Exclusive:f David Laub, a longtime distribution executive at A24, is joining Metrograph to build a new slate of theatrical releases as head of Metrograph Pictures, a label that’s been focused mainly on restorations of classic films.
Laub will consider American independent, international and documentary features, both finished films and earlier stage projects to potentially provide financing. The company is aiming to get to 10 releases a year.
“We are excited to work with a wide range of films and filmmakers, and be a robust new presence in the distribution landscape,” said Laub, who will hit the ground for Metrograph at the upcoming Berlinale and European Film Market next week.
It’s not an easy time for indie film distribution. Metrograph in is announcement said the industry “in dire need of fresh thinking and inventive distribution options.”
Laub will report to and work closely with Metrograph CEO Christian Grass, who joined...
Laub will consider American independent, international and documentary features, both finished films and earlier stage projects to potentially provide financing. The company is aiming to get to 10 releases a year.
“We are excited to work with a wide range of films and filmmakers, and be a robust new presence in the distribution landscape,” said Laub, who will hit the ground for Metrograph at the upcoming Berlinale and European Film Market next week.
It’s not an easy time for indie film distribution. Metrograph in is announcement said the industry “in dire need of fresh thinking and inventive distribution options.”
Laub will report to and work closely with Metrograph CEO Christian Grass, who joined...
- 2/6/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Banksy documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” sounds like a great business strategy for movie theaters still emerging from the pandemic. Do the captive-audience math: “The Little Mermaid” + two kids under six > one father who would never hear the end of it.
However, it turns out that there are forces even greater than children begging for a Barbie doll in a gold disco jumpsuit (pictured above) for $50: among them, logistics and licensing.
Exhibitors are well aware of the need for brand and use-case extensions. During Covid, theater owners turned their expensive screens toward gaming and private screenings. Once movies returned so did, um, AMC-branded popcorn. It’s now available at your local Wal-Mart, but you know another highly trafficked retailer with shelf space and cash registers? Movie theaters.
IndieWire brought that question to major players: Why not sell movie merch in movie theaters? Genius, right? We thought so,...
However, it turns out that there are forces even greater than children begging for a Barbie doll in a gold disco jumpsuit (pictured above) for $50: among them, logistics and licensing.
Exhibitors are well aware of the need for brand and use-case extensions. During Covid, theater owners turned their expensive screens toward gaming and private screenings. Once movies returned so did, um, AMC-branded popcorn. It’s now available at your local Wal-Mart, but you know another highly trafficked retailer with shelf space and cash registers? Movie theaters.
IndieWire brought that question to major players: Why not sell movie merch in movie theaters? Genius, right? We thought so,...
- 6/22/2023
- by Tony Maglio and Brian Welk
- Indiewire
On New Year’s Day, Peacock dropped the first three episodes of its true crime series “Paul T. Goldman,” a documentary loosely based on Paul Finkelman’s semi-autobiographical self-published book. The show, utilizing reenactments and behind-the-scenes shots, has the eccentric Finkelman telling the story of his relationship with his second wife, whom he believed was living a double life as a prostitute, dating her pimp and running an international sex trafficking ring.
It was directed by “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” director Jason Woliner, who brought an ambitious use of satire to the streaming platform. Finkelman’s unique delivery and distorted facts and his attempt to set the record straight in the form of a movie that he directs and writes himself, starring himself, creates an unconventional type of nonfiction storytelling. Still, Peacock and Woliner saw it as a documentary and decided to submit it for Emmys consideration in outstanding documentary or nonfiction series.
It was directed by “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” director Jason Woliner, who brought an ambitious use of satire to the streaming platform. Finkelman’s unique delivery and distorted facts and his attempt to set the record straight in the form of a movie that he directs and writes himself, starring himself, creates an unconventional type of nonfiction storytelling. Still, Peacock and Woliner saw it as a documentary and decided to submit it for Emmys consideration in outstanding documentary or nonfiction series.
- 6/2/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Dale worked at Independent Entertainment for 10 years
Daniel Dale, Independent Entertainment’s former head of acquisitions and development, passed away last month at the age of 42.
Dale first joined Independent in 2005 in a junior role before being quickly promoted to work on all of the company’s development projects as well as acquisitions for the international side of the business.
In development and production, Dale worked on the films We Need To Talk About Kevin; Mr Nice; New Town Killers; The Sea and The Falling among many others.
Some of the titles he helped to acquire include London To Brighton...
Daniel Dale, Independent Entertainment’s former head of acquisitions and development, passed away last month at the age of 42.
Dale first joined Independent in 2005 in a junior role before being quickly promoted to work on all of the company’s development projects as well as acquisitions for the international side of the business.
In development and production, Dale worked on the films We Need To Talk About Kevin; Mr Nice; New Town Killers; The Sea and The Falling among many others.
Some of the titles he helped to acquire include London To Brighton...
- 3/31/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The highly anticipated second season of the acclaimed documentary series “Make or Break,” featuring behind-the-scenes access to the world’s best surfers as they battle for the top title at the World Surf League Championship Tour, is set to premiere with four episodes on Friday, February 17. An additional four episodes debut on Friday, February 24.
With unprecedented access, “Make or Break” returns to the world of professional surfing, offering an intimate deep dive into the aspirations, challenges, accomplishments and personal lives of the surfers who compete to remain on the elite Men’s and Women’s World Surf League Championship Tour. This season will take viewers on location for the 2022 competition season to stunning surf locations across the globe, capturing the highs and lows of the “Dream Tour,” including the first-ever mid-season cut, international rivalries and record-breaking upsets.
Each episode in the eight-part season of the series spotlights internationally recognized surfers...
With unprecedented access, “Make or Break” returns to the world of professional surfing, offering an intimate deep dive into the aspirations, challenges, accomplishments and personal lives of the surfers who compete to remain on the elite Men’s and Women’s World Surf League Championship Tour. This season will take viewers on location for the 2022 competition season to stunning surf locations across the globe, capturing the highs and lows of the “Dream Tour,” including the first-ever mid-season cut, international rivalries and record-breaking upsets.
Each episode in the eight-part season of the series spotlights internationally recognized surfers...
- 1/26/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Apple TV+ has set a Friday, February 17, 2023 premiere date for season two of Make or Break. The surfing documentary series also dropped a new trailer ahead of its second season release.
Season two will consist of eight episodes, with the first four episodes arriving on Feb. 17th. The final four episodes will launch on the streaming service on Friday, February 24th.
Make or Break season two will include interviews with surfers Kelly Slater, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Stephanie Gilmore, Owen Wright, Tyler Wright, Jack Robinson, and Morgan Cibilic. Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Kanoa Igarashi, Griffin Colapinto, Italo Ferreira, Matthew McGillivray, Johanne Defay, John John Florence, and Brisa Hennessy are also featured in the upcoming season.
Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner James Gay-Rees (Exit Through the Gift Shop), BAFTA Award nominee Paul Martin, Warren Smith, and World Surf League CEO Erik Logan serve as executive producers. The series comes from Box to...
Season two will consist of eight episodes, with the first four episodes arriving on Feb. 17th. The final four episodes will launch on the streaming service on Friday, February 24th.
Make or Break season two will include interviews with surfers Kelly Slater, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Stephanie Gilmore, Owen Wright, Tyler Wright, Jack Robinson, and Morgan Cibilic. Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Kanoa Igarashi, Griffin Colapinto, Italo Ferreira, Matthew McGillivray, Johanne Defay, John John Florence, and Brisa Hennessy are also featured in the upcoming season.
Academy Award and BAFTA Award winner James Gay-Rees (Exit Through the Gift Shop), BAFTA Award nominee Paul Martin, Warren Smith, and World Surf League CEO Erik Logan serve as executive producers. The series comes from Box to...
- 1/25/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Click here to read the full article.
Bart Walker, a veteran power player on the independent film who is best known for a long tenure at ICM Partners, is joining Gersh as a partner.
Based in the agency’s New York office, Walker brings with him a long list of talent across film, TV and stage including David Byrne, Lisa Cholodenko, Sofia Coppola, Tamara Jenkins, Spike Lee, Mira Nair, Oliver Stone, Thomas Vinterberg, Mati Diop, Michel Franco, Mia Hansen-Love, Jim Jarmusch, the Kloster Brothers, Lorenzo Vigas, Benoit Delhomme, Iram Haq, Sally Potter, Richard Press and Olmo Schnabel.
The move by the well-respected agent is the latest major shift on the agency landscape in the wake of CAA’s acquisition of ICM. “The challenge of the moment in representation is focus and advocacy that is specific to the individual clients,” Walker said in a statement announcing the news. “My clients and...
Bart Walker, a veteran power player on the independent film who is best known for a long tenure at ICM Partners, is joining Gersh as a partner.
Based in the agency’s New York office, Walker brings with him a long list of talent across film, TV and stage including David Byrne, Lisa Cholodenko, Sofia Coppola, Tamara Jenkins, Spike Lee, Mira Nair, Oliver Stone, Thomas Vinterberg, Mati Diop, Michel Franco, Mia Hansen-Love, Jim Jarmusch, the Kloster Brothers, Lorenzo Vigas, Benoit Delhomme, Iram Haq, Sally Potter, Richard Press and Olmo Schnabel.
The move by the well-respected agent is the latest major shift on the agency landscape in the wake of CAA’s acquisition of ICM. “The challenge of the moment in representation is focus and advocacy that is specific to the individual clients,” Walker said in a statement announcing the news. “My clients and...
- 8/4/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bart Walker, former talent agent and partner for ICM Partners, has joined the Gersh Agency as a senior partner, Variety has confirmed. He will be based in the company’s New York office.
Walker’s move comes shortly after fellow Hollywood talent agency CAA’s acquisition of ICM this June. Following the acquisition, Walker opted to leave the company, where he has worked since 2012.
Walker is expected to bring a large number of his clients with him to Gersh, with names such as David Bryne, Sofia Coppola, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, Thomas Vinterberg, Mia Hansen-Love, Jim Jarmusch, Mati Diop, Tamara Jenkins, Mira Nair, Michel Franco and Lorenzo Vigas.
“Bart Walker is a brilliant agent with impeccable taste,” Gersh senior partners Bob and David Gersh and Leslie Siebert said in a joint statement. “The list of filmmakers he represents is formidable and we anticipate amazing integration with our existing clients. He...
Walker’s move comes shortly after fellow Hollywood talent agency CAA’s acquisition of ICM this June. Following the acquisition, Walker opted to leave the company, where he has worked since 2012.
Walker is expected to bring a large number of his clients with him to Gersh, with names such as David Bryne, Sofia Coppola, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, Thomas Vinterberg, Mia Hansen-Love, Jim Jarmusch, Mati Diop, Tamara Jenkins, Mira Nair, Michel Franco and Lorenzo Vigas.
“Bart Walker is a brilliant agent with impeccable taste,” Gersh senior partners Bob and David Gersh and Leslie Siebert said in a joint statement. “The list of filmmakers he represents is formidable and we anticipate amazing integration with our existing clients. He...
- 8/4/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Bart Walker will join Gersh as Senior Partner in the New York office. The longtime ICM agent, who decided not to stay when CAA acquired that agency, will continue to represent his esteemed clients in film, television and theatre including Oscar nominees/winners such as David Byrne, Lisa Cholodenko, Sofia Coppola, Tamara Jenkins, Spike Lee, Mira Nair, Oliver Stone and Thomas Vinterberg; Cannes, Venice and Sundance prize winners such as Mati Diop, Michel Franco, Mia Hansen-Love, Jim Jarmusch, The Kloster Brothers, and Lorenzo Vigas: and multi-hyphenate artists such as Benoit Delhomme, Iram Haq, Sally Potter, Richard Press, and Olmo Schnabel.
Walker, along with ICM indie film head Jessica Lacy, have been fixtures of the film festivals and the independent filmmaking sphere for as long as I can remember. Lacy recently left to join Range Media Partners. He had been talking with agencies and management companies and landing Walker is a coup for Gersh.
Walker, along with ICM indie film head Jessica Lacy, have been fixtures of the film festivals and the independent filmmaking sphere for as long as I can remember. Lacy recently left to join Range Media Partners. He had been talking with agencies and management companies and landing Walker is a coup for Gersh.
- 8/4/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. based Independent Entertainment, which develops, finances, produces and sells independent features, has expanded to Los Angeles, Variety can reveal.
Independent has tapped former Voltage Pictures executive Marc Hofstatter to run the L.A. operation, which marks the first time the company has had a dedicated U.S. presence. His official title will be head of acquisitions.
Before joining Independent Entertainment, Hofstatter was an in-house producer at Voltage, where he worked on Jessica Chastain thriller “Ava” and “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” among other projects. He also exec produced “V.F.W” and founded the company’s TV slate. Prior to that Hofstatter worked at Indigogo as head of film, overseeing acquisitions and business development.
Independent Entertainment has also promoted long-standing executive Sarah Lebutsch from head of sales to managing director of international sales. Lebutsch has represented films including “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Moon” and Banksy...
Independent has tapped former Voltage Pictures executive Marc Hofstatter to run the L.A. operation, which marks the first time the company has had a dedicated U.S. presence. His official title will be head of acquisitions.
Before joining Independent Entertainment, Hofstatter was an in-house producer at Voltage, where he worked on Jessica Chastain thriller “Ava” and “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” among other projects. He also exec produced “V.F.W” and founded the company’s TV slate. Prior to that Hofstatter worked at Indigogo as head of film, overseeing acquisitions and business development.
Independent Entertainment has also promoted long-standing executive Sarah Lebutsch from head of sales to managing director of international sales. Lebutsch has represented films including “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Moon” and Banksy...
- 5/5/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The documentary universe has changed radically over the past dozen years. No longer the domain of a few cable channels or public television stations, no longer bound by the old cinema verite rules of engagement, non-fiction filmmaking has spent the past decade bursting out of the low-budget indie sidelines into mainstream acceptance, adopting tricks and tropes from fiction and series storytelling as directors capture audience attention from all over the world.
One force for change throughout has been the Cinema Eye Honors, an awards body created in 2007 by a group of independent filmmakers. Led by Los Angeles documentary filmmaker A.J. Schnack (“Kurt Cobain About a Son” and the recent “30 for 30” entry “Long Gone Summer”), the Cinema Eye Honors have led the charge in shaking up conversations about the types of non-fiction storytelling that were worthy of celebration.
“It was a reaction to what was happening elsewhere in the field,” Schnack...
One force for change throughout has been the Cinema Eye Honors, an awards body created in 2007 by a group of independent filmmakers. Led by Los Angeles documentary filmmaker A.J. Schnack (“Kurt Cobain About a Son” and the recent “30 for 30” entry “Long Gone Summer”), the Cinema Eye Honors have led the charge in shaking up conversations about the types of non-fiction storytelling that were worthy of celebration.
“It was a reaction to what was happening elsewhere in the field,” Schnack...
- 9/22/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Was 1971 the best single year for recorded popular music, ever? Or merely the year in which it reached peak cultural significance? Maybe, just maybe, the answer could be: both. You’ll certainly be hard-pressed to come up with a better argument for another annum after watching all eight episodes of “1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything,” which just premiered on Apple TV Plus.
Let’s face it: Your well-considered alternate pick is going to have a hard time besting the year that generated Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Carole King’s “Tapestry,” Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” the Who’s “Who’s Next,” Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water,” T. Rex’s “Electric Warrior,” Bill Withers’ “Just as I Am,” the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers,” Sly and the Family Stone’s “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” Pink Floyd’s “Meddle,” the Doors’ “L.A. Woman,” Janis Joplin’s “Pearl,...
Let’s face it: Your well-considered alternate pick is going to have a hard time besting the year that generated Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Carole King’s “Tapestry,” Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” the Who’s “Who’s Next,” Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water,” T. Rex’s “Electric Warrior,” Bill Withers’ “Just as I Am,” the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers,” Sly and the Family Stone’s “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” Pink Floyd’s “Meddle,” the Doors’ “L.A. Woman,” Janis Joplin’s “Pearl,...
- 5/23/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
When debates are had about what year in history represented popular music’s peak, the argument is often made for 1971. Apple TV Plus clearly gives some credence to that belief. The platform has announced imminent plans to premiere “1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything,” an eight-episode documentary series dedicated to using archival footage and vintage and fresh interviews to explore why rock ‘n’ roll and R&b reached maximum vitality during that politically fraught time.
The series, which bows May 21, comes from a filmmaking team that includes principals who worked together on such previous film documentaries as “Amy” (about the late Amy Winehouse), “Exit Through the Gift Shop” and “Senna.”
“1971” has the luxuriant running time to hit upon many if not most of the inordinate number of masterpieces that came out that year, from the Who’s “Who’s Next” to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On.” It...
The series, which bows May 21, comes from a filmmaking team that includes principals who worked together on such previous film documentaries as “Amy” (about the late Amy Winehouse), “Exit Through the Gift Shop” and “Senna.”
“1971” has the luxuriant running time to hit upon many if not most of the inordinate number of masterpieces that came out that year, from the Who’s “Who’s Next” to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On.” It...
- 4/24/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Abramorama, a New York-based independent distribution company, has acquired worldwide rights to “Looking for a Lady With Fangs and a Moustache.”
Directed by Khyentse Norbu, the film will debut on April 8 with a virtual live premiere hosted by the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC. “Looking for a Lady With Fangs and a Moustache” will also be available on Abramorama’s digital platform. Following the screening, Norbu is participating in a conversation moderated by Dr. Richard J. Davidson.
It tells the story of Tenzin, a modern Tibetan entrepreneur, utterly skeptical of ancient, mystical beliefs, who is suddenly haunted by frightening dreams and hallucinations. A sage tells him those are omens for his imminent death. With seven days to save his life, Tenzin embarks on an unconventional and sacred journey into feminine energy.
“I hope this film will transport audiences to a profound, mystical, and yet very real and accessible dimension...
Directed by Khyentse Norbu, the film will debut on April 8 with a virtual live premiere hosted by the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC. “Looking for a Lady With Fangs and a Moustache” will also be available on Abramorama’s digital platform. Following the screening, Norbu is participating in a conversation moderated by Dr. Richard J. Davidson.
It tells the story of Tenzin, a modern Tibetan entrepreneur, utterly skeptical of ancient, mystical beliefs, who is suddenly haunted by frightening dreams and hallucinations. A sage tells him those are omens for his imminent death. With seven days to save his life, Tenzin embarks on an unconventional and sacred journey into feminine energy.
“I hope this film will transport audiences to a profound, mystical, and yet very real and accessible dimension...
- 2/11/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: French artist Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash, who gained prominence after appearing in Banksy’s 2010 film Exit Through the Gift Shop, is getting his own documentary. The feature-length pic hails from Obb Pictures and will be directed by Michael D. Ratner, who helmed and executive produced Justin Bieber: Seasons for YouTube Originals and its follow-up Justin Bieber: Next Chapter.
Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, Mr. Brainwash will chronicle Guetta’s journey from obscurity to worldwide street art phenomena. The film will feature interviews with Banksy and other notable figures in the street art scene and dive into Guetta’s life and high-profile collaborations with the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. It also will examine the roots of Mr. Brainwash’s identity, and questions our fascination with art, talent and ubiquity while serving as a critique of modern art.
“10 years ago who could have...
Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, Mr. Brainwash will chronicle Guetta’s journey from obscurity to worldwide street art phenomena. The film will feature interviews with Banksy and other notable figures in the street art scene and dive into Guetta’s life and high-profile collaborations with the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. It also will examine the roots of Mr. Brainwash’s identity, and questions our fascination with art, talent and ubiquity while serving as a critique of modern art.
“10 years ago who could have...
- 2/4/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
‘So Late So Soon’: Oscilloscope Acquires Bittersweet Docu Spotlighting Artists Jackie And Don Seiden
Exclusive: Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired worldwide rights to the Daniel Hymanson-directed So Late So Soon, a bittersweet documentary that paints an endearing portrait of Chicago artists Jackie and Don Seiden.
The film, which made its world premiere at the 2020 True/False Film Festival, follows Jackie and Don who are half a century into their marriage as they approach the fragility of their elderly lives in their own distinct ways. Jackie, notorious for her unbounded energy, is constantly on the move, inspired to create works of art while also maintaining the couple’s multistory, brightly-painted Victorian house. Don steadily sketches in his notebook while facing alarming interruptions to his health. Director Daniel Hymanson filmed the Seidens, on-and-off for five years, capturing the hardships of aging as well as a view into enduring companionship, in this charming character study.
“I’ve been such a huge fan of Oscilloscope for years,” said Hymanson.
The film, which made its world premiere at the 2020 True/False Film Festival, follows Jackie and Don who are half a century into their marriage as they approach the fragility of their elderly lives in their own distinct ways. Jackie, notorious for her unbounded energy, is constantly on the move, inspired to create works of art while also maintaining the couple’s multistory, brightly-painted Victorian house. Don steadily sketches in his notebook while facing alarming interruptions to his health. Director Daniel Hymanson filmed the Seidens, on-and-off for five years, capturing the hardships of aging as well as a view into enduring companionship, in this charming character study.
“I’ve been such a huge fan of Oscilloscope for years,” said Hymanson.
- 10/8/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Self-portraits are respected, if not encouraged in virtually all artforms. Except cinema. There, when a director turns camera on themselves, it can seem indulgent, if not downright gratuitous. It’s a tricky line to walk, sharing without showing off, revealing insights no one else could while maintaining enough distance for audiences to relate. When it goes right, audiences get something seismic, ground-breaking like “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” the Banksy bombshell dismantling of his own mystique. “La Originals” is the opposite, a feature-length sizzle reel in service of its makers’ still semi-underground reputation.
In this Netflix original, which was supposed to premiere at the coronavirus-canceled SXSW Film Festival last month, photographer Estevan Oriol assembles a monumental tribute to the downtown Los Angeles scene from which he and best friend/business associate Mister Cartoon (tattoo legend Mark Machado) emerged to become unlikely influencers. You know their work: Oriol shot the famous “L.
In this Netflix original, which was supposed to premiere at the coronavirus-canceled SXSW Film Festival last month, photographer Estevan Oriol assembles a monumental tribute to the downtown Los Angeles scene from which he and best friend/business associate Mister Cartoon (tattoo legend Mark Machado) emerged to become unlikely influencers. You know their work: Oriol shot the famous “L.
- 4/10/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
"He's an outsider. He's a maverick." Vision Films is about to release this documentary, called Banksy & The Rise of Outlaw Art, this week - available on VOD. We missed this trailer when it first debuted a few months ago, but happy to catch up with it now. Elio Espana's doc Banksy & The Rise of Outlaw Art is a look at the modern street art / graffiti culture that Banksy elevated. "Banksy, the world's most infamous street artist, whose political art, criminal stunts, and daring invasions outraged the establishment and created a revolutionary new movement while his identity remained shrouded in mystery. [This film] finally reveals Banksy's story, from his roots in a criminal subculture to his rise as the leader of an art revolution." Don't expect Banksy's identity to actually be revealed. Not only was there Banksy's own doc Exit Through the Gift Shop (from 2010), but we also had the Banksy Does...
- 2/17/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The unbelievable strangeness inherent in truth has made for some incredibly destabilizing documentaries about the blurred lines of fact and fiction. Films like “Dear Zachary,” “Catfish,” “Exit Through The Gift Shop”’ and “The Imposter” all blow themselves up in the middle all featuring “oh shit!”-like twists so disarming, so surprising they make one question the very reality and existence of what you’ve been watching.
Continue reading ‘Untitled Amazing Johnathan Documentary’ Is A Riveting, Twisted Examination Of Non-Fiction Filmmaking [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Untitled Amazing Johnathan Documentary’ Is A Riveting, Twisted Examination Of Non-Fiction Filmmaking [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.
- 2/8/2019
- by Jordan Ruimy
- The Playlist
Peter Thompson, Matthew Kreuzer form joint venture.
Peter Thompson, former head of sales at Arrow Films, and Matthew Kreuzer, former sales director at Kaleidoscope, have teamed to launch a new UK distribution label, Lightbulb Film Distribution.
The company will look to pick up independent genre films from around the world, with a broad focus across language and country of origin, and the team are now reviewing potential first acquisitions. It plans to distribute theatrically as well as on digital platforms and broadcasters.
Despite the ongoing challenges in the sector, several new UK distribution banners have opened in 2018, including former Arrow...
Peter Thompson, former head of sales at Arrow Films, and Matthew Kreuzer, former sales director at Kaleidoscope, have teamed to launch a new UK distribution label, Lightbulb Film Distribution.
The company will look to pick up independent genre films from around the world, with a broad focus across language and country of origin, and the team are now reviewing potential first acquisitions. It plans to distribute theatrically as well as on digital platforms and broadcasters.
Despite the ongoing challenges in the sector, several new UK distribution banners have opened in 2018, including former Arrow...
- 10/12/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
At the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, documentary filmmaker Stephen Loveridge made his directorial debut with the premiere of Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. Following its initial premiere, Loveridge’s newest feature documentary will now find its way into theaters – courtesy of Yellow Submarine and Exit Through The Gift Shop distributor Abramorama.
The documentary centers on Sri Lankan musician and rapper Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam – better known by her artistic alias “M.I.A.” As the three-part title suggests, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. delves into the different stages of Maya’s life and takes an intimate look at her upbringing. To achieve this effect, it’s fitting that the film is culled from over 700 hours of M.I.A.’s self-archived footage of her life and career.
Our own Leonardo Goi caught the film at the New Directors/New Films Festival and applauded Loveridge’s inaugural execution in depicting an artist...
The documentary centers on Sri Lankan musician and rapper Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam – better known by her artistic alias “M.I.A.” As the three-part title suggests, Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. delves into the different stages of Maya’s life and takes an intimate look at her upbringing. To achieve this effect, it’s fitting that the film is culled from over 700 hours of M.I.A.’s self-archived footage of her life and career.
Our own Leonardo Goi caught the film at the New Directors/New Films Festival and applauded Loveridge’s inaugural execution in depicting an artist...
- 7/20/2018
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
"The idea that someone didn't like it, didn't really phase me." Hulu has premiered the trailer for the new feature-length documentary titled Obey Giant: The Art & Dissent of Shepard Fairey, which will be available on Hulu starting this weekend. Made by Oscar-winning documentarian James Moll, the film profiles the life and work of artist Shepard Fairey, following his roots in punk rock and skateboarding to his creation of the iconic Obama Hope poster and the controversy that surrounds it. We're big fans of street art and the artists behind controversial street art, including Banksy (including his two docs Exit Through the Gift Shop and Banksy Does New York) and many others. Fairey is also a prominent, well-respected artist and this seems like a fascinating, exciting look at his life and all of his work. I really want to watch this doc. Official trailer for James Moll's doc Obey Giant...
- 11/8/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Eric Clapton is headed to the big screen later this month.
Abramorama is partnering with Showtime Networks to release the documentary Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars in limited theaters on Nov. 24. It will then premiere on Showtime on Feb. 10.
Directed by Lili Fini Zanuck, the doc is described as an unflinching and deeply personal journey into the life of the legendary musician. Passion Pictures’ John Battsek (Searching for Sugar Man) is among the producers of the film, which was edited by Chris King (Amy, Exit Through the Gift Shop). The title made its world premiere in September at the...
Abramorama is partnering with Showtime Networks to release the documentary Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars in limited theaters on Nov. 24. It will then premiere on Showtime on Feb. 10.
Directed by Lili Fini Zanuck, the doc is described as an unflinching and deeply personal journey into the life of the legendary musician. Passion Pictures’ John Battsek (Searching for Sugar Man) is among the producers of the film, which was edited by Chris King (Amy, Exit Through the Gift Shop). The title made its world premiere in September at the...
- 11/1/2017
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Distribution and sales veteran Scott Kaplan has joined Gravitas Ventures as senior vice-president of global sales.
Kaplan will be based in New York and report to Gravitas president Michael Murphy, licensing new releases and library titles to international buyers.
“We see traditional international sales as complementary to our global licensing business,” Murphy told Screen. “We want to be able to give our filmmakers the best of both worlds to maximize revenue and exposure.”
Kaplan most recently served as senior vice-president of global sales at Gunpowder & Sky Distribution, and served in the same capacity at FilmBuff, which Gunpowder & Sky acquired last year.
“In addition to having great sales acumen, Scott brings a critical expertise to our team,” Murphy said. “He has a great eye for global acquisitions. In the last few years we’ve seen strong international growth and with the addition of Scott we’re going to step on the gas to further increase global awareness.”
Kaplan...
Kaplan will be based in New York and report to Gravitas president Michael Murphy, licensing new releases and library titles to international buyers.
“We see traditional international sales as complementary to our global licensing business,” Murphy told Screen. “We want to be able to give our filmmakers the best of both worlds to maximize revenue and exposure.”
Kaplan most recently served as senior vice-president of global sales at Gunpowder & Sky Distribution, and served in the same capacity at FilmBuff, which Gunpowder & Sky acquired last year.
“In addition to having great sales acumen, Scott brings a critical expertise to our team,” Murphy said. “He has a great eye for global acquisitions. In the last few years we’ve seen strong international growth and with the addition of Scott we’re going to step on the gas to further increase global awareness.”
Kaplan...
- 4/27/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sophia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Noah Baumbach, ‘Twin Peaks,’ and more…2017 Official Poster © Bronx (Paris). Photo: Claudia Cardinale © Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images
The official lineup for the 70th Cannes Film Festival, which will run from May 18–28, was announced April 13. While a few more screenings will undoubtably be added as we creep nearer to the festival, the selections announced feature a lot worth getting excited over — including, for the first time, two television shows (Twin Peaks and Top of the Lake) and a virtual reality film (Carne y Arena). Also, considering that The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Beguiled are both in the main competition, there is, assuming equal probability, an 11.1% chance that a film starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell will take home the top prize. Considering
This year, the festival jury will be headed by acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, with French actress Sandrine Kiberlain presiding over the Camera d’Or jury and Romanian...
The official lineup for the 70th Cannes Film Festival, which will run from May 18–28, was announced April 13. While a few more screenings will undoubtably be added as we creep nearer to the festival, the selections announced feature a lot worth getting excited over — including, for the first time, two television shows (Twin Peaks and Top of the Lake) and a virtual reality film (Carne y Arena). Also, considering that The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Beguiled are both in the main competition, there is, assuming equal probability, an 11.1% chance that a film starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell will take home the top prize. Considering
This year, the festival jury will be headed by acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, with French actress Sandrine Kiberlain presiding over the Camera d’Or jury and Romanian...
- 4/15/2017
- by Ciara Wardlow
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
England’s elusive graffiti master, painter, activist and “Exit Through the Gift Shop” filmmaker Banksy has a new project: the Walled Off Hotel, an art hotel and gallery located in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. The hotel has nine rooms that were customized by Banksy, Palestinian artist Sami Musa and Canadian artist Dominique Pétrin.
Read More: Ariana Grande and John Legend Sing ‘Beauty and the Beast’ With Rose Petal Fan Dancers In New Music Video
The hotel also has a piano bar, which features a mechanical piano that is controlled remotely. According to the hotel’s website, every night, the piano will play back a concert recorded exclusively for it. Elton John performed via the remote-controlled piano at the grand-opening party (see video below). Massive Attack’s 3D will be the first artist in residence. Upcoming performers include Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Flea and Hans Zimmer.
Read More:...
Read More: Ariana Grande and John Legend Sing ‘Beauty and the Beast’ With Rose Petal Fan Dancers In New Music Video
The hotel also has a piano bar, which features a mechanical piano that is controlled remotely. According to the hotel’s website, every night, the piano will play back a concert recorded exclusively for it. Elton John performed via the remote-controlled piano at the grand-opening party (see video below). Massive Attack’s 3D will be the first artist in residence. Upcoming performers include Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Flea and Hans Zimmer.
Read More:...
- 3/8/2017
- by Yoselin Acevedo
- Indiewire
Bidding wars have already begun for the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Buyers snapped up six titles in the days leading up to the fest, including one that A24 purchased sight unseen: David Lowery’s “A Ghost Story,” starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. Other movies acquired in the past two weeks are “Berlin Syndrome” (Netflix), “Call Me By Your Name” (Sony Pictures Classics), “Casting JonBenet” (Netflix), “Cries From Syria” (HBO for television rights) and “Long Strange Trip” (Amazon).
Read More: Sundance 2017: Netflix, Vertical Acquire ‘Berlin Syndrome’
With 120 features playing at Sundance, there are plenty of hot titles remaining for acquisition executive, though it will be tough for any film to exceed last year’s $17.5 million purchase of “The Birth of a Nation” by Fox Searchlight, the biggest deal in the festival’s history.
Which movies are likely to have buyers lining up in the cold this year? Here are 14 hot...
Read More: Sundance 2017: Netflix, Vertical Acquire ‘Berlin Syndrome’
With 120 features playing at Sundance, there are plenty of hot titles remaining for acquisition executive, though it will be tough for any film to exceed last year’s $17.5 million purchase of “The Birth of a Nation” by Fox Searchlight, the biggest deal in the festival’s history.
Which movies are likely to have buyers lining up in the cold this year? Here are 14 hot...
- 1/18/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
With the release of T2: Trainspotting less than a month away now – on the other side of the pond, at least – the hugely anticipated sequel is moving along steadily with its promotional campaign, which continues today with some slick new Empire Magazine covers.
Each cover highlights one of the main characters, draped in orange, black and white, as they were on the original film’s poster. The first cover features Ewan McGregor’s Renton, the second Robert Carlyle as Begbie, the third Ewen Bremner as Spud, and the fourth sees Jonny Lee Miller as Simon aka “Sick Boy.”
See Full Gallery Here
In addition to these character-centric covers, Empire subscribers will also receive a special one designed by none other than Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop subject Mr. Brainwash. It features the four main characters in a street-art style cover resembling graffiti.
Drawing inspiration from Irvine Welsh’s novel sequel Porno,...
Each cover highlights one of the main characters, draped in orange, black and white, as they were on the original film’s poster. The first cover features Ewan McGregor’s Renton, the second Robert Carlyle as Begbie, the third Ewen Bremner as Spud, and the fourth sees Jonny Lee Miller as Simon aka “Sick Boy.”
See Full Gallery Here
In addition to these character-centric covers, Empire subscribers will also receive a special one designed by none other than Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop subject Mr. Brainwash. It features the four main characters in a street-art style cover resembling graffiti.
Drawing inspiration from Irvine Welsh’s novel sequel Porno,...
- 12/27/2016
- by Will Ashton
- We Got This Covered
The clock may be ticking for New York City’s Landmark Sunshine Cinema. The building that houses the arthouse theater on Manhattan’s Lower East Side has been up for sale for more than a year, and while no buyer has materialized yet, some feel it’s only a matter of time before real estate developers turn the beloved cinema into a high rise apartment building.
Read More: iPic’s Big Gamble: How a High-End Theater Chain Hopes to Change the Way We Go to the Movies
Though a number of media outlets have reported that the Sunshine’s lease will be up for renegotiation at the end of 2018, the existential threat facing the theater has less to do with its lease than the possibility that a new buyer will demolish the building and replace it with a towering apartment complex. Built in 1898, the property has a reported price tag of more than $35 million.
Read More: iPic’s Big Gamble: How a High-End Theater Chain Hopes to Change the Way We Go to the Movies
Though a number of media outlets have reported that the Sunshine’s lease will be up for renegotiation at the end of 2018, the existential threat facing the theater has less to do with its lease than the possibility that a new buyer will demolish the building and replace it with a towering apartment complex. Built in 1898, the property has a reported price tag of more than $35 million.
- 12/7/2016
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Since any New York City cinephile has a nearly suffocating wealth of theatrical options, we figured it’d be best to compile some of the more worthwhile repertory showings into one handy list. Displayed below are a few of the city’s most reliable theaters and links to screenings of their weekend offerings — films you’re not likely to see in a theater again anytime soon, and many of which are, also, on 35mm. If you have a chance to attend any of these, we’re of the mind that it’s time extremely well-spent.
Film Society of Lincoln Center
“Total Verhoeven” begins with the likes of RoboCop, Showgirls, and Turkish Delight.
Film Forum
Experience the best of an oft-maligned format with “3-D Auteurs,” showcasing contemporary and classic technological innovation.
Labyrinth will screen on Sunday morning.
Museum of Modern Art
“Tom Hanks: A Tribute” begins tonight, while “To Save...
Film Society of Lincoln Center
“Total Verhoeven” begins with the likes of RoboCop, Showgirls, and Turkish Delight.
Film Forum
Experience the best of an oft-maligned format with “3-D Auteurs,” showcasing contemporary and classic technological innovation.
Labyrinth will screen on Sunday morning.
Museum of Modern Art
“Tom Hanks: A Tribute” begins tonight, while “To Save...
- 11/11/2016
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Here’s your daily dose of an indie film, web series, TV pilot, what-have-you in progress, as presented by the creators themselves. At the end of the week, you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite.
In the meantime: Is this a project you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.
Where in the Hell is the Lavender House?
Logline: Two unlucky filmmakers get way lost trying to find and interview the Banksy of prank phone calls: Longmont Potion Castle.
Elevator Pitch:
This film is a documentary about a documentary about two documentarians trying to make a documentary about an anonymous prank phone caller with a huge cult following. It’s a scripted/unscripted reality performance piece about a crazy dude who has taken prank phone calls to a new artistic level over the past thirty years. It’s got a great indie comedy vibe, but with hidden camera pranks,...
In the meantime: Is this a project you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.
Where in the Hell is the Lavender House?
Logline: Two unlucky filmmakers get way lost trying to find and interview the Banksy of prank phone calls: Longmont Potion Castle.
Elevator Pitch:
This film is a documentary about a documentary about two documentarians trying to make a documentary about an anonymous prank phone caller with a huge cult following. It’s a scripted/unscripted reality performance piece about a crazy dude who has taken prank phone calls to a new artistic level over the past thirty years. It’s got a great indie comedy vibe, but with hidden camera pranks,...
- 11/3/2016
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Cinema Eye has named 10 filmmakers and 20 films that have been voted as the top achievements in documentary filmmaking during the past 10 years. Founded in 2007 to “recognize and honor exemplary craft and innovation in nonfiction film,” Cinema Eye polled 110 members of the documentary community to determine the winning films and filmmakers just as the organization kicks off its tenth year.
Read More: Behind the Scenes of Cinema Eye’s Secret Field Trip for Nominees
Among the films chosen are Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing,” Laura Poitras’ Oscar-winning “Citizenfour” and Banksy’s “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” Poitras and Oppenheimer were both also named to the list of the top documentary filmmakers, joining Alex Gibney, Werner Herzog and Frederick Wiseman, who recently won an honorary Oscar and will be saluted at the annual Governors Awards on November 12.
“It’s fantastic that he is being recognized by the Academy for a...
Read More: Behind the Scenes of Cinema Eye’s Secret Field Trip for Nominees
Among the films chosen are Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Act of Killing,” Laura Poitras’ Oscar-winning “Citizenfour” and Banksy’s “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” Poitras and Oppenheimer were both also named to the list of the top documentary filmmakers, joining Alex Gibney, Werner Herzog and Frederick Wiseman, who recently won an honorary Oscar and will be saluted at the annual Governors Awards on November 12.
“It’s fantastic that he is being recognized by the Academy for a...
- 9/21/2016
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Gunpowder & Sky, the digital studio backed by The Chernin Group’s and At&T’s Otter Media, has acquired distribution company FilmBuff. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. FilmBuff is a nine-year-old distributor founded by veteran sales agent John Sloss behind indie movies like “Senna,” Jared Leto‘s “Artifact” and the Oscar-nominated documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” Lately it has focused more on distribution deals for content creators with digital-first platforms like Mashable, YouTube and Vice. As part of the acquisition, FilmBuff CEO Janet Brown will become the executive vice president of the newly dubbed GunPowder & Sky Distribution.
- 9/20/2016
- by Oriana Schwindt
- The Wrap
Digital studio Gunpowder & Sky, which was co-founded by former Viacom and Endemol executives Van Toffler and Floris Bauer, has acquired FilmBuff, an indie content sales and distribution company. This means that nine-month-old Gunpowder & Sky now comprises in-house development, production, financing, and distribution capacities in its quest to develop subversive short-form and feature-length premium content. Now, the company says, it will be able to distribute and market originals globally across all platforms, and represent third-party producers and creators as well.
FilmBuff, which has offices in Los Angeles and New York, will be rebranded Gunpowder & Sky Distribution as part of the deal, and former CEO Janet Brown has been named Gunpowder & Sky’s Evp of distribution. Founded in 2007, FilmBuff was responsible for distributing the Oscar-nominated Exit Through The Gift Shop as well as Rooster Teeth’s Lazer Team. In addition to bold-faced publishers like Vice, Conde Nast, and Mashable, FilmBuff has also handled branded content from Ge,...
FilmBuff, which has offices in Los Angeles and New York, will be rebranded Gunpowder & Sky Distribution as part of the deal, and former CEO Janet Brown has been named Gunpowder & Sky’s Evp of distribution. Founded in 2007, FilmBuff was responsible for distributing the Oscar-nominated Exit Through The Gift Shop as well as Rooster Teeth’s Lazer Team. In addition to bold-faced publishers like Vice, Conde Nast, and Mashable, FilmBuff has also handled branded content from Ge,...
- 9/20/2016
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Reaching back over a half century, “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years” thrived with a contemporary mix of theaters and Hulu home viewing availability to become a major grossing event this weekend. The Ron Howard concert doc led an otherwise bleak set of new openers as audiences wait for top titles from festivals to reach theaters.
Included among the openers are two films from directors of Best Picture winners that got little attention: “Mr. Church” from Bruce Beresford (“Driving Miss Daisy”) and “Finding Altamira” from Hugh Hudson (“Chariots of Fire”). Fortunes take different paths. Ron Howard directed “Eight Days a Week,” while Clint Eastwood and Oliver Stone are nabbing attention with “Sully” at #1 and “Snowden” farther back in the pack, respectively.
Opening
“The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years” (Abramorama) – Metacritic: 72
$615,632 in 88 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $7,243 ; Cumulative: $772,467
Ron Howard is the latest Oscar-winner (see Eastwood,...
Included among the openers are two films from directors of Best Picture winners that got little attention: “Mr. Church” from Bruce Beresford (“Driving Miss Daisy”) and “Finding Altamira” from Hugh Hudson (“Chariots of Fire”). Fortunes take different paths. Ron Howard directed “Eight Days a Week,” while Clint Eastwood and Oliver Stone are nabbing attention with “Sully” at #1 and “Snowden” farther back in the pack, respectively.
Opening
“The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years” (Abramorama) – Metacritic: 72
$615,632 in 88 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $7,243 ; Cumulative: $772,467
Ron Howard is the latest Oscar-winner (see Eastwood,...
- 9/18/2016
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
One of my favorite documentaries is Banksy‘s Exit Through The Gift Shop, which premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. That film, which was directed (or at very least edited) by Banksy himself, takes a look at the ride of street artist Mr. Brainwash using his story as a cautionary tale for the industry built […]
The post Saving Banksy Trailer: A Documentary About Removing Street Art appeared first on /Film.
The post Saving Banksy Trailer: A Documentary About Removing Street Art appeared first on /Film.
- 9/8/2016
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
There is no other place where fact and fiction become more indistinguishable from one another than at the cinema. What you see isn’t always what you get: a manufactured image might feel genuine, while an image that feels inauthentic might be the real thing. The finest stories can often be found somewhere in the middle. As Pablo Picasso once said, “Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.”
Kate Plays Christine, the latest film from Actress and Fake It So Real director Robert Greene, caught a great deal of attention at Sundance — we gave it the highest grade at the festival — and is now in limited release. It’s a documentary that follows actress Kate Lyn Sheil (House of Cards) as she prepares for the role of Christine Chubbuck, a real-life news reporter who committed suicide via handgun on live television in 1974, and the...
Kate Plays Christine, the latest film from Actress and Fake It So Real director Robert Greene, caught a great deal of attention at Sundance — we gave it the highest grade at the festival — and is now in limited release. It’s a documentary that follows actress Kate Lyn Sheil (House of Cards) as she prepares for the role of Christine Chubbuck, a real-life news reporter who committed suicide via handgun on live television in 1974, and the...
- 8/31/2016
- by Tony Hinds
- The Film Stage
Glenn here. Each Tuesday bringing you reviews of documentaries from theatres, festivals and on demand.
There is so much to unpack within Robert Greene’s Kate Plays Christine, not least of which is whether the film ought to be considered a documentary in the first place. Greene pushes the concept of documentary as a malleable construct that audiences should question the authenticity of much further than his previous 'non-fiction' work, Actress. This time by altogether abandoning reality, he calls into question everything we see in a documentary. By making the audience ask what is and is not real in Kate Plays Christine, Greene is essentially making us question what is real in any documentary and consider the motivations and mechanics behind them.
Audiences have no doubt asked these questions before in famously are-they-or-aren’t-they works of documentary like Catfish, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and even this year’s Tickled.
There is so much to unpack within Robert Greene’s Kate Plays Christine, not least of which is whether the film ought to be considered a documentary in the first place. Greene pushes the concept of documentary as a malleable construct that audiences should question the authenticity of much further than his previous 'non-fiction' work, Actress. This time by altogether abandoning reality, he calls into question everything we see in a documentary. By making the audience ask what is and is not real in Kate Plays Christine, Greene is essentially making us question what is real in any documentary and consider the motivations and mechanics behind them.
Audiences have no doubt asked these questions before in famously are-they-or-aren’t-they works of documentary like Catfish, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and even this year’s Tickled.
- 8/23/2016
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
Clip It: Each day, Jon Davis looks at the world of trailers, featurettes and clips and puts it all in perspective. This documentary is a pretty intense foray into the world of performance art. Kate Lyn Sheil, who is well known indie movie actor, sets out to play Christine Chubbuck, a real-life news reporter who killed herself on air in 1974. Dark stuff. Especially because Kate Lyn Sheil is a perfectionist and she's plumbing the depth of her soul to get the character right. This can't be good for a person's mental health. Right? That's what this documentary seems to really be about: the commitment it takes for someone to fully empathize with the mentally ill and what happens when you take on too much of that water for yourself. It's always exciting to see people really dedicated to their art. And I love brain-tingling documentaries. My favorite is Exit Through the Gift Shop,...
- 8/5/2016
- by Jon Davis
- Hitfix
The theft and return of the celebrated street artist’s sculpture is treated like a major art heist in a film that riffs on Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop
This film dredges up an unsurprisingly long-forgotten news story and stretches it out mercilessly to 90 minutes. In March 2004, Banksy’s first sculpture – a version of Rodin’s The Thinker with a traffic cone on his head and retitled The Drinker – was taken from the central London plinth where the street artist had left it and “kidnapped”. In December, more than a decade later, it was returned to the same spot, only now the statue was seated on a toilet and retitled The Stinker.
Sophisticated stuff, barely registering on the scale of art heists given that the work was a) totally unguarded and b) pretty much worthless, both financially and artistically. (Even Banksy himself only offered £2 for its return.) Yet...
This film dredges up an unsurprisingly long-forgotten news story and stretches it out mercilessly to 90 minutes. In March 2004, Banksy’s first sculpture – a version of Rodin’s The Thinker with a traffic cone on his head and retitled The Drinker – was taken from the central London plinth where the street artist had left it and “kidnapped”. In December, more than a decade later, it was returned to the same spot, only now the statue was seated on a toilet and retitled The Stinker.
Sophisticated stuff, barely registering on the scale of art heists given that the work was a) totally unguarded and b) pretty much worthless, both financially and artistically. (Even Banksy himself only offered £2 for its return.) Yet...
- 4/19/2016
- by Alex Needham
- The Guardian - Film News
The theft and return of the celebrated street artist’s sculpture is treated like a major art heist in a film that riffs on Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop
This film dredges up an unsurprisingly long-forgotten news story and stretches it out mercilessly to 90 minutes. In March 2004, Banksy’s first sculpture – a version of Rodin’s The Thinker with a traffic cone on his head and retitled The Drinker – was taken from the central London plinth where the street artist had left it and “kidnapped”. In December, more than a decade later, it was returned to the same spot, only now the statue was seated on a toilet and retitled The Stinker.
Sophisticated stuff, barely registering on the scale of art heists given that the work was a) totally unguarded and b) pretty much worthless, both financially and artistically. (Even Banksy himself only offered £2 for its return.) Yet...
This film dredges up an unsurprisingly long-forgotten news story and stretches it out mercilessly to 90 minutes. In March 2004, Banksy’s first sculpture – a version of Rodin’s The Thinker with a traffic cone on his head and retitled The Drinker – was taken from the central London plinth where the street artist had left it and “kidnapped”. In December, more than a decade later, it was returned to the same spot, only now the statue was seated on a toilet and retitled The Stinker.
Sophisticated stuff, barely registering on the scale of art heists given that the work was a) totally unguarded and b) pretty much worthless, both financially and artistically. (Even Banksy himself only offered £2 for its return.) Yet...
- 4/19/2016
- by Alex Needham
- The Guardian - Film News
John Sloss' New York-based Cinetic Media, longtime sales rep for indie filmmakers, is adding a management division to its expansive portfolio of services, which also include film financing, distribution ("Exit Through the Gift Shop," "Senna"), and corporate consulting. Developing its management capabilities allows Cinetic to leverage its existing relationships with filmmakers by offering, in essence, to take care of their careers full-time—and to generate more income. The company has opened an L.A. office and plans to add to its current management staff of five. At Sundance, where the Sloss and his team throw an annual party at Zoom to cap off the the first weekend of dealmaking, Cinetic is representing Asif Kapadia (“Ali and Nino”), Brian Oakes (“Jim”), and Rebecca Miller (“Maggie’s Plan”), among others.
- 1/22/2016
- by Anne Thompson and Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
The prizes for Oppenheimer and producer Signe Byrge Sørensen made Cinema Eye history: they are the first filmmakers to win Outstanding Feature or Outstanding production twice, for "The Act of Killing" (2014) and now "The Look of Silence." Sørensen also tied Laura Poitras ("Citizenfour") for the most Cinema Eye wins ever, with four. Read More: "Oscar Nominations 2016 (Full List)" Otherwise, Cinema Eye spread the wealth among numerous highlights from the year in nonfiction filmmaking, including Oscar nominees "Amy"—which took home Best Editing, for "Exit Through the Gift Shop" and "Senna" editor Chris King's record-breaking third win in the category—and "Cartel Land," which shared Best Cinematography with Audience Award-winner "Meru." Laurie Anderson's "Heart of a Dog," Crystal Moselle's "The Wolfpack," and Jafar Panahi's...
- 1/14/2016
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
FilmRise has acquired the horse racing documentary "Palio" from Archimedia. The Brooklyn-based distributor is releasing the film today on DVD and Blu-ray. The discs hold never-before-seen footage, commentary and interviews. Having premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, "Palio" ventures into the world's oldest horse race. Taking place in the Italian city of Siena, the stakes are high, the strategy is calculated and machismo is everywhere. A jockey's entire well being and love in the town can be torn away by one loss. The film's main focus is on 13-time winner Gigi Bruschelli and his once protégé Giovanni Atzeni. The film has some big names in the documentary world behind it, including James Gay-Rees, who produced "Amy," "Senna" and "Exit Through the Gift Shop," and Francesco Melzi d’Eril, who executive produced "Black Souls Border." "Full of excitement and intrigue, 'Palio' captivates its viewer,"...
- 12/15/2015
- by Jeremy Berkowitz
- Indiewire
Glenn here. As the world of documentary filmmaking grows and grows, biography docs are among the most popular and easiest to sell. This pre-sold name-brand familiarity makes them more desirable to financiers, producers, directors, distributors, exhibitors, festivals, and ultimately audiences. It’s hardly surprising that of the Academy’s 124-strong long-list (to be narrowed to 15 any day now) at least 20 cover the life of a famous person in the public eye. And if you want to stretch the parameters to include institutions such as National Lampoon, Saturday Night Live, Tower Records, The Black Panthers, The Bolshoi Theatre etc, the number balloons. They are also among the highest profile submissions, too, with names like Nina Simone, Evel Kenievel and Chris Farley simply standing out more than geo-politics, homophobia in the Middle East, or Cambodian rock and roll.
This sub-category of documentary were once considered more frivolous and less serious, but have...
This sub-category of documentary were once considered more frivolous and less serious, but have...
- 11/27/2015
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
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50 fabulous documentary films, covering hard politics through to music, money and films that never were...
Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, we’ve never had better access to documentaries. A whole new audience can discover that these real life stories are just as thrilling, entertaining, and incredible as the latest big-budget blockbuster. What’s more, they’re all true too. But with a new found glut of them comes the ever more impossible choice, what’s worth your time? Below is my pick of the 50 best modern feature length documentaries.
I’ve defined modern as being from 2000 onwards, which means some of the greatest documentaries ever made will not feature here. I’m looking at you Hoop Dreams.
50. McConkey (2013)
d. Rob Bruce, Scott Gaffney, Murray Wais, Steve Winter, David Zieff
Shane McConkey was an extreme skier and Base jumper who lived life on the edge, and very much to the full.
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50 fabulous documentary films, covering hard politics through to music, money and films that never were...
Thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, we’ve never had better access to documentaries. A whole new audience can discover that these real life stories are just as thrilling, entertaining, and incredible as the latest big-budget blockbuster. What’s more, they’re all true too. But with a new found glut of them comes the ever more impossible choice, what’s worth your time? Below is my pick of the 50 best modern feature length documentaries.
I’ve defined modern as being from 2000 onwards, which means some of the greatest documentaries ever made will not feature here. I’m looking at you Hoop Dreams.
50. McConkey (2013)
d. Rob Bruce, Scott Gaffney, Murray Wais, Steve Winter, David Zieff
Shane McConkey was an extreme skier and Base jumper who lived life on the edge, and very much to the full.
- 11/12/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Improvised romantic comedy A Wonderful Cloud, from multi-hyphenate Eugene Kotlyarenko, has been licensed to FilmBuff for the Us.
Digital distributor FilmBuff has licensed Us rights to A Wonderful Cloud, writer-director-star Eugene Kotlyarenko’s feature-length improv comedy.
The film, which screened in March at the SXSW festival and is inspired by the real life relationship between Kotlyarenko and co-star Kate Sheil, will open in select Us cinemas and on all major on demand platforms on Oct 23.
Produced by Dirty Pictures and Btw co-production, the Los Angeles-set film also stars Lauren Avery, John Ennis, Rachel Lord, and Niko Karamyan. Brande Bytheway produced and Christian Rosa executive produced.
“I’m super pumped to be getting A Wonderful Cloud out there through FilmBuff,” said Kotlyarenko in a statement. “This movie is extremely personal for me and has turned out to be a lot of fun for audiences so far. I’m really curious to see how people will react to something...
Digital distributor FilmBuff has licensed Us rights to A Wonderful Cloud, writer-director-star Eugene Kotlyarenko’s feature-length improv comedy.
The film, which screened in March at the SXSW festival and is inspired by the real life relationship between Kotlyarenko and co-star Kate Sheil, will open in select Us cinemas and on all major on demand platforms on Oct 23.
Produced by Dirty Pictures and Btw co-production, the Los Angeles-set film also stars Lauren Avery, John Ennis, Rachel Lord, and Niko Karamyan. Brande Bytheway produced and Christian Rosa executive produced.
“I’m super pumped to be getting A Wonderful Cloud out there through FilmBuff,” said Kotlyarenko in a statement. “This movie is extremely personal for me and has turned out to be a lot of fun for audiences so far. I’m really curious to see how people will react to something...
- 10/7/2015
- ScreenDaily
Laurie Anderson has picked a set of films, titled "Laurie Anderson Collection," now streaming on boutique Svod service SundanceNow Doc Club. The artist-filmmaker is currently in the news for her autobiographic Telluride premiere "Heart of a Dog," a cinematic collection of remembrances of her late, beloved, piano-playing, finger-painting dog Lolabelle. The film moves onto to Toronto this weekend before opening Wednesday, October 21. The six films now streaming in her Doc Club collection, including directors Werner Herzog and Guy Maddin, are "5 Broken Cameras," "Ballets Russes," "Cave of Forgotten Dreams," "Exit Through the Gift Shop," "My Winnipeg" and "The Unmistaken Child." Below are her appropriately idiosyncratic notes for each film. Read More: Laurie Anderson's Puppy Love Paean 'Heart of a Dog' Warms Telluride and Venice 5 Broken Cameras (2012) "Here is the desert between Palestine and...
- 9/10/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Revolver Entertainment
Banksy is now quite possibly the world’s most popular artist. From his humble beginnings designing graffiti murals in Bristol and London, he has gone on to generate artworks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. He is friends with Brad Pitt. He’s held exhibitions in some of the biggest museums and galleries in the world. His film, Exit Through The Gift Shop, was lauded worldwide.
Regardless of how famous he becomes in art circles (if, indeed, you can be famous when no-one knows who you are…), he will always be most remembered for his street art. Murals are what made his name, and councils everywhere are now happy to maintain and protect his work in the knowledge that it has increasingly become a draw for tourists and art fans alike. Many of these works are deeply critical, parodic and sardonic, drawing on huge global issues. Many are located in insanely dangerous areas.
Banksy is now quite possibly the world’s most popular artist. From his humble beginnings designing graffiti murals in Bristol and London, he has gone on to generate artworks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. He is friends with Brad Pitt. He’s held exhibitions in some of the biggest museums and galleries in the world. His film, Exit Through The Gift Shop, was lauded worldwide.
Regardless of how famous he becomes in art circles (if, indeed, you can be famous when no-one knows who you are…), he will always be most remembered for his street art. Murals are what made his name, and councils everywhere are now happy to maintain and protect his work in the knowledge that it has increasingly become a draw for tourists and art fans alike. Many of these works are deeply critical, parodic and sardonic, drawing on huge global issues. Many are located in insanely dangerous areas.
- 8/27/2015
- by Michael Waugh
- Obsessed with Film
Dismaland Castle and Big Little Mermaid suffering from split-personality disorder. Dismaland: Banksy and more than 50 other artists create bemusement theme park Who gives a damn about the cheap thrills to be offered by the Star Wars-themed expansion of Disneyland when you can relish the thought-provoking wonders of Dismaland? The artist Banksy, whose 2010 documentary feature Exit Through the Gift Shop was nominated for an Academy Award, has come up with his latest revolutionary artwork: a theme park for the bemusement of the whole family! Or perhaps not quite the whole family. Banksy calls his 2.5-acre art show a “family theme park unsuitable for small children.” Another Dismaland plus. Its construction shrouded in secrecy, Dismaland opened today, Aug. 20, '15, on the sea front at Weston-super-Mare, in Somerset, southwest England. While the theme park was being built, locals believed that the work going on at the derelict Tropicana “lido” – shut down in...
- 8/20/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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