Plot: After his wife dies tragically, Steve (Scoot McNairy) uproots his young daughter, Alysia, and moves to San Francisco, where he begins to explore his repressed homosexuality amid the growing gay rights movement of the 70s. Years later, in the 80s, as the AIDS crisis decimates the community, a now-grown Alysia (Emilia Jones) returns home to care for his dying father.
Review: Fairyland was one of the most ambitious movies to play this year’s Sundance Film Festival. While it’s a well-acted adaptation of the memoir by Alysia Abbott, it was the movie that made me notice how much the indie scene has changed. A decade or so ago, a star-driven historical drama based on a best-selling book would have gotten a healthy budget and perhaps backing from a mini-major such as Searchlight or Focus. In the new, micro-budget era, first-time director Andrew Durham has had to craft a...
Review: Fairyland was one of the most ambitious movies to play this year’s Sundance Film Festival. While it’s a well-acted adaptation of the memoir by Alysia Abbott, it was the movie that made me notice how much the indie scene has changed. A decade or so ago, a star-driven historical drama based on a best-selling book would have gotten a healthy budget and perhaps backing from a mini-major such as Searchlight or Focus. In the new, micro-budget era, first-time director Andrew Durham has had to craft a...
- 1/28/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
The Guinean group Balla et ses Balladins — named for its trumpet player Balla Onivogui — originally released “Paulette” in 1980 on their album Objectif Perfection. It’s unerringly handsome, with pinwheeling, casually virtuosic guitar, reverent massed vocals, a quavery, bleating brass section, and a cooled-out, questing horn solo. To the extent Balla et ses Balladins have a presence on modern streaming services, this is their hit, with 4.6 million streams on Spotify — close to ten times as many as the group’s second most popular track.
One of Onivogui’s many devotees includes...
One of Onivogui’s many devotees includes...
- 9/7/2021
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
[Editor's Note: This post is presented in partnership with Time Warner Cable Movies On Demand in support of Indie Film Month. Today's pick, "Paulette," is available now On Demand. Need help finding a movie to watch? Let TWC find the best fit for your mood here.] Read More: Indiewire Partners With Time Warner Cable Movies On Demand for Indie Film Month Does crime pay? In Jérôme Enrico's funny French crime comedy, it just might, but the road won't be an easy one to traverse. The film follows the titular Paulette (played by the dearly departed Bernadette Lafont in one of her final roles) as she becomes a marijuana dealer when her pension cannot cover her expenses. "Paulette" will air on TWC on February 14. Check out our exclusive clip from the film above. High jinks follow. Read More: Watch: Tim Robbins is a Master of Pantomime in New 'Perfect Day' Clip Indiewire has partnered with Time...
- 2/14/2016
- by Kristen Santer
- Indiewire
As the bad-grandma title character in the comic rude-fest Paulette, the late Bernadette Lafont is all in, never playing for sympathy or sugarcoating the nastiness — more than can be said of the movie itself. Set in projects on the edges of Paris, the French pic spins off a mildly promising premise: Struggling pensioner starts dealing hashish and proves darn good at it. With director Jerome Enrico mining the material for only the most obvious gags, the social commentary of the central joke never rises to the level of hard-hitting satire, instead settling on a broadly observed collection of
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- 4/26/2014
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The number of films dealing with age is rising as older people take up more of the cinema-going audience
The world's population is ageing. Today, there are about 600 million older people around the world, three times more than 50 years ago – and by 2050 there should be three times more again. The effect of that is already apparent in almost every sector, including culture, which of course includes the cinema. In the early 20th century, the brand-new film industry symbolised glamour and eternal youth before being relegated to a largely teenage audience, and then being caught up by age in the following century: the age of its audience, its creators, its characters and its subject matter.
The cinema has always found ways of dealing with the subject. For many years it simply skirted the issue in two ways. One was by using farce, with truculent old rogues, as in Frank Capra's...
The world's population is ageing. Today, there are about 600 million older people around the world, three times more than 50 years ago – and by 2050 there should be three times more again. The effect of that is already apparent in almost every sector, including culture, which of course includes the cinema. In the early 20th century, the brand-new film industry symbolised glamour and eternal youth before being relegated to a largely teenage audience, and then being caught up by age in the following century: the age of its audience, its creators, its characters and its subject matter.
The cinema has always found ways of dealing with the subject. For many years it simply skirted the issue in two ways. One was by using farce, with truculent old rogues, as in Frank Capra's...
- 7/30/2013
- by Jacques Mandelbaum
- The Guardian - Film News
Actor with a natural and rebellious style, she helped to launch the French New Wave
Bernadette Lafont, who has died aged 74, could have claimed to be the first female star of the Nouvelle Vague. François Truffaut chose the sensual, dark-haired, 18-year-old Lafont and her new husband, Gérard Blain, to play lovers in the director's first professional film, Les Mistons (The Mischief-Makers, 1957). In this charming short, shot in Nîmes one summer, a group of pubescent boys spy on Lafont and Blain's lovemaking in the fields. Blain and Lafont were also picked to appear in arguably the first French New Wave feature, Claude Chabrol's Le Beau Serge (1958). In this film, about a young man returning to his childhood home, Lafont played the "village vamp".
Lafont's fresh look and performance style crystallised the movement's ideological and cinematic ambitions. Truffaut and his colleagues found mainstream stars inadequate to their needs, using instead unknown and non-professional actors,...
Bernadette Lafont, who has died aged 74, could have claimed to be the first female star of the Nouvelle Vague. François Truffaut chose the sensual, dark-haired, 18-year-old Lafont and her new husband, Gérard Blain, to play lovers in the director's first professional film, Les Mistons (The Mischief-Makers, 1957). In this charming short, shot in Nîmes one summer, a group of pubescent boys spy on Lafont and Blain's lovemaking in the fields. Blain and Lafont were also picked to appear in arguably the first French New Wave feature, Claude Chabrol's Le Beau Serge (1958). In this film, about a young man returning to his childhood home, Lafont played the "village vamp".
Lafont's fresh look and performance style crystallised the movement's ideological and cinematic ambitions. Truffaut and his colleagues found mainstream stars inadequate to their needs, using instead unknown and non-professional actors,...
- 7/26/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Title: Paulette Director: Jérôme Enrico Starring: Bernadette Lafont, Carmen Maura, Dominique Lavanant, Françoise Bertin, André Penvern, Ismaël Dramé, Jean-Baptisye Anouman, Axelle Laffont. The hardship given by the current crisis is kept at bay by an irreverent third age comedy, set in the French banlieue. The story that has some Ken Loach influences, was conceived by Bianca Olsen, Laurie Aubenal and Cyril Rambour, who are students of Jérôme Enrico, professor of screenwriting at the Esec (École supérieure libre d’études cinématographiques), Paris’ school of cinema. Jérôme Enrico was so enthralled by the story written by his pupils that he decided to direct it. Paulette lives on a Parisian housing estate and struggles [ Read More ]
The post Paulette Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Paulette Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 5/28/2013
- by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
- ShockYa
An interesting discussion during Ficg 2013 with Ugo Sorrentino, the head of Art Films, brought to light the issues involved with co-productions with Brazil, whether with Latino or other countries. Ugo’s grandfather started in the business in 1931 as the distributor for the German production company Ufa. The war blocked all German films and so the company switched and still distributes many French along with American indies, and, as one can see below, they are distributing many Scandinavian films too.
According to Ugo Sorrentino of Art Films, for the Brazilian co-production law to be effective in breaking the stronghold of American film imperialism, it should not only be about co-production but about co-distribution. “Unless there are co-distribution agreements between Brazil and other countries, the simple co-production deals won’t be sufficient to have these films shown in either country, leaving predominant American films occupying the playing time. We need to give an edge on distribution for our films.”
If Brazil were to do “effective” co-productions with Latin America, it must also have a co-distribution agreement in place, because the Brazilians do not like Spanish language films, nor do Spanish speaking countries embrace Brazilian (Portuguese-language) films. So even if they are made, they may not find Brazilian or Latin American distribution.
Every distributor and international sales agent knows well that to have a film made is not enough; the film must have the possibility of making money for a business to run. The filmmaker also needs this in order to establish herself or himself as a bonafide player in the international film business.
Ancine, the governmental arm of Brazil had a two year agreement with Incaa, the governmental film arm of Argentina, to trade 8 films with P&A of Us$20,000 included. There are 100 film produced in Argentina in one year, so over 4 years there are 400. If you choose the best 8 then a pipeline can be, and in fact was, created to habituate the audiences to these films. The agreement between Ancine and Incaa gave Argentinian films an edge in Brazil. It broke the ice and created the habit of accepting and watching well-written Argentinian films. Brazilian audiences might still choose to go to see an Argentinian film as a result of this initiative. However, Argentina did not reciprocate and so Brazilian films did not gain a foothold in Argentina.
In 2012, according to compiled data by Ancine, the only co-productions with Latin America were a two part documentary “In 2111” co-produced with Argentina, a TV series by Endemol co-produced with Argentina “10 Years Younger” and an ad co-produced with Chile entitled “Fiestas, Sandals and Blouses”.
Ventana Sur, the Buenos Aires based film market which sells Argentinian along with other countries’ films, needs that co-production/ co-distribution with P&A in place to make effective inroads into other countries like Brazil where Spanish language films are not habitually accepted.
“Movie imperialism”, as U.S. films abroad are known, will continue everywhere unless such co-distribution arrangements accompany co-production agreements of the countries trying to gain a foothold in local and worldwide film business.
Brazil has the largest theatrical business in Latin America in terms of theatrical box office (Us$862 million Bo in 2011 vs. Mexico’s Us$ 788 million). Brazil has 200 million inhabitants; 18 million are in Sao Paolo and 13 million in Rio. It has the largest population of Latin American countries with the third largest Gdp per capita (in 2011) of Usd $13, 000 after Uruguay’s Usd $15,000 and Chile’s Us$14,000.*
It is 10th largest film business worldwide in terms of its 2011 theatrical admissions according to Observatoire’s 2011 market statistics. Its movie-going population worldwide with 144 million admissions is up 7% from last year and is second to Mexico’s 205 million. And yet in terms of per capita admissions, among the Latin American countries it has the second lowest per capita admissions of 0.7 per person, tying with Uruguay. Bolivia has the lowest at 0.2. Mexico has the highest per capita admissions of 1.9 films seen in a year per person.
Brazil’s 2011 gross box office was Usd$ 862 million, an increase of 14% over last year, the highest level on record, second to Mexico’s Usd$ 788 million. 99 Brazilian feature films were released in 2011, the highest level in recent history. Cinema admissions increased by 7%, however, the national market share for Brazilian films dropped form 19% to 12.4%.
These figures will be revised at the Cannes Marche this May 2013.
English (rather than Spanish) is the second language of Brazil. However, the expanding middle class, coming up from the B- and C classes speaks neither English nor Spanish. Pay TV is currently showing dubbed films.
American films hold an 80% share of the Brazilian market.
U.S. must pay Brazil 25% income tax on receipts for U.S. films which play in Brazil. However, 18.5% of that can be used to produce Brazilian films. Eight of the top ten Brazilian films are produced by the major Hollywood studios, But they do not go out of Brazil to play in U.S. or other countries. For instance, a Brazilian film with 5 million admissions will not be sold internationally by the major studio but by a smaller company because the majors’ business model does not include sales or international distribution of non-u.S. films, even if they are produced by them in Brazil.
City of God was not produced by a major and was acquired for U.S. by the Weinstein Brothers for Miramax, but most films do not exit the country in that way, especially when they are produced by the majors.
The law decrees that Brazilian films will have 35 days per screen. In 2010 the market share for Brazilian films went up to 19%. However, in 2011 it dropped to 12.4%. 2012 was not such a good year from Brazilian films either. 2013 sees Brazilian films struggling to hold onto a 16% share even with the law protecting them. The 2012 megahit Brazilian film, Elite Squad 2, had 12 million admissions.
International Co-Production
Brazil has instruments for co-production in dual languages. For the international co-production agreements see the site of Ancine (Agencia Nacional del Cine) the Brazilian national agency of cinema. Bilateral agreements exist between Brazil and Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Spain and other non-Spanish speaking countries. For the 11 of November 1989 Latin American Co-Production Agreement see the Spanish language site.
The Audiovisual Law grants up to 7 million Reales (Us$1.72 million) per picture. To qualify, a project must be accredited by Ancine. The project must have a local producer attached. It may be in any language, but it must be directed or co-directed by a Brazilian. You can check out all the requirements on the website of Ancine. Some of it, like the Faq, is in English.
Art Film itself continues to change with the times as its latest acquisitions from the Nordic countries as well as from France include Kon-Tiki, A Thousand Times Goodnight starring Juliette Binoche from Im Global and the following:
Liv & Ingmar by D Akolkar (acquired from Svensk Filmindustry in Sep 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - Sweden - Documentary - Budget : $0,0 million
Love Is All You Need (Den Skaldede FRISØR) by Susanne Bier (acquired from Trustnordisk in Aug 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - Denmark - Comedy - Budget : $8,1 million
Perfect Mothers, formerly entitled Two Mothers By Anne Fontaine (acquired from Gaumont in Jul 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - France - Drama - Budget : $0,0 million
The Suicide Shop (Le Magasin Des Suicides) by Patrice Leconte (acquired from Wild Bunch in Feb 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - France - Animation - Budget : $0,0 million
Paulette by Jérôme Enrico (acquired from Gaumont in Feb 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - France - Comedy - Budget : $0,0 million
Ugo thinks the future for films in Brazil is in dubbing. TV series are subtitled for TV, but films are both dubbed and subtitled. The B- and C classes have TV access and increasingly to Pay TV and, as was said, they do not speak English. Pay TV is now dubbing and Ugo Sorrentino is now also thinking of dubbing the bigger films he distributes, starting with Kon-Tiki.
_______
* All statistics come from Marche du Film Focus 2012 World Market Trends, published in cooperation with the European Audioviual Observatory...
According to Ugo Sorrentino of Art Films, for the Brazilian co-production law to be effective in breaking the stronghold of American film imperialism, it should not only be about co-production but about co-distribution. “Unless there are co-distribution agreements between Brazil and other countries, the simple co-production deals won’t be sufficient to have these films shown in either country, leaving predominant American films occupying the playing time. We need to give an edge on distribution for our films.”
If Brazil were to do “effective” co-productions with Latin America, it must also have a co-distribution agreement in place, because the Brazilians do not like Spanish language films, nor do Spanish speaking countries embrace Brazilian (Portuguese-language) films. So even if they are made, they may not find Brazilian or Latin American distribution.
Every distributor and international sales agent knows well that to have a film made is not enough; the film must have the possibility of making money for a business to run. The filmmaker also needs this in order to establish herself or himself as a bonafide player in the international film business.
Ancine, the governmental arm of Brazil had a two year agreement with Incaa, the governmental film arm of Argentina, to trade 8 films with P&A of Us$20,000 included. There are 100 film produced in Argentina in one year, so over 4 years there are 400. If you choose the best 8 then a pipeline can be, and in fact was, created to habituate the audiences to these films. The agreement between Ancine and Incaa gave Argentinian films an edge in Brazil. It broke the ice and created the habit of accepting and watching well-written Argentinian films. Brazilian audiences might still choose to go to see an Argentinian film as a result of this initiative. However, Argentina did not reciprocate and so Brazilian films did not gain a foothold in Argentina.
In 2012, according to compiled data by Ancine, the only co-productions with Latin America were a two part documentary “In 2111” co-produced with Argentina, a TV series by Endemol co-produced with Argentina “10 Years Younger” and an ad co-produced with Chile entitled “Fiestas, Sandals and Blouses”.
Ventana Sur, the Buenos Aires based film market which sells Argentinian along with other countries’ films, needs that co-production/ co-distribution with P&A in place to make effective inroads into other countries like Brazil where Spanish language films are not habitually accepted.
“Movie imperialism”, as U.S. films abroad are known, will continue everywhere unless such co-distribution arrangements accompany co-production agreements of the countries trying to gain a foothold in local and worldwide film business.
Brazil has the largest theatrical business in Latin America in terms of theatrical box office (Us$862 million Bo in 2011 vs. Mexico’s Us$ 788 million). Brazil has 200 million inhabitants; 18 million are in Sao Paolo and 13 million in Rio. It has the largest population of Latin American countries with the third largest Gdp per capita (in 2011) of Usd $13, 000 after Uruguay’s Usd $15,000 and Chile’s Us$14,000.*
It is 10th largest film business worldwide in terms of its 2011 theatrical admissions according to Observatoire’s 2011 market statistics. Its movie-going population worldwide with 144 million admissions is up 7% from last year and is second to Mexico’s 205 million. And yet in terms of per capita admissions, among the Latin American countries it has the second lowest per capita admissions of 0.7 per person, tying with Uruguay. Bolivia has the lowest at 0.2. Mexico has the highest per capita admissions of 1.9 films seen in a year per person.
Brazil’s 2011 gross box office was Usd$ 862 million, an increase of 14% over last year, the highest level on record, second to Mexico’s Usd$ 788 million. 99 Brazilian feature films were released in 2011, the highest level in recent history. Cinema admissions increased by 7%, however, the national market share for Brazilian films dropped form 19% to 12.4%.
These figures will be revised at the Cannes Marche this May 2013.
English (rather than Spanish) is the second language of Brazil. However, the expanding middle class, coming up from the B- and C classes speaks neither English nor Spanish. Pay TV is currently showing dubbed films.
American films hold an 80% share of the Brazilian market.
U.S. must pay Brazil 25% income tax on receipts for U.S. films which play in Brazil. However, 18.5% of that can be used to produce Brazilian films. Eight of the top ten Brazilian films are produced by the major Hollywood studios, But they do not go out of Brazil to play in U.S. or other countries. For instance, a Brazilian film with 5 million admissions will not be sold internationally by the major studio but by a smaller company because the majors’ business model does not include sales or international distribution of non-u.S. films, even if they are produced by them in Brazil.
City of God was not produced by a major and was acquired for U.S. by the Weinstein Brothers for Miramax, but most films do not exit the country in that way, especially when they are produced by the majors.
The law decrees that Brazilian films will have 35 days per screen. In 2010 the market share for Brazilian films went up to 19%. However, in 2011 it dropped to 12.4%. 2012 was not such a good year from Brazilian films either. 2013 sees Brazilian films struggling to hold onto a 16% share even with the law protecting them. The 2012 megahit Brazilian film, Elite Squad 2, had 12 million admissions.
International Co-Production
Brazil has instruments for co-production in dual languages. For the international co-production agreements see the site of Ancine (Agencia Nacional del Cine) the Brazilian national agency of cinema. Bilateral agreements exist between Brazil and Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Spain and other non-Spanish speaking countries. For the 11 of November 1989 Latin American Co-Production Agreement see the Spanish language site.
The Audiovisual Law grants up to 7 million Reales (Us$1.72 million) per picture. To qualify, a project must be accredited by Ancine. The project must have a local producer attached. It may be in any language, but it must be directed or co-directed by a Brazilian. You can check out all the requirements on the website of Ancine. Some of it, like the Faq, is in English.
Art Film itself continues to change with the times as its latest acquisitions from the Nordic countries as well as from France include Kon-Tiki, A Thousand Times Goodnight starring Juliette Binoche from Im Global and the following:
Liv & Ingmar by D Akolkar (acquired from Svensk Filmindustry in Sep 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - Sweden - Documentary - Budget : $0,0 million
Love Is All You Need (Den Skaldede FRISØR) by Susanne Bier (acquired from Trustnordisk in Aug 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - Denmark - Comedy - Budget : $8,1 million
Perfect Mothers, formerly entitled Two Mothers By Anne Fontaine (acquired from Gaumont in Jul 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - France - Drama - Budget : $0,0 million
The Suicide Shop (Le Magasin Des Suicides) by Patrice Leconte (acquired from Wild Bunch in Feb 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - France - Animation - Budget : $0,0 million
Paulette by Jérôme Enrico (acquired from Gaumont in Feb 2012)
Rights : Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD - France - Comedy - Budget : $0,0 million
Ugo thinks the future for films in Brazil is in dubbing. TV series are subtitled for TV, but films are both dubbed and subtitled. The B- and C classes have TV access and increasingly to Pay TV and, as was said, they do not speak English. Pay TV is now dubbing and Ugo Sorrentino is now also thinking of dubbing the bigger films he distributes, starting with Kon-Tiki.
_______
* All statistics come from Marche du Film Focus 2012 World Market Trends, published in cooperation with the European Audioviual Observatory...
- 3/26/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Deals Made At Sundance For Films Screened At Sundance
Films by women are markedwith the ♀, African American with the symbol α (9). Latino is marked by the symbol ɤ (7). Jewish by ✡ (13), Asian by ¥ (10), Middle Eastern ᵯ (4), Lgbt (13)
New
I Used To Be Darker / U.S.A. (Director: Matthew Porterfield, Screenwriters: Amy Belk, Matthew Porterfield) — A runaway seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, only to find their marriage ending and her cousin in crisis. In the days that follow, the family struggles to let go while searching for things to sustain them. Cast: Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, Kim Taylor, Ned Oldham, Geoff Grace, Nick Petr. -- Domestic: Paradigm -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance -- Monterey Media acquires rights at Sundance.
Cutie and the Boxer / U.S.A. (Director: Zachary Heinzerling ✡) — This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role as her overbearing husband’s assistant, Noriko finds an identity of her own. Domestic: Submarine -- Radius-twc acquires N.A. and French rights at Sundance -- King Records licensed Japanese rights at Sundance.
Mother of George /α/ U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Dosunmu α, Screenwriter: Darci Picoult) — A story about a woman willing to do anything and risk everything for her marriage. Cast: Isaach De Bankolé, Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Yaya Alafia, Bukky Ajayi. Domestic: Paradigm -- Isa: K5 -- Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired N.A. rights at Sundance
Newlyweeds /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shaka King α) — A Brooklyn repo man and his globetrotting girlfriend forge an unlikely romance. But what should be a match made in stoner heaven turns into a love triangle gone awry in this dark coming-of-age comedy about dependency. Cast: Amari Cheatom, Trae Harris, Tone Tank, Colman Domingo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Adrian Martinez. -- Domestic: Circus Road Films -- Phase 4 acquires N.A. rights at Sundance
Before Midnight/ U.S.A. (Director: Richard Linklater, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater— We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna. Before the clock strikes midnight, we will again become part of their story. Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Xenia Kalogeropoulou, Ariane Labed, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Domestic: Cinetic -- Isa: Im Global -- Sony Pictures Classics acquires N.A. and UK at Sundance
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Lowery) — The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Nate Parker, Keith Carradine. Domestic: Elevated Film Sales / Wme Isa: TWC-- IFC Films acquires Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance
S-vhs / U.S.A., Canada (Directors: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez ɤ, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, Jason Eisener, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, Jamie Nash, Timo Tjahjanto ¥ & Gareth Huw Evans, John Davies) — Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student’s disappearance. Cast: Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L.C Holt, Kelsy Abbott, Hannah Hughes. Domestic: Wme -- Magnolia acquires Us rights reportedly for over $1m at Sundance
Earlier
Computer Chess / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Bujalski) — An existential comedy about the brilliant men who taught machines to play chess – back when the machines seemed clumsy and we seemed smart. Cast: Patrick Riester, Myles Paige, James Curry, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary, Wiley Wiggins. Domestic: The Film Sales Company -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
Halley ɤ/ Mexico (Director: Sebastian Hofmann ɤ, Screenwriters: Sebastian Hofmann, Julio Chavezmontes) — Alberto is dead and can no longer hide it. Before surrendering to his living death, he forms an unusual friendship with Luly, the manager of the 24-hour gym where he works as a night guard. Cast: Alberto Trujillo, Lourdes Trueba, Hugo Albores. -- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
It Felt Like Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Eliza Hittman ♀) — On the outskirts of Brooklyn, a 14-year-old girl’s sexual quest takes a dangerous turn when she pursues an older guy and tests the boundaries between obsession and love. Cast: Gina Piersanti, Giovanna Salimeni, Ronen Rubinstein, Jesse Cordasco, Nick Rosen, Case Prime.- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
This Is Martin Bonner / U.S.A.(Director and screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Martin Bonner has just moved to Reno for a new job in prison rehabilitation. Starting over at age 58, he struggles to adapt until an unlikely friendship with an ex-con blossoms, helping him confront the problems he left behind. Cast: Paul Eenhoorn, Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, Demetrius Grosse. Domestic: ICM Partners / Traction Media -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
The Spectacular Now / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber) — Sutter is a high school senior who lives for the moment; Aimee is the introvert he attempts to “save.” As their relationship deepens, the lines between right and wrong, friendship and love, and “saving” and corrupting become inextricably blurred. Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler. Domestic: UTA - A24 took domestic distribution at Sundance- Isa: The Exchange
The Look of Love / United Kingdom (Director: Michael Winterbottom Lgbt, Screenwriter: Matt Greenhalgh) — The true story of British adult magazine publisher and entrepreneur Paul Raymond. A modern day King Midas story, Raymond became one of the richest men in Britain at the cost of losing those closest to him. Cast: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton. - UTA is No.American consultant to StudioCanal -- IFC Films has acquired North American rights at Sundance - StudioCanal has UK
The Way, Way Back / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash) — Duncan, an introverted 14-year-old, comes into his own over the course of a comedic summer when he forms unlikely friendships with the gregarious manager of a rundown water park and the misfits who work there. Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James. Domestic: CAA, Wme Isa: Sierra/ Affinity -- Fox Searchlight acquired N.A. and most major territories reportedly for $9.75m at Sundance.
Don Jon’s Addiction / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Joseph Gordon-Levitt) — In Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s charming directorial debut, a selfish modern-day Don Juan attempts to change his ways. Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Rob Brown. Domestic: CAA, Wme -- Relativity Media reportedly bought for close to $4 million at Sundance Isa: Voltage Pictures has sold to Future Films for Finland, Remstar for Canada, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group for Germany and Switzerland, Midget Entertainment for Denmark, Noori Pictures for So. Korea.
Austenland / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Jerusha Hess ♀, Screenwriters: Jerusha Hess, Shannon Hale) — Thirtysomething, single Jane is obsessed with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. On a trip to an English resort, her fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman become more real than she ever imagined. Cast: Keri Russell, Jj Feild, Bret McKenzie, Jennifer Coolidge, Georgia King, James Callis. Domestic: UTA -- Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions takes worldwide rights at Sundance - Sony Pictures Classics has Us.
Blackfish / U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite ♀) — Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity. Domestic: Submarine -- CNN Films (TV) and Magnolia Pictures (theatrical) have jointly acquired domestic rights at Sundance.
Dirty Wars / U.S.A. (Director: Richard Rowley) — Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill chases down the truth behind America’s covert wars. -- Domestic: Submarine
-- Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights at Sundance
Twenty Feet From Stardom / α / U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead – until now. -- Submarine handling U.S/ Canada/ U.K/ Australia/ N.Zealand -- Radius-twc takes N.A. rights at Sundance. Isa: Elle Driver/Wild Bunch took international rights at Sundance
Who is Dayani Cristal? / United Kingdom (Director: Marc Silver) — An anonymous body in the Arizona desert sparks the beginning of a real-life human drama. The search for its identity leads us across a continent to seek out the people left behind and the meaning of a mysterious tattoo. World Premiere. -- Domestic: Submarine -- Isa: Mundial
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear / Georgia, Germany (Director: Tinatin Gurchiani ♀) — A film director casting a 15-23-year-old protagonist visits villages and cities to meet people who answer her call. She follows those who prove to be interesting enough through various dramatic and funny situations. North American Premiere -- Icarus Films has acquired N.A. distribution rights pre-Sundance.
Sound City / U.S.A. (Director: Dave Grohl) — Through interviews and performances with the legendary musicians and producers who worked at America’s greatest unsung recording studio, Sound City, we explore the human element of music, and the lost art of analog recording in an increasingly digital world. Gravitas Ventures has picked up worldwide VOD rights pre-Sundance
History of the Eagles Part One / U.S.A. (Director: Alison Ellwood ♀) — Using never-before-seen home movies, archival footage and new interviews with all current and former members of the Eagles, this documentary provides an intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of their music. Domestic: Azoff Music -- Showtime picked up for cable at Sundance.
The Summit / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Nick Ryan) — Twenty-four climbers converged at the last stop before summiting the most dangerous mountain on Earth. Forty-eight hours later, 11 had been killed or simply vanished. Had one, Ger McDonnell, stuck to the climbers’ code, he might still be alive. International Premiere -- Domestic: Submarine -- Sundance Selects acquires N.A. rights at Sundance - Madman has Australia, N. Zealand
jOBS / U.S.A. (Director: Joshua Michael Stern ✡, Screenwriter: Matt Whiteley) — The true story of one of the greatest entrepreneurs in American history, jOBS chronicles the defining 30 years of Steve Jobs’ life. jOBS is a candid, inspiring and personal portrait of the one who saw things differently. (Synopses are written by Sundance staff.) Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Matthew Modine. Closing Night Film -- Domestic: CAA -- Open Road Films acquired U.S. pre-Sundance -- Entertainment One (in collaboration with Remstar) has Canada except theatrical, VOD and French-language TV rights in Quebec which Remstar holds exclusively.
Upstream Color / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, Andrew Sensenig, Thiago Martins. -- Domestic: Mosaic -- Shane Carruth will self-distribute via his Erbp banner.
The Rambler / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder) — After being released from prison, a man known as “The Rambler” stumbles upon a strange mystery as he attempts the treacherous journey through back roads and small towns en route to reconnecting with his long-lost brother. Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Lindsay Pulsipher, Natasha Lyonne, James Cady, Scott Sharot. Domestic: Xyz Films -- Isa: Celluloid Nightmares -- Anchor Bay Films has picked up North America, the UK and Australia at Sundance
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer / Russian Federation, United Kingdom (Directors: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin) — Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial: the three young artists or the society they live in? World Premiere -- Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Goldcrest Films --HBO Documentary Films has acquired U.S. television rights at Sundance
Fruitvale /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ryan Coogler α) — The true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray. --Domestic: Wme - TWC took N.A. and English Speaking territories reportedly for $2m at Sundance Isa:TWC
Metro Manila / United Kingdom, Philippines (Director: Sean Ellis, Screenwriters: Sean Ellis, Frank E. Flowers) — Seeking a better life, Oscar and his family move from the poverty-stricken rice fields to the big city of Manila, where they fall victim to various inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of city survival. Cast: Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla, Althea Vega. World Premiere Isa:Independent Film Company --Haut et Court acquires France pre-Sundance
Concussion Lgbt/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Stacie Passon ♀,Lgbt) — After a blow to the head, Abby decides she can’t do it anymore. Her life just can’t be only about the house, the kids and the wife. She needs more: she needs to be Eleanor. Cast: Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Johnathan Tchaikovsky, Julie Fain Lawrence, Emily Kinney, Laila Robins. Domestic: Paradigm-- TWC takes N.A. at Sundance -- Isa: Content
Inequality for All / U.S.A. (Director: Jacob Kornbluth (✡)) — In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy. -- Domestic: Wme - Radius-twc acquired at Sundance.
Prince Avalanche / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Gordon Green ✡) — Two highway road workers spend the summer of 1988 away from their city lives. The isolated landscape becomes a place of misadventure as the men find themselves at odds with each other and the women they left behind. Cast: Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch. -- Magnolia took N.A. rights at Sundance
Two Mothers / Australia, France (Director: Anne Fontaine ♀, Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton) — This gripping tale of love, lust and the power of friendship charts the unconventional and passionate affairs of two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other’s sons. Cast: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frechevile. Domestic:CAA -- Exclusive Releasing took Us, UK and Cis rights at Sundance - Isa:Gaumont sold toRemstar for Canada,Hopscotch Features for Australia/ N.Z.,Gaumont for France
Lovelace / U.S.A. (Directors: Rob Epstein ✡ Lgbt, Jeffrey Friedman ✡ Lgbt, Screenwriter: Andy Bellin) — Deep Throat, the first pornographic feature film to be a mainstream success, was an international sensation in 1972 and made its star, Linda Lovelace, a media darling. Years later the “poster girl for the sexual revolution” revealed a darker side to her story. Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco, Sharon Stone. Domestic:Millennium Entertainment -- Radius-twc acquires Us rights at Sundance reportedly for $3m
Kill Your Darlings/ U.S.A. (Director: John Krokidas Lgbt, Screenwriters: Austin Bunn, John Krokidas) — An untold story of murder that brought together a young Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs at Columbia University in 1944, providing the spark that led to the birth of an entire generation – their Beat revolution. Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHann, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Elizabeth Olsen. Domestic:UTA/Elevated Film Sales Isa: Inferno Entertainment -- Sony Pictures Classics acquired Us, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, African TV and Eastern European excluding Cis at Sundance
Toy's House / U.S.A. (Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Screenwriter: Chris Galletta) — Three unhappy teenage boys flee to the wilderness where they build a makeshift house and live off the land as masters of their own destiny. Or at least that’s the plan. Cast: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie. Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Qed International -- CBS Films acquires domestic rights at Sundance
We Are What We Are / U.S.A. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle) — A devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer and closer to the cannibalistic Parker family. Cast: Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell, Kelly McGillis. Domestic:Wme -- eOne takes Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance -- Isa: Memento Films
Deals Made At Sundance For Films Not Screened At Sundance
Blumhouse Productions picked up Duplass Brothers’ Peachfuzz from Submarine pre-Sundance.
Ketchup Entertainment acquired Mukunda Michael Dewil’s Vehicle 19 at Sundance.
Anchor Bay Films acquired N.A. rights to Leland Orser's Morning at Sundance.
Deals Made Outside Sundance 2013
New
D Films acquires Canadian rights to Paul Haggis’ Third Person from Corsan World Sales.
Earlier
Freestyle Digital Media takes VoD and DVD rights to Jonathan Segal’s Norman.
Variance Films acquired N.A. theatrical rights to Terence Nance’s “An Oversimplification of Her Beauty,” which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. DVD and digital rights previously picked up by Cinema Guild.
A24 acquired Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring.
Cohen Media Group to distribute “What is Cinema” by Chuck Workman
Factory 25 has taken world rights to 2012 SXSW film, A Sun Don’t Shine by Amy Seimetz
Inception Media Group (Img) has acquired the Justin Donnelly’s Pressed from Double Dutch International and A Haunting At Silver Falls from Outsider Pictures.
ro*co films educational has the non-theatrical release of How To Survive A Plague and Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush’s A Place At The Table.
Zeitgeist Films has acquired Margarethe Von Trotta’s Hannah Arendt starring Barbara Sukowa from Match Factory.
Factory 25 has taken worldwide rights to Matt Boyd’s A Rubberband Is An Unlikely Instrument.
Ctb Films acquired Wrong and Wrong Cops and is in negotiation to pick up Wrong Cops 2 (in development) and Realite, Praesens has acquired all rights to Wrong Cops and Realite, in Switzerland.
Picturehouse relaunching by distributing Metallica Through The Never by Nimród Antal
CNN Films has acquired 3 docs: Untitled Roger Ebert by Steve James, Untitled Ground Zero by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein Untitled Higher Education by Andrew Rossi.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired three films from Slamdance: Steven Feinartz's doc The Bitter Buddha, Michael Urie's He's Way More Famous Than You and Peter Baxter's doc Wild In the Streets.
Gaumont acquired worldwide rights except Spain and French distribution rights to Isabel Coixet's Yesterday Never Ends (Ayer No Termina Nunca).
Breaking Glass Pictures has taken Us rights to Amelia’s 25th and N.A. rights to Christian Filippella’s Silver Case.
Paulette by Jerome Enrico -- Isa: Gaumont -- Cohen Media Group has N.A. -- Brazil (Art Films), Switzerland (Monopole-Pathe), Italy (Moviemax), Portugal (Lusomundo), Czech Republic (Hollywood Classic Entertainment) and Canada (A-z Films), among other territories.
Films by women are markedwith the ♀, African American with the symbol α (9). Latino is marked by the symbol ɤ (7). Jewish by ✡ (13), Asian by ¥ (10), Middle Eastern ᵯ (4), Lgbt (13)
New
I Used To Be Darker / U.S.A. (Director: Matthew Porterfield, Screenwriters: Amy Belk, Matthew Porterfield) — A runaway seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, only to find their marriage ending and her cousin in crisis. In the days that follow, the family struggles to let go while searching for things to sustain them. Cast: Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, Kim Taylor, Ned Oldham, Geoff Grace, Nick Petr. -- Domestic: Paradigm -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance -- Monterey Media acquires rights at Sundance.
Cutie and the Boxer / U.S.A. (Director: Zachary Heinzerling ✡) — This candid New York love story explores the chaotic 40-year marriage of famed boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife, Noriko. Anxious to shed her role as her overbearing husband’s assistant, Noriko finds an identity of her own. Domestic: Submarine -- Radius-twc acquires N.A. and French rights at Sundance -- King Records licensed Japanese rights at Sundance.
Mother of George /α/ U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Dosunmu α, Screenwriter: Darci Picoult) — A story about a woman willing to do anything and risk everything for her marriage. Cast: Isaach De Bankolé, Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Yaya Alafia, Bukky Ajayi. Domestic: Paradigm -- Isa: K5 -- Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired N.A. rights at Sundance
Newlyweeds /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shaka King α) — A Brooklyn repo man and his globetrotting girlfriend forge an unlikely romance. But what should be a match made in stoner heaven turns into a love triangle gone awry in this dark coming-of-age comedy about dependency. Cast: Amari Cheatom, Trae Harris, Tone Tank, Colman Domingo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Adrian Martinez. -- Domestic: Circus Road Films -- Phase 4 acquires N.A. rights at Sundance
Before Midnight/ U.S.A. (Director: Richard Linklater, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater— We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna. Before the clock strikes midnight, we will again become part of their story. Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Xenia Kalogeropoulou, Ariane Labed, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick. Domestic: Cinetic -- Isa: Im Global -- Sony Pictures Classics acquires N.A. and UK at Sundance
Ain’t Them Bodies Saints / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Lowery) — The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. Cast: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Nate Parker, Keith Carradine. Domestic: Elevated Film Sales / Wme Isa: TWC-- IFC Films acquires Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance
S-vhs / U.S.A., Canada (Directors: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez ɤ, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Huw Evans, Jason Eisener, Screenwriters: Simon Barrett, Jamie Nash, Timo Tjahjanto ¥ & Gareth Huw Evans, John Davies) — Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student’s disappearance. Cast: Adam Wingard, Lawrence Levine, L.C Holt, Kelsy Abbott, Hannah Hughes. Domestic: Wme -- Magnolia acquires Us rights reportedly for over $1m at Sundance
Earlier
Computer Chess / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Andrew Bujalski) — An existential comedy about the brilliant men who taught machines to play chess – back when the machines seemed clumsy and we seemed smart. Cast: Patrick Riester, Myles Paige, James Curry, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary, Wiley Wiggins. Domestic: The Film Sales Company -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
Halley ɤ/ Mexico (Director: Sebastian Hofmann ɤ, Screenwriters: Sebastian Hofmann, Julio Chavezmontes) — Alberto is dead and can no longer hide it. Before surrendering to his living death, he forms an unusual friendship with Luly, the manager of the 24-hour gym where he works as a night guard. Cast: Alberto Trujillo, Lourdes Trueba, Hugo Albores. -- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
It Felt Like Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Eliza Hittman ♀) — On the outskirts of Brooklyn, a 14-year-old girl’s sexual quest takes a dangerous turn when she pursues an older guy and tests the boundaries between obsession and love. Cast: Gina Piersanti, Giovanna Salimeni, Ronen Rubinstein, Jesse Cordasco, Nick Rosen, Case Prime.- Isa: Visit Films -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
This Is Martin Bonner / U.S.A.(Director and screenwriter: Chad Hartigan) — Martin Bonner has just moved to Reno for a new job in prison rehabilitation. Starting over at age 58, he struggles to adapt until an unlikely friendship with an ex-con blossoms, helping him confront the problems he left behind. Cast: Paul Eenhoorn, Richmond Arquette, Sam Buchanan, Robert Longstreet, Demetrius Grosse. Domestic: ICM Partners / Traction Media -- AMC/Sundance Channel acquired linear and VoD premiere rights at Sundance
The Spectacular Now / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber) — Sutter is a high school senior who lives for the moment; Aimee is the introvert he attempts to “save.” As their relationship deepens, the lines between right and wrong, friendship and love, and “saving” and corrupting become inextricably blurred. Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle Chandler. Domestic: UTA - A24 took domestic distribution at Sundance- Isa: The Exchange
The Look of Love / United Kingdom (Director: Michael Winterbottom Lgbt, Screenwriter: Matt Greenhalgh) — The true story of British adult magazine publisher and entrepreneur Paul Raymond. A modern day King Midas story, Raymond became one of the richest men in Britain at the cost of losing those closest to him. Cast: Steve Coogan, Anna Friel, Imogen Poots, Tamsin Egerton. - UTA is No.American consultant to StudioCanal -- IFC Films has acquired North American rights at Sundance - StudioCanal has UK
The Way, Way Back / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash) — Duncan, an introverted 14-year-old, comes into his own over the course of a comedic summer when he forms unlikely friendships with the gregarious manager of a rundown water park and the misfits who work there. Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Liam James. Domestic: CAA, Wme Isa: Sierra/ Affinity -- Fox Searchlight acquired N.A. and most major territories reportedly for $9.75m at Sundance.
Don Jon’s Addiction / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Joseph Gordon-Levitt) — In Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s charming directorial debut, a selfish modern-day Don Juan attempts to change his ways. Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Rob Brown. Domestic: CAA, Wme -- Relativity Media reportedly bought for close to $4 million at Sundance Isa: Voltage Pictures has sold to Future Films for Finland, Remstar for Canada, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group for Germany and Switzerland, Midget Entertainment for Denmark, Noori Pictures for So. Korea.
Austenland / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Jerusha Hess ♀, Screenwriters: Jerusha Hess, Shannon Hale) — Thirtysomething, single Jane is obsessed with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. On a trip to an English resort, her fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman become more real than she ever imagined. Cast: Keri Russell, Jj Feild, Bret McKenzie, Jennifer Coolidge, Georgia King, James Callis. Domestic: UTA -- Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions takes worldwide rights at Sundance - Sony Pictures Classics has Us.
Blackfish / U.S.A. (Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite ♀) — Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity. Domestic: Submarine -- CNN Films (TV) and Magnolia Pictures (theatrical) have jointly acquired domestic rights at Sundance.
Dirty Wars / U.S.A. (Director: Richard Rowley) — Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill chases down the truth behind America’s covert wars. -- Domestic: Submarine
-- Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights at Sundance
Twenty Feet From Stardom / α / U.S.A. (Director: Morgan Neville) — Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead – until now. -- Submarine handling U.S/ Canada/ U.K/ Australia/ N.Zealand -- Radius-twc takes N.A. rights at Sundance. Isa: Elle Driver/Wild Bunch took international rights at Sundance
Who is Dayani Cristal? / United Kingdom (Director: Marc Silver) — An anonymous body in the Arizona desert sparks the beginning of a real-life human drama. The search for its identity leads us across a continent to seek out the people left behind and the meaning of a mysterious tattoo. World Premiere. -- Domestic: Submarine -- Isa: Mundial
The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear / Georgia, Germany (Director: Tinatin Gurchiani ♀) — A film director casting a 15-23-year-old protagonist visits villages and cities to meet people who answer her call. She follows those who prove to be interesting enough through various dramatic and funny situations. North American Premiere -- Icarus Films has acquired N.A. distribution rights pre-Sundance.
Sound City / U.S.A. (Director: Dave Grohl) — Through interviews and performances with the legendary musicians and producers who worked at America’s greatest unsung recording studio, Sound City, we explore the human element of music, and the lost art of analog recording in an increasingly digital world. Gravitas Ventures has picked up worldwide VOD rights pre-Sundance
History of the Eagles Part One / U.S.A. (Director: Alison Ellwood ♀) — Using never-before-seen home movies, archival footage and new interviews with all current and former members of the Eagles, this documentary provides an intimate look into the history of the band and the legacy of their music. Domestic: Azoff Music -- Showtime picked up for cable at Sundance.
The Summit / Ireland, United Kingdom (Director: Nick Ryan) — Twenty-four climbers converged at the last stop before summiting the most dangerous mountain on Earth. Forty-eight hours later, 11 had been killed or simply vanished. Had one, Ger McDonnell, stuck to the climbers’ code, he might still be alive. International Premiere -- Domestic: Submarine -- Sundance Selects acquires N.A. rights at Sundance - Madman has Australia, N. Zealand
jOBS / U.S.A. (Director: Joshua Michael Stern ✡, Screenwriter: Matt Whiteley) — The true story of one of the greatest entrepreneurs in American history, jOBS chronicles the defining 30 years of Steve Jobs’ life. jOBS is a candid, inspiring and personal portrait of the one who saw things differently. (Synopses are written by Sundance staff.) Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Matthew Modine. Closing Night Film -- Domestic: CAA -- Open Road Films acquired U.S. pre-Sundance -- Entertainment One (in collaboration with Remstar) has Canada except theatrical, VOD and French-language TV rights in Quebec which Remstar holds exclusively.
Upstream Color / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Shane Carruth) — A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives. Cast: Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth, Andrew Sensenig, Thiago Martins. -- Domestic: Mosaic -- Shane Carruth will self-distribute via his Erbp banner.
The Rambler / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Calvin Lee Reeder) — After being released from prison, a man known as “The Rambler” stumbles upon a strange mystery as he attempts the treacherous journey through back roads and small towns en route to reconnecting with his long-lost brother. Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Lindsay Pulsipher, Natasha Lyonne, James Cady, Scott Sharot. Domestic: Xyz Films -- Isa: Celluloid Nightmares -- Anchor Bay Films has picked up North America, the UK and Australia at Sundance
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer / Russian Federation, United Kingdom (Directors: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin) — Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial: the three young artists or the society they live in? World Premiere -- Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Goldcrest Films --HBO Documentary Films has acquired U.S. television rights at Sundance
Fruitvale /α/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ryan Coogler α) — The true story of Oscar, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008. Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly, Kevin Durand, Chad Michael Murray. --Domestic: Wme - TWC took N.A. and English Speaking territories reportedly for $2m at Sundance Isa:TWC
Metro Manila / United Kingdom, Philippines (Director: Sean Ellis, Screenwriters: Sean Ellis, Frank E. Flowers) — Seeking a better life, Oscar and his family move from the poverty-stricken rice fields to the big city of Manila, where they fall victim to various inhabitants whose manipulative ways are a daily part of city survival. Cast: Jake Macapagal, John Arcilla, Althea Vega. World Premiere Isa:Independent Film Company --Haut et Court acquires France pre-Sundance
Concussion Lgbt/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Stacie Passon ♀,Lgbt) — After a blow to the head, Abby decides she can’t do it anymore. Her life just can’t be only about the house, the kids and the wife. She needs more: she needs to be Eleanor. Cast: Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Johnathan Tchaikovsky, Julie Fain Lawrence, Emily Kinney, Laila Robins. Domestic: Paradigm-- TWC takes N.A. at Sundance -- Isa: Content
Inequality for All / U.S.A. (Director: Jacob Kornbluth (✡)) — In this timely and entertaining documentary, noted economic-policy expert Robert Reich distills the topic of widening income inequality, and addresses the question of what effects this increasing gap has on our economy and our democracy. -- Domestic: Wme - Radius-twc acquired at Sundance.
Prince Avalanche / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: David Gordon Green ✡) — Two highway road workers spend the summer of 1988 away from their city lives. The isolated landscape becomes a place of misadventure as the men find themselves at odds with each other and the women they left behind. Cast: Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch. -- Magnolia took N.A. rights at Sundance
Two Mothers / Australia, France (Director: Anne Fontaine ♀, Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton) — This gripping tale of love, lust and the power of friendship charts the unconventional and passionate affairs of two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other’s sons. Cast: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frechevile. Domestic:CAA -- Exclusive Releasing took Us, UK and Cis rights at Sundance - Isa:Gaumont sold toRemstar for Canada,Hopscotch Features for Australia/ N.Z.,Gaumont for France
Lovelace / U.S.A. (Directors: Rob Epstein ✡ Lgbt, Jeffrey Friedman ✡ Lgbt, Screenwriter: Andy Bellin) — Deep Throat, the first pornographic feature film to be a mainstream success, was an international sensation in 1972 and made its star, Linda Lovelace, a media darling. Years later the “poster girl for the sexual revolution” revealed a darker side to her story. Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria, Adam Brody, James Franco, Sharon Stone. Domestic:Millennium Entertainment -- Radius-twc acquires Us rights at Sundance reportedly for $3m
Kill Your Darlings/ U.S.A. (Director: John Krokidas Lgbt, Screenwriters: Austin Bunn, John Krokidas) — An untold story of murder that brought together a young Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs at Columbia University in 1944, providing the spark that led to the birth of an entire generation – their Beat revolution. Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHann, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Elizabeth Olsen. Domestic:UTA/Elevated Film Sales Isa: Inferno Entertainment -- Sony Pictures Classics acquired Us, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, African TV and Eastern European excluding Cis at Sundance
Toy's House / U.S.A. (Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Screenwriter: Chris Galletta) — Three unhappy teenage boys flee to the wilderness where they build a makeshift house and live off the land as masters of their own destiny. Or at least that’s the plan. Cast: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie. Domestic: Cinetic Isa:Qed International -- CBS Films acquires domestic rights at Sundance
We Are What We Are / U.S.A. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle) — A devastating storm washes up clues that lead authorities closer and closer to the cannibalistic Parker family. Cast: Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, Julia Garner, Michael Parks, Wyatt Russell, Kelly McGillis. Domestic:Wme -- eOne takes Us rights reportedly for low 7-figures at Sundance -- Isa: Memento Films
Deals Made At Sundance For Films Not Screened At Sundance
Blumhouse Productions picked up Duplass Brothers’ Peachfuzz from Submarine pre-Sundance.
Ketchup Entertainment acquired Mukunda Michael Dewil’s Vehicle 19 at Sundance.
Anchor Bay Films acquired N.A. rights to Leland Orser's Morning at Sundance.
Deals Made Outside Sundance 2013
New
D Films acquires Canadian rights to Paul Haggis’ Third Person from Corsan World Sales.
Earlier
Freestyle Digital Media takes VoD and DVD rights to Jonathan Segal’s Norman.
Variance Films acquired N.A. theatrical rights to Terence Nance’s “An Oversimplification of Her Beauty,” which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012. DVD and digital rights previously picked up by Cinema Guild.
A24 acquired Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring.
Cohen Media Group to distribute “What is Cinema” by Chuck Workman
Factory 25 has taken world rights to 2012 SXSW film, A Sun Don’t Shine by Amy Seimetz
Inception Media Group (Img) has acquired the Justin Donnelly’s Pressed from Double Dutch International and A Haunting At Silver Falls from Outsider Pictures.
ro*co films educational has the non-theatrical release of How To Survive A Plague and Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush’s A Place At The Table.
Zeitgeist Films has acquired Margarethe Von Trotta’s Hannah Arendt starring Barbara Sukowa from Match Factory.
Factory 25 has taken worldwide rights to Matt Boyd’s A Rubberband Is An Unlikely Instrument.
Ctb Films acquired Wrong and Wrong Cops and is in negotiation to pick up Wrong Cops 2 (in development) and Realite, Praesens has acquired all rights to Wrong Cops and Realite, in Switzerland.
Picturehouse relaunching by distributing Metallica Through The Never by Nimród Antal
CNN Films has acquired 3 docs: Untitled Roger Ebert by Steve James, Untitled Ground Zero by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein Untitled Higher Education by Andrew Rossi.
Gravitas Ventures has acquired three films from Slamdance: Steven Feinartz's doc The Bitter Buddha, Michael Urie's He's Way More Famous Than You and Peter Baxter's doc Wild In the Streets.
Gaumont acquired worldwide rights except Spain and French distribution rights to Isabel Coixet's Yesterday Never Ends (Ayer No Termina Nunca).
Breaking Glass Pictures has taken Us rights to Amelia’s 25th and N.A. rights to Christian Filippella’s Silver Case.
Paulette by Jerome Enrico -- Isa: Gaumont -- Cohen Media Group has N.A. -- Brazil (Art Films), Switzerland (Monopole-Pathe), Italy (Moviemax), Portugal (Lusomundo), Czech Republic (Hollywood Classic Entertainment) and Canada (A-z Films), among other territories.
- 1/25/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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