David Lynch, the maverick avant-garde filmmaker who died last month, is an inspiration for Daniel Bekerman, the plucky producer behind challenging indie films like “The Witch” and “The Apprentice,” that somehow bucked the odds to get made. “I can’t deny that I’m here for the art, and I want it to be as pure and true as possible,” Bekerman said in an interview shortly before this year’s Sundance Film Festival. “And I want to support bold visions from the directors I work with.”
But Bekerman, who founded and leads Scythia Films, also can’t deny that the business part of the entertainment industry often threatens to silence its boldest voices. That was certainly the case with “The Apprentice,” an incisive look at Donald Trump’s early years as a media-hungry developer which scared off studios and streamers who were worried about getting on the wrong side of...
But Bekerman, who founded and leads Scythia Films, also can’t deny that the business part of the entertainment industry often threatens to silence its boldest voices. That was certainly the case with “The Apprentice,” an incisive look at Donald Trump’s early years as a media-hungry developer which scared off studios and streamers who were worried about getting on the wrong side of...
- 2/4/2025
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Jonah Hauer-King has been cast in 'The Eden Express'.The 29-year-old actor will play a troubled man attempting to find a new world in the picture that is being written and directed by Daniel Cockburn.Jonah stars in the lead role of Mark Vonnegut, the son of the sci-fi author Kurt Vonnegut, as he – alongside his girlfriend Virge and a group of friends – begins a quest to escape 1970s America for a better way of life in a British Columbia commune.The group hope to find a new "Eden" on Earth but as their utopia comes into focus, Mark begins to hear voices and see visions that give him instructions – marking the start of his journey with bipolar disorder.'The Eden Express' is based on Mark's memoir of the same name and additional casting is underway on the project.Hauer-King previously starred in the live-action remake of Disney's 'The Little...
- 9/11/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
After sweeping Halle Bailey's Ariel off her feet, or fins, last year in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, Jonah Hauer-King is set to board The Eden Express. Variety exclusively reported that Disney's Prince Eric has been cast in the lead role of Daniel Cockburn's feature adaptation of Mark Vonnegut's memoir of the same name. Hauer-King will play the troubled son of legendary sci-fi author Kurt Vonnegut on a journey to find a metaphorical "Eden" as he begins to suffer from bipolar disorder.
- 9/10/2024
- by Ryan O'Rourke
- Collider.com
Jonah Hauer-King, who recently captured Ariel’s heart in the live-action reimagining of “The Little Mermaid,” will play a troubled member of a literary family in “The Eden Express.” The film is produced by Scythia Films in collaboration with Good Question Media, and is written and will be directed by Daniel Cockburn.
Hauer-King takes the lead role of Mark Vonnegut, the son of science-fiction author Kurt Vonnegut. The film follows his 1970 quest, alongside his girlfriend Virge and a group of friends. to escape Nixon’s America to find a better way of life on a British Columbia commune. It’s a place they hope will be an “Eden” on Earth. However, as this new utopia comes into focus, Mark starts to hear voices and see visions that give him ominous instructions, marking the start of his journey with bipolar disorder. “The Eden Express” is based on Mark Vonnegut’s memoir of the same name.
Hauer-King takes the lead role of Mark Vonnegut, the son of science-fiction author Kurt Vonnegut. The film follows his 1970 quest, alongside his girlfriend Virge and a group of friends. to escape Nixon’s America to find a better way of life on a British Columbia commune. It’s a place they hope will be an “Eden” on Earth. However, as this new utopia comes into focus, Mark starts to hear voices and see visions that give him ominous instructions, marking the start of his journey with bipolar disorder. “The Eden Express” is based on Mark Vonnegut’s memoir of the same name.
- 9/10/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Scythia Films, the production banner behind “The Apprentice,” has tapped Lula Ali Ismaïl to direct “Nuur,” the story of an academically gifted 17-year-old boy growing up in Dixon, a Somali community in Toronto. Omar Abdi, who appeared in “The Gravedigger’s Wife,” and Hamza Fouad, best known for his work in “Riverdale” and “Arrow,” are attached to star.
The film is adapted from Hassan Ghedi Santur’s novel “The Youth of God,” with the author writing the adaptation of his book. The film will be produced by Daniel Bekerman, Chris Yurkovich and Lara Saliba under the Good Question Media banner in association with Scythia Films. Jordan Hart, Michael Bronner and Bhakti Shringarpure of Smashing Dandelions will be executive producing. Telefilm Canada is funding the production. Additional casting is currently underway.
The film explores themes of migration, assimilation, intergenerational trauma and the struggle for identity. It centers on a boy named Nuur,...
The film is adapted from Hassan Ghedi Santur’s novel “The Youth of God,” with the author writing the adaptation of his book. The film will be produced by Daniel Bekerman, Chris Yurkovich and Lara Saliba under the Good Question Media banner in association with Scythia Films. Jordan Hart, Michael Bronner and Bhakti Shringarpure of Smashing Dandelions will be executive producing. Telefilm Canada is funding the production. Additional casting is currently underway.
The film explores themes of migration, assimilation, intergenerational trauma and the struggle for identity. It centers on a boy named Nuur,...
- 7/11/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Producer Daniel Bekerman, whose The Apprentice, just premiered in competition at Cannes to rave reviews, has set his next feature Knight’s Camp, a dark comedy starring Judy Greer and Sophia Lillis.
Filmmaking duo Kyle Rideout and Josh Epstein co-wrote the screenplay, with Rideout set to helm.
Bekerman (The Witch), Chris Yurkovich (Slash/Back), and Jordan Hart are producing for Good Question Media in association with Scythia Films, along with Epstein. Casting is currently underway.
Knight’s Camp follows four bubble-wrapped teens at a medieval-themed summer camp. On the eve of the camp’s famous Battle of Twin Bridge re-enactment, the teens ignite an old legend and are accidentally transported to the real battle in 1297 A.D., where they are tasked with saving one of their ancestors...
Filmmaking duo Kyle Rideout and Josh Epstein co-wrote the screenplay, with Rideout set to helm.
Bekerman (The Witch), Chris Yurkovich (Slash/Back), and Jordan Hart are producing for Good Question Media in association with Scythia Films, along with Epstein. Casting is currently underway.
Knight’s Camp follows four bubble-wrapped teens at a medieval-themed summer camp. On the eve of the camp’s famous Battle of Twin Bridge re-enactment, the teens ignite an old legend and are accidentally transported to the real battle in 1297 A.D., where they are tasked with saving one of their ancestors...
- 5/30/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Daniel Cockburn will write and direct an adaptation of Mark Vonnegut’s memoir “The Eden Express” from executive producer Stephen Fry. Daniel Bekerman (“The Apprentice”) will produce.
Per an official logline, “The Eden Express” follows “Mark’s 1970 quest alongside his girlfriend Virge, leaving his famous father’s [Kurt Vonnegut] house in Nixon’s America to go west in search of a better way of life on a British Columbia commune — ‘Eden’ on earth. However, as this new utopia comes into focus, Mark starts to hear voices and see wild visions that give him ominous instructions, marking the start of his journey with bipolar disorder.”
“A core endeavor in the production of ‘The Eden Express’ is to redefine the depiction of mental health on screen,” said Bekerman in a statement. “We hope to achieve this by bringing the audience as close as possible to Mark’s authentic point of view — to build a robust,...
Per an official logline, “The Eden Express” follows “Mark’s 1970 quest alongside his girlfriend Virge, leaving his famous father’s [Kurt Vonnegut] house in Nixon’s America to go west in search of a better way of life on a British Columbia commune — ‘Eden’ on earth. However, as this new utopia comes into focus, Mark starts to hear voices and see wild visions that give him ominous instructions, marking the start of his journey with bipolar disorder.”
“A core endeavor in the production of ‘The Eden Express’ is to redefine the depiction of mental health on screen,” said Bekerman in a statement. “We hope to achieve this by bringing the audience as close as possible to Mark’s authentic point of view — to build a robust,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes Competition selection The Apprentice producer Daniel Bekerman is lining up the memoir adaptation The Eden Express with Stephen Fry on board as executive producer.
LevelK holds global sales rights and will do a soft lauch in Cannes.
You Are Here director Daniel Cockburn will write and direct the feature based on the memoir of the same name by Mark Vonnegut, son of Kurt Vonnegut, depicting the former’s 1970 quest alongside his girlfriend Virge to live on a British Columbia commune in search of a better life during Nixon’s America.
However he starts to hear voices and see wild visions giving him ominous instructions,...
LevelK holds global sales rights and will do a soft lauch in Cannes.
You Are Here director Daniel Cockburn will write and direct the feature based on the memoir of the same name by Mark Vonnegut, son of Kurt Vonnegut, depicting the former’s 1970 quest alongside his girlfriend Virge to live on a British Columbia commune in search of a better life during Nixon’s America.
However he starts to hear voices and see wild visions giving him ominous instructions,...
- 5/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
Mark Vonnegut’s The Eden Express first on the slate.
Scythia Films and Stellar Citizens have partnered on a development fund targeting film and television projects originating in the Us, Canada and Europe.
The Toronto-based companies expect to build a slate of five to seven projects over the next 12 months. The fund is bankrolled by a Canadian private investor who already backs Stellar Citizens’ film financing business.
The first project to go is an adaptation of Mark Vonnegut’s The Eden Express: A Memoir Of Insanity. Set in the 1970s, the book chronicles Vonnegut’s experiences on a commune as he begins to struggle with bipolar disorder, receives help from his famous father and author Kurt Vonnegut, and goes on to establish a paediatric practice in the Boston area.
This partnership between Scythia and Stellar was brokered by New York-born producer Ethan Lazar to leverage Scythia’s track record with filmmakers and Stellar’s financing and development...
Scythia Films and Stellar Citizens have partnered on a development fund targeting film and television projects originating in the Us, Canada and Europe.
The Toronto-based companies expect to build a slate of five to seven projects over the next 12 months. The fund is bankrolled by a Canadian private investor who already backs Stellar Citizens’ film financing business.
The first project to go is an adaptation of Mark Vonnegut’s The Eden Express: A Memoir Of Insanity. Set in the 1970s, the book chronicles Vonnegut’s experiences on a commune as he begins to struggle with bipolar disorder, receives help from his famous father and author Kurt Vonnegut, and goes on to establish a paediatric practice in the Boston area.
This partnership between Scythia and Stellar was brokered by New York-born producer Ethan Lazar to leverage Scythia’s track record with filmmakers and Stellar’s financing and development...
- 7/14/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Scythia Films and Stellar Citizens have launched a development fund designed to back five to seven film/TV projects within the next year. The first project will be an adaptation of the Mark Vonnegut book The Eden Express: A Memoir Of Insanity. The author, son of Kurt Vonnegut, chronicled his experience in the 1970s building a commune in search of paradise, only to be undermined by his battles with bipolar disorder. Helped by his father and friends, Vonnegut…...
- 7/11/2017
- Deadline
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