Category: Cannes Film Festival

Brandon Routh Lacrosse Picture CROOKED ARROWS Sells To Strategic Film Partners at Cannes

Strategic Film Partners has acquired international sales rights to the feature film Crooked Arrows starring Brandon Routh (Superman Returns).  The film, which depicts the story of an underdog American lacrosse team, was directed by Steve Rash (The Buddy Holly Story, Bring It On 3 & 4) and opens in limited engagements in the U.S. on May 18th, expanding with a wider national and Canadian release on June 1st.  The timing of the release is significant as global interest in the sport is at an all time high due to the upcoming 2012 World Championships of the Federation of International Lacrosse in July in Finland.

Crooked Arrowsis the first mainstream lacrosse movie.  It pays homage to the fast growing sport’s history by featuring a Native American high school team as the heroic underdogs, who rediscover their spirit when paired with a reluctant coach (Routh).  Routh plays the mixed blood son of the nation’s chairman who has returned to his reservation to expand the community’s fledgling casino, but his traditionalist father and the tribal council insist that he must first re-examine his spirit before he can undertake his enterprise.  Together with his skeptical team, he leads them on an unlikely journey to the New York prep league championship game.

In addition to Routh, the movie stars Gil Birmingham (Twilight), Crystal Allen, Chelsea Ricketts, Dennis Ambriz, and Tom Kemp.  The lacrosse players are actual lacrosse players from around the country. The Native high school team was cast by Sports Studio’s Mark Ellis (Invincible, Miracle, Game Plan) in a visit to Syracuse last spring with all of the team’s players originating from the Six Nations Confederacy in upstate New York, with most being Onondaga, Tuscarora, or Mohawk.

The movie, which was shot in Massachusetts last August, has attracted substantial attention from the international lacrosse world, which is booming in several markets under the Federation of International Lacrosse.  Leagues and teams from the UK, Spain, France, Germany Netherlands, Turkey, Israel, Russia, Japan and Australia have all made multiple inquiries about the film’s international plans.

“This is a fun family-oriented movie that should play very well overseas,” said Strategic Film Partners’ CEO Alex Barder. “It’s much more than a typical sports picture, with several positive messages about finding one’s family and spirit and a father and son reconnecting.  I think people will laugh and cry and be thrilled by the action, whether they know lacrosse or not.”

From its first stages of development, the picture organically attracted widespread support in the both the lacrosse and Native American worlds.  Sponsors include Reebok, US Lacrosse, and the Onondaga Nation, which also made a substantial investment in the $10M movie.  The film has also gained endorsements from Inside Lacrosse Magazine, Major League Lacrosse, National Lacrosse League, and dozens of the sport’s top players, including Paul Rabil.

Producers J. Todd Harris (Bottle Shock, The Kids Are All Right) and Mitchell Peck (Priest) led the charge to put the production and P&A financing together, along with former All-American Jeff McCormick, a Boston-based venture capitalist who led his 1983 Syracuse lacrosse team to the NCAA championship.  Over fifty investors, most of them lacrosse enthusiasts, participated in the film’s financing.

Branded Pictures Entertainment is releasing the film in conjunction with Freestyle Releasing and Pandemic Marketing. May 18th will see a release on 55 screens in 17 cities and June 1stshould see an expansion to over 400 screens in over 75 cities.

Visit the official site: http://crookedarrows.com/
 “Like” on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crookedarrows 
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/crookedarrows

 

Simon Pegg Cast In Director Peter Chelsom’s HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

British comedic actor Simon Pegg (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE -GHOST PROTOCOL, PAUL) has been cast in the lead role in director Peter Chelsom’s (SHALL WE DANCE?, FUNNY BONES,) next movie – drama comedy HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS, it was announced today by Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel, founders and co-partners of The Solution Entertainment Group (“The Solution”) who are handling worldwide rights to the film.

Adapted for the screen by Chelsom and Tinker Lindsay from the bestselling novel of the same name by François Lelord, the film is a German/Canadian co-production produced by Egoli Tossell Film and Screen Siren Pictures currently in pre-production and set to shoot straight after Pegg’s THE WORLD’S END.

Pegg plays Hector, an eccentric yet irresistible London psychiatrist in crisis: his patients are just not getting any happier! He’s going nowhere. Then one day, armed with buckets of courage and an almost child-like curiosity, Hector breaks out of his sheltered vacuum of a life into a global quest to find out if happiness exists. More importantly, if it exists for Hector. And so begins a colorful, exotic, dangerous and hysterical journey.

Pegg has shot to international fame following his stand-out performances in SHAUN OF THE DEAD, STAR TREK, HOT FUZZ, PAUL and most recently MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL opposite Tom Cruise reprising his role from MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III and Thompson in Steven Spielberg’s THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN.  Pegg is currently in post-production on the next STAR TREK movie currently untitled.

British-born Chelsom began his directing career with break out British films HEAR MY SONG and FUNNY BONES. These were followed by a string of romantic, feel good hits including SERENDIPITY starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, SHALL WE DANCE? starring Richard Gere and the award winning THE MIGHTY starring Sharon Stone. His last two films SHALL WE DANCE? and HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE enjoyed a combined worldwide box office of over US$ 325m.

On the announcement of the film Chelsom said, “I’ve been searching long and hard for a film that would bring me back to my European sensibilities.  Not unlike Being There and Forrest Gump, HECTOR is a contemporary love story, a fable wrapped around a very human hero’s journey. Nobody does the innocent abroad better than Simon Pegg: he is not only a brilliant comedian but a very touching actor. He is the Hector that you want to follow to the ends of the earth.”

This will be Chelsom’s third film with Academy Award winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (TOPSY TURVY, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, CASINO ROYALE). Award winning director of photography Hagen Bogdanski is also set to join the filmmaking team.  His credits include the Academy Award winning THE LIVES OF OTHERS, YOUNG VICTORIA and Madonna’s W.E.

Egoli Tossell Film is the Berlin based production company helmed by Jens Meurer and Judy Tossell and backed by Film House Germany.  This past year’s (co)-productions include Paul Andrew Williams’ SONG FOR MARION, Jon Baird’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s cult novel FILTH and Ron Howard’s Formula One drama RUSH. Other recent credits include the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated THE LAST STATION, Olivier Assayas’ Golden Globe winner CARLOS THE JACKAL and Chris Smith’s BLACK DEATH.

Screen Siren Pictures is an established award winning Vancouver based production company that focuses on international co-productions. Helmed by Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler they have recently produced projects for Entertainment One, Alliance Films, Anchor Bay, Hasbro, BBC, A&E, ARTE, and Channel 4 their most recent productions include DAYDREAM NATION, FOREVERLAND, CLUE and ECO PIRATE.

At Cannes, The Solution will also be presenting a full slate of new titles to buyers including WRITERS currently in post-production starring Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly and Lily Collins, produced by Informant Media and Judy Cairo; the thriller GRAND PIANO produced by Adrian Guerra and Rodrigo Cortes and starring Elijah Wood and John Cusack; the thriller FELONY starring Joel Edgerton and the espionage action thriller NOVEMBER MAN starring Pierce Brosnan and Dominic Cooper to be directed by Roger Donaldson and produced by Irish DreamTime and Das Films.

The Weinstein Company Acquires Fall-of-Gaddafi Political Doc THE OATH OF TOBRUK – Film To Screen At Cannes As Official Selection

The Weinstein Company announced today that they have acquired U.S. rights to political documentary THE OATH OF TOBRUK. The film, directed by renowned French philosopher, journalist and filmmaker Bernard-Henri Levy, was made over the eight-month period of conflict that put an end to Muammar Gaddafi’s reign in Libya. Levy documented the unfolding of the war and the spontaneous popular revolt that became a revolution through the efforts of the Libyan people in their country and in major cities including Paris, London and New York. The course of action taken by the Libyan people that was revealed in THE OATH OF TOBRUK exemplifies how ideas and convictions can change the course of history in the form of a political and humanitarian intervention that had otherwise seemed impossible. The announcement was made today by TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein, who fully supports the film and sees this acquisition as a political action that could provide hope for other countries in a similar state of peril including Syria.

On Friday, May 25, the Cannes Film Festival will present a special showing of the film, which is an Official Selection of the festival. Four key figures of the Libyan revolution, who have been invited by Levy, will attend the screening to dedicate their achievement in Libya to their Syrian friends.

Said Levy, “For me, Harvey Weinstein is not simply THE ARTIST. He is the producer who helped launch Amnesty International in the United States; the man who fought capital punishment with the weapon of cinema; and the one who defended Roman Polanski in the face of those who wished to lynch him. This Weinstein, I am happy to learn, is joining Studio 37 in the adventure of THE OATH OF TOBRUK.”

Said Weinstein, “This wonderful movie shows BHL’s incredible courage and the strength of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, and also highlights the invaluable leadership from President Barack Obamaand Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. American audiences will get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how our government and the French government worked together to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians and brilliantly handled the overthrow of a government.”

The film was produced by Studio 37, a financier of Academy Award© Best Picture winner THE ARTIST, Margo Cinema and Arte. Rezo is currently selling remaining territories.

Lightning Entertainment Acquires International Rights To WHOLE LOTTA SOLE Starring Brendan Fraser & Timur Bekmambetov’s 3D Animated KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE

Dynamic international distribution company Lightning Entertainment has picked up international rights to two new feature films making their market premieres; the comedy WHOLE LOTTA SOLE starring Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY franchise) and directed by Oscar winner Terry George (HOTEL RWANDA) and KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE, the Russian 3D animated-adventure comedy film from the Riki Group and produced by Timur Bekmambetov (WANTED), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment.

The dramatic comedy WHOLE LOTTA SOLE world premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and received rave reviews from critics, whilst KIKORIKI comes to the market hot on the heels of its impressive $8.5 million box office run in its native Russia.

“Lightning continues to acquire top-notch material to present to international buyers with WHOLE LOTTA SOLE from the talented Terry George and the Russian animated adventure, KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE from powerhouse producer Timur Bekmambetov,” commented Beaumont. “Both films are highly accessible, crowd-pleasing and most importantly, thoroughly entertaining features with universal appeal,” he continued.

Acclaimed Irish filmmaker George won an Oscar this year for his live-action short film, THE SHORE starring Ciaran Hinds.  George has been nominated twice before;  Best Original Screenplay for Don Cheadle starrer HOTEL RWANDA which he also directed and produced and Best Adapted Screenplay for IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER co-written with Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, which was nominated for an additional six Oscars. He also directed Focus Features’ RESERVATION ROAD starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly and Mira Sorvino.

WHOLE LOTTA SOLE tells the story of Jimbo, who in a misguided attempt to protect his family and pay back gambling debts to the local mobster, robs a fish market which is owned by the same gangland boss Mad Dog Flynn and finds himself in a hostage standoff surrounded by the police.

Martin McCann (CLASH OF THE TITANS) stars as Jimbo alongside leading comedic actor Fraser (THE MUMMY franchise), Colm Meaney (THE DAMNED UNITED), YaYa DaCosta (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT) and David O’Hara (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1).

WHOLE LOTTA SOLE is written by Thomas Gallagher and George, who also produces with Simon Bosanquet (upcoming ROMEO AND JULIET), David Gorder (X MEN: THE LAST STAND) and Jay Russell (THE WATER HORSE). WME is handling domestic rights in the US.  Richard S. Guardian negotiated the deal for Lightning Entertainment and is serving as a consultant on the film for Lightning.

3D animated film, KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE is an family friendly adventure comedy produced by Ilya Popov and veteran producer/director Timur Bekmambetov, the director/producer behind Universal’s hit action blockbuster WANTED starring Angelina Jolie and 20th Century Fox’s upcoming ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, produced with Tim Burton.

Based on the internationally successful Russian animated series of the same name, this first film in the series is written by Alexei Lebedev and directed by Denis Chernov. The English language version screening at the market is written by a US team led by Mike de Seve, who was a storyline consultant on two of DreamWorks’ worldwide box office animated hits, SHREK THE THIRD and MONSTERS VS ALIENS.   KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE marks the first full-length Russian film production to be made in stereoscopic 3D.

The film centers on the lovable inhabitants of the remote island of Kikoriki. They have it all: big laughs, good friends, and a distant paradise unspoiled by modern woes. But the lives of the Kikoriki gang are suddenly turned upside-down when they stumble on a strange device they had only heard about – a television.

Lightning’s high profile Cannes slate also includes LOVE AND HONOR starring Liam Hemsworth (THE HUNGER GAMES) making its market debut in Cannes; the star-studded comedy STRUCK BY LIGHTNING starring Glee’s Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson (BRIDESMAIDS) which emerged as a hit at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and also makes its market debut in Cannes; the comedy THE HOT FLASHES starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes; the comedy SERVITUDE starring Joe Dinicol (the CW’s The L.A. Complex), written by Michael Sparaga (SIDEKICK) and directed by acclaimed film director Warren P. Sonoda (TEXTUALITY), also screening for the first time at a market; the thrillers BLACK SOUTH-EASTER and ONE LAST LOOK and family film HEAVEN’S DOOR starring Charisma Carpenter (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2) and Joanna Cassidy (HBO’s Six Feet Under). Lightning will also screen Australian sci-film, THE 25th REICH starring Jim Knobeloch, Dan Balcaban and Jak Wyld and will be showing first footage from THE HOT FLASHES, ONE LAST LOOK and HEAVEN’S DOOR.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS NEW Cannes Photos Of Chris Pine, Isla Fisher, Alec Baldwin and Director Peter Ramsey

I still cant believe we have to wait until November 21st to see RISE OF THE GUARDIANS. P.S. Alec Baldwin is SERVING the accent! Worth the price of admission alone!

In the meantime check out these photos of Chris Pine, Isla Fisher, Alec Baldwin and Director Peter Ramsey at a press conference for DreeamWorks Animation’s RISE OF THE GUARDIANS at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16th, 2012.

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS is an epic and magical adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost – legendary characters with previously unknown extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children everywhere.


(Left to right) Jack Frost (Chris Pine), North (Alec Baldwin), Sandman, Tooth (Isla Fisher) and Bunnymund (Hugh Jackman) band together to defeat Pitch (Not pictured / Jude Law) in DreamWorks Animation’s RISE OF THE GUARDIANS to be released by Paramount Pictures. RISE OF THE GUARDIANS © 2011 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Meet the Guardians, beloved childhood legends and heroes with extraordinary abilities. Explore their magical worlds and discover their legendary mythology in the Rise of the Guardians app, now available  now available on the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/rise-of-the-guardians/id517250596

Like Rise of the Guardians on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/RiseoftheGuardians
Get to know the characters! Visit the Official Rise of the Guardians Website:  http://www.riseoftheguardians.com/ 
Follow on Twitter: @DWAnimation

THE DICTATOR Has The “Cannes” Do Attitude – Photos

The Cannes Film Festival opened today! While visiting Cannes, General Aladeen took a much needed break from his hard life of “dictatoring” to spend some quality time with supermodel Elisabetta Canalis (George Clooney’s former girlfriend) aboard a luxury yacht at the Hotel du Cap. The always controversial Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as his alter-ego, and Elisabetta were presumably having a good time until she slapped him. In the prank Aladeen and his bodyguard threw Clooney’s ex over the side in a bodybag.

Before all the hijinks began, The Dictator arrived to much fanfare at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes. Aladeen drove to Canal+ with guest Sasha Volkova for Le Grand Journal on May 16th 2012 in Cannes France.

THE DICTATOR is in theaters now.

Visit the Republic of Wadiya’s official site: http://www.republicofwadiya.com/
“Like” it on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/RepublicOfWadiya
Follow on Twitter: @RepublicWadiya

Terrence Malick’s TREE OF LIFE Wins Palme d’Or At 64th Cannes Film Festival; Best Actress Goes To Kirsten Dunst In MELANCHOLIA


President of the Jury Robert De Niro with the laureates of the 2011 Festival de Cannes – © Photo AFP

The official Jury of this 64th Festival de Cannes, presided over by Robert De Niro, revealed this evening the prize winners during the Closing Ceremony. Mélanie Laurent hosted Jane Fonda on the stage of the Grand Théâtre Lumière to award the Palme d’or to the best film out of the 20 In Competition

The Palme d’Or was awarded to Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life. After receiving his prize from Fonda, the producer of the film, Bill Pohlad, said: 

“I have always wanted to speak French, and tonight more than ever. Tonight I have to take the place of a giant. Terrence Malick is very shy and discreet. But I spoke to him today and I know he is very happy to receive this honour. The Tree Of Life was a long journey, but it was all worth it. I would like to thank especially the Festival de Cannes.”

FEATURE FILMS

Palme d’Or
THE TREE OF LIFE by Terrence MALICK

Grand Prix

BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA (Once Upon A Time In Anatolia) by Nuri Bilge CEYLAN

THE KID WITH A BIKE by Jean-Pierre & Luc DARDENNE

Award for Best Director
Nicolas WINDING REFN for DRIVE

Jury Prize
POLISS by MAÏWENN

Award for Best Actor
Jean DUJARDIN in THE ARTIST by Michel HAZANAVICIUS

Award for Best Actress
Kirsten DUNST in MELANCHOLIA by Lars von TRIER

Award for Best Screenplay
Joseph CEDAR for FOOTNOTE

SHORT FILMS

Palme d’Or
CROSS-COUNTRY by Maryna VRODA

Jury Prize
BADPAKJE 46 (Swimsuit 46) by Wannes DESTOOP

CAMERA D’OR
LAS ACACIAS by Pablo GIORGELLI presented during CRITICS’ WEEK

UN CERTAIN REGARD

UN CERTAIN REGARD PRIZE Ex-æquo
ARIRANG by KIM Ki-Duk

HALT AUF FREIER STRECKE (Stopped on Track) by Andreas DRESEN

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
ELENA by Andrey ZVYAGINTSEV

AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
BÉ OMID É DIDAR (Au revoir) by Mohammad RASOULOF

CINEFONDATION

First Prize Cinéfondation
DER BRIEF (The Letter) by Doroteya Droumeva
dffb, Germany

Second Prize Cinéfondation
DRARI by Kamal Lazraq
La Fémis, France

Third Prize Cinéfondation
YA-GAN-BI-HANG (Fly by Night) by Son Tae-gyum
Chung-Ang University, South Korea

The Jury of the CST has awarded the “PRIX VULCAIN DE L’ARTISTE-TECHNICIEN” to:

José Luis ALCAINE, for his work on lighting to support the storyline in the film, LA PIEL QUE HABITO by Pedro ALMODÓVAR.

Special Distinction: Joe BINI and Paul DAVIES for WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN by Lynne RAMSAY.

Dimension Films and Miramax To Co-Produce THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES

Co-chairman of The Weinstein Company, Bob Weinstein, and Miramax CEO Mike Lang announced at Cannes on Sunday that Dimension Films and Miramax are joining forces to produce THE AMITYVILLE HORROR: THE LOST TAPES. Production will start this summer with a projected release date of January 27, 2012 .

Dimension also announced Sunday it has acquired rights to a screenplay for the film by the writing team of Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands, who will direct and produce, with Jason Blum set to produce.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Bob to reinvent one of the all-time great horror franchises, and I think this new installment will really hit home with a new generation of moviegoers,” Blum said.

TWC and Miramax noted that Blum has previous experience with found footage films having produced both “Paranormal Activity” films, which have grossed close to $400 million worldwide. Jay Anson’s book “The Amityville Horror” was published in 1977 and based on the paranormal experiences of the George Lutz family. Between 1979 and 2005, the book spawned nine films.

The new pic showcases the events after the time of the original “The Amityville Horror” book and movie through found footage dating back to 1976. An ambitious female television news intern, on the verge of breaking the most famous haunted house case in the world, leads a team of journalists, clergymen and paranormal researchers into an investigation of the bizarre events that will come to be known as “The Amityville Horror,” only to unwittingly open a door to the unreal that she may never be able to close.

“We are thrilled to return to the mythology of the Amityville Horror with a new and terrifying vision that will satisfy our existing fans and also introduce an entirely new audience to this popular haunting phenomenon,” said Bob Weinstein.

THE LOST TAPES is the first film to be produced under the agreement between Miramax and The Weinstein Co. to create sequels to some of Miramax’s best-known properties. Bob and Harvey Weinstein are executive producers.

ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes, most recently Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH, winner of four 2011 Academy Awards(r), including Best Picture; Derek Cianfrance’s Academy Award(r)-nominated BLUE VALENTINE; John Wells’ feature directorial debut, THE COMPANY MEN; Julian Schnabel’s MIRAL; and Wes Craven’s SCRE4M. Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; and 2011 Golden Globe(r) Best Foreign Language Film nominee THE CONCERT. Upcoming releases include SPY KIDS 4, APOLLO 18, OUR IDIOT BROTHER, THE DETAILS and MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. Recently wrapping is I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT. Currently in production is COGAN’S TRADE.

ABOUT MIRAMAX
Miramax is a leading worldwide film and television studio with a library of more than 700 motion pictures. Miramax sells directly and licenses its titles globally through partnerships and digital alliances. The company has three new releases in 2011: The Debt, starring Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington; the Guillermo del Toro-produced Don’t be Afraid of the Dark, starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce; and Last Night, starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington and Eva Mendes. The Miramax library holds some of the world’s most original and acclaimed independent films including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare In Love, Chicago, Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, No Country for Old Men, Kill Bill Volumes I and II, Life is Beautiful, Reservoir Dogs, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Cinema Paradiso and My Left Foot — as well as scores of commercially successful films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bad Santa, and the Scream, Hellraiser, Scary Movie and Spy Kids franchises. Collectively, the Miramax library has received 284 Academy Award nominations and 68 Oscars, including four Best Picture Awards. Miramax is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. For more information, please visit www.miramax.com

FilmDistrict Acquires Angelina Jolie Directing Debut IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY

Variety reports that GK Films has announced in Cannes that FilmDistrict will release Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY. Set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War in the 90s, the film will be released in the U.S. on December 23, 2011.

“The film is specific to the Bosnian War, but it’s also universal,” Jolie said in a statement. “I wanted to tell a story of how human relationships and behavior are deeply affected by living inside a war.” 

“The former Yugoslavia has a rich history of dramatic arts. The cast was extraordinary. I was privileged and honored to work with them and I am very excited for everyone to see their immense talent,” adds Jolie, who also wrote the script.

Shot last year in Bosnia, Graham King and his business partner Tim Headington financed the film.

“Working with Angelina on this film and story has been a great collaboration and I am extremely proud of this film,” said King.

Starring Zana Marjanovic, Goran Kostic and Rade Serbedzija, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY was shot simultaneously in both English and BHS, formerly known as Serbo-Croatian.

Jolie is presently in Cannes to promote DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 and to be with partner Brad Pitt as his drama, TREE OF LIFE, premieres Monday.

About FilmDistrict

FilmDistrict is a multi-faceted acquisitions, distribution, production and financing company focusing on wide release, commercial pictures. Founded in September by Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, the company’ films include INSIDIOUS, April 1; SOUL SURFER, April 8; DRIVE, Sept. 16; and LOCKOUT, February 24, 2012. For more information, visit filmdistrict.com.

About GK Films

Graham King launched GK Films in May 2007 with business partner Tim Headington. Most recently, GK Films produced the animated tale RANGO, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced with his Blind Wink Productions for Paramount Pictures, THE TOWN, written and directed by Ben Affleck for Warner Bros., and THE TOURIST, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

The company is currently in post-production on the 3-D adventure film HUGO Cabret, directed by Martin Scorsese set for release through Paramount Pictures on November 23rd 2011, the crime drama LONDON BOULEVARD, starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley and written and directed by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter William Monahan and THE RUM DIARY starring Johnny Depp and produced with Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil.

GK Films has announced several projects in development including the screen adaptation of JERSEY BOYS, the untitled Freddie Mercury story starring Sacha Baron Cohen and written by Peter Morgan and a reboot of the successful action franchise, TOMB RAIDER. Previous GK Films releases include EDGE OF DARKNESS, and the three-time Academy Award® nominated THE YOUNG VICTORIA.

GK Films can be found at http://gk-films.com.

FilmDistrict Acquires U.S. Rights To Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Bruce Willis Sci-Fi Action Film LOOPER

FilmDistrict and Endgame Entertainment have come to a U.S. distribution deal for Rian Johnson’s sci-fi pic LOOPER. The film stars Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt and Paul Dano and will be released by Sony’s TriStar label through its partnership with FilmDistrict. Look for it in theaters sometime in the first half of 2012.

Written and to be directed by Rian Johnson (The Brothers Bloom, Brick), Looper is an action-packed science fiction thriller starring Bruce Willis (The Expendables, Die Hard) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, 500 Days of Summer).

In the future they will invent time travel, but it will be illegal and only the crime syndicates will use it. What better way to hide a body than to send it 30 years into the past?

Joe (Gordon-Levitt) is a ‘Looper’, one of the best – a hired gun recruited by the mob to do one thing, wait for a target to be sent back in time, make the kill and dispose of the body. He’s getting rich and life is good, until one day the syndicate decides to ‘close the loop’. His future-self (Willis) is sent back for assassination and young Joe can’t pull the trigger…

“We have been chasing LOOPER for six months and it is something my entire team agreed would be a great film for us to distribute. The fact that our friends at Sony feel the same makes it even more exciting,” FilmDistrict CEO Peter Schlessel said.

Ram Bergman and Endgame’s James D. Stern are producing Looper in association with DMG. Endgame’s Doug E. Hansen is executive producing.

“Looper is our second collaboration with Rian and Ram and it’s truly been a thrilling ride,” stated Endgame Entertainment CEO James D. Stern. “We look forward to continuing the journey with Sony and Peter in delivering this commercial thriller to audiences everywhere.”

The film is currently shooting in Louisiana. Follow it on Twitter: @Loopermovie

Photo: Empire