Be For Films has acquired international sales rights to “Mothers Don’t” (“Las madres no”) directed by celebrated Spanish filmmaker Mar Coll.
The film marks her third directorial outing following “Three Days with the Family“ and “We All Want What’s Best for Her.” The movie tells the story of María, a young writer who has just become a mother, and becomes obsessed by the highly publicized case of a woman who drowned her 10-month old twins in the bathtub. Through writing, María starts understanding the radical experience of her own motherhood.
“Mothers Don’t” stars Laura Weissmahr (“Cardo”), Oriol Pla (“Creatura”), Giannina Fruttero (“Smiley”) and Belén Cruz (“Cell 211”). The film is produced by Escándalo Films and Elastica Films. The latter will distribute “Mothers Don’t” in Spain.
“María, the protagonist of our story is a repentant mother, an association of words that generates automatic unease,” said Coll, who...
The film marks her third directorial outing following “Three Days with the Family“ and “We All Want What’s Best for Her.” The movie tells the story of María, a young writer who has just become a mother, and becomes obsessed by the highly publicized case of a woman who drowned her 10-month old twins in the bathtub. Through writing, María starts understanding the radical experience of her own motherhood.
“Mothers Don’t” stars Laura Weissmahr (“Cardo”), Oriol Pla (“Creatura”), Giannina Fruttero (“Smiley”) and Belén Cruz (“Cell 211”). The film is produced by Escándalo Films and Elastica Films. The latter will distribute “Mothers Don’t” in Spain.
“María, the protagonist of our story is a repentant mother, an association of words that generates automatic unease,” said Coll, who...
- 5/10/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
A Spanish police officer’s life is about to turn upside down as she infiltrates a dangerous lion’s den in the exclusive new teaser trailer for Arantxa Echevarría’s upcoming crime thriller “Undercover.” The film arrives in Spanish cinemas on Oct. 11 courtesy of Beta Fiction Spain.
“Undercover” is based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín, the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to infiltrate the terrorist organisation Eta successfully. The Basque nationalist separatist group killed over 829 people between 1968 and 2010 and injured over 22,000 until its dissolution in 2018.
The film, written by Echevarría and Amèlia Mora, takes place over the eight-year period when Marín was infiltrated and focuses on the mind-shattering fear of discovery that permeated her days during the mission.
The Goya-winning “Carmen and Lola” director reunites with Carolina Yuste, who stars as the undercover agent and plays alongside three-time Goya-winning actor Luis Tosar.
“Undercover” is based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín, the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to infiltrate the terrorist organisation Eta successfully. The Basque nationalist separatist group killed over 829 people between 1968 and 2010 and injured over 22,000 until its dissolution in 2018.
The film, written by Echevarría and Amèlia Mora, takes place over the eight-year period when Marín was infiltrated and focuses on the mind-shattering fear of discovery that permeated her days during the mission.
The Goya-winning “Carmen and Lola” director reunites with Carolina Yuste, who stars as the undercover agent and plays alongside three-time Goya-winning actor Luis Tosar.
- 4/2/2024
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Two Spanish female stars who have broken out to huge global audiences in Netflix hits – “Nowhere” and “A Perfect Story” lead Anna Castillo and Ester Expósito, highly prominent in “Elite” in early seasons – are set to star in dramedic vampire thriller “Death to Love,” (“Que muera el amor”), the first series created by “Piggy” director Carlota Pereda, who will also serve as its showrunner.
“If there are two actresses you can believe are immortals, with their out-of-this-world allure and talent, it’s Anna and Ester. I can’t wait to explore this world of darkness, joy and Eternal Love with them,” Pereda told Variety.
With that talent package, and the backing of two Spanish powerhouse producers, Morena Films and Buendía Estudios, “Death to Love” is shaping up as one of the hottest packages to come to market from Spain after it emerged from February’s Berlinale Series Market as one...
“If there are two actresses you can believe are immortals, with their out-of-this-world allure and talent, it’s Anna and Ester. I can’t wait to explore this world of darkness, joy and Eternal Love with them,” Pereda told Variety.
With that talent package, and the backing of two Spanish powerhouse producers, Morena Films and Buendía Estudios, “Death to Love” is shaping up as one of the hottest packages to come to market from Spain after it emerged from February’s Berlinale Series Market as one...
- 3/4/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Vicente Canales’ Film Factory has acquired international rights to Arantxa Echevarría’s action thriller Undercover.
It is being produced by Santiago Segura and María Luisa Gutiérrez’s Bowfinger International Pictures in partnership with Beta Fiction Spain (Bfs), and Álvaro Esto también Pasará, with backing from Movistar Plus+, Atresmedia and broadcaster Eitb.
Carolina Yuste and Luis Tosar are starring in the film which is now in production. It is based on the story of the 20 year old woman who was the only member of the national police force who managed to infiltrate the Basque terrorist group, Eta and helped to dismantle it.
It is being produced by Santiago Segura and María Luisa Gutiérrez’s Bowfinger International Pictures in partnership with Beta Fiction Spain (Bfs), and Álvaro Esto también Pasará, with backing from Movistar Plus+, Atresmedia and broadcaster Eitb.
Carolina Yuste and Luis Tosar are starring in the film which is now in production. It is based on the story of the 20 year old woman who was the only member of the national police force who managed to infiltrate the Basque terrorist group, Eta and helped to dismantle it.
- 2/17/2024
- ScreenDaily
Anonymous Content and Spain’s Morena Films, behind box office breakouts “Cell 211” and Champions, have named former Studiocanal executive Beatriz Campos as the managing director of their Spain-based film-tv production venture Anonymous Content España.
Campos will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations working closely with David Davoli, Anonymous Content’s president of international, and Morena Films CEO Pilar Benito, Anonymous Content and Morena Films announced Monday. Launched in May 2023, Anonymous Content España aims to develop and produce premium Spanish projects for a global market.
That is easily said, but several factors work in its favor and will be aided now by Campos’ appointment. As film and TV producers still battle a hugely competitive market and spiralling production costs, companies are reaching out for partners beyond national markets, a structure embodied in Anonymous Content España. Anonymous can also help Morena access U.S.-stars, which may allow their productions to stand out in the crowd.
Campos will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations working closely with David Davoli, Anonymous Content’s president of international, and Morena Films CEO Pilar Benito, Anonymous Content and Morena Films announced Monday. Launched in May 2023, Anonymous Content España aims to develop and produce premium Spanish projects for a global market.
That is easily said, but several factors work in its favor and will be aided now by Campos’ appointment. As film and TV producers still battle a hugely competitive market and spiralling production costs, companies are reaching out for partners beyond national markets, a structure embodied in Anonymous Content España. Anonymous can also help Morena access U.S.-stars, which may allow their productions to stand out in the crowd.
- 2/12/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
London- and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation is launching sales on the remake rights of Spanish thriller “Fatum.”
Directed by Juan Gualinanes and produced by Vaca Films, the outfit behind box office successes “Sky High” and “Cell 211,” “Fatum” was released in Spain by Universal Studios on April 28. Film Constellation has already reported sales to 50 territories on the original Spanish version.
A compulsive gambler and an elite sniper’s destinies meet on a fateful day when the local betting house gets robbed. When a single gunshot is fired, the next 24 hours will set them on a race against time that will define their lives forever.
The film is headlined by a strong cast including Luis Tosar, Álex García, Elena Anaya and Arón Piper.
“Fatum” is produced by Borja Pena and Emma Lustres of Vaca Films, in association with Playtime, with the participation of Prime Video, Rtve, Crtvg,...
Directed by Juan Gualinanes and produced by Vaca Films, the outfit behind box office successes “Sky High” and “Cell 211,” “Fatum” was released in Spain by Universal Studios on April 28. Film Constellation has already reported sales to 50 territories on the original Spanish version.
A compulsive gambler and an elite sniper’s destinies meet on a fateful day when the local betting house gets robbed. When a single gunshot is fired, the next 24 hours will set them on a race against time that will define their lives forever.
The film is headlined by a strong cast including Luis Tosar, Álex García, Elena Anaya and Arón Piper.
“Fatum” is produced by Borja Pena and Emma Lustres of Vaca Films, in association with Playtime, with the participation of Prime Video, Rtve, Crtvg,...
- 5/20/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Anonymous Content has partnered with Spain’s Morena Films, one of the country’s top production companies, to launch a joint venture aimed at developing and producing Spanish-language content for the global market.
The alliance marks the fifth international joint venture for Anonymous Content as they continue to build partnerships with local producers and companies in key territories around the world.
Anonymous Content’s president of international, David Davoli, and Morena Films CEO Pilar Benito will oversee the joint venture, whose managing director will be named in the coming weeks, the companies announced Friday in a statement.
The partnership aims “to leverage Morena’s long-standing reputation” as one of the key production companies in Spain “to continue developing and producing premium film and TV projects,” the statement added.
Launched in 1999 to produce innovative, high-quality content for the international market, Morena is behind more than 100 titles, taking in feature films, TV series and documentaries,...
The alliance marks the fifth international joint venture for Anonymous Content as they continue to build partnerships with local producers and companies in key territories around the world.
Anonymous Content’s president of international, David Davoli, and Morena Films CEO Pilar Benito will oversee the joint venture, whose managing director will be named in the coming weeks, the companies announced Friday in a statement.
The partnership aims “to leverage Morena’s long-standing reputation” as one of the key production companies in Spain “to continue developing and producing premium film and TV projects,” the statement added.
Launched in 1999 to produce innovative, high-quality content for the international market, Morena is behind more than 100 titles, taking in feature films, TV series and documentaries,...
- 5/19/2023
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
The Juan Galiñanes-directed title stars Spanish actor Luis Tosar.
London and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation has boarded sales on upcoming Spanish thriller Fatum, directed by Juan Galiñanes, and currently in production.
It stars Spanish talent including Cell 211 and Sky High star Luis Tosar, Unknown Origins’ Álex García, The Skin I Live In’s Elena Anaya and Elite’s Arón Piper, and will shoot in Spain.
Universal Studios will release the film in Spain next year.
The thriller unfolds as a compulsive gambler and an elite sniper meet when a local betting house gets robbed.
London and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation has boarded sales on upcoming Spanish thriller Fatum, directed by Juan Galiñanes, and currently in production.
It stars Spanish talent including Cell 211 and Sky High star Luis Tosar, Unknown Origins’ Álex García, The Skin I Live In’s Elena Anaya and Elite’s Arón Piper, and will shoot in Spain.
Universal Studios will release the film in Spain next year.
The thriller unfolds as a compulsive gambler and an elite sniper meet when a local betting house gets robbed.
- 8/31/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
“El agua,” (Elena López Riera)
A Directors’ Fortnight title, the feature debut of Locarno winning López Riera (“Los Que Desean”), a fantasy-laced village-set critique of gender violence. S.A. Elle Driver
“Alcarràs,” (Carla Simón)
The 2022 Berlin Golden Bear winner, Simón’s follow-up to “Summer 1993” and the flagship title for Catalonia and Spain’s newest filmmaking generation. S.A. MK2 Films
“Amazing Elisa,” (Sádrac González-Perellón)
The next from 2017 BiFan Grand Jury Prize winner González-Perellón (“Black Hollow Cage”), once more mixing fantasy and family dynamics as Elisa, 12, plans revenge after her mother’s tragic death. S.A. Filmax
“The Beasts,” (Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
One of 2022’s most awaited Spanish titles, playing Cannes Premiere, a Galicia-set thriller from Oscar-nominee Sorogoyen (“Mother”), produced by Arcadia, Caballo Films and Le Pacte. S.A. Latido Films
“The Communion Girl,” (Víctor García)
A revenge thriller involving an urban legend about a girl in a communion dress. S.
A Directors’ Fortnight title, the feature debut of Locarno winning López Riera (“Los Que Desean”), a fantasy-laced village-set critique of gender violence. S.A. Elle Driver
“Alcarràs,” (Carla Simón)
The 2022 Berlin Golden Bear winner, Simón’s follow-up to “Summer 1993” and the flagship title for Catalonia and Spain’s newest filmmaking generation. S.A. MK2 Films
“Amazing Elisa,” (Sádrac González-Perellón)
The next from 2017 BiFan Grand Jury Prize winner González-Perellón (“Black Hollow Cage”), once more mixing fantasy and family dynamics as Elisa, 12, plans revenge after her mother’s tragic death. S.A. Filmax
“The Beasts,” (Rodrigo Sorogoyen)
One of 2022’s most awaited Spanish titles, playing Cannes Premiere, a Galicia-set thriller from Oscar-nominee Sorogoyen (“Mother”), produced by Arcadia, Caballo Films and Le Pacte. S.A. Latido Films
“The Communion Girl,” (Víctor García)
A revenge thriller involving an urban legend about a girl in a communion dress. S.
- 5/19/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Launched in 1998, the Malaga Film Festival first grabbed attention as a Spanish movie showcase and birthplace of a Spanish star system, TV actors walking a red carpet to acclaim from milling throngs.
Under Juan Antonio Vigar, director from 2013, it has consolidated as a platform for a new generation of Spanish filmmakers while adding ever increasing industry heft – co-pro forums, WIPs, a Hack digital forum initiative – and also opening up to TV.
In 2021, however, Malaga Festival and Spanish Screenings have exploded in scale, impact and attendance. The narrative of this year’s event is largely one of that growth. Eight takes on this and other Malaga highlights:
Malaga Lifts Off
Little wonder Malaga forms part of what’s now the Spanish Screenings Xxl. In its first full edition since 2019 with festival and industry onsite and aligned, Malaga has truly taken off. It received almost 2,000 film and TV submissions, says Vigar. Attendance has skyrocketed to over 1,100 delegates,...
Under Juan Antonio Vigar, director from 2013, it has consolidated as a platform for a new generation of Spanish filmmakers while adding ever increasing industry heft – co-pro forums, WIPs, a Hack digital forum initiative – and also opening up to TV.
In 2021, however, Malaga Festival and Spanish Screenings have exploded in scale, impact and attendance. The narrative of this year’s event is largely one of that growth. Eight takes on this and other Malaga highlights:
Malaga Lifts Off
Little wonder Malaga forms part of what’s now the Spanish Screenings Xxl. In its first full edition since 2019 with festival and industry onsite and aligned, Malaga has truly taken off. It received almost 2,000 film and TV submissions, says Vigar. Attendance has skyrocketed to over 1,100 delegates,...
- 3/21/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Few movies are as awaited at this year’s Málaga Festival as Daniel Guzman’s “Canallas” (“Monkey Business”) which world premieres in competition this March 19.
It marks the follow-up by Guzmán, an acclaimed actor-turned writer-director, to his notable debut “Nothing in Return” which scored best picture, director and a Critics’ Prize at 2015’s Malaga Festival, going on to scoop Spanish Academy Goyas for new director and breakout actor, the latter for Miguel Herrán.
“Canallas” also reps the second original movie production from Movistar Plus, as Spain’s industry looks to the pay TV/SVOD arm of telco giant Telefonica to co-produce some of the biggest movie plays in the country.
Though the subject, setting and tone of “Canallas” could hardly be different from Movistar Plus’ debut movie outing, Alejandro Amenabar’s “While at War,” “Canallas” gives further clues to what kind of movies Movistar Plus is willing to sink money in.
It marks the follow-up by Guzmán, an acclaimed actor-turned writer-director, to his notable debut “Nothing in Return” which scored best picture, director and a Critics’ Prize at 2015’s Malaga Festival, going on to scoop Spanish Academy Goyas for new director and breakout actor, the latter for Miguel Herrán.
“Canallas” also reps the second original movie production from Movistar Plus, as Spain’s industry looks to the pay TV/SVOD arm of telco giant Telefonica to co-produce some of the biggest movie plays in the country.
Though the subject, setting and tone of “Canallas” could hardly be different from Movistar Plus’ debut movie outing, Alejandro Amenabar’s “While at War,” “Canallas” gives further clues to what kind of movies Movistar Plus is willing to sink money in.
- 3/19/2022
- by Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s Spanish adaptation of its hit original movie “Bird Box” is coming together.
Cast and a handful of early details were announced for the previously announced project from Àlex and David Pastor. Leading the international cast are Mario Casas, one of Spain’s most bankable leading men who this year won a best actor Spanish Academy Goya Award for his performance in “Cross the Line,” and Georgina Campbell, a best leading actress BAFTA winner for her work in “Murdered by My Boyfriend.”
Casas was also the star of horror thriller “The Paramedic,” one of Netflix’s best performing Spanish original films to date.
Other cast includes Diego Calva (“I Promise You Anarchy”), Alejandra Howard (“Ana. all in”), Naila Schuberth (“Unbroken”), Patrick Criado (“Riot Police”) and Celia Freijeiro (“Perfect Life”), with Lola Dueñas (“The Sea Inside”), Gonzalo de Castro (“La torre de Suso”), Michelle Jenner (“Isabel”) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (“Pain and Glory...
Cast and a handful of early details were announced for the previously announced project from Àlex and David Pastor. Leading the international cast are Mario Casas, one of Spain’s most bankable leading men who this year won a best actor Spanish Academy Goya Award for his performance in “Cross the Line,” and Georgina Campbell, a best leading actress BAFTA winner for her work in “Murdered by My Boyfriend.”
Casas was also the star of horror thriller “The Paramedic,” one of Netflix’s best performing Spanish original films to date.
Other cast includes Diego Calva (“I Promise You Anarchy”), Alejandra Howard (“Ana. all in”), Naila Schuberth (“Unbroken”), Patrick Criado (“Riot Police”) and Celia Freijeiro (“Perfect Life”), with Lola Dueñas (“The Sea Inside”), Gonzalo de Castro (“La torre de Suso”), Michelle Jenner (“Isabel”) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (“Pain and Glory...
- 10/28/2021
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Starzplay has unveiled plot details, casting and a first-look image for “Express,” an original co-produced with Spanish production giant The Mediapro Studio and U.S. streaming platform Pantaya. “Express” is Starzplay’s first local language Spanish production, but one of several announced in August of last year. Each will be available on the Starzplay platform in Spain and Latin America as well as Spanish-language focused streamer Pantaya – a co-venture between Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group – in the U.S.
Heading the cast of “Express” is “Locked Up” and “Cable Girls” star Maggie Civantos, joined by Spanish Academy Goya Award nominee Kiti Mánver, Vicente Romero (“Cell 211”), Loreto Mauleón (“Patria”), Esteban Meloni (“Los Internacionales”), Alba Planas (the Spanish version of “Skam”), Ana Marzoa (“Locked Up”), Omar Banana (“Veneno”), Bernardo Flores (“Women in Charge”) and newcomer Carmen Daza and Manuela Rojas.
In “Express,” criminal psychologist Bárbara (Civantos) becomes the victim of an express kidnapping,...
Heading the cast of “Express” is “Locked Up” and “Cable Girls” star Maggie Civantos, joined by Spanish Academy Goya Award nominee Kiti Mánver, Vicente Romero (“Cell 211”), Loreto Mauleón (“Patria”), Esteban Meloni (“Los Internacionales”), Alba Planas (the Spanish version of “Skam”), Ana Marzoa (“Locked Up”), Omar Banana (“Veneno”), Bernardo Flores (“Women in Charge”) and newcomer Carmen Daza and Manuela Rojas.
In “Express,” criminal psychologist Bárbara (Civantos) becomes the victim of an express kidnapping,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix and Federation Spain, the Spanish division of Paris and L.A.-based Federation Entertainment, are teaming to produce “Las niñas de cristal,” a psychological drama set against the world of classical ballet that toplines “Money Heist” and “Elite” star Maria Pedraza.
The movie is one highlight in Netflix’s first announcement of a production-distribution slate focused entirely on Spanish original movies. The eight titles it profiles that are moving into production or set for release in 2021 and 2022 are a sign of Netflix ramping up its production of Spanish movies as part of its bet on Spanish scripted TV and movies, with Spain punching above its weight in the number of Netflix originals compared to Spanish subscribers. The Netflix slate highlights:
“Las niñas de cristal”
Alison Parker in “Money Heist” and Guzmán’s fated sister Marina in “Elite,” in “Las niñas de cristal” Pedraza plays Irene, a classical ballet dancer...
The movie is one highlight in Netflix’s first announcement of a production-distribution slate focused entirely on Spanish original movies. The eight titles it profiles that are moving into production or set for release in 2021 and 2022 are a sign of Netflix ramping up its production of Spanish movies as part of its bet on Spanish scripted TV and movies, with Spain punching above its weight in the number of Netflix originals compared to Spanish subscribers. The Netflix slate highlights:
“Las niñas de cristal”
Alison Parker in “Money Heist” and Guzmán’s fated sister Marina in “Elite,” in “Las niñas de cristal” Pedraza plays Irene, a classical ballet dancer...
- 2/24/2021
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Jorge Coira, the Spanish director of “18 Meals” and hit Spanish-French series “Hierro,” is set to helm “Project Emperor” (“Proyecto Emperador”), a timely spy thriller penned by “Cell 211” screenwriter Jorge Guerricaechevarria, also Alex de la Iglesia’s career-long co-scribe.
Vaca Films (“Extinction”) is producing with Sábado Películas (“A Perfect Enemy”), La Ley del Plomo Aie (“Gun City”) and Paris-based pan-European sales-production company the Playtime Group whose current slate includes Jacques Audiard’s “Paris, 13th District.”
“Project Emperor” is expected to start filming in April. Adolfo Blanco’s leading Spanish company, A Contracorriente Films, has acquired Spain’s distribution rights.
“Project Emperor” unfolds in the Spanish state espionage underworld and revolves around Juan, an agent working for the intelligence services, who also reports to a parallel unit involved in illegal activities. While his official mission is to prevent terrorist attacks, Juan is pushed to cross the red line to cover up...
Vaca Films (“Extinction”) is producing with Sábado Películas (“A Perfect Enemy”), La Ley del Plomo Aie (“Gun City”) and Paris-based pan-European sales-production company the Playtime Group whose current slate includes Jacques Audiard’s “Paris, 13th District.”
“Project Emperor” is expected to start filming in April. Adolfo Blanco’s leading Spanish company, A Contracorriente Films, has acquired Spain’s distribution rights.
“Project Emperor” unfolds in the Spanish state espionage underworld and revolves around Juan, an agent working for the intelligence services, who also reports to a parallel unit involved in illegal activities. While his official mission is to prevent terrorist attacks, Juan is pushed to cross the red line to cover up...
- 11/20/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy and Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, Iceland lays out plans to grow its film and TV industries over the next decade, HBO Europe announces two major premiere dates, Cineflix Rights hires former Miramax and BBC exec Tom Misselbrook and the Smithsonian Channel and Terra Mater Studios co-commission a new U.K. wildlife special.
Policy
Iceland’s minister of education and culture Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir has outlined a new 10-point action plan to create and maintain a sustainable film and TV sector for the island nation over the next decade.
The paper, titled “Film Policy Until 2030 – An Art Form at a Crossroads,” was organized with input from local industry professionals with four specific goals in mind: create a film culture, offer a more diverse film education, strengthen competitiveness, and strengthen Iceland’s brand as a filmmaking nation.
In the paper, plans to further develop existing tax incentive and reimbursement systems are laid out,...
Policy
Iceland’s minister of education and culture Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir has outlined a new 10-point action plan to create and maintain a sustainable film and TV sector for the island nation over the next decade.
The paper, titled “Film Policy Until 2030 – An Art Form at a Crossroads,” was organized with input from local industry professionals with four specific goals in mind: create a film culture, offer a more diverse film education, strengthen competitiveness, and strengthen Iceland’s brand as a filmmaking nation.
In the paper, plans to further develop existing tax incentive and reimbursement systems are laid out,...
- 10/16/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Underscoring a larger perceived global market potential for Spanish movies, Warner Bros. Pictures Intl. España is upping its bet on Spanish film production, in volume, budgets and talent.
Once largely acquiring, and then releasing in Spain, around six national films annually, the Hollywood studio now plans to invest in, or officially produce, eight-10 features a year, with Spanish star-studded casts and top directorial talent.
Disclosed to Variety as Warner Bros. Spain unveiled its 2020-21 slate at Spain’s San Sebastian Festival, the bigger push into Spanish production will also see the Hollywood studio continuing to partner on a joint development fund with Atresmedia Cine – a title-by-title non-exclusive alliance which is emerging as a key production axis on the Spanish movie scene.
At San Sebastian, Warner Bros. España updated Spanish media on five Spanish titles on its 2020-21 release slate, all produced by Atresmedia Cine, in association with Buendía Estudios. It...
Once largely acquiring, and then releasing in Spain, around six national films annually, the Hollywood studio now plans to invest in, or officially produce, eight-10 features a year, with Spanish star-studded casts and top directorial talent.
Disclosed to Variety as Warner Bros. Spain unveiled its 2020-21 slate at Spain’s San Sebastian Festival, the bigger push into Spanish production will also see the Hollywood studio continuing to partner on a joint development fund with Atresmedia Cine – a title-by-title non-exclusive alliance which is emerging as a key production axis on the Spanish movie scene.
At San Sebastian, Warner Bros. España updated Spanish media on five Spanish titles on its 2020-21 release slate, all produced by Atresmedia Cine, in association with Buendía Estudios. It...
- 9/24/2020
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
London-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation has closed key deals on documentary “He Dreams of Giants,” charting Terry Gilliam’s 30-year journey to bring the story of Don Quixote to life on screen.
The film is the follow up from Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe’s “Lost in La Mancha” (2002), which focused on Gilliam’s first, and ill-fated attempt to tell the same story.
Film Constellation has sold both films to Scandinavia and the Baltics (NonStop Entertainment), and “He Dreams of Giants” has also been sold to German-speaking territories (Koch Media), and Poland (Mayfly).
Both films are directed by Fulton and Pepe. “Lost in La Mancha” was produced by BAFTA-nominee Lucy Darwin. “He Dreams of Giants” was produced by Darwin and Fulton.
“He Dreams of Giants” premiered at Doc NYC and AFI Fest, and is a Darwin Films and Low Key Pictures Production in association with Corniche Media and Fikree Films.
The film is the follow up from Keith Fulton and Lou Pepe’s “Lost in La Mancha” (2002), which focused on Gilliam’s first, and ill-fated attempt to tell the same story.
Film Constellation has sold both films to Scandinavia and the Baltics (NonStop Entertainment), and “He Dreams of Giants” has also been sold to German-speaking territories (Koch Media), and Poland (Mayfly).
Both films are directed by Fulton and Pepe. “Lost in La Mancha” was produced by BAFTA-nominee Lucy Darwin. “He Dreams of Giants” was produced by Darwin and Fulton.
“He Dreams of Giants” premiered at Doc NYC and AFI Fest, and is a Darwin Films and Low Key Pictures Production in association with Corniche Media and Fikree Films.
- 6/24/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
London-based production and sales outfit Film Constellation has boarded the Spanish-language caper action film “Sky High” (“Hasta El Cielo”), directed by Daniel Calparsoro (“To Steal From a Thief”).
The anticipated movie is headlined by a strong local cast, including Miguel Herran, the up-and-coming star of “Money Heist,” the Goya-winning actors Luis Tosar (“Cell 211”) and Carolina Yuste (“Carmen & Lola”).
“Sky High” follows the journey of Angel, who leaves his poverty-stricken past behind and meets the ravishing Estrella. While fighting for Estrella’s affection, Angel swiftly moves up the ranks in his new-found life of crime and becomes the target of a tireless police detective.
Film Constellation co-financed “Sky High” and is handling global sales. The outfit will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming virtual Cannes market in June.
Universal, meanwhile, will give “Sky High” a wide release in Spain on Aug. 28. “Sky High” will be a major local release in Spain,...
The anticipated movie is headlined by a strong local cast, including Miguel Herran, the up-and-coming star of “Money Heist,” the Goya-winning actors Luis Tosar (“Cell 211”) and Carolina Yuste (“Carmen & Lola”).
“Sky High” follows the journey of Angel, who leaves his poverty-stricken past behind and meets the ravishing Estrella. While fighting for Estrella’s affection, Angel swiftly moves up the ranks in his new-found life of crime and becomes the target of a tireless police detective.
Film Constellation co-financed “Sky High” and is handling global sales. The outfit will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming virtual Cannes market in June.
Universal, meanwhile, will give “Sky High” a wide release in Spain on Aug. 28. “Sky High” will be a major local release in Spain,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The Panama Film Festival (Iff Panama), with support from the Inter-American Development Bank, is unspooling a five-day online festival, running May 22-26, which includes film screenings and round tables.
Held on May 22, 23 and 24, three online round-tables – two moderated by festival director Pituka Ortega Heilbron and one by Tiff’s senior director, film, Diana Sanchez – questioned leading international talent, based in Latin America and Europe, about what film festivals and film production and distribution will look like after Covid-19.
The panelists were Jayro Bustamante (“Ixcanul”), Nicolás Celis (“Roma”), Cristina Gallegos (“Embrace of the Serpent”) Elena Manrique (“Pan’s Labyrinth”), production designer Enrique Caballero (“Roma”), and actors Yalitza Aparicio (“Roma”), Luis Tosar (“Cell 211”), Ricardo Darín (“The Secret in Their Eyes”), Geraldine Chaplin (“Talk to Her”), Daniela Vega (“A Fantastic Woman”) and Marina de Tavira (“Roma”).
Several innovative new projects adapted to the lockdown period were discussed. For example, Spanish actor Luis Tosar...
Held on May 22, 23 and 24, three online round-tables – two moderated by festival director Pituka Ortega Heilbron and one by Tiff’s senior director, film, Diana Sanchez – questioned leading international talent, based in Latin America and Europe, about what film festivals and film production and distribution will look like after Covid-19.
The panelists were Jayro Bustamante (“Ixcanul”), Nicolás Celis (“Roma”), Cristina Gallegos (“Embrace of the Serpent”) Elena Manrique (“Pan’s Labyrinth”), production designer Enrique Caballero (“Roma”), and actors Yalitza Aparicio (“Roma”), Luis Tosar (“Cell 211”), Ricardo Darín (“The Secret in Their Eyes”), Geraldine Chaplin (“Talk to Her”), Daniela Vega (“A Fantastic Woman”) and Marina de Tavira (“Roma”).
Several innovative new projects adapted to the lockdown period were discussed. For example, Spanish actor Luis Tosar...
- 5/26/2020
- by Martin Dale and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The Panama Intl. Film Festival, (Iff Panama) the highest-profile film event in Central America, is using online tools to develop existing and new initiatives.
In one move, it has just completed its pix-in-post competition Primera Mirada, its new Su Mirada sidebar for women filmmakers from the region, and is now launching a new Virtual Co-Production Forum – the Panama Film Match – and a streamlined five-day online festival.
All initiatives are sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank.
Iff Panama was initially slated to run from March 26 to April 1, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Undeterred, the festival has used online tools to maintain its crucial role in supporting new projects from the region.
Launched in 2015, Primera Mirada has served as an important springboard for projects from the region, providing vital post-production funding.
This year’s $10,000 first prize went to Dominican Republic revenge thriller “Rafaela,” by Tito Rodríguez (“Una fiesta inolvidable...
In one move, it has just completed its pix-in-post competition Primera Mirada, its new Su Mirada sidebar for women filmmakers from the region, and is now launching a new Virtual Co-Production Forum – the Panama Film Match – and a streamlined five-day online festival.
All initiatives are sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank.
Iff Panama was initially slated to run from March 26 to April 1, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Undeterred, the festival has used online tools to maintain its crucial role in supporting new projects from the region.
Launched in 2015, Primera Mirada has served as an important springboard for projects from the region, providing vital post-production funding.
This year’s $10,000 first prize went to Dominican Republic revenge thriller “Rafaela,” by Tito Rodríguez (“Una fiesta inolvidable...
- 4/30/2020
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Barcelona – Laab – the Audiovisual Adaptations Laboratory of Barcelona – celebrated its first edition on July 9 in the Spanish city, with the aim of establishing a catalog of film rights to literary works from Barcelona, a publishing center in the Spanish-speaking world and platform, for example, for the ‘60s-70s Latin American Boom, led by authors such as Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa.
The initiative was backed by the Barcelona Cultural Institute (Icub) and organized by the Barcelona Film Commission. Producer Sebastián Mery at Life and Pictures co-ordinated the event.
The one-day presentation included a networking session with one-to-one meetings and the presentation of six cinema development awards.
The Laab idea inherits the mantle of Barcelona’s Mida Ibero-American Audiovisual Rights market, a showcase for novels seeking big screen adaptations. Launched in 2006, the short-lived but highly-regarded event, which saw its last edition in 2009, was instrumental in the sale of big-screen...
The initiative was backed by the Barcelona Cultural Institute (Icub) and organized by the Barcelona Film Commission. Producer Sebastián Mery at Life and Pictures co-ordinated the event.
The one-day presentation included a networking session with one-to-one meetings and the presentation of six cinema development awards.
The Laab idea inherits the mantle of Barcelona’s Mida Ibero-American Audiovisual Rights market, a showcase for novels seeking big screen adaptations. Launched in 2006, the short-lived but highly-regarded event, which saw its last edition in 2009, was instrumental in the sale of big-screen...
- 7/12/2019
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has taken most of the world on Spanish crime pic Eye For An Eye by [Rec] director Paco Plaza.
Multi-Goya winner Luis Tosar (Cell 211) stars in the revenge-thriller about a retirement home nurse who becomes entangled with a feared cartel boss discharged from prison and put into his care.
The seven-figure Netflix deal, cut by Film Constellation, is for the world excluding Spain, where Sony will release later this summer, and France. Canal Plus has TV rights in the latter. The pic, currently in post-production, fits well with Netflix’s voracious drive for commercially-minded Spanish-language content and the deal is likely one of the platform’s biggest acquisitions of a Spanish indie movie.
Plaza’s hit 2007 horror [Rec], co-directed with Jaume Balagueró, grossed more than $30M and became a franchise. It was remade as Quarantine, which was released in most markets by Sony. The director’s latest film...
Multi-Goya winner Luis Tosar (Cell 211) stars in the revenge-thriller about a retirement home nurse who becomes entangled with a feared cartel boss discharged from prison and put into his care.
The seven-figure Netflix deal, cut by Film Constellation, is for the world excluding Spain, where Sony will release later this summer, and France. Canal Plus has TV rights in the latter. The pic, currently in post-production, fits well with Netflix’s voracious drive for commercially-minded Spanish-language content and the deal is likely one of the platform’s biggest acquisitions of a Spanish indie movie.
Plaza’s hit 2007 horror [Rec], co-directed with Jaume Balagueró, grossed more than $30M and became a franchise. It was remade as Quarantine, which was released in most markets by Sony. The director’s latest film...
- 5/15/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Melilla, Spain — Spain’s pay TV leader Movistar+ has announced its newest original series, the anti-terrorist police drama-thriller series “La Unidad,” which started filming last week in the small autonomous Spanish community of Melilla, located on the Moroccan coast.
One of the biggest international plays to date for Movistar +, the pay TV/Svod unit of telecom Telefonica, “La Unidad” re-teams director Dani de la Torre and writer Alberto Marini (“Sleep Tight”), who found audience and international sales success with the 2015 Venice-selected “Retribution” (“El Desconicido”), which won Spanish Academy Goya Awards for new director, editing and sound, as well as six other nominations.
Marini wrote the screenplay with Amèlia Mora, a story editor on famed Spanish horror film “[Rec]” and head of development on “Sleep Tight,” another key Filmax title.
“La Unidad” turns on a group of Spanish Civil Guard anti-terrorist police officers who operate as one of the world most...
One of the biggest international plays to date for Movistar +, the pay TV/Svod unit of telecom Telefonica, “La Unidad” re-teams director Dani de la Torre and writer Alberto Marini (“Sleep Tight”), who found audience and international sales success with the 2015 Venice-selected “Retribution” (“El Desconicido”), which won Spanish Academy Goya Awards for new director, editing and sound, as well as six other nominations.
Marini wrote the screenplay with Amèlia Mora, a story editor on famed Spanish horror film “[Rec]” and head of development on “Sleep Tight,” another key Filmax title.
“La Unidad” turns on a group of Spanish Civil Guard anti-terrorist police officers who operate as one of the world most...
- 4/24/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
High-end TV production is booming in Spain.
Leading Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia, whose credits include genre hits The Day Of The Beast, 800 Bullets, Witching And Bitching and The Last Circus, is making an original Spanish-language horror series for HBO Europe called 30 Coins.
De la Iglesia is co-writing the eight-part series with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, best known for Cell 211.
30 Coins is about a priest and exorcist exiled to a small town in the hope his criminal past will be forgotten. But when he is linked to a serious of paranormal events the importance of an ancient silver coin...
Leading Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia, whose credits include genre hits The Day Of The Beast, 800 Bullets, Witching And Bitching and The Last Circus, is making an original Spanish-language horror series for HBO Europe called 30 Coins.
De la Iglesia is co-writing the eight-part series with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, best known for Cell 211.
30 Coins is about a priest and exorcist exiled to a small town in the hope his criminal past will be forgotten. But when he is linked to a serious of paranormal events the importance of an ancient silver coin...
- 2/11/2019
- by Louise Tutt
- ScreenDaily
Projects on debut slate include Aquarium starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
Alexei Boltho and Rhodri Thomas, the former partners at UK production outfit The Ink Factory whose credits include The Night Manager, have officially launched their new production company Ray Pictures.
The company has backing from Us sales and packaging outfit Endeavor Content and private asset management firm MediaNet Partners. It will be based in London and Los Angeles.
Ray Pictures will develop, finance and produce work across multiple platforms, with a focus on premium scripted drama and feature films.
Boltho and Thomas are launching with a debut slate that includes Aquarium,...
Alexei Boltho and Rhodri Thomas, the former partners at UK production outfit The Ink Factory whose credits include The Night Manager, have officially launched their new production company Ray Pictures.
The company has backing from Us sales and packaging outfit Endeavor Content and private asset management firm MediaNet Partners. It will be based in London and Los Angeles.
Ray Pictures will develop, finance and produce work across multiple platforms, with a focus on premium scripted drama and feature films.
Boltho and Thomas are launching with a debut slate that includes Aquarium,...
- 1/25/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
San Sebastian — Based in Lyon, France Logical Pictures, proud of Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s “Farming,” has come on board to co-produce Aritz Moreno’s much-awaited directorial debut “Advantages of Traveling by Train,” starring Luis Tosar and Pilar Castro.
Sold internationally by Entertainment One’s Seville International, Filmax has picked up Spain’s distribution rights to “Advantages,” which is produced by Señor y Señora –an up-and-coming San Sebastian-based production house owned by Moreno and producer-director Leire Apellániz – and Madrid’s Morena Films, producer of Iciar Bollaín’s San Sebastian competitor “Yuli,” Daniel Monzón’s “Cell 211.” “Advantages” marks the first movie produced at Morena Films by Merry Colomer.
“Logical Pictures’ DNA is based on innovating and financing new forms of independent cinema. Therefore, betting on the adaptation of such a unique and quirky best selling novel, directed by a promising first-time director, sounded perfect for us,” Logical’s president Frédéric Fiore told Variety.
Sold internationally by Entertainment One’s Seville International, Filmax has picked up Spain’s distribution rights to “Advantages,” which is produced by Señor y Señora –an up-and-coming San Sebastian-based production house owned by Moreno and producer-director Leire Apellániz – and Madrid’s Morena Films, producer of Iciar Bollaín’s San Sebastian competitor “Yuli,” Daniel Monzón’s “Cell 211.” “Advantages” marks the first movie produced at Morena Films by Merry Colomer.
“Logical Pictures’ DNA is based on innovating and financing new forms of independent cinema. Therefore, betting on the adaptation of such a unique and quirky best selling novel, directed by a promising first-time director, sounded perfect for us,” Logical’s president Frédéric Fiore told Variety.
- 9/25/2018
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Spain’s biggest national box office hit of the year, “Campeones” (Champions), has been selected by the Spain’s Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as the country’s submission for a foreign-language Academy Award.
Grossing €18.5 million ($$21.4 million) in Spain for Universal Pictures Intl. Spain, “Campeones” beat out two other contenders in a submission shortlist: Ashgar Farhadi’s Cannes Festival opening film “Everybody Knows,” starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, which was shot in Spain and produced out of Spain, like “Champions,” by Spain’s Morena Films; and Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi “Handía,” a flagship production of the building Basque cinema which won a Special Jury Prize at last September’s San Sebastian festival and then 10 Goya Academy Awards this January.
On paper, “Campeones” could have disappeared without trace at the Spanish box office, taking a difficult subject – intellectual discapacity – and rolling it into a drama-comedy about...
Grossing €18.5 million ($$21.4 million) in Spain for Universal Pictures Intl. Spain, “Campeones” beat out two other contenders in a submission shortlist: Ashgar Farhadi’s Cannes Festival opening film “Everybody Knows,” starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, which was shot in Spain and produced out of Spain, like “Champions,” by Spain’s Morena Films; and Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi “Handía,” a flagship production of the building Basque cinema which won a Special Jury Prize at last September’s San Sebastian festival and then 10 Goya Academy Awards this January.
On paper, “Campeones” could have disappeared without trace at the Spanish box office, taking a difficult subject – intellectual discapacity – and rolling it into a drama-comedy about...
- 9/6/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish-language film just wrapped production in Spain.
Screen International can reveal an exclusive first look at Paco Plaza’s upcoming revenge thriller Eye For An Eye starring Luis Tosar (Cell 211).
The Spanish-language film just wrapped production in Spain, and comes on the heels of Plaza’s 2017 horror hit Veronica. Film Constellation is handling international sales on the project.
In the film, after struggling with the death of his brother Sergio, retirement home nurse Mario (Luis Tosar) looks forward to a new chapter in his life with the arrival of his first child. But when cartel boss Antonio Padin is...
Screen International can reveal an exclusive first look at Paco Plaza’s upcoming revenge thriller Eye For An Eye starring Luis Tosar (Cell 211).
The Spanish-language film just wrapped production in Spain, and comes on the heels of Plaza’s 2017 horror hit Veronica. Film Constellation is handling international sales on the project.
In the film, after struggling with the death of his brother Sergio, retirement home nurse Mario (Luis Tosar) looks forward to a new chapter in his life with the arrival of his first child. But when cartel boss Antonio Padin is...
- 5/12/2018
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
When it comes to attracting foreign shoots in Spain, the motto could well be: “It’s the tax breaks, stupid.”
Of course, Spain has long been a foreign shoot locale: Think Samuel Bronston’s ’60s epics such as “El Cid.” International movies have always sought stunning locations, Mediterranean climate and low-cost labor. Since 2015, however, Spain has offered tax rebates for international shoots of up to 20%; 40% in the Canary Islands.
Tax credits are available to Spanish shoots and co-productions, reaching 25% in the Peninsula, 45% in the Canaries. Also, Navarre is dangling a 35% tax credit for local and international productions.
Three years after their launch, the rebates are having a huge impact on the sector: As a shooting locale, the country has never been more active in the past half century.
Benefits attract a wide range of projects. The biggest, among TV dramas, is “Game of Thrones,” which first lensed part of Season...
Of course, Spain has long been a foreign shoot locale: Think Samuel Bronston’s ’60s epics such as “El Cid.” International movies have always sought stunning locations, Mediterranean climate and low-cost labor. Since 2015, however, Spain has offered tax rebates for international shoots of up to 20%; 40% in the Canary Islands.
Tax credits are available to Spanish shoots and co-productions, reaching 25% in the Peninsula, 45% in the Canaries. Also, Navarre is dangling a 35% tax credit for local and international productions.
Three years after their launch, the rebates are having a huge impact on the sector: As a shooting locale, the country has never been more active in the past half century.
Benefits attract a wide range of projects. The biggest, among TV dramas, is “Game of Thrones,” which first lensed part of Season...
- 5/11/2018
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Morena Films, producer of Cannes Festival opening movie “Everybody Knows,” is teaming with David Martínez, a reputed TV executive who helped catapult Spanish fiction into a modern age, to launch Morena TV.
The new TV company will focus on fiction production. Martínez will serve as its CEO, overseeing the development and production of projects.
Backing movies by Oliver Stone (“Comandante”), Steven Soderbergh (“Che”), Pablo Trapero (“The White Elephant”) and Iciar Bollaín (“Ever the Rain”) as well as box office hits such as “Cell 211” and now “Champions,” the biggest Spanish hit of 2018, Morena Films produced entertainment formats in its early years, linking to Argentina’s Cuatro Cabezas to make “El Rayo” and El Trip” for Atresmedia.
Morena Films producers Juan Gordon and Pedro Uriol are currently producing “Diablero,” the first supernatural Mexican Netflix Original Series, show-run by J.M. Cravioto, which is finalizing production in Mexico.
Partnering with Martínez on Morena TV,...
The new TV company will focus on fiction production. Martínez will serve as its CEO, overseeing the development and production of projects.
Backing movies by Oliver Stone (“Comandante”), Steven Soderbergh (“Che”), Pablo Trapero (“The White Elephant”) and Iciar Bollaín (“Ever the Rain”) as well as box office hits such as “Cell 211” and now “Champions,” the biggest Spanish hit of 2018, Morena Films produced entertainment formats in its early years, linking to Argentina’s Cuatro Cabezas to make “El Rayo” and El Trip” for Atresmedia.
Morena Films producers Juan Gordon and Pedro Uriol are currently producing “Diablero,” the first supernatural Mexican Netflix Original Series, show-run by J.M. Cravioto, which is finalizing production in Mexico.
Partnering with Martínez on Morena TV,...
- 5/1/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
With a half dozen titles in the sidebars, the Parisian Sales Agent Film Distribution folks are certainly going to be hosting several parties. At the top of the list they've got Bertrand Bonello's House of Tolerance. In the waiting, we find the co. pushing Brillante Mendoza's latest entitled Captured - a film that features a Croisette fixture in the popular Isabelle Huppert (see pic above). Here's a ton of stuff in Film Distribution's pipeline: House Of Tolerance (L'apollonide) by Bertrand Bonello - Completed The Slut by Hagar Ben Asher - Completed The Snows Of Kilimanjaro (Les Neiges Du Kilimanjaro) by Robert GUÉDIGUIAN - Completed 17 Girls (17 Filles) by Delphine Coulin - Completed A Burning Desire by Bernard Jeanjean - Completed A Cat In Paris (English Version) (Une Vie De Chat) by Alain Gagnol - Completed Breathing (Atmen) by Karl Markovics - Completed Duch, Master Of The Forges Of Hell...
- 5/13/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Damsels in Distress
Opens: 2011
Cast: Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Ryan Metcalf
Director: Whit Stillman
Summary: The story revolves around a group of style-obsessed college girls who take in a new student (Gerwig) and teach her their misguided ways of helping people at their grungy university.
Analysis: The first film in a decade from arthouse darling Whit Stillman, a filmmaker's filmmaker whose three Manhattan-based, yuppie-themed mannerist comedies - "Metropolitan," "Barcelona" and "The Last Days of Disco" - were a big influence on the likes of auteurs such as Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Stillman says this film varies somewhat from his previous trilogy of sorts, telling First Things that "This film is different, Completely different. Okay, not completely different, but it’s different".
Independently financed by Castle Rock CEO Martin Shafer, the project recently wrapped filming in Manhattan where Stillman returned to last year after having spent much...
Opens: 2011
Cast: Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Ryan Metcalf
Director: Whit Stillman
Summary: The story revolves around a group of style-obsessed college girls who take in a new student (Gerwig) and teach her their misguided ways of helping people at their grungy university.
Analysis: The first film in a decade from arthouse darling Whit Stillman, a filmmaker's filmmaker whose three Manhattan-based, yuppie-themed mannerist comedies - "Metropolitan," "Barcelona" and "The Last Days of Disco" - were a big influence on the likes of auteurs such as Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Stillman says this film varies somewhat from his previous trilogy of sorts, telling First Things that "This film is different, Completely different. Okay, not completely different, but it’s different".
Independently financed by Castle Rock CEO Martin Shafer, the project recently wrapped filming in Manhattan where Stillman returned to last year after having spent much...
- 12/28/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Damsels in Distress
Opens: 2011
Cast: Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Ryan Metcalf
Director: Whit Stillman
Summary: The story revolves around a group of style-obsessed college girls who take in a new student (Gerwig) and teach her their misguided ways of helping people at their grungy university.
Analysis: The first film in a decade from arthouse darling Whit Stillman, a filmmaker's filmmaker whose three Manhattan-based, yuppie-themed mannerist comedies - "Metropolitan," "Barcelona" and "The Last Days of Disco" - were a big influence on the likes of auteurs such as Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Stillman says this film varies somewhat from his previous trilogy of sorts, telling First Things that "This film is different, Completely different. Okay, not completely different, but it’s different".
Independently financed by Castle Rock CEO Martin Shafer, the project recently wrapped filming in Manhattan where Stillman returned to last year after having spent much...
Opens: 2011
Cast: Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Ryan Metcalf
Director: Whit Stillman
Summary: The story revolves around a group of style-obsessed college girls who take in a new student (Gerwig) and teach her their misguided ways of helping people at their grungy university.
Analysis: The first film in a decade from arthouse darling Whit Stillman, a filmmaker's filmmaker whose three Manhattan-based, yuppie-themed mannerist comedies - "Metropolitan," "Barcelona" and "The Last Days of Disco" - were a big influence on the likes of auteurs such as Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Stillman says this film varies somewhat from his previous trilogy of sorts, telling First Things that "This film is different, Completely different. Okay, not completely different, but it’s different".
Independently financed by Castle Rock CEO Martin Shafer, the project recently wrapped filming in Manhattan where Stillman returned to last year after having spent much...
- 12/28/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Paul Haggis has certainly been busy since winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Million Dollar Baby back in 2005. Since then he.s worked on Crash, Casino Royale, In the Valley of Elah and Quantum of Solace amongst others. Now, as he promotes his latest project, the Russell Crowe-starrer The Next Three Days, we.re hearing more and more about his ambitious plans for the future, specifically a remake of the Spanish thriller Celda 211, a movie version of the TV show The Equalizer and his own original idea, Third Person. While nothing is set in stone, Haggis did offer a little sense of what these projects will entail and a general idea of which will come first. The one that.s likely to be the last out of the gate is The Equalizer. Haggis explained he hasn.t secured the rights for that one and it.s...
- 11/8/2010
- cinemablend.com
Crash director Paul Haggis has been attached to a few projects recently, including the re-worked Equalizer and the remake of the Spanish Celda 211. But talking to the La Times while publicising The Next Three Days (his latest film, starring Russell Crowe), Haggis revealed a new film on his radar, called Third Person.It's an ensemble drama about "modern relationships", with character development first and foremost on its agenda. Third Person is almost a return to Crash territory, in that it will interweave separate stories, but the canvas this time will be smaller. Only three couples will feature, and the angle is that they're divided into specific "scenic locales". New York and Rome are two, with the third as yet unspecified.Haggis is going the independent route with this one: shopping it to studios only when it's ready to go, as he did with In the Valley of Elah to favourable results.
- 11/8/2010
- EmpireOnline
With his prison escape drama "The Next Three Days" set to hit theaters in a couple of weeks, writer/director Paul Haggis has seen his name linked to a couple of gestating projects. More recently, he's been tapped to adapt and possibly direct the Spanish sensation "Celda 211" and earlier in the year he was linked with Russell Crowe to a big screen version of the 1980s TV series "The Equalizer." However, one project that hasn't been mentioned is one that he's keeping to himself for now. The La Times reports that Haggis is quietly working on a new script titled…...
- 11/5/2010
- The Playlist
Oscar-winning Crash writer/director Paul Haggis is being tapped to forge an English-speaking remake of Spanish action flick Celda 211. A big hit in its native Spain (it scooped eight Goya Awards, or Spanish Oscars), the 2009 film has been described as a contender for Die Hard’s action crown. The premise – new prison guard wakes up inside a prison gripped by a riot, has to survive – certainly chimes with that notion, and the flick’s been praised for cleverly smashing together smart thriller tropes and all-out...
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- 10/29/2010
- by Josh Winning
- TotalFilm
According to Deadline, it seems that Paul Haggis, along with CBS Films, will be remaking one of my favorite prison films, Celda 211 (Cell 211), a Spanish prison drama that won multiple awards at the 2009 Goya Awards in Spain.
This news upsets me because I don’t want to see Hollywood ruin another great film by remaking it. But then again, Paul Haggis is a great director and an even better writer, and he is trying to do both! So right now I’m feeling a bit perplexed with this news because I watched it earlier this year and want people to see the Spanish version before any America version…but that’s just me.
Anyway, Haggis will be producing the movie under his Hwy 61 label in hopes of keeping expectations and the quality of the film high. Paul Haggis has written films like Letters from Iwo Jima and has directed Crash and the upcoming,...
This news upsets me because I don’t want to see Hollywood ruin another great film by remaking it. But then again, Paul Haggis is a great director and an even better writer, and he is trying to do both! So right now I’m feeling a bit perplexed with this news because I watched it earlier this year and want people to see the Spanish version before any America version…but that’s just me.
Anyway, Haggis will be producing the movie under his Hwy 61 label in hopes of keeping expectations and the quality of the film high. Paul Haggis has written films like Letters from Iwo Jima and has directed Crash and the upcoming,...
- 10/29/2010
- by Alex DiGiovanna
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Does director Paul Haggis have a prison fetish? His “The Next Three Days”, opening in a few weeks, is about a prison break, and now Deadline reports that he is hovering around the CBS Films adaptation of Daniel Monzon’s Spanish-language film “Celda 211”, which has been described as “Die Hard” in prison. The reworked version will be called “Cell 211”. The film is an action thriller with a premise that feels like the second coming of “Die Hard”. A newly hired prison guard wants to make a good impression on his bosses, and he leaves behind his pregnant wife and comes in a day early to get a tour of the facility. When a brutal prison riot breaks out, he is knocked unconscious and when he awakens, the guard is forced to assume the role of a prisoner alongside the most dangerous killers alive. He tries to defuse the uprising...
- 10/28/2010
- by Brent McKnight
- Beyond Hollywood
CBS Films is still trying to build up their repertoire, and that means pulling in bigger filmmakers. Deadline reports that CBS Films is currently finishing a deal to acquire remake rights to a Spanish film called Celda 211 (meaning just Cell 211, which is what it'll be called here) that has Paul Haggis (Crash, In the Valley of Elah) in the loop to adapt and potentially direct. Although Haggis writes a lot more often than directs, he's always got projects lined up ready to go. The original film was only released last year (watch a trailer), but swept the Goya Awards, which are essentially the Spanish Oscars, so it's got a lot of buzz behind it. Read on! Celda 211 is an action thriller with a premise that "feels like the second coming of Die Hard." A newly hired prison guard wants to make a good impression on his boss, and...
- 10/28/2010
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Paul Haggis, the mastermind/monster behind Crash and the equally earnest In the Valley of Elah, is apparently repurposing himself as an action director. Coming up in a few weeks he's got The Next Three Days, in which Russell Crowe learns how to use a gun and busts his wife out of prison, and now Deadline reports he's considering a remake of the Spanish thriller Celda 211, which swept their Oscar-equivalent Goya Awards last year. CBS Films is acquiring the rights to the film, and Haggis is planning to adapt the screenplay and probably direct in addition to producing through his Hwy 61 Films. The movie, like The Next Three Days, involves a prison escape as a key plot point; the main character is a newly hired prison guard on a tour of the facility the day before his first day on the job when a prison riot breaks out. Knocked...
- 10/28/2010
- cinemablend.com
With Paul Haggis' latest effort, the prison break drama "The Next Three Days" completed, in the can and set to hit theaters on November 19th, he doesn't seem to be tiring of the genre. Deadline reports that the writer/director is in talks to adapt and possibly direct a remake of the Spanish award-winning thriller "Celda 211" (aka "Cell 211"). The original, directed by Daniel Monzon, follows "a newly hired prison guard wants to make a good impression on his bosses, and he leaves behind his pregnant wife and comes in a day early to get a tour of the facility.…...
- 10/28/2010
- The Playlist
CBS Films is in negotiations to obtain the remake rights to Daniel Monzón's Spanish language action thriller "Celda 211" ("Cell 211") reports Deadline.
The story follows a newly hired prison guard who turns up at his job a day early to tour the facility. Unfortunately the same day a brutal prison riot commences, and he is forced to assume the role of a prisoner alongside the most dangerous killers alive.
He must try to quell the insurrection and escape the prison to get back to his pregnant wife before the other prisoners realise the truth about him.
Paul Haggis is in talks to adapt and direct the English-language version. The original dominated the Goya Awards last year, winning eight categories including best film, director and script.
The story follows a newly hired prison guard who turns up at his job a day early to tour the facility. Unfortunately the same day a brutal prison riot commences, and he is forced to assume the role of a prisoner alongside the most dangerous killers alive.
He must try to quell the insurrection and escape the prison to get back to his pregnant wife before the other prisoners realise the truth about him.
Paul Haggis is in talks to adapt and direct the English-language version. The original dominated the Goya Awards last year, winning eight categories including best film, director and script.
- 10/28/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
CBS Films is currently in negotiations to acquire the remake rights to Daniel Monzon's Spanish-language film Celda 211. The American remake of the film will be called Cell 211. Paul Haggis (Crash) is also in talks to write the script with and may also end up directing the film. He will produce with Hwy 61 Films partner Michael Nozik.
I haven't seen the original film yet but it looks really good! I'm going to have to check it out!
The original film was described as follows:
Juan Oliver is about to become a prison guard. Trying to make a good impression, he reports for work one day early. Two colleagues show him around the old prison. All of a sudden, some plaster falls from the ceiling and hits Juan, who passes out. The guards take him into cell 211, which is empty, to try and revive him. But a riot breaks out at the high security area,...
I haven't seen the original film yet but it looks really good! I'm going to have to check it out!
The original film was described as follows:
Juan Oliver is about to become a prison guard. Trying to make a good impression, he reports for work one day early. Two colleagues show him around the old prison. All of a sudden, some plaster falls from the ceiling and hits Juan, who passes out. The guards take him into cell 211, which is empty, to try and revive him. But a riot breaks out at the high security area,...
- 10/28/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Paul Haggis is working on a deal with CBS Films to write and possibly direct a remake of the award-winning Spanish movie ‘Celda 211′. Early reports have described the proposed movie as being ‘Die Hard’ set in prison. The news comes after Haggis is preparing to release his latest film, ‘The Next Three Days.’ He doesn’t have any other projects lined up after writing, and possibly directing, the big screen adaptation of ‘The Equalizer,’ which provides him with the time to work on the ‘Celda 211′ remake. The original ‘Celda 211,’ which won Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Spanish equivalent to the Academy Awards, the Goya Awards, follows [...]...
- 10/28/2010
- by karen
- ShockYa
CBS Films is acquiring remake rights to Daniel Monzon's Spanish-language film Celda 211 ("Cell 211"), reports Deadline . Paul Haggis is in talks to write the script with an eye to direct. He will produce with Hwy 61 Films partner Michael Nozik. The original film was described as follows: Juan Oliver is about to become a prison guard. Trying to make a good impression, he reports for work one day early. Two colleagues show him around the old prison. All of a sudden, some plaster falls from the ceiling and hits Juan, who passes out. The guards take him into cell 211, which is empty, to try and revive him. But a riot breaks out at the high security area, the one that houses the most dangerous inmates. Juan's colleagues run away, leaving him stranded. When he wakes up...
- 10/28/2010
- Comingsoon.net
According to “Deadline,” CBS Films continued to negotiate a deal to remake the Spanish-language thriller “Celda 211” with Paul Haggis to direct. “Celda 211,” about a newly hired prison guard who disguises himself as an inmate after being caught in a prison riot, won a handful of Spanish Goya Awards for director Daniel Monzon in 2009 including Best Film, Best Director and Screenplay. Haggis’ latest film, the prison escape drama “The Next Three Days” starring Russell Crowe and Elisabeth Banks and Liam Neeson, opens in theaters November 19.
- 10/28/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Hey, look! Another great foreign film is about to be remade! According to Deadline, CBS Films is looking to acquire the rights to Daniel Monzón's Celda 211, the terrific 2009 Spanish-language film starring Luis Tosar (The Limits Of Control, Miami Vice), Alberto Ammann, and Carlos "brother of Javier" Bardem that swept the Goya Awards (the Spanish Oscars) nabbing Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay among other honors. Writer/Director Paul Haggis (The Next Three Days,...
- 10/28/2010
- by George Merchan
- JoBlo.com
You might think that Paul Haggis would have had enough of prisons after finishing his last film, the soon-to-arrive dramatic thriller The Next Three Days. But apparently you would be wrong, as he’s in talks to adapt and possibly direct a version of Spanish language pic Celda 211.The American film will go under the unsurprising name Cell 211, and finds a prison guard looking to score a few brownie points with his bosses by showing up to work a day early and taking a tour of the facility. But an accident leaves him unconscious, and before the authorities can get him to the medical ward, a violent riot breaks out. He’s left to wake up in the titular cell with the inmates now in charge of the facility. So what does he do? Pretends to be a prisoner, gets in good with the brutal leader of the cons...
- 10/28/2010
- EmpireOnline
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