Celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, MK2 has figured prominently in the international film business since its creation in 1974 by Marin Karmitz forty years ago. Founded by Marin Karmitz and now managed by his son Nathaniel, MK2 was involved in virtually all aspects of the industry from production, distribution, international sales, restoration, and even owns and manages several arthouse movie theaters that focus on opening spaces for new voices and fresh talent from an independent background. However, today, I was sadly told by a fellow French man, MK2 no longer produces or distributes except for a few films it picks up for international licensing in order to stay in the game. Its revenues from its theaters keep it going.
MK2 does an impressive catalogue of films for distribution in territories across the globe. Among the titles in its collection are films from some of the greatest names in cinema: Claude Chabrol, Jean-Luc Godard, Alain Resnais, Jacques Doillon, Olivier Assayas, Abdellatif Kechiche, Charlie Chaplin, David Lynch, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Abbas Kiarostami, Gus Van Sant, Michael Haneke, and Walter Salles.
Always present at all major festivals, and often associated with the winning films, ML2 brings to the Efm a new slate of projects in many stages, from completed films to those that are still in production. Their restorations of classic films open new audiences to experience cinema of the highest quality.
Completed Films
Hotell
Directed by: Lisa Langseth
Erika is a beautiful young woman with a perfect life. Until the day it all falls apart. She starts going to group therapy and meets other people suffering from various forms of trauma. One day this eclectic group decides to take matters into its own hands and heads off together in search of a way out. They start checking into hotels – a place of complete anonymity where you can wake up as a different person.
Gerontophilia
Directed by: Bruce Labruce
18-year-old Lake has a sweet activist girlfriend, but one day discovers he has an unusual attraction for the elderly. Fate conspires to land him a summer job at a nursing home where he develops a tender relationship with Mr. Peabody. Discovering that the patients are being over-medicated to make them easier to manage, Lake decides to wean him off his
medication and help him escape, resulting in a humorous and heartfelt road trip that strengthens their bond.
Tom at the Farm
Directed by: Xavier Dolan
Tom, a young advertising copywriter, travels to the country for a funeral. There, he’s shocked to find out no one knows who he is, nor who he was to the deceased, whose brother soon sets the rules of a twisted game. In order to protect the family’s name and grieving mother, Tom now has to play the peacekeeper in a household whose obscure past bodes even greater darkness for his «trip» to the farm. Long ways, long lies…
In Post-production
Clouds of Sils Maria
Directed by: Olivier Assayas
At the peak of her international career, Maria Enders ( Juliette Binoche) is asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous twenty years ago. But back then she played the role of Sigrid, an alluring young girl who disarms and eventually drives her boss Helena to suicide. Now she is being asked to step into the other role, that of the older Helena. She departs with her assistant ( Kristen Stewart) to rehearse in Sils Maria; a remote region of the Alps. A young Hollywood starlet with a penchant for scandal (Chloë Grace Moretz) is to take on the role of Sigrid, and Maria finds herself on the other side of the mirror, face to face with an ambiguously charming woman who is, in essence, an unsettling reflection of herself.
Still the Water
Directed by: Naomi Kawase
On the subtropical Japanese island of Amami, traditions about nature remain eternal. During the full-moon night of traditional dances in August, 14-year-old Kaito discovers a dead body floating in the sea. His girlfriend Kyoko will attempt to help him understand this mysterious discovery. Together, Kaito and Kyoko will learn to become adults by experiencing the interwoven cycles of life, death and love.
In Production
Argentina
Directed by: Carlos Saura
Argentina plunges us into the heart of traditional Argentine music, via a succession of choreographed tableaux retracing a history rich in métissage. With a unique approach to its mise en scene, documentary images from different regions of Argentina gracefully mixed with awe-inspiring traditional songs, performed by the greatest singers in the country. Both poetic and fascinating, Carlos Saura calls on the entire history of the country set to the tune of guitars and accordions.
Charles Chaplin: The Legend of a Century
Directed by: Frédéric Martin
On February 7th 1914, Charlie Chaplin wore for the first time the costume, the hat and the cane that made him one of the most famous movie characters in the history of cinema: the little Tramp. One hundred years later, this documentary was granted the privilege by MK2 to use extensively personal footage of Chaplin with his family and all documents, letters and personal belongings available. Archive material that count for more than 15 minutes in the 52 minutes version and up to 25 minutes in the 90 minutes version.
2K Restorations
MK2 has several restored classics to commemorate Charles Chaplin 125th Birthday and the 100th birthday of his most iconic character "The Tram". The restored films include The Kid, A Woman of Paris, The Gold Rush, The Great Dictator, among others. The company's latest batch of timeless works in HD also includes many films by French master François Truffaut, and 3 emblematic French New Wave Films by Marin Karmitz.
MK2 does an impressive catalogue of films for distribution in territories across the globe. Among the titles in its collection are films from some of the greatest names in cinema: Claude Chabrol, Jean-Luc Godard, Alain Resnais, Jacques Doillon, Olivier Assayas, Abdellatif Kechiche, Charlie Chaplin, David Lynch, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Abbas Kiarostami, Gus Van Sant, Michael Haneke, and Walter Salles.
Always present at all major festivals, and often associated with the winning films, ML2 brings to the Efm a new slate of projects in many stages, from completed films to those that are still in production. Their restorations of classic films open new audiences to experience cinema of the highest quality.
Completed Films
Hotell
Directed by: Lisa Langseth
Erika is a beautiful young woman with a perfect life. Until the day it all falls apart. She starts going to group therapy and meets other people suffering from various forms of trauma. One day this eclectic group decides to take matters into its own hands and heads off together in search of a way out. They start checking into hotels – a place of complete anonymity where you can wake up as a different person.
Gerontophilia
Directed by: Bruce Labruce
18-year-old Lake has a sweet activist girlfriend, but one day discovers he has an unusual attraction for the elderly. Fate conspires to land him a summer job at a nursing home where he develops a tender relationship with Mr. Peabody. Discovering that the patients are being over-medicated to make them easier to manage, Lake decides to wean him off his
medication and help him escape, resulting in a humorous and heartfelt road trip that strengthens their bond.
Tom at the Farm
Directed by: Xavier Dolan
Tom, a young advertising copywriter, travels to the country for a funeral. There, he’s shocked to find out no one knows who he is, nor who he was to the deceased, whose brother soon sets the rules of a twisted game. In order to protect the family’s name and grieving mother, Tom now has to play the peacekeeper in a household whose obscure past bodes even greater darkness for his «trip» to the farm. Long ways, long lies…
In Post-production
Clouds of Sils Maria
Directed by: Olivier Assayas
At the peak of her international career, Maria Enders ( Juliette Binoche) is asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous twenty years ago. But back then she played the role of Sigrid, an alluring young girl who disarms and eventually drives her boss Helena to suicide. Now she is being asked to step into the other role, that of the older Helena. She departs with her assistant ( Kristen Stewart) to rehearse in Sils Maria; a remote region of the Alps. A young Hollywood starlet with a penchant for scandal (Chloë Grace Moretz) is to take on the role of Sigrid, and Maria finds herself on the other side of the mirror, face to face with an ambiguously charming woman who is, in essence, an unsettling reflection of herself.
Still the Water
Directed by: Naomi Kawase
On the subtropical Japanese island of Amami, traditions about nature remain eternal. During the full-moon night of traditional dances in August, 14-year-old Kaito discovers a dead body floating in the sea. His girlfriend Kyoko will attempt to help him understand this mysterious discovery. Together, Kaito and Kyoko will learn to become adults by experiencing the interwoven cycles of life, death and love.
In Production
Argentina
Directed by: Carlos Saura
Argentina plunges us into the heart of traditional Argentine music, via a succession of choreographed tableaux retracing a history rich in métissage. With a unique approach to its mise en scene, documentary images from different regions of Argentina gracefully mixed with awe-inspiring traditional songs, performed by the greatest singers in the country. Both poetic and fascinating, Carlos Saura calls on the entire history of the country set to the tune of guitars and accordions.
Charles Chaplin: The Legend of a Century
Directed by: Frédéric Martin
On February 7th 1914, Charlie Chaplin wore for the first time the costume, the hat and the cane that made him one of the most famous movie characters in the history of cinema: the little Tramp. One hundred years later, this documentary was granted the privilege by MK2 to use extensively personal footage of Chaplin with his family and all documents, letters and personal belongings available. Archive material that count for more than 15 minutes in the 52 minutes version and up to 25 minutes in the 90 minutes version.
2K Restorations
MK2 has several restored classics to commemorate Charles Chaplin 125th Birthday and the 100th birthday of his most iconic character "The Tram". The restored films include The Kid, A Woman of Paris, The Gold Rush, The Great Dictator, among others. The company's latest batch of timeless works in HD also includes many films by French master François Truffaut, and 3 emblematic French New Wave Films by Marin Karmitz.
- 2/10/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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