The B2B meetings at Mumbai’s annual Frames media conference have now bloomed into the full-fledged Global Content Market under the guidance of veteran producer Bobby Bedi.
Bedi’s credits include some of the landmark titles of Indian cinema, including Shekhar Kapur’s international breakthrough film “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s controversial “Fire” (1996), Rani Mukerji-starring relationship drama “Saathiya” (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Macbeth” adaptation “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s Jackie Chan starrer “The Myth” (2005) and Gurvinder Singh’s Rotterdam title “Crescent Night” (2002).
The market, which was buzzing from the get go, boasted a significant international presence from the U.K., Korea, Turkey, Spain, Germany and Saudi Arabia, besides a sizeable Indian contingent. Bedi said that the word ‘Asian’ suggests mainly content from the Far East and the Frames market plugs the gap for South Asian and Middle Eastern content. Differentiating the market from the Indian government’s Film Bazaar in Goa,...
Bedi’s credits include some of the landmark titles of Indian cinema, including Shekhar Kapur’s international breakthrough film “Bandit Queen” (1994), Deepa Mehta’s controversial “Fire” (1996), Rani Mukerji-starring relationship drama “Saathiya” (2002), Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Macbeth” adaptation “Maqbool” (2003), Stanley Tong’s Jackie Chan starrer “The Myth” (2005) and Gurvinder Singh’s Rotterdam title “Crescent Night” (2002).
The market, which was buzzing from the get go, boasted a significant international presence from the U.K., Korea, Turkey, Spain, Germany and Saudi Arabia, besides a sizeable Indian contingent. Bedi said that the word ‘Asian’ suggests mainly content from the Far East and the Frames market plugs the gap for South Asian and Middle Eastern content. Differentiating the market from the Indian government’s Film Bazaar in Goa,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Vintage martial arts film fans rejoice as the 70s classic, The Shaolin Plot, is set for a 2K restoration release on Blu-ray. The Mvd Entertainment Group has just released a trailer for Arrow Video’s new physical copy release of the Sammo Hung film. The Shaolin Plot comes from director Huang Feng (director of Lady Whirlwind & When Taekwando Strikes), the father of modern Kung Fu films and a mentor to John Woo (Face/Off) and Stanley Tong (Rumble in the Bronx). The cast features Sammo Hung, James Tien and Cassanova Wong.
The release details read,
“In 1977, fight choreographer Sammo Hung made one last film under his mentor, director Huang Feng before graduating to the director’s chair himself with The Iron-Fisted Monk. That film was the rarely-seen martial arts ensemble thriller The Shaolin Plot, which sees the pair reunite with Hong Kong heavy Chan Sing (New Fist of Fury). Prince...
The release details read,
“In 1977, fight choreographer Sammo Hung made one last film under his mentor, director Huang Feng before graduating to the director’s chair himself with The Iron-Fisted Monk. That film was the rarely-seen martial arts ensemble thriller The Shaolin Plot, which sees the pair reunite with Hong Kong heavy Chan Sing (New Fist of Fury). Prince...
- 1/10/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment company, has acquired the U.S. rights to Connie Cocchia’s coming-of-age drama “When Time Got Louder.” The film will be released on Nov. 17 in select theaters and on VOD.
“’When Time Got Louder’ is a powerful story filled with emotion. It’s a great addition to the coming-of-age genre, and we can’t be more happy to bring it to audiences,” stated Cameron Moore, senior director of theatrical distribution, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Gravitas.
Willow Shields (“The Hunger Games” franchise) stars as Abbie, who is departing for college and leaving her parents (Elizabeth Mitchell and Lochlyn Munro) and brother (Jonathan Simao), who has autism and is non-verbal. As the film’s synopsis explains, “while exploring her independence and sexuality, Abbie finds herself torn between her new life and her love for her brother.” Ava Capri and Piper Curda also star in the film,...
“’When Time Got Louder’ is a powerful story filled with emotion. It’s a great addition to the coming-of-age genre, and we can’t be more happy to bring it to audiences,” stated Cameron Moore, senior director of theatrical distribution, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Gravitas.
Willow Shields (“The Hunger Games” franchise) stars as Abbie, who is departing for college and leaving her parents (Elizabeth Mitchell and Lochlyn Munro) and brother (Jonathan Simao), who has autism and is non-verbal. As the film’s synopsis explains, “while exploring her independence and sexuality, Abbie finds herself torn between her new life and her love for her brother.” Ava Capri and Piper Curda also star in the film,...
- 10/17/2023
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
Gravitas Ventures has acquired U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to horror-thriller “Thirst.”
The film marks the directorial debut of musician Eric Owen, drummer with alternative rock duo Black Pistol Fire.
Written by Owen, in the film, insomnia spreads in a small town, causing fear and panic. As the situation becomes dire, two couples find salvation on an abandoned ranch until nefarious characters descend upon the land, claiming it as their own, and chaos ensues.
The film stars Brian Villalobos (HBO’s “Love and Death”) and Lori Kovacevich (“But Humble Sinners”). Josh Taylor produced alongside Owen.
The deal was negotiated between Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films and Mackenzie Maguire of Gravitas Ventures. A release is planned for the fall.
Owen said: “’Thirst’ realizes all of my greatest fears and asks the question – how will we act when our reality becomes distorted and would we be civil when our own survival is jeopardized?...
The film marks the directorial debut of musician Eric Owen, drummer with alternative rock duo Black Pistol Fire.
Written by Owen, in the film, insomnia spreads in a small town, causing fear and panic. As the situation becomes dire, two couples find salvation on an abandoned ranch until nefarious characters descend upon the land, claiming it as their own, and chaos ensues.
The film stars Brian Villalobos (HBO’s “Love and Death”) and Lori Kovacevich (“But Humble Sinners”). Josh Taylor produced alongside Owen.
The deal was negotiated between Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films and Mackenzie Maguire of Gravitas Ventures. A release is planned for the fall.
Owen said: “’Thirst’ realizes all of my greatest fears and asks the question – how will we act when our reality becomes distorted and would we be civil when our own survival is jeopardized?...
- 8/11/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Distribution Workshop has picked up international sales duties on “A Legend,” the Jackie Chan -starring film.
As previously reported, the film is now in production.
“A Legend” is now pitched as a $50 million sequel to the 2005 action romance “The Myth” that involved both Chan and director Stanley Tong. In previous communication, producer Bona Film Group said that the film was inspired by the earlier film.
The new picture will be the tenth time that Chan and Tong have worked together, following other titles that include “Police Story 3,” “Supercop” and “Vanguard.”
“A Legend” sees Professor Chen, an archaeology expert, notice that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition, is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. The pendant is connecting the realm of dreams to reality. Filled with curiosity, Chen leads a research team on a journey deep into the Glacier Temple,...
As previously reported, the film is now in production.
“A Legend” is now pitched as a $50 million sequel to the 2005 action romance “The Myth” that involved both Chan and director Stanley Tong. In previous communication, producer Bona Film Group said that the film was inspired by the earlier film.
The new picture will be the tenth time that Chan and Tong have worked together, following other titles that include “Police Story 3,” “Supercop” and “Vanguard.”
“A Legend” sees Professor Chen, an archaeology expert, notice that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition, is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. The pendant is connecting the realm of dreams to reality. Filled with curiosity, Chen leads a research team on a journey deep into the Glacier Temple,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The film the mark the tenth collaboration between Chan and director Stanley Tong.
Taiwan’s Distribution Workshop is to begin sales at Cannes on Jackie Chan fantasy adventure The Legend, which marks the action star’s tenth film with director Stanley Tong.
The $50m mainland China feature is a sequel to 2005’s The Myth, which was also directed by Tong, and stars Chan as an archaeologist who discovers a jade pendant that seems to connect the dream world with reality.
Produced by Bona Film Group, the feature also stars Yixing Zhang, Coulee Nazha and Aarif Lee. A release date has...
Taiwan’s Distribution Workshop is to begin sales at Cannes on Jackie Chan fantasy adventure The Legend, which marks the action star’s tenth film with director Stanley Tong.
The $50m mainland China feature is a sequel to 2005’s The Myth, which was also directed by Tong, and stars Chan as an archaeologist who discovers a jade pendant that seems to connect the dream world with reality.
Produced by Bona Film Group, the feature also stars Yixing Zhang, Coulee Nazha and Aarif Lee. A release date has...
- 5/16/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Jackie Chan has signed on to star in A Legend, a martial arts fantasy-adventure movie which will be a sequel to his 2005 movie The Myth.
The sequel to The Myth will find Jackie Chan reprising his role as archaeology expert Professor Chen. “The film’s action begins when he notices that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams,” reads the description. “Suspecting that the pendant is acting as a bridge between the realm of dreams and reality, Professor Chen leads his research team on a journey deep into the Glacier Temple, embarking on a fantastical adventure.” A Legend will be directed by Stanley Tong, a long-time collaborator of Chan who has helmed Police Story 3, Rumble in the Bronx, and The Myth.
A Legend will have a budget of $50 million, a large...
The sequel to The Myth will find Jackie Chan reprising his role as archaeology expert Professor Chen. “The film’s action begins when he notices that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition is strikingly similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams,” reads the description. “Suspecting that the pendant is acting as a bridge between the realm of dreams and reality, Professor Chen leads his research team on a journey deep into the Glacier Temple, embarking on a fantastical adventure.” A Legend will be directed by Stanley Tong, a long-time collaborator of Chan who has helmed Police Story 3, Rumble in the Bronx, and The Myth.
A Legend will have a budget of $50 million, a large...
- 5/16/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Taipei-based sales agency Distribution Workshop has picked up international sales rights to $50M action adventure A Legend, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong.
A sequel to Chan and Tong’s 2005 collaboration The Myth, the film also stars Zhang Yixing (Kung Fu Yoga) and Coulee Nazha (Police Story 2013), and is currently in production with no release date set.
Chan again plays the role of an archaeology expert who this time notices that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition is similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. Filled with curiosity, he leads the research team on a journey to the Glacier Temple in search of the truth behind the dreams.
Chan’s latest Chinese action drama, Ride On, in which he ironically plays a washed up stuntman, received positive reviews and grossed $30M in China last month. His upcoming...
A sequel to Chan and Tong’s 2005 collaboration The Myth, the film also stars Zhang Yixing (Kung Fu Yoga) and Coulee Nazha (Police Story 2013), and is currently in production with no release date set.
Chan again plays the role of an archaeology expert who this time notices that the texture on the artifacts discovered by his students during a glacier expedition is similar to a jade pendant he had seen in his dreams. Filled with curiosity, he leads the research team on a journey to the Glacier Temple in search of the truth behind the dreams.
Chan’s latest Chinese action drama, Ride On, in which he ironically plays a washed up stuntman, received positive reviews and grossed $30M in China last month. His upcoming...
- 5/15/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Tenth Time Lucky The Legend teaser poster (Bona Film Group)
Director Stanley Tong (“Rumble in the Bronx”) is to team up with Jackie Chan for the tenth time on “The Legend.” State media in China report that Chan, who recently reached the top spot in the mainland Chinese box office with aged stuntman comedy “Ride On,” will play an archaeologist on a quest through time and space. With production by Bona Film Group, “The Legend” is pitched as being in the same vein as Tong and Chan’s 2005 effort “The Myth,” which was a fantasy love story. Tong and Chan have worked together on other titles including “Police Story 3,” “Supercop” and “Vanguard.”
Olympic Dreams
India’s Jio Studios is backing “Khashaba,” a Marathi-language film on the life of India’s first Olympic medalist Khasaba Dadasaheb. After delivering the “Sairat,” the all-time highest grosser in the history of Marathi cinema, and London and Goteborg selection “Fandry,...
Director Stanley Tong (“Rumble in the Bronx”) is to team up with Jackie Chan for the tenth time on “The Legend.” State media in China report that Chan, who recently reached the top spot in the mainland Chinese box office with aged stuntman comedy “Ride On,” will play an archaeologist on a quest through time and space. With production by Bona Film Group, “The Legend” is pitched as being in the same vein as Tong and Chan’s 2005 effort “The Myth,” which was a fantasy love story. Tong and Chan have worked together on other titles including “Police Story 3,” “Supercop” and “Vanguard.”
Olympic Dreams
India’s Jio Studios is backing “Khashaba,” a Marathi-language film on the life of India’s first Olympic medalist Khasaba Dadasaheb. After delivering the “Sairat,” the all-time highest grosser in the history of Marathi cinema, and London and Goteborg selection “Fandry,...
- 4/24/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to the Australian drama Ocean Boy, starring Luke Hemsworth (Westworld). The Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company plans to release the pic formerly titled Bosch + Rockit in theaters and on demand on February 3, 2023.
The feature directorial debut of Tyler Atkins is set along the Australian coast in late summer and follows the young father Bosch (Hemsworth) as he goes on the run for drug dealing with his surf gang. In tow is his son, Rockit (Rasmus King), who believes he is on a magical holiday. Isabel Lucas and Leeanna Walsman also star.
“We at Gravitas are proud to be bringing Ocean Boy to theaters and into homes this upcoming February,” said Gravitas’ Senior Director of Acquisitions, Bill Guentzler. “Luke Hemsworth and Rasmus King bring to life a magical tale of the deep connection between a father and son that we believe will touch the hearts of audiences.
The feature directorial debut of Tyler Atkins is set along the Australian coast in late summer and follows the young father Bosch (Hemsworth) as he goes on the run for drug dealing with his surf gang. In tow is his son, Rockit (Rasmus King), who believes he is on a magical holiday. Isabel Lucas and Leeanna Walsman also star.
“We at Gravitas are proud to be bringing Ocean Boy to theaters and into homes this upcoming February,” said Gravitas’ Senior Director of Acquisitions, Bill Guentzler. “Luke Hemsworth and Rasmus King bring to life a magical tale of the deep connection between a father and son that we believe will touch the hearts of audiences.
- 11/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has snapped up U.S. rights to the drama The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, written and directed by Sundance prize winner Robert Machoian (The Killing of Two Lovers), from Visit Films. The Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company plans to release the film in limited theaters and on demand in February of 2023.
In the pic reuniting Machoian with Clayne Crawford — who exec produced and starred in The Killing — the latter plays Joseph, who – wanting to acquire the skills to be able to take care of his family in case of an apocalypse – decides to go deer hunting by himself for the first time ever, despite his wife’s objections. Setting out into the mountains with a borrowed rifle, he roams the woods aimlessly in search of deer. His boredom is short-lived, however, when in the blink of an eye he goes through a traumatic experience. What starts as an...
In the pic reuniting Machoian with Clayne Crawford — who exec produced and starred in The Killing — the latter plays Joseph, who – wanting to acquire the skills to be able to take care of his family in case of an apocalypse – decides to go deer hunting by himself for the first time ever, despite his wife’s objections. Setting out into the mountains with a borrowed rifle, he roams the woods aimlessly in search of deer. His boredom is short-lived, however, when in the blink of an eye he goes through a traumatic experience. What starts as an...
- 11/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to The Inhabitant, the horror film starring Odessa A’zion (Hulu’s Hellraiser), Leslie Bibb (Mrs. American Pie), Dermot Mulroney (Umma) and Lizze Broadway (The Rookie), slating it for release October 7 in more than 100 theaters. Highland Film Group is handling international rights, with sales being launched at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.
The film from director Jerren Lauder (Stay Out of the F**king Attic) follows Tara (A’zion), who like any other teenage girl is just surviving high school — yet her father Ben (Mulroney) and mother Emily (Bibb) seem strangely distant. Amidst a nearby spree of gruesome ax murders, Tara has sightings of terrifying entities, forcing her to question her own sanity and shocking ancestry. After a visit to her aunt in a mental asylum and a night in Lizzie Borden’s actual home, Tara realizes she is inextricably tied to the horrifying...
The film from director Jerren Lauder (Stay Out of the F**king Attic) follows Tara (A’zion), who like any other teenage girl is just surviving high school — yet her father Ben (Mulroney) and mother Emily (Bibb) seem strangely distant. Amidst a nearby spree of gruesome ax murders, Tara has sightings of terrifying entities, forcing her to question her own sanity and shocking ancestry. After a visit to her aunt in a mental asylum and a night in Lizzie Borden’s actual home, Tara realizes she is inextricably tied to the horrifying...
- 8/30/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Four years after the second installment to arguably Jackie Chan’ most popular franchise, the actor would reprise his role as police inspector Chan Ka-Kui in “Police Story 3: Supercop” (or just “Supercop” in some areas). Perhaps due to his busy schedule in front and behind the camera, working on other projects such as the equally successful “Armour of God”-films, Stanley Tong took over directing duties from Chan, who would still be a producer for the project. This collaboration turned out to be quite fruitful for both them, setting the foundation for features such as “Rumble in the Bronx”, which would give the actor the breakthrough with US-American markets after years of trying. Although the previous entries into the franchise had already set quite a high level when it came to action set pieces, “Supercop” would see Chan in the middle of some of the most ambitious and costly action scenes of his career,...
- 8/7/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired U.S. rights to the 2022 SXSW award winner The Pez Outlaw, from directors Amy Bandlien Storkel and Bryan Storkel, with plans for a day-and-date release on October 21.
The fish-out-of-water story follows the adventures of Steve Glew, a small-town Michigan man, who boards a plane for Eastern Europe soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His mission is to locate a secret factory that holds the key to the most desired and valuable Pez dispensers. If he succeeds, he will pull his family out of debt and finally be able to quit his job of 25 years. Steve becomes the hero of his own adventure, smuggling the rarest of goods into the U.S. and making millions in the process. It was all magical, until his arch-nemesis, The Pezident, decided to destroy him.
The Pez Outlaw made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival,...
The fish-out-of-water story follows the adventures of Steve Glew, a small-town Michigan man, who boards a plane for Eastern Europe soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His mission is to locate a secret factory that holds the key to the most desired and valuable Pez dispensers. If he succeeds, he will pull his family out of debt and finally be able to quit his job of 25 years. Steve becomes the hero of his own adventure, smuggling the rarest of goods into the U.S. and making millions in the process. It was all magical, until his arch-nemesis, The Pezident, decided to destroy him.
The Pez Outlaw made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival,...
- 8/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired U.S. rights to Lindsay MacKay’s romantic drama The Swearing Jar, starring Adelaide Clemens (Under the Banner of Heaven), Douglas Smith (Don’t Worry Darling), Patrick J. Adams (Prime Video’s A League of Their Own) and Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner (The White House Plumbers). The Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company has slated the film for release on 20 screens in major markets across the country on September 23.
The Swearing Jar is based on Kate Hewlett’s award-winning play of the same name, which she adapted for the screen. Billed as an intimate story told through music, comedy, subtly shifting timeframes and a few tears, it tells two love stories at once: exploring the joys and challenges of dating, marriage, heartbreak… and moving on. The film was produced by Jane Loughman for Monkeys & Parrots in association with Kyle Bornais of Farpoint Films and Tony Wosk of Middle Child Films.
The Swearing Jar is based on Kate Hewlett’s award-winning play of the same name, which she adapted for the screen. Billed as an intimate story told through music, comedy, subtly shifting timeframes and a few tears, it tells two love stories at once: exploring the joys and challenges of dating, marriage, heartbreak… and moving on. The film was produced by Jane Loughman for Monkeys & Parrots in association with Kyle Bornais of Farpoint Films and Tony Wosk of Middle Child Films.
- 7/13/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Revisiting the original 1985 Hong Kong trailer for Jackie Chan’s Police Story.
The Police Story Trilogy (Eureka Classics) Limited Edition 3-Disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is available to Pre-order now from the Eureka Store: https://bit.ly/3Prsoc8
The most action-packed trilogy of all time comes to Ultra HD Blu-ray for the first time ever! Featuring some of the most dangerous stunts ever performed on camera, these three films represent the pinnacle of Jackie Chan’s unique style of Hong Kong action filmmaking. A dazzling blend of gritty action cop drama, impeccably choreographed martial-arts sequences, and bone-crunching stunt work – this series of films revitalized the Hong Kong action genre and established Jackie Chan as a worldwide superstar.
Police Story – considered by Jackie Chan himself to be his best film in terms of pure action, Police Story stars Chan as “super cop” Chan Ka-Kui, who goes up against a notorious crime...
The Police Story Trilogy (Eureka Classics) Limited Edition 3-Disc 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is available to Pre-order now from the Eureka Store: https://bit.ly/3Prsoc8
The most action-packed trilogy of all time comes to Ultra HD Blu-ray for the first time ever! Featuring some of the most dangerous stunts ever performed on camera, these three films represent the pinnacle of Jackie Chan’s unique style of Hong Kong action filmmaking. A dazzling blend of gritty action cop drama, impeccably choreographed martial-arts sequences, and bone-crunching stunt work – this series of films revitalized the Hong Kong action genre and established Jackie Chan as a worldwide superstar.
Police Story – considered by Jackie Chan himself to be his best film in terms of pure action, Police Story stars Chan as “super cop” Chan Ka-Kui, who goes up against a notorious crime...
- 7/12/2022
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
As Michelle Yeoh basks in the success of “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” she ponders for a moment a world where “Crazy Rich Asians” wasn’t a huge box office success. “What if it didn’t work?” she asks.
Jon M. Chu’s 2018 film was one of the first films in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast. Yeoh starred alongside Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Ronny Chieng. The film grossed over 200 million at the box office.
As she reflects on the film’s success, on the occasion of Asian American Pacific Islander Month, Yeoh looks at how it opened the door for her fellow castmates to shine a spotlight on their comedy careers. The actor sat down with Variety to reflect on some of the highlights across her expansive career. She also talks about her upcoming voice work for the new “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
“Crazy Rich Asians”
“It was a big moment for us,...
Jon M. Chu’s 2018 film was one of the first films in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast. Yeoh starred alongside Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Ronny Chieng. The film grossed over 200 million at the box office.
As she reflects on the film’s success, on the occasion of Asian American Pacific Islander Month, Yeoh looks at how it opened the door for her fellow castmates to shine a spotlight on their comedy careers. The actor sat down with Variety to reflect on some of the highlights across her expansive career. She also talks about her upcoming voice work for the new “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”
“Crazy Rich Asians”
“It was a big moment for us,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to Hello Sunshine’s documentary Fair Play, based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name by Eve Rodsky, slating it for release in select theaters and on demand on July 8th.
The film from director Jennifer Siebel Newsom looks at the unequal division of labor in the home—a hot topic, which has taken on even more urgency in recent years, with the Covid pandemic exacerbating an already tension-filled dynamic in millions of households. It takes viewers into the homes of real families that are on a journey to balance their home life, while presenting interviews with Melinda Gates, author C. Nicole Mason and Congresswoman Katie Porter. Fair Play was produced by Hello Sunshine, in association with The Representation Project and P&g Studios.
“The home presents so small but it speaks to a much larger issue which is about reframing the value of time,...
The film from director Jennifer Siebel Newsom looks at the unequal division of labor in the home—a hot topic, which has taken on even more urgency in recent years, with the Covid pandemic exacerbating an already tension-filled dynamic in millions of households. It takes viewers into the homes of real families that are on a journey to balance their home life, while presenting interviews with Melinda Gates, author C. Nicole Mason and Congresswoman Katie Porter. Fair Play was produced by Hello Sunshine, in association with The Representation Project and P&g Studios.
“The home presents so small but it speaks to a much larger issue which is about reframing the value of time,...
- 5/9/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired worldwide rights to the romantic comedy Most Guys Are Losers, starring Andy Buckley (The Office), Keith David (Nope), Mira Sorvino (Shining Vale), Grace Fulton (Shazam!), Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas) and Belmont Camelli (Peacock’s Saved by the Bell), for release in theaters and on VOD on July 1st.
In the film from writer-director Eric Ustian, which is set over Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago, a college kid from California seeks approval from his girlfriend’s dad, a bar owner and the author of a dating book titled, Most Guys are Losers. Lee Amalfi and Anthony Clementi produced, with Ustian, Mark Berzins, Greg Stubblefield and Dan Ustian exec producing, and Maximilian Bustamante and Yuly Springer serving as associate producers.
“To work with the Oscar Winner Mira Sorvino and her dad, Paul, was an honor. Andy Buckley combines the comedic timing from his role in The Office, with a heart felt and nuanced performance,...
In the film from writer-director Eric Ustian, which is set over Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago, a college kid from California seeks approval from his girlfriend’s dad, a bar owner and the author of a dating book titled, Most Guys are Losers. Lee Amalfi and Anthony Clementi produced, with Ustian, Mark Berzins, Greg Stubblefield and Dan Ustian exec producing, and Maximilian Bustamante and Yuly Springer serving as associate producers.
“To work with the Oscar Winner Mira Sorvino and her dad, Paul, was an honor. Andy Buckley combines the comedic timing from his role in The Office, with a heart felt and nuanced performance,...
- 5/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company, today announced the launch of its new theatrical release label, Gravitas Premiere, which will acquire 4-6 cast-driven, high production value films per year and release them wide theatrically with significant P&a support. The first title on Premiere’s docket is Katie Aselton’s dramedy Mack & Rita, starring Diane Keaton, which it will release wide in theaters across the U.S. and Canada on August 12.
In Mack & Rita, Mackenzie Martin (Elizabeth Lail) is tired of doing all the things she has to do to keep up and get ahead in her 30s. Since she was a little girl, Mack’s deepest wish has been to be just like her Grammie: comfortable in her own skin, great at saying “no,” and largely unburdened by what others think of her—not to mention love for a good chunky sweater and being in bed by 8:00 p.
In Mack & Rita, Mackenzie Martin (Elizabeth Lail) is tired of doing all the things she has to do to keep up and get ahead in her 30s. Since she was a little girl, Mack’s deepest wish has been to be just like her Grammie: comfortable in her own skin, great at saying “no,” and largely unburdened by what others think of her—not to mention love for a good chunky sweater and being in bed by 8:00 p.
- 4/27/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired U.S. rights to the musical crime drama The Score, starring Will Poulter (Dopesick), Johnny Flynn (The Outfit), Naomi Ackie (Master of None) and Lydia Wilson (Flack). The Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company plans to release the feature directorial debut of writer-director Malachi Smyth exclusively in theaters on June 3rd, with a release on VOD to follow on June 10th.
In the film from the producers of Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, two small-time crooks, Mike (Flynn) and Troy (Poulter), are on a mission—the ‘score’—that they both expect will transform their circumstances. As they wait for a rendezvous hand-over at a roadside café, Troy falls in love with the waitress, Gloria (Ackie), and begins to question his life choices…while the threat of real danger is driving to meet them.
The Score features songs by Flynn, who outside of his work as an actor, serves...
In the film from the producers of Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, two small-time crooks, Mike (Flynn) and Troy (Poulter), are on a mission—the ‘score’—that they both expect will transform their circumstances. As they wait for a rendezvous hand-over at a roadside café, Troy falls in love with the waitress, Gloria (Ackie), and begins to question his life choices…while the threat of real danger is driving to meet them.
The Score features songs by Flynn, who outside of his work as an actor, serves...
- 3/29/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to the WWII-era romantic drama I’ll Find You from director Martha Coolidge. The Anthem Sports & Entertainment company plans to release the title starring Adelaide Clemens (To the Stars), Leo Suter, Stephen Dorff, Connie Nielsen and Stellan Skarsgård in theaters and on demand on February 25.
Inspired by true stories of Polish musicians from the 1930s and 1940s, I’ll Find You centers on the tender, music-infused relationship between Robert (Suter) and Rachel (Clemens) that is forged when the pair meet as music school students—he, a promising singer and she, a violin prodigy. While Robert is torn away from Rachel following the German invasion of Poland, he vows to find her, no matter the cost.
David S. Ward and Bozenna Intrator penned the script for the film, which was shot on location in Poland and New York. Intrator also produced it alongside Lukasz Raczynski, Zbigniew John Raczynski and Fred Roos, with Alexander Roos exec producing.
“I’LL Find You is a beautiful romance film set against the harsh background of World War II,” said Gravitas Ventures’ Manager of Acquisitions, Brett Rogalsky. “What director Martha Coolidge was able to do with these elements is truly impressive, and we’re excited to be able to bring this film to the public.”
“From the beginning I loved the theme in this film that music has an almost magical power to heal,” added Coolidge, “and that it can inspire and move all people even those at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.”
Coolidge is an Emmy nominee and DGA Award winner who has previously directed films including Material Girls, The Prince and Me, Angie, Lost in Yonkers, Rambling Rose, Plain Clothes, Real Genius and Valley Girl, along with episodes of such series as Siren, Angie Tribeca, Madam Secretary, The Night Shift, Psych and Weeds.
Gravitas Ventures was founded in 2006 and sold to multi-platform media company Anthem Sports & Entertainment in November. Recent releases from the company include Michael Lembeck’s Queen Bees; Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Our Friend, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel; Vanguard, directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan; and Andy Tennant’s The Secret: Dare to Dream, starring Katie Holmes. Gravitas has also recently acquired titles including Adrian Martinez’s feature directorial debut iGilbert; the Kathy Bates drama Home, from writer-director Franka Potente; family adventure film The King’s Daughter, starring Pierce Brosnan; Jason Pollock’s doc Finding Kendrick Johnson; and The Accursed, a horror film marking the feature directorial debut of writer-directors Elizabeta Vidovic and Kathryn Michell.
Inspired by true stories of Polish musicians from the 1930s and 1940s, I’ll Find You centers on the tender, music-infused relationship between Robert (Suter) and Rachel (Clemens) that is forged when the pair meet as music school students—he, a promising singer and she, a violin prodigy. While Robert is torn away from Rachel following the German invasion of Poland, he vows to find her, no matter the cost.
David S. Ward and Bozenna Intrator penned the script for the film, which was shot on location in Poland and New York. Intrator also produced it alongside Lukasz Raczynski, Zbigniew John Raczynski and Fred Roos, with Alexander Roos exec producing.
“I’LL Find You is a beautiful romance film set against the harsh background of World War II,” said Gravitas Ventures’ Manager of Acquisitions, Brett Rogalsky. “What director Martha Coolidge was able to do with these elements is truly impressive, and we’re excited to be able to bring this film to the public.”
“From the beginning I loved the theme in this film that music has an almost magical power to heal,” added Coolidge, “and that it can inspire and move all people even those at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.”
Coolidge is an Emmy nominee and DGA Award winner who has previously directed films including Material Girls, The Prince and Me, Angie, Lost in Yonkers, Rambling Rose, Plain Clothes, Real Genius and Valley Girl, along with episodes of such series as Siren, Angie Tribeca, Madam Secretary, The Night Shift, Psych and Weeds.
Gravitas Ventures was founded in 2006 and sold to multi-platform media company Anthem Sports & Entertainment in November. Recent releases from the company include Michael Lembeck’s Queen Bees; Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Our Friend, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel; Vanguard, directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan; and Andy Tennant’s The Secret: Dare to Dream, starring Katie Holmes. Gravitas has also recently acquired titles including Adrian Martinez’s feature directorial debut iGilbert; the Kathy Bates drama Home, from writer-director Franka Potente; family adventure film The King’s Daughter, starring Pierce Brosnan; Jason Pollock’s doc Finding Kendrick Johnson; and The Accursed, a horror film marking the feature directorial debut of writer-directors Elizabeta Vidovic and Kathryn Michell.
- 1/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Red Arrow Studios has agreed to sell Gravitas Ventures, the prolific narrative film and documentary distributor with a 3,000-title catalogue, to Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto.
Red Arrow is the content production and distribution arm of Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Group.
The deal, which will launch Gravitas into television distribution, was based on a cash purchase price of $73 million and an additional common stock consideration component.
Anthem owns seven consumer-facing streaming channels: Axs TV (music and entertainment) and Hdnet Movies — acquired from Mark Cuban in 2019; Impact Wrestling; Invicta Fighting Championships (all-women mixed martial arts); Fight Network (combat sports); Game+ (esports and gaming); GameTV; and a significant ownership in outdoor network Pursuit Channel. Anthem and Gravitas will develop new themed channels.
Cleveland-based Gravitas was founded in 2006 and acquired by Red...
Red Arrow is the content production and distribution arm of Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Group.
The deal, which will launch Gravitas into television distribution, was based on a cash purchase price of $73 million and an additional common stock consideration component.
Anthem owns seven consumer-facing streaming channels: Axs TV (music and entertainment) and Hdnet Movies — acquired from Mark Cuban in 2019; Impact Wrestling; Invicta Fighting Championships (all-women mixed martial arts); Fight Network (combat sports); Game+ (esports and gaming); GameTV; and a significant ownership in outdoor network Pursuit Channel. Anthem and Gravitas will develop new themed channels.
Cleveland-based Gravitas was founded in 2006 and acquired by Red...
- 11/16/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to iGilbert, the feature directorial debut of actor Adrian Martinez, in which he also stars alongside Dascha Polanco and Raùl Castillo. The indie distributor will release the drama in theaters and on demand on December 31.
iGilbert centers on Gilbert Gonzalez (Martinez), who feels isolated from the world. He is 39, a virgin, obese and lives with his sarcastic, overprotective mother, who owns the Manhattan brownstone. Fearful of life and people, yet starving for human connection, Gilbert takes photos of women secretly, wherever and whenever he can. Enter Jana (Polanco), a tenant in the building and the source of innumerable fantasies.
Jana is a contradiction – beautiful but haunted by her own insecurities that inhibit her from standing up to her ex-boyfriend Tony (Castillo), an Iraq war vet with Ptsd.
iGilbert centers on Gilbert Gonzalez (Martinez), who feels isolated from the world. He is 39, a virgin, obese and lives with his sarcastic, overprotective mother, who owns the Manhattan brownstone. Fearful of life and people, yet starving for human connection, Gilbert takes photos of women secretly, wherever and whenever he can. Enter Jana (Polanco), a tenant in the building and the source of innumerable fantasies.
Jana is a contradiction – beautiful but haunted by her own insecurities that inhibit her from standing up to her ex-boyfriend Tony (Castillo), an Iraq war vet with Ptsd.
- 11/2/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to The King’s Daughter, a family adventure film starring Pierce Brosnan, William Hurt, Kaya Scodelario, Benjamin Walker, Rachel Griffiths, Pablo Schreiber, and Bingbing Fan, which is narrated by Oscar winner Julie Andrews, setting it for a theatrically exclusive release at upwards of 1000 locations across the U.S. and Canada on January 21, 2022.
Sean McNamara’s film, shot at the Palace of Versailles, is based on Vonda N. McIntyre’s 1997 novel The Moon and the Sun. It centers on King Louis Xiv (Brosnan), whose quest for immortality leads him to capture a mermaid’s (Fan) life force, seeing his immovable will challenged when his long-hidden illegitimate daughter (Scodelario) forms a bond with the magical creature.
Barry Berman and James Schamus handled the screenplay adaptation. Veteran family film producers McNamara and David Brookwell produced for Brookwell McNamara Entertainment, alongside an international group of producers from Australia to America to France.
Sean McNamara’s film, shot at the Palace of Versailles, is based on Vonda N. McIntyre’s 1997 novel The Moon and the Sun. It centers on King Louis Xiv (Brosnan), whose quest for immortality leads him to capture a mermaid’s (Fan) life force, seeing his immovable will challenged when his long-hidden illegitimate daughter (Scodelario) forms a bond with the magical creature.
Barry Berman and James Schamus handled the screenplay adaptation. Veteran family film producers McNamara and David Brookwell produced for Brookwell McNamara Entertainment, alongside an international group of producers from Australia to America to France.
- 10/20/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios Company, has acquired North American rights to The Florist, with plans to release the film on digital and cable VOD on August 10.
The indie, based on a 2014 short of the same name, centers on a lonely urban botanist named Annika, who sources and tests the edible, sensation-inducing flowers, which are in vogue at high-end restaurants, before they make it to the table. Hoping to take her career to the next level, Annika pushes aside her regular customers and risks everything to concentrate on finding the extremely rare and profitable ‘Comet Flower.’ Unfortunately, the elusive flower proves harder to find than expected. Annika must then decide whether to accept defeat, or to do whatever it takes, in order for her unique business and career to flourish.
Andrew Ryan (The Mirage) wrote and directed the film, which marks the feature debut of his longtime collaborator,...
The indie, based on a 2014 short of the same name, centers on a lonely urban botanist named Annika, who sources and tests the edible, sensation-inducing flowers, which are in vogue at high-end restaurants, before they make it to the table. Hoping to take her career to the next level, Annika pushes aside her regular customers and risks everything to concentrate on finding the extremely rare and profitable ‘Comet Flower.’ Unfortunately, the elusive flower proves harder to find than expected. Annika must then decide whether to accept defeat, or to do whatever it takes, in order for her unique business and career to flourish.
Andrew Ryan (The Mirage) wrote and directed the film, which marks the feature debut of his longtime collaborator,...
- 7/28/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center are delighted to unveil further highlights of the 2021 New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), including the Opening film, lifetime award honorees, the competition lineup, the inaugural Asian American Focus and additional films. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 20th edition will kick off at Film at Lincoln Center on August 6 with the in-person international premiere of Ryoo Seung-wan’s tense action thriller “Escape from Mogadishu,” starring Kim Yoon-seok (Nyaff Star Asia winner 2018) and Zo In-sung. The film is dramatically constructed based on real events that took place in 1991 at the onset of the Somali Civil War, and depicts the perilous escape attempted by North and South Korean embassy workers who were stranded during the conflict. (Well Go USA is releasing the...
Nyaff’s 20th edition will kick off at Film at Lincoln Center on August 6 with the in-person international premiere of Ryoo Seung-wan’s tense action thriller “Escape from Mogadishu,” starring Kim Yoon-seok (Nyaff Star Asia winner 2018) and Zo In-sung. The film is dramatically constructed based on real events that took place in 1991 at the onset of the Somali Civil War, and depicts the perilous escape attempted by North and South Korean embassy workers who were stranded during the conflict. (Well Go USA is releasing the...
- 7/18/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
The New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will unspool the 2021 edition Aug. 6-22 at Flc, kicking off with the premiere of “Escape From Mogadishu,” directed by Ryoo Seung-wa.
In all, 60 films will screen to audiences in person and virtually, with premieres of first and second features from directors for the feature film competition: “Anima”, “City of Lost Things”, “Hand Rolled Cigarette”, “Joint”, “Ten Months” and “Tiong Bahru Social Club”.
Hong Kong new wave director Ann Hui will receive the Variety Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award, and the festival will screen her film “The Story of Woo Viet” and Man Lim Chung’s pic on Hui, “Keep Rolling.”
The festival will introduce the section Asian American Focus, which will feature films including Aimee Long’s “A Shot Through the Wall.” The team behind the film will be present at the festival.
“Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?...
In all, 60 films will screen to audiences in person and virtually, with premieres of first and second features from directors for the feature film competition: “Anima”, “City of Lost Things”, “Hand Rolled Cigarette”, “Joint”, “Ten Months” and “Tiong Bahru Social Club”.
Hong Kong new wave director Ann Hui will receive the Variety Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award, and the festival will screen her film “The Story of Woo Viet” and Man Lim Chung’s pic on Hui, “Keep Rolling.”
The festival will introduce the section Asian American Focus, which will feature films including Aimee Long’s “A Shot Through the Wall.” The team behind the film will be present at the festival.
“Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?...
- 7/16/2021
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
Jackie Chan made his support for China’s Communist Party blatantly clear during a July 8 speech at a symposium organized by the China Film Association (via Variety). Chan has long supported the Communist Party’s propaganda efforts, but he generated news out of the symposium after declaring he wants to be an official member of the Party. As reported by Variety, the symposium was “organized by the China Film Association last week to ‘study and implement the spirit’ of a keynote speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping.”
“Abroad they often say, ‘proud to be Chinese.’ I’m very lucky to be a Chinese person, but I also am very jealous that you all are Party members,” Chan said during the event, video footage from which was released by official broadcaster CCTV. “What the Party says, what it promises, it doesn’t need 100 years to accomplish — it will definitely accomplish...
“Abroad they often say, ‘proud to be Chinese.’ I’m very lucky to be a Chinese person, but I also am very jealous that you all are Party members,” Chan said during the event, video footage from which was released by official broadcaster CCTV. “What the Party says, what it promises, it doesn’t need 100 years to accomplish — it will definitely accomplish...
- 7/14/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Universal Pictures has landed the rights to the Brian Freeman novel Infinite, with Fast & Furious scribe Chris Morgan and Head of Development Ainsley Davies producing through their Chris Morgan Productions. Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer will write the script.
The story follows Dylan Moran, who after being consumed by grief after losing his wife, begins hallucinating sinister versions of himself, lurking in the shadows. When he ends up accused of murder, Moran undergoes a hypnotherapy treatment built on the idea that with every choice he makes, he creates an infinite number of parallel universes. It’s then he discovers he’s not insane at all. There’s another version of himself, from another reality. A psychopath that not only ruined his life, but countless other Dylans. Can Dylan stop this doppelgänger before he strikes again? Or will he lose himself…to himself?
The novel was published last month by Thomas & Mercer.
The story follows Dylan Moran, who after being consumed by grief after losing his wife, begins hallucinating sinister versions of himself, lurking in the shadows. When he ends up accused of murder, Moran undergoes a hypnotherapy treatment built on the idea that with every choice he makes, he creates an infinite number of parallel universes. It’s then he discovers he’s not insane at all. There’s another version of himself, from another reality. A psychopath that not only ruined his life, but countless other Dylans. Can Dylan stop this doppelgänger before he strikes again? Or will he lose himself…to himself?
The novel was published last month by Thomas & Mercer.
- 4/22/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Ng Man-tat, the star Shaolin Soccer and frequent collaborator of Kung Fu Hustle filmmaker Stephen Chow, has died.
The iconic Hong Kong actor, accompanied by his wife and children, died peacefully on Saturday of liver cancer. He was 70.
Born in China’s Fujian province in 1951, Ng began his career with acting classes from Hong Kong’s Tvb at 19 years old. Just years later he appeared Tit Lee’s 1975 comedy Gu huo lao xun chun, marking the vet’s first screen credit.
Upon garnering experience in a number of film and television titles throughout the 70s and 80s, Ng landed a recurring role in the adventure series The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The series, adapted from Louis Cha’s novel of the same name, saw Ng play Elder Peng.
In 1989, Ng first acted alongside Stephen Chow, who would soon become a frequent collaborator for “mo lei tau” films, a popular...
The iconic Hong Kong actor, accompanied by his wife and children, died peacefully on Saturday of liver cancer. He was 70.
Born in China’s Fujian province in 1951, Ng began his career with acting classes from Hong Kong’s Tvb at 19 years old. Just years later he appeared Tit Lee’s 1975 comedy Gu huo lao xun chun, marking the vet’s first screen credit.
Upon garnering experience in a number of film and television titles throughout the 70s and 80s, Ng landed a recurring role in the adventure series The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The series, adapted from Louis Cha’s novel of the same name, saw Ng play Elder Peng.
In 1989, Ng first acted alongside Stephen Chow, who would soon become a frequent collaborator for “mo lei tau” films, a popular...
- 2/27/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Chan pulls a few martial arts moves as the elder statesman of an elite security firm working to rescue a Chinese accountant and his wife from kidnappers
Veteran Hong Kong action director Stanley Tong reunites with his longtime star Jackie Chan for this amiable but rather under-par adventure with silly CGI effects. Chan is allowed one or two comedy moments, but takes a very straight and stately role as Tang, the “elder statesman”-type director of an elite private security firm called Vanguard, presiding over tough, battle-ready and apparently also catwalk-ready young people – and occasionally pulling a few martial arts moves. In his trim three-piece suit and glasses, however, he looks faintly like Ronnie Corbett.
A Chinese accountant and his young wife are kidnapped in London’s Chinatown and Vanguard (with its preposterous HQ full of people wearing phone headsets and gazing at computer screens) is tasked with rescuing him,...
Veteran Hong Kong action director Stanley Tong reunites with his longtime star Jackie Chan for this amiable but rather under-par adventure with silly CGI effects. Chan is allowed one or two comedy moments, but takes a very straight and stately role as Tang, the “elder statesman”-type director of an elite private security firm called Vanguard, presiding over tough, battle-ready and apparently also catwalk-ready young people – and occasionally pulling a few martial arts moves. In his trim three-piece suit and glasses, however, he looks faintly like Ronnie Corbett.
A Chinese accountant and his young wife are kidnapped in London’s Chinatown and Vanguard (with its preposterous HQ full of people wearing phone headsets and gazing at computer screens) is tasked with rescuing him,...
- 1/6/2021
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The martial arts genre has been in a significant decline for many years now, with just a few entries here and there over the years, reminding us of its existence essentially, although gems like The Raid, Jailbreak etc occasionally come to the fore. A number of Asian martial arts superstars have already moved to Hollywood or other countries in the west, with the same applying to the action stars, at least those who have not moved to China. The Chinese industry releases action blockbusters quite frequently, most of which, however, are of doubtful quality, to say the least, with the combination of the aforementioned, making the current list one of the most difficult to compile. Nevertheless, 10 films were found in the end, although a number of them are mostly here for the impressiveness of the action scenes and not their quality overall.
Without further ado, here are the best Asian...
Without further ado, here are the best Asian...
- 12/31/2020
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Vanguard stars Jackie Chan & directed by Stanley Tong in their ninth collaboration. The film also stars Yang Yang, Ai Lun, Mu Qimiya, Xu Ruohan and Zhu Zhengting, and will release wide on November 20th. Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has acquired North American rights to …
The post Jackie Chan starrer ‘Vanguard’ lands US trailer & release date appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
The post Jackie Chan starrer ‘Vanguard’ lands US trailer & release date appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.
- 12/29/2020
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
Marking the 9th collaboration between Jackie Chan and Stanley Tong, which includes films like “Police Story 3” and “Rumble in the Bronx”, “Vanguard” is now finding its place in selected cinemas in the UK starting 11th January, courtesy of Cine Asia, along with a Blu-ray &DVD release. This time, however, the duo seems to really know what they are doing.
The story is as simplistic as usual in martial arts/action films, and revolves around a series of kidnapping cases by a group of what appears to be a elite Middle-Eastern terrorists, starting with a businessman during London’s Chinatown Lunar Celebrations. Tang Huating is the head of international security agency Vanguard, whose employees find themselves involved in a case, that soon unfolds on an international level, and expectedly, soon joins the fight, being Jackie Chan and all.
To most obvious aspect one will notice in “Vanguard” is...
The story is as simplistic as usual in martial arts/action films, and revolves around a series of kidnapping cases by a group of what appears to be a elite Middle-Eastern terrorists, starting with a businessman during London’s Chinatown Lunar Celebrations. Tang Huating is the head of international security agency Vanguard, whose employees find themselves involved in a case, that soon unfolds on an international level, and expectedly, soon joins the fight, being Jackie Chan and all.
To most obvious aspect one will notice in “Vanguard” is...
- 12/22/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
CineAsia have announced the UK release of action adventure Vanguard, the new pairing of director Stanley Tong and action legend Jackie Chan and a noted return to form for Chan’s unique blend of action comedy. It’s arriving on demand and in selected cinemas (subject to local lockdown restrictions) from 8th January and on Blu-ray & DVD 11th January 2021.
Marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed Hong Kong director Stanley Tong and action legend Jackie Chan, Vanguard is a wild globetrotting adventure and a throwback to the days of gloriously over-the-top action cinema.
When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s famous Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by Chan) is sent to the rescue, taking them on a wildly ambitious mission all over the world. The adventure takes them from the rivers of Africa, to a heavily guarded fort in India, and...
Marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed Hong Kong director Stanley Tong and action legend Jackie Chan, Vanguard is a wild globetrotting adventure and a throwback to the days of gloriously over-the-top action cinema.
When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s famous Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by Chan) is sent to the rescue, taking them on a wildly ambitious mission all over the world. The adventure takes them from the rivers of Africa, to a heavily guarded fort in India, and...
- 12/18/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed Hong Kong director Stanley Tong and action legend Jackie Chan, “Vanguard” is a wild globetrotting adventure and a throwback to the days of gloriously over-the-top action cinema.
CineAsia presents Vanguard in Selected Cinemas and On Demand 8th January and Blu-ray & DVD 11th January 2021
When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s famous Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by Chan) is sent to the rescue, taking them on a wildly ambitious mission all over the world. The adventure takes them from the rivers of Africa, to a heavily guarded fort in India, and an exhilarating car chase in Dubai, all the while unravelling a global conspiracy
“Vanguard” boasts stunning action choreography, amazing stunts and the brand of fast-paced action-comedy that made Jackie Chan a global star.
CineAsia presents Vanguard in Selected Cinemas and On Demand 8th January and Blu-ray & DVD 11th January 2021
When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s famous Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by Chan) is sent to the rescue, taking them on a wildly ambitious mission all over the world. The adventure takes them from the rivers of Africa, to a heavily guarded fort in India, and an exhilarating car chase in Dubai, all the while unravelling a global conspiracy
“Vanguard” boasts stunning action choreography, amazing stunts and the brand of fast-paced action-comedy that made Jackie Chan a global star.
- 12/18/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Despite new lockdown rules and a very different type of Christmas on the horizon, luckily we have a whole host of new films to look forward to in 2021.
In January, we can strap in for the UK release of Jackie Chan’s crazy and action-packed Vanguard, scheduled for selected cinemas (subject to local lockdown restrictions) and hitting on demand streaming platforms from 8th January, before getting a physical release on Blu-ray & DVD from 11th January, courtesy of CineAsia.
Marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed Hong Kong director Stanley Tong and action legend Jackie Chan, Vanguard is a wild globetrotting adventure and a throwback to the days of gloriously over-the-top, 1980’s style action cinema, and it may be just the kind of popcorn entertainment we need right now.
When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by...
In January, we can strap in for the UK release of Jackie Chan’s crazy and action-packed Vanguard, scheduled for selected cinemas (subject to local lockdown restrictions) and hitting on demand streaming platforms from 8th January, before getting a physical release on Blu-ray & DVD from 11th January, courtesy of CineAsia.
Marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed Hong Kong director Stanley Tong and action legend Jackie Chan, Vanguard is a wild globetrotting adventure and a throwback to the days of gloriously over-the-top, 1980’s style action cinema, and it may be just the kind of popcorn entertainment we need right now.
When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by...
- 12/16/2020
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
There aren’t any huge surprises in the specialty box office as we enter what is expected to be a very different Thanksgiving holiday week. Normally, this would be the time of year where people would be participating in post-Thanksgiving dinner moviegoing. But, as we know, theaters are shuttered. As the spike in Covid cases across the country continue, box office numbers won’t be seeing much action, as lockdowns and stay-at-home orders impact numbers.
As Anthony D’Alessandro reported, Sony’s WWII art forgery drama The Last Vermeer, starring Guy Pearce, opened in 912 theaters and is expected to earn an estimated $225,000 for the weekend, with a per-theater average of $247.
The Gravitas action pic Vanguard debuted in 1,375 theaters. The movie marked a reunion between martial arts icon Jackie Chan and director Stanley Tong, and earned an estimated $400,000 in its first weekend out.
Again, these numbers aren’t the greatest. But looking...
As Anthony D’Alessandro reported, Sony’s WWII art forgery drama The Last Vermeer, starring Guy Pearce, opened in 912 theaters and is expected to earn an estimated $225,000 for the weekend, with a per-theater average of $247.
The Gravitas action pic Vanguard debuted in 1,375 theaters. The movie marked a reunion between martial arts icon Jackie Chan and director Stanley Tong, and earned an estimated $400,000 in its first weekend out.
Again, these numbers aren’t the greatest. But looking...
- 11/22/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The weekend before Thanksgiving is one of the most desired release dates. It’s been home to entries in the Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games franchises; in 2019, “Frozen II” opened to $130 million. This year, weekend grosses won’t pass $7 million and only “Freaky” made more than $1 million.
These numbers cap a week of bad-to-worse news for theaters. Announcements from Universal codifed its Premium VOD plans, which suggest that the new maximum window, likely adapted by other distributors, is five weekends after opening. Warner Bros. placed “Wonder Woman 1984” on HBO Max for 30 days, along with theaters that want to play it.
With elevated government restrictions and Covid-19 cases that seem to hit new highs on a daily basis, 2,800 theaters were open this weekend. That’s down from 3,400 last weekend, and about half of the possible locations.
The average gross per complex, with 60 percent of these having eight or more screens,...
These numbers cap a week of bad-to-worse news for theaters. Announcements from Universal codifed its Premium VOD plans, which suggest that the new maximum window, likely adapted by other distributors, is five weekends after opening. Warner Bros. placed “Wonder Woman 1984” on HBO Max for 30 days, along with theaters that want to play it.
With elevated government restrictions and Covid-19 cases that seem to hit new highs on a daily basis, 2,800 theaters were open this weekend. That’s down from 3,400 last weekend, and about half of the possible locations.
The average gross per complex, with 60 percent of these having eight or more screens,...
- 11/22/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Sunday Am Update: The weekend before Thanksgiving is one of the most lucrative ones on the calendar, last year bringing in $204.9M off the opening of Disney’s Frozen II, which posted November’s fifth-best domestic opening of all-time at $130.3M.
Who would ever think that the domestic box office would sink to such an atrocious level as this weekend? If last weekend brought in $10M for all titles with California theaters and other markets like Illinois open, this weekend is surely the lowest weekend for exhibition since theaters reopened back in September for Tenet, with an estimated $6.5M, a 35% drop.
At that level, how can a circuit like AMC, which has an estimated weekly burn rate of $25M, stay open? It’s hard times, as many theaters coast to coast were closed because of local safety ordinances or curfews.
There was only one wide release this past weekend, Jackie Chan’s Vanguard,...
Who would ever think that the domestic box office would sink to such an atrocious level as this weekend? If last weekend brought in $10M for all titles with California theaters and other markets like Illinois open, this weekend is surely the lowest weekend for exhibition since theaters reopened back in September for Tenet, with an estimated $6.5M, a 35% drop.
At that level, how can a circuit like AMC, which has an estimated weekly burn rate of $25M, stay open? It’s hard times, as many theaters coast to coast were closed because of local safety ordinances or curfews.
There was only one wide release this past weekend, Jackie Chan’s Vanguard,...
- 11/22/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
If last week was a big one for Netflix (what with “Mank” and “Hillbilly Elegy” out in theaters), then this one belongs to Amazon, who have a pair of big projects launching via their Prime Video subscription service. The first is “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen’s anthology “Small Axe,” an epic and altogether unconventional series that doesn’t fit neatly into the “film” or “TV” categories: McQueen has made five features, all set in London’s immigrant West Indian community, dealing with aspects of cultural identify, racism and community. Of the three entries I’ve seen, this week’s entry, “Mangrove,” is the strongest — and a great way to kick off the cycle, with a courtroom drama for those who felt Netflix’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” didn’t give adequate time to Bobby Seale.
Amazon also launches “The Sound of Metal,” a drama about...
Amazon also launches “The Sound of Metal,” a drama about...
- 11/21/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Few stars have worked harder to give audiences pleasure over a long haul than Jackie Chan. But lately, his screen appearances have been those of the elder statesman still trotted out to nominally preside over expensive but flavorless official diplomatic functions you doubt even he relishes. The newest case in point reunites him with director Stanley Tong, a sporadic collaborator since “Supercop” nearly three decades ago.
That movie was inspired escapism. “Vanguard” is just the clock-punching variety, big, flashy and generic in all save its silliest excesses. Like several other recent mainland China megaproductions, this action spectacular seems hellbent on containing every possible marketable genre element, with no concern for whether they cohere or cancel one another out.
Delayed from a planned January home-turf launch as one of the first Covid release casualties, it proved a notable box-office disappointment upon finally opening Sept. 30. Gravitas Ventures’ release to 1,500-plus U.S.
That movie was inspired escapism. “Vanguard” is just the clock-punching variety, big, flashy and generic in all save its silliest excesses. Like several other recent mainland China megaproductions, this action spectacular seems hellbent on containing every possible marketable genre element, with no concern for whether they cohere or cancel one another out.
Delayed from a planned January home-turf launch as one of the first Covid release casualties, it proved a notable box-office disappointment upon finally opening Sept. 30. Gravitas Ventures’ release to 1,500-plus U.S.
- 11/20/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
If nothing else, director Stanley Tong and martial arts superstar Jackie Chan’s latest effort, Vanguard, proves the law of diminishing returns. Not too long ago a Chan film guaranteed an entertaining time at the movies and heaps of awe at what the human body could endure. Now? Not so much.
With the 66-year-old Chan handing off the heavy stunt lifting to younger, spryer actors, the fundamentally weak scripts of action gems like Police Story, Rumble in the Bronx or even Rush Hour become glaringly obvious — and difficult to tolerate without Chan’s brand of kung fu wizardry to distract. Nonetheless Gravitas is banking on ...
With the 66-year-old Chan handing off the heavy stunt lifting to younger, spryer actors, the fundamentally weak scripts of action gems like Police Story, Rumble in the Bronx or even Rush Hour become glaringly obvious — and difficult to tolerate without Chan’s brand of kung fu wizardry to distract. Nonetheless Gravitas is banking on ...
- 11/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
If nothing else, director Stanley Tong and martial arts superstar Jackie Chan’s latest effort, Vanguard, proves the law of diminishing returns. Not too long ago a Chan film guaranteed an entertaining time at the movies and heaps of awe at what the human body could endure. Now? Not so much.
With the 66-year-old Chan handing off the heavy stunt lifting to younger, spryer actors, the fundamentally weak scripts of action gems like Police Story, Rumble in the Bronx or even Rush Hour become glaringly obvious — and difficult to tolerate without Chan’s brand of kung fu wizardry to distract. Nonetheless Gravitas is banking on ...
With the 66-year-old Chan handing off the heavy stunt lifting to younger, spryer actors, the fundamentally weak scripts of action gems like Police Story, Rumble in the Bronx or even Rush Hour become glaringly obvious — and difficult to tolerate without Chan’s brand of kung fu wizardry to distract. Nonetheless Gravitas is banking on ...
- 11/18/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
At 66 years of age, Jackie Chan is still leading action blockbusters and his latest reteams him with longtime collaborator Stanley Tong. Vanguard, their ninth collaboration together, is now set for a release later this month and finds the duo jumping from London to Dubai to Zambia to India to China.
Also starring Yang Yang, Ai Lun, Mu Qimiya, Xu Ruohan, and Zhu Zhengting, the film follows a covert security company Vanguard who is the last hope of survival for an accountant after he is targeted by the world’s deadliest mercenary organization. Ahead of a November 20 release in theaters from Gravitas Ventures, the new trailer and poster have arrived.
“My latest action movie Vanguard is coming out on Nov. 20 in the cinema. We filmed in 9 cities across 5 countries, London, Dubai, Zambia, India, and China. We’ve experienced so much during this production. Each time I work with Jackie, we are...
Also starring Yang Yang, Ai Lun, Mu Qimiya, Xu Ruohan, and Zhu Zhengting, the film follows a covert security company Vanguard who is the last hope of survival for an accountant after he is targeted by the world’s deadliest mercenary organization. Ahead of a November 20 release in theaters from Gravitas Ventures, the new trailer and poster have arrived.
“My latest action movie Vanguard is coming out on Nov. 20 in the cinema. We filmed in 9 cities across 5 countries, London, Dubai, Zambia, India, and China. We’ve experienced so much during this production. Each time I work with Jackie, we are...
- 11/4/2020
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
"The enemy has moved in." Gravitas has released a new US trailer for the crazy cool action film Vanguard, starring Jackie Chan - who is still making action films despite announcing he would retire. This time he re-teams with the Hk director of his classic action films Supercop, Supercop 2, Rumble in the Bronx, and First Strike - Stanley Tong. An accountant is threatened by the world's deadliest mercenary organization and Covert security company Vanguard is the last hope of survival for him. Of course. This is basically a Michael Bay film made by a Hong Kong director instead. Also starring Yang Yang, Miya Muqi, Lun Ai, Ruohan Xu, and Zhengting Zhu. As brainless as this movie will be, I must admit it looks like a massive amount of explosive action fun - with drones and lions and gatling guns and more. Might be worth a watch. Here's the new...
- 10/30/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
This afternoon brings word that Gravitas Ventures will distribute Jackie Chan’s latest film, Vanguard, in North America this November. If you’re feeling the itch for an action-packed movie this Fall, Vanguard has you covered. Jackie Chan and director Stanley Tong have teamed up once again (for the ninth time). The duo have previously delivered on […]
The post Gravitas Ventures Picks Up Jackie Chan’s Latest Action Film appeared first on Cinelinx | Movies. Games. Geek Culture..
The post Gravitas Ventures Picks Up Jackie Chan’s Latest Action Film appeared first on Cinelinx | Movies. Games. Geek Culture..
- 10/13/2020
- by Jordan Maison
- Cinelinx
Film to screen in theatres, drive-ins, and Imax.
Gravitas Ventures has picked up North American rights to Jackie Chan action thriller Vanguard and has set a November theatrical release.
Director Stanley Tong and Chan make their ninth collaboration on the globe-trotting action tale that filmed in London, Dubai, Zambia, China, and India.
Vanguard centres on a covert security company that is the last hope of survival for an accountant after he is targeted by the world’s deadliest mercenaries.
Yang Yang, Ai Lun, Mu Qimiya, Xu Ruohan and Zhu Zhengting also star.
Gravitas Ventures plans a wide theatrical release in...
Gravitas Ventures has picked up North American rights to Jackie Chan action thriller Vanguard and has set a November theatrical release.
Director Stanley Tong and Chan make their ninth collaboration on the globe-trotting action tale that filmed in London, Dubai, Zambia, China, and India.
Vanguard centres on a covert security company that is the last hope of survival for an accountant after he is targeted by the world’s deadliest mercenaries.
Yang Yang, Ai Lun, Mu Qimiya, Xu Ruohan and Zhu Zhengting also star.
Gravitas Ventures plans a wide theatrical release in...
- 10/13/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Word has reached the bullpen that Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has secured the North American rights to Stanley Tong and Jackie Chan's action film, Vanguard. Furthermore, the studio is also planning a wide theatrical release of the film in the U.S. and Canada including drive-ins and IMAX theaters on November 20, 2020. Take that, coronavirus outbreak! That'll teach you…...
- 10/13/2020
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
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