Carol Polakoff, a two-time Directors Guild of America award winner, is teaming with “Exodus” producer Denise O’Dell to adapt to the big screen “Speak Sunlight,” American writer Alan Jolis’ much-loved memoir.
Now in pre-production and scheduled to shoot from May 8, the high-profile title is produced by Madrid-based Babieka Films, most recently behind Netflix hit “The Paramedic,” and L.A.’s Viewfinder Pictures.
“Speak Sunlight” (“La Voz del Sol”) marks the directorial debut of journalist-screenwriter Polakoff whose curriculum includes two DGA wins and three Daytime Emmy Awards nominations for “ABC Afterschool Specials.” Most recently, Polakoff produced Daniel Rosenberg’s 2020 Cannes Official Selection title “The Death of Cinema and My Father Too,” which won a Cannes Label for making the cut in Thierry Frémaux’s First Features category.
To film in Spanish, with a smattering of French, “Speak Sunlight” is written by Polakoff with a Spanish version from Natxo López, a creator...
Now in pre-production and scheduled to shoot from May 8, the high-profile title is produced by Madrid-based Babieka Films, most recently behind Netflix hit “The Paramedic,” and L.A.’s Viewfinder Pictures.
“Speak Sunlight” (“La Voz del Sol”) marks the directorial debut of journalist-screenwriter Polakoff whose curriculum includes two DGA wins and three Daytime Emmy Awards nominations for “ABC Afterschool Specials.” Most recently, Polakoff produced Daniel Rosenberg’s 2020 Cannes Official Selection title “The Death of Cinema and My Father Too,” which won a Cannes Label for making the cut in Thierry Frémaux’s First Features category.
To film in Spanish, with a smattering of French, “Speak Sunlight” is written by Polakoff with a Spanish version from Natxo López, a creator...
- 3/16/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Since 2017, when it released its first original production, “Velvet Collection,” Movistar Plus has produced and aired 45 original or returning series in Spain.
Now it’s looking to raise the ante, investing more in original production than ever before, says Movistar Plus president Sergio Oslé.
“Original production is a brutal anti-churn driver. Consumption of our original content is directly linked to customer satisfaction and consequently to loyalty,” says Movistar Plus CEO Cristina Burzako.
“In such a disruptive environment with a huge proliferation of brands and platforms and somehow, with some fatigue of entertainment, we must ensure we deliver a complete, personalized and curated entertainment proposal.”
This involves “integrating all key global brands [although they tend not to be exclusive deals anymore] and building our original production, which is more important than ever to drive differentiation.”
Building original production now cuts several ways. Movistar Plus is maintaining its original series output. It is also plowing more into non-fiction.
At September’s San Sebastian Festival,...
Now it’s looking to raise the ante, investing more in original production than ever before, says Movistar Plus president Sergio Oslé.
“Original production is a brutal anti-churn driver. Consumption of our original content is directly linked to customer satisfaction and consequently to loyalty,” says Movistar Plus CEO Cristina Burzako.
“In such a disruptive environment with a huge proliferation of brands and platforms and somehow, with some fatigue of entertainment, we must ensure we deliver a complete, personalized and curated entertainment proposal.”
This involves “integrating all key global brands [although they tend not to be exclusive deals anymore] and building our original production, which is more important than ever to drive differentiation.”
Building original production now cuts several ways. Movistar Plus is maintaining its original series output. It is also plowing more into non-fiction.
At September’s San Sebastian Festival,...
- 9/13/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish Box Office Breakout ‘Words for an End of the World’ – Broken Down by Director Manuel Menchon
“Words for an End of the World,” the third feature by Spain’s Manuel Menchón, continues his exploration of the towering figure of Miguel de Unamuno, also the subject of his prior fiction film, “The Island of Wind.” The documentary, however, covers new ground, embarks on a far more ambitious revisiting of Spain’s still not so distant past with a deep dive into a muddled history that for years has had just one interpretation that has simply been accepted as canon.
Unamuno, the great Spanish intellectual and analyst of Spain’s atavistic woes, was for decades regarded as the man who sided and funded the fascist coup led by Francisco Franco. With historical echoes that reverberate down to today’s political landscape, Unamuno’s final days have been increasingly revisited, most notably in Alejandro Amenabar 2019 “While at War.” Menchón’s documentary uses Unamuno, his position as head of Salamanca...
Unamuno, the great Spanish intellectual and analyst of Spain’s atavistic woes, was for decades regarded as the man who sided and funded the fascist coup led by Francisco Franco. With historical echoes that reverberate down to today’s political landscape, Unamuno’s final days have been increasingly revisited, most notably in Alejandro Amenabar 2019 “While at War.” Menchón’s documentary uses Unamuno, his position as head of Salamanca...
- 3/15/2021
- by Emiliano Granada
- Variety Film + TV
Nominations were unveiled this morning for the 2020 Goya Awards, Spain’s primary awards show for film.
Leading the way is Alejandro Amenábar’s historical drama While At War, which follows revered author Miguel de Unamuno as he decides to publicly support the Spanish coup of July 1936, eventually heading to Franco’s palace to ask for clemency. The pic premiered at Toronto and also played San Sebastian.
While At War scored 17 nominations, including best film, director, screenplay and five acting nominations.
Following closely behind was Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory with 16 nominations including best film, director and acting noms for its leads Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz. The pic played in competition at Cannes this year and has since grossed $35m globally.
Alongside those two frontrunners, drama The Endless Touch, which premiered at San Sebastian film festival this year, picked up 15 nominations, including a nod for best film and best...
Leading the way is Alejandro Amenábar’s historical drama While At War, which follows revered author Miguel de Unamuno as he decides to publicly support the Spanish coup of July 1936, eventually heading to Franco’s palace to ask for clemency. The pic premiered at Toronto and also played San Sebastian.
While At War scored 17 nominations, including best film, director, screenplay and five acting nominations.
Following closely behind was Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory with 16 nominations including best film, director and acting noms for its leads Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz. The pic played in competition at Cannes this year and has since grossed $35m globally.
Alongside those two frontrunners, drama The Endless Touch, which premiered at San Sebastian film festival this year, picked up 15 nominations, including a nod for best film and best...
- 12/2/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Alejandro Amenábar’s ‘While at War’ wins international award.
Oren Gerner’s Africa and Yaron Shani’s Reborn have been jointly awarded the top award at the 35th Haifa International Film Festival (Oct 12-21).
Scroll down for full list of winners
As joint winners of the best Israeli feature film award, the prize of 100,000 Nis will be divided between them.
The dramas each won three trophies at the festival’s awards on Saturday (Oct 19).
Africa, the story of how a retiree copes with growing older, also picked up the Danny Lerner award for best Israeli feature debut and the Michael...
Oren Gerner’s Africa and Yaron Shani’s Reborn have been jointly awarded the top award at the 35th Haifa International Film Festival (Oct 12-21).
Scroll down for full list of winners
As joint winners of the best Israeli feature film award, the prize of 100,000 Nis will be divided between them.
The dramas each won three trophies at the festival’s awards on Saturday (Oct 19).
Africa, the story of how a retiree copes with growing older, also picked up the Danny Lerner award for best Israeli feature debut and the Michael...
- 10/21/2019
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
On Oct. 12, 1936, as Spain’s Civil War raged, the aged Spanish writer Miguel de Unamuno, rector of the University of Salamanca, rose to address rebel general Francisco Franco’s fascist supporters, declaring that he abominated their cause.
He risked execution with his near insanely brave speech. It marks the climax of “While at War,” directed by Alejandro Amenabar. The first Movistar+ Original Film, which carries one of the biggest-budgets of a Spanish movie in 2019, the psychological drama world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival as a Special Presentation and now screens at Mia in Rome. Variety spoke to Amenabar.
“While at War” marks your return to Spanish-language filmmaking 14 years after the Oscar-winning “The Sea Inside.” Why now?
It’s always a question of the story: Finding something, real or invented, through which to express myself. I knew nothing about Unamuno’s speech in the great hall of the University of Salamanca.
He risked execution with his near insanely brave speech. It marks the climax of “While at War,” directed by Alejandro Amenabar. The first Movistar+ Original Film, which carries one of the biggest-budgets of a Spanish movie in 2019, the psychological drama world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival as a Special Presentation and now screens at Mia in Rome. Variety spoke to Amenabar.
“While at War” marks your return to Spanish-language filmmaking 14 years after the Oscar-winning “The Sea Inside.” Why now?
It’s always a question of the story: Finding something, real or invented, through which to express myself. I knew nothing about Unamuno’s speech in the great hall of the University of Salamanca.
- 10/16/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
San Sebastian — In one of the big deals to go down at this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival, prestigious French production-distribution house Haut et Court has secured French distribution rights to Alejandro Amenábar’s “While at War.”
Buena Vista Intl. (Bvi) releases the film, Amenabar’s first in Spanish since the Oscar-winning “The Sea Inside,” in Spain this Friday Sept. 27.
Negotiations on Amenábar’s historical psychological drama-thriller began at early September’s Toronto Festival and closed at San Sebastian.
The deal has been brokered by Vicente Canales,founder of Film Factory Ent. the film’s sales agent, and Carole Scotta, co-head of Haut et Court Distribution, and Laure Caillol, its head of acquisitions.
The distribution accord will see the French distribution house open “While at War” on 80-100 screens, a location spread reserved for higher-profile foreign language titles in traditionally their biggest territory in Europe.
“Haut et Court is perfect for ‘While at War.
Buena Vista Intl. (Bvi) releases the film, Amenabar’s first in Spanish since the Oscar-winning “The Sea Inside,” in Spain this Friday Sept. 27.
Negotiations on Amenábar’s historical psychological drama-thriller began at early September’s Toronto Festival and closed at San Sebastian.
The deal has been brokered by Vicente Canales,founder of Film Factory Ent. the film’s sales agent, and Carole Scotta, co-head of Haut et Court Distribution, and Laure Caillol, its head of acquisitions.
The distribution accord will see the French distribution house open “While at War” on 80-100 screens, a location spread reserved for higher-profile foreign language titles in traditionally their biggest territory in Europe.
“Haut et Court is perfect for ‘While at War.
- 9/25/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Though set in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, “While at War,” Movistar Plus’ first original film, “talks more about present-day Spain than the past,” says director Alejandro Amenábar.
Contemporary relevance and social-issue substance are two hallmarks of Movistar Plus’ productions. Others abound in Amenábar’s movie, which plays in the main competition at the San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival, having world-premiered as a Toronto festival Special Presentation.
A period psychological drama, “While at War” charts Francisco Franco’s rise
to power while writer Miguel de Unamuno, rector of the University of Salamanca, grows increasingly outraged at the barbarity of the Nationalists’ summary executions.
As with many Movistar Plus productions, “While at War” couldn’t have been made so sumptiously without its backing. Movistar boarding the movie was “providential,” says Amenábar. As a project, the film had been rejected or simply ignored by Spain’s free-to-air broadcasters.
“One role of fiction in general — not just series,...
Contemporary relevance and social-issue substance are two hallmarks of Movistar Plus’ productions. Others abound in Amenábar’s movie, which plays in the main competition at the San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival, having world-premiered as a Toronto festival Special Presentation.
A period psychological drama, “While at War” charts Francisco Franco’s rise
to power while writer Miguel de Unamuno, rector of the University of Salamanca, grows increasingly outraged at the barbarity of the Nationalists’ summary executions.
As with many Movistar Plus productions, “While at War” couldn’t have been made so sumptiously without its backing. Movistar boarding the movie was “providential,” says Amenábar. As a project, the film had been rejected or simply ignored by Spain’s free-to-air broadcasters.
“One role of fiction in general — not just series,...
- 9/13/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Alejandro Amenábar went 15 years without making a feature in Spain, and his first such since the excellent “The Sea Inside” is notable not only for being a 20th-century Spanish history lesson, but also for providing a particularly timely anti-fascist message.
Climaxing in a famous speech of protest from literary lion Miguel de Unamuno, this is a worthy enterprise that errs on the side of caution, carrying the slightly stale whiff of awards-bait cinema in which greatness is frequently signaled but inspiration somehow lacking. Though surely due a certain amount of international travel, it’s unlikely to stir the kind of critical or viewer excitement needed to make this political back-chapter enticing to audiences outside Spanish-speaking territories.
To an extent, Amenábar and co-writer Alejandro Hernandez are hemmed in by the perspective of their protagonist (played by Karra Elejalde), an esteemed author and philosopher then considered by some “Spain’s greatest writer...
Climaxing in a famous speech of protest from literary lion Miguel de Unamuno, this is a worthy enterprise that errs on the side of caution, carrying the slightly stale whiff of awards-bait cinema in which greatness is frequently signaled but inspiration somehow lacking. Though surely due a certain amount of international travel, it’s unlikely to stir the kind of critical or viewer excitement needed to make this political back-chapter enticing to audiences outside Spanish-speaking territories.
To an extent, Amenábar and co-writer Alejandro Hernandez are hemmed in by the perspective of their protagonist (played by Karra Elejalde), an esteemed author and philosopher then considered by some “Spain’s greatest writer...
- 9/6/2019
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Rolling off their partnership on “While at War,” one of the biggest and highest-profile Spanish movies of 2019, Academy Award winning director Alejandro Amenábar is now teaming with Movistar +, the pay TV division of Spain’s Telefonica, on the development of a drama series, inspired by the Spanish graphic novel “El tesoro del Cisne Negro.”
Created by comic book artist Paco Roca and Spanish diplomat Guillermo Corral, the six part series will turn on the the Black Swan Project: the Odyssey Marine Exploration’s discovery and recovery and transport to Florida of 17.1 tons of coins from the wreckage of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a 30-gun Spanish frigate sunk by the British Navy off the Portuguese coast in 1804. Beginning in 1807, the Spanish government fought a legal battle through U.S. courts to claim the treasure. claimed to be the biggest shipwreck booty in history, as its own.
An adventure...
Created by comic book artist Paco Roca and Spanish diplomat Guillermo Corral, the six part series will turn on the the Black Swan Project: the Odyssey Marine Exploration’s discovery and recovery and transport to Florida of 17.1 tons of coins from the wreckage of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a 30-gun Spanish frigate sunk by the British Navy off the Portuguese coast in 1804. Beginning in 1807, the Spanish government fought a legal battle through U.S. courts to claim the treasure. claimed to be the biggest shipwreck booty in history, as its own.
An adventure...
- 7/26/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The new titles by Michael Winterbottom, Alejandro Amenábar, Małgorzata Szumowska, Armando Iannucci and Marjane Satrapi will world-premiere in Tiff’s Gala and Special Presentations strands. The Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) has announced the first batch of movies in its official selection, which comprises 18 Gala and 38 Special Presentations films. At the 44th edition of the Canadian gathering, which will unspool from 5-15 September, 29 of the selected titles will be having their world, six their international, 13 their North American and eight their Canadian premieres, Tiff co-heads Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente revealed. It’s worth noting that half of the Gala films are directed by women, which sets a new record for the section. Some of the highlights among the films set to be world-premiered are Alejandro Amenábar’s While at War, which follows the last six months of Spanish essayist Miguel de Unamuno and is the director’s first Spanish-language.
Further titles include Belén Funes’ debut ’A Thief’s Daughter’.
Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War is one of 15 Spanish films selected for the various strands of the 2019 San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff) which will run from September 20 -28 this year.
The historical drama is about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War and stars Karra Elejalde. Amenabar was last at San Sebastian with Regression which opened the festival out of competition in 2015.
It has not been announced if the film is having its world premiere at Ssiff, suggesting an earlier debut at either Venice...
Alejandro Amenábar’s While At War is one of 15 Spanish films selected for the various strands of the 2019 San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff) which will run from September 20 -28 this year.
The historical drama is about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War and stars Karra Elejalde. Amenabar was last at San Sebastian with Regression which opened the festival out of competition in 2015.
It has not been announced if the film is having its world premiere at Ssiff, suggesting an earlier debut at either Venice...
- 7/19/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
While At War will screen in competition Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival Alejandro Amenábar returns to San Sebastian Film Festival's Official Selection with While At War (Mientras Dure La Guerra) as the Spanish titles for the 67th edition are announced.
The film, about the author Miguel de Unamuno (Karra Elejalde) and his stance towards the fascist coup d’état is the first time the director has been at the festival since Regression opened proceedings in 2015.
Also joining the competition line-up are filmmaking trio Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, Jose Mari Goenaga, whose Flowers (Loreak) and Giant (Handia) previously screened in competition. Their latest film, The Endless Trench (La Trinchera Infinita), stars Antonio de la Torre as a man who, fearing retaliation after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, goes into hiding with his wife - only to remain there for 33 years.
Rounding out the in competition titles is the debut by Belén Funes,...
The film, about the author Miguel de Unamuno (Karra Elejalde) and his stance towards the fascist coup d’état is the first time the director has been at the festival since Regression opened proceedings in 2015.
Also joining the competition line-up are filmmaking trio Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, Jose Mari Goenaga, whose Flowers (Loreak) and Giant (Handia) previously screened in competition. Their latest film, The Endless Trench (La Trinchera Infinita), stars Antonio de la Torre as a man who, fearing retaliation after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, goes into hiding with his wife - only to remain there for 33 years.
Rounding out the in competition titles is the debut by Belén Funes,...
- 7/19/2019
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Madrid – Alejandro Amenábar, Ricardo Darín and Paco Cabezas, director of episodes from “Peaky Blinders” and “American Gods,” look set to join Penelope Cruz, already confirmed as a Donostia Award winner, at this year’s 67th San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival.
The biggest movie event in the Spanish-speaking world, this year’s San Sebastian runs Sept.20-28.
Amenábar’s awaited “While at War” will compete in main competition, where it will face off, among Spanish titles announced Friday by the San Sebastian Festival, with banner Basque title “The Endless Trench” and“The Thief’s Daughter,” the already buzzy feature debut of Catalan Belén Funes.
Darín stars in and co-produces “Heroic Losers” which receives a Special Screening. Daniel Sánchez-Arevalo’s “Seventeen” will play out of competition – the first time a Netflix Original Film makes San Sebastian’s Official Selection cut.
New Directors, San Sebastian’s main sidebar, frames among Spanish world premieres...
The biggest movie event in the Spanish-speaking world, this year’s San Sebastian runs Sept.20-28.
Amenábar’s awaited “While at War” will compete in main competition, where it will face off, among Spanish titles announced Friday by the San Sebastian Festival, with banner Basque title “The Endless Trench” and“The Thief’s Daughter,” the already buzzy feature debut of Catalan Belén Funes.
Darín stars in and co-produces “Heroic Losers” which receives a Special Screening. Daniel Sánchez-Arevalo’s “Seventeen” will play out of competition – the first time a Netflix Original Film makes San Sebastian’s Official Selection cut.
New Directors, San Sebastian’s main sidebar, frames among Spanish world premieres...
- 7/19/2019
- by John Hopewell and Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
As Long as the War Lasts (Mientras dure la guerra)
Alejandro Amenabar makes his first Spanish language film since 2004’s The Sea Inside with seventh feature As Long as the War Lasts (Mientras dure la guerra), financed through Movistar+ and produced by Fernando Boivara, who has worked with Amenabar ever since his 1997 sophomore film Open Your Eyes. Amenabar’s cast is headlined by Karra Elejalde playing Miguel de Unamuno, with a supporting cast consisting of Eduard Fernandez, Nathalie Poza, and Santi Prego. Berlin’s Panorama provided Amenabar with his initial platform, presenting his 1995 debut Thesis and programming Open Your Eyes in the 1998 edition of the festival.…...
Alejandro Amenabar makes his first Spanish language film since 2004’s The Sea Inside with seventh feature As Long as the War Lasts (Mientras dure la guerra), financed through Movistar+ and produced by Fernando Boivara, who has worked with Amenabar ever since his 1997 sophomore film Open Your Eyes. Amenabar’s cast is headlined by Karra Elejalde playing Miguel de Unamuno, with a supporting cast consisting of Eduard Fernandez, Nathalie Poza, and Santi Prego. Berlin’s Panorama provided Amenabar with his initial platform, presenting his 1995 debut Thesis and programming Open Your Eyes in the 1998 edition of the festival.…...
- 1/3/2019
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.