Sachs and Diego Luna.

The Documentary Premieres section encompass latest films from Werner Herzog, Spike Lee, Liz Garbus and Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.

The Spotlight...

Top brass at the Park City festival have rounded out the feature line-up with a dazzling selection on paper that includes new work from Asif Kapadia and other returning alumni such as Todd Solondz, Taika Waititi and Joshua Marston.Scroll Down For Full List

Road movie The Fundamentals Of Caring by Rob Burnett starring Paul Rudd will close the festival, while Maggie Greenwald’s Sophie And The Rising Sun is the Salt Lake City Gala Film. Heid Ewing and Rachel Grady’s Norman Lear: Just Another Version Of You is a Day One Film.

The Premieres line-up introduces Indignation, the feature directorial debut from former Focus Features CEO and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon screenwriter James Schamus, and the latest world premieres from John Carney, Kenneth Lonergan, Ira Sachs and Diego Luna.

The Documentary Premieres section encompass latest films from Werner Herzog, Spike Lee, Liz Garbus and Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.

The Spotlight...

After unveiling what’s sure to be a great many discoveries with their competition, Next line-up, and more, Sundance Film Festival 2016 have now revealed their premieres line-up. “Many of our selections this year reveal that what resides at the core of captivating stories are fascinating, and at times heroic, characters,” programming director Trevor Groth says. “In shining light on these people, independent filmmakers are doing what they’ve always done best: connecting the dots of human existence with a deeply charged emotional current.”

Featuring new films from Kenneth Lonergan, Werner Herzog, Kelly Reichardt, Todd Solondz, Taika Waititi, Ira Sachs, Whit Stillman, and more, check out the line-ups below, along with images where available.

Premieres

A showcase of world premieres of some of the most highly anticipated narrative films of the coming year.

Agnus Dei / France, Poland (Director: Anne Fontaine, Screenwriters: Sabrina N. Karine, Alice Vial, Pascal Bonitzer) — 1945 Poland: Mathilde, a young French doctor,...

This a great blending of companies and material. Canada's sales agents have always led the way internationally and Mexico is our pick of cinema territory on the rise.

Toronto-based sales and distribution outfit Raven Banner has picked up international rights to Rafa Lara’s historical epic Cinco de Mayo: The Battle and will commence world sales in Cannes.

Directed by young Mexican sensation, Rafa Lara, the $10 million dollar action adventure is the biggest budget Mexican film to date and was released on a record 500 prints in Mexico. U.S. theatrical is through Pantelion/Televisa/Lionsgate. The film took more than $1 million in its first weekend of domestic release last week.

Cinco de Mayo: The Battle chronicles the story of Mexico’s Battle of Puebla, the most important battle in Mexico’s history. When the unbeatable French army invades Mexico to set up a monarchy, General Ignacio Zaragoza played by Kuno Becker (Goal!, From Prada to Nada), must defend the city of Puebla, commanding a poorly armed and outnumbered troop of men. The film, recounts the bravery of a people pushed to the limit, fighting for their nation, their families and their pride. The film features an all-star Mexican cast (Angelica Aragon, Kuno Becker, Mario Zaragoza, Liz Gallardo and Christian Vasquez). The film was produced by Paco Gallastegui, Rafa Lara and executive produced by Televisa CEO, Emilio Azcarraga.

Today the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

The deal with Raven Banner was negotiated by Managing partners, Michael Paszt and James Fler and producers Paco Gallastegui and Rafa Lara. The film screens in the Cannes market on May 16.

“This is such an ambitious epic with flawless production values,” says Paszt. “We’re honoured to be bringing the biggest Mexican film of all time to the international marketplace.”

Director, Lara's previous film, La Milagrosa, was sold in more than 50 territories.

About Raven Banner Entertainment

Raven Banner Entertainment is a sales, distribution and production company, based in Toronto, specializing in genre films for the worldwide market. Through its expertise in strategic project management and campaigns, Rbe can also assist in any and all capacities of production, from acquisitions, representation, negotiations, marketing management and plans, and sales.

Cine Latino covers, well, all things relating to Latino culture and the movies, every Wednesday. Lionsgate and Pantellion films are releasing Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla, the first film to ever depict the Battle of Puebla. Directed by Rafa Lara, the film opens in Los Angeles and Orange County on Friday, May 3. We got the opportunity to speak with director Rafa Lara, Kuno Becker and Angelica Aragon on all things Cinco de Mayo. Click on the image below. We're only a few days away from Cinco de Mayo but before you indulge in margaritas and all-you-can-eat tacos and guacamole, here are a few fun facts on what you're really celebrating on May 5. 1. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Battle of Puebla, not Mexico’s Independence Day. You heard right. The holiday...

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Cine Latino covers, well, all things relating to Latino culture and the movies, every Wednesday. Lionsgate and Pantellion films are releasing Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla, the first film to ever depict the Battle of Puebla. Directed by Rafa Lara, the film opens in Los Angeles and Orange County on Friday, May 3. We got the opportunity to speak with director Rafa Lara, Kuno Becker and Angelica Aragon on all things Cinco de Mayo. Click on the image below. We're only a few days away from Cinco de Mayo but before you indulge in margaritas and all-you-can-eat tacos and guacamole, here are a few fun facts on what you're really celebrating on May 5th. 1. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Battle of Puebla not Mexico’s Independence Day. You heard right. The...

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Watch new spots from Rafa Lara's Cinco de Mayo: The Battle. The film stars Pablo Abitia, Angélica Aragón, Kuno Becker, Liz Gallardo, Ginés García Millán and Noé Hernández, finding theaters via Pantelion Films on May 3rd. On May 5th, 1862, a few thousand Mexican soldiers put their lives on the line against the world’s largest and most powerful army in one legendary battle for freedom and for Mexico. Cinco de Mayo, La Batalla chronicles the story of Mexico’s Battle of Puebla, the most important battle in Mexico’s history. When the unbeatable French army invades Mexico to set up a monarchy, General Ignacio Zaragoza played by Kuno Becker (Goal!, From Prada to Nada), must defend the city of Puebla, commanding a poorly armed and outnumbered troop of men. Meanwhile, two young Mexican lovers manage to find love amidst the chaos of war. Cinco de Mayo, La Batalla chronicles...

We have photos and the poster for Pantelion Films' Cinco de Mayo: The Battle, starring Pablo Abitia, Angélica Aragón, Kuno Becker, Liz Gallardo, Ginés García Millán and Noé Hernández. The war drama opens May 3rd under the direction of writer Rafa Lara, who also produces with Paco Gallástegui. On May 5th, 1862, a few thousand Mexican soldiers put their lives on the line against the world’s largest and most powerful army in one legendary battle for freedom and for Mexico. Cinco de Mayo, La Batalla chronicles the story of Mexico’s Battle of Puebla, the most important battle in Mexico’s history. When the unbeatable French army invades Mexico to set up a monarchy, General Ignacio Zaragoza played by Kuno Becker (Goal!, From Prada to Nada), must defend the city of Puebla, commanding a poorly armed and outnumbered troop of men. Meanwhile, two young Mexican lovers manage to find love amidst the chaos of war.

Nina (Tammy Blanchard) is a waitress at a Mexican restaurant. After arriving late for work (due to picking up a pregnancy test kit) she is fired by the manager. The head chef, Jose (Eduardo Verástegui), goes after her and, finding that she is indeed pregnant decides to spend the day with her, a day during which they both come to find out much about each other’s past, present and future.

*****

Bella took its bow at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006, picking up the People’s Choice Award in the process. It received a limited UK release in the autumn of 2010 and now finds its way onto DVD. Many (myself included) will have heard little or nothing of this film, but do not let that put you off – this is a little gem, well worth a look.

The direction by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, in his full-length feature debut, is...