French actress starred in Cannes titles A Self-made Hero and Polisse.
French actress Sandrine Kiberlain has been named president of the Caméra d’or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 17-28).
Kiberlain and jury will award a prize to a director’s first work from the Official Selection, the Directors’ Fortnight or Critics’ Week .
Since 1978 the prize has gone to films including Stranger than Paradise by Jim Jarmusch (1984), Suzaku by Naomi Kawase (1997), The White Balloon by Jafar Panahi (1995), Hunger by Steve McQueen (2008) and Beasts of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin (2012).
Last year, Houda Benyamina won the Caméra d’or for her film Divines screened in the Directors’ Fortnight.
In a career spanning 25 years and boasting around 40 films, actress Kiberlain first shot to prominence in The Patriots by Éric Rochant (winner of the Romy-Schneider Prize) and En Avoir (Ou Pas) by Laetitia Masson, for which she won the César for most promising actress.
Subsequent turns have...
French actress Sandrine Kiberlain has been named president of the Caméra d’or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 17-28).
Kiberlain and jury will award a prize to a director’s first work from the Official Selection, the Directors’ Fortnight or Critics’ Week .
Since 1978 the prize has gone to films including Stranger than Paradise by Jim Jarmusch (1984), Suzaku by Naomi Kawase (1997), The White Balloon by Jafar Panahi (1995), Hunger by Steve McQueen (2008) and Beasts of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin (2012).
Last year, Houda Benyamina won the Caméra d’or for her film Divines screened in the Directors’ Fortnight.
In a career spanning 25 years and boasting around 40 films, actress Kiberlain first shot to prominence in The Patriots by Éric Rochant (winner of the Romy-Schneider Prize) and En Avoir (Ou Pas) by Laetitia Masson, for which she won the César for most promising actress.
Subsequent turns have...
- 4/11/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The personal and professional trials and triumphs of B.B. King (aka King of the Blues) will be chronicled in PBS' "American Masters" documentary series in a film titled ": The Life of Riley," premiering nationwide during Black History Month on Friday, February 12 at 9 p.m. (Et). Narrated by Morgan Freeman, who also appears in the film, "Life of Riley" was made with the full cooperation of The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi, and was filmed in locations across America, as well as the UK. Award-winning producer/director Jon...
- 1/12/2016
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Chinese director Diao Yinan delivered his international breakout with third feature Black Coal, Thin Ice. Amassing a number of accolades during its festival circuit run, it was the prestigious winner of the Golden Bear at the 2014 Berlin Film Festival (beating titles like Linklater’s Boyhood, Resnais’ Life of Riley, and Yann Demange’s ’71). Unfortunately, such prestigious honors didn’t translate into a distribution deal since Yinan’s film never made it to a Us theatrical release. Fans of hard boiled film noir, particularly of complex, labyrinthine and convoluted narrative structures should definitely enjoy Yinan’s supremely stylistic murder mystery.
In northern China 1999, the body parts of a man are discovered all over the province, including dumpsters and coal factories. Detective Zhang (Liao Fan) is consumed by his wife leaving him, which is where his focus seems to be when his investigative team thinks they’ve identified the men behind the murder.
In northern China 1999, the body parts of a man are discovered all over the province, including dumpsters and coal factories. Detective Zhang (Liao Fan) is consumed by his wife leaving him, which is where his focus seems to be when his investigative team thinks they’ve identified the men behind the murder.
- 11/17/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
This week on Off The Shelf, Ryan is joined by Brian Saur to take a look at the new DVD and Blu-ray releases for the week of May 26th, 2015, and chat about some follow-up and home video news.
Subscribe in iTunes or RSS.
Episode Links & Notes
News
Masters Of Cinema & Eureka in August: Cruel Story Of Youth, Medium Cool, the Town That Dreaded Sundown
Screen Archives Entertainment have some new and exclusive Code Red Blu-ray titles, available now. Guy Magar’s Retribution, Tobe Hooper’s Spontaneous Combustion and Shakma.
Twilight Time new releases for June will go live for pre-order Wednesday, May 27the st 4 Pm Eastern: Absolute Beginners (1986), State Of Grace (1990) , Mississippi Mermaid (1969), The Young Lions (1958) , The Night Of The Generals (1967) the approximate street date is June 9th.
New Releases
Ballet 422 Cannibal Ferox The Confession Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Double Indemnity Empire Of The Ants / Jaws Of Satan...
Subscribe in iTunes or RSS.
Episode Links & Notes
News
Masters Of Cinema & Eureka in August: Cruel Story Of Youth, Medium Cool, the Town That Dreaded Sundown
Screen Archives Entertainment have some new and exclusive Code Red Blu-ray titles, available now. Guy Magar’s Retribution, Tobe Hooper’s Spontaneous Combustion and Shakma.
Twilight Time new releases for June will go live for pre-order Wednesday, May 27the st 4 Pm Eastern: Absolute Beginners (1986), State Of Grace (1990) , Mississippi Mermaid (1969), The Young Lions (1958) , The Night Of The Generals (1967) the approximate street date is June 9th.
New Releases
Ballet 422 Cannibal Ferox The Confession Da Sweet Blood of Jesus Double Indemnity Empire Of The Ants / Jaws Of Satan...
- 5/27/2015
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
French actress and long-time Alain Resnais collaborator to preside over jury to select the best first film presented at the 68th Cannes Film Festival.
Sabine Azema has been named president of the Caméra d’or Jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 13-24).
The jury selects the best directorial debut presented in Official Selection (In Competition, Out of Competition and Un Certain Regard), Critics’ Week or Directors’ Fortnight, which this year represents 26 films.
French actress Azema, who won her first César in 1985 for Bertrand Tavernier’s Cannes Competition title A Sunday in the Country, follows in the footsteps of Bong Joon-Ho, Gael García Bernal, Carlos Diegues and Nicole Garcia.
Azema is known for her nearly three-decade collaboration with director Alain Resnais for whom she has performed as the tragic heroine in Love Unto Death (1984), then in Mélo (1986) for which she was awarded her second César.
Other Resnais films in which she has performed include Smoking...
Sabine Azema has been named president of the Caméra d’or Jury at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (May 13-24).
The jury selects the best directorial debut presented in Official Selection (In Competition, Out of Competition and Un Certain Regard), Critics’ Week or Directors’ Fortnight, which this year represents 26 films.
French actress Azema, who won her first César in 1985 for Bertrand Tavernier’s Cannes Competition title A Sunday in the Country, follows in the footsteps of Bong Joon-Ho, Gael García Bernal, Carlos Diegues and Nicole Garcia.
Azema is known for her nearly three-decade collaboration with director Alain Resnais for whom she has performed as the tragic heroine in Love Unto Death (1984), then in Mélo (1986) for which she was awarded her second César.
Other Resnais films in which she has performed include Smoking...
- 5/5/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
D’A - Festival Internacional de Cine D'Autor de Barcelona 2015 The fifth edition of D’A - Festival Internacional de Cine D'Autor de Barcelona (D'A Festival for short) begins on April 24th, and for ten days will give audiences the chance to appraise contemporary cinema from around the world.
There's a distinct Gallic air to the programme this year because in addition to the Alain Resnais season that runs during April and May at the Filmoteca de Catalunya (among the films co-hosted by the festival is the late director's final film, The Life Of Riley), French films have been chosen to bookend the festival. Bertrand Bonello - also the subject of D'A Festival's 2015 full retrospective - will be in attendance for the opening gala screening of Saint Laurent, while Mia Hansen-Løve's Eden will be the closing gala film.
Accompanying D'A Festival's already-established Critic's and Public awards, for the first...
There's a distinct Gallic air to the programme this year because in addition to the Alain Resnais season that runs during April and May at the Filmoteca de Catalunya (among the films co-hosted by the festival is the late director's final film, The Life Of Riley), French films have been chosen to bookend the festival. Bertrand Bonello - also the subject of D'A Festival's 2015 full retrospective - will be in attendance for the opening gala screening of Saint Laurent, while Mia Hansen-Løve's Eden will be the closing gala film.
Accompanying D'A Festival's already-established Critic's and Public awards, for the first...
- 4/12/2015
- by Rebecca Naughten
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
★★★☆☆ The play was once again the thing for Alain Resnais, as theatre serves as the backcloth for The Life of Riley (2014), his final film and the follow up to follow-up to 2013's Cannes Competition entry You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet (itself based upon Jean Anouilh's Eurydice). This time around, Resnais chose to rework British playwright Alan Ayckbourn's The Life of Riley, with the story's comedy about middle-class infidelity translating well into French. A curious overture places the audience in the Yorkshire Dales as the nonagenarian takes us on a tour through the area's twisting roads before the confines of a sound stage.
- 3/9/2015
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
The final film by Alain Resnais, based on an Alan Ayckbourn play, is sometimes stagey but filled with sadness and charm
Alain Resnais, who died last March at the age of 91, left us this gentle, muted swansong: an adaptation of the stage-play Life of Riley, by Alan Ayckbourn – an English author to whom Resnais was as attached as Claude Chabrol was to Ruth Rendell. A trio of couples are united in shock and anxiety as they hear that their old friend, George Riley, is terminally ill, with just a few months left. All of the women have some emotional or sexual history with Riley (who, like Godot, remains absent from the stage) and when they sentimentally invite him to take part in an amateur drama production they’re involved with, these long-submerged tensions rise to the surface.
The movie takes place in an odd, eccentric, artificial world: studio-bound stage sets...
Alain Resnais, who died last March at the age of 91, left us this gentle, muted swansong: an adaptation of the stage-play Life of Riley, by Alan Ayckbourn – an English author to whom Resnais was as attached as Claude Chabrol was to Ruth Rendell. A trio of couples are united in shock and anxiety as they hear that their old friend, George Riley, is terminally ill, with just a few months left. All of the women have some emotional or sexual history with Riley (who, like Godot, remains absent from the stage) and when they sentimentally invite him to take part in an amateur drama production they’re involved with, these long-submerged tensions rise to the surface.
The movie takes place in an odd, eccentric, artificial world: studio-bound stage sets...
- 3/5/2015
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Matt Dunham/AP
John Terry is a hero to some, and a villain to many.
Some blame him for his association with the extravagances of Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea regime, which many see as the beginning of football’s decline into money-driven frenzy. That’s obviously unfair.
But Terry is the only player in recent history to be stripped of the England captaincy twice.
He’s been the captain of Chelsea for 11 years, but he’s proved himself to be a terrible role model in that time.
Terry’s courted controversy since his earliest days in the game. He started out with a reputation as a Jack-The-Lad, drinking, clubbing, and living the Life of Riley on his high wage-packet.
And if that was the only blot on his copy book, then he’d be a misunderstood pariah. But he isn’t. Terry’s made more mistakes than a dyslexic child in a spelling bee.
John Terry is a hero to some, and a villain to many.
Some blame him for his association with the extravagances of Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea regime, which many see as the beginning of football’s decline into money-driven frenzy. That’s obviously unfair.
But Terry is the only player in recent history to be stripped of the England captaincy twice.
He’s been the captain of Chelsea for 11 years, but he’s proved himself to be a terrible role model in that time.
Terry’s courted controversy since his earliest days in the game. He started out with a reputation as a Jack-The-Lad, drinking, clubbing, and living the Life of Riley on his high wage-packet.
And if that was the only blot on his copy book, then he’d be a misunderstood pariah. But he isn’t. Terry’s made more mistakes than a dyslexic child in a spelling bee.
- 2/25/2015
- by Oliver Forrest
- Obsessed with Film
Time to Leave: Alain Resnais’ Elegant Swan Song
Alain Resnais, that reluctant member of the French New Wave, passed away in March of 2014, not quite two months after the premiere of his last film, Life of Riley, at the Berlin Film Festival. Reaching its theatrical release, the film marks a graceful cap to an extraordinary filmography from a director that specialized in fragmented narratives that play with memory, time, perception, and the complicated nature of human interactions. His final film, while certainly more linear than many of his most famous works, is no exception to his exploration of time and the limited amount of it. Returning with several of his favorite key players, it’s the third Resnais adaptation of an Alan Ayckbourn play (originally titled Aimer, boire et chanter, which translates to Love, Drink and Sing), as charming as ever, presented with its stylized stage artifice.
Three couples...
Alain Resnais, that reluctant member of the French New Wave, passed away in March of 2014, not quite two months after the premiere of his last film, Life of Riley, at the Berlin Film Festival. Reaching its theatrical release, the film marks a graceful cap to an extraordinary filmography from a director that specialized in fragmented narratives that play with memory, time, perception, and the complicated nature of human interactions. His final film, while certainly more linear than many of his most famous works, is no exception to his exploration of time and the limited amount of it. Returning with several of his favorite key players, it’s the third Resnais adaptation of an Alan Ayckbourn play (originally titled Aimer, boire et chanter, which translates to Love, Drink and Sing), as charming as ever, presented with its stylized stage artifice.
Three couples...
- 10/23/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Perched at the top of this week’s flock of specialty film debuts is Birdman (Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance), a possible Oscar contender starring Michael Keaton. Though it’s a limited release, Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s complex film about a fading action-hero trying to reclaim his mojo on Broadway nevertheless combines elements of a superhero franchise that could tap fans well beyond the art house.
It’s part of yet another big flock of specialty film debuts coming this weekend, including the controversy-minded Sundance award-winner Dear White People, William H. Macy‘s directorial debut Rudderless, Kristen Stewart‘s Camp X-Ray, Jason Schwartzman‘s Listen Up Philip, The Golden Era, Summer Of Blood, and one great revival, Alain Resnais’ 1959 landmark Hiroshima Mon Amour.
To get a sense of Fox Searchlight’s ambitions for Birdman, the film closed the New York Film Festival last weekend to strong reviews, but then...
It’s part of yet another big flock of specialty film debuts coming this weekend, including the controversy-minded Sundance award-winner Dear White People, William H. Macy‘s directorial debut Rudderless, Kristen Stewart‘s Camp X-Ray, Jason Schwartzman‘s Listen Up Philip, The Golden Era, Summer Of Blood, and one great revival, Alain Resnais’ 1959 landmark Hiroshima Mon Amour.
To get a sense of Fox Searchlight’s ambitions for Birdman, the film closed the New York Film Festival last weekend to strong reviews, but then...
- 10/16/2014
- by David Bloom
- Deadline
Life of Riley, which premiered in Berlin just weeks before Alain Resnais died at the age of 91 in March, "often behaves like an unofficial stripped-down sequel to the director's You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet," suggests Chuck Bowen at Slant. This "overpoweringly beautiful final film, looks ever onward, daring to push through the ghosts that inhabit the present, standing between the pessimism of an ill-spent past and the optimism of an undefined future." The cast features Resnais's widow, Sabine Azéma, as well as André Dussollier, Sandrine Kiberlain, Hippolyte Girardot, Caroline Sihol and Michel Vuillermoz. We've got the trailer and we're gathering reviews. » - David Hudson...
- 10/10/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
Life of Riley, which premiered in Berlin just weeks before Alain Resnais died at the age of 91 in March, "often behaves like an unofficial stripped-down sequel to the director's You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet," suggests Chuck Bowen at Slant. This "overpoweringly beautiful final film, looks ever onward, daring to push through the ghosts that inhabit the present, standing between the pessimism of an ill-spent past and the optimism of an undefined future." The cast features Resnais's widow, Sabine Azéma, as well as André Dussollier, Sandrine Kiberlain, Hippolyte Girardot, Caroline Sihol and Michel Vuillermoz. We've got the trailer and we're gathering reviews. » - David Hudson...
- 10/10/2014
- Keyframe
Can we permanently delete the term “home stretch” in a festival context? All right then. In the Nyff’s final week, the best fiction in the Main Slate is stronger (arguably) and more obscure (undoubtedly) than just about everything that has come before. Products of exceptional minds creating in different keys, these three gems (Horse Money, Jauja, Life of Riley) do share some elements that could make them off-putting for the passive viewer. All bets are off for anyone looking for the expected visual and aural cues. Each of these directors builds a self-contained universe with its own rules of engagement. […]...
- 10/7/2014
- by Howard Feinstein
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Can we permanently delete the term “home stretch” in a festival context? All right then. In the Nyff’s final week, the best fiction in the Main Slate is stronger (arguably) and more obscure (undoubtedly) than just about everything that has come before. Products of exceptional minds creating in different keys, these three gems (Horse Money, Jauja, Life of Riley) do share some elements that could make them off-putting for the passive viewer. All bets are off for anyone looking for the expected visual and aural cues. Each of these directors builds a self-contained universe with its own rules of engagement. […]...
- 10/7/2014
- by Howard Feinstein
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Here is an index of all our past and present coverage relevant to this year's Nyff lineup.
The Posters of the 52nd New York Film Festival
by Adrian Curry
Adieu au langage (Jean-Luc Godard)
by Daniel Kasman
Beloved Sisters (Dominik Graf)
by Adam Cook
New: Beloved Sisters (Dominik Graf)
by Daniel Kasman
Clouds of Sils Maria (Olivier Assayas)
by Daniel Kasman
New: Gone Girl (David Fincher)
dialogue between Daniel Kasman and Doug Dibbern
New: Heaven Knows What (Josh & Bennie Safdie)
by Doug Dibbern
Jauja (Lisandro Alonso)
by Daniel Kasman
Life of Riley (Alain Resnias)
by Boris Nelepo
Interview with Alex Ross Perry
by Ricky D'Ambrose
Narccissists and Close-Ups: Alex Ross Perry's Listen Up Philip
by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky
Listen Up Philip (Alex Ross Perry)
by Adam Cook
Notes for David Cronenberg's Maps to the Stars
by Marie-Pierre Duhamel
Misunderstood (Asia Argento)
by Doug Dibbern
Mr. Turner (Mike Leigh)
by...
The Posters of the 52nd New York Film Festival
by Adrian Curry
Adieu au langage (Jean-Luc Godard)
by Daniel Kasman
Beloved Sisters (Dominik Graf)
by Adam Cook
New: Beloved Sisters (Dominik Graf)
by Daniel Kasman
Clouds of Sils Maria (Olivier Assayas)
by Daniel Kasman
New: Gone Girl (David Fincher)
dialogue between Daniel Kasman and Doug Dibbern
New: Heaven Knows What (Josh & Bennie Safdie)
by Doug Dibbern
Jauja (Lisandro Alonso)
by Daniel Kasman
Life of Riley (Alain Resnias)
by Boris Nelepo
Interview with Alex Ross Perry
by Ricky D'Ambrose
Narccissists and Close-Ups: Alex Ross Perry's Listen Up Philip
by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky
Listen Up Philip (Alex Ross Perry)
by Adam Cook
Notes for David Cronenberg's Maps to the Stars
by Marie-Pierre Duhamel
Misunderstood (Asia Argento)
by Doug Dibbern
Mr. Turner (Mike Leigh)
by...
- 10/1/2014
- by Notebook
- MUBI
The New York Film Festival kicks off this evening, though not with Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner (that comes next weekend), even though I couldn’t resist leading off this year’s round-up with this glorious sunburst of a poster for that film’s German release.
Keyart doesn’t seem to have been created yet for some of the newest films like Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, Mia Hansen-Løve’s Eden, the Safdies’ Heaven Knows What, Pedro Costa’s Horse Money, Eugene Green’s La Sapienza, Nick Broomfield’s Tales of the Grim Sleeper, and Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, but I have managed to find posters for the other 23 films in the Main Slate of the Festival. Some are repeats from my Cannes Competition round-up earlier this year, though I have tried to find newer designs if possible (like that striking Saint Laurent). Posters are presented...
Keyart doesn’t seem to have been created yet for some of the newest films like Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice, Mia Hansen-Løve’s Eden, the Safdies’ Heaven Knows What, Pedro Costa’s Horse Money, Eugene Green’s La Sapienza, Nick Broomfield’s Tales of the Grim Sleeper, and Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, but I have managed to find posters for the other 23 films in the Main Slate of the Festival. Some are repeats from my Cannes Competition round-up earlier this year, though I have tried to find newer designs if possible (like that striking Saint Laurent). Posters are presented...
- 9/26/2014
- by Adrian Curry
- MUBI
Life of Riley
Written for the screen by Laurent Herbiet and Alain Resnais
Directed by Alain Resnais
France, 2014
Alain Resnais is inarguably one of the most prolific directors to come out of the French New Wave, with nearly 50 films under his belt, including his masterworks Hiroshima, Mon Amour, Last Year at Marienbad, and Night and Fog. Undeterred by age, he seemed to have been working up until the day he died, with his swan song Life of Riley being presented posthumously at this year’s New York Film Festival. Those only familiar with his Nouvelle Vague work will be in for a pleasant surprise: Life of Riley is perhaps more fun that it deserves to be.
Based on the play by Alan Ayckbourn, the film follows two (or three, depending on how you count) couples in the midst of rehearsals for a play, as the news of their friend’s...
Written for the screen by Laurent Herbiet and Alain Resnais
Directed by Alain Resnais
France, 2014
Alain Resnais is inarguably one of the most prolific directors to come out of the French New Wave, with nearly 50 films under his belt, including his masterworks Hiroshima, Mon Amour, Last Year at Marienbad, and Night and Fog. Undeterred by age, he seemed to have been working up until the day he died, with his swan song Life of Riley being presented posthumously at this year’s New York Film Festival. Those only familiar with his Nouvelle Vague work will be in for a pleasant surprise: Life of Riley is perhaps more fun that it deserves to be.
Based on the play by Alan Ayckbourn, the film follows two (or three, depending on how you count) couples in the midst of rehearsals for a play, as the news of their friend’s...
- 9/25/2014
- by Kyle Turner
- SoundOnSight
The 20th edition of the festival includes competition titles ’71 and Blind.
The Athens International Film Festival (Sept 17-28) kicks off its 20th edition today with 241 titles selected by artistic director Orestis Andreadakis.
The festival will open with Damian Szifron’s hit Wild Tales, which has proved a critical hit since its world premiere in competition at Cannes, and will close with David Fincher’s Us crime drama Gone Girl, marking its European premiere.
This year’s international competition includes Yann Demange’s Berlinale title, ’71, and Eskil Vogt’s Blind, which has picked up awards in Berlin and Sundance among others.
‘71, Yann Demange (UK)10,000 km, Carlos Marques-Marcet (Spa)Blind, Eskil Vogt (Nor)The Canal, Ivan Kavanagh (Irel)Manos Sucias, Josef Wladyka (Us-Col)The Mend, John Magary (Us)Natural Sciences, Matías Lucchesi (Arg)Thou Wast Mild and Lovely, Josephine Decker (Us)The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro (Bra)When Animals Dream, Jonas Alexander Arnby (De)
A five-member Youth Jury, comprised...
The Athens International Film Festival (Sept 17-28) kicks off its 20th edition today with 241 titles selected by artistic director Orestis Andreadakis.
The festival will open with Damian Szifron’s hit Wild Tales, which has proved a critical hit since its world premiere in competition at Cannes, and will close with David Fincher’s Us crime drama Gone Girl, marking its European premiere.
This year’s international competition includes Yann Demange’s Berlinale title, ’71, and Eskil Vogt’s Blind, which has picked up awards in Berlin and Sundance among others.
‘71, Yann Demange (UK)10,000 km, Carlos Marques-Marcet (Spa)Blind, Eskil Vogt (Nor)The Canal, Ivan Kavanagh (Irel)Manos Sucias, Josef Wladyka (Us-Col)The Mend, John Magary (Us)Natural Sciences, Matías Lucchesi (Arg)Thou Wast Mild and Lovely, Josephine Decker (Us)The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro (Bra)When Animals Dream, Jonas Alexander Arnby (De)
A five-member Youth Jury, comprised...
- 9/17/2014
- by alexisgrivas@yahoo.com (Alexis Grivas)
- ScreenDaily
The 16th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival announced its line-up in a press conference today.
Here is the complete list of films which will be screened at the festival:-
International Competition
Difret
Dir.: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari (Ethiopia / 2014 / Col / 99)
History of Fear (Historia del miedo)
Dir.: Benjamin Naishtat (Argentina-France-Germany-Qatar-Uruguay / 2014 / Col / 79)
With Others (Ba Digaran)
Dir.: Nasser Zamiri (Iran / 2014 / Col / 85)
The Tree (Drevo)
Dir.: Sonja Prosenc (Slovenia / 2014 / Col / 90)
Next to Her (At li layla)
Dir.: Asaf Korman (Israel / 2014 / Col / 90)
Schimbare
Dir.: Alex Sampayo (Spain / 2014 / Col / 87)
Fever
Dir.: Raphaël Neal (France / 2014 / Col / 81)
Court
Dir.: Chaitanya Tamhane (India (Marathi-Gujarati-English-Hindi) / 2014 / Col / 116)
Macondo
Dir.: Sudabeh Mortezai (Austria / 2014 / Col / 98)
India Gold Competition 2014
The Fort (Killa)
Dir.: Avinash Arun (India (Marathi) / 2014 / Col / 107)
Unto the Dusk
Dir.: Sajin Baabu (India (Malayalam) / 2014 / Col / 118)
Names Unknown (Perariyathavar)
Dir.: Dr. Biju (India (Malayalam) / 2014 / Col / 110)
Buddha In a Traffic Jam
Dir.
Here is the complete list of films which will be screened at the festival:-
International Competition
Difret
Dir.: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari (Ethiopia / 2014 / Col / 99)
History of Fear (Historia del miedo)
Dir.: Benjamin Naishtat (Argentina-France-Germany-Qatar-Uruguay / 2014 / Col / 79)
With Others (Ba Digaran)
Dir.: Nasser Zamiri (Iran / 2014 / Col / 85)
The Tree (Drevo)
Dir.: Sonja Prosenc (Slovenia / 2014 / Col / 90)
Next to Her (At li layla)
Dir.: Asaf Korman (Israel / 2014 / Col / 90)
Schimbare
Dir.: Alex Sampayo (Spain / 2014 / Col / 87)
Fever
Dir.: Raphaël Neal (France / 2014 / Col / 81)
Court
Dir.: Chaitanya Tamhane (India (Marathi-Gujarati-English-Hindi) / 2014 / Col / 116)
Macondo
Dir.: Sudabeh Mortezai (Austria / 2014 / Col / 98)
India Gold Competition 2014
The Fort (Killa)
Dir.: Avinash Arun (India (Marathi) / 2014 / Col / 107)
Unto the Dusk
Dir.: Sajin Baabu (India (Malayalam) / 2014 / Col / 118)
Names Unknown (Perariyathavar)
Dir.: Dr. Biju (India (Malayalam) / 2014 / Col / 110)
Buddha In a Traffic Jam
Dir.
- 9/17/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Chen-Zer Doze Niu’s Paradise In Service and Lee Bo-Cheung’s Gangster Pay Day to bookend 19th edition.
The 19th Busan International Film Festival (Biff) (Oct 2-11) today announced its line-up with the international premiere of Chen-Zer Doze Niu’s Taiwanese film Paradise In Service as the opening film.
Niu and cast members will be on hand at the opening ceremony on Oct 2, to be emceed by Moon So-ri and Ken Watanabe.
Lee Bo-Cheung’s Hong Kong-China film Gangster Pay Day will receive its world premiere as the closing film on Oct 11. The director as well as stars Anthony Wong and Charlene Choi will be on hand to present the film.
Biff will screen 314 films from 79 countries with 98 world premieres and 36 international premieres.
All the 12 New Currents competition films are world or international premieres, including Amin Dora’s Ghadi, the first Lebanese film to screen in this section, and Jalal’s Story, directed by Abu...
The 19th Busan International Film Festival (Biff) (Oct 2-11) today announced its line-up with the international premiere of Chen-Zer Doze Niu’s Taiwanese film Paradise In Service as the opening film.
Niu and cast members will be on hand at the opening ceremony on Oct 2, to be emceed by Moon So-ri and Ken Watanabe.
Lee Bo-Cheung’s Hong Kong-China film Gangster Pay Day will receive its world premiere as the closing film on Oct 11. The director as well as stars Anthony Wong and Charlene Choi will be on hand to present the film.
Biff will screen 314 films from 79 countries with 98 world premieres and 36 international premieres.
All the 12 New Currents competition films are world or international premieres, including Amin Dora’s Ghadi, the first Lebanese film to screen in this section, and Jalal’s Story, directed by Abu...
- 9/2/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Early predictions have emerged for most Academy Award categories. As the studios reveal their hopeful offers to be released in the final months of the year, the speculation increases. But despite all the information available on the centerpiece awards, other more obscure races remain a complete mystery at this point. Among these, the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar is almost certainly the most complex to prognosticate. The lengthy process that precedes the announcement of the final nominees makes for a competition that begins months in advance in nations around the globe.Having the opportunity to submit only one film, each country must carry out its own selection process. Once these decisions have been made, their chosen works will compete to make it to the nine-film shortlist, and eventually into the final five slots. Although this procedure allows for a certain degree of democracy, it also excludes all those other films that were left behind in their homelands. This, in turn, gives us a narrow view of what is being produced abroad.
Therefore, after lots of research and arduous educated guessing to put it together, the list below offers a more insightful look at this race before the actual individual selections are announced. For the sake of time, the amount of films is limited to five per country, but in some cases the choices are scarcer and less films are listed. While trying to speculate is always an uncertain endeavor, the factors taken into account to determine which are some of this year’s most important films in each country and their prospects of being chosen as their representative at the Academy Awards, were varied. Festival exposure, release date, the country’s previous submissions, and even the thematic elements of a few of them were considered to create this piece.
Clearly nothing is definitive at this point, but at the very least, this compilation will provide a sense of what the film industries in these territories are putting out and sharing with the world.
Read More: Oscars 2015 : Best Foreign Language Film Contenders - The Americas
Here is the first part of the list on Europe (Albania -Lithuania)
Albania
Last year the Balkan state had one of its strongest contenders in recent history, Robert Budina’s “Agon,” a powerful drama dealing with the ethnic identity of the region. This time around, there are three films that qualify to be selected. The front-runner is “ Amsterdam Express, ” which has the highest international profile of the three being a co-production between Albania, U.K The Netherlands and Germany. The film explores the sociopolitical situation of the country through the eyes of an Albanian man who immigrates to Dutch territory illegally. Following along are two other dramas, “The Last Wish” (Amaneti) and “Ada.” Having three clearly viable options, it is almost certain that Albania will compete once again this year.
1. "Amsterdam Express" PC: F&Me
2. "The Last Wish" (Amaneti) PC: Media Vision
3. "Ada" PC: Concordia Pictures
Armenia
Having submitted only four times as an independent nation, it is difficult to predict whether Armenia will decide to participate this year. However, they do have a few films that could represent them at the Academy Awards. Even though the country’s film industry is still precarious and struggling, they have their own annual awards and consistently complete feature length works. Since many of them don’t fulfill the quality standards of major festivals, few of their offers ever get passed their border. The most feasible candidate this year is “Tevanik,” a film about the Karabakh war that screened at the Cannes film market and that has also screened theatrically in its home country. Another possible selection is dark comedy “The Romanticists,” which won the Best Screenplay award at the Hayak National Cinema Awards and had some international exposure. Drama “From Two Worlds as a Keepsake, ” could also be a good candidate as it premiered last year at the World Film Festival in Montreal. Less likely are comedy “The Heart in the House ,” a Russian co-production, and Hayak Best Film nominee “Caucho,” which might be a bit too avant-garde to be chosen.
1. "Tevanik" PC: Fish Eye Art
2. "The Romanticists" (Rromantiknery) PC: Aysor-Plus Film Productions
3. "From Two Worlds as a Keepsake" (Yerku ashkharhic i hishatak) PC: National Film Centr of Armenia
4. "The Heart in the House" (Domik v serdtse) PC: Berg Sound
5. "Caucho"
Austria
Since Austrian productions are heavily influenced by the German film industry and often intertwined with it, it is no surprise that the major winner at the German Film Awards was the co-production “The Dark Valley.” But given that the director Andreas Prochaska is Austrian, as well as most of the creative control and resources, the Germans couldn’t claim it as their own. This, and the fact that Sam Riley is in it, make it an ideal, high profile candidate to be Austria’s Oscar submission. Nominated for five awards in the past Austrian Film Awards, “October November” is also a descent candidate. A close third followed is “The Last Dance” the latest film by Houchang Allahyari, whose film “I Love Vienna” represented the country a couple decades ago. Then we have “ Soldier Jane,” which also nominated for Best Film at the National Awards. Lastly, “The Silent Mountain, “ an epic period piece about World War I is not entirely far fetched. Other films that have had positive receptions at festivals such as “Macondo,” or “Amour Fou” will be released closer to the end of the year.
1. "The Dark Valley" (Das Fisntere Tal) Isa: Films Distribution
2. "October November" (Oktober November) Isa: The Match Factory
3. "The Last Dance" (Der letzte Tanz) PC: Allahyari Filmproduktion
4. "Soldier Jane" (Soldate Jeannette) Isa: Premium Films
5. "The Silent Mountain" ( Der Stille Berg) Isa: Premiere Entertainment Group
Azerbaijan
It's always great to see a country like Azerbaijan submitting a film and making an attempt at getting exposure for their filmmakers and industry. Their films rarely make it to the world stage of glamorous festivals, thus they remain mostly obscure and inaccessible outside their homeland. Nevertheless, this year an Azerbaijani film, “Nabat,” could change that as it will screen at the Venice Film festival. This war film has already screened in the country at least at a special event, it is difficult to know if it will qualify this time around. If it does, it is their best bet. Should they decide to save it for next year, the country has another option of mild prestige. “Chameleon,” a small drama set in a remote village, screened last year at Locarno and that alone could help its chances. Lastly, there is “Down by the River,” which was part of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival selection. It will almost certainly be released until past the deadline, but might be a strong contender in the future. Two other dramas, one of epic proportions and a biopic could get in the mix but there is hardly any information available besides the fact that they have been screened in the capital city of Baku.
1. "Nabat" Isa: Dreamlab Films
2. "Chameleon" (Buqälämun) PC: Arizona Productions
3. "Down the River" (Axinla ashagi) PC: Azerbaijanfilm
Belarus
The small ex-Soviet state has been mostly producing documentaries for local viewing. Their output of material that can be successful abroad is minimal, and even when they have been presented with a great opportunity to participate at the Academy Awards, they simply don’t. This was the case of Sergey Loznitsa's “In the Fog” a couple years back, which could have represented them but was not entered. In fact, they have only participated on two occasions, the last one being in 1996. Although it is unlikely they will show interest, the country has a couple of promising choices. Belarus’ best bet would be the international coproduction “ The Role,” a solemn period piece that was nominated for five Nika Awards (the Russian Oscars) and actually won for Best Screenplay. Highly improbable, but given their small number of contenders, the country could also choose to send “BaBu,” an Azerbaijani coproduction about the kidnapping of a businessman’s daughter.
1. "The Role" (Rol) Isa: Reflexion Films
2. "BaBu"
Belgium
With the return to Cannes of the country’s most iconic filmmakers, the Dardenne Brothers, Belgium has an easy decision to make. Starring Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night” looks like the obvious favorite. Nevertheless, the Dardennes have been overlooked before, as it was the case two years ago when the Belgians decided to send “Bullhead” over the duo’s “The Kid with a Bike.” The only real threat could be “Marina” by Stijn Coninx, who was nominated for an Oscar in this category back in 1992 with “Daens.“ His latest work is a period piece about Rocco Granata’s life, an Italian singer who lived in Belgium in his youth. A more audacious decision, but not entirely impossible, would be to select the beautifully nightmarish “The Strange Color of Your Body’s Tears,” which has had noticeable international presence. Two other titles, “ The Verdict” and “The Treatment” have been well received at home but since they are facing works by revered filmmakers, their chances are slight.
1. "Two Days, One Night" (Deux jours, une nuit) Isa: Wild Bunch
2. "Marina" Isa: Media Luna New Films
3. "The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears" (L'étrange couleur des larmes de ton corps) Isa: Bac Films International
4. "The Verdict" (Het Vonnis) Isa: Media Luna New Films
5. "The Treatment" (De Behandeling) Isa: Be for Films
Bosnia & Herzegovina
The last film by the poster child for Bosnian cinema, Danis Tanovic, managed to make it to the 9-film shortlist last December. This year, the country doesn’t have such a prominent candidate. Based on release date, festival exposure, and language, their safest selection would be the family drama “ With Mom.” Another title that could qualify is “Krivina,” which is technically a 2012 film, but did not premier in Bosnia until late last year. If eligible, it would definitively be a great runner-up. In third place is the incredibly small local film “ Krajina: Life or Death,” and it’s in that position simply because it meets all the minimum requirements to qualify - language included. The last two films mentioned here are longer shots not due to lack of quality, but because of their production details. One, “Bridges of Sarajevo,” is an anthology film created by over a dozen filmmakers from around the world. Even though one of the filmmakers is Bosnian and all sections are in a language other than English, it will be hard to consider it an actual Bosnian film. The other, “For Those Who Can Tell No Tales,” is a Bosnian production directed by Jasmila Zbanic, but the dialogue seems to be mostly in English, which would make it ineligible.
1. "With Mom" (Sa Mamom) PC: Scca/Pro.BA
2. "Krivina" Isa: Princ Films
3. "Krajina: Life and Death" (Ja sam iz Krajine, zemlje kestena) PC: Depo Production
4. "Bridges of Sarajevo" (Les Ponts de Sarajevo) Isa: Indie Sales
5."For Those Who Can Tell No Tales" (Za one koji ne mogu da govore) PC: Mpm
Bulgaria
In recent years the country has decided to send films that have won or have been nominated for their local film awards. This year the winner of the top award for Best Film was “Alienation,” seemingly making it the favorite to be submitted. This might actually not be the case. Premiering at Sundance earlier this year, “Viktoria,” an epic drama about a peculiar mother-daughter relationship, might actually be the frontrunner. The film has been rightfully hailed as the most important Bulgarian film of 2014 as it has been praised at several international festivals. The only concern was its release date, but that has been put to rest since the filmmakers have announced a one-week theatrical run of the film in Sofia this September. This might imply they are seriously considering the possibility of being chosen. Other less likely options are “Roseville,” another Best Film nominee at the local film awards, “Rat Poison,” which won Best Screenplay at those same awards, and the comedy “ Living Legends.” “The Judgement,” another important Bulgarian film that opened the Sofia International Film Festival in March, won’t opened theatrically until after the deadline.
1. "Viktoria" PC: Viktoria Films
2. "Alienation" PC: Red Carpet/ Bnt
3."Roseville" Isa: Wide
4. "Rat Poison" PC: Bulfilm Nfc
5. "Living Legends" PC: Euro Dialogue Productions
Croatia
Dominating last year’s Pula Film Festival with seven Golden Arena awards and presented at other international festivals, the drama “ A Stranger” is by far the most qualified choice. Bobo Jelcic’s film follows a man who returns to his hometown only to attend a funeral, but is forced to deal with several other issues from his past while there. Closely following is complex family drama “Hush…,” which also won several awards at the same festival. Other films that could come into play include “Vis-à-Vis,” a story about a film director and on his actor trying to write a screenplay, crime thriller “Not All About the Money, ”and the comedy “Handymen” by Dalibor Matanic, whose film “Fine Dead Girls” represented Croatia in 2002. It is important to note that three other relevant Croatian films, “The Bridge at the of the World,” "Number 55” and “The Reaper,” will probably be released in the next few months and will be in the running next year.
1. "A Stranger"(Obrana i zastita) Isa: Rendez-vous Pictures
2. "Hush..." (Šuti) PC: Kinorama
3. "Vis-a-Vis" PC: Copycat Production House
4. "Not All About the Money" (Nije sve u lovi) PC: Interfilm
5. "Handymen" (Majstori) PC: Hrvatska Radiotelevizija
Cyprus
As one of the few countries in Europe that has never submitted a film, it is likely they will continue on that path once again. Yet, if they decide otherwise, there is a film that could represent them. Crime drama “Stratos” directed by Cyprus-born Yannis Economides and produced with support from the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture could actually be the island nation’s lucky charm. Another Cypriot production, the romantic comedy “ Committed,” would be listed here as a possibility if it wasn’t for the fact that it is entirely in English.
1. "Stratos" (To Mikro Psari) Isa: The Match Factory
Czech Republic
Last year was rough for the Czechs. The ambitious historical courtroom drama “Burning Bush” by acclaimed filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, was disqualified as their submission because it was originally conceived as a TV miniseries. They were forced to select another film “The Don Juans,” which that didn’t do much them. This time around things are looking up with a wide array of films to choose from. Playing at Karlovy Vary recently and opening theatrically just in time to qualify is “Fair Play,” a sports drama about a sprinter attempting to make it to the Olympic Games in 1980. Then there is “Clownwise, ” a quirky dramedy that was nominated for Best Film and won Best Supporting actor at the local Czech Lion Awards. In the third spot is “Hany,” a film conformed of a single continuous shot depicting the madness occurring during a night out in the city. “The Way Out, ” a drama that screened in the Acid sidebar at Cannes, could also be picked based on that notable international exposure. Lastly, “Delight,” another Czech Lion Best Film nominee, could be the surprise selection, but it will probably prove to be a tad too abstract for voters.
1. "Fair Play" Isa: Intramovies
2. "Clownwise" (Klauni) Isa: Latido
3. "Hany" PC: Barletta
4. "The Way Out" (Cesta Ven) Isa: Premium Films
5. "Delight" (Rozkos) PC: Cineart TV Prague
Denmark
These days Denmark is a powerhouse in this category. After almost tasting glory once again with Vinterberg’s “The Hunt, ” the Danish will return to seek their third consecutive nomination. In order to continue their great streak, they need to choose wisely. “Someone in Love,” about a musician in crisis, has garnered praise from critics internationally, and will seem like the obvious choice. On the other hand, there is the mystery flick “ The Keeper of Lost Causes,” which opened in Denmark late last yearand was nominated for 4 Bodil Awards. Then there is “Sorrow and Joy” another powerful drama from Nils Malmros, whose film “Barbara” represented Denmark in 1992. Unique coming-of-age tale ”Speed Walking” could also be a contender. On the final slot there is the romantic drama “The Miracle,” a film that did well at the Montreal World Film Festival, unlikely but not impossible. Whichever it is, it will certainly be something to watch out for throughout the race.
1. "Someone You Love" (En du elsker) Isa: TrustNordisk
2. "The Keeper of Lost Causes" (Kvinden i buret) Isa: TrustNordisk
3. "Sorrow and Joy" (Sorg og glæde) PC: Nordisk Film Production
4. "Speed Walking" (Kapgang) PC: Nordisk Film Production
5. "The Miracle" (Miraklet) PC: Film i Vast
Estonia
This Baltic country’s film industry has increasingly become more consistent at delivering interesting films. Winning awards across festivals, their absolute frontrunner is “Tangerines, ” a Georgian coproduction about a Estonian man caught up in the middle of a war. Its biggest competition is the black and white historical film “In the Crosswind,” “which is a viable choice given that it deals with a painful episode in the region's history: the mass deportation of Baltic people to Siberia by Russia. Though it looks beautifully done, its particular visual aesthetic might seem to unconventional to some voters. It is still really possible they decide to send it regardless. Finally there is “ Kertu” a romantic drama about an unlikely relationship.
1. "Tangerines" (Mandariinid) Isa: Cinemavault
2. "In the Crosswind" (Risttuules) PC: Allfilm
3. "Kertu, Love is Blind" (Kertu) Isa: Paul Thiltges Distribution Sarl
Finland
Despite the countries long filmmaking tradition, the Finnish have only been nominated once for Aki Kaurismäki's “The Man Without a Past” in 2002. Fortunately for them, they have several great eligible films that will make for a difficult decision. Black and white philosophical drama “ Concrete Night” from Pirjo Honkasalo earned 6 Jussi Awards, given by Finland’s film professionals. Such overwhelming recognition will make it hard to ignore despite the serious competition. The film also had a great festival run. Right behind it are two films by prolific Dome Karukoski, who has represented his country at the Oscar previously. The first one is “The Grump,” a comedy based on the character created by Tuomas Kyro. It will screen at Tiff and will open locally just in time to qualify. Karukoski’s other film “Heart of a Lion,” tells a more serious story about a Neo-Nazi who reconsiders his views after falling in love. Either one of them could be picked as a way to honor the consistently great work this filmmaker puts out. Yet another interesting possibility is “Korso,” about a young man with big basketball dreams. The film was partially produced by the same company that created last year’s Oscar nominated short “Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?” There are several other plausible films, but from all those, the one that seems to have the best prospects is the historical comedy “August Fools.”
1. "Concrete Night" (Betoniyö) Isa: Film Republic
2. "The Grump" (Mielensäpahoittaja) Isa: The Yellow Affair
3. "Heart of a Lion" (Leijonasydän) Isa: The Yellow Affair
4. "Korso" PC: Bufo/Tuffi Films
5. "August Fools" (Mieletön elokuu) Isa: Insomnia World Sales
France
Narrowing down France’s possible selection to five titles is by far one of the must uncertain and difficult tasks. The French film industry releases a vast number of films every year in a variety of genres and sizes. This gives them endless possibilities. Yet, there are some indicators that provide insight to what they might end up choosing. First off, the Cesar Awards. This year’s big winner was Guillaume Gallienne's “Me, Myself and Mum, ” which is a delightfully funny film that shines with originality. It was released last November and could definitely be their selected entry. On the other hand, they could choose to honor legendary filmmaker Alain Resnais- who past away earlier this year - by submitting his last film “Life of Riley.” The film received mixed reactions, but won the Fipresci Prize and the Alfred Bauer Award in Berlin. If they want to go with some fresh young talent, there is Cannes Directors' Fortnight Winner “Love at First Sight, ” the debut feature by Thomas Cailley. Another award winner that qualifies is Katell Quillévéré’s “Suzanne” about a woman that loses it all for the love a deviant man. Last but not least, Mathieu Amalric’s latest directorial effort “The Blue Room” could be a surprise player given the actor’s prestige and talent both in front and behind the camera. It is still up in the air.
1. "Me, Myself and Mum" (Les Garçons et Guillaume, à table!) Isa: Gaumont
2. "Life of Riley" (Aimer, boire et chanter) PC: F Comme Film
3. "Love at First Sight" (Les Conbattants) PC: Nord-Ouest Productions
4. "Suzanne" Isa: Films Distribution
5. "The Blue Room" (La Chambre Bleue) Isa: Alfama Films
Georgia
Impressively on the rise, the Georgian film industry keeps on delivering great works that often make waves across international festivals. Last year’s submission “In Bloom,” was a great success and managed to get U.S. distribution for a small theatrical release. On this occasion, they have three films that have done well internationally. Out of the batch, the most successful has been Levan Koguashvili’s “Blind Dates, ” a charming story of a unique quest for love. A second strong competitor is “Brides,” a drama that screened both at the Berlinale and Tribeca this year. Then, just fresh from winning at Karlovy Vary, there is “Corn Island,” a poetic vision of life from the perspective of rural Georgia. It appears like all three titles will release at home in time to qualify. If that’s the case, Georgia has a tough decision to make
1. "Blind Dates" (Shemtkhveviti paemnebi) Isa: Films Boutique
2. "Brides" (Patardzlebi) Isa: Rezo
3. "Corn Island" (Simindis kundzuli) PC: Arizona Productions
Germany
After releasing a 15-film shortlist, Germany’s prospects look clearer. There are several titles on the list that won’t merit a nomination, but the prominent film that remain will make for a competitive final selection. Winning two prizes in Berlin, “Stations of the Cross,” a look at fundamentalist Catholicism, sounds like a front-runner. However, its subject matter might play against it. Feo Aladag’s latest film “Inbetween Worlds,” about a German soldier in Afghanistan, seems to be a powerful drama on the vein of Susanne Bier’s “In a Better World.” On the third slot is “West,” a moving film about a woman and her son escaping socialist East Germany to discover the other side also has its darkness. Then there is “Beloved Sisters,” a costume drama that seems like a safer choice. It might be too familiar to be selected, but not at all improbable. Lastly, “Home from Home,” which won several national awards. It'ss possible, but its narrative style and extensive running time (225 min.) might make it a much more harder sell.
1. "Stations of the Cross" (Kreuzweg) Isa: Beta Cinema
2. "Inbetween Worlds" (Zwischen Welten) Isa: The Match Factory
3. "West" (Westen) Isa: Picture Tree International
4. "Beloved Sisters" (Die geliebten Schwestern) PC: Bavaria Film
5. "Home from Home - Chronicle of a Vision" (Die andere Heimat - Chronik einer Sehnsucht) Isa: Arri Worldsales
Greece
Even though it not an absolute rule, the Greeks tend to select the Hellenic Awards Best Film winner as their submission. Taking that into account, the clear favorite and almost certain choice is “Little England,” a period piece that won big locally. It’s biggest flaw; however, is the lack of international exposure. If for some reason they wanted to make a bold move and reward an impressive festival run, then Alexandros Avranas’s marvelously perverse “Miss Violence” would be ideal. Another great festival darling is Elina Psikou‘s feature debut “The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas,” a sardonic exploration on fame and identity. On the fourth spot, there is “ The Enemy Within,” a tense crime drama about a family in the aftermath of a home invasion. The film was also honored at the Hellenic Awards. Finally, “Standing Aside, Watching,” about corruption, sexism, and intimidation in a small village, could also be a great entry. Un Certain Regard film “Xenia” by Panos H. Koutras, won’t open in Greece until October, but will be a possible option next year.
1. "Little England" (Mikra Anglia) PC: Black Orange
2."Miss Violence" Isa: Elle Driver
3."The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas" (I Aionia Epistrofi tou Antoni Paraskeva) Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
4."The Enemy Within" (O Ehthros Mou) Isa: Patra Spanou
5. "Standing Aside, Watching" (Na kathesai kai na koitas) Isa: Patra Spanou
Hungary
Hungary’s last submission “The Notebook” managed to make it into the highly competitive 9-film shortlist. This year they have even brighter hopes with a slate of titles that have done very well around the world. Un Certain Regard winner “White God” is undoubtedly the one to beat. It is a rare occasion for the country to win such a high profile prize, thus making it almost impossible to ignore. Nevertheless, if that is not enough to convince the selection committee, “Free Fall” the latest film György Pálfi - whose films “ Hukkie” and “Taxidermia” have represented Hungary in the past - would be the next best choice. It also won several awards recently at Karlovy Vary, which could be of help. Less likely is Virág Zomborácz‘s “Afterlife” another drama that screened at the renowned Czech festival. Other possible titles include Lgbt romantic drama “Land of Storms, “ which screened in Berlin, and dark “ “Heavenly Shift,” which descent international presence.
1. "White God" (Fehér isten) Isa: The Match Factory
2. "Free Fall" (Szabadesés) PC: Jiff Project
3. "Afterlife" (Utóélet) Isa: Hungarian National Film Fund
4. "Land of Storms" (Viharsarok) Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
5. "Heavenly Shift" (Isteni müszak) Isa: Hungarian National Film Fund
Iceland
This small Scandinavian nation seems to have a very easy decision to make. The film “Life in a Fishbowl” has been dubbed by local critics as “the best Icelandic” film ever made” and it has also been an absolute box-office hit in its homeland. The multi-narrative film is by far the most likely to be submitted. However, its closest competitor is Ragnar Bragason‘s “ Metalhead,” a drama about a girl coping with her brother’s death. It was released late last year and won several Edda Awards. With far less possibilities given the two frontrunners is the dramedy “Paris of the North, ” which screened at Karlovy Vary, and comedy “ The Grandad,” which lacks exposure and buzz.
1. "Life in a Fishbowl" (Vonarstræti) Isa: Films Boutique
2. "Metalhead" (Málmhaus) Isa: Picture Tree International
3. "Paris of the North" (París Norðursins) PC: Arizona Productions
4. "The Grandad" (Afinn) PC: Thorsson Productions
Ireland
Since most of country’s releases are in English rather than in the Irish language, most years the country doesn’t have any candidates for this category. Ireland has only submitted to films for consideration as foreign language films. It is unlikely they’ll enter the race this year, but if it manages to be released in time, Irish director Johnny O'Reilly‘s Russian-language film “Moscow Never Sleeps” could be their selected candidate. The film was produced with the help of the Irish Film Funs, a fact that could help claim it as an Irish production. Another film in the Irish language, “An Bronntanas” (The Gift), would be a great choice, but it seems to be originally envisioned for TV as a five part miniseries. It’s hard to know if it will manage to qualify.
1. "Moscow Never Sleeps" (Москва никогда не спит) PC: Snapshot Films
Italy
Returning as current champion, Italy - which is the most successful nation ever in this category – has two main contenders and a couple other minor players. At the top of the list is “Human Capital,” which beat out “The Great Beauty” at the local David di Donatello Awards. Added to that, the film has won almost every award at home and several others abroad. It would be shocking to see the film be ignored. The biggest threat to its flawless run is Cannes Competition film “The Wonders.” It received mixed reviews but the Cannes pedigree could play a big role. Local success “The Mafia Only Kills in Summer” is less likely to have a chance. However, it also received tons of praise at home, so it shouldn’t be entirely disqualified. “Misunderstood,” by Asia Argento, played in the Un Certain Regard section but faces tough competition. Rounding up these five possibilities is “Those Happy Years, ” a personal film by Daniele Luchetti, which received very positive reviews internationally.
1. "Human Capital" (Il capitale umano) PC: Indiana Production Company
2. "The Wonders" (Le meraviglie) Isa: The Match Factory
3. "The Mafia Only Kills in Summer" (La mafia uccide solo d'estate) Isa: Rai Com
4. "Misunderstood" (Incompresa) Isa: Other Angle Pictures
5. "Those Happy Years" (Anni felici) Isa: Celluloid Dreams/Nightmares
Kosovo
The surprise submission could come from the recently independent, war-torn Balkan state. They have a promising feature film by Isa Qosja's “Three Windows and a Hanging,” which has been called “the best film from Kosovo to date.” Dealing with the forced silence and shame rape victims experience in a small village ruled by patriarchal norms, the film seems to be a perfect candidate to be their first submission. It recently premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival, so its biggest challenge would be qualifying based on its unknown release date at home.
1. "Three Windows and a Hanging"
Latvia
Unfortunately for Latvia, their possibilities are extremely limited this year. There are only two films that seem as possible candidates. One is the slasher horror film “The Man in the Orange Jacket.” It sports a great production value and might be an interesting offer, but it is hard to see it get far in the race. Nonetheless, it is still their best chance. The other film "Escaping Riga" is a documentary on historical figures Sergei Eisenstein and Sir Isaiah Berlin. Given its subject matter it wouldn’t be surprising if they chose to with this. Hopefully next year their output gives them more to pick from.
1. "The Man in the Orange Jacket" (M.O.Zh.) Isa: Wide
2. "Escaping Riga" PC: Mistrus Media
Lithuania
Opposite to its Baltic neighbor mentioned above, Lithuania has several notable films that could represent them. After winning the top prizes at the Lithuanian Silver Crane’ awards, “The Gambler” became the clear favorite. However, it is important to mention that despite having narrative features to choose from, Lithuania decided to send a small documentary to represent them last year. This curious fact could play in favor of “ Cenotaphs,” a doc focusing on the search for the remains of dead soldiers from World War II. The film won Best Documentary and was nominated in other categories at the local awards. Then there are three other Silver Crane nominated films. Coming-of-age flick “ Non-Present Time,” family drama “Santa,” and crime thriller “Name in the Dark.” The winner of several of these awards, “The Excursionist” was released too early last year to be considered this time around. Local financial success “Redirected” is mostly in English, thus ineligible.
1. "The Gambler" (Losejas) Isa: Wide
2. "Cenotaph" (Kenotafas) PC: Studio Uljana Kim
3. "Non-Present Time" (Nesamasis laikas) PC: Just a Moment
4. "Santa" PC: Artbox
5. "Name in the Dark" (Vardas tamsoje) PC: Fralita Films...
Therefore, after lots of research and arduous educated guessing to put it together, the list below offers a more insightful look at this race before the actual individual selections are announced. For the sake of time, the amount of films is limited to five per country, but in some cases the choices are scarcer and less films are listed. While trying to speculate is always an uncertain endeavor, the factors taken into account to determine which are some of this year’s most important films in each country and their prospects of being chosen as their representative at the Academy Awards, were varied. Festival exposure, release date, the country’s previous submissions, and even the thematic elements of a few of them were considered to create this piece.
Clearly nothing is definitive at this point, but at the very least, this compilation will provide a sense of what the film industries in these territories are putting out and sharing with the world.
Read More: Oscars 2015 : Best Foreign Language Film Contenders - The Americas
Here is the first part of the list on Europe (Albania -Lithuania)
Albania
Last year the Balkan state had one of its strongest contenders in recent history, Robert Budina’s “Agon,” a powerful drama dealing with the ethnic identity of the region. This time around, there are three films that qualify to be selected. The front-runner is “ Amsterdam Express, ” which has the highest international profile of the three being a co-production between Albania, U.K The Netherlands and Germany. The film explores the sociopolitical situation of the country through the eyes of an Albanian man who immigrates to Dutch territory illegally. Following along are two other dramas, “The Last Wish” (Amaneti) and “Ada.” Having three clearly viable options, it is almost certain that Albania will compete once again this year.
1. "Amsterdam Express" PC: F&Me
2. "The Last Wish" (Amaneti) PC: Media Vision
3. "Ada" PC: Concordia Pictures
Armenia
Having submitted only four times as an independent nation, it is difficult to predict whether Armenia will decide to participate this year. However, they do have a few films that could represent them at the Academy Awards. Even though the country’s film industry is still precarious and struggling, they have their own annual awards and consistently complete feature length works. Since many of them don’t fulfill the quality standards of major festivals, few of their offers ever get passed their border. The most feasible candidate this year is “Tevanik,” a film about the Karabakh war that screened at the Cannes film market and that has also screened theatrically in its home country. Another possible selection is dark comedy “The Romanticists,” which won the Best Screenplay award at the Hayak National Cinema Awards and had some international exposure. Drama “From Two Worlds as a Keepsake, ” could also be a good candidate as it premiered last year at the World Film Festival in Montreal. Less likely are comedy “The Heart in the House ,” a Russian co-production, and Hayak Best Film nominee “Caucho,” which might be a bit too avant-garde to be chosen.
1. "Tevanik" PC: Fish Eye Art
2. "The Romanticists" (Rromantiknery) PC: Aysor-Plus Film Productions
3. "From Two Worlds as a Keepsake" (Yerku ashkharhic i hishatak) PC: National Film Centr of Armenia
4. "The Heart in the House" (Domik v serdtse) PC: Berg Sound
5. "Caucho"
Austria
Since Austrian productions are heavily influenced by the German film industry and often intertwined with it, it is no surprise that the major winner at the German Film Awards was the co-production “The Dark Valley.” But given that the director Andreas Prochaska is Austrian, as well as most of the creative control and resources, the Germans couldn’t claim it as their own. This, and the fact that Sam Riley is in it, make it an ideal, high profile candidate to be Austria’s Oscar submission. Nominated for five awards in the past Austrian Film Awards, “October November” is also a descent candidate. A close third followed is “The Last Dance” the latest film by Houchang Allahyari, whose film “I Love Vienna” represented the country a couple decades ago. Then we have “ Soldier Jane,” which also nominated for Best Film at the National Awards. Lastly, “The Silent Mountain, “ an epic period piece about World War I is not entirely far fetched. Other films that have had positive receptions at festivals such as “Macondo,” or “Amour Fou” will be released closer to the end of the year.
1. "The Dark Valley" (Das Fisntere Tal) Isa: Films Distribution
2. "October November" (Oktober November) Isa: The Match Factory
3. "The Last Dance" (Der letzte Tanz) PC: Allahyari Filmproduktion
4. "Soldier Jane" (Soldate Jeannette) Isa: Premium Films
5. "The Silent Mountain" ( Der Stille Berg) Isa: Premiere Entertainment Group
Azerbaijan
It's always great to see a country like Azerbaijan submitting a film and making an attempt at getting exposure for their filmmakers and industry. Their films rarely make it to the world stage of glamorous festivals, thus they remain mostly obscure and inaccessible outside their homeland. Nevertheless, this year an Azerbaijani film, “Nabat,” could change that as it will screen at the Venice Film festival. This war film has already screened in the country at least at a special event, it is difficult to know if it will qualify this time around. If it does, it is their best bet. Should they decide to save it for next year, the country has another option of mild prestige. “Chameleon,” a small drama set in a remote village, screened last year at Locarno and that alone could help its chances. Lastly, there is “Down by the River,” which was part of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival selection. It will almost certainly be released until past the deadline, but might be a strong contender in the future. Two other dramas, one of epic proportions and a biopic could get in the mix but there is hardly any information available besides the fact that they have been screened in the capital city of Baku.
1. "Nabat" Isa: Dreamlab Films
2. "Chameleon" (Buqälämun) PC: Arizona Productions
3. "Down the River" (Axinla ashagi) PC: Azerbaijanfilm
Belarus
The small ex-Soviet state has been mostly producing documentaries for local viewing. Their output of material that can be successful abroad is minimal, and even when they have been presented with a great opportunity to participate at the Academy Awards, they simply don’t. This was the case of Sergey Loznitsa's “In the Fog” a couple years back, which could have represented them but was not entered. In fact, they have only participated on two occasions, the last one being in 1996. Although it is unlikely they will show interest, the country has a couple of promising choices. Belarus’ best bet would be the international coproduction “ The Role,” a solemn period piece that was nominated for five Nika Awards (the Russian Oscars) and actually won for Best Screenplay. Highly improbable, but given their small number of contenders, the country could also choose to send “BaBu,” an Azerbaijani coproduction about the kidnapping of a businessman’s daughter.
1. "The Role" (Rol) Isa: Reflexion Films
2. "BaBu"
Belgium
With the return to Cannes of the country’s most iconic filmmakers, the Dardenne Brothers, Belgium has an easy decision to make. Starring Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night” looks like the obvious favorite. Nevertheless, the Dardennes have been overlooked before, as it was the case two years ago when the Belgians decided to send “Bullhead” over the duo’s “The Kid with a Bike.” The only real threat could be “Marina” by Stijn Coninx, who was nominated for an Oscar in this category back in 1992 with “Daens.“ His latest work is a period piece about Rocco Granata’s life, an Italian singer who lived in Belgium in his youth. A more audacious decision, but not entirely impossible, would be to select the beautifully nightmarish “The Strange Color of Your Body’s Tears,” which has had noticeable international presence. Two other titles, “ The Verdict” and “The Treatment” have been well received at home but since they are facing works by revered filmmakers, their chances are slight.
1. "Two Days, One Night" (Deux jours, une nuit) Isa: Wild Bunch
2. "Marina" Isa: Media Luna New Films
3. "The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears" (L'étrange couleur des larmes de ton corps) Isa: Bac Films International
4. "The Verdict" (Het Vonnis) Isa: Media Luna New Films
5. "The Treatment" (De Behandeling) Isa: Be for Films
Bosnia & Herzegovina
The last film by the poster child for Bosnian cinema, Danis Tanovic, managed to make it to the 9-film shortlist last December. This year, the country doesn’t have such a prominent candidate. Based on release date, festival exposure, and language, their safest selection would be the family drama “ With Mom.” Another title that could qualify is “Krivina,” which is technically a 2012 film, but did not premier in Bosnia until late last year. If eligible, it would definitively be a great runner-up. In third place is the incredibly small local film “ Krajina: Life or Death,” and it’s in that position simply because it meets all the minimum requirements to qualify - language included. The last two films mentioned here are longer shots not due to lack of quality, but because of their production details. One, “Bridges of Sarajevo,” is an anthology film created by over a dozen filmmakers from around the world. Even though one of the filmmakers is Bosnian and all sections are in a language other than English, it will be hard to consider it an actual Bosnian film. The other, “For Those Who Can Tell No Tales,” is a Bosnian production directed by Jasmila Zbanic, but the dialogue seems to be mostly in English, which would make it ineligible.
1. "With Mom" (Sa Mamom) PC: Scca/Pro.BA
2. "Krivina" Isa: Princ Films
3. "Krajina: Life and Death" (Ja sam iz Krajine, zemlje kestena) PC: Depo Production
4. "Bridges of Sarajevo" (Les Ponts de Sarajevo) Isa: Indie Sales
5."For Those Who Can Tell No Tales" (Za one koji ne mogu da govore) PC: Mpm
Bulgaria
In recent years the country has decided to send films that have won or have been nominated for their local film awards. This year the winner of the top award for Best Film was “Alienation,” seemingly making it the favorite to be submitted. This might actually not be the case. Premiering at Sundance earlier this year, “Viktoria,” an epic drama about a peculiar mother-daughter relationship, might actually be the frontrunner. The film has been rightfully hailed as the most important Bulgarian film of 2014 as it has been praised at several international festivals. The only concern was its release date, but that has been put to rest since the filmmakers have announced a one-week theatrical run of the film in Sofia this September. This might imply they are seriously considering the possibility of being chosen. Other less likely options are “Roseville,” another Best Film nominee at the local film awards, “Rat Poison,” which won Best Screenplay at those same awards, and the comedy “ Living Legends.” “The Judgement,” another important Bulgarian film that opened the Sofia International Film Festival in March, won’t opened theatrically until after the deadline.
1. "Viktoria" PC: Viktoria Films
2. "Alienation" PC: Red Carpet/ Bnt
3."Roseville" Isa: Wide
4. "Rat Poison" PC: Bulfilm Nfc
5. "Living Legends" PC: Euro Dialogue Productions
Croatia
Dominating last year’s Pula Film Festival with seven Golden Arena awards and presented at other international festivals, the drama “ A Stranger” is by far the most qualified choice. Bobo Jelcic’s film follows a man who returns to his hometown only to attend a funeral, but is forced to deal with several other issues from his past while there. Closely following is complex family drama “Hush…,” which also won several awards at the same festival. Other films that could come into play include “Vis-à-Vis,” a story about a film director and on his actor trying to write a screenplay, crime thriller “Not All About the Money, ”and the comedy “Handymen” by Dalibor Matanic, whose film “Fine Dead Girls” represented Croatia in 2002. It is important to note that three other relevant Croatian films, “The Bridge at the of the World,” "Number 55” and “The Reaper,” will probably be released in the next few months and will be in the running next year.
1. "A Stranger"(Obrana i zastita) Isa: Rendez-vous Pictures
2. "Hush..." (Šuti) PC: Kinorama
3. "Vis-a-Vis" PC: Copycat Production House
4. "Not All About the Money" (Nije sve u lovi) PC: Interfilm
5. "Handymen" (Majstori) PC: Hrvatska Radiotelevizija
Cyprus
As one of the few countries in Europe that has never submitted a film, it is likely they will continue on that path once again. Yet, if they decide otherwise, there is a film that could represent them. Crime drama “Stratos” directed by Cyprus-born Yannis Economides and produced with support from the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture could actually be the island nation’s lucky charm. Another Cypriot production, the romantic comedy “ Committed,” would be listed here as a possibility if it wasn’t for the fact that it is entirely in English.
1. "Stratos" (To Mikro Psari) Isa: The Match Factory
Czech Republic
Last year was rough for the Czechs. The ambitious historical courtroom drama “Burning Bush” by acclaimed filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, was disqualified as their submission because it was originally conceived as a TV miniseries. They were forced to select another film “The Don Juans,” which that didn’t do much them. This time around things are looking up with a wide array of films to choose from. Playing at Karlovy Vary recently and opening theatrically just in time to qualify is “Fair Play,” a sports drama about a sprinter attempting to make it to the Olympic Games in 1980. Then there is “Clownwise, ” a quirky dramedy that was nominated for Best Film and won Best Supporting actor at the local Czech Lion Awards. In the third spot is “Hany,” a film conformed of a single continuous shot depicting the madness occurring during a night out in the city. “The Way Out, ” a drama that screened in the Acid sidebar at Cannes, could also be picked based on that notable international exposure. Lastly, “Delight,” another Czech Lion Best Film nominee, could be the surprise selection, but it will probably prove to be a tad too abstract for voters.
1. "Fair Play" Isa: Intramovies
2. "Clownwise" (Klauni) Isa: Latido
3. "Hany" PC: Barletta
4. "The Way Out" (Cesta Ven) Isa: Premium Films
5. "Delight" (Rozkos) PC: Cineart TV Prague
Denmark
These days Denmark is a powerhouse in this category. After almost tasting glory once again with Vinterberg’s “The Hunt, ” the Danish will return to seek their third consecutive nomination. In order to continue their great streak, they need to choose wisely. “Someone in Love,” about a musician in crisis, has garnered praise from critics internationally, and will seem like the obvious choice. On the other hand, there is the mystery flick “ The Keeper of Lost Causes,” which opened in Denmark late last yearand was nominated for 4 Bodil Awards. Then there is “Sorrow and Joy” another powerful drama from Nils Malmros, whose film “Barbara” represented Denmark in 1992. Unique coming-of-age tale ”Speed Walking” could also be a contender. On the final slot there is the romantic drama “The Miracle,” a film that did well at the Montreal World Film Festival, unlikely but not impossible. Whichever it is, it will certainly be something to watch out for throughout the race.
1. "Someone You Love" (En du elsker) Isa: TrustNordisk
2. "The Keeper of Lost Causes" (Kvinden i buret) Isa: TrustNordisk
3. "Sorrow and Joy" (Sorg og glæde) PC: Nordisk Film Production
4. "Speed Walking" (Kapgang) PC: Nordisk Film Production
5. "The Miracle" (Miraklet) PC: Film i Vast
Estonia
This Baltic country’s film industry has increasingly become more consistent at delivering interesting films. Winning awards across festivals, their absolute frontrunner is “Tangerines, ” a Georgian coproduction about a Estonian man caught up in the middle of a war. Its biggest competition is the black and white historical film “In the Crosswind,” “which is a viable choice given that it deals with a painful episode in the region's history: the mass deportation of Baltic people to Siberia by Russia. Though it looks beautifully done, its particular visual aesthetic might seem to unconventional to some voters. It is still really possible they decide to send it regardless. Finally there is “ Kertu” a romantic drama about an unlikely relationship.
1. "Tangerines" (Mandariinid) Isa: Cinemavault
2. "In the Crosswind" (Risttuules) PC: Allfilm
3. "Kertu, Love is Blind" (Kertu) Isa: Paul Thiltges Distribution Sarl
Finland
Despite the countries long filmmaking tradition, the Finnish have only been nominated once for Aki Kaurismäki's “The Man Without a Past” in 2002. Fortunately for them, they have several great eligible films that will make for a difficult decision. Black and white philosophical drama “ Concrete Night” from Pirjo Honkasalo earned 6 Jussi Awards, given by Finland’s film professionals. Such overwhelming recognition will make it hard to ignore despite the serious competition. The film also had a great festival run. Right behind it are two films by prolific Dome Karukoski, who has represented his country at the Oscar previously. The first one is “The Grump,” a comedy based on the character created by Tuomas Kyro. It will screen at Tiff and will open locally just in time to qualify. Karukoski’s other film “Heart of a Lion,” tells a more serious story about a Neo-Nazi who reconsiders his views after falling in love. Either one of them could be picked as a way to honor the consistently great work this filmmaker puts out. Yet another interesting possibility is “Korso,” about a young man with big basketball dreams. The film was partially produced by the same company that created last year’s Oscar nominated short “Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?” There are several other plausible films, but from all those, the one that seems to have the best prospects is the historical comedy “August Fools.”
1. "Concrete Night" (Betoniyö) Isa: Film Republic
2. "The Grump" (Mielensäpahoittaja) Isa: The Yellow Affair
3. "Heart of a Lion" (Leijonasydän) Isa: The Yellow Affair
4. "Korso" PC: Bufo/Tuffi Films
5. "August Fools" (Mieletön elokuu) Isa: Insomnia World Sales
France
Narrowing down France’s possible selection to five titles is by far one of the must uncertain and difficult tasks. The French film industry releases a vast number of films every year in a variety of genres and sizes. This gives them endless possibilities. Yet, there are some indicators that provide insight to what they might end up choosing. First off, the Cesar Awards. This year’s big winner was Guillaume Gallienne's “Me, Myself and Mum, ” which is a delightfully funny film that shines with originality. It was released last November and could definitely be their selected entry. On the other hand, they could choose to honor legendary filmmaker Alain Resnais- who past away earlier this year - by submitting his last film “Life of Riley.” The film received mixed reactions, but won the Fipresci Prize and the Alfred Bauer Award in Berlin. If they want to go with some fresh young talent, there is Cannes Directors' Fortnight Winner “Love at First Sight, ” the debut feature by Thomas Cailley. Another award winner that qualifies is Katell Quillévéré’s “Suzanne” about a woman that loses it all for the love a deviant man. Last but not least, Mathieu Amalric’s latest directorial effort “The Blue Room” could be a surprise player given the actor’s prestige and talent both in front and behind the camera. It is still up in the air.
1. "Me, Myself and Mum" (Les Garçons et Guillaume, à table!) Isa: Gaumont
2. "Life of Riley" (Aimer, boire et chanter) PC: F Comme Film
3. "Love at First Sight" (Les Conbattants) PC: Nord-Ouest Productions
4. "Suzanne" Isa: Films Distribution
5. "The Blue Room" (La Chambre Bleue) Isa: Alfama Films
Georgia
Impressively on the rise, the Georgian film industry keeps on delivering great works that often make waves across international festivals. Last year’s submission “In Bloom,” was a great success and managed to get U.S. distribution for a small theatrical release. On this occasion, they have three films that have done well internationally. Out of the batch, the most successful has been Levan Koguashvili’s “Blind Dates, ” a charming story of a unique quest for love. A second strong competitor is “Brides,” a drama that screened both at the Berlinale and Tribeca this year. Then, just fresh from winning at Karlovy Vary, there is “Corn Island,” a poetic vision of life from the perspective of rural Georgia. It appears like all three titles will release at home in time to qualify. If that’s the case, Georgia has a tough decision to make
1. "Blind Dates" (Shemtkhveviti paemnebi) Isa: Films Boutique
2. "Brides" (Patardzlebi) Isa: Rezo
3. "Corn Island" (Simindis kundzuli) PC: Arizona Productions
Germany
After releasing a 15-film shortlist, Germany’s prospects look clearer. There are several titles on the list that won’t merit a nomination, but the prominent film that remain will make for a competitive final selection. Winning two prizes in Berlin, “Stations of the Cross,” a look at fundamentalist Catholicism, sounds like a front-runner. However, its subject matter might play against it. Feo Aladag’s latest film “Inbetween Worlds,” about a German soldier in Afghanistan, seems to be a powerful drama on the vein of Susanne Bier’s “In a Better World.” On the third slot is “West,” a moving film about a woman and her son escaping socialist East Germany to discover the other side also has its darkness. Then there is “Beloved Sisters,” a costume drama that seems like a safer choice. It might be too familiar to be selected, but not at all improbable. Lastly, “Home from Home,” which won several national awards. It'ss possible, but its narrative style and extensive running time (225 min.) might make it a much more harder sell.
1. "Stations of the Cross" (Kreuzweg) Isa: Beta Cinema
2. "Inbetween Worlds" (Zwischen Welten) Isa: The Match Factory
3. "West" (Westen) Isa: Picture Tree International
4. "Beloved Sisters" (Die geliebten Schwestern) PC: Bavaria Film
5. "Home from Home - Chronicle of a Vision" (Die andere Heimat - Chronik einer Sehnsucht) Isa: Arri Worldsales
Greece
Even though it not an absolute rule, the Greeks tend to select the Hellenic Awards Best Film winner as their submission. Taking that into account, the clear favorite and almost certain choice is “Little England,” a period piece that won big locally. It’s biggest flaw; however, is the lack of international exposure. If for some reason they wanted to make a bold move and reward an impressive festival run, then Alexandros Avranas’s marvelously perverse “Miss Violence” would be ideal. Another great festival darling is Elina Psikou‘s feature debut “The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas,” a sardonic exploration on fame and identity. On the fourth spot, there is “ The Enemy Within,” a tense crime drama about a family in the aftermath of a home invasion. The film was also honored at the Hellenic Awards. Finally, “Standing Aside, Watching,” about corruption, sexism, and intimidation in a small village, could also be a great entry. Un Certain Regard film “Xenia” by Panos H. Koutras, won’t open in Greece until October, but will be a possible option next year.
1. "Little England" (Mikra Anglia) PC: Black Orange
2."Miss Violence" Isa: Elle Driver
3."The Eternal Return of Antonis Paraskevas" (I Aionia Epistrofi tou Antoni Paraskeva) Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
4."The Enemy Within" (O Ehthros Mou) Isa: Patra Spanou
5. "Standing Aside, Watching" (Na kathesai kai na koitas) Isa: Patra Spanou
Hungary
Hungary’s last submission “The Notebook” managed to make it into the highly competitive 9-film shortlist. This year they have even brighter hopes with a slate of titles that have done very well around the world. Un Certain Regard winner “White God” is undoubtedly the one to beat. It is a rare occasion for the country to win such a high profile prize, thus making it almost impossible to ignore. Nevertheless, if that is not enough to convince the selection committee, “Free Fall” the latest film György Pálfi - whose films “ Hukkie” and “Taxidermia” have represented Hungary in the past - would be the next best choice. It also won several awards recently at Karlovy Vary, which could be of help. Less likely is Virág Zomborácz‘s “Afterlife” another drama that screened at the renowned Czech festival. Other possible titles include Lgbt romantic drama “Land of Storms, “ which screened in Berlin, and dark “ “Heavenly Shift,” which descent international presence.
1. "White God" (Fehér isten) Isa: The Match Factory
2. "Free Fall" (Szabadesés) PC: Jiff Project
3. "Afterlife" (Utóélet) Isa: Hungarian National Film Fund
4. "Land of Storms" (Viharsarok) Isa: M-Appeal World Sales
5. "Heavenly Shift" (Isteni müszak) Isa: Hungarian National Film Fund
Iceland
This small Scandinavian nation seems to have a very easy decision to make. The film “Life in a Fishbowl” has been dubbed by local critics as “the best Icelandic” film ever made” and it has also been an absolute box-office hit in its homeland. The multi-narrative film is by far the most likely to be submitted. However, its closest competitor is Ragnar Bragason‘s “ Metalhead,” a drama about a girl coping with her brother’s death. It was released late last year and won several Edda Awards. With far less possibilities given the two frontrunners is the dramedy “Paris of the North, ” which screened at Karlovy Vary, and comedy “ The Grandad,” which lacks exposure and buzz.
1. "Life in a Fishbowl" (Vonarstræti) Isa: Films Boutique
2. "Metalhead" (Málmhaus) Isa: Picture Tree International
3. "Paris of the North" (París Norðursins) PC: Arizona Productions
4. "The Grandad" (Afinn) PC: Thorsson Productions
Ireland
Since most of country’s releases are in English rather than in the Irish language, most years the country doesn’t have any candidates for this category. Ireland has only submitted to films for consideration as foreign language films. It is unlikely they’ll enter the race this year, but if it manages to be released in time, Irish director Johnny O'Reilly‘s Russian-language film “Moscow Never Sleeps” could be their selected candidate. The film was produced with the help of the Irish Film Funs, a fact that could help claim it as an Irish production. Another film in the Irish language, “An Bronntanas” (The Gift), would be a great choice, but it seems to be originally envisioned for TV as a five part miniseries. It’s hard to know if it will manage to qualify.
1. "Moscow Never Sleeps" (Москва никогда не спит) PC: Snapshot Films
Italy
Returning as current champion, Italy - which is the most successful nation ever in this category – has two main contenders and a couple other minor players. At the top of the list is “Human Capital,” which beat out “The Great Beauty” at the local David di Donatello Awards. Added to that, the film has won almost every award at home and several others abroad. It would be shocking to see the film be ignored. The biggest threat to its flawless run is Cannes Competition film “The Wonders.” It received mixed reviews but the Cannes pedigree could play a big role. Local success “The Mafia Only Kills in Summer” is less likely to have a chance. However, it also received tons of praise at home, so it shouldn’t be entirely disqualified. “Misunderstood,” by Asia Argento, played in the Un Certain Regard section but faces tough competition. Rounding up these five possibilities is “Those Happy Years, ” a personal film by Daniele Luchetti, which received very positive reviews internationally.
1. "Human Capital" (Il capitale umano) PC: Indiana Production Company
2. "The Wonders" (Le meraviglie) Isa: The Match Factory
3. "The Mafia Only Kills in Summer" (La mafia uccide solo d'estate) Isa: Rai Com
4. "Misunderstood" (Incompresa) Isa: Other Angle Pictures
5. "Those Happy Years" (Anni felici) Isa: Celluloid Dreams/Nightmares
Kosovo
The surprise submission could come from the recently independent, war-torn Balkan state. They have a promising feature film by Isa Qosja's “Three Windows and a Hanging,” which has been called “the best film from Kosovo to date.” Dealing with the forced silence and shame rape victims experience in a small village ruled by patriarchal norms, the film seems to be a perfect candidate to be their first submission. It recently premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival, so its biggest challenge would be qualifying based on its unknown release date at home.
1. "Three Windows and a Hanging"
Latvia
Unfortunately for Latvia, their possibilities are extremely limited this year. There are only two films that seem as possible candidates. One is the slasher horror film “The Man in the Orange Jacket.” It sports a great production value and might be an interesting offer, but it is hard to see it get far in the race. Nonetheless, it is still their best chance. The other film "Escaping Riga" is a documentary on historical figures Sergei Eisenstein and Sir Isaiah Berlin. Given its subject matter it wouldn’t be surprising if they chose to with this. Hopefully next year their output gives them more to pick from.
1. "The Man in the Orange Jacket" (M.O.Zh.) Isa: Wide
2. "Escaping Riga" PC: Mistrus Media
Lithuania
Opposite to its Baltic neighbor mentioned above, Lithuania has several notable films that could represent them. After winning the top prizes at the Lithuanian Silver Crane’ awards, “The Gambler” became the clear favorite. However, it is important to mention that despite having narrative features to choose from, Lithuania decided to send a small documentary to represent them last year. This curious fact could play in favor of “ Cenotaphs,” a doc focusing on the search for the remains of dead soldiers from World War II. The film won Best Documentary and was nominated in other categories at the local awards. Then there are three other Silver Crane nominated films. Coming-of-age flick “ Non-Present Time,” family drama “Santa,” and crime thriller “Name in the Dark.” The winner of several of these awards, “The Excursionist” was released too early last year to be considered this time around. Local financial success “Redirected” is mostly in English, thus ineligible.
1. "The Gambler" (Losejas) Isa: Wide
2. "Cenotaph" (Kenotafas) PC: Studio Uljana Kim
3. "Non-Present Time" (Nesamasis laikas) PC: Just a Moment
4. "Santa" PC: Artbox
5. "Name in the Dark" (Vardas tamsoje) PC: Fralita Films...
- 8/31/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Opening Night – World Premiere
Gone Girl
David Fincher, USA, 2014, Dcp, 150m
David Fincher’s film version of Gillian Flynn’s phenomenally successful best seller (adapted by the author) is one wild cinematic ride, a perfectly cast and intensely compressed portrait of a recession-era marriage contained within a devastating depiction of celebrity/media culture, shifting gears as smoothly as a Maserati 250F. Ben Affleck is Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing on the day of their fifth anniversary. Neil Patrick Harris is Amy’s old boyfriend Desi, Carrie Coon (who played Honey in Tracy Letts’s acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) is Nick’s sister Margo, Kim Dickens (Treme, Friday Night Lights) is Detective Rhonda Boney, and Tyler Perry is Nick’s superstar lawyer Tanner Bolt. At once a grand panoramic vision of middle America, a uniquely disturbing exploration of the fault lines in a marriage,...
Gone Girl
David Fincher, USA, 2014, Dcp, 150m
David Fincher’s film version of Gillian Flynn’s phenomenally successful best seller (adapted by the author) is one wild cinematic ride, a perfectly cast and intensely compressed portrait of a recession-era marriage contained within a devastating depiction of celebrity/media culture, shifting gears as smoothly as a Maserati 250F. Ben Affleck is Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing on the day of their fifth anniversary. Neil Patrick Harris is Amy’s old boyfriend Desi, Carrie Coon (who played Honey in Tracy Letts’s acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) is Nick’s sister Margo, Kim Dickens (Treme, Friday Night Lights) is Detective Rhonda Boney, and Tyler Perry is Nick’s superstar lawyer Tanner Bolt. At once a grand panoramic vision of middle America, a uniquely disturbing exploration of the fault lines in a marriage,...
- 8/20/2014
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Miles Teller in Whiplash Photo: Daniel McFadden New films by Asia Argento, Olivier Assayas and Pedro Costa have been announced as part of the main slate of this year's New York Film Festival.
It has already been announced that the 52nd edition - which runs from September 26 to October 12 will open with David Fincher's Gone Girl, close with Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's Birdman Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance and feature Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice as its centrepiece gala.
Highlights include Sundance Dramatic Competition and Audience winner Whiplash, directed by Damian Chazelle, Berlin Silver Bear winner Life Of Riley, by the late Alain Resnais and Mike Leigh's artist biopic Mr. Turner.
New York Film Festival director and selection committee chair, Kent Jones said: “Sometimes the sheer breadth of cinema amazes me. In this year’s lineup, we have great big films alongside films made on the most intimate scale,...
It has already been announced that the 52nd edition - which runs from September 26 to October 12 will open with David Fincher's Gone Girl, close with Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's Birdman Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance and feature Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice as its centrepiece gala.
Highlights include Sundance Dramatic Competition and Audience winner Whiplash, directed by Damian Chazelle, Berlin Silver Bear winner Life Of Riley, by the late Alain Resnais and Mike Leigh's artist biopic Mr. Turner.
New York Film Festival director and selection committee chair, Kent Jones said: “Sometimes the sheer breadth of cinema amazes me. In this year’s lineup, we have great big films alongside films made on the most intimate scale,...
- 8/17/2014
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Touring festival to show Cannes titles and spotlight Resnais, Truffaut and Tati.
The touring French Film Festival UK (Nov 5 – Dec 4) will host Cannes titles including Mathieu Amalric’s The Blue Room (La Chambre Bleue), Jean-Luc Godard’s 3D trip Goodbye to Language (Adieu Au Langage), and Camera d’Or winner Party Girl, directed by Marie Amachoukeli.
The festival, which travels to cities between Inverness and London, will open with Belgian director Lucas Belvaux’s Not My Type (Pas mon genre), the cultural and social divide romantic comedy with Emilie Dequenne and Loïc Corbery.
There will be tributes to the late Alain Resnais, with screenings of a restored copy of his first feature Hiroshima Mon Amour and the director’s last film Life of Riley, as well as films from François Truffaut and Jacques Tati.
The festival’s First World War focus revolves around a screening of the 1931 classic Wooden Crosses (Les Croix de Bois) by Raymond Bernard.
Cannes...
The touring French Film Festival UK (Nov 5 – Dec 4) will host Cannes titles including Mathieu Amalric’s The Blue Room (La Chambre Bleue), Jean-Luc Godard’s 3D trip Goodbye to Language (Adieu Au Langage), and Camera d’Or winner Party Girl, directed by Marie Amachoukeli.
The festival, which travels to cities between Inverness and London, will open with Belgian director Lucas Belvaux’s Not My Type (Pas mon genre), the cultural and social divide romantic comedy with Emilie Dequenne and Loïc Corbery.
There will be tributes to the late Alain Resnais, with screenings of a restored copy of his first feature Hiroshima Mon Amour and the director’s last film Life of Riley, as well as films from François Truffaut and Jacques Tati.
The festival’s First World War focus revolves around a screening of the 1931 classic Wooden Crosses (Les Croix de Bois) by Raymond Bernard.
Cannes...
- 8/15/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Gustave Kervern and Catherine Deneuve in Pierre Salvadori's In The Courtyard The French Film Festival UK has unveiled its selection for its 22nd edition this November - with highlights featuring some of the brightest lights of French cinema, including Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Isabelle Carré, Jean Reno, Guillaume Canet, Mathieu Amalric, Albert Dupontel and Jean-Pierre Darroussin.
In locations across the country stretching from Inverness to London via Edinburgh and Glasgow, the event styles itself as “a celebration of Francophone cinema in all its guises.”
As well as an eclectic selection of contemporary titles from the past 12 months, the Festival will pay tribute to the late Alain Resnais who died earlier in the year, with screenings of a restored copy of his first feature Hiroshima Mon Amour with Oscar-nominated Emmanuelle Riva (from Amour) and Eiji Okadan, and the director’s last film Life of Riley (Aimer, boire, et chanter), his...
In locations across the country stretching from Inverness to London via Edinburgh and Glasgow, the event styles itself as “a celebration of Francophone cinema in all its guises.”
As well as an eclectic selection of contemporary titles from the past 12 months, the Festival will pay tribute to the late Alain Resnais who died earlier in the year, with screenings of a restored copy of his first feature Hiroshima Mon Amour with Oscar-nominated Emmanuelle Riva (from Amour) and Eiji Okadan, and the director’s last film Life of Riley (Aimer, boire, et chanter), his...
- 8/15/2014
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Film Society Of Lincoln Center announced on Wednesday (12) the 30 films that will comprise the main official selection of the 52nd New York Film Festival (Nyff), set to run from September 26-October 12.
The roster includes North American premieres of Asia Argento’s Misunderstood, Bertrand Bonello’s Saint Laurent and Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders.
There are Us premieres for, among others, Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu, Abel Ferrara’s Pasolini and Martin Rejtman’s Two Shots Fired.
The line-up of New York premieres includes Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, Yann Demange’s ’71 and Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash.
As previously announced, the world premiere of David Fincher’s Gone Girl (pictured) will open Nyff, the world premiere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice is the Centerpiece Gala Selection and the North American premiere of Birdman from Alejandro Iñárritu will close the event.
“Sometimes the sheer...
The roster includes North American premieres of Asia Argento’s Misunderstood, Bertrand Bonello’s Saint Laurent and Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders.
There are Us premieres for, among others, Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu, Abel Ferrara’s Pasolini and Martin Rejtman’s Two Shots Fired.
The line-up of New York premieres includes Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, Yann Demange’s ’71 and Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash.
As previously announced, the world premiere of David Fincher’s Gone Girl (pictured) will open Nyff, the world premiere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice is the Centerpiece Gala Selection and the North American premiere of Birdman from Alejandro Iñárritu will close the event.
“Sometimes the sheer...
- 8/13/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Film Society Of Lincoln Center announced on Wednesday (12) the 30 films that will comprise the main official selection of the 52nd New York Film Festival (Nyff), set to run from September 26-October 12.
The roster includes North American premieres of Asia Argento’s Misunderstood, Bertrand Bonello’s Saint Laurent and Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders.
There are Us premieres for, among others, Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu, Abel Ferrara’s Pasolini and Martin Rejtman’s Two Shots Fired.
The line-up of New York premieres includes Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, Yann Demange’s ’71 and Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash.
As previously announced, the world premiere of David Fincher’s Gone Girl (pictured) will open Nyff, the world premiere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice is the Centerpiece Gala Selection and the North American premiere of Birdman from Alejandro Iñárritu will close the event.
“Sometimes the sheer...
The roster includes North American premieres of Asia Argento’s Misunderstood, Bertrand Bonello’s Saint Laurent and Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders.
There are Us premieres for, among others, Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu, Abel Ferrara’s Pasolini and Martin Rejtman’s Two Shots Fired.
The line-up of New York premieres includes Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, Yann Demange’s ’71 and Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash.
As previously announced, the world premiere of David Fincher’s Gone Girl (pictured) will open Nyff, the world premiere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice is the Centerpiece Gala Selection and the North American premiere of Birdman from Alejandro Iñárritu will close the event.
“Sometimes the sheer...
- 8/13/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Film Society of Lincoln Center has announced the full slate of this year's 52nd annual event, and as usual it's a tightly curated assortment of world cinema. World premieres previously announced include David Fincher's "Gone Girl" (opening night) and Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice" (centerpiece), but in addition, there are a slew of North American premieres at the event. They include Dominik Graf's "Beloved Sisters," Mathieu Amalric's "The Blue Room," Asia Argento's "Misunderstood," Bertrand Bonello's "Saint Laurent" and Alice Rohrwacher's "The Wonders." Sony Classics will have a solid presence, bringing Sundance hit "Whiplash" and Cannes sensations "Foxcatcher" and "Mr. Turner." Also previously announced, Alejandro González Iñárritu's "Birdman" will serve as closing night presentation. Check out the full lineup below. The 52nd annual New York Film Festival runs Sept. 26 - Oct. 12. Opening Night Gala Selection "Gone Girl" Director: David Fincher Centerpiece Gala...
- 8/13/2014
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
The New York Film Festival announced its Main Slate selection of films today, revealing the 27 movies that will join gala screenings of Gone Girl, Inherent Vice, and Birdman when the 52nd festival begins on Sept. 26. The list includes honored films from Cannes, including Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, David Cronenberg’s Map to the Stars, and Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, as well as Sundance’s big winner, Whiplash.
“In this year’s lineup, we have great big films alongside films made on the most intimate scale, personal epics and intricately constructed chamber pieces, films of great serenity and films that leave you dazed,...
“In this year’s lineup, we have great big films alongside films made on the most intimate scale, personal epics and intricately constructed chamber pieces, films of great serenity and films that leave you dazed,...
- 8/13/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
While Sundance (Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash and Alex Ross Perry’s Listen Up Philip) and Berlin (Dominik Graf’s Beloved Sisters, Yann Demange’s ’71, Alain Resnais’ Life of Riley) titles are indeed present, the 52nd edition (much like previous years) is a Cannes heavy and slightly Venice lopsided affair/showcase for Manhattanites.
Also the lieu for subtitle friendly distrib companies to measure their summer purchases (IFC, Spc, Cinema Guild, Cohen Media), leading the pack in non Croisette or Lido items, we’re most curious about Pedro Costa’s Horse Money, Matías Piñeiro’s The Princess of France and Eugène Green’s La Sapienza and are looking forward to multi-volume Eden from Mia Hansen-Løve and Nick Broomfield’s (Telluride-tiff) Tales of the Grim Sleeper (see pic above) Added to Fincher’s Gone Girl, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice and Iñárritu’s Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance here are...
Also the lieu for subtitle friendly distrib companies to measure their summer purchases (IFC, Spc, Cinema Guild, Cohen Media), leading the pack in non Croisette or Lido items, we’re most curious about Pedro Costa’s Horse Money, Matías Piñeiro’s The Princess of France and Eugène Green’s La Sapienza and are looking forward to multi-volume Eden from Mia Hansen-Løve and Nick Broomfield’s (Telluride-tiff) Tales of the Grim Sleeper (see pic above) Added to Fincher’s Gone Girl, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice and Iñárritu’s Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance here are...
- 8/13/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
We already knew David Fincher's Gone Girl would be opening the 2014 New York Film Festival and that Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Birdman will be closing it, but today we get a full look at the main line-up for this year's fest and it features a lot of familiar titles, though it appears Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice is still one their choosing to keep quiet even though it has all but been confirmed. Most of the recognizable titles playing the fest have already been seen at Cannes and will again be featured in Toronto including Clouds of Sils Maria, Foxcatcher, Goodbye to Language, Maps to the Stars, Mr. Turner, Two Days, One Night and Whiplash. Abel Ferrara's Pasolini and Mia Hansen-Love's Eden are two other high profile and anticipated films that will be playing Toronto and you can add Mathieu Amalric's The Blue Room, Hong Sang-soo's Hill of Freedom,...
- 8/13/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The 52nd New York Film Festival will run from September 26th to October 12th, and as per usual, it’s set to be packed to the gills with promising movies. This year, the Film Society of Lincoln Center has managed to lock down a bevy of highly promising titles, including major Oscar contenders (Foxcatcher, Inherent Vice) and entries from acclaimed directors like David Cronenberg (Maps to the Stars) and Mike Leigh (Mr. Turner).
Nyff 2014 will see the world premiere of David Fincher’s mystery thriller Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, as its opening night selection. The world premiere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s hotly anticipated detective film Inherent Vice will serve as the festival’s centerpiece film. And ambitiously shot drama Birdman, from director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, will make its U.S. premiere as the closing night selection.
Other huge titles making an appearance at Nyff 2014 include Foxcatcher,...
Nyff 2014 will see the world premiere of David Fincher’s mystery thriller Gone Girl, starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, as its opening night selection. The world premiere of Paul Thomas Anderson’s hotly anticipated detective film Inherent Vice will serve as the festival’s centerpiece film. And ambitiously shot drama Birdman, from director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, will make its U.S. premiere as the closing night selection.
Other huge titles making an appearance at Nyff 2014 include Foxcatcher,...
- 8/13/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Despite political instability in the country and lack of resources, the Odessa International Film Festival will take place July 11 - 19, 2014, after a successful Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign (See article Here) The festival has also announced its first guests and new information on its non-competitive program. Awards for films in development, presented at the Industry Office, have been raised. The Film Market for Ukrainian Films will be held from July 14 to 17, 2014.
Stephen Freas Retrospective
The honorary guest, Stephen Frears, will receive a Golden Duke for his contribution to motion picture arts during the festival’s Opening Ceremony. A retrospective of his work is shown at the Festival. While in Odessa, he will also give insights in his work during a master class for the students of the Summer Film School.
Frears is best known for his provocative, stylish and low-budget films about people living on the edge of social and sexual norms. The director of Dangerous Liaisons, The Queen and Philomena has won numerous prestigious awards. He was nominated for the Academy Award, Golden Globe and Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Special Guests
The festival will welcome the Irish film and theater actor Aidan Turner , best known for his performance in the TV-series Desperate Romantics, The Tudors and the three part fantasy film "The Hobbit."
Lord David Puttnam, the British film producer, will be a lector at the Summer Film School. Films he produced include "Midnight Express," "The Killing Fields" and "The Mission". So far, his films received 10 Academy Awards and 25 main prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. Also for the Summer Film School, American director
Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream," "The Wrestler , " "Black Swan," "Noah"), will present an online master class.
Open-Air Screening Potemkin Stairs
The Oiff audience will have a chance to watch Alfred Hitchcock’s "Blackmail," accompanied by a symphonic orchestra, as part of the traditional Potemkin Stairs screenings. Shot in 1929, the film occupies a special place in the work of the director, as it was Hitchcock’s both last silent and first sound film. A lesser-known silent version will be screened at the festival.
Also screened open air, Louis Feuillade ’s Fantomas (1913) will be presented at the Langeron descent.
Festival Of The Festivals Program
The Oiff 2014 non-competitive program includes several international hits, such as the black and white Polish film "Ida" by Paweł Pawlikowski; "Life of Riley" , the last film of the great French director Alain Resnais; "Of Horse and Men" , a film by Icelandic director Benedikt Erlingsson; and "Still Life" , the Italian tragicomedy by Uberto Pasolini.
Oiff Film Industry Office – New Awards
The Film Industry Office program will include pitching sessions, work in progress presentations and “Producer+Director” programs. The invited speakers will present master classes on pitching technologies, scriptwriting and work with audiences. The program is sponsored by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for Development of Ukraine.
The money prize for the winner of the Ukrainian full-length projects pitching has been raised in 2014 from 25 to 50 thousand hryvnias, thanks to the festival’s Partner, the development company Udp . The official Odessa Film Festival air carrier, Ukrainian International Airlines , introduces a new prize for the best Ukrainian film project in progress, worth Usd 3000 for flights provided by the company.
The Film Market will be held from July 14 to 17, 2014.
Stephen Freas Retrospective
The honorary guest, Stephen Frears, will receive a Golden Duke for his contribution to motion picture arts during the festival’s Opening Ceremony. A retrospective of his work is shown at the Festival. While in Odessa, he will also give insights in his work during a master class for the students of the Summer Film School.
Frears is best known for his provocative, stylish and low-budget films about people living on the edge of social and sexual norms. The director of Dangerous Liaisons, The Queen and Philomena has won numerous prestigious awards. He was nominated for the Academy Award, Golden Globe and Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Special Guests
The festival will welcome the Irish film and theater actor Aidan Turner , best known for his performance in the TV-series Desperate Romantics, The Tudors and the three part fantasy film "The Hobbit."
Lord David Puttnam, the British film producer, will be a lector at the Summer Film School. Films he produced include "Midnight Express," "The Killing Fields" and "The Mission". So far, his films received 10 Academy Awards and 25 main prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. Also for the Summer Film School, American director
Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream," "The Wrestler , " "Black Swan," "Noah"), will present an online master class.
Open-Air Screening Potemkin Stairs
The Oiff audience will have a chance to watch Alfred Hitchcock’s "Blackmail," accompanied by a symphonic orchestra, as part of the traditional Potemkin Stairs screenings. Shot in 1929, the film occupies a special place in the work of the director, as it was Hitchcock’s both last silent and first sound film. A lesser-known silent version will be screened at the festival.
Also screened open air, Louis Feuillade ’s Fantomas (1913) will be presented at the Langeron descent.
Festival Of The Festivals Program
The Oiff 2014 non-competitive program includes several international hits, such as the black and white Polish film "Ida" by Paweł Pawlikowski; "Life of Riley" , the last film of the great French director Alain Resnais; "Of Horse and Men" , a film by Icelandic director Benedikt Erlingsson; and "Still Life" , the Italian tragicomedy by Uberto Pasolini.
Oiff Film Industry Office – New Awards
The Film Industry Office program will include pitching sessions, work in progress presentations and “Producer+Director” programs. The invited speakers will present master classes on pitching technologies, scriptwriting and work with audiences. The program is sponsored by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for Development of Ukraine.
The money prize for the winner of the Ukrainian full-length projects pitching has been raised in 2014 from 25 to 50 thousand hryvnias, thanks to the festival’s Partner, the development company Udp . The official Odessa Film Festival air carrier, Ukrainian International Airlines , introduces a new prize for the best Ukrainian film project in progress, worth Usd 3000 for flights provided by the company.
The Film Market will be held from July 14 to 17, 2014.
- 6/26/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
This Fall, Rialto Pictures will present a newly burnished 4K restoration of Alain Resnais' gorgeous black-and-white breakout "Hiroshima Mon Amour," which has long been unavailable for exhibition in the Us.From an original, Oscar-nominated screenplay by the glorious French writer Marguerite Duras, Resnais' 1959 drama anticipated his many cinematic fascinations to come. Emmanuelle Riva and Eiji Okada play an actress and an architect who, while drifting through Japan, discuss memory and longing across elliptical, time-bending voiceovers as their brief affair begins to unravel. Meanwhile, the devastation of the Hiroshima bomb of 1945 is all around them.Shut out of Cannes competition in 1959 for its radically anti-nuclear stance, the film picked up the International Critics' Prize before becoming a worldwide art house sensation -- and a film classic. Resnais' farewell film, "Life of Riley," bowed at the Berlinale this year three weeks before he died on March 1 at the age of...
- 6/17/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
João Bénard da Costa's essay on Nicholas Ray's Johnny Guitar (1954) is now available in nine languages. Do we fully appreciate the impact of Cornell Woolrich on cinema? What does Ida Lupino's Outrage (1950) have to say about "what we now know to call rape culture"? Plus Boris Nelepo on Alain Resnais's Life of Riley, Kenji Fujishima and Carson Lund on Michael Glawogger's Workingman's Death, Joseph Nechvatal on Henri Langlois and more. » - David Hudson...
- 6/17/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
It all begins with a freeze frame of a dirt road somewhere in Yorkshire county, lined with trees whose lush foliage converges above in an arch. What could it be if not a portal? The movie itself, meanwhile, has not even started as we watch the opening credits, encased in large old-fashioned frames, slowly fade away—a device consistently favored by Alain Resnais who opened each of his 19 features likewise, holding off the films themselves until the screen no longer contained any visual surplus. The freeze frame comes to life as the camera pans farther down the road; then we find ourselves in a theatrical set.
We have been here before, of course. Resnais' Smoking/No Smoking, also based on a play by British playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, is set in Yorkshire as well. Life of Riley (Aimer, boire et chanter) borrows from the five-hour diptych its theatrical setting, one...
We have been here before, of course. Resnais' Smoking/No Smoking, also based on a play by British playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, is set in Yorkshire as well. Life of Riley (Aimer, boire et chanter) borrows from the five-hour diptych its theatrical setting, one...
- 6/17/2014
- by Boris Nelepo
- MUBI
Peter Webber to head jury, David Puttnam to deliver lecture during fifth edition of the Ukranian festival.
Golden Bear winner Black Coal, Thin Ice and the Camera D’Or recipient Party Girl [pictured] are among the 12 films selected for the International Competition at the fifth edition of the Odessa International Film Festival (Oiff), which runs July 11-19.
UK director Peter Webber will head the jury composed of Ukrainian film-maker Sergei Loznitsa, Israeli actress Jenya Dodina, Belorussian actress-director Olga Dykhovichnaya and French actor-critic Jean-Philippe Tessé.
The other films in the running for the Golden Duke award are:
Bryan Reisberg’s social and psychological drama Big Significant Things (Us)Levan Koguashvili’s feelgood film Blind Dates (Georgia)Director and painter Lech Majewski’s Field of Dogs (Poland)Alonso Ruizpalacios’ road movie debut Güeros (Mexico)Valentin Hotea’s social and psychological drama Roxanne (Romania)Anna Melikyan’s Kinotavr award-winner Star (Russia)Maximilan Erlenwein’s psychological thriller Stereo (Germany)Tribeca winner [link=nm...
Golden Bear winner Black Coal, Thin Ice and the Camera D’Or recipient Party Girl [pictured] are among the 12 films selected for the International Competition at the fifth edition of the Odessa International Film Festival (Oiff), which runs July 11-19.
UK director Peter Webber will head the jury composed of Ukrainian film-maker Sergei Loznitsa, Israeli actress Jenya Dodina, Belorussian actress-director Olga Dykhovichnaya and French actor-critic Jean-Philippe Tessé.
The other films in the running for the Golden Duke award are:
Bryan Reisberg’s social and psychological drama Big Significant Things (Us)Levan Koguashvili’s feelgood film Blind Dates (Georgia)Director and painter Lech Majewski’s Field of Dogs (Poland)Alonso Ruizpalacios’ road movie debut Güeros (Mexico)Valentin Hotea’s social and psychological drama Roxanne (Romania)Anna Melikyan’s Kinotavr award-winner Star (Russia)Maximilan Erlenwein’s psychological thriller Stereo (Germany)Tribeca winner [link=nm...
- 6/11/2014
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Three weeks before Alain Resnais died this past March, he had premiered his newest film, Life of Riley, at the Berlin Film Festival, which he completed at the age of 91. Resnais enjoyed a uniquely prolific streak of filmmaking in his later years that laughed at the prospect of retirement or death. For a moment it seemed possible that Resnais himself would continue to exist as ceaselessly as the memories that preoccupy his characters; thankfully, with his incredible body of work, Resnais is etched into eternity. Resnais continued to experiment with the limits of cinematic form over fifty years after his career-defining work on Night and Fog, Hiroshima mon amour, and Last Year in Marienbad. The past decade of his career proved that age is no excuse for artistic resignation or repetition – while not nearly as well-known, more recent works including Private Fears in Public Places, Wild Grass, and You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet! challenged...
- 6/4/2014
- by Landon Palmer
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Violette , in French, subtitled in English, follows the strange and compelling story from the World War II years through the 1960s of trailblazing bisexual French feminist novelist Violette Leduc (Emmanuelle Devos, Kings and Queen) and her struggle to find her voice as a writer. Scarred by both a childhood trauma and a loveless marriage, as an adult, she became rather crazy.
Here Violette finds a complex and difficult mentor in her friend and benefactress, Simone de Beauvoir (Sandrine Kiberlain), and gains entry to a world of literary giants after a very difficult literary passage.
A parade of great French writers from Camus to Genet is brought to life by a magnificent ensemble cast.
Director Martin Provost (Séraphine, winner of 7 César Awards) vividly and unsentimentally recreates the heady intellectual atmosphere of Paris from the 1940s to the 1960s.
Devos gives one of the most impassioned, over the top crazy (i.e., good!!) performances of her lauded career in the title role, portraying an uncompromising, though totally confused, female artist’s journey from darkness, confusion, weirdness to light and finally literary success.
Devos won her first César Award for her performance as partially deaf Carla in Jacques Audiard's Read My Lips and her second César for Xavier Giannoli’s In the Beginning. She has been praised for many other performances including Arnaud Desplechins A Christmas Tale, Alain Resnais' Wild Grass and Audiard’s The Beat That My Heart Skipped. She will soon begin filming Neil Labute’s The Geography of Hope alongside Vera Farmiga, Ethan Hawke and Ed Harris.
Sandrine Kiberlain is perfect as the famously severe Simone de Beauvoir who is Violette's instructress and mentor.
Sandrine Kiberlain, fresh off her Best Actress win at the 2014 Cesar Awards for 9 Month Stretch, is one of France’s most respected actresses, and has appeared in over fifty films including Alain Resnais' final film Life of Riley, as well as with top French directors such as Jacques Audiard (A Self-Made Hero), Benoît Jacquot (Seventh Heaven, La Fausse Suivante de Marivaux) and Claude Miller (Betty Fisher and Other Stories).
With always interesting sets shot in French period grey tones, Violette is a stunning masterwork that casts an interesting, thought provoking spell.
This is an intimate and powerful true story of the relationship between two extraordinary women in an extraordinary time. If, like me, you thought you “knew” this period, this film will give you much food for thought. It is especially insightful as to the role of French intellectual women and their trials in this most interesting period of French history.
The film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2013 in Official Selection where it was acquired for U.S. by Adopt Films. Its U.S. premiere will be at the Los Angeles Film Festival, will open in New York June 13 and in L.A. June 27 followed by its national rollout.
Its international sales agent, Doc & Film has licensed the film to Adopt for U.S., Madman for Australia and New Zealand. Argentina has sold to Cdi Films, Brazil Imovision, Canada Métropole Films Distribution, Denmark Camera Film A/S, France Universcine and Diaphana, Germany Kool Filmdistribution, Iceland Heimili Kvikmyndanna - Bio Paradis, Italy Movies Inspired, Netherlands Contact Film, Norway As Fidalgo Film Distribution, Poland Aurora Films, Slovak Republic Film Europe Media Company, Sweden Folkets Bio, Switzerland Xenix Filmdistribution Gmbh, Taiwan Swallow Wings Films Co.,Ltd., U.K. Soda Pictures...
Here Violette finds a complex and difficult mentor in her friend and benefactress, Simone de Beauvoir (Sandrine Kiberlain), and gains entry to a world of literary giants after a very difficult literary passage.
A parade of great French writers from Camus to Genet is brought to life by a magnificent ensemble cast.
Director Martin Provost (Séraphine, winner of 7 César Awards) vividly and unsentimentally recreates the heady intellectual atmosphere of Paris from the 1940s to the 1960s.
Devos gives one of the most impassioned, over the top crazy (i.e., good!!) performances of her lauded career in the title role, portraying an uncompromising, though totally confused, female artist’s journey from darkness, confusion, weirdness to light and finally literary success.
Devos won her first César Award for her performance as partially deaf Carla in Jacques Audiard's Read My Lips and her second César for Xavier Giannoli’s In the Beginning. She has been praised for many other performances including Arnaud Desplechins A Christmas Tale, Alain Resnais' Wild Grass and Audiard’s The Beat That My Heart Skipped. She will soon begin filming Neil Labute’s The Geography of Hope alongside Vera Farmiga, Ethan Hawke and Ed Harris.
Sandrine Kiberlain is perfect as the famously severe Simone de Beauvoir who is Violette's instructress and mentor.
Sandrine Kiberlain, fresh off her Best Actress win at the 2014 Cesar Awards for 9 Month Stretch, is one of France’s most respected actresses, and has appeared in over fifty films including Alain Resnais' final film Life of Riley, as well as with top French directors such as Jacques Audiard (A Self-Made Hero), Benoît Jacquot (Seventh Heaven, La Fausse Suivante de Marivaux) and Claude Miller (Betty Fisher and Other Stories).
With always interesting sets shot in French period grey tones, Violette is a stunning masterwork that casts an interesting, thought provoking spell.
This is an intimate and powerful true story of the relationship between two extraordinary women in an extraordinary time. If, like me, you thought you “knew” this period, this film will give you much food for thought. It is especially insightful as to the role of French intellectual women and their trials in this most interesting period of French history.
The film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2013 in Official Selection where it was acquired for U.S. by Adopt Films. Its U.S. premiere will be at the Los Angeles Film Festival, will open in New York June 13 and in L.A. June 27 followed by its national rollout.
Its international sales agent, Doc & Film has licensed the film to Adopt for U.S., Madman for Australia and New Zealand. Argentina has sold to Cdi Films, Brazil Imovision, Canada Métropole Films Distribution, Denmark Camera Film A/S, France Universcine and Diaphana, Germany Kool Filmdistribution, Iceland Heimili Kvikmyndanna - Bio Paradis, Italy Movies Inspired, Netherlands Contact Film, Norway As Fidalgo Film Distribution, Poland Aurora Films, Slovak Republic Film Europe Media Company, Sweden Folkets Bio, Switzerland Xenix Filmdistribution Gmbh, Taiwan Swallow Wings Films Co.,Ltd., U.K. Soda Pictures...
- 5/31/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Kino Lorber has acquired from Le Pacte all Us rights to Alain Resnais’ (pictured) final film The Life Of Riley.
The distributor expects to premiere the film in late summer or early autumn at a major Us festival and open theatrically in New York.
Nationwide release will followe in autumn and digital release in 2015.
Cinedigm has acquired North American distribution rights to Double Dutch’s family film The Stream and will release on DVD, digital and VOD platforms on August 26. In separate deals, Double Dutch also licensed the film to Vm in Australia and MediAsia for pan Asian TV.
The distributor expects to premiere the film in late summer or early autumn at a major Us festival and open theatrically in New York.
Nationwide release will followe in autumn and digital release in 2015.
Cinedigm has acquired North American distribution rights to Double Dutch’s family film The Stream and will release on DVD, digital and VOD platforms on August 26. In separate deals, Double Dutch also licensed the film to Vm in Australia and MediAsia for pan Asian TV.
- 5/22/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Kino Lorber and French sales agency Le Pacte announced today in Cannes they have finalized a deal for Kino Lorber to acquire all U.S. rights to "The Life of Riley," the final film of legendary director Alain Resnais, who died earlier this year shortly after completing the film. "Though we were deeply saddened by the sudden death of the great Alain Resnais, Kino Lorber is greatly honored to be able to bring to U.S. audiences his delightful and ebullient final work...as fresh in vision and ideas as the best work of his youth...['Life of Riley'] truly leaves us with deep affection, a glass raised and a cherished melody...we will love, drink and sing to his memory," said Richard Lorber, CEO of Kino Lorber. Kino Lorber expects to premiere the film late summer or early fall at a U.S. festival followed by a theatrical run shortly after in...
- 5/20/2014
- by Casey Cipriani
- Indiewire
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight had already decided to honour the French filmmaker before his death in March.
The French Film Directors’ Guild, which runs Directors’ Fortnight, will pay tribute to late filmmaker Alain Resnais, by posthumously feting him with its Carrosse d’Or (Golden Carriage) award on the opening night of the parallel Cannes section.
“Last January, directors of the guild unanimously decided to give this prize to Alain Resnais, who died in March,” the body said in a statement.
Directors’ Fortnight will screen Resnais’ 1958 short La Chant du Styrène, a 13-minute documentary in praise of plastic commissioned by French manufacturer Péchiney, and his 1977 feature Providence, starring Sir John Geilgud, on May 15.
There will be a tribute to the filmmaker at the opening ceremony of Directors’ Fortnight attended by Jean-Louis Livi, the producer of his last three films, and the filmmaker’s long-time assistant Christophe Jeauffroy, who worked on productions such as Life of Riley, You Ain’t Seen...
The French Film Directors’ Guild, which runs Directors’ Fortnight, will pay tribute to late filmmaker Alain Resnais, by posthumously feting him with its Carrosse d’Or (Golden Carriage) award on the opening night of the parallel Cannes section.
“Last January, directors of the guild unanimously decided to give this prize to Alain Resnais, who died in March,” the body said in a statement.
Directors’ Fortnight will screen Resnais’ 1958 short La Chant du Styrène, a 13-minute documentary in praise of plastic commissioned by French manufacturer Péchiney, and his 1977 feature Providence, starring Sir John Geilgud, on May 15.
There will be a tribute to the filmmaker at the opening ceremony of Directors’ Fortnight attended by Jean-Louis Livi, the producer of his last three films, and the filmmaker’s long-time assistant Christophe Jeauffroy, who worked on productions such as Life of Riley, You Ain’t Seen...
- 4/23/2014
- ScreenDaily
Mon oncle d’Amérique
Written by Jean Gruault and Henri Laborit
Directed by Alain Resnais
France, 1980
To wax in a state of eulogy about Alain Resnais is to have reviewed his last few features at the times they premiered. With Wild Grass, You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet, and the incredibly recent Life of Riley, reviewers understandably noted his age. Resnais was in his late eighties and early nineties, still producing films containing a youthful charm, his resolution on the festival circuit as firm as ever. Perhaps then, it still came as a surprise that at the age of 91, Resnais had passed, leaving a remarkable six decades of major work behind, rivaled at this point only by 105-year-old arthouse compatriot Manoel de Oliveira. Surprising, yes, thanks to his experimental shock to the film world in Last Year at Marienbad and Hiroshima, mon amour being equaled by his recent output, a promising second wind.
Written by Jean Gruault and Henri Laborit
Directed by Alain Resnais
France, 1980
To wax in a state of eulogy about Alain Resnais is to have reviewed his last few features at the times they premiered. With Wild Grass, You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet, and the incredibly recent Life of Riley, reviewers understandably noted his age. Resnais was in his late eighties and early nineties, still producing films containing a youthful charm, his resolution on the festival circuit as firm as ever. Perhaps then, it still came as a surprise that at the age of 91, Resnais had passed, leaving a remarkable six decades of major work behind, rivaled at this point only by 105-year-old arthouse compatriot Manoel de Oliveira. Surprising, yes, thanks to his experimental shock to the film world in Last Year at Marienbad and Hiroshima, mon amour being equaled by his recent output, a promising second wind.
- 3/10/2014
- by Zach Lewis
- SoundOnSight
Alain Resnais's last completed film, Life of Riley (2014), presents a group of aging friends who plan, hope, wish, dream, and scheme after they learn that one of their own is dying. The doomed man, George Riley, never shown onscreen, is enlisted to join an amateur theater production in the role of a dashing lover, ostensibly to occupy him; it quickly becomes evident, though, that the others have cast the charismatic fellow because they need him to play opposite them within the theater of daily life. The men pay homage to George's enviable strength and courage, while the women plot how to escape with him for a country weekend. The otherwise restless Kathryn (played by Sabine Azéma, the filmmaker's wife) appears alone onscreen at one point, briefly breaking f...
- 3/5/2014
- Village Voice
Alain Resnais passed away this weekend at the age of 91. This pillar of “art films” worked continuously since the late 1940s, delighting cineastes, baffling the squares and continually pushing himself with different genres. He made musicals, he made documentaries, he made science-fiction. Indeed, his psychedelic freakout time travel film “Je t’aime, Je t’aime” is currently enjoying a revival at some of the hipper art houses (check local listings) and his final film "Life Of Riley," his third adaptation of an Alan Ayckbourn play, just debuted at the Berlin Film Festival. Resnais is considered part-of-yet-not-part-of the French New Wave. He wasn’t just a little older than Godard and Truffaut, but his early films had none of the spry, play it as it lays attitude that the classics of that era exuded. He made dense, atmospheric and emotional pictures. They certainly tinkered with form (the jump-cutting he began to use with his third feature,...
- 3/4/2014
- by Jordan Hoffman
- The Playlist
Alain Resnais, the famed French director, died late Saturday in Paris, France at the age of 91.
Resnais first made his stamp in film history with his 1959 film, Hiroshima Mon Amour, which continues to be hailed as one of the best films ever made. Resnais’ career, which includes Night and Fog (1955), a documentary on the Holocaust, Last Year at Marienbad (1961), and Wild Grass (2009), spanned over half a century.
His last film, Life of Riley (Aimer, boire et chanter), premiered last month at the Berlin Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for introducing new perspectives into film. Resnais is also known for influencing a new generation of filmmakers, from the French New Wave to David Lynch.
“When people ask me why I make films, I always answer that ‘je tourne pour voir comment ça tourne,’ I make films to see how films are made. I’m proud of that phrase.
Resnais first made his stamp in film history with his 1959 film, Hiroshima Mon Amour, which continues to be hailed as one of the best films ever made. Resnais’ career, which includes Night and Fog (1955), a documentary on the Holocaust, Last Year at Marienbad (1961), and Wild Grass (2009), spanned over half a century.
His last film, Life of Riley (Aimer, boire et chanter), premiered last month at the Berlin Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for introducing new perspectives into film. Resnais is also known for influencing a new generation of filmmakers, from the French New Wave to David Lynch.
“When people ask me why I make films, I always answer that ‘je tourne pour voir comment ça tourne,’ I make films to see how films are made. I’m proud of that phrase.
- 3/4/2014
- Uinterview
Acclaimed French director Alain Resnais, one of the pioneers of the French New Wave, died aged 91 in Paris on March 2.
His latest film The Life of Riley premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival last month and won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer prize and the Fipresci Prize.
Resnais’s first film and also his most well known one was the 1959 masterpiece, Hiroshima Mon Amour. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Screenplay.
He won a Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival in 1969 for Last Year at Marienbad and Silver Bears for Best Director at Berlin for Smoking/No Smoking and The Same Old Song.
He received a lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009. He won the grand jury prize in Cannes for Gerard Depardieu starrer Mon uncle d’Amerique in 1980 and competed in 2012 with You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.
His latest film The Life of Riley premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival last month and won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer prize and the Fipresci Prize.
Resnais’s first film and also his most well known one was the 1959 masterpiece, Hiroshima Mon Amour. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Screenplay.
He won a Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival in 1969 for Last Year at Marienbad and Silver Bears for Best Director at Berlin for Smoking/No Smoking and The Same Old Song.
He received a lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009. He won the grand jury prize in Cannes for Gerard Depardieu starrer Mon uncle d’Amerique in 1980 and competed in 2012 with You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.
- 3/3/2014
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Celebrated French director of Hiroshima Mon Amour and Last Year in Marienbad who died this weekend left out of In Memoriam section of Oscar ceremony
• Xan Brooks liveblogs the ceremony
• Full list of winners as they're announced
The Oscars failed to paid tribute to Alain Resnais, the celebrated French director of Night and Fog and Hiroshima Mon Amour, who died today. Perhaps because of the late-breaking nature of his death, they did not include Resnais in the traditional In Memoriam section to the film-maker.
Resnais was never nominated for an Oscar, though he did receive a string of awards from major international film festivals, including a lifetime achievement award from Cannes in 2009. His feature debut, Hiroshima Mon Amour, was a key early entry in the French new wave, competing at the 1959 Cannes film festival against the likes of François Truffaut's The 400 Blows and Jack Clayton's Room at the Top...
• Xan Brooks liveblogs the ceremony
• Full list of winners as they're announced
The Oscars failed to paid tribute to Alain Resnais, the celebrated French director of Night and Fog and Hiroshima Mon Amour, who died today. Perhaps because of the late-breaking nature of his death, they did not include Resnais in the traditional In Memoriam section to the film-maker.
Resnais was never nominated for an Oscar, though he did receive a string of awards from major international film festivals, including a lifetime achievement award from Cannes in 2009. His feature debut, Hiroshima Mon Amour, was a key early entry in the French new wave, competing at the 1959 Cannes film festival against the likes of François Truffaut's The 400 Blows and Jack Clayton's Room at the Top...
- 3/3/2014
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
One of cinema’s greats, the French director Alain Resnais, died yesterday, March 1, at the age of 91. The director of such landmark films as Last Year at Marienbad, Hiroshima, Mon Amour, and Night and Fog, he premiered his latest film, Life of Riley, just one month ago at the Berlin Film Festival. In 2000, coinciding with a retrospective organized by both the American Cinematheque and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Peter Bowen wrote the following short essay, and we collected appreciations from three independent directors — Christopher Munch, Keith Gordon and Radley Metzger. It is reprinted below. Perhaps […]...
- 3/3/2014
- by Peter Bowen
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
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