The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford, the debut feature from Scottish filmmaker Seán Dunn, has been boarded by France’s Charades for international sales, excluding UK and Ireland. Mubi will release the film theatrically in the UK and Ireland.
Screen can also exclusively reveal a first-look image.
Ozark’s Peter Mullan and The Greatest Showman’s Gayle Rankin star in the Scotland-shot dark comedy, which was produced by Alex Polunin for the UK’s Ossian Pictures, Scott Macaulay for New York-based Forensic Films and Jennifer Monks for UK outfit The Fold, and developed with BBC Film which co-financed the project alongside the BFI Filmmaking Fund,...
Screen can also exclusively reveal a first-look image.
Ozark’s Peter Mullan and The Greatest Showman’s Gayle Rankin star in the Scotland-shot dark comedy, which was produced by Alex Polunin for the UK’s Ossian Pictures, Scott Macaulay for New York-based Forensic Films and Jennifer Monks for UK outfit The Fold, and developed with BBC Film which co-financed the project alongside the BFI Filmmaking Fund,...
- 5/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Disney+ has unveiled the trailer for “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld,” the streamer’s highly anticipated original series starring Daniel Brühl as the iconic fashion designer.
Produced by Gaumont (“Lupin”) and Jour Premier, the six-part series chronicles the rise of Karl Lagerfeld through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion. It will be available to stream on Disney+ in France and international territories, and on Hulu in the U.S., on June 7. “Becoming Karl” world premiered at Canneseries, where it received a standing ovation and warm reviews.
The lushly lensed series opens in 1972, when the 38-year-old Lagerfeld is a ready-to-wear designer, unknown to the general public. He falls in love with a sultry dandy, Jacques de Bascher (Théodore Pellerin), who inspires him to challenge himself and act on his ambition to become the world’s most famous French fashion designer. He faces off Yves Saint Laurent (Arnaud Valois), who reigned supreme with...
Produced by Gaumont (“Lupin”) and Jour Premier, the six-part series chronicles the rise of Karl Lagerfeld through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion. It will be available to stream on Disney+ in France and international territories, and on Hulu in the U.S., on June 7. “Becoming Karl” world premiered at Canneseries, where it received a standing ovation and warm reviews.
The lushly lensed series opens in 1972, when the 38-year-old Lagerfeld is a ready-to-wear designer, unknown to the general public. He falls in love with a sultry dandy, Jacques de Bascher (Théodore Pellerin), who inspires him to challenge himself and act on his ambition to become the world’s most famous French fashion designer. He faces off Yves Saint Laurent (Arnaud Valois), who reigned supreme with...
- 4/24/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Playtime (“Son of Saul”) is reteaming with celebrated French directors François Ozon (“By the Grace of God”) and sister duo Delphine and Muriel Coulin (“17 Girls”) on their respective upcoming films, “When Fall Is Coming” and “The Quiet Son.”
“When Fall is Coming” marks Ozon’s follow up to “The Crime Is Mine.” The film stars Hélène Vincent (“The Specials”), Josiane Balasko (“Back to Mom’s”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Lupin”) and Pierre Lottin (“Notre-Dame on Fire”).
The film tells the story of Michelle, who is enjoying a peaceful retirement in a charming Burgundy village near her longtime friend Marie-Claude. She eagerly anticipates her grandson Lucas spending the school vacation with her, but things don’t go as planned. Feeling lonely, Michelle loses her sense of purpose, until Marie-Claude’s son gets out of prison.
The film is self-produced by Ozon through his vehicle Foz. Diaphana Distribution will release it in France.
“When Fall is Coming” marks Ozon’s follow up to “The Crime Is Mine.” The film stars Hélène Vincent (“The Specials”), Josiane Balasko (“Back to Mom’s”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Lupin”) and Pierre Lottin (“Notre-Dame on Fire”).
The film tells the story of Michelle, who is enjoying a peaceful retirement in a charming Burgundy village near her longtime friend Marie-Claude. She eagerly anticipates her grandson Lucas spending the school vacation with her, but things don’t go as planned. Feeling lonely, Michelle loses her sense of purpose, until Marie-Claude’s son gets out of prison.
The film is self-produced by Ozon through his vehicle Foz. Diaphana Distribution will release it in France.
- 1/31/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
After keeping a fairly low profile as president of France’s leading commercial network TF1 Group for seven years, Gilles Pelisson, the discreet Harvard-educated executive, is ready for showtime. He has been propelled into the spotlight to promote French film and TV in his new role as president of Unifrance, succeeding Serge Toubiana last summer.
While participating in his first big gig for Unifrance at the Rendez-Vous showcase in Paris (which wraps Tuesday), Pelisson showed he had enough swagger to mingle with French stars and industry professionals alike, as well as deliver speeches about the prospects for French movies and TV series with both authority and conviction.
In the space of one week during the Rendez-Vous, he handed out the French Film Award to “By the Grace of God” actor Melvil Poupaud, and presented Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan with the best international co-production prize at the Lumiere Award on Monday.
While participating in his first big gig for Unifrance at the Rendez-Vous showcase in Paris (which wraps Tuesday), Pelisson showed he had enough swagger to mingle with French stars and industry professionals alike, as well as deliver speeches about the prospects for French movies and TV series with both authority and conviction.
In the space of one week during the Rendez-Vous, he handed out the French Film Award to “By the Grace of God” actor Melvil Poupaud, and presented Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan with the best international co-production prize at the Lumiere Award on Monday.
- 1/23/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Melvil Poupaud, an actor in Francois Ozon’s “By the Grace of God” and Maiwenn’s “Jeanne du Barry,” will receive the French Cinema Award from Unifrance, the French promotion organization.
The ceremony will be held on Jan. 18 at the Culture Ministry during the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema market. The French Cinema Award was created in 2016 to honor actors, filmmakers and producers who have contributed to making French cinema shine abroad. Past recipients include actor Juliette Binoche, director Olivier Assayas and producers Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam, among others.
Poupaud started his career as a child actor in the 1980 and has worked with auteurs such as Raoul Ruiz, Eric Rohmer, James Ivory and Ozon, with whom he has made four movies. His latest film directed by Ozon, “By the Grace of God,” won the Silver Bear in Berlin and earned him a Cesar nomination for best actor. He also worked with several well-established female directors,...
The ceremony will be held on Jan. 18 at the Culture Ministry during the Rendez-Vous With French Cinema market. The French Cinema Award was created in 2016 to honor actors, filmmakers and producers who have contributed to making French cinema shine abroad. Past recipients include actor Juliette Binoche, director Olivier Assayas and producers Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam, among others.
Poupaud started his career as a child actor in the 1980 and has worked with auteurs such as Raoul Ruiz, Eric Rohmer, James Ivory and Ozon, with whom he has made four movies. His latest film directed by Ozon, “By the Grace of God,” won the Silver Bear in Berlin and earned him a Cesar nomination for best actor. He also worked with several well-established female directors,...
- 1/4/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Spoiler Alert: This article contains details of the winner of American Idol Season 21.
American Idol has crowned its new winner after finalists Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough battled it out one last time for America’s vote.
After all the votes, America crowned Tongi as their new Idol following performances onstage that included “Making Memories of Us,” “Cool Down,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Don’t Let Go.”
Danielle also took the stage to perform songs like “God Whispered Your Name,” “Faithfully” and “Dream Girl.”
Stough placed in third place after performing “Stupid Boy” and “Either Way.”
Throughout the night, the stage of American Idol was graced by many stars. Pitbull and Lil Jon were joined by the Top 12 contestants for “Give Me Everything” and “Jumpin.”
TLC and Lucy Love took us back to remember some of the trio’s hits like “No Scrubs,” “Creep” and “Waterfalls.”
Kevin Cronin...
American Idol has crowned its new winner after finalists Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle and Colin Stough battled it out one last time for America’s vote.
After all the votes, America crowned Tongi as their new Idol following performances onstage that included “Making Memories of Us,” “Cool Down,” “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Don’t Let Go.”
Danielle also took the stage to perform songs like “God Whispered Your Name,” “Faithfully” and “Dream Girl.”
Stough placed in third place after performing “Stupid Boy” and “Either Way.”
Throughout the night, the stage of American Idol was graced by many stars. Pitbull and Lil Jon were joined by the Top 12 contestants for “Give Me Everything” and “Jumpin.”
TLC and Lucy Love took us back to remember some of the trio’s hits like “No Scrubs,” “Creep” and “Waterfalls.”
Kevin Cronin...
- 5/22/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Neon releases the film in select theaters on Friday, October 13.
They say trends come in threes. And so, nipping on the heels of Alice Diop’s “Saint Omer” and Cedric Kahn’s Directors’ Fortnight breakout “The Goldman Case,” Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” make a compelling case that the courthouse has become the most fertile ground in contemporary French cinema, offering incisive auteurs both motive and opportunity to put social structures on trial. As it calls the institution of marriage to the stand, Triet’s piercing film, which went on to win the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes, holds the ambient tensions and illogical loose ends of domestic life against the harsh and rational light of a legal system that searches for order in chaos.
Rounding out her own impressive hat trick,...
They say trends come in threes. And so, nipping on the heels of Alice Diop’s “Saint Omer” and Cedric Kahn’s Directors’ Fortnight breakout “The Goldman Case,” Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” make a compelling case that the courthouse has become the most fertile ground in contemporary French cinema, offering incisive auteurs both motive and opportunity to put social structures on trial. As it calls the institution of marriage to the stand, Triet’s piercing film, which went on to win the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes, holds the ambient tensions and illogical loose ends of domestic life against the harsh and rational light of a legal system that searches for order in chaos.
Rounding out her own impressive hat trick,...
- 5/21/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Indiewire
Music Box Films has acquired the US distribution rights to “The Crime is Mine” (“Mon Crime”). François Ozon directs the comedy of errors starring newcomers Rebecca Marder and Nadia Terezkiewicz, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussolier.
Music Box is aiming for a theatrical release later this year with a home video release to follow.
The picture, based on George Berr and Louis Verneuil’s 1934 play, concerns a struggling actress (Terezkiewicz) and her roommate (Marder), an unemployed attorney in 1930’s Paris. Madeleine ends up on trial for the murder of a movie producer, while Pauline serves as both defense counsel and media circus ringmaster to both of their mutual benefit. Their post-acquittal life of fame, fortune and glory is eventually undercut by certain revelations.
“The Crime is Mine” marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with director Ozon, following “Potiche,” “Frantz,” “By the Grace of God” and “Summer of 85.
Music Box is aiming for a theatrical release later this year with a home video release to follow.
The picture, based on George Berr and Louis Verneuil’s 1934 play, concerns a struggling actress (Terezkiewicz) and her roommate (Marder), an unemployed attorney in 1930’s Paris. Madeleine ends up on trial for the murder of a movie producer, while Pauline serves as both defense counsel and media circus ringmaster to both of their mutual benefit. Their post-acquittal life of fame, fortune and glory is eventually undercut by certain revelations.
“The Crime is Mine” marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with director Ozon, following “Potiche,” “Frantz,” “By the Grace of God” and “Summer of 85.
- 5/17/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Music Box Films has picked up the U.S. rights to The Crime Is Mine, the post #MeToo comedy from French director François Ozon and which stars Rebecca Marder, Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Isabelle Huppert.
A theatrical release is planned for later this year for the period film, with a home entertainment release to follow, the distributor said in an announcement timed for the start of the Cannes Film Festival.
Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussolier round out the ensemble cast for The Crime is Mine, which follows struggling actress Madeleine, played by Tereszkiewicz, and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Rebecca Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris.
Madeleine secures fame after standing trial for the murder of a lascivious movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. The Crime is Mine is adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil.
Music Box...
A theatrical release is planned for later this year for the period film, with a home entertainment release to follow, the distributor said in an announcement timed for the start of the Cannes Film Festival.
Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon, and André Dussolier round out the ensemble cast for The Crime is Mine, which follows struggling actress Madeleine, played by Tereszkiewicz, and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Rebecca Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris.
Madeleine secures fame after standing trial for the murder of a lascivious movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. The Crime is Mine is adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil.
Music Box...
- 5/17/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Music Box Films has bought U.S. rights to “The Crime Is Mine” (“Mon Crime”), a period comedy by French helmer François Ozon.
“The Crime Is Mine” stars Rebecca Marder and Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who just won the Cesar Award for female newcomer, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon and André Dussolier. Music Box Films plans a theatrical release for later this year, followed by a home entertainment rollout.
Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil, “The Crime Is Mine” follows struggling actress Madeleine (Tereszkiewicz), and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris. Madeleine ascends to fame after standing trial for the murder of a movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. Upon Madeleine’s acquittal, a new life of fame, wealth and tabloid celebrity awaits — until the truth comes out.
The acquisition marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with Ozon,...
“The Crime Is Mine” stars Rebecca Marder and Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who just won the Cesar Award for female newcomer, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon and André Dussolier. Music Box Films plans a theatrical release for later this year, followed by a home entertainment rollout.
Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil, “The Crime Is Mine” follows struggling actress Madeleine (Tereszkiewicz), and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris. Madeleine ascends to fame after standing trial for the murder of a movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. Upon Madeleine’s acquittal, a new life of fame, wealth and tabloid celebrity awaits — until the truth comes out.
The acquisition marks Music Box Films’ fifth collaboration with Ozon,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Melvil Poupaud: "They are doing a little retrospective of my work at the Fi:af, French Institute, and I have a masterclass at NYU." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Nicolas Pariser’s The Great Game (Le Grand Jeu); Éric Rohmer’s A Tale Of Summer (Conte d'été); François Ozon’s By The Grace Of God (Grâce à Dieu); Charles de Meaux’s The Lady In The Portrait (Le Portrait Interdit); two from Raúl Ruiz, Genealogies Of A Crime (Généalogies d'Un Crime) and Treasure Island (L'Île Au Trésor); Zoe R Cassavetes’ Broken English, and Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways will all be screened in Magnetic Melvil Poupaud.
François Ozon's By the Grace of God in Magnetic Melvil Poupaud Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The CinéSalon series opens on Tuesday, March 7 with Carine Tardieu’s The Young Lovers (Les Jeunes Amants) at 7:30pm followed by a Q&a with Melvil Poupaud inside Florence Gould Hall...
Nicolas Pariser’s The Great Game (Le Grand Jeu); Éric Rohmer’s A Tale Of Summer (Conte d'été); François Ozon’s By The Grace Of God (Grâce à Dieu); Charles de Meaux’s The Lady In The Portrait (Le Portrait Interdit); two from Raúl Ruiz, Genealogies Of A Crime (Généalogies d'Un Crime) and Treasure Island (L'Île Au Trésor); Zoe R Cassavetes’ Broken English, and Xavier Dolan’s Laurence Anyways will all be screened in Magnetic Melvil Poupaud.
François Ozon's By the Grace of God in Magnetic Melvil Poupaud Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The CinéSalon series opens on Tuesday, March 7 with Carine Tardieu’s The Young Lovers (Les Jeunes Amants) at 7:30pm followed by a Q&a with Melvil Poupaud inside Florence Gould Hall...
- 3/4/2023
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The cinema release schedule in March is, in two words, quite random.
Not only is there Scream 6, a horror sequel fast-tracked following the success of a fifth outing released just 13 months ago, but there’s 65, a post-apocalyptic dinosaur thriller fronted by Adam Driver, who’d be the first to admit he’s an unexpected choice for lead.
Elsewhere, there’s a sports comedy following four Tom Brady-obsessed NFL fans, played by screen titans Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field, a Dungeons & Dragons adaptation starring Hugh Grant, and a sequel to (checks notes) the DC film Shazam! – as we said: random.
Ti West’s X sequel, Pearl, will also finally be released in the UK, an inexplicable six months after it came out in America.
Then there is the below five films, which we believe sit top of the peak. Here are the five films...
Not only is there Scream 6, a horror sequel fast-tracked following the success of a fifth outing released just 13 months ago, but there’s 65, a post-apocalyptic dinosaur thriller fronted by Adam Driver, who’d be the first to admit he’s an unexpected choice for lead.
Elsewhere, there’s a sports comedy following four Tom Brady-obsessed NFL fans, played by screen titans Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field, a Dungeons & Dragons adaptation starring Hugh Grant, and a sequel to (checks notes) the DC film Shazam! – as we said: random.
Ti West’s X sequel, Pearl, will also finally be released in the UK, an inexplicable six months after it came out in America.
Then there is the below five films, which we believe sit top of the peak. Here are the five films...
- 3/1/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Film
Melvil Poupaud and Marion Cotillard in Arnaud Desplechin’s Brother And Sister (Frère Et Sœur) screening in Unifrance and Film at Lincoln Center’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema Photo: Shanna Besson/Why Not Productions
In the first instalment with Melvil Poupaud (who is being honoured at the French Institute in New York next month) we discuss the dark side of Arnaud Desplechin’s Brother And Sister (Frère Et Sœur), Mathieu Amalric in A Christmas Tale and Kings And Queens, Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning, a touch of François Ozon’s By The Grace Of God, James Joyce’s The Dead, Eric Rohmer’s A Summer’s Tale, and Woody Allen’s Coup De Chance with Lou de Laâge, Niels Schneider and Valérie Lemercier.
Melvil Poupaud with Anne-Katrin Titze: “I always understood that the most gratifying thing when you’re an actor is when a great director such as Eric Rohmer...
In the first instalment with Melvil Poupaud (who is being honoured at the French Institute in New York next month) we discuss the dark side of Arnaud Desplechin’s Brother And Sister (Frère Et Sœur), Mathieu Amalric in A Christmas Tale and Kings And Queens, Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning, a touch of François Ozon’s By The Grace Of God, James Joyce’s The Dead, Eric Rohmer’s A Summer’s Tale, and Woody Allen’s Coup De Chance with Lou de Laâge, Niels Schneider and Valérie Lemercier.
Melvil Poupaud with Anne-Katrin Titze: “I always understood that the most gratifying thing when you’re an actor is when a great director such as Eric Rohmer...
- 2/15/2023
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Unifrance cocktail event at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, held in partnership with Variety, saw a heady mix of film executives and artists mingle at the sea terrace of the plush Excelsior hotel.
Presiding over proceedings was Unifrance executive director Daniela Elstner and artists present included director Romain Gavras and actor Ouassini Embarek, whose film “Athena” is in the main competition at the festival. Also attending were actor Swann Arlaud, César winner for “Bloody Milk” and “By the Grace of God,” who is at Venice with his new film “Beating Sun,” by Philippe Petit, who was also present; and filmmaker Audrey Diwan, who won the Venice Golden Lion last year for “Happening” and is serving on the jury this year.
Jean-Paul Salomé and Bertrand Faivre, the director and producer respectively of Horizons strand selection “The Sitting Duck,” were also present as was “The Blessed” filmmaker Sofia Djama, who...
Presiding over proceedings was Unifrance executive director Daniela Elstner and artists present included director Romain Gavras and actor Ouassini Embarek, whose film “Athena” is in the main competition at the festival. Also attending were actor Swann Arlaud, César winner for “Bloody Milk” and “By the Grace of God,” who is at Venice with his new film “Beating Sun,” by Philippe Petit, who was also present; and filmmaker Audrey Diwan, who won the Venice Golden Lion last year for “Happening” and is serving on the jury this year.
Jean-Paul Salomé and Bertrand Faivre, the director and producer respectively of Horizons strand selection “The Sitting Duck,” were also present as was “The Blessed” filmmaker Sofia Djama, who...
- 9/5/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
More than 20 years after adapting a Rainer Werner Fassbinder play called “Waters Drops on Burning Rocks” into a movie, François Ozon has made this gender-flipped adaptation of one of Fassbinder’s greatest films, “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” in an attempt to understand Fassbinder’s real-life struggle with the power plays of love.
Fassbinder’s “Petra von Kant” was shot very quickly on a very low budget, and he used a lot of long takes; every camera movement in Fassbinder’s version of this material feels so ultra-controlled that watching it is like getting tied up in an S & M dungeon or getting slowly strangled by a python. Ozon shoots his own “Peter von Kant” with a casualness that can feel frivolous, and he uses very conventional short takes for shot/reverse shot conversations.
Fassbinder’s “Petra von Kant” revolves around a lesbian love triangle that consists of...
Fassbinder’s “Petra von Kant” was shot very quickly on a very low budget, and he used a lot of long takes; every camera movement in Fassbinder’s version of this material feels so ultra-controlled that watching it is like getting tied up in an S & M dungeon or getting slowly strangled by a python. Ozon shoots his own “Peter von Kant” with a casualness that can feel frivolous, and he uses very conventional short takes for shot/reverse shot conversations.
Fassbinder’s “Petra von Kant” revolves around a lesbian love triangle that consists of...
- 9/2/2022
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
Francois Ozon, whose latest film, “Peter von Kant,” opened the Berlinale, is already shooting his next movie, “Madeleine,” with a flurry of stars including Isabelle Huppert, Dany Boon and Fabrice Luchini.
The project, which is believed to be his most ambitious since “8 Women,” is being introduced to buyers at Cannes by Playtime and has already sparked strong interest. The plot is being kept under wraps, but Playtime is presenting the script to select buyers.
Ozon is one of the few bankable European directors whose films have opened at major festivals and traditionally sell around the world, including in the U.S.
“Madeleine” reteams Ozon with his regular producers, Eric and Nicolas Altmayer at Mandarin Cinema. Gaumont will be distributing the film in France, according to Satellifacts.
The cast also includes Rebecca Marder, the rising French star of Arnaud Desplechin’s “Tromperie” and Sandrine Kiberlain’s “Une jeune fille qui va bien.
The project, which is believed to be his most ambitious since “8 Women,” is being introduced to buyers at Cannes by Playtime and has already sparked strong interest. The plot is being kept under wraps, but Playtime is presenting the script to select buyers.
Ozon is one of the few bankable European directors whose films have opened at major festivals and traditionally sell around the world, including in the U.S.
“Madeleine” reteams Ozon with his regular producers, Eric and Nicolas Altmayer at Mandarin Cinema. Gaumont will be distributing the film in France, according to Satellifacts.
The cast also includes Rebecca Marder, the rising French star of Arnaud Desplechin’s “Tromperie” and Sandrine Kiberlain’s “Une jeune fille qui va bien.
- 5/19/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Following its world premiere as the Berlin Film Festival opener, Francois Ozon’s “Peter von Kant” has been acquired by Strand Releasing for U.S. distribution.
Represented in international markets by Playtime, the critically acclaimed movie is inspired by Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s cult film “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” with Denis Menochet playing the tormented filmmaker, opposite Isabelle Adjani, who stars as his muse.
Ozon previously told Variety that the movie was a “universal tale of passion, timely as ever” and “explores the relationships of domination, control and submission in the creative world.”
“Peter von Kant” marks Ozon’s sixth movie that played in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. He won the Silver Bear for his 2018 film, “By the Grace of God,” and “8 Women” 20 years ago. He also debuted “Water Drops on Burning Rocks,” another adaptation of a Fassbinder work, at the festival in 2000.
Playtime...
Represented in international markets by Playtime, the critically acclaimed movie is inspired by Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s cult film “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” with Denis Menochet playing the tormented filmmaker, opposite Isabelle Adjani, who stars as his muse.
Ozon previously told Variety that the movie was a “universal tale of passion, timely as ever” and “explores the relationships of domination, control and submission in the creative world.”
“Peter von Kant” marks Ozon’s sixth movie that played in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. He won the Silver Bear for his 2018 film, “By the Grace of God,” and “8 Women” 20 years ago. He also debuted “Water Drops on Burning Rocks,” another adaptation of a Fassbinder work, at the festival in 2000.
Playtime...
- 3/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The breath of life and beating heart at the center of countless, Russian nesting doll layers of artifice and art-house reference, actor Denis Menochet doesn’t just anchor “Peter von Kant,” he makes the Francois Ozon project a film. Because without its venerable lead, this twenty-first feature from France’s most prolific modern director might be something of a lark — and wrangles it into a deep-in-the-weeds pseudo-biopic of the German filmmaker himself.
In some ways a sort of spiritual — if admittedly much less audacious — cousin to Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There,” “Peter von Kant” looks to explore an artist through the prism of his own creations, pulling up the script to Fassbinder’s 1972 film (itself adapted from an earlier play) and Ctrl+H-ing each character with analogues for the director and those in his orbit. And so, in this telling, Peter von Kant is a hard-partying, West German director at...
In some ways a sort of spiritual — if admittedly much less audacious — cousin to Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There,” “Peter von Kant” looks to explore an artist through the prism of his own creations, pulling up the script to Fassbinder’s 1972 film (itself adapted from an earlier play) and Ctrl+H-ing each character with analogues for the director and those in his orbit. And so, in this telling, Peter von Kant is a hard-partying, West German director at...
- 2/10/2022
- by Ben Croll
- Indiewire
François Ozon, the prolific and provocative French director who won the Berlinale’s 2018 Golden Bear Award with “By the Grace of God,” is returning to the festival with “Peter von Kant” which will world premiere on opening night. A twist on Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s cult film “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” Ozon’s movie has Denis Menochet playing the tormented filmmaker, opposite Isabelle Adjani, who stars as his muse. Like the original film, “Peter von Kant” is about a film about love, jealousy and domination. It’s Ozon’s sixth movie in competition at the Berlin Film Festival. Ozon’s Berlin films include 2000’s “Water Drops on Burning Rocks,” another adaptation of a Fassbinder work, and “8 Women,” which won the Silver Bear 20 years ago. The director discussed his artistic ambition for the “Peter von Kant” with Variety.
This is your second Fassbinder-based project. Why is Fassbinder...
This is your second Fassbinder-based project. Why is Fassbinder...
- 2/10/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Peter Von Kant
Having recently crossed off the name of Sophie Marceau on his working with great French actresses bingo card with his last film (Tout s’est bien passé), his latest project, which began filming earlier last year, features the iconic Isabelle Adjani and the participation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder protégé Hanna Schygulla. Selected as the opening film for the next edition of the Berlin Intl. Film Festival, François Ozon makes a rare entry into biopic and film about a film genre and reteams with his By the Grace of God cinematographer Manuel Dacosse.
Gist: An adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, the character of Petra von Kant is instead a male character (played by Denis Menochet).…...
Having recently crossed off the name of Sophie Marceau on his working with great French actresses bingo card with his last film (Tout s’est bien passé), his latest project, which began filming earlier last year, features the iconic Isabelle Adjani and the participation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder protégé Hanna Schygulla. Selected as the opening film for the next edition of the Berlin Intl. Film Festival, François Ozon makes a rare entry into biopic and film about a film genre and reteams with his By the Grace of God cinematographer Manuel Dacosse.
Gist: An adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, the character of Petra von Kant is instead a male character (played by Denis Menochet).…...
- 1/14/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The 72nd edition of the Berlin International Film Festival will open with François Ozon drama Peter Von Kant, starring Denis Menochet, Isabelle Adjani and Hanna Schygulla.
The French-language film will play as part of the international Competition and get its world premiere on February 10, 2022, at the Berlinale Palast.
The feature is an adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s heralded film Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant (The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, 1972). The French filmmaker turns the character of Petra von Kant into a man and a filmmaker in a nod to Fassbinder.
Berlin organizers this morning announced protocols and restrictions for the in-person event, which will be shortened by three days and run with 50% capacity in cinemas.
The event remains one of the few festivals still on course to go ahead in-person at the start of 2022 after Sundance and Palm Springs were forced to cancel their physical...
The French-language film will play as part of the international Competition and get its world premiere on February 10, 2022, at the Berlinale Palast.
The feature is an adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s heralded film Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant (The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, 1972). The French filmmaker turns the character of Petra von Kant into a man and a filmmaker in a nod to Fassbinder.
Berlin organizers this morning announced protocols and restrictions for the in-person event, which will be shortened by three days and run with 50% capacity in cinemas.
The event remains one of the few festivals still on course to go ahead in-person at the start of 2022 after Sundance and Palm Springs were forced to cancel their physical...
- 1/12/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Berlin Film Festival has its opening film in François Ozon’s “Peter von Kant.”
The film, which stars Denis Menochet, Isabelle Adjani and Hanna Schygulla, is part of the fest’s International Competition and will have its world premiere on Feb. 10 at the Berlinale Palast. Variety revealed on Tuesday that the festival is planning to go ahead as an in-person event, and organizers provided further details of the plan on Wednesday.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome back François Ozon to the festival and are happy to launch our next edition with his new film,” said Berlin artistic director Carlo Chatrian. “For this year’s opening, we were looking for a film that could bring lightness and verve into our somber daily lives. ‘Peter von Kant’ is a theatrical tour de force around the concept of lockdown. In the hands of Ozon, the kammerspiel becomes the perfect container for love and jealousy,...
The film, which stars Denis Menochet, Isabelle Adjani and Hanna Schygulla, is part of the fest’s International Competition and will have its world premiere on Feb. 10 at the Berlinale Palast. Variety revealed on Tuesday that the festival is planning to go ahead as an in-person event, and organizers provided further details of the plan on Wednesday.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome back François Ozon to the festival and are happy to launch our next edition with his new film,” said Berlin artistic director Carlo Chatrian. “For this year’s opening, we were looking for a film that could bring lightness and verve into our somber daily lives. ‘Peter von Kant’ is a theatrical tour de force around the concept of lockdown. In the hands of Ozon, the kammerspiel becomes the perfect container for love and jealousy,...
- 1/12/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The aim is for greater emphasis on executive production and co-production.
London-based international sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures, whose titles include Censor and Venice’s Official Competition, has restructured its team, with three new appointments and a slew of promotions.
Alexis Hamaide joins as marketing manager from L’Avventura Studio in Paris, former Carnaby International and WestEnd Films exec Jonathan Walik has been appointed sales executive and Isabel Ivars, who has previously worked at Wide Management and Films Boutique is the new library and festivals manager.
“Our new roles reflect the shifting landscape of film financing and Jonathan,...
London-based international sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures, whose titles include Censor and Venice’s Official Competition, has restructured its team, with three new appointments and a slew of promotions.
Alexis Hamaide joins as marketing manager from L’Avventura Studio in Paris, former Carnaby International and WestEnd Films exec Jonathan Walik has been appointed sales executive and Isabel Ivars, who has previously worked at Wide Management and Films Boutique is the new library and festivals manager.
“Our new roles reflect the shifting landscape of film financing and Jonathan,...
- 9/2/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Mars Films, the Paris-based distribution company that released Oscar winners “12 Years a Slave” and “Moonlight,” has finalized its restructuring plan with minority shareholder Vivendi Content, a branch of Universal Music Group and Canal Plus Group’s parent company.
Founded by Stephane Celerier and Valerie Garcia in 2007, the once thriving company has been in the process of financial restructuring and monitoring since Aug. 2019.
Vivendi, which had acquired a 30% stake in the company back in 2015, will convert its €11.2 million ($13 million) debt into equity and is acquiring Mars Films’ library of more than 200 titles for all rights in France.
The Mars catalogue includes hit French co-productions such as “La Famille Belier,” the hit French heart-warming comedy that was remade into “Coda,” “Two is a Family” with Omar Sy, Fred Cavayé’s “Le jeu”; and award-winning indies such as Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave,” Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight,” Asif Kapadia’s “Amy,...
Founded by Stephane Celerier and Valerie Garcia in 2007, the once thriving company has been in the process of financial restructuring and monitoring since Aug. 2019.
Vivendi, which had acquired a 30% stake in the company back in 2015, will convert its €11.2 million ($13 million) debt into equity and is acquiring Mars Films’ library of more than 200 titles for all rights in France.
The Mars catalogue includes hit French co-productions such as “La Famille Belier,” the hit French heart-warming comedy that was remade into “Coda,” “Two is a Family” with Omar Sy, Fred Cavayé’s “Le jeu”; and award-winning indies such as Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave,” Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight,” Asif Kapadia’s “Amy,...
- 8/20/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Early in “Everything Went Fine,” ailing 85-year-old André asks — instructs, really — his daughter Emmanuèle to help him end his life. After a brief period of understandable panic, she takes the assignment more or less in stride, give or take the odd cry behind closed bathroom doors. “Why would your father ask this of his daughter?” her bewildered husband asks her in bed one night. “That’s why, because I’m his daughter,” she replies, seemingly amazed he has to ask. Thus does François Ozon’s tender-hearted but cool-headed euthanasia drama effectively divide the world into people who understand this and people who don’t, while remaining sympathetic to all parties.
Adapted from French writer Emmanuèle Bernheim’s memoir of her father’s death, this elegantly written, persuasively performed drama finds the ever-unpredictable Ozon in his plainest, most pragmatic gear as a filmmaker. The results are cinematically low-key, but a tony cast of familiar faces,...
Adapted from French writer Emmanuèle Bernheim’s memoir of her father’s death, this elegantly written, persuasively performed drama finds the ever-unpredictable Ozon in his plainest, most pragmatic gear as a filmmaker. The results are cinematically low-key, but a tony cast of familiar faces,...
- 7/7/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Naomi Watts is set to star in and executive produce the English-language remake of the hit Austrian psychological thriller “Goodnight Mommy,” set up at Amazon Studios.
The streamer will mount the remake with indie prestige label Animal Kingdom and production company Playtime. Released in 2014, the original film became a cult classic and was selected as the Austrian entry for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards.
Matt Sobel (“Take Me To The River”) is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, Valery Guibal and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert are producing. In addition to Watts, the original film’s directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz will serve as executive producers.
Playtime acquired the remake rights and developed the new film with Playtime. Amazon is financing and releasing worldwide.
“Goodnight Mommy” follows twin brothers who, when sent to stay with their mother, are surprised to find her swathed in bandages from a recent procedure.
The streamer will mount the remake with indie prestige label Animal Kingdom and production company Playtime. Released in 2014, the original film became a cult classic and was selected as the Austrian entry for best foreign language film at the Academy Awards.
Matt Sobel (“Take Me To The River”) is directing from a script by Kyle Warren. David Kaplan, Joshua Astrachan, Valery Guibal and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert are producing. In addition to Watts, the original film’s directors Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz will serve as executive producers.
Playtime acquired the remake rights and developed the new film with Playtime. Amazon is financing and releasing worldwide.
“Goodnight Mommy” follows twin brothers who, when sent to stay with their mother, are surprised to find her swathed in bandages from a recent procedure.
- 4/6/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The physical experience of the cinema in 2020 has been a fragmented stop and start scenario. Not being able to visit the cinema has been discouraging, but in putting this mix together I was reminded, pandemic aside, there have been new movies worth getting excited about and distinctive music and sounds to accompany them. Over the 1 hour, 39 minute run time this mix stops and starts in different mood zones, symmetrical to the year it represents. Between pieces of original score and soundtrack are voices and sounds, sometimes of hope, sometimes more sinister. Meandering in pace, this mix is a snapshot of feelings, as quickly as they come they move into different territory. We open with extracts from Garrett Bradely’s Time, these echoes of childhood and family swirl forward years as if inside a sonic time capsule. We hear voices weave in and out, “lots of things changed since the beginning of this tape.
- 12/28/2020
- MUBI
Gaumont has come on board “Fantasies,” a sex-themed French comedy headlined by Monica Bellucci (“Spectre”), Carole Bouquet (“For Your Eyes Only”) and Karine Viard (“Famille Belier”).
Directed by David and Stephane Foenkinos, the omnibus film follows six couples and revolves around their intimate lives and fantasies, from role-playing to exhibitionism and abstinence.
Besides Bellucci, Bouquet and Viard, the film stars Suzanne Clément (“Mommy”), Jean-Paul Rouve (“C’est la Vie!”), Joséphine Japy (“Love at Second Sight”), Denis Podalydès (“An Officer and a Spy”), Céline Sallette (“The Returned”), Nicolas Bedos (“Mr & Mrs Adelman”), Ramzy Bedia (“Lost Bullet”), Alice Taglioni (“Claire Darling”), Joséphine de Meaux (“Dheepan”) and William Lebghil (“C’est la Vie!”)
“Fantasies” is in post-production and will be released in France by Gaumont during the second semester of 2021. Gaumont is handling international sales on the movie and will introduce it to buyers at the American Film Market, which kicks off Monday.
“With its glamorous cast,...
Directed by David and Stephane Foenkinos, the omnibus film follows six couples and revolves around their intimate lives and fantasies, from role-playing to exhibitionism and abstinence.
Besides Bellucci, Bouquet and Viard, the film stars Suzanne Clément (“Mommy”), Jean-Paul Rouve (“C’est la Vie!”), Joséphine Japy (“Love at Second Sight”), Denis Podalydès (“An Officer and a Spy”), Céline Sallette (“The Returned”), Nicolas Bedos (“Mr & Mrs Adelman”), Ramzy Bedia (“Lost Bullet”), Alice Taglioni (“Claire Darling”), Joséphine de Meaux (“Dheepan”) and William Lebghil (“C’est la Vie!”)
“Fantasies” is in post-production and will be released in France by Gaumont during the second semester of 2021. Gaumont is handling international sales on the movie and will introduce it to buyers at the American Film Market, which kicks off Monday.
“With its glamorous cast,...
- 11/6/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The director on waiting 35 years to film the perfect gay love story, and how French cinema is coping with Covid
French writer-director François Ozon, 52, is famous for his prodigious output. He directed his first full-length feature, Sitcom, in 1998, and his 19th, Summer of 85, a love story about two teenage boys in a Normandy seaside town, is out in the UK this month. In between, his diverse output includes the musical 8 Women, the retro comedy Potiche, the Ruth Rendell adaptation The New Girlfriend and last year’s By the Grace of God.
What were you doing in the summer of ’85?
What was I doing? I think I went to Spain with a friend – I can’t remember exactly, I’d have to ask my parents. The film was going to be called Summer of 84. I changed the title because of Robert Smith of the Cure. I absolutely wanted to use their song In Between Days,...
French writer-director François Ozon, 52, is famous for his prodigious output. He directed his first full-length feature, Sitcom, in 1998, and his 19th, Summer of 85, a love story about two teenage boys in a Normandy seaside town, is out in the UK this month. In between, his diverse output includes the musical 8 Women, the retro comedy Potiche, the Ruth Rendell adaptation The New Girlfriend and last year’s By the Grace of God.
What were you doing in the summer of ’85?
What was I doing? I think I went to Spain with a friend – I can’t remember exactly, I’d have to ask my parents. The film was going to be called Summer of 84. I changed the title because of Robert Smith of the Cure. I absolutely wanted to use their song In Between Days,...
- 10/18/2020
- by Jonathan Romney
- The Guardian - Film News
Fanny Ardant, Melvil Poupaud, Cécile de France and Florence Loiret-Caille lead the cast of this feature film by Agat Film & Ex Nihilo and Karé Productions, which is sold by mk2 Films. Since 14 September, Carine Tardieu has been shooting The Young Lovers, her 4th full-length film after In Mom’s Head, The Dandelions and Just To Be Sure (unveiled in the Directors’ Fortnight in 2017). Starring in the cast are Fanny Ardant (recently awarded the Best Supporting Role César for her part in La Belle Époque and touring cinemas as of 28 October courtesy of DNA), Melvil Poupaud, Belgium’s Cécile de France (recently nominated...
After a trio of films that saw François Ozon feeling out the far extremes of his interest and ability — 2016’s monochrome interwar melodrama “Frantz,” the winking De Palma-esque mindfuck “Double Lover,” and last year’s journalistic Catholic priest exposé “By the Grace of God” — the precocious and pétillant “Summer of 85” finds the prolific French auteur circling back to the kind of lurid, playful, and unapologetically queer psychodramas that first made him famous in the late ’90s. But it wouldn’t be right to characterize this stormy coming-of-age story as a return to form, as that would imply some kind of desperate scramble back to the safety of the shore.
In truth, Ozon was never off his game so much as he was simply testing the outer limits of the board. And his 19th feature isn’t a retreat back to the Patricia Highsmith-inflected likes of “See the Sea,...
In truth, Ozon was never off his game so much as he was simply testing the outer limits of the board. And his 19th feature isn’t a retreat back to the Patricia Highsmith-inflected likes of “See the Sea,...
- 9/14/2020
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Music Box plans 2021 theatrical release.
Music Box Films has picked up François Ozon’s Summer Of 85 (Été 85), the TIFF selection and coming-of-age story that premiered in virtual Cannes.
Music Box plans a 2021 theatrical release on the first love drama, and previously handled Ozon’s Potiche, Frantz, and By The Grace Of God.
Summer Of 85 centres on 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat capsizes on the coast of Normandy.
Alexis thinks he has met the person of his dreams, but their relationship may not last more than one summer.
Music Box Films has picked up François Ozon’s Summer Of 85 (Été 85), the TIFF selection and coming-of-age story that premiered in virtual Cannes.
Music Box plans a 2021 theatrical release on the first love drama, and previously handled Ozon’s Potiche, Frantz, and By The Grace Of God.
Summer Of 85 centres on 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat capsizes on the coast of Normandy.
Alexis thinks he has met the person of his dreams, but their relationship may not last more than one summer.
- 9/10/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Music Box Films has scooped U.S. rights to French auteur Francois Ozon’s “Summer of 85,” a highlight of Cannes 2020’s Official Selection which is set to play at Toronto and San Sebastian film festivals. The film is represented in international markets by the Paris-based company Playtime.
“Summer of 85” marks Ozon’s follow up to “By The Grace of God,” the winner of Berlin’s 2019 Silver Bear Award. “Summer of 85” reunites Ozon with Music Box, the U.S. distributor of “By The Grace of God,” “Potiche” and “Frantz.”
Music Box is planning to release the film theatrically next year, followed by a release on home entertainment.
Inspired by Aidan Chambers’ novel “Dance On My Grave,” “Summer of 85” is a poignant tale of first love. The film follows 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat...
“Summer of 85” marks Ozon’s follow up to “By The Grace of God,” the winner of Berlin’s 2019 Silver Bear Award. “Summer of 85” reunites Ozon with Music Box, the U.S. distributor of “By The Grace of God,” “Potiche” and “Frantz.”
Music Box is planning to release the film theatrically next year, followed by a release on home entertainment.
Inspired by Aidan Chambers’ novel “Dance On My Grave,” “Summer of 85” is a poignant tale of first love. The film follows 16-year-old Alexis (Félix Lefebvre) and David (Benjamin Voisin), the mysterious and handsome 18-year-old who saves him when his boat...
- 9/9/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The musical will feature Mathieu Amalric, Mélanie Thierry, Josiane Balasko, Maïwenn, Denis Lavant and Jalil Lespert. An Sbs production sold by Pyramide. On Monday 24 August, brothers Arnaud and Jean-Marie Larrieu began shooting on Tralala, their 8th feature after, amongst others, To Paint or Make Love (in competition in Cannes in 2005), Le Voyage aux Pyrénées (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs 2008), Happy End (Piazza Grande in Locarno 2009), Love is the Perfect Crime (Toronto 2013) and 21 Nights with Pattie (Best Screenplay award in San Sebastian in 2015). The cast includes Mathieu Amalric (soon to appear in The French Dispatch), Mélanie Thierry (nominated in the Best Actress category at the 2019 Césars for Memoir of War; recently seen in Da 5 Bloods), Josiane Balasko (nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category at the 2020 Césars for By the Grace of God; soon in La pièce rapportée), Maïwenn (in cinemas on October...
Camille Cottin, Swann Arlaud, Patrick d’Assumçao and Anne-Lise Heimburger star in the cast of this Les Films du Cap production set to be sold by Other Angle Pictures. Since 29 July, shooting has been underway on Mona Achache’s Cœurs vaillants, the director’s third feature film after The Hedgehog and Les Gazelles. Stealing focus in the cast are Camille Cottin, Swann Arlaud (the winner of the 2018 Best Actor César for Bloody Milk and the 2020 Best Supporting Role gong for By the Grace of God, also at his best in The Bare Necessity, and whom we’ll...
Not since the summer of 2003, when François Ozon unveiled Sapphic sizzler “Swimming Pool” at the Cannes Film Festival, has the French director seduced audiences quite as brazenly as he does in “Summer of 85,” which was also set to premiere at Cannes, before the global coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of the 2020 edition. Undaunted, the film opened July 14 in French theaters, which have rebounded faster than those of the U.S., with a festival premiere planned for San Sebastián in the fall.
(HIV was already ravaging the gay community, but it wasn’t till the death of Rock Hudson in October 1985, a few months after the film is set, that many acknowledged the crisis). The nostalgia here is undercut by tragedy, though no virus is to blame in what feels like Ozon’s response to “Call Me by Your Name” — his own effervescent account of two souls who found one another for a single season,...
(HIV was already ravaging the gay community, but it wasn’t till the death of Rock Hudson in October 1985, a few months after the film is set, that many acknowledged the crisis). The nostalgia here is undercut by tragedy, though no virus is to blame in what feels like Ozon’s response to “Call Me by Your Name” — his own effervescent account of two souls who found one another for a single season,...
- 7/14/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
By Beryl Liu, International InternCannes Competiton’s ‘Summer of 85’’/ ‘Ete 85’, the new film from French director François Ozon, and the first feature from the Cannes 2020 official selection will be theatrically released by Diaphana in France on July 14th.
Additional international territorial rights have already been licensed to September for Benelux, Camera for Denmark, Filmladen for Austria and Edge for Sweden.
Playtime (known as Films Distribution until September 2017) is a Paris-based hybrid finance, venture investment, and international sales company active since 1997. Committed to amplifying diverse voices around the world the past 20 years, the company has made a name for itself in the marketplace as a high end sales agency selling feature films to international distributors and broadcasters. Playtime is dedicated to award-winning directors and innovative art-house films from around the world, and to discovering new filmmakers. Playtime is also an active co-producer, under the Playtime Production banner, and has recently...
Additional international territorial rights have already been licensed to September for Benelux, Camera for Denmark, Filmladen for Austria and Edge for Sweden.
Playtime (known as Films Distribution until September 2017) is a Paris-based hybrid finance, venture investment, and international sales company active since 1997. Committed to amplifying diverse voices around the world the past 20 years, the company has made a name for itself in the marketplace as a high end sales agency selling feature films to international distributors and broadcasters. Playtime is dedicated to award-winning directors and innovative art-house films from around the world, and to discovering new filmmakers. Playtime is also an active co-producer, under the Playtime Production banner, and has recently...
- 6/24/2020
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Tokyo-based Flag Co. has acquired all Japanese rights to François Ozon’s “Summer of 85” from Playtime. The film is one of the highlights of the Cannes’ 2020 Official Selection and is also screening at the online market.
“Summer of 85” marks Ozon’s anticipated follow up to “By The Grace of God” which won the Silver Bear Award at Berlin last year. A prestigious filmmaker, Ozon is also considered a ‘Cannes regular,” having presented four movies in the Official Selection before, notably the critically acclaimed “Swimming Pool” which competed in 2003.
A screen adaptation of Aidan Chambers’ novel “Dance On My Grave,” “Summer of 85” tells the love story of Alexis and David. When 16-year-old Alexis capsizes off the coast of Normandy, he is saved heroically by 18-year-old David. Immediately, Alexis feels he might just have met the best friend of his dreams. Both Alexis and David make great promises to...
“Summer of 85” marks Ozon’s anticipated follow up to “By The Grace of God” which won the Silver Bear Award at Berlin last year. A prestigious filmmaker, Ozon is also considered a ‘Cannes regular,” having presented four movies in the Official Selection before, notably the critically acclaimed “Swimming Pool” which competed in 2003.
A screen adaptation of Aidan Chambers’ novel “Dance On My Grave,” “Summer of 85” tells the love story of Alexis and David. When 16-year-old Alexis capsizes off the coast of Normandy, he is saved heroically by 18-year-old David. Immediately, Alexis feels he might just have met the best friend of his dreams. Both Alexis and David make great promises to...
- 6/23/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“Call Me by Your” what? François Ozon’s new film “Summer of 85,” based on the latest international trailer, looks to be the gay summer-of-love story to end them all. The queer romance, set in 1985, boasts a killer soundtrack including The Cure and Bananarama, gorgeous cinematography, a coastal setting, striped T-shirts, and, of course, a beautiful cast, led by French cinema favorites Félix Lefebvre, Benjamin Voisin, Philippine Velge, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Melvil Poupaud, and Isabelle Nanty. Check out the latest international trailer below.
“Summer of 85” was originally set to world-premiere as part of the (canceled) 2020 Cannes Film Festival competition lineup. It’ll still carry the festival branding as it rolls out in French theaters beginning July 14, as with other would’ve-been competition films including Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers,” Francis Lee’s own queer romance “Ammonite,” and many more.
Here’s the official synopsis:...
“Summer of 85” was originally set to world-premiere as part of the (canceled) 2020 Cannes Film Festival competition lineup. It’ll still carry the festival branding as it rolls out in French theaters beginning July 14, as with other would’ve-been competition films including Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers,” Francis Lee’s own queer romance “Ammonite,” and many more.
Here’s the official synopsis:...
- 6/20/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
“Call Me by Your” what? François Ozon’s new film “Summer of 85,” based on the latest international trailer, looks to be the gay summer-of-love story to end them all. The queer romance, set in 1985, boasts a killer soundtrack including The Cure and Bananarama, gorgeous cinematography, a coastal setting, striped T-shirts, and, of course, a beautiful cast, led by French cinema favorites Félix Lefebvre, Benjamin Voisin, Philippine Velge, Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi, Melvil Poupaud, and Isabelle Nanty. Check out the latest international trailer below.
“Summer of 85” was originally set to world-premiere as part of the (canceled) 2020 Cannes Film Festival competition lineup. It’ll still carry the festival branding as it rolls out in French theaters beginning July 14, as with other would’ve-been competition films including Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers,” Francis Lee’s own queer romance “Ammonite,” and many more.
Here’s the official synopsis:...
“Summer of 85” was originally set to world-premiere as part of the (canceled) 2020 Cannes Film Festival competition lineup. It’ll still carry the festival branding as it rolls out in French theaters beginning July 14, as with other would’ve-been competition films including Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers,” Francis Lee’s own queer romance “Ammonite,” and many more.
Here’s the official synopsis:...
- 6/20/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Pixar’s “Soul,” Wes Anderson’s star-packed “The French Dispatch” and Steve McQueen’s “Mangrove” and Lover’s Rock” are among the 56 movies which will receive a Cannes 2020 label as part of the festival’s eclectic Official Selection.
Also included in this year’s lineup, are Cannes regulars such as Francois Ozon’s anticipated “Summer 85,” Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers” and Maiwenn’s “DNA.”
The other celebrated filmmakers who will receive the Cannes 2020 label are Jonathan Nossiter with “Last Words,” Im Sang-soo with “Event” and Thomas Vinterberg with “Another Round.” As many other titles on this year’s lineup, these films were initially tipped for the festival before it canceled its physical edition in April and sticked with the French Riviera-set fest for various reasons, ranging from loyalty to distribution/marketing strategy. For instance, “Summer 85,” which marks Ozon’s follow up to his Berlin Golden Bear winning “By The Grace of God,...
Also included in this year’s lineup, are Cannes regulars such as Francois Ozon’s anticipated “Summer 85,” Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers” and Maiwenn’s “DNA.”
The other celebrated filmmakers who will receive the Cannes 2020 label are Jonathan Nossiter with “Last Words,” Im Sang-soo with “Event” and Thomas Vinterberg with “Another Round.” As many other titles on this year’s lineup, these films were initially tipped for the festival before it canceled its physical edition in April and sticked with the French Riviera-set fest for various reasons, ranging from loyalty to distribution/marketing strategy. For instance, “Summer 85,” which marks Ozon’s follow up to his Berlin Golden Bear winning “By The Grace of God,...
- 6/3/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Is your at-home streaming slowing down now that everyone else in your neighborhood is also at home, streaming? May we suggest good old, reliable physical media?
New Indie
We need to stop acting surprised when Adam Sandler gives a powerful performance, as he does in the Safdie brothers’ “Uncut Gems” (Lionsgate); great work pops up throughout his career, from “Punch-Drunk Love” to “The Meyerowitz Stories.” Granted, whereas some movie stars take a “one for them, one for me” approach to balancing popcorn fare with arthouse titles, Sandler is more “ten for them, one for me”; if a great Sandler performance needn’t elicit shock anymore, it should bring up a touch of sadness for the career that might have been.
If you haven’t seen “Good Time” or other earlier Safdie movies, you might not be prepared for their brand of anxious, cinematic-panic-attack filmmaking. “Uncut Gems” will make you uneasy,...
New Indie
We need to stop acting surprised when Adam Sandler gives a powerful performance, as he does in the Safdie brothers’ “Uncut Gems” (Lionsgate); great work pops up throughout his career, from “Punch-Drunk Love” to “The Meyerowitz Stories.” Granted, whereas some movie stars take a “one for them, one for me” approach to balancing popcorn fare with arthouse titles, Sandler is more “ten for them, one for me”; if a great Sandler performance needn’t elicit shock anymore, it should bring up a touch of sadness for the career that might have been.
If you haven’t seen “Good Time” or other earlier Safdie movies, you might not be prepared for their brand of anxious, cinematic-panic-attack filmmaking. “Uncut Gems” will make you uneasy,...
- 3/31/2020
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Yesterday, the César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, were handed out. Taking the top prize, in somewhat of a surprise, was Les Misérables from Ladj Ly. Clearly a top contender for the award, it faced stiff competition from An Officer and a Spy, as well as especially from Portrait of a Lady on Fire. However, France’s submission to the Academy Awards had that upper hand, and in the end, it led the way here. Of course, what was most noteworthy was actress and nominee Adèle Haenel (from Portrait of a Lady on Fire) walked out of the ceremony when it was announced that Roman Polanski had won the Best Director prize for An Officer and a Spy. Her protest made waves throughout the industry, and even thought Polanski was not in attendance, it was a powerful statement, to be sure… Here now are the Cesar Award results: Best Film “La Belle Epoque,...
- 2/29/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Updated, writethru: Ladj Ly’s Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize laureate Les Misérables was the big winner at Friday night’s 45th annual César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, including taking the top honor of Best Film. The night unfolded, however, under tumultuous conditions owing to controversy surrounding Roman Polanski, whose An Officer and a Spy was the leading nominee going in with 12 mentions.
The filmmaker was not in attendance, but his film won three prizes including Best Director — an occurrence that caused walkouts from the Salle Pleyel, which earlier in the evening had been the site of protests by feminist organizations.
Scroll down for full list of César winners.
Polanski on Thursday said he would not attend the local industry’s biggest night. “Activists are threatening me with a public lynching. Some have called for demonstrations, others are planning to make it a platform,” he said. “This...
The filmmaker was not in attendance, but his film won three prizes including Best Director — an occurrence that caused walkouts from the Salle Pleyel, which earlier in the evening had been the site of protests by feminist organizations.
Scroll down for full list of César winners.
Polanski on Thursday said he would not attend the local industry’s biggest night. “Activists are threatening me with a public lynching. Some have called for demonstrations, others are planning to make it a platform,” he said. “This...
- 2/29/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The stormiest and most beleaguered Cesar Awards ever took place in Paris on Friday, with “Les Miserables” being named 2019’s best French film while protesters lined the streets outside the Salle Pleyel protesting the nominations for Roman Polanski’s “J’accuse,” which is known as “An Officer and a Spy” outside France.
Despite the furor, Polanski won two Cesar awards, one for best director and another for adapted screenplay, which he shared with his co-writer Robert Harris. His film also won for its costumes.
It was Polanski’s fifth Cesar in the directing category, the most of any director. His previous awards were for “Tess,” “The Pianist,” “The Ghost Writer” and “Venus in Fur.”
Despite all the attention on Polanski, the Oscar-nominated “Les Miserables” was the big winner of the night, taking home four awards. In addition to the best-film prize, director Ladj Ly’s taut drama also won for most...
Despite the furor, Polanski won two Cesar awards, one for best director and another for adapted screenplay, which he shared with his co-writer Robert Harris. His film also won for its costumes.
It was Polanski’s fifth Cesar in the directing category, the most of any director. His previous awards were for “Tess,” “The Pianist,” “The Ghost Writer” and “Venus in Fur.”
Despite all the attention on Polanski, the Oscar-nominated “Les Miserables” was the big winner of the night, taking home four awards. In addition to the best-film prize, director Ladj Ly’s taut drama also won for most...
- 2/28/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The 45th César Awards ceremony took place on Friday, February 28, at the Salle Pleyel in Paris to honor the best in French cinema of 2019 — and at a fractious moment for the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma. The event was emceed by French comedian Florence Foresti, with actress Sandrine Kiberlain presiding. See the full list of winners below.
Earlier this month, the entire board of directors of the French academy announced their planned resignation after the publication of an open letter from hundreds of members calling for a complete overhaul of the organization. The announcement unspooled in the wake of allegedly dodgy financial practices, an overall lack of transparency, and the repeated omission of filmmakers Claire Denis and Virginie Despentes from the Academy’s annual Dîner des Révélations event, focused on emerging talent. The young guests are asked to nominate talent they’d like to see at the event,...
Earlier this month, the entire board of directors of the French academy announced their planned resignation after the publication of an open letter from hundreds of members calling for a complete overhaul of the organization. The announcement unspooled in the wake of allegedly dodgy financial practices, an overall lack of transparency, and the repeated omission of filmmakers Claire Denis and Virginie Despentes from the Academy’s annual Dîner des Révélations event, focused on emerging talent. The young guests are asked to nominate talent they’d like to see at the event,...
- 2/28/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
As a contentious edition of France’s Cesar awards wrapped, Roman Polanski won best director prompting numerous walkouts such as nominee Adele Haenel, star of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”
Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” won best picture as well as the people’s choice prize, best male newcomer (for Alexis Manenti) and best editing.
Neither Polanski nor the cast and crew of “An Officer And A Spy” (“J’accuse”) was on hand at the awards ceremony hosted at the Salle Pleyel in Paris on Friday. Polanski said on Thursday that he would skip the celebration to avoid being “lynched,” but that didn’t prevent a protest by more than 100 people that was staged in front the venue by the advocacy group Osez le Feminisme.
Since bowing at Cannes Film Festival where it won the jury prize, “Les Miserables” went on to win a Goya Award, and was nominated for...
Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” won best picture as well as the people’s choice prize, best male newcomer (for Alexis Manenti) and best editing.
Neither Polanski nor the cast and crew of “An Officer And A Spy” (“J’accuse”) was on hand at the awards ceremony hosted at the Salle Pleyel in Paris on Friday. Polanski said on Thursday that he would skip the celebration to avoid being “lynched,” but that didn’t prevent a protest by more than 100 people that was staged in front the venue by the advocacy group Osez le Feminisme.
Since bowing at Cannes Film Festival where it won the jury prize, “Les Miserables” went on to win a Goya Award, and was nominated for...
- 2/28/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Playtime has closed raft of pre-sales to key territories on a pair of anticipated prestige films, Francois Ozon’s “Summer of 85” and Naomi Kawase’s “True Mothers,” after unveiling promo reels of both pics at the Efm in Berlin.
“Summer of 85” has pre-sold to Israel (Lev Cinema), Turkey (Bir Film), Poland (Against Gravity), Spain (Golem),
Belgium (September Film), Switzerland’s (Filmcoopi), Russia (A One), Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Latin America (California Filmes), South Korea (Challan) and Ex-Yugoslavia (McF). Playtime is currently negotiating deals in other territories around the world.
A coming-of-age love story, “Summer 85” follows 16-year-old Alexis who meets 18-year-old David on the coast of Normandy and feels that he has just met the friend of his dreams.
On top of being directed by Ozon, one of France’s leading auteurs whose last film, “By the Grace of God,” won the Silver Bear in Berlin, the project is a...
“Summer of 85” has pre-sold to Israel (Lev Cinema), Turkey (Bir Film), Poland (Against Gravity), Spain (Golem),
Belgium (September Film), Switzerland’s (Filmcoopi), Russia (A One), Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Latin America (California Filmes), South Korea (Challan) and Ex-Yugoslavia (McF). Playtime is currently negotiating deals in other territories around the world.
A coming-of-age love story, “Summer 85” follows 16-year-old Alexis who meets 18-year-old David on the coast of Normandy and feels that he has just met the friend of his dreams.
On top of being directed by Ozon, one of France’s leading auteurs whose last film, “By the Grace of God,” won the Silver Bear in Berlin, the project is a...
- 2/24/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and an archive of past round-ups here.
By the Grace of God (François Ozon)
French director François Ozon has delivered one of the best films of his eclectic career with By the Grace of God, a drama whose seriousness and sincerity marks a tonal shift for a filmmaker typically famous for sexual and sensual provocation. Instead, this chronicle of a real-life grassroots campaign to out Catholic priests who committed and covered up of historic sexual abuse is unsensational and methodical, immaculately written through a script that radically tells three different stories that slide seamlessly together. – Ed F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Dark Waters (Todd Haynes)
Legal dramas lionize those...
By the Grace of God (François Ozon)
French director François Ozon has delivered one of the best films of his eclectic career with By the Grace of God, a drama whose seriousness and sincerity marks a tonal shift for a filmmaker typically famous for sexual and sensual provocation. Instead, this chronicle of a real-life grassroots campaign to out Catholic priests who committed and covered up of historic sexual abuse is unsensational and methodical, immaculately written through a script that radically tells three different stories that slide seamlessly together. – Ed F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon, iTunes, Google
Dark Waters (Todd Haynes)
Legal dramas lionize those...
- 2/21/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Updated: Nominations for the 45th César Awards were unveiled this morning in Paris, led by Roman Polanski’s Dreyfus Affair drama An Officer And A Spy with 12 including Best Film, Director and Actor (for Jean Dujardin). While Polanski remains a controversial figure owing to his 1977 child sex conviction and subsequent flight from the United States, as well as a more recent allegation (which he has denied), there has been a divide between U.S. and European perspectives in the #MeToo era. An Officer And A Spy premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, winning the Grand Jury Prize. In November, it opened No. 1 at the French box office.
France’s equivalent to the Oscars, the Césars are handed out by the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma. In 2017, the Académie made headlines over its appointment of Polanski as President of that year’s ceremony. The move was followed by...
France’s equivalent to the Oscars, the Césars are handed out by the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma. In 2017, the Académie made headlines over its appointment of Polanski as President of that year’s ceremony. The move was followed by...
- 1/29/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
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