Cannes and Sundance-winning filmmaker Tarik Saleh starts shooting tomorrow (May 15) on political thriller Eagles Of The Republic with Playtime on board for international sales. Memento Distribution will release in France and Sf Studios has bought Nordic rights.
Eagles Of The Republic is third and final film in Saleh’s Cairo trilogy after Sundance Grand Jury prize winner The Nile Hilton Incident (2017) and Cannes screenplay winner Cairo Conspiracy aka Boy from Heaven (2022).
Written and directed by Saleh, its cast includes Swedish actor Fares Fares, French star Lyna Khoudri, American-Palestinian actress Cherien Dabis, French-Moroccan actress Zineb Triki and Finnish-Syrian actor Sherwan Haji.
Eagles Of The Republic is third and final film in Saleh’s Cairo trilogy after Sundance Grand Jury prize winner The Nile Hilton Incident (2017) and Cannes screenplay winner Cairo Conspiracy aka Boy from Heaven (2022).
Written and directed by Saleh, its cast includes Swedish actor Fares Fares, French star Lyna Khoudri, American-Palestinian actress Cherien Dabis, French-Moroccan actress Zineb Triki and Finnish-Syrian actor Sherwan Haji.
- 5/14/2024
- ScreenDaily
European production and sales studio Vuelta Group has bought German producer Telepool from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook.
The deal, struck through Vuelta subsidiary SquareOne, will see a combined business operating under the SquareOne banner. SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany CEO Al Munteanu will lead the banner, with Michael Heyd serving as CFO and COO.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the combined group will boast a library of over 1,200 titles such as Drive, Intouchables, Olympus Has Fallen, Transporter 3 and the recently released One Life. It will form part of the growing Vuelta Group, which in July last year we revealed had formed through the acquisitions of SquareOne, Paris-based international sales firm Playtime Group and Nordic distributor-producer Scanbox.
Vuelta Group Chairman Jeromt Levy, who launched the group with $50M backing from an unnamed U.S. private equity firm, announced the news today along with Munteanu.
The deal, struck through Vuelta subsidiary SquareOne, will see a combined business operating under the SquareOne banner. SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany CEO Al Munteanu will lead the banner, with Michael Heyd serving as CFO and COO.
Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the combined group will boast a library of over 1,200 titles such as Drive, Intouchables, Olympus Has Fallen, Transporter 3 and the recently released One Life. It will form part of the growing Vuelta Group, which in July last year we revealed had formed through the acquisitions of SquareOne, Paris-based international sales firm Playtime Group and Nordic distributor-producer Scanbox.
Vuelta Group Chairman Jeromt Levy, who launched the group with $50M backing from an unnamed U.S. private equity firm, announced the news today along with Munteanu.
- 5/8/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
German distributor-producer SquareOne Entertainment, part of rising European film studio Vuelta Group, has acquired German film and TV production, distribution and licensing company Telepool, which was owned by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook.
The news was announced Wednesday by Vuelta Group chairman Jerome Levy and CEO of SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany Al Munteanu.
Munteanu will spearhead the newly combined entity under the SquareOne banner with Michael Heyd serving as CFO/COO.
The newly combined SquareOne entity will boast a library consisting of over 1,200 titles such as “Drive,” “Intouchables,” “The Olympus Has Fallen,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Imitation Game,” “Lone Survivor,” “Book Club,” “Transporter 3,” “King Richard,” “Maurice the Tomcat” and the recently released “One Life” among others.
“For over 60 years, Telepool has been one of the leading global content houses and we are proud of the work we did with the company,” said Westbrook CEO Kosaku Yada.
The news was announced Wednesday by Vuelta Group chairman Jerome Levy and CEO of SquareOne and Vuelta Group Germany Al Munteanu.
Munteanu will spearhead the newly combined entity under the SquareOne banner with Michael Heyd serving as CFO/COO.
The newly combined SquareOne entity will boast a library consisting of over 1,200 titles such as “Drive,” “Intouchables,” “The Olympus Has Fallen,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Imitation Game,” “Lone Survivor,” “Book Club,” “Transporter 3,” “King Richard,” “Maurice the Tomcat” and the recently released “One Life” among others.
“For over 60 years, Telepool has been one of the leading global content houses and we are proud of the work we did with the company,” said Westbrook CEO Kosaku Yada.
- 5/8/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Playtime has boarded “Crossing Lines,” a Danish thriller by Baghdad-born first-time director Jahfar Muataz.
Currently filming, “Crossing Lines” revolves around a reformed criminal, Cairo, who enjoys his new life as a gang exit counselor. When his nephew Hamza disappears, Cairo discovers he had secretly joined his former gang. Despite his pledge to avoid violence, Cairo enlists his former underworld connections, growing frustrated with the police’s lack of action. His investigation leads him into Copenhagen’s criminal scene where his past instincts resurface.
The well-known cast is led by Afshin Firouzi (“Boundless”), Albert Arthur Amiryan (“Forhøret”), Charlotte Fich (“Borgen”).
“Jahfar’s script is a page turner,” said Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, co-ceo of Playtime. “This is exactly what you are looking for when you receive a project as an international sales company: something engaging, with a fresh tone, that can speak to people across borders,” he continued.
Jahfar moved to Denmark as...
Currently filming, “Crossing Lines” revolves around a reformed criminal, Cairo, who enjoys his new life as a gang exit counselor. When his nephew Hamza disappears, Cairo discovers he had secretly joined his former gang. Despite his pledge to avoid violence, Cairo enlists his former underworld connections, growing frustrated with the police’s lack of action. His investigation leads him into Copenhagen’s criminal scene where his past instincts resurface.
The well-known cast is led by Afshin Firouzi (“Boundless”), Albert Arthur Amiryan (“Forhøret”), Charlotte Fich (“Borgen”).
“Jahfar’s script is a page turner,” said Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, co-ceo of Playtime. “This is exactly what you are looking for when you receive a project as an international sales company: something engaging, with a fresh tone, that can speak to people across borders,” he continued.
Jahfar moved to Denmark as...
- 5/2/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based sales powerhouse Playtime has taken on sales for Iraqi-Danish filmmaker Jahfar Muataz’s debut feature Crossing Lines and will launch the title at May’s Cannes market.
Currently shooting, the film zooms in on a reformed criminal counseling gang members looking to leave the world of crime whose nephew disappears, forcing him to seek help from his past connections in Copenhagen’s criminal underworld as his past resurfaces.
Muataz wrote the script with Babak Vakili that Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, co-ceo of Playtime calls “a page turner” and says the film is “engaging, with a fresh tone, that can speak to people across borders.
Currently shooting, the film zooms in on a reformed criminal counseling gang members looking to leave the world of crime whose nephew disappears, forcing him to seek help from his past connections in Copenhagen’s criminal underworld as his past resurfaces.
Muataz wrote the script with Babak Vakili that Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, co-ceo of Playtime calls “a page turner” and says the film is “engaging, with a fresh tone, that can speak to people across borders.
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Shudder, AMC Networks’ streaming service for horror films, thrillers and supernatural stories, has acquired “The Devil’s Bath,” the new film from Austrian horror auteurs Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. The deal comes ahead of the psychological thriller’s world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it will play in competition.
Shudder has picked up all rights in North America, as well as in the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. “The Devil’s Bath” will be released this summer.
The German-language film is set in 1750 Austria, at a time when villages were surrounded by deep forests. There, a deeply religious woman has married her beloved, but her mind and heart soon grow heavy as her life becomes a long list of chores and expectations. Day after day, she is increasingly trapped in a murky and lonely path leading to evil thoughts, until the possibility of committing a shocking...
Shudder has picked up all rights in North America, as well as in the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. “The Devil’s Bath” will be released this summer.
The German-language film is set in 1750 Austria, at a time when villages were surrounded by deep forests. There, a deeply religious woman has married her beloved, but her mind and heart soon grow heavy as her life becomes a long list of chores and expectations. Day after day, she is increasingly trapped in a murky and lonely path leading to evil thoughts, until the possibility of committing a shocking...
- 2/12/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Playtime has boarded sales on Francois Ozon’s upcoming feature film When Fall Is Coming and released fresh details about the production which has largely been under wraps.
When Fall Is Coming marks the prolific French director’s 24th feature and follows hot on the tail of hit dramaThe Crime Is Mine which was one of Ozon’s most successful movies at the French box office to date.
Ozon has said previously cryptically said that When Fall Is Coming is inspired by a childhood memory and revolves around a crime family dinner.
As per a new synopsis sent out in a wide release by Playtime on Wednesday, the film revolves around grandmother, Michelle, who is enjoying a peaceful retirement in a charming Burgundy village, close to her long-time friend Marie-Claude.
She is looking forward to her grandson spending the school vacation. However, when her Parisian daughter, with whom she has a conflictual relationship,...
When Fall Is Coming marks the prolific French director’s 24th feature and follows hot on the tail of hit dramaThe Crime Is Mine which was one of Ozon’s most successful movies at the French box office to date.
Ozon has said previously cryptically said that When Fall Is Coming is inspired by a childhood memory and revolves around a crime family dinner.
As per a new synopsis sent out in a wide release by Playtime on Wednesday, the film revolves around grandmother, Michelle, who is enjoying a peaceful retirement in a charming Burgundy village, close to her long-time friend Marie-Claude.
She is looking forward to her grandson spending the school vacation. However, when her Parisian daughter, with whom she has a conflictual relationship,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Playtime (“Son of Saul”) is reteaming with celebrated French directors François Ozon (“By the Grace of God”) and sister duo Delphine and Muriel Coulin (“17 Girls”) on their respective upcoming films, “When Fall Is Coming” and “The Quiet Son.”
“When Fall is Coming” marks Ozon’s follow up to “The Crime Is Mine.” The film stars Hélène Vincent (“The Specials”), Josiane Balasko (“Back to Mom’s”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Lupin”) and Pierre Lottin (“Notre-Dame on Fire”).
The film tells the story of Michelle, who is enjoying a peaceful retirement in a charming Burgundy village near her longtime friend Marie-Claude. She eagerly anticipates her grandson Lucas spending the school vacation with her, but things don’t go as planned. Feeling lonely, Michelle loses her sense of purpose, until Marie-Claude’s son gets out of prison.
The film is self-produced by Ozon through his vehicle Foz. Diaphana Distribution will release it in France.
“When Fall is Coming” marks Ozon’s follow up to “The Crime Is Mine.” The film stars Hélène Vincent (“The Specials”), Josiane Balasko (“Back to Mom’s”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Lupin”) and Pierre Lottin (“Notre-Dame on Fire”).
The film tells the story of Michelle, who is enjoying a peaceful retirement in a charming Burgundy village near her longtime friend Marie-Claude. She eagerly anticipates her grandson Lucas spending the school vacation with her, but things don’t go as planned. Feeling lonely, Michelle loses her sense of purpose, until Marie-Claude’s son gets out of prison.
The film is self-produced by Ozon through his vehicle Foz. Diaphana Distribution will release it in France.
- 1/31/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The film is about two brothers who discover each other later in life and bond over a love of music.
Playtime has scooped international sales to Emmanuel Courcol’s social comedyThe Marching Band starring Benjamin Lavernhe, whose credits include L’Abbé-Pierre: A Century Of Devotion and Jeanne Du Barry.
Produced by Agat Films and now in post, the €6.5m film follows a successful orchestra conductor with discovers he was adopted and has a younger brother. Pierre Lottin co-stars.
The film is produced by Marc Bordure and Robert Guédiguian’s prolific Agat Films of Godard by Godard, Amore Mio and Holly,...
Playtime has scooped international sales to Emmanuel Courcol’s social comedyThe Marching Band starring Benjamin Lavernhe, whose credits include L’Abbé-Pierre: A Century Of Devotion and Jeanne Du Barry.
Produced by Agat Films and now in post, the €6.5m film follows a successful orchestra conductor with discovers he was adopted and has a younger brother. Pierre Lottin co-stars.
The film is produced by Marc Bordure and Robert Guédiguian’s prolific Agat Films of Godard by Godard, Amore Mio and Holly,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
The film is about two brothers who discover each other later in life and bond over a love of music.
Playtime has scooped international sales to Emmanuel Courcol’s social comedyThe Marching Band starring Benjamin Lavernhe, whose credits include L’Abbé-Pierre: A Century Of Devotion and Jeanne Du Barry.
Produced by Agat Films and now in post, the €6.5m film follows a successful orchestra conductor with discovers he was adopted and has a younger brother. Pierre Lottin co-stars.
The film is produced by Marc Bordure and Robert Guédiguian’s prolific Agat Films of Godard by Godard, Amore Mio and Holly,...
Playtime has scooped international sales to Emmanuel Courcol’s social comedyThe Marching Band starring Benjamin Lavernhe, whose credits include L’Abbé-Pierre: A Century Of Devotion and Jeanne Du Barry.
Produced by Agat Films and now in post, the €6.5m film follows a successful orchestra conductor with discovers he was adopted and has a younger brother. Pierre Lottin co-stars.
The film is produced by Marc Bordure and Robert Guédiguian’s prolific Agat Films of Godard by Godard, Amore Mio and Holly,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Playtime will launch sales on Emmanuel Courcol’s new social comedy The Marching Band, about two brothers separated by fate and reunited by music, at the upcoming Unifrance Rendez-vous in Paris next week.
The €6.5M production, which is currently in post-production, is actor-director-screenwriter Courcol’s third theatrical feature after Ceasefire and The Big Hit.
Benjamin Lavernhe, seen recently in Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, stars as successful orchestra conductor Thibaut Désormeaux, who is hoping his sister is a compatible bone marrow donor to treat a rapidly progressing leukaemia.
His DNA results reveal instead that he is adopted. On confronting his mother, he discovers he has a younger brother, played by Pierre Lottin, who was raised in more modest conditions and is now a factory worker.
This brother shares his musical talent and is a member of the local marching band. Thibault decides to nurture this gift and help his brother...
The €6.5M production, which is currently in post-production, is actor-director-screenwriter Courcol’s third theatrical feature after Ceasefire and The Big Hit.
Benjamin Lavernhe, seen recently in Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, stars as successful orchestra conductor Thibaut Désormeaux, who is hoping his sister is a compatible bone marrow donor to treat a rapidly progressing leukaemia.
His DNA results reveal instead that he is adopted. On confronting his mother, he discovers he has a younger brother, played by Pierre Lottin, who was raised in more modest conditions and is now a factory worker.
This brother shares his musical talent and is a member of the local marching band. Thibault decides to nurture this gift and help his brother...
- 1/12/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Vuelta Group is a joint venture from Scanbox, SquareOne and Playtime.
Recently launched European studio Vuelta has added Italy’s Indiana Production and France’s Pan to its ever-expanding footprint on the continent.
The groups join the all-new private equity-funded joint venture’s current team encompassing Nordic film company Scanbox, German distributor SquareOne and French powerhouse sales force Playtime.
Film and TV production house Indiana, founded by Fabrizio Donvito and Marco Cohen, is behind Giorgio Diritti’s Venice competitor Lubo and Netflix series The Leopard and Unwanted. They also produced Paolo Virzi’s Human Capital and The First Beautiful Thing,...
Recently launched European studio Vuelta has added Italy’s Indiana Production and France’s Pan to its ever-expanding footprint on the continent.
The groups join the all-new private equity-funded joint venture’s current team encompassing Nordic film company Scanbox, German distributor SquareOne and French powerhouse sales force Playtime.
Film and TV production house Indiana, founded by Fabrizio Donvito and Marco Cohen, is behind Giorgio Diritti’s Venice competitor Lubo and Netflix series The Leopard and Unwanted. They also produced Paolo Virzi’s Human Capital and The First Beautiful Thing,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Vuelta Group, the rising European film studio which recently launched with the high profile acquisitions of France’s Playtime, Germany’s SquareOne and Scandinavia’s Scanbox, is expanding its footprint in Italy and France.
Spearheaded by media finance veterans (and childhood friends) Jerome Levy and David Atlan-Jackson, Vuelta has bought Indiana Production, a leading Italian company founded by Fabrizio Donvito and Marco Cohen, which had Giorgio Diritti’s “Lubo” playing in competition at Venice and just teased its big-budget Netflix series project “The Leopard” and Sky’s “Unwanted.”
Vuelta has also taken a stake in France’s Pan (formerly called Pan-Europeenne), the well-established production and distribution banner headed by Nathalie Gastaldo, Philippe Godeau and Camille Gentet, whose credits include the hit franchises “Largo Winch” and “Legendaries.”
Vuelta bowed last year with more $100 million provided by a U.S. private equity firm and has now diversified its backing through its European partners.
Spearheaded by media finance veterans (and childhood friends) Jerome Levy and David Atlan-Jackson, Vuelta has bought Indiana Production, a leading Italian company founded by Fabrizio Donvito and Marco Cohen, which had Giorgio Diritti’s “Lubo” playing in competition at Venice and just teased its big-budget Netflix series project “The Leopard” and Sky’s “Unwanted.”
Vuelta has also taken a stake in France’s Pan (formerly called Pan-Europeenne), the well-established production and distribution banner headed by Nathalie Gastaldo, Philippe Godeau and Camille Gentet, whose credits include the hit franchises “Largo Winch” and “Legendaries.”
Vuelta bowed last year with more $100 million provided by a U.S. private equity firm and has now diversified its backing through its European partners.
- 9/20/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Come one, come all, Insiders. Jesse Whittock back again this week to take you through the past week in international film and TV. Let’s get started. If you’re not already subscribed, click here and make that right.
Euro Studio Vuelta Emerges
Indie shake-up: There’s a new kid in town. Yesterday, Andreas broke the news of Europe’s latest consolidation player: Vuelta Group. Led by French media vet Jerome Levy, the company has launched through the acquisitions of France’s Playtime Group, Germany’s SquareOne and Nordic producer-distributor Scanbox. More companies are expected to join the club, as the indie film sector welcomes a new heavyweight to rival the likes of Leonine, Mediawan and Asacha Media, who have all emerged as major presences in recent years. Also in the European indie sector are the established TV players such as Banijay and Fremantle. Each of Vuelta’s acquisitions are...
Euro Studio Vuelta Emerges
Indie shake-up: There’s a new kid in town. Yesterday, Andreas broke the news of Europe’s latest consolidation player: Vuelta Group. Led by French media vet Jerome Levy, the company has launched through the acquisitions of France’s Playtime Group, Germany’s SquareOne and Nordic producer-distributor Scanbox. More companies are expected to join the club, as the indie film sector welcomes a new heavyweight to rival the likes of Leonine, Mediawan and Asacha Media, who have all emerged as major presences in recent years. Also in the European indie sector are the established TV players such as Banijay and Fremantle. Each of Vuelta’s acquisitions are...
- 7/7/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Deadline spoke to leading international sales firm Playtime about why it made sense to join new European film and TV studio Vuelta Group, which we revealed earlier this morning.
Paris-based Playtime, founded in 1997, is well known for handling leading European projects including Oscar winner Son Of Saul, Cannes winner 120 Bpm and horror hit Goodnight Mommy. The firm, which handles the international rights to a library of more than 600 titles, has collaborated with filmmakers including Céline Sciamma, Jacques Audiard, François Ozon, Claire Denis, Olivier Assayas, Naomi Kawase and Nanni Moretti.
It was most recently at the Cannes Film Festival with Competition titles About Dry Grasses by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Homecoming by Catherine Corsini. It is currently financing and pre-selling Monsieur Aznavour with Tahar Rahim.
In addition to its Paris office, the Playtime Group includes sales and financing companies Films Boutique in Berlin, Be For Films in Brussels and Film Constellation in London.
Paris-based Playtime, founded in 1997, is well known for handling leading European projects including Oscar winner Son Of Saul, Cannes winner 120 Bpm and horror hit Goodnight Mommy. The firm, which handles the international rights to a library of more than 600 titles, has collaborated with filmmakers including Céline Sciamma, Jacques Audiard, François Ozon, Claire Denis, Olivier Assayas, Naomi Kawase and Nanni Moretti.
It was most recently at the Cannes Film Festival with Competition titles About Dry Grasses by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Homecoming by Catherine Corsini. It is currently financing and pre-selling Monsieur Aznavour with Tahar Rahim.
In addition to its Paris office, the Playtime Group includes sales and financing companies Films Boutique in Berlin, Be For Films in Brussels and Film Constellation in London.
- 7/6/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: A significant shakeup in the European indie film space is underway with the formation of new studio Vuelta Group, Deadline can reveal.
Headed by French media veteran Jerome Levy as Group Chairman, Vuelta has $50 million-backing from an unnamed U.S. private equity firm and has recently acquired Paris-based international sales firm Playtime Group (in a deal closed in the past week), German distributor-producer SquareOne and Nordic distributor-producer Scanbox.
Talks are underway for companies to join from Italy, Spain and Benelux, as well as another from France.
Amid the proliferation of platforms in Europe and consolidation from fellow U.S.-backed indie studios such as Leonine and Mediawan, Vuelta’s partners have taken the view that they’ll be stronger together.
The joint venture will focus on distribution as well as film and TV production. Each company will continue to operate autonomously and with their former branding but they will sit within the Vuelta Group,...
Headed by French media veteran Jerome Levy as Group Chairman, Vuelta has $50 million-backing from an unnamed U.S. private equity firm and has recently acquired Paris-based international sales firm Playtime Group (in a deal closed in the past week), German distributor-producer SquareOne and Nordic distributor-producer Scanbox.
Talks are underway for companies to join from Italy, Spain and Benelux, as well as another from France.
Amid the proliferation of platforms in Europe and consolidation from fellow U.S.-backed indie studios such as Leonine and Mediawan, Vuelta’s partners have taken the view that they’ll be stronger together.
The joint venture will focus on distribution as well as film and TV production. Each company will continue to operate autonomously and with their former branding but they will sit within the Vuelta Group,...
- 7/6/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The €26m production starts principal photography on May 30 in the Paris region.
UTA Independent Film Group has boarded Playtime’s buzzy upcomimg biopic Monsieur Aznavour. starring Tahar Rahim, to lead on US sales.
The film about the legendary French singer Charles Aznavour also stars Bastien Bouillon and Marie-Julie Baup.
Mehdi Idir and French rap artist Grand Corps Malade direct following the duo’s hit films Step by Step and School Life. T
The producers are prolific French producers Eric and Nicolas Altmayer of Mandarin & Compagnie and Jean-Rachid’s Kallouche Cinema.
The €26m production starts principal photography on May 30 in...
UTA Independent Film Group has boarded Playtime’s buzzy upcomimg biopic Monsieur Aznavour. starring Tahar Rahim, to lead on US sales.
The film about the legendary French singer Charles Aznavour also stars Bastien Bouillon and Marie-Julie Baup.
Mehdi Idir and French rap artist Grand Corps Malade direct following the duo’s hit films Step by Step and School Life. T
The producers are prolific French producers Eric and Nicolas Altmayer of Mandarin & Compagnie and Jean-Rachid’s Kallouche Cinema.
The €26m production starts principal photography on May 30 in...
- 5/22/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Music Box Films has acquired the US distribution rights to “The Crime is Mine” (“Mon Crime”). François Ozon directs the comedy of errors starring newcomers Rebecca Marder and Nadia Terezkiewicz, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussolier.
Music Box is aiming for a theatrical release later this year with a home video release to follow.
The picture, based on George Berr and Louis Verneuil’s 1934 play, concerns a struggling actress (Terezkiewicz) and her roommate (Marder), an unemployed attorney in 1930’s Paris. Madeleine ends up on trial for the murder of a movie producer, while Pauline serves as both defense counsel and media circus ringmaster to both of their mutual benefit. Their post-acquittal life of fame, fortune and glory is eventually undercut by certain revelations.
“The Crime is Mine” marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with director Ozon, following “Potiche,” “Frantz,” “By the Grace of God” and “Summer of 85.
Music Box is aiming for a theatrical release later this year with a home video release to follow.
The picture, based on George Berr and Louis Verneuil’s 1934 play, concerns a struggling actress (Terezkiewicz) and her roommate (Marder), an unemployed attorney in 1930’s Paris. Madeleine ends up on trial for the murder of a movie producer, while Pauline serves as both defense counsel and media circus ringmaster to both of their mutual benefit. Their post-acquittal life of fame, fortune and glory is eventually undercut by certain revelations.
“The Crime is Mine” marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with director Ozon, following “Potiche,” “Frantz,” “By the Grace of God” and “Summer of 85.
- 5/17/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Music Box Films has picked up the U.S. rights to The Crime Is Mine, the post #MeToo comedy from French director François Ozon and which stars Rebecca Marder, Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Isabelle Huppert.
A theatrical release is planned for later this year for the period film, with a home entertainment release to follow, the distributor said in an announcement timed for the start of the Cannes Film Festival.
Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussolier round out the ensemble cast for The Crime is Mine, which follows struggling actress Madeleine, played by Tereszkiewicz, and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Rebecca Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris.
Madeleine secures fame after standing trial for the murder of a lascivious movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. The Crime is Mine is adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil.
Music Box...
A theatrical release is planned for later this year for the period film, with a home entertainment release to follow, the distributor said in an announcement timed for the start of the Cannes Film Festival.
Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussolier round out the ensemble cast for The Crime is Mine, which follows struggling actress Madeleine, played by Tereszkiewicz, and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Rebecca Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris.
Madeleine secures fame after standing trial for the murder of a lascivious movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. The Crime is Mine is adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil.
Music Box...
- 5/17/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Music Box Films has bought U.S. rights to “The Crime Is Mine” (“Mon Crime”), a period comedy by French helmer François Ozon.
“The Crime Is Mine” stars Rebecca Marder and Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who just won the Cesar Award for female newcomer, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon and André Dussolier. Music Box Films plans a theatrical release for later this year, followed by a home entertainment rollout.
Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil, “The Crime Is Mine” follows struggling actress Madeleine (Tereszkiewicz), and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris. Madeleine ascends to fame after standing trial for the murder of a movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. Upon Madeleine’s acquittal, a new life of fame, wealth and tabloid celebrity awaits — until the truth comes out.
The acquisition marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with Ozon,...
“The Crime Is Mine” stars Rebecca Marder and Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who just won the Cesar Award for female newcomer, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon and André Dussolier. Music Box Films plans a theatrical release for later this year, followed by a home entertainment rollout.
Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil, “The Crime Is Mine” follows struggling actress Madeleine (Tereszkiewicz), and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris. Madeleine ascends to fame after standing trial for the murder of a movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. Upon Madeleine’s acquittal, a new life of fame, wealth and tabloid celebrity awaits — until the truth comes out.
The acquisition marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with Ozon,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Playtime has boarded “Monsieur Aznavour,” the prestige biopic of legendary French-Armenian Charles Aznavour starring Tahar Rahim. Budgeted at €26 million, the film will start principal photography on May 30. Pathé has scooped French rights and will give it a wide release in theaters.
Surely one of the hottest packages to hit this year’s Cannes market, the film will chart Aznavour’s sprawling life journey, from his poor childhood to his rise to fame, from his triumphs to his failures, from Paris to New York. Aznavour was devoted to his art until the very end, singing his songs in ten languages, on every stage, in every city, desperately searching for perfection. He sold more than 180 million records around the world.
Rahim, who’s rolling off Marvel’s “Madame Web” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” is highly committed to the part and has been preparing it for months. He will be in Cannes...
Surely one of the hottest packages to hit this year’s Cannes market, the film will chart Aznavour’s sprawling life journey, from his poor childhood to his rise to fame, from his triumphs to his failures, from Paris to New York. Aznavour was devoted to his art until the very end, singing his songs in ten languages, on every stage, in every city, desperately searching for perfection. He sold more than 180 million records around the world.
Rahim, who’s rolling off Marvel’s “Madame Web” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” is highly committed to the part and has been preparing it for months. He will be in Cannes...
- 5/17/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
‘Homecoming’ was added to the Cannes line-up earlier this week.
Homecoming (Le Retour) director Catherine Corsini, producer Chaz Productions and sales agent Playtime have defended the film’s Cannes Competition inclusion amid what they claim are false accusations of on-set unrest.
Earlier this month, French media reported Corsini had been accused of harassment of crew, other crew members were accused of inappropriate acts against two actors, and the Cnc had pulled funding due to an intimate scene involving minors that was added to the script without being pre-approved in the shooting schedule.
Corsini and her longtime producing partner Elisabeth Perez...
Homecoming (Le Retour) director Catherine Corsini, producer Chaz Productions and sales agent Playtime have defended the film’s Cannes Competition inclusion amid what they claim are false accusations of on-set unrest.
Earlier this month, French media reported Corsini had been accused of harassment of crew, other crew members were accused of inappropriate acts against two actors, and the Cnc had pulled funding due to an intimate scene involving minors that was added to the script without being pre-approved in the shooting schedule.
Corsini and her longtime producing partner Elisabeth Perez...
- 4/26/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Playtime has a raft of EFM deals on the 1930s-set courtroom drama.
Paris-based Playtime has sealed deals in key territories for François Ozon’s starry period drama The Crime Is Mine, featuring breakout actresses Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Rebecca Marder alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, André Dussolier and Dany Boon.
The 1930s-set courtroom drama about an actress on trial for murdering a producer has sold to Gaga for Japan, New Cinema for Israel, Bir Film for Turkey and Hes in Lebanon and the Gulf.
Gaumont will release the film in France on March 8.
“It’s one of the bigger movies of the first semester in France,...
Paris-based Playtime has sealed deals in key territories for François Ozon’s starry period drama The Crime Is Mine, featuring breakout actresses Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Rebecca Marder alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, André Dussolier and Dany Boon.
The 1930s-set courtroom drama about an actress on trial for murdering a producer has sold to Gaga for Japan, New Cinema for Israel, Bir Film for Turkey and Hes in Lebanon and the Gulf.
Gaumont will release the film in France on March 8.
“It’s one of the bigger movies of the first semester in France,...
- 2/18/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
“The Crime Is Mine,” the new star-studded film by revered French director Francois Ozon, has been boarded by a raft of major distributors in key markets.
Represented by Playtime, the crowd-pleasing comedy had its world premiere on the opening night of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris and drew laughter throughout the screening, along with a long ovation.
Lushly lensed in an idealized Paris of the 1930s, “The Crime Is Mine” brings together a sprawling cast, led by a pair of up-and-coming actors, Nadia Tereszkiewicz (“Forever Young”) and Rebecca Marder (“Simone”), alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, André Dussolier, Dany Boon and Félix Lefebvre.
“The Crime Is Mine” has been acquired for Canada (Sphere Films), Spain (Caramel), Italy (Bim), Greece (Filmtrade), Germany (Welkino), Austria (Filmladen) Benelux (September Films), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Bulgaria (Cinelibri), Hungary (Vertigo), Baltics, Cis (A-One), Ukraine (Arthouse Traffic), Romania (Independenta Film) and Former Yugoslavia (McF).
Playtime scored these deals after...
Represented by Playtime, the crowd-pleasing comedy had its world premiere on the opening night of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris and drew laughter throughout the screening, along with a long ovation.
Lushly lensed in an idealized Paris of the 1930s, “The Crime Is Mine” brings together a sprawling cast, led by a pair of up-and-coming actors, Nadia Tereszkiewicz (“Forever Young”) and Rebecca Marder (“Simone”), alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, André Dussolier, Dany Boon and Félix Lefebvre.
“The Crime Is Mine” has been acquired for Canada (Sphere Films), Spain (Caramel), Italy (Bim), Greece (Filmtrade), Germany (Welkino), Austria (Filmladen) Benelux (September Films), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Bulgaria (Cinelibri), Hungary (Vertigo), Baltics, Cis (A-One), Ukraine (Arthouse Traffic), Romania (Independenta Film) and Former Yugoslavia (McF).
Playtime scored these deals after...
- 1/13/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Greenwich Entertainment has taken U.S. distribution rights to Man in the Basement directed by Philippe Le Guay (The Women on the 6th Floor) and starring François Cluzet (The Intouchables), Jérémie Renier (Summer Hours), and Bérénice Bejo (The Artist). Last month, the film won the top prize at the U.K. Jewish Film Festival.
Greenwich has set a U.S. theatrical release for January 27, timed to National Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 28.
Based on a true story of friends of co-writer and director Le Guay, a happily married Parisian couple (Renier and Bejo) sell a basement storage area in their apartment building to a seemingly ordinary man (Cluzet) to keep his archives.
It soon becomes apparent that this man has taken up permanent residence in the basement, while he is revealed to be a notorious Holocaust denier and [fired] former history teacher. The couple desperately try to cancel the sale to...
Greenwich has set a U.S. theatrical release for January 27, timed to National Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 28.
Based on a true story of friends of co-writer and director Le Guay, a happily married Parisian couple (Renier and Bejo) sell a basement storage area in their apartment building to a seemingly ordinary man (Cluzet) to keep his archives.
It soon becomes apparent that this man has taken up permanent residence in the basement, while he is revealed to be a notorious Holocaust denier and [fired] former history teacher. The couple desperately try to cancel the sale to...
- 12/16/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
This September, Naomi Watts stars in director Matt Sobel’s thriller Goodnight Mommy. The film will be available globally via Prime Video on September 16, 2022.
When twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their mother’s (Naomi Watts) country home to discover her face covered in bandages—the result, she explains, of recent cosmetic surgery—they immediately sense that something doesn’t add up. She sets strange new house rules, smokes in her bathroom, and secretly rips up a drawing they gave her—things their loving mother would never do. As her behavior grows increasingly bizarre and erratic, a horrifying thought takes root in the boys’ minds: The sinking suspicion that the woman beneath the gauze, who’s making their food and sleeping in the next room, isn’t their mother at all.
About The Film
Genre: Thriller Cast: Naomi Watts, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti, Peter Hermann Director: Matt Sobel...
When twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their mother’s (Naomi Watts) country home to discover her face covered in bandages—the result, she explains, of recent cosmetic surgery—they immediately sense that something doesn’t add up. She sets strange new house rules, smokes in her bathroom, and secretly rips up a drawing they gave her—things their loving mother would never do. As her behavior grows increasingly bizarre and erratic, a horrifying thought takes root in the boys’ minds: The sinking suspicion that the woman beneath the gauze, who’s making their food and sleeping in the next room, isn’t their mother at all.
About The Film
Genre: Thriller Cast: Naomi Watts, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti, Peter Hermann Director: Matt Sobel...
- 8/24/2022
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Coming to Prime Video on September 16 is Goodnight Mommy.
Twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their Mother’s country home (Naomi Watts) to discover her face covered in surgical bandages. Immediately something is off. Their Mother smokes, sets strict rules, refuses to sing their favorite bedtime song, and secretly rips up a drawing Elias gives her — things their previously warm, caring mom would never do. They begin to suspect the woman is not their mother at all, but even after she turns violent, the police don’t believe the children are in danger. Becoming increasingly suspicious, the boys try to uncover who they are really living with, in this suspenseful, psychological thriller.
Goodnight Mommy is directed by Matt Sobel from a screenplay by Kyle Warren, based on the 2014 film Goodnight Mommy (written and directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, produced by Ulrich Seidl).
The film stars Naomi Watts (21 Grams,...
Twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their Mother’s country home (Naomi Watts) to discover her face covered in surgical bandages. Immediately something is off. Their Mother smokes, sets strict rules, refuses to sing their favorite bedtime song, and secretly rips up a drawing Elias gives her — things their previously warm, caring mom would never do. They begin to suspect the woman is not their mother at all, but even after she turns violent, the police don’t believe the children are in danger. Becoming increasingly suspicious, the boys try to uncover who they are really living with, in this suspenseful, psychological thriller.
Goodnight Mommy is directed by Matt Sobel from a screenplay by Kyle Warren, based on the 2014 film Goodnight Mommy (written and directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, produced by Ulrich Seidl).
The film stars Naomi Watts (21 Grams,...
- 8/24/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"When twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their mother’s (Naomi Watts) country home to discover her face covered in bandages—the result, she explains, of recent cosmetic surgery—they immediately sense that something doesn’t add up. She sets strange new house rules, smokes in her bathroom, and secretly rips up a drawing they gave her—things their loving mother would never do. As her behavior grows increasingly bizarre and erratic, a horrifying thought takes root in the boys’ minds: The sinking suspicion that the woman beneath the gauze, who’s making their food and sleeping in the next room, isn’t their mother at all."
Directed by: Matt Sobel Written by: Kyle Warren Produced by: V.J. Guibal, p.g.a., Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, p.g.a., Joshua Astrachan, p.g.a., David Kaplan Executive produced by: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, Naomi Watts, Kyle Warren, Matt Sobel,...
Directed by: Matt Sobel Written by: Kyle Warren Produced by: V.J. Guibal, p.g.a., Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, p.g.a., Joshua Astrachan, p.g.a., David Kaplan Executive produced by: Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala, Naomi Watts, Kyle Warren, Matt Sobel,...
- 8/24/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
A few weeks ago, we heard that an English-language remake of the 2014 Austrian psychological horror film Goodnight Mommy will be released through Prime Video on September 16th – and now a trailer has been released online to offer a preview of what this remake has in store for us next month. You can check it out in the embed above.
Naomi Watts (King Kong 2005) stars in this new version of Goodnight Mommy and is joined in the cast by Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti (Big Little Lies), Jeremy Bobb (The Outsider), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Mimesis Nosferatu), and Peter Hermann (Younger). Directed by Matt Sobel (Take Me to the River) from a screenplay he wrote with Kyle Warren, the film has the following synopsis:
When twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their mother’s (Naomi Watts) country home to discover her face covered in bandages—the result, she explains, of recent cosmetic...
Naomi Watts (King Kong 2005) stars in this new version of Goodnight Mommy and is joined in the cast by Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti (Big Little Lies), Jeremy Bobb (The Outsider), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Mimesis Nosferatu), and Peter Hermann (Younger). Directed by Matt Sobel (Take Me to the River) from a screenplay he wrote with Kyle Warren, the film has the following synopsis:
When twin brothers (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) arrive at their mother’s (Naomi Watts) country home to discover her face covered in bandages—the result, she explains, of recent cosmetic...
- 8/24/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Naomi Watts stars as an unsettling mother whose face is wrapped in bandages in the official trailer for Matt Sobel’s “Goodnight Mommy.”
A remake of the 2014 Austrian film of the same name, the horror movie follows two twin brothers, played by real-life twins Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti, who visit their mother after her recent reconstructive surgery. However, it quickly becomes clear something isn’t right with her.
Additional cast members for “Goodnight Mommy” include Jeremy Bobb, Crystal Lucas-Perry and Peter Hermann.
Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala wrote and directed the original 2014 film, which followed the same plot and was the Austrian entry for best foreign language film at the 88th Academy Awards but ultimately wasn’t nominated. The latest iteration of “Goodnight Mommy” is not the first time Watts starred in a remake of a foreign horror film, having previously starred in 2002’s “The Ring,” which was an adaption...
A remake of the 2014 Austrian film of the same name, the horror movie follows two twin brothers, played by real-life twins Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti, who visit their mother after her recent reconstructive surgery. However, it quickly becomes clear something isn’t right with her.
Additional cast members for “Goodnight Mommy” include Jeremy Bobb, Crystal Lucas-Perry and Peter Hermann.
Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala wrote and directed the original 2014 film, which followed the same plot and was the Austrian entry for best foreign language film at the 88th Academy Awards but ultimately wasn’t nominated. The latest iteration of “Goodnight Mommy” is not the first time Watts starred in a remake of a foreign horror film, having previously starred in 2002’s “The Ring,” which was an adaption...
- 8/24/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Prime Video released the first major look at its upcoming remake of Goodnight Mommy starring Naomi Watts.
Based on Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s 2014 film, the psychological thriller features Watts as a mother visited by her twin sons (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti), who come to stay with her at her country home. But when the boys arrive, they find their mother — or the woman claiming to be her — covered in bandages after undergoing a recent cosmetic surgery.
“I hate that you have to see me like this,” Watts says in the movie’s first two-minute trailer. “But it’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Her new rules — no running or yelling in the house, no going into the barn or her bedroom — on top of her new behaviors like smoking, have the boys concerned. But as her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and...
Prime Video released the first major look at its upcoming remake of Goodnight Mommy starring Naomi Watts.
Based on Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s 2014 film, the psychological thriller features Watts as a mother visited by her twin sons (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti), who come to stay with her at her country home. But when the boys arrive, they find their mother — or the woman claiming to be her — covered in bandages after undergoing a recent cosmetic surgery.
“I hate that you have to see me like this,” Watts says in the movie’s first two-minute trailer. “But it’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Her new rules — no running or yelling in the house, no going into the barn or her bedroom — on top of her new behaviors like smoking, have the boys concerned. But as her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and...
- 8/24/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Amazon Studio’s Prime Video is charging into the fall season with a bevy of awards contending and crowd pleasing movies, the list of dates which you can find below.
Many of these will be having splashy world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival, i.e. My Policeman, Lena Dunham’s Catherine Called Birdy, with the Ryan White documentary Good Night Oppy receiving an international premiere in the Great White North. Two of these titles already made their world premieres at Sundance, i.e. Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny from this past year, and Shana Feste’s Run Sweetheart Run which made its debut in Park City during the pre-pandemic 2020 edition.
A select number of titles are receiving a limited theatrical release before their streaming drop date as noted below.
Said Julie Rapaport, head of movies, Amazon Studios tells Deadline, “This slate reflects our commitment to providing customers a wide variety of entertaining,...
Many of these will be having splashy world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival, i.e. My Policeman, Lena Dunham’s Catherine Called Birdy, with the Ryan White documentary Good Night Oppy receiving an international premiere in the Great White North. Two of these titles already made their world premieres at Sundance, i.e. Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny from this past year, and Shana Feste’s Run Sweetheart Run which made its debut in Park City during the pre-pandemic 2020 edition.
A select number of titles are receiving a limited theatrical release before their streaming drop date as noted below.
Said Julie Rapaport, head of movies, Amazon Studios tells Deadline, “This slate reflects our commitment to providing customers a wide variety of entertaining,...
- 8/1/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
New York-based distributor Greenwich Entertainment and Rialto Distribution have teamed up to picked up U.S. rights to Caroline Vignal’s “My Donkey, My Lover & I,” a heartwarming French romantic comedy headlined by “Call My Agent” breakout star Laure Calamy.
The company was co-created by Ed Arentz, co-founder and former managing director of Music Box Films, and Edmondo Schwartz, co-founder of Cohen Media Group, in September 2017 with the goal of handling high-end theatrical movies.
Sold by Playtime, “My Donkey, My Lover & I” was part of Cannes 2020’s official selection and went on to be nominated for eight César Awards, earning best actress for Calamy. The film was previously acquired by top distributors in key markets and played particularly well in English-speaking markets, including in the U.K. for Curzon and in Australia/New Zealand for Palace.
“‘My Donkey, My Lover & I’ has a sunny, light-hearted appeal in the Covid era...
The company was co-created by Ed Arentz, co-founder and former managing director of Music Box Films, and Edmondo Schwartz, co-founder of Cohen Media Group, in September 2017 with the goal of handling high-end theatrical movies.
Sold by Playtime, “My Donkey, My Lover & I” was part of Cannes 2020’s official selection and went on to be nominated for eight César Awards, earning best actress for Calamy. The film was previously acquired by top distributors in key markets and played particularly well in English-speaking markets, including in the U.K. for Curzon and in Australia/New Zealand for Palace.
“‘My Donkey, My Lover & I’ has a sunny, light-hearted appeal in the Covid era...
- 6/23/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Following its world premiere as the Berlin Film Festival opener, Francois Ozon’s “Peter von Kant” has been acquired by Strand Releasing for U.S. distribution.
Represented in international markets by Playtime, the critically acclaimed movie is inspired by Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s cult film “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” with Denis Menochet playing the tormented filmmaker, opposite Isabelle Adjani, who stars as his muse.
Ozon previously told Variety that the movie was a “universal tale of passion, timely as ever” and “explores the relationships of domination, control and submission in the creative world.”
“Peter von Kant” marks Ozon’s sixth movie that played in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. He won the Silver Bear for his 2018 film, “By the Grace of God,” and “8 Women” 20 years ago. He also debuted “Water Drops on Burning Rocks,” another adaptation of a Fassbinder work, at the festival in 2000.
Playtime...
Represented in international markets by Playtime, the critically acclaimed movie is inspired by Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s cult film “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” with Denis Menochet playing the tormented filmmaker, opposite Isabelle Adjani, who stars as his muse.
Ozon previously told Variety that the movie was a “universal tale of passion, timely as ever” and “explores the relationships of domination, control and submission in the creative world.”
“Peter von Kant” marks Ozon’s sixth movie that played in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. He won the Silver Bear for his 2018 film, “By the Grace of God,” and “8 Women” 20 years ago. He also debuted “Water Drops on Burning Rocks,” another adaptation of a Fassbinder work, at the festival in 2000.
Playtime...
- 3/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Are international distributors in a buying mood?
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) kicks off its 2022 edition this Thursday (February 10), running virtually for a second year after a surge in Omicron-related Covid cases in Germany in early January forced it online amid fresh restrictions.
The EFM’s official February 10-17 dates are tied to the world premiere calendar of its parent festival’s compact physical edition. Most sales agents, however, began cranking up Zoom calls to buyers last week with meetings expected to swing into top gear on Monday (February 7).
The news in mid-January that the EFM would be...
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) kicks off its 2022 edition this Thursday (February 10), running virtually for a second year after a surge in Omicron-related Covid cases in Germany in early January forced it online amid fresh restrictions.
The EFM’s official February 10-17 dates are tied to the world premiere calendar of its parent festival’s compact physical edition. Most sales agents, however, began cranking up Zoom calls to buyers last week with meetings expected to swing into top gear on Monday (February 7).
The news in mid-January that the EFM would be...
- 2/7/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow¬Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Playtime has nearly sold out Jacques Audiard’s “Paris, 13th District,” one of the critical highlights of this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The black-and-white relationship drama has been applauded for breakthrough performances by newcomer Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba and Noemie Merland (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”), as well as a sharp and modern script penned by Audiard, Léa Mysius (“Ava”) and Celine Sciamma.
Lighthearted, bold and profound, the movie tackles the issues of sexuality, love and dating through the story of Emilie, Camille, Nora and Amber, four young adults who are friends and sometimes lovers in Paris’s 13th arrondissement. The film is loosely based on New Yorker cartoonist Adrian Tomine’s collection of graphic short stories “Killing and Dying.”
Playtime has closed a raft of deals on “Paris, 13th District” for Latin America (California Filmes), Spain (Avalon), Germany/Austria (Neue Visionen), Italy (Cineone/Europictures), Israel (Lev Cinema...
The black-and-white relationship drama has been applauded for breakthrough performances by newcomer Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba and Noemie Merland (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”), as well as a sharp and modern script penned by Audiard, Léa Mysius (“Ava”) and Celine Sciamma.
Lighthearted, bold and profound, the movie tackles the issues of sexuality, love and dating through the story of Emilie, Camille, Nora and Amber, four young adults who are friends and sometimes lovers in Paris’s 13th arrondissement. The film is loosely based on New Yorker cartoonist Adrian Tomine’s collection of graphic short stories “Killing and Dying.”
Playtime has closed a raft of deals on “Paris, 13th District” for Latin America (California Filmes), Spain (Avalon), Germany/Austria (Neue Visionen), Italy (Cineone/Europictures), Israel (Lev Cinema...
- 7/20/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
“In the old days, at some point when people were leaving [Cannes], you said, ‘Well, before you go, this has to be wrapped up,’” says Constantin’s Martin Moszkowicz. “Now it doesn’t have to be done this way anymore. You can basically say, ‘Well, we’ll do it on Zoom next week.’”
Running July 6-17, Cannes, the physical festival and parallel Marché du Film, is over, but dealing could stretch into high summer. Some studio deals could indeed take months to close.
That said, to date, the 2021 Cannes Festival and Marché du Film did much to underscore the resilience of the international film business at least for its top-top players. Following, 10 takeaways:
Cannes Genre Consecration
The first outright win for a woman, Cannes’ 2021 Palme d’Or for “Titane” is also the first time the biggest fest prize in the world has gone to an out-and-out horror schlock fest. Other genre...
Running July 6-17, Cannes, the physical festival and parallel Marché du Film, is over, but dealing could stretch into high summer. Some studio deals could indeed take months to close.
That said, to date, the 2021 Cannes Festival and Marché du Film did much to underscore the resilience of the international film business at least for its top-top players. Following, 10 takeaways:
Cannes Genre Consecration
The first outright win for a woman, Cannes’ 2021 Palme d’Or for “Titane” is also the first time the biggest fest prize in the world has gone to an out-and-out horror schlock fest. Other genre...
- 7/20/2021
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all U.S. and U.K. distribution rights to “Everything Went Fine,” Francois Ozon’s film with Sophie Marceau, which just world-premiered in competition at Cannes and earned a warm critical welcome.
The deal was negotiated by Cmg senior VP Robert Aaronson, Curzon Artificial Eye’s managing director Louisa Dent and Sébasten Beffa and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert at Playtime.
“Everything Went Fine” marks Marceau’s first time working with Ozon, one of France’s most critically laureled helmers. The drama is based Emmanuèle Bernheim’s novel “Everything Went Well” and centers on a woman as she is confronted with her father’s declining health following a stroke. Sick and half-paralyzed in his hospital bed, André asks Emmanuèle to help him end his life. The film explores the father-daughter relationship.
Written and directed by Ozon, “Everything Went Fine” also stars Géraldine Pailhas, Charlotte Rampling,...
The deal was negotiated by Cmg senior VP Robert Aaronson, Curzon Artificial Eye’s managing director Louisa Dent and Sébasten Beffa and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert at Playtime.
“Everything Went Fine” marks Marceau’s first time working with Ozon, one of France’s most critically laureled helmers. The drama is based Emmanuèle Bernheim’s novel “Everything Went Well” and centers on a woman as she is confronted with her father’s declining health following a stroke. Sick and half-paralyzed in his hospital bed, André asks Emmanuèle to help him end his life. The film explores the father-daughter relationship.
Written and directed by Ozon, “Everything Went Fine” also stars Géraldine Pailhas, Charlotte Rampling,...
- 7/10/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Naomi Watts’ update on the cult horror film “Goodnight Mommy” just secured two crucial roles in Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti.
The twin boys will play Watts’ sons in the Amazon Studios project, which just kicked off production in New Jersey. Matt Sobel is directing the new take on the film, whose predecessor was selected as Austria’s entry for best international film at the 2015 Oscars.
The story follows two brothers who arrive at their mother’s country home to discover her face covered in bandages, what she says is the result of a recent cosmetic surgery. As her behavior grows increasingly erratic, a horrifying question takes root in the boys’ minds: what if the woman beneath the gauze isn’t their mother at all?
Sobel is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. Joshua Astrachan, David Kaplan, Nicolas Brigaud-Robert and Valery Guibal are producing. Watts, Sobel, Warren and the directors of the original film,...
The twin boys will play Watts’ sons in the Amazon Studios project, which just kicked off production in New Jersey. Matt Sobel is directing the new take on the film, whose predecessor was selected as Austria’s entry for best international film at the 2015 Oscars.
The story follows two brothers who arrive at their mother’s country home to discover her face covered in bandages, what she says is the result of a recent cosmetic surgery. As her behavior grows increasingly erratic, a horrifying question takes root in the boys’ minds: what if the woman beneath the gauze isn’t their mother at all?
Sobel is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. Joshua Astrachan, David Kaplan, Nicolas Brigaud-Robert and Valery Guibal are producing. Watts, Sobel, Warren and the directors of the original film,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Co-producing in Tough Times will be hosted by European Film Promotion (28.4K subscribers) and Cineuropa, with Tine Klint of LevelK, Susan Wendt of TrustNordisk, Hédi Zardi of Luxbox and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert of Playtime and moderated by one of today’s top producers in Europe, Ada Solomon.…
Continue reading on SydneysBuzz The Blog »...
Continue reading on SydneysBuzz The Blog »...
- 5/11/2021
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Strand Releasing has acquired all U.S. rights to Oscar-nominated Cambodian director Rithy Panh’s “Irradiated,” which world premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and won best documentary. The film is represented in international markets by Playtime.
Through “Irradiated,” Panh sheds light on the human horrors perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge regime which he experienced during his childhood. Narrated by Rebecca Marder and André Wilms (“Le Havre”), the film brings together black-and-white archival war footage across a tryptic of panels juxtaposing images of war and suffering across the 20th century and around the world. The cinematic documentary is scored by Panh’s longtime collaborator Marc Marder.
“What it means to be a survivor cannot be put into words. To live on, to make contact with this irradiation, for which there may be no cause, no knowledge, but from which there is no protection,” said Panh about his film. “Evil radiates.
Through “Irradiated,” Panh sheds light on the human horrors perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge regime which he experienced during his childhood. Narrated by Rebecca Marder and André Wilms (“Le Havre”), the film brings together black-and-white archival war footage across a tryptic of panels juxtaposing images of war and suffering across the 20th century and around the world. The cinematic documentary is scored by Panh’s longtime collaborator Marc Marder.
“What it means to be a survivor cannot be put into words. To live on, to make contact with this irradiation, for which there may be no cause, no knowledge, but from which there is no protection,” said Panh about his film. “Evil radiates.
- 4/22/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Naomi Watts is set to star in and executive produce the English-language remake of the hit Austrian psychological thriller “Goodnight Mommy,” set up at Amazon Studios.
The streamer will mount the remake with indie prestige label Animal Kingdom and production company Playtime. Released in 2014, the original film became a cult classic and was selected as the Austrian entry for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards.
Matt Sobel (“Take Me To The River”) is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, Valery Guibal and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert are producing. In addition to Watts, the original film’s directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz will serve as executive producers.
Playtime acquired the remake rights and developed the new film with Playtime. Amazon is financing and releasing worldwide.
“Goodnight Mommy” follows twin brothers who, when sent to stay with their mother, are surprised to find her swathed in bandages from a recent procedure.
The streamer will mount the remake with indie prestige label Animal Kingdom and production company Playtime. Released in 2014, the original film became a cult classic and was selected as the Austrian entry for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards.
Matt Sobel (“Take Me To The River”) is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, Valery Guibal and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert are producing. In addition to Watts, the original film’s directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz will serve as executive producers.
Playtime acquired the remake rights and developed the new film with Playtime. Amazon is financing and releasing worldwide.
“Goodnight Mommy” follows twin brothers who, when sent to stay with their mother, are surprised to find her swathed in bandages from a recent procedure.
- 4/6/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Audiard co-wrote screenplay with Celine Sciamma.
IFC Films has acquired US rights to Jacques Audiard’s Paris, 13th District, which the filmmaker co-wrote with Celine Sciamma whose Petite Maman just premiered at the Berlinale.
The film stars newcomer Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba, Jehnny Beth and Noémie Merlant from Sciamma’s Portrait Of A Lady On Fire.
Paris, 13th District is adapted from cartoonist Adrian Tomine’s collection of graphic short stories Killing And Dying and centres on three girls and a boy who redefine modern love. Émilie meets Camille who is attracted to Nora, who crosses the path of Amber.
IFC Films has acquired US rights to Jacques Audiard’s Paris, 13th District, which the filmmaker co-wrote with Celine Sciamma whose Petite Maman just premiered at the Berlinale.
The film stars newcomer Lucie Zhang, Makita Samba, Jehnny Beth and Noémie Merlant from Sciamma’s Portrait Of A Lady On Fire.
Paris, 13th District is adapted from cartoonist Adrian Tomine’s collection of graphic short stories Killing And Dying and centres on three girls and a boy who redefine modern love. Émilie meets Camille who is attracted to Nora, who crosses the path of Amber.
- 3/5/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Film industry looks to festival for a timely confirmation of 2021 plans.
International industry hopes are pinned on the Cannes Film Festival taking place physically in 2021 after last year’s Covid-19 cancellation but the major questions on everyone’s lips are whether it can maintain its traditional May dates, whether it will move to a June or July slot and when a final decision will be made.
With much of Europe still under some sort of lockdown, expectations that restrictions could get even stricter in some territories and a slow roll-out of France’s vaccination programme, the festival’s existing dates...
International industry hopes are pinned on the Cannes Film Festival taking place physically in 2021 after last year’s Covid-19 cancellation but the major questions on everyone’s lips are whether it can maintain its traditional May dates, whether it will move to a June or July slot and when a final decision will be made.
With much of Europe still under some sort of lockdown, expectations that restrictions could get even stricter in some territories and a slow roll-out of France’s vaccination programme, the festival’s existing dates...
- 1/20/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Changes in local financing coupled with new opportunities in global distribution have pushed the French industry towards a more international outlook, argued panelists at a Tuesday round table presented as part of UniFrance’s Rendez-vous With French Cinema.
“[For certain French producers] ‘international’ used to mean who would take care of their talent when they travelled,” said film exporter Nicolas Brigaud-Robert. “[Only] today, with the way that we finance films having changed, that concern is much more widespread.”
Throughout the export focused talk – which brought together sales agents Brigaud-Robert of Playtime, and Emilie Georges of Memento, producer Bénédicte Couvreur of Lilies Films, and Cnc exec Mathieu Fournet – the panelists detailed the ways French actors could seize international opportunities.
Coming off the global success of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Couvreur looked to bank on newfound international attention when preparing her next film with director Céline Sciamma, the recently wrapped “Petite Maman.”
“It was important...
“[For certain French producers] ‘international’ used to mean who would take care of their talent when they travelled,” said film exporter Nicolas Brigaud-Robert. “[Only] today, with the way that we finance films having changed, that concern is much more widespread.”
Throughout the export focused talk – which brought together sales agents Brigaud-Robert of Playtime, and Emilie Georges of Memento, producer Bénédicte Couvreur of Lilies Films, and Cnc exec Mathieu Fournet – the panelists detailed the ways French actors could seize international opportunities.
Coming off the global success of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Couvreur looked to bank on newfound international attention when preparing her next film with director Céline Sciamma, the recently wrapped “Petite Maman.”
“It was important...
- 1/15/2021
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Playtime has acquired international sales rights to Philippe Le Guay’s “The Man From the Basement,” a Paris-set thriller produced by Anne-Dominique Toussaint’s Les Films des Tournelles.
Now in post, the film shot during the lockdown on location in Paris, with a stellar cast including François Cluzet, Jérémie Renier (“Slalom”), Bérénice Bejo and Jonathan Zaccaï (“The Bureau”).
“The Man From The Basement” was written by Le Guay, Gilles Taurand, the critically acclaimed screenwriter of “Wild Reeds” and “Farewell, My Queen,” and Marc Weitzmann, a French journalist and novelist.
The thought-provoking thriller revolves around a Parisian couple who decide to sell an unsanitary basement in their building. A seemingly ordinary man, Mr. Fonzic, shows up to buy it and makes it his permanent residence. But slowly, Mr. Fonzic becomes a threat to the family as he turns out be a hateful man spreading anti-semitic lies and exerting a perverted influence...
Now in post, the film shot during the lockdown on location in Paris, with a stellar cast including François Cluzet, Jérémie Renier (“Slalom”), Bérénice Bejo and Jonathan Zaccaï (“The Bureau”).
“The Man From The Basement” was written by Le Guay, Gilles Taurand, the critically acclaimed screenwriter of “Wild Reeds” and “Farewell, My Queen,” and Marc Weitzmann, a French journalist and novelist.
The thought-provoking thriller revolves around a Parisian couple who decide to sell an unsanitary basement in their building. A seemingly ordinary man, Mr. Fonzic, shows up to buy it and makes it his permanent residence. But slowly, Mr. Fonzic becomes a threat to the family as he turns out be a hateful man spreading anti-semitic lies and exerting a perverted influence...
- 1/13/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Film Movement has taken U.S. rights to Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers” which is Japan’s entry for the international feature film race at the Oscars.
The affecting family drama was part of Cannes 2020’s Official Selection and went on to play at Toronto, San Sebastian and Chicago film festivals. “True Mothers” will have a theatrical rollout in 2021, followed by release on all home entertainment and digital platforms.
Penned by Kawase and based on Mizuki Tsujimura’s bestselling novel of the same name, “True Mothers” tells the story of a young couple, Satoko and her husband Kiyokazu, who after a long and painful experience with fertility treatment decide to adopt a child. Six years later, they get a threatening phone call from a woman pretending to be the biological mother of the child and threatening to extort money from them.
“We’re thrilled to acquire Naomi’s latest masterwork,...
The affecting family drama was part of Cannes 2020’s Official Selection and went on to play at Toronto, San Sebastian and Chicago film festivals. “True Mothers” will have a theatrical rollout in 2021, followed by release on all home entertainment and digital platforms.
Penned by Kawase and based on Mizuki Tsujimura’s bestselling novel of the same name, “True Mothers” tells the story of a young couple, Satoko and her husband Kiyokazu, who after a long and painful experience with fertility treatment decide to adopt a child. Six years later, they get a threatening phone call from a woman pretending to be the biological mother of the child and threatening to extort money from them.
“We’re thrilled to acquire Naomi’s latest masterwork,...
- 12/9/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Music Box plans 2021 theatrical release.
Music Box Films has picked up François Ozon’s Summer Of 85 (Été 85), the TIFF selection and coming-of-age story that premiered in virtual Cannes.
Music Box plans a 2021 theatrical release on the first love drama, and previously handled Ozon’s Potiche, Frantz, and By The Grace Of God.
Summer Of 85 centres on 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat capsizes on the coast of Normandy.
Alexis thinks he has met the person of his dreams, but their relationship may not last more than one summer.
Music Box Films has picked up François Ozon’s Summer Of 85 (Été 85), the TIFF selection and coming-of-age story that premiered in virtual Cannes.
Music Box plans a 2021 theatrical release on the first love drama, and previously handled Ozon’s Potiche, Frantz, and By The Grace Of God.
Summer Of 85 centres on 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat capsizes on the coast of Normandy.
Alexis thinks he has met the person of his dreams, but their relationship may not last more than one summer.
- 9/10/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Faced with a transforming marketplace still spooked by uncertainty, the French exporters accompanying their films to Toronto have looked to past experience, new practices and brand-name identification in order to launch their titles in such highly unpredictable times.
“It’s a day-by-day learning process,” says Alice Lesort, head of international sales at Les Films du Losange. “We always have to adapt, to better work with distributors facing wildly different situations, in a context where the windows that we normally used to launch film, the big festivals and international markets, are not happening in the same way.”
Case in point: This year’s slimmed-down Toronto Intl. Film Festival, which will welcome a significantly reduced number of French productions compared to previous editions, and which has moved its entire industry component online.
Of course, some things stay the same. Though it took a rather different form this go-round, Cannes continues to play...
“It’s a day-by-day learning process,” says Alice Lesort, head of international sales at Les Films du Losange. “We always have to adapt, to better work with distributors facing wildly different situations, in a context where the windows that we normally used to launch film, the big festivals and international markets, are not happening in the same way.”
Case in point: This year’s slimmed-down Toronto Intl. Film Festival, which will welcome a significantly reduced number of French productions compared to previous editions, and which has moved its entire industry component online.
Of course, some things stay the same. Though it took a rather different form this go-round, Cannes continues to play...
- 9/10/2020
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Music Box Films has scooped U.S. rights to French auteur Francois Ozon’s “Summer of 85,” a highlight of Cannes 2020’s Official Selection which is set to play at Toronto and San Sebastian film festivals. The film is represented in international markets by the Paris-based company Playtime.
“Summer of 85” marks Ozon’s follow up to “By The Grace of God,” the winner of Berlin’s 2019 Silver Bear Award. “Summer of 85” reunites Ozon with Music Box, the U.S. distributor of “By The Grace of God,” “Potiche” and “Frantz.”
Music Box is planning to release the film theatrically next year, followed by a release on home entertainment.
Inspired by Aidan Chambers’ novel “Dance On My Grave,” “Summer of 85” is a poignant tale of first love. The film follows 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat...
“Summer of 85” marks Ozon’s follow up to “By The Grace of God,” the winner of Berlin’s 2019 Silver Bear Award. “Summer of 85” reunites Ozon with Music Box, the U.S. distributor of “By The Grace of God,” “Potiche” and “Frantz.”
Music Box is planning to release the film theatrically next year, followed by a release on home entertainment.
Inspired by Aidan Chambers’ novel “Dance On My Grave,” “Summer of 85” is a poignant tale of first love. The film follows 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat...
- 9/9/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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