After a series of talks, upstart Madrid-based international sales agency Feel Sales has nabbed all worldwide rights, with the exception of Chile, to “Allanamiento” (“Breaking and Entering”), the investigative police thriller in official competition at the 19th Santiago Int’l Film Festival (Sanfic).
Feel Sales Acquisitions head Yvette de los Santos closed the deal with producer Camila Rodó Carvallo of Pira Films.
Directed by Tomás Gonzales Matos, the drama first participated at Sanfic’s Works in Progress section and was later presented at the Cannes Marché du Films last year. Producer-distributor Storyboard Media, which also runs Sanfic, releases the police procedural in Chile on Aug. 31, said Carvallo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sebastián Soto Salas.
Inspired by actual events, the feature revolves around a case where a deputy commissioner of the investigative police unit asks a fellow commissioner to break into a prosecutor’s office and get rid of recordings...
Feel Sales Acquisitions head Yvette de los Santos closed the deal with producer Camila Rodó Carvallo of Pira Films.
Directed by Tomás Gonzales Matos, the drama first participated at Sanfic’s Works in Progress section and was later presented at the Cannes Marché du Films last year. Producer-distributor Storyboard Media, which also runs Sanfic, releases the police procedural in Chile on Aug. 31, said Carvallo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sebastián Soto Salas.
Inspired by actual events, the feature revolves around a case where a deputy commissioner of the investigative police unit asks a fellow commissioner to break into a prosecutor’s office and get rid of recordings...
- 8/24/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Just over half a year since its launch, upstart European sales company Feel Content is heading to the Cannes Film Market with a slate of six Spanish-language features from Spain and Latin America.
Feel Content is the joint endeavor of Geraldine Gonard, director of Spain’s Conecta Fiction co-production forum, and Luis Collar, a partner and CEO at The Circular Group, a diversified film company. At last year’s Ventana Sur the company made its public bow with a slate of four productions: Matías Meyer’s “Modern Loves,” “Karakol” from Argentina’s Saula Benavente, Gracia Querejeta’s “The Invisible” and Toni Bestard’s “Pullman.”
“We think there’s a clear gap to fill in Spain for one more international sales agency, given there aren’t many in the country. Those that are here can’t represent all the films coming onto the market,” Collar told Variety ahead of the Argentine market.
Feel Content is the joint endeavor of Geraldine Gonard, director of Spain’s Conecta Fiction co-production forum, and Luis Collar, a partner and CEO at The Circular Group, a diversified film company. At last year’s Ventana Sur the company made its public bow with a slate of four productions: Matías Meyer’s “Modern Loves,” “Karakol” from Argentina’s Saula Benavente, Gracia Querejeta’s “The Invisible” and Toni Bestard’s “Pullman.”
“We think there’s a clear gap to fill in Spain for one more international sales agency, given there aren’t many in the country. Those that are here can’t represent all the films coming onto the market,” Collar told Variety ahead of the Argentine market.
- 6/22/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Flushed by Netflix success with “Below Zero,” Spain brings an extraordinary gamut of movie titles to Berlin. Some highlights:
“All the Moons,” (Igor Legarreta)
A France-Spain co-production, “All the Moons” tracks two vampires in the northern Spain during the last Carlist war. S.A. Filmax
“Ane is Missing,” (David Pérez Sañudo)
A 2021 best picture Goya nominee, Patricia López Arnáiz dominates as a mother looking for her teenage daughter. S.A. Latido
“Alcarrás,” (Carla Simon)
Much anticipated after Simon’s “Summer 1993,” “Alcarrás” tracks the final harvest at a multi-generational family farm. Co-produced with Italy. S.A. MK2 Films
“Baby,” (Juanma Bajo Ulloa)
This dialogue-free thriller follows an upper-class drug addict trying to track down her baby after selling it to a child trafficker.S.A. Latido
“Beyond the Summit,” (Ibon Cormenzana)
Javier Rey (“Fariña”) & Patricia Lopez Arnaiz (“Ane”) star in this mountain climbing metaphor for self-realization.
S.A. Filmax
“Brothers-In-Law,...
“All the Moons,” (Igor Legarreta)
A France-Spain co-production, “All the Moons” tracks two vampires in the northern Spain during the last Carlist war. S.A. Filmax
“Ane is Missing,” (David Pérez Sañudo)
A 2021 best picture Goya nominee, Patricia López Arnáiz dominates as a mother looking for her teenage daughter. S.A. Latido
“Alcarrás,” (Carla Simon)
Much anticipated after Simon’s “Summer 1993,” “Alcarrás” tracks the final harvest at a multi-generational family farm. Co-produced with Italy. S.A. MK2 Films
“Baby,” (Juanma Bajo Ulloa)
This dialogue-free thriller follows an upper-class drug addict trying to track down her baby after selling it to a child trafficker.S.A. Latido
“Beyond the Summit,” (Ibon Cormenzana)
Javier Rey (“Fariña”) & Patricia Lopez Arnaiz (“Ane”) star in this mountain climbing metaphor for self-realization.
S.A. Filmax
“Brothers-In-Law,...
- 3/2/2021
- by Emilio Mayorga and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Two leading lights on the international Spanish film-tv scene, sales agent Geraldine Gonard, director of Spain’s Conecta Fiction co-production forum, and Luis Collar, a partner and CEO of The Circular Group, a diversified film company, have joined forces to create Feel Content, which makes its public market bow at Ventana Sur.
A dedicated sales company, Feel Content, backed by Gonard’s Inside Content and Collar’s Great Waves, aims to exploit new opportunities emerging in the fast evolving sales landscape, acquiring individual titles and catalogs of Spanish-language and European films.
It hits the ground running at Ventana Sur, announcing two new acquisitions, Matías Meyer’s “Modern Loves” and “Karakol,” from Argentina’s Saula Benavente, which join two titles it introduced to buyers at Malaga’s Spanish Screenings: Gracia Querejeta’s “The Invisible” and “Pullman.”
“We think there’s a clear gap to fill in Spain for one more international sales agency,...
A dedicated sales company, Feel Content, backed by Gonard’s Inside Content and Collar’s Great Waves, aims to exploit new opportunities emerging in the fast evolving sales landscape, acquiring individual titles and catalogs of Spanish-language and European films.
It hits the ground running at Ventana Sur, announcing two new acquisitions, Matías Meyer’s “Modern Loves” and “Karakol,” from Argentina’s Saula Benavente, which join two titles it introduced to buyers at Malaga’s Spanish Screenings: Gracia Querejeta’s “The Invisible” and “Pullman.”
“We think there’s a clear gap to fill in Spain for one more international sales agency,...
- 11/30/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
At the heart of the Spanish Screenings are its market premieres, new titles coming onto the market post-San Sebastian, sometimes with fest runs at other smaller festivals. Variety drills down on a score of titles at this year’s event, including a clutch of 2020 Malaga fest winners.
“Amateur,”.
A 2020 Malaga Wip entry, where it won best production, Gutiérrez’s first doc feature marks a strong personal take on what home means to him. Knit by three different stories, Gutierrez, shoots vignettes of life in a small mountain village. Also an Abycine and Fidba Prize winner at Malaga.
“Antonio Machado, the Blue Days,” (Laura Hojman)
Seville-based Summer Films, which also produces “Once Again,” delivers one take on the life story of Spanish poet Antonio Machado. The second film from Hojman after 2018’s “Solar Lands,” about poet Ruben Darío’s escape from Paris to Andalusia.
“Boat Rower Girl”
Blanco’s feature debut,...
“Amateur,”.
A 2020 Malaga Wip entry, where it won best production, Gutiérrez’s first doc feature marks a strong personal take on what home means to him. Knit by three different stories, Gutierrez, shoots vignettes of life in a small mountain village. Also an Abycine and Fidba Prize winner at Malaga.
“Antonio Machado, the Blue Days,” (Laura Hojman)
Seville-based Summer Films, which also produces “Once Again,” delivers one take on the life story of Spanish poet Antonio Machado. The second film from Hojman after 2018’s “Solar Lands,” about poet Ruben Darío’s escape from Paris to Andalusia.
“Boat Rower Girl”
Blanco’s feature debut,...
- 11/17/2020
- by John Hopewell and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Gracia Querejeta’s “The Invisible,” toplining Emma Suárez, star of Pedro Almodovar’s “Julieta,” and Toni Bestard’s “Pullman” have been acquired for international sales by Feel Content.
They will be made available for online access to buyers as part of next week’s Malaga Festival’s Spanish Screenings Market Premieres showcase, one of the industry event’s main draws.
A distinguished director of now 10 increasingly varied features – including 2017 dark melodrama “Happy 140” and doc feature “Tanto Monta,” and 2018’s absurdist thriller “Crime Wave” – “The Invisible” sees Querejeta returning to her more observational, character-driven mode of 2004’s Malaga Festival winner “Hector,” and “15 Years and One Day,” a 2013 best picture Goya contender, and Spain’s 2014 Academy Awards submission.
She does so in “The Invisible,” written with regular co-scribe Antonio Mercero, with a directness contrasting with her early often more oblique work.
In what Querejeta herself recognizes as her most personal work to date,...
They will be made available for online access to buyers as part of next week’s Malaga Festival’s Spanish Screenings Market Premieres showcase, one of the industry event’s main draws.
A distinguished director of now 10 increasingly varied features – including 2017 dark melodrama “Happy 140” and doc feature “Tanto Monta,” and 2018’s absurdist thriller “Crime Wave” – “The Invisible” sees Querejeta returning to her more observational, character-driven mode of 2004’s Malaga Festival winner “Hector,” and “15 Years and One Day,” a 2013 best picture Goya contender, and Spain’s 2014 Academy Awards submission.
She does so in “The Invisible,” written with regular co-scribe Antonio Mercero, with a directness contrasting with her early often more oblique work.
In what Querejeta herself recognizes as her most personal work to date,...
- 11/13/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
After years working in film and theater, celebrated Spanish author, screenwriter and filmmaker Roberto Santiago (“The Longest Penalty Shot In The World”) has returned to TV to adapt his bestselling novel “Ana” for the small screen, starring Spanish star Maribel Verdú.
Angela Armero (“Velvet”) co-wrote the series adaptation with Santiago, and award-winning film and TV vets Gracia Querejeta (“Cuando vuelvas a mi lado”) and Salvador García Ruiz (“The Hunt. Monteperdido”) direct. The six-hour series is produced by Spanish broadcaster Rtve in co-production with Tornasol and DeAPlaneta in association with German production-sales company Zdf Enterprises, part of public broadcaster Zdf.
“Ana. all in” turns on Ana, a small-time lawyer thrust into the underground world of illegal gambling when her brother is accused of killing the manager of the Gran Castilla Casino. After assembling a small but energetic team, this Spanish Erin Brockovich goes head-to-head with the Goliath that is one of...
Angela Armero (“Velvet”) co-wrote the series adaptation with Santiago, and award-winning film and TV vets Gracia Querejeta (“Cuando vuelvas a mi lado”) and Salvador García Ruiz (“The Hunt. Monteperdido”) direct. The six-hour series is produced by Spanish broadcaster Rtve in co-production with Tornasol and DeAPlaneta in association with German production-sales company Zdf Enterprises, part of public broadcaster Zdf.
“Ana. all in” turns on Ana, a small-time lawyer thrust into the underground world of illegal gambling when her brother is accused of killing the manager of the Gran Castilla Casino. After assembling a small but energetic team, this Spanish Erin Brockovich goes head-to-head with the Goliath that is one of...
- 10/13/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Antonio Banderas is set to host the 2021 Spanish Academy Goya Awards on Feb. 27 in Banderas’ hometown of Malaga. It is the actor’s first time hosting the awards, and he will share duties with María Casado, one of Spain’s most respected television journalists and president of the Television Academy.
Banderas, among Spain’s best-known cinematic exports for decades, has five Spanish Academy nominations and an Honorary Goya of his own. But it was only this year that the actor finally took home a trophy for his work in Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory,” a performance which also won him best actor at Cannes and an Oscar nomination.
According to the Academy, there are plans to limit audience capacity and impose strict health and safety measures based on expert recommendations at the time the ceremony is held. Banderas’ production company Teatro Soho TV will help produce the ceremony which...
Banderas, among Spain’s best-known cinematic exports for decades, has five Spanish Academy nominations and an Honorary Goya of his own. But it was only this year that the actor finally took home a trophy for his work in Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory,” a performance which also won him best actor at Cannes and an Oscar nomination.
According to the Academy, there are plans to limit audience capacity and impose strict health and safety measures based on expert recommendations at the time the ceremony is held. Banderas’ production company Teatro Soho TV will help produce the ceremony which...
- 7/1/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — A co-producer on Dutch comedy-thriller “El azul bajo sus pies” (“Beyond the Blue Bridge”), Spain’s Tourmalet Films is preparing its biggest feature yet, “Siete Picos,” as it introduces “Killing Crabs” at Locarno’s Match Me! co-production forum.
Launched in 2011, the Madrid and Tenerife-based independent film house Tourmalet broke through two years later co-producing of Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s noteworthy feature debut “Stockholm.”
Managed by Mayi Gutiérrez Cobo, Omar Razzak, Manuel Arango and Daniel Remón, Tourmalet has produced eight feature films and nine shorts, which have played in festivals such as Montreal, Málaga, Cartagena de Indias and Visions du Reel.
The company’s production model is evolving towards increasingly larger budget titles. It started producing short-films, then documentaries -the first, Razzak’s 2013 debut “Paradiso,” about the last porn cinema in Madrid, was an hybrid docu-fiction; followed by Samuel Alarcón’s “Oscuro y lucientes,” a docu feature about research into Francisco de Goya’s skull.
Launched in 2011, the Madrid and Tenerife-based independent film house Tourmalet broke through two years later co-producing of Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s noteworthy feature debut “Stockholm.”
Managed by Mayi Gutiérrez Cobo, Omar Razzak, Manuel Arango and Daniel Remón, Tourmalet has produced eight feature films and nine shorts, which have played in festivals such as Montreal, Málaga, Cartagena de Indias and Visions du Reel.
The company’s production model is evolving towards increasingly larger budget titles. It started producing short-films, then documentaries -the first, Razzak’s 2013 debut “Paradiso,” about the last porn cinema in Madrid, was an hybrid docu-fiction; followed by Samuel Alarcón’s “Oscuro y lucientes,” a docu feature about research into Francisco de Goya’s skull.
- 8/9/2019
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Update: Hong Kong crime thriller Project Gutenberg within days of $100m following $38m weekend haul.
October 8 Update: Sony/Marvel’s Venom starring Tom Hardy smashed the opposition with a confirmed $207.1m global debut that set a new October high at the box office.
A Star Is Born grossed $14.2m from its first markets through Warner Bros, while Universal’s Johnny English Strikes Again debuted at number two in the UK on $5.4m.
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Comic book adaptation Venom ranked number one in 57 of its international 58 markets through Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri) and dominated the international arena with...
October 8 Update: Sony/Marvel’s Venom starring Tom Hardy smashed the opposition with a confirmed $207.1m global debut that set a new October high at the box office.
A Star Is Born grossed $14.2m from its first markets through Warner Bros, while Universal’s Johnny English Strikes Again debuted at number two in the UK on $5.4m.
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Comic book adaptation Venom ranked number one in 57 of its international 58 markets through Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri) and dominated the international arena with...
- 10/7/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Update: Hong Kong crime thriller Project Gutenberg within days of $100m following $38m weekend haul.
Sony/Marvel’s Venom starring Tom Hardy smashed the opposition with an estimated $205m global debut that set a new October high at the box office.
A Star Is Born grossed $14m from its first markets through Warner Bros, while Universal’s Johnny English Strikes Again debuted at number two in the UK on $5.5m.
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Comic book adaptation Venom ranked number one in 57 of its international 58 markets through Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri) and dominated the international arena with a bracing $125.2m haul from 20,800 screens.
Sony/Marvel’s Venom starring Tom Hardy smashed the opposition with an estimated $205m global debut that set a new October high at the box office.
A Star Is Born grossed $14m from its first markets through Warner Bros, while Universal’s Johnny English Strikes Again debuted at number two in the UK on $5.5m.
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Comic book adaptation Venom ranked number one in 57 of its international 58 markets through Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri) and dominated the international arena with a bracing $125.2m haul from 20,800 screens.
- 10/7/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong crime thriller Project Gutenberg within days of $100m following $38m weekend haul.
Sony/Marvel’s Venom starring Tom Hardy smashed the opposition with an estimated $205m global debut that set a new October high at the box office.
A Star Is Born grossed $14m from its first markets through Warner Bros, while Universal’s Johnny English Strikes Again debuted at number two in the UK on $5.5m.
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Comic book adaptation Venom ranked number one in 57 of its international 58 markets through Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri) and dominated the international arena with a bracing $125.2m haul from 20,800 screens.
Sony/Marvel’s Venom starring Tom Hardy smashed the opposition with an estimated $205m global debut that set a new October high at the box office.
A Star Is Born grossed $14m from its first markets through Warner Bros, while Universal’s Johnny English Strikes Again debuted at number two in the UK on $5.5m.
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Comic book adaptation Venom ranked number one in 57 of its international 58 markets through Sony Pictures Releasing International (Spri) and dominated the international arena with a bracing $125.2m haul from 20,800 screens.
- 10/7/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The 5th Annual Key West Film Festival has announced its official 2016 lineup, including the opening night film, “20th Century Women,” directed by Mike Mills and starring Annette Bening, Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig and Billy Crudup. As part of the festival’s signature Critics Focus program, MTV’s Chief Film Critic Amy Nicholson will present and lead a conversation around the film, alongside David Fear, Senior Film/TV Editor of Rolling Stone.
Director of Programming Michael Tuckman said of Nicholson’s pick, “I could not be more thrilled with Amy Nicholson’s choice of ’20th Century Women’ to kick off our 5th Anniversary edition of festival. Annette Bening’s performance is Oscar-deserving and the rich depth of the balance of the leading cast is Altman-esque in its quality. Amy’s discussion after the film will bring a cunning critic’s eye to this fabulous film for audiences.”
Read More: ’20th Century...
Director of Programming Michael Tuckman said of Nicholson’s pick, “I could not be more thrilled with Amy Nicholson’s choice of ’20th Century Women’ to kick off our 5th Anniversary edition of festival. Annette Bening’s performance is Oscar-deserving and the rich depth of the balance of the leading cast is Altman-esque in its quality. Amy’s discussion after the film will bring a cunning critic’s eye to this fabulous film for audiences.”
Read More: ’20th Century...
- 10/19/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Three Spanish titles will compete for this year’s Golden Shell.Scroll down for full line-up
This 64th San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 16-24) has revealed the line-up of Spanish titles that will play across its sections.
There will be a total of 15 Spanish-produced films on show, including four shorts.
Competing for the Golden Shell – the festival’s top prize – will be Alberto Rodríguez’s El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors), Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) and Jonás Trueba’s La Reconquista (The Reconquest), all of which are world premieres.
Goya Award-winning director Alberto Rodríguez is nominated for his third Golden Shell following 2014’s Marshland and 2005’s 7 Virgins. El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors) [pictured top] tells the story of spy Fransisco Paesa.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen presents his third feature Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) – following 2013’s Goya-nominated Stockholm – which tells the story of a detective...
This 64th San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 16-24) has revealed the line-up of Spanish titles that will play across its sections.
There will be a total of 15 Spanish-produced films on show, including four shorts.
Competing for the Golden Shell – the festival’s top prize – will be Alberto Rodríguez’s El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors), Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) and Jonás Trueba’s La Reconquista (The Reconquest), all of which are world premieres.
Goya Award-winning director Alberto Rodríguez is nominated for his third Golden Shell following 2014’s Marshland and 2005’s 7 Virgins. El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors) [pictured top] tells the story of spy Fransisco Paesa.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen presents his third feature Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) – following 2013’s Goya-nominated Stockholm – which tells the story of a detective...
- 7/28/2016
- ScreenDaily
Three Spanish titles will compete for this year’s Golden Shell.Scroll down for full line-up
This 64th San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 16-24) has revealed the line-up of Spanish titles that will play across its sections.
There will be a total of 15 Spanish-produced films on show, including four shorts.
Competing for the Golden Shell – the festival’s top prize – will be Alberto Rodríguez’s El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors), Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) and Jonás Trueba’s La Reconquista (The Reconquest), all of which are world premieres.
Goya Award-winning director Alberto Rodríguez is nominated for his third Golden Shell following 2014’s Marshland and 2005’s 7 Virgins. El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors) [pictured top] tells the story of spy Fransisco Paesa.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen presents his third feature Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) – following 2013’s Goya-nominated Stockholm – which tells the story of a detective...
This 64th San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 16-24) has revealed the line-up of Spanish titles that will play across its sections.
There will be a total of 15 Spanish-produced films on show, including four shorts.
Competing for the Golden Shell – the festival’s top prize – will be Alberto Rodríguez’s El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors), Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) and Jonás Trueba’s La Reconquista (The Reconquest), all of which are world premieres.
Goya Award-winning director Alberto Rodríguez is nominated for his third Golden Shell following 2014’s Marshland and 2005’s 7 Virgins. El Hombre De Las Mil Caras (Smoke And Mirrors) [pictured top] tells the story of spy Fransisco Paesa.
Rodrigo Sorogoyen presents his third feature Que Dios Nos Perdone (May God Save Us) – following 2013’s Goya-nominated Stockholm – which tells the story of a detective...
- 7/28/2016
- ScreenDaily
A unique partnership with Google on a new seminar series addressing gender and racial gaps in the film industry, particularly in technical cinematographic roles, is among new highlights unveiled today by Miami Dade College's Miami International Film Festival, as Festival organizers count down to the 33rd edition of the acclaimed annual event March 4 - 13, 2016. The Festival is the only major film festival produced and presented worldwide by a college or university.
"Google has changed the world of technology and information in swift and radical ways," noted the Festival’s Executive Director & Director of Programming Jaie Laplante. "Who better to lead a new charge at changing long-standing gender and racial inequalities in opportunities in the world of film and technology? We are incredibly honored that Google has chosen Miami International Film Festival as a forum to discuss solutions and inspire new filmmakers wanting to scale the heights of their chosen profession."
The Google Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech will take place in The Idea Center at Miami Dade College and other locations over four days, March 5 - 8, within the overall Festival program. Among the highlights of the series will be veteran cinematographer Kirsten Johnson's screening and discussion of her feature memoir, "Cameraperson," set to world premiere at Sundance Film Festival later this month. Johnson's film covers her extensive career working on such filmmakers as Laura Poitras and Michael Moore.
“Our research shows that when it comes to encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in computer science and other technical fields, positive role models matter, which makes the work of the film industry so powerful,” said Julie Ann Crommett, Google Cs Education in Media Program Manager. “We’re thrilled to support the Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech at The Idea Center at Miami Dade College to shed light on this important issue and inspire more creators to showcase positive portrayals of women and underrepresented minorities in tech.”
The Festival also unveiled 21 additional new feature films for the 2016 program, highlighting some of the year's most superb accomplishments. All films in today's announcement have the special distinction of having been directed by women. The films include:
John S. & James L. Knight Competition
Francesca Archibugi's "An Italian Name" (Il nome del figlio), starring Alessandro Gassman and Valeria Golino. Archibugi returns to Miami after having closed the Festival in 1989 with her film Mignon Has Left. Liz Garbus' "Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper" (also eligible for Knight Documentary Achievement Award). The celebrated CNN journalist interviews his famous mother, now 91, about her eventful life, romances and tragedies. Dawn Porter's "Trapped" (also eligible for Knight Documentary Achievement Award), a look at legislative moves at the state level attempting to turn back hard-fought women's rights from only 40 years ago. Knight Documentary Achievement Award
World Premiere: Shaina Koren's "The Rebound," a Miami-made film about the Miami Heat Wheels basketball team. American filmmakers and Oscar nominees Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," a candid look at the legendary barrier-breaking TV producer of the 1970s. Jennifer Redfearn’s "Tocando La Luz" (Touch the Light) (USA), which follows three interwoven stories of blind residents in Havana, Cuba. "Weiner," by American filmmaker Elyse Steinberg (directed with Josh Kreigman), a look at the entertainment spectacle of American politics through the media frenzy surrounding Anthony Weiner's 2013 comeback campaign. Marcia Tambutti "Allende's Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Allende, mi abuelo Allende) , a Chilean/Mexican co-production that won the first-ever Documentary Award presented at 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Lexus Ibero-American Feature Film Competition
World Premiere: Brazilian screenwriter Vera Egito's "Restless Love" (Amores Urbanos), her feature film directorial debut, set in São Paulo. North American Premiere: Cuban filmmaker Jessica Rodriguez's "Dark Glasses" (Espejuelos oscuros), partially presented as a work-in-progress at the 2015 Festival in the Emerging Cuban Independent Film/Video Artist program presented by The Related Group. North American Premiere: Colombian filmmaker Angela Maria Osorio Rojas (directed with her partner Santiago Lozano Alvarez)'s "Siembra" (also competing for the Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award), a tale of an uprooted coastal fisherman learning to build a new life in the urban center of Cali. Daniela Goggi's "Abzurdah," a drama about a young high school student driven to anorexia over her affair with an older man, a box office smash hit in its native Argentina. Ana Katz’s "Mi amiga del parque," also from Argentina, a psychological drama workshopped in the Festival’s Encuentros program in 2015, and making its international debut at Sundance Film Festival 2016. Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award
Israel filmmaker Yaelle Kayam's debut film "Mountain," about the wife of an Orthodox scholar living next to Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, who discovers her own mountain of unexpressed sexual desire deep within. Cinema 360
U.S Premiere: German filmmaker Theresa von Eltz's "4 Kings" (4 Könige), a touching drama of four emotionally troubled youths learning to trust each other at a recovery facility. French filmmaker Catherine Corsini's "Summertime" (La belle saison), starringCécile de France as a Parisian at the forefront of the women's liberation movement in the early 1970s. French filmmaker Maïwann’s "My King" (Mon roi), which won a Best Actress award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for Emmanuelle Bercot. Indian filmmaker Leena Yadav's "Parched," a luminous drama about three women from rural India liberating themselves from demeaning patriarchal traditions. Visions
World Premiere: Miami filmmaker Monica Peña's experimental sophomore feature film, "Hearts of Palm" (also competing in Knight Competition), featuring music by lead actor Brad Lovett. Lee Brian Schrager's Culinary Cinema
Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase's "Sweet Bean" (An), a beautiful story of an elderly dorayaki maker passing on the wisdom of her culinary craft. Megan Riakos' " Crushed," a murder-mystery thriller set on a vineyard in rural Australia. These titles join the previously announced women directors from Spain in the 2016 Official Selection:Paula Ortiz’s "The Bride" (La novia); Gracia Querejeta’s "Happy 140" (Felices 140), "We Are Pregnant" (Embarazados); and Veronica Escuer & Cristina Jolonch's "Snacks, Bites of a Revolution" (Snacks: Bocados de una revolución).
More announcements will follow as the Festival prepares to unveil its complete program. In addition to the sponsors acknowledged above, the Festival also thanks Telefilm Canada, Frederick Wildman & Sons, German Films, the Consulate General of Canada in Miamiand the Consulate General of Germany in Miami for program-specific support.
"Google has changed the world of technology and information in swift and radical ways," noted the Festival’s Executive Director & Director of Programming Jaie Laplante. "Who better to lead a new charge at changing long-standing gender and racial inequalities in opportunities in the world of film and technology? We are incredibly honored that Google has chosen Miami International Film Festival as a forum to discuss solutions and inspire new filmmakers wanting to scale the heights of their chosen profession."
The Google Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech will take place in The Idea Center at Miami Dade College and other locations over four days, March 5 - 8, within the overall Festival program. Among the highlights of the series will be veteran cinematographer Kirsten Johnson's screening and discussion of her feature memoir, "Cameraperson," set to world premiere at Sundance Film Festival later this month. Johnson's film covers her extensive career working on such filmmakers as Laura Poitras and Michael Moore.
“Our research shows that when it comes to encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in computer science and other technical fields, positive role models matter, which makes the work of the film industry so powerful,” said Julie Ann Crommett, Google Cs Education in Media Program Manager. “We’re thrilled to support the Seminar Series on Gender & Racial Gaps In Film & Tech at The Idea Center at Miami Dade College to shed light on this important issue and inspire more creators to showcase positive portrayals of women and underrepresented minorities in tech.”
The Festival also unveiled 21 additional new feature films for the 2016 program, highlighting some of the year's most superb accomplishments. All films in today's announcement have the special distinction of having been directed by women. The films include:
John S. & James L. Knight Competition
Francesca Archibugi's "An Italian Name" (Il nome del figlio), starring Alessandro Gassman and Valeria Golino. Archibugi returns to Miami after having closed the Festival in 1989 with her film Mignon Has Left. Liz Garbus' "Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt & Anderson Cooper" (also eligible for Knight Documentary Achievement Award). The celebrated CNN journalist interviews his famous mother, now 91, about her eventful life, romances and tragedies. Dawn Porter's "Trapped" (also eligible for Knight Documentary Achievement Award), a look at legislative moves at the state level attempting to turn back hard-fought women's rights from only 40 years ago. Knight Documentary Achievement Award
World Premiere: Shaina Koren's "The Rebound," a Miami-made film about the Miami Heat Wheels basketball team. American filmmakers and Oscar nominees Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," a candid look at the legendary barrier-breaking TV producer of the 1970s. Jennifer Redfearn’s "Tocando La Luz" (Touch the Light) (USA), which follows three interwoven stories of blind residents in Havana, Cuba. "Weiner," by American filmmaker Elyse Steinberg (directed with Josh Kreigman), a look at the entertainment spectacle of American politics through the media frenzy surrounding Anthony Weiner's 2013 comeback campaign. Marcia Tambutti "Allende's Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Allende, mi abuelo Allende) , a Chilean/Mexican co-production that won the first-ever Documentary Award presented at 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Lexus Ibero-American Feature Film Competition
World Premiere: Brazilian screenwriter Vera Egito's "Restless Love" (Amores Urbanos), her feature film directorial debut, set in São Paulo. North American Premiere: Cuban filmmaker Jessica Rodriguez's "Dark Glasses" (Espejuelos oscuros), partially presented as a work-in-progress at the 2015 Festival in the Emerging Cuban Independent Film/Video Artist program presented by The Related Group. North American Premiere: Colombian filmmaker Angela Maria Osorio Rojas (directed with her partner Santiago Lozano Alvarez)'s "Siembra" (also competing for the Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award), a tale of an uprooted coastal fisherman learning to build a new life in the urban center of Cali. Daniela Goggi's "Abzurdah," a drama about a young high school student driven to anorexia over her affair with an older man, a box office smash hit in its native Argentina. Ana Katz’s "Mi amiga del parque," also from Argentina, a psychological drama workshopped in the Festival’s Encuentros program in 2015, and making its international debut at Sundance Film Festival 2016. Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award
Israel filmmaker Yaelle Kayam's debut film "Mountain," about the wife of an Orthodox scholar living next to Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, who discovers her own mountain of unexpressed sexual desire deep within. Cinema 360
U.S Premiere: German filmmaker Theresa von Eltz's "4 Kings" (4 Könige), a touching drama of four emotionally troubled youths learning to trust each other at a recovery facility. French filmmaker Catherine Corsini's "Summertime" (La belle saison), starringCécile de France as a Parisian at the forefront of the women's liberation movement in the early 1970s. French filmmaker Maïwann’s "My King" (Mon roi), which won a Best Actress award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for Emmanuelle Bercot. Indian filmmaker Leena Yadav's "Parched," a luminous drama about three women from rural India liberating themselves from demeaning patriarchal traditions. Visions
World Premiere: Miami filmmaker Monica Peña's experimental sophomore feature film, "Hearts of Palm" (also competing in Knight Competition), featuring music by lead actor Brad Lovett. Lee Brian Schrager's Culinary Cinema
Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase's "Sweet Bean" (An), a beautiful story of an elderly dorayaki maker passing on the wisdom of her culinary craft. Megan Riakos' " Crushed," a murder-mystery thriller set on a vineyard in rural Australia. These titles join the previously announced women directors from Spain in the 2016 Official Selection:Paula Ortiz’s "The Bride" (La novia); Gracia Querejeta’s "Happy 140" (Felices 140), "We Are Pregnant" (Embarazados); and Veronica Escuer & Cristina Jolonch's "Snacks, Bites of a Revolution" (Snacks: Bocados de una revolución).
More announcements will follow as the Festival prepares to unveil its complete program. In addition to the sponsors acknowledged above, the Festival also thanks Telefilm Canada, Frederick Wildman & Sons, German Films, the Consulate General of Canada in Miamiand the Consulate General of Germany in Miami for program-specific support.
- 1/12/2016
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
The Academia de las Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas de España has announced the nominees for the 30th edition of the Goya Awards, to be presented on February 6.
The finalist with most nominations is "La Novia" (The Bride) , which had its world premiere in the Zabaltegi section at the last edition of the San Sebastian Festival. The film by Paula Ortiz is nominated in twelve categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Inma Cuesta), Best Actor (Asier Etxeandia), Best Supporting Actress (Luisa Gavasa), Best New Actor (Álex García), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup and/or Hairstyles.
"Truman," the film by Cesc Gay which competed in the Official Selection and won the best actor award for Ricardo Darin and Javier Cámara at the last edition, earned six nominations: Best film, Best Director, Best Actor (Ricardo Darin), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Cámara), Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.
The winner of the best actress award at the last Festival, Yordanka Ariosa for Agustí Villaronga’s "El Rey de La Habana" (The King of Havana), received a Best New Actress nomination alongside another two in the Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
Another two titles screened in the Official Selection have landed nominations: "Amama" (When a Tree Falls) for Best New Actress (Iraia Elias), and the film by Álex de la Iglesia, "Mi Gran Noche" (My Big Night) , premiered out of competition, which competes for the Best Art Director, Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Special Effects Goya Awards.
Another two titles that premiered in this year’s Zabaltegi section are also among the finalists. Álvaro Longoria’s "The Propaganda Game" is nominated for best documentary, while Fernando Colomo competes for the best new actor award with his movie "Isla Bonita."
Dani de la Torre’s "El Desconocido" (Retribution) , screened in the Velodrome section, garnered eight candidacies: Best New Director, Best Actor (Luis Tosar), Best Supporting Actress (Elvira Mínguez), Best Original Screenplay, Best Production Supervision, Best Editing, Best Sound and Best Special Effects.
Furthermore, Borja Cobeaga's "Negociador" (Negociator), which premiered in the Zabaltegi section at the 62nd edition of the Festival, landed a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
"Un Otoño Sin Berlin" (An Autumn without Berlin) by Lara Izagirre, opening film of the Zinemira section, also got a nomination for Best new Actress for Irene Escolar.
Two films that also screened at the San Sebastian Festival compete for the Best Foreign Film in the Spanish Language Award: Pablo Trapero’s "El Clan" (The Clan) screened in the Pearls section following its premiere at the Venice Festival; and Salvador del Solar’s "Magallanes" winner of the Films in Progress Award at the 62nd edition of the Festival, before going on to form part of this year’s Horizontes Latinos selection.
Another three nominated were programmed as part of the Made in Spain section, following their premiere at the Malaga Festival: Daniel Guzmán’s "A Cambio de Nada" (Nothing in Return) , with six nominations, Leticia Dolera’s "Requisitos Para Ser Una Persona Normal," with three candidacies and Gracia Querejeta’s "Felices 140" (Happy 140) , which competes for two awards.
The finalist with most nominations is "La Novia" (The Bride) , which had its world premiere in the Zabaltegi section at the last edition of the San Sebastian Festival. The film by Paula Ortiz is nominated in twelve categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Inma Cuesta), Best Actor (Asier Etxeandia), Best Supporting Actress (Luisa Gavasa), Best New Actor (Álex García), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup and/or Hairstyles.
"Truman," the film by Cesc Gay which competed in the Official Selection and won the best actor award for Ricardo Darin and Javier Cámara at the last edition, earned six nominations: Best film, Best Director, Best Actor (Ricardo Darin), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Cámara), Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.
The winner of the best actress award at the last Festival, Yordanka Ariosa for Agustí Villaronga’s "El Rey de La Habana" (The King of Havana), received a Best New Actress nomination alongside another two in the Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
Another two titles screened in the Official Selection have landed nominations: "Amama" (When a Tree Falls) for Best New Actress (Iraia Elias), and the film by Álex de la Iglesia, "Mi Gran Noche" (My Big Night) , premiered out of competition, which competes for the Best Art Director, Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Special Effects Goya Awards.
Another two titles that premiered in this year’s Zabaltegi section are also among the finalists. Álvaro Longoria’s "The Propaganda Game" is nominated for best documentary, while Fernando Colomo competes for the best new actor award with his movie "Isla Bonita."
Dani de la Torre’s "El Desconocido" (Retribution) , screened in the Velodrome section, garnered eight candidacies: Best New Director, Best Actor (Luis Tosar), Best Supporting Actress (Elvira Mínguez), Best Original Screenplay, Best Production Supervision, Best Editing, Best Sound and Best Special Effects.
Furthermore, Borja Cobeaga's "Negociador" (Negociator), which premiered in the Zabaltegi section at the 62nd edition of the Festival, landed a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
"Un Otoño Sin Berlin" (An Autumn without Berlin) by Lara Izagirre, opening film of the Zinemira section, also got a nomination for Best new Actress for Irene Escolar.
Two films that also screened at the San Sebastian Festival compete for the Best Foreign Film in the Spanish Language Award: Pablo Trapero’s "El Clan" (The Clan) screened in the Pearls section following its premiere at the Venice Festival; and Salvador del Solar’s "Magallanes" winner of the Films in Progress Award at the 62nd edition of the Festival, before going on to form part of this year’s Horizontes Latinos selection.
Another three nominated were programmed as part of the Made in Spain section, following their premiere at the Malaga Festival: Daniel Guzmán’s "A Cambio de Nada" (Nothing in Return) , with six nominations, Leticia Dolera’s "Requisitos Para Ser Una Persona Normal," with three candidacies and Gracia Querejeta’s "Felices 140" (Happy 140) , which competes for two awards.
- 12/15/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Álex de la Iglesia’s comedy will head a strand of Spanish films set to play at the 33rd Miami International Film Festival that runs from March 4-13, 2016.
My Big Night (Mi Gran Noche) follow the backstage shenanigans before a TV special celebrating a legendary pop singer. Star and Spanish pop icon Raphael is scheduled to attend the festival.
The film also stars Mario Casas, Santiago Segura, Carlos Areces, Blanca Suarez, Hugo Silva, Carmen Machi and Carolina Bang.
“Álex de la Iglesia has made a perfect pop movie with My Big Night,” said the festival’s executive director and director of programming Jaie Laplante. “This riotously funny film is much more than one of the very best films by de la Iglesia, it is a party!”
The Spanish line-up includes Cinedwntwn Galas Truman from Cesc Gay starring Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara; Emilio Martínez Lázaro’s Spanish Affair 2 (Ocho Apellidos Catalanes) – now the biggest Spanish film of...
My Big Night (Mi Gran Noche) follow the backstage shenanigans before a TV special celebrating a legendary pop singer. Star and Spanish pop icon Raphael is scheduled to attend the festival.
The film also stars Mario Casas, Santiago Segura, Carlos Areces, Blanca Suarez, Hugo Silva, Carmen Machi and Carolina Bang.
“Álex de la Iglesia has made a perfect pop movie with My Big Night,” said the festival’s executive director and director of programming Jaie Laplante. “This riotously funny film is much more than one of the very best films by de la Iglesia, it is a party!”
The Spanish line-up includes Cinedwntwn Galas Truman from Cesc Gay starring Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara; Emilio Martínez Lázaro’s Spanish Affair 2 (Ocho Apellidos Catalanes) – now the biggest Spanish film of...
- 12/10/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
This morning the Spanish Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences announced a shortlist of three films as potential Oscar submissions, one of these will be selected as the official entry later this month. The list is somewhat surprising given the great pool of films at hand, some of which included internationally renowned Spanish talent. However, it seems like the Spanish Academy went with three interesting choices, two of which have received extensive festival play and another by a filmmaker who represented the country not too long ago.
Read More: Recent Spanish Cinema Los Angeles 2015 Announces First Lineup of Films
These are the three candidates:
"Felices 140" (Happy 140)
Dir. Gracia Querejeta
Isa: Latido Films
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
Starring widely known actress Maribel Verdú ("Y Tu Mamá También") and an impressive ensemble cast, the latest film by Gracia Querejeta centers on a woman who has just won the lottery and decides to take her closest friends and family on a trip to celebrate her 40th birthday. Soon she will discover that becoming a millionaire has changed the way her loved ones perceive her. The filmmaker's previous feature "15 Years and One Day" represented her homeland at the 86th Academy Awards.
"Loreak" (Flowers)
Dir. Jon Garaño & Jose Mari Goenaga
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
This Basque-language drama juxtaposes the lives of three women affected by a single death and connected by something as simple as a bouquet of flowers. "Loreak" was awarded in Palm Springs and San Sebastian, played at countless festivals including Miami, Seattle, and Ficg in La just last week, and earned a surprising Best Film nomination at this year's Goya Awards. If selected, the film would become the first-ever Basque-language Spanish Oscar submission.
"Magical Girl"
Dir. Carlos Vermut
Isa: Films Distribution
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
By far the most awarded of the pre-selected films, Vermut's dark tale about a desperate father trying to grant his ill daughter's last wish, which involves obtaining the dress used by a popular Japanese TV character, is also the most unique. "Magical Girl" was crowned Best Film at last year's San Sebastian Film Festival, while Vermut also took home the Best Director award. Numerous festivals, including Palm Springs and Rotterdam, and five Goya Award nominations followed, with Bárbara Lennie winning the Best Leading Actress trophy.
Read More: Recent Spanish Cinema Los Angeles 2015 Announces First Lineup of Films
These are the three candidates:
"Felices 140" (Happy 140)
Dir. Gracia Querejeta
Isa: Latido Films
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
Starring widely known actress Maribel Verdú ("Y Tu Mamá También") and an impressive ensemble cast, the latest film by Gracia Querejeta centers on a woman who has just won the lottery and decides to take her closest friends and family on a trip to celebrate her 40th birthday. Soon she will discover that becoming a millionaire has changed the way her loved ones perceive her. The filmmaker's previous feature "15 Years and One Day" represented her homeland at the 86th Academy Awards.
"Loreak" (Flowers)
Dir. Jon Garaño & Jose Mari Goenaga
Isa: Film Factory Entertainment
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
This Basque-language drama juxtaposes the lives of three women affected by a single death and connected by something as simple as a bouquet of flowers. "Loreak" was awarded in Palm Springs and San Sebastian, played at countless festivals including Miami, Seattle, and Ficg in La just last week, and earned a surprising Best Film nomination at this year's Goya Awards. If selected, the film would become the first-ever Basque-language Spanish Oscar submission.
"Magical Girl"
Dir. Carlos Vermut
Isa: Films Distribution
U.S. Distribution: None Yet
By far the most awarded of the pre-selected films, Vermut's dark tale about a desperate father trying to grant his ill daughter's last wish, which involves obtaining the dress used by a popular Japanese TV character, is also the most unique. "Magical Girl" was crowned Best Film at last year's San Sebastian Film Festival, while Vermut also took home the Best Director award. Numerous festivals, including Palm Springs and Rotterdam, and five Goya Award nominations followed, with Bárbara Lennie winning the Best Leading Actress trophy.
- 9/8/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
The Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts of Spain (Icaa) alongsie the American Cinematheque and Egeda, announced the 21st edition of Recent Spanish Cinema series, a showcase of the most outstanding recent Spanish films at the Egyptian Theatre. The film screenings will take place October 15-18, 2015. This year the producers of this annual film series will collaborate with Spanish Filmmaker, journalist, writer and producer Guillermo Fesser, who has created the poster and the promo spot with theme “Let your Spanish side out” bringing his sense of humor and unique Spanish style to the marketing campaign.
Read More: MiamiFF Review: 'Marshland' is a Provocative Thriller with Unique Political Undertones
The full schedule will be announced October 1st , but several of the films to screen as part of this exciting program have already been revealed. Take a look at some of the highlights below including "Marshland," which our writer Carlos Aguilar described as "a technically immaculate production that feels like a major motion picture while retaining its art house appeal."
- "Off Course" (Perdiendo el Norte) , 2015, 102 min. Dir. Nacho G Velilla.International Distribution: DeAPlaneta International.Hugo (Yon González) and Braulio (Julián López) both have university degrees but no jobs, and think they can escape the economic doldrums by leaving Spain for Germany. But what looked like a land of opportunity on TV presents more challenges to the two friends than they expected in this sparkling comedy. In Castillan and German with English subtitles. One of the biggest Box office hits in 2015 .
- "Happy 140" (Felices 140), 2015, 98 min. Dir. Gracia Querejeta. International Sales: Latido Films. Elia (Maribel Verdu) has just hit the jackpot – literally. One of the things she spends her 140 million euro lottery prize on is a 40th birthday bash in the Canary Islands, to which she invites a motley group of family and friends, including the ex she still pines for. But proximity to wealth can warp even the closest relationships, and the reunion soon takes a shocking turn.
-"Shrew's Nest" (Musarañas), 2014, 95 min. International Sales: Film Factory. First-time feature directors Juan Fernando Andres and Esteban Roel (and producer Alex De La Iglesia) lead viewers through a terrifying psychological maze in 1950s Spain. At its center is the apartment of Montse (Macarena Gómez, in one of the wildest performances you’ll see all year), who has raised her younger sister to the brink of adulthood. But agoraphobia and religious ritual have taken their toll on Montse, and when an injured young man (Hugo Silva) turns up at the door, help is the last thing she gives him. With Luis Tosar as the spectral father figure. In Spanish with English subtitles.
-"Magical Girl," 2014, 127 min. Dir. Carlos Vermut. International Sales: Films Distribution. Luis (Luis Bermejo) has a 12-year-old daughter with a terminal illness and a last wish – to have a dress just like the main character of her favorite Japanese anime series. The unemployed professor doesn’t have the money to purchase the dress, but thinks he can get it with a little help from a former teacher (José Sacristán) and an unbalanced young woman (Goya and Feroz winner Bárbara Lennie). Vermut’s sure directorial hand weaves multiple storylines together in this haunting (and occasionally intense) drama. In Spanish with English subtitles.
"Sidetracked" (Las Overjas No Pierden El Tren), 2014, 103 min. Dir. Alvaro Fernandez Armero. International Sales: Film Factory. The mid-life crises of three Spanish couples provide the laughs in this gleeful ensemble comedy. Luisa (Inma Cuesta of Three Many Weddings) and Alberto (Raúl Arévalo) move to the countryside, thinking it a better place to raise kids, though the change puts a damper on their sex life. Luisa’s sister (Candela Peña) and Alberto’s brother (Alberto San Juan) have their own relationship challenges - her obsessive pursuit scares men away, while his much-younger girlfriend is a little on the impulsive side.
"Requirements to Be a Normal Person (Requisitos Para Ser Una Persona Norma), 2015, 90 min.Everybody tries to fit in, but few people go about it as methodically as Maria de la Montana (writer-director Leticia Dolera), who hopes to reach normality through a 7-item checklist. Her mentally challenged younger brother (Jordi Llodra) and overweight friend (Manuel Burque) seem to have most of the bases covered, and the success of Maria’s quest may boil down to just being herself. Brightly colored and boasting a jangly folk score from Luthea Salom, this romantic comedy is, as one might hope from its title, charmingly eccentric. Winner of the Best New Screenwriter, Cinematography and Editing Awards at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival.
"Marshland" (La Isla Minima), 2014, 105 min. Dir. Alberto Rodriguez. Us Distribution: Outsider Pictures. Spain’s democracy was still on wobbly legs in 1980, particularly in the backwater of Andalucia where this tense crime drama is set. City cops Juan (Javier Gutiérrez) and Pedro (Raúl Arévalo) are dispatched to the depressed rural area to investigate the disappearance of two sisters; their differing backgrounds – one a ruthless veteran and the other an idealistic rookie – lead to increasingly unsettling discoveries. Winner of 10 Goya Awards, including Best Film, Director, Lead Actor (Gutiérrez) and Cinematography (Alex Catalán’s aerial shots are truly dazzling).
Read More: MiamiFF Review: 'Marshland' is a Provocative Thriller with Unique Political Undertones
The full schedule will be announced October 1st , but several of the films to screen as part of this exciting program have already been revealed. Take a look at some of the highlights below including "Marshland," which our writer Carlos Aguilar described as "a technically immaculate production that feels like a major motion picture while retaining its art house appeal."
- "Off Course" (Perdiendo el Norte) , 2015, 102 min. Dir. Nacho G Velilla.International Distribution: DeAPlaneta International.Hugo (Yon González) and Braulio (Julián López) both have university degrees but no jobs, and think they can escape the economic doldrums by leaving Spain for Germany. But what looked like a land of opportunity on TV presents more challenges to the two friends than they expected in this sparkling comedy. In Castillan and German with English subtitles. One of the biggest Box office hits in 2015 .
- "Happy 140" (Felices 140), 2015, 98 min. Dir. Gracia Querejeta. International Sales: Latido Films. Elia (Maribel Verdu) has just hit the jackpot – literally. One of the things she spends her 140 million euro lottery prize on is a 40th birthday bash in the Canary Islands, to which she invites a motley group of family and friends, including the ex she still pines for. But proximity to wealth can warp even the closest relationships, and the reunion soon takes a shocking turn.
-"Shrew's Nest" (Musarañas), 2014, 95 min. International Sales: Film Factory. First-time feature directors Juan Fernando Andres and Esteban Roel (and producer Alex De La Iglesia) lead viewers through a terrifying psychological maze in 1950s Spain. At its center is the apartment of Montse (Macarena Gómez, in one of the wildest performances you’ll see all year), who has raised her younger sister to the brink of adulthood. But agoraphobia and religious ritual have taken their toll on Montse, and when an injured young man (Hugo Silva) turns up at the door, help is the last thing she gives him. With Luis Tosar as the spectral father figure. In Spanish with English subtitles.
-"Magical Girl," 2014, 127 min. Dir. Carlos Vermut. International Sales: Films Distribution. Luis (Luis Bermejo) has a 12-year-old daughter with a terminal illness and a last wish – to have a dress just like the main character of her favorite Japanese anime series. The unemployed professor doesn’t have the money to purchase the dress, but thinks he can get it with a little help from a former teacher (José Sacristán) and an unbalanced young woman (Goya and Feroz winner Bárbara Lennie). Vermut’s sure directorial hand weaves multiple storylines together in this haunting (and occasionally intense) drama. In Spanish with English subtitles.
"Sidetracked" (Las Overjas No Pierden El Tren), 2014, 103 min. Dir. Alvaro Fernandez Armero. International Sales: Film Factory. The mid-life crises of three Spanish couples provide the laughs in this gleeful ensemble comedy. Luisa (Inma Cuesta of Three Many Weddings) and Alberto (Raúl Arévalo) move to the countryside, thinking it a better place to raise kids, though the change puts a damper on their sex life. Luisa’s sister (Candela Peña) and Alberto’s brother (Alberto San Juan) have their own relationship challenges - her obsessive pursuit scares men away, while his much-younger girlfriend is a little on the impulsive side.
"Requirements to Be a Normal Person (Requisitos Para Ser Una Persona Norma), 2015, 90 min.Everybody tries to fit in, but few people go about it as methodically as Maria de la Montana (writer-director Leticia Dolera), who hopes to reach normality through a 7-item checklist. Her mentally challenged younger brother (Jordi Llodra) and overweight friend (Manuel Burque) seem to have most of the bases covered, and the success of Maria’s quest may boil down to just being herself. Brightly colored and boasting a jangly folk score from Luthea Salom, this romantic comedy is, as one might hope from its title, charmingly eccentric. Winner of the Best New Screenwriter, Cinematography and Editing Awards at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival.
"Marshland" (La Isla Minima), 2014, 105 min. Dir. Alberto Rodriguez. Us Distribution: Outsider Pictures. Spain’s democracy was still on wobbly legs in 1980, particularly in the backwater of Andalucia where this tense crime drama is set. City cops Juan (Javier Gutiérrez) and Pedro (Raúl Arévalo) are dispatched to the depressed rural area to investigate the disappearance of two sisters; their differing backgrounds – one a ruthless veteran and the other an idealistic rookie – lead to increasingly unsettling discoveries. Winner of 10 Goya Awards, including Best Film, Director, Lead Actor (Gutiérrez) and Cinematography (Alex Catalán’s aerial shots are truly dazzling).
- 9/7/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
As this year's Academy Awards nominations approach, and after the shocking selection of films conforming the Academy's shortlist for the Best Foreign Language Film Award, audiences will get the opportunity to see some of the films that were dismissed but which are absolutely deserving of attention. Rather than including all of the 76 Submissions the Palm Spring Film Festival decided to shorten their program to 45 of what they considered the best representation of the extensive amount of films.
Included in the program are all of the 9 shortlisted films, all the other major omissions, and many more obscure titles that showcase some of the most interesting voices in World Cinema today. Most of these films have been awarded prizes and received praise at major festivals from Sundance to Cannes and Toronto, and will give the viewer a broader view of the category beyond the assumed frontrunners.
Below is a list with more information on each of the films that will be screening at Palm Springs with reviews and interviews with the filmmakers for the majority of them. Read more about the complete list of 76 Foreign Language Oscar Submissions visit Here
For more information on the Palm Springs International Film Festival visit Here
Argentina
The German Doctor (Wakolda)
Dir: Lucia Puenzo
Language: Spanish, German, Hebrew
U.S Release: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Isa: Pyramide
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Case Study by Sydney Levine
Australia
The Rocket
Dir: Kim Mordaunt
Language: Lao
U.S Release: Kino Lorber
Isa: Level K
Festivals: Berlin 2013: Best First Feature Film ,Tribeca 2013: World Narrative Competition
Trailer
Austria
The Wall
Dir: Julian Polsler
Language: German
U.S Release: Music Box Films - May 31, 2013
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Sitges Ff 2012 Official Fantastic, Mumbai Ff 2012 Int'l Competition
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Belgium
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Dir: Felix van Groeningen
Language: Flemish
U.S Release: Tribeca Film - November 1, 2013
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Panorama
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Bosnia And Herzegovina
An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker
Dir: Danis Tanović
Language: Bosnian, Romani
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Berlinale Competition,Efm Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Cambodia
The Missing Picture
Dir: Rithy Panh
Language: French
U.S Release: Acquired by Strand Releasing for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 - Un Certain Regard Prix, San Sebastian 2013 Pearls
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Canada
Gabrielle
Dir: Louise Archambault
Language: French
U.S Release: eOne
Isa: eOne
Festivals: Toronto- Tiff 2013, Locarno International Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Chile
Gloria
Dir: Sebastian Lelio
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Roadside Attractions
Isa: Funny Balloons
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Sydney Levine
China
Back to 1942
Dir: Feng Xiaogang
Language: Mandarin, English
U.S Release: Well Go USA - May 14, 2013
Isa: Huayi Brothers
Festivals: Rome Film Festival 2012, Dubai International Film Festival 2012
Trailer
Croatia
Halima's Path
Dir: Arsen Anton Ostojić
Language: Bosnian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Tallinn Black Nights Iff 2012 - EurAsia (Special Jury Prize)
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Denmark
The Hunt
Dir: Thomas Vinterberg
Language: Danish
U.S Release: Magnolia Pictures - July 12, 2013
Isa: TrustNordisk
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Competition, Toronto - Tiff 2012, AFI Fest 2012
Trailer
Egypt
Winter of Discontent
Dir: Ibrahim el-Batout
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Venice International Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival, Dubai Film Festival
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Finland
Disciple
Dir: Ulrika Bengts
Language: Finnish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Helsinki Ff 2012, Montréal World Ff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
France
Renoir
Dir: Gilles Bourdos
Language: French
U.S Release: Samuel Goldwyn Films - March 29, 2013
Isa: Wild Bunch
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Georgia
In Bloom
Dir: Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß
Language: Georgian
U.S Release: Big World Pictures
Isa: Memento
Festivals: Cicae award Berlinale Forum 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Germany
Two Lives
Dir: Georg Maas
Language: German
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Beta Cinema
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Hong Kong
The Grandmaster
Dir: Wong Kar-wai
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
U.S Release: The Weinstein Company - August 23, 2013
Isa: Fortissimo
Festivals: Berlinale -Efm 2013
Trailer
Hungary
The Notebook
Dir: Janosz Szasz
Language: Hungarian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Iceland
Of Horses and Men
Dir: Benedikt Erlingsson
Language: Icelandic
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Icelandic Film Centre
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Sundance 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
India
The Good Road
Dir: Gyan Correa
Language: Gujarati
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: National Film Board of India
Festivals: London Indian Film Festival in 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Iran
The Past
Dir: Asghar Farhadi
Language: French, Persian
U.S Release: Sony Pictures Classics - December 20, 2013
Isa: Memento
Festivals:Cannes 2013 Competition-Won Best Actress, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Israel
Bethlehem
Dir: Yuval Adler
Language: Hebrew
U.S Release: Adopt
Isa: Westend
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery, Telluride Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival
Trailer
Italy
The Great Beauty
Dir: Paolo Sorrentino
Language: Italian
U.S Release: AJanus Films
Isa: Pathe
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Berlin Efm 2013,
Trailer
Interview by Sydney Levine
Japan
The Great Passage
Dir: Yuya Ishii
Language: Japanese
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Shochiku
Festivals: Fantasia Ff 2013 Official Selection
Trailer
Kazakhstan
Shal (The Old Man)
Dir: Yermek Tursunov
Language: Russian, Kazakh
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Latvia
Mother, I Love You
Dir: Janis Nords
Language: Latvian
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: New Europe Film Sales
Festivals: Los Angeles Film Festival 2013, Berlinale Generation KPlus (Grand Prix of the International Jury for the best feature film)
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Mexico
Heli
Dir: Amat Escalante
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Ndm
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition-Winner Best Director, San Sebastian 2013 Horizontes Latinos,
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Morocco
Horses of God
Dir: Nabil Ayouch
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Bif London Film Festival 2012
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
The Netherlands
Borgman
Dir: Alex van Warmerdam
Language: Dutch
U.S Release: Drafthouse Films
Isa: Fortissimo
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Busan 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
New Zealand
White Lies
Dir: Dana Rotberg
Language: Maori
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Film Sales Company
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Norway
I Am Yours
Dir: Iram Haq
Language: Norwegian, Urdu
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Palestine
Omar
Dir: Hany Abu-Assad
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Adopt FilmsIsa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Philippines
Transit
Dir: Hannah Espia
Language: Filipino, Tagalog, Hebrew
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cinemalaya Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Poland
Walesa
Dir: Andrzej Wajda
Language: Polish
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Films Boutique
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013, Venice- Biennale 2013
Trailer
Romania
Child's Pose
Dir: Calin Peter Netzer
Language: Romanian
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Beta Cinema
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Competition (Golden Bear for the Best Film), Toronto - Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Articles by Sydney Levine, Berlin Diary #2
Russia
Stalingrad
Dir: Fedor Bondarchuk
Language: Russian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Saudi Arabia
Wadjda
Dir: Haifaa al-Mansour
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Sony Pictures Classics - September 13, 2013
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Venice International Film Festival 2012, Los Angeles Film Festival, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Serbia
Circles
Dir: Srdan Golubovic
Language: Serbian
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Memento
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlinale - Efm 2013 Forum
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Sydney Levine
Singapore
Ilo Ilo
Dir: Anthony Chen
Language: Mandarin, Hokkien, English, Tagalog
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Memento
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Directors Fortnight, Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Slovenia
Class Enemy
Dir: Rok Biček
Language: Slovene
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
South Korea
Juvenile Offender
Dir: Kang Yi-kwan
Language: Korean
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Finecut
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Contemporary World Cinema,
Trailer
Spain
15 Years and One Day
Dir: Gracia Querejeta
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Latido
Festivals: San Sebastian 2013 Made in Spain, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Switzerland
More Than Honey
Dir: Markus Imhoof
Language: German, Mandarin
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Films Boutique
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Tiff Docs, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Turkey
The Butterfly's Dream
Dir: Yılmaz Erdoğan
Language: Turkish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Istanbul Film Festival, Los Angeles Turkish Film Festival
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
United Kingdom
Metro Manila
Dir: Sean Elllis
Language: Filipino, Tagalog
U.S Release: Paladin/108 Media
Isa:
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlin Efm 2012, Cannes 2012, Afm 2012, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Uruguay
Anina
Dir: Alfredo Soderguit
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin International Film Festival, Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar...
Included in the program are all of the 9 shortlisted films, all the other major omissions, and many more obscure titles that showcase some of the most interesting voices in World Cinema today. Most of these films have been awarded prizes and received praise at major festivals from Sundance to Cannes and Toronto, and will give the viewer a broader view of the category beyond the assumed frontrunners.
Below is a list with more information on each of the films that will be screening at Palm Springs with reviews and interviews with the filmmakers for the majority of them. Read more about the complete list of 76 Foreign Language Oscar Submissions visit Here
For more information on the Palm Springs International Film Festival visit Here
Argentina
The German Doctor (Wakolda)
Dir: Lucia Puenzo
Language: Spanish, German, Hebrew
U.S Release: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Isa: Pyramide
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Case Study by Sydney Levine
Australia
The Rocket
Dir: Kim Mordaunt
Language: Lao
U.S Release: Kino Lorber
Isa: Level K
Festivals: Berlin 2013: Best First Feature Film ,Tribeca 2013: World Narrative Competition
Trailer
Austria
The Wall
Dir: Julian Polsler
Language: German
U.S Release: Music Box Films - May 31, 2013
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Sitges Ff 2012 Official Fantastic, Mumbai Ff 2012 Int'l Competition
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Belgium
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Dir: Felix van Groeningen
Language: Flemish
U.S Release: Tribeca Film - November 1, 2013
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Panorama
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Bosnia And Herzegovina
An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker
Dir: Danis Tanović
Language: Bosnian, Romani
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Berlinale Competition,Efm Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Cambodia
The Missing Picture
Dir: Rithy Panh
Language: French
U.S Release: Acquired by Strand Releasing for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 - Un Certain Regard Prix, San Sebastian 2013 Pearls
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Canada
Gabrielle
Dir: Louise Archambault
Language: French
U.S Release: eOne
Isa: eOne
Festivals: Toronto- Tiff 2013, Locarno International Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Chile
Gloria
Dir: Sebastian Lelio
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Roadside Attractions
Isa: Funny Balloons
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Sydney Levine
China
Back to 1942
Dir: Feng Xiaogang
Language: Mandarin, English
U.S Release: Well Go USA - May 14, 2013
Isa: Huayi Brothers
Festivals: Rome Film Festival 2012, Dubai International Film Festival 2012
Trailer
Croatia
Halima's Path
Dir: Arsen Anton Ostojić
Language: Bosnian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Tallinn Black Nights Iff 2012 - EurAsia (Special Jury Prize)
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Denmark
The Hunt
Dir: Thomas Vinterberg
Language: Danish
U.S Release: Magnolia Pictures - July 12, 2013
Isa: TrustNordisk
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Competition, Toronto - Tiff 2012, AFI Fest 2012
Trailer
Egypt
Winter of Discontent
Dir: Ibrahim el-Batout
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Venice International Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival, Dubai Film Festival
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Finland
Disciple
Dir: Ulrika Bengts
Language: Finnish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Helsinki Ff 2012, Montréal World Ff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
France
Renoir
Dir: Gilles Bourdos
Language: French
U.S Release: Samuel Goldwyn Films - March 29, 2013
Isa: Wild Bunch
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Georgia
In Bloom
Dir: Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß
Language: Georgian
U.S Release: Big World Pictures
Isa: Memento
Festivals: Cicae award Berlinale Forum 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Germany
Two Lives
Dir: Georg Maas
Language: German
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Beta Cinema
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Hong Kong
The Grandmaster
Dir: Wong Kar-wai
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
U.S Release: The Weinstein Company - August 23, 2013
Isa: Fortissimo
Festivals: Berlinale -Efm 2013
Trailer
Hungary
The Notebook
Dir: Janosz Szasz
Language: Hungarian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Iceland
Of Horses and Men
Dir: Benedikt Erlingsson
Language: Icelandic
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Icelandic Film Centre
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Sundance 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
India
The Good Road
Dir: Gyan Correa
Language: Gujarati
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: National Film Board of India
Festivals: London Indian Film Festival in 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Iran
The Past
Dir: Asghar Farhadi
Language: French, Persian
U.S Release: Sony Pictures Classics - December 20, 2013
Isa: Memento
Festivals:Cannes 2013 Competition-Won Best Actress, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Israel
Bethlehem
Dir: Yuval Adler
Language: Hebrew
U.S Release: Adopt
Isa: Westend
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery, Telluride Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival
Trailer
Italy
The Great Beauty
Dir: Paolo Sorrentino
Language: Italian
U.S Release: AJanus Films
Isa: Pathe
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Berlin Efm 2013,
Trailer
Interview by Sydney Levine
Japan
The Great Passage
Dir: Yuya Ishii
Language: Japanese
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Shochiku
Festivals: Fantasia Ff 2013 Official Selection
Trailer
Kazakhstan
Shal (The Old Man)
Dir: Yermek Tursunov
Language: Russian, Kazakh
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Latvia
Mother, I Love You
Dir: Janis Nords
Language: Latvian
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: New Europe Film Sales
Festivals: Los Angeles Film Festival 2013, Berlinale Generation KPlus (Grand Prix of the International Jury for the best feature film)
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Mexico
Heli
Dir: Amat Escalante
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Ndm
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition-Winner Best Director, San Sebastian 2013 Horizontes Latinos,
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Morocco
Horses of God
Dir: Nabil Ayouch
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Bif London Film Festival 2012
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
The Netherlands
Borgman
Dir: Alex van Warmerdam
Language: Dutch
U.S Release: Drafthouse Films
Isa: Fortissimo
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Busan 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
New Zealand
White Lies
Dir: Dana Rotberg
Language: Maori
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Film Sales Company
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Norway
I Am Yours
Dir: Iram Haq
Language: Norwegian, Urdu
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Palestine
Omar
Dir: Hany Abu-Assad
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Adopt FilmsIsa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Philippines
Transit
Dir: Hannah Espia
Language: Filipino, Tagalog, Hebrew
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cinemalaya Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Poland
Walesa
Dir: Andrzej Wajda
Language: Polish
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Films Boutique
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013, Venice- Biennale 2013
Trailer
Romania
Child's Pose
Dir: Calin Peter Netzer
Language: Romanian
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Beta Cinema
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Competition (Golden Bear for the Best Film), Toronto - Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Articles by Sydney Levine, Berlin Diary #2
Russia
Stalingrad
Dir: Fedor Bondarchuk
Language: Russian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Saudi Arabia
Wadjda
Dir: Haifaa al-Mansour
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Sony Pictures Classics - September 13, 2013
Isa: The Match Factory
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Venice International Film Festival 2012, Los Angeles Film Festival, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Serbia
Circles
Dir: Srdan Golubovic
Language: Serbian
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Memento
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlinale - Efm 2013 Forum
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Sydney Levine
Singapore
Ilo Ilo
Dir: Anthony Chen
Language: Mandarin, Hokkien, English, Tagalog
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Memento
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Directors Fortnight, Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Slovenia
Class Enemy
Dir: Rok Biček
Language: Slovene
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
South Korea
Juvenile Offender
Dir: Kang Yi-kwan
Language: Korean
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Finecut
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Contemporary World Cinema,
Trailer
Spain
15 Years and One Day
Dir: Gracia Querejeta
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Latido
Festivals: San Sebastian 2013 Made in Spain, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
Interview by Carlos Aguilar
Switzerland
More Than Honey
Dir: Markus Imhoof
Language: German, Mandarin
U.S Release: Tba
Isa: Films Boutique
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Tiff Docs, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Turkey
The Butterfly's Dream
Dir: Yılmaz Erdoğan
Language: Turkish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Istanbul Film Festival, Los Angeles Turkish Film Festival
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar
United Kingdom
Metro Manila
Dir: Sean Elllis
Language: Filipino, Tagalog
U.S Release: Paladin/108 Media
Isa:
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlin Efm 2012, Cannes 2012, Afm 2012, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Uruguay
Anina
Dir: Alfredo Soderguit
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin International Film Festival, Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
Trailer
Review by Carlos Aguilar...
- 1/9/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Working in the documentary field and as an actress at the beginning of her career, Spanish filmmaker Gracia Querejeta has solidified herself as one of the most promising creators working in her country today. Her latest work 15 Years +1 Day tells the story of a teenager trying to find himself while sorting out his relationship with his strict grandfather. The film is simultaneously a mystery, as the small town, to which the protagonist is sent as punishment for his bad behavior, is troubled with the unsolved death of another young man. Comedic, endearing, and superbly acted her film comments on the nature of parents-children relationships, and the expectations they both have of each other. Acclaimed actress Maribel Verdu stars in the film which was selected to represent Spain at the 86th Academy Awards. The director talked to us days before the shortlist announcement, and delved into her inspiration, working with the actors, and the how adults can learn from the youth.
Read the Review for '15 Years +1 Day' Here
Carlos Aguilar: Your film blends elements of a mystery into a family drama. How difficult was it to include both of these themes into a cohesive narrative?
Gracia Querejeta: Well, what we wanted to do was to portray sort of a “train crash” between two people from two different generations, who are also united by a family bond, like a grandfather and a grandson. Therefore, from this “train crash” everything else was born. Both the emotional part and the crime part of the movie were born from it.
Aguilar: Why did you decide to make a film about a boy and his mother, rather than a mother and her daughter?
Querejeta: Perhaps it is because of that old saying which explains that sons are for mothers and daughters for fathers I’m not sure [Laughs]. I thought that a woman with the characteristics that Maribel Verdu’s character has, with that certain emotional fragility, could show a different closeness towards her son from what a father cold have. Maybe it is also because I am the mother of a boy.
Aguilar: Given that she is such a respected actress both in Spain and internationally, how was your experience working with Maribel Verdu? Did you consider her for the role from the beginning of the writing process?
Querejeta: I had already worked with Maribel in the film Seven Billiard Tables, for which she won her first Goya as Best Leading Actress. I feel like my relationship with her has transcended from one between an actress and a director, we are basically friends now. It was guaranteed that she was going to interpret the role extraordinarily. On the other hand, it was going to be really pleasant to work with her. In this case I did think of her from the moment I started writing the film.
Aguilar: I feel like your film is trying to say something about children, and the moment we all realize our parents are flawed individuals. Is this correct?
Querejeta: What attracted me to a story like this was that idea that even if we as adults are not always perfect, we think that teenagers are the ones who need to learn from the adults. This movie doesn’t try to prove it, but to show that they are not always the only ones who need to learn, but that adults can learn a lot form younger people.
Aguilar: Besides working with someone as experienced as Verdu, how was it to work with the fresh young actors and the rest of the cast?
Querejeta: It was easier than what it looks like because the casting process was extremely long. We were lucky to choose right in that sense. We also rehearsed a lot, so by the time we started shooting they had the entire film ready. Sincerely it has been a pleasure to work with all of them.
Aguilar: Is there any type of pressure or expectations since your film was chosen to represent Spain at the Academy Awards over many other films?
Querejeta: Not from my part. I take these things with a lot of tranquility. We are going to try to get as far as we can get, and this is a long race and a very complex one. We are already content and proud of having been chosen by the Spanish Academy to represent Spain. We will see where we can get.
Aguilar: What kinds of experiences inspire to write your stories? Are these things that have happened to you or someone you know? Or simply issues you like to explore?
Querejeta: I think I mentioned it to someone recently, although this is not at all an autobiographical work, all the stories in the film are stories I know from close people around me or people who have been in my life. In the end, family, friendships, and everything else that happens to us and moves us, many times ends up becoming a source of inspiration.
Aguilar: What or who inspired you to write a character like Jon? This is a boy that is conflicted, yet very loyal.
Querejeta: Probably from my own son [Laughs], even though my son never did anything close to the things shown in the film, thanks God. My inspiration also came from the relationship him and me had when he was younger, and also perhaps from some of my fears at the time.
Aguilar: Can you talk about the link between the main characters? Is the generational divide something you think affects the way they interact with one another?
Querejeta: I think this has to do with trying to create adult characters, and that throughout the movie we discover that they are as troubled as the teenager “like father, like son.” We have an adult male character who is a man completely closed to life incapable of showing his feelings to others. A man who at a certain point decided to accept loneliness instead of living with his wife, and isolates himself from the world. We also have a daughter who has suffered from her father’s decisions, and who also has her own issues, like her husband’s suicide, which she ends up explaining in the film. I was interested in showing that the link between father and daughter had to with not having emotional closure.
Aguilar: On that note, do you believe Jon, who represents the youngest generation, can teach a lesson to his older counterparts?
Querejeta: Definitely. He is the character who creates the conflict that drives the film. However, in the end I think he is the sanest character [Laughs]
Aguilar: You make an effort to expose most of the characters’ relationships with their parents, including those of minor characters like Jon’s friends. What was your intention?
Querejeta:
Yes. In a sense this theme unites all these kids’ lives despite being so distinct, and economically and culturally different. There is a sequence at the beach in which Jon talks to the Ecuadorian boy about their lives, about their parents. Then he talks to the other kid who tells him “My father killed himself and mother doesn’t know it” or “My mother died of cancer” These are kids who haven’t had easy lives and that unites them.
Read the Review for '15 Years +1 Day' Here
Carlos Aguilar: Your film blends elements of a mystery into a family drama. How difficult was it to include both of these themes into a cohesive narrative?
Gracia Querejeta: Well, what we wanted to do was to portray sort of a “train crash” between two people from two different generations, who are also united by a family bond, like a grandfather and a grandson. Therefore, from this “train crash” everything else was born. Both the emotional part and the crime part of the movie were born from it.
Aguilar: Why did you decide to make a film about a boy and his mother, rather than a mother and her daughter?
Querejeta: Perhaps it is because of that old saying which explains that sons are for mothers and daughters for fathers I’m not sure [Laughs]. I thought that a woman with the characteristics that Maribel Verdu’s character has, with that certain emotional fragility, could show a different closeness towards her son from what a father cold have. Maybe it is also because I am the mother of a boy.
Aguilar: Given that she is such a respected actress both in Spain and internationally, how was your experience working with Maribel Verdu? Did you consider her for the role from the beginning of the writing process?
Querejeta: I had already worked with Maribel in the film Seven Billiard Tables, for which she won her first Goya as Best Leading Actress. I feel like my relationship with her has transcended from one between an actress and a director, we are basically friends now. It was guaranteed that she was going to interpret the role extraordinarily. On the other hand, it was going to be really pleasant to work with her. In this case I did think of her from the moment I started writing the film.
Aguilar: I feel like your film is trying to say something about children, and the moment we all realize our parents are flawed individuals. Is this correct?
Querejeta: What attracted me to a story like this was that idea that even if we as adults are not always perfect, we think that teenagers are the ones who need to learn from the adults. This movie doesn’t try to prove it, but to show that they are not always the only ones who need to learn, but that adults can learn a lot form younger people.
Aguilar: Besides working with someone as experienced as Verdu, how was it to work with the fresh young actors and the rest of the cast?
Querejeta: It was easier than what it looks like because the casting process was extremely long. We were lucky to choose right in that sense. We also rehearsed a lot, so by the time we started shooting they had the entire film ready. Sincerely it has been a pleasure to work with all of them.
Aguilar: Is there any type of pressure or expectations since your film was chosen to represent Spain at the Academy Awards over many other films?
Querejeta: Not from my part. I take these things with a lot of tranquility. We are going to try to get as far as we can get, and this is a long race and a very complex one. We are already content and proud of having been chosen by the Spanish Academy to represent Spain. We will see where we can get.
Aguilar: What kinds of experiences inspire to write your stories? Are these things that have happened to you or someone you know? Or simply issues you like to explore?
Querejeta: I think I mentioned it to someone recently, although this is not at all an autobiographical work, all the stories in the film are stories I know from close people around me or people who have been in my life. In the end, family, friendships, and everything else that happens to us and moves us, many times ends up becoming a source of inspiration.
Aguilar: What or who inspired you to write a character like Jon? This is a boy that is conflicted, yet very loyal.
Querejeta: Probably from my own son [Laughs], even though my son never did anything close to the things shown in the film, thanks God. My inspiration also came from the relationship him and me had when he was younger, and also perhaps from some of my fears at the time.
Aguilar: Can you talk about the link between the main characters? Is the generational divide something you think affects the way they interact with one another?
Querejeta: I think this has to do with trying to create adult characters, and that throughout the movie we discover that they are as troubled as the teenager “like father, like son.” We have an adult male character who is a man completely closed to life incapable of showing his feelings to others. A man who at a certain point decided to accept loneliness instead of living with his wife, and isolates himself from the world. We also have a daughter who has suffered from her father’s decisions, and who also has her own issues, like her husband’s suicide, which she ends up explaining in the film. I was interested in showing that the link between father and daughter had to with not having emotional closure.
Aguilar: On that note, do you believe Jon, who represents the youngest generation, can teach a lesson to his older counterparts?
Querejeta: Definitely. He is the character who creates the conflict that drives the film. However, in the end I think he is the sanest character [Laughs]
Aguilar: You make an effort to expose most of the characters’ relationships with their parents, including those of minor characters like Jon’s friends. What was your intention?
Querejeta:
Yes. In a sense this theme unites all these kids’ lives despite being so distinct, and economically and culturally different. There is a sequence at the beach in which Jon talks to the Ecuadorian boy about their lives, about their parents. Then he talks to the other kid who tells him “My father killed himself and mother doesn’t know it” or “My mother died of cancer” These are kids who haven’t had easy lives and that unites them.
- 1/3/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Best Foreign Language Film Oscar 2014 submissions (photo: Ziyi Zhang in ‘The Grandmaster’) (See previous post: Best Foreign Language Film Oscar: ‘The Past,’ ‘Wadjda,’ Andrzej Wajda Among Omissions) In case you missed it, here’s the full list of submissions (in alphabetical order, per country) for the 2014 Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. The list of contenders was originally announced on October 7, 2013. Of note: Saudi Arabia and Moldova were first-timers; Montenegro was a first-timer as an independent country. Afghanistan, Wajma — An Afghan Love Story, Barmak Akram, director; Albania, Agon, Robert Budina, director; Argentina, The German Doctor, Lucía Puenzo, director; Australia, The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt, director; Austria, The Wall, Julian Pölsler, director; Azerbaijan, Steppe Man, Shamil Aliyev, director; Bangladesh, Television, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, director; Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown, Felix van Groeningen, director; Bosnia and Herzegovina, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Danis Tanovic, director; Brazil, Neighboring Sounds, Kleber Mendonça Filho,...
- 12/25/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Top brass at the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) have announced a new programme on Canadian Cinema as well as the traditionally strong roster of foreign-language films eligible for the Fipresci Award in the Awards Buzz section, and Modern Masters.
The festival will screen 45 of the 76 official foreign-language Oscar submissions under the umbrella of Awards Buzz.
“We’ve selected Canadian films for a special focus at this year’s festival for many reasons, not the least of which is the wealth of talent emerging from its relatively small, indigenous film industry, and the depth and richness of story and character portrayal its films exemplify,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“Whether it’s established auteurs like Denis Coté, Denis Villenueve and Atom Egoyan, gifted actor-directors like Don McKellar and Sarah Polley or newly emerging talents like Chloé Robichaud, Craig Goodwill and Sébastien Pilote, Canadian creative ingenuity is on abundant display in its films. All of this...
The festival will screen 45 of the 76 official foreign-language Oscar submissions under the umbrella of Awards Buzz.
“We’ve selected Canadian films for a special focus at this year’s festival for many reasons, not the least of which is the wealth of talent emerging from its relatively small, indigenous film industry, and the depth and richness of story and character portrayal its films exemplify,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“Whether it’s established auteurs like Denis Coté, Denis Villenueve and Atom Egoyan, gifted actor-directors like Don McKellar and Sarah Polley or newly emerging talents like Chloé Robichaud, Craig Goodwill and Sébastien Pilote, Canadian creative ingenuity is on abundant display in its films. All of this...
- 12/12/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
15 Years + 1 Day, Spain's Submission for the Academy Award Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. U.S. : None Yet. International Sales Agent: Latido
"It takes a village to raise a child" is a phrased coined more like an understatement than literal speech. The shared responsibility of providing a new individual with the guidelines to be a member of a determined society is indeed a collective effort that parents cannot accomplish alone. Multiple sources of encouragement and advising are required to embed the young and malleable mind with the tools to abide by the desired parameters, and to function as what is seen as civilized by that group. Teachers, mentors, and relatives, all bestow onto this untainted developing person their own cognitive skills that allow them to see the world in a specific way. In Gracia Querejeta’s heartwarming and thoughtful feature 15 Years +1 Day this joined task is incredibly crucial when the protagonist disrespectful and rebellious behavior gets out of hand.
Affluent homemaker and aspiring actress Margo (Maribel Verdú) is at wit's end unable to decipher the reasons for her teenage son’s constant misbehavior. Jon (Arón Piper), is an overly confident 14 year old troublemaker, who like many kids his age seems to have a hard time dealing with authority and anyone who prevents him from doing anything as he pleases. Expelled from school for pulling hazardous pranks on teachers and after mischievously poisoning the neighbor’s dog, his mother finds herself debating what to do with him. She is left with no alternative but to send him to a coastal town with his estrange grandfather Max (Tito Valverde). Once there, Jon is forced to adapt to life without much modern technology and Max’s strict moral standards as an ex-soldier.
To fight the intolerable boredom Jon makes friends with the local kids who instantly prove to be the wrong crowd. Nelson (Pau Poch), an Ecuadorian boy, is the leader of the pack of young bandits who steal and resell goods for a living. Then there is Elsa (Sfía Mohamed), a simple-minded but caring girl who acts as the voice of reason trying to prevent the testosterone-fueled brutes from acting impulsively. Believing it would help him get back on track, Max hires Toni (Boris Cucalón), a boy accused of being homosexual, to give Jon private lessons, which doesn’t suit him well. As part of the gang now, Jon expresses his aversion towards Toni, to which hardheaded Nelson responds by retaliating against the innocent dedicated young man. The aftermath of the attack leaves Jon in a coma, another boy dead, and a mystery, which Max will try to solve against the advise of his longtime romantic interest inspector Aledo (Belén López).
In this character driven piece about the complexity of parent/children relationships, Valverde marvelously plays a man whose incapacity to act irrationally and get in touch with his emotions has led him to live in a reclusive state. Strangely enough his relationship with Jon serves as a lesson on the fact that sometimes doing the wrong thing is what is best for the heart, and that love is not ruled by any absolute principles. His performance is matched by Piper’s, as the boy whose defiance simply hides the honest and loving guy battling with hormones and trying to understand the adults’ ambivalence. Seasoned actress Verdu can certainly turn any seemingly common role into a commendable acting job. Broken and surely regretful as Margo, she exposes herself as a villain to her own child and vents into deaf ears all the wrongdoings of her past. Touching and miraculously nuanced she proves once more why she is one of the most important Spanish performers of her generation.
Immensely entertaining, the film is reminiscent of master Pedro Almodvar’s work with a less stylized but equally successful analysis of the Spanish society. There is a witty and acidic comedic tone in the dialogue and intelligently developed characters throughout, all attributed to Querejeta's sophisticated writing. She penned and directed a film about male role models with a heavily feminine point of view. This intimate piece blends the evident unresolved family feuds with a whodunit plot, both of which reinforce the idea that every person is a reflection of his/her parents’ mistakes, achievements, idiosyncrasies, and prejudices. Querejeta makes sure to inform the viewer about every character’s family dynamics, their flaws and expectations of each other, and thanks to this the story about adolescent problems transmutes into a movingly insightful exploration of parenthood. Profound and engaging 15 Years +1 Day is a story about the children’s realization that parents are imperfect creatures, and that whatever they can teach or pass on is a diluted version of their fears and fascinations rather than fixed instructions for life.
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
"It takes a village to raise a child" is a phrased coined more like an understatement than literal speech. The shared responsibility of providing a new individual with the guidelines to be a member of a determined society is indeed a collective effort that parents cannot accomplish alone. Multiple sources of encouragement and advising are required to embed the young and malleable mind with the tools to abide by the desired parameters, and to function as what is seen as civilized by that group. Teachers, mentors, and relatives, all bestow onto this untainted developing person their own cognitive skills that allow them to see the world in a specific way. In Gracia Querejeta’s heartwarming and thoughtful feature 15 Years +1 Day this joined task is incredibly crucial when the protagonist disrespectful and rebellious behavior gets out of hand.
Affluent homemaker and aspiring actress Margo (Maribel Verdú) is at wit's end unable to decipher the reasons for her teenage son’s constant misbehavior. Jon (Arón Piper), is an overly confident 14 year old troublemaker, who like many kids his age seems to have a hard time dealing with authority and anyone who prevents him from doing anything as he pleases. Expelled from school for pulling hazardous pranks on teachers and after mischievously poisoning the neighbor’s dog, his mother finds herself debating what to do with him. She is left with no alternative but to send him to a coastal town with his estrange grandfather Max (Tito Valverde). Once there, Jon is forced to adapt to life without much modern technology and Max’s strict moral standards as an ex-soldier.
To fight the intolerable boredom Jon makes friends with the local kids who instantly prove to be the wrong crowd. Nelson (Pau Poch), an Ecuadorian boy, is the leader of the pack of young bandits who steal and resell goods for a living. Then there is Elsa (Sfía Mohamed), a simple-minded but caring girl who acts as the voice of reason trying to prevent the testosterone-fueled brutes from acting impulsively. Believing it would help him get back on track, Max hires Toni (Boris Cucalón), a boy accused of being homosexual, to give Jon private lessons, which doesn’t suit him well. As part of the gang now, Jon expresses his aversion towards Toni, to which hardheaded Nelson responds by retaliating against the innocent dedicated young man. The aftermath of the attack leaves Jon in a coma, another boy dead, and a mystery, which Max will try to solve against the advise of his longtime romantic interest inspector Aledo (Belén López).
In this character driven piece about the complexity of parent/children relationships, Valverde marvelously plays a man whose incapacity to act irrationally and get in touch with his emotions has led him to live in a reclusive state. Strangely enough his relationship with Jon serves as a lesson on the fact that sometimes doing the wrong thing is what is best for the heart, and that love is not ruled by any absolute principles. His performance is matched by Piper’s, as the boy whose defiance simply hides the honest and loving guy battling with hormones and trying to understand the adults’ ambivalence. Seasoned actress Verdu can certainly turn any seemingly common role into a commendable acting job. Broken and surely regretful as Margo, she exposes herself as a villain to her own child and vents into deaf ears all the wrongdoings of her past. Touching and miraculously nuanced she proves once more why she is one of the most important Spanish performers of her generation.
Immensely entertaining, the film is reminiscent of master Pedro Almodvar’s work with a less stylized but equally successful analysis of the Spanish society. There is a witty and acidic comedic tone in the dialogue and intelligently developed characters throughout, all attributed to Querejeta's sophisticated writing. She penned and directed a film about male role models with a heavily feminine point of view. This intimate piece blends the evident unresolved family feuds with a whodunit plot, both of which reinforce the idea that every person is a reflection of his/her parents’ mistakes, achievements, idiosyncrasies, and prejudices. Querejeta makes sure to inform the viewer about every character’s family dynamics, their flaws and expectations of each other, and thanks to this the story about adolescent problems transmutes into a movingly insightful exploration of parenthood. Profound and engaging 15 Years +1 Day is a story about the children’s realization that parents are imperfect creatures, and that whatever they can teach or pass on is a diluted version of their fears and fascinations rather than fixed instructions for life.
Read more about all the 76 Best Foreign Language Film Submission for the 2014 Academy Awards...
- 12/5/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its shortlist for the 2014 Foreign Language Film Oscar — totaling a not-so-short 76 submitted films.
The number, up from 71 films last year, sets a new record for the category and includes frontrunners such as Asghar Farhadi’s The Past from Iran, Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt from Denmark, and Wong Kar-Wai’s The Grandmaster from Hong Kong. Abdellatif Kechiche’s festival favorite lesbian drama Blue Is the Warmest Color from France, however, failed to make the cut-off date for eligibility, while India controversially submitted Gyan Correa’s The Good Road over Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox.
The number, up from 71 films last year, sets a new record for the category and includes frontrunners such as Asghar Farhadi’s The Past from Iran, Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt from Denmark, and Wong Kar-Wai’s The Grandmaster from Hong Kong. Abdellatif Kechiche’s festival favorite lesbian drama Blue Is the Warmest Color from France, however, failed to make the cut-off date for eligibility, while India controversially submitted Gyan Correa’s The Good Road over Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox.
- 10/8/2013
- by Shirley Li
- EW - Inside Movies
The Academy officially announced today that a record 76 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 2014 Oscars. Among those submitting, Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants and this is the first time Montenegro has submitted a film as an independent country. Based solely on name recognition alone I'd say Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt (Denmark) and Asghar Farhadi's The Past (Iran) will be looked at as front-runners. However, I haven't only seen a few of the titles on this list, another of which is Mexico's entry, Heli from Amat Escalante. I have heard good things about Borgman (Netherlands) and it will be interesting to see how Haifaa al-Mansour's Wadjda is treated as it is a story unto itself, not to mention it seems to be receiving high marks from those that have seen it. I'm personally hoping to catch it soon...
- 10/7/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
A record 76 countries have submitted films for consideration in the foreign language film category for the 86th Academy Awards.
Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants while Montenegro is submitting for the first time as an independent country.
Earlier this year the Academy changed its rule allowing all voting members to vote on the shortlist.
The nominations will be announced on January 16 2014 and the Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 2 2014 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The 2013 submissions are:
Afghanistan, Wajma: An Afghan Love Story, Barmak Akram
Albania, Agon, Robert Budina
Argentina, Wakolda, Lucía Puenzo
Australia, The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt
Austria, The Wall, Julian Pölsler
Azerbaijan, Steppe Man, Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh, Television, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown, Felix van Groeningen
Bosnia and Herzegovina, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Danis Tanović
Brazil, Neighbouring Sounds, Kleber Mendonça Filho
Bulgaria, The Colour of the Chameleon, Emil Hristov
Cambodia...
Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants while Montenegro is submitting for the first time as an independent country.
Earlier this year the Academy changed its rule allowing all voting members to vote on the shortlist.
The nominations will be announced on January 16 2014 and the Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 2 2014 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The 2013 submissions are:
Afghanistan, Wajma: An Afghan Love Story, Barmak Akram
Albania, Agon, Robert Budina
Argentina, Wakolda, Lucía Puenzo
Australia, The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt
Austria, The Wall, Julian Pölsler
Azerbaijan, Steppe Man, Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh, Television, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown, Felix van Groeningen
Bosnia and Herzegovina, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Danis Tanović
Brazil, Neighbouring Sounds, Kleber Mendonça Filho
Bulgaria, The Colour of the Chameleon, Emil Hristov
Cambodia...
- 10/7/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has released the list of the 76 countries and their submissions officially competing for the 2014 Foreign Language Film Oscar.
Amongst the high profile entries this year are Australia's "The Rocket," Denmark's "The Hunt," France's "Renoir," Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster," Iran's "The Past," and Saudi Arabia's "Wadjda".
The nominations will be announced on January 16th 2014 ahead of the ceremony on March 2nd. Here is the complete list:
Afghanistan, "Wajma – An Afghan Love Story," Barmak Akram
Albania, "Agon," Robert Budina
Argentina, "The German Doctor," Lucía Puenzo
Australia, "The Rocket," Kim Mordaunt
Austria, "The Wall," Julian Pölsler
Azerbaijan, "Steppe Man," Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh, "Television," Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium, "The Broken Circle Breakdown," Felix van Groeningen
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker," Danis Tanovic
Brazil, "Neighboring Sounds," Kleber Mendonça Filho
Bulgaria, "The Color of the Chameleon," Emil Hristov
Cambodia, "The Missing Picture,...
Amongst the high profile entries this year are Australia's "The Rocket," Denmark's "The Hunt," France's "Renoir," Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster," Iran's "The Past," and Saudi Arabia's "Wadjda".
The nominations will be announced on January 16th 2014 ahead of the ceremony on March 2nd. Here is the complete list:
Afghanistan, "Wajma – An Afghan Love Story," Barmak Akram
Albania, "Agon," Robert Budina
Argentina, "The German Doctor," Lucía Puenzo
Australia, "The Rocket," Kim Mordaunt
Austria, "The Wall," Julian Pölsler
Azerbaijan, "Steppe Man," Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh, "Television," Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium, "The Broken Circle Breakdown," Felix van Groeningen
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker," Danis Tanovic
Brazil, "Neighboring Sounds," Kleber Mendonça Filho
Bulgaria, "The Color of the Chameleon," Emil Hristov
Cambodia, "The Missing Picture,...
- 10/7/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
A record 76 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 86th Academy Awards®.
Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants; Montenegro is submitting for the first time as an independent country.
The 2013 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Wajma – An Afghan Love Story,” Barmak Akram, director;
Albania, “Agon,” Robert Budina, director;
Argentina, “The German Doctor,” Lucía Puenzo, director;
Australia, “The Rocket,” Kim Mordaunt, director;
Austria, “The Wall,” Julian Pölsler, director;
Azerbaijan, “Steppe Man,” Shamil Aliyev, director;
Bangladesh, “Television,” Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, director;
Belgium, “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Felix van Groeningen, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker,” Danis Tanovic, director;
Brazil, “Neighboring Sounds,” Kleber Mendonça Filho, director;
Bulgaria, “The Color of the Chameleon,” Emil Hristov, director;
Cambodia, “The Missing Picture,” Rithy Panh, director;
Canada, “Gabrielle,” Louise Archambault, director;
Chad, “GriGris,” Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, director;
Chile, “Gloria,” Sebastián Lelio, director;
China, “Back to 1942,” Feng Xiaogang,...
Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants; Montenegro is submitting for the first time as an independent country.
The 2013 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Wajma – An Afghan Love Story,” Barmak Akram, director;
Albania, “Agon,” Robert Budina, director;
Argentina, “The German Doctor,” Lucía Puenzo, director;
Australia, “The Rocket,” Kim Mordaunt, director;
Austria, “The Wall,” Julian Pölsler, director;
Azerbaijan, “Steppe Man,” Shamil Aliyev, director;
Bangladesh, “Television,” Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, director;
Belgium, “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Felix van Groeningen, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker,” Danis Tanovic, director;
Brazil, “Neighboring Sounds,” Kleber Mendonça Filho, director;
Bulgaria, “The Color of the Chameleon,” Emil Hristov, director;
Cambodia, “The Missing Picture,” Rithy Panh, director;
Canada, “Gabrielle,” Louise Archambault, director;
Chad, “GriGris,” Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, director;
Chile, “Gloria,” Sebastián Lelio, director;
China, “Back to 1942,” Feng Xiaogang,...
- 10/7/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
All entries for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the Academy Awards 2014.
Submissions for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards are coming in and will continue until October, when the full list of eligible submissions will be revealed.
Last year, a record 71 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Austrian entry Amour, directed by Michael Haneke.
An initial nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 16, 2014.
Submissions
Afghanistan, Wajma: An Afghan Love Story, Barmak Akram
Albania, Agon, Robert Budina
Argentina, Wakolda, Lucía Puenzo
Australia, The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt
Austria, The Wall, Julian Pölsler
Azerbaijan, Steppe Man, Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh, Television, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown, Felix van Groeningen
Bosnia and Herzegovina, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Danis Tanović
Brazil, Neighbouring Sounds, Kleber Mendonça Filho
Bulgaria, The Colour of the Chameleon, Emil Hristov
Cambodia...
Submissions for the Best Foreign-Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards are coming in and will continue until October, when the full list of eligible submissions will be revealed.
Last year, a record 71 countries submitted features and the eventual winner was Austrian entry Amour, directed by Michael Haneke.
An initial nine finalists will be shortlisted, which will be whittled down to five nominees that will be announced on Jan 16, 2014.
Submissions
Afghanistan, Wajma: An Afghan Love Story, Barmak Akram
Albania, Agon, Robert Budina
Argentina, Wakolda, Lucía Puenzo
Australia, The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt
Austria, The Wall, Julian Pölsler
Azerbaijan, Steppe Man, Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh, Television, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium, The Broken Circle Breakdown, Felix van Groeningen
Bosnia and Herzegovina, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Danis Tanović
Brazil, Neighbouring Sounds, Kleber Mendonça Filho
Bulgaria, The Colour of the Chameleon, Emil Hristov
Cambodia...
- 10/7/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
In line with SydneysBuzz’s focus on the international film business we have put together the most complete list on the 67 national submissions to compete for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This list showcases films that have been the centerpieces of the most renowned festivals and that represent the best in the cinematic landscape from across the globe. Last year, at this point in the race the clear favorite was Palm d'Or winner Amour, which went on to win the award with no significant competition and scoring 4 other nominations including Best Picture, an outstanding feat for a foreign film about love at the end of life, by Michael Haneke.
This time around the story could have repeated almost identically with the most recent winner of Cannes’ biggest prize Blue is the Warmest Color. However, the film became one more victim of the Academy's rules, which rendered it unqualified to compete because of the late release date in France. With Blue out of the race the award is fair game for virtually anyone on the list, although there are certainly some favorites.
Saudi Arabia's first ever submission, the charming Wadjda might turn into beginners luck and score the Kingdom, in which movie theaters are banned, a nomination or even a win. Iran's audacious decision to submit the French-language The Past caused uproar among conservatives, but might certainly score the nation another nomination after their win in 2012 with the masterful A Separation. Other strong contenders are Denmark's The Hunt starring Mads Mikkelsen, and which would continue the countries streak of 3 consecutive nominations winning in 2011 with In A Better World, as well as Canada's Gabrielle about the romantic relationship of a handicapped couple, and Hong Kong’s The Grandmaster by famous director Wong Kar-wai.
Italy’s The Great Beauty, Australia’s The Rocket, Romania’s Child’s Pose, and Chile’s Gloria are among other titles that might score a nomination given their success and prominence during their festivals rounds. Some countries decided to take a chance and send audacious choices as their representation to the Academy, so is the case Mexico, a country that chose the more violent and artistically daring Cannes winner Heli, over the hit comedy Instructions Not Included, or Greece’s Boy Eating The Bird’s Food, which includes grotesque imagery that might not sit well with academy members.
The African continent is minimally represented with only 3 entries, South Africa’s Four Corners, and the Arabic-language works God’s Horses from Morocco, and Winter of Discontent from Egypt. Algeria, which has submitted regularly and even scored several nominations, is absent in this occasion. Another big omission is China who did not submit an entry but whose language is represented by Taiwan and the above-mentioned Hong Kong; equally strange is France’s decision to enter Renoir over tons of other films that could have substituted Abdellatif Kechiche.
Less surprising is Russia’s decision to submit a blockbuster-style production with a very nationalistic message in lieu of a more intimate film. On the other hand, Cambodia, Lithuania, and Switzerland decided to go with a documentary, a choice that has never been very fruitful in this category. Lastly, Israel and Palestine both entered strong candidate with Bethlehem and Omar respectively, adding with that to the great year the region has seen in the cinematic realm.
The rest of the films are a mixture of obscure titles with not much exposure outside their homelands, and a others with great premise but equally unknown quality. Thankfully for SydneysBuzz readers, the list below compiles all 67 Foreign Submissions and includes links to more information and a link to the trailer of every single one of them. For the most part the clips are subtitled; the ones that are not will at least give the reader a sense of what the film is about. As the Awards Season develops, we will have updates on predicted nominees and other developments in the race for the Best Foreign Language Film.
Argentina
The German Doctor (Wakolda)
Dir: Lucia Puenzo
Language: Spanish, German, Hebrew
U.S Release: Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Australia
The Rocket
Dir: Kim Mordaunt
Language: Lao
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin 2013: Best First Feature Film ,Tribeca 2013: World Narrative Competition
Trailer
Austria
The Wall
Dir: Julian Polsler
Language: German
U.S Release: Released by Music Box Films on May 31st, 2013
Festivals: Sitges Ff 2012 Oficial Fantastic, Mumbai Ff 2012 Int'l Competition
Trailer
Bangladesh
Television
Dir: Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Language: Bengali
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Dubai Diff 2012 (Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature Special Mention)
Trailer
Belgium
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Dir: Felix van Groeningen
Language: Flemish
U.S Release: Tribeca Film Will Release the Film on November 1st, 2013
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Panorama
Trailer
Bosnia And Herzegovina
An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker
Dir: Danis Tanović
Language: Bosnian, Romani
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 Competition, Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Brazil
Neighboring Sounds
Dir: Kleber Mendonça Filho
Language: Portuguese, Mandarin
U.S Release: Released by Cinema Guild, Now Available on Netflix streaming
Festivals:Mar Del Plata Ff 2012 Competencia Int'l, Bafici (Buenos Aires) 2013 Panorama
Trailer
Bulgaria
The Color of the Chameleon
Dir: Emil Hristov
Language: Bulgarian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Discovery, Thessaloniki Iff 2012 Int'l Competition
Trailer
Cambodia
The Missing Picture
Dir: Rithy Panh
Language: French
U.S Release: Acquired by Strand Releasing for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 - Un Certain Regard Prix, San Sebastian 2013 Pearls
Trailer
Canada
Gabrielle
Dir: Louise Archambault
Language: French
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Toronto- Tiff 2013, Locarno International Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Chile
Gloria
Dir: Sebastian Lelio
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Acquired by Roadside Attractions for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Cannes 2013, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Colombia
La Playa DC
Dir: Juan Andrés Arango
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Released by Artmattan Productions on July 19th, 2013
Festivals:Official Selection Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard, Chicago Iff 2012 New Directors Competition
Trailer
Croatia
Halima's Path
Dir: Arsen Anton Ostojić
Language: Bosnian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Tallinn Black Nights Iff 2012 - EurAsia (Special Jury Prize)
Trailer
Czech Republic
Burning Bush
Dir: Agnieszka Holland
Language: Czech
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Denmark
The Hunt
Dir: Thomas Vinterberg
Language: Danish
U.S Release: Released by Magnolia Pictures on July 12th
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Competition, Toronto - Tiff 2012, AFI Fest
Trailer
Dominican Republic
Who's the Boss?
Dir: Ronni Castillo
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Egypt
Winter of Discontent
Dir: Ibrahim el-Batout
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013
Trailer
Estonia
Free Range
Dir: Veiko Õunpuu
Language: Estonian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2012
Trailer
Finland
The Disciple
Dir: Ulrika Bengts
Language: Finnish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals:Helsinki International Film Festival, Montréal World Film Festival
Trailer
France
Renoir
Dir: Gilles Bourdos
Language: French
U.S Release: Released by Samuel Goldwyn Films on March 29th, 2013
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Georgia
In Bloom
Dir: Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß
Language: Georgian
U.S Release: Acquired by Big World Pictures for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Cicae award Berlinale Forum 2013
Trailer
Germany
Two Lives
Dir: Georg Maas
Language: German
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Cannes 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Greece
Boy Eating The Bird's Food
Dir: Ektoras Lygizos
Language: Greek
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Discovery
Trailer
Hong Kong
The Grandmaster
Dir: Wong Kar-wai
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
U.S Release: Released by The Weinstein Company on August 23rd, 2013
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013, Cannes 2013
Trailer
Hungary
The Notebook
Dir: Janosz Szasz
Language: Hungarian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Iceland
Of Horses and Men
Dir: Benedikt Erlingsson
Language: Icelandic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Sundance 2013
Trailer
India
The Good Road
Dir: Gyan Correa
Language: Gujarati
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: London Indian Film Festival in 2013
Trailer
Iran
The Past
Dir: Asghar Farhadi
Language: French, Persian
U.S Release: Sony Pictures Classics will release the film on December 20th, 2013
Festivals:Cannes 2013 Competition-Won Best Actress, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Israel
Bethlehem
Dir: Yuval Adler
Language: Hebrew
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery, Cannes 2013 , Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Italy
The Great Beauty
Dir: Paolo Sorrentino
Language: Italian
U.S Release: Acquired by Janus Films for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Berlin Efm 2013,
Trailer
Japan
The Great Passage
Dir: Yuya Ishii
Language: Japanese
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Fantasia Ff 2013 Official Selection, Cannes 2013
Trailer
Kazakhstan
The Old Man
Dir: Ermek Tursunov
Language: Russian, Kazakh
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Latvia
Mother, I Love You
Dir: Janis Nords
Language: Latvian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Los Angeles Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Lebanon
Ghadi
Dir: Amin Dora
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Lithuania
Conversations on Serious Topics
Dir: Giedrė Beinoriūtė
Language: Lithuanian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Luxembourg
Blind Spot
Dir: Christophe Wagner
Language: Luxembourgish, French
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012
Trailer
Mexico
Heli
Dir: Amat Escalante
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition-Won Best Director, San Sebastian 2013 Horizontes Latinos,
Trailer
Montenegro
Bad Destiny
Dir: Draško Đurović
Language: Serbo-Croatian
U.S Release: Acquired by Princ Films for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Toronto- Tiff 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Morocco
God's Horses
Dir: Nabil Ayouch
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Bif London Film Festival 2012
Trailer
Nepal
Soongava: Dance of the Orchids
Dir: Subarna Thapa
Language: Nepalese
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
The Netherlands
Borgman
Dir: Alex van Warmerdam
Language: Dutch
U.S Release: Acquired by Drafthouse Films for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Busan 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
New Zealand
White Lies
Dir: Dana Rotberg
Language: Maori
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Norway
I Am Yours
Dir: Iram Haq
Language: Norwegian, Urdu
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Pakistan
Zinda Bhaag
Dir: Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi
Language: Udu, Punjabi
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Palestine
Omar
Dir: Hany Abu-Assad
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Peru
The Cleaner
Dir: Adrian Saba
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Palm Springs Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival
Trailer
Philippines
Transit
Dir: Hannah Espia
Language: Filipino, Tagalog, Hebrew
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cinemalaya Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Poland
Walesa
Dir: Andrzej Wajda
Language: Polish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013, Venice- Biennale 2013
Trailer
Portugal
Lines of Wellington
Dir: Valeria Sarmiento
Language: Portuguese, English, French
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Venice - Biennale 2012 Competition, Toronto - Tiff 2012
Trailer
Romania
Child's Pose
Dir: Calin Peter Netzer
Language: Romanian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Competition (Golden Bear for the Best Film), Toronto - Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Russia
Stalingrad
Dir: Fedor Bondarchuk
Language: Russian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Saudi Arabia
Wadjda
Dir: Haifaa al-Mansour
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Released by Sony Pictures Classics on September 13th, 2013
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Venice International Film Festival 2012, Los Angeles Film Festival, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Serbia
Circles
Dir: Srdan Golubovic
Language: Serbian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlinale - Efm 2013 Forum, Cannes 2013
Trailer
Singapore
Ilo Ilo
Dir: Anthony Chen
Language: Mandarin, Hokkien, English, Tagalog
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Directors Fortnight, Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery
Trailer
Slovakia
My Dog Killer
Dir: Mira Fornay
Language: Slovak
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Cannes 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Slovenia
Class Enemy
Dir: Rok Biček
Language: Slovene
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Spain
15 Years and One Day
Dir: Gracia Querejeta
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: San Sebastian 2013 Made in Spain, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
South Africa
Four Corners
Dir: Ian Gabriel
Language: Afrikaans, Tsotsitaal
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals:N/A
Trailer
South Korea
Juvenile Offender
Dir: Kang Yi-kwan
Language: Korean
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Contemporary World Cinema,
Trailer
Sweden
Eat Sleep Die
Dir: Gabriela Pichler
Language: Swedish, Croatian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Venice International Film Festival 2012, Toronto - Tiff 2012
Trailer
Switzerland
More Than Honey
Dir: Markus Imhoof
Language: German, Mandarin
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Tiff Docs, Cannes 2013, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Taiwan
Soul
Dir: Mong-Hong Chung
Language: Mandarin
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Toronto - Tiff 2013 Vanguard
Trailer
Thailand
Countdown
Dir: Nattawut Poonpiriya
Language: Thai
U.S Release: Acquired by Birch Tree Entertainment for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Far East Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Turkey
The Butterfly's Dream
Dir: Yılmaz Erdoğan
Language: Turkish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Istanbul Film Festival, Los Angeles Turkish Film Festival
Trailer
Ukraine
Paradjanov
Dir: Serge Avedikian and Olena Fetisova
Language: Russian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto 2013
Trailer
United Kingdom
Metro Manila
Dir: Sean Elllis
Language: Filipino, Tagalog
U.S Release: Acquired by Paladin/108 Media for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlin Efm 2012, Cannes 2012, Afm 2012, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Venezuela
Breach in the Silence
Dir: Luis and Andrés Rodríguez
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Ventana Sur 2012, Festival de Mar del Plata "Panorama Latinomaericano"
Trailer...
This time around the story could have repeated almost identically with the most recent winner of Cannes’ biggest prize Blue is the Warmest Color. However, the film became one more victim of the Academy's rules, which rendered it unqualified to compete because of the late release date in France. With Blue out of the race the award is fair game for virtually anyone on the list, although there are certainly some favorites.
Saudi Arabia's first ever submission, the charming Wadjda might turn into beginners luck and score the Kingdom, in which movie theaters are banned, a nomination or even a win. Iran's audacious decision to submit the French-language The Past caused uproar among conservatives, but might certainly score the nation another nomination after their win in 2012 with the masterful A Separation. Other strong contenders are Denmark's The Hunt starring Mads Mikkelsen, and which would continue the countries streak of 3 consecutive nominations winning in 2011 with In A Better World, as well as Canada's Gabrielle about the romantic relationship of a handicapped couple, and Hong Kong’s The Grandmaster by famous director Wong Kar-wai.
Italy’s The Great Beauty, Australia’s The Rocket, Romania’s Child’s Pose, and Chile’s Gloria are among other titles that might score a nomination given their success and prominence during their festivals rounds. Some countries decided to take a chance and send audacious choices as their representation to the Academy, so is the case Mexico, a country that chose the more violent and artistically daring Cannes winner Heli, over the hit comedy Instructions Not Included, or Greece’s Boy Eating The Bird’s Food, which includes grotesque imagery that might not sit well with academy members.
The African continent is minimally represented with only 3 entries, South Africa’s Four Corners, and the Arabic-language works God’s Horses from Morocco, and Winter of Discontent from Egypt. Algeria, which has submitted regularly and even scored several nominations, is absent in this occasion. Another big omission is China who did not submit an entry but whose language is represented by Taiwan and the above-mentioned Hong Kong; equally strange is France’s decision to enter Renoir over tons of other films that could have substituted Abdellatif Kechiche.
Less surprising is Russia’s decision to submit a blockbuster-style production with a very nationalistic message in lieu of a more intimate film. On the other hand, Cambodia, Lithuania, and Switzerland decided to go with a documentary, a choice that has never been very fruitful in this category. Lastly, Israel and Palestine both entered strong candidate with Bethlehem and Omar respectively, adding with that to the great year the region has seen in the cinematic realm.
The rest of the films are a mixture of obscure titles with not much exposure outside their homelands, and a others with great premise but equally unknown quality. Thankfully for SydneysBuzz readers, the list below compiles all 67 Foreign Submissions and includes links to more information and a link to the trailer of every single one of them. For the most part the clips are subtitled; the ones that are not will at least give the reader a sense of what the film is about. As the Awards Season develops, we will have updates on predicted nominees and other developments in the race for the Best Foreign Language Film.
Argentina
The German Doctor (Wakolda)
Dir: Lucia Puenzo
Language: Spanish, German, Hebrew
U.S Release: Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Australia
The Rocket
Dir: Kim Mordaunt
Language: Lao
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin 2013: Best First Feature Film ,Tribeca 2013: World Narrative Competition
Trailer
Austria
The Wall
Dir: Julian Polsler
Language: German
U.S Release: Released by Music Box Films on May 31st, 2013
Festivals: Sitges Ff 2012 Oficial Fantastic, Mumbai Ff 2012 Int'l Competition
Trailer
Bangladesh
Television
Dir: Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Language: Bengali
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Dubai Diff 2012 (Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature Special Mention)
Trailer
Belgium
The Broken Circle Breakdown
Dir: Felix van Groeningen
Language: Flemish
U.S Release: Tribeca Film Will Release the Film on November 1st, 2013
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Panorama
Trailer
Bosnia And Herzegovina
An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker
Dir: Danis Tanović
Language: Bosnian, Romani
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 Competition, Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Brazil
Neighboring Sounds
Dir: Kleber Mendonça Filho
Language: Portuguese, Mandarin
U.S Release: Released by Cinema Guild, Now Available on Netflix streaming
Festivals:Mar Del Plata Ff 2012 Competencia Int'l, Bafici (Buenos Aires) 2013 Panorama
Trailer
Bulgaria
The Color of the Chameleon
Dir: Emil Hristov
Language: Bulgarian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Discovery, Thessaloniki Iff 2012 Int'l Competition
Trailer
Cambodia
The Missing Picture
Dir: Rithy Panh
Language: French
U.S Release: Acquired by Strand Releasing for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 - Un Certain Regard Prix, San Sebastian 2013 Pearls
Trailer
Canada
Gabrielle
Dir: Louise Archambault
Language: French
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Toronto- Tiff 2013, Locarno International Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Chile
Gloria
Dir: Sebastian Lelio
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Acquired by Roadside Attractions for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Cannes 2013, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Colombia
La Playa DC
Dir: Juan Andrés Arango
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Released by Artmattan Productions on July 19th, 2013
Festivals:Official Selection Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard, Chicago Iff 2012 New Directors Competition
Trailer
Croatia
Halima's Path
Dir: Arsen Anton Ostojić
Language: Bosnian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Tallinn Black Nights Iff 2012 - EurAsia (Special Jury Prize)
Trailer
Czech Republic
Burning Bush
Dir: Agnieszka Holland
Language: Czech
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Denmark
The Hunt
Dir: Thomas Vinterberg
Language: Danish
U.S Release: Released by Magnolia Pictures on July 12th
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Competition, Toronto - Tiff 2012, AFI Fest
Trailer
Dominican Republic
Who's the Boss?
Dir: Ronni Castillo
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Egypt
Winter of Discontent
Dir: Ibrahim el-Batout
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013
Trailer
Estonia
Free Range
Dir: Veiko Õunpuu
Language: Estonian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2012
Trailer
Finland
The Disciple
Dir: Ulrika Bengts
Language: Finnish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals:Helsinki International Film Festival, Montréal World Film Festival
Trailer
France
Renoir
Dir: Gilles Bourdos
Language: French
U.S Release: Released by Samuel Goldwyn Films on March 29th, 2013
Festivals: Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard
Trailer
Georgia
In Bloom
Dir: Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß
Language: Georgian
U.S Release: Acquired by Big World Pictures for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Cicae award Berlinale Forum 2013
Trailer
Germany
Two Lives
Dir: Georg Maas
Language: German
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Cannes 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Greece
Boy Eating The Bird's Food
Dir: Ektoras Lygizos
Language: Greek
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Discovery
Trailer
Hong Kong
The Grandmaster
Dir: Wong Kar-wai
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin
U.S Release: Released by The Weinstein Company on August 23rd, 2013
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013, Cannes 2013
Trailer
Hungary
The Notebook
Dir: Janosz Szasz
Language: Hungarian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Iceland
Of Horses and Men
Dir: Benedikt Erlingsson
Language: Icelandic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Sundance 2013
Trailer
India
The Good Road
Dir: Gyan Correa
Language: Gujarati
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: London Indian Film Festival in 2013
Trailer
Iran
The Past
Dir: Asghar Farhadi
Language: French, Persian
U.S Release: Sony Pictures Classics will release the film on December 20th, 2013
Festivals:Cannes 2013 Competition-Won Best Actress, Toronto - Tiff 2013
Trailer
Israel
Bethlehem
Dir: Yuval Adler
Language: Hebrew
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery, Cannes 2013 , Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Italy
The Great Beauty
Dir: Paolo Sorrentino
Language: Italian
U.S Release: Acquired by Janus Films for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Berlin Efm 2013,
Trailer
Japan
The Great Passage
Dir: Yuya Ishii
Language: Japanese
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Fantasia Ff 2013 Official Selection, Cannes 2013
Trailer
Kazakhstan
The Old Man
Dir: Ermek Tursunov
Language: Russian, Kazakh
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Latvia
Mother, I Love You
Dir: Janis Nords
Language: Latvian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Los Angeles Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Lebanon
Ghadi
Dir: Amin Dora
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Lithuania
Conversations on Serious Topics
Dir: Giedrė Beinoriūtė
Language: Lithuanian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Luxembourg
Blind Spot
Dir: Christophe Wagner
Language: Luxembourgish, French
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012
Trailer
Mexico
Heli
Dir: Amat Escalante
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition-Won Best Director, San Sebastian 2013 Horizontes Latinos,
Trailer
Montenegro
Bad Destiny
Dir: Draško Đurović
Language: Serbo-Croatian
U.S Release: Acquired by Princ Films for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Toronto- Tiff 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Morocco
God's Horses
Dir: Nabil Ayouch
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Bif London Film Festival 2012
Trailer
Nepal
Soongava: Dance of the Orchids
Dir: Subarna Thapa
Language: Nepalese
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
The Netherlands
Borgman
Dir: Alex van Warmerdam
Language: Dutch
U.S Release: Acquired by Drafthouse Films for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Competition, Busan 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
New Zealand
White Lies
Dir: Dana Rotberg
Language: Maori
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Norway
I Am Yours
Dir: Iram Haq
Language: Norwegian, Urdu
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Pakistan
Zinda Bhaag
Dir: Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi
Language: Udu, Punjabi
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Palestine
Omar
Dir: Hany Abu-Assad
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Un Certain Regard, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Peru
The Cleaner
Dir: Adrian Saba
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Palm Springs Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival
Trailer
Philippines
Transit
Dir: Hannah Espia
Language: Filipino, Tagalog, Hebrew
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cinemalaya Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Poland
Walesa
Dir: Andrzej Wajda
Language: Polish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2013, Venice- Biennale 2013
Trailer
Portugal
Lines of Wellington
Dir: Valeria Sarmiento
Language: Portuguese, English, French
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Venice - Biennale 2012 Competition, Toronto - Tiff 2012
Trailer
Romania
Child's Pose
Dir: Calin Peter Netzer
Language: Romanian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlinale - Efm 2013 - Competition (Golden Bear for the Best Film), Toronto - Tiff 2013 Contemporary World Cinema
Trailer
Russia
Stalingrad
Dir: Fedor Bondarchuk
Language: Russian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: N/A
Trailer
Saudi Arabia
Wadjda
Dir: Haifaa al-Mansour
Language: Arabic
U.S Release: Released by Sony Pictures Classics on September 13th, 2013
Festivals: Cannes 2012, Venice International Film Festival 2012, Los Angeles Film Festival, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Serbia
Circles
Dir: Srdan Golubovic
Language: Serbian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlinale - Efm 2013 Forum, Cannes 2013
Trailer
Singapore
Ilo Ilo
Dir: Anthony Chen
Language: Mandarin, Hokkien, English, Tagalog
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013 Directors Fortnight, Toronto - Tiff 2013 Discovery
Trailer
Slovakia
My Dog Killer
Dir: Mira Fornay
Language: Slovak
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Berlin Efm 2013, Cannes 2013, Busan 2013
Trailer
Slovenia
Class Enemy
Dir: Rok Biček
Language: Slovene
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Toronto-tiff 2013
Trailer
Spain
15 Years and One Day
Dir: Gracia Querejeta
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: San Sebastian 2013 Made in Spain, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
South Africa
Four Corners
Dir: Ian Gabriel
Language: Afrikaans, Tsotsitaal
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals:N/A
Trailer
South Korea
Juvenile Offender
Dir: Kang Yi-kwan
Language: Korean
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Contemporary World Cinema,
Trailer
Sweden
Eat Sleep Die
Dir: Gabriela Pichler
Language: Swedish, Croatian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Venice International Film Festival 2012, Toronto - Tiff 2012
Trailer
Switzerland
More Than Honey
Dir: Markus Imhoof
Language: German, Mandarin
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto - Tiff 2012 Tiff Docs, Cannes 2013, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Taiwan
Soul
Dir: Mong-Hong Chung
Language: Mandarin
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Toronto - Tiff 2013 Vanguard
Trailer
Thailand
Countdown
Dir: Nattawut Poonpiriya
Language: Thai
U.S Release: Acquired by Birch Tree Entertainment for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Cannes 2013, Far East Film Festival 2013
Trailer
Turkey
The Butterfly's Dream
Dir: Yılmaz Erdoğan
Language: Turkish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Istanbul Film Festival, Los Angeles Turkish Film Festival
Trailer
Ukraine
Paradjanov
Dir: Serge Avedikian and Olena Fetisova
Language: Russian
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Toronto 2013
Trailer
United Kingdom
Metro Manila
Dir: Sean Elllis
Language: Filipino, Tagalog
U.S Release: Acquired by Paladin/108 Media for U.S Distribution
Festivals: Sundance 2013 World Dramatic, Berlin Efm 2012, Cannes 2012, Afm 2012, Berlin Efm 2013
Trailer
Venezuela
Breach in the Silence
Dir: Luis and Andrés Rodríguez
Language: Spanish
U.S Release: Tba
Festivals: Ventana Sur 2012, Festival de Mar del Plata "Panorama Latinomaericano"
Trailer...
- 10/3/2013
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Denmark Selects 'The Hunt' & Hong Kong 'Grandmaster' as Foreign List for the 2014 Oscars Grows to 57
It had been a while since I last updated the list of films submitted for the 2014 Oscar race for Best Foreign Language Feature, but today I bring you 21 new titles as the list has now grown to 57 total films. Perhaps the most notable of the films added today is Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt starring Mads Mikkelsen. The film played the 2012 Cannes Film Festival but it wasn't released in the Netherlands until late October last year, which means it missed the eligibility date by about a month. The Hunt won Mikkelsen the award for Best Actor in Cannes last year and I finally saw it earlier this year, calling it "one of the best films of the year" with a "masterclass performance from Mikkelsen." You can read my full review here. Additional titles worth of note include Hong Kong's submission of Wong Kar-wai's The Grandmaster and Italy's submission of...
- 9/26/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Paolo Sorrentino’s Cannes Palme d’Or-nominated drama The Great Beauty (La grande bellezza) chosen by Italy as its entry for the Best Foreign-Language Oscar.
The Great Beauty (La grande bellezza), by director Paolo Sorrentino, has been submitted by Italy for the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
Review: The Great Beauty
Click here for Best Foreign-Language Film Academy Award submissions 2013
The film reunites Sorrentino with Il Divo star Toni Servillo in the story of a jaded, ageing writer who tries to resuscitate his career but is floundering in high life parties and the memory of a former love.
It was considered a frontrunner for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May; won five Silver Ribbons at the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists awards; and a Globi d’Oro (Golden Globes) for Luca Bigazzi’s cinematography.
The Great Beauty marks the first Oscar submission for Sorrentino, who has screened five of his features in Competition...
The Great Beauty (La grande bellezza), by director Paolo Sorrentino, has been submitted by Italy for the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
Review: The Great Beauty
Click here for Best Foreign-Language Film Academy Award submissions 2013
The film reunites Sorrentino with Il Divo star Toni Servillo in the story of a jaded, ageing writer who tries to resuscitate his career but is floundering in high life parties and the memory of a former love.
It was considered a frontrunner for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May; won five Silver Ribbons at the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists awards; and a Globi d’Oro (Golden Globes) for Luca Bigazzi’s cinematography.
The Great Beauty marks the first Oscar submission for Sorrentino, who has screened five of his features in Competition...
- 9/25/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
San Sebastian, Spain – Gracia Querejeta’s 15 Years and One Day will represent Spain in the foreign language Oscar race, the Spanish Film Academy announced Wednesday. The drama, starring Maribel Verdu, beat out Manuel Martin Cuenca’s Cannibal, Sanchez Arevalo’s La Gran Familia Espanola and Santiago Zannou’s Alacrán enamorado for the coveted spot. Photos: 100 Oscars Gowns The film won rave reviews for Verdu's performance as a mother navigating her relationship with her son in the shadow of her own mother. "We know what it is to win an Oscar and what it takes to do so," the film's producer Gerardo Herrero told journalists
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- 9/25/2013
- by Pamela Rolfe
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WikiLeaks founder to judge films at the 21st Raindance Film Festival; 2013 line-up unveiled.Scroll down for full line-up of films
Julian Assange has joined the jury of the 21st Raindance Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 6), a London-based event that celebrates independent film in the UK and around the world.
The appointment is a controversial one. The Australian editor-in-chief and founder of WikiLeaks took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about sexual assault allegations.
It is understood that he fears Sweden would extradite him to the Us, where he believes he is wanted in relation to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a significant amount of classified Us military and diplomatic documents.
Commenting on Assange’s appointment, Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Every year Raindance invites interesting people to join our jury. In the past we have had musicians like Mick Jones, Marky Ramone and [link...
Julian Assange has joined the jury of the 21st Raindance Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 6), a London-based event that celebrates independent film in the UK and around the world.
The appointment is a controversial one. The Australian editor-in-chief and founder of WikiLeaks took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about sexual assault allegations.
It is understood that he fears Sweden would extradite him to the Us, where he believes he is wanted in relation to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a significant amount of classified Us military and diplomatic documents.
Commenting on Assange’s appointment, Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Every year Raindance invites interesting people to join our jury. In the past we have had musicians like Mick Jones, Marky Ramone and [link...
- 9/3/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Films include Almodovar’s I’m So Excited and Coixet’s Yesterday Never Ends.
A total of 11 Spanish films have selected for the Made in Spain section of the 61st San Sebastian Festival (Sept 20-28).
The selection includes:
15 Años Y Un Día (15 Years + 1 Day)
Gracia Querejeta
The latest film from Gracia Querejeta won four awards at the Malaga Film Festival, including Best Film. The relationship between a conflictive teenager and his grandfather Max, a retired soldier. When Jon is expelled from school, Marga, his mother, decides to pack him off to Max in the hope that he will bring him back into line. The two will confront their limitations and their fears.
Los Amantes Pasajeros (I’m So Excited)
Pedro Almodóvar
In his latest film, Pedro Almodóvar brings us a very mixed bag of travellers in a life-threatening situation on board a plane flying to Mexico City. Their defenselessness in the face of danger provokes a general...
A total of 11 Spanish films have selected for the Made in Spain section of the 61st San Sebastian Festival (Sept 20-28).
The selection includes:
15 Años Y Un Día (15 Years + 1 Day)
Gracia Querejeta
The latest film from Gracia Querejeta won four awards at the Malaga Film Festival, including Best Film. The relationship between a conflictive teenager and his grandfather Max, a retired soldier. When Jon is expelled from school, Marga, his mother, decides to pack him off to Max in the hope that he will bring him back into line. The two will confront their limitations and their fears.
Los Amantes Pasajeros (I’m So Excited)
Pedro Almodóvar
In his latest film, Pedro Almodóvar brings us a very mixed bag of travellers in a life-threatening situation on board a plane flying to Mexico City. Their defenselessness in the face of danger provokes a general...
- 8/29/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Spanish films made more at the international box office than domestically, according to a report released at the annual Madrid de Cine.
Pedro Pérez, president of Spanish producers association Fape, said it was the fourth consecutive year that Spanish films had collected more box office takings outside of the country’s borders.
International takings were $200m in 2012 compared with $157m in Spain.
The data was collected by Fapae, Rentrak and the European Audiovisual Observatory.
The number of Spanish films exhibited internationally rose to 28.2% and the amount of prints distributed grew by 57.7%.
Italy screened the most Spanish films (37) while the biggest box office takings were in Mexico, which generated $23.6m from Spanish movies.
The Fapae-Rentrak award for the most successful Spanish film abroad went to the producers of tsunami drama The Impossible: Enrique Lavigne and Belén Atienza for Apaches Entertainment and Ghislain Barrois and Alvaro Agustín for TeleCinco.
English-language co-productions proved lucrative for the Spanish film industry...
Pedro Pérez, president of Spanish producers association Fape, said it was the fourth consecutive year that Spanish films had collected more box office takings outside of the country’s borders.
International takings were $200m in 2012 compared with $157m in Spain.
The data was collected by Fapae, Rentrak and the European Audiovisual Observatory.
The number of Spanish films exhibited internationally rose to 28.2% and the amount of prints distributed grew by 57.7%.
Italy screened the most Spanish films (37) while the biggest box office takings were in Mexico, which generated $23.6m from Spanish movies.
The Fapae-Rentrak award for the most successful Spanish film abroad went to the producers of tsunami drama The Impossible: Enrique Lavigne and Belén Atienza for Apaches Entertainment and Ghislain Barrois and Alvaro Agustín for TeleCinco.
English-language co-productions proved lucrative for the Spanish film industry...
- 6/19/2013
- by jsardafr@hotmail.com (Juan Sarda)
- ScreenDaily
Spain is all set to select its film for the Oscars by short listing three films Gracia Querejeta’s “Seven Billiards Tables,” Jose Luis Cuerda’s “The Blind Sunflowers” and Jose Luis Garci’s “Sangre de mayo.”
The Spain Academy will announce their choice on September 26 th.
Billiards may have a head start over the rest of the films. Unlike the other two films it has already got some good mileage at some Festivals, with the lead actress Blanca Portillo taking actress at 2007’s San Sebastian festival.
The film also gave Maribel Verdu and supporting actress Amparo Baro nods at the Spanish academy Goyas.
Another film that is set a year after the Spanish Civil War called Sunflowers,...
(more...)...
The Spain Academy will announce their choice on September 26 th.
Billiards may have a head start over the rest of the films. Unlike the other two films it has already got some good mileage at some Festivals, with the lead actress Blanca Portillo taking actress at 2007’s San Sebastian festival.
The film also gave Maribel Verdu and supporting actress Amparo Baro nods at the Spanish academy Goyas.
Another film that is set a year after the Spanish Civil War called Sunflowers,...
(more...)...
- 9/17/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
MADRID -- Jaime Rosales' Festival de Cannes entry La Soledad walked away from the Spanish Film Academy's Goya Awards ceremony with the top honors, but the night undoubtedly belonged to Juan Antonio Bayona's directorial debut, The Orphanage.
Rosales took home the Goya for director, beating Gracia Querejeta for Siete mesas de billar frances, Emilio Martinez-Lazaro for 13 roses and Iciar Bollain for Mataharis.
"We live in a frenetic society, and that is time that we are stealing from our children," Rosales said.
His film focusing on loneliness and what he called "polyvision" triumphed over Roses, Seven Billiards Tables and Orphanage for Spain's top honor of the night.
"The richness of our cinema is in its diversity, and I dedicate this award to the people that are just starting out in cinema," said Wanda Vision president Jose Maria Morales, producer of Soledad.
But Bayona's haunting tale of a woman's return to the orphanage where she lived as a child -- distributed in the U.S. by Picturehouse -- crowned its winning trot around the globe throughout 2007's festival season with seven statues, including best new director, original screenplay, production design, artistic director, makeup and hair, sound and special effects.
Querejeta's Billiards was hands-down the winner in actress performances, giving Maribel Verdu her first acting Goya after four previous unsuccessful nominations -- including for last year's for Pan's Labyrinth.
The lead actor nod went to Alberto San Juan for his part in Bajo las Estrellas, which also gave Felix Viscarret the adapted screenply award.
Rosales took home the Goya for director, beating Gracia Querejeta for Siete mesas de billar frances, Emilio Martinez-Lazaro for 13 roses and Iciar Bollain for Mataharis.
"We live in a frenetic society, and that is time that we are stealing from our children," Rosales said.
His film focusing on loneliness and what he called "polyvision" triumphed over Roses, Seven Billiards Tables and Orphanage for Spain's top honor of the night.
"The richness of our cinema is in its diversity, and I dedicate this award to the people that are just starting out in cinema," said Wanda Vision president Jose Maria Morales, producer of Soledad.
But Bayona's haunting tale of a woman's return to the orphanage where she lived as a child -- distributed in the U.S. by Picturehouse -- crowned its winning trot around the globe throughout 2007's festival season with seven statues, including best new director, original screenplay, production design, artistic director, makeup and hair, sound and special effects.
Querejeta's Billiards was hands-down the winner in actress performances, giving Maribel Verdu her first acting Goya after four previous unsuccessful nominations -- including for last year's for Pan's Labyrinth.
The lead actor nod went to Alberto San Juan for his part in Bajo las Estrellas, which also gave Felix Viscarret the adapted screenply award.
- Juan Antonio Bayona’s The Orphanage (receiving its U.S release on December 28th) and Emilio Martinez Lazaro’s 13 Roses have been nominated for a whopping 14 nominations apiece for the 2007 'Spanish Oscars' also known as the Goyas. Here the complete rundown of the categories. The 22nd Goya Awards will take place on the first weekend in February. And The Nominees Are... Picture"The Orphanage""Solitary Fragments""13 Roses""Seven Billiards Tables"ACTRESSBlanca Portillo, "Seven Billiards Tables"Belen Rueda, "The Orphanage"Emma Suarez, "Under the Stars"Maribel Verdu, "Seven Billiards Tables"ACTORAlfredo Landa, "Sunday Light"Alvaro de Luna, "El prado de las estrellas"Alberto San Juan, "Under the Stars"Tristan Ulloa, "Mataharis"Supporting ACTRESSAmparo Baro, "Seven Billiards Tables"Geraldine Chaplin, "The Orphanage"Nuria Gonzalez, "Mataharis"Maria Vazquez, “Mataharis”Supporting ACTORRaul Arevalo, "Seven Billiards Tables"Jose Manuel Cervino, "13 Roses"Julian Villagran, "Under the Stars"Emilio Gutierrez Cava, " Suso's Tower"Carlos Larranaga, "Sunday Light"Breakthrough Performance,
- 12/17/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
San Sebastian, Spain -- Wayne Wang's U.S. film A Thousand Years of Good Prayers won the Golden Shell at the 55th San Sebastian International Film Festival, official jury chair Paul Auster said Saturday.
Henry O. took the best actor honor for his portrayal in Prayers, which centers on a Chinese widower who visits his recently divorced only daughter in the U.S. Blanca Portillo picked up the actress prize for her role in Gracia Querejeta's 7 Billiards Tables, from Spain.
Nick Broomfield won best director for his U.K. docudrama The Battle for Haditha, about the war landscape in Iraq.
The 18-year-old Hana Makhmalbaf saw her directorial debut, Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame (Iran-France) -- which centers on a 6-year-old girl's efforts to learn the alphabet in Afghanistan -- take the special jury prize. The jury said the "first feature by a extremely young director impressed the jury with its exquisite cinematography and the remarkable performance by the child actress Nikbakht Noruz."
The jury called Shame "a promising debut by a filmmaker whom we hope will go on to create important works in the future."
Makhmalbaf also won the newly created Other Look Award, sponsored by Spanish pubcaster Television Espanola, which supports the film that best depicts the "female universe" by acquiring Spanish broadcast rights.
Henry O. took the best actor honor for his portrayal in Prayers, which centers on a Chinese widower who visits his recently divorced only daughter in the U.S. Blanca Portillo picked up the actress prize for her role in Gracia Querejeta's 7 Billiards Tables, from Spain.
Nick Broomfield won best director for his U.K. docudrama The Battle for Haditha, about the war landscape in Iraq.
The 18-year-old Hana Makhmalbaf saw her directorial debut, Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame (Iran-France) -- which centers on a 6-year-old girl's efforts to learn the alphabet in Afghanistan -- take the special jury prize. The jury said the "first feature by a extremely young director impressed the jury with its exquisite cinematography and the remarkable performance by the child actress Nikbakht Noruz."
The jury called Shame "a promising debut by a filmmaker whom we hope will go on to create important works in the future."
Makhmalbaf also won the newly created Other Look Award, sponsored by Spanish pubcaster Television Espanola, which supports the film that best depicts the "female universe" by acquiring Spanish broadcast rights.
- 10/1/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MADRID -- Two of Spain's key female directors, Iciar Bollain and Gracia Querejeta, will provide the only Spanish films in the San Sebastian International Film Festival's Official Section, organizers said Friday as they revealed the first titles for this year's edition.
Bollain, whose "Take My Eyes" was a San Sebastian favorite in 2003 and earned acting awards for Luis Tosar and Laia Marull, will see her much-anticipated "Mataharis" vie for the festival's top honor, the Golden Shell.
"Mataharis" stars Najwa Nimri and Tristan Ulloa in a detective story that leads beyond the thin line that protects the public from the private domain into the intimacy to their own secrets.
With "Seven French Billiard Tables, Querejeta follows her 1999 appearance at the festival with "Cuando vuelvas a mi lado", which won the directorial special mention and best photography nod.
"Billiard" is Querejeta's fifth feature and tells of a woman forced to rebuild her life after her father's death and her husband's strange disappearance.
Bollain, whose "Take My Eyes" was a San Sebastian favorite in 2003 and earned acting awards for Luis Tosar and Laia Marull, will see her much-anticipated "Mataharis" vie for the festival's top honor, the Golden Shell.
"Mataharis" stars Najwa Nimri and Tristan Ulloa in a detective story that leads beyond the thin line that protects the public from the private domain into the intimacy to their own secrets.
With "Seven French Billiard Tables, Querejeta follows her 1999 appearance at the festival with "Cuando vuelvas a mi lado", which won the directorial special mention and best photography nod.
"Billiard" is Querejeta's fifth feature and tells of a woman forced to rebuild her life after her father's death and her husband's strange disappearance.
MADRID -- Spanish media group DeaPlaneta on Thursday announced its first feature production, the psychological thriller Hipnos, to be directed by David Carreras. Hipnos will be Planeta's first exclusive production after the restructuring that created the Pau Calpe-headed division DeaPlaneta Film Production. The company has been co-producer on two previous projects, Gracia Querejeta's Hector and Salvador Garcia Ruiz's Night Voices. The film, set to start shooting in September in Spain, will star Cristina Brondo, Feodor Atkine, Demian Bichir and Carlos Lasarte and will cost 2.5 million ($2.8 million).
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