The 27th Sonoma International Film Festival (March 20-24), as always, leaned into wine and food with the sold-out opening night U.S. premiere of Thomas Napper’s “Widow Clicquot” (Vertical Entertainment), starring Haley Bennett as the woman who saves the legendary winemaker’s legacy. The wine country film festival drew its highest audience attendance to date with a robust film slate programmed by artistic director Carl Spence (working with Executive Director Ginny Krieger), in his second year, including upcoming specialty fare like Luc Besson’s “DogMan” (Briarcliff Entertainment) starring Caleb Landry Jones in an incendiary performance, and Sony Pictures Classics’ raucous comedy “Wicked Little Letters,” starring Olivia Colman, along with a smattering of yummy wine and food events.
The five-day festival curated by Spence along with senior programmers Amanda Salazar and Ken Jacobson, showcased more than 100 films. Twenty-five countries were represented in this year’s lineup of 43 narrative features, 16 documentary features,...
The five-day festival curated by Spence along with senior programmers Amanda Salazar and Ken Jacobson, showcased more than 100 films. Twenty-five countries were represented in this year’s lineup of 43 narrative features, 16 documentary features,...
- 3/24/2024
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
No one ever said loving people is easy. Each person comes with their own set of challenges and unpredictabilities. Patience, tolerance, and understanding are crucial for a meaningful and beneficial bond. If you’re willing to go the distance for someone you love, the rewards can be worth every moment of frustration, heartache, and pain. Today, Bleecker Street debuted a trailer for the studio’s comedic family drama, Ezra, a touching story about fathers and sons going above and beyond the call of duty to find balance in a world designed to judge and persecute.
Ezra follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (Robert De Niro) while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne). When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a...
Ezra follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (Robert De Niro) while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (introducing William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne). When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a...
- 3/13/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Bobby Cannavale, Robert De Niro and Rose Byrne lead a starry ensemble drama focused on caring for a neurodivergent child in the trailer for Ezra.
Director Tony Goldwyn’s family-focused feature is set to hit theaters May 31 from Bleecker Street after debuting at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson and Goldwyn round out the film’s cast.
Ezra follows Max, a stand-up comic who lives with his father (De Niro) and decides to take his autistic son, Ezra (newcomer William Fitzgerald), on a road trip amid questions about the boy’s future.
“You’re fighting for something,” De Niro says in the trailer. “You might have to suffer consequences, but it’s worth it because you did it.”
Later in the footage, Cannavale says, “A dad’s job is to take his son down the field. If he gets tackled, all that dad...
Director Tony Goldwyn’s family-focused feature is set to hit theaters May 31 from Bleecker Street after debuting at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson and Goldwyn round out the film’s cast.
Ezra follows Max, a stand-up comic who lives with his father (De Niro) and decides to take his autistic son, Ezra (newcomer William Fitzgerald), on a road trip amid questions about the boy’s future.
“You’re fighting for something,” De Niro says in the trailer. “You might have to suffer consequences, but it’s worth it because you did it.”
Later in the footage, Cannavale says, “A dad’s job is to take his son down the field. If he gets tackled, all that dad...
- 3/13/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bobby Cannavale Is a Stand-up Comic with an Autistic Son, a Road Trip, and a Dream in ‘Ezra’ Trailer
Bobby Cannavale has been passed over at the Comedy Cellar, but if he doesn’t get his act together — and we don’t mean his stand-up act — life itself will pass him by.
Bleecker Street released the trailer for its upcoming feature film “Ezra” on Wednesday, March 13, which in addition to Cannavale stars Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, Tony Goldwyn, and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, and Robert De Niro. Pretty good cast there.
“Ezra” follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (De Niro) while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald) with ex-wife (Rose Byrne). Cannavale is broke — the living with dad part probably gave that away — and “still not over” Byrne.
Max gets his potential big break when invited to do a late-night set for Jimmy Kimmel. (Unclear if it’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in the “Ezra” Cinematic Universe.) One problem:...
Bleecker Street released the trailer for its upcoming feature film “Ezra” on Wednesday, March 13, which in addition to Cannavale stars Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson, Tony Goldwyn, and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, and Robert De Niro. Pretty good cast there.
“Ezra” follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (De Niro) while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald) with ex-wife (Rose Byrne). Cannavale is broke — the living with dad part probably gave that away — and “still not over” Byrne.
Max gets his potential big break when invited to do a late-night set for Jimmy Kimmel. (Unclear if it’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in the “Ezra” Cinematic Universe.) One problem:...
- 3/13/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
When film and TV talents collide on the Santa Monica beach at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, anything can happen. Just ask “American Fiction” nominee Jeffrey Wright.
“The year I was nominated for ‘Basquiat,’ our producer Jon Kilik said, ‘Hey, do you want to meet Muhammad Ali?’” recalls Wright, up for the debut performance trophy at the 1997 ceremony, while the boxing champ was there with his doc “When We Were Kings.” “I pretty much skipped over a series of tables to say hello to him. Ali was an absolute personal hero and meeting him blew my mind. That was the beginning of a really gratifying relationship, because I ended up [playing photographer Howard Bingham] in the movie ‘Ali.’”
Wright, who had already won a Tony Award at that point, went on to more acclaim and glory in film and TV roles, this year receiving his first Oscar nomination for his performance in “American Fiction.
“The year I was nominated for ‘Basquiat,’ our producer Jon Kilik said, ‘Hey, do you want to meet Muhammad Ali?’” recalls Wright, up for the debut performance trophy at the 1997 ceremony, while the boxing champ was there with his doc “When We Were Kings.” “I pretty much skipped over a series of tables to say hello to him. Ali was an absolute personal hero and meeting him blew my mind. That was the beginning of a really gratifying relationship, because I ended up [playing photographer Howard Bingham] in the movie ‘Ali.’”
Wright, who had already won a Tony Award at that point, went on to more acclaim and glory in film and TV roles, this year receiving his first Oscar nomination for his performance in “American Fiction.
- 2/22/2024
- by Gregg Goldstein
- Variety Film + TV
Martin Scorsese will soon be seen on the big screen, and he won’t be playing himself.
The master director, who is being feted with Berlin Film Festival’s honorary Golden Bear on Tuesday night, has a small but powerful role playing an elderly sage who influences Dante Alighieri while he is writing “The Divine Comedy” in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming crime mystery “In the Hands of Dante.”
Though Scorsese has cameoed in many of his movies and occasionally performed in films by other directors – he played Vincent van Gogh in a segment of Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 film “Dreams” and also performed as voice talent as the loan shark pufferfish in “Shark Tale” – this role is likely to be among his meatiest.
“He is extraordinary in the film,” Schnabel tells Variety, calling Scorsese’s part “a brilliant, important role” and adding: “You can’t take your eyes off him.”
Two...
The master director, who is being feted with Berlin Film Festival’s honorary Golden Bear on Tuesday night, has a small but powerful role playing an elderly sage who influences Dante Alighieri while he is writing “The Divine Comedy” in Julian Schnabel’s upcoming crime mystery “In the Hands of Dante.”
Though Scorsese has cameoed in many of his movies and occasionally performed in films by other directors – he played Vincent van Gogh in a segment of Akira Kurosawa’s 1990 film “Dreams” and also performed as voice talent as the loan shark pufferfish in “Shark Tale” – this role is likely to be among his meatiest.
“He is extraordinary in the film,” Schnabel tells Variety, calling Scorsese’s part “a brilliant, important role” and adding: “You can’t take your eyes off him.”
Two...
- 2/20/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Indie and art film producer Jon Kilik, unlike many, remains hopeful for the personal, mid-budget movie for grown-ups. “Those are the films directors love to make and audiences still love,” says Kilik, being feted this week at Poland’s Camerimage cinematography festival for work of special visual sensitivity.
Having flown in from a shoot in Rome, Kilik confesses he still loves being on set after a career spanning four decades, including work with Spike Lee, Julian Schnabel, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Jim Jarmusch and Oliver Stone.
His latest project filming in Europe, “In the Hand of Dante,” starring Gal Gadot and Oscar Isaac in a metaphorical journey through hell to paradise, is characteristic of Kilik’s lifelong passion for bringing challenging works of literature and art to the screen.
And he’s proven time and again that such films have an audience and are economically viable, he points out, if handled...
Having flown in from a shoot in Rome, Kilik confesses he still loves being on set after a career spanning four decades, including work with Spike Lee, Julian Schnabel, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Jim Jarmusch and Oliver Stone.
His latest project filming in Europe, “In the Hand of Dante,” starring Gal Gadot and Oscar Isaac in a metaphorical journey through hell to paradise, is characteristic of Kilik’s lifelong passion for bringing challenging works of literature and art to the screen.
And he’s proven time and again that such films have an audience and are economically viable, he points out, if handled...
- 11/19/2023
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Julian Schnabel is in Italy on the set of his star-studded crime mystery “In the Hand of Dante,” for which he and Louise Kugelberg, his wife and close creative collaborator, have been narratively and literally criss-crossing between the 14th and 21st centuries in locations including Sicily, Venice, Verona and Rome.
Besides the film’s previously announced leads — Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and Gerard Butler — “Hand of Dante” will also see British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine (“Dune”) playing a quintessentially demonic character who seesaws between past and present. Clementine also contributes to the film’s score. Other A-list recruits comprise John Malkovich, Al Pacino and Louis Cancelmi (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) who plays both a present-day hitman named Lefty and nobleman Guido da Polenta, who was Dante’s benefactor.
Julian Schnabel, speaking to Variety on a spectacular Rome set – a palatial villa on a hill overlooking the...
Besides the film’s previously announced leads — Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and Gerard Butler — “Hand of Dante” will also see British musician and actor Benjamin Clementine (“Dune”) playing a quintessentially demonic character who seesaws between past and present. Clementine also contributes to the film’s score. Other A-list recruits comprise John Malkovich, Al Pacino and Louis Cancelmi (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) who plays both a present-day hitman named Lefty and nobleman Guido da Polenta, who was Dante’s benefactor.
Julian Schnabel, speaking to Variety on a spectacular Rome set – a palatial villa on a hill overlooking the...
- 11/17/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
A thick fog hung over Torun, Poland, this evening as the 31st edition of the city’s EnergaCamerimage Film Festival cruised into gear with a lengthy opening ceremony at the stylish Jordanki Culture Centre.
As always at Camerimage, proceedings on the eve began with a series of speeches from local politicians and dignitaries. These scripted interventions were followed by an emotional tribute to the late cinematographer and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president, John Bailey, who died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 81.
As a cinematographer, Bailey’s credits included the Oscar Best Picture-winning Ordinary People and The Big Chill. Bailey’s resume also included Silverado, The Accidental Tourist, Groundhog Day, In the Line of Fire, As Good as It Gets, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Must Love Dogs across a five-decade career.
Camerimage festival director Marek Zydowicz led tributes to Bailey,...
As always at Camerimage, proceedings on the eve began with a series of speeches from local politicians and dignitaries. These scripted interventions were followed by an emotional tribute to the late cinematographer and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president, John Bailey, who died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 81.
As a cinematographer, Bailey’s credits included the Oscar Best Picture-winning Ordinary People and The Big Chill. Bailey’s resume also included Silverado, The Accidental Tourist, Groundhog Day, In the Line of Fire, As Good as It Gets, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Must Love Dogs across a five-decade career.
Camerimage festival director Marek Zydowicz led tributes to Bailey,...
- 11/11/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Just weeks before the 31st edition of Poland’s EnergaCamerimage gets underway, there was a groundbreaking for the planned European Film Center Camerimage, a Pln 600 million (roughly ($144 million) cultural center that will be built in host city Toruń and used in future years as the international cinematography film festival’s main venue. Plans call for the center to include a main screening room with seating for roughly 1,500, as well as three 200-300-seat screening rooms, a soundstage for production and postproduction facilities.
The new center underscores the growth of the festival, which has become a bellwether for what’s to come in the cinematography Oscar race. In three of the past four years, the winner of Camerimage’s Golden Frog has gone on to earn an Oscar nomination in cinematography, including 2019’s Joker and 2020’s Nomadland and 2022’s Tár.
According to festival director Marek Żydowicz, more than 1,000 films were viewed...
The new center underscores the growth of the festival, which has become a bellwether for what’s to come in the cinematography Oscar race. In three of the past four years, the winner of Camerimage’s Golden Frog has gone on to earn an Oscar nomination in cinematography, including 2019’s Joker and 2020’s Nomadland and 2022’s Tár.
According to festival director Marek Żydowicz, more than 1,000 films were viewed...
- 11/11/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
There was an emotional start to the 31st EnergaCamerimage cinematography film festival as news spread that John Bailey — the cinematographer behind films such as Ordinary People, The Big Chill and As Good As It Gets, and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — died Friday at age 81.
During Saturday’s opening ceremony, festival director Marek Żydowicz gave a heartfelt tribute to the Dp as he opened Camerimage, which is held annually in Toruń, Poland. “It is very difficult for me to talk about it,” he said, introducing a black-and-while clip featuring portions of Bailey’s 2019 speech when he accepted the Camerimage Lifetime Achievement Award. Bailey and his wife, Oscar-nominated editor Carol Littleton, had attended the festival on multiple occasions. Żydowicz also emphasized the bond between Camerimage and the Motion Picture Academy that Bailey helped to strengthen. He said, “John, you will forever be in our hearts.
During Saturday’s opening ceremony, festival director Marek Żydowicz gave a heartfelt tribute to the Dp as he opened Camerimage, which is held annually in Toruń, Poland. “It is very difficult for me to talk about it,” he said, introducing a black-and-while clip featuring portions of Bailey’s 2019 speech when he accepted the Camerimage Lifetime Achievement Award. Bailey and his wife, Oscar-nominated editor Carol Littleton, had attended the festival on multiple occasions. Żydowicz also emphasized the bond between Camerimage and the Motion Picture Academy that Bailey helped to strengthen. He said, “John, you will forever be in our hearts.
- 11/11/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Family dramedy to get 2024 theatrical release.
Bleecker Street has acquired US rights to TIFF premiere Ezra starring Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro.
Tony Goldwyn directed from a screenplay by Tony Spiridakis about Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage.
After moving in with his father Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald).
The cast includes newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Bleecker...
Bleecker Street has acquired US rights to TIFF premiere Ezra starring Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro.
Tony Goldwyn directed from a screenplay by Tony Spiridakis about Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage.
After moving in with his father Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald).
The cast includes newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Bleecker...
- 11/6/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Bleecker Street has acquired “Ezra” from Tony Goldwyn, the actor-turned-director, which stars Robby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro and William A. Fitzgerald.
The movie recently made its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are also in the cast. Bleecker Street is planning to release the film theatrically in 2024.
According to the official synopsis the movie follows “Max Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comedian, who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra (Fitzgerald).” The synopsis says that “Ezra” is an “endearing and funny exploration of a fractured family determined to push through hardship to care for the ones they love most.
The movie recently made its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are also in the cast. Bleecker Street is planning to release the film theatrically in 2024.
According to the official synopsis the movie follows “Max Brandel (Cannavale), a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comedian, who struggles through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro), Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra (Fitzgerald).” The synopsis says that “Ezra” is an “endearing and funny exploration of a fractured family determined to push through hardship to care for the ones they love most.
- 11/6/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Bleecker Street has taken U.S. rights to Ezra, the starry family dramedy from actor-turned-director Tony Goldwyn, which is coming off its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto Film Festival. Starring Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro, and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald, the film is slated for release in theaters in 2024.
Ezra is Bleecker’s second acquisition title out of TIFF 2023 on the heels of the James Hawes-helmed One Life, a biopic starring Anthony Hopkins as the humanitarian Nicholas Winton, which also debuted in Special Presentations. The company has been active on the acquisitions front of late, also securing U.S. rights to the Brit comedy Fackham Hall, as well as UK rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, alongside Elysian Film Group and Anonymous Content.
Also starring Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg, Ezra follows Max Brandel (Cannavale), a...
Ezra is Bleecker’s second acquisition title out of TIFF 2023 on the heels of the James Hawes-helmed One Life, a biopic starring Anthony Hopkins as the humanitarian Nicholas Winton, which also debuted in Special Presentations. The company has been active on the acquisitions front of late, also securing U.S. rights to the Brit comedy Fackham Hall, as well as UK rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, alongside Elysian Film Group and Anonymous Content.
Also starring Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, and Whoopi Goldberg, Ezra follows Max Brandel (Cannavale), a...
- 11/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bleecker Street has nabbed Tony Goldwyn’s Ezra, which stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro and newcomer William A. Fitzgerald in a drama about the challenges of parenthood and autism.
Ezra, which bowed at the Toronto Film Festival, also has Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg in its ensemble cast. Bleecker Street plans a 2024 theatrical release.
Ezra stars Cannavale as Max Brandel, a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less successful stand-up comedian struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his uncommunicative father, played by De Niro, Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra, played by Fitzgerald.
Max often includes his challenging relationship with his son, Ezra, in his comedy material, but not always with the best results. Nonetheless, the family remains determined to push through hardship to care for the ones they love most.
Ezra, which bowed at the Toronto Film Festival, also has Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg in its ensemble cast. Bleecker Street plans a 2024 theatrical release.
Ezra stars Cannavale as Max Brandel, a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less successful stand-up comedian struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his uncommunicative father, played by De Niro, Max and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) remain at odds on how to best raise their autistic son, Ezra, played by Fitzgerald.
Max often includes his challenging relationship with his son, Ezra, in his comedy material, but not always with the best results. Nonetheless, the family remains determined to push through hardship to care for the ones they love most.
- 11/6/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Because the fall festivals had fewer actors and writers on hand due to the strikes, more independent movies came into the season looking for buyers. And even with AMPTP buyers getting cold feet on some with interim agreements, many titles have already found homes, making it one of the busiest fall festival seasons across Venice, Toronto, and Telluride in recent memory.
Below is the running list of movies that have found buyers.
Movies Acquired After the Festivals
“Ezra”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Nov. 6
Bleecker Street’s second TIFF acquisition is “Ezra,” the family dramedy from director Tony Goldwyn that stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro. The distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
“Ezra” follows a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic also struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro...
Below is the running list of movies that have found buyers.
Movies Acquired After the Festivals
“Ezra”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Nov. 6
Bleecker Street’s second TIFF acquisition is “Ezra,” the family dramedy from director Tony Goldwyn that stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro. The distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
“Ezra” follows a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic also struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro...
- 11/6/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Like the cinematography sector overall this year, the profession’s prime annual festival, Poland’s Camerimage, has come through major challenges in 2023, says the event’s founder, Marek Zydowicz.
Launching in the historic town of Torun on Nov. 11, the 31st edition of the fest was organized in a time of nearby crises in Europe plus record levels of inflation hitting the region, and fallout from the Hollywood actors strike.
“It’s hard to say these things were really helping us,” notes Kazik Suwala, one of the festival’s key organizers and director of its most ambitious project, the construction of the European Film Center, which broke ground in October. “It was a tough year to work,” as he puts it. “The preparations were much harder than usual. Getting movies programmed involved much more time.”
Thus, Zydowicz and Suwala confess to feeling a bit of extra pride in pulling off a...
Launching in the historic town of Torun on Nov. 11, the 31st edition of the fest was organized in a time of nearby crises in Europe plus record levels of inflation hitting the region, and fallout from the Hollywood actors strike.
“It’s hard to say these things were really helping us,” notes Kazik Suwala, one of the festival’s key organizers and director of its most ambitious project, the construction of the European Film Center, which broke ground in October. “It was a tough year to work,” as he puts it. “The preparations were much harder than usual. Getting movies programmed involved much more time.”
Thus, Zydowicz and Suwala confess to feeling a bit of extra pride in pulling off a...
- 11/6/2023
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa and Gerard Butler are coming together to star in the upcoming crime thriller from Julian Schnabel, ‘In The Hand of Dante.’
The project has secured an Interim Agreement from SAG-AFTRA, and filming is said to have already commenced in Italy.
The story is based on the novel by Nick Tosches. It revolves around the original manuscript for The Divine Comedy which emerges in the hands of a black-market smuggling ring. The setting is the dangerous underbelly of New York City. The mafia seeks the help of a weary scholar Nick to authenticate the manuscript. Tempted by the idea of having it all, Nick defies the mafia and steals the manuscript. He embarks on a dark and violent journey from a metaphorical Hell into Paradise with his love Giulietta.
Also in news – Eddie Murphy features in first look images (and Trailer) for ‘Candy Cane Lane’
Meanwhile, a parallel story unfolds,...
The project has secured an Interim Agreement from SAG-AFTRA, and filming is said to have already commenced in Italy.
The story is based on the novel by Nick Tosches. It revolves around the original manuscript for The Divine Comedy which emerges in the hands of a black-market smuggling ring. The setting is the dangerous underbelly of New York City. The mafia seeks the help of a weary scholar Nick to authenticate the manuscript. Tempted by the idea of having it all, Nick defies the mafia and steals the manuscript. He embarks on a dark and violent journey from a metaphorical Hell into Paradise with his love Giulietta.
Also in news – Eddie Murphy features in first look images (and Trailer) for ‘Candy Cane Lane’
Meanwhile, a parallel story unfolds,...
- 10/17/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Julian Schnabel crime thriller “The Hand of Dante” has secured an interim agreement to resume production with stars Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa and Gerard Butler attached, TheWrap has learned.
Helmed by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind “At Eternity’s Gate,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “Before Night Falls,” the picture is based on Nick Tosches’ novel of the same name.
Currently in production in Italy, the picture concerns the original manuscript of “The Divine Comedy” just as it mysteriously pops up on the black market. Isaac plays Nick, a weary scholar brought in by New York City’s organized crime elements for the purpose of authentication.
It’s when Nick decides to deal the manuscript, however, that he’s put on a dark and violent path from a metaphorical Hell into Paradise with his love Giulietta. A parallel tale unfolds: the odyssey of Dante (Isaac) himself, a man who — trapped...
Helmed by the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind “At Eternity’s Gate,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “Before Night Falls,” the picture is based on Nick Tosches’ novel of the same name.
Currently in production in Italy, the picture concerns the original manuscript of “The Divine Comedy” just as it mysteriously pops up on the black market. Isaac plays Nick, a weary scholar brought in by New York City’s organized crime elements for the purpose of authentication.
It’s when Nick decides to deal the manuscript, however, that he’s put on a dark and violent path from a metaphorical Hell into Paradise with his love Giulietta. A parallel tale unfolds: the odyssey of Dante (Isaac) himself, a man who — trapped...
- 10/16/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
A star-studded crime thriller from Oscar-nominated director Julian Schnabel is coming our way, with Orcasr Isaac, Jason Momoa, and Gerard Butler leading the cast. Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante film is in production in Italy, with an Interim Agreement from SAG-AFTRA to allow filming during the ongoing strike. Based on the novel of the same name by Nick Tosches, In the Hand of Dante finds a piece of history in the clutches of criminals.
According to Deadline’s exclusive report, In the Hand of Dante “revolves around when the original manuscript of the Divine Comedy emerges in the clutches of a black-market smuggling ring in the dangerous underbelly of New York City, weary scholar Nick is called by the mob to authenticate it.”
“Overwhelmed by temptation, Nick defies the mafia and steals the manuscript in a frenzied bid to have it all. He follows a dark and violent...
According to Deadline’s exclusive report, In the Hand of Dante “revolves around when the original manuscript of the Divine Comedy emerges in the clutches of a black-market smuggling ring in the dangerous underbelly of New York City, weary scholar Nick is called by the mob to authenticate it.”
“Overwhelmed by temptation, Nick defies the mafia and steals the manuscript in a frenzied bid to have it all. He follows a dark and violent...
- 10/16/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa and Gerard Butler are set to star in crime thriller In the Hand of Dante, with Oscar nominee Julian Schnabel directing and Martin Scorsese among the executive producers. The film is in production in Italy and recently landed an Interim Agreement from SAG-AFTRA allowing it to film during the actors strike.
Based on the novel by Nick Tosches, it follows the story of the original manuscript for The Divine Comedy emerging in the clutches of a black-market smuggling ring in the dangerous underbelly of New York City, and weary scholar Nick is called by the mob to authenticate it.
Overwhelmed by temptation, Nick defies the mafia and steals the manuscript in a frenzied bid to have it all. He follows a dark and violent path from a metaphorical Hell into Paradise with his love Giulietta, while a parallel tale unfolds: the odyssey of Dante himself,...
Based on the novel by Nick Tosches, it follows the story of the original manuscript for The Divine Comedy emerging in the clutches of a black-market smuggling ring in the dangerous underbelly of New York City, and weary scholar Nick is called by the mob to authenticate it.
Overwhelmed by temptation, Nick defies the mafia and steals the manuscript in a frenzied bid to have it all. He follows a dark and violent path from a metaphorical Hell into Paradise with his love Giulietta, while a parallel tale unfolds: the odyssey of Dante himself,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Do you feel the need? The need for ... another Blu-ray column? The biggest entry in this latest Blu-ray round-up is, of course, the mega-hit "Top Gun: Maverick." But there are a bunch of other major releases here, including a Criterion Collection edition of "Malcolm X," Mia Goth going crazy in "Pearl," a massive box set from Columbia Pictures, a 4K release of "Punisher: War Zone," the latest from George Miller, and a Brian De Palma classic. So keep spinning those discs.
Top Gun: Maverick
I wasn't as high on "Top Gun: Maverick" as most people, but I appreciate it as an old-school blockbuster. Tom Cruise is back, training a new generation of fighter pilots to pull off a move that really seems like the plan to blow up the Death Star at the end of "Star Wars." Blending practical effects with digital seamlessly, "Maverick" is a fist-pumping, action-packed adventure that...
Top Gun: Maverick
I wasn't as high on "Top Gun: Maverick" as most people, but I appreciate it as an old-school blockbuster. Tom Cruise is back, training a new generation of fighter pilots to pull off a move that really seems like the plan to blow up the Death Star at the end of "Star Wars." Blending practical effects with digital seamlessly, "Maverick" is a fist-pumping, action-packed adventure that...
- 11/10/2022
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Here’s your first look at screen icon Robert De Niro, Bobby Cannavale and newcomer William Fitzgerald in new comedy Inappropriate Behaviour, which is in production.
Pic follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.
The film also stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Rainn Wilson (The Office) and Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost), and is directed by Tony Goldwyn (The Last Kiss).
Mister Smith Entertainment has sold the film around the world, concluding deals with Snd for France, Tobis Film for Germany, Wild Bunch companies Bim Distribuzione...
Pic follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.
The film also stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Rainn Wilson (The Office) and Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost), and is directed by Tony Goldwyn (The Last Kiss).
Mister Smith Entertainment has sold the film around the world, concluding deals with Snd for France, Tobis Film for Germany, Wild Bunch companies Bim Distribuzione...
- 10/27/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has acquired UK and Irish rights to Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne and Robert De Niro road-trip comedy Inappropriate Behavior from Mister Smith Entertainment.
The film also stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost) and William Fitzgerald.
Inappropriate Behavior, which is currently in production, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.
The comedy is directed by Tony Goldwyn (The Last Kiss) from a Tony Spiridakis (Queens Logic) screenplay. Goldwyn and Spiridakis also serve as producers along with Jon Kilik...
The film also stars Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost) and William Fitzgerald.
Inappropriate Behavior, which is currently in production, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey.
The comedy is directed by Tony Goldwyn (The Last Kiss) from a Tony Spiridakis (Queens Logic) screenplay. Goldwyn and Spiridakis also serve as producers along with Jon Kilik...
- 10/7/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Robert De Niro, Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale have been set to star in the upcoming road-trip comedy ‘Inappropriate Behavior.’
De Niro, Byrne and Cannavale join Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and newcomer William Fitzgerald on the cast.
The movie follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey … with comically disastrous results.
Also in news – Jacob Elordi set to play Elvis in Sofia Coppola’s ‘Priscilla’
Tony Goldwyn is directing the film from an original script written by Tony Spiridakis. Goldwyn and Spiridakis will also serve as producers on the film,...
De Niro, Byrne and Cannavale join Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and newcomer William Fitzgerald on the cast.
The movie follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey … with comically disastrous results.
Also in news – Jacob Elordi set to play Elvis in Sofia Coppola’s ‘Priscilla’
Tony Goldwyn is directing the film from an original script written by Tony Spiridakis. Goldwyn and Spiridakis will also serve as producers on the film,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Tony Goldwyn has set an all-star cast for his newest feature Inappropriate Behavior, with two-time Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale (Blonde), two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro (The Comeback Trail), two-time Emmy nom Rose Byrne (Physical), Oscar nom Vera Farmiga (Five Days at Memorial), three-time Emmy nominee Rainn Wilson (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Egot winner Whoopi Goldberg (Till) and William Fitzgerald signing on for roles.
The film, in which Goldwyn also appears, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a formerly successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, and his brilliant, complicated 11-year-old son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who is autistic. Having recently blown up both his career and his marriage, Max is now living with his father, Stan (De Niro). Max, profoundly at odds with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) about how to address their son’s needs, decides to kidnap Ezra and take him on a cross-country odyssey, with hilariously disastrous results.
Tony Spiridakis scripted the film,...
The film, in which Goldwyn also appears, follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a formerly successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, and his brilliant, complicated 11-year-old son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who is autistic. Having recently blown up both his career and his marriage, Max is now living with his father, Stan (De Niro). Max, profoundly at odds with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) about how to address their son’s needs, decides to kidnap Ezra and take him on a cross-country odyssey, with hilariously disastrous results.
Tony Spiridakis scripted the film,...
- 9/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bobby Cannavale, Robert De Niro and Rose Byrne will share the screen in the upcoming road-trip comedy “Inappropriate Behavior.”
Tony Goldwyn is directing the film, which also stars Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and newcomer William Fitzgerald.
“Inappropriate Behavior” follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey … with comically disastrous results.
Goldwyn is directing the film from an original script written by Tony Spiridakis. Production is expected to begin later this month.
Closer Media, a New York-based production company and financier, and Wayfarer Studios, an independent production studio, will co-finance and produce.
Tony Goldwyn is directing the film, which also stars Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg and newcomer William Fitzgerald.
“Inappropriate Behavior” follows Max Bernal (Cannavale), a once-successful late-night comedy writer turned not-so-successful stand-up comic, who moves in with his father (De Niro), having recently blown up his career and marriage. When he and his ex-wife Jenna find themselves at odds with how to address the needs of their 11-year-old autistic son Ezra (Fitzgerald), Max decides to kidnap his child and take him on a cross-country odyssey … with comically disastrous results.
Goldwyn is directing the film from an original script written by Tony Spiridakis. Production is expected to begin later this month.
Closer Media, a New York-based production company and financier, and Wayfarer Studios, an independent production studio, will co-finance and produce.
- 9/15/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Whoopi Goldberg, Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and William Fitzgerald have signed on to join the comedic drama “Inappropriate Behavior.” Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro were previously announced as the star and major supporting character, respectively.
Cannavale plays Max Bernal, a late-night comedy writer who tries and fails to parlay his success into a second act as a stand-up comic. After moving in with his father Stan (De Niro), he clashes with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) about parenting their young son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who is on the autism spectrum. Tensions reach a boiling point when Max kidnaps Ezra to take him on a cross-country trip, to hilarious and disastrous results.
Tony Goldwyn (“Conviction”) will direct from a script by Tony Spiridakis (“Ash Tuesday”). Spiridakis was inspired by his own son who is on the spectrum, and previously wrote the 2015 short “Inappropriate Behaviors” about an autistic teen traveling across Iowa.
Cannavale plays Max Bernal, a late-night comedy writer who tries and fails to parlay his success into a second act as a stand-up comic. After moving in with his father Stan (De Niro), he clashes with his ex-wife Jenna (Byrne) about parenting their young son Ezra (Fitzgerald), who is on the autism spectrum. Tensions reach a boiling point when Max kidnaps Ezra to take him on a cross-country trip, to hilarious and disastrous results.
Tony Goldwyn (“Conviction”) will direct from a script by Tony Spiridakis (“Ash Tuesday”). Spiridakis was inspired by his own son who is on the spectrum, and previously wrote the 2015 short “Inappropriate Behaviors” about an autistic teen traveling across Iowa.
- 9/15/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
United Artists Releasing opens Flag Day, directed and starring Sean Penn, in a uneven specialty market where the Delta Variant spike has theaters in key cities requiring proof of vaccination, theaters are hard to book, and hits have been rare since the industry reopened.
Eventually “We’ll crack the code, because good movie and good stories win out.” said Erik Lomis, President, Distribution at Uar. Older demos — the meat-and-potatoes of arthouse — “are less comfortable coming back than we all hoped. It’s a tough, tough market to crack… but there’s nothing like seeing it in a movie theater.”
The film from MGM Studios premiered at Cannes and debuts in 24 theaters in 10 markets. It expands next weekend to 24 markets and 50 theaters. “We’ll continue to roll out like that until we really step on the gas depending upon market conditions,...
Eventually “We’ll crack the code, because good movie and good stories win out.” said Erik Lomis, President, Distribution at Uar. Older demos — the meat-and-potatoes of arthouse — “are less comfortable coming back than we all hoped. It’s a tough, tough market to crack… but there’s nothing like seeing it in a movie theater.”
The film from MGM Studios premiered at Cannes and debuts in 24 theaters in 10 markets. It expands next weekend to 24 markets and 50 theaters. “We’ll continue to roll out like that until we really step on the gas depending upon market conditions,...
- 8/20/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM is releasing “Flag Day” exclusively in theaters on August 20, because Michael De Luca is still running the studio — until the sale to Amazon goes through. A decade ago, he had fallen in love with the Jez Butterworth (“Ford v. Ferrari”) adaptation of Jennifer Vogel’s novel about her con man father. After two-time Oscar-winner Sean Penn finally directed and starred in the independent film, De Luca snapped it up. An old-fashioned, ’70s-inflected, intense father-daughter drama shot on super-16mm, “Flag Day” was made in defiance of contemporary movie conventions. After A.G. Iñárritu and other directors fell out over the years, producer William Horberg (“The Queen’s Gambit”) kept trying to get the film financed until Penn, who had been circling it as either actor or director, finally convinced his daughter Dylan to take on the role of the young journalist who tangles with her father.
“Sean is coming from a pure place,...
“Sean is coming from a pure place,...
- 8/20/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
MGM is releasing “Flag Day” exclusively in theaters on August 20, because Michael De Luca is still running the studio — until the sale to Amazon goes through. A decade ago, he had fallen in love with the Jez Butterworth (“Ford v. Ferrari”) adaptation of Jennifer Vogel’s novel about her con man father. After two-time Oscar-winner Sean Penn finally directed and starred in the independent film, De Luca snapped it up. An old-fashioned, ’70s-inflected, intense father-daughter drama shot on super-16mm, “Flag Day” was made in defiance of contemporary movie conventions. After A.G. Iñárritu and other directors fell out over the years, producer William Horberg (“The Queen’s Gambit”) kept trying to get the film financed until Penn, who had been circling it as either actor or director, finally convinced his daughter Dylan to take on the role of the young journalist who tangles with her father.
“Sean is coming from a pure place,...
“Sean is coming from a pure place,...
- 8/20/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Sean Penn defiantly swims against the Hollywood current with “Flag Day,” a labor of love that harkens back to another era of moviemaking. Jennifer Vogel’s memoir “Flim-Flam Man: A True Family History,” published in 2004, resisted film financing over 18 years, said producer William Horberg (“The Queen’s Gambit”) at the Cannes afterparty at the Martinez. Back at the start, producer Michael De Luca loved the project, and after many detours and obstacles, when the MGM studio head saw the nearly finished film, enthusiastically acquired it for release in 2021 (just as the studio was acquired by Amazon). Horberg was joyful at the film’s good fortune.
Like many other well-reviewed films at Cannes, a robust theatrical future is by no means assured for this old-fashioned ’70s-’80s father-daughter story, which marks Penn’s first time acting in his own film, after helming six features. Thanks to Matt Damon, Penn said at Sunday’s press conference,...
Like many other well-reviewed films at Cannes, a robust theatrical future is by no means assured for this old-fashioned ’70s-’80s father-daughter story, which marks Penn’s first time acting in his own film, after helming six features. Thanks to Matt Damon, Penn said at Sunday’s press conference,...
- 7/11/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Sean Penn defiantly swims against the Hollywood current with “Flag Day,” a labor of love that harkens back to another era of moviemaking. Jennifer Vogel’s memoir “Flim-Flam Man: A True Family History,” published in 2004, resisted film financing over 18 years, said producer William Horberg (“The Queen’s Gambit”) at the Cannes afterparty at the Martinez. Back at the start, producer Michael De Luca loved the project, and after many detours and obstacles, when the MGM studio head saw the nearly finished film, enthusiastically acquired it for release in 2021 (just as the studio was acquired by Amazon). Horberg was joyful at the film’s good fortune.
Like many other well-reviewed films at Cannes, a robust theatrical future is by no means assured for this old-fashioned ’70s-’80s father-daughter story, which marks Penn’s first time acting in his own film, after helming six features. Thanks to Matt Damon, Penn said at Sunday’s press conference,...
Like many other well-reviewed films at Cannes, a robust theatrical future is by no means assured for this old-fashioned ’70s-’80s father-daughter story, which marks Penn’s first time acting in his own film, after helming six features. Thanks to Matt Damon, Penn said at Sunday’s press conference,...
- 7/11/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Director Sean Penn returns to the Cannes Film Festival today in the official competition with the first film he has ever directed in which he also stars.
Flag Day actually is a solid and worthwhile effort for him both as actor and director. But first and foremost, it will be remembered as a dazzling showcase for the acting talents of his daughter, Dylan Penn, who takes on the key role in a real-life story based on Jennifer Vogel’s memoir, Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.
Dylan plays Jennifer (she shares the role with Addison Tymec at age 6 and Jadyn Rylee at ages 11-13) as the film becomes a story of a unique bond between a daughter and a messed-up but charismatic father, who spent years in prison for a bank robbery, was a grand schemer and dreamer, and who became the most notorious counterfeiter in US history,...
Flag Day actually is a solid and worthwhile effort for him both as actor and director. But first and foremost, it will be remembered as a dazzling showcase for the acting talents of his daughter, Dylan Penn, who takes on the key role in a real-life story based on Jennifer Vogel’s memoir, Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.
Dylan plays Jennifer (she shares the role with Addison Tymec at age 6 and Jadyn Rylee at ages 11-13) as the film becomes a story of a unique bond between a daughter and a messed-up but charismatic father, who spent years in prison for a bank robbery, was a grand schemer and dreamer, and who became the most notorious counterfeiter in US history,...
- 7/10/2021
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
United Artist Releasing has set a limited theatrical release for Sean Penn’s Cannes Film Festival premiere Flag Day for Aug. 13.
The movie, which we told you about on Friday, was scooped up by MGM and stars Penn with his daughter Dylan Penn, in what could be a career-making role.
The pic, written by Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth is adapted from Jennifer Vogel’s memoir Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life. Dylan Penn plays Vogel across two decades as she comes of age while navigating a fraught relationship with her beloved, career criminal father John Vogel, played by Sean Penn.
Katheryn Winnick stars as Vogel’s mother Patty. Also starring are Josh Brolin, Norbert Leo Butz, Dale Dickey, Eddie Marsan, Bailey Noble and Hopper Jack Penn.
The pic is produced by Golden Globe winner William Horberg, Oscar nominee Jon Kilik and Fernando Sulichin. Original songs are by Cat Power,...
The movie, which we told you about on Friday, was scooped up by MGM and stars Penn with his daughter Dylan Penn, in what could be a career-making role.
The pic, written by Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth is adapted from Jennifer Vogel’s memoir Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life. Dylan Penn plays Vogel across two decades as she comes of age while navigating a fraught relationship with her beloved, career criminal father John Vogel, played by Sean Penn.
Katheryn Winnick stars as Vogel’s mother Patty. Also starring are Josh Brolin, Norbert Leo Butz, Dale Dickey, Eddie Marsan, Bailey Noble and Hopper Jack Penn.
The pic is produced by Golden Globe winner William Horberg, Oscar nominee Jon Kilik and Fernando Sulichin. Original songs are by Cat Power,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM has acquired one of the hot Cannes Film Festival acquisitions titles, director Sean Penn’s father-daughter coming-of-age drama “Flag Day,” marking the lead film debut of his daughter Dylan Penn (“Elvis & Nixon”), which will have its world premiere on the Croisette. (Check out our full list of 2021 Cannes acquisitions here.)
Thirty years ago, Cannes veteran Penn premiered his first film as a director, MGM’s “The Indian Runner,” in 1991, and has continued to bring his films to the festival throughout, from Best Actor-winning “She’s So Lovely” to eventual Oscar-winner “Mystic River” and “The Last Face.” He also served as the president of the jury in 2008.
Playwright and screenwriter Jez Butterworth (“Edge of Tomorrow”) adapted Jennifer Vogel’s 2005 memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.” “Hearing the love and enthusiasm that Mike and his team at MGM have for bringing the movie to audiences...
Thirty years ago, Cannes veteran Penn premiered his first film as a director, MGM’s “The Indian Runner,” in 1991, and has continued to bring his films to the festival throughout, from Best Actor-winning “She’s So Lovely” to eventual Oscar-winner “Mystic River” and “The Last Face.” He also served as the president of the jury in 2008.
Playwright and screenwriter Jez Butterworth (“Edge of Tomorrow”) adapted Jennifer Vogel’s 2005 memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.” “Hearing the love and enthusiasm that Mike and his team at MGM have for bringing the movie to audiences...
- 6/11/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
MGM has acquired one of the hot Cannes Film Festival acquisitions titles, director Sean Penn’s father-daughter coming-of-age drama “Flag Day,” marking the lead film debut of his daughter Dylan Penn (“Elvis & Nixon”), which will have its world premiere on the Croisette. (Check out our full list of 2021 Cannes acquisitions here.)
Thirty years ago, Cannes veteran Penn premiered his first film as a director, MGM’s “The Indian Runner,” in 1991, and has continued to bring his films to the festival throughout, from Best Actor-winning “She’s So Lovely” to eventual Oscar-winner “Mystic River” and “The Last Face.” He also served as the president of the jury in 2008.
Playwright and screenwriter Jez Butterworth (“Edge of Tomorrow”) adapted Jennifer Vogel’s 2005 memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.” “Hearing the love and enthusiasm that Mike and his team at MGM have for bringing the movie to audiences...
Thirty years ago, Cannes veteran Penn premiered his first film as a director, MGM’s “The Indian Runner,” in 1991, and has continued to bring his films to the festival throughout, from Best Actor-winning “She’s So Lovely” to eventual Oscar-winner “Mystic River” and “The Last Face.” He also served as the president of the jury in 2008.
Playwright and screenwriter Jez Butterworth (“Edge of Tomorrow”) adapted Jennifer Vogel’s 2005 memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.” “Hearing the love and enthusiasm that Mike and his team at MGM have for bringing the movie to audiences...
- 6/11/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Penn’s feature directorial debut The Indian Runner played on the Croisette in 1991.
MGM has acquired North America rights to Sean Penn’s Cannes Competition selection Flag Day, in which he also stars opposite daughter Dylan Penn in her debut lead role.
The awards season prospect will open theatrically in the US later this year via MGM’s distribution and marketing Jv United Artists Releasing.
Penn brought his feature directorial debut, MGM film The Indian Runner, to the Croisette in 1991 and returns with a true story based on Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth’s adaptation of Jennifer Vogel’s memoir...
MGM has acquired North America rights to Sean Penn’s Cannes Competition selection Flag Day, in which he also stars opposite daughter Dylan Penn in her debut lead role.
The awards season prospect will open theatrically in the US later this year via MGM’s distribution and marketing Jv United Artists Releasing.
Penn brought his feature directorial debut, MGM film The Indian Runner, to the Croisette in 1991 and returns with a true story based on Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth’s adaptation of Jennifer Vogel’s memoir...
- 6/11/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“Flag Day,” a new drama from Sean Penn, has sold North American rights to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer weeks before it is scheduled to have its global debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film was directed by Penn, with the Oscar-winner starring alongside his daughter, Dylan Penn. It’s an adaptation of Jennifer Vogel’s acclaimed memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life,” and recounts the author’s difficult relationship with her con-man father, John Vogel. Frequently operating on the wrong side of the law, John Vogel torched buildings, robbed banks, and counterfeited more than $20 million. But he could also be a charming and caring father, complicating his ties with his daughter.
Penn’s directorial debut, “The Indian Runner,” had its world premiere at Cannes in 1991. His acting credits include “Mystic River,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “Milk.” Penn also directed “The Crossing Guard” and “Into the Wild.
The film was directed by Penn, with the Oscar-winner starring alongside his daughter, Dylan Penn. It’s an adaptation of Jennifer Vogel’s acclaimed memoir “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life,” and recounts the author’s difficult relationship with her con-man father, John Vogel. Frequently operating on the wrong side of the law, John Vogel torched buildings, robbed banks, and counterfeited more than $20 million. But he could also be a charming and caring father, complicating his ties with his daughter.
Penn’s directorial debut, “The Indian Runner,” had its world premiere at Cannes in 1991. His acting credits include “Mystic River,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “Milk.” Penn also directed “The Crossing Guard” and “Into the Wild.
- 6/11/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
MGM has taken North American distribution rights to Sean Penn’s upcoming Flag Day, which is making its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in July. Penn directs and also stars with his daughter Dylan Penn in what we’re already hearing is a star-making role for the actress. The studio will release Flag Day via its marketing-distribution joint venture United Artists Releasing later this year.
The pic is based on Jennifer Vogel’s memoir Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life and tells the story of the author’s coming of age, who Dylan Penn plays, over two decades while navigating a fraught relationship with her beloved, career criminal father, con man John Vogel, played by Sean Penn. Jez Butterworth (Ford v. Ferrari) adapted Vogel’s book for the screen.
Flag Day reps Sean Penn’s 30th anniversary at Cannes: His directorial debut, the MGM film The Indian Runner,...
The pic is based on Jennifer Vogel’s memoir Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life and tells the story of the author’s coming of age, who Dylan Penn plays, over two decades while navigating a fraught relationship with her beloved, career criminal father, con man John Vogel, played by Sean Penn. Jez Butterworth (Ford v. Ferrari) adapted Vogel’s book for the screen.
Flag Day reps Sean Penn’s 30th anniversary at Cannes: His directorial debut, the MGM film The Indian Runner,...
- 6/11/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM has acquired the North American rights to “Flag Day,” the next feature from director Sean Penn that will make its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Penn stars in the film alongside his daughter, Dylan Penn, in her first lead actress role. MGM plans to release “Flag Day” theatrically later this year as part of its distribution and marketing joint venture with United Artists Releasing.
“Flag Day” is Sean Penn’s return to Cannes after his directorial debut, “The Indian Runner,” which was also released by MGM and had its world premiere there 30 years ago, in 1991.
“Flag Day” is based on a memoir by Jennifer Vogel titled “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.” It tells the story of Vogel’s fraught relationship with her father, John Vogel, who lived a double life as a con-man, bank robber and counterfeiter in order to provide for his family.
Penn stars in the film alongside his daughter, Dylan Penn, in her first lead actress role. MGM plans to release “Flag Day” theatrically later this year as part of its distribution and marketing joint venture with United Artists Releasing.
“Flag Day” is Sean Penn’s return to Cannes after his directorial debut, “The Indian Runner,” which was also released by MGM and had its world premiere there 30 years ago, in 1991.
“Flag Day” is based on a memoir by Jennifer Vogel titled “Flim-Flam Man: The True Story of My Father’s Counterfeit Life.” It tells the story of Vogel’s fraught relationship with her father, John Vogel, who lived a double life as a con-man, bank robber and counterfeiter in order to provide for his family.
- 6/11/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 SAG Awards Predictions:
Best Performance By A Cast Ensemble In A Motion Picture
Updated: Apr. 1, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The only commentary to provide is a PSA to the SAG Awards to include this award on the televised award show this year, and every one that follows.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 SAG Awards Predictions:
Best Performance By A Cast Ensemble In A Motion Picture
Updated: Apr. 1, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The only commentary to provide is a PSA to the SAG Awards to include this award on the televised award show this year, and every one that follows.
- 4/1/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 SAG Awards Predictions:
Best Performance By A Cast Ensemble In A Motion Picture
Updated: Apr. 1, 2021
In the past, the perfect storm for a picture winner has been nominations in all three guilds’ top categories, in addition to nods at the Oscars in directing, writing,...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 SAG Awards Predictions:
Best Performance By A Cast Ensemble In A Motion Picture
Updated: Apr. 1, 2021
In the past, the perfect storm for a picture winner has been nominations in all three guilds’ top categories, in addition to nods at the Oscars in directing, writing,...
- 4/1/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
With “Da 5 Bloods,” writer, director and producer Spike Lee tells a story about Black Vietnam War veterans who “fought and died for a country that has not shown love to them.” But that legacy goes all the way back to the founding of the United States of America. Watch our exclusive video interview with Lee above.
See‘Da 5 Bloods’ producer Jon Kilik on film’s logistical hurdles, Spike Lee’s vision and Chadwick Boseman’s ‘mythic presence’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
The title soldiers in Lee’s film return to Vietnam in the present day to retrieve the remains of their squad leader (played in flashbacks by the late Chadwick Boseman) as well as a hidden stash of gold. But they’re also still struggling with the trauma of their service. It’s not a new story for African-Americans to die for a country that continually betrays them, “from Crispus Attucks, who was...
See‘Da 5 Bloods’ producer Jon Kilik on film’s logistical hurdles, Spike Lee’s vision and Chadwick Boseman’s ‘mythic presence’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
The title soldiers in Lee’s film return to Vietnam in the present day to retrieve the remains of their squad leader (played in flashbacks by the late Chadwick Boseman) as well as a hidden stash of gold. But they’re also still struggling with the trauma of their service. It’s not a new story for African-Americans to die for a country that continually betrays them, “from Crispus Attucks, who was...
- 3/5/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Producer Jon Kilik has been working with director Spike Lee for more than three decades, going all the way back to the filmmaker’s landmark drama “Do the Right Thing” (1989). But their latest collaboration, “Da 5 Bloods,” took them overseas, filming in Vietnam and Thailand to tell the story of Black veterans of the Vietnam War returning to the country to take care of some unfinished business. For Kilik, it was a departure from Lee’s previous films in terms of the challenges of shooting on location, but artistically it’s of a piece with the rest of the director’s work. Watch our exclusive video interview with Kilik above.
See‘Da 5 Bloods’ editor Adam Gough on Spike Lee’s ‘hurricane of energy’ and Delroy Lindo’s ‘intensity’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
“This was a very challenging movie,” Kilik explains. “There’s a real physicality built into the script that we all participated in,...
See‘Da 5 Bloods’ editor Adam Gough on Spike Lee’s ‘hurricane of energy’ and Delroy Lindo’s ‘intensity’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
“This was a very challenging movie,” Kilik explains. “There’s a real physicality built into the script that we all participated in,...
- 3/3/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: The Black Reel Awards (BRAs), an annual event that recognizes the excellence of African-Americans, as well as the cinematic achievements of the African diaspora in the global film industry, has unveiled the nominees for its 21st annual awards ceremony. The event, hosted by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Film (Faaaf), will take place on April 11 virtually across several media platforms.
Leading the pack with 15 nominations is Amazon’s One Night in Miami, the directorial debut from Oscar and past Black Reel Award winner, Regina King, who also received a nom for Outstanding Director. The pic also picked up nominations for Outstanding Picture, Outstanding Actor (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Screenplay (Kemp Powers).
Warner Bros’ Judas and the Messiah is not too far behind with 12 nominations including Outstanding Picture, Outstanding Actor (Lakeith Stanfield), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Daniel Kaluuya), Outstanding...
Leading the pack with 15 nominations is Amazon’s One Night in Miami, the directorial debut from Oscar and past Black Reel Award winner, Regina King, who also received a nom for Outstanding Director. The pic also picked up nominations for Outstanding Picture, Outstanding Actor (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Screenplay (Kemp Powers).
Warner Bros’ Judas and the Messiah is not too far behind with 12 nominations including Outstanding Picture, Outstanding Actor (Lakeith Stanfield), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Daniel Kaluuya), Outstanding...
- 2/18/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Storied filmmaker Spike Lee is the latest in a long line of auteurs to be awarded honors by the American Cinematheque.
The ceremony celebrating Lee’s more than three decade-career was presented virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. A collage of images from some of his most iconic “joints”, as well as a few personal photos of Lee with his wife Tonya, and children Satchel and Jackson and at a basketball game (presumably the filmmaker’s beloved Knicks) with Denzel Washington, served as the backdrop for the 34th annual event.
Past American Cinematheque honors recipient Jodie Foster hosted the broadcast, asking her “Inside Man” director, “It’s gotta be crazy to be honored for lifetime achievement. Does it seem like it’s been that long? Do you feel like you’re 100 years old?”
“If you love what you’re doing, you can delay Father Time,” Lee replied, “So I’ve...
The ceremony celebrating Lee’s more than three decade-career was presented virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. A collage of images from some of his most iconic “joints”, as well as a few personal photos of Lee with his wife Tonya, and children Satchel and Jackson and at a basketball game (presumably the filmmaker’s beloved Knicks) with Denzel Washington, served as the backdrop for the 34th annual event.
Past American Cinematheque honors recipient Jodie Foster hosted the broadcast, asking her “Inside Man” director, “It’s gotta be crazy to be honored for lifetime achievement. Does it seem like it’s been that long? Do you feel like you’re 100 years old?”
“If you love what you’re doing, you can delay Father Time,” Lee replied, “So I’ve...
- 1/15/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Spike Lee was honored by his peers and associates Thursday as he became the 34th recipient of the American Cinematheque Award, given to a filmmaker or star who has achieved, and continues to achieve, great success in their career.
The honor, usually presented during a glitzy tribute dinner, had to go virtual this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t stop Lee’s wide swath of admirers and colleagues from participating via Zoom and other means in the slickly produced and nicely assembled show that went off without a hitch this evening. Hosted by Jodie Foster, who previously co-starred with Denzel Washington in 2006’s Inside Man — Lee tonight recalled it as one of his personal favorites — the tribute included an innovative feature showing virtual conversations between pairs of various past artists from all fields who have worked with Lee, focusing on a specific film on which they participated.
The honor, usually presented during a glitzy tribute dinner, had to go virtual this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t stop Lee’s wide swath of admirers and colleagues from participating via Zoom and other means in the slickly produced and nicely assembled show that went off without a hitch this evening. Hosted by Jodie Foster, who previously co-starred with Denzel Washington in 2006’s Inside Man — Lee tonight recalled it as one of his personal favorites — the tribute included an innovative feature showing virtual conversations between pairs of various past artists from all fields who have worked with Lee, focusing on a specific film on which they participated.
- 1/15/2021
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmakers all use the same tools, more or less, but do so with endlessly varied methods, says cinematographer Roger Deakins. That idea drove the master cinematographer, who won Academy Awards for Denis Villeneuve’s “Bladerunner 2049” and Sam Mendes’ “1917,” to launch with his wife James Deakins the buzzy behind-the-scenes podcast Team Deakins, a streaming chat show that has now hosted more than 60 film artists of all stripes.
Since April the couple have done their trademark free-ranging interviews with remarkable cinematographers to be sure, including Rachel Morrison and Anthony Dod Mantle, but DPs have no monopoly as guests. Writer/directors Joel Coen and Jason Hall, producer Jon Kilik, key grip Gary Hymns, actors Josh Brolin, Tim Robbins and Joel Edgerton, composer Thomas Newman, post supervisor Dave Diliberto and casting director Fiona Weir have all shared their inspirations and insights on Team Deakins – and the podcast shows no signs of slowing down.
Since April the couple have done their trademark free-ranging interviews with remarkable cinematographers to be sure, including Rachel Morrison and Anthony Dod Mantle, but DPs have no monopoly as guests. Writer/directors Joel Coen and Jason Hall, producer Jon Kilik, key grip Gary Hymns, actors Josh Brolin, Tim Robbins and Joel Edgerton, composer Thomas Newman, post supervisor Dave Diliberto and casting director Fiona Weir have all shared their inspirations and insights on Team Deakins – and the podcast shows no signs of slowing down.
- 12/11/2020
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
The Producers Guild of America has re-elected presidents Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher.
Berman and Fisher will serve a two-year term, continuing their run as the first time two women have served as president in PGA’s history. The pair were elected in 2018 when they ran unopposed.
Prior to her appointment, Berman served on the PGA’s national board of directors and the guild’s Producers Council Board of Delegates. She is also the chairman and CEO of production studio Jackal Group. Prior to that, she was named president of Paramount Pictures in 2005.
Fisher is currently the co-head of Red Wagon Entertainment. Previously, she was vice chairman of Sony’s Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group.
Also named in the PGA’s most recent election is Jon Kilik and Lauren Shuler Donner, who will both serve as VP of motion pictures. Mike Farah and Gene Stein will both serve as VP of television.
Berman and Fisher will serve a two-year term, continuing their run as the first time two women have served as president in PGA’s history. The pair were elected in 2018 when they ran unopposed.
Prior to her appointment, Berman served on the PGA’s national board of directors and the guild’s Producers Council Board of Delegates. She is also the chairman and CEO of production studio Jackal Group. Prior to that, she was named president of Paramount Pictures in 2005.
Fisher is currently the co-head of Red Wagon Entertainment. Previously, she was vice chairman of Sony’s Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group.
Also named in the PGA’s most recent election is Jon Kilik and Lauren Shuler Donner, who will both serve as VP of motion pictures. Mike Farah and Gene Stein will both serve as VP of television.
- 6/18/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
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