Holly Jones In recent years, Spain’s Basque Country has emerged as a hub for fresh talent, something that directors Mikel Gurrea (“Suro”), Estibaliz Urresola (“Cuerdas”) and Irati Gorostidi (“Contadores”) credit to robust mentorship programs, governmental financing campaigns and ever-maturing production and distribution initiatives as well as a tight-knit network of professionals woven into the fabric of the local industry. It’s an enthusiastic approach that fervently boosts new talent by firmly betting on strong local stories with universal appeal. Short films by up-and-coming helmers have gained traction, “Cuerdas” winning a Rails d’Or at Cannes Critics Week this year, while feature-length ECAM Incubator Selection “Lullaby,” directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, swept this year’s Malaga Film Festival, garnering rave reviews from critics and industry heavyweights.
Fresh Talent Revives Gallic Cinema
31.08.2022 - 22:53 / variety.com
Ben Croll Exploring Paris’ working-class suburbs with a fresh set of eyes while reframing the immigrant experience under a more incisive lens, a dynamic generation is blazing new trails in French cinema. And if artists like “Saint Omer” filmmaker Alice Diop, “Athena” co-writer Ladj Ly, and “The Gravity” writer/director Cedric Ido share little in common but age – interestingly enough, all were born within one or two years of one another – the group’s shared spotlight in Venice and Toronto certainly reflects a rise in opportunity for diverse perspectives. “Today, we do see renewal,” says Unifrance managing director Daniela Elstner. “There’s an altogether new breath, a young generation looking to change, to dare, and to propose new kinds of films, [and with that] a willingness on the part of festival programmers to welcome these filmmakers into main competitions a little bit faster than before.”
Of course, opportunities tend to compound and build, so before something like Ly’s “Les Miserables” could launch to international heights (and robust international sales) out of a Cannes competition slot, the French industry had to take the chance on a little-known director with a first-time feature. Producers Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral were more than willing to place that bet. “The industry has to accept that we need constant renewal, today and always,” says Ayadi, who produced both Ly’s “Les Miserables” and Diop’s “Saint Omer” through his Srab Films banner. “We need fresh blood and young voices, and that can be a challenge, because renewal takes time and effort.” Barral and Ayadi got their start in short film, producing more than 30 award-winning titles including breakthrough non-fiction works from Ly and Diop. When the
Wooden Boat, Pucará Cine, Reteam For ‘Bajo el Mismo Sol,’ From New Directors Winner (EXCLUSIVE)
Pablo Sandoval Set to be unveiled at this week’s San Sebastian Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum, “Bajo el Mismo Sol” has secured a first co-production deal ahead of the festival. Argentina’ Pucará Cine has boarded the project, reteaming with lead producer Wooden Boat Productions in the Dominican Republican on director Ulises Porra’s third feature. Both production companies co-produced Porra’s most recent movie, “Carajita” (2021), co-directed by Silvina Schnicer, which won the New Directors award at last year’s San Sebastián, swept Guadalajara, and collected hardware at Argentina’s Mar del Plata and the Miami Film Festival.
China Box Office: ‘Give Me Five’ Wins on Slow Weekend
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Comedy drama film “Give Me Five” held on to the top spot at the mainland Chinese box office with a weekend score of just $7.4 million (RMB50.8 million). The film is the story of a young man who is helping his father rediscover his lost memories. As he does so, he is transported back in time and accidentally alters his parent’s pasts. That means he must reunite the pair or risk never being born. It stars Ma Li Chang Yuan and Wei Xiang and is directed by Zhang Luan.
Exclusive First Look At Park Chan-Wook’s New Thriller ‘Decision To Leave’
Korean director Park Chan-wook is back with a new thriller “Decision To Leave”, and ET Canada has your exclusive first look at the trailer.
Abby De La Rosa defends 'polyamorous relationship' with Nick Cannon
Abby De La Rosa has shared details about her “polyamorous relationship” with Nick Cannon in a new interview. While appearing on Tuesday’s episode of the Lovers and Friends with Shan Boodram podcast, Abby opened up expecting another baby with the TV personality, due in October, while Brittany Bell is also pregnant with his child. Abby and Nick already share Zion and Zillion, 15 months, while he has son Golden, five, and daughter Powerful Queen, 20 months, with Brittany.
Princess Anne looks sombre as she meets mourners in Glasgow ahead of Queen's funeral
The Princess Royal is visiting Scotland today, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence. She is touring the Glasgow City Chambers, one of the city's most celebrated works of architecture, and meet with representatives of organisations of which the late Queen was a patron. Anne was accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, was pictured chatting to crowds outside before reading messages left on bouquets. This comes after Anne, 72, has taken a front-and-centre position during the preparations for her mother's funeral, appearing alongside her brothers and nephews during the coffin's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall yesterday.
Imax Inks Deal For Six New China Theaters; CEO “80%” Confident Of “Return To Normalcy” On Covid Policy, Western Films
Imax just cut a deal for six new big-screen installations in China this year — “a very positive development,” according to CEO Rich Gelfond. The company is a big player in the Chinese market, which is still strained by Covid lockdowns and in limbo for Western theatrical releases.
China’s Wang Xiaoshuai Goes Low Budget and Improvisational in Toronto Drama ‘The Hotel’
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Wang Xiaoshuai, director of “So Long, My Son” and “Red Amnesia,” will be the most senior mainland Chinese director to present a new film at a major Western festival this year. That may be a reflection of the growing political and economic separation between China and the West over the past couple of years — with COVID an additional irritant. But tough times can also breed innovation. Wang’s latest, “The Hotel,” a chamber piece about a small group of Chinese tourists trapped in a hotel in Thailand during the early days of the pandemic, was inspired by events that Wang personally endured in 2020. It was made in almost improvised fashion, with a hastily written screenplay and shot with available crew.
Art-House Film ‘Return to Dust’ Wins Weekend as China Box Office Dips to Three Month Low
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Art-house title “Return to Dust” was a surprise weekend winner, topping the mainland China box office in its ninth weekend of release. The astonishing feat occurred on an otherwise depressed weekend in which China’s cinema box office dipped to a three-month low. This reflected the summer season winding to an end and anti-COVID measures once again forcing major Chinese cities into retreat. Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed “Return” grossing $5.3 million (RMB36.2 million) between Friday and Sunday. Those three days accounted for nearly half of the $12.7 million (RMB87.4 million) cumulative total it has earned since release on July 8, 2022.
Meet Strictly Come Dancing's sensational new professionals ahead of 2022 series
Strictly Come Dancing's four new professionals are set to be introduced to viewers in a cinematic routine filmed alongside the returning cast. European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese national champion Carlos Gu, former Under-21 British national champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas complete the show's largest-ever line-up of 20 pros this year.They join the returning Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.The introductory routine will form part of the Strictly Come Dancing launch show airing on BBC One and iPlayer on 17 September.
Inside the top barbershop that’s a must-visit in Glasgow
Beardy Beardy has been located in the heart of Glasgow city centre for over three years now. In that time the team has grown to include several finalists and some winners in some of the most prestigious industry awards across various categories.
Chloé Zhao-Exec Produced Vincent Chin Scripted Series Adds Kogonada & Christopher Radcliff To Write & Direct
EXCLUSIVE: Participant’s Chloé Zhao-exec produced limited scripted series about Vincent Chin had found its writers and director.
Korean TV Content to the Fore at Revived BCWW Convention
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief More than 600 buyers from companies in 30 countries are expected to be in Seoul, South Korea from Wednesday for the in-person return of the Broadcast WorldWide convention, better known as BCWW. Although BCWW bills itself as Asia’s largest broadcasting content market, given the strength of the Korean wave, much of the focus will be on Korean content and the business of working with Korean companies. Registered buyers and potential partners include Amazon Prime, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, PCCW the Hong Kong-based owner of Viu, and China’s iQiyi, all of which have already become purveyors of K-programming. “For the past 22 years, BCWW has served as a foundation for K-content to garner the global attention it is getting today,” said Cho Hyun-rae, president of the government-backed Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). He added that he expects KOCCA and BCWW to “provide continuous support for K-content.”
Nick Cannon’s ‘junk’ never takes a break, ‘Wild ‘N Out’ host says
cannon never gets tired of blasting off.On the red carpet at the 2022 VMAs Sunday, “Wild ‘N Out” siren Justina Valentine spoke candidly about the show’s fertile frontman Nick Cannon, who announced the impending birth of his tenth child last week.“One thing about Nick, he doesn’t vacation and neither does his junk,” Valentine, 35, told The Post after jokingly being asked if Cannon, 41, planned to launch a “Wild ‘N Out” day-care center for his brood.On Thursday, Cannon and former beauty pageant queen Brittany Bell, 34, revealed on Instagram that they are expecting their third child, which will be his tenth, together.The pair already have a 5-year-old son, Golden, and a 1-year-old daughter, Powerful Queen.“He’s a hard-working man, across the board,” Valentine added with a chuckle. And she isn’t the only lady in Cannon’s life to poke fun at his rampant fruitfulness. Abby De La Rosa — who gave birth to his most recent set of twins, Zion and Zillion Cannon, in June 2021 and is currently pregnant with their third child — joked that the “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” star is siring an entire generation. “Move over Kardashians, ‘Gen C’ is taking over baby,” penned De La Rosa, 32, as the in-text caption of an Instagram Story following Cannon and Bell’s virtual pregnancy announcement. She re-posted a clip from comedian Brian Moller, who wisecracked that Cannon’s 10 (and counting) kids might eventually “take on the Kardashians for world supremacy.”“And they said millennials aren’t having kids,” quipped Moller. “They’re not, Nick’s having them all!”Cannon’s incessant seed-spilling notwithstanding, he seems to be making an effort to spend quality time with his growing gaggle of little ones.