News

Film follows tribute artists honouring the man in Mirroring Michael Jackson.

DocMode, the documentary arm of Clay Epstein’s La-based Film Mode Entertainment, has launched worldwide sales at this week’s European Film Market (Efm) in Berlin on Kalliope Films’ Mirroring Michael Jackson and is screening footage.

The film follows tribute artists who dedicate their lives to honouring the late performer. The film includes appearances by Michael Jackson own bass player of ten years, Alex Al, who composed and produced the score with Pete Merriweather.

“We are huge fans of Michael Jackson and honored that Kira has trusted us with this incredible love letter to the King of Pop,” Film Mode president Epstein said. “Audiences are going to be blown away by the talent in the film, and be inspired to continue his legacy.”

“Since Michael Jackson’s passing, his legion of fans has looked to the Mj tribute artists for comfort and solace as a way to...

Meanwhile, Swedish director Daniel Fridell has signed on to Van Gogh biopic.French name their Price

Canadian outfit Filmoption International has sold Harold Crooks’ corporate tax avoidance doc The Price We Pay to Arp for distribution in France.

The deal was negotiated by Andrew Noble and Alexandra Wermester of Filmoption and Laurent Pétin and Michèle Halberstadt of Arp.

Red Army marches north

Edge Entertainment has picked up Gabe Polsky’s hockey documentary Red Army for Nordic territories from Wild Bunch.

The deal includes rights in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Sony will distribute in Us, Canada, Central Europe and Asia.

Van Gogh biopic gets director

Swedish director Daniel Fridell (Swedish Beauty) has been set to direct English-language Vincent Van Gogh biopic Van Gogh for production outfit Kalliope Films.

Rutger Hauer is executive producing the film, which has been written by Kira Madallo Sesay of Kalliope who will produce alongside Emiel Pijnaker.

Art buffs, here's some exciting news out of the Toronto International Film Festival. Us and European production company Kalliope Films has announced that Swedish director Daniel Fridell ("Say That You Love Me") will helm its biopic of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. "Van Gogh" will be the first English-language feature about the 19th-century painter since Kirk Douglas' 1956 "Lust for Life." The filmmakers have spent over six years as "Van Gogh detectives," doing the groundwork to uncover previously unseen aspects of Van Gogh's life--traveling to places he lived and worked, probing archives, police reports and testimonies.  The film, which will span the painter's entire life, will be filmed on location in Europe -- many of Van Gogh's residences are still standing. The producer/writer is Kalliope's Kira Madallo Sesay. Fridell has won Guldbagge Awards (i.e. the "Swedish Oscar") for "Say That You Love Me" as well as.

Swedish director Daniel Fridell (Swedish Beauty) has been set to direct English-language Vincent Van Gogh biopic for production outfit Kalliope Films.

Rutger Hauer is executive producing the film, titled Van Gogh, which has been written by Kira Madallo Sesay of Kalliope who will produce alongside Emiel Pijnaker.

The project is currently out to cast.

Swiss-based financier Blue Pencil Investments is backing the film with company MD Stuart Wilkins also serving as executive producer.​...

In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of master Dutch painter's Vincent Van Gogh passing, Golden Globe-winning Dutch producer 'Sir' Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Sin City, HBO's “True Blood" )will executive produce a new biopic titled Van Gogh, an ambitious project set to be released in 2015. Rutger, whose career in film expands over five decades, said of the film "I feel there is so much more to tell about 'the man who cut off his ear'. It will be a great adventure to search for him in a contemporary film"

This will be the first English-language feature about the life of the painter since the release of Lust for Life in 1956, which starred Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh. Furthermore, the film will be the first to focus on the tortured artist's entire life rather than only on the period after his mental illness fully manifested itself.

Kalliope Films is producing “Van Gogh”. Kira Madallo Sesay (Hamlet), CEO of Kalliope Films, is the producer and also the writer of the script. Emiel Pijnaker, Kalliope Films' President of Production, is co-producing the film. The movie is financed through a combination of European equity, soft money and pre-sales.

The production will be shot on location across Europe in countries such as Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, and The Netherlands, utilizing many of the actual residences in which Van Gogh lived. In order to ensure historical accuracy the film will also count with the world's leading experts on Van Gogh as its consultants throughout the development and production, some of them include acclaimed Van Gogh book author and expert Alain Amiel, and Claudia Schottle who is consulting the filmmakers on life in France during the 19th Century

“In preparation for the film, we have spent over five years doing extensive 'on the ground' research. We have traveled like 'Van Gogh detectives' to every location and country where he lived, uncovering archives, historical documents and literally walking in his footsteps. We have also worked closely with our international team of Van Gogh experts who are advising us on the film to ensure accuracy. Therefore, we feel confident that we have done the utmost preparation possible to do justice in portraying the life of this extraordinary man.” says, Kira Madallo Sesay CEO of Kalliope Films and producer/writer of Van Gogh.

There is still no director or leading actor attached to the project as the production is seeking the ideal candidates to fill those roles in such an important film.

For more information on the film click Here...

Blade Runner star to executive produce Kalliope Films’ biopic of the Dutch artist.

Dutch actor Rutger Hauer, recently seen in HBO series True Blood, is teaming with Netherlands production company Kalliope Films to executive produce biopic Van Gogh.

“I feel there is so much more to tell about ‘the man who cut off his ear’. It will be a great adventure to search for him in a contemporary film,” says Rutger.

The biopic will be the first English-language feature about the life of Vincent Van Gogh since 1956 movie Lust for Life, which starred Kirk Douglas in the lead role.

The movie will also be the first film to portray the artist’s entire life story. Previous productions have focussed mainly on the second half of his life after his mental illness fully manifested itself, such as in 1990 TV movie, Vincent and Theo which starred Tim Roth.

Kalliope Films CEO Kira Madallo Sesay is the producer and scriptwriter...

You can’t keep a Greek mythical hero down. A scant year after Henry Cavill played the character and took down the Minotaur, along with some troublemaking Titans and an amusing Mickey Rourke, Bulgarian director Javor Gardev will take his turn telling the Theseus legend. And like Tarsem Singh’s “Immortals”, Gardev’s tale of Theseus (to be called, simply enough, “Theseus”) will also be a big-budget extravaganza. There is no word if the film will also be in 3D, though given the worldwide trend of epics in 3D, I’m guessing that tidbit will be forthcoming. Written by Kira Madallo Sesay, whose Kalliope Films is producing the picture, “Theseus” would track the titular Greek hero as he heads on a collision course with the evil Minotaur, the half-man, half-bull creature of myths and legends and children’s nightmares. If, you know, your kids are inclined to dream about creatures of Greek myth,...

THR recently reported that Bulgarian director, Javor Gadev, is set to helm the upcoming greek mythological film Theseus. Described as "a special effects-heavy take on the Greek myth of the minotaur monster and the hero who defeated it."

I am not familiar with any of Gadev’s work, but apparently the folks backing this film have a lot of faith in him, because they are assembling a hefty team to work on this film. The script was written by Kira Madallo Sesay, the head of Kallipe Films, who will also produce the movie.

Kalliope, whose credits include the upcoming Hansel and Gretel in 3D, another high-tech update of a classic tale, have assembled an impressive tech team for Theseus. Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer on James Cameron’s Avatar, will design the mythic monsters for Theseus while the film’s visual effects will be handled by veteran visual...

The rich, dramatic story of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh--who has his own museum in Amsterdam--hasn't been brought to life (in English, anyway) in a feature film since Robert Altman's underappreciated Vincent and Theo (1990), starring Tim Roth. Vincente Minnelli's 1956 Lust for Life memorably starred Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh; Anthony Quinn won the supporting actor Oscar as Paul Gauguin. Australian Paul Cox also directed a 1987 documentary on the painter, featuring John Hurt reading his letters (clip below). Now Kalliope Films wants to do the full soup-to-nuts biopic treatment: Van Gogh. They plan to shoot the film throughout Europe (Belgium, France, the UK and The Netherlands), using restored locations where Van Gogh actually lived. Kalliope CEO Kira Madallo Sesay is producing from her ...

Actress Gemma Arterton will star in Paramount's upcoming live-action feature "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters", to be directed by Norwegian film-maker Tommy Wirkola ("Dead Snow").

"...'Hansel and Gretel' is an action packed visual FX filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology.

"These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from 'Avatar'.

"The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film.

"'Hansel and Gretel in 3D' exemplifies The Institute’s motto: 'Where Brand Science Meets Great Storytelling'.

Michael Bay's The Institue will produce "Hansel And Gretel" in 3D, an action-packed visual FX-filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from "Avatar". The film is live action. The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany....

Kalliope Films and Michael Bay's The Institute will produce an action-packed, effects-filled 3D film adaptation of the classic Grimm Brothers fairytale "Hansel and Gretel".

Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from "Avatar", will design some German mythological creatures that will compliment the infamous witch and her gingerbread house.

The live action feature will shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay will produce and shooting kicks off in Spring.

Grimm's classic Fairy Tale Hansel and Gretel is getting a brand new 3D, action-packed visual effects filled adaptation. The new film is being developed by Kalliope Films and Michael Bay's The Institute. The classic story follows two young kids who stumble upon a house made of candy, and a witch the likes to eat children.

I have no idea what to expect from this film. I love the story of Hansel and Gretel, it's extreamly dark and disturbing and could make for a great horror film. One of the things the film will do is introduce some legendary creatures from German mythology, which are being created by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar. This definitely has the potential to be a fun movie, I just hope it doesn't end up being a cheaply made bad film.

There's also another Hansel and Gretel movie being made...

Hansel and Gretel in 3D is an action packed visual FX filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology.

These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar. The film is live action. The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay.

The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film.

Hansel and Gretel in 3D exemplifies The Institute’s motto:

“Where Brand Science Meets Great Storytelling.”

Hansel and Gretel in 3D Promo Photo...

Are you ready for a Germanic fairy tale in your face? Oh yeah, the wonderfully creepy fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Hansel and Gretel, will be coming at you in three glorious dimensions.

However, Hansel and Gretel in 3D! (note the exclamation point, please!) will take a few liberties with the Grimms' story. Although there are many different versions of the fairy tale in different cultures, I've never read about one where Hansel and Gretel find themselves in a forest that's "home to the legendary creatures of German mythology. The siblings are thrown into a fast paced magical adventure," as per the press release. Well, at least we'll still have the witch, right?

What's a little more interesting is the production team behind the movie. The writer/producer Kira Madallo Sesay is the CEO of Kalliope Films, which is partnered with The Institute for the Development of Enhanced Perceptual Awareness as co-producers.

The popular Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" is getting the live action treatment in the production entitled "Hansel and Gretel in 3D". Sure, I'm down for another fairy tale being re-told, but live action? And do we need the exclamation mark on the title? Whatever, read on to find out more information."Hansel and Gretel in 3D" is an action packed visual FX filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers' fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer for "Avatar".The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was foudned by Kira Madallo Sesay. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour...

HollywoodNews.com: “Hansel and Gretel in 3D” is an action packed visual FX filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar. The film is live action.

The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film. “Hansel and Gretel in 3D” exemplifies The Institute’s motto: “Where Brand Science Meets Great Storytelling.”

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Sneak Peek the new poster supporting the upcoming live-action feature "Hansel and Gretel In 3D".

"...'Hansel and Gretel in 3D' is an action packed visual FX filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from 'Avatar'.

"The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film.

"'Hansel and Gretel in 3D' exemplifies The Institute’s motto: 'Where Brand Science Meets Great Storytelling'..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek...

We’ve just been given the heads up and press release for a new movie produced by Michael Bay’s production company, The Institute is developing. The movie is a retelling of The Grimm Brothers’ story, Hansel and Gretel and the word is that the movie will be coming to the big screen in 3d.

Press release info: Los Angeles, CA (July 19th, 2010) ¾ “Hansel and Gretel in 3D” is an action packed visual FX filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar. The film is live action.

The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay.

Michael Bay's The Institue will produce Hansel and Gretel in 3D , an action-packed visual FX-filled version of the classic Grimm Brothers fairytale. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar . The film is live action. The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. Kalliope Films was founded by Kira Madallo Sesay. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany.

Shock-worthy? We're not sure yet, but we've got our eye on Hansel and Gretel in 3D , a live-action take - produced by Michael Bay - on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale. It could be dark, or it could be complete kiddie fare. In addition to the infamous witch in the gingerbread house, the film showcases the legendary creatures of German mythology. These Teutonic beings will be designed by Joseph C. Pepe, the lead character designer from Avatar. The movie is being produced by The Institute and Kalliope Films. The Institute was co-founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour. The movie is scheduled for a spring 2011 shoot on location in Germany. Scott Gardenhour and Kira Madallo Sesay are the producers on the film.