Mediawan Rights has boarded “Kabul,” a highly anticipated thriller series produced by France’s 24 25 Films and Cinétévé.
Shervin Alenabi (“Tehran”) and “Euphoria’s” Eric Dane (in a small role) have joined the international cast of the show, which already comprises Jonathan Zaccaï (“Le bureau des legendes”), Thibault Evrard (“The Night of the 12th”), Vassilis Kukalawi (“Kandahar”), Jeanne Goursaud (“Pax Massilia”), Gianmarco Saurino (“L’estate piu Calda”) and Valentina Cervi (“Medici: Masters of Florence”).
The series, set against the backdrop of U.S. troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and Taliban’s sweep to power, just started filming on April 1. Mediawan Rights will introduce the gripping series project to international buyers at upcoming markets, and is handling worldwide distribution with the participation of Entourage.
“Kabul” explores the chaotic evacuation of various characters, from diplomats to soldiers to civilians, who desperately seek refuge and solidarity in a country in crisis, with the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul.
Shervin Alenabi (“Tehran”) and “Euphoria’s” Eric Dane (in a small role) have joined the international cast of the show, which already comprises Jonathan Zaccaï (“Le bureau des legendes”), Thibault Evrard (“The Night of the 12th”), Vassilis Kukalawi (“Kandahar”), Jeanne Goursaud (“Pax Massilia”), Gianmarco Saurino (“L’estate piu Calda”) and Valentina Cervi (“Medici: Masters of Florence”).
The series, set against the backdrop of U.S. troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and Taliban’s sweep to power, just started filming on April 1. Mediawan Rights will introduce the gripping series project to international buyers at upcoming markets, and is handling worldwide distribution with the participation of Entourage.
“Kabul” explores the chaotic evacuation of various characters, from diplomats to soldiers to civilians, who desperately seek refuge and solidarity in a country in crisis, with the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul.
- 4/4/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based company 2425 Films, recently acquired by Mediawan, is working with a pool of rising filmmakers on timely movies, including Charly Delwart’s “1,5 degré,” Ilan Duran Cohen’s “Le coup d’apres” and Thomas Kruithof’s “Les Braises.”
2425 Films, founded by Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber, has been thriving with smart, high-concept commercial movies, such as Yann Gozlan’s “La boite noire” and “An Ideal Man,” as well as the thriller “Burn Out.” The company also presented Gozlan’s latest film, “Visions,” a thriller starring Diane Kruger (co-produced by Eagle Team Entetainment) at this year’s Angouleme Film Festival.
Duran Cohen’s “Le coup d’apres” is a film set in the world of French politics, with a duo of French stars, Marina Fois and Laurent Laffite, who previously co-starred in “Papa ou Maman,” a French hit comedy franchise. Laffite, who also stars in Netflix’s limited series “Tapie,” plays...
2425 Films, founded by Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber, has been thriving with smart, high-concept commercial movies, such as Yann Gozlan’s “La boite noire” and “An Ideal Man,” as well as the thriller “Burn Out.” The company also presented Gozlan’s latest film, “Visions,” a thriller starring Diane Kruger (co-produced by Eagle Team Entetainment) at this year’s Angouleme Film Festival.
Duran Cohen’s “Le coup d’apres” is a film set in the world of French politics, with a duo of French stars, Marina Fois and Laurent Laffite, who previously co-starred in “Papa ou Maman,” a French hit comedy franchise. Laffite, who also stars in Netflix’s limited series “Tapie,” plays...
- 11/1/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Burgeoning Paris-based film and TV content group Mediawan has acquired a majority stake in French production company 24 25 Films.
Led by co-founding producers Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber, the company has a proven track record in producing mainstream box office hits in France.
Successes include Yann Gozlan’s 2021 Pierre Niney-starring mystery thriller Black Box, which grossed $9.4 million at the French box office, as well as the director’s previous film A Perfect Man.
Further productions include Thomas Kruithof’s political drama Promises as well as the award-winning comedy In The Game by Robin Sykes.
Its new action-comedy Cash by Jérémie Rozan, starring Raphaël Quenard, Agathe Rousselle and Igor Gotesman, has been in the number one slot on Netflix in France, since its launch on the platform on July 6.
24 25 Films joins a growing number of successful cinema-skewed companies operating under the Mediawan banner including Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Brad Pitt’s Plan B,...
Led by co-founding producers Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber, the company has a proven track record in producing mainstream box office hits in France.
Successes include Yann Gozlan’s 2021 Pierre Niney-starring mystery thriller Black Box, which grossed $9.4 million at the French box office, as well as the director’s previous film A Perfect Man.
Further productions include Thomas Kruithof’s political drama Promises as well as the award-winning comedy In The Game by Robin Sykes.
Its new action-comedy Cash by Jérémie Rozan, starring Raphaël Quenard, Agathe Rousselle and Igor Gotesman, has been in the number one slot on Netflix in France, since its launch on the platform on July 6.
24 25 Films joins a growing number of successful cinema-skewed companies operating under the Mediawan banner including Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Brad Pitt’s Plan B,...
- 7/12/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The prolific Paris-based producers are behind a slew of successful features including Thomas Kruithof’s Promises with Isabelle Huppert.
European production powerhouse Mediawan has taken a majority stake in Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber’s 24 25 films.
The prolific Paris-based producers are behind a slew of successful features including Yann Gozlan’s Cesar-nominated Black Box, Thomas Kruithof’s Promises with Isabelle Huppert and most recently Jeremie Rozan’s action comedy Gold Brick (Cash) that has been the number 1 film on Netflix in France since its release on the streamer on July 6 and is currently in the Global non-English language top...
European production powerhouse Mediawan has taken a majority stake in Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber’s 24 25 films.
The prolific Paris-based producers are behind a slew of successful features including Yann Gozlan’s Cesar-nominated Black Box, Thomas Kruithof’s Promises with Isabelle Huppert and most recently Jeremie Rozan’s action comedy Gold Brick (Cash) that has been the number 1 film on Netflix in France since its release on the streamer on July 6 and is currently in the Global non-English language top...
- 7/12/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
A film about politics with a title like “Promises” all but comes with a get-out clause for failing to deliver on early hopes. And so it is with French director Thomas Kruithof’s lackluster second feature, which tries to pass gesturing vaguely at social ideas off as storytelling. This is all the more disappointing as early scenes suggest a sober, grown-up drama about migrant tenants at a neglected Parisian housing project run by exploitative landlords (referred to as “slumlords”) and Mayor Clemence (none other than Isabelle Huppert), who wants to help the tenants to secure a 63 million subsidy before she retires after two terms and 12 years in the job.
Continue reading ‘Promises’ With Isabelle Huppert Is A Lackluster Political Drama [Venice Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Promises’ With Isabelle Huppert Is A Lackluster Political Drama [Venice Review] at The Playlist.
- 9/3/2021
- by Sophie Monks Kaufman
- The Playlist
At the outset of “Promises,” protagonist Clémence Collombet is not an obvious fit for the talents of its leading lady. A former doctor turned mayor of an impoverished town on the outskirts of Paris, now reaching the end of her political career, she’s a decent, conscientious woman who has done a respectable job in office, but doesn’t seem blessed with great ambition or imagination.
If only because of who is playing her, however, we anticipate some additional layer of human complexity or complication to emerge in this merely respectable woman, and eventually we (and she) are rewarded. When Clémence receives an out-of-the-blue offer to become a government minister, her selfless principles are shed and her conscience suddenly plagued faster than you can say “Isabelle Huppert”; only then does writer-director Thomas Kruithof’s measured political drama begin to get going.
Even once it gets its heroine a bit dirty,...
If only because of who is playing her, however, we anticipate some additional layer of human complexity or complication to emerge in this merely respectable woman, and eventually we (and she) are rewarded. When Clémence receives an out-of-the-blue offer to become a government minister, her selfless principles are shed and her conscience suddenly plagued faster than you can say “Isabelle Huppert”; only then does writer-director Thomas Kruithof’s measured political drama begin to get going.
Even once it gets its heroine a bit dirty,...
- 9/2/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Official Competition
Stars Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz
Directors Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
Sales Protagonist Pictures
The Buzz This Spanish-language comedy imagines Cruz and Banderas as a world-famous director and a Hollywood star, respectively, who are brought together by a billionaire businessman to make his vanity project. The appeal of Spain’s two biggest stars together onscreen for an entire film (their only joint screen time to date was the blink-and-you-miss-it opening shot in Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited) should bring buyers running.
Promises
Star Isabelle Huppert
Director Thomas Kruithof
Sales Elle Driver
The Buzz Huppert stars as a fearless and ambitious mayor of a town outside Paris in this French political ...
Stars Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz
Directors Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
Sales Protagonist Pictures
The Buzz This Spanish-language comedy imagines Cruz and Banderas as a world-famous director and a Hollywood star, respectively, who are brought together by a billionaire businessman to make his vanity project. The appeal of Spain’s two biggest stars together onscreen for an entire film (their only joint screen time to date was the blink-and-you-miss-it opening shot in Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited) should bring buyers running.
Promises
Star Isabelle Huppert
Director Thomas Kruithof
Sales Elle Driver
The Buzz Huppert stars as a fearless and ambitious mayor of a town outside Paris in this French political ...
Official Competition
Stars Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz
Directors Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
Sales Protagonist Pictures
The Buzz This Spanish-language comedy imagines Cruz and Banderas as a world-famous director and a Hollywood star, respectively, who are brought together by a billionaire businessman to make his vanity project. The appeal of Spain’s two biggest stars together onscreen for an entire film (their only joint screen time to date was the blink-and-you-miss-it opening shot in Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited) should bring buyers running.
Promises
Star Isabelle Huppert
Director Thomas Kruithof
Sales Elle Driver
The Buzz Huppert stars as a fearless and ambitious mayor of a town outside Paris in this French political ...
Stars Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz
Directors Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
Sales Protagonist Pictures
The Buzz This Spanish-language comedy imagines Cruz and Banderas as a world-famous director and a Hollywood star, respectively, who are brought together by a billionaire businessman to make his vanity project. The appeal of Spain’s two biggest stars together onscreen for an entire film (their only joint screen time to date was the blink-and-you-miss-it opening shot in Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited) should bring buyers running.
Promises
Star Isabelle Huppert
Director Thomas Kruithof
Sales Elle Driver
The Buzz Huppert stars as a fearless and ambitious mayor of a town outside Paris in this French political ...
Broken is the Golden Bowl: Kruithof Rips at the Red Tape in Character Driven Political Drama
It’s not so much politics as usual in Les promesses, the sophomore film from director Thomas Kruithof, whose 2016 debut The Eavesdropper tackled more ominous and clandestine angles of a similar realm. A sobering melodrama about ripple effects activated by maneuvering between government and city officials who lean surreptitiously into selfishness rather than civil duty, as its title indicates, promises are merely placeholders for inevitable disappointment and dismay. Recruiting the imperious Isabelle Huppert to star as a suburban Mayor at the end of her second term, and wooed by dangling carrots of her own, Kruithof surprises with his ability to channel warmth through both an actor and a subject matter most closely associated with iciness and rigidity.…...
It’s not so much politics as usual in Les promesses, the sophomore film from director Thomas Kruithof, whose 2016 debut The Eavesdropper tackled more ominous and clandestine angles of a similar realm. A sobering melodrama about ripple effects activated by maneuvering between government and city officials who lean surreptitiously into selfishness rather than civil duty, as its title indicates, promises are merely placeholders for inevitable disappointment and dismay. Recruiting the imperious Isabelle Huppert to star as a suburban Mayor at the end of her second term, and wooed by dangling carrots of her own, Kruithof surprises with his ability to channel warmth through both an actor and a subject matter most closely associated with iciness and rigidity.…...
- 9/1/2021
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Thomas Kruithof’s Promises (Les Promesses) tells the winding tales, or perhaps rather, the trials and tribulations of a mayor facing a political dilemma. Isabelle Huppert stars as Clémence - a valiant mayor who is reaching the end of her term in office. Kruithof’s feature is a fresh look and examination of the problems and hardships of employees within the political sector - although the political portrait fails to feature a sufficiently tangible background to support the socio-political layers in focus.
Clémence plans to stand down from politics and with no intention of standing for re-election she is in the process of preparing a young and upcoming candidate (Naidra Ayadi), and finalising her paperwork, duties, for a swift and silent exit. When it comes to light that an apartment complex is close to collapse, and an opportunity for Clémence to step up as minister arrives at her feet - she must.
Clémence plans to stand down from politics and with no intention of standing for re-election she is in the process of preparing a young and upcoming candidate (Naidra Ayadi), and finalising her paperwork, duties, for a swift and silent exit. When it comes to light that an apartment complex is close to collapse, and an opportunity for Clémence to step up as minister arrives at her feet - she must.
- 8/31/2021
- by Stephanie Brown
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The programme for the 2021 Venice Film Festival has been unveiled, and includes new films from Pedro Almodóvar, Jane Campion, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michelangelo Frammartino, Pablo Larraín, Paul Schrader, Ridley Scott, and more.Parallel MothersCOMPETITIONParallel Mothers (Pedro Almodóvar)Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (Ana Lily Amirpour)Un Autre Monde (Stephane Brize)The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion)America LatinaL’Evenement (Audrey Diwan)Official CompetitionThe Hole (Michelangelo Frammartino)Sundown (Michel Franco)Lost Illusions (Xavier Giannoli)The Lost Daughter (Maggie Gyllenhaal)Spencer (Pablo Larrain)Freaks Out (Gabriele Mainetti)Qui Rido Io (Mario Martone)On The Job: The Missing 8 (Erik Matti)Leave No Traces (Jan P. Matuszyński)Captain Volkonogov EscapedThe Card Counter (Paul Schrader)The Hand of God (Paolo Sorrentino)Reflection (Valentyn Vasyanovych)The Box (Lorenzo Vigas)Out Of COMPETITIONFeaturesDune (Denis Villeneuve)Il Bambino Nascosto (Roberto Andò)Les Choses Humaines (Yvan Attal)Ariaferma (Leonardo Di Costanzo)Halloween Kills (David Gordon Green...
- 8/3/2021
- MUBI
Taking place September 1 through 11, the Venice Film Festival has now unveiled its lineup, after a few teases of what it contains (the opening night selection of Madres Paralelas by Pedro Almodovar and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune). Among the selections are Jane Campion’s The Power of a Dog, Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter, Pablo Larrain’s Spencer, Ana Lily Amirpour’s Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon.
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter, Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God, and Edgar Wright’s The Last Night in Soho will premiere there, along with new shorts by Radu Jude and Tsai Ming-liang.
Check out the line below for the festival that will feature 50% capacity at screenings.
Venezia 78 – Competition
Madres Paralelas, dir: Pedro Almodovar
Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon, dir: Ana Lily Amirpour
Un Autre Monde, dir: Stéphane Brizé
The Power Of The Dog,...
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut The Lost Daughter, Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God, and Edgar Wright’s The Last Night in Soho will premiere there, along with new shorts by Radu Jude and Tsai Ming-liang.
Check out the line below for the festival that will feature 50% capacity at screenings.
Venezia 78 – Competition
Madres Paralelas, dir: Pedro Almodovar
Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon, dir: Ana Lily Amirpour
Un Autre Monde, dir: Stéphane Brizé
The Power Of The Dog,...
- 7/26/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The 2021 Cannes Film Festival brought the international film circuit back to life in roaring fashion earlier this month (French filmmaker Julia Ducournau became the second woman director to win the Palme d’Or thanks to Neon release “Titane”), and next up are the trio of major fall film festivals in September: the Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival. Venice is first out of the gate by launching its 78th edition Wednesday, September 1. The lineup for Venice 2021 has now been revealed.
As previously announced, Pedro Almodóvar will kick off the 2021 Venice Film Festival with the world premiere of his new drama “Parallel Mothers.” The film will debut in competition and vie for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion. “Parallel Mothers” is written and directed by Almodóvar, and stars both regular and new collaborators, including Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Julieta Serrano,...
As previously announced, Pedro Almodóvar will kick off the 2021 Venice Film Festival with the world premiere of his new drama “Parallel Mothers.” The film will debut in competition and vie for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion. “Parallel Mothers” is written and directed by Almodóvar, and stars both regular and new collaborators, including Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Julieta Serrano,...
- 7/26/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The Venice film festival runs September 1-11.
The line-up for the 78th Venice Film Festival (September 1-11) is being unveiled this morning at around 11:00 Cest (10:00 BST) by festival president Roberto Cicutto and artistic director Alberto Barbera.
The press conference will be live-streamed here below, and the story will be updated with the films as they are announced.
As previously announced, Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers will open the festival in competition. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will also have its world premiere at the festival out of competition on September 3.
Bong Joon Ho will preside over the competition jury that also includes Chloé Zhao,...
The line-up for the 78th Venice Film Festival (September 1-11) is being unveiled this morning at around 11:00 Cest (10:00 BST) by festival president Roberto Cicutto and artistic director Alberto Barbera.
The press conference will be live-streamed here below, and the story will be updated with the films as they are announced.
As previously announced, Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers will open the festival in competition. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will also have its world premiere at the festival out of competition on September 3.
Bong Joon Ho will preside over the competition jury that also includes Chloé Zhao,...
- 7/26/2021
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
’Beautiful Minds’ is inspired by the real-life experiences of co-director Alexandre Jollien who was born with cerebral palsy but overcame his disabilities to study philosophy
Elle Driver has launched sales on Bernard Campan and Alexandre Jollien’s pioneering French comedy-drama Beautiful Minds, about a workaholic funeral director and a solitary vegetable delivery man and philosopher born with cerebral palsy, who embark on a road trip in a hearse.
It is inspired by the real-life experiences of Jollien who was born with cerebral palsy but overcame his disabilities to study philosophy and become became a major thinker and spiritual teacher, who has written several best-selling books.
Elle Driver has launched sales on Bernard Campan and Alexandre Jollien’s pioneering French comedy-drama Beautiful Minds, about a workaholic funeral director and a solitary vegetable delivery man and philosopher born with cerebral palsy, who embark on a road trip in a hearse.
It is inspired by the real-life experiences of Jollien who was born with cerebral palsy but overcame his disabilities to study philosophy and become became a major thinker and spiritual teacher, who has written several best-selling books.
- 3/3/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Reda Kateb and Naidra Ayadi also star in the cast of Thomas Kruithof’s second feature film, which is produced by 24 25 Films and sold by Elle Driver. Thomas Kruithof has kicked off filming in the Paris region on his second full-length work: Promises. Discovered via The Eavesdropper (2017), the filmmaker has drawn together a cast composed of Isabelle Huppert (recently well-received in Mama Weed and whom we’ll be seeing next year in Joan and Caravaggio’s Shadow), Reda Kateb and Naidra Ayadi (crowned Best Female New Hope at the 2012 Césars thanks to Poliss; likewise drawing attention in the series Black Spot). Written by Thomas Kruithof and Jean-Baptiste Delafon (of the series Baron...
- 11/26/2020
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
Its murky world of surveillance casts a pall over this French drama
Shades of The Conversation and The Lives of Others colour this French thriller from Thomas Kruithof, about a man (François Cluzet) who is offered a job transcribing surveillance recordings. The ominous chill of the sound design and decent work from an impressive cast help to create an atmosphere that sucks the very oxygen from the cinema as the tension mounts. Unfortunately, too many layers of convoluted double-crossing, and motives as murky as the grim production design, rob the film of a satisfying sign-off.
Continue reading...
Shades of The Conversation and The Lives of Others colour this French thriller from Thomas Kruithof, about a man (François Cluzet) who is offered a job transcribing surveillance recordings. The ominous chill of the sound design and decent work from an impressive cast help to create an atmosphere that sucks the very oxygen from the cinema as the tension mounts. Unfortunately, too many layers of convoluted double-crossing, and motives as murky as the grim production design, rob the film of a satisfying sign-off.
Continue reading...
- 7/23/2017
- by Wendy Ide
- The Guardian - Film News
MaryAnn’s quick take… This would-be faux-70s paranoid thriller piles on too-obvious intrigue and embarrassing clichés, and lacks suspense, thrills, and a protagonist to care about. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Unemployed accountant Duval (François Cluzet) takes a mysterious job with mysterious Clément (Denis Podalydès) that comes about after a mysterious late-night phone call and a mysterious Saturday-morning job interview (in a completely unmysteriously deserted Parisian business district, because it’s the weekend, but there’s nothing odd about that, nosirree). The job — transcribing recordings of conversations from tapped phones — comes with mysterious strict instructions about confidentiality and secrecy and mysteriously bizarre instructions about (among other things) the appropriate timing of the opening and closing of the blinds in the near-empty apartment he’ll be working in.
Such mysterious. Many intrigue.
Scribe piles on too-obvious intrigue,...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Unemployed accountant Duval (François Cluzet) takes a mysterious job with mysterious Clément (Denis Podalydès) that comes about after a mysterious late-night phone call and a mysterious Saturday-morning job interview (in a completely unmysteriously deserted Parisian business district, because it’s the weekend, but there’s nothing odd about that, nosirree). The job — transcribing recordings of conversations from tapped phones — comes with mysterious strict instructions about confidentiality and secrecy and mysteriously bizarre instructions about (among other things) the appropriate timing of the opening and closing of the blinds in the near-empty apartment he’ll be working in.
Such mysterious. Many intrigue.
Scribe piles on too-obvious intrigue,...
- 7/21/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
François Cluzet is hired by a sinister security firm in Thomas Kruithof’s atmospheric debut, which takes its cue from the 70s classics
François Cluzet stars in this initially intriguing conspiracy thriller from first-time feature director Thomas Kruithof, a movie about the French far-right with the underlying paranoia of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation or Von Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others. But inexorably, and perhaps inevitably, the movie can’t build on its atmospheric setup, and the neurosis becomes a pose. Cluzet plays the conscientious Duval, a man with a drinking problem who has been out of work since a breakdown two years ago. Out of the blue, he is recruited to work for a shadowy private security firm and employed to sit in a rented room all day, transcribing audiotapes of tapped phone conversations – using an old-fashioned typewriter because computers are not secure enough. Soon Duval realises...
François Cluzet stars in this initially intriguing conspiracy thriller from first-time feature director Thomas Kruithof, a movie about the French far-right with the underlying paranoia of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation or Von Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others. But inexorably, and perhaps inevitably, the movie can’t build on its atmospheric setup, and the neurosis becomes a pose. Cluzet plays the conscientious Duval, a man with a drinking problem who has been out of work since a breakdown two years ago. Out of the blue, he is recruited to work for a shadowy private security firm and employed to sit in a rented room all day, transcribing audiotapes of tapped phone conversations – using an old-fashioned typewriter because computers are not secure enough. Soon Duval realises...
- 7/21/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Author: Competitions
To mark the release of Scribe on 21st July, we’ve been given a bundle of French thrillers and TV series to give away. The bundle includes The Bureau Season 1, The Bureau Season 2, State Affairs, Braquo season 1, Jo Season one, Love Crime, and Witnesses season 1
From first time feature director Thomas Kruithof, Scribe stars François Cluzet (Untouchable, Tell No One, Little White Lies) as the middle aged and financially struggling man who is looking for work two years after suffering a burn-out. He gets hired by a mysterious employer to transcribe phone tapped conversations, which propels him into the heart of a large-scale political plot and gets him trapped in the French secret services underworld.
A paranoid thriller in the spirit of ’70s pics such as Marathon Man and The Conversation, Scribe was originally inspired by the 1983-1984 Lebanon hostage crisis, in which three French people were kidnapped...
To mark the release of Scribe on 21st July, we’ve been given a bundle of French thrillers and TV series to give away. The bundle includes The Bureau Season 1, The Bureau Season 2, State Affairs, Braquo season 1, Jo Season one, Love Crime, and Witnesses season 1
From first time feature director Thomas Kruithof, Scribe stars François Cluzet (Untouchable, Tell No One, Little White Lies) as the middle aged and financially struggling man who is looking for work two years after suffering a burn-out. He gets hired by a mysterious employer to transcribe phone tapped conversations, which propels him into the heart of a large-scale political plot and gets him trapped in the French secret services underworld.
A paranoid thriller in the spirit of ’70s pics such as Marathon Man and The Conversation, Scribe was originally inspired by the 1983-1984 Lebanon hostage crisis, in which three French people were kidnapped...
- 7/19/2017
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Author: Daniel Goodwin
Writer/director Thomas Kruithof’s French, forceful debut feature recalls classic conspiracy thrillers such as The Parallax View, All The Presidents Men and Marathon Man, while standing matchless amongst its predecessors due to inherent timeless qualities; stark realism, bleak cinematography and an ability to efficiently subvert/meld several sub-genre styles and components. Mostly resembling Coppola’s The Conversation due to the nature of protagonist Duval (comfortably alone, introvert), similar to Gene Hackman’s Harry Caul, along with his comparable occupation and the central story of a Government surveyor/transcriber in over his head. Scribe also incorporates traits from 90s political thrillers with conspiratorial sub-plots about corrupt officials with ulterior motives. Meanwhile the subtle suggestion of grittier, higher octane latter Bond and Bourne films slightly informs its style, augmented by a lo/sci-fi edge and embellished by the score.
François Cluzet plays Duval, a recovering alcoholic, ex-office clerk,...
Writer/director Thomas Kruithof’s French, forceful debut feature recalls classic conspiracy thrillers such as The Parallax View, All The Presidents Men and Marathon Man, while standing matchless amongst its predecessors due to inherent timeless qualities; stark realism, bleak cinematography and an ability to efficiently subvert/meld several sub-genre styles and components. Mostly resembling Coppola’s The Conversation due to the nature of protagonist Duval (comfortably alone, introvert), similar to Gene Hackman’s Harry Caul, along with his comparable occupation and the central story of a Government surveyor/transcriber in over his head. Scribe also incorporates traits from 90s political thrillers with conspiratorial sub-plots about corrupt officials with ulterior motives. Meanwhile the subtle suggestion of grittier, higher octane latter Bond and Bourne films slightly informs its style, augmented by a lo/sci-fi edge and embellished by the score.
François Cluzet plays Duval, a recovering alcoholic, ex-office clerk,...
- 7/18/2017
- by Daniel Goodwin
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Colcoa is keeping up with the times. Now in its twenty-first year, the lauded French film festival, sponsored by the Franco-American Cultural Fund, has added a pair of forward-thinking new categories for its newest edition. This year will include a virtual reality program and a web series competition, in addition to its Cinema, Television and Shorts competitions.
“These two new popular formats offer more opportunities to showcase the creativity of French producers and filmmakers as well as the diversity of French production,” said François Truffart, Colcoa Executive Producer and Artistic Director. “While entertainment is still the key word for the program, with a balanced mix of comedies and dramas, several topical issues will cover the program this year, including the environment, discrimination, racism, terrorism, and the role of the artist in society. More than ever, Colcoa will offer a unique opportunity to see these universal topics from different angles.”
Read...
“These two new popular formats offer more opportunities to showcase the creativity of French producers and filmmakers as well as the diversity of French production,” said François Truffart, Colcoa Executive Producer and Artistic Director. “While entertainment is still the key word for the program, with a balanced mix of comedies and dramas, several topical issues will cover the program this year, including the environment, discrimination, racism, terrorism, and the role of the artist in society. More than ever, Colcoa will offer a unique opportunity to see these universal topics from different angles.”
Read...
- 4/6/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
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