DISTRIBUTOR MONDAY: NEON
Neon has come on strong over the last decade as a Telluride staple. Their first appearance at TFF came in 2016 as the distributor of Errol Morris's The B-Side. In the years since then Neon has placed 18 other films at TFF for an impressive average of 2.4 films per year. In that time some other notable titles under the Neon banner that have appeared at TFF include: Last year's Best Picture winner Anora, 2020 Oscar Best Picture winner Parasite, Anatomy of a Fall and Flee.
This year, Neon made the biggest splash at Cannes acquiring a bunch of properties. Consequently they have a deep roster of films that could play at TFF. I have at least six films (all of which were Cannes selections in various categories) that could come from Neon to Telluride. Here's what we know about each of them. They're arranged from what I feel is most likely to least likely. Films that are on my most recent "Ten Bets" list are indicated with +. Individuals that have been past attendees of TFF are indicated with *.
It Was Just an Accident+. Director Jafar Panahi* (strictly speaking Panahi didn't attend with his film Taxi). Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari. Won this year's Palme d'Or at Cannes. Release date: TBD. IMDb description:
A small mishap triggers a chain reaction of ever-growing problems.
I believe that should It Was Just a Simple Accident play Telluride it would be the first time in the festival's history to program the Palme d'Or winner for three years running.
Sentimental Value+. Director: Joachim Trier. Stars: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgard*, Elle Fanning. Won this year's Grand Prize at Cannes. Release date: Nov. 7th. IMD. b description:
An intimate exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.
Sentimental Value finished Cannes with the second best critical rating of any film playing that fest with an 8.04 cumulative rating (out of 10) from Cannes-Ratings.org. In contrast Plame d'Or winner It Was Just a Simple Accident was 7th best with a cumulative of 7.76.
The Secret Agent+. Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho. Stars: Wagner Moura (won Best Actor at Cannes), Maria Fernanda Cândido. The film won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes. Release date: TBD. IMDb description:
In 1977, a technology expert flees from a mysterious past and returns to his hometown of Recife in search of peace. He soon realizes that the city is far from being the refuge he seeks.
The Secret Agent was also well regarded critically at Cannes with a cumulative rating of 7.00 which was the 30th best among all films that played at that Fest.
Sirat. Director: Oliver Laxe. Stars: Sergi López, Bruno Núñez Arjona. The film won the Jury Prize at Cannes. Release date: TBD. IMDb description:
A father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa.
This is another film with a great critical reception at Cannes. It had a 7.87 cumulative rating which was the 5th best of the entire fest. It could well move onto next Thursday's second iteration of MTFB's Ten Bets for TFF #52.
Orwell: 2+2+5. Director: Raoul Peck. Release date:
It’s been thirty years since Braveheart was unleashed on the world, Mel Gibson’s film telling the story of the heroic English triumph over the Scottish terrorist William Wallace. While Gibson became a persona non grata (and then some) in later years, at this time he could really do no wrong and his sophomore directorial outing […]
The post Braveheart first appeared on Movie Wave.
The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival concluded with clear signals that China’s entertainment industry is accelerating its global ambitions through technological innovation and strategic market consolidation, as the event successfully merged its film and TV markets while showcasing groundbreaking AI applications that could reshape content production worldwide. Five Key Takeaways 1. Historic Market Merger Creates […]
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PEOPLE IN FOCUS
Erik Toresson Hellqvist appointed new Head of Marketing and Communications at Göteborg Film Festival
Erik Toresson Hellqvist has been appointed as the new Head of Marketing and Communications at Göteborg Film Festival. In his new role, he will lead the development and coordination of marketing and communication strategies for the festival’s three key brands: Göteborg Film Festival, the streaming service Draken Film, and Prisma – the festival for young film lovers. The position includes both strategic and hands-on responsibilities, with a focus on strengthen...
COMPULSION: THE PULSE OF THE NIGHT IS DEADLY.
Neil Marshall, successful director of ‘The Descent’, ‘Dog Soldiers’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ has re-united with acclaimed actress Charlote Kirk. Together they experienced a solid run with movies like ‘The Reckoning’, ‘The Lair’ and ‘Duchess.’ This time their new thriller, ‘Compulsion’, co-written by Kirk and Marshall, will take you in Malta where it was entirely filmed. ‘Compulsion’ is produced by Kristyna Sellnerova, co-produced by Andre Loggenberg and with executive producer Emily Corcoran. Several production and financing companies brought this splendid film to life, such as Cork Films, Media Finance, Primal Empire Studios, Templeheart Films, DO Productions and Malta production.
Malta has an amazing Film program headed by film commissioner Johann Grech and his very efficient team. Malta is your destination for your next film shooting location!
Neil Marshall said this new film was inspired by the erotic thrillers from the 80’s, like ‘Basic Instinct’ and ‘Fatal Attraction.’ ‘Compulsion’ follows the heated relationship between two women, Charlote Kirk and Anna-Maria Sieklucka (from the ‘365 Days’ trilogy on Netflix) while a series of murders is putting Malta in high alert. Kirk’s character, “Diana”, is a flamboyant and ruthless thief who is going to charm the seemingly innocent young “Evie”, played by Sieklucka, a woman with a troubled past and a dark secret.
This film has the flavor of a sexy Hitchcock like thriller, and it will keep you guessing at what is coming next. A pure delight for your senses and your intelligence.
Opus One Pictures is handling worldwide sales. ‘Compulsion’ has already been sold to several key European territories and many more on-going deals are in negotiations. Director Neil Marshall, leading actresses Charlote Kirk and Anna-Maria Sieklucka are right now in Malta as ‘Compulsion’ (https://mediterrane.com/events/compulsion/ ) is one of the highlight of the Mediterrane Film Festival (https://mediterrane.com ). They will shine on the red carpet for the World premiere of their film. For sure, ‘Compulsion’ will be a success when Saban Pictures releases it, in September, in the U.S. (https://deadline.com/2024/11/neil-marshall-movie-compulsion-charlotte-kirk-anna-marie-sieklucka-gets-domestic-deal-1236166226/ ). A trailer, created by Mark Atkins, will be shortly released in anticipation of this ‘tour de force’ suspense picture.
20 years ago, Neil Marshall surprised us with ‘Dog Soldiers’ and this time, with ‘Compulsion’, he again will keep you right on the edge of your seat. You better fasten your mental belt as this film takes dark turns, at times, leading you deep into the insanity of the human soul. There is already a buzz with
‘Compulsion’ and the rise of Charlote Kirk and Anna-Maria Sieklucka. No doubt that this crowd-pleasing picture will be warmly welcomed in countries all around the world. ‘Compulsion’ is an irresistible urge to behave wildly at whatever cost the consequences are. Watch out for the pulse of the night and for your own wildness!
World Premiere at the Mediterrane Film Festival on Monday June 23rd, Malta.
Sometimes the best stories are worth the wait. Giuseppe Tornatore revealed at a Shanghai International Film Festival masterclass that his beloved Oscar-winning film “Cinema Paradiso” gestated for 11 years before he wrote a single word. “When I made my first film about the Mafia [“The Professor”], I was already brewing the script for ‘Cinema Paradiso’ […]
FATHER OF CIVILIZATION - book reel link: https://youtu.be/3DA-2WyuFdY
FATHER OF CIVILIZATION - Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMQ3WSVL
Enter the Universe, chronicled by Malaki-z, the cosmic historian who records the most intriguing and critical tales of existence. MALAKI-Z’s 1st ANTHOLOGY, Into the Light, spans five thought-provoking stories, each one casting light on humanity’s place within the vast cosmos
Father of Civilization unveils the story of the last human on Earth, whose actions will shape the next wave of life on the planet. As he struggles with loneliness, loss, and responsibility, he must find within himself the will and wisdom to lay the foundations for a new society, one that may one day come to know him as its “Father.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James W. Hawk was born in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, and grew up in East Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Cleveland State University.
Dr. Raymond Foery, Professor Emeritus - Quinnipiac University Film, Television, and Media Arts, said about Hawk’s work: "A truly imaginative filmmaker with a highly sophisticated sense of cinematic acuity. Jim has been remarkably active in various genres. As a director of narrative fiction, he has shown a sure hand with actors and a sophisticated appreciation of mise-en-scene. As a creator of animated visual motifs, Jim has displayed a mastery of the latest techniques and a sophisticated sense of composition complemented by a rich appreciation of theatrical style. Each of his projects also reveals the mind of an artist grappling with the eternal philosophical dilemmas of our existence on this planet, as well as some speculation about those other planets out there. In short, Jim’s work forces us to think as well as to look."
Jan Harlan (executive producer for Stanley Kubrick & Steven Spielberg) gave Hawk's work high marks. F. Miguel Valenti assessed it as better than much of what is released these days. One of Hawk’s films was exhibited at an art exhibition in Rome, Italy. Two of his films were award-winners, two were finalists, four were semi-finalists, and two were quarter-finalists at film festivals worldwide. A Hawk film was recently awarded semi-finalist at a science fiction film festival out of a thousand entries. He has had films screened at 64 film festivals/venues worldwide, with 112 films being official selections.