Australia-China co-pro 'Guardians of the Tomb' (formerly 'Nest') stars Chinese mega-star Li Bingbing..
The official co-production treaty between China and Australia entered into force in 2008. Since then, despite growing interest in working with the burgeoning film power, only a handful of official co-productions have been made. They include The Dragon Pearl, 33 Postcards.and The Children of the Silk Road (made under a Mou prior to the signing of the treaty)..
However in the past 18 months, things have started to shift. The biggest co-pro to date, Kimble Rendall.s Guardians of the Tomb (formerly Nest), shot on the Gold Coast early last year, and gangster film Dog Fight shot in Victoria last September. Both films are now in post..
Two other projects, Pauline Chan.s My Extraordinary Wedding and Nadia Tass and David Parker.s Tying the Knot,.have been issued provisional approval but are yet to enter production.
The official co-production treaty between China and Australia entered into force in 2008. Since then, despite growing interest in working with the burgeoning film power, only a handful of official co-productions have been made. They include The Dragon Pearl, 33 Postcards.and The Children of the Silk Road (made under a Mou prior to the signing of the treaty)..
However in the past 18 months, things have started to shift. The biggest co-pro to date, Kimble Rendall.s Guardians of the Tomb (formerly Nest), shot on the Gold Coast early last year, and gangster film Dog Fight shot in Victoria last September. Both films are now in post..
Two other projects, Pauline Chan.s My Extraordinary Wedding and Nadia Tass and David Parker.s Tying the Knot,.have been issued provisional approval but are yet to enter production.
- 4/21/2017
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Principal photography has begun in Perth on John V. Soto.s (The Reckoning, Needle) latest sci-fi drama Love You Twice.
Jacqueline McKenzie (The Water Diviner, Deep Blue Sea, The 4400) stars as the lead, alongside Myles Pollard (Drift, The Turning), Hayley McElhinney (The Babadook), Shannon Berry (Hunters) and Ryan Panizza. Ben Mortley (Lantana) is a new addition to the cast and will play the role of .Regg., a scientist.
Soto is directing and co-wrote Love You Twice with author Michael White (Equinox, The Medici Secret). It follows a particle physicist (McKenzie) grieving over the loss of her husband who uses a revolutionary invention to bring him back, with dire consequences for their family.
Love You Twice is a Filmscope Entertainment and Convergence Productions film. Soto is producing with Deidre Kitcher, while executive producers are Malcolm and Kate Rudd, Coppelia Tingley, Pauline Chan and Gia Zhang RenJie.
The film has a...
Jacqueline McKenzie (The Water Diviner, Deep Blue Sea, The 4400) stars as the lead, alongside Myles Pollard (Drift, The Turning), Hayley McElhinney (The Babadook), Shannon Berry (Hunters) and Ryan Panizza. Ben Mortley (Lantana) is a new addition to the cast and will play the role of .Regg., a scientist.
Soto is directing and co-wrote Love You Twice with author Michael White (Equinox, The Medici Secret). It follows a particle physicist (McKenzie) grieving over the loss of her husband who uses a revolutionary invention to bring him back, with dire consequences for their family.
Love You Twice is a Filmscope Entertainment and Convergence Productions film. Soto is producing with Deidre Kitcher, while executive producers are Malcolm and Kate Rudd, Coppelia Tingley, Pauline Chan and Gia Zhang RenJie.
The film has a...
- 11/6/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Filmscope Entertainment has secured exclusive film and TV rights to Us author Margaret Weis. Star of the Guardians sci-fi novels. The protagonist is a Royal Guardian who battles her ex-lover, a powerful and ruthless warlord, in the ultimate fight to control a galaxy and to restore glory to the kingdom and the rightful heir to the throne. Filmscope partners Deidre Kitcher and John V Soto intend to start by adapting the first novel of the series, The Lost King, into two films. It.s the most ambitious undertaking yet by the filmmaking duo whose credits include Soto's The Reckoning, Needle and Crush, and almost certainly would require the backing of a Hollywood studio or mini-major . .We are talking to several Us based parties at the moment, although open to discuss this project with others,. Kitcher and Soto tell If. Kitcher first read the books in the 1990s and sparked to the strong female protagonist,...
- 5/24/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Pauline Chan.s Darkroom Films and Filmscope Entertainment have signed co-production deals with two Chinese partners for cross-cultural comedy My Extraordinary Wedding.
The alliance means the film budgeted at $5 million, written and directed by Chan, will get a wide release in Chinese cinemas. Due to shoot in Western Australia and China in the first half of next year, the film will follow a wedding that turns into a wild chase from Perth to Busselton and beyond.
The Chinese partners are Zhejiang Hengdian Film Production Company (Hengdian) and China Film Assist (Cfa), whose combined distribution networks encompass 5,600 screens nationwide.
Chan and Filmscope Entertainment.s Deidre Kitcher will produce with Hengdian.s Zhijiang Liu and Cfa.s Geng Ling. This will be the third collaboration between Chan and Liu following 33 Postcards, which she wrote and directed, and Mario Andreacchio.s The Dragon Pearl, which she produced.
.Each of the producers brings their special expertise and resources,...
The alliance means the film budgeted at $5 million, written and directed by Chan, will get a wide release in Chinese cinemas. Due to shoot in Western Australia and China in the first half of next year, the film will follow a wedding that turns into a wild chase from Perth to Busselton and beyond.
The Chinese partners are Zhejiang Hengdian Film Production Company (Hengdian) and China Film Assist (Cfa), whose combined distribution networks encompass 5,600 screens nationwide.
Chan and Filmscope Entertainment.s Deidre Kitcher will produce with Hengdian.s Zhijiang Liu and Cfa.s Geng Ling. This will be the third collaboration between Chan and Liu following 33 Postcards, which she wrote and directed, and Mario Andreacchio.s The Dragon Pearl, which she produced.
.Each of the producers brings their special expertise and resources,...
- 11/12/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
After platforming at four cinemas in New York and Los Angeles John Curran.s Tracks expanded to 28 screens in the Us last weekend.
The 3-day gross was $US70,951 for a per-screen average of $2,534, bringing the 10-day cume to $103,098.
That.s not a great result for the Weinstein Co., which originally intended to launch the Outback adventure starring Mia Wasikowska as .camel girl. Robyn Davidson in May.
Tracks underlines how tough it can be for Australian films to crack the mainstream Us market, while deals for a limited theatrical release or straight to DVD and VOD are becoming more common.
John V. Soto.s The Reckoning is taking the latter path with a simultaneous VOD and DVD launch in the Us and Canada on October 28 via Anchor Bay Entertainment.
.A theatrical release in North America would require a substantial P&A commitment that is better spent pushing the VOD release,. said Soto,...
The 3-day gross was $US70,951 for a per-screen average of $2,534, bringing the 10-day cume to $103,098.
That.s not a great result for the Weinstein Co., which originally intended to launch the Outback adventure starring Mia Wasikowska as .camel girl. Robyn Davidson in May.
Tracks underlines how tough it can be for Australian films to crack the mainstream Us market, while deals for a limited theatrical release or straight to DVD and VOD are becoming more common.
John V. Soto.s The Reckoning is taking the latter path with a simultaneous VOD and DVD launch in the Us and Canada on October 28 via Anchor Bay Entertainment.
.A theatrical release in North America would require a substantial P&A commitment that is better spent pushing the VOD release,. said Soto,...
- 9/29/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Barring a miracle or at least several hits, the Australian films released in cinemas this year have no hope of matching 2013.s combined gross of $38.5 million.
Through last Sunday, 43 local features and documentaries had racked up $18.5 million nationwide. That includes mostly small amounts earned by 20 titles that opened in 2013 or earlier. As the Safc.s Richard Harris has pointed out, the results of each film should be evaluated on the basis of its release strategy rather than regarding every film that earns less than $1 million as a disaster and proof that Australian audiences have turned away from Aussie cinema.
However distributors and producers were counting on far stronger ticket sales for the Spierig brothers. Predestination, Matt Saville.s Felony, David Michôd.s The Rover and Zak Hilditch.s These Final Hours.
Only The Railway Man (which opened on Boxing Day and has a lifetime cume of $7.3 million), Wolf Creek 2...
Through last Sunday, 43 local features and documentaries had racked up $18.5 million nationwide. That includes mostly small amounts earned by 20 titles that opened in 2013 or earlier. As the Safc.s Richard Harris has pointed out, the results of each film should be evaluated on the basis of its release strategy rather than regarding every film that earns less than $1 million as a disaster and proof that Australian audiences have turned away from Aussie cinema.
However distributors and producers were counting on far stronger ticket sales for the Spierig brothers. Predestination, Matt Saville.s Felony, David Michôd.s The Rover and Zak Hilditch.s These Final Hours.
Only The Railway Man (which opened on Boxing Day and has a lifetime cume of $7.3 million), Wolf Creek 2...
- 9/23/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Go big or go small- just avoid the middle ground in Australian film budgets.
That approach is being advocated by some industry executives and producers in response to the global trend which sees many mid-level films being marginalised.
.In light of the recent flight of the indie audiences in Australia and worldwide and the fact that indie films are struggling in the cinematic marketplace, there will be an increasing bifurcation of the production landscape,. predicts Safc CEO Richard Harris.
.There has long been a discussion about what has been dubbed the .dead zone. for feature films, somewhere between $5m-$15m.
.Some Australian producers will continue to see cinema as the main game for their film and therefore they will think about their budget in terms of competing in what is an increasingly difficult theatrical space.
.Others, however, will be . or in many cases already are . thinking about making their film...
That approach is being advocated by some industry executives and producers in response to the global trend which sees many mid-level films being marginalised.
.In light of the recent flight of the indie audiences in Australia and worldwide and the fact that indie films are struggling in the cinematic marketplace, there will be an increasing bifurcation of the production landscape,. predicts Safc CEO Richard Harris.
.There has long been a discussion about what has been dubbed the .dead zone. for feature films, somewhere between $5m-$15m.
.Some Australian producers will continue to see cinema as the main game for their film and therefore they will think about their budget in terms of competing in what is an increasingly difficult theatrical space.
.Others, however, will be . or in many cases already are . thinking about making their film...
- 9/11/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
John V. Soto.s The Reckoning has launched successfully at five cinemas in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. The crime thriller which stars Jonathan Lapaglia, Luke Hemsworth, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, Viva Bianca and Alex Williams has raked in nearly $52,000 including previews. The weekend total was $22,476 for a per-screen average of $4,495. .That is pretty damn good considering we only played 20 sessions,. Soto told If. That.s a healthier screen average than the debuts of Felony and Predestination (which held moderately well in their second weekends), These Final Hours and The Rover. The tale of a detective who pursues two runaway teenagers whose video footage contains the identity of a killer, the thriller will test the emerging model for distributing Australian films when it.s released on most VoD platforms and on DVD on September 17 by the distributor, Selena Chung.s Sc Movies. The producer, Filmscope Entertainment.s Deidre Kitcher, said the accelerated...
- 9/7/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A scene from winning film Paper Planes..
.
Robert Connolly.s family feature Paper Planes has taken out Australia.s richest film prize of $100,000 at the seventh annual CinéfestOZ Film Festival on Saturday night..
Paper Planes follows 11-year old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) whose life changes after winning a place in the regional paper planes competition in Sydney. This achievement takes him far from his country home and depressed father (Sam Worthington), all the way to the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.
The film beat out five other contenders; Matt Saville.s Felony, Stephen Lance.s My Mistress, Julius Avery.s Son of a Gun, John V Soto.s The Reckoning and Russell Vines. documentary The Waler . Australia.s Great War Horse. (All finalist synopses listed below).
.I.m so, so happy,. Connolly said of his win. .I.m really excited because we are planning for a Christmas/January release and...
.
Robert Connolly.s family feature Paper Planes has taken out Australia.s richest film prize of $100,000 at the seventh annual CinéfestOZ Film Festival on Saturday night..
Paper Planes follows 11-year old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) whose life changes after winning a place in the regional paper planes competition in Sydney. This achievement takes him far from his country home and depressed father (Sam Worthington), all the way to the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.
The film beat out five other contenders; Matt Saville.s Felony, Stephen Lance.s My Mistress, Julius Avery.s Son of a Gun, John V Soto.s The Reckoning and Russell Vines. documentary The Waler . Australia.s Great War Horse. (All finalist synopses listed below).
.I.m so, so happy,. Connolly said of his win. .I.m really excited because we are planning for a Christmas/January release and...
- 8/23/2014
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Matt Saville.s Felony, Julius Avery.s Son of a Gun, Robert Connolly.s Paper Planes and John V. Soto.s The Reckoning are among the six finalists for CinéfestOZ.s inaugural $100,000 film prize, Australia.s richest.
The other two are Stephen Lance.s My Mistress and a potential wildcard, The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse, Russell Vines. ScreenWest-funded documentary on the 135,000-plus horses sent from Australia to the Middle East in WW1.
There were more than 20 submissions for the prize, which is voted on by a jury of five headed by director Bruce Beresford and will be announced on August 23.
The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse will have its world premiere at CinéfestOZ while Son of a Gun and The Reckoning will have their Australian premieres. Felony, My Mistress and Paper Planes are premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
.When we introduced this prize we anticipated...
The other two are Stephen Lance.s My Mistress and a potential wildcard, The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse, Russell Vines. ScreenWest-funded documentary on the 135,000-plus horses sent from Australia to the Middle East in WW1.
There were more than 20 submissions for the prize, which is voted on by a jury of five headed by director Bruce Beresford and will be announced on August 23.
The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse will have its world premiere at CinéfestOZ while Son of a Gun and The Reckoning will have their Australian premieres. Felony, My Mistress and Paper Planes are premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
.When we introduced this prize we anticipated...
- 7/13/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Writer-director John V. Soto.s crime thriller The Reckoning will be launched in Australia on September 4 by Selina Chong.s Sc Movies.
A six-screen release- three in Perth and one each in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane- is planned for the film which stars Jonathan Lapaglia as a troubled detective who hunts two runaway teenagers who hold video footage that identifies a cop killer.
Luke Hemsworth, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, Viva Bianca and Alex Williams round out the cast.
.We had offers from a couple of other Aussie distributors but Selina was definitely the most passionate and committed,. said Filmscope Entertainment.s Soto, who in May was named best director at the British Independent Film Festival, where The Reckoning had its world premiere.
Backed by ScreenWest and Lottery West, the film was produced by Filmscope Entertainment.s Deidre Kitcher, with Robert Lundberg, Roger and Kim Savill and Malcolm and Kate Rudd as executive producers.
A six-screen release- three in Perth and one each in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane- is planned for the film which stars Jonathan Lapaglia as a troubled detective who hunts two runaway teenagers who hold video footage that identifies a cop killer.
Luke Hemsworth, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, Viva Bianca and Alex Williams round out the cast.
.We had offers from a couple of other Aussie distributors but Selina was definitely the most passionate and committed,. said Filmscope Entertainment.s Soto, who in May was named best director at the British Independent Film Festival, where The Reckoning had its world premiere.
Backed by ScreenWest and Lottery West, the film was produced by Filmscope Entertainment.s Deidre Kitcher, with Robert Lundberg, Roger and Kim Savill and Malcolm and Kate Rudd as executive producers.
- 6/23/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
John V. Soto was named best director at the British Independent Film Festival on Saturday for his crime thriller The Reckoning.
That film.s composer Thomas Rouch took the award for best music at the festival held at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, where The Reckoning had its world premiere.
Soto was one of three nominees for best director together with Martin Kemp for Top Dog (the tale of a London bad boy who gets in over his head after he joins a dangerous criminal gang) and Floris Ramaekers for Sleeping Dogs (the story of one woman on the rocky road between happiness and tragedy). The Reckoning stars Jonathan Lapaglia as a troubled detective who hunts two runaway teenagers who hold video footage that identifies a cop killer. The supporting cast includes Luke Hemsworth, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, Viva Bianca and Alex Williams.
The thriller is due to open on 8-10 screens in Sydney,...
That film.s composer Thomas Rouch took the award for best music at the festival held at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, where The Reckoning had its world premiere.
Soto was one of three nominees for best director together with Martin Kemp for Top Dog (the tale of a London bad boy who gets in over his head after he joins a dangerous criminal gang) and Floris Ramaekers for Sleeping Dogs (the story of one woman on the rocky road between happiness and tragedy). The Reckoning stars Jonathan Lapaglia as a troubled detective who hunts two runaway teenagers who hold video footage that identifies a cop killer. The supporting cast includes Luke Hemsworth, Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, Viva Bianca and Alex Williams.
The thriller is due to open on 8-10 screens in Sydney,...
- 5/11/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Writer-director John V. Soto.s third feature The Reckoning will have its world premiere in competition at the British Independent Film Festival next month.
Screening at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square on May 10, the crime thriller has been nominated for best film, director and actor.
The cast is headed by Jonathan Lapaglia (The Slap, Love Child), Luke Hemsworth (Kill Me Three Times, Brothers in Arms), Hanna Mangan Lawrence (X, Spartacus: Blood and Sand), Viva Bianca (X, Spartacus) and Alex Williams (Paper Planes, Never Tear Us Apart).
The plot follows a troubled detective (Lapaglia) as he hunts two runaway teenagers who hold video footage that identifies a cop killer.
The tentative Australian release date is September 4, playing on 8-10 screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The film has been sold in seven international territories by Lightning Entertainment, which aims to close further deals at the Cannes film market.
.Jonathan,...
Screening at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square on May 10, the crime thriller has been nominated for best film, director and actor.
The cast is headed by Jonathan Lapaglia (The Slap, Love Child), Luke Hemsworth (Kill Me Three Times, Brothers in Arms), Hanna Mangan Lawrence (X, Spartacus: Blood and Sand), Viva Bianca (X, Spartacus) and Alex Williams (Paper Planes, Never Tear Us Apart).
The plot follows a troubled detective (Lapaglia) as he hunts two runaway teenagers who hold video footage that identifies a cop killer.
The tentative Australian release date is September 4, playing on 8-10 screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The film has been sold in seven international territories by Lightning Entertainment, which aims to close further deals at the Cannes film market.
.Jonathan,...
- 4/29/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
We haven't heard much about John Soto's new film The Reckoning lately, but here to kick off your holiday week we have the new teaser trailer and some additional artwork to share.
Jonathan Lapaglia and Luke Hemsworth star in the Australian crime thriller The Reckoning, written and directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush). It co-stars Viva Bianca, Hanna Mangan Lawrence, and Alex Williams.
Deidre Kitcher produced with Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill, and Kim Savill executive producing.
Synopsis:
After his partner is murdered, a detective must track down two runaway teens whose camera holds the identity of the killer.
For more info be sure to "like" The Reckoning on Facebook.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Be reckoned with in the comments section below!
Jonathan Lapaglia and Luke Hemsworth star in the Australian crime thriller The Reckoning, written and directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush). It co-stars Viva Bianca, Hanna Mangan Lawrence, and Alex Williams.
Deidre Kitcher produced with Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill, and Kim Savill executive producing.
Synopsis:
After his partner is murdered, a detective must track down two runaway teens whose camera holds the identity of the killer.
For more info be sure to "like" The Reckoning on Facebook.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Be reckoned with in the comments section below!
- 12/23/2013
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Regardless of which side wins Saturday.s election, the incoming government is not likely to provide any immediate stimulus or benefit to the screen production industry, except a tightening of the copyright laws.
But the screen sector has little to fear if the Coalition is swept to power, according to If.s admittedly unscientific survey of industry players.
Given the ballooning deficit facing the new government, the industry probably cannot expect any short-term increase to the 16.5% location rebate or the doubling of the 20% producer offset for TV fare.
Senator George Brandis, the shadow Arts Minister and Attorney-General, has flagged that, if elected, he will oppose a relaxation of the copyright laws foreshadowed in a review by the Australian Law Reform Commission, which is due to be delivered in November.
Spaa executive director Matthew Deaner has warned the Alrc.s recommendations would repeal all existing copyright exceptions and replace them with...
But the screen sector has little to fear if the Coalition is swept to power, according to If.s admittedly unscientific survey of industry players.
Given the ballooning deficit facing the new government, the industry probably cannot expect any short-term increase to the 16.5% location rebate or the doubling of the 20% producer offset for TV fare.
Senator George Brandis, the shadow Arts Minister and Attorney-General, has flagged that, if elected, he will oppose a relaxation of the copyright laws foreshadowed in a review by the Australian Law Reform Commission, which is due to be delivered in November.
Spaa executive director Matthew Deaner has warned the Alrc.s recommendations would repeal all existing copyright exceptions and replace them with...
- 9/1/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Lovefilm & Warner Bros Strike UK Deal Netflix competitor Lovefilm has entered what it calls a “milestone” deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution for the UK. From today, library content that includes The West Wing, One Tree Hill, Nip Tuck and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles will be available to subscribers. The Amazon-owned streaming service has 2M+ subscribers across Europe. Netflix entered the market in January 2012 where Sky also continues to build its business. The three companies each have deals with the major U.S. studios. In November, Netflix signed its own multi-year pact with Wbitd that included shows like The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl. Alex Williams In Feature Debut After playing the lead in TV movie Underground: The Julian Assange Story, Alex Williams is set to make his film debut in Australian writer-director John V. Soto’s The Reckoning. Williams, who graduated from the Western Australian Academy of...
- 4/13/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
Jonathan Lapaglia and Luke Hemsworth are joining The Reckoning, a film from Lightning Entertainment. The film will be directed John V. Soto (Crush). Hemsworth, much like the third Manning brother, is the lesser known of the Hemsworth clan, that has Thor and Gale as the other members. Lapaglia is the son of Without A Trace star Anthony Lapaglia. Check the press release for more deets on the film.
Los Angeles – Jonathan Lapaglia and Luke Hemsworth will star in the crime thriller The Reckoning, written and to be directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment who is set to handle International sales rights to the film.
The Reckoning will start principal photography on April 29th on location in Australia. Deidre Kitcher (Needle, Crush) is producing. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill and Kim Savill will executive produce the film.
Los Angeles – Jonathan Lapaglia and Luke Hemsworth will star in the crime thriller The Reckoning, written and to be directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment who is set to handle International sales rights to the film.
The Reckoning will start principal photography on April 29th on location in Australia. Deidre Kitcher (Needle, Crush) is producing. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill and Kim Savill will executive produce the film.
- 3/30/2013
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Jonathan Lapaglia ("Seven Days," "The Slap") and Luke Hemsworth ("All Saints," "Satisfaction") are set to star in "Needle" writer/director John V. Soto's crime thriller "The Reckoning" at Lightning Entertainment.
The story revolves around a detective (Lapaglia) who discovers footage at a murder scene, shot by two teenagers, that provides clues to the identity of a killer.
The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey, he soon uncovers a trail of deceit and murder that leads all the way back to him.
Hemsworth, brother of Chris and Liam, will be playing a fellow detective.
Shooting kicks off on April 29th on location in Australia with Deidre Kitcher producing.
The story revolves around a detective (Lapaglia) who discovers footage at a murder scene, shot by two teenagers, that provides clues to the identity of a killer.
The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey, he soon uncovers a trail of deceit and murder that leads all the way back to him.
Hemsworth, brother of Chris and Liam, will be playing a fellow detective.
Shooting kicks off on April 29th on location in Australia with Deidre Kitcher producing.
- 3/25/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
We first told you about the new film from the director of the 2010 Australian supernatural film Needle, John V. Soto, entitled The Reckoning, way back in October; and we now have an update on the film's progression for you!
From the Press Release
Jonathan Lapaglia (pictured) and Luke Hemsworth will star in the crime thriller The Reckoning, written and to be directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment, who is set to handle international sales rights to the film.
The Reckoning will start principal photography on April 29th on location in Australia. Deidre Kitcher (Needle, Crush) is producing. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill, and Kim Savill will executive produce the film.
The story revolves around a detective who discovers footage at a murder scene, shot by two teenagers, that provides clues to the identity of a killer.
From the Press Release
Jonathan Lapaglia (pictured) and Luke Hemsworth will star in the crime thriller The Reckoning, written and to be directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment, who is set to handle international sales rights to the film.
The Reckoning will start principal photography on April 29th on location in Australia. Deidre Kitcher (Needle, Crush) is producing. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill, and Kim Savill will executive produce the film.
The story revolves around a detective who discovers footage at a murder scene, shot by two teenagers, that provides clues to the identity of a killer.
- 3/25/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Jonathan Lapaglia and Luke Hemsworth will star in the crime thriller The Reckoning, written and to be directed by John V. Soto (Needle, Crush), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment who is set to handle International sales rights to the film.
The Reckoning will start principal photography on April 29th on location in Australia. Deidre Kitcher (Needle, Crush) is producing. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill and Kim Savill will executive produce the film.
The story revolves around a detective who discovers footage at a murder scene, shot by two teenagers, that provides clues to the identity of a killer. The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey, he soon uncovers a trail of deceit and murder that leads all the way back to him.
Kitcher says that the thriller is “best described as Memento meets Kalifornia.”
A Filmscope Entertainment production,...
The Reckoning will start principal photography on April 29th on location in Australia. Deidre Kitcher (Needle, Crush) is producing. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote, David Calvert-Jones, Roger Savill and Kim Savill will executive produce the film.
The story revolves around a detective who discovers footage at a murder scene, shot by two teenagers, that provides clues to the identity of a killer. The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey, he soon uncovers a trail of deceit and murder that leads all the way back to him.
Kitcher says that the thriller is “best described as Memento meets Kalifornia.”
A Filmscope Entertainment production,...
- 3/25/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Kriv Stenders is set to follow-up hit film Red Dog with the Western Australian-set thriller Kill Me Three Times.
The new feature, set in a sun-drenched Australian surfing town, follows a young woman at the centre of three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge. Kill Me Three Times will be produced by former Screen Nsw chief executive Tania Chambers, and Laurence Malkin and Share Stallings (Death At A Funeral, A Few Best Men).
In May 2012, when production on horror film Wolf Creek 2 was delayed, director Greg McLean was attached to direct the film. At that stage, Kill Me Three Times was going to star Alice Braga (who also starred in Wolf Creek) in the lead role, as well as Abbie Cornish, Ben Mendelsohn and Sullivan Stapleton. McLean is currently directing Wolf Creek 2 in South Australia.
Stenders' last feature, Red Dog, grossed more than $22 million at the Australian box...
The new feature, set in a sun-drenched Australian surfing town, follows a young woman at the centre of three tales of murder, blackmail and revenge. Kill Me Three Times will be produced by former Screen Nsw chief executive Tania Chambers, and Laurence Malkin and Share Stallings (Death At A Funeral, A Few Best Men).
In May 2012, when production on horror film Wolf Creek 2 was delayed, director Greg McLean was attached to direct the film. At that stage, Kill Me Three Times was going to star Alice Braga (who also starred in Wolf Creek) in the lead role, as well as Abbie Cornish, Ben Mendelsohn and Sullivan Stapleton. McLean is currently directing Wolf Creek 2 in South Australia.
Stenders' last feature, Red Dog, grossed more than $22 million at the Australian box...
- 12/28/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Ausfilm, the Australian organisation aimed to entice international productions to Australia and promote Australian film-makers abroad, is preparing for Ausfilm Week, beginning Wednesday, in Los Angeles.
The organisation has also announced the 17 Australian producers attending one-on-one meetings with Us producers and studios.
The announcement:
Ausfilm, together with representatives of the Australian film industry will converge in Los Angeles from 24-31 October for Ausfilm Week 2012. Ausfilm Week aims to create, build upon and develop international relationships between Ausfilm members and Australian producers with key clients in La to encourage international production to Australia.
Ausfilm Week Los Angeles 2012 will comprise a series of interactive panel sessions highlighting Australia’s production incentives schemes, post production and filmmaking talent, networking experiences, producer collaboration meetings and learning opportunities between the Australian and Us film industries to encourage access to Australia’s Screen Production Incentives. These incentives available include the 40% Producer Offset, 30% Post, Digital and Visual Effects incentive and 16.5% Locations incentive.
The organisation has also announced the 17 Australian producers attending one-on-one meetings with Us producers and studios.
The announcement:
Ausfilm, together with representatives of the Australian film industry will converge in Los Angeles from 24-31 October for Ausfilm Week 2012. Ausfilm Week aims to create, build upon and develop international relationships between Ausfilm members and Australian producers with key clients in La to encourage international production to Australia.
Ausfilm Week Los Angeles 2012 will comprise a series of interactive panel sessions highlighting Australia’s production incentives schemes, post production and filmmaking talent, networking experiences, producer collaboration meetings and learning opportunities between the Australian and Us film industries to encourage access to Australia’s Screen Production Incentives. These incentives available include the 40% Producer Offset, 30% Post, Digital and Visual Effects incentive and 16.5% Locations incentive.
- 10/22/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
John V. Soto, director of the 2010 Australian supernatural film Needle, got in touch to tip us off to his latest Filmscope Entertainment feature, The Reckoning, as well as to provide us a peek at its key art.
Written, co-produced (with Deidre Kitcher) and to be directed by Soto, The Reckoning is set to star Callan McAuliffe (The Great Gatsby, I Am Number Four), with principal photography slated to start this February Down Under. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote and David Calvert-Jones will executive produce the film, which will be shot on the 2K and revolves around (according to the official synopsis) “a detective investigating the roadside execution-style murder of his partner [who] discovers a video, shot by two teenagers, about the death of their sibling in an unsolved hit and run case. The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey, he soon uncovers a trail of murder...
Written, co-produced (with Deidre Kitcher) and to be directed by Soto, The Reckoning is set to star Callan McAuliffe (The Great Gatsby, I Am Number Four), with principal photography slated to start this February Down Under. Robert Lundberg, Greg Coote and David Calvert-Jones will executive produce the film, which will be shot on the 2K and revolves around (according to the official synopsis) “a detective investigating the roadside execution-style murder of his partner [who] discovers a video, shot by two teenagers, about the death of their sibling in an unsolved hit and run case. The teens have since gone missing, and as the detective retraces their journey, he soon uncovers a trail of murder...
- 10/12/2012
- by Sean Decker
- DreadCentral.com
Australian horror film Needle will receive a Mexican theatrical release, scheduled for February.
The film will be released across 50 screens in Mexico after a successful run in Turkey across 62 screens, grossing Us$260,000.
Deidre Kitcher producer of Needle said “Needle has been sold in over 74 countries worldwide but has been particularly successful in Turkey, where it was seen by over 55,000 people on 62 screens grossing some $260,000 Usd. This has lead to the Mexican distributor confirming the theatrical release plans for early 2012, which is quite exciting.”
It comes just days after the film was released across North America on DVD an VOD through Lionsgate.
Director John V. Soto said: “The Needle DVD is available in over 5000 rental and retail outlets throughout the Us and Canada. In addition the film is available on Netflix and iTunes for instant download/VOD. Few Australian films secure a release in the Us and even fewer with a quality distributor like Lionsgate,...
The film will be released across 50 screens in Mexico after a successful run in Turkey across 62 screens, grossing Us$260,000.
Deidre Kitcher producer of Needle said “Needle has been sold in over 74 countries worldwide but has been particularly successful in Turkey, where it was seen by over 55,000 people on 62 screens grossing some $260,000 Usd. This has lead to the Mexican distributor confirming the theatrical release plans for early 2012, which is quite exciting.”
It comes just days after the film was released across North America on DVD an VOD through Lionsgate.
Director John V. Soto said: “The Needle DVD is available in over 5000 rental and retail outlets throughout the Us and Canada. In addition the film is available on Netflix and iTunes for instant download/VOD. Few Australian films secure a release in the Us and even fewer with a quality distributor like Lionsgate,...
- 11/30/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Lionsgate will distribute Filmscope Entertainment’s Needle across North America on November 29 via DVD, Video-on-demand and digital download.
The release follows the success of the Western Australian horror film in Turkey, where it has taken $US250,000 and has also seen Visey acquire the DVD rights for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, while Entertainment One has bought the rights for the Benelux region.
Needle‘s producer Deidre Kitcher said, “Lionsgate are the masters of horror film distribution in North America and for a small West Australian film to secure such a release through them is very exciting and a credit to the team and vision of the Director, John V. Soto.”
“I’m confident the film will do well as Americans love a good scare and appreciate fresh, inventive material, said John V. Soto. “I’m sure they’ll get a kick out the supernatural voodoo machine and mythology we created.
The release follows the success of the Western Australian horror film in Turkey, where it has taken $US250,000 and has also seen Visey acquire the DVD rights for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, while Entertainment One has bought the rights for the Benelux region.
Needle‘s producer Deidre Kitcher said, “Lionsgate are the masters of horror film distribution in North America and for a small West Australian film to secure such a release through them is very exciting and a credit to the team and vision of the Director, John V. Soto.”
“I’m confident the film will do well as Americans love a good scare and appreciate fresh, inventive material, said John V. Soto. “I’m sure they’ll get a kick out the supernatural voodoo machine and mythology we created.
- 9/21/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Australian horror film Needle has taken $US135,000 in 10 days on 62 screens ($2177 per screen) in Turkey.
Needle is about a killer who uses an 18th century machine with supernatural powers to terrorize students at a local college.
The strong box office performance keeps Needle in Turkey’s top 6 films for the second week behind just Harry Potter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Smurfs, Tranformers and Larry Crowne.
“The continuing success of Needle overseas,” said the film’s director, John V. Soto, “now sold in over 65 countries, proves that our strategy is exactly right. If you make a film that has broad international appeal then you have a far greater chance of recouping the cost and going into profit, than if you make a film that maybe only plays in its homeland. The movie only needs to be a hit in one country and you’re halfway there.”
The film performed only modestly in Australia,...
Needle is about a killer who uses an 18th century machine with supernatural powers to terrorize students at a local college.
The strong box office performance keeps Needle in Turkey’s top 6 films for the second week behind just Harry Potter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Smurfs, Tranformers and Larry Crowne.
“The continuing success of Needle overseas,” said the film’s director, John V. Soto, “now sold in over 65 countries, proves that our strategy is exactly right. If you make a film that has broad international appeal then you have a far greater chance of recouping the cost and going into profit, than if you make a film that maybe only plays in its homeland. The movie only needs to be a hit in one country and you’re halfway there.”
The film performed only modestly in Australia,...
- 8/10/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The horror film Needle will be self-distributed in Australia by its production company Filmscope Entertainment, while the home entertainment/pay TV distribution will be handled by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
“We are excited about the upcoming debut of our film in theaters in July and delighted to have the support of Sony for the crucial home entertainment release. From experience we know that a wide theatrical release of an Aussie horror film is unlikely to be successful, so we have decided to manage a targeted campaign focused on limited screens instead,” said producer Deidre Kitcher.
Filmscope announced that the theatrical release will begin in Perth on July 28, before rolling the film out to other states.
Needle has been sold to 60 countries including the UK, Us, Germany, France and Japan. It won the Golden Skull at Screamfest, and three other awards at the British Horror Fim Festival.
“In the tough economic...
“We are excited about the upcoming debut of our film in theaters in July and delighted to have the support of Sony for the crucial home entertainment release. From experience we know that a wide theatrical release of an Aussie horror film is unlikely to be successful, so we have decided to manage a targeted campaign focused on limited screens instead,” said producer Deidre Kitcher.
Filmscope announced that the theatrical release will begin in Perth on July 28, before rolling the film out to other states.
Needle has been sold to 60 countries including the UK, Us, Germany, France and Japan. It won the Golden Skull at Screamfest, and three other awards at the British Horror Fim Festival.
“In the tough economic...
- 3/29/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Aussie director John V. Soto got in touch with us this evening to give us the lowdown on release plans for his horror feature Needle (we last spoke with him in October just prior to the flick’s Stateside debut at Screamfest La).
According to Soto, who previously co-directed the flick Crush with Jeff Gerritsen, North American rights for Needle (which was awarded the ‘Skully’ for Best Makeup at Screamfest La 2010) have been acquired by Grindstone Entertainment Group, LLC, who will release the feature through Lionsgate Home Entertainment, while Shochiku has picked up the distribution rights for Japan.
Says Soto, “Apart from wanting to make a cool horror film, it has always been a goal of mine to make a movie good enough to be released in North America through Lionsgate, who are genre specialists, so this is pretty exciting.”
Produced by Deidre Kitcher and starring Travis Fimmel, Trilby Glover,...
According to Soto, who previously co-directed the flick Crush with Jeff Gerritsen, North American rights for Needle (which was awarded the ‘Skully’ for Best Makeup at Screamfest La 2010) have been acquired by Grindstone Entertainment Group, LLC, who will release the feature through Lionsgate Home Entertainment, while Shochiku has picked up the distribution rights for Japan.
Says Soto, “Apart from wanting to make a cool horror film, it has always been a goal of mine to make a movie good enough to be released in North America through Lionsgate, who are genre specialists, so this is pretty exciting.”
Produced by Deidre Kitcher and starring Travis Fimmel, Trilby Glover,...
- 1/25/2011
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
Horror film Needle has been acquired by High Fliers’ Films in the UK, and Ster Kinekor in South Africa; it will be released in both countries in 2011.
“It’s great that Needle has been well received by distributors and it’s a credit to our team that a film from Perth, Western Australia can achieve distribution deals around the world including international territories like the UK, Germany, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Brazil and the Middle-East. We are also in final negotiations with an Australian distributor and expect to make an announcement about this deal shortly,” said producer Deidre Kitcher.
The deals were negotiated by sales agent Lightining Entertainment’s Richard Guardian.
The announcement comes days after the film, directed by John V. Soto, won three awards (Cinematography, Special Effects and Supporting Actress) at the British Horror Film Festival.
“It’s great that Needle has been well received by distributors and it’s a credit to our team that a film from Perth, Western Australia can achieve distribution deals around the world including international territories like the UK, Germany, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Brazil and the Middle-East. We are also in final negotiations with an Australian distributor and expect to make an announcement about this deal shortly,” said producer Deidre Kitcher.
The deals were negotiated by sales agent Lightining Entertainment’s Richard Guardian.
The announcement comes days after the film, directed by John V. Soto, won three awards (Cinematography, Special Effects and Supporting Actress) at the British Horror Film Festival.
- 11/5/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Dread hit the black carpet of the tenth annual Screamfest La film festival this past Saturday night at the Grauman’s 6 Theatre in the center of Hollywood, CA, and brought back some video interviews with the filmmakers of the Los Angeles premiering features YellowBrickRoad and Needle.
On hand to discuss the former were the writer/director team of Andy Mitton and Jesse Holland, who enthusiastically chatted up their twist on the “forest horror film,” as were Needle director John V. Soto and producer Deidre Kitcher, Australian filmmakers who riffed on the slasher/giallo hybrid that is Needle.
YellowBrickRoad cast members/producers Clark Freeman and Cassidy Freeman were on hand as well, as were YellowBrickRoad actors Michael Laurino and Laura Heisler and Needle players Trilby Glover, Tahnya Tozzi and Kahn Chittenden. With the after-party going late into the evening at the neighboring sushi bar Koji’s and the fest still in full swing,...
On hand to discuss the former were the writer/director team of Andy Mitton and Jesse Holland, who enthusiastically chatted up their twist on the “forest horror film,” as were Needle director John V. Soto and producer Deidre Kitcher, Australian filmmakers who riffed on the slasher/giallo hybrid that is Needle.
YellowBrickRoad cast members/producers Clark Freeman and Cassidy Freeman were on hand as well, as were YellowBrickRoad actors Michael Laurino and Laura Heisler and Needle players Trilby Glover, Tahnya Tozzi and Kahn Chittenden. With the after-party going late into the evening at the neighboring sushi bar Koji’s and the fest still in full swing,...
- 10/11/2010
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
Los Angeles’ much-celebrated film festival Screamfest La is now up and running October 8-17 at the Mann’s 6 in Hollywood, CA, and we thought it appropriate to catch up with yet another of the filmmakers whose genre entries will be playing at Rachel Belofsky’s tenth annual cutting compendium of all things horrific.
Visit Screamfest online here for a full run-down of the films playing, as well as to purchase tickets. The highly anticipated Gierasch/Anderson Night of the Demons remake kicks off the fest Tonight.
With co-writer (with Anthony Egan) and director John V. Soto’s feature flick Needle celebrating its Los Angeles premiere at Screamfest this coming Saturday, October 9, at 7:30pm (tickets can be purchased here), filmmaker Soto sat down with Dread recently to discuss his film (which opens in April in Australia, with other territories soon to be announced). See a teaser trailer for Needle below.
Visit Screamfest online here for a full run-down of the films playing, as well as to purchase tickets. The highly anticipated Gierasch/Anderson Night of the Demons remake kicks off the fest Tonight.
With co-writer (with Anthony Egan) and director John V. Soto’s feature flick Needle celebrating its Los Angeles premiere at Screamfest this coming Saturday, October 9, at 7:30pm (tickets can be purchased here), filmmaker Soto sat down with Dread recently to discuss his film (which opens in April in Australia, with other territories soon to be announced). See a teaser trailer for Needle below.
- 10/8/2010
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
Australian made horror film Needle has been selected to screen at Us horror film festival Screamfest in Los Angeles next month.
Needle was filmed in Perth and produced by Filmscope Entertainment. According to the synopsis, it “tells the story of young college student (Dorman) who inherits a strange 18th century mechanical contraption that has deadly supernatural powers. When the device is stolen and his friends start dying, the student must reunite with his estranged older brother in order to uncover the thief and stop the killings.”
Needle features a well known Australian cast incuding Jessica Marais (Packed to the Rafters), Michael Dorman (Daybreakers, Triangle) and Ben Mendolsohn (Animal Kingdom).
Producer Deidre Kitcher said: “Screamfest is known as the ‘Sundance of Horror’ for a reason, it’s the largest horror film festival in the Us and it’s where the coolest genre films from around the world are discovered.”
Needle will...
Needle was filmed in Perth and produced by Filmscope Entertainment. According to the synopsis, it “tells the story of young college student (Dorman) who inherits a strange 18th century mechanical contraption that has deadly supernatural powers. When the device is stolen and his friends start dying, the student must reunite with his estranged older brother in order to uncover the thief and stop the killings.”
Needle features a well known Australian cast incuding Jessica Marais (Packed to the Rafters), Michael Dorman (Daybreakers, Triangle) and Ben Mendolsohn (Animal Kingdom).
Producer Deidre Kitcher said: “Screamfest is known as the ‘Sundance of Horror’ for a reason, it’s the largest horror film festival in the Us and it’s where the coolest genre films from around the world are discovered.”
Needle will...
- 9/13/2010
- by georginap
- Encore Magazine
Phase 4 Films will distribute the sexual revenge thriller Crush on DVD July 13th to North American audiences and this first clip shows Emma Lung as Anna seducing Julian (Christopher Egan), an already attached housesitter. Shot in Australia, Crush also includes a supernatural element, which is likely witchcraft, in an independently shot feature from Nexus 6 Films. Comparable to Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction and others Crush will be available shortly and can be enjoyed in this early feature length trailer below.
The synopsis for the film here:
"Julian, an exchange student and disgraced martial arts champion, is seduced by a mysterious and beautiful woman, Anna, while house-sitting a lavish mansion. Anna's infatuation and obsessive behavior soon turns Julian's life into a living hell here not even his martial arts skills can save him" (Phase 4).
Release Date: July 13th.
Director: Jeffrey Gerritsen, and John Soto.
Producer: Deidre Kitcher.
Cast: Christopher Egan, Emma Lung,...
The synopsis for the film here:
"Julian, an exchange student and disgraced martial arts champion, is seduced by a mysterious and beautiful woman, Anna, while house-sitting a lavish mansion. Anna's infatuation and obsessive behavior soon turns Julian's life into a living hell here not even his martial arts skills can save him" (Phase 4).
Release Date: July 13th.
Director: Jeffrey Gerritsen, and John Soto.
Producer: Deidre Kitcher.
Cast: Christopher Egan, Emma Lung,...
- 6/9/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Ross Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Another film which will be at the European Film Market on February 11th is horror, thriller Needle. Already announced at Screen Daily through an exclusive interview with director John V. Soto, Needle will be a Lightning Entertainment supported production at this event. Described at Screen Daily as the following "a college student loses his closest friends [who] are killed in a series of horrifying accidents related to a machine he inherits from his father (Screen Daily)." Dark and foreboding, Needle will be shown to film buyers shortly, but for fans of horror a new one-sheet is available on this "psychological thriller," which was shot in Perth, Australia (Needle). For more info' visit the Facebook fan page for the film inside.
A partial synopsis for Needle here:
"A college student loses his closest friends who are killed in a series of horrifying accidents, related to a machine he inherits from his father.
A partial synopsis for Needle here:
"A college student loses his closest friends who are killed in a series of horrifying accidents, related to a machine he inherits from his father.
- 1/25/2010
- by Michael Ross Allen
- 28 Days Later Analysis
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