Picked by Variety as one of the hottest shows at MipTV, the Zdf Studios-sold comedy drama “The ‘Zweiflers” about a colourful, dysfunctional yet loving Jewish family in contemporary Germany, had a rapturous reception April 7 at its world screening in Canneseries.
“It was a profound experience to see how much [the Cannes] audience loved it, not only because of the way it was done but because of the subject matter,” said Aaron Altaras (“Unorthodox”), cast as Samuel, grandson of the patriarch Symcha Zweifler (Mike Burstyn), torn between his Jewish origins and his love for his British Caribbean girlfriend and mum-to-be (Saffron Coomber).
“We were so surprised – people were laughing-out-loud,” adds Sunnyi Melles (“Triangle of Sadness”), who plays the glue in the family and Samuel’s mum Mimi. “The series is about a family across three generations, with all its problems, whatever they are. It happens to be a Jewish family, but it...
“It was a profound experience to see how much [the Cannes] audience loved it, not only because of the way it was done but because of the subject matter,” said Aaron Altaras (“Unorthodox”), cast as Samuel, grandson of the patriarch Symcha Zweifler (Mike Burstyn), torn between his Jewish origins and his love for his British Caribbean girlfriend and mum-to-be (Saffron Coomber).
“We were so surprised – people were laughing-out-loud,” adds Sunnyi Melles (“Triangle of Sadness”), who plays the glue in the family and Samuel’s mum Mimi. “The series is about a family across three generations, with all its problems, whatever they are. It happens to be a Jewish family, but it...
- 4/9/2024
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin — In a bellwether deal on one of the cutting edges of European TV, Zdf Studios has taken distribution worldwide on drama series “The Zweiflers,” produced by Turbokultur for Ard Degeto Film and Hessischer Rundfunk (Hr).
Created and showrun by David Hadda, the six-part series will premiere in Germany on Ard’s Mediathek streaming service in the spring and also be shown on Das Erste, Ard’s main linear channel, in the near future.
In an age of spiraling costs and a large need to cut through a still immensely crowded market, Europe’s public broadcasters –Zdf Studios, not Zdf in this case – are looking to partner. The most obvious partners are other state TV networks, even in their own country if the co-operation works.
“We have already added Ard Degeto Film projects to our portfolio before. And there will be more in the future. There are no limits to our choice of partners,...
Created and showrun by David Hadda, the six-part series will premiere in Germany on Ard’s Mediathek streaming service in the spring and also be shown on Das Erste, Ard’s main linear channel, in the near future.
In an age of spiraling costs and a large need to cut through a still immensely crowded market, Europe’s public broadcasters –Zdf Studios, not Zdf in this case – are looking to partner. The most obvious partners are other state TV networks, even in their own country if the co-operation works.
“We have already added Ard Degeto Film projects to our portfolio before. And there will be more in the future. There are no limits to our choice of partners,...
- 2/16/2024
- by John Hopewell and Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
German cinema is in Cannes with new works by Wim Wenders and films that explore Nazi propaganda, gender identity, economic crisis, romance, betrayal and fast cars.
In addition to domestic films, a dozen German co-productions are screening in this year’s Cannes Film Festival lineup, including major works from the likes of Wes Anderson, Aki Kaurismäki and Jessica Hausner.
Wenders is in Cannes with “Perfect Days,” which is vying for the Palme d’Or, and the documentary “Anselm” in Special Screenings.
“Perfect Days” tells the story of a Tokyo janitor (Kôji Yakusho) who seems very content with his simple life, structured routines and passion for music, books and photography. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. The Japanese-German co-production is sold by the Match Factory.
“Anselm” explores the work of artist Anselm Kiefer, shedding light on his life, inspirations and creative process. Shot in 3D,...
In addition to domestic films, a dozen German co-productions are screening in this year’s Cannes Film Festival lineup, including major works from the likes of Wes Anderson, Aki Kaurismäki and Jessica Hausner.
Wenders is in Cannes with “Perfect Days,” which is vying for the Palme d’Or, and the documentary “Anselm” in Special Screenings.
“Perfect Days” tells the story of a Tokyo janitor (Kôji Yakusho) who seems very content with his simple life, structured routines and passion for music, books and photography. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. The Japanese-German co-production is sold by the Match Factory.
“Anselm” explores the work of artist Anselm Kiefer, shedding light on his life, inspirations and creative process. Shot in 3D,...
- 5/19/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish Horror
Two of Spain’s highest-profile upcoming horror titles got release dates and trailers today, David Casademunt’s “El páramo” (formerly “La bestia”) at Netflix and Amazon Prime Video’s horror anthology “Historias para no dormir.”
“El páramo” is the highly anticipated feature debut of award-winning short filmmaker Casademunt, and boasts a small yet star-filled cast including Inma Cuesta (“The Bride”), Roberto Álamo (“The Skin I Live In”) and Asier Flores (“Pain and Glory”). The film is set in an isolated cabin where a family of three are visited by a terrible monster which threatens the ties that bind them. It will world premiere on Oct. 11 at the Sitges Film Festival and hit Netflix worldwide on Jan. 26, 2022. Rodar y Rodar produces.
Amazon Prime Video and Spanish broadcaster Rtve’s reboot of Chicho Ibáñez Serrador’s legendary Spanish horror anthology series “Historias para no dormir” will hit the streaming platform on Nov.
Two of Spain’s highest-profile upcoming horror titles got release dates and trailers today, David Casademunt’s “El páramo” (formerly “La bestia”) at Netflix and Amazon Prime Video’s horror anthology “Historias para no dormir.”
“El páramo” is the highly anticipated feature debut of award-winning short filmmaker Casademunt, and boasts a small yet star-filled cast including Inma Cuesta (“The Bride”), Roberto Álamo (“The Skin I Live In”) and Asier Flores (“Pain and Glory”). The film is set in an isolated cabin where a family of three are visited by a terrible monster which threatens the ties that bind them. It will world premiere on Oct. 11 at the Sitges Film Festival and hit Netflix worldwide on Jan. 26, 2022. Rodar y Rodar produces.
Amazon Prime Video and Spanish broadcaster Rtve’s reboot of Chicho Ibáñez Serrador’s legendary Spanish horror anthology series “Historias para no dormir” will hit the streaming platform on Nov.
- 10/7/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Deutsche Telekom’s first major original, “Wild Republic,” is set to bow April 15 on the telco giant’s Ott service MagentaTV after production was postponed last year due to the ongoing pandemic.
The eight-part adventure series follows a group of young offenders who end up fending for themselves high in the Alps after a mysterious death disrupts the experiential educational program in which they are taking part.
Created by Jan Martin Scharf, Arne Nolting and Klaus Wolfertstetter, the series is produced by Lailaps Pictures, X Filme Creative Pool and Handwritten Pictures in co-production with Deutsche Telekom, Arte and Ard broadcasters Wdr, Swr and One.
“Wild Republic” was initially inspired by Erwin S. Strauss’ 1979 book “How to Start Your Own Country,” which explored the micronation movement of the 1960s, according to Lailaps CEO Nils Dünker. Eric Bouley, now managing partner at Handwritten Pictures, helped develop the original premise while working at Lailaps.
The eight-part adventure series follows a group of young offenders who end up fending for themselves high in the Alps after a mysterious death disrupts the experiential educational program in which they are taking part.
Created by Jan Martin Scharf, Arne Nolting and Klaus Wolfertstetter, the series is produced by Lailaps Pictures, X Filme Creative Pool and Handwritten Pictures in co-production with Deutsche Telekom, Arte and Ard broadcasters Wdr, Swr and One.
“Wild Republic” was initially inspired by Erwin S. Strauss’ 1979 book “How to Start Your Own Country,” which explored the micronation movement of the 1960s, according to Lailaps CEO Nils Dünker. Eric Bouley, now managing partner at Handwritten Pictures, helped develop the original premise while working at Lailaps.
- 3/2/2021
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Aaron Altaras, star of Netflix’s critically acclaimed limited series Unorthodox, has signed with Brillstein Entertainment Partners for U.S. representation.
Altaras portrays Robert, the handsome romantic interest of the heroine, Esty, played by Israeli actress Shira Haas. Esty’s journey follows her out of the Satmar ultra-Orthodox sect in Williamsburg, N.Y. and into her newfound freedom in Berlin, where she meets Robert. The series is inspired by Deborah Feldman’s bestselling memoir of a young Jewish woman’s escape from a religious sect.
German-born Altaras also earned praise for his starring roles in the feature films Mario and The Invisibles. He is currently shooting the series Wild Republic and is poised to make his next big leap to U.S. films & television.
Altaras is also repped by Waring & Mckenna in the UK and Lastrada-doells Agency in Berlin.
Altaras portrays Robert, the handsome romantic interest of the heroine, Esty, played by Israeli actress Shira Haas. Esty’s journey follows her out of the Satmar ultra-Orthodox sect in Williamsburg, N.Y. and into her newfound freedom in Berlin, where she meets Robert. The series is inspired by Deborah Feldman’s bestselling memoir of a young Jewish woman’s escape from a religious sect.
German-born Altaras also earned praise for his starring roles in the feature films Mario and The Invisibles. He is currently shooting the series Wild Republic and is poised to make his next big leap to U.S. films & television.
Altaras is also repped by Waring & Mckenna in the UK and Lastrada-doells Agency in Berlin.
- 6/30/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
From the rich historical archives of WWII comes another true tale of struggle and survival, when Hitler and his cronies enacted the”Final Solution”. So what makes this film special? Well, it was produced and filmed in Germany and mixes real footage with actual interviews of the people who lived the story. The biggest twist is that it doesn’t focus on families fleeing the country and blending in or going “underground” in those nearby foreign lands. This is about the Jews who would not leave their homeland, risking their lives to “hide in plain sight” (sometimes even venturing from the closets and attics to walk the streets). Another unique aspect of this film is that it’s almost an anthology, splitting the narrative amongst a quartet of youths barely past their teens. It is set in Berlin, so some of the principals often run into the same people, though the main four never meet.
- 2/15/2019
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
German filmmaker Florian Henckel von Donnersmark made a splash in the foreign language box office over a decade ago with The Lives of Others, which took the Oscar for Best Foreign Language film. He is back again with Sony Pictures Classics for Never Look Away, which is also vying for Oscar this year. Also out in theaters beginning Friday is Greenwich Entertainment’s WWII-era drama, The Invisibles, which was the first pick up for the company back in 2017. And on a decidedly different note, Cinedigm is mixing camp and horror with Dead Ant starring Tom Arnold and Sean Astin.
Also this weekend, Focus Features is taking Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman back to theaters following its six Oscar nominations. The company said the film, which grossed over $48.5M in its initial run in theaters starting last August, will play 168 theaters around the country beginning Friday. Said Focus president Lisa Bunnell, “We...
Also this weekend, Focus Features is taking Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman back to theaters following its six Oscar nominations. The company said the film, which grossed over $48.5M in its initial run in theaters starting last August, will play 168 theaters around the country beginning Friday. Said Focus president Lisa Bunnell, “We...
- 1/24/2019
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
(Die Unsichtbaren) Greenwich Entertainment Reviewed for Shockya.com & BigAppleReviews.net by: Harvey Karten Director: Claus Räfle Screenwriter: Claus Räfle, Alejandra López Cast: Max Mauff, Alice Dwyer, Ruby O. Fee, Aaron Altaras, Victoria Schulz Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 1/6/19 Opens: January 25, 2019 Once the Nazis rounded up the Jews and other groups that […]
The post The Invisibles Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Invisibles Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/20/2019
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
In this heartfelt Swiss drama, the star player at a leading club fears for his future after romance blossoms with a teammate
The diversity of England’s young squad has been a major factor for those of us who’ve been a bit iffy in the past about supporting the national team but are now getting behind Gareth Southgate’s boys. His side look just like a bunch of lads playing in your local park on a Sunday – only they’re better they’re better at kicking the ball. But do they represent modern England? Up to a point. The elephant in the room, in terms of diversity, is sexuality. This unassuming movie from Switzerland convincingly dramatises why a gay man in top flight football may choose stay in the closet. (There’s not an openly gay player in the 20 clubs of the Premier League.)
Max Hubacher gives a low-key,...
The diversity of England’s young squad has been a major factor for those of us who’ve been a bit iffy in the past about supporting the national team but are now getting behind Gareth Southgate’s boys. His side look just like a bunch of lads playing in your local park on a Sunday – only they’re better they’re better at kicking the ball. But do they represent modern England? Up to a point. The elephant in the room, in terms of diversity, is sexuality. This unassuming movie from Switzerland convincingly dramatises why a gay man in top flight football may choose stay in the closet. (There’s not an openly gay player in the 20 clubs of the Premier League.)
Max Hubacher gives a low-key,...
- 7/11/2018
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
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