Paul Wesley is no stranger to roles that require a certain level of intensity. He's made a name for himself on the beloved supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries and recently stepped into the legendary shoes of Captain Kirk on Paramount+'s Star Trek prequel series Strange New Worlds. While Wesley has been in a handful of films including Amira and Sam, and the short film Before I Disappear, the actor has yet to see the success of his small screen roles reflected in a feature film. Unfortunately, that pattern doesn't look to change anytime soon with the upcoming horror movie History of Evil.
- 2/21/2024
- by Samantha Coley
- Collider.com
In the past two decades, actor Paul Wesley has come pretty far. He started in some minor roles before finding fame as Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries, and all of a sudden, fans couldn’t get enough. The actor is known for his ability to make any character come to life, and it is always a treat when we get to see him in action.
Fans were stunned, however, when Wesley sat down for an interview and went into depth about how he feels about the characters he has played and what he hopes to do in other projects. As it turns out, Wesley’s dream role will most likely never reach the screen.
What roles has Paul Wesley taken on?
Getting his start in 1999, Paul Wesley has several acting credits to his name. His first role was in the daytime soap Another World. Since then, he hasn’t looked back.
Fans were stunned, however, when Wesley sat down for an interview and went into depth about how he feels about the characters he has played and what he hopes to do in other projects. As it turns out, Wesley’s dream role will most likely never reach the screen.
What roles has Paul Wesley taken on?
Getting his start in 1999, Paul Wesley has several acting credits to his name. His first role was in the daytime soap Another World. Since then, he hasn’t looked back.
- 3/12/2023
- by Lisa Geiger
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: Orange Is The New Black star Jackie Cruz has replaced Stephanie Beatriz as co-lead in horror-thriller movie History Of Evil, which has just wrapped.
The Vampire Diaries actor Paul Wesley co-stars in the feature, which as we reported earlier this year was pre-bought by AMC’s genre streamer Shudder for North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
We’re told Brooklyn Nine-Nine and In the Heights star Beatriz had to switch out before the film’s early May start due to scheduling conflicts.
Written and directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Bo Mirhosseni, the film is being produced by genre specialists XYZ Films, Under the Shadow outfit Two & Two Pictures and Jake Siegel.
In History Of Evil, a family on the run from a corrupt state takes refuge in a safe house with an evil past — a terrifying last stop on a near-future Underground Railroad.
The movie is...
The Vampire Diaries actor Paul Wesley co-stars in the feature, which as we reported earlier this year was pre-bought by AMC’s genre streamer Shudder for North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
We’re told Brooklyn Nine-Nine and In the Heights star Beatriz had to switch out before the film’s early May start due to scheduling conflicts.
Written and directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Bo Mirhosseni, the film is being produced by genre specialists XYZ Films, Under the Shadow outfit Two & Two Pictures and Jake Siegel.
In History Of Evil, a family on the run from a corrupt state takes refuge in a safe house with an evil past — a terrifying last stop on a near-future Underground Railroad.
The movie is...
- 5/31/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has cast Paul Wesley in the iconic role of James T. Kirk for the Paramount Plus show’s upcoming second season.
“Strange New Worlds” is due to premiere on Paramount Plus on May 5. It was renewed for a second season back in January, with that season already in production.
The show follows the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike prior to Kirk becoming captain of the Enterprise. Wesley will appear as a young version of Kirk. He is now the third actor to play the character in a live-action project. Most famously, William Shatner played Kirk in the original “Star Trek” series as well as in multiple films. Chris Pine has played Kirk in three “Star Trek” films to date, with a fourth on the way.
“Paul is an accomplished actor, an astonishing presence and a welcome key addition to the show,” said “Strange New Worlds...
“Strange New Worlds” is due to premiere on Paramount Plus on May 5. It was renewed for a second season back in January, with that season already in production.
The show follows the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike prior to Kirk becoming captain of the Enterprise. Wesley will appear as a young version of Kirk. He is now the third actor to play the character in a live-action project. Most famously, William Shatner played Kirk in the original “Star Trek” series as well as in multiple films. Chris Pine has played Kirk in three “Star Trek” films to date, with a fourth on the way.
“Paul is an accomplished actor, an astonishing presence and a welcome key addition to the show,” said “Strange New Worlds...
- 3/15/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Brooklyn Nine-Nine and In The Heights star Stephanie Beatriz has been set to star with The Vampire Diaries actor Paul Wesley in horror-thriller movie History Of Evil.
AMC’s genre streamer Shudder has boarded the film for North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and will release it as a Shudder Original.
Written and directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Bo Mirhosseni, the film is being produced by genre specialists XYZ Films, Under The Shadow outfit Two & Two Pictures and Jake Siegel. Beatriz and Wesley will serve as executive producers.
In the film, a family on the run from a corrupt state takes refuge in a safe house with an evil past – a terrifying last stop on a near-future Underground Railroad. Filming is being lined up for spring 2022.
The movie is the first project under a pact between XYZ Films and Two & Two Pictures to make films from...
AMC’s genre streamer Shudder has boarded the film for North America, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and will release it as a Shudder Original.
Written and directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Bo Mirhosseni, the film is being produced by genre specialists XYZ Films, Under The Shadow outfit Two & Two Pictures and Jake Siegel. Beatriz and Wesley will serve as executive producers.
In the film, a family on the run from a corrupt state takes refuge in a safe house with an evil past – a terrifying last stop on a near-future Underground Railroad. Filming is being lined up for spring 2022.
The movie is the first project under a pact between XYZ Films and Two & Two Pictures to make films from...
- 2/17/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has announced the new titles that will be available to stream on the platform in May. Next month will see the streaming release of Oscar-nominated films such as Debra Granik’s 2010 drama “Winter’s Bone,” starring Jennifer Lawrence, and Tim Burton’s 2003 fantasy drama “Big Fish.”
Read More: Hulu and Annapurna Announce Streaming Partnership, With Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit Project First in Line
Hulu’s origial series “Casual” returns for a third season on May 23. The original documentary “Becoming Bond,” about the life of George Lazenby, who played James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” will debut on May 20. Find the list of all titles coming to Hulu in May below.
May 1
Line of Duty: Complete Season 4 (BBC One)
South Park en Español: Complete Season 20 (Comedy Central)
48 Hrs. (1982)
Another 48 Hrs. (1990)
Arrowhead (1952)
A View to a Kill (1985)
The Bad News Bears (1976)
Bad Influence (1990)
Bait Shop...
Read More: Hulu and Annapurna Announce Streaming Partnership, With Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit Project First in Line
Hulu’s origial series “Casual” returns for a third season on May 23. The original documentary “Becoming Bond,” about the life of George Lazenby, who played James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” will debut on May 20. Find the list of all titles coming to Hulu in May below.
May 1
Line of Duty: Complete Season 4 (BBC One)
South Park en Español: Complete Season 20 (Comedy Central)
48 Hrs. (1982)
Another 48 Hrs. (1990)
Arrowhead (1952)
A View to a Kill (1985)
The Bad News Bears (1976)
Bad Influence (1990)
Bait Shop...
- 4/17/2017
- by Yoselin Acevedo
- Indiewire
Logan Lerman’s mystery “Sidney Hall” has sold distribution rights to reigning Best Picture-winner A24 and DirecTV, TheWrap has learned. The 2017 Sundance Film Festival selection will have a 30-day exclusive prerelease on DirecTV before A24 rolls it out in theaters. “Sidney” stars Lerman as a literary prodigy whose insights into his suburban town have serious consequences — bringing shame and forcing the young author into hiding. It costars Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, Blake Jenner, Margaret Qualley and Tim Blake Nelson. Also Read: Neon Acquires Buzzy SXSW Thriller 'Gemini' Shawn Christensen, who helmed the Oscar-winning short “Curfew” and the feature “Before I Disappear,...
- 4/4/2017
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
How a brilliant and clean-shaven young novelist could end up living like a bearded hobo is the central mystery of Sidney Hall, the sophomore feature from writer-director Shawn Christensen (Before I Disappear). The good-looking film scrambles three different timelines to tells its needlessly complicated — rather than complex — story: Sidney as a high-school student, being egged on by an inspirational teacher and interested in the cute girl across the street; Sidney as a young married man and successful author whose world starts to collapse around him; and finally Sidney as an aimless drifter, a poète maudit who has abandoned and...
- 1/27/2017
- by Boyd van Hoeij
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sometimes a movie just does not have any reason to exist. That would be the case with Shawn Christensen‘s misbegotten Sidney Hall, a film which offers a mystery that never feels mysterious, falls so flat one is bewildered as to why and how such a project could even be green lit.
Squandering a fine class of young talent, which includes Logan Lerman and Elle Fanning, the drama is tediously realized on page by screenwriter Jason Dolan and director Shawn Christensen (Before I Disappear), who appears to be game with stylish visual decisions, but can’t find a way to get the audience engaged.
The film begins with its titular character, Sidney (Lerman), reading aloud to the class an essay that ends up being a masturbatory fantasy about a cheerleader. The conservative teacher, who asked for an essay on the meaning of life, is obviously appalled. A particularly questionable decision...
Squandering a fine class of young talent, which includes Logan Lerman and Elle Fanning, the drama is tediously realized on page by screenwriter Jason Dolan and director Shawn Christensen (Before I Disappear), who appears to be game with stylish visual decisions, but can’t find a way to get the audience engaged.
The film begins with its titular character, Sidney (Lerman), reading aloud to the class an essay that ends up being a masturbatory fantasy about a cheerleader. The conservative teacher, who asked for an essay on the meaning of life, is obviously appalled. A particularly questionable decision...
- 1/26/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Comprising a considerable amount of our top 50 films of last year, Sundance Film Festival has proven to yield the first genuine look at what the year in cinema will bring. Now in its 39th iteration, we’ll be heading back to Park City this week, but before we do, it’s time to highlight the films we’re most looking forward to, including documentaries and narrative features from all around the world.
While much of the joy found in the festival comes from surprises throughout the event, below one will find our 20 most-anticipated titles. Check out everything below and for updates straight from the festival, make sure to follow us on Twitter (@TheFilmStage, @jpraup, @djmecca and @FinkJohnJ), and stay tuned to all of our coverage here.
20. Come Swim (Kristen Stewart)
With her pair of career-best performances under the direction of Olivier Assayas, as well as working with Kelly Reichardt, Woody Allen,...
While much of the joy found in the festival comes from surprises throughout the event, below one will find our 20 most-anticipated titles. Check out everything below and for updates straight from the festival, make sure to follow us on Twitter (@TheFilmStage, @jpraup, @djmecca and @FinkJohnJ), and stay tuned to all of our coverage here.
20. Come Swim (Kristen Stewart)
With her pair of career-best performances under the direction of Olivier Assayas, as well as working with Kelly Reichardt, Woody Allen,...
- 1/16/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
It seems you can’t turn around without bumping into another movie starring Elle Fanning these days, and that’s just fine by us. The actress is one of the finest talents of her generation, and next month she’ll be at the Sundance Film Festival to get the word out about “Sidney Hall.”
Read More: 2017 Sundance Film Festival Adds ‘Wilson,’ Dee Rees’ ‘Mudbound,’ ‘Wind River’ Starring Jeremy Renner, & More
Co-written and directed by Shawn Christensen (“Before I Disappear“), and co-starring Logan Lerman, Kyle Chandler, Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Lane, and Margaret Qualley, in a movie that follows the titular character across a dozen years.
Continue reading Sundance Film Festival: Elle Fanning In ‘Sidney Hall’ at The Playlist.
Read More: 2017 Sundance Film Festival Adds ‘Wilson,’ Dee Rees’ ‘Mudbound,’ ‘Wind River’ Starring Jeremy Renner, & More
Co-written and directed by Shawn Christensen (“Before I Disappear“), and co-starring Logan Lerman, Kyle Chandler, Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Lane, and Margaret Qualley, in a movie that follows the titular character across a dozen years.
Continue reading Sundance Film Festival: Elle Fanning In ‘Sidney Hall’ at The Playlist.
- 12/5/2016
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
It sounds like we already have our first great horror movie of 2016. Following its much talked about screenings at Sundance, the Farsi-language horror movie Under The Shadow is set for a worldwide release, thanks to Vertical Entertainment, Netflix, and Xyz Films:
Los Angeles, CA (January 23, 2016) – Vertical Entertainment and Xyz Films have partnered for global distribution of the Farsi-language horror thriller Under The Shadow, which will have its world premiere at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. The companies will coordinate a global day-and-date release on digital and VOD platforms, alongside a targeted theatrical release in select territories. Netflix will release the film worldwide shortly after the theatrical and transactional debut. The release date is still to be announced.
Under The Shadow is written and directed by British / Iranian Babak Anvari and stars Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi and Bobby Naderi. The film is produced by Lucan Toh, Oliver Roskill and Emily Leo of Wigwam Films.
Los Angeles, CA (January 23, 2016) – Vertical Entertainment and Xyz Films have partnered for global distribution of the Farsi-language horror thriller Under The Shadow, which will have its world premiere at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. The companies will coordinate a global day-and-date release on digital and VOD platforms, alongside a targeted theatrical release in select territories. Netflix will release the film worldwide shortly after the theatrical and transactional debut. The release date is still to be announced.
Under The Shadow is written and directed by British / Iranian Babak Anvari and stars Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi and Bobby Naderi. The film is produced by Lucan Toh, Oliver Roskill and Emily Leo of Wigwam Films.
- 1/23/2016
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Here We Go Again: Evans’ Nondescript Venture a Familiar Recipe of Whirlwind Romance
Love is not a many splendored thing in actor Chris Evans’ directorial debut, Before We Go, a mediocre two-hander requiring a certain finesse not in evidence either before or in front of the camera, at least enough to believably carry us off into the sunset of illogical romantic inclinations. That’s not to say the film is terrible or even evidence that Evans should quit his day job, but mostly how it unfortunately elicits an overall and achingly constant ‘meh.’ Saddled with one of those vaguely poetic titles reminiscent of a slew of emotionally malleable indie films like Before I Disappear or Away We Go, even though it probably wants to be comparable to Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy, perhaps we shouldn’t be disappointed since the comfortably predictable narrative can’t be accused...
Love is not a many splendored thing in actor Chris Evans’ directorial debut, Before We Go, a mediocre two-hander requiring a certain finesse not in evidence either before or in front of the camera, at least enough to believably carry us off into the sunset of illogical romantic inclinations. That’s not to say the film is terrible or even evidence that Evans should quit his day job, but mostly how it unfortunately elicits an overall and achingly constant ‘meh.’ Saddled with one of those vaguely poetic titles reminiscent of a slew of emotionally malleable indie films like Before I Disappear or Away We Go, even though it probably wants to be comparable to Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy, perhaps we shouldn’t be disappointed since the comfortably predictable narrative can’t be accused...
- 9/3/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment, in town with a slate that includes Anthony Hopkins thriller Go With Me, has closed a $20m production facility with First Republic Bank (Frb) to finance the second season of TNT show The Librarians.
The show stars Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane and John Larroquette and features Noah Wyle and is scheduled to begin production in June.
The funding is part of an overall $75m credit line spanning three years to allow Electric to expand its film, TV and sales operations.
The feature sales slate includes crime drama The Wannabe that premiered in Tribeca and has Martin Scorsese, Devlin and Traction Media on board as executive producers.
Electric recently acquired international sales rights to SXSW 2014 selections Kelly & Cal and Before I Disappear and the sales slate includes The Better Angels produced by Terrence Malick.
Devlin (pictured) recently wrapped on his feature directorial debut Geostorm, which Warner Bros will distribute in October 2016.
Devlin produces...
The show stars Rebecca Romijn, Christian Kane and John Larroquette and features Noah Wyle and is scheduled to begin production in June.
The funding is part of an overall $75m credit line spanning three years to allow Electric to expand its film, TV and sales operations.
The feature sales slate includes crime drama The Wannabe that premiered in Tribeca and has Martin Scorsese, Devlin and Traction Media on board as executive producers.
Electric recently acquired international sales rights to SXSW 2014 selections Kelly & Cal and Before I Disappear and the sales slate includes The Better Angels produced by Terrence Malick.
Devlin (pictured) recently wrapped on his feature directorial debut Geostorm, which Warner Bros will distribute in October 2016.
Devlin produces...
- 5/14/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
In May we will see almost 60 titles leave Netflix, but nearly 60 titles are being added. One of the big warnings I will heed is that you’ve got until May 5 to watch Skyfall, so get on that. The Netflix original Grace & Frankie makes its debut on May 8 and stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston.
Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, The Boxtrolls, and Fruitvale Station are just some of the great titles heading your way next month. Check out the full list of new movies and TV shows coming to Netflix.
Available May 1
Beyond Clueless (2014)
Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)
Longmire: Season 3
No No: A Dockumentary (2014)
Shameless: Series 10
The Last Waltz (1978)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
Underclassman (2015)
Witnesses: Season 1
Available May 2
Lalaloopsy: Festival of Sugary Sweets (2015)
LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures: Amazing Word Explorers (2015)
Available May 3
Anita (2013)
D.L. Hughley...
Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, The Boxtrolls, and Fruitvale Station are just some of the great titles heading your way next month. Check out the full list of new movies and TV shows coming to Netflix.
Available May 1
Beyond Clueless (2014)
Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)
Longmire: Season 3
No No: A Dockumentary (2014)
Shameless: Series 10
The Last Waltz (1978)
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
Underclassman (2015)
Witnesses: Season 1
Available May 2
Lalaloopsy: Festival of Sugary Sweets (2015)
LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures: Amazing Word Explorers (2015)
Available May 3
Anita (2013)
D.L. Hughley...
- 4/22/2015
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
Some new titles are slated to hit Netflix next month, but things are a bit thin in the quality department. Highlights include Quentin Tarantino’s WWII saga Inglourious Basterds, Laika’s delightful The Boxtrolls, the emotional 2013 drama Fruitvale Station, and…not much else. On the Netflix Originals front, however, we do have the Jane Fonda/Lily Tomlin comedy Grace & Frankie coming on May 8th. Check out the full list of new movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in May below, via THR. Available May 1 Beyond Clueless (2014) Jimi: All Is by My Side (2013) Legally Blonde (2001) Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) Longmire: Season 3 No No: A Dockumentary (2014) Shameless: Series 10 The Last Waltz (1978) The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) Underclassman (2015) Witnesses: Season 1 Available May 2 Lalaloopsy: Festival of Sugary Sweets (2015) LeapFrog Letter Factory Adventures: Amazing Word Explorers (2015) Available May 3 Anita (2013) D.L. Hughley: Clear (2014) Royal Pains: Season 6 Available May 5 A Few Best Men...
- 4/22/2015
- by Adam Chitwood
- Collider.com
May on Netflix brings more high-profile original series, including "Grace and Frankie," starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women who bond when their husbands -- Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen -- reveal they're gay and leave their wives to be together. It's from Marta Kauffman, the co-creator of "Friends."
Also new, the sci-fi mystery series "Between," in which a disease has wiped out everyone over 21. Unlike other Netflix series, "Between" will air a new episode every week for six weeks, beginning on May 21. Jennette McCurdy from "iCarly" stars.
And debuting on May 22: A comedy special from Jen Kirkman, best known for her appearances on "Chelsea Lately" and "Drunk History."
Here's a full rundown of what's new on Netflix in May 2015, provided by Netflix. As always, all titles and dates are subject to change. We've also go you covered in terms of what's leaving Netflix in May 2015, in case you were wondering.
Also new, the sci-fi mystery series "Between," in which a disease has wiped out everyone over 21. Unlike other Netflix series, "Between" will air a new episode every week for six weeks, beginning on May 21. Jennette McCurdy from "iCarly" stars.
And debuting on May 22: A comedy special from Jen Kirkman, best known for her appearances on "Chelsea Lately" and "Drunk History."
Here's a full rundown of what's new on Netflix in May 2015, provided by Netflix. As always, all titles and dates are subject to change. We've also go you covered in terms of what's leaving Netflix in May 2015, in case you were wondering.
- 4/22/2015
- by Sharon Knolle
- Moviefone
Exclusive: Wigwam Films’ Under the Shadow underway in Jordan.
Farsi-language horror film Under the Shadow, written and directed by BAFTA-nominated Babak Anvari (Two & Two), has begun shooting in Amman, Jordan.
Set in post-revolution Tehran, during the Iran-Iraq war, the film a follows a young mother who remains with her six-year-old daughter when others are fleeing local fighting.
The mother soon begins to believe an unexploded missile has carried evil spirits into her home and possessed her daughter.
The film is produced and financed by London-based Wigwam Films, and is supported by the Doha Film Institute, Creativity Capital and Mena Film.
Narges Rashidi (Æon Flux) leads the cast, with Bobby Naderi (Argo) and Ray Haratian (Argo, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night) also set to appear.
Producers for Wigwam are Lucan Toh, Emily Leo, and Oliver Roskill with Donall McCusker on board as co-producer.
Xyz Films is handling North American sales.
Todd Brown, head of...
Farsi-language horror film Under the Shadow, written and directed by BAFTA-nominated Babak Anvari (Two & Two), has begun shooting in Amman, Jordan.
Set in post-revolution Tehran, during the Iran-Iraq war, the film a follows a young mother who remains with her six-year-old daughter when others are fleeing local fighting.
The mother soon begins to believe an unexploded missile has carried evil spirits into her home and possessed her daughter.
The film is produced and financed by London-based Wigwam Films, and is supported by the Doha Film Institute, Creativity Capital and Mena Film.
Narges Rashidi (Æon Flux) leads the cast, with Bobby Naderi (Argo) and Ray Haratian (Argo, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night) also set to appear.
Producers for Wigwam are Lucan Toh, Emily Leo, and Oliver Roskill with Donall McCusker on board as co-producer.
Xyz Films is handling North American sales.
Todd Brown, head of...
- 4/20/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Electric Entertainment closes multiple territories on thriller starring Anthony Hopkins
Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment has closed multiple territories on the thriller Go With Me starring Anthony Hopkins, Julia Stiles, Ray Liotta and Hal Halbrook.
Go With Me is in post in Sweden and centres on a woman who turns to a former logger and his sidekick to take on a bullying local crime lord in a Pacific Northwest town.
Deals have closed in Spain (Corbi Media), Latin America (California Filmes), Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria (Grandview Castle), Taiwan (Cmc), Middle East (Eagle), Turkey (Central Park), Israel (Shoval) and former-Yugoslavia (Cinemania).
Fox acquired select Southeast Asian territories, Mnet has picked up in South Africa and Entertainment In Motion will handle international airlines.
Electric and Enderby Entertainment co-finance the project, which Daniel Alfredson directs from Joe Gangemi and Gregory Jacobs’ adaptation of the book by Castle Freman Jr.
Rick Dugdale produces...
Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment has closed multiple territories on the thriller Go With Me starring Anthony Hopkins, Julia Stiles, Ray Liotta and Hal Halbrook.
Go With Me is in post in Sweden and centres on a woman who turns to a former logger and his sidekick to take on a bullying local crime lord in a Pacific Northwest town.
Deals have closed in Spain (Corbi Media), Latin America (California Filmes), Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria (Grandview Castle), Taiwan (Cmc), Middle East (Eagle), Turkey (Central Park), Israel (Shoval) and former-Yugoslavia (Cinemania).
Fox acquired select Southeast Asian territories, Mnet has picked up in South Africa and Entertainment In Motion will handle international airlines.
Electric and Enderby Entertainment co-finance the project, which Daniel Alfredson directs from Joe Gangemi and Gregory Jacobs’ adaptation of the book by Castle Freman Jr.
Rick Dugdale produces...
- 2/9/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Drafthouse Films has released two trailers for their heartwarming drama Amira & Sam, which hits theaters today in limited release and is available on VOD platforms. Rousing, smart, and sweet, Amira & Sam is a confident feature debut from writer-director Sean Mullin, and follows Sam (Martin Starr, Freaks and Geeks, Silicon Valley), an army veteran adapting back to civilian life after a lengthy tour overseas. Upon reuniting with his unit's former Iraqi translator in New York City, he meets Amira (newcomer Dina Shihabi), his war buddy's niece; suspicious of soldiers, she wants nothing to do with him. However, when Amira runs into immigration trouble, Sam offers to keep her safe at his apartment. After a rocky start, their unlikely friendship starts to blossom into something more.
Meanwhile, Sam's cousin Charlie (Paul Wesley, Before I Disappear, The Vampire Diaries) offers him a lucrative opportunity at his hedge fund, helping to secure wealthy veterans as new clients.
Meanwhile, Sam's cousin Charlie (Paul Wesley, Before I Disappear, The Vampire Diaries) offers him a lucrative opportunity at his hedge fund, helping to secure wealthy veterans as new clients.
- 1/30/2015
- by MovieWeb
- MovieWeb
A delightfully engaging, convention-busting slice of of-the-moment America that is far from the typical culture-clash romantic dramedy. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Sam (Martin Starr: Veronica Mars) is an army veteran just back from the wars who is uncomfortable with the role he finds himself cast to play in civilian society. Amira (Dina Shihabi) is an Iraqi immigrant to New York who has good reason to be suspicious of American soldiers, and who also pushes back against the constraints her Arabic community places on her as a woman. But what starts out as a favor to his old army buddy (Laith Nakli), a former military translator and Amira’s uncle, quickly develops into a warm friendship and the beginnings of a romance between the unlikely couple. This is far from the typical culture-clash romantic dramedy,...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Sam (Martin Starr: Veronica Mars) is an army veteran just back from the wars who is uncomfortable with the role he finds himself cast to play in civilian society. Amira (Dina Shihabi) is an Iraqi immigrant to New York who has good reason to be suspicious of American soldiers, and who also pushes back against the constraints her Arabic community places on her as a woman. But what starts out as a favor to his old army buddy (Laith Nakli), a former military translator and Amira’s uncle, quickly develops into a warm friendship and the beginnings of a romance between the unlikely couple. This is far from the typical culture-clash romantic dramedy,...
- 1/30/2015
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Enduring a dramatically intense and drastic situation with someone who has played a major part in the shaping of your past, present and future can not only strengthen your bond and make you better understand each other, but can also help you embrace your life goals. But during that enlightening experience, your realization of your full potential can also unfortunately alter your connection with someone else, who may not necessarily want to see you change your life plans. That striking realization and evolution is powerfully presented in the new independent drama, ‘Before I Disappear.’ Paul Wesley, one of the film’s actors and producers, developed a strong personal and professional bond [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Paul Wesley Talks Before I Disappear (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Paul Wesley Talks Before I Disappear (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 1/1/2015
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Becoming consumed by endless self-pity can often lead people to become disconnected from the world that they fail to fully recognize the extreme emotional effects the self-imposed isolation begins to have on them. It isn’t until they’re forced into a dire situation with their estranged relatives that they finally grasp that they miss the once close relationships they used to have, and how irrational their recent decisions have become. Filmmaker Shawn Christensen powerfully emphasized the significance of people truly embracing and appreciating the opportunity to rekindle those close bonds to help them overcome their internal struggles in his new drama, ‘Before I Disappear.’ The movie, which marks the screenwriter’s feature [ Read More ]
The post Interview: Shawn Christensen Talks Before I Disappear (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Shawn Christensen Talks Before I Disappear (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/28/2014
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Title: Before I Disappear Director: Shawn Christensen Starring: Shawn Christensen, Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Paul Wesley and Ron Perlman Harrowingly struggling to find the true purpose in your life, and bravely fighting against with the morally correct decisions surrounding, despite the consequences those actions might cause, is a commendable effort that most people don’t follow through with until they’re forced to face the distressing obstacles in their lives. ‘Before I Disappear,’ the new independent drama that marks the feature film directorial and acting debuts of screenwriter Shawn Christensen, grippingly explores the heartfelt reunion between an estranged family. At the same time, the story is brazenly set in a dangerous criminal [ Read More ]
The post Before I Disappear Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Before I Disappear Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/29/2014
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Before I Disappear
Written and directed by Shawn Christensen
USA/UK, 2014
We don’t get many cinematic one-man shows these days. Shawn Christensen takes up the challenge by writing, directing and starring in the new indie mind-screw, Before I Disappear. Though thin on plot and heavy on convulsions, there’s enough visual flair and wickedly-dark humor to reward your patience. Psychedelic-noir gets mashed-up with The Odd Couple, and it works a lot better than you might imagine.
Richie (Christensen) would love to kill himself, if only his damn telephone would stop ringing! Even though he just slashed his wrists and downed a bottle of pills, life won’t allow him the courtesy of a dignified death. He’s just about to throw his phone out the window when he gets a call from his estranged sister, Maggie (Emmy Rossum). She’s in a bind and needs Richie to watch her precocious 11 year-old daughter,...
Written and directed by Shawn Christensen
USA/UK, 2014
We don’t get many cinematic one-man shows these days. Shawn Christensen takes up the challenge by writing, directing and starring in the new indie mind-screw, Before I Disappear. Though thin on plot and heavy on convulsions, there’s enough visual flair and wickedly-dark humor to reward your patience. Psychedelic-noir gets mashed-up with The Odd Couple, and it works a lot better than you might imagine.
Richie (Christensen) would love to kill himself, if only his damn telephone would stop ringing! Even though he just slashed his wrists and downed a bottle of pills, life won’t allow him the courtesy of a dignified death. He’s just about to throw his phone out the window when he gets a call from his estranged sister, Maggie (Emmy Rossum). She’s in a bind and needs Richie to watch her precocious 11 year-old daughter,...
- 11/28/2014
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
This year, Damien Chazelle took his award winning short film "Whiplash" and turned it into an acclaimed, awards contending feature length movie. And that's the same path Shawn Christensen has taken with "Before I Disappear." His 2012 short "Curfew" took home an Academy Award, and now he's arrived two years later with the full length version of that tale and today we have an exclusive clip. Starring Christensen himself, along with Ron Perlman, Emmy Rossum, and Fatima Ptacek, the story follows Richie, a depressed and suicidal young man, who suddenly is thrust into caring for his young niece, Sophia. And so begins their time together and a journey through Manhattan, though it isn't always smooth sailing. As you'll see in this scene, Sophia wants to know as much as possible about the man who's looking after her, much to Richie's chagrin. "Before I Disappear" is on VOD today and now playing in limited release.
- 11/28/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
For all but the biggest cinephiles, the Academy Awards shorts categories can feel like a game of chance, seeking to throw off viewers’ shots at winning the office Oscar pool. Shawn Christensen’s “Curfew” picked up the prize for 2012 in live-action short, and his film has been expanded into the full-length “Before I Disappear.” The feature gains a few recognizable faces and roughly 80 minutes in the translation, while it loses some of its charms, proving that sometimes less is more. Depressed and deep in debt, Richie (Christensen) is in the midst of a suicide attempt when his estranged sister Maggie (Emmy Rossum) calls in a panic. She needs Richie to pick up her 11-year-old daughter Sophia (Fatima Ptacek) from a recital and keep an eye on her for a few hours. Richie reluctantly agrees, but a few hours turns into a day. Richie takes Sophia across New York City, sharing...
- 11/27/2014
- by Kimber Myers
- The Playlist
The 90-minute expansion of an Oscar-winning short chooses art over heart, and lacks the emotional conviction of its progenitor. I’m “biast” (pro): enjoyed the short film this is based on
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
I have seen the source material (and I like it)
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
A few years ago, writer-director Shawn Christensen won the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short for his film “Curfew,” about a depressed young man (played by the filmmaker) whose suicide attempt is interrupted by a phone call from his estranged sister asking him to do some emergency babysitting of her nine-year-old daughter. The 19-minute short was blackly charming and deeply unsentimental in how it went about its tale of redemption and reconciliation. For this 90-minute expansion of the story, Christensen, alas, chose hallucinatory style over emotional conviction, and the result is far less satisfying; sometimes briefer is better.
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
I have seen the source material (and I like it)
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
A few years ago, writer-director Shawn Christensen won the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short for his film “Curfew,” about a depressed young man (played by the filmmaker) whose suicide attempt is interrupted by a phone call from his estranged sister asking him to do some emergency babysitting of her nine-year-old daughter. The 19-minute short was blackly charming and deeply unsentimental in how it went about its tale of redemption and reconciliation. For this 90-minute expansion of the story, Christensen, alas, chose hallucinatory style over emotional conviction, and the result is far less satisfying; sometimes briefer is better.
- 11/27/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
In case you needed more proof that the SXSW festival has become an overblown tech and marketing event with zero artistic credibility, look no further than Shawn Christensen's Before I Disappear, the Audience Award Winner at 2013's festival. Expanded from a 2012 Oscar-winning short, this tedious debut feature hits on every typical American indie cliché: siblings who don't get along, bad parenting, a (man's) refusal to grow up, dancing, droll attempts at humor, and a protagonist with a crappy job who can still afford a giant Manhattan apartment. Of course, the greatest cliché of all — writing, directing, and starring in your own emotionally mealy movie — is, well, the entire problem here. Aside from having no distance from this project, C...
- 11/26/2014
- Village Voice
The Weinstein Company’s The Imitation Game is the big kid on the block among this holiday weekend’s batch of newcomers. The title is following in the footsteps of past TWC heavyweights The King’s Speech and The Artist, both of which opened to solid box office numbers and eventually scored Oscars for Best Picture. The distributor is expecting good numbers for Imitation Game over the Thanksgiving frame. IFC Films’ horror pic The Babadook has some good buzz heading into the weekend, though it might show its biggest heft via VOD with its day-and-date rollout. Remote Area Medical is one of those films one hopes everyone will see. Timed perfectly for this time of the year’s focus on thanks and giving, the documentary shows the underbelly of America’s healthcare crisis by way of people who provide free medical services to needy people in pop-up clinics around the country.
- 11/26/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
The Sting Called Love: Christensen’s Debut Rife with Melodramatic Cliché
Shawn Christensen, who won an Academy Award for his 2013 short film, Curfew, expands his award winning triumph to feature length with Before I Disappear. Something gets a little lost in the translation, however, in this tale about a vagabond hipster loser who actually inspires less empathy the more time we experience his dilemma on screen. It takes the right blend of melancholy personality to strike the correct balance of the loveable, love-struck loser (i.e., Joaquin Phoenix in Her) and Christensen, who casts himself in the lead, doesn’t feel quite right, though character and narrative development are partially to blame for the ambivalence as well. It’s a tale that requires a strong, emotional component to be successful, and its glaring absence only becomes more and more apparent as it shuttles us off into the vacuum of the hopeful ending.
Shawn Christensen, who won an Academy Award for his 2013 short film, Curfew, expands his award winning triumph to feature length with Before I Disappear. Something gets a little lost in the translation, however, in this tale about a vagabond hipster loser who actually inspires less empathy the more time we experience his dilemma on screen. It takes the right blend of melancholy personality to strike the correct balance of the loveable, love-struck loser (i.e., Joaquin Phoenix in Her) and Christensen, who casts himself in the lead, doesn’t feel quite right, though character and narrative development are partially to blame for the ambivalence as well. It’s a tale that requires a strong, emotional component to be successful, and its glaring absence only becomes more and more apparent as it shuttles us off into the vacuum of the hopeful ending.
- 11/24/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
This weekend, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as English mathematician and WWII hero Alan Turing in "The Imitation Game," your favorite "Madagascar" minions try to stop an evil doctor and save the world in "Penguins of Madagascar," Aubrey Plaza voices the sour feline in the Lifetime TV movie "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever" on Saturday night, and the seventh and final season of "The Mentalist" kicks off this Sunday at 9 p.m.
Also in theaters this weekend: In "Horrible Bosses 2," the gang's new business venture fails because of a slick investor, prompting Dale, Kurt, and Nick to pull off a misguided kidnapping scheme. "Before I Disappear" follows a deeply troubled young man and his precocious niece as they bond during a nighttime odyssey through New York City. "Antarctica: A Year on Ice" is a visually stunning chronicle of what it's like to live in Antarctica for a full year. In "The Babadook,...
Also in theaters this weekend: In "Horrible Bosses 2," the gang's new business venture fails because of a slick investor, prompting Dale, Kurt, and Nick to pull off a misguided kidnapping scheme. "Before I Disappear" follows a deeply troubled young man and his precocious niece as they bond during a nighttime odyssey through New York City. "Antarctica: A Year on Ice" is a visually stunning chronicle of what it's like to live in Antarctica for a full year. In "The Babadook,...
- 11/24/2014
- by Jonny Black
- Moviefone
With yesterday's announcement of the live action short film finalists we have our finalists in all three of those miniature categories. You can read more about all of them on their Oscar chart. It's exciting to see how many debut filmmakers or people who've never been recognized before are in the running. Some of them are about to have a life-changing experience. Take Shawn Christensen who won the 2012 Live Action Short Oscar for Curfew. He's just taken that all the way to his first feature which is an expansion of that. It's called Before I Disappear and it hits On Demand And iTunes a week and some theatrical later I believe.
If the nominees don't have a life-changing moment -- it's hard to get a movie made period. Even if you've won awards -- they can at least have a glamorous one in the Dolby with all the movie stars.
If the nominees don't have a life-changing moment -- it's hard to get a movie made period. Even if you've won awards -- they can at least have a glamorous one in the Dolby with all the movie stars.
- 11/21/2014
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Exclusive: The Vampire Diaries’ Paul Wesley is jumping from the supernatural to the scientific with Convergence, a sci-fi action film that he’ll star in and produce.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but Convergence is described as a college-age ensemble piece in the vein of Flatliners, The Matrix, and Fight Club based on real life “science fact”. It follows a group of underground biotech engineers, including an MIT student wunderkind, exploring a new technology far beyond their expectations and beyond the limits of human control.
The actor, director, and producer currently stars as Stefan Salvatore on The CW’s hit show The Vampire Diaries. The series is in its sixth season and will return from its midseason hiatus with a January episode that Wesley directed, his second after making his directorial debut on the show last season.
“My first couple of hiatuses I was looking for indies to...
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but Convergence is described as a college-age ensemble piece in the vein of Flatliners, The Matrix, and Fight Club based on real life “science fact”. It follows a group of underground biotech engineers, including an MIT student wunderkind, exploring a new technology far beyond their expectations and beyond the limits of human control.
The actor, director, and producer currently stars as Stefan Salvatore on The CW’s hit show The Vampire Diaries. The series is in its sixth season and will return from its midseason hiatus with a January episode that Wesley directed, his second after making his directorial debut on the show last season.
“My first couple of hiatuses I was looking for indies to...
- 11/17/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Exclusive: Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment has secured all worldwide rights to the international thriller and started talks with Afm buyers.
Akan Satayev directed the film from Sanzhar Sultanov and Timur Zhaksylykov’s screenplay about three young coders who fall foul of the authorities and the shadowy operators behind their criminal paymasters.
Hacker shot in New York, Hong Kong, Toronto and Bangkok and stars Callan McAuliffe, Lorraine Nicholson, Daniel Eric Gold and Clifton Collins Jr.
Sultanov’s production company Know Rules Media produced with Satayev’s SataiFilm. Loudon Owen and Jai Khanna from Brillstein Entertainment Partners are the executive producers.
“We were immediately intrigued by Hacker because it is very topical and timely,” said Electric’s head of international distribution Sonia Mehandjiyska. “It deals with a scary situation that could unfortunately become a reality for all of us one day.”
“When we finished the film, we felt confident that we have a good film,” said Satayev...
Akan Satayev directed the film from Sanzhar Sultanov and Timur Zhaksylykov’s screenplay about three young coders who fall foul of the authorities and the shadowy operators behind their criminal paymasters.
Hacker shot in New York, Hong Kong, Toronto and Bangkok and stars Callan McAuliffe, Lorraine Nicholson, Daniel Eric Gold and Clifton Collins Jr.
Sultanov’s production company Know Rules Media produced with Satayev’s SataiFilm. Loudon Owen and Jai Khanna from Brillstein Entertainment Partners are the executive producers.
“We were immediately intrigued by Hacker because it is very topical and timely,” said Electric’s head of international distribution Sonia Mehandjiyska. “It deals with a scary situation that could unfortunately become a reality for all of us one day.”
“When we finished the film, we felt confident that we have a good film,” said Satayev...
- 11/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: What better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? This week […]
The post This Week In Trailers: Before I Disappear, Remote Area Medical, Timbuktu, Banksy Does New York appeared first on /Film.
The post This Week In Trailers: Before I Disappear, Remote Area Medical, Timbuktu, Banksy Does New York appeared first on /Film.
- 11/1/2014
- by Christopher Stipp
- Slash Film
You may not have heard of director Shawn Christensen, but there’s one thing you should know about him – he’s an Oscar winner. Back in 2013, the filmmaker bagged the Best Live Action Short golden statuette for Curfew. Embracing the Academy’s reception of his little movie, he took his victory as a sign that he should adapt the gritty drama into a feature. Now, one year later, the full-length version, retitled Before I Disappear, looks set to follow in the footsteps of the original.
Christensen’s updated take expands on the story we were first introduced to in the short. For those of you who’ve not had the chance to see it, you can get a good glimpse at what’s in store via the latest trailer. With a brilliant cast this time around, the movie follows a precocious 11-year old (Fatima Ptacek) who winds up in the...
Christensen’s updated take expands on the story we were first introduced to in the short. For those of you who’ve not had the chance to see it, you can get a good glimpse at what’s in store via the latest trailer. With a brilliant cast this time around, the movie follows a precocious 11-year old (Fatima Ptacek) who winds up in the...
- 10/29/2014
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
Shawn Christensen's Before I Disappear has released a new trailer.
The writer-director-actor's comedy received an Audience Award at SXSW.
Emmy Rossum, Ron Perlman, Paul Wesley, Richard Schiff and Fatima Ptacek also feature in the movie.
Before I Disappear centres around struggling Richie (Christensen), who agrees to look after his estranged sister's 11-year-old daughter.
After a day of misadventures, Richie begins to realise that he may be the one who needs to grow up.
Before I Disappear will open on November 28 in the Us. A UK release date is yet to be announced.
The writer-director-actor's comedy received an Audience Award at SXSW.
Emmy Rossum, Ron Perlman, Paul Wesley, Richard Schiff and Fatima Ptacek also feature in the movie.
Before I Disappear centres around struggling Richie (Christensen), who agrees to look after his estranged sister's 11-year-old daughter.
After a day of misadventures, Richie begins to realise that he may be the one who needs to grow up.
Before I Disappear will open on November 28 in the Us. A UK release date is yet to be announced.
- 10/28/2014
- Digital Spy
Shawn Christensen might not be an immediately familiar name, but in 2013 he took home an Best Live Action Short Oscar for "Curfew." Now he's returned with "Before I Disappear," a feature length take on the same story which earned him an Audience Award from SXSW among other honors from festivals around the world. And now the film is headed to theaters. Starring Emmy Rossum, Ron Perlman, Paul Wesley, Fatima Ptacek, and Christensen, "Before I Disappear" tells the tale of the unraveling Richie, who's tasked with looking after his 11 year-old niece. And while that might seem a familiar premise, the trailers suggests a unique, heartfelt perspective. The movie also screened at the Venice Film Festival as well this summer, suggesting the film is more than just another quirky indie. "Before I Disappear" opens on November 28th. Watch below.
- 10/28/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Thriller to be directed by Daniel Alfredson and is headed to the Afm.
Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment has injected some vitality into a torpid pre-afm stretch on the Us side, announcing it will co-finance and has taken all worldwide rights to Go With Me starring Anthony Hopkins.
Kidnapping Freddy Heineken director Daniel Alfredson reunites with Hopkins on the story of a young woman who enlists the help of a former logger and his sidekick to confront a local crime lord.
Alfredson also directed The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. Joe Gangemi and Gregory Jacobs adapted the book by Castle Freeman Jr.
Electric is co-financing with Enderby Entertainment. Rick Dugdale of Enderby produces alongside Lindsay Williams and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of The Gotham Group, Jacobs and Hopkins.
International sales executive Nolan Pielak, who heads up Electric’s British Columbia offices, brought in the project.
Production is set...
Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment has injected some vitality into a torpid pre-afm stretch on the Us side, announcing it will co-finance and has taken all worldwide rights to Go With Me starring Anthony Hopkins.
Kidnapping Freddy Heineken director Daniel Alfredson reunites with Hopkins on the story of a young woman who enlists the help of a former logger and his sidekick to confront a local crime lord.
Alfredson also directed The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. Joe Gangemi and Gregory Jacobs adapted the book by Castle Freeman Jr.
Electric is co-financing with Enderby Entertainment. Rick Dugdale of Enderby produces alongside Lindsay Williams and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of The Gotham Group, Jacobs and Hopkins.
International sales executive Nolan Pielak, who heads up Electric’s British Columbia offices, brought in the project.
Production is set...
- 10/23/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Hollywood Film Festival executive director Jon Fitzgerald has announced the event’s winners.
The jury prize for best documentary feature went to Joe Piscatella’s #Chicago Girl, while Shawn Christensen’s Before I Disappear won the jury prize for best narrative feature.
Brendan Calder’s Learning To Float won the jury prize for best documentary short and Edwin Adlam Herod and Drue Pennella’s Fourteen Seeds took best narrative short.
Turning to the Cincecause Spotlight filmmakers, Michael Barnett’s Becoming Bulletproof earned recognition in the documentary category while narrative honours went to Andy Landen’s Sequoia.
As previously announced Harry Belafonte was given the first CineCause ChangeMaker Icon honour earlier this year and his daughter Gina Belafonte spoke on his behalf at the celebration.
The revamped Hollywood Film Festival ran from October 16-19.
The jury prize for best documentary feature went to Joe Piscatella’s #Chicago Girl, while Shawn Christensen’s Before I Disappear won the jury prize for best narrative feature.
Brendan Calder’s Learning To Float won the jury prize for best documentary short and Edwin Adlam Herod and Drue Pennella’s Fourteen Seeds took best narrative short.
Turning to the Cincecause Spotlight filmmakers, Michael Barnett’s Becoming Bulletproof earned recognition in the documentary category while narrative honours went to Andy Landen’s Sequoia.
As previously announced Harry Belafonte was given the first CineCause ChangeMaker Icon honour earlier this year and his daughter Gina Belafonte spoke on his behalf at the celebration.
The revamped Hollywood Film Festival ran from October 16-19.
- 10/20/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The festival’s 25th edition will feature a contribution from Ai Weiwei and competition titles including Whiplash, Nightcrawler and Foxcatcher.
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 5-16) is to present its Achievement Award to Us actress Uma Thurman.
The Kill Bill star will will visit Stockholm to receive the prestigious Bronze Horse and meet the audience during an exclusive “Face2Face”.
Thurman will also take part in the inauguration ceremony, which will include the unveiling of an ice sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Weiwei was a Stockholm jury member last year but since he wasn’t allowed to leave China, he sent an empty chair named ”The Chair for Non-attendance” as symbol of his absence.
He is still not allowed to leave China so will send a design that will be portrayed in the form of a large ice sculpture symbolising this years’ Spotlight theme - Hope.
Brazil
The festival will focus this year on Brazil...
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 5-16) is to present its Achievement Award to Us actress Uma Thurman.
The Kill Bill star will will visit Stockholm to receive the prestigious Bronze Horse and meet the audience during an exclusive “Face2Face”.
Thurman will also take part in the inauguration ceremony, which will include the unveiling of an ice sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Weiwei was a Stockholm jury member last year but since he wasn’t allowed to leave China, he sent an empty chair named ”The Chair for Non-attendance” as symbol of his absence.
He is still not allowed to leave China so will send a design that will be portrayed in the form of a large ice sculpture symbolising this years’ Spotlight theme - Hope.
Brazil
The festival will focus this year on Brazil...
- 10/16/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
I Can Quit Whenever I Want wins the Golden Puffin; Shawn Christensen’s Before I Disappear gets special jury mention.
Italian comedy I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto quando voglio) has won the Golden Puffin at the Reykjavik International Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 5).
The film marks the directorial debut of Sydney Sibilia and topped the 12 titles in Riff’s New Visions competitive strand, which are all first or second features.
The story centres on a university researcher who is fired because of cutbacks and decides to produce drugs with his former colleagues
A special mention of the jury was given to drama Before I Disappear, written, directed and starring Shawn Christensen.
The jury comprised Icelanic actor Björn Thors, international distributor Pascale Ramonda, Film London CEO Adrian Wooton, Peter Debruge, and festival advisor Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, keeper of the national treasures and the manager of the Office of National Heritage.
The jury described...
Italian comedy I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto quando voglio) has won the Golden Puffin at the Reykjavik International Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 5).
The film marks the directorial debut of Sydney Sibilia and topped the 12 titles in Riff’s New Visions competitive strand, which are all first or second features.
The story centres on a university researcher who is fired because of cutbacks and decides to produce drugs with his former colleagues
A special mention of the jury was given to drama Before I Disappear, written, directed and starring Shawn Christensen.
The jury comprised Icelanic actor Björn Thors, international distributor Pascale Ramonda, Film London CEO Adrian Wooton, Peter Debruge, and festival advisor Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, keeper of the national treasures and the manager of the Office of National Heritage.
The jury described...
- 10/4/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Paul Wesley has been cast in Mother's Day.
The Vampire Diaries star will join Susan Sarandon and Sharon Stone in the drama.
Sarandon's daughter Eva Amurri Martino will also feature in Paul Duddridge's film.
The movie will focus on the relationship between a group of mothers and daughters.
Wesley will play Martino's pastry chef boyfriend.
Sarandon and Martino previously played mother and daughter on the big screen in 2002's The Banger Sisters.
Wesley will next be seen in Before I Disappear and Sam & Amira.
The Vampire Diaries star will join Susan Sarandon and Sharon Stone in the drama.
Sarandon's daughter Eva Amurri Martino will also feature in Paul Duddridge's film.
The movie will focus on the relationship between a group of mothers and daughters.
Wesley will play Martino's pastry chef boyfriend.
Sarandon and Martino previously played mother and daughter on the big screen in 2002's The Banger Sisters.
Wesley will next be seen in Before I Disappear and Sam & Amira.
- 9/26/2014
- Digital Spy
Day Two at the Port Townsend Film Festival heralded the arrival of legendary independent filmmaker, John Sayles. Screening his Academy Award-nominated film, Lone Star, Sayles comes armed with many stories of horror and inspiration from the indie frontlines. He notes that current “filmmaking has democratized incredibly,” becoming a land of opportunity for young (read: resource poor) filmmakers.
Several features made their debut, including, Noble, the real-life story of the slightly-crazy, Christina Noble. Writer-director, Stephen Bradley, gives us a fictionalized account of Noble’s courageous quest to help the street children of Vietnam. Also premiering was director, Yorgos Tsemberopoulos’ troubling meditation on vengeance, The Enemy Within. Incorporating current social themes in Athens, Greece, this film asks that age-old cinematic question, “How far would you go to protect your home and family?”
Part history lesson, part Ecology 101, Return of the River is an uplifting documentary about how hope and perseverance can sometimes undo past wrongdoings.
Several features made their debut, including, Noble, the real-life story of the slightly-crazy, Christina Noble. Writer-director, Stephen Bradley, gives us a fictionalized account of Noble’s courageous quest to help the street children of Vietnam. Also premiering was director, Yorgos Tsemberopoulos’ troubling meditation on vengeance, The Enemy Within. Incorporating current social themes in Athens, Greece, this film asks that age-old cinematic question, “How far would you go to protect your home and family?”
Part history lesson, part Ecology 101, Return of the River is an uplifting documentary about how hope and perseverance can sometimes undo past wrongdoings.
- 9/21/2014
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
Titles include Shawn Christensen’s Before I Disappear and Suha Arraf’s Villa Touma [pictured]; guests include Mike Leigh and Ruben Ostlund.
The Reykjavik International Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 5) has unveiled the 12 features in competition for the Golden Puffin award, reserved for first or second time directors.
They include Us drama Before I Disappear, from director Shawn Christensen, which picked up the audience audience at SXSW, where it received its world premiere.
Also in the running is family drama Villa Touma, from Palestinian/Israeli director Suha Arraf, which played at Venice and Toronto; and Grzegorz Jaroszuk’s Kebab and Horoscope, which debuted at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
The competition line-up includes:
Villa Touma,Suha ArrafThe Lack, Masbedo (It)Age of Cannibals, Johannes Naber (Ger)Before I Disappear, Shawn Christensen (Us-uk)Bonobo, Matthew Hammett Knott (UK)Heimurinn, Iris Elezi, Thomas LogorrheicThe Council of Birds, Timm Kröger (Ger)I Can Quit Whenever I Want,Sydney Sibilia (It)Kebab...
The Reykjavik International Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 5) has unveiled the 12 features in competition for the Golden Puffin award, reserved for first or second time directors.
They include Us drama Before I Disappear, from director Shawn Christensen, which picked up the audience audience at SXSW, where it received its world premiere.
Also in the running is family drama Villa Touma, from Palestinian/Israeli director Suha Arraf, which played at Venice and Toronto; and Grzegorz Jaroszuk’s Kebab and Horoscope, which debuted at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.
The competition line-up includes:
Villa Touma,Suha ArrafThe Lack, Masbedo (It)Age of Cannibals, Johannes Naber (Ger)Before I Disappear, Shawn Christensen (Us-uk)Bonobo, Matthew Hammett Knott (UK)Heimurinn, Iris Elezi, Thomas LogorrheicThe Council of Birds, Timm Kröger (Ger)I Can Quit Whenever I Want,Sydney Sibilia (It)Kebab...
- 9/18/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Jon Fitzgerald and his team at the reboot Hollywood Film Festival with its emphasis on socially conscious films have unveiled the line-up of features by first-time directors.
The roster includes the world premiere of Pancakes by Yasu Shibuya, the previously announced world premiere of My Name Is Water by Justin Arana and the Us premiere of
Also set to screen in Horizons are: Shawn Christensen’s Before I Disappear; Andy Landen’s Sequoia Sister by David Lascher; Time Lapse by B.P. Cooper and Bradley King and Alex Of Venice (pictured) by Chris Messina; The Dramatics by Scott Rodgers; and You Must Be Joking by Jake Wilson.
“New talent continues to be the lifeblood of Hollywood,” said Fitzgerald. “Horizons is a natural fit in providing a platform for emerging directors to be on the industry’s radar.”
The Hollywood Film Festival will run from October 16-19. To see the full line-up visit the official website.
The roster includes the world premiere of Pancakes by Yasu Shibuya, the previously announced world premiere of My Name Is Water by Justin Arana and the Us premiere of
Also set to screen in Horizons are: Shawn Christensen’s Before I Disappear; Andy Landen’s Sequoia Sister by David Lascher; Time Lapse by B.P. Cooper and Bradley King and Alex Of Venice (pictured) by Chris Messina; The Dramatics by Scott Rodgers; and You Must Be Joking by Jake Wilson.
“New talent continues to be the lifeblood of Hollywood,” said Fitzgerald. “Horizons is a natural fit in providing a platform for emerging directors to be on the industry’s radar.”
The Hollywood Film Festival will run from October 16-19. To see the full line-up visit the official website.
- 9/8/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment has hired Jernej Razen as vp of acquisitions and development at the company’s international sales division.
Razen will work closely with Electric’s head of international distribution Sonia Mehandjiyska in acquiring projects for the slate.
He will also be instrumental in finding and developing projects for Electric’s production pipeline.
Razen most recently served as vp of acquisitions and development at Relativity Media where he oversaw Us acquisition and distribution on Don Jon and Act Of Valor, among others.
Electric’s international sales slate includes Before I Disappear, Kelly & Cal and The Better Angels.
Razen will work closely with Electric’s head of international distribution Sonia Mehandjiyska in acquiring projects for the slate.
He will also be instrumental in finding and developing projects for Electric’s production pipeline.
Razen most recently served as vp of acquisitions and development at Relativity Media where he oversaw Us acquisition and distribution on Don Jon and Act Of Valor, among others.
Electric’s international sales slate includes Before I Disappear, Kelly & Cal and The Better Angels.
- 9/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Mr. Turner among first 12 films named in the Riff line-up.
British filmmaker Mike Leigh has been named the guest of honour at the Reykjavík International Film Festival, ahead of its 11th edition (Sept 25 - Oct 5).
His latest film, Mr. Turner, which picked up a Best Actor prize for Timothy Spall at the Cannes Film Festival in May, will be screened at the festival.
Previous Riff guests of honour include Milos Forman, Lukas Moodysson and Jim Jarmusch.
More than 80 features will be screened at the festival and 12 films by new directors will compete for the Golden Puffin in the New Visions category.
Other strands include Open Seas, featuring a variety of recent prize-winning films; green movies, comprising documentaries on environmental matters, in strand titled A Different Tomorrow; Icelandic short films; and a variety of docs.
Ahead of releasing the full line-up, an initial 12 titles have been teased out. As well as Mr. Turner, these include:...
British filmmaker Mike Leigh has been named the guest of honour at the Reykjavík International Film Festival, ahead of its 11th edition (Sept 25 - Oct 5).
His latest film, Mr. Turner, which picked up a Best Actor prize for Timothy Spall at the Cannes Film Festival in May, will be screened at the festival.
Previous Riff guests of honour include Milos Forman, Lukas Moodysson and Jim Jarmusch.
More than 80 features will be screened at the festival and 12 films by new directors will compete for the Golden Puffin in the New Visions category.
Other strands include Open Seas, featuring a variety of recent prize-winning films; green movies, comprising documentaries on environmental matters, in strand titled A Different Tomorrow; Icelandic short films; and a variety of docs.
Ahead of releasing the full line-up, an initial 12 titles have been teased out. As well as Mr. Turner, these include:...
- 9/4/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films has picked up North American rights to Shawn Christensen’s drama ahead of its international premiere in Venice. Separately, The Orchard has picked up Marshall Curry’s Tribeca-winning doc Point And Shoot.
Christensen wrote Before I Disappear and stars alongside Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Paul Wesley, Richard Schiff and Ron Perlman.
Damon Russell, Lucan Toh, Christensen, Wesley and Terry Leonard produced and the executive producers are Christopher Eoyang, Nick Harbinson, Oliver Roskill and Emily Leo.
IFC plans a November roll-out for the story of a down-at-heel man whose sister asks him to babysit his 11-year-old niece for the night. The film won the SXSW narrative feature audience award.
“Curfew [Christensen’s short film on which the feature is based] was only a glimpse at Shawn’s incredible talent, and we cannot wait to bring his fully realised vision to audiences nationwide,” said Sundance Selects/IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring. “Before I Disappear marks an amazing feature directorial debut.”
“Working with Shawn...
Christensen wrote Before I Disappear and stars alongside Fatima Ptacek, Emmy Rossum, Paul Wesley, Richard Schiff and Ron Perlman.
Damon Russell, Lucan Toh, Christensen, Wesley and Terry Leonard produced and the executive producers are Christopher Eoyang, Nick Harbinson, Oliver Roskill and Emily Leo.
IFC plans a November roll-out for the story of a down-at-heel man whose sister asks him to babysit his 11-year-old niece for the night. The film won the SXSW narrative feature audience award.
“Curfew [Christensen’s short film on which the feature is based] was only a glimpse at Shawn’s incredible talent, and we cannot wait to bring his fully realised vision to audiences nationwide,” said Sundance Selects/IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring. “Before I Disappear marks an amazing feature directorial debut.”
“Working with Shawn...
- 8/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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