Daniel Espinosa’s “Madame Luna,” about an Eritrean refugee-turned-people smuggler — which premieres at the International Film Festival Rotterdam — is facing legal turmoil. According to filmmaker Binyam Berhane, it’s based on his original story and research.
“I am very saddened to hear these accusations towards the movie and genuinely hope that all parties that are involved in this will be heard,” Espinosa tells Variety.
“I sincerely hope Binyam Berhane is well, I’ve only heard good things about him and he is a very talented documentary director. What I can express is a genuine trust in the producers and the production company Momento Film, and I hope this clears up for everyone involved.”
As per Deadline, the $2 million lawsuit is directed at Momento Film, Rhea Films and Hercules Film Fund.
“It is surprising to read Binyam Berhane’s version of events. At this time, we must refrain from commenting in detail,...
“I am very saddened to hear these accusations towards the movie and genuinely hope that all parties that are involved in this will be heard,” Espinosa tells Variety.
“I sincerely hope Binyam Berhane is well, I’ve only heard good things about him and he is a very talented documentary director. What I can express is a genuine trust in the producers and the production company Momento Film, and I hope this clears up for everyone involved.”
As per Deadline, the $2 million lawsuit is directed at Momento Film, Rhea Films and Hercules Film Fund.
“It is surprising to read Binyam Berhane’s version of events. At this time, we must refrain from commenting in detail,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Update 9.30 am, 1/27 Pt The producers of Daniel Espinosa’s Italy-set immigration drama Madame Luna have expressed “dismay” at a lawsuit lodged against them by filmmaker Binyam Berhane, who says they misappropriated an original story and material created by him for the film.
The lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court last week is directed at David Herdies at Stockholm-based company Momento Film as well as Los Angeles-based Rhea Films and the Luxembourg-based Hercules Film Fund.
“It is with great dismay that we read Mr. Berhane’s version of events, which differs drastically from ours. Since a lawsuit has been filed we cannot go into the details of our defenses at this time. It is with sadness that the universal message of Madame Luna is being unfairly tarnished by this unnecessary litigation,” said Herdies in an emailed response.
Hercules Film Fund and Rhea Films issued a separate joint statement.
The lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court last week is directed at David Herdies at Stockholm-based company Momento Film as well as Los Angeles-based Rhea Films and the Luxembourg-based Hercules Film Fund.
“It is with great dismay that we read Mr. Berhane’s version of events, which differs drastically from ours. Since a lawsuit has been filed we cannot go into the details of our defenses at this time. It is with sadness that the universal message of Madame Luna is being unfairly tarnished by this unnecessary litigation,” said Herdies in an emailed response.
Hercules Film Fund and Rhea Films issued a separate joint statement.
- 1/27/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Momento Film, the leading Swedish banner founded by David Herdies (“Winter Buoy”) and Michael Krotkiewski (“Bellum — The Daemon Of War”), is boasting a slate of projects including the documentaries “Leaving Jesus” and “The Underdog,” as well as Simón Mesa Soto’s “A Poet.”
While at Cannes, the banner also started teasing one of its biggest project so far, “The Swedish Torpedo,” Frida Kempff (“Winter Buoy”)’s period film inspired by the life of Sally Bauer, the first Scandinavian to swim across the English Channel in 1939. “The Swedish Torpedo” will start shooting in August with a topnotch cast led by Josefin Neldén, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, as well as Lisa Carlehed (“The Emigrants”).
Co-produced by Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and England, the film opens in 1939, as Europe is on the brink of war. Sally, a 30-year-old single mom, dreams of being the first European woman to cross the English Channel. While society and...
While at Cannes, the banner also started teasing one of its biggest project so far, “The Swedish Torpedo,” Frida Kempff (“Winter Buoy”)’s period film inspired by the life of Sally Bauer, the first Scandinavian to swim across the English Channel in 1939. “The Swedish Torpedo” will start shooting in August with a topnotch cast led by Josefin Neldén, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, as well as Lisa Carlehed (“The Emigrants”).
Co-produced by Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and England, the film opens in 1939, as Europe is on the brink of war. Sally, a 30-year-old single mom, dreams of being the first European woman to cross the English Channel. While society and...
- 5/31/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
‘Border’ Star Josefin Neldén to Play Sally Bauer in Frida Kempff’s ‘The Swedish Torpedo’ (Exclusive)
Frida Kempff (“Winter Buoy”) is set to direct “The Swedish Torpedo,” a period film inspired by the life of Sally Bauer, the first Scandinavian to swim across the English Channel in 1939. The prominent Nordic cast is led by Josefin Neldén, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, as well as Lisa Carlehed (“The Emigrants”).
Produced by David Herdies and Erik Andersson at Momento Film, the film will start shooting in August in Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and England.
“Five years ago I didn’t know who Sally Bauer was and even less what she had achieved. Five days ahead of the outbreak of WWII she swam across the English Channel,” said Kempff I feel this is a story that needs to be told, about a woman who accomplished the impossible and shattered both social norms and world records.”
Neldén, who will play Bauer, said she feels “such a strong connection to Sally’s dreams, life and ambitions.
Produced by David Herdies and Erik Andersson at Momento Film, the film will start shooting in August in Sweden, Estonia, Belgium and England.
“Five years ago I didn’t know who Sally Bauer was and even less what she had achieved. Five days ahead of the outbreak of WWII she swam across the English Channel,” said Kempff I feel this is a story that needs to be told, about a woman who accomplished the impossible and shattered both social norms and world records.”
Neldén, who will play Bauer, said she feels “such a strong connection to Sally’s dreams, life and ambitions.
- 5/11/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The film will premiere at Venice’s Critics’ Week.
TrustNordisk has boarded international sales rights to the drama Dogborn, the debut feature of Swedish writer/director Isabella Carbonell.
Dogborn will have its world premiere at Venice Critics’ Week.
The story is about a refugee brother and sister living in Sweden; they are homeless and invisible and dream of a better future. A rift occurs between them when they get caught up in the underworld of human trafficking.
Silvana Imam, a popular Swedish rapper, makes her film debut as the sister, with Philip Oros (Blinded) playing the brother. The cast also...
TrustNordisk has boarded international sales rights to the drama Dogborn, the debut feature of Swedish writer/director Isabella Carbonell.
Dogborn will have its world premiere at Venice Critics’ Week.
The story is about a refugee brother and sister living in Sweden; they are homeless and invisible and dream of a better future. A rift occurs between them when they get caught up in the underworld of human trafficking.
Silvana Imam, a popular Swedish rapper, makes her film debut as the sister, with Philip Oros (Blinded) playing the brother. The cast also...
- 7/25/2022
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Jennifer Rainsford’s documentary looks at the human resilience of the planet.
UK-based company Taskovski Films has acquired world sales rights to Jennifer Rainsford’s documentary All Of Our Heartbeats Are Connected Through Exploding Stars, which has its world premiere at Visions du Reel in Switzerland next week.
In the context of the March 2011 tsunami which devastated the Japanese coastline, the film looks at how people, plants and animals continue to coexist in the aftermath of this tragedy.
All Of Our Heartbeats… is produced by Michael Krotkiewski, Mirjam Gelhorn and David Herdies for Sweden’s Momento Film, in association with...
UK-based company Taskovski Films has acquired world sales rights to Jennifer Rainsford’s documentary All Of Our Heartbeats Are Connected Through Exploding Stars, which has its world premiere at Visions du Reel in Switzerland next week.
In the context of the March 2011 tsunami which devastated the Japanese coastline, the film looks at how people, plants and animals continue to coexist in the aftermath of this tragedy.
All Of Our Heartbeats… is produced by Michael Krotkiewski, Mirjam Gelhorn and David Herdies for Sweden’s Momento Film, in association with...
- 4/4/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Summer theatrical and on-demand release planned.
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Dreaming Walls, the 2022 Berlinale selection directed by Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdier on which Martin Scorsese served as executive producer.
The love letter to the iconic Chelsea Hotel and its longtime residents who face an uncertain future as the New York landmark undergoes a transformation into a luxury hotel will open theatrically and on-demand this summer.
The film is a Dogwoof presentation of a Clin d’Oeil Films, Les Films de l’Oeil Sauvage production in association with Momento Film, Basalt Film, Media International and Hard Working Movies...
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to Dreaming Walls, the 2022 Berlinale selection directed by Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdier on which Martin Scorsese served as executive producer.
The love letter to the iconic Chelsea Hotel and its longtime residents who face an uncertain future as the New York landmark undergoes a transformation into a luxury hotel will open theatrically and on-demand this summer.
The film is a Dogwoof presentation of a Clin d’Oeil Films, Les Films de l’Oeil Sauvage production in association with Momento Film, Basalt Film, Media International and Hard Working Movies...
- 3/30/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Magnolia Pictures has snapped up the North American rights to a Martin Scorsese executive-produced documentary about New York’s historic Chelsea Hotel.
Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdier’s “Dreaming Walls,” about the Manhattan institution and its controversial renovation, world premiered in the Panorama section of the Berlinale in February. Magnolia plans to release the film in theaters and on-demand this summer.
The Chelsea Hotel, an icon of 1960s counterculture, was a haven for famous artists and intellectuals including Patti Smith, Janis Joplin and the superstars of Warhol’s Factory. However, the building’s lengthy renovation into a luxury hotel, which has spanned more than 10 years, has been a source of ongoing frustration for its tenants, as dozens of them, many in their later years, still live amid scaffolding and constant construction.
Against this chaotic backdrop, the film travels through the hotel’s storied halls, exploring the bohemian origins that...
Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdier’s “Dreaming Walls,” about the Manhattan institution and its controversial renovation, world premiered in the Panorama section of the Berlinale in February. Magnolia plans to release the film in theaters and on-demand this summer.
The Chelsea Hotel, an icon of 1960s counterculture, was a haven for famous artists and intellectuals including Patti Smith, Janis Joplin and the superstars of Warhol’s Factory. However, the building’s lengthy renovation into a luxury hotel, which has spanned more than 10 years, has been a source of ongoing frustration for its tenants, as dozens of them, many in their later years, still live amid scaffolding and constant construction.
Against this chaotic backdrop, the film travels through the hotel’s storied halls, exploring the bohemian origins that...
- 3/30/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Amélie van Elmbt and Maya Duverdier’s documentary “Dreaming Walls,” about the legendary Chelsea Hotel in New York and its controversial renovation, has unveiled a trailer.
The film world premieres in the Panorama section of the Berlinale on Saturday.
The Chelsea Hotel, an icon of 1960s counterculture, was a haven for famous artists and intellectuals including Patti Smith, Janis Joplin and the superstars of Warhol’s Factory. However, the building’s lengthy renovation into a luxury hotel, which has spanned more than 10 years, has been a source of ongoing frustration for its tenants, as dozens of them, many in their later years, still live amid scaffolding and constant construction.
Against this chaotic backdrop, the film travels through the hotel’s storied halls, exploring the bohemian origins that contributed to the Chelsea’s mythical stature.
“Dreaming Walls” is produced by Hanne Phlypo and Quentin Laurent. Co-producers are Frédéric de Goldschmidt, Simone van den Broek...
The film world premieres in the Panorama section of the Berlinale on Saturday.
The Chelsea Hotel, an icon of 1960s counterculture, was a haven for famous artists and intellectuals including Patti Smith, Janis Joplin and the superstars of Warhol’s Factory. However, the building’s lengthy renovation into a luxury hotel, which has spanned more than 10 years, has been a source of ongoing frustration for its tenants, as dozens of them, many in their later years, still live amid scaffolding and constant construction.
Against this chaotic backdrop, the film travels through the hotel’s storied halls, exploring the bohemian origins that contributed to the Chelsea’s mythical stature.
“Dreaming Walls” is produced by Hanne Phlypo and Quentin Laurent. Co-producers are Frédéric de Goldschmidt, Simone van den Broek...
- 2/12/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Stockholm-based Momento Film, the company behind “Tiny King for a Day” and Göteborg’s Nordic Film Market-bound work in progress “Dogborn,” has confirmed start of production and E.U. partners on Daniel Espinosa’s “Madame Luna,” its biggest project ever.
Principal photography in Sicily and Calabria is set to begin May 5 on the €5 million ($5.6 million) refugee drama, penned by Maurizio Braucci (“Gomorrah”) and Suha Arraf (“Lemon Tree”) from an idea by Binyam Berhane.
David Herdies is producing for Momento Film, with co-production partners Marco Alessi and Massimiliano Navarra of Italy’s Dugong Films, Peter Nadermann of Germany’s Nadcon and Katja Adomeit and Pål Røed of Denmark’s Adomeit Film.
The film marks Chilean-born Espinosa’s return to Swedish-language filmmaking, after a string of Hollywood movies including “Safe House,” “Life” and Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man spin-off “Morbius”.
“It’s going to be interesting and inspiring to enter a cinematic tradition that really was my roots,...
Principal photography in Sicily and Calabria is set to begin May 5 on the €5 million ($5.6 million) refugee drama, penned by Maurizio Braucci (“Gomorrah”) and Suha Arraf (“Lemon Tree”) from an idea by Binyam Berhane.
David Herdies is producing for Momento Film, with co-production partners Marco Alessi and Massimiliano Navarra of Italy’s Dugong Films, Peter Nadermann of Germany’s Nadcon and Katja Adomeit and Pål Røed of Denmark’s Adomeit Film.
The film marks Chilean-born Espinosa’s return to Swedish-language filmmaking, after a string of Hollywood movies including “Safe House,” “Life” and Sony Pictures’ upcoming Spider-Man spin-off “Morbius”.
“It’s going to be interesting and inspiring to enter a cinematic tradition that really was my roots,...
- 1/27/2022
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Goteborg Film Festival has unveiled the first post-production grantees from its new film fund.
Sweden’s Goteborg Film Festival has unveiled the first three features to benefit from a new film fund, created to support cultural expression in areas of the world threatened by economic or political instability.
At a presentation in Cannes, Goteborg Film Fund manager Camilla Larsson and Goteborg Film Festival artistic director Jonas Holmberg announced the titles that would receive post-production grants of $40,000 each. They include:
La Palisiada, directed by Ukraine’s Philip Sotnychenko and produced by Sashko Chubko, Valeria Sochyvets and Halyna Kryvorchuk, which explores a...
Sweden’s Goteborg Film Festival has unveiled the first three features to benefit from a new film fund, created to support cultural expression in areas of the world threatened by economic or political instability.
At a presentation in Cannes, Goteborg Film Fund manager Camilla Larsson and Goteborg Film Festival artistic director Jonas Holmberg announced the titles that would receive post-production grants of $40,000 each. They include:
La Palisiada, directed by Ukraine’s Philip Sotnychenko and produced by Sashko Chubko, Valeria Sochyvets and Halyna Kryvorchuk, which explores a...
- 7/13/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
In one of the biggest deals on titles at this year’s Visions du Réel, Switzerland’s premier documentary festival, Radio Télévision Suisse (Rts), the public broadcasting organization for the French-speaking part of the country, has acquired eleven titles from Visions du Réel’s 2021 selection.
The deal is part of a longstanding partnership between the Swiss doc festival and Rts, which selects around a dozen VdR titles every year.
Some are co-productions under the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation’s pact with the audiovisual industry to increase subsidies for independent Swiss production, including “Radiograph of a Family” by Iranian director Firouzeh Khosrovani.
An IDFA best feature winner, it tells the story of Tayi, who, on her wedding day, marries the photo of Hossein. Joining him in Switzerland, the distance that separates them persists from one country to the other, deepening over the years, and invades the smallest corners of their home.
“The...
The deal is part of a longstanding partnership between the Swiss doc festival and Rts, which selects around a dozen VdR titles every year.
Some are co-productions under the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation’s pact with the audiovisual industry to increase subsidies for independent Swiss production, including “Radiograph of a Family” by Iranian director Firouzeh Khosrovani.
An IDFA best feature winner, it tells the story of Tayi, who, on her wedding day, marries the photo of Hossein. Joining him in Switzerland, the distance that separates them persists from one country to the other, deepening over the years, and invades the smallest corners of their home.
“The...
- 6/14/2021
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Swedish documentary specialist Momento Film, the company behind “Tiny Tim: King for a Day” and Cph:Forum work in progress “Stories from the Debris,” is ramping up its narrative feature film output.
A decade after he founded his outfit, helmer/producer David Herdies has propelled Momento Film among Sweden’s top creators of cutting-edge documentaries and shorts. Award-winning pics to his credit include “Ouaga Girls” (2017), “Hamada” (2018), “Transnistra” (2019), and most recently Johan von Sydow’s docu biopic “Tiny Tim: King for a Day,” currently touring the U.S., courtesy of Juno Films. Herdies also produced and co-helmed with George Götmark the buzzed about Visions du Réel competition entry “Bellum: The Daemon of War,” and is spotlighting Jennifer Rainsford’s works in progress documentary “Stories from the Debris” at this week’s Cph:forum, industry sidebar to Denmark’s Cph:dox fest.
While keeping a solid foundation in documentary films, Herdies — a former European Film...
A decade after he founded his outfit, helmer/producer David Herdies has propelled Momento Film among Sweden’s top creators of cutting-edge documentaries and shorts. Award-winning pics to his credit include “Ouaga Girls” (2017), “Hamada” (2018), “Transnistra” (2019), and most recently Johan von Sydow’s docu biopic “Tiny Tim: King for a Day,” currently touring the U.S., courtesy of Juno Films. Herdies also produced and co-helmed with George Götmark the buzzed about Visions du Réel competition entry “Bellum: The Daemon of War,” and is spotlighting Jennifer Rainsford’s works in progress documentary “Stories from the Debris” at this week’s Cph:forum, industry sidebar to Denmark’s Cph:dox fest.
While keeping a solid foundation in documentary films, Herdies — a former European Film...
- 4/28/2021
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Germany’s Deckert Distribution, a world sales agent on two-time Oscar nominee “Honeyland,” has confirmed first deals on “The Bubble,” “Bellum – Daemon of War” and “Les Enfants terribles,” three world premiere standouts in International Competition at Nyon Switzerland’s Visions du Réel.
“Les Enfants terribles” shared the prestige Swiss doc fest’s Special Jury Prize, announced at a prize ceremony on Saturday night.
The deals, with more in negotiation, prove the commercial fire power of the biggest new world premieres at Visions du Réel. Added to sales on Venice pre-opening film “Molecules,” the accords also confirm the strength of Leipzig-based Deckert’ Distribution’s current sales slate which includes six features at Visions du Réel and three at Cph:dox. Sales details:
“The Bubble,” (Valerie Blankenbyl, Switzerland, Austria)
A measured portrait of the world’s biggest retirement community, Florida’s The Villages, “The Bubble” has confirmed its potential as one of the festival’s biggest commercial plays,...
“Les Enfants terribles” shared the prestige Swiss doc fest’s Special Jury Prize, announced at a prize ceremony on Saturday night.
The deals, with more in negotiation, prove the commercial fire power of the biggest new world premieres at Visions du Réel. Added to sales on Venice pre-opening film “Molecules,” the accords also confirm the strength of Leipzig-based Deckert’ Distribution’s current sales slate which includes six features at Visions du Réel and three at Cph:dox. Sales details:
“The Bubble,” (Valerie Blankenbyl, Switzerland, Austria)
A measured portrait of the world’s biggest retirement community, Florida’s The Villages, “The Bubble” has confirmed its potential as one of the festival’s biggest commercial plays,...
- 4/25/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
There's a philosophical and melancholy sweep to Georg Götmark and David Herdies documentary, which despite holding some interesting ruminations on the subject of war and its participants, is often frustratingly fragmented in its approach.
The film is composed of three strands - one concerning US photojournalist Paula Bronstein, who we see working in Afghanistan, a second focused on Swedish AI developer Frederik Bruhn while a third dips in and out of the life of American military contractor Bill Lyon, who is clearly not enjoying life away from the frontline. This loose triptych is bridged by voice-over by Swedish poet Johannes Anyuru, contemplating concepts as diverse as the use of artificial intelligence and the story of the Roman senator who coined the phrase "bellum se ipsum alet" (war will feed itself).
Lyon's story is by far the most accomplished of the three presented in terms of documentary meat - and could easily have.
The film is composed of three strands - one concerning US photojournalist Paula Bronstein, who we see working in Afghanistan, a second focused on Swedish AI developer Frederik Bruhn while a third dips in and out of the life of American military contractor Bill Lyon, who is clearly not enjoying life away from the frontline. This loose triptych is bridged by voice-over by Swedish poet Johannes Anyuru, contemplating concepts as diverse as the use of artificial intelligence and the story of the Roman senator who coined the phrase "bellum se ipsum alet" (war will feed itself).
Lyon's story is by far the most accomplished of the three presented in terms of documentary meat - and could easily have.
- 4/23/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
David Herdies and Georg Götmark's documentary is a triptych of stories exploring the meaning of war today. David Herdies and Georg Götmark's new documentary Bellum – The Daemon of War was presented in the main competition of this year's Visions du Réel. The film opens with Robert Oppenheimer’s quoting of Hindu scripture following the first nuclear test bombings, accompanied by an ethereal score. Through Oppenheimer's words and the striking archive footage, we soon realise that the core theme of the documentary is to explore war – and in particular, three people's coping mechanisms – through three different lenses. The first is the telescopic sight of the assault rifles used by bored former military contractors living in a remote Texan village in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The second is that of a telescope, used by a Swedish engineer developing AI technology for the defence industry. The third is the...
David Herdies and Georg Götmark’s documentary, set to take part in Visions du Réel’s main competition, zooms in on the changing face of conflict in an increasingly technocratic world. A bored military contractor in Nevada pining for his return, an American war photographer in Afghanistan attempting to capture the horrors and a Swedish engineer developing AI for the defence industry. Three disparate individuals in three disparate locations provide the unlikely focus of Bellum – The Daemon of War, a documentary triptych on the changing face of conflict in an increasingly technocratic world. Zooming in on topics from the digital realms of coding and silicon to the physical and psychological front lines, directors David Herdies and Georg Götmark have crafted a provocative meditation on the ways in which Western nations portray the narratives of war, which ultimately poses the question: who, if not everyone, is complicit? The film is set to.
Documentaries include ‘The Bubble’, a portrait of the world’s largest retirement community.
German sales agent Deckert Distribution has boarded a hat-trick of documentaries set to world premiere in competition at Switzerland’s Visions du Réel.
The features include Bellum - The Daemon Of War by Swedish directors David Herdies and Georg Götmark; Les Enfants Terribles by Turkish filmmaker Ahmet Necdet Çupur; and The Bubble by Austria’s Valerie Blankenbyl.
All three will play in the main competition of Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel, which revealed its full line up today and is set to take place from April...
German sales agent Deckert Distribution has boarded a hat-trick of documentaries set to world premiere in competition at Switzerland’s Visions du Réel.
The features include Bellum - The Daemon Of War by Swedish directors David Herdies and Georg Götmark; Les Enfants Terribles by Turkish filmmaker Ahmet Necdet Çupur; and The Bubble by Austria’s Valerie Blankenbyl.
All three will play in the main competition of Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel, which revealed its full line up today and is set to take place from April...
- 3/25/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Documentary festival aims to host physical as well as online events.
Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel (VdR) has revealed the line-up of competition titles for its 2021 edition, which it aims to host as a hybrid event from April 15-25.
A total of 142 films from 58 countries have been selected, including 82 world premieres.
Scroll down for competition titles
The 13-strong international feature film competition includes the world premiere of Tomasz Wolski’s documentary 1970, which uses stop motion animation and archive footage to recount what happened when striking workers in communist Poland demonstrated against price increases. Poland’s Wolski won the jury...
Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel (VdR) has revealed the line-up of competition titles for its 2021 edition, which it aims to host as a hybrid event from April 15-25.
A total of 142 films from 58 countries have been selected, including 82 world premieres.
Scroll down for competition titles
The 13-strong international feature film competition includes the world premiere of Tomasz Wolski’s documentary 1970, which uses stop motion animation and archive footage to recount what happened when striking workers in communist Poland demonstrated against price increases. Poland’s Wolski won the jury...
- 3/25/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Swiss documentary film festival Visions du Réel (VdR) has revealed the full lineup for its 52nd edition, which, for the second year running, will screen as a online event, this round round over April 15-25.
The program, which comprises of 142 films originating from 58 countries, was revealed live in a Zoom press conference this morning, broadcast from the Cinéma Capitole in the festival’s host town of Nyon, Switzerland.
Among the 13 titles competing in VdR’s main, a doc feature exploring a health system in the throes of change. The zeigeisty debut feature of Swiss filmmaker Marie-Eve Hildbrand will also open the festival on 15 April.
The festival also announced 37 medium-to-short films from first-time directors. In a statement Emilie Bujès, artistic director of Visions du Réel praised this year’s “powerful and eclectic” selection.
“It will once again enable us to take into account the independence and the emancipation of contemporary documentary filmmaking,...
The program, which comprises of 142 films originating from 58 countries, was revealed live in a Zoom press conference this morning, broadcast from the Cinéma Capitole in the festival’s host town of Nyon, Switzerland.
Among the 13 titles competing in VdR’s main, a doc feature exploring a health system in the throes of change. The zeigeisty debut feature of Swiss filmmaker Marie-Eve Hildbrand will also open the festival on 15 April.
The festival also announced 37 medium-to-short films from first-time directors. In a statement Emilie Bujès, artistic director of Visions du Réel praised this year’s “powerful and eclectic” selection.
“It will once again enable us to take into account the independence and the emancipation of contemporary documentary filmmaking,...
- 3/25/2021
- by Ann-Marie Corvin
- Variety Film + TV
Theatrical premiere scheduled for late autumn in New York, Los Angeles, before national roll-out.
Juno Films has announced its second acquisition of a Fantasia selection, pouncing on all North America rights to Stockholm-based Momento Film’s documentary Tiny Tim – King For A Day.
Johan von Sydow’s film charts the career of the fortysomething vaudeville entertainer with the ukulele and falsetto voice who rose to brief fame in the late 1960s before it all came crashing down.
Inspired by Justin Martell’s biography Eternal Troubadour: The Improbable Life Of Tiny Tim, the film recreates Tiny Tim’s life as read...
Juno Films has announced its second acquisition of a Fantasia selection, pouncing on all North America rights to Stockholm-based Momento Film’s documentary Tiny Tim – King For A Day.
Johan von Sydow’s film charts the career of the fortysomething vaudeville entertainer with the ukulele and falsetto voice who rose to brief fame in the late 1960s before it all came crashing down.
Inspired by Justin Martell’s biography Eternal Troubadour: The Improbable Life Of Tiny Tim, the film recreates Tiny Tim’s life as read...
- 8/28/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
More than 300 global Zoom meetings organised for works in progress, co-production market.
The $58,000 Eurimages Lab Project Award at Haugesund’s New Nordic Films has been presented to A Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic from Finnish director Teemu Nikki and producer Jani Pösö from Helsiniki-based It’s Alive Films.
The film is about Jaakko, a wheelchair-bound blind man who wants to make a challenging journey to see his girlfriend.
The jury praised Blind Man’s “bold artistic approach, that the director and producer propose, takes us deep into the universe of a blind man who has to confront...
The $58,000 Eurimages Lab Project Award at Haugesund’s New Nordic Films has been presented to A Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic from Finnish director Teemu Nikki and producer Jani Pösö from Helsiniki-based It’s Alive Films.
The film is about Jaakko, a wheelchair-bound blind man who wants to make a challenging journey to see his girlfriend.
The jury praised Blind Man’s “bold artistic approach, that the director and producer propose, takes us deep into the universe of a blind man who has to confront...
- 8/21/2020
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦39¦
- ScreenDaily
Director Henrik Burman has already started shooting the feature documentary.
Hot Swedish rapper Yung Lean is heading to the big screen, in a feature documentary about how a geeky Swedish teenager (real name: Jonatan Leandoer) became a YouTube sensation with Frank Ocean and Justin Bieber chasing him to collaborate.
NonStop Entertainment has come on board for Scandinavian rights for the film, which follows Yung Lean’s rise and temptation by fame, drugs and money; his stint in a mental hospital; and how he will move forward.
The rapper and his Sad Boys collective have toured extensively in Europe and he has released three studio albums.
Hot Swedish rapper Yung Lean is heading to the big screen, in a feature documentary about how a geeky Swedish teenager (real name: Jonatan Leandoer) became a YouTube sensation with Frank Ocean and Justin Bieber chasing him to collaborate.
NonStop Entertainment has come on board for Scandinavian rights for the film, which follows Yung Lean’s rise and temptation by fame, drugs and money; his stint in a mental hospital; and how he will move forward.
The rapper and his Sad Boys collective have toured extensively in Europe and he has released three studio albums.
- 8/22/2018
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
European Film Promotion’s 2018 Producers on the Move had their Cannes photo moment Friday. Hamburg-based Efp is a network of 38 European film and talent organizations. The Producers on the Move initiative, which is backed by the European Union’s Creative Europe – Media Program, kicked off Thursday and comprises a series of networking and co-production events.
Producers from previous editions have gone on to achieve success in the business, and several have films in competition this year, including Didar Domehri and Vladimer Katcharava, who produced Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun.” This year’s lineup includes Birgitta Bjornsdottir and Marco Alessi, the producers, respectively, of Cannes Critics’ Week title “Woman at War” and Directors’ Fortnight documentary “Samouni Road.”
The full list of producers on the move, pictured left to right: Åshild Ramborg (Norway), Marco Alessi (Italy), David Herdies (Switzerland), Miia Haavist, Katrin Renz, Lukas Trimonis (Lithuania), Aija Berzina (Latvia), Rok...
Producers from previous editions have gone on to achieve success in the business, and several have films in competition this year, including Didar Domehri and Vladimer Katcharava, who produced Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun.” This year’s lineup includes Birgitta Bjornsdottir and Marco Alessi, the producers, respectively, of Cannes Critics’ Week title “Woman at War” and Directors’ Fortnight documentary “Samouni Road.”
The full list of producers on the move, pictured left to right: Åshild Ramborg (Norway), Marco Alessi (Italy), David Herdies (Switzerland), Miia Haavist, Katrin Renz, Lukas Trimonis (Lithuania), Aija Berzina (Latvia), Rok...
- 5/12/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Birgitta Bjornsdottir and Marco Alessi, the producers, respectively, of Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week title “Woman at War,” and Directors’ Fortnight documentary “Samouni Road,” are among the 20 selected for the 2018 edition of European Film Promotion’s Producers on the Move initiative.
The up-and-coming producers, who must have had production experience and an international film release, are selected by Efp and its members. Hamburg-based Efp is a network of 38 European film and talent organisations. The 19th Producers on the Move runs in Cannes, starting May 10.
Across the five-day event, which is backed by the European Union’s Creative Europe – Media Program, the producers take part in networking and co-production events.
Multiple previous participants in the Producers on the Move program have films in competition in Cannes including Didar Domehri and Vladimer Katcharava who produced Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun.” Other alums with Cannes pictures include Tiziana Soudani who produced “Happy as Lazzaro,...
The up-and-coming producers, who must have had production experience and an international film release, are selected by Efp and its members. Hamburg-based Efp is a network of 38 European film and talent organisations. The 19th Producers on the Move runs in Cannes, starting May 10.
Across the five-day event, which is backed by the European Union’s Creative Europe – Media Program, the producers take part in networking and co-production events.
Multiple previous participants in the Producers on the Move program have films in competition in Cannes including Didar Domehri and Vladimer Katcharava who produced Eva Husson’s “Girls of the Sun.” Other alums with Cannes pictures include Tiziana Soudani who produced “Happy as Lazzaro,...
- 4/24/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s line-up includes producers of A Woman At War and Samouni Road.
20 up-and-coming European producers have been selected for the 2018 edition of European Film Promotion’s (Efp) networking platform Producers on the Move, which takes place at Cannes Film Festival.
As in previous years, the five-day event (May 10-14) will include pitching sessions, one-to-one meetings, case studies and other meetings with the international industry gathered in Cannes.
Two producers from this year’s group will present their films in the festival. A Woman At War by Benedict Erlingsson and co-produced by Iceland’s Birgitta Björnsdóttir will screen in the Critics’ Week.
20 up-and-coming European producers have been selected for the 2018 edition of European Film Promotion’s (Efp) networking platform Producers on the Move, which takes place at Cannes Film Festival.
As in previous years, the five-day event (May 10-14) will include pitching sessions, one-to-one meetings, case studies and other meetings with the international industry gathered in Cannes.
Two producers from this year’s group will present their films in the festival. A Woman At War by Benedict Erlingsson and co-produced by Iceland’s Birgitta Björnsdóttir will screen in the Critics’ Week.
- 4/24/2018
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
12 projects are seeking European partners at this year’s event.
Colombian director Simón Mesa Soto - whose 2014 short film Leidi was a Palme d’Or winner - is causing buzz at this year’s edition of the Paris Co-Pro Village (June 20-22) with his debut feature Amparo.
The film, about a mother’s struggle to keep her son out of military service, is one of 12 upcoming productions being presented at the event.
Organised by the team behind the Les Arcs European Film Festival, the three-day Co-Pro Village is aimed at connecting international filmmakers and their producers with French and European partners.
Colombian director Simón Mesa Soto - whose 2014 short film Leidi was a Palme d’Or winner - is causing buzz at this year’s edition of the Paris Co-Pro Village (June 20-22) with his debut feature Amparo.
The film, about a mother’s struggle to keep her son out of military service, is one of 12 upcoming productions being presented at the event.
Organised by the team behind the Les Arcs European Film Festival, the three-day Co-Pro Village is aimed at connecting international filmmakers and their producers with French and European partners.
- 6/22/2017
- ScreenDaily
Fares Fares thriller The Nile Hilton Incident gets top grant of $1.3m while Ben Kingsley and Theo James thriller also among those backed.
The Swedish Film Institute has revealed the 29 projects to receive support in its latest round of funding.
The projects include Per Fly’s (Manslaughter) new political thriller, a transgender drama, a documentary about a female boxer and a murder thriller starring Fares Fares.
The projects backed by the Swedish Film Institute in the past three months are listed below, in descending order of amount granted:
Full list of backed projects:
The Nile Hilton Incident, wr/dir Tarik Saleh, prod Kristina Aberg. Thriller inspired by the true story of a Lebanese reality TV show winner who is murdered at a hotel in Dubai. Fares Fares stars. Sfi funding granted $1.3m (11m Sek)
Becker, wr/dir Martin Larsson, prod Erik Magnusson. Drama about a man’s quest for money and power in the southern Swedish village...
The Swedish Film Institute has revealed the 29 projects to receive support in its latest round of funding.
The projects include Per Fly’s (Manslaughter) new political thriller, a transgender drama, a documentary about a female boxer and a murder thriller starring Fares Fares.
The projects backed by the Swedish Film Institute in the past three months are listed below, in descending order of amount granted:
Full list of backed projects:
The Nile Hilton Incident, wr/dir Tarik Saleh, prod Kristina Aberg. Thriller inspired by the true story of a Lebanese reality TV show winner who is murdered at a hotel in Dubai. Fares Fares stars. Sfi funding granted $1.3m (11m Sek)
Becker, wr/dir Martin Larsson, prod Erik Magnusson. Drama about a man’s quest for money and power in the southern Swedish village...
- 3/9/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Nordisk Film & TV Fond backs five new projects including a thriller starring Emmanuelle Riva.
Amour’s 88-year-old Oscar-nominated actress, Emmanuelle Riva, has joined the cast of Icelandic thriller Alma, the comeback film for director Kristin Johannesdottir, whose last feature was 1992 Cannes selection As In Heaven.
Alma is the story of a woman imprisoned in a forensic psychiatric unit for murdering her lover (even though she has no recollection of the crime). After seven years behind bars, she discovers her lover is still alive and escapes to kill him for real.
Newcomer Snæfriður Ingvarsdóttir, daughter of Ingvar E. Sigurðsson (Jar City, Of Horses and Men), plays the title role and the cast also features Hilmar Snær Guðnason (101 Reykjavik) and Kristbjörg Kjeld (Of Horses And Men).
Alma – set for delivery early 2017 — is co-produced by Iceland’s Pegasus Pictures, with France’s Arsam Film International, Sweden’s Little Big Productions, the UK’s Berserk Films, in collaboration...
Amour’s 88-year-old Oscar-nominated actress, Emmanuelle Riva, has joined the cast of Icelandic thriller Alma, the comeback film for director Kristin Johannesdottir, whose last feature was 1992 Cannes selection As In Heaven.
Alma is the story of a woman imprisoned in a forensic psychiatric unit for murdering her lover (even though she has no recollection of the crime). After seven years behind bars, she discovers her lover is still alive and escapes to kill him for real.
Newcomer Snæfriður Ingvarsdóttir, daughter of Ingvar E. Sigurðsson (Jar City, Of Horses and Men), plays the title role and the cast also features Hilmar Snær Guðnason (101 Reykjavik) and Kristbjörg Kjeld (Of Horses And Men).
Alma – set for delivery early 2017 — is co-produced by Iceland’s Pegasus Pictures, with France’s Arsam Film International, Sweden’s Little Big Productions, the UK’s Berserk Films, in collaboration...
- 1/18/2016
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
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