Utopia’s label Circle Collective has bought Bruce Labruce’s bold and thought-provoking film “The Visitor” for North America and the U.K. Represented in international markets by Best Friend Forever, “The Visitor” world premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in the Panorama section.
A London-set reimagining of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1968 film “Teorema,” “The Visitor” stars the well-known performance artist Bishop Black as a refugee who emerges naked from a mysterious suitcase on the banks of the Thames. Entering the lives of a privileged white family, he becomes their employee and conquers each member of the family in a series of explicit encounters where taboos are shattered.
The cast is completed by Macklin Kowal, Amy Kingsmill, Luca Federici, Ray Filar and Kurtis Lincoln. The film was presented as an installation by A/political, an art and activist body, during Frieze London, a contemporary art fair.
Labruce said he wanted...
A London-set reimagining of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1968 film “Teorema,” “The Visitor” stars the well-known performance artist Bishop Black as a refugee who emerges naked from a mysterious suitcase on the banks of the Thames. Entering the lives of a privileged white family, he becomes their employee and conquers each member of the family in a series of explicit encounters where taboos are shattered.
The cast is completed by Macklin Kowal, Amy Kingsmill, Luca Federici, Ray Filar and Kurtis Lincoln. The film was presented as an installation by A/political, an art and activist body, during Frieze London, a contemporary art fair.
Labruce said he wanted...
- 3/26/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Best Friend Forever has picked up international rights to Milano, the debut feature from Belgian director Christina Vandekerckhove, and is kicking off sales at the EFM.
The film is about a 12 year-old boy who is able to hear, yet only expresses himself in sign language. As his single father tries to make ends meet he often leaves his son alone with his neighbour. But everything changes when his mother suddenly returns.
Now in post-production, Milano is produced by Jan De Clercq and Annemie Degryse ‘s Lumiere which will also release the film in Benelux. The film stars Flemish star Matteo Simoni,...
The film is about a 12 year-old boy who is able to hear, yet only expresses himself in sign language. As his single father tries to make ends meet he often leaves his son alone with his neighbour. But everything changes when his mother suddenly returns.
Now in post-production, Milano is produced by Jan De Clercq and Annemie Degryse ‘s Lumiere which will also release the film in Benelux. The film stars Flemish star Matteo Simoni,...
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever (“Banel & Adama”) has acquired international rights to “Shambhala,” the first Nepalese film to premiere in competition at the Berlinale or any other top film festival.
Directed by Min Bahadur Bham, “Shambhala” is also the first South Asian film to be selected in Berlinale’s competition lineup after three decades. Bham is best known for his feature debut, “Kalo Pothi,” which won a prize at Venice Critics’ Week in 2015. The helmer previously directed “Bansulli,” which was Nepal’s first selection at the Venice Film Festival in 2012.
“Shambhala” is set in a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal, where a newly married and pregnant woman, Pema, tries to make the best of her new life. But soon, her husband Tashi vanishes, prompting her to embark on a journey into the wilderness to find him, accompanied by her monk.
The film shot in the world’s highest settlement, located...
Directed by Min Bahadur Bham, “Shambhala” is also the first South Asian film to be selected in Berlinale’s competition lineup after three decades. Bham is best known for his feature debut, “Kalo Pothi,” which won a prize at Venice Critics’ Week in 2015. The helmer previously directed “Bansulli,” which was Nepal’s first selection at the Venice Film Festival in 2012.
“Shambhala” is set in a Himalayan polyandrous village in Nepal, where a newly married and pregnant woman, Pema, tries to make the best of her new life. But soon, her husband Tashi vanishes, prompting her to embark on a journey into the wilderness to find him, accompanied by her monk.
The film shot in the world’s highest settlement, located...
- 1/24/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired international rights to Lenny and Harpo Guit’s new feature “Heads or Fails,” the duo’s follow-up to Sundance comedy “Mother Schmuckers.”
Now in post, “Heads or Fails” tells the story of Armande Pigeon, a queen of shenanigans in Brussels who struggles to make ends meet because she can’t stop gambling on everything, always ending up on the wrong side of luck. When she teams up with Ronnie one night, everything changes – they win it all. And when you hit a winning streak, you have to know when to stop.
Lenny and Harpo Guit’s previous film, “Mother Schmuckers,” premiered at Sundance in the Midnight section in 2021 and was critically lauded. Along with having directed numerous short films, they also have their own YouTube channel, Clubb Guitos.
“Heads or Fails” stars Maria Cavalier-Bazan, Axel Perin (“Mother Schmuckers”), Maxi Delmelle (“Mother Schmuckers”), Michael Zindel...
Now in post, “Heads or Fails” tells the story of Armande Pigeon, a queen of shenanigans in Brussels who struggles to make ends meet because she can’t stop gambling on everything, always ending up on the wrong side of luck. When she teams up with Ronnie one night, everything changes – they win it all. And when you hit a winning streak, you have to know when to stop.
Lenny and Harpo Guit’s previous film, “Mother Schmuckers,” premiered at Sundance in the Midnight section in 2021 and was critically lauded. Along with having directed numerous short films, they also have their own YouTube channel, Clubb Guitos.
“Heads or Fails” stars Maria Cavalier-Bazan, Axel Perin (“Mother Schmuckers”), Maxi Delmelle (“Mother Schmuckers”), Michael Zindel...
- 1/19/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Best Friend Forever has taken on sales for The Visitor, the latest feature from Canadian queer artist Bruce Labruce which will world premiere in Berlin’s Panorama section in February.
The edgy title is Labruce’s tribute to Pier Pasolini’s classic Teorema, with a pornographic twist. Set in contemporary London, the story follows an enigmatic, sexually fluid refugee who washes up naked on the bank of the Thames. Introduced to a bourgeois family, he is invited to stay on an as their employee and goes on to turn their world upside down by seducing each member of the family...
The edgy title is Labruce’s tribute to Pier Pasolini’s classic Teorema, with a pornographic twist. Set in contemporary London, the story follows an enigmatic, sexually fluid refugee who washes up naked on the bank of the Thames. Introduced to a bourgeois family, he is invited to stay on an as their employee and goes on to turn their world upside down by seducing each member of the family...
- 1/17/2024
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired the international rights of Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir’s debut feature “City of Wind.” The film is in post-production and will be ready for a world premiere in fall 2023.
Purev-Ochir is known for several high-profile short films, including “Mountain Cat,” which was in Cannes Competition in 2020, and won best short in Busan in 2020, and “Snow in September,” which was awarded the Golden Lion for best short in Venice, and best short in Toronto last year.
Ze is a timid 17-year-old shaman. He studies hard at school to succeed in the cold, callous society of modern Mongolia, while communing with his ancestral spirit to help those in his community. But when Ze encounters Maralaa, his senses are awakened and another reality seems possible.
The film stars young Mongolian actors such as Tergel Bold-Erdene and Nomin-Erdene Ariunbyamba together with veterans Bulgan Chuluunbat, Ganzorig Tsetsgee and Tsend-Ayush Nyamsuren.
Purev-Ochir is known for several high-profile short films, including “Mountain Cat,” which was in Cannes Competition in 2020, and won best short in Busan in 2020, and “Snow in September,” which was awarded the Golden Lion for best short in Venice, and best short in Toronto last year.
Ze is a timid 17-year-old shaman. He studies hard at school to succeed in the cold, callous society of modern Mongolia, while communing with his ancestral spirit to help those in his community. But when Ze encounters Maralaa, his senses are awakened and another reality seems possible.
The film stars young Mongolian actors such as Tergel Bold-Erdene and Nomin-Erdene Ariunbyamba together with veterans Bulgan Chuluunbat, Ganzorig Tsetsgee and Tsend-Ayush Nyamsuren.
- 5/21/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired international rights for the zany kung-fu-themed action romantic comedy Zenithal.
Vanessa Guide stars as a woman battling to establish peace between the sexes after her longtime boyfriend falls under the thrall of a Machiavellian schemer, who has murdered and harnessed the virulent powers of a famous kung-fu master, as part of a plan to restore absolute male domination.
It is the first feature of Jean-Baptiste Saurel, who has recently been signed as one of the directors on France TV’s upcoming Zorro reboot starring Jean Dujardin, with previous credits including the Disney+ sci-fi French original Parallels.
The feature expands on his provocative 2012 Cannes Critics’ Week short The Dickslap (La Bifle). Bff has released a first-look photo hinting at one of the zany plot twists.
First look at ‘Zenithal’
“Zenithal questions the injunctions of virility through comedy, with a visual style inherited from U.
Vanessa Guide stars as a woman battling to establish peace between the sexes after her longtime boyfriend falls under the thrall of a Machiavellian schemer, who has murdered and harnessed the virulent powers of a famous kung-fu master, as part of a plan to restore absolute male domination.
It is the first feature of Jean-Baptiste Saurel, who has recently been signed as one of the directors on France TV’s upcoming Zorro reboot starring Jean Dujardin, with previous credits including the Disney+ sci-fi French original Parallels.
The feature expands on his provocative 2012 Cannes Critics’ Week short The Dickslap (La Bifle). Bff has released a first-look photo hinting at one of the zany plot twists.
First look at ‘Zenithal’
“Zenithal questions the injunctions of virility through comedy, with a visual style inherited from U.
- 5/16/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Best Friend Forever has boarded Ramata-Toulaye Sy’s debut feature “Banel & Adama,” a lushly lensed Senegalese female emancipation drama. Now in post, the movie is expected to have its world premiere later this year.
‘Banel & Adama’ is set a remote village of Northern Senegal where Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. Longing for a home of their own, they have decided to live apart from their families. When Adama refuses his blood duty as future chief and informs the village council of his intentions, the whole community is disrupted and chaos ensues.
Sy studied at France’s prestigious film school La Femis and previously directed the short film “Astel” which played at Toronto, New Directors/New Films and Clermont, where it won the Special Jury award, among 80 festivals to date. Ramata, meanwhile, previously co-wrote “Our Lady of the Nil” which played at Toronto, and “Sibel” which played at Locarno and Toronto.
‘Banel & Adama’ is set a remote village of Northern Senegal where Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. Longing for a home of their own, they have decided to live apart from their families. When Adama refuses his blood duty as future chief and informs the village council of his intentions, the whole community is disrupted and chaos ensues.
Sy studied at France’s prestigious film school La Femis and previously directed the short film “Astel” which played at Toronto, New Directors/New Films and Clermont, where it won the Special Jury award, among 80 festivals to date. Ramata, meanwhile, previously co-wrote “Our Lady of the Nil” which played at Toronto, and “Sibel” which played at Locarno and Toronto.
- 2/17/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The film stars Olivier Rabourdin, Kate Moran, Marc Barbé and newcomer Louise Leroy and is now in post.
Brussels–based Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded Belgian thriller The Other Laurens, a first feature from Claude Schmitz with a starry European cast and is kicking off sales at the European Film Market.
Set on the French-Spanish border, The Other Laurens follows a private detective forced to face the ghosts of his past when his niece asks him to investigate her father’s death. The film stars Olivier Rabourdin, Kate Moran, Marc Barbé and newcomer Louise Leroy and is now in post.
Brussels–based Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded Belgian thriller The Other Laurens, a first feature from Claude Schmitz with a starry European cast and is kicking off sales at the European Film Market.
Set on the French-Spanish border, The Other Laurens follows a private detective forced to face the ghosts of his past when his niece asks him to investigate her father’s death. The film stars Olivier Rabourdin, Kate Moran, Marc Barbé and newcomer Louise Leroy and is now in post.
- 2/16/2023
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired Laura Baumeister’s feature debut “Daughter of Rage” ahead of its world premiere at Toronto and San Sebastian film festivals.
Baumeister previously directed the shorts “Isabel im Winter” which played at Cannes Critics’ Week in 2014 and “Ombligo De Agua” which screened in Rotterdam and Clermont-Ferrand in 2018.
The Spanish-language film follows Maria, an 11-year-old girl who lives with her mother Lilibeth at the edge of a massive waste-disposal site in Nicaragua. Their future depends on selling a litter of purebred puppies to a local thug. After the deal falls through, Maria is dropped off by her mother at a recycling center in the city and realizes her mother won’t be coming back for her. Feeling lost, bewildered and angry, Maria meets Tadeo, an imaginative new friend who is determined to help her to reunite with her mother.
“We are thrilled to be working...
Baumeister previously directed the shorts “Isabel im Winter” which played at Cannes Critics’ Week in 2014 and “Ombligo De Agua” which screened in Rotterdam and Clermont-Ferrand in 2018.
The Spanish-language film follows Maria, an 11-year-old girl who lives with her mother Lilibeth at the edge of a massive waste-disposal site in Nicaragua. Their future depends on selling a litter of purebred puppies to a local thug. After the deal falls through, Maria is dropped off by her mother at a recycling center in the city and realizes her mother won’t be coming back for her. Feeling lost, bewildered and angry, Maria meets Tadeo, an imaginative new friend who is determined to help her to reunite with her mother.
“We are thrilled to be working...
- 8/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired international sales rights to Mihai Mincan’s drama thriller “To The North” which will world premiere at Venice in the Horizons section.
Inspired by true events, the film follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.
“To The North” stars Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart Guingona and Olivier Ho Hio Hen (“Stillwater”). The topnotch crew includes cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”), sound designer Nicolas Becker (“Sound Of Metal”) and sound mixer Cyril Holtz (“The Sister Brothers”).
“To The North” is produced by De Film Production (“Alis”), Remora Films, Studio Bauhaus, Screening Emotions and Background Films.
“We can’t be prouder to represent the film. It is surprisingly masterful for a debut, an immersive cinematographic experience,...
Inspired by true events, the film follows Joel, a religious Filipino sailor, who finds a Romanian stowaway, Dumitru, hidden between some containers during his shift on a transatlantic ship. Joel decides to hide him and subsequently starts feeling tormented by his crew, friends and even God.
“To The North” stars Soliman Cruz, Niko Becker, Bart Guingona and Olivier Ho Hio Hen (“Stillwater”). The topnotch crew includes cinematographer George Chiper-Lillemark (“Immaculate”), sound designer Nicolas Becker (“Sound Of Metal”) and sound mixer Cyril Holtz (“The Sister Brothers”).
“To The North” is produced by De Film Production (“Alis”), Remora Films, Studio Bauhaus, Screening Emotions and Background Films.
“We can’t be prouder to represent the film. It is surprisingly masterful for a debut, an immersive cinematographic experience,...
- 7/26/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based sales company Best Friend Forever has acquired Andrea Bagney’s feature debut “Ramona,” a Spanish romantic comedy which will premiere at Karlovy Vary.
Produced by Sergio Uguet de Resayre at Tortilla Films, “Ramona” previously won awards in work-in-progress sessions at Rec Tarragona and Malaga festival in Spain. The movie is also set to open the Atlántida Mallorca Film Festival later this month.
Streaming service Filmin has picked up Spanish rights. A theatrical distribution partner will be announced by Best Friend Forever at a later stage.
“Ramona” follows a young woman who has just moved to Madrid with her boyfriend, hoping to get a fresh start. she wants to be an actress, a mother, and live in the city’s best neighborhood. The day before her first audition, she meets an older man, Bruno, with whom she feels an instant connection. Ramona runs off, scared of her own feelings but the next day,...
Produced by Sergio Uguet de Resayre at Tortilla Films, “Ramona” previously won awards in work-in-progress sessions at Rec Tarragona and Malaga festival in Spain. The movie is also set to open the Atlántida Mallorca Film Festival later this month.
Streaming service Filmin has picked up Spanish rights. A theatrical distribution partner will be announced by Best Friend Forever at a later stage.
“Ramona” follows a young woman who has just moved to Madrid with her boyfriend, hoping to get a fresh start. she wants to be an actress, a mother, and live in the city’s best neighborhood. The day before her first audition, she meets an older man, Bruno, with whom she feels an instant connection. Ramona runs off, scared of her own feelings but the next day,...
- 6/27/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
UFO Distribution has acquired French rights to the animated family tale “Perlimps” by Alê Abreu, the Oscar-nominated director of “The Boy and the World.”
Sold by Best Friend Forever, “Perlimps” is having its market premiere at the Marché du Film in Cannes and is set to world premiere at Annecy Animation Film Festival.
The film will be released by Sony Pictures in Latin America with a joint distribution in Brazil together with Vitrine Filmes.
the fantasy adventure film follows the journey of Claé and Bruô, a pair of secret agents from rival kingdoms who must join forces in spite of their differences to search for the Perlimps, mysterious creatures who can ultimately find a way to peace in times of war. The animation for the film was hand-drawn by Abreu and a reduced team who spent four years in a mountain village in Brazil. Abreu collaborated with senior Brazilian animator Sandro Cleuzo.
Sold by Best Friend Forever, “Perlimps” is having its market premiere at the Marché du Film in Cannes and is set to world premiere at Annecy Animation Film Festival.
The film will be released by Sony Pictures in Latin America with a joint distribution in Brazil together with Vitrine Filmes.
the fantasy adventure film follows the journey of Claé and Bruô, a pair of secret agents from rival kingdoms who must join forces in spite of their differences to search for the Perlimps, mysterious creatures who can ultimately find a way to peace in times of war. The animation for the film was hand-drawn by Abreu and a reduced team who spent four years in a mountain village in Brazil. Abreu collaborated with senior Brazilian animator Sandro Cleuzo.
- 5/20/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired pair of French movies, “The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou” and “Madgala,” which will world premiere in the Cannes sidebar, Acid.
“The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou” is the feature debut of Lucas Delangle, who previously worked with Claire Simon on “The Competition,” among other films. Set in a small village in the French Alps, the film follows a young man, Jacky Caillou, who lives with his loving grandmother Gisele, a magnetic healer.
Produced by Charles Philippe and Lucile Ric at Les films du Clan, the film stars newcomer Thomas Parigi and rising French talent Lou Lampros. Arizona Distribution will release the film in France later this year.
“Lucas Delangle is a new French voice to be discovered; he is already very mature and plays with cinema narration and genre,” said Martin Gondre and Charles Bin, Best Friend Forever co-founders. “His first film...
“The Strange Case of Jacky Caillou” is the feature debut of Lucas Delangle, who previously worked with Claire Simon on “The Competition,” among other films. Set in a small village in the French Alps, the film follows a young man, Jacky Caillou, who lives with his loving grandmother Gisele, a magnetic healer.
Produced by Charles Philippe and Lucile Ric at Les films du Clan, the film stars newcomer Thomas Parigi and rising French talent Lou Lampros. Arizona Distribution will release the film in France later this year.
“Lucas Delangle is a new French voice to be discovered; he is already very mature and plays with cinema narration and genre,” said Martin Gondre and Charles Bin, Best Friend Forever co-founders. “His first film...
- 4/26/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has boarded “Perlimps,” an animated feature directed by Alê Abreu, the Brazilian filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated animated feature “The Boy and the World.”
Best Friend Forever will launch international sales on the project at Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux. Now in post, the fantasy adventure film follows the journey of Claé and Bruô, a pair of secret agents from rival kingdoms who must join forces in spite of their differences to search for the Perlimps, mysterious creatures who can ultimately find a way to peace in times of war. The animation for the film was hand-drawn by Abreu and a reduced team who spent four years in a mountain village in Brazil. Abreu collaborated with senior Brazilian animator Sandro Cleuzo.
The voice cast boasts Stênio Garcia, Giulia Benite (“Turma de Mônica: Laços”) and Lorenzo Tarantelli.
“With this film I was guided mainly by color, a very...
Best Friend Forever will launch international sales on the project at Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux. Now in post, the fantasy adventure film follows the journey of Claé and Bruô, a pair of secret agents from rival kingdoms who must join forces in spite of their differences to search for the Perlimps, mysterious creatures who can ultimately find a way to peace in times of war. The animation for the film was hand-drawn by Abreu and a reduced team who spent four years in a mountain village in Brazil. Abreu collaborated with senior Brazilian animator Sandro Cleuzo.
The voice cast boasts Stênio Garcia, Giulia Benite (“Turma de Mônica: Laços”) and Lorenzo Tarantelli.
“With this film I was guided mainly by color, a very...
- 3/9/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired “Coma,” the latest film by celebrated French director Bertrand Bonello (“Saint Laurent”). “Coma” will have its world premiere premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in the Encounters section.
Weaving genre, animation and live action, the stylish movie boasts an exciting cast including Louise Labeque (“Zombi Child”) and Julia Faure (“Camille Rewinds”), with voices by beloved late actor Gaspard Ulliel, as well as Louis Garrel, Laetitia Casta, Anaïs Demoustier and Vincent Lacoste.
“Coma” explores online behavior and content consumption through the eyes of a teenage girl who immerses audiences into her dreams and nightmares. Locked in her room, her only relationship to the outside world is virtual. Navigating between dreams and reality, she’s guided by a disturbing and mysterious YouTuber, Patricia Coma.
Bonello’s 10th feature, “Coma” was produced by Les Films du Bélier and My New Picture. Co-producers are Remembers Production, the...
Weaving genre, animation and live action, the stylish movie boasts an exciting cast including Louise Labeque (“Zombi Child”) and Julia Faure (“Camille Rewinds”), with voices by beloved late actor Gaspard Ulliel, as well as Louis Garrel, Laetitia Casta, Anaïs Demoustier and Vincent Lacoste.
“Coma” explores online behavior and content consumption through the eyes of a teenage girl who immerses audiences into her dreams and nightmares. Locked in her room, her only relationship to the outside world is virtual. Navigating between dreams and reality, she’s guided by a disturbing and mysterious YouTuber, Patricia Coma.
Bonello’s 10th feature, “Coma” was produced by Les Films du Bélier and My New Picture. Co-producers are Remembers Production, the...
- 2/2/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Music Box Films has acquired North American rights to Medusa, the well-received thriller-satire by Brazilian writer and director Anita Rocha da Silveira.
The feature debuted at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight strand before getting its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Medusa follows Mariana (Mari Oliveira), a 21-year-old who belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, their girl squad put on masks, hunt and beat up all women who have deviated from the right path. However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been.
The social and political critique, which touches on themes of sexual liberation, violence, and religious fixation in Brazil,...
The feature debuted at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight strand before getting its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.
Medusa follows Mariana (Mari Oliveira), a 21-year-old who belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, their girl squad put on masks, hunt and beat up all women who have deviated from the right path. However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been.
The social and political critique, which touches on themes of sexual liberation, violence, and religious fixation in Brazil,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
KimStim has acquired North American rights to Kiro Russo’s “El Gran Movimiento” (aka “The Great Movement”), Bolivia’s official submission for the Oscars’ international feature race.
The film world premiered at the Venice Film Festival where it received the special jury prize at the Horizons strand and went on to play at New York and San Sebastian, among other festivals. KimStim plans to release the film in theaters in mid-2022.
Sold by Belgium-based Best Friend Forever, “El Gran Movimiento” marks Russo’s follow-up to his debut “Dark Skull,” which won a prize at Locarno and San Sebastian in 2016 and also represented Bolivia in the Oscar race.
Shot in the Bolivian mountains in contemporary La Paz, the film follows Elder who arrives in the capital after a seven-day journey seeking to get back his work at a mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health soon deteriorates.
The film world premiered at the Venice Film Festival where it received the special jury prize at the Horizons strand and went on to play at New York and San Sebastian, among other festivals. KimStim plans to release the film in theaters in mid-2022.
Sold by Belgium-based Best Friend Forever, “El Gran Movimiento” marks Russo’s follow-up to his debut “Dark Skull,” which won a prize at Locarno and San Sebastian in 2016 and also represented Bolivia in the Oscar race.
Shot in the Bolivian mountains in contemporary La Paz, the film follows Elder who arrives in the capital after a seven-day journey seeking to get back his work at a mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health soon deteriorates.
- 10/28/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
True love story co-stars French actress Marina Foïs opposite rising French-Afghan actor Seear Kohi.
Brussels-based Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded Calais-set love story A Change Of Heart about a National Front supporter who falls in love with an Iranian teacher who is trying to get across the English Channel to the UK.
The French-language feature is the directorial debut of actor Jérémie Elkaim. He is best known internationally for his performance in Valérie Donzelli’s Declaration Of War and has also worked with the likes of Sébastien Lifshitz, Bertrand Bonello, Gilles Marchand, Catherine Corsini or Benoît Jacquot.
Based on...
Brussels-based Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded Calais-set love story A Change Of Heart about a National Front supporter who falls in love with an Iranian teacher who is trying to get across the English Channel to the UK.
The French-language feature is the directorial debut of actor Jérémie Elkaim. He is best known internationally for his performance in Valérie Donzelli’s Declaration Of War and has also worked with the likes of Sébastien Lifshitz, Bertrand Bonello, Gilles Marchand, Catherine Corsini or Benoît Jacquot.
Based on...
- 8/26/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired Bolivian director Kiro Russo’s “El Gran Movimiento” which will world premiere at Venice in the Horizons section.
“El Gran Movimiento” marks Russo’s follow up to his 2016 feature debut “Dark Skull” which won a prize at Locarno and played at San Sebastian, among other festivals. “Dark Skull” went on to represent Bolivia in the Oscar race.
Set in contemporary Bolivia, the movie follows Elder and his companions who arrive in La Paz after a seven-day walk and seeks to be reinstated in his work at the mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health starts to deteriorate. An elderly woman known as Mama Pancha connects him to Max, a witch doctor, hermit, and clown, who will try to bring the young man back to life.
The movie is produced by Russo and Pablo Paniagua at Socavón and Alexa Rivero...
“El Gran Movimiento” marks Russo’s follow up to his 2016 feature debut “Dark Skull” which won a prize at Locarno and played at San Sebastian, among other festivals. “Dark Skull” went on to represent Bolivia in the Oscar race.
Set in contemporary Bolivia, the movie follows Elder and his companions who arrive in La Paz after a seven-day walk and seeks to be reinstated in his work at the mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health starts to deteriorate. An elderly woman known as Mama Pancha connects him to Max, a witch doctor, hermit, and clown, who will try to bring the young man back to life.
The movie is produced by Russo and Pablo Paniagua at Socavón and Alexa Rivero...
- 7/27/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has closed major territories on Hadas Ben Aroya’s daring sophomore outing “All Eyes Off Me,” which world premiered at Berlin in the Panorama section.
The drama, which is set in contemporary Tel Aviv, was sold to Film Movement for North America, and also lured buyers in France (Wayna Pitch), Japan (Klockworx), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Nitrato) and South Korea (Lumix Media).
The film weaves three stories portraying Tel Aviv’s youth and is headlined by a cast of fresh faces and up-and-comers including Elisheva Weil (“Just For Today”), Leib Lev Levin (“Blackspace”), Yoav Hait and Hadar Katz.
The plot revolves around Danny who is searching for Max at a party to tell him that she’s pregnant with his child. But Max just started a new relationship with the wild Avishag, who actually has someone else in mind.
“All Eyes Off Me” is produced by Ben Aroya,...
The drama, which is set in contemporary Tel Aviv, was sold to Film Movement for North America, and also lured buyers in France (Wayna Pitch), Japan (Klockworx), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Nitrato) and South Korea (Lumix Media).
The film weaves three stories portraying Tel Aviv’s youth and is headlined by a cast of fresh faces and up-and-comers including Elisheva Weil (“Just For Today”), Leib Lev Levin (“Blackspace”), Yoav Hait and Hadar Katz.
The plot revolves around Danny who is searching for Max at a party to tell him that she’s pregnant with his child. But Max just started a new relationship with the wild Avishag, who actually has someone else in mind.
“All Eyes Off Me” is produced by Ben Aroya,...
- 6/21/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired “Medusa,” a timely drama directed by rising Brazilian helmer Anita Rocha da Silveira. The film will world premiere at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.
“Medusa” marks Da Silveira’s follow up to her critically acclaimed feature debut “Kill me Please” which premiered at Venice in 2015 and went on to play at SXSW and New Directors/New Films, among other festivals. Da Silveira was previously at Directors’ Fortnight with her 2012 short “The Living Dead.”
Set in contemporary Brazil, “Medusa” tells the story of 21-year old Mariana, who belongs to a world where women must always look perfect. She and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them, and that includes beating up women who have deviated from the right path. At night, their vigilante girl squad put on masks and hunt down the sinners.
“Medusa” is headlined by newcomers, including Mari Oliveira (“Kill me Please”), Lara Tremouroux,...
“Medusa” marks Da Silveira’s follow up to her critically acclaimed feature debut “Kill me Please” which premiered at Venice in 2015 and went on to play at SXSW and New Directors/New Films, among other festivals. Da Silveira was previously at Directors’ Fortnight with her 2012 short “The Living Dead.”
Set in contemporary Brazil, “Medusa” tells the story of 21-year old Mariana, who belongs to a world where women must always look perfect. She and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them, and that includes beating up women who have deviated from the right path. At night, their vigilante girl squad put on masks and hunt down the sinners.
“Medusa” is headlined by newcomers, including Mari Oliveira (“Kill me Please”), Lara Tremouroux,...
- 6/9/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Popular French theater director Jean-Christophe Meurisse is making his sophomore film outing with “Bloody Oranges,” a black comedy headlined by Denis Podalydès (“La Belle Epoque”), Blanche Gardin (“Delete History”) and Christophe Paou (“Synonyms”).
Brussels-based outfit Best Friend Forever has acquired international sales rights to the film, which is produced by Rectangle Prods. “(“It Must Be Heaven,” “Climax”) and Mamma Roman.
“Bloody Oranges” marks Meurisse’s follow-up to “Apnee,” which premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2016. Meurisse is also a well-known figure in the world of theater, having launched the Chiens de Navarre theater troupe.
“Bloody Oranges” takes place in contemporary France and weaves the stories of a retired couple overwhelmed by debt trying to win a dance contest, a minister of economy who is suspected of tax evasion, a teenage girl coming across a sexual maniac and young lawyer trying to climb the social ladder. When the shoe drops, the...
Brussels-based outfit Best Friend Forever has acquired international sales rights to the film, which is produced by Rectangle Prods. “(“It Must Be Heaven,” “Climax”) and Mamma Roman.
“Bloody Oranges” marks Meurisse’s follow-up to “Apnee,” which premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2016. Meurisse is also a well-known figure in the world of theater, having launched the Chiens de Navarre theater troupe.
“Bloody Oranges” takes place in contemporary France and weaves the stories of a retired couple overwhelmed by debt trying to win a dance contest, a minister of economy who is suspected of tax evasion, a teenage girl coming across a sexual maniac and young lawyer trying to climb the social ladder. When the shoe drops, the...
- 3/1/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“All Eyes Off Me,” Hadas Ben Aroya’s drama which will world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, has been acquired by Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever for international sales.
Set to bow in the Panorama section, “All Eyes Off Me” takes place in contemporary Tel Aviv and weaves three stories portraying Tel Aviv’s youth. The plot revolves around Danny who is searching for Max at a party to tell him that she’s pregnant with his child. But Max just started a new relationship with the wild Avishag, who actually has someone else in mind.
The cast of fresh faces and up-and-comers includes Elisheva Weil (“Just For Today”), Leib Lev Levin (“Blackspace”), Yoav Hait and Hadar Katz.
“We fell in love with the film, how it manages to create the portrait of a fascinating woman through the eyes of three different point of view,” said Martin Gondre and Charles Bin,...
Set to bow in the Panorama section, “All Eyes Off Me” takes place in contemporary Tel Aviv and weaves three stories portraying Tel Aviv’s youth. The plot revolves around Danny who is searching for Max at a party to tell him that she’s pregnant with his child. But Max just started a new relationship with the wild Avishag, who actually has someone else in mind.
The cast of fresh faces and up-and-comers includes Elisheva Weil (“Just For Today”), Leib Lev Levin (“Blackspace”), Yoav Hait and Hadar Katz.
“We fell in love with the film, how it manages to create the portrait of a fascinating woman through the eyes of three different point of view,” said Martin Gondre and Charles Bin,...
- 2/12/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Bruce Labruce’s queer comedy fantasy “Saint-Narcisse” has been sold by the Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever to the U.S., along with a string of other key territories.
Film Movement has acquired U.S. rights to “Saint-Narcisse,” which was the closing film of Venice’s Giornate Degli Autori (Venice Days) and played as part of Toronto’s Industry Selects.
Best Friend Forever has also scored deals for France (Optimale Distribution), Germany, Austria and Switzerland (OUTtv – Cinemien Germany) and Benelux (OUTtv – Cinemien). Northern Banner and Az Films will release the film in Canada.
Set in 1972 Canada, “Saint-Narcisse” follows Dominic, a handsome narcissistic young man who discovers the existence of his twin brother, living in a remote monastery led by a depraved priest. Dominic sets out to save him and reunite once and for all. The two beautiful, identical brothers are soon embroiled in a strange web of sex, revenge and redemption.
Film Movement has acquired U.S. rights to “Saint-Narcisse,” which was the closing film of Venice’s Giornate Degli Autori (Venice Days) and played as part of Toronto’s Industry Selects.
Best Friend Forever has also scored deals for France (Optimale Distribution), Germany, Austria and Switzerland (OUTtv – Cinemien Germany) and Benelux (OUTtv – Cinemien). Northern Banner and Az Films will release the film in Canada.
Set in 1972 Canada, “Saint-Narcisse” follows Dominic, a handsome narcissistic young man who discovers the existence of his twin brother, living in a remote monastery led by a depraved priest. Dominic sets out to save him and reunite once and for all. The two beautiful, identical brothers are soon embroiled in a strange web of sex, revenge and redemption.
- 1/12/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
A young woman recalls her childhood on a family farm in the 1980s.
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded French director Hubert Viel’s rural drama Louloute, for a market launch at Unifrance’s Rendez-vous with French cinema which unfolds online January 13-15.
Set between the 1980s and today, it explores a disappearing French rural life through the childhood memories of a young woman as she revisits the family farm where she grew up on the eve of its sale.
Tender childhood recollections mingle with painful memories as she recalls her parents’ battle to keep the farm working...
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded French director Hubert Viel’s rural drama Louloute, for a market launch at Unifrance’s Rendez-vous with French cinema which unfolds online January 13-15.
Set between the 1980s and today, it explores a disappearing French rural life through the childhood memories of a young woman as she revisits the family farm where she grew up on the eve of its sale.
Tender childhood recollections mingle with painful memories as she recalls her parents’ battle to keep the farm working...
- 1/7/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired “Mother Schmuckers,” which will world premiere at Sundance. The film marks the feature debut of Lenny and Harpo Guit, and is the first Belgian movie set to play in Sundance’s midnight section.
Set in contemporary Brussels, the film tells the story of two brothers in their twenties, supremely stupid and never bored. When they lose their mother’s beloved dog, they have 24 hours to find it — or she will kick them out. The film’s cast features French star Mathieu Amalric, along with a string of newcomers such as Maxi Delmelle, Harpo Guit and Claire Bodson (“Young Ahmed”).
“We hadn’t laughed that much since ages. The film’s creativity is so refreshing; it’s full of ideas and boasts obvious cult potential,” said Martin Gondre and Charles Bin, Best Friend Forever’s co-founders. “It reminded us of John Waters in a way,...
Set in contemporary Brussels, the film tells the story of two brothers in their twenties, supremely stupid and never bored. When they lose their mother’s beloved dog, they have 24 hours to find it — or she will kick them out. The film’s cast features French star Mathieu Amalric, along with a string of newcomers such as Maxi Delmelle, Harpo Guit and Claire Bodson (“Young Ahmed”).
“We hadn’t laughed that much since ages. The film’s creativity is so refreshing; it’s full of ideas and boasts obvious cult potential,” said Martin Gondre and Charles Bin, Best Friend Forever’s co-founders. “It reminded us of John Waters in a way,...
- 12/15/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
New York-based distribution company Grasshopper Film has acquired North American rights to Valentyn Vasyanovych’s sci-fi drama “Atlantis,” Ukraine’s official selection for next year’s Academy Awards.
Represented in international markets by Belgian sales group Best Friend Forever, “Atlantis” played at Toronto, Rotterdam and Venice, where it won the best film award in the Horizons Competition. The critically acclaimed film was also selected for New Directors/New Films.
The movie, which is expected to be released theatrically early next year, is set in 2025. Eastern Ukraine in a desert unsuitable for human habitation and water is an expensive commodity brought by trucks. As a wall is being built on the border, Sergiy, a former soldier, is having trouble adapting to this new reality. He meets Katya while on the Black Tulip mission dedicated to exhuming war corpses. Together, they try to return to some sort of normal life in which...
Represented in international markets by Belgian sales group Best Friend Forever, “Atlantis” played at Toronto, Rotterdam and Venice, where it won the best film award in the Horizons Competition. The critically acclaimed film was also selected for New Directors/New Films.
The movie, which is expected to be released theatrically early next year, is set in 2025. Eastern Ukraine in a desert unsuitable for human habitation and water is an expensive commodity brought by trucks. As a wall is being built on the border, Sergiy, a former soldier, is having trouble adapting to this new reality. He meets Katya while on the Black Tulip mission dedicated to exhuming war corpses. Together, they try to return to some sort of normal life in which...
- 11/17/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Egyptian drama follows two teenage sisters who escape conversative reality via the social networks.
Brussels-based Best Friend Forever has acquired world sales rights to Ayten Amin’s second feature Souad, a Cannes 2020 selection.
The Alexandria-set drama revolves follows two teenage sisters growing up within a conservative family, the older of whom escapes into a secret life via the virtual world of social networks. When real-life catches up with her, tragedy strikes and her younger sister embarks on a journey looking for answers.
The cast features non-professional newcomers Bassant Ahmed, Basmala El Ghaiesh and Hussein Ghanem.
Amin’s debut feature...
Brussels-based Best Friend Forever has acquired world sales rights to Ayten Amin’s second feature Souad, a Cannes 2020 selection.
The Alexandria-set drama revolves follows two teenage sisters growing up within a conservative family, the older of whom escapes into a secret life via the virtual world of social networks. When real-life catches up with her, tragedy strikes and her younger sister embarks on a journey looking for answers.
The cast features non-professional newcomers Bassant Ahmed, Basmala El Ghaiesh and Hussein Ghanem.
Amin’s debut feature...
- 9/9/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Grasshopper Film has acquired U.S. rights to Camilo Restrepo’s critically acclaimed feature debut, “Los Conductos,” which won the best first film award at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
“Los Conductos” — represented in international markets by Brussels-based Best Friend Forever — was expected to have its North American premiere at New Directors/New Films but the festival was canceled due to the coronavirus crisis. The movie world-premiered as part of the Berlinale’s new competitive section Encounters.
Exploring the shattered psyche of a man on the run, “Los Conductos” is a Spanish-language film set in Medellin, Colombia, and loosely based on the true story of Pinky, who freed himself from the grip of a religious sect and gets a job in a T-shirt factory. Misled by his own faith, he tries to to get his life back on track, but is haunted by the violent memories of his past.
“Los Conductos” — represented in international markets by Brussels-based Best Friend Forever — was expected to have its North American premiere at New Directors/New Films but the festival was canceled due to the coronavirus crisis. The movie world-premiered as part of the Berlinale’s new competitive section Encounters.
Exploring the shattered psyche of a man on the run, “Los Conductos” is a Spanish-language film set in Medellin, Colombia, and loosely based on the true story of Pinky, who freed himself from the grip of a religious sect and gets a job in a T-shirt factory. Misled by his own faith, he tries to to get his life back on track, but is haunted by the violent memories of his past.
- 6/23/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based Best Friend Forever has acquired Canadian artist-turned-filmmaker Bruce Labruce’s queer comedy fantasy “Saint-Narcisse,” ahead of Cannes’ virtual Marché du Film.
Set in 1972 Canada, “Saint-Narcisse” follows Dominic, a handsome narcissistic young man who discovers the existence of his twin brother, living in a remote monastery lead by a depraved priest. Dominic sets out to save him and reunite once and for all. The two beautiful, identical brothers are soon embroiled in a strange web of sex, revenge and redemption.
“‘Saint-Narcisse’ is my biggest budgeted and most ambitious movie to date with spectacular locations, elevated cinematography and art direction,” said Labruce, who has so far written and directed 11 feature films, notably “Gerontophilia” which played at Venice in 2013 and “Pierrot Lunaire” which won the Teddy Award in Berlin in 2014.
“Every filmmaker should make at least one film in their career on the following subjects: twins or doppelgangers, incest, a cabin in the woods,...
Set in 1972 Canada, “Saint-Narcisse” follows Dominic, a handsome narcissistic young man who discovers the existence of his twin brother, living in a remote monastery lead by a depraved priest. Dominic sets out to save him and reunite once and for all. The two beautiful, identical brothers are soon embroiled in a strange web of sex, revenge and redemption.
“‘Saint-Narcisse’ is my biggest budgeted and most ambitious movie to date with spectacular locations, elevated cinematography and art direction,” said Labruce, who has so far written and directed 11 feature films, notably “Gerontophilia” which played at Venice in 2013 and “Pierrot Lunaire” which won the Teddy Award in Berlin in 2014.
“Every filmmaker should make at least one film in their career on the following subjects: twins or doppelgangers, incest, a cabin in the woods,...
- 6/10/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired international sales rights to Caroline Monnet’s feature debut “Bootlegger” which won best screenplay at Cannes’ Cinefondation in 2017.
A well-known contemporary artist, Monnet has shed light on Indigenous identity and has debunked stereotypes through her works, which have been shown at the Whitney Biennial in New York, Palais de Tokyo in Paris, Haus der Kulturen in Berlin, Aesthetica in London and the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art, among many other places. Monnet has also earned critical acclaim with her short films, six of which played at Toronto. She also directed the 2016 short “Mobilize,” which world premiered at Sundance.
Currently in post-production, “Bootlegger” was written by Monnet and Daniel Watchorn. Set in contemporary Northern Quebec, the film follows Mani, an ambitious lawyer in her 20s who heads back to her remote Indigenous community to help her people free themselves from outdated paternalistic laws, leading...
A well-known contemporary artist, Monnet has shed light on Indigenous identity and has debunked stereotypes through her works, which have been shown at the Whitney Biennial in New York, Palais de Tokyo in Paris, Haus der Kulturen in Berlin, Aesthetica in London and the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art, among many other places. Monnet has also earned critical acclaim with her short films, six of which played at Toronto. She also directed the 2016 short “Mobilize,” which world premiered at Sundance.
Currently in post-production, “Bootlegger” was written by Monnet and Daniel Watchorn. Set in contemporary Northern Quebec, the film follows Mani, an ambitious lawyer in her 20s who heads back to her remote Indigenous community to help her people free themselves from outdated paternalistic laws, leading...
- 2/21/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired Kamir Aïnouz’s promising feature debut “Honey Cigar” which was developed with the support of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and is co-produced by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, the Palme d’Or-winning directors/producers.
Set in Paris in 1993, the film follows Selma, 17, who lives in a bourgeois and secular Berber family. When she meets Julien in college, she realizes for the first time the impact of patriarchal rules on her intimacy. While Selma discovers the strength of her own desire, fundamentalism takes over her country and her family starts to crumble.
“Honey Cigar” is being produced by French veteran producer Christine Rouxel (“Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami”) and Marie-Castille Mention Schaar (“Heaven Will Wait”). The movie is being co-produced by the Dardennes and Malek Ali-Yahia, as well as French star Dany Boon.
Best Friend Forever will unveil the exclusive first footage of...
Set in Paris in 1993, the film follows Selma, 17, who lives in a bourgeois and secular Berber family. When she meets Julien in college, she realizes for the first time the impact of patriarchal rules on her intimacy. While Selma discovers the strength of her own desire, fundamentalism takes over her country and her family starts to crumble.
“Honey Cigar” is being produced by French veteran producer Christine Rouxel (“Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami”) and Marie-Castille Mention Schaar (“Heaven Will Wait”). The movie is being co-produced by the Dardennes and Malek Ali-Yahia, as well as French star Dany Boon.
Best Friend Forever will unveil the exclusive first footage of...
- 2/18/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Best Friend Forever boards sales on Radu Jude’s Berlinale Forum title ‘Uppercase Print’ (exclusive)
Feature tells true story of student arrested by Communist Romania’s secret services after challenging regime of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Brussels-based sales company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded world sales on Romanian director Radu Jude’s new political drama Uppercase Print ahead of its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Forum section.
An adaptation of 2013 play Typographic Capital Letters by Romanian playwright Gianina Carbunariu, it tells the true story of high school student Mugur Călinescu who was arrested in the early 1980s by Romania’s secret police agency, or Securitate, for graffiti criticising the regime of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Brussels-based sales company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded world sales on Romanian director Radu Jude’s new political drama Uppercase Print ahead of its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Forum section.
An adaptation of 2013 play Typographic Capital Letters by Romanian playwright Gianina Carbunariu, it tells the true story of high school student Mugur Călinescu who was arrested in the early 1980s by Romania’s secret police agency, or Securitate, for graffiti criticising the regime of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
- 1/21/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired two debut features, Camilo Restrepo’s Berlinale-bound “Los Conductos” and Pascal Tagnati’s “Corsican Summer.” Both films are produced by up-and-coming outfit 5à7 films.
Set to premiere at the Berlinale’s new competitive section Encounters, “Los Conductos” is a Spanish-language film set in Medellin, Colombia, and loosely based on the true story of Pinky, who freed himself from the grip of a religious sect and gets a job in a t-shirt factory. Misled by his own faith, he tries to to get his life back on track, but is haunted by the violent memories of his past.
Restrepo has shot several shorts such as “La Bouche,” which played at Cannes in Directors’ Fortnight. The French banner 5à7 films produced the film with Mutokino in Colombia, in co-production with the outfits If You Hold a Stone and Montanero Cine. Mutokino will release “Los Conductos...
Set to premiere at the Berlinale’s new competitive section Encounters, “Los Conductos” is a Spanish-language film set in Medellin, Colombia, and loosely based on the true story of Pinky, who freed himself from the grip of a religious sect and gets a job in a t-shirt factory. Misled by his own faith, he tries to to get his life back on track, but is haunted by the violent memories of his past.
Restrepo has shot several shorts such as “La Bouche,” which played at Cannes in Directors’ Fortnight. The French banner 5à7 films produced the film with Mutokino in Colombia, in co-production with the outfits If You Hold a Stone and Montanero Cine. Mutokino will release “Los Conductos...
- 1/17/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Documentary follows tour of Gisèle Vienne’s rave-inspired dance work Crowd.
Brussels-based sales company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has acquired Patric Chiha’s documentary If It Were Love ahead of its premiere in the Berlinale’s Panorama section in February 2020.
The film is about the production of dance work Crowd by renowned French-Austrian choreographer Gisèle Vienne. The show, exploring the 1990s rave scene, recently played at the UK’s Sadler’s Wells as part of its international tour.
The documentary follows its 15 young dancers of different origins and horizons on tour. From theatre to theatre, the production mutates into strange,...
Brussels-based sales company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has acquired Patric Chiha’s documentary If It Were Love ahead of its premiere in the Berlinale’s Panorama section in February 2020.
The film is about the production of dance work Crowd by renowned French-Austrian choreographer Gisèle Vienne. The show, exploring the 1990s rave scene, recently played at the UK’s Sadler’s Wells as part of its international tour.
The documentary follows its 15 young dancers of different origins and horizons on tour. From theatre to theatre, the production mutates into strange,...
- 12/18/2019
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Films from Africa and the Middle East have enjoyed significant festival presence this year – such as Mati Diop’s French-Senegalese pic “Atlantics,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. “In 2019 we saw a new generation of filmmakers emerging on the scene,” says Rémi Bonhomme program manager of Critics’ Week in Cannes and the coordinator of the Atlas Workshops, which run Dec. 3-6 at the Marrakech Film Festival.
At Cannes, in addition to Diop’s prize, Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman won a Jury Special Mention award for his satire “It Must Be Heaven,” and seven African and Arab films screened in the different competitive sections. At Locarno, Senegalese writer-director Mamadou Dia’s won best first feature for “Nafi’s Father” and Algerian helmer Hassen Ferhani won best emerging director award for his documentary “143 Rue du Désert,” which won a postproduction prize at the 2018 Atlas Workshops. At Venice,...
At Cannes, in addition to Diop’s prize, Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman won a Jury Special Mention award for his satire “It Must Be Heaven,” and seven African and Arab films screened in the different competitive sections. At Locarno, Senegalese writer-director Mamadou Dia’s won best first feature for “Nafi’s Father” and Algerian helmer Hassen Ferhani won best emerging director award for his documentary “143 Rue du Désert,” which won a postproduction prize at the 2018 Atlas Workshops. At Venice,...
- 11/25/2019
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Producer credits included Dobermann, La Pirogue, Fast Convoy, and Suburra.
French producer Eric Névé, whose varied credits included Jan Kounen’s Dobermann, Cannes Un Certain Regard title La Pirogue, and Italian organised crime thriller Suburra, has died at the age of 57.
Paris-based international sales company Indie Sales, which Névé co-founded with Nicolas Eschbach in 2013, put out a statement on Tuesday (23) announcing the producer’s sudden and unexpected death on July 21.
Having graduated in business finance from France’s Sciences Po and Paris-Dauphine universities, Névé got into cinema working for historic film company Ugc, state broadcaster film arm France 3 Cinéma,...
French producer Eric Névé, whose varied credits included Jan Kounen’s Dobermann, Cannes Un Certain Regard title La Pirogue, and Italian organised crime thriller Suburra, has died at the age of 57.
Paris-based international sales company Indie Sales, which Névé co-founded with Nicolas Eschbach in 2013, put out a statement on Tuesday (23) announcing the producer’s sudden and unexpected death on July 21.
Having graduated in business finance from France’s Sciences Po and Paris-Dauphine universities, Névé got into cinema working for historic film company Ugc, state broadcaster film arm France 3 Cinéma,...
- 7/24/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Best Friend Forever, the newly-launched sales company based in Brussels, has acquired Nicolas Rincón Gille’s feature debut “Valley of Souls.”
Rincón Gille was previously a critically-acclaimed documentary trilogy whose third part, “Wounded Night,” won the special mention of the international jury at Cinéma de Réel and best film in the Colombian competition at Ficci
Set in the Colombian countryside, in 2002, “Valley of Souls” tells the story of a man, José, who returns to his home deep in the jungle after a long fishing night and discovers that paramilitary forces have killed his two sons, Dionisio and Rafael, and thrown their bodies into the river. During his lonely journey to retrieve his son’s bodies and give them a proper burial, José discovers the magic of a country torn in pieces.
The film’s protagonist is played by the non-professional actor José Arley de Jesús Carvallido Lobo, a real fisherman in Simití,...
Rincón Gille was previously a critically-acclaimed documentary trilogy whose third part, “Wounded Night,” won the special mention of the international jury at Cinéma de Réel and best film in the Colombian competition at Ficci
Set in the Colombian countryside, in 2002, “Valley of Souls” tells the story of a man, José, who returns to his home deep in the jungle after a long fishing night and discovers that paramilitary forces have killed his two sons, Dionisio and Rafael, and thrown their bodies into the river. During his lonely journey to retrieve his son’s bodies and give them a proper burial, José discovers the magic of a country torn in pieces.
The film’s protagonist is played by the non-professional actor José Arley de Jesús Carvallido Lobo, a real fisherman in Simití,...
- 5/13/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Best Friend Forever (Bff) was launched by Martin Gondre and Charlie Bin.
New Brussels-based sales and production services company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded sales on Ukrainian producer and director Valentyn Vasyanovych’s dystopian drama Atlantis ahead of Cannes.
Set in near future, war-torn eastern Ukraine, the drama revolves around a former soldier suffering from Ptsd, working at a local smelter and struggling to adapt to the reality of a life in pieces and a land in ruins.
When the smelter shuts down and he loses his job he finds salvation by volunteer Black Tulip mission dedicated to exhuming war corpses.
New Brussels-based sales and production services company Best Friend Forever (Bff) has boarded sales on Ukrainian producer and director Valentyn Vasyanovych’s dystopian drama Atlantis ahead of Cannes.
Set in near future, war-torn eastern Ukraine, the drama revolves around a former soldier suffering from Ptsd, working at a local smelter and struggling to adapt to the reality of a life in pieces and a land in ruins.
When the smelter shuts down and he loses his job he finds salvation by volunteer Black Tulip mission dedicated to exhuming war corpses.
- 5/10/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Indie Sales, the French international sales boutique behind the Oscar-nominated “My Life as a Zucchini” and Ziad Doueiri’s “The Insult,” is set to branch out with the launch of Best Friend Forever, a new Brussels-based outfit dedicated to festival-driven world cinema.
Best Friend Forever is kicking off with the acquisition of Juris Kursietis’ sophomore outing, “Oleg,” which will world premiere at Cannes’ Directors Fortnight. The movie follows Kursietis’ feature debut, “Modris,” which received San Sebastian’s special mention for the New Directors Award in 2014.
Produced by Tasse Film (“Dogs Don’t Wear Pants”) with Iota Productions (“Song of the Sea”) and In Script & Arizona Productions (“The Gentle Indifference of the World”), “Oleg” follows the story of a young Latvian butcher who immigrates to Brussels to work at a meat factory, hoping for a better life, but instead quickly falls under the yoke of Andzejs, a Polish criminal.
Best Friend...
Best Friend Forever is kicking off with the acquisition of Juris Kursietis’ sophomore outing, “Oleg,” which will world premiere at Cannes’ Directors Fortnight. The movie follows Kursietis’ feature debut, “Modris,” which received San Sebastian’s special mention for the New Directors Award in 2014.
Produced by Tasse Film (“Dogs Don’t Wear Pants”) with Iota Productions (“Song of the Sea”) and In Script & Arizona Productions (“The Gentle Indifference of the World”), “Oleg” follows the story of a young Latvian butcher who immigrates to Brussels to work at a meat factory, hoping for a better life, but instead quickly falls under the yoke of Andzejs, a Polish criminal.
Best Friend...
- 4/29/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based company Indie Sales has acquired the coming-of-age drama “A Colony” which will be making its international premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in the generation section.
“A Colony” marks the feature debut of Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, whose short film “The Cut” won a prize at Sundance in 2014.
Set in Sorel Tracy, a Quebec town, at the end of summer, “A Colony” follows Mylia, a timid 12-year-old who must leave her little sister and native countryside to enter high school. Lost in this new environment, she meets Jacinthe, who introduces her to teenage rituals and absurdities, and Jimmy, a fierce young native from the neighboring reservation whom encourages her to cross boundaries, and ultimately form her personal identity.
“A Colony” previously won six awards in Quebec, including the best film and audience awards at the Quebec City Film. Festival.
Martin Gondre, Indie Sales’ head of marketing and festivals, said “A...
“A Colony” marks the feature debut of Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, whose short film “The Cut” won a prize at Sundance in 2014.
Set in Sorel Tracy, a Quebec town, at the end of summer, “A Colony” follows Mylia, a timid 12-year-old who must leave her little sister and native countryside to enter high school. Lost in this new environment, she meets Jacinthe, who introduces her to teenage rituals and absurdities, and Jimmy, a fierce young native from the neighboring reservation whom encourages her to cross boundaries, and ultimately form her personal identity.
“A Colony” previously won six awards in Quebec, including the best film and audience awards at the Quebec City Film. Festival.
Martin Gondre, Indie Sales’ head of marketing and festivals, said “A...
- 1/18/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ten leading European sales agents attended the first edition of Marrakech Film Festival’s Atlas Workshops. In interviews with Variety the executives emphasized the importance of this new industry event, which will help leverage the importance of Marrakech as a key industry hub for Arab and African filmmakers.
Films Boutique’s Gabor Greiner said that the workshops provided an excellent opportunity to meet filmmakers and producers from the region, some of whom don’t travel very often to festivals in Europe.
“African cinema has tremendous potential and we’re keen to learn more about cinema from the region. As sales agents we’re on the lookout for something that stands out, and it can be easier to find unusual new voices in a region where cinema production is less common.”
Greiner cited examples of recent films that have raised visibility for Africa-related issues – such as Aalam-Warqe Davidian’s tragic romance “Fig Tree,...
Films Boutique’s Gabor Greiner said that the workshops provided an excellent opportunity to meet filmmakers and producers from the region, some of whom don’t travel very often to festivals in Europe.
“African cinema has tremendous potential and we’re keen to learn more about cinema from the region. As sales agents we’re on the lookout for something that stands out, and it can be easier to find unusual new voices in a region where cinema production is less common.”
Greiner cited examples of recent films that have raised visibility for Africa-related issues – such as Aalam-Warqe Davidian’s tragic romance “Fig Tree,...
- 12/6/2018
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based company Indie Sales has acquired Romain Laguna’s feature debut “Meteorites” ahead of its world premiere at San Sebastian in the New Directors lineup.
Romain Laguna, who studied at La Femis and previously directed several short films, made “Meteorites” with non-professional actors.
Shot in the South of France near Laguna’s hometown Beziers, “Meteorites” stars French newcomer Zéa Duprez as Nina, a 16-year-old girl with big dreams who spends the summer between her village and the theme park where she works. Just before meeting Morad, a teenage from an Algerian family living in the nearby projects, Nina sees a meteorite falling in the sky that seems only visible to her as an omen.
“We are delighted to team-up with one of France’s most interesting young directors on this singular and surprising first film. Zéa Duprez is going to catch more than one viewer, she’s radiant,” said Martin Gondre,...
Romain Laguna, who studied at La Femis and previously directed several short films, made “Meteorites” with non-professional actors.
Shot in the South of France near Laguna’s hometown Beziers, “Meteorites” stars French newcomer Zéa Duprez as Nina, a 16-year-old girl with big dreams who spends the summer between her village and the theme park where she works. Just before meeting Morad, a teenage from an Algerian family living in the nearby projects, Nina sees a meteorite falling in the sky that seems only visible to her as an omen.
“We are delighted to team-up with one of France’s most interesting young directors on this singular and surprising first film. Zéa Duprez is going to catch more than one viewer, she’s radiant,” said Martin Gondre,...
- 8/28/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Two decades ago, there was hardly a Brazilian animation industry to speak of. Ten years back, a small handful of stalwart directors were struggling to gain international notoriety and impact TV, festivals and box offices domestically and abroad with low budgets and a lot of hard work. Today, Brazilian animation is thriving on all fronts, and in some cases, is even outpacing live-action in budget and ambition.
In 1951, Brazil’s first-ever animated feature, “Amazon Symphony,” was released; since that time 43 other toon features have joined its ranks. One feature every year-and-a-half is hardly anything to write home about, but according to Marta Machado of Brazilian animation house Otto Desenhos, 19 of those pictures have come in the last five years, and another 25 features are currently in production.
The clearest indicator of Brazil’s ascendance as an international animation force came in 2013 when Annecy, one of the world’s most important animation festivals and markets,...
In 1951, Brazil’s first-ever animated feature, “Amazon Symphony,” was released; since that time 43 other toon features have joined its ranks. One feature every year-and-a-half is hardly anything to write home about, but according to Marta Machado of Brazilian animation house Otto Desenhos, 19 of those pictures have come in the last five years, and another 25 features are currently in production.
The clearest indicator of Brazil’s ascendance as an international animation force came in 2013 when Annecy, one of the world’s most important animation festivals and markets,...
- 5/11/2018
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based Indie Sales has acquired “Tito and the Birds,” the Brazilian animated family tale directed by Gustavo Steignberg (“The End of the Line”), Gabriel Bitar (“Cidade Cinza”), and André Catoto (“Say I Am Only Seventeen”), which will world premiere at Annecy International Film Festival.
The film follows the journey of Tito, a shy 10-year-old boy who lives with his mother. One day, a pandemic starts spreading, making people sick and transforming them. The 10-year-old realizes, based on his missing father’s past research, that there may be a way to utilize the local pigeon population and their songs to create a cure for the disease. Tito sets off to find a cure and find his father again, along with his own identity.
The original score is composed by Gustavo Kurlat and Binho Feffer, who are known scoring the “The Boy and The World,” the Oscar-nominated Brazilian feature which won Annecy...
The film follows the journey of Tito, a shy 10-year-old boy who lives with his mother. One day, a pandemic starts spreading, making people sick and transforming them. The 10-year-old realizes, based on his missing father’s past research, that there may be a way to utilize the local pigeon population and their songs to create a cure for the disease. Tito sets off to find a cure and find his father again, along with his own identity.
The original score is composed by Gustavo Kurlat and Binho Feffer, who are known scoring the “The Boy and The World,” the Oscar-nominated Brazilian feature which won Annecy...
- 4/23/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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