Fast-paced modernity acts like deceptive facade that tricks us into thinking we've become something very different from what we've always been. But below the multiple layers of unimportant burdens, pretended indifference, and overflowing cynicism, lies an unalterable human core that rejoices and suffers like it’s done since its genesis. A person navigating the turbulent waters of life today is indeed pondering on the same questions that another did centuries ago. Pain and pleasure, births and deaths, tears and laughter, passion and despair, they all continue to trap us all in their ambivalent choreography that forced us to question if there is meaning to the madness or if the absurdity of the human condition is just an indecipherable codex.
Enlightened thinkers have incessantly taken it upon themselves to interpret our common fears and urges to arrive at somewhat logical conclusions about our puzzling purpose and put these into comprehensible words. Academic and formal the philosopher appeals to rational mind, while the poet delicately arranges his thoughts and aims for the impetuous tenderness of our visceral side. Like preachers of a higher faith that exist about authoritarian religions, poets share their knowledge in ways unrestricted by physicality. Their words travel in the wind and pierce hearts with darts made out of profound realizations. Such sacred gift was granted by the universe to Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poem who would pen The Prophet, one of the most spiritual books ever written unbound by any denomination.
Containing ethereal poems delving into specific facets of our mortal condition, Gibran’s volumes are not quintessential material for a film adaptation. His writing seemed elusive to traditional representations limited by a rigid narrative structure. Conscious of this seemingly obstructive aspect, determined producer Salma Hayek recognized that a much more fluid and unrestrictive medium was required to portray Gibran’s teachings not with literal imagery, but with dreamlike works of moving art that could evoke the essence of each verse. Ambitiously, Hayek set out to expand the accessibility of this book, one that her grandfather of Lebanese origin treasured deeply and which she had grown to appreciate herself, thought an animation project of tremendous magnitude.
Aspiring to effectively turn this lifelong wish into a soulful visual feast, Hayek enlisted nine of the world’s most passionate animators to fabricate magic with color and to take part in an exuberant celebration of creativity. Eight of them would craft individual segments interpreting a specific poem without any parameter other than Gibran’s intricate phrases, while another director was charged with the demanding task of wrapping these delightful fragments in a frame narrative that could cohesively unify them. The product of this phenomenal amalgamation is Roger Allers’ “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” a cinematic out-of-body experience that deconstructs our existential yearnings and translates them into mesmerizing animated wisdom.
Honed during the Disney Renaissance, Allers’ stylistic principles still carry a familiar aesthetic that resembles iconic films from said period. Although better known for directing one the most beloved animated tales of all time, “The Lion King,” his resourceful hand touched several other projects including “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” as both a writer and a storyboard artist. That myriad of storytelling abilities is reflected in his approach to this unorthodox venture. While the character design employed in his enveloping storyline will immediately and instinctively remind viewers of the filmmaker’s Disney origins, he manages to tailor he manages to tailor such distinct appearance for this singular undertaking. It’s classically elegant and precisely suitable for the plot-driven portion of the film.
Centered on Mustafa (Liam Neeson), a poet and painter living as a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire for what they considered subversive ideas, Allers’ screenplay channels Gibran’s thin fictional account and develops it further so that it blossoms into a full-length fable that relays its own moral, while serving as vehicle for the abstract enclaves to be presented seamlessly. Besides spearheading the entire operation, in this section of the film Hayek also voices Kamila, a hardworking widow paid by the regime to tend to Mustafa and who is out of option when it comes to dealing with her rebellious, yet silent, young daughter, Almitra (Quvenzhané Wallis). It’s only when the girl meets the unassuming wise man that her quiet frustration begins to dissipate.A receptive vessel, Almitra is fascinated by Mustafa’ss tranquil demeanor and fascination by his convictions even if she can’t fully grasp their significance.
Neeson’s virile tone gives the protagonist a regal air without sounding intimidating. His voice emanates tranquility coated with strength, like a fatherly figure at peace with his every step. Alfred Molina appears as the comically villainous Sergeant in charge of escorting Mustafa through the village, but who often gives in to his human impulses on their way to the harbor. Meanwhile John Krasinski plays Halim, a young official romantically pursuing Kamila, and veteran thespian Frank Langella is heard briefly as Pasha, the evil ruler who holds the poet’s fate in his hands. As the events that lead to Mustafa’s final trial unfold each of the stylistically eclectic short sequences finds the right moment to be unveiled.
First comes Michal Socha’s “On Freedom,“ in which an anthropomorphic birdcage prevents its feathered captives from flying into the sunset. Ridding themselves of their shackles holds the promise of fulfillment, but that desire is in fact “the strongest of these chains.” Clever in its use of symbolism and graceful in its execution, Socha’s rendition of Gibran’s piece is sharp and poignant. Then, with kaleidoscopic vividness, Nina Paley uses multiple motifs evocative of both Indian and Greek iconography in “On Children,” to depict the cyclical nature of life and the perennial bond between parents and their descendants. Though this connection is irreproachable, progenitors shouldn't attempt to command the life they’ve brought into the world because it’s not their possession, but a link in a greater continuum. Like bows launching arrows into an uncertain abyss, mothers and fathers must come to terms with letting go. Singer/songwriter Damien Rice rearranges the author’s lines into heartfelt lyrics for a melancholic song that builds up to a captivating finale.
Seductively, Joann Sfar's “On Marriage” shows two lovers dancing tango under the moonlight. Ancient ruins become the battleground for a sensual clash where impeccable choreography is a more of a strategic maneuver than just coordinated movement. Subtly wrestling each other to set the boundaries of their union, husband and wife know their paths advance parallel, yet independently. Similarly exquisite is the manner in which Academy Award-winner Joan Gratz delivers “On Work,” via a painstaking technique known as claypainting. Blending colors with inconspicuous ability, the seasoned artist travels through the numerous notions on the worthiness of labor, whether physical or creative. Exceptionally delicate in nature, her work thoroughly explains why “he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth” is not nobler than “he who makes sandals for our feet.”
Bill Plympton's scratchy and utterly handcrafted frames in "On Eating and Drinking" flow with the uncompromising animator's expected candidness.These elemental joys are held sacred by Gibran as “an act of worship,” and while the cartoonist is respectful of this canon, humor is always a vital quality of his deliberately nonchalant drawings. A man bites an apple and as we follow its journey through the human body we witness nourishment and sustainability by means of Plympton's style. Now, the most unquestionably breathtaking piece of this magnificent puzzle, and perhaps the most beautiful piece of filmmaking to be projected on screens this year, is Tomm Moore’s “On Love.” Its alluring rhythm and detailed Art Nouveau designs flood each frame with spellbinding imagery that speaks of the thorny splendor that falling for another being entails. Elating and devastating at once, “love crowns you” with its intoxicating glory, but just as strongly it can “crucify you” with merciless fury. Moore’s unmistakable enchantment illustrates an ancestral couple ascending from the depths of darkness into the light of redemption propelled by the dazzlingly magic of “love’s ecstasy.”
Silhouetted animals racing for survival personify human ambitions in Mohammed Harib's “On Good and Evil.” Given the broadness of the poem’s subject matter the animator could have taken much more literal routes to relay its lesson, but his metaphorical approach successfully encapsulates Gibran’s stance on benevolence and wickedness. In hi eyes any wrong doings perpetrated have a purpose within the landscape of our collective destiny. All that is evil was once kindness, because, according to the poet, “good tortured by its own hunger and thirst.” Finally, our unavoidable fate is treated with compassion rather than morbid tropes by Gaëtan Brizzi and Paul Brizzi in their transcendent visualization of "On Death." Our soul, comes to life in the form of an incorporeal character who dances swiftly celestial radiance. Sorrow is replaced with the hope that the end is just a transition into an “unencumbered” state. Drinking from the “river of silence” allows our inner divinity to truly sing without restrains. A peaceful rebirth only comes from letting go of carnal necessities, and that’s something both Gibran and Mustafa are convince of.
Musically, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” was embellished by composer Gabriel Yared’s grand score, which mixes epic sentiments with soothing melodies decorating almost every second of it. Accentuating Tomm Moore’s lovely bit, Irish singers Lisa Hannigan and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard fashion a stirring tune out the scribe’s contemplation on amorous frenzy. Lastly, in addition to providing a song for Paley’s segment, Damien Rice wrote another moving ballad titled “Hypnosis” to play during the final credits. Perfectly reflective of the experiential attributes of the film it caps, Rice’s stanzas put an empowering final touch as it asks us to seek strength from our personal truth.
In this tapestry of lyrical mirages, the eternal endurance of art prevails as testament of the immortality bestowed only on those whose brilliance surpasses time and space. Harnessing wide-ranging techniques, the artists behind “Kahil Gibran’s The Prophet” gifted us one of the most mesmerizing films of the year and a milestone in the history of animation, which brought together the genius of many to spread words of compassion and serenity. Solidarity amongst mankind and the acceptance of our flaws as virtues hidden by unnecessary vanity and greed, are the first steps towards the reconciliation between what we think we are now and what we've always been. Gibran’s message is as relevant as ever today, so let us fill ourselves with the majesty of his wisdom, and become vindicated disciples willing to live beyond merely existing.
"Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" is now playing in L.A. and NYC and will open in other cities across the country in the upcoming weeks.
Enlightened thinkers have incessantly taken it upon themselves to interpret our common fears and urges to arrive at somewhat logical conclusions about our puzzling purpose and put these into comprehensible words. Academic and formal the philosopher appeals to rational mind, while the poet delicately arranges his thoughts and aims for the impetuous tenderness of our visceral side. Like preachers of a higher faith that exist about authoritarian religions, poets share their knowledge in ways unrestricted by physicality. Their words travel in the wind and pierce hearts with darts made out of profound realizations. Such sacred gift was granted by the universe to Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese-American poem who would pen The Prophet, one of the most spiritual books ever written unbound by any denomination.
Containing ethereal poems delving into specific facets of our mortal condition, Gibran’s volumes are not quintessential material for a film adaptation. His writing seemed elusive to traditional representations limited by a rigid narrative structure. Conscious of this seemingly obstructive aspect, determined producer Salma Hayek recognized that a much more fluid and unrestrictive medium was required to portray Gibran’s teachings not with literal imagery, but with dreamlike works of moving art that could evoke the essence of each verse. Ambitiously, Hayek set out to expand the accessibility of this book, one that her grandfather of Lebanese origin treasured deeply and which she had grown to appreciate herself, thought an animation project of tremendous magnitude.
Aspiring to effectively turn this lifelong wish into a soulful visual feast, Hayek enlisted nine of the world’s most passionate animators to fabricate magic with color and to take part in an exuberant celebration of creativity. Eight of them would craft individual segments interpreting a specific poem without any parameter other than Gibran’s intricate phrases, while another director was charged with the demanding task of wrapping these delightful fragments in a frame narrative that could cohesively unify them. The product of this phenomenal amalgamation is Roger Allers’ “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” a cinematic out-of-body experience that deconstructs our existential yearnings and translates them into mesmerizing animated wisdom.
Honed during the Disney Renaissance, Allers’ stylistic principles still carry a familiar aesthetic that resembles iconic films from said period. Although better known for directing one the most beloved animated tales of all time, “The Lion King,” his resourceful hand touched several other projects including “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” as both a writer and a storyboard artist. That myriad of storytelling abilities is reflected in his approach to this unorthodox venture. While the character design employed in his enveloping storyline will immediately and instinctively remind viewers of the filmmaker’s Disney origins, he manages to tailor he manages to tailor such distinct appearance for this singular undertaking. It’s classically elegant and precisely suitable for the plot-driven portion of the film.
Centered on Mustafa (Liam Neeson), a poet and painter living as a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire for what they considered subversive ideas, Allers’ screenplay channels Gibran’s thin fictional account and develops it further so that it blossoms into a full-length fable that relays its own moral, while serving as vehicle for the abstract enclaves to be presented seamlessly. Besides spearheading the entire operation, in this section of the film Hayek also voices Kamila, a hardworking widow paid by the regime to tend to Mustafa and who is out of option when it comes to dealing with her rebellious, yet silent, young daughter, Almitra (Quvenzhané Wallis). It’s only when the girl meets the unassuming wise man that her quiet frustration begins to dissipate.A receptive vessel, Almitra is fascinated by Mustafa’ss tranquil demeanor and fascination by his convictions even if she can’t fully grasp their significance.
Neeson’s virile tone gives the protagonist a regal air without sounding intimidating. His voice emanates tranquility coated with strength, like a fatherly figure at peace with his every step. Alfred Molina appears as the comically villainous Sergeant in charge of escorting Mustafa through the village, but who often gives in to his human impulses on their way to the harbor. Meanwhile John Krasinski plays Halim, a young official romantically pursuing Kamila, and veteran thespian Frank Langella is heard briefly as Pasha, the evil ruler who holds the poet’s fate in his hands. As the events that lead to Mustafa’s final trial unfold each of the stylistically eclectic short sequences finds the right moment to be unveiled.
First comes Michal Socha’s “On Freedom,“ in which an anthropomorphic birdcage prevents its feathered captives from flying into the sunset. Ridding themselves of their shackles holds the promise of fulfillment, but that desire is in fact “the strongest of these chains.” Clever in its use of symbolism and graceful in its execution, Socha’s rendition of Gibran’s piece is sharp and poignant. Then, with kaleidoscopic vividness, Nina Paley uses multiple motifs evocative of both Indian and Greek iconography in “On Children,” to depict the cyclical nature of life and the perennial bond between parents and their descendants. Though this connection is irreproachable, progenitors shouldn't attempt to command the life they’ve brought into the world because it’s not their possession, but a link in a greater continuum. Like bows launching arrows into an uncertain abyss, mothers and fathers must come to terms with letting go. Singer/songwriter Damien Rice rearranges the author’s lines into heartfelt lyrics for a melancholic song that builds up to a captivating finale.
Seductively, Joann Sfar's “On Marriage” shows two lovers dancing tango under the moonlight. Ancient ruins become the battleground for a sensual clash where impeccable choreography is a more of a strategic maneuver than just coordinated movement. Subtly wrestling each other to set the boundaries of their union, husband and wife know their paths advance parallel, yet independently. Similarly exquisite is the manner in which Academy Award-winner Joan Gratz delivers “On Work,” via a painstaking technique known as claypainting. Blending colors with inconspicuous ability, the seasoned artist travels through the numerous notions on the worthiness of labor, whether physical or creative. Exceptionally delicate in nature, her work thoroughly explains why “he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth” is not nobler than “he who makes sandals for our feet.”
Bill Plympton's scratchy and utterly handcrafted frames in "On Eating and Drinking" flow with the uncompromising animator's expected candidness.These elemental joys are held sacred by Gibran as “an act of worship,” and while the cartoonist is respectful of this canon, humor is always a vital quality of his deliberately nonchalant drawings. A man bites an apple and as we follow its journey through the human body we witness nourishment and sustainability by means of Plympton's style. Now, the most unquestionably breathtaking piece of this magnificent puzzle, and perhaps the most beautiful piece of filmmaking to be projected on screens this year, is Tomm Moore’s “On Love.” Its alluring rhythm and detailed Art Nouveau designs flood each frame with spellbinding imagery that speaks of the thorny splendor that falling for another being entails. Elating and devastating at once, “love crowns you” with its intoxicating glory, but just as strongly it can “crucify you” with merciless fury. Moore’s unmistakable enchantment illustrates an ancestral couple ascending from the depths of darkness into the light of redemption propelled by the dazzlingly magic of “love’s ecstasy.”
Silhouetted animals racing for survival personify human ambitions in Mohammed Harib's “On Good and Evil.” Given the broadness of the poem’s subject matter the animator could have taken much more literal routes to relay its lesson, but his metaphorical approach successfully encapsulates Gibran’s stance on benevolence and wickedness. In hi eyes any wrong doings perpetrated have a purpose within the landscape of our collective destiny. All that is evil was once kindness, because, according to the poet, “good tortured by its own hunger and thirst.” Finally, our unavoidable fate is treated with compassion rather than morbid tropes by Gaëtan Brizzi and Paul Brizzi in their transcendent visualization of "On Death." Our soul, comes to life in the form of an incorporeal character who dances swiftly celestial radiance. Sorrow is replaced with the hope that the end is just a transition into an “unencumbered” state. Drinking from the “river of silence” allows our inner divinity to truly sing without restrains. A peaceful rebirth only comes from letting go of carnal necessities, and that’s something both Gibran and Mustafa are convince of.
Musically, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” was embellished by composer Gabriel Yared’s grand score, which mixes epic sentiments with soothing melodies decorating almost every second of it. Accentuating Tomm Moore’s lovely bit, Irish singers Lisa Hannigan and Oscar-winner Glen Hansard fashion a stirring tune out the scribe’s contemplation on amorous frenzy. Lastly, in addition to providing a song for Paley’s segment, Damien Rice wrote another moving ballad titled “Hypnosis” to play during the final credits. Perfectly reflective of the experiential attributes of the film it caps, Rice’s stanzas put an empowering final touch as it asks us to seek strength from our personal truth.
In this tapestry of lyrical mirages, the eternal endurance of art prevails as testament of the immortality bestowed only on those whose brilliance surpasses time and space. Harnessing wide-ranging techniques, the artists behind “Kahil Gibran’s The Prophet” gifted us one of the most mesmerizing films of the year and a milestone in the history of animation, which brought together the genius of many to spread words of compassion and serenity. Solidarity amongst mankind and the acceptance of our flaws as virtues hidden by unnecessary vanity and greed, are the first steps towards the reconciliation between what we think we are now and what we've always been. Gibran’s message is as relevant as ever today, so let us fill ourselves with the majesty of his wisdom, and become vindicated disciples willing to live beyond merely existing.
"Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" is now playing in L.A. and NYC and will open in other cities across the country in the upcoming weeks.
- 8/16/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
New film from the director of Oscar-nominated Omar to premiere at Toronto.
The Doha Film Institute has announced it has struck a co-financing partnership on Hany Abu-Assad’s The Idol (Ya Tayr El Tayr).
The film, directed by Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now, Omar), will have its world premiere at Toronto next monthwhere it will screen as part of the festival’s Special Presentations.
The film tells the true story of Mohammad Assaf, a wedding singer from Gaza who became a worldwide sensation after winning the live-singing competition Arab Idol.
Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Al Remaihi said: “Hany Abu-Assad is one of the most significant filmmakers from the Arab world and we are honoured to be partners on ‘The Idol’.
“Mohammed Assaf’s remarkable story, the many struggles he had to overcome, and his love and commitment to his family and community in Gaza had a powerful impact on us.
“In the hands...
The Doha Film Institute has announced it has struck a co-financing partnership on Hany Abu-Assad’s The Idol (Ya Tayr El Tayr).
The film, directed by Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now, Omar), will have its world premiere at Toronto next monthwhere it will screen as part of the festival’s Special Presentations.
The film tells the true story of Mohammad Assaf, a wedding singer from Gaza who became a worldwide sensation after winning the live-singing competition Arab Idol.
Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Al Remaihi said: “Hany Abu-Assad is one of the most significant filmmakers from the Arab world and we are honoured to be partners on ‘The Idol’.
“Mohammed Assaf’s remarkable story, the many struggles he had to overcome, and his love and commitment to his family and community in Gaza had a powerful impact on us.
“In the hands...
- 8/12/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Animation is traditionally considered a tyke-targeted genre, but films like Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, an uneven but unassailably ambitious adaptation of the Lebanese author’s classic prose poetry collection, challenge that perception. After all, it’s hard to imagine that the children who would be enraptured by the movie’s often gorgeous visuals would find themselves equally stimulated by its dense meditations on life, death, love and the ties that bind us to the natural world. Maybe that’s short-changing the more astute young’uns out there, but there’s no denying that The Prophet, with its steadfast devotion to Gibran’s verse, is layered in the extreme.
Further blurring the intended audience for this take on the book is how it constructs a treacly Disney story within which to communicate the poet’s eloquent musings. Salma Hayek, as performer and producer, seems to have coaxed The Prophet – oft...
Further blurring the intended audience for this take on the book is how it constructs a treacly Disney story within which to communicate the poet’s eloquent musings. Salma Hayek, as performer and producer, seems to have coaxed The Prophet – oft...
- 8/7/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Heritage and humanity, those are the two pivotal catalysts that empowered Mexican star Salma Hayek to pursue her most beloved passion project: an utterly ambitious animated reimagining of a literary classic. Produced by Hayek, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” is one of the most mesmerizing films of the year and a miraculous milestone in the history of animation.
Enlisting Roger Allers to direct the frame narrative and 8 other talented animators to create visually stunning interpretations of some of Gibran’s most insightful poems about love, death, and everything in between, Salma Hayek has been more than a producer.
She has spearheaded every aspect of the production and is now dedicating her every moment to get the word out about this transformative cinematic experience.
Her initial contact with The Prophet was through her Lebanese grandfather who treasured its pages for their heartfelt wisdom; however, the actress, who also voices Kamila in the film, reassured us that today her devotion for Gibran’s writing is even more personal. Hayek’s humanitarian work around the world and her role as a mother have given her a broader perspective of the current state of the world, and in that sense this film represents her efforts to advocate for tolerance and compassion.
Chatting with Hayek her immense enthusiasm and attachment for this gem of a film are tangible. It’s clear her involvement thrives on a genuine desire to share Gibran’s message with the world through the artistic triumph she, her directors, and cast, have achieved.
Here is our brief conversation with Salma Hayek who will next be seen in Toronto for the premier of "Septembers of Shiraz."
“Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” opens in L.A. and NYC on Friday August 7th.
Aguilar: This film is different from everything else you've done and it seems to be a deeply personal project for you. Why was it so important for you make this project a reality and what's your personal connection to Gibran's poetry?
Salma Hayek: This film is very, very important for me. It's like a summary of many things that I am, of many things that worry me, and of many things that give me hope. My direct connection to it you already know it or you can read it elsewhere - about my grandpa- so let's use the time to talk about things you haven't read. I wanted to make a film that could touch the soul and that connected us with and reminded us of our humanity. I think that we are becoming dehumanized. With all the work I've down around the world, most of it regarding women, I often ask myself, "How could this be?"
Even if you don't do any of that work, you can see it in the news. How can it be possible that people don't value life? How can it possible for them to take someone else's life so easily? How can it be that we are becoming so dehumanized to such degree? Therefore, I wanted to make a film that could connect the viewer with their humanity. Kahlil Ginbran, with the poetry he wrote, touches all kinds of people. He unites people from all religions, people from all social backgrounds, people from all intellectual backgrounds. There are people who might not read a lot, but they still understand and they are moved by this poetry. People use this poetry for weddings and funerals, so it belongs to them in a very intimate way in their lives. I asked myself, "Why?" I think it's because his poetry talks about the simple things in life that unite us all: love, death, children, food. He talks about this things in way that celebrates life and in way that shows gratefulness for life.
That's a reason, but I also think there is another reason. When you read his poetry, and it has happened to me not only with his poetry but also with other things, you find a phrase here and a phrase there and when you hear it not only does it makes sense, but you feel like it's familiar. It's not because you have heard it before, but because when you listen to it you are not listening with your head. There is something within you, your instincts, that are telling you, "This is the truth." It sounds familiar to you because it's true. That's why I wanted to make this film and why it's so important for me.
It was also important for the film to be a communication vehicle for you with yourself and your humanity, but also within the family. The film can be watched by kids from 3-years-old to 103-years-old. When people come out after watching the film, if you don't want to talk, you are in a state in which you are invisibly hugging everyone around you. However, many times, especially children, want to talk after watching the film. Nowadays when you take your children to the movies, they might tell you about what they just saw, but it's not a conversation where they ask or tell you about something they experienced during the film or something that made them think. I think this film will be a communication channel between families.
Aguilar: Why did you think the best way to tell this story was with animation?
Salma Hayek: Because the other theme of the film is freedom, and because for children - who might not understand all the words - I needed to tell the story with images. But you can't tell or represent poetry with just images of people. Freedom, generosity, love, compassion are not faces; however, art can represent them very well with images. Images that are not bound by a body. When I speak about freedom, it's about freedom of the spirit. Freedom of the spirit can't be represented by a body. It has to be art. It has to be all the colors. It has to be something that moves and has no boundaries.
Aguilar: When saw the film for the first time, what was the sequence that captivated or surprised you the most?
Salma Hayek: I didn't see it for the first time as animation. I saw it every day throughout different stages. From developing the screenplay and finding the right story. I've never seen it for "the first time." I've seen it hundreds and hundreds of times, but every time I see it there are different phrases that stand out to me in different ways. It's incredible. I don't get tired of seeing it.
Aguilar: My favorite is "On Love" by Tomm Moore.
Salma Hayek: Oh my God! Tomm Moore is a genius.
Aguilar: It's one of the most beautiful sequences - animated or nor - that I've ever seen on screen.
Salma Hayek: Right in front of my bed in my room I have, well a TV - of course [Laughs] - and under the TV I have a print from the film and it's from the "On Love" sequence. You don't know how much I love that little piece of art. My husband and I look at it every day when we wake up and every day before going to sleep [Laughs].
Aguilar: When you were selecting what directors you wanted on board, how did you decide who would direct the frame structured story and who would be best for the poetry segments?
Salma Hayek: Roger wasn't on board at the beginning. Tomm More was on board to direct the "On Love" segment before Roger came on. They are two types of directors. We needed a director that understood a more accessible language for the main structured story, and Roger was perfect for that. "The Lion King" is a children's film that adults can also enjoy, and which has had a life after the film with theater. He was the perfect director to create this story. He also has a lot of experience in animation, which helped him collaborate with other directors. However, I want to make something very clear, all the directors in charge of the poem sequences had 100% creative freedom. They didn't have to use a specific color palette or anything. They could whatever they wanted.
Aguilar: The only thing they had was the poem.
Salma Hayek: Yes, and they were able to interpret it however they liked. We were very careful to include artists from different religions or with no religion, from different countries, of different ages. I thought that the more diverse their styles and personalities were, the better the film would be. That's why we chose these directors.
Aguilar: How has the film been received in Lebanon and do you plane to take it to Mexico as well?
Salma Hayek: In Lebanon, the film is a huge success. We beat "Avengers" on its second weekend. In Mexico I already have the premiere planed and I'm talks with a possible distributor.
Aguilar: Do you any plans of making a film in Mexico or in Spanish in the near future? If not, what are you working on now?
Salma Hayek: Not right now. I plan to only make one film this year. It's a film I'm also producing that it's very much about girl power. The female protagonist is not American, or Arab, or Latina, but it's based on a true story.
Enlisting Roger Allers to direct the frame narrative and 8 other talented animators to create visually stunning interpretations of some of Gibran’s most insightful poems about love, death, and everything in between, Salma Hayek has been more than a producer.
She has spearheaded every aspect of the production and is now dedicating her every moment to get the word out about this transformative cinematic experience.
Her initial contact with The Prophet was through her Lebanese grandfather who treasured its pages for their heartfelt wisdom; however, the actress, who also voices Kamila in the film, reassured us that today her devotion for Gibran’s writing is even more personal. Hayek’s humanitarian work around the world and her role as a mother have given her a broader perspective of the current state of the world, and in that sense this film represents her efforts to advocate for tolerance and compassion.
Chatting with Hayek her immense enthusiasm and attachment for this gem of a film are tangible. It’s clear her involvement thrives on a genuine desire to share Gibran’s message with the world through the artistic triumph she, her directors, and cast, have achieved.
Here is our brief conversation with Salma Hayek who will next be seen in Toronto for the premier of "Septembers of Shiraz."
“Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” opens in L.A. and NYC on Friday August 7th.
Aguilar: This film is different from everything else you've done and it seems to be a deeply personal project for you. Why was it so important for you make this project a reality and what's your personal connection to Gibran's poetry?
Salma Hayek: This film is very, very important for me. It's like a summary of many things that I am, of many things that worry me, and of many things that give me hope. My direct connection to it you already know it or you can read it elsewhere - about my grandpa- so let's use the time to talk about things you haven't read. I wanted to make a film that could touch the soul and that connected us with and reminded us of our humanity. I think that we are becoming dehumanized. With all the work I've down around the world, most of it regarding women, I often ask myself, "How could this be?"
Even if you don't do any of that work, you can see it in the news. How can it be possible that people don't value life? How can it possible for them to take someone else's life so easily? How can it be that we are becoming so dehumanized to such degree? Therefore, I wanted to make a film that could connect the viewer with their humanity. Kahlil Ginbran, with the poetry he wrote, touches all kinds of people. He unites people from all religions, people from all social backgrounds, people from all intellectual backgrounds. There are people who might not read a lot, but they still understand and they are moved by this poetry. People use this poetry for weddings and funerals, so it belongs to them in a very intimate way in their lives. I asked myself, "Why?" I think it's because his poetry talks about the simple things in life that unite us all: love, death, children, food. He talks about this things in way that celebrates life and in way that shows gratefulness for life.
That's a reason, but I also think there is another reason. When you read his poetry, and it has happened to me not only with his poetry but also with other things, you find a phrase here and a phrase there and when you hear it not only does it makes sense, but you feel like it's familiar. It's not because you have heard it before, but because when you listen to it you are not listening with your head. There is something within you, your instincts, that are telling you, "This is the truth." It sounds familiar to you because it's true. That's why I wanted to make this film and why it's so important for me.
It was also important for the film to be a communication vehicle for you with yourself and your humanity, but also within the family. The film can be watched by kids from 3-years-old to 103-years-old. When people come out after watching the film, if you don't want to talk, you are in a state in which you are invisibly hugging everyone around you. However, many times, especially children, want to talk after watching the film. Nowadays when you take your children to the movies, they might tell you about what they just saw, but it's not a conversation where they ask or tell you about something they experienced during the film or something that made them think. I think this film will be a communication channel between families.
Aguilar: Why did you think the best way to tell this story was with animation?
Salma Hayek: Because the other theme of the film is freedom, and because for children - who might not understand all the words - I needed to tell the story with images. But you can't tell or represent poetry with just images of people. Freedom, generosity, love, compassion are not faces; however, art can represent them very well with images. Images that are not bound by a body. When I speak about freedom, it's about freedom of the spirit. Freedom of the spirit can't be represented by a body. It has to be art. It has to be all the colors. It has to be something that moves and has no boundaries.
Aguilar: When saw the film for the first time, what was the sequence that captivated or surprised you the most?
Salma Hayek: I didn't see it for the first time as animation. I saw it every day throughout different stages. From developing the screenplay and finding the right story. I've never seen it for "the first time." I've seen it hundreds and hundreds of times, but every time I see it there are different phrases that stand out to me in different ways. It's incredible. I don't get tired of seeing it.
Aguilar: My favorite is "On Love" by Tomm Moore.
Salma Hayek: Oh my God! Tomm Moore is a genius.
Aguilar: It's one of the most beautiful sequences - animated or nor - that I've ever seen on screen.
Salma Hayek: Right in front of my bed in my room I have, well a TV - of course [Laughs] - and under the TV I have a print from the film and it's from the "On Love" sequence. You don't know how much I love that little piece of art. My husband and I look at it every day when we wake up and every day before going to sleep [Laughs].
Aguilar: When you were selecting what directors you wanted on board, how did you decide who would direct the frame structured story and who would be best for the poetry segments?
Salma Hayek: Roger wasn't on board at the beginning. Tomm More was on board to direct the "On Love" segment before Roger came on. They are two types of directors. We needed a director that understood a more accessible language for the main structured story, and Roger was perfect for that. "The Lion King" is a children's film that adults can also enjoy, and which has had a life after the film with theater. He was the perfect director to create this story. He also has a lot of experience in animation, which helped him collaborate with other directors. However, I want to make something very clear, all the directors in charge of the poem sequences had 100% creative freedom. They didn't have to use a specific color palette or anything. They could whatever they wanted.
Aguilar: The only thing they had was the poem.
Salma Hayek: Yes, and they were able to interpret it however they liked. We were very careful to include artists from different religions or with no religion, from different countries, of different ages. I thought that the more diverse their styles and personalities were, the better the film would be. That's why we chose these directors.
Aguilar: How has the film been received in Lebanon and do you plane to take it to Mexico as well?
Salma Hayek: In Lebanon, the film is a huge success. We beat "Avengers" on its second weekend. In Mexico I already have the premiere planed and I'm talks with a possible distributor.
Aguilar: Do you any plans of making a film in Mexico or in Spanish in the near future? If not, what are you working on now?
Salma Hayek: Not right now. I plan to only make one film this year. It's a film I'm also producing that it's very much about girl power. The female protagonist is not American, or Arab, or Latina, but it's based on a true story.
- 8/5/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
A textbook demonstration of how good intentions don’t always make for good moviemaking, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” features an all-star cast of vocal performers and a telling list of name-brand animators behind the scenes as well. A clear labor of love where the labor shows, “The Prophet” has a framing story directed by Roger Allers (“Aladdin”), with additional vignettes from eight animation directors including Bill Plympton, Nina Paley and others. Partially backed by Participant Media — with Hayek herself among the list of producers — “The Prophet” feels like a film curiously divided against itself. Adults may not need the.
- 8/4/2015
- by James Rocchi
- The Wrap
I sat down with Hayek recently in Doha, where her animated film, which debuted at Cannes, closed the Ajyal Youth Film Festival. Hayek, who produced "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" (opening Friday from Gkids) and voices the character of Kamila, described how her connection to Gibran’s inspirational book, which has sold more than 100 million copies since its 1923 publication, initially came through her Lebanese grandfather. With its absence of plot and parable-like soliloquies, “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet” was always going to be a tough adaptation but Hayek brought the same stubborn determination that allowed her to get “Frida” and “Ugly Betty” made to bring her labor of love to fruition. Creatively, her solution was to install “The Lion King” director Roger Allers at the helm and give individual chapters to different internationally renowned animators, granting them total creative freedom. Allers then wove these eight strands together with a framing narrative added on top of.
- 8/3/2015
- by Matt Mueller
- Thompson on Hollywood
Salma Hayek walked the red carpet at the screening of Gkids’ Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet at Bing Theatre At Lacma in Los Angeles Wednesday. Salma Hayek’s ‘The Prophet’ Premiere Look Hayek donned a black tuxedo-style black wrap dress that featured a plunging neckline to The Prophet’s premiere. The actress teamed the chic number with a pair […]
The post Salma Hayek Rocks All-Black Look To ‘The Prophet’ Premiere, Refuses To Say Donald Trump’s Name appeared first on uInterview.
The post Salma Hayek Rocks All-Black Look To ‘The Prophet’ Premiere, Refuses To Say Donald Trump’s Name appeared first on uInterview.
- 7/30/2015
- by Chelsea Regan
- Uinterview
Montreal’s genre film festival to showcase 135 features and almost 300 shorts across its three-week run from July 14-Aug 4.Scroll down for line-up
Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its full line-up for its upcoming 19th edition which kicks off next Tuesday [July 14].
Over its three-week run, the Montreal-based genre film festival will showcase 135 features, including 22 world, 13 international premieres and 21 North American premieres, and almost 300 short films.
Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan will receive its Canadian premiere as the closing film of this year’s edition on Aug 4. The live-action film is based on Hajime Isyama’s steampunk fantasy war opera manga series.
Additional highlights of the final wave of titles include the world premieres of Malik Bader’s thriller Cash Only and Ken Ochiai’s Ninja the Monster, as well as the Canadian premiere of Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion’s horror comedy Cooties starring Elijah Wood.
A trio of Sion Sono films will also be shown at this...
Fantasia International Film Festival has unveiled its full line-up for its upcoming 19th edition which kicks off next Tuesday [July 14].
Over its three-week run, the Montreal-based genre film festival will showcase 135 features, including 22 world, 13 international premieres and 21 North American premieres, and almost 300 short films.
Shinji Higuchi’s Attack on Titan will receive its Canadian premiere as the closing film of this year’s edition on Aug 4. The live-action film is based on Hajime Isyama’s steampunk fantasy war opera manga series.
Additional highlights of the final wave of titles include the world premieres of Malik Bader’s thriller Cash Only and Ken Ochiai’s Ninja the Monster, as well as the Canadian premiere of Jonathan Milott & Cary Murnion’s horror comedy Cooties starring Elijah Wood.
A trio of Sion Sono films will also be shown at this...
- 7/7/2015
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
The 19th Annual Fantasia Film Festival is only a week away, beginning July 14 and running through August 4. And as promised for today, they’ve revealed their full line-up of films screening at 2015’s festival in Montreal.
This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.
See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.
****
Fantasia 2015:
36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films
- Including 22 World Premieres,...
This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.
See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.
****
Fantasia 2015:
36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films
- Including 22 World Premieres,...
- 7/7/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
Dany Vasquez has provided huge publicity support to SydneysBuzz here at the Cannes Film Festival 2015, and is a part of the new generation of passionate media talents in the film industry. She recently attended an amazing discussion with TimesTalk (New York Times) and Salma Hayek here at Cannes. SydneysBuzz is happy to have Dany share her impressions on Salma's empowering message.
By Dany Vasquez: I was lucky enough to attend a TimesTalks panel at the American Pavilion featuring Salma Hayek in conversation with The New York Times contributor Logan Hill. Not only is she a talented, award-winning actress and producer, but she is also an intelligent, classy, well-spoken woman working in an industry that has often times overlooked her value.
I understood from a young age what it would mean for me to grow up as a female minority – the knowledge that I would have to work twice as hard to be considered half as good, the status quo already against my favor, the assumptions that would be set in stone in people’s minds.
Women and ethnic minorities are still something of a rarity within the film industry. Growing up, it was discouraging to look at what I was most passionate about, and not see my own face reflected back at me. No one should have to feel like their dreams are unattainable because of who they are.
This is why it is nothing short of inspiring to hear a woman like Salma Hayek speak about her experiences in the industry, and how her identity and background have influenced her career over the years. This particular panel was focused on her in-competition film at Cannes, Tale of Tales, and her upcoming animated film, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, from which we were able to see a couple short clips.
She also spoke at length about her role in Frida, for which she was nominated for Best Actress in 2002 (only the second Latin American actress in the history of the Academy with this claim to fame). Her passion and gratitude for the film shined as she revealed why the role meant so much to her. It was refreshing to hear someone speak from the heart about the things that matter so much.
One story she told that has remained in the back of my mind was about how she got the leading role of the Queen in Tale of Tales. Director Matteo Garrone called her up and presented her with the opportunity, but that wasn’t what stuck with me. It was her reaction to his proposal — her genuine surprise that he wanted to work with her, and her shock of the role that he offered:
“Not the stripper or the maid!” she exclaimed in disbelief. “But the queen!!!”
That fact that a hugely successful, experienced, Oscar-nominated actress can still be shocked by the opportunity to star in a prestigious leading role speaks volumes to the state of the industry.
There is a lot to take away from her panel, but mostly, I am grateful that there are women like her in the industry, candidly speaking about their experiences and the obstacles they have had to overcome. They may be few and far between, but the hope is that this will soon change.
In the meantime, there is one important thing to remember. Representation matters.
By Dany Vasquez: I was lucky enough to attend a TimesTalks panel at the American Pavilion featuring Salma Hayek in conversation with The New York Times contributor Logan Hill. Not only is she a talented, award-winning actress and producer, but she is also an intelligent, classy, well-spoken woman working in an industry that has often times overlooked her value.
I understood from a young age what it would mean for me to grow up as a female minority – the knowledge that I would have to work twice as hard to be considered half as good, the status quo already against my favor, the assumptions that would be set in stone in people’s minds.
Women and ethnic minorities are still something of a rarity within the film industry. Growing up, it was discouraging to look at what I was most passionate about, and not see my own face reflected back at me. No one should have to feel like their dreams are unattainable because of who they are.
This is why it is nothing short of inspiring to hear a woman like Salma Hayek speak about her experiences in the industry, and how her identity and background have influenced her career over the years. This particular panel was focused on her in-competition film at Cannes, Tale of Tales, and her upcoming animated film, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, from which we were able to see a couple short clips.
She also spoke at length about her role in Frida, for which she was nominated for Best Actress in 2002 (only the second Latin American actress in the history of the Academy with this claim to fame). Her passion and gratitude for the film shined as she revealed why the role meant so much to her. It was refreshing to hear someone speak from the heart about the things that matter so much.
One story she told that has remained in the back of my mind was about how she got the leading role of the Queen in Tale of Tales. Director Matteo Garrone called her up and presented her with the opportunity, but that wasn’t what stuck with me. It was her reaction to his proposal — her genuine surprise that he wanted to work with her, and her shock of the role that he offered:
“Not the stripper or the maid!” she exclaimed in disbelief. “But the queen!!!”
That fact that a hugely successful, experienced, Oscar-nominated actress can still be shocked by the opportunity to star in a prestigious leading role speaks volumes to the state of the industry.
There is a lot to take away from her panel, but mostly, I am grateful that there are women like her in the industry, candidly speaking about their experiences and the obstacles they have had to overcome. They may be few and far between, but the hope is that this will soon change.
In the meantime, there is one important thing to remember. Representation matters.
- 5/20/2015
- by Erin Grover
- Sydney's Buzz
The American Pavilion has an amazing line up of panels this year at Cannes in the Roger Ebert Concert Center. Seating for all panels is first come, first served for Standard Members. Reserved seating is available for Red Carpet members which will be held until 10 minutes prior to start time, at which point they will be released.
Please arrive early!
Here is a detailed look at the events taking place ar the Pavilion starting Friday May 15.
Friday May 15
10:00–2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
How Advanced Imaging Techniques Should Impact the 3D Movie Experience
Workshop and reception sponsored by 3D Stereo Media, with participation of the Advanced Imaging Society, and the support of UP3D and Xpand 3D.
Walk-ins accepted if seats are available.
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
The Casting Process
How can producers and directors collaborate with casting directors to secure the best possible cast?
-Nancy Bishop, "Snowpiercer," "Mission Impossible IV"
-Luci Lenox: "Traces of Sandalwood," "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
-Susan Shopmaker: Shortbus, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
-Matthew Lessall: "Chronic"
Moderated by Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb/IMDb Pro
Saturday, May 16
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
State of the Industry
-Rena Ronson, UTA
-John Sloss, Cinetic Media
-Linda Lichter, Attorney
-Jean Prewitt, Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta)
-Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Moderated by Matt Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter
3:00–4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Sony Pictures Classic's Tom Bernard & Michael Barker
The New York Times presents the co-presidents and co-founders of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Bernard and Michael Barker in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill. They will discuss Woody Allen’s new film “Irrational Man,” which screened at the festival, the importance of film festivals like Cannes and the state of the movie industry, on screen and behind the scene
Sunday, May 17
12:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Salma Hayek
The New York Times presents Oscar-nominated actress-producer Salma Hayek - "Tale of Tales," "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" - in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill.
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Producers at Cannes
Ram Bergman," A Tale of Love and Darkness," upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and IX, "Looper"
Justin Chan and Wilson Smith, "Krisha"
Carly Hugo, "Share," "Bachelorette"
Ryan Zacarias, "Mediterranea"
Moderated by Eric Kohn, Indiewire
3:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
What Does Empathy Looks Like on the Big Screen?
If, as Roger Ebert has said, movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, what does it look like on the big screen and how do you encourage it in emerging writers and filmmakers? What implications would this have for the filmmaking industry amid a sea change in production deals and distribution? How does it affect the critical writing about films? What influences will it have for society as a whole? And is it tilting at windmills or who has done it successfully?
Chaz Ebert from The Roger Ebert Center and RogerEbert.com joins Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, a leader in telling important stories that matter; Ann Thompson of Indiewire, Thompson on Hollywood; John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival in a discussion moderated by Nate Kohn, Vice President of the Peabody Awards, and Festival Director of Ebertfest.
-Chaz Ebert (The Roger Ebert Center)
-John Sloss (Cinetic Media)
- Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director, The Toronto International Film Festival)
-Anne Thompson (Indiewire)
Moderated by: Nate Kohn, Vice President, The Peabody Awards
4:30–6:30 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase/ Lgbtq Showcase
Presented by American Express
10:00 Pm
Queer Night
With guest DJ John Cameron Mitchell
Monday, May 18
10:00–12:30 Pm
Student Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
1:00–3:00 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, May 19
10:00–11:00 Am
TimeTalks:
Disney• Pixar’s "Inside Out"
New York Times contributor Logan Hill interviews director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and actors Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, who provide the voices of Joy, Disgust, Anger and Sadness in this original new movie.
11:00 Am
Industry in Focus:
Film Acquisitions
-Jeremy Boxer, Head of acquisitions at Vimeo On Demand
-Ben Browning, Co-President of Production and Acquisitions, FilmNation Entertainment
-Matt Brodlie, Evp Acquisitions, Relativity
-Bill Bromiley, Saban Films
Moderated by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Directors at Cannes
Pippa Bianco, "Share" - Cinéfondation Competition
Jeremy Saulnier, "Green Room" - Directors’ Fortnight
Trey Edward Shults, "Krisha" - Critics’ Week
Moderated by Aaron Hillis
4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
John C. Reilly
The New York Times presents one of the most versatile actors in movies today - John C. Reilly, who appears in three films at the festival - "The Lobster," "Tale of Tales" and "Les Cowboys."
Wednesday, May 20
10:00 Am
Oculus Story Studio
Virtual Reality Filmmaking
-With filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Robert Stromberg and Guillermo Del Toro embracing virtual reality as a filmmaking medium, meet the founding team of Oculus’ own film studio - ‘Oculus Story Studio’. Having premiered their first Vr movie at Sundance 2015 they are at Cannes to talk about learnings on Vr storytelling.
-Saschka Unseld, Creative Director Oculus Story Studio (Director Pixar’s Blue Umbrella)
-Max Planck, Cto, Oculus Story Studio
-Edward Saatchi, Executive Producer, Oculus Story Studio
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
Genre Film
Jeremy Saulnier, Director, Green Room
Mette Marie Katz, Xyz Films
Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Jenny Jacobi, Drafthouse Media
Moderated by Jarod Neece, SXSW
2:00 Pm
Film Panel:
"Krisha"
Hear from the "Krisha" filmmakers that won the 2015 SXSW Jury Award and playing in Critics Week. Director Trey Edward Shults, Krisha Fairchild and other key cast and crew
Moderated by Claudette Godfrey, SXSW
Thursday, May 21
2:00 Pm
Indiewire's Screen Talk Podcast Live from Cannes with Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson
4:30 Pm
Film Panel:
"Dope"
A 2015 Sundance favorite, and playing in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. Director Rick Famuyiwa, producer Nina Yang Bongiovi and key cast Zoe Kravitz, Chanel Iman, Toni Revolori, Quincy Brown, Kiersey Clemens, Shameik Moore , A$AP Rocky
Moderated by Jada Yuan, New York Magazine
8:00 Pm
Karaoke Night...
Please arrive early!
Here is a detailed look at the events taking place ar the Pavilion starting Friday May 15.
Friday May 15
10:00–2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
How Advanced Imaging Techniques Should Impact the 3D Movie Experience
Workshop and reception sponsored by 3D Stereo Media, with participation of the Advanced Imaging Society, and the support of UP3D and Xpand 3D.
Walk-ins accepted if seats are available.
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
The Casting Process
How can producers and directors collaborate with casting directors to secure the best possible cast?
-Nancy Bishop, "Snowpiercer," "Mission Impossible IV"
-Luci Lenox: "Traces of Sandalwood," "Vicky Christina Barcelona"
-Susan Shopmaker: Shortbus, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
-Matthew Lessall: "Chronic"
Moderated by Keith Simanton, Senior Film Editor, IMDb/IMDb Pro
Saturday, May 16
2:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
State of the Industry
-Rena Ronson, UTA
-John Sloss, Cinetic Media
-Linda Lichter, Attorney
-Jean Prewitt, Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta)
-Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Moderated by Matt Belloni, The Hollywood Reporter
3:00–4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Sony Pictures Classic's Tom Bernard & Michael Barker
The New York Times presents the co-presidents and co-founders of Sony Pictures Classics, Tom Bernard and Michael Barker in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill. They will discuss Woody Allen’s new film “Irrational Man,” which screened at the festival, the importance of film festivals like Cannes and the state of the movie industry, on screen and behind the scene
Sunday, May 17
12:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
Salma Hayek
The New York Times presents Oscar-nominated actress-producer Salma Hayek - "Tale of Tales," "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" - in conversation with Times contributor Logan Hill.
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Producers at Cannes
Ram Bergman," A Tale of Love and Darkness," upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and IX, "Looper"
Justin Chan and Wilson Smith, "Krisha"
Carly Hugo, "Share," "Bachelorette"
Ryan Zacarias, "Mediterranea"
Moderated by Eric Kohn, Indiewire
3:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
What Does Empathy Looks Like on the Big Screen?
If, as Roger Ebert has said, movies are a giant machine that generates empathy, what does it look like on the big screen and how do you encourage it in emerging writers and filmmakers? What implications would this have for the filmmaking industry amid a sea change in production deals and distribution? How does it affect the critical writing about films? What influences will it have for society as a whole? And is it tilting at windmills or who has done it successfully?
Chaz Ebert from The Roger Ebert Center and RogerEbert.com joins Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, a leader in telling important stories that matter; Ann Thompson of Indiewire, Thompson on Hollywood; John Sloss of Cinetic Media and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival in a discussion moderated by Nate Kohn, Vice President of the Peabody Awards, and Festival Director of Ebertfest.
-Chaz Ebert (The Roger Ebert Center)
-John Sloss (Cinetic Media)
- Cameron Bailey (Artistic Director, The Toronto International Film Festival)
-Anne Thompson (Indiewire)
Moderated by: Nate Kohn, Vice President, The Peabody Awards
4:30–6:30 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase/ Lgbtq Showcase
Presented by American Express
10:00 Pm
Queer Night
With guest DJ John Cameron Mitchell
Monday, May 18
10:00–12:30 Pm
Student Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
1:00–3:00 Pm
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase
Presented by American Express
Tuesday, May 19
10:00–11:00 Am
TimeTalks:
Disney• Pixar’s "Inside Out"
New York Times contributor Logan Hill interviews director Pete Docter, producer Jonas Rivera, and actors Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, who provide the voices of Joy, Disgust, Anger and Sadness in this original new movie.
11:00 Am
Industry in Focus:
Film Acquisitions
-Jeremy Boxer, Head of acquisitions at Vimeo On Demand
-Ben Browning, Co-President of Production and Acquisitions, FilmNation Entertainment
-Matt Brodlie, Evp Acquisitions, Relativity
-Bill Bromiley, Saban Films
Moderated by Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
American Directors at Cannes
Pippa Bianco, "Share" - Cinéfondation Competition
Jeremy Saulnier, "Green Room" - Directors’ Fortnight
Trey Edward Shults, "Krisha" - Critics’ Week
Moderated by Aaron Hillis
4:00 Pm
TimeTalks:
John C. Reilly
The New York Times presents one of the most versatile actors in movies today - John C. Reilly, who appears in three films at the festival - "The Lobster," "Tale of Tales" and "Les Cowboys."
Wednesday, May 20
10:00 Am
Oculus Story Studio
Virtual Reality Filmmaking
-With filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Robert Stromberg and Guillermo Del Toro embracing virtual reality as a filmmaking medium, meet the founding team of Oculus’ own film studio - ‘Oculus Story Studio’. Having premiered their first Vr movie at Sundance 2015 they are at Cannes to talk about learnings on Vr storytelling.
-Saschka Unseld, Creative Director Oculus Story Studio (Director Pixar’s Blue Umbrella)
-Max Planck, Cto, Oculus Story Studio
-Edward Saatchi, Executive Producer, Oculus Story Studio
1:00 Pm
Industry in Focus:
Genre Film
Jeremy Saulnier, Director, Green Room
Mette Marie Katz, Xyz Films
Tom Quinn, RADiUS-twc
Jenny Jacobi, Drafthouse Media
Moderated by Jarod Neece, SXSW
2:00 Pm
Film Panel:
"Krisha"
Hear from the "Krisha" filmmakers that won the 2015 SXSW Jury Award and playing in Critics Week. Director Trey Edward Shults, Krisha Fairchild and other key cast and crew
Moderated by Claudette Godfrey, SXSW
Thursday, May 21
2:00 Pm
Indiewire's Screen Talk Podcast Live from Cannes with Eric Kohn and Anne Thompson
4:30 Pm
Film Panel:
"Dope"
A 2015 Sundance favorite, and playing in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. Director Rick Famuyiwa, producer Nina Yang Bongiovi and key cast Zoe Kravitz, Chanel Iman, Toni Revolori, Quincy Brown, Kiersey Clemens, Shameik Moore , A$AP Rocky
Moderated by Jada Yuan, New York Magazine
8:00 Pm
Karaoke Night...
- 5/13/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
About one month ago, we featured a beautiful international trailer for an animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, a big screen version of the collection of prose and poems known around the world. Now another gorgeous domestic trailer for the film featuring several different kinds of animation has arrived, all connected by an artist (Liam Neeson), his housekeeper (Salma Hayek), and her daughter (voiced by Quvenzhané Wallis). This looks like it'll be a nice break from the blockbuster action extravaganzas late this summer, with wonderful animation to stimulate your eyes and your mind. There's also supposed to be some great new music from Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and Yo-Yo Ma. Watch below! Here's the Us trailer for Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet from Gkids Films: You can still watch the previous international trailer for Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet right here. Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet is directed by Roger Allers,...
- 5/2/2015
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
The summer movie season is finally here, and with it comes the usual glut of big-budget blockbusters. But if you’re in the mood for something a bit more offbeat, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is definitely one to look out for. Inspired by the collection of prose poetry essays that gives the movie its title, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet […]
The post Watch the Gorgeous New Trailer for Salma Hayek’s ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’ appeared first on /Film.
The post Watch the Gorgeous New Trailer for Salma Hayek’s ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’ appeared first on /Film.
- 5/1/2015
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Read More: Salma Hayek's Animated Passion Project 'Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet' Acquired by Gkids "The Prophet" by Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran, is among the most popular pieces of poetry in the world. Now, the animators behind such masterpieces as "The Lion King," "The Secret of Kells" and "Song of the Sea" have brought the story to animated life, and Gkids, the film's distributor, has just debuted a stunning new U.S. trailer. Produced and spearheaded by Salma Hayek, "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" was an official selection at Cannes and made its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The script was written by Roger Allers ("The Lion King") and blends together individual sequences based on Gibrain's poems. Each segment is animated by a different filmmaker, including Tomm Moore ("The Secret of Kells," "Song of the Sea"), Nina Paley ("Sita Sings the Blues")...
- 5/1/2015
- by Casey Cipriani
- Indiewire
Translated into over 40 languages, never spending a moment out of print, and selling over 100 million copies worldwide, it was probably inevitable that someone would bring Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" to the big screen. And indeed, it has been given the animated treatment and today the first U.S. trailer for the movie has arrived. Read More: Watch The First Trailer For Kahlil Gibran's Animated 'The Prophet' Helmed by "The Lion King" director Roger Allers, the picture features animated sequences by Bill Plympton, Joann Sfar, and more; the all-star voices of Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, and Alfred Molina; and music by Yo-Yo Ma, Damien Rice, and Glen Hansard — this production hasn't missed a note in trying to bring the best to the table. Here's the official synopsis: Set in a Mediterranean sea-side village, Kamila cleans house for exiled artist and poet Mustafa,...
- 5/1/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Chicago – Friday, May 1st, kicks off one of 2015 Chicago’s most special events, the Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) – a film festival as programmed by the members of the Chicago Film Critics Association. The place to be is at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, and the titles included are an exciting batch of movies making their premiere here.
Many of the films had their world premiere at festivals like Sundance, Toronto and South X Southwest, and HollywoodChicago.com contributors Nick Allen and Patrick McDonald have been sampling the best of the festival, and offer this preview of the kick-off weekend. Each capsule is designated with Na (Nick Allen) or Pm (Patrick McDonald) – to indicate the author – or encapsulates the official synopsis from the festival.
Be sure to check back with HollywoodChicago.com on Monday, when we finish our preview of the festival by looking ahead to the weekday schedule,...
Many of the films had their world premiere at festivals like Sundance, Toronto and South X Southwest, and HollywoodChicago.com contributors Nick Allen and Patrick McDonald have been sampling the best of the festival, and offer this preview of the kick-off weekend. Each capsule is designated with Na (Nick Allen) or Pm (Patrick McDonald) – to indicate the author – or encapsulates the official synopsis from the festival.
Be sure to check back with HollywoodChicago.com on Monday, when we finish our preview of the festival by looking ahead to the weekday schedule,...
- 5/1/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Exclusive! Free festival 7-packs! In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 50 pairs of guaranteed festival 7-packs up for grabs to the third-annual Chicago Critics Film Festival at the Music Box Theatre from the Chicago Film Critics Association!
The festival runs from Friday, May 1 to Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Music Box Theatre. The festival will premiere more than two dozen films to Chicago that are hand-selected by Chicago critics. The films, which include the latest works from Joe Swanberg, Bobcat Goldthwait, Andrew Bujalski, James Ponsoldt, Francois Ozon and many more, are recent film festival hits from Sundance, South by Southwest, Cannes, Venice and Toronto and more. The full 2015 Chicago Critics Film Festival schedule can be found here. Read a preview of the festival here.
Each HollywoodChicago.com winner will win Two festival 7-packs of guaranteed tickets to experience the following Chicago premieres at the times and dates below...
The festival runs from Friday, May 1 to Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Music Box Theatre. The festival will premiere more than two dozen films to Chicago that are hand-selected by Chicago critics. The films, which include the latest works from Joe Swanberg, Bobcat Goldthwait, Andrew Bujalski, James Ponsoldt, Francois Ozon and many more, are recent film festival hits from Sundance, South by Southwest, Cannes, Venice and Toronto and more. The full 2015 Chicago Critics Film Festival schedule can be found here. Read a preview of the festival here.
Each HollywoodChicago.com winner will win Two festival 7-packs of guaranteed tickets to experience the following Chicago premieres at the times and dates below...
- 4/27/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Salma Hayek produced and provides the voice for the animated version of Kahlil Gibran‘s book The Prophet, and the film’s first trailer is now available. The book is a collection of poems and essays, and in keeping with that original structure the film is directed by a collection of directorial teams, to tell the story of “the unlikely […]
The post ‘The Prophet’ Trailer Teases Salma Hayek’s Animated Passion Project appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Prophet’ Trailer Teases Salma Hayek’s Animated Passion Project appeared first on /Film.
- 4/1/2015
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Considering it premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival, with a lot of star power among the voice cast, and lineup of directors ten strong, you would think that the animated "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" might've attracted more notice. Instead, it's been quietly bubbling under the radar. But now, the first international trailer has arrived, and perhaps it's one to start paying attention to. Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina, and more, feature in this effort that is inspired by the titular book of prose essays, and weaves together a story involving a little girl and a poet. Here's the official synopsis: Inspired by the beloved classic, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a young, mischievous girl and an imprisoned poet. Interwoven with Gibran’s lyrical and inspiring words on topics such as the true nature as love,...
- 4/1/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Gkids, the American distributor behind 2015 animated Oscar nominees "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" and "Song of the Sea," will release "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" in NY and La on August 7 before expanding wide the following week. This animated telling of Gibran's bestselling 1923 book, which premiered at Cannes, unfolds through standalone chapters by ten directors including Tomm Moore ("Song of the Sea"), Nina Paley ("Sita Sings the Blues") and Bill Plympton ("Cheatin'"). Co-producer Salma Hayek fought hard to bring the celebrated Lebanese poet's work to the screen, and helped close this deal. Salma Hayek on Why She's Passionate About "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" The voice cast includes Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina. The score is by Oscar winner Gabriel Yared (The English Patient), with additional music by songwriters Damien...
- 3/24/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Gkids said today it will release Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet on August 7 in Los Angeles and New York before expanding it wide the following week. The animated pic based on the 1923 bestseller was spearheaded by Salma Hayek and features a narrative story written and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), with “chapters” based on Gibran's poems designed and directed by animation directors including Tomm Moore, Joan Gratz, Bill Plympton, Nina Paley, Joann Sfar, Paul and…...
- 3/24/2015
- Deadline
The distributor will release Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet in the Us on August 7.
Salma Hayek-Pinault is one of the producers on the animation based on Lebanese poet Gibran’s timeless book about the meaning of life.
Gkids will open the film in New York and Los Angeles prior to nationwide expansion.
The voice cast includes Liam Neeson, Hayek-Pinault, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina.
Salma Hayek-Pinault is one of the producers on the animation based on Lebanese poet Gibran’s timeless book about the meaning of life.
Gkids will open the film in New York and Los Angeles prior to nationwide expansion.
The voice cast includes Liam Neeson, Hayek-Pinault, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina.
- 3/24/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Youngsters and oldsters alike…here is the reel deal: The New York International Children’s Film Festival (Nyicff) will be making its presence known in the upcoming days. On tap for the 18th annual event will be a noted variety of creative animated films and shorts for all ages to enjoy and relish. The New York International Children’s Film Festival promises to serve up an array of animated showcases that boasts all styles and formats that should prove imaginative and appealing to our past and present childhood memories.
Please note that the Nyicff will run its operation from February 27, 2015 to March 22, 2015. Additionally, the majority of these impressive feature-length and short films have experienced critical acclaim overseas. Therefore, the impact of the Nyicff’s cinematic selections should be rewarding for ardent fans of animated film fodder designed to capture the spirit of its enthusiastic viewers.
Among the films being displayed...
Please note that the Nyicff will run its operation from February 27, 2015 to March 22, 2015. Additionally, the majority of these impressive feature-length and short films have experienced critical acclaim overseas. Therefore, the impact of the Nyicff’s cinematic selections should be rewarding for ardent fans of animated film fodder designed to capture the spirit of its enthusiastic viewers.
Among the films being displayed...
- 2/11/2015
- by Frank Ochieng
- SoundOnSight
Hot projects on Screenbase this week include German-Canadian co-production In The Lost Lands, twin brothers Mohammed Abou Nasser and Ahmad Abou Nasser’s Dégradé, spy-thriller Damascus Cover and documentary Tomorrow.
Fantasy adventure In The Lost Lands
Milla Jovovich will star alongside Justin Chatwin in this new feature based on short stories from the creator of Game Of Thrones. The German-Canadian co-production is directed by Constantin Werner.
The story revolves around a series of magical and fantastic tales centring on a sorceress in search of a spell, a warrior girl on a quest and a young barbarian who encounters a witch in a spacecraft.
Steve Hoban, Oliver Luer and Nico Bruinsma produce. Myriad Pictures chief Kirk D’Amico will serve as an executive producer.
Terrence Malick’s Voyage Of Time
Malick’s documentary features the voices of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Dede Gardner, Nicolas Gonda, Sarah Green, Grant Hill, Brad Pitt, Bill Pohlad and [link...
Fantasy adventure In The Lost Lands
Milla Jovovich will star alongside Justin Chatwin in this new feature based on short stories from the creator of Game Of Thrones. The German-Canadian co-production is directed by Constantin Werner.
The story revolves around a series of magical and fantastic tales centring on a sorceress in search of a spell, a warrior girl on a quest and a young barbarian who encounters a witch in a spacecraft.
Steve Hoban, Oliver Luer and Nico Bruinsma produce. Myriad Pictures chief Kirk D’Amico will serve as an executive producer.
Terrence Malick’s Voyage Of Time
Malick’s documentary features the voices of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Dede Gardner, Nicolas Gonda, Sarah Green, Grant Hill, Brad Pitt, Bill Pohlad and [link...
- 2/9/2015
- by maud.le-rest@sciencespo-toulouse.net (Maud Le Rest)
- ScreenDaily
Gkids, the American distributor behind 2015 animated Oscar nominees "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" and "Song of the Sea," has picked up North American rights to "Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet." This animated telling of Gibran's bestselling 1923 book played the festival circuit, including a Cannes premiere, last year. It has been slated for a summer 2015 release. The film unfolds across standalone chapters by ten directors including Tomm Moore ("Song of the Sea"), Nina Paley ("Sita Sings the Blues") and Bill Plympton ("Cheatin'"). Co-producer Salma Hayek fought hard to bring the celebrated Lebanese poet's work to the screen, and helped close this deal. Watch: Salma Hayek on Why She's Passionate About "Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet" The voice cast includes Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina. The score is by Oscar winner Gabriel Yared (The English...
- 2/5/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Gkids has acquired the North American rights to “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” the animation distributor announced on Thursday. Based on the bestselling novel by Kahlil Gibran, the animated feature is broken down into different chapters based on different poems by the author. Roger Allers (“The Lion King”) co-wrote and co-directed the feature, which was spearheaded by actress-producer Salma Hayek, who also lent her voice. Also Read: TheWrap’s 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015: From ‘Fifty Shades’ to ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Spectre’ “After seeing the incredible reaction to the movie in Cannes, Toronto and Doha, I’m very excited to...
- 2/5/2015
- by Travis Reilly
- The Wrap
After debuting at Cannes and playing at the Toronto Film Festival last year, the animated feature version of one of the bestselling books of all time is coming to more big screens this summer. Distributor Gkids has acquired North American rights to Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, the passion project of Salma Hayek.
“After seeing the incredible reaction to the movie in Cannes, Toronto and Doha, I’m very excited to be working with Gkids in bringing Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet to North American audiences,” Hayek said. “This is one of the most personal projects I have ever done and I am extremely proud of it.”
Written and directed by Lion King helmer Roger Allers, The Prophet adaptation is produced by Hayek and José Tamez’s Ventanarosa Productions along with Clark Peterson, and Ron Senkowski. Steve Hanson, François Pinault, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Julia Lebedev, Leonid Lebedev, Naël Nasr,...
“After seeing the incredible reaction to the movie in Cannes, Toronto and Doha, I’m very excited to be working with Gkids in bringing Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet to North American audiences,” Hayek said. “This is one of the most personal projects I have ever done and I am extremely proud of it.”
Written and directed by Lion King helmer Roger Allers, The Prophet adaptation is produced by Hayek and José Tamez’s Ventanarosa Productions along with Clark Peterson, and Ron Senkowski. Steve Hanson, François Pinault, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Julia Lebedev, Leonid Lebedev, Naël Nasr,...
- 2/5/2015
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline
Gkids has picked up North American rights to Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet and plans to release in summer.
Salma Hayek-Pinault produced and spearheaded the project based on the Lebanese author’s book.
The voice cast includes Liam Neeson Salma Hayek-Pinault, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina. The film premiered in Cannes.
Gkids brokered the deal with CAA on behalf of the film-makers.
Open Road Films has acquired all Us rights to the animated family film Blazing Samurai loosely based on Blazing Saddles and will release on April 14, 2017. Gfm Films is handling international sales and provides production funding.Cinedigm has signed a 12-film deal with The Asylum to release four high-concept titles a year from the Sharknado franchise producers.
Salma Hayek-Pinault produced and spearheaded the project based on the Lebanese author’s book.
The voice cast includes Liam Neeson Salma Hayek-Pinault, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina. The film premiered in Cannes.
Gkids brokered the deal with CAA on behalf of the film-makers.
Open Road Films has acquired all Us rights to the animated family film Blazing Samurai loosely based on Blazing Saddles and will release on April 14, 2017. Gfm Films is handling international sales and provides production funding.Cinedigm has signed a 12-film deal with The Asylum to release four high-concept titles a year from the Sharknado franchise producers.
- 2/5/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Doha Film Institute has unveiled plans for the inaugural edition of its Qumra initiative for first- and second-time filmmakers. Directors and producers attached to up to 25 projects in development or postproduction, including those with funding from Dfi, will be invited to participate in the event. The program will feature industry meetings designed to assist projects to their next stages of development, as well as a program of public screenings curated with input from the Qumra Masters.
Qumra will be supported by the Sarajevo Film Festival. Filmmaker Elia Sulieman will continue in his role as artistic adviser to Qumra and Dfi. Paolo Bertolin and Violeta Bava are on board as programming and industry advisors.
The event is set to take place in Doha from March 6-11. The announcement comes as the second edition of Dfi’s Ajyal Youth Film Festival was brought to a close with the Middle East premiere...
Qumra will be supported by the Sarajevo Film Festival. Filmmaker Elia Sulieman will continue in his role as artistic adviser to Qumra and Dfi. Paolo Bertolin and Violeta Bava are on board as programming and industry advisors.
The event is set to take place in Doha from March 6-11. The announcement comes as the second edition of Dfi’s Ajyal Youth Film Festival was brought to a close with the Middle East premiere...
- 12/8/2014
- by Ali Jaafar
- Deadline
The Doha Film Institute has launched a film fund designed to support Qatari filmmakers. The announcement, made during the Ayjal Film Festival, will see up to four features and up to eight short films supported by the Qatari Film Fund. At least one feature film from the development fund will also receive production funds in 2016.
The move is part of a strategic recalibration of Dfi led by acting CEO Fatma Al Remaihi, also director of the Ayjal Film Festival. The development fund will offer up to $50,000 for feature films, with another $50,000 as a combined development and production award to short films.
“Through film, and in fact, all forms of culture and entertainment, we reflect ourselves,” commented Al Remaihi, who is widely respected at home and abroad for her work at Dfi “We reflect our human experience – our beliefs, custom, tradition, language and our culture. Nurturing the creative community of our...
The move is part of a strategic recalibration of Dfi led by acting CEO Fatma Al Remaihi, also director of the Ayjal Film Festival. The development fund will offer up to $50,000 for feature films, with another $50,000 as a combined development and production award to short films.
“Through film, and in fact, all forms of culture and entertainment, we reflect ourselves,” commented Al Remaihi, who is widely respected at home and abroad for her work at Dfi “We reflect our human experience – our beliefs, custom, tradition, language and our culture. Nurturing the creative community of our...
- 12/4/2014
- by Ali Jaafar
- Deadline
Second edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival in Doha to include 90 films from 43 countries.
A total of 90 films have been selected for the second edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival (Dec 1-6) at the Cultural Village Katara in Doha.
Ten of these features are by first and second-time filmmakers including Macondo by Sudabeh Mortezai, Antboy by Ask Hasselbalch, #chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes On a Dictator by Joe Piscatella and the opening night world premiere of Speed Sisters by Amber Fares.
Other highlights of this year’s feature film line-up include the Mena premiere of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, produced by and starring Salma Hayek-Pinault. The animated feature, which is the Festival’s closing night gala presentation, is an adaptation of Gibran’s book directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), featuring sequences by directors including Gulf animator Mohammed Saeed Harib.
Special guests confirmed to attend the festival include a delegation from Kahlil Gibran...
A total of 90 films have been selected for the second edition of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival (Dec 1-6) at the Cultural Village Katara in Doha.
Ten of these features are by first and second-time filmmakers including Macondo by Sudabeh Mortezai, Antboy by Ask Hasselbalch, #chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes On a Dictator by Joe Piscatella and the opening night world premiere of Speed Sisters by Amber Fares.
Other highlights of this year’s feature film line-up include the Mena premiere of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, produced by and starring Salma Hayek-Pinault. The animated feature, which is the Festival’s closing night gala presentation, is an adaptation of Gibran’s book directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), featuring sequences by directors including Gulf animator Mohammed Saeed Harib.
Special guests confirmed to attend the festival include a delegation from Kahlil Gibran...
- 11/12/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Wadjda is one of the films to have previously benefited from the Rawi Screenwriters Lab The Sundance Institute and The Royal Film Commission - Jordan have announced the six projects selected for the 10th anniversary of the Rawi Screenwriters Lab, which took place October 28 to November 1 in Amman, Jordan. Shake, Bagdhad Perfume, Killer Of The Selawa, Tide, Snow and The Golden Cap Club all made the list.
Modeled on the Institute’s renowned Us-based Screenwriters Labs, the Rawi Screenwriters Lab provides an opportunity for filmmakers from the Middle East region to develop their work under the guidance of accomplished screenwriters in an environment that encourages storytelling at its highest level.
The Creative Advisors this year included Pavel Jech (This Is Not An American Movie), Rawi Screenwriting Lab alum Najwa Najjar (Eyes Of A Thief, Pomegranates And Myrrh), Hanna Weg (Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet), Jon Raymond (Night Moves, Wendy and Lucy...
Modeled on the Institute’s renowned Us-based Screenwriters Labs, the Rawi Screenwriters Lab provides an opportunity for filmmakers from the Middle East region to develop their work under the guidance of accomplished screenwriters in an environment that encourages storytelling at its highest level.
The Creative Advisors this year included Pavel Jech (This Is Not An American Movie), Rawi Screenwriting Lab alum Najwa Najjar (Eyes Of A Thief, Pomegranates And Myrrh), Hanna Weg (Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet), Jon Raymond (Night Moves, Wendy and Lucy...
- 11/5/2014
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
EW has confirmed that Quvenzhané Wallis is attached to star in The Mazur/Kaplan Company and Olympus Pictures' big-screen adaptation Holly Goldberg Sloan's bestselling novel, Counting By 7s. Deadline first reported the news. Wallis will play the novel's central character, Willow Chance, a young girl who rebuilds her life with a surrogate family after her parents are killed in a car accident. After her Oscar-nominated turn in Beasts of the Southern Wild, Wallis has had a full schedule, having just wrapped production on Fathers and Daughters, a drama with Aaron Paul and Amanda Seyfried, and providing her voice in animated film The Prophet,...
- 9/30/2014
- by Teresa Jue
- EW - Inside Movies
Exclusive: The Mazur/Kaplan Company and Olympus Pictures have optioned Holly Goldberg Sloan’s bestselling novel Counting By 7s. They’ve attached Oscar-nominated Beasts Of The Southern Wild star Quvenzhané Wallis and will build the movie around her. The bestseller centers on Willow Chance, a bright young girl who, after the death of her adoptive parents, is taken in by an unlikely surrogate family and an unfit guidance counselor. In the wake of tremendous loss, she rises to build a community that she heals and that heals her.
“I am honored to play the role of Willow in Counting by 7s,” Wallis said. “I love the message behind the story. I am excited to be a part of it and to see it come to life.” Wallis just wrapped her first big studio film in the musical Annie, and also will star in the upcoming adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,...
“I am honored to play the role of Willow in Counting by 7s,” Wallis said. “I love the message behind the story. I am excited to be a part of it and to see it come to life.” Wallis just wrapped her first big studio film in the musical Annie, and also will star in the upcoming adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,...
- 9/30/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Name and focus changes for every section, which are now all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
The ninth Rome Film Festival (Oct 16-25) has revealed a diverse line-up including the Italian premieres for potential awards contenders including David Fincher’s Gone Girl. the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s As the Gods Will and Burhan Qurbani’s We are Young, We are Strong and European premiere of Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, Toronto hit Still Alice and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
This year for the first time the award-winners in each section of the programme will be decided by the audience on the basis of votes cast after the screenings.
Each section has changed name and focus for 2014 and are all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
Italian comedies Soap Opera and Andiamo a Quel Paese bookend the line-up.
Full line-up
Cinema D’Oggi
World premiere
• Angely...
The ninth Rome Film Festival (Oct 16-25) has revealed a diverse line-up including the Italian premieres for potential awards contenders including David Fincher’s Gone Girl. the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s As the Gods Will and Burhan Qurbani’s We are Young, We are Strong and European premiere of Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, Toronto hit Still Alice and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
This year for the first time the award-winners in each section of the programme will be decided by the audience on the basis of votes cast after the screenings.
Each section has changed name and focus for 2014 and are all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
Italian comedies Soap Opera and Andiamo a Quel Paese bookend the line-up.
Full line-up
Cinema D’Oggi
World premiere
• Angely...
- 9/29/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Oscar winning director and festival favorite Danis Tanovic is set to helm Ports Of Call, based on the bestselling novel by Lebanese-French writer and Académie Française member, Amin Maalouf. The film will be produced by Ron Senkowski (Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, Decoding Annie Parker) and Samira Kawas through their Dubai/La-based Symply Entertainment. Also producing is Paul-Gordon Chandler, a Cairo-based Episcopal priest who initially obtained the rights from Maalouf.
Originally published in 1996, Ports Of Call is the story of two ill-fated lovers who meet in Paris during Ww II. Ossyane, an Ottoman prince with a Muslim upbringing, and Clara, a Jewish freedom fighter from Vienna, are ultimately torn apart by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
Tanovic, whose most recent film, Tigers, premiered in Toronto, won the 2002 Foreign Language Oscar for No Man’s Land, as well as the screenplay prize in Cannes. In 2013, he won the Jury Prize in Berlin...
Originally published in 1996, Ports Of Call is the story of two ill-fated lovers who meet in Paris during Ww II. Ossyane, an Ottoman prince with a Muslim upbringing, and Clara, a Jewish freedom fighter from Vienna, are ultimately torn apart by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
Tanovic, whose most recent film, Tigers, premiered in Toronto, won the 2002 Foreign Language Oscar for No Man’s Land, as well as the screenplay prize in Cannes. In 2013, he won the Jury Prize in Berlin...
- 9/26/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
When Salma Hayek-Pinault is passionate about something, you know it. The actress and activist has produced an animated project called “Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet,” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival this weekend. The film, directed by Roger Allers (“The Lion King”) brings a message of inspiration, humanity and peace from the Lebanese poet whose book has sold millions of copies since its publication in 1923. Hayek spoke to TheWrap‘s Sharon Waxman about producing and how to point the world in a more peaceful direction. TheWrap: It's a time when the world seems so unpredictable and dangerous, why did you want.
- 9/7/2014
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Salma Hayek has arrived at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival, hitting the red carpet for the premiere of her ambitious animated project, "The Prophet," based on the bestselling poetry book by Kahlil Gibran. Hayek and her kiddie co-star Quvenzhané Wallis ("Beasts of the Southern Wild," the upcoming "Annie") walked the red carpet for the photographers and fans. Check out the photos here:...
- 9/6/2014
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
Acting CEO Fatma Al-Remaihi admits the Doha Film Institute is facing challenges.
The Doha Film Institute is “in transition” admits acting CEO Fatma Al-Remaihi who is in Toronto to support six films backed by the Dfi, including Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, which gets its world premiere tomorrow night.
After Screen revealed earlier this week that head of programming Ludmila Cvikova is departing the institute after three years, Al-Remaihi admitted the Dfi is facing structural and financial challenges but remains committed to its broad film output:
“There have been cuts to cultural funding all over the region and we are no different. In Qatar there has been a large governmental focus on health and infrastructure but that doesn’t mean we are not supported. We are. Commercial sponsorship also remains strong. It’s about being smart with what we have.”
Cvikova’s departure follows that of former Dfi CEO Abdulaziz Al-Khater who left last month and the...
The Doha Film Institute is “in transition” admits acting CEO Fatma Al-Remaihi who is in Toronto to support six films backed by the Dfi, including Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, which gets its world premiere tomorrow night.
After Screen revealed earlier this week that head of programming Ludmila Cvikova is departing the institute after three years, Al-Remaihi admitted the Dfi is facing structural and financial challenges but remains committed to its broad film output:
“There have been cuts to cultural funding all over the region and we are no different. In Qatar there has been a large governmental focus on health and infrastructure but that doesn’t mean we are not supported. We are. Commercial sponsorship also remains strong. It’s about being smart with what we have.”
Cvikova’s departure follows that of former Dfi CEO Abdulaziz Al-Khater who left last month and the...
- 9/5/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Ten years after its founding, Participant Media has released some 55 films, from docs "An Inconvenient Truth," "Food, Inc.," "Waiting for ‘Superman'" to upcoming Toronto International Film Festival title "Merchants of Doubt" to uplifting features such as "Good Night, and Good Luck," "Syriana," "The Help," "Contagion" and "Lincoln." As Participant prepares to celebrate its tenth anniversary at Toronto with the world premiere of animated “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” the company led by eBay co-founder Jeff Skoll has been broadening its narrowly defined social action niche to include commercial feature fare. The message is still there--but it's more hidden. In one example, the company just sold U.S. rights to supernatural thriller "Out of the Dark," starring Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman, and Stephen Rea, to Vertical Entertainment...
- 8/25/2014
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Exclusive: In a bid to drive acquisitions, Toronto top brass are understood to be collaborating with select sales agents to allow festival staff and volunteers to attend four early-stage private buyers screenings.
Screendaily has learned the move is being orchestrated to replicate the buoyant atmosphere of public screenings in an effort to stir up sales.
The timing of the move is dictated by a growing recognition that most decision-makers at distribution companies will have left town by the time these films officially premiere in the second week, despite Toronto’s efforts to spread its riches across the duration of the festival.
That strategy was informed in part by the festival’s new and well documented policy of holding back until the second week premieres of anticipated films that will receive their actual world premiere in Telluride.
Two cases in point are North American premieres of The Weinstein Company’s Benedict Cumberbatch starrer The Imitation Game and Fox...
Screendaily has learned the move is being orchestrated to replicate the buoyant atmosphere of public screenings in an effort to stir up sales.
The timing of the move is dictated by a growing recognition that most decision-makers at distribution companies will have left town by the time these films officially premiere in the second week, despite Toronto’s efforts to spread its riches across the duration of the festival.
That strategy was informed in part by the festival’s new and well documented policy of holding back until the second week premieres of anticipated films that will receive their actual world premiere in Telluride.
Two cases in point are North American premieres of The Weinstein Company’s Benedict Cumberbatch starrer The Imitation Game and Fox...
- 8/23/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Much like back to school sales in mid July, in our books, Tiff’s first announcement wave reminds us that the end of summer is upon us (we heart fall film festival bliss) and it also gets our team of journalists heading to Tiff in Charlie Foxtrot pickle of a situation as the Docs, Midnight Madness, Vanguard & Wavelengths get revealed in the weeks to come making for scheduling overload. Of star-struck, tickets sale friendly list of showy red carpet items mentioned today, we find our usual set of Oscar bait items (how odd that Quebecois helmers Jean-Marc Vallee and Philippe Falardeau both present tear-jerker items with Reese Witherspoon), acquisitions titles, and more importantly, our first look at items that are pretty much guaranteed a showing at this year’s Telluride and Venice Film Festivals. On tap, we have Mia Hansen-Løve’s Eden, Christian Petzold’s Phoenix, Noah Baumbach’s While...
- 7/22/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Cannes -- One of the more unexpected events at this year's Cannes Film Festival for me happened on Saturday night. I went to what I thought was going to be a screening, but which turned out instead to be a presentation hosted by Salma Hayek for the work-in-progress version of an animated anthology film based on "The Prophet," the internationally acclaimed book of poetry by Kahlil Gibran. Ultimately, we ended up seeing less than half of the film, but Hayek's enthusiasm and the finished footage that we did get to see made a strong case for not only how much this film means to her personally, but also what a beautifully crafted experience the end result promises to be. If you're an animation fan, this is going to be a fascinating collection of voices and techniques from around the world, all in service of this beautiful, profound piece of work...
- 5/22/2014
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Exclusive: Sales powerhouse also takes on Bertrand Bonello’s Paris Is Happening and Andrew Dominik’s Blonde.
Wild Bunch has picked up sales on the Selma Hayek-produced Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet ahead of its special presentation in Cannes.
Based on the inspirational poem by early 20th century, Lebanese writer Kahlil Gibran, the high profile adaptation is currently in post-production.
Hayek will present a work-in-progress in Cannes’ Official Selection on May 17. The actress also features in the voice cast alongside Liam Neeson, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina and Quvenzhané Wallis.
The animated, portmanteau picture features the work of Roger Allers, Tomm Moore, Tichal Socha, Joan Gratz, Nina Paley, Joann Sfar, Bill Plympton, Mohammed Harib, and Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, who will all also be present at the event.
Other late additions to Wild Bunch’s slate include Paris Is Happening by Bertrand Bonello who is in competition with Saint Laurent.
The film kicks...
Wild Bunch has picked up sales on the Selma Hayek-produced Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet ahead of its special presentation in Cannes.
Based on the inspirational poem by early 20th century, Lebanese writer Kahlil Gibran, the high profile adaptation is currently in post-production.
Hayek will present a work-in-progress in Cannes’ Official Selection on May 17. The actress also features in the voice cast alongside Liam Neeson, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina and Quvenzhané Wallis.
The animated, portmanteau picture features the work of Roger Allers, Tomm Moore, Tichal Socha, Joan Gratz, Nina Paley, Joann Sfar, Bill Plympton, Mohammed Harib, and Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, who will all also be present at the event.
Other late additions to Wild Bunch’s slate include Paris Is Happening by Bertrand Bonello who is in competition with Saint Laurent.
The film kicks...
- 5/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
Arriving in style at Lax on Friday (October 18), Salma Hayek came into Los Angeles with her adorable little daughter, Valentina Pinault.
The "Ugly Better" exec. producer looked classy and ready to be home, her hair curled and down along her shoulders, sporting big shades, a black sleeveless blouse and belt, black skinny jeans and designer boots.
The daughter of the 47-year-old Latina beauty was cute in a wearing wrist bangles and a patterned blue and yellow dress. Valentina held her mommy's hand, covering her eyes from the glare of the cameras and wearing tan-colored slip-on's.
In related news, Hayek is currently at work, both producing and voice acting for 2014 movie, "The Prophet." According to the synopsis, the new movie is "Inspired by the classic book by Kahlil Gibran, 'The Prophet' is an animated feature film, with "chapters" from animation directors from around the world."...
The "Ugly Better" exec. producer looked classy and ready to be home, her hair curled and down along her shoulders, sporting big shades, a black sleeveless blouse and belt, black skinny jeans and designer boots.
The daughter of the 47-year-old Latina beauty was cute in a wearing wrist bangles and a patterned blue and yellow dress. Valentina held her mommy's hand, covering her eyes from the glare of the cameras and wearing tan-colored slip-on's.
In related news, Hayek is currently at work, both producing and voice acting for 2014 movie, "The Prophet." According to the synopsis, the new movie is "Inspired by the classic book by Kahlil Gibran, 'The Prophet' is an animated feature film, with "chapters" from animation directors from around the world."...
- 10/19/2013
- GossipCenter
Los Angeles, Feb 26: A collection of personal notes and poetry written by rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley is set to go under the hammer.
The handwritten messages include a poem in which the Elvis describes smashing a robin perched on his windowsill, reports contactmusic.com.
It reads, "He sang his sweet song so sweetly and paused for a moments lull/ I gently raised the window and crushed his f-**king skull."
Presley's copy of Kahlil Gibran's book "The Prophet" will also go under the hammer at the Omega Auctions sale in Stockport, England, March 9.
Ians...
The handwritten messages include a poem in which the Elvis describes smashing a robin perched on his windowsill, reports contactmusic.com.
It reads, "He sang his sweet song so sweetly and paused for a moments lull/ I gently raised the window and crushed his f-**king skull."
Presley's copy of Kahlil Gibran's book "The Prophet" will also go under the hammer at the Omega Auctions sale in Stockport, England, March 9.
Ians...
- 2/25/2013
- by Shiva Prakash
- RealBollywood.com
Kahlil Gibran's prose-poem may have Hallmark sentiments, but this is a cinematic rhapsody
Gary Tarn is a British director creating collages of images and ideas, in the tradition of Chris Marker – directing, shooting, editing, and composing the music. After his Bafta-nominated Black Sun, he has returned with a visual quilt inspired by the prose-poem The Prophet, a spiritual-humanist work by Kahlil Gibran. He assembles intriguing and potent images, strikingly juxtaposed, a free-form cinematic rhapsody, which is accompanied by an adapted voice-over of the original text. This may also have absorbed something from Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life. I am an agnostic about Gibran – for me, his work verges on Hallmark-card-speak – and it took a while to acclimatise to Thandie Newton's narration, in a sonorous American accent. But Tarn is persuasive, and you can't help but respond to the boldness, intelligence and creativity of hisfilm-making.
Rating: 3/5
PoetryPeter Bradshaw
guardian.
Gary Tarn is a British director creating collages of images and ideas, in the tradition of Chris Marker – directing, shooting, editing, and composing the music. After his Bafta-nominated Black Sun, he has returned with a visual quilt inspired by the prose-poem The Prophet, a spiritual-humanist work by Kahlil Gibran. He assembles intriguing and potent images, strikingly juxtaposed, a free-form cinematic rhapsody, which is accompanied by an adapted voice-over of the original text. This may also have absorbed something from Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life. I am an agnostic about Gibran – for me, his work verges on Hallmark-card-speak – and it took a while to acclimatise to Thandie Newton's narration, in a sonorous American accent. But Tarn is persuasive, and you can't help but respond to the boldness, intelligence and creativity of hisfilm-making.
Rating: 3/5
PoetryPeter Bradshaw
guardian.
- 9/21/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
It was announced earlier this year, that Salma Hayek was teaming up with the Doha Film Institute and Participant Media to adapt Khalil Gibran’s classic novel The Prophet as an animated feature for the big screen. Each of the chapters in the novel will be directed by a different filmmaker. The film is expected in 2013; but, while you wait for that, you should be aware of this documentary on The Prophet - a film directed and composed by BAFTA-nominated Gary Tarn, and is narrated by British actress Thandie Newton "who delivers Gibran's captivating prose with an intimate reading, woven into a score for orchestra, guitar, cello and...
- 9/12/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
I’m not sure if you still remember this project (unless you’re Salma Hayek‘s fans), but The Prophet is still going to happen! Participant Media and Doha Film Institute have signed on along with MyGroup Lebanon, Ffa Private Bank, Jrw Entertainment and Code Red Productions for the above mentioned animated project which Hayek’s Ventanarosa Productions will [...]
Continue reading Financiers Sign On for Salma Hayek’s The Prophet on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: The Lion King’s Roger Allers Signs on for Salma Hayek’s The Prophet Animated Feature Salma Hayek to Produce Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet as Animated Feature? The Simpsons Cast Sign New 4 Year Deal...
Continue reading Financiers Sign On for Salma Hayek’s The Prophet on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: The Lion King’s Roger Allers Signs on for Salma Hayek’s The Prophet Animated Feature Salma Hayek to Produce Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet as Animated Feature? The Simpsons Cast Sign New 4 Year Deal...
- 2/28/2012
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet—the Lebanese poet’s 1923 collection of inspirational essays for boring people to read at their weddings—is being readied as an animated film by producer Salma Hayek, who made sure to mention that she is “of Lebanese descent” in the press release, because her combined heritage means she has to adapt both telenovelas and this, apparently, or be considered some sort of traitor. The Lion King director Roger Allers will oversee the project, which is being prepped as a sort of anthology with various directors—including Persepolis’ Marjane Satrapi and The Secret Of Kells ...
- 2/27/2012
- avclub.com
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