The Inbox (Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2013)

Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

Press Release: Worldview Entertainment and QED International to Finance “The Outsider”

WORLDVIEW ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS WITH QED INTERNATIONAL TO FINANCE AND PRODUCE TAKASHI MIIKE’S “THE OUTSIDER” STARRING TOM HARDY

QED to handle international sales beginning at AFM

October 29, 2013 (New York, NY) — Worldview Entertainment has signed on to finance and produce Takashi Miike’s crime thriller, “The Outsider,” starring Tom Hardy. Andrew Baldwin wrote the screenplay based on an idea by Linson Entertainment’s John Linson, who will produce with Art Linson alongside Worldview’s Christopher Woodrow and Molly Conners and QED’s Bill Block. Worldview’s Maria Cestone and Sarah E. Johnson will executive produce with Anton Lessine and Sasha Shapiro.

“The Outsider” is an epic crime thriller about an American former G.I. in post-WWII Japan who joins a Yakuza crime family. Principal photography will commence in Japan in early 2014. QED International will handle foreign sales and introduce the film to buyers next week at the American Film Market (AFM), while CAA, who packaged and arranged financing, will represent domestic rights.

“The Outsider’ is an action-packed, hard hitting thriller with huge commercial potential. We are excited to do our second film in less than 6 months with Tom Hardy and look forward to working with Bill Block and his team at QED,” said Worldview CEO, Christopher Woodrow.

“We’re excited to partner with Worldview on this outstanding international thriller,” said QED CEO, Bill Block. “The combination of Tom Hardy and Takashi Miike, along with Andrew’s electrifying script, is exactly the kind of package that our distribution partners are seeking to drive their theatrical business worldwide.”

Worldview’s impressive 2013 slate includes two studio co-financing deals: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s comedy, “Birdman,” with Fox Searchlight and New Regency, starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis and Academy Award nominee Edward Norton, which is currently in post- production; and Daniel Espinosa’s crime thriller, “Child 44,” with Summit/Lionsgate, starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman, Joel Kinnaman, Vincent Cassel and Jason Clarke, which wrapped this fall in Prague. The company also financed and produced Kate Barker Froyland’s drama, “Song One” starring Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway; and Zach Braff’s drama, ‘Wish I Was Here,” starring Braff and Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson. Worldview is reteaming this fall with David Gordon Green on the drama “Manglehorn,” starring Academy Award winners Al Pacino and Holly Hunter, which currently in pre-production in Austin, TX. Upcoming for 2014, Worldview announced plans to finance and produce the horror thriller, “Beyond the Green Inferno,” the sequel to Eli Roth’s, “The Green Inferno,” which will be directed by Nicolas Lopez next spring in Chile; and Kim Farrant’s thriller, “Strangerland” starring Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving.

Worldview had six films premiere on the festival circuit this fall: Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan’s crime thriller, “Devil’s Knot,” starring Academy Award winners Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon, which made its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Image Entertainment; Eli Roth’s highly anticipated return to directing with the horror thriller, “The Green Inferno,” made its world premiere in the Midnight Madness Section of the Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Open Road Films; David Gordon Green’s drama, “Joe,” starring Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan premiered at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival; Ti West’s thriller, “The Sacrament,” presented and produced by Roth made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival followed by the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was acquired by Magnolia Pictures; Guillaume Canet’s crime thriller, “Blood Ties,” starring Academy Award nominee Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana and Academy Award nominee James Caan made its North American premiere as a Gala Presentation at Toronto International Film Festival after making its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it was bought by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions; and Jehane Noujaim’s Egyptian revolution documentary, “The Square,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and opened theatrically in New York City.

QED’s slate at AFM also includes ROCK THE KASBAH, starring Bill Murray and directed by Barry Levinson; FRANNY starring Richard Gere; FURY, starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer, FADING GIGOLO, directed by John Turturro and starring Turturro and Woody Allen; ARE WE OFFICIALLY DATING, starring Zac Efron, Imogen Poots and Michael B. Jordan; and HAUNT starring Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver.

About Worldview Entertainment
Worldview Entertainment is a leading independent motion picture studio that finances, produces and acquires theatrical quality feature films with budgets up to $50 million for worldwide distribution. The company is backed by a strong capitalization and represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Worldview was founded in 2007 and is based in New York City.

About QED International
QED International is a leading independent motion picture production, financing and sales distribution company focused on bringing high quality filmed entertainment to the worldwide marketplace. With a team of top executives to facilitate the financing, packaging, and distribution of films, QED is recognized as a destination where world-class filmmakers and producers can find a full-service partner on their projects. Known for such films as Neill Blomkamp’s DISTRICT 9 and ELYSIUM, Oliver Stone’s W and David Ayer’s upcoming action thrillers SABOTAGE and FURY, QED International maintains the creative spirit of independent filmmaking while providing attractive returns with mitigated risk to its financing partners, and maximizing the global exploitation of their films.

Press Release: Well Go USA Acquires North American Rights to “Cavemen”

WELL GO USA ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO DELIGHTFUL ROM-COM CAVEMEN

First feature from writer/director Herschel Faber stars hot young thesps Skylar Astin, Camilla Belle, Alexis Knapp, and Chad Michael Murray

Well Go USA to Release in Theatres and on VOD February 7, 2014

PLANO, TEXAS. (October 29, 2013) — Well Go USA announced today that it has licensed all North American rights to Cavemen, the romantic comedy feature debut by director and writer Herschel Faber, produced by Traverse Media and Fascination Films. The film features a strong cast of hot young actors, including two of the stars of the recent hit Pitch Perfect – Skylar Astin and Alexis Knapp, as well as Camilla Belle (The 10,000 B.C., Ballad of Jack and Rose), and Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill). Rounding out the cast are Kenny Wormald (Footloose) and Dayo Okeniyi (The Hunger Games).

Cavemen had its world premiere on Saturday, October 26 in front of an enthusiastic audience at the Austin Film Festival and will be released on February 7 in theaters and on VOD.

Said Doris Pfardrescher, President of Well Go USA, “Herschel has put together a wonderful film about the trials and humor of finally growing up and moving on from the life of a bachelor with some of the best young actors working today and we’re excited to bring it to audiences next year.”

“The team at Well Go has been so enthusiastic about and supportive of Cavemen,” said filmmaker Herschel Faber. “I can’t imagine a better partner to help me take this film to audiences across the U.S. and I can’t wait to share it with them.”

Cavemen follows LA playboy Dean (Skylar Astin) who is fed up with one-night-stands and empty relationships and realizes that he wants something more out of life than just a party. With a little inspiration from his nine-year-old nephew and his best friend Tess (Camilla Belle), Dean decides to try his hand at finding true love for the first time – which proves to be much more difficult than he thought in modern-day Los Angeles.

The deal was negotiated by Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films representing the filmmakers and Pfardrescher representing Well Go USA.

About Well Go USA
Well Go USA Entertainment (www.wellgousa.com) is a theatrical and home entertainment distribution label that specializes in bringing top content, including the best in Asian Cinema to North America and Asia. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go’s titles can be seen across a variety of formats and platforms, including theatrical, video-on-demand, digital, packaged media and broadcast television. Since 1994, Well Go has acquired and released over 2,000 titles worldwide and currently releases three to five films per month. Well Go USA Entertainment’s corporate headquarters are in Plano, TX with offices in Taiwan and China.

Press Release: Jonathan Demme Presents “Horses of God”

JONATHAN DEMME PRESENTS MOROCCO’S OFFICIAL 2014 OSCAR ENTRY, NABIL AYOUCH’S FILM, HORSES OF GOD

New York, NY (October 29, 2013) – Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Demme will present Morocco’s official entry for the 2014 Academy Awards, director Nabil Ayouch’s “Horses of God,” for distribution in the United States.

Demme and Ayouch met at the Marrakesh Film Festival last December where “Horses of God” Demme was presented on the heels of its world at 2012 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section. “Horses of God” has won top international plaudits from 19 films festivals, among them the Golden Spike at Spain’s Valladolid Festival, the Best Director Award at the Seattle International Film Festival, and the François Chalais Prize at Cannes. Ayouch was invited to be a “filmmaker in Residence” at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville New York last spring, where Demme serves on the Board of Directors. Ayouch screened “Horses of God” while in residence there and the film so captured the imagination of the JBFC leaders that they have actively supported the effort to gain distribution for the film in the United States.

“‘Horses of God’ is simply one of the very most powerful pictures that I have ever seen. Extraordinarily gripping and moving, the cinematic style is really breath-taking. I can’t remember being so blown away by the marriage of visuals and story-telling since the first time I saw Marty Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” and Bertolucci’s “The Conformist” way back then. Along with the Jacob Burns Film Center, I am tremendously proud to be a part of bringing this vitally important film to America, beginning with its special screening at the Austin Film Festival this month. It came as no surprise to me when Morocco selected “Horses of God” as its entry for the Oscars last month, it is such an amazing movie.”

Inspired by the mass real-life 2003 suicide bombings, Ayouch’s film is a thoughtful and affecting inquiry into how ordinary people come to do desperate, unfathomable things. A major achievement by one of North Africa’s most important filmmakers, the film was hugely successful both at Cannes and in its native Morocco, winning acclaim from the public and critics alike. “Horses of God” is written by Jamal Belmahi and inspired by Mahi Binebine’s novel, The Stars of Sidi Moumen. It was co-produced and distributed in France by Pierre Ange Le Pogam’s Stone Angels. U.S. theatrical rights for the film are being sold by Wild Bunch.

Ayouch said, “Jonathan Demme is one of the masters of contemporary American cinema and “The Silence of the lambs” remains for me an inexhaustible source of inspiration. I am proud that Jonathan decided to present “Horses of God” in the United States. Today more than ever, the American audience needs to listen to another voice on a phenomenon as sensitive as terrorism. Violence has a source and these children of the shanty towns of Casablanca are there to remind us of it.”

ABOUT JONATHAN DEMME
Jonathan Demme began his film career as a writer and producer for Roger Corman in 1971, and has gone on to direct and produce more than 30 movies. Demme’s films, which have been nominated for 20 Academy Awards, include “Philadelphia,” “Rachel Getting Married,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” and “Silence of the Lambs,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1991. Demme recently released a portrait documentary “Enzo Avitabile Music Life,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2012. His upcoming projects include “Fear of Falling,” based on Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn’s adaptation of the Ibsen play, “Master Builder Solness”; and three upcoming New Orleans portrait documentaries, “Guardians of the Flame”, “Pastor Mel”,” and “Backatown,” which are along the lines of his recent film, “I’m Carolyn Parker.” He recently directed the pilot for AMC’s “Line of Sight.”

ABOUT NABIL AYOUCH
Nabil Ayouch’s first short film “The Blue Rocks of the Desert” (1992) marked the discovery of actor Jamel Debouzze, while his first features (starting with “Mektoub” in 1997 and “Ali Zaoua” in 2000) won more than fifty awards internationally and successively represented Morocco’s nominations for the foreign-language Oscars. He has directed several high-profile live shows, and in 1999 founded Ali n’ Productions, a company through which he helps young directors to launch their careers. In 2008 he helmed « Whatever Lola Wants » (produced by Pathé), set in Egypt and featuring an American wannabe belly-dancer, while in 2011 he released his first documentary feature film, “My Land” filmed in the Middle East. In 2012, Nabil Ayouch finished “Horses of God”, inspired by the Casablanca suicide bombings of May 16th 2003.

Press Release: “Candy Store” Obtains Financing

WORLDVIEW ENTERTAINMENT AND LOTUS ENTERTAINMENT PARTNER TO FINANCE AND PRODUCE STEPHEN GAGHAN’S “CANDY STORE” STARRING ROBERT DE NIRO

Ironwood Entertainment will make an investment in the film, which Lotus Entertainment will introduce to foreign buyers at AFM

October 30, 2013 (New York, NY) — Worldview Entertainment has signed on to finance and produce the crime thriller, “Candy Store,” starring Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, Jason Clarke and Omar Sy. Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan will direct from a screenplay he wrote with Shannon Burke. Gaghan and Allison Sheamur through Allison Sheamur Productions will produce alongside Worldview CEO, Christopher Woodrow, and COO, Molly Conners and Nicolas Gonda and Ryan Rettig for Ironwood, which is making an investment in the film. Worldview’s Maria Cestone and Sarah E. Johnson and Lotus’s Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel will executive produce alongside Michael G. Macs for Ironwood, Allyn Stewart and Kipp Nelson for Flashlight Films and Suzanne Joskow for Unsupervised.

“Candy Store” is the story of an undercover agent who begins a new life as a beat cop in Brooklyn, but finds that his past life comes back to haunt him. Lotus will handle international sales and introduce the film to buyers next week at the American Film Market (AFM) while CAA, who packaged and arranged financing for the film, will represent domestic rights. Principal photography will commence in 2014.

“Candy Store’ is a gritty, high energy crime thriller and we could not ask for a more talented director and cast. Stephen has written another world-class screenplay and we are confident that it will lead to box office success,” said Worldview CEO, Christopher Woodrow.

Worldview’s impressive 2013 slate includes two studio co-financing deals: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s comedy, “Birdman,” with Fox Searchlight and New Regency, starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis and Academy Award nominee Edward Norton, which is currently in post- production; and Daniel Espinosa’s crime thriller, “Child 44,” with Summit/Lionsgate, starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman, Joel Kinnaman, Vincent Cassel and Jason Clarke, which wrapped this fall in Prague. The company also financed and produced Kate Barker Froyland’s drama, “Song One” starring Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway; and Zach Braff’s drama, ‘Wish I Was Here,” starring Braff and Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson. Worldview is reteaming this fall with David Gordon Green on the drama “Manglehorn,” starring Academy Award winners Al Pacino and Holly Hunter, which currently in pre-production in Austin, TX. Upcoming for 2014, Worldview announced plans to finance and produce the horror thriller, “Beyond the Green Inferno,” the sequel to Eli Roth’s, “The Green Inferno,” which will be directed by Nicolas Lopez next spring in Chile; Kim Farrant’s dramatic thriller, “Strangerland,” starring Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving; and Takashi Mikke’s crime thriller, “The Outsider,” starring Tom Hardy.

Worldview had six films premiere on the festival circuit this fall: Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan’s crime thriller, “Devil’s Knot,” starring Academy Award winners Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon, which made its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival and was acquired by Image Entertainment; Eli Roth’s highly anticipated return to directing with the horror thriller, “The Green Inferno,” made its world premiere in the Midnight Madness Section of the Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Open Road Films; David Gordon Green’s drama, “Joe,” starring Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan premiered at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival; Ti West’s thriller, “The Sacrament,” presented and produced by Roth made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival followed by the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was acquired by Magnolia Pictures; Guillaume Canet’s crime thriller, “Blood Ties,” starring Academy Award nominee Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana and Academy Award nominee James Caan made its North American premiere as a Gala Presentation at Toronto International Film Festival after making its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it was bought by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions; and Jehane Noujaim’s Egyptian revolution documentary, “The Square,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and opened theatrically in New York.

Lotus is also selling “A Hologram for the King” starring Tom Hanks at AFM. They just wrapped the Anne Hathaway-starrer “Song One” with Worldview and “Maggie”, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abigail Breslin. Lotus is prepping “Fallen” with Scott Hicks directing and Jeremy Irvine starring in the young-adult novel adaptation.

Press Release: “Far From Vietnam” Coming to Home Video Dec. 10

Coming to Home Video DVD and VOD on December 10, 2013

FAR FROM VIETNAM

A film by Jean-Luc Godard, Joris Ivens, William Klein, Claude Lelouch, Chris Marker, and Alain Resnais

October 30, 2013: Following a theatrical run that marked its first appearance in North America after a long absence, FAR FROM VIETNAM, the “crucial” (The New Yorker) anti-war collaboration between the greats of the French New Wave, will appear on home video DVD and VOD for the first time on December 3, 2013 from Icarus Films Home Video.

Initiated and edited by Chris Marker, FAR FROM VIETNAM is an epic 1967 collaboration between cinema greats Jean-Luc Godard, Joris Ivens, William Klein, Claude Lelouch, and Alain Resnais in protest of American military involvement in Vietnam—made, per Marker’s narration, “to affirm, by the exercise of their craft, their solidarity with the Vietnamese people in struggle against aggression.”

“[A] blending of diverse styles into a singular howl of fury,” (Melissa Anderson, The Village Voice) the film brings together an array of contributions, none individually credited, under a unified editorial vision. “A panoramic study of the conflict,” (Slant Magazine) the elements span documentary footage shot in North and South Vietnam and at anti-war demonstrations in the United States; a fictional vignette and a monologue that dramatize the self-interrogation of European intellectuals; interviews with Fidel Castro and Anne Morrison, widow of Norman Morrison, the Quaker pacifist who burned himself alive on the steps of the White House in 1965; reflections from French journalist Michèle Ray; and a range of repurposed media material.

Passionately critical and self-critical, and as bold in form as it is in rhetoric, FAR FROM VIETNAM is a milestone in political documentary and in world cinema.

Press Release: Content Sells “The Diabolical” at AFM

CONTENT FIRES UP SALES ON HORROR THRILLER THE DIABOLICAL AT THE AMERICAN FILM MARKET

PREFERRED FILM & TV’S ROSS M. DINERSTEIN AND CONTENT’S JAMIE CARMICHAEL SET NEXT FILM FOR THEIR ACTIVE GENRE SLATE FOLLOWING SUCCESS OF THE PACT FRANCHISE

31 October 2013, Los Angeles – Content announced today that the next film from their prolific partnership with hit genre producer Ross M. Dinerstein’s Preferred Film & TV (PFT), post this summer’s productions of DARK SUMMER and THE PACT 2, will be Alistair Legrand’s THE DIABOLICAL. The terrifying and intense new horror film will mark Legrand’s directorial debut, who co-wrote the script with Luke Harvis.

Content will launch worldwide sales at the American Film Market beginning next week. Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content will jointly sell North America with Content’s Jamie Carmichael. Carmichael and Iwashina will executive produce.

“We are really excited to be working with Alistair on this unique project,” said producer Ross M. Dinerstein, “Developing the film with him has been a real pleasure and we can’t wait to introduce him to the extended production family we’re building here at Preferred.”

Currently in pre-production, THE DIABOLICAL follows Madison and her children in their quiet suburban home as they are awoken nightly by an increasingly strange and intense presence. Madison desperately seeks help from her scientist boyfriend Nikolai, who begins a hunt to destroy the violent spirit that paranormal experts are too frightened to undertake.

Content’s Carmichael said, “Our model with Ross allows us to act fast on the films we love, and THE DIABOLICAL brings a strikingly original twist on a genre we’re passionate about. We’ve been thrilled to be able to support some very strong emerging talent this last 18 months, and we’re delighted to add Alistair to that roster.”

THE DIABOLICAL is set to begin production early next year and cast will be announced shortly.

THE DIABOLICAL is the fifth film produced by the Preferred Content / Content Media Corporation (CMC) venture Preferred Film & TV (PFT) formed in 2012. Nicholas McCarthy’s ‘The Pact’ was a smash UK box office hit. ‘The Pact 2’ starring Camilla Luddington, Patrick Fischler, Mark Steger and Caity Lotz, and directed by Dallas Hallam and Patrick Horvath, is currently in post-production and will be theatrically released by IFC MIDNIGHT. Also in post is Paul Solet’s ‘Dark Summer’, written by Mike Le (Patient Zero) which stars Keir Gilchrist, Stella Maeve, Grace Phipps and Peter Stormare. Anchor Bay will be releasing the Tribeca premiere “Mr. Jones,” directed by Karl Mueller and starring Jon Foster and Sarah Jones, theatrically in May.

Legrand is represented by UTA and MXN Entertainment.

About Preferred Film & Television
Preferred Film & Television (PFT) is a joint venture between Content Media Corporation (CMC) and Preferred Content’s (PC) Ross Dinerstein and Kevin Iwashina. Preferred Film & TV produce and develop content of all genres with a commitment to quality projects with both established and emerging filmmakers. Previous PFT titles include 2012 Sundance Midnight hit THE PACT and MR JONES which world premiered at the Tribeca International Film Festival this April.

About Content Film, a division of Content Media Corporation Ltd

Content Film is the worldwide film and library sales arm of Content Media Corporation Ltd., which specializes in high quality and commercial feature films. In addition to handling worldwide sales, marketing, and publicity — the company assists film producers in securing finance. The Feature Film Library arm also manages international sales on over 255 titles. Content Film is being managed in an executive capacity by Jamie Carmichael, President – Film Division.

The Content Film slate also includes: JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE directed by John Ridley and starring Andre Benjamin which premiered in Toronto; the medieval actioner IRONCLAD 2: BATTLE FOR BLOOD; the family adventure PUDSEY: THE MOVIE, the supernatural horror DARK SUMMER directed by Paul Solet and Slash’s produced classic horror NOTHING LEFT TO FEAR.

Press Release: Phase 4 Announces Release Date for “The Crash Reel”

PHASE 4 FILMS ANNOUNCES THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE FOR LUCY WALKER’S AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY ‘THE CRASH REEL’

Twice Oscar®-Nominated Filmmaker Tells the Dramatic Story of Extreme Sports Athlete Kevin Pearce

Los Angeles, CA (October 31, 2013) – Phase 4 Films announces that the company has set a December 13, 2013 theatrical release date for THE CRASH REEL, the award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentary directed by two-time Oscar® nominee Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT, COUNTDOWN TO ZERO, WASTE LAND, THE TSUNAMI AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM).

This intimate, compelling and multilayered film seamlessly combines twenty years of stunning action footage (featuring, Shaun White, Mason Aguirre, Danny Davis, Scotty Lago, Jack Mitrani and Luke Mitrani) with new specially-shot verité footage as it follows U.S. champion snowboarder Kevin Pearce, and creates a film of self-acceptance raising important questions about our culture of extremes, and reveals a remarkable family’s functionality in the face of disability challenges.

THE CRASH REEL was written by Pedro Kos and Walker. Walker produced along with Julian Cautherley. Executive producers are Sheila Nevins of HBO Documentary Films, Dan Cogan, and Geralyn Dreyfous. The film was exquisitely edited by Kos, beautifully shot by Nick Higgins, and is set to a stunning and popular soundtrack by Chemical Brothers, Jose Gonzales, Bon Iver, M83, Underworld, Moby, Lykke Li, Grizzly Bear, DJ Shadow, Groove Armada, Crystal Castles and Sigur Ros.

THE CRASH REEL nominated for a Gotham Award made its world premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and went on to play other major domestic and international festivals including Berlinale, SXSW, Hot Docs, San Sebastian Film Festival, Dallas International Film Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The film picked-up audience awards at SXSW, Dallas, Hot Docs, Melbourne International Film Festival, Berkshire Film Festival, the Special Jury Award at Seattle International Film Festival, the Rogue Award at the Ashland Independent Film Festival, the “Making Movies that Matter” Award at Mountainfilm in Telluride, and Best Documentary Feature at Port Townsend Film Festival and at the New Hampshire Film Festival.

About Phase 4 Films
Phase 4 Films (www.phase4films.com) is one of the leading full service independent studios. With offices in nine cities in the U.S. and Canada, the company provides a full range of services relating to the sales, marketing, licensing and distribution of feature films, television and special interest content across all media in the North American market. The company’s recent film releases include THE BAYTOWN OUTLAWS, starring Eva Longoria and Billy Bob Thornton, and GENERATION UM starring Keanu Reeves. Its television slate includes the Michael Hirst created and written ‘The Vikings,’ the #1 new cable series in 2013; the Neil Jordan-helmed ‘The Borgias’; the Emmy Award-winning ‘The Tudors’; and the Gemini Award-winning ‘Flashpoint.’ kaboom! Entertainment, Phase 4 Films’ dedicated children’s and family label, is one of the most recognizable brands in the market.

About Kevin Pearce
Pearce catapulted onto the professional snowboarding stage in 2005 at age 18, soaring above others in his division and quickly becoming the athlete to watch in the ever-evolving sport. In 2007 and 2008, Kevin earned back-to-back Quarterpipe victories at The Oakley Artic Challenge as well as two Air & Style victories. At the end of the 2008 season, he became TTR (Ticket to Ride) Champion. While training for the Olympic trials in Park City, Utah on New Year’s Eve 2009, and practicing a trick on the half-pipe that would guarantee him a medal if successfully executed, Pearce suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. Although he was wearing a helmet, the accident left Kevin in critical condition and he was in a coma for a week. Post injury, Kevin had a whole raft of health problems: from language to vision, motor skills to memory, impulsiveness to poor judgment. But despite the fact Kevin’s half-pipe career had ended, his determination to overcome the catastrophe through vigorous rehabilitation and training inspires his family, friends and fans every day.

Press Release: AFI Appoints Patty West to Lead Directing Workshop

AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE APPOINTS PATTY WEST TO LEAD AFI DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN

Call for Applications for the 2014 40th Anniversary Class Begins November 1 Open House is November 19

LOS ANGELES, CA, November 1, 2013 – The American Film Institute (AFI) today announced the appointment of producer Patty West (AFI Class of 2006) as Director for the AFI Directing Workshop For Women (AFI DWW). The announcement coincides with the November 1 start of open enrollment for 2014 – the 40th anniversary class of DWW – and the announcement of the Open House event for prospective applicants.

The AFI DWW is an intensive one-year training program during which artists study with master filmmakers, make a short film and develop a path for a career in screen directing. AFI DWW is designed to advance women filmmakers who have a minimum of three years of professional experience working in the arts. Only eight are selected for this tuition-free program. Since the program’s inception, more than 275 women have been trained and among their credits are the Emmy®-winning MAD MEN and HOMELAND. Among its distinguished alumnae are Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Neema Barnette, Tricia Brock, Ellen Burstyn, Rebecca Cammisa, Dyan Cannon, Hanelle Culpepper, Jan Eliasberg, Naomi Foner, Jennifer Getzinger, Lyn Goldfarb, Randa Haines, Victoria Hochberg, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Lesli Linka Glatter, Matia Karrell, Nancy Malone, Becky Smith, Cicely Tyson and Joanne Woodward.

“AFI is committed to the diversity of voices in storytelling, and the Directing Workshop for Women has proven a vital catalyst to cultural change over 40 years,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO. “Patty West will enrich the proud legacy of this program in a world that needs artists more than ever.”

West added, “In line with the standard of AFI programming, DWW is steeped in a rich history of alumnae. Our credits tell the story.” West concluded, “I want to create more opportunities for our alumnae to transition from the program and into the business – whether it is film, television or new media.”

As Director of AFI DWW, West will be responsible for leading the definitive AFI program as a film community resource. A graduate of Northwestern University and the AFI Conservatory, West got her start working for producer Carol Baum and went on to produce the indie film SOME GIRL(S), written by Neil LaBute and directed by DWW Directing faculty member, Daisy von Scherler Mayer. West joined the AFI Conservatory staff in 2009. For the past four years, she has worked with the AFI Directing Workshop for Women and programmed the renowned AFI Conservatory Harold Lloyd Master Seminars. She also helped found the AFI Alumni Mentor Program where she serves as Co-Chair.

About the AFI Directing Workshop for Women
The AFI Directing Workshop for Women exists to educate and mentor female directors in an effort to increase the number of women working professionally in screen directing. In 1974, AFI DWW began as one of AFI’s first program initiatives. Developed in response to the relatively few women in screen directing, the program was created to ensure diverse perspectives in narrative filmmaking. Women have achieved distinction in many of the professions within film and video, opportunities in directing are improving. AFI DWW continues to shape the future of the moving image arts in the U.S. one artist at a time.

About AFI
The American Film Institute is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. The AFI Conservatory offers a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. Aspiring artists learn from the masters in a collaborative, hands-on production environment with an emphasis on storytelling. AFI Conservatory’s alumni are consistently recognized with all of the major industry awards – Academy® Awards, Emmy® Awards, Guild Awards – and even the Tony® Award. Esteemed director, producer and screenwriter James L. Brooks serves as the Artistic Director of the AFI Conservatory where he provides creative leadership of the renowned film program.

Press Release: Content Acquires Various International Rights to “Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist”

CONTENT SECURES KEY INTERNATIONAL TERRITORIES ON STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN’S FIST

Sales will continue at the AFM next week

1 November 2013, Los Angeles – Content has sold worldwide online rights for STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN’S FIST to a major global online channel for a short first window. Other key territories snapped up for subsequent rights and windows include: UK, Australia, US, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Scandinavia (Funimation); German-speaking Europe and Benelux (Polyband); Central & Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, Middle East (Daro); Thailand (IPA Asia); Portugal (Lusomundo), and South Korea (Sonamu).

Content is handling worldwide sales on the film for all media, which marks fight choreographer Joey Ansah’s directorial debut. Ansah (The Bourne Ultimatum, Snow White and the Huntsman) stars alongside Togo Igawa (Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Samurai), Mike Moh (SCHOOL DANCE), Christian Howard (Green Street 3: Never Back Down), Akira Koieyama (Rush, 47 Ronin), Gaku Space (How I Met Your Mother), Shogen (Actresses), Hyunri (EDEN), Hal Yamanouchi (The Wolverine, Push, The Way Back), and Mark Killeen (Game of Thrones, The Dark Knight Rises, The Sweeney).

The faithful Japanese and English script, co-written by Ansah and Howard, is based on Capcom’s worldwide blockbuster video game franchise Street Fighter. The martial arts live-action film follows the formative years of iconic characters Ryu and Ken, the last practitioners of the ancient fighting style known as ‘Ansatsuken’ (Assassin’s Fist), living a traditional warrior’s life in secluded Japan.

Producer, Jacqueline Quella (DON’T TELL, ROMANZO CRIMINALE) said, “Millions of fans of the game have been calling out for a true-to-the-game telling of the Street Fighter story. Assassin’s Fist gives them just that. We’re already experiencing enormous interest from the fan-base.”

Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist is produced by Assassin’s Fist Limited (UK) in association with Lonely Rock Productions, Gloucester Place Films, Evropa Film and Capcom USA, Inc.

The film is currently in post production. Content will screen exclusive footage at the upcoming American Film Market next week.

Content’s Jamie Carmichael said, “We’re tremendously excited to present this extraordinarily valuable property to our worldwide clients. STREET FIGHTER: ASSASSIN’S FIST is breaking new ground with its aggressive distribution plan, and we’ve been thrilled to see that distributors have been fighting to get on board.”

About Content Film, a division of Content Media Corporation Ltd

About Assassin’s Fist Limited
Assassin’s Fist Limited is a UK based company. It was set up by Jacqueline Quella and Joey Ansah after the success of ‘Street Fighter: Legacy’ to produce ‘Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist’. The company has helped pioneer the concept that movies produced for a specific audience can be critically successful with that audience and commercially viable.

About CAPCOM
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil ®, Street Fighter®, Mega Man ® and Devil May Cry ®.

Capcom, the Capcom logo, Devil May Cry, Mega Man and Resident Evil are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd. in the U.S. or other countries. Street Fighter is a registered trademark of Capcom U.S.A., Inc.

Press Release: “Therese” Coming to DVD on Nov. 19

AUDREY TAUTOU GIVES A MOVING PERFORMANCE IN THE ACCLAIMED FINAL FILM BY ONE OF FRENCH CINEMA’S MODERN MASTERS THERESE

A Newly Married Woman Realizes a Loveless Life Awaits Her in Claude Miller’s Film of a Classic Novel, Coming to DVD From MPI on November 19, 2013

New York, NY (October 29, 2013) – French superstar Audrey Tautou stars in THERESE, famed director Claude Miller’s final film, a gorgeous adaptation of Nobel Prize winner François Mauriac’s novel Thérèse Desqueyroux, about one woman’s fight for love against the social norms of provincial life. The closing-night film of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, THERESE follows its acclaimed national theatrical engagement with DVD release from MPI Home Video on November 19, 2013, with an SRP of $24.98.

In the pine-forested Landes region in southwest France, young Thérèse (Tautou, Amelie, Chinese Puzzle, The Da Vinci Code) has married wealthy but arrogant Bernard Desqueyroux (Gilles Lellouche, Little White Lies, Mesrine: Killer Instinct) and is now part of the oppressively traditionalist Desqueyroux family. Although able to live in the lap of luxury, Thérèse soon realizes that her role is to be forever subservient to Bernard and act as little more than his accessory.

When her best friend (and Bernard’s younger sister) Anna (Anaïs Demoustier, Time of the Wolf, Elles) falls madly in love with a handsome young Jewish man, Thérèse is tasked by the family to persuade Anna to forgo her planned nuptials. But as she witnesses first-hand Anna’s passionate determination to keep her lover by her side, Thérèse finds her own desire growing and soon sets out to free herself from the provincial conventions that threaten to keep her forever repressed.

Heartfelt, touching, and featuring an emotionally charged performance from Tautou, THERESE is a glorious testament to one woman’s unwavering quest for true love.

Claude Miller (1942-2012) was a production manager or assistant director on classic films by François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard before launching is own directing career and creating such admired films as Garde à vue, L’effrontée, The Little Thief, Alias Betty and A Secret. THERESE, Miller’s final triumph, premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival just one month after his death.

Wrote Sheri Linden of the Los Angeles Times: “Miller’s film is a work of emotional reserve, eschewing psychological explanation in favor of unadorned observation – of human behavior as well as nature and the still lifes of the domestic world.” Writing about THERESE, The New York Times’ Stephen Holden said, “Audrey Tautou, a goddess of French cinema since Amelie, gives what may be her most powerful screen performance.” Writing in the New York Daily News, Jordan Hoffman said the film is a “fascinating take on aristocratic social mores between the wars.” “The movie is a fine swan song,” praised Walter Addiego of the San Francisco Chronicle.