News

Record Intake

The European Film Academy has added a record 709 new members in its 2024 annual intake. New members include Cate Blanchett (Australia/U.K.), Jovan Marjanović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Maria Bakalova (Bulgaria), Juraj Lerotić (Croatia), Anna Hints (Estonia), Ariane Toscan du Plantier (France), Stéphan Castang (France), David Thion (France), Marie-Ange Luciani (France), Latifa Saïd (France), Rebecca Houzel (France), Thomas Hakim (France), Sami Mustafa (France/Kosovo), Mohamed Siam (France), Hanna Bergholm (Finland), Hamze Bytyçi (Germany) and Christian M. Goldbeck (Germany).

The intake also includes Behrooz Karamizade (Germany), Jerry Hoffmann (Germany), Aylin Tezel (Germany), Jasmin Tabatabai (Germany), Sofia Exarchou (Greece), Phedon Papamichael (Greece), Kate McCullough (Ireland), Matteo Garrone (Italy), Enzo d’Alò (Italy), Francesco Montagner (Italy), Uljana Kim (Lithuania), Cindy Jansen (Netherlands), Fatih Rağbet (Netherlands), Cristi Puiu (Romania), Anca Puiu (Romania), Elene Naveriani (Switzerland), Selahattin Paşalı (Turkey), Molly Manning Walker (U.K.), Melanie Hoyes (U.K.), Lizzie Francke (U.K.), Charles Newland (UK), Jad Salfiti (U.

Tending to his beloved cows is what keeps Lawrence MacEwen going.

The 80-year-old and his family have farmed the fabulously named Isle of Muck (located in the Inner Hebrides off the coast of Scotland) for the last 60 years. But time has taken its toll on Lawrence, his farming methods, and the precarious community he has called home since birth.

Lawrence’s attempt to keep mucking in, to keep running a community on the edge of survival is the subject of “Prince of Muck,” a new documentary from Dutch filmmaker Cindy Jansen, which is having its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Variety caught up with Jansen ahead of the premiere to discuss crafting “a big story on a small island.”

What piqued your interest in this community?

I was mostly interested because of an article about Canna, which is an island you see from Muck. It was in...

There's an elegiac sweep to Cindy Jansen's documentary, which profiles the life of ageing laird of Muck, Lawrence MacEwen, gently exploring the challenges and tensions that his older age brings with it. The Dutch filmmaker falls into the rhythms of life on this tiny island, the smallest of Scotland's Small Isles at just 2.5 miles from east to west and with a population of about 30.

Chief among them, at least for much of his lifetime, is Lawrence, who is a long way removed from the image of 'landed' gentry that many would imagine, mainly captured here among his beloved cows. Jansen discreetly watches life tick by on the farm, which he and wife Jenny share with their son Colin and his family. While we see the day-to-day comings and goings, from cow wrangling and cold baths to drop-scone making on a hot plate, Lawrence opens up about his life...

People around the world have become woefully aware this year how little personal control they have in fixing the suffering that are plaguing not only themselves, but society in general. Actor Matt Lanter’s protagonist of Eric is truly realizing that dilemma in the new drama, ‘Chasing The Rain.’ The tantalizing and thought-provoking movie is now […]

The post Interview: Cindy Jansen Talks Chasing The Rain (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.

"Do you think there are people that are just doomed, or cursed?" An official trailer has debuted for an indie drama titled Chasing the Rain, marking the feature debut of filmmaker Cindy Jansen. A photographer desperately tries to fit in and hold on to a decent life he seems to have. But when tragedy suddenly strikes, his unresolved past begins unraveling. He becomes increasingly fearful that something (or someone) must be inflicting ruthless suffering on some people more than others, and he plans an escape. The film's indie cast includes Matt Lanter, William Russ, Hallee Hirsh, Yetide Badaki, Eric Tiede, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Maiara Walsh, Dendrie Taylor, and Cindy Pickett. This looks like the cliche story of someone who is well-traveled and has seen all the bad sides of the world sparring with all the oblivious people back home who can't understand what's going on. I wish this looked better than it does,...

Indie Rights has acquired worldwide rights to Chasing the Rain, the drama written and directed by Cindy Jansen that stars Matt Lanter. The distributor has set a December 18 bow on VOD and digital platforms.

In Jansen’s debut feature, which she also produced, Lanter plays a shy photographer who desperately tries to fit in with his friends and hold on to the decent life he seems to have. When tragedy befalls him, his unresolved past begins unraveling, threatening to destroy his work and relationships. William Russ, Hallee Hirsh, Yetide Badaki, Eric Tiede, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Maiara Walsh, Dendrie Taylor and Cindy Pickett also star.

Bob L. Johnson and Faras Rabadi are executive producers.

“Chasing the Rain is a powerful and entertaining film, one that is timely and relevant to the struggles we’ve faced in 2020, both personally and globally. We are thrilled to partner with Cindy and NightMuse Productions to bring...