★★★★☆ "Our scenario begins with the arrival. Your arrival. Welcome to our planet." These words form the basis of Michael Madsen's The Visit; a tantalising reminder that humanity continues to send signals out into space and await a reply. For a film built completely on the discussion of hypothetical situations, this documentary is impressive and engrossing to a fault. Madsen delivers a thought-provoking conversation on an encounter that has truly only ever been dreamed of, pondered on and written about into myth.
- 1/31/2016
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
The Danish comedy The Reunion (Klassefesten) from 2011 is being given an Estonian remake by 1944’s producer Kristian Taska of Taska Film.
Principal photography has begun in the Estonian capital of Tallinn on Klassikokkutulek under the direction of René Vilbre (I Was Here) with a cast including Mait Malmsten, Henry Korvits and Aso Andreson.
The Estonian remake comes in the wake of the successful theatrical release of the Finnish version by Teneli Mustonen for Solar Films earlier this year.
Mustonen’s film - known as Luokkakokous - broke local box-office records when it opened in March, selling more than 150,000 tikets in the first seven days.
Jaana Puskala, Head of Feature Film Promotion at the Finnish Film Foundation, told Screen that the comedy has since been seen by more than half a million, quite a remarkable achievement considering that Finland’s total population is only 5.5m.
Debut for Cinéfondation winner
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Gulf of...
Principal photography has begun in the Estonian capital of Tallinn on Klassikokkutulek under the direction of René Vilbre (I Was Here) with a cast including Mait Malmsten, Henry Korvits and Aso Andreson.
The Estonian remake comes in the wake of the successful theatrical release of the Finnish version by Teneli Mustonen for Solar Films earlier this year.
Mustonen’s film - known as Luokkakokous - broke local box-office records when it opened in March, selling more than 150,000 tikets in the first seven days.
Jaana Puskala, Head of Feature Film Promotion at the Finnish Film Foundation, told Screen that the comedy has since been seen by more than half a million, quite a remarkable achievement considering that Finland’s total population is only 5.5m.
Debut for Cinéfondation winner
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Gulf of...
- 9/25/2015
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
James Vanderbilt’s ‘Rathergate’ scandal drama starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford will open the 23rd annual event on October 8.
Topher Grace and Elisabeth Moss round out the key cast on the drama, based on journalist Mary Mapes’ account of the CBS report into former President George W Bush’s dereliction of duty while serving in the National Guard during the Vietnam War.
The government attempted to discredit the 2004 report, which led to the ruining of Rather’s career and the firing of Mapes.
Spc has positioned Truth for a potential awards run and will release it in theatres on October 16. The world premiere is set for Toronto in the Special Presentations strand.
This year’s Narrative Competition feature films include Matt Sobel’s Take Me To The River, Ciro Guerra’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight winner Embrace Of The Serpent, Avishai Sivan’s Tikkun, Grímur Hákonarson’s Rams and Diastème’s French Blood.
Documentary Competition...
Topher Grace and Elisabeth Moss round out the key cast on the drama, based on journalist Mary Mapes’ account of the CBS report into former President George W Bush’s dereliction of duty while serving in the National Guard during the Vietnam War.
The government attempted to discredit the 2004 report, which led to the ruining of Rather’s career and the firing of Mapes.
Spc has positioned Truth for a potential awards run and will release it in theatres on October 16. The world premiere is set for Toronto in the Special Presentations strand.
This year’s Narrative Competition feature films include Matt Sobel’s Take Me To The River, Ciro Guerra’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight winner Embrace Of The Serpent, Avishai Sivan’s Tikkun, Grímur Hákonarson’s Rams and Diastème’s French Blood.
Documentary Competition...
- 8/26/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
For the third consecutive year, the founders and partners of SpectreVision, Daniel Noah, Josh C. Waller and Elijah Wood, have teamed with Cinefamily to present SpectreFest 2015, a curated selection of sneaks peaks and premieres highlighting the best of contemporary “elevated” genre cinema from around the world. In addition, the happenings will include a range of events, rare repertory programs, radio, music, Vr and other forms of media that exemplify the aesthetic spirit of the festival. This year’s chosen films include "Goodnight Mommy," "Cooties," Shinya Tsukomoto’s "Fires on the Plain," SIon Sono’s "Love & Peace," Michael Madsen’s "The Visit" and "Final Girls." Events are hosted by the partners of SpectreVision, featuring appearances by stars and filmmakers, each followed by a reception. Confirmed guests to date include Elijah Wood, Kristen Wiig and Bushwick...
- 8/21/2015
- by Ruben Guevara
- Thompson on Hollywood
Exclusive: SpectreFest 2015, the third horror film festival from SpectreVision, will open with the horror comedy Cooties which stars SpectreVision’s Elijah Wood and close with Avishai Sivan’s Tikkun which won top honors this summer at the Jerusalem Film Festival. In fact, it won Best Actor, Best Israeli Feature, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. Attendees to SpectreFest will also see the Los Angeles premiere of Michael Madsen’s The Visit, which is shot…...
- 8/21/2015
- Deadline
Montreal’s genre film festival wraps with over 100,000 spectators attending across its 23 days of screenings.
Sion Sono’s Tag was among the winners at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival, which wrapped yesterday [Aug 4] with the Canadian premiere of Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan.
This year saw over 100,000 spectators attending across the festival’s 23 days of screenings, including 195 indoor screenings, three outdoor screenings, eight virtual reality films and other special events, such as the debut international performance of Glass Eye Pix’s live horror radio show Tales from Beyond the Pale.
Over 900 international guests, including more than 400 film industry professionals, visited the festival and its Frontières Market which saw two deals close during the market. Raven Banner boarded worldwide sales on Gigi Saul Guerrero’s El Gigante, while Frank Murray of Lux Capta Films signed on as producer of Renaud Gauthier’s ‘Lude Behavior.
Guests included Jon Watts and Kevin Bacon for Cop Car, Michael Ironside, [link...
Sion Sono’s Tag was among the winners at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival, which wrapped yesterday [Aug 4] with the Canadian premiere of Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan.
This year saw over 100,000 spectators attending across the festival’s 23 days of screenings, including 195 indoor screenings, three outdoor screenings, eight virtual reality films and other special events, such as the debut international performance of Glass Eye Pix’s live horror radio show Tales from Beyond the Pale.
Over 900 international guests, including more than 400 film industry professionals, visited the festival and its Frontières Market which saw two deals close during the market. Raven Banner boarded worldwide sales on Gigi Saul Guerrero’s El Gigante, while Frank Murray of Lux Capta Films signed on as producer of Renaud Gauthier’s ‘Lude Behavior.
Guests included Jon Watts and Kevin Bacon for Cop Car, Michael Ironside, [link...
- 8/5/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Vienna based Autlook Filmsales has snapped up international sales rights to Songs Of Lahore, the new feature doc from Sharmeen Obey - the first Pakistani ever to win an Oscar - and Andy Schocken.
Songs Of Lahore, which recently premiered in Tribeca, follows a group of musicians in Pakistan brought together to keep their musical traditions alive in the face of rising fundamentalist threats. When they release an album that receives worldwide acclaim, they are invited by Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis to perform with his orchestra at Lincoln Center.
“The unlikely combination of Pakistani traditional musicians and American Jazz legends is simply beautiful and magical,” said Autlook CEO Salma Abdalla.
“The drama and struggles of these gifted musicians is excellently crafted with a good dose of humor, the story develops into an unintended statement that arts can be incredibly important to pacify society. The story is more newsworthy than ever.”
Other titles...
Songs Of Lahore, which recently premiered in Tribeca, follows a group of musicians in Pakistan brought together to keep their musical traditions alive in the face of rising fundamentalist threats. When they release an album that receives worldwide acclaim, they are invited by Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis to perform with his orchestra at Lincoln Center.
“The unlikely combination of Pakistani traditional musicians and American Jazz legends is simply beautiful and magical,” said Autlook CEO Salma Abdalla.
“The drama and struggles of these gifted musicians is excellently crafted with a good dose of humor, the story develops into an unintended statement that arts can be incredibly important to pacify society. The story is more newsworthy than ever.”
Other titles...
- 5/14/2015
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Random Media has acquired North American rights to the first-ever documentary about aliens on Earth...even if aliens haven't necessarily made contact just yet. "The Visit," directed by Danish filmmaker Michael Madsen is a documentary, sort of, about aliens who visit Earth, constructed entirely from real interviews with experts from Nasa, the Un and Seti (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute. The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. No word yet on a possible release date, but you can check out the trailer here.Read More: Indiewire's Summer Preview: 21 Must-See Indies...
- 5/7/2015
- by Elizabeth Logan
- Indiewire
Halloween is coming to Montreal this summer, as the star-studded (both in front of and behind the camera) anthology horror film, Tales of Halloween, is scheduled to make its world premiere at the festival. JeruZalem, Turbo Kid, Deathgasm, and many more movies are also slated to screen:
Press Release -- "Montreal, May 6, 2015 – The 19th annual Fantasia International Film Festival is gearing up to rush Montreal with three weeks of cinematic inspiration and fantastical visions from across the world from July 14 until August 4, 2015.
Our complete lineup of programming and special events will be revealed in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here’s an early First Wave Announcement of selected highlights and info to whet your appetite for the exciting things to come!
Unveiling Our 2015 Poster Art: Fantasia Continues Its Celebration Of Regional Folklore With The Wendigo
In recent editions, Fantasia has showcased poster art informed by various regional legends and myths,...
Press Release -- "Montreal, May 6, 2015 – The 19th annual Fantasia International Film Festival is gearing up to rush Montreal with three weeks of cinematic inspiration and fantastical visions from across the world from July 14 until August 4, 2015.
Our complete lineup of programming and special events will be revealed in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here’s an early First Wave Announcement of selected highlights and info to whet your appetite for the exciting things to come!
Unveiling Our 2015 Poster Art: Fantasia Continues Its Celebration Of Regional Folklore With The Wendigo
In recent editions, Fantasia has showcased poster art informed by various regional legends and myths,...
- 5/6/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Danish documentarian Michael Madsen’s The Visit premiered in Sundance and chronicles humanity’s first hypothetical meeting with extraterrestrial life.
The Visit utilises interviews with experts from Nasa, United Nations and the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Seti) Institute to support a realistic thesis of how an interaction between Earth and an alien race would play out. The interaction is primarily told through the eyes of the alien race.
“It is not difficult to predict that the encounter with alien intelligent life would be the single most significant event in human history,” said Madsen.
“However, the real task for The Visit is to venture beyond this question and discover, what such an encounter would really mean… [the film] is the dress rehearsal, the emergency plan, that the United Nations has voiced concerns about not being in existence. From more earthly experiences we know what can happen when cultures find themselves alien to each other.”
Random Media plans...
The Visit utilises interviews with experts from Nasa, United Nations and the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Seti) Institute to support a realistic thesis of how an interaction between Earth and an alien race would play out. The interaction is primarily told through the eyes of the alien race.
“It is not difficult to predict that the encounter with alien intelligent life would be the single most significant event in human history,” said Madsen.
“However, the real task for The Visit is to venture beyond this question and discover, what such an encounter would really mean… [the film] is the dress rehearsal, the emergency plan, that the United Nations has voiced concerns about not being in existence. From more earthly experiences we know what can happen when cultures find themselves alien to each other.”
Random Media plans...
- 5/6/2015
- ScreenDaily
First wave of titles unveiled for 19th edition of Montreal’s genre film festival .
Keiichi Hara’s Miss Hokusai will receive its North American premiere as the opening film of this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival (July 14-Aug 4).
Based on Hinako Suguira’s manga Sarusuberi, the film centres on the relationship between ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) artist Katsushika Hokusai and his talented daughter O-Ei.
Fantasia’s opening night will also see the Montreal premiere of Marvel Studios’ latest outing Ant-Man, directed by Peyton Reed.
The first wave of titles also includes the world premieres of horror omnibus Tales of Halloween, featuring segments directed by the likes of Darren Lynn Bousman, Neil Marshall and Lucky McKee, and Israeli duo Yoav & Doron Paz’s Jeruzalem which follows a group of American teenagers who find themselves inside their worst nightmare when they visit Jerusalem on Yom Kippur.
This year’s festival will also host the international premiere of Eiichiro Hasumi...
Keiichi Hara’s Miss Hokusai will receive its North American premiere as the opening film of this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival (July 14-Aug 4).
Based on Hinako Suguira’s manga Sarusuberi, the film centres on the relationship between ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) artist Katsushika Hokusai and his talented daughter O-Ei.
Fantasia’s opening night will also see the Montreal premiere of Marvel Studios’ latest outing Ant-Man, directed by Peyton Reed.
The first wave of titles also includes the world premieres of horror omnibus Tales of Halloween, featuring segments directed by the likes of Darren Lynn Bousman, Neil Marshall and Lucky McKee, and Israeli duo Yoav & Doron Paz’s Jeruzalem which follows a group of American teenagers who find themselves inside their worst nightmare when they visit Jerusalem on Yom Kippur.
This year’s festival will also host the international premiere of Eiichiro Hasumi...
- 5/6/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
The Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, now in its 19th year, is one of our favorite festivals around and a fan favorite for Sound on Sight readers for several years now. This year’s festival runs July 14 to August 4, and the first wave of films on the lineup has just been revealed.
Marvel’s highly anticipated Ant-Man, with Paul Rudd, will be the opening night film, along with the Japanese animated film Miss Hokusai. Miss Hokusai comes from Production I.G., known for its other classics including A Letter to Momo and Giovanni’s Island.
Fantasia ’15 will also be home to several World Premieres, including Tales of Halloween, a collection of 10 short horror stories, and Jeruzalem, a horror film from Israeli directors and Tiff honorees Yoav and Doron Paz (Phobidilia).
The Canadian indie Turbo Kid, which we first caught up with at Sundance this year, will also be having its...
Marvel’s highly anticipated Ant-Man, with Paul Rudd, will be the opening night film, along with the Japanese animated film Miss Hokusai. Miss Hokusai comes from Production I.G., known for its other classics including A Letter to Momo and Giovanni’s Island.
Fantasia ’15 will also be home to several World Premieres, including Tales of Halloween, a collection of 10 short horror stories, and Jeruzalem, a horror film from Israeli directors and Tiff honorees Yoav and Doron Paz (Phobidilia).
The Canadian indie Turbo Kid, which we first caught up with at Sundance this year, will also be having its...
- 5/6/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
It’s a story that hasn’t happened yet. The Visit is advertised as a documentary but the label is rather limiting as it that dabbles in the “what if”, specifically the event where man finally meets alien, under the pretense that it is currently happening. Rather than to pose the questions as hypothetical, the multiple subjects from Nasa members to a social psychologist mull over the situation as though they’re first responders, trying to grapple with situation where there is no precedent. Needless to say, Danish filmmaker Michael Madsen’s approach and utility of the documentary form is unconventional which appropriately sets the tone for an equally unconventional scenario which extends into other outstretched tangents. As a result, this Scandi-docu stands as an experiment, creating an uncanny, lofty, and self-reflexive new sense of verite that is both intriguing and alarming.
Much in line with an episode of The Twilight Zone,...
Much in line with an episode of The Twilight Zone,...
- 2/23/2015
- by Amanda Yam
- IONCINEMA.com
So, the aliens have landed. Well, not really. But let's for a moment say they have. E.T.s are in town, and they're ready to talk. To whom do they converse? Who do we, collectively, send out to initiate the initial chat? And what would we even talk about? Consider The Visit, directed by Michael Madsen, as a speculative documentary. It plays as a delightfully playful thought experiment that's treated with the seriousness required. This is heady stuff, and The Visit manages to make a meal of it. Structurally it's fairly simple. We, in the point-of-view of the camera, are said aliens. We, the audience, are placed in a position to confront, or at least converse, with a series of political and military leaders. We...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 2/6/2015
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Madsen documentary sells to Italy and Poland, with further deals close.
The Visit - An Alien Encounter by Michael Madsen - director of documentary Into Eternity: A Film for the Future and an episode of Cathedrals Of Culture - is to recevie its market premiere at Berlin’s European Film Market (Efm) (Feb 5-13) following its Sundance screenings.
New sales by Autlook have been secured in Italy (iWonder) and Poland (Against Gravity)prior to the Berlinale, following a deal in the UK (Metrodome), as revealed by ScreenDaily.
Autlook confirmed that negotiations are underway with German and reach buyers. The Us sales rep is Cinetic.
The Visit, shot in 4K, is billed as a hybrid form of documentary “about an an event that has never taken place – man’s first encounter with intelligent life from space”.
In Berlin, docs specialist Autlook is presenting two films in 3D.
One is head banging music documentary Wacken - The Movie...
The Visit - An Alien Encounter by Michael Madsen - director of documentary Into Eternity: A Film for the Future and an episode of Cathedrals Of Culture - is to recevie its market premiere at Berlin’s European Film Market (Efm) (Feb 5-13) following its Sundance screenings.
New sales by Autlook have been secured in Italy (iWonder) and Poland (Against Gravity)prior to the Berlinale, following a deal in the UK (Metrodome), as revealed by ScreenDaily.
Autlook confirmed that negotiations are underway with German and reach buyers. The Us sales rep is Cinetic.
The Visit, shot in 4K, is billed as a hybrid form of documentary “about an an event that has never taken place – man’s first encounter with intelligent life from space”.
In Berlin, docs specialist Autlook is presenting two films in 3D.
One is head banging music documentary Wacken - The Movie...
- 2/5/2015
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Michael Madsen alien encounter doc played at Sundance.
Metrodome has picked up UK rights to The Visit, Michael Madsen’s documentary about a first contact scenario, which played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The film, from the producers of Oscar-nominated Burma VJ, documents man’s hypothetical first encounter with intelligent life from space and includes access to the Un Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Us military, and experts from leading space agencies.
Giles Edwards, Metrodome head of acquisitions, acquired the film from Salma Abdalla, MD of Autlook Film Sales.
Edwards said: “Michael Madsen’s latest is a provocative, visionary and exquisitely realized inquiry into some of our universe’s most profound mysteries. Bewildering, thrilling and enthralling, it’s everything we desire in a documentary.”
Abdalla added: “Metrodome convinced with the most ambitious and flexible release strategy on all channels from theatrical to digital.
“They would like to support the pan-European (alien landing) or kick...
Metrodome has picked up UK rights to The Visit, Michael Madsen’s documentary about a first contact scenario, which played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The film, from the producers of Oscar-nominated Burma VJ, documents man’s hypothetical first encounter with intelligent life from space and includes access to the Un Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Us military, and experts from leading space agencies.
Giles Edwards, Metrodome head of acquisitions, acquired the film from Salma Abdalla, MD of Autlook Film Sales.
Edwards said: “Michael Madsen’s latest is a provocative, visionary and exquisitely realized inquiry into some of our universe’s most profound mysteries. Bewildering, thrilling and enthralling, it’s everything we desire in a documentary.”
Abdalla added: “Metrodome convinced with the most ambitious and flexible release strategy on all channels from theatrical to digital.
“They would like to support the pan-European (alien landing) or kick...
- 2/4/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The 2015 SXSW Film Festival will be running from March 13th through March 21st in Austin, Texas and the first wave of selections were announced today to get attendees excited for all the amazing films coming our way next month. And while horror fans have to wait until next week for the announcement of the Midnighters slate, here’s a look at some of the genre-related titles already revealed amidst SXSW’s other film categories for this year.
Narrative Feature Competition
Manson Family Vacation
Director/Screenwriter: J. Davis
The story of two brothers: one who’s devoted to his family, the other who’s obsessed with the Manson Family. Cast: Jay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Leonora Pitts, Tobin Bell, Adam Chernick, Davie-Blue. (World Premiere)
Headliners
Ex Machina
Director/Screenwriter: Alex Garland
Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller Ex Machina, starring Domhnall Gleeson,...
Narrative Feature Competition
Manson Family Vacation
Director/Screenwriter: J. Davis
The story of two brothers: one who’s devoted to his family, the other who’s obsessed with the Manson Family. Cast: Jay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Leonora Pitts, Tobin Bell, Adam Chernick, Davie-Blue. (World Premiere)
Headliners
Ex Machina
Director/Screenwriter: Alex Garland
Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller Ex Machina, starring Domhnall Gleeson,...
- 2/3/2015
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
A couple of years ago, I had a chance to see documentary filmmaker Michael Madsen's (not to be confused with that Michael Madsen) Into Eternity on the big screen. It's a gorgeous and haunting documentary about nuclear waste storage and though it sounds like it might be some dry or overly technical documentary, it is actually a really damning reminder of what humanity is doing to Earth.
Madsen contributed to the 3D architecture documentary that was much buzzed about at Sundance last year Cathedrals of Culture (trailer) and this year he's back with The Visit, another beautiful, sombre, documentary; the second [Continued ...]...
Madsen contributed to the 3D architecture documentary that was much buzzed about at Sundance last year Cathedrals of Culture (trailer) and this year he's back with The Visit, another beautiful, sombre, documentary; the second [Continued ...]...
- 2/3/2015
- QuietEarth.us
“The Visit” sees humans’ first encounter with intelligent life from another world. Through tantalizing interviews with experts from Nasa, United Nations, and the Seti (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, among many others, acclaimed Danish filmmaker Michael Madsen constructs a chillingly believable scenario of first contact on Earth, beginning with the simplest of questions: Why are you here? How do you think? What do you see in humans that we don’t see in ourselves? The implications unfold within a mind-bending landscape of everyday sights and sounds that Madsen succeeds in turning bizarre and extraordinary, as if seen through the eyes of a life form exploring our planet for the first time. [Synopsis courtesy of Sundance Institute.] What's your film about in 140 characters or less? Encountering Alien intelligent life will be the biggest event in human history. “The Visit” is the emergency plan that the Un doesn’t have. Now what's it Really about? When addressing.
- 1/28/2015
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
As a conceptual artist Michael Madsen doesn’t so much create nonfiction films as craft mind-blowing experiences, introducing even the most jaded of us docu-philes to people and places we’d no idea even existed. (Prior to Idfa 2010 I, for one, never knew about Finland’s nuclear waste storage facility Onkalo, the subject of Madsen’s Into Eternity and an underground cavern the size of a large city set for completion in the 22nd century.) In his latest The Visit the Danish director turns his attention and limitless imagination towards mankind’s first encounter with alien intelligent life. With the help of expert guides […]...
- 1/25/2015
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
As a conceptual artist Michael Madsen doesn’t so much create nonfiction films as craft mind-blowing experiences, introducing even the most jaded of us docu-philes to people and places we’d no idea even existed. (Prior to Idfa 2010 I, for one, never knew about Finland’s nuclear waste storage facility Onkalo, the subject of Madsen’s Into Eternity and an underground cavern the size of a large city set for completion in the 22nd century.) In his latest The Visit the Danish director turns his attention and limitless imagination towards mankind’s first encounter with alien intelligent life. With the help of expert guides […]...
- 1/25/2015
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Michael Madsen’s “documentary from outer space” is at the top of our viewing list at Sundance this year. As it is described by production company Ngf: The Visit is a documentary with comedy elements, and a philosophical exploration of our fear of strangers through the ultimate threat to our self-image: The discovery of Alien Intelligent Life. In Vienna lies the Un-city, with its late 1970’s architecture and its extra-territorial status not unlike a giant spacecraft that has landed in the middle of the civilized world. Inside this impressive institution representing our belief in humanity, resides the Un Office of Outer […]...
- 1/14/2015
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Michael Madsen’s “documentary from outer space” is at the top of our viewing list at Sundance this year. As it is described by production company Ngf: The Visit is a documentary with comedy elements, and a philosophical exploration of our fear of strangers through the ultimate threat to our self-image: The discovery of Alien Intelligent Life. In Vienna lies the Un-city, with its late 1970’s architecture and its extra-territorial status not unlike a giant spacecraft that has landed in the middle of the civilized world. Inside this impressive institution representing our belief in humanity, resides the Un Office of Outer […]...
- 1/14/2015
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The Lobster [pictured] is presented as case study in co-production market.
The sixth edition of the Les Arcs European Film Festival turned its focus on Ireland with an aim to celebrate its cinematic beauty and history, and in turn, its filmic opportunities.
While the festival’s co-founders Guillaume Calop and Pierre-Emmanuel Fleurantin mentioned in an opening statement that this year had seen a persistent crisis within the European Union (EU) and a loss of confidence in its benefits, Geraldine Byrne Nason (Ambassador of Ireland to France) commented that “things were looking up for Ireland, and that the festival had clearly captured the essence of arts and culture that is very important for the EU.”
The festival’s ‘Irish Focus’ programming included 14 films, including older favourites such as John Crowley’s Intermission, Jim Sheridan’s In the Name of the Father and Neil Jordan’s Michael Collins to more recent movies like John Carney’s Once, Alicia Duffy’s [link...
The sixth edition of the Les Arcs European Film Festival turned its focus on Ireland with an aim to celebrate its cinematic beauty and history, and in turn, its filmic opportunities.
While the festival’s co-founders Guillaume Calop and Pierre-Emmanuel Fleurantin mentioned in an opening statement that this year had seen a persistent crisis within the European Union (EU) and a loss of confidence in its benefits, Geraldine Byrne Nason (Ambassador of Ireland to France) commented that “things were looking up for Ireland, and that the festival had clearly captured the essence of arts and culture that is very important for the EU.”
The festival’s ‘Irish Focus’ programming included 14 films, including older favourites such as John Crowley’s Intermission, Jim Sheridan’s In the Name of the Father and Neil Jordan’s Michael Collins to more recent movies like John Carney’s Once, Alicia Duffy’s [link...
- 12/21/2014
- ScreenDaily
"This film documents an event that has never taken place..." Chills. This documentary explores the idea of what would happen, and how we would respond, if aliens came to Earth. Titled The Visit, from filmmaker (not actor) Michael Madsen (of Into Eternity: A Film for the Future), the documentary is premiering at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in January and it looks like a must see (it's definitely on my radar now). As explained by Sundance, utilizing "unprecedented access to" the United Nations' Office for Outer Space Affairs (such an office exists?), and "leading space scientists and space agencies," the doc wonders how we would respond and what might happen. I can't wait. "Our scenario begins with the arrival. Your arrival." Here's the first official trailer for Michael Madsen's documentary The Visit, found via Twitch: The cinematography in this looks stunning, only adding more depth and intrigue. Impressive first trailer.
- 12/11/2014
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Though we're still unpacking the full Sundance selection this year one of the first titles to jump out to our attention is Michael Madsen's The Visit. No, the director is not the guy from all those Tarantino films. Yes, he is very, very good at what he does. And what he's doing here is asking whether we on earth are prepared for an inevitable alien visitation.An alien encounter. A hypothetical visitor arrives from Outer Space. The authorities are immediately alerted - the military, defence and communication advisors, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. How to deal with this unprecedented event? How to reassure Earth's inhabitants, who are prone to panic, when you have no previous experience to draw upon?This is absolutely fascinating...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 12/9/2014
- Screen Anarchy
A pair of high profile cinematic biopics lead the World Documentary Competition slate for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, which was announced on Wednesday (December 3) afternoon. Actually, leading off for the World Documentary Competition is "How To Change The World," one of four Day One films playing when Sundance opens on January 22, 2015. Directed by Jerry Rothwell, "How To Change The World" focuses on the original founders of Greenpeace and their 1971 protest in a nuclear test zone. But at a festival for film-lovers, expect ample attention to be paid to Stevan Riley's "Listen to Me Marlon," which uses Marlon Brando's previously unheard audio archives to tell the "Godfather" star's story both on-screen and off. And true cinephiles will be intrigued by "Sembene!," Samba Gadjigo and Jason Silverman's look at Ousmane Sembene, often called The Father of African Cinema. Sadly, "Chuck Norris vs Communism" isn't a Chuck Norris biopic, but Ilinca Calugareanu...
- 12/3/2014
- by Daniel Fienberg
- Hitfix
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