Hulu will launch all six episodes of the BBC Studios series The Famous Five on Friday, May 31. The show is based on Enid Blyton’s bestselling novels.
The Famous Five follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger, and astounding secrets.
George, Julian, Dick, Anne, and their dog Timmy are young and fearless. Each has their own unique personality. But when thrown together, they become unstoppable.
The charming series is built as a summertime adventure, with kids in charge of their own treasure hunt. The children’s novels have sold 600 million copies around the world.
The Famous Five stars Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen (Foundation), Flora Jacoby Richardson, James Lance (Ted Lasso), and Ann Aknjirin.
The guest stars include Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones), Diana Quick, William Abadie, Ed Speleers, Nora Arnezeder, Jason Flemyng (Pennyworth), and Art Malik (Homeland).
The series was...
The Famous Five follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger, and astounding secrets.
George, Julian, Dick, Anne, and their dog Timmy are young and fearless. Each has their own unique personality. But when thrown together, they become unstoppable.
The charming series is built as a summertime adventure, with kids in charge of their own treasure hunt. The children’s novels have sold 600 million copies around the world.
The Famous Five stars Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen (Foundation), Flora Jacoby Richardson, James Lance (Ted Lasso), and Ann Aknjirin.
The guest stars include Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones), Diana Quick, William Abadie, Ed Speleers, Nora Arnezeder, Jason Flemyng (Pennyworth), and Art Malik (Homeland).
The series was...
- 5/16/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
The Mediapro Studios has boarded Nicolas Winding Refn’s reimaginging of The Famous Five.
The Madrid-based content house has struck a production deal with BBC Studios includes distribution rights to the upcoming kids series in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
The series is a retelling of the bestselling Enid Blyton novels published between 1942 ands 1963, and comes from Winding Refn’s byNWR and BBC Studios-backed indie Moonage Pictures, which is behind The Pursuit of Love and Bodies, with The Mediapro Studio now an associate producer.
Danish auteur Winding Refn co-created the series with Moonage’s Matthew Read, and both are exec producers. It is being made for the BBC in the UK and Zdf in Germany, with BBC Studios already pre-selling it to France’s TF1.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline ahead of Mipcom Cannes in October, where The Famous Five launched, Winding Refn said he...
The Madrid-based content house has struck a production deal with BBC Studios includes distribution rights to the upcoming kids series in Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
The series is a retelling of the bestselling Enid Blyton novels published between 1942 ands 1963, and comes from Winding Refn’s byNWR and BBC Studios-backed indie Moonage Pictures, which is behind The Pursuit of Love and Bodies, with The Mediapro Studio now an associate producer.
Danish auteur Winding Refn co-created the series with Moonage’s Matthew Read, and both are exec producers. It is being made for the BBC in the UK and Zdf in Germany, with BBC Studios already pre-selling it to France’s TF1.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline ahead of Mipcom Cannes in October, where The Famous Five launched, Winding Refn said he...
- 12/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Enid Blyton’s iconic series of adventure novels, “The Famous Five,” is being made into a TV series, thanks to a pact forged by the BBC Studios, Germany’s Zdf and Spain’s The Mediapro Studio, in the latter’s continued bid to partner in more English-language productions.
Produced by Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn’s byNWR, the series is an ambitious adaptation of the iconic children’s adventure novels by the English author.
Said The Mediapro Studio CEO Laura Fernández Espeso: “This significant agreement with BBC Studios to co-produce forward ‘The Famous Five’ aligns seamlessly with our objective of augmenting English-language content production at the company.”
“It not only contributes to our international expansion but also solidifies a partnership with an exceptionally prestigious collaborator, engaging in a major production inspired by a literary saga of immense global acclaim,” she added. The Mediapro Studio will hold distribution rights to Spain,...
Produced by Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn’s byNWR, the series is an ambitious adaptation of the iconic children’s adventure novels by the English author.
Said The Mediapro Studio CEO Laura Fernández Espeso: “This significant agreement with BBC Studios to co-produce forward ‘The Famous Five’ aligns seamlessly with our objective of augmenting English-language content production at the company.”
“It not only contributes to our international expansion but also solidifies a partnership with an exceptionally prestigious collaborator, engaging in a major production inspired by a literary saga of immense global acclaim,” she added. The Mediapro Studio will hold distribution rights to Spain,...
- 12/21/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
The inaugural animation scheme cohort has also been unveiled.
Aftersun director Charlotte Wells and Limbo filmmaker Ben Sharrock are among the 2024 mentors taking part in Glasgow Film Festival’s (Gff) New Talent Mentorship Scheme, that runs as part of Gff’s Industry Focus.
Fellow mentors are Avengers: Endgame assistant director Mark Rossi, Bad Sisters writer Ailbhe Keogan, writer-director Asim Abbasi; producer Sarah Drummond and filmmakers Louis Paxton and Michael Lee Richardson.
The scheme is funded by the William Grant Foundation, for emerging screen professionals from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the industry.
Gff is also running its inaugural animation talent development project Animatic,...
Aftersun director Charlotte Wells and Limbo filmmaker Ben Sharrock are among the 2024 mentors taking part in Glasgow Film Festival’s (Gff) New Talent Mentorship Scheme, that runs as part of Gff’s Industry Focus.
Fellow mentors are Avengers: Endgame assistant director Mark Rossi, Bad Sisters writer Ailbhe Keogan, writer-director Asim Abbasi; producer Sarah Drummond and filmmakers Louis Paxton and Michael Lee Richardson.
The scheme is funded by the William Grant Foundation, for emerging screen professionals from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the industry.
Gff is also running its inaugural animation talent development project Animatic,...
- 12/14/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Prolific Indian studio Applause Entertainment and Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent-focused programming block on streamer ZEE5 Global, have set a wide-ranging content partnership.
The partnership will create South Asian-themed content from across the subcontinent. The initial burst of productions will be in the Hindustani (combining Hindi and Urdu) language that is understood across the subcontinent. Production will then expand into some of the other local languages.
The partnership reunites former Star India colleagues Sameer Nair, managing director of Applause and Shailja Kejriwal, chief creative officer of special projects at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, who greenlit Pakistan-themed shows “Churails,” “Dhoop Ki Deewar,” and “Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam” and “Ladies & Gentlemen” from Bangladesh.
Though there is an existing platform in Zindagi, the partnership will follow the Applause practice of commissioning and producing series and films and then look to licence them. Development has been in progress for the past eight months and...
The partnership will create South Asian-themed content from across the subcontinent. The initial burst of productions will be in the Hindustani (combining Hindi and Urdu) language that is understood across the subcontinent. Production will then expand into some of the other local languages.
The partnership reunites former Star India colleagues Sameer Nair, managing director of Applause and Shailja Kejriwal, chief creative officer of special projects at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, who greenlit Pakistan-themed shows “Churails,” “Dhoop Ki Deewar,” and “Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam” and “Ladies & Gentlemen” from Bangladesh.
Though there is an existing platform in Zindagi, the partnership will follow the Applause practice of commissioning and producing series and films and then look to licence them. Development has been in progress for the past eight months and...
- 9/6/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Casting
Casting for the beloved “Famous Five” stories of Enid Blyton, which are being reimagined for the BBC and Zdf by Nicolas Winding Refn, has been revealed.
Diaana Babnicova is playing the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage.
Making up the fifth member of the “Famous Five” is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog. The cast also includes Jack Gleeson (“Game of Thrones”), Ann Akinjirin (“Moon Knight”), James Lance (“Ted Lasso”) and Diana Quick (“Father Brown”).
The 3 x 90′ series is based on the 21 “Famous Five” novels and short stories Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963. The series follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It is created for television and executive produced by Winding Refn (byNWR...
Casting for the beloved “Famous Five” stories of Enid Blyton, which are being reimagined for the BBC and Zdf by Nicolas Winding Refn, has been revealed.
Diaana Babnicova is playing the role of George, alongside Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, playing George’s cousins who come to stay at Kirrin Cottage.
Making up the fifth member of the “Famous Five” is Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross playing Timmy the dog. The cast also includes Jack Gleeson (“Game of Thrones”), Ann Akinjirin (“Moon Knight”), James Lance (“Ted Lasso”) and Diana Quick (“Father Brown”).
The 3 x 90′ series is based on the 21 “Famous Five” novels and short stories Blyton wrote between 1942 and 1963. The series follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It is created for television and executive produced by Winding Refn (byNWR...
- 7/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Series Mania has always been about discovery: Of drama series as an art form, in its early days from launch in 2009; then of key players on a burgeoning international premium TV scene.
Series Mania’s International Panorama now catches a new wave of creatives transitioning from film to scripted TV – Israel’s Yaron Shani with “Innermost,” Spain’s Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo with episodes of “Apagón”; and highlights notable emerging auteurs: Denmark’s Kasper Møller Rask, Canada’s Alexis Durand-Brault, Spain’s Fran Araujo, Pakistan’s Assim Abassi and Germany’s Jakob and Jonas Weydemann.
But for having already bowed at national festivals, some of the 12 titles below could well have been in the running for a Competition berth.
Below, the Series Mania’s rich 2023 International Panorama:
“Apagón,” (“Offworld,” Spain)
One of Variety’s Best International TV Shows of 2022, a realistic, sophisticated disaster thriller from Movistar+ and Buendía Estudios...
Series Mania’s International Panorama now catches a new wave of creatives transitioning from film to scripted TV – Israel’s Yaron Shani with “Innermost,” Spain’s Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo with episodes of “Apagón”; and highlights notable emerging auteurs: Denmark’s Kasper Møller Rask, Canada’s Alexis Durand-Brault, Spain’s Fran Araujo, Pakistan’s Assim Abassi and Germany’s Jakob and Jonas Weydemann.
But for having already bowed at national festivals, some of the 12 titles below could well have been in the running for a Competition berth.
Below, the Series Mania’s rich 2023 International Panorama:
“Apagón,” (“Offworld,” Spain)
One of Variety’s Best International TV Shows of 2022, a realistic, sophisticated disaster thriller from Movistar+ and Buendía Estudios...
- 3/18/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Mumbai, March 18 (Ians) The first poster of Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed-starrer family drama ‘Barzakh’ was unveiled at the ongoing Series Mania Festival, where the show is set to have its global premiere.
Prior to its world premiere at the Series Mania Festival, the creators of Zindagi original show ‘Barzakh’, starring actors Fawad and Sanam unveiled the show poster in the French city of Lille.
‘Barzakh’ is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first original Churails and the feature film Cake. Gracing the event were writer-director Asim Abbasi, actor Sanam Saeed, and Producer Shailja Kejriwal.
‘Barzakh’ has the distinct honour of being the only series selected from South Asia. The series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury, and audience awards.
A family drama...
Prior to its world premiere at the Series Mania Festival, the creators of Zindagi original show ‘Barzakh’, starring actors Fawad and Sanam unveiled the show poster in the French city of Lille.
‘Barzakh’ is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first original Churails and the feature film Cake. Gracing the event were writer-director Asim Abbasi, actor Sanam Saeed, and Producer Shailja Kejriwal.
‘Barzakh’ has the distinct honour of being the only series selected from South Asia. The series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury, and audience awards.
A family drama...
- 3/18/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
A poster has been unveiled for “Barzakh,” starring top Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed.
The only South Asian selection at Series Mania this year, the series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury and audience awards.
“Barzakh” (6 x 58′) is produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal for Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent focused programming block on streamer ZEE5 Global. It is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails” and the feature film “Cake.”
A family drama centred around an elderly man’s quest for love, “Barzakh” explores intergenerational trauma between fathers and sons. The narrative is framed within a fantastical world of supernatural beings and otherworldly events that reveal the chasms between life, death and rebirth.
Khan portrays the role of...
The only South Asian selection at Series Mania this year, the series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury and audience awards.
“Barzakh” (6 x 58′) is produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal for Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent focused programming block on streamer ZEE5 Global. It is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails” and the feature film “Cake.”
A family drama centred around an elderly man’s quest for love, “Barzakh” explores intergenerational trauma between fathers and sons. The narrative is framed within a fantastical world of supernatural beings and otherworldly events that reveal the chasms between life, death and rebirth.
Khan portrays the role of...
- 3/17/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The 2023 London Screenings, which unfold Feb. 27 to March 3, take place in an increasingly crowded international TV calendar. The event kicks off just days after the Berlinale Series Market, overlaps with the BBC Studios Showcase and precedes Series Mania and MipTV.
The week-long showcase has established itself as a key place to acquire the best of British and international programming. All major global TV distributors, spanning 26 companies, have a plethora of content to offer across genres and formats, and a series of screenings, meetings and events have been lined up.
To help you cut through the slates, Variety has surveyed the goods from key international distributors. Here are our picks of 15 shows that will whet buyers’ appetites.
A Body That Works
(Keshet International)
“A Body That Works”
An intense triangle involving love, jealousy, desire and selflessness sees a childless couple enlist the help of a surrogate to conceive. At the heart...
The week-long showcase has established itself as a key place to acquire the best of British and international programming. All major global TV distributors, spanning 26 companies, have a plethora of content to offer across genres and formats, and a series of screenings, meetings and events have been lined up.
To help you cut through the slates, Variety has surveyed the goods from key international distributors. Here are our picks of 15 shows that will whet buyers’ appetites.
A Body That Works
(Keshet International)
“A Body That Works”
An intense triangle involving love, jealousy, desire and selflessness sees a childless couple enlist the help of a surrogate to conceive. At the heart...
- 2/24/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Pakistani actor-singer Fawad Khan along with Sanam Saeed will be seen in the upcoming series ‘Barzakh. Directed by Asim Abbasi, the show is set to have its global premiere at the illustrious Series Mania festival in Lille, France, in March.
In the series, Fawad plays a single parent while Sanam plays the central female character who is mysterious as well as compassionate.
‘Barzakh’ is the only selection from South Asia at the festival. The web series will be screened as part of International Panorama line-up, a 12-title competitive section. It has aso been nominated in several categories such as Best Series, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor as well as the Student Jury award and the Audience award.
Thrilled at the selection, director Asim Abbasi said, “At its core, ‘Barzakh’ is a family drama framed within a world of supernatural beings and other worldly events. The genesis of the story...
In the series, Fawad plays a single parent while Sanam plays the central female character who is mysterious as well as compassionate.
‘Barzakh’ is the only selection from South Asia at the festival. The web series will be screened as part of International Panorama line-up, a 12-title competitive section. It has aso been nominated in several categories such as Best Series, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor as well as the Student Jury award and the Audience award.
Thrilled at the selection, director Asim Abbasi said, “At its core, ‘Barzakh’ is a family drama framed within a world of supernatural beings and other worldly events. The genesis of the story...
- 2/8/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
“Barzakh,” starring top Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, is the only South Asian selection at Series Mania this year.
The series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury and audience awards.
“Barzakh” (6 X 58′) is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails” and the feature film “Cake.” It is produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal for Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent focused programming block on streamer ZEE5 Global.
The series is a family drama centered around an elderly man’s quest for love. It explores intergenerational trauma between fathers and sons. The narrative is framed within a fantastical world of supernatural beings and otherworldly events that reveal the chasms between life, death and rebirth.
“What does it mean to be human?...
The series will debut in the showcase’s International Panorama, a 12-title competitive section where it will be eligible for the best series, director, actress, actor, student jury and audience awards.
“Barzakh” (6 X 58′) is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails” and the feature film “Cake.” It is produced by Waqas Hassan and Shailja Kejriwal for Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent focused programming block on streamer ZEE5 Global.
The series is a family drama centered around an elderly man’s quest for love. It explores intergenerational trauma between fathers and sons. The narrative is framed within a fantastical world of supernatural beings and otherworldly events that reveal the chasms between life, death and rebirth.
“What does it mean to be human?...
- 2/8/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV has unveiled a slate of new comedy commissions, most of which will premiere on Itvx, its upcoming free streaming service.
New comedy titles include “Plebs: Soldiers of Rome,” “Deep Fake Neighbour Wars,” “Ruby Speaking Count,” “Abdulla” and “Significant Other.”
“The arrival of Itvx gives us more opportunities to commission a broad range of comedies and a dedicated place for the genre to call home,” said Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy. The executive added that ITV aspired to showcase a “huge cross section of contemporary, diverse and inclusive comedy.”
“We want to take risks but most importantly we want our audiences to find shows that reflect them and make them laugh,” Hughes continued.
“Plebs: Soldiers of Rome” is a a feature-length special based on the award-winning comedy series “Plebs” which has had five successful seasons. “Plebs” is directed and written by Sam Leifer and co-written by Tom Basden.
New comedy titles include “Plebs: Soldiers of Rome,” “Deep Fake Neighbour Wars,” “Ruby Speaking Count,” “Abdulla” and “Significant Other.”
“The arrival of Itvx gives us more opportunities to commission a broad range of comedies and a dedicated place for the genre to call home,” said Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy. The executive added that ITV aspired to showcase a “huge cross section of contemporary, diverse and inclusive comedy.”
“We want to take risks but most importantly we want our audiences to find shows that reflect them and make them laugh,” Hughes continued.
“Plebs: Soldiers of Rome” is a a feature-length special based on the award-winning comedy series “Plebs” which has had five successful seasons. “Plebs” is directed and written by Sam Leifer and co-written by Tom Basden.
- 8/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Top Pakistani stars Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed have wrapped shooting an as-yet-untitled series for Zindagi, the Indian subcontinent focused programming block on streamer ZEE5 Global.
The series, which blends magical realism and supernatural fantasy with a family reunion, is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails” and the feature film “Cake.”
Khan plays a single parent who, with his son, tries to be every bit the father his own father wasn’t. Saeed plays the central female character in the series. Harbouring otherworldly secrets, she takes it upon herself to heal, and make whole, everyone who surrounds her.
The series was shot on location in Karachi and the picturesque Hunza valley.
“This is a very personal project for me. The shoot which spanned over five months has been the most challenging experience of my life but also the most rewarding,...
The series, which blends magical realism and supernatural fantasy with a family reunion, is helmed by critically acclaimed director Asim Abbasi who also directed Zindagi’s first Pakistani original “Churails” and the feature film “Cake.”
Khan plays a single parent who, with his son, tries to be every bit the father his own father wasn’t. Saeed plays the central female character in the series. Harbouring otherworldly secrets, she takes it upon herself to heal, and make whole, everyone who surrounds her.
The series was shot on location in Karachi and the picturesque Hunza valley.
“This is a very personal project for me. The shoot which spanned over five months has been the most challenging experience of my life but also the most rewarding,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
EntertainmentWhile mainstream cinema is slowly changing its portrayal of gender norms, it's nowhere close to what's available online.Tnm StaffThe explosion of content on Over-the-Top (Ott) platforms has meant that there's a wide variety of options when it comes to entertainment. Whatever be the genre or language, viewers are spoilt for choice on online streaming platforms. It's no different when it comes to feminist content. Mainstream cinema in India has largely been disappointing when it comes to the representation of women, mostly conforming to gender norms and patriarchal attitudes. While this is slowly changing, it's still nowhere as close to the kind of content that's available online. Here's a list of web series that will make a feminist viewer happy, and not want to tear their hair out. Churails (Zee5): This show is from Pakistan and is about a motley group of women in Karachi who come together to start a detective agency.
- 9/16/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
2019 Foreign Language Film Oscar Submissions Algeria – Until The End Of Time – Yasmine Chouikh Argentina– The Angel (El Angel) – Luis Ortega Austria – The Waldheim Waltz – Ruth Beckermann Belarus – Crystal Swan – Darya Zhuk Belgium – Girl – Lukas Dhont Bolivia – Muralla – Rodrigo Patiño Bosnia – Never Leave Me – Aida Begic Brazil – The Great Mystical Circus – Carlos Diegues Bulgaria – Omnipresent – Ilian Djevelekov Cambodia – Graves Without A Name – Rithy Pan Canada – Watch Dog – Sophie Dupuis Chile – And Suddenly The Dawn – Silvio Caiozzi Colombia– Birds of Passage, Cristina Gallego & Ciro Guerra Croatia – The Eighth Commissioner – Ivan Salaj Czech Republic – Winter Flies – Olmo Omerzu Denmark – The Guilty – Gustav Möller Dominican Republic – Cocote – Nelson Carlo de los Santos Ecuador – A Son Of Man – Jamaicanoproblem and Pablo Agüero Egypt – Yomeddine – Abu Bakr Shawky Estonia – Take It Or Leave It – Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo Finland – Euthanizer – Teemu Nikin France – Memoir Of War – Emmanuel Finkiel Georgia – Namme – Zaza Khalvashi Germany – Never Look Away – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck...
- 8/21/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Hamza Bangash is a Pakistani – Canadian writer, director, and producer based in Karachi. His short Dia (2018) had it’s World Premiere at Locarno, following a critically-acclaimed tour over a dozen festivals. He is an alum of Locarno Open Doors (2018) and of the inaugural Talents from Afghanistan-Pakistan Fellowship by Prince Claus Fund and Goethe Institute (2017-2018).
On the occasion of his latest film, “1978” screening at Locarno Film Festival, we speak with him about the Karachi of the 70s, the political situation in Pakistan, the music and the visuals of the film, Norman D’Souza, and many other topics.
Why did you decide to shoot a film that takes place in 1978, and why to base the protagonist on Norman D’Souza? Has he watched the film? What did he think?
The idea to do a period film came after I met with Rashid Maqsood Hamidi, 1978’s Executive producer. He grew up in the 70’s in Pakistan,...
On the occasion of his latest film, “1978” screening at Locarno Film Festival, we speak with him about the Karachi of the 70s, the political situation in Pakistan, the music and the visuals of the film, Norman D’Souza, and many other topics.
Why did you decide to shoot a film that takes place in 1978, and why to base the protagonist on Norman D’Souza? Has he watched the film? What did he think?
The idea to do a period film came after I met with Rashid Maqsood Hamidi, 1978’s Executive producer. He grew up in the 70’s in Pakistan,...
- 8/12/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
She who takes ownership of her life and is unapologetic of her being. She who breaks the glass ceiling and every prejudice that society has created against women. She who is strong, she who is fierce, she stands for what she believes in… she is a ‘Churail’.
ZEE5 Global announces the launch of the first Zindagi original, Churails streaming from 11th August onwards. The show aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights.
Directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker, Asim Abbasi, Churails brings together a talented cast led by Sarwat Gilani Mirza, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano and Yasra Rizvi for this power-packed narrative.
Churails narrates the story of four self-proclaimed Churails who come together to open a covert detective agency to expose cheating husbands amongst the city’s elite. As their operations expand, they come to be saviours of abused, harassed and mistreated women. The...
ZEE5 Global announces the launch of the first Zindagi original, Churails streaming from 11th August onwards. The show aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights.
Directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker, Asim Abbasi, Churails brings together a talented cast led by Sarwat Gilani Mirza, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano and Yasra Rizvi for this power-packed narrative.
Churails narrates the story of four self-proclaimed Churails who come together to open a covert detective agency to expose cheating husbands amongst the city’s elite. As their operations expand, they come to be saviours of abused, harassed and mistreated women. The...
- 7/31/2020
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Review'Cake', now streaming on Netflix, was created by debutant writer-director Asim Abbasi.Saraswati DatarCake. It comes in different shapes and sizes, colours and textures. The icing on top can often conceal what lies underneath, or whether the cake is actually as delicious as it looks. Quite like families. They are always around, whether physically or in spirit. Each one is different, but they are all familiarly comforting when enjoyed in small slices. Cake, now streaming on Netflix, is co-produced by Indus Talkies and Zab films. Debutant writer-director Asim Abbasi creates a layered drama that seems inspired by realistic Bollywood films like Piku for its visual treatment, and possibly the Hollywood comedy-drama Hanging up (2000) where three sisters are reunited as their difficult father nears his end. Set in Karachi, Cake tells the story of estranged siblings Zareen (Aamina Sheikh) and Zara (Sanam Saeed) who are forced to reconnect when their father is rushed to the hospital.
- 5/31/2019
- by Nikhita Venugopal
- The News Minute
The early money might be on Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” (Mexico) and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War” (Poland), but Asia appears to have a real shot at the Oscar foreign-language category, with a mixture of heavy-hitters and dark horses from an eclectic line-up.
The continent’s frontrunner is easily Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Palme d’Or winner “Shoplifters.” The film follows a family of petty thieves and the repercussions that ensue after they take in a waif. Moving, eloquent, and with an emphasis on the family unit, this is a film that could sway even the most cynical. The film will also benefit from its Magnolia Pictures’ release in the U.S.
From South Korea, Lee Chang-dong’s “Burning,” winner of the Fipresci Prize at Cannes, is mesmerising. Beginning as a frustrated youth drama, it gradually moves into missing-person thriller territory, culminating in a cathartic finale. The film is...
The continent’s frontrunner is easily Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Palme d’Or winner “Shoplifters.” The film follows a family of petty thieves and the repercussions that ensue after they take in a waif. Moving, eloquent, and with an emphasis on the family unit, this is a film that could sway even the most cynical. The film will also benefit from its Magnolia Pictures’ release in the U.S.
From South Korea, Lee Chang-dong’s “Burning,” winner of the Fipresci Prize at Cannes, is mesmerising. Beginning as a frustrated youth drama, it gradually moves into missing-person thriller territory, culminating in a cathartic finale. The film is...
- 11/8/2018
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Previously: All 87 foreign language film contenders, all the trailers we could find (we're missing just two) along with screening information, and the 20 female directors submitted. Okay, part four now...
Debut Directors
First time's the charm. 26 of the 87 films Oscar-submitted by their home country are for directors making their debut. That's an extraordinary honor if you stop to think about it! Would you like to meet them? That's rhetorical as I'll hope you'll click ahead to do so...
Asim Abbasi is a Pakistani director making his feature debut with Cake. He previously made short films. You can follow him on Twitter.
More newbies after the jump...
Debut Directors
First time's the charm. 26 of the 87 films Oscar-submitted by their home country are for directors making their debut. That's an extraordinary honor if you stop to think about it! Would you like to meet them? That's rhetorical as I'll hope you'll click ahead to do so...
Asim Abbasi is a Pakistani director making his feature debut with Cake. He previously made short films. You can follow him on Twitter.
More newbies after the jump...
- 10/10/2018
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for consideration in the foreign language category for the 91st Academy Awards.
Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 and the ceremony will be held on Feb. 24 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Malawi and Niger are first-time entrants. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Monday.
High-profile titles include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Mexican entry; Denmark’s “The Guilty”; Germany’s “Never Look Away,” from previous Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” the Japanese entry that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival; Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” the Cannes jury prize winner from Lebanon; and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” the Cannes best director prize winner from Poland.
The 2018 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director;
Argentina, “El Ángel,...
Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 and the ceremony will be held on Feb. 24 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Malawi and Niger are first-time entrants. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Monday.
High-profile titles include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Mexican entry; Denmark’s “The Guilty”; Germany’s “Never Look Away,” from previous Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” the Japanese entry that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival; Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” the Cannes jury prize winner from Lebanon; and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” the Cannes best director prize winner from Poland.
The 2018 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director;
Argentina, “El Ángel,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the official list of submissions for the 2019 Oscar for best foreign language film. There are 87 countries vying for the prize this awards season, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger. Included among the titles are high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s “Roma” and Poland’s “Cold War,” both of which are vying to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director, and more.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
“Cake,” by first time feature director Asim Abbasi, has been named as Pakistan’s contender for the Oscars foreign-language category. It was released in its home territory to critical acclaim and box office success in March 2018.
Set amidst the affluent section of Karachi society, the film follows a family scattered all over the world that comes together when their aged parents fall ill. The film stars Pakistani superstars Aamina Shaikh and Sanam Saeed.
The selection was made by the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee, led by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, two-time Oscar winner for “A Girl In The River: The Price of Forgiveness” and “Saving Face,” both in the documentary short subject category.
After a hiatus of several decades, Pakistan resumed submitting films to the foreign language category in 2013 with “Zinda Bhaag.” The country is yet to secure a nomination in the category.
Set amidst the affluent section of Karachi society, the film follows a family scattered all over the world that comes together when their aged parents fall ill. The film stars Pakistani superstars Aamina Shaikh and Sanam Saeed.
The selection was made by the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee, led by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, two-time Oscar winner for “A Girl In The River: The Price of Forgiveness” and “Saving Face,” both in the documentary short subject category.
After a hiatus of several decades, Pakistan resumed submitting films to the foreign language category in 2013 with “Zinda Bhaag.” The country is yet to secure a nomination in the category.
- 9/18/2018
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Pakistan has selected Asim Abbasi's debut feature Cake as its submission for best foreign-language film at the Oscars.
Set in Karachi, one of Pakistan's biggest cities, Cake follows the lives of two sisters, one who lives abroad and the other who remains at home caring for their parents.
When the health of their parents worsens, the overseas sister returns home, where guilty secrets and hidden resentments are revealed as they struggle to find a way to heal family divisions.
Abassi says the film reflects a new trend in Pakistani cinema and that he hopes "we always find the ...
Set in Karachi, one of Pakistan's biggest cities, Cake follows the lives of two sisters, one who lives abroad and the other who remains at home caring for their parents.
When the health of their parents worsens, the overseas sister returns home, where guilty secrets and hidden resentments are revealed as they struggle to find a way to heal family divisions.
Abassi says the film reflects a new trend in Pakistani cinema and that he hopes "we always find the ...
- 9/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pakistan has selected Asim Abbasi's debut feature Cake as its submission for best foreign-language film at the Oscars.
Set in Karachi, one of Pakistan's biggest cities, Cake follows the lives of two sisters, one who lives abroad and the other who remains at home caring for their parents.
When the health of their parents worsens, the overseas sister returns home, where guilty secrets and hidden resentments are revealed as they struggle to find a way to heal family divisions.
Abassi says the film reflects a new trend in Pakistani cinema and that he hopes "we always find the ...
Set in Karachi, one of Pakistan's biggest cities, Cake follows the lives of two sisters, one who lives abroad and the other who remains at home caring for their parents.
When the health of their parents worsens, the overseas sister returns home, where guilty secrets and hidden resentments are revealed as they struggle to find a way to heal family divisions.
Abassi says the film reflects a new trend in Pakistani cinema and that he hopes "we always find the ...
- 9/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/18/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Asim Abbasi’s assured debut about a pair of siblings reunited around their father’s sickbed is richly realised
Pakistani cinema has long struggled to match its Indian cousin’s commercial reach, but this impressive debut from Asim Abbasi feels like a sound bet, and even quietly revolutionary in places.
Abbasi here revitalises a trope beloved of mawkish Bollywood melodrama – two thirtysomething sisters, reunited around an ailing father’s sickbed – by addressing the fallout with the deft, novelistic realism of a New Bollywood item such as Piku (2015). Uncommonly alert to small, telling details, while more expansive in its attitudes, the result proves far richer and worldlier than anything previously observed coming down the Khyber Pass.
Pakistani cinema has long struggled to match its Indian cousin’s commercial reach, but this impressive debut from Asim Abbasi feels like a sound bet, and even quietly revolutionary in places.
Abbasi here revitalises a trope beloved of mawkish Bollywood melodrama – two thirtysomething sisters, reunited around an ailing father’s sickbed – by addressing the fallout with the deft, novelistic realism of a New Bollywood item such as Piku (2015). Uncommonly alert to small, telling details, while more expansive in its attitudes, the result proves far richer and worldlier than anything previously observed coming down the Khyber Pass.
- 3/29/2018
- by Mike McCahill
- The Guardian - Film News
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