Noomi Rapace and Nicholas Pinnock are joining Matthias Schoenaerts in the star cast of “Django,” an English-language reimagining of Sergio Corbucci’s classic 1966 Western. Set in the Wild West of the 1860s and ’70s, the project marks one of the biggest high-end European series of 2021.
Star of “Prometheus,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “What Happened to Monday,” Sweden’s Rapace will play Elizabeth, who is described as a powerful and merciless enemy of John Ellis. Along with his fiancee Sarah, John Ellis is the founder of New Babylon, a city of outcasts which welcomes everyone from any background, race or creed.
British actor Pinnock — whose credits include movies such as “The Last Tree” and “Dark Encounter” as well as popular TV dramas “Counterpart,”“Fortitude,” “Marcella and “For Life” — takes the key role of John Ellis. Schoenaerts (“Bullhead”) plays the titular role of Django.
German on-the-rise star Lisa Vicari, Martha Nielsen in “Dark,...
Star of “Prometheus,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “What Happened to Monday,” Sweden’s Rapace will play Elizabeth, who is described as a powerful and merciless enemy of John Ellis. Along with his fiancee Sarah, John Ellis is the founder of New Babylon, a city of outcasts which welcomes everyone from any background, race or creed.
British actor Pinnock — whose credits include movies such as “The Last Tree” and “Dark Encounter” as well as popular TV dramas “Counterpart,”“Fortitude,” “Marcella and “For Life” — takes the key role of John Ellis. Schoenaerts (“Bullhead”) plays the titular role of Django.
German on-the-rise star Lisa Vicari, Martha Nielsen in “Dark,...
- 5/11/2021
- by John Hopewell and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
A film of the January 10th, 1973 Genesis concert at the Bataclan in Paris, France has circulated within the fan community for years, but the good folks at the Genesis Museum recently shared a 4K restoration that is a stunning improvement over anything seen before. Simply put, it’s the most pristine video of a Peter Gabriel-era show that has ever surfaced.
“This was a really big project,” the Genesis Museum noted on YouTube. “Not that the source was bad; the source was actually very nice. However, the source had many anomalies,...
“This was a really big project,” the Genesis Museum noted on YouTube. “Not that the source was bad; the source was actually very nice. However, the source had many anomalies,...
- 4/19/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Weezer’s latest music video sees them auditioning to be the opening act for none other than Wyld Stallyns, the band fronted by Bill S. Preston and Ted Theodore Logan in “Bill & Ted Face the Music.”
Their new song “Beginning of the End” is just one track on a soundtrack album in support of the film, which also features songs by Cold War Kids, Mastodon, Fidlar, Lamb of God and a few originals by Wyld Stallyns themselves.
Weezer’s track, which you can hear above, is about overcoming insecurity and taking the stage even though you’re “so scared,” and it fits well with the themes of “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” which grapples with the two heroes still working to fulfill their rock and roll destiny even decades after they went on their excellent adventure and bogus journey.
Also Read: 'Bill & Ted Face the Music...
Their new song “Beginning of the End” is just one track on a soundtrack album in support of the film, which also features songs by Cold War Kids, Mastodon, Fidlar, Lamb of God and a few originals by Wyld Stallyns themselves.
Weezer’s track, which you can hear above, is about overcoming insecurity and taking the stage even though you’re “so scared,” and it fits well with the themes of “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” which grapples with the two heroes still working to fulfill their rock and roll destiny even decades after they went on their excellent adventure and bogus journey.
Also Read: 'Bill & Ted Face the Music...
- 8/14/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Jan Naszewski’s Warsaw-based sales agency New Europe Film Sales has closed several deals with leading independent distributors on the upcoming supernatural drama “Lamb” by Valdimar Jóhannsson, starring Noomi Rapace.
The film was picked up by distributors in France (The Jokers), Germany (Koch Films), Poland (Gutek Film), Benelux (The Searchers), Hungary (Vertigo), Czech Republic (Artcam), Austria (Filmladen), Denmark (Camera Film), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Slovakia (Asfk), former Yugoslavia (Five Stars/Demiurg), Estonia (Must Käsi), Latvia (Kino Bize) and Lithuania (Scanorama).
“Lamb” is a story of an Icelandic couple, María (Rapace) and Ingvar (Hilmir Snaer Gudnason), who live with their herd of sheep on a beautiful but remote farm. When they discover a mysterious newborn on their farmland, they decide to keep it and raise it as their own. This unexpected prospect of a new family brings them much joy, before ultimately destroying them.
“Lamb” was co-written by Icelandic author Sjón, Academy-nominated for...
The film was picked up by distributors in France (The Jokers), Germany (Koch Films), Poland (Gutek Film), Benelux (The Searchers), Hungary (Vertigo), Czech Republic (Artcam), Austria (Filmladen), Denmark (Camera Film), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Slovakia (Asfk), former Yugoslavia (Five Stars/Demiurg), Estonia (Must Käsi), Latvia (Kino Bize) and Lithuania (Scanorama).
“Lamb” is a story of an Icelandic couple, María (Rapace) and Ingvar (Hilmir Snaer Gudnason), who live with their herd of sheep on a beautiful but remote farm. When they discover a mysterious newborn on their farmland, they decide to keep it and raise it as their own. This unexpected prospect of a new family brings them much joy, before ultimately destroying them.
“Lamb” was co-written by Icelandic author Sjón, Academy-nominated for...
- 6/24/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Variety has been given exclusive access to the trailer for Cannes Official Selection title “Sweat,” Magnus von Horn’s follow-up to his Cannes Directors’ Fortnight player “The Here After.”
The film follows three days in the life of fitness motivator Sylwia Zając, a social media celebrity who has hundreds of thousands of followers. Though she’s surrounded by loyal employees and admired by acquaintances, however, Zając finds herself searching for true intimacy.
“Emotional exhibitionists fascinate me, probably because I am on the opposite side of that spectrum,” said von Horn in a director’s statement. “I keep my emotions on the inside and rarely share them because I fear being judged. So when I meet people who effortlessly and without shame express themselves I feel envy.”
For “Sweat,” the director was inspired by a fitness motivator and influencer he discovered online. “The amount of photos and videos she posted each day amazed me,...
The film follows three days in the life of fitness motivator Sylwia Zając, a social media celebrity who has hundreds of thousands of followers. Though she’s surrounded by loyal employees and admired by acquaintances, however, Zając finds herself searching for true intimacy.
“Emotional exhibitionists fascinate me, probably because I am on the opposite side of that spectrum,” said von Horn in a director’s statement. “I keep my emotions on the inside and rarely share them because I fear being judged. So when I meet people who effortlessly and without shame express themselves I feel envy.”
For “Sweat,” the director was inspired by a fitness motivator and influencer he discovered online. “The amount of photos and videos she posted each day amazed me,...
- 6/22/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: As the Cannes virtual market gets underway, Warsaw-based sales co New Europe has finalized key territory deals on two of its major titles.
Disco, which played Toronto and San Sebastian last year, has been bought for North America and UK by 1091. The film has also locked deals for Australia/Nz (Palace), Czech Rep / Slovakia (Artcam), Iceland (Bioparadis) and Lithuana (Kino Pavasaris).
The company has also closed deals on Rotterdam Film Festival Big Screen Competition winner Perfectly Normal Family. Pic has gone to UK and Ireland (Modern Films), Benelux (September), Switzerland (Xenix), Japan (Shin Nippon), and Germany and Austria (Salzgeber). Haut et Court will release the movie in France.
New Europe’s Cannes slate includes Magnus von Horn’s Cannes label drama Sweat, which was recently bought for France by Arp. The company is also repping Icelandic supernatural drama Lamb starring Noomi Rapace and Norwegian Christmas family animation Christmas At Cattle Hill.
Disco, which played Toronto and San Sebastian last year, has been bought for North America and UK by 1091. The film has also locked deals for Australia/Nz (Palace), Czech Rep / Slovakia (Artcam), Iceland (Bioparadis) and Lithuana (Kino Pavasaris).
The company has also closed deals on Rotterdam Film Festival Big Screen Competition winner Perfectly Normal Family. Pic has gone to UK and Ireland (Modern Films), Benelux (September), Switzerland (Xenix), Japan (Shin Nippon), and Germany and Austria (Salzgeber). Haut et Court will release the movie in France.
New Europe’s Cannes slate includes Magnus von Horn’s Cannes label drama Sweat, which was recently bought for France by Arp. The company is also repping Icelandic supernatural drama Lamb starring Noomi Rapace and Norwegian Christmas family animation Christmas At Cattle Hill.
- 6/22/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Lamb Of God has released “Routes,” the fourth single from their June 19 self-titled Epic Records release, featuring a guest appearance from Testament vocalist Chuck Billy. A visualizer for the track is available now at http://lamb-of-god.com and can be viewed below. Fans can pre-order Lamb of God, including a new alternate CD cover version signed by all five band members, now at the […] More...
- 5/30/2020
- by Josh Millican
- DreadCentral.com
Buzzy non-prize winners included Lamb and Shorta.
Russian filmmaker Ekaterina Selenkina’s urban drama Figures In The Urban Landscape has won the $50,000 Eurimages Lab Project Award at the Les Arcs Film Festival in the French Alps.
The production, capturing day-to-day life on the outskirts of Moscow through the drug drops of a local dealer, was among 18 projects at the production stage in Les Arcs’ Work In Progress event.
It is Selenkina’s first feature after a handful of shorts including the well-travelled Storge. Moscow-based producer Vladimir Nadein presented the project.
Greek director Gregoris Rentis’s hybrid documentary To Sail Close...
Russian filmmaker Ekaterina Selenkina’s urban drama Figures In The Urban Landscape has won the $50,000 Eurimages Lab Project Award at the Les Arcs Film Festival in the French Alps.
The production, capturing day-to-day life on the outskirts of Moscow through the drug drops of a local dealer, was among 18 projects at the production stage in Les Arcs’ Work In Progress event.
It is Selenkina’s first feature after a handful of shorts including the well-travelled Storge. Moscow-based producer Vladimir Nadein presented the project.
Greek director Gregoris Rentis’s hybrid documentary To Sail Close...
- 12/17/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Following its screenings on the festival circuit (including Fantastic Fest and the Toronto International Film Festival), the cult-centric film The Other Lamb has been acquired for North American distribution by IFC Midnight, with plans to release the movie next year:
Press Release: New York, NY - IFC Midnight is acquiring North American rights to The Other Lamb directed by Małgorzata Szumowska starring Raffey Cassidy, Michiel Huisman, and Denise Gough and is written by award-winning Australian screenwriter Catherine S. McMullen (Two Sentence Horror Stories). The screenplay was featured on the 2017 Black List, Hit List and Blood List and had its World Premiere as a Special Presentation at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The film most recently screened at the 2019 Fantastic Fest and is currently in competition at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival. Szumowska has previously won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival 2015 for her film Body and subsequently...
Press Release: New York, NY - IFC Midnight is acquiring North American rights to The Other Lamb directed by Małgorzata Szumowska starring Raffey Cassidy, Michiel Huisman, and Denise Gough and is written by award-winning Australian screenwriter Catherine S. McMullen (Two Sentence Horror Stories). The screenplay was featured on the 2017 Black List, Hit List and Blood List and had its World Premiere as a Special Presentation at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The film most recently screened at the 2019 Fantastic Fest and is currently in competition at the 2019 BFI London Film Festival. Szumowska has previously won the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival 2015 for her film Body and subsequently...
- 10/10/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
16th festival under the direction of Hronn Marinosdottir also showcases new Icelandic works in progress.
The 16th Rejykavik International Film Festival (Riff) has awarded its top prize – the Golden Puffin - to Shahrbanoo Sadat’s The Orphanage, the Bollywood-tinged drama about an Afghan boy who is sent to a Russian facility which is enjoying a strong festival run after its premiere at Quinzaine in May. The winner of the sidebar Competition, A Different Tomorrow, went to the documentary Midnight Traveller, by Hassan Fazili, a documentary performer since its Sundance bow.
The Puffin awards capped a busy festival in which...
The 16th Rejykavik International Film Festival (Riff) has awarded its top prize – the Golden Puffin - to Shahrbanoo Sadat’s The Orphanage, the Bollywood-tinged drama about an Afghan boy who is sent to a Russian facility which is enjoying a strong festival run after its premiere at Quinzaine in May. The winner of the sidebar Competition, A Different Tomorrow, went to the documentary Midnight Traveller, by Hassan Fazili, a documentary performer since its Sundance bow.
The Puffin awards capped a busy festival in which...
- 10/5/2019
- by 172¦Fionnuala Halligan¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
16th festival under the direction of Hronn Marinosdottir also showcases new Icelandic works in progress.
The 16th Rejykavik International Film Festival (Riff) has awarded its top prize – the Golden Puffin - to Shahrbanoo Sadat’s The Orphanage, the Bollywood-tinged drama about an Afghan boy who is sent to a Russian facility which is enjoying a strong festival run after its premiere at Quinzaine in May. The winner of the sidebar Competition, A Different Tomorrow, went to the documentary Midnight Traveller, by Hassan Fazili, a documentary performer since its Sundance bow.
The Puffin awards capped a busy festival in which...
The 16th Rejykavik International Film Festival (Riff) has awarded its top prize – the Golden Puffin - to Shahrbanoo Sadat’s The Orphanage, the Bollywood-tinged drama about an Afghan boy who is sent to a Russian facility which is enjoying a strong festival run after its premiere at Quinzaine in May. The winner of the sidebar Competition, A Different Tomorrow, went to the documentary Midnight Traveller, by Hassan Fazili, a documentary performer since its Sundance bow.
The Puffin awards capped a busy festival in which...
- 10/5/2019
- by 172¦Fionnuala Halligan¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Madants is developing a slate of internationally-focused projects.
Polish production outfit Madants is set to produce the English-language Silent Twins alongside UK/Us management and production company 42.
Poland’s Agnieszka Smoczyńska is onboard to direct Silent Twins, her first stand-alone English language feature. She previously directed a segment of the anthology horror film, The Field Guide To Evil, as well as Polish-language Cannes Critics’ Week title Fugue.
Speaking to Screen at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Klaudia Smieja, co-owner of Madants, said Silent Twins will tell the story of twins who after spending 14 years in Broadmoor Psychiatric Institution speak to...
Polish production outfit Madants is set to produce the English-language Silent Twins alongside UK/Us management and production company 42.
Poland’s Agnieszka Smoczyńska is onboard to direct Silent Twins, her first stand-alone English language feature. She previously directed a segment of the anthology horror film, The Field Guide To Evil, as well as Polish-language Cannes Critics’ Week title Fugue.
Speaking to Screen at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Klaudia Smieja, co-owner of Madants, said Silent Twins will tell the story of twins who after spending 14 years in Broadmoor Psychiatric Institution speak to...
- 9/24/2019
- by Chris Evans
- ScreenDaily
Madants is developing a slate of internationally-focused projects.
Polish production outfit Madants is set to produce the English-language Silent Twins the first standalone English-language feature of rising director Agnieszka Smoczyńska.
She previously directed a segment of the anthology horror film, The Field Guide To Evil, as well as Polish-language Cannes Critics’ Week title Fugue.
Speaking to Screen at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Klaudia Smieja, co-owner of Madants, said Silent Twins will tell the story of twins who after spending 14 years in Broadmoor Psychiatric Institution speak to each other only in a language of their own creation.
The film is...
Polish production outfit Madants is set to produce the English-language Silent Twins the first standalone English-language feature of rising director Agnieszka Smoczyńska.
She previously directed a segment of the anthology horror film, The Field Guide To Evil, as well as Polish-language Cannes Critics’ Week title Fugue.
Speaking to Screen at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Klaudia Smieja, co-owner of Madants, said Silent Twins will tell the story of twins who after spending 14 years in Broadmoor Psychiatric Institution speak to each other only in a language of their own creation.
The film is...
- 9/23/2019
- by Chris Evans
- ScreenDaily
Oslo — New-York based distributor Film Movement has acquired U.S. rights to critically-lauded Icelandic drama “A White, White Day,” today’s opening film at New Nordic Films in Haugesund.
In a separate deal, sales agent New Europe Film Sales has closed French-speaking Canada with Funfilm and English-speaking Canada with Game Theory.
Hlynur Pálmason’s sophomore pic, “A White, White Day” bowed at the Critics’ Week in Cannes where Icelandic heavyweight thesp Ingvar Sigurðsson won an acting prize for his solid performance as an off-duty police officer on an obsessive quest. The picture’s winning festival streak continued at the Transilvania and Motovun fests. After this week’s market screening at Haugesund confab New Nordic Films, the drama will have its North American premiere in the Toronto Festival’s Contemporary World Cinema program.
Film Movement’s president Michael Rosenberg said: “Hlynur put the international filmmaking community on notice with his feature film debut,...
In a separate deal, sales agent New Europe Film Sales has closed French-speaking Canada with Funfilm and English-speaking Canada with Game Theory.
Hlynur Pálmason’s sophomore pic, “A White, White Day” bowed at the Critics’ Week in Cannes where Icelandic heavyweight thesp Ingvar Sigurðsson won an acting prize for his solid performance as an off-duty police officer on an obsessive quest. The picture’s winning festival streak continued at the Transilvania and Motovun fests. After this week’s market screening at Haugesund confab New Nordic Films, the drama will have its North American premiere in the Toronto Festival’s Contemporary World Cinema program.
Film Movement’s president Michael Rosenberg said: “Hlynur put the international filmmaking community on notice with his feature film debut,...
- 8/20/2019
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Jan Naszewski’s Warsaw-based sales outlet New Europe Film Sales has picked up world sales rights for the upcoming drama “Fools,” by Berlinale Silver Bear winner Tomasz Wasilewski (“United States of Love”), produced by Ewa Puszczynska, the producer behind Pawel Pawlikowski’s Oscar-winner “Ida” and nominee “Cold War.”
Leading Polish actors Dorota Kolak and Lukasz Simlat star in a film about the difficult relationship between a mother and son, and how their choices have dramatic consequences.
Puszczynska is producing for her company Extreme Emotions, in co-production with Ada Solomon at Romania’s Hi-Film and Jamila Wenske of Germany’s One Two Films, and in association with Nem Corp. Romanian DoP Oleg Mutu returns after his previous collaboration with Wasilewski on “United States of Love,” which New Europe sold to over 30 territories.
New Europe’s Cannes line-up includes the Critics’ Week selection “A White, White Day,” by Hlynur Palmason, which sold...
Leading Polish actors Dorota Kolak and Lukasz Simlat star in a film about the difficult relationship between a mother and son, and how their choices have dramatic consequences.
Puszczynska is producing for her company Extreme Emotions, in co-production with Ada Solomon at Romania’s Hi-Film and Jamila Wenske of Germany’s One Two Films, and in association with Nem Corp. Romanian DoP Oleg Mutu returns after his previous collaboration with Wasilewski on “United States of Love,” which New Europe sold to over 30 territories.
New Europe’s Cannes line-up includes the Critics’ Week selection “A White, White Day,” by Hlynur Palmason, which sold...
- 5/14/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Urban Distribution has bought rights for France and Palace has taken rights for Australia to Hlynur Palmason’s “A White, White Day” from New Europe Film Sales, ahead of the film’s world premiere in Cannes this week, where it competes in Critics’ Week.
The film is Palmason’s second feature after “Winter Brothers,” which won four prizes at its world premiere in Locarno, and then played more than 60 festivals and won more than 30 prizes and was released in more than 10 territories.
“A White, White Day” is the story of an off-duty police chief from a remote Icelandic town, who begins to suspect a local man of having had an affair with his late wife, who died in a tragic accident two years earlier. Gradually his obsession with finding out the truth accumulates and inevitably begins to endanger himself and his loved ones. The film’s team calls it “a story of grief,...
The film is Palmason’s second feature after “Winter Brothers,” which won four prizes at its world premiere in Locarno, and then played more than 60 festivals and won more than 30 prizes and was released in more than 10 territories.
“A White, White Day” is the story of an off-duty police chief from a remote Icelandic town, who begins to suspect a local man of having had an affair with his late wife, who died in a tragic accident two years earlier. Gradually his obsession with finding out the truth accumulates and inevitably begins to endanger himself and his loved ones. The film’s team calls it “a story of grief,...
- 5/14/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Noomi Rapace has boarded Valdimar Jóhannsson’s supernatural drama “Lamb,” which New Europe Film Sales is selling at Berlin’s European Film Market.
The pic marks Rapace’s return to Scandinavian moviemaking following Hollywood movies like Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus,” with Michael Fassbender, and David Ayer’s “Bright,” alongside Will Smith and Joel Edgerton.
“Lamb” is the story of a childless couple, María (Rapace) and Ingvar, who are sheep farmers in Iceland. On Christmas Eve they find a newborn who is half human, half sheep. Longing for a child of their own they decide to keep the lamb-child and raise it as their own regardless of the consequences.
Rapace said: “A script like this is rare and I directly felt that I had to do it. I’ve never done anything like this before...
The pic marks Rapace’s return to Scandinavian moviemaking following Hollywood movies like Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus,” with Michael Fassbender, and David Ayer’s “Bright,” alongside Will Smith and Joel Edgerton.
“Lamb” is the story of a childless couple, María (Rapace) and Ingvar, who are sheep farmers in Iceland. On Christmas Eve they find a newborn who is half human, half sheep. Longing for a child of their own they decide to keep the lamb-child and raise it as their own regardless of the consequences.
Rapace said: “A script like this is rare and I directly felt that I had to do it. I’ve never done anything like this before...
- 2/9/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
“Lamb”, directed by Yared Zeleke and presented by Ama Ampadu and Laurent Lavolé showed in Competition at Doha's Ajyal Youth Film Festival this month to an audience of youth and children under the age of 18. “Lamb” premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard 2015, marking the first time an Ethiopian film has ever screened as an Official Selection at Cannes. ). It was this year’s Ethiopian submission for Academy Award© nomination for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar©.
This is no Little Bo Peep lamb. This lamb has rough brown wool and is led on a rope, dragged on a rope by a young boy, Ephraim, eight years old, who lives in the devout Coptic Christian land of Northern Ethiopia
“Lamb” is a classic tale of a child and pet, the type of story which has been loved by children in every generation. Think “Old Yeller”, “Black Beauty”, “Charlotte’s Web”, “Babe”, “Lassie Come Home”. Ephraim’s pet lamb Chuni belonged to his mother who has died from the drought-caused famine hitting their land. His father must leave the boy with distant relatives while he seeks work in the city. His lamb is the only link he has to a life of happy innocence once shared with his loving mother and father.
The small nuclear family where he must stay lives together in a one-room hut: a grandmother who presides over the family, her son an authoritarian father who reacts against change of any sort, his wife and their sick child. They have also taken in the sixteen year old Tsion who is always reading and seeking ways to educate herself and eventually leaves for the city.
Ephraim does not conform to the norms of males as farmers; instead he prefers cooking.
The authoritarian patriarch of the family refuses to listen to advice of his niece about modern ways of growing crops during the drought and he forbids the child Ephraim, whose love of cooking (“girl’s work! The uncle says) leads him to make money by selling samosas at the market.
Moreover, the authoritarian father of the family wants to serve Ephraim’s lamb as a meal for the upcoming holiday feast and to save his family from starvation.
This moves Ephraim to act to save his lamb. In order to make money he sells his extraordinary samosas in the market place to raise enough to finance his trip to the city to find his father and save his sheep from being sacrificed and served for the upcoming holiday feast.
The children who saw this film at Ajyal Film Festival were entranced by how foreign and strange the landscape, and indeed, the people themselves were. The questions they asked Yared Zeleke, the director, and the two young stars, sixteen-year-old Kidist Siyum and eight year old Rediat Amare were startling. Not the usual Q&A of adults that you hear after they have seen a movie.
Was the boy really being hit?
Yared: Well yes and no. He had lots of padding, lots of practice, and the whip was very small."
Why did you have so much landscape?
Yared: Because the land was a character in the movie. The land shapes who we are. This special land in Ethiopia shapes the characters in the movie. It is as ancient as the people who practice the earliest form of Christianity and Judaism. There is so much history in the mountains. Ethiopia is the only country in Africa never colonized by Europeans. The mountains protected them and the people are very spiritual.
Yared: It was shot in Gondar, the most Jewish section of Ethiopia where Felashas (Jews) and Christians live. The Felashas are a minority and so you see the little boy is an outsider because his mother, who died of the famine and draught, was a Jew and he is given a special blessing by the priest.
When the action was going on, focus was on the boy. Why did you make the film like that?
Yared: The movie is about the boy, so everything is shown around him. Staying with the boy it’s is more “true” to stick with the character.
What was your favorite scene?
Yared: My favorite scene is the magic forest. The hardest scenes were with Chuni the lamb. I’ll never work with an animal again.
Why does your film say “dedicated to my grandmother”?
Yared: I’m from the city; I never had a pet and I don’t cook. But I went to visit my family in the country when I was little and I met my grandmother. When I was 10, I lost all my family in Ethiopia and I moved to New York.
Where do you live?
Yared: I live in Addis Adaba.
I liked seeing Muslim, Jewish and Christians together. I liked the landscapes. They were works of art. How did you choose the actors?
Yared: We auditioned and videotaped 7,000 people over six months. Half of them were kids. The two stars chosen just stood out. Without Rediat Amare playing Ephraim and Kidist Siyum playing Tsion, the movie would be completely different.
How did the 16 year old actress like her role?
Kidist Siyum: I’m a city girl, it was hard to learn to be a country girl.
Yared: Both Kidist and were very smart good students and had not acted before.
Rediat Amare : Ephraim is quiet and introverted. I am not. I’m very outgoing. We are both mischievous and misfits.
How do you feel about audiences their age seeing the movie?
Yared: As the writer, I never thought of who it was for. I only wrote about my loss. The country is like a fairy-tale, so beautiful. I have only had adults watching it in the past so showing it to kids is great! What do you think?
Kidist Siyum : I am happy to see people my age. I hope people will take away lessons from the movie.
Why did the boy leave the lamb?
Yared: He had to let go in order to grow. Sometimes that is a part of growing up, to let go of childish things.
“Lamb” is a carefully nuanced film of silences and understatements, stunning landscapes and beautiful people dressing in exotic styles. Three female figures, the grandmother, the mother and the teenaged Tsion, the strong-willed nose-in-a-book girl bring a measured warmth and depth which increases our feel that we are participating in their lives, lived in such close quarters, beautifully shot and a contrast to the vast and beautiful mountainous countryside of Ethiopia where Ephraim spends much of his waking and dreaming hours.
Christians, Jews, Muslims and others lead a peaceful coexistence in what looks like a hard life but still a life in a sort of paradise which is disappearing. To see it in a family setting will instill a special feeling of participating in the audiences.
The music is outstanding as is the final celebratory dance, with shimmy shoulder shaking I have never seen before.
“Lamb” (not to be confused with Ross Partridge’s “Lamb” soon to be released stateside by The Orchard) is the first film of director Yared Zeleke, who received an Mfa in Writing and Directing from Nyu.
It was workshopped in Addis Ababa. The producer, Slum Kid Films, an Ethiopia-based film production company co-founded by Ama Ampadu aims to discover and nurture emerging talent in Ethiopia, as well as to support the development of Ethiopian filmmaking.
Ama knows the European system of filmmaking and was able to secure support from Acp from Norway and Cnc from France. The fact that "Lamb" was selected for the Cannes L'Atelier film financing summit two years ago, almost assured that, upon completion, it would premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, as it now has.
France, Ethiopia, Germany and Norway are represented by coproducers Gloria Films, Slum Kid Films, Heimatfilm, Dublin Films, Film Farms, Zdf/Das kleine Fernsehspiel.
Producers are Ama Ampadu, Laurent Lavolé, Johannes Rexin. Co-producers are Alan R. Milligan. Executive producers David Hurst, Bettina Brokemper.
Medienboard Berlin funded this international co-production and Naomi Kawase’s “An”, both of which played in Cannes’ official selection this year.
It was supported by the Doha Film Institute, which has funded more than 220 projects since its inception. Five of their grantees made their world premieres in the Festival de Cannes this year in various sections among which ‘"Lamb" was in the main world cinema showcase, Un Certain Regard. The others were "Waves ’98" by Elie Dagher (Lebanon, Qatar) in the Official Short Film Competition; "Dégradé" by Tarzan and Arab Abunasser (Palestine, France, Qatar) and " Mediterranea" by Jonas Carpignano (Italy, France, Germany, Qatar) in the Critics’ Week and "Mustang" by Deniz Gamze Ergüven (Turkey, France, Germany, Qatar) selected for the Directors’ Fortnight.
International sales agent is Films Distribution. The film has been has licensed to
Kimstim Films for U.S.
Haut et Court for France
Neue Visionen for Germany
Trigon film for Switzerland
Filmarti for Turkey
Moving Turtle for Middle East
Ost for Paradis for Denmark
Mantarraya for Mexico
Betta Pictures for Spain
Maison Motion for Taiwan
Suraya for South Asia
Bio Paradis for Iceland
DDDream for China
7ème Ciné Art for Tunisia and Morocco...
This is no Little Bo Peep lamb. This lamb has rough brown wool and is led on a rope, dragged on a rope by a young boy, Ephraim, eight years old, who lives in the devout Coptic Christian land of Northern Ethiopia
“Lamb” is a classic tale of a child and pet, the type of story which has been loved by children in every generation. Think “Old Yeller”, “Black Beauty”, “Charlotte’s Web”, “Babe”, “Lassie Come Home”. Ephraim’s pet lamb Chuni belonged to his mother who has died from the drought-caused famine hitting their land. His father must leave the boy with distant relatives while he seeks work in the city. His lamb is the only link he has to a life of happy innocence once shared with his loving mother and father.
The small nuclear family where he must stay lives together in a one-room hut: a grandmother who presides over the family, her son an authoritarian father who reacts against change of any sort, his wife and their sick child. They have also taken in the sixteen year old Tsion who is always reading and seeking ways to educate herself and eventually leaves for the city.
Ephraim does not conform to the norms of males as farmers; instead he prefers cooking.
The authoritarian patriarch of the family refuses to listen to advice of his niece about modern ways of growing crops during the drought and he forbids the child Ephraim, whose love of cooking (“girl’s work! The uncle says) leads him to make money by selling samosas at the market.
Moreover, the authoritarian father of the family wants to serve Ephraim’s lamb as a meal for the upcoming holiday feast and to save his family from starvation.
This moves Ephraim to act to save his lamb. In order to make money he sells his extraordinary samosas in the market place to raise enough to finance his trip to the city to find his father and save his sheep from being sacrificed and served for the upcoming holiday feast.
The children who saw this film at Ajyal Film Festival were entranced by how foreign and strange the landscape, and indeed, the people themselves were. The questions they asked Yared Zeleke, the director, and the two young stars, sixteen-year-old Kidist Siyum and eight year old Rediat Amare were startling. Not the usual Q&A of adults that you hear after they have seen a movie.
Was the boy really being hit?
Yared: Well yes and no. He had lots of padding, lots of practice, and the whip was very small."
Why did you have so much landscape?
Yared: Because the land was a character in the movie. The land shapes who we are. This special land in Ethiopia shapes the characters in the movie. It is as ancient as the people who practice the earliest form of Christianity and Judaism. There is so much history in the mountains. Ethiopia is the only country in Africa never colonized by Europeans. The mountains protected them and the people are very spiritual.
Yared: It was shot in Gondar, the most Jewish section of Ethiopia where Felashas (Jews) and Christians live. The Felashas are a minority and so you see the little boy is an outsider because his mother, who died of the famine and draught, was a Jew and he is given a special blessing by the priest.
When the action was going on, focus was on the boy. Why did you make the film like that?
Yared: The movie is about the boy, so everything is shown around him. Staying with the boy it’s is more “true” to stick with the character.
What was your favorite scene?
Yared: My favorite scene is the magic forest. The hardest scenes were with Chuni the lamb. I’ll never work with an animal again.
Why does your film say “dedicated to my grandmother”?
Yared: I’m from the city; I never had a pet and I don’t cook. But I went to visit my family in the country when I was little and I met my grandmother. When I was 10, I lost all my family in Ethiopia and I moved to New York.
Where do you live?
Yared: I live in Addis Adaba.
I liked seeing Muslim, Jewish and Christians together. I liked the landscapes. They were works of art. How did you choose the actors?
Yared: We auditioned and videotaped 7,000 people over six months. Half of them were kids. The two stars chosen just stood out. Without Rediat Amare playing Ephraim and Kidist Siyum playing Tsion, the movie would be completely different.
How did the 16 year old actress like her role?
Kidist Siyum: I’m a city girl, it was hard to learn to be a country girl.
Yared: Both Kidist and were very smart good students and had not acted before.
Rediat Amare : Ephraim is quiet and introverted. I am not. I’m very outgoing. We are both mischievous and misfits.
How do you feel about audiences their age seeing the movie?
Yared: As the writer, I never thought of who it was for. I only wrote about my loss. The country is like a fairy-tale, so beautiful. I have only had adults watching it in the past so showing it to kids is great! What do you think?
Kidist Siyum : I am happy to see people my age. I hope people will take away lessons from the movie.
Why did the boy leave the lamb?
Yared: He had to let go in order to grow. Sometimes that is a part of growing up, to let go of childish things.
“Lamb” is a carefully nuanced film of silences and understatements, stunning landscapes and beautiful people dressing in exotic styles. Three female figures, the grandmother, the mother and the teenaged Tsion, the strong-willed nose-in-a-book girl bring a measured warmth and depth which increases our feel that we are participating in their lives, lived in such close quarters, beautifully shot and a contrast to the vast and beautiful mountainous countryside of Ethiopia where Ephraim spends much of his waking and dreaming hours.
Christians, Jews, Muslims and others lead a peaceful coexistence in what looks like a hard life but still a life in a sort of paradise which is disappearing. To see it in a family setting will instill a special feeling of participating in the audiences.
The music is outstanding as is the final celebratory dance, with shimmy shoulder shaking I have never seen before.
“Lamb” (not to be confused with Ross Partridge’s “Lamb” soon to be released stateside by The Orchard) is the first film of director Yared Zeleke, who received an Mfa in Writing and Directing from Nyu.
It was workshopped in Addis Ababa. The producer, Slum Kid Films, an Ethiopia-based film production company co-founded by Ama Ampadu aims to discover and nurture emerging talent in Ethiopia, as well as to support the development of Ethiopian filmmaking.
Ama knows the European system of filmmaking and was able to secure support from Acp from Norway and Cnc from France. The fact that "Lamb" was selected for the Cannes L'Atelier film financing summit two years ago, almost assured that, upon completion, it would premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, as it now has.
France, Ethiopia, Germany and Norway are represented by coproducers Gloria Films, Slum Kid Films, Heimatfilm, Dublin Films, Film Farms, Zdf/Das kleine Fernsehspiel.
Producers are Ama Ampadu, Laurent Lavolé, Johannes Rexin. Co-producers are Alan R. Milligan. Executive producers David Hurst, Bettina Brokemper.
Medienboard Berlin funded this international co-production and Naomi Kawase’s “An”, both of which played in Cannes’ official selection this year.
It was supported by the Doha Film Institute, which has funded more than 220 projects since its inception. Five of their grantees made their world premieres in the Festival de Cannes this year in various sections among which ‘"Lamb" was in the main world cinema showcase, Un Certain Regard. The others were "Waves ’98" by Elie Dagher (Lebanon, Qatar) in the Official Short Film Competition; "Dégradé" by Tarzan and Arab Abunasser (Palestine, France, Qatar) and " Mediterranea" by Jonas Carpignano (Italy, France, Germany, Qatar) in the Critics’ Week and "Mustang" by Deniz Gamze Ergüven (Turkey, France, Germany, Qatar) selected for the Directors’ Fortnight.
International sales agent is Films Distribution. The film has been has licensed to
Kimstim Films for U.S.
Haut et Court for France
Neue Visionen for Germany
Trigon film for Switzerland
Filmarti for Turkey
Moving Turtle for Middle East
Ost for Paradis for Denmark
Mantarraya for Mexico
Betta Pictures for Spain
Maison Motion for Taiwan
Suraya for South Asia
Bio Paradis for Iceland
DDDream for China
7ème Ciné Art for Tunisia and Morocco...
- 1/30/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
A character acknowledging that it’s weird doesn’t make it any less weird. A 47 yr old man and an 11 yr old girl form a relationship, and yes, it is weird. He then takes her to a hotel room. And from there he even takes her to a secluded cabin in the woods. However, Lamb seems intent to look at these situations with unbiased eyes. This adaptation of Bonnie Nadzam’s novel aims to present a challenging film that confronts viewers with an unorthodox relationship that takes a turn into dangerous territory. But for many people (including myself), it won’t be a challenge to feel uncomfortable about this relationship.
David Lamb (Ross Partridge) is struggling to cope with the death of his father and an ongoing divorce. He finds a form of peace when Tommie (Oona Laurence) walks into his life. Tommie is an eleven year old girl who,...
David Lamb (Ross Partridge) is struggling to cope with the death of his father and an ongoing divorce. He finds a form of peace when Tommie (Oona Laurence) walks into his life. Tommie is an eleven year old girl who,...
- 1/15/2016
- by Michael Haffner
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
After the onslaught of limited-release films during the fall, 2016 seems comparatively light so far, though that likely will be short-lived. Perhaps it’s an interim calm before the Sundance and Phase Two Awards storm. But audiences looking to get their fill of new indies in theaters this weekend will have a choice of features starring a bevy of stars. Actor Ross Partridge went both in front and behind the camera for Lamb, in which he stars with Scoot McNairy, Tom Bower…...
- 1/9/2016
- Deadline
Read More: The 2015 Indiewire Springboard Bible Indiewire's Springboard column profiles up-and-comers in the film industry worthy of your attention. Ross Partridge doesn't harbor any illusions about the controversial nature of his feature film, "Lamb," a project that he deems both "troubling" and emblematic of audiences' desires to box emotionally fraught stories into easily consumable boxes. The film, which has played around the festival circuit since first debuting at SXSW last year, even has a poster that boasts of its hard-to-pin-down nature, including pull quotes that hinge on its "intensely provocative" nature and even a rallying cry to "let the controversy begin." But that's not why Partridge was compelled to the make the film, which he wrote, produced, directed and starred in. He just loved the story, and maybe that will be enough for audiences to take a chance on it. Based on Bonnie Nadzam's novel of the same name,...
- 1/8/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Rarely does a non-horror movie bring on such feelings of continuous discomfort and unease as audiences will likely feel here. Rather than a plot built around the supernatural or a serial killer, “Lamb” focuses on the unconventional friendship between a 47-year-old man and an 11-year-old girl to elicit those same emotions. There’s constant acknowledgment of the weirdness in this pairing, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable. Based on Bonnie Nadzam’s novel, “Lamb” explores the relationship between two broken people. In addition to duties as writer and director, Ross Partridge stars as David Lamb, a man whose father has just died, whose job is endangered, and whose marriage is equally in trouble. He searches for solace in an affair with a colleague (Jess Weixler), but it’s only when he meets young Tommie (Oona Laurence) that he seems to find direction. In the moments of their...
- 1/7/2016
- by Kimber Myers
- The Playlist
Premiering to acclaim at South by Southwest last year, Ross Partridge‘s drama Lamb follows a mysterious relationship with a man and young girl as he helps her avoid a bleak destiny by initiating her into the beauty of the outside world. It’s set for a theatrical and VOD release over the next few days, and today we have an exclusive clip.
Taking place earlier in the story, which is based on Bonnie Nadzam‘s novel, it shows a brief part of the journey featuring our two main characters, one played by Partridge and the other by Oona Laurence (Southpaw). Also starring Jess Weixler, Tom Bower, Scoot McNairy, Lindsay Pulsipher, Joel Murray, and Jennifer Lafleur, check out our exclusive clip below, along with the trailer and poster.
Based on the novel by Bonnie Nadzam, ‘Lamb’ traces the self-discovery of David Lamb (Partridge) in the weeks following the disintegration of...
Taking place earlier in the story, which is based on Bonnie Nadzam‘s novel, it shows a brief part of the journey featuring our two main characters, one played by Partridge and the other by Oona Laurence (Southpaw). Also starring Jess Weixler, Tom Bower, Scoot McNairy, Lindsay Pulsipher, Joel Murray, and Jennifer Lafleur, check out our exclusive clip below, along with the trailer and poster.
Based on the novel by Bonnie Nadzam, ‘Lamb’ traces the self-discovery of David Lamb (Partridge) in the weeks following the disintegration of...
- 1/7/2016
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Read More: The 13 Indies You Must See This January: 'The Clan,' 'Aferim!' and More "This is Happening" (January 5)After expanding into VOD and distribution, crowdfunding platform Seed&Spark is pairing with Paladin, which recently released "What We Do in the Shadows," to release "This is Happening." The film was funded through Seed&Spark and marks the debut of writer-director Ryan Jaffe. Starring James Wolk, Mickey Sumner and Cloris Leachman, the madcap comedy revoves around two siblings tasked with delivering their unruly grandmother to an assisted living home. When she runs away, the film morphs into a classic road movie, complete with a stolen car, a hidden stash of five pounds of marijuana and the stuffed body of a dearly departed Shih Tzu named Ralph. "Lamb" (January 12) In the upcoming drama "Lamb," writer-director Ross Partridge stars as down-on-his-luck David Lamb, who finds himself living...
- 1/5/2016
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Strangers With Cabins : Partridge’s Uncomfortable Sophomore Film
Returning behind the camera for the first time since his 2000 debut indie film Interstate 84, actor Ross Partridge reaches uncomfortable and unpredictable heights with Lamb, an adaptation of a novel by Bonnie Nadzam. Exploring a socially inappropriate relationship between a middle aged man and a pre-teen female barely on the horizon of adolescence, Ross reaches a perfect emotional pitch in-between punctuations of queasy discomfort. With impressive finesse, Partridge, who adapted the screenplay, maintains the sense of dense characterization sometimes lost in cinematic translations dealing with material as fragile as this.
Having just buried his father and in the midst of a divorce, Chicago businessman David Lamb (Partridge) finds himself adrift in an increasing tangle of little white lies and untruths that have forced him into a stagnant personal ennui. He’s having a tepid affair with co-worker, Linny (Jess Weixler), though...
Returning behind the camera for the first time since his 2000 debut indie film Interstate 84, actor Ross Partridge reaches uncomfortable and unpredictable heights with Lamb, an adaptation of a novel by Bonnie Nadzam. Exploring a socially inappropriate relationship between a middle aged man and a pre-teen female barely on the horizon of adolescence, Ross reaches a perfect emotional pitch in-between punctuations of queasy discomfort. With impressive finesse, Partridge, who adapted the screenplay, maintains the sense of dense characterization sometimes lost in cinematic translations dealing with material as fragile as this.
Having just buried his father and in the midst of a divorce, Chicago businessman David Lamb (Partridge) finds himself adrift in an increasing tangle of little white lies and untruths that have forced him into a stagnant personal ennui. He’s having a tepid affair with co-worker, Linny (Jess Weixler), though...
- 1/4/2016
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Within the contrived plot of Southpaw, Oona Laurence helped ground a familiar father-daughter relationship. Now Lawrence is returning to a father-daughter relationship with Lamb, except with a slightly unconventional spin. After the jump, watch the Lamb trailer. The film is written and directed by Ross Partridge, who also co-stars in the film. Lamb centers around a troubled adult and child who strike up […]
The post ‘Lamb’ Trailer: A Dark and Promising Indie Spirit Award Nominated Drama appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Lamb’ Trailer: A Dark and Promising Indie Spirit Award Nominated Drama appeared first on /Film.
- 12/18/2015
- by Jack Giroux
- Slash Film
Read More: Ross Partridge's 'Lamb' Acquired for Distribution by The Orchard In this exclusive clip from Ross Partridge's "Lamb," the relationship between David Lamb and the young Tommie seems serene until a sudden interruption. The film enjoyed its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival, where it was a festival favorite. The cast includes Oona Laurence, Ross Partridge, Scoot McNairy and Jess Weixler. The official film synopsis reads: "'Lamb,' based on the book by Bonnie Nadzam, traces the self-discovery of David Lamb, a narcissistic middle-aged man. In the weeks following the disintegration of his marriage and the death of his father, he hopes to regain some faith in his own goodness by turning his attention to an awkward and unpopular 11-year-old girl named Tommie. Lamb is convinced that he can help her avoid a destiny of apathy and emptiness and even comes to believe...
- 12/15/2015
- by Sonya Saepoff
- Indiewire
If you don't know the name Oona Laurence, it's probably one to keep an eye on. The young actress proved her stuff opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in "Southpaw" earlier this year, and had a role in the Sundance buzz flick, "I Smile Back." And that's not all. She leads the Indie Spirit Award-nominated "Lamb," and a trailer has arrived so you can check out this talent that is surely on the rise. Read More: 'Carol' And 'Beasts Of No Nation' Lead The 2016 Independent Spirit Award Nominations Directed by Ross Partridge, who also wrote the script and co-stars, the movie is about the relationship that forms between a troubled young girl and a man at a midlife crossroads. Here's the synopsis: When a man meets a young girl in a parking lot he attempts to help her avoid a bleak destiny by initiating her into the beauty of the outside world. The...
- 12/4/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Read More: Ross Partridge's 'Lamb' Acquired for Distribution by The Orchard In the upcoming drama "Lamb," writer, director and star Ross Partridge plays down-on-his-luck David Lamb, who finds himself living in a motel where he meets young Tommie (Oona Laurence), who is harboring problems of her own. Together, they embark on a journey to escape their grim lives, while also exploring the world around them. "Lamb" promises to be a raw and emotional experience and, if quotes in the new trailer are to be believed, an unexpected drama with tons of surprises. "Lamb" had its world premiere at SXSW 2015 in March and most recently played at the Turin Film Festival in November. The movie will have a limited release next year on January 8 and will appear on VOD on January 12. The film is being distributed by The Orchard. ...
- 12/2/2015
- by J. Carlos Menjivar
- Indiewire
A 7th art bloodline that keeps sprouting new I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse. filmmakers, the Coppola legacy continues with a one time actor (appearing in cousin Sofia’s The Virgin Suicides) and Rooney frontman Robert Schwartzman. Besides the cast (Johnny Simmons, Amy Landecker, Frankie Shaw and Beverly D’Angelo) and other noteworthy creds such as The Forbidden Room cinematographer Benjamin Kasulke (see pic of the two above) not much is known on the under-the-radar Mf, except that it began lensing last March and was recently completed in post.
Gist: Co-written by Schwartzman and Benjamin Font, the details for this film are unknown.
Production Co./Producers: Robert Schwartzman, Mel Eslyn (Lamb). Co-producer: Alison Kelly.
Prediction: U.S. Dramatic Comp?
U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. ICM (domestic). Tbd (international)
More 2016 Sundance Film Festival Predictions 2016 Sundance Film Festival Predictions: Bernal/Kashyap/Khan/Silva/Sono/Wasikowska’s Madly...
Gist: Co-written by Schwartzman and Benjamin Font, the details for this film are unknown.
Production Co./Producers: Robert Schwartzman, Mel Eslyn (Lamb). Co-producer: Alison Kelly.
Prediction: U.S. Dramatic Comp?
U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. ICM (domestic). Tbd (international)
More 2016 Sundance Film Festival Predictions 2016 Sundance Film Festival Predictions: Bernal/Kashyap/Khan/Silva/Sono/Wasikowska’s Madly...
- 11/25/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Read More: Ross Partridge's 'Lamb' Acquired for Distribution by The Orchard In Ross Partridge's "Lamb," a middle-aged man and a young girl form a controversial relationship. The official synopsis for "Lamb" reads: "'Lamb,' based on the book by Bonnie Nadzam, traces the self-discovery of David Lamb, a narcissistic middle-aged man. In the weeks following the disintegration of his marriage and the death of his father he hopes to regain some faith in his own goodness by turning his attention to an awkward and unpopular 11-year-old girl named Tommie. Lamb is convinced that he can help her avoid a destiny of apathy and emptiness and even comes to believe that his devotion to Tommie is in her best interest. When Lamb decides to take a willing Tommie for a road trip from Chicago to the Rockies to initiate her into the vast beauty of the world,...
- 11/13/2015
- by Karen Brill
- Indiewire
The 2015 Woodstock “Fiercely Independent” Film Festival celebrated its Sweet 16, and came to a close on October 4.
The awards went to:
Best Feature Narrative: "Oliver’s Deal" directed by Barney Elliott
Honorable Mention: "It Had to be You" directed by Sasha Gordon.
Best Feature Documentary: "Incorruptible" directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi.
Honorable Mention: "The Babushkas of Chernobyl" directed by Holly Morris, co-directed by Anne Bogart.
Best Animation: "The Five Minute Museum" directed by Paul Bush.
Honorable Mention: "Religatio" directed by Jaime Giraldo.
Best Short Narrative: "Stanhope" directed by Solvan "Slick" Naim.
Honorable Mention: "Welcome" (Bienvenidos) directed by Javier Fesser.
Best Short Student Short Film: "Against the Night" directed by Stefan Kubicki.
Best Short Documentary: "All About Amy" directed by Samuel Centore.
Honorable Mention: "Naneek" directed by Neal Steeno.
The Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography: "Bob and the Trees" directed by Diego Ongaro with cinematography by Chris Teague and Danny Vecchione.
James Lyons Award for Best Editing of a Feature Narrative: "Oliver’s Deal" directed by Barney Elliott and edited by J.L. Romeu and Roberto Benavides.
Honorable Mention: "Touched With Fire" directed by Paul Dalio and edited by Paul Dalio and Lee Percy.
James Lyons Award for Best Editing of a Feature Documentary: "The Babushkas of Chernobyl" directed by Holly Morris and edited by Michael Taylor, Richard Howard, and Mary Manhardt
Honorable Mention: "I Will Not Be Silenced" directed by Judy Rymer and edited by Paul Hamilton.
Ultra Indie Award: "Lamb" directed by Ross Partridge.
Honorable Mention: "Bob and the Trees" directed by Diego Ongaro.
The World Cinema Award: "Meet Me in Venice" directed by Eddy Terstall.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Roberta Petzoldt ("Meet Me in Venice").
Tangerine Entertainment Juice Award for Best Female Feature Director: Linda-Maria Birbeck director of "There Should be Rules."
Carpe Diem Award Andretta Award for Best Film: "Waffle Street" directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms.
Fiercely Independent Award was presented by Atom Egoyan to Guy Maddin
Honorary Maverick Award was presented by Guy Maddin to Atom Egoyan.
For more information about the Woodstock Film Festival: http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting at Purchase College Suny, and presents international seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...
The awards went to:
Best Feature Narrative: "Oliver’s Deal" directed by Barney Elliott
Honorable Mention: "It Had to be You" directed by Sasha Gordon.
Best Feature Documentary: "Incorruptible" directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi.
Honorable Mention: "The Babushkas of Chernobyl" directed by Holly Morris, co-directed by Anne Bogart.
Best Animation: "The Five Minute Museum" directed by Paul Bush.
Honorable Mention: "Religatio" directed by Jaime Giraldo.
Best Short Narrative: "Stanhope" directed by Solvan "Slick" Naim.
Honorable Mention: "Welcome" (Bienvenidos) directed by Javier Fesser.
Best Short Student Short Film: "Against the Night" directed by Stefan Kubicki.
Best Short Documentary: "All About Amy" directed by Samuel Centore.
Honorable Mention: "Naneek" directed by Neal Steeno.
The Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography: "Bob and the Trees" directed by Diego Ongaro with cinematography by Chris Teague and Danny Vecchione.
James Lyons Award for Best Editing of a Feature Narrative: "Oliver’s Deal" directed by Barney Elliott and edited by J.L. Romeu and Roberto Benavides.
Honorable Mention: "Touched With Fire" directed by Paul Dalio and edited by Paul Dalio and Lee Percy.
James Lyons Award for Best Editing of a Feature Documentary: "The Babushkas of Chernobyl" directed by Holly Morris and edited by Michael Taylor, Richard Howard, and Mary Manhardt
Honorable Mention: "I Will Not Be Silenced" directed by Judy Rymer and edited by Paul Hamilton.
Ultra Indie Award: "Lamb" directed by Ross Partridge.
Honorable Mention: "Bob and the Trees" directed by Diego Ongaro.
The World Cinema Award: "Meet Me in Venice" directed by Eddy Terstall.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Roberta Petzoldt ("Meet Me in Venice").
Tangerine Entertainment Juice Award for Best Female Feature Director: Linda-Maria Birbeck director of "There Should be Rules."
Carpe Diem Award Andretta Award for Best Film: "Waffle Street" directed by Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms.
Fiercely Independent Award was presented by Atom Egoyan to Guy Maddin
Honorary Maverick Award was presented by Guy Maddin to Atom Egoyan.
For more information about the Woodstock Film Festival: http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting at Purchase College Suny, and presents international seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...
- 10/6/2015
- by Susan Kouguell
- Sydney's Buzz
While not all that unusual in a country such as France, we can add the name of Clea DuVall to the stream of under 40 actresses making the move behind the camera. Best known for recent turns in American Horror Story and Argo, has lined up quite the ensemble for her directorial debut. The Wrap reports that Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Jason Ritter, Ben Schwartz, Alia Shawkat and Cobie Smulders are the main players in the untitled project. Sev Ohanian (co-produced Fruitvale Station) and Burn Later Productions’ Paul M. Bernon and Sam Slater (Results) will produce. Mel Eslyn (Lamb) and David Bernon will executive produce with DuVall. Look for the production to begin sometime soon with a pegged 2016 festival release.
Gist: Plot details have yet to be revealed.
Worth Noting: With close to two decades under her belt, the actress first broke out in 1996’s indie Little Witches but...
Gist: Plot details have yet to be revealed.
Worth Noting: With close to two decades under her belt, the actress first broke out in 1996’s indie Little Witches but...
- 7/20/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
My Left Fist: Fuqua’s Sports Drama a Familiar, Emotionally Charged Comeback
After another recent dalliance in action genre schlock, director Antoine Fuqua returns with the type of cinema he does best—gritty, explosively violent dramatics carried on the weight of strong central characters portrayed persuasively by notable performers. Though this condensed, streamlined character study eschews typical grandiose third act fireworks, and a refreshing lack of a rushed romantic entanglement, its protagonist’s challenges often feel easily overcome. This enhances the narrative’s predictability and familiarity, even though it’s emotionally potent and well-written. Television scribe Kurt Sutter of “The Shield” and “Sons of Anarchy” proves to be as equally adept in his stellar concoction of provocative central characters. However, a handful of supporting figurers played by notable actors are barely introduced, as if they’re promised tangents that would’ve been returned to in longer form narrative.
Boxer Billy...
After another recent dalliance in action genre schlock, director Antoine Fuqua returns with the type of cinema he does best—gritty, explosively violent dramatics carried on the weight of strong central characters portrayed persuasively by notable performers. Though this condensed, streamlined character study eschews typical grandiose third act fireworks, and a refreshing lack of a rushed romantic entanglement, its protagonist’s challenges often feel easily overcome. This enhances the narrative’s predictability and familiarity, even though it’s emotionally potent and well-written. Television scribe Kurt Sutter of “The Shield” and “Sons of Anarchy” proves to be as equally adept in his stellar concoction of provocative central characters. However, a handful of supporting figurers played by notable actors are barely introduced, as if they’re promised tangents that would’ve been returned to in longer form narrative.
Boxer Billy...
- 7/20/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Dystopian drama set to shoot this summer.
Jonathan Pryce (Brazil, Game of Thones) and Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter) have joined dystopian drama The White King, which is set to shoot in Budapest this summer.
They join previously announced Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song, Pusher), Ross Partridge (Lamb) and Lorenzo Allchurch (Atlantis).
Based on György Dragomán’s novel, published in 28 languages, the film will follow a precocious 12-year-old coming to grips with his father’s abduction and internment at the hands of the totalitarian state he calls home.
Deyn will play the boy’s mother who must navigate a world of propaganda, abuse and gangs in order to reunite her family.
British duo Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel will make their directorial debuts on the production from UK outfit Oiffy, in association with Yellow Knife and post-production partner chimney Group.
Oiffy’s Philip Munger is producing with Teun Hilte (Miss Julie).
Munger has financed through Oiffy and a combination...
Jonathan Pryce (Brazil, Game of Thones) and Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter) have joined dystopian drama The White King, which is set to shoot in Budapest this summer.
They join previously announced Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song, Pusher), Ross Partridge (Lamb) and Lorenzo Allchurch (Atlantis).
Based on György Dragomán’s novel, published in 28 languages, the film will follow a precocious 12-year-old coming to grips with his father’s abduction and internment at the hands of the totalitarian state he calls home.
Deyn will play the boy’s mother who must navigate a world of propaganda, abuse and gangs in order to reunite her family.
British duo Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel will make their directorial debuts on the production from UK outfit Oiffy, in association with Yellow Knife and post-production partner chimney Group.
Oiffy’s Philip Munger is producing with Teun Hilte (Miss Julie).
Munger has financed through Oiffy and a combination...
- 5/29/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Dystopian book adaptation readies for shoot.
Model-turned-actress Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song, Pusher), Ross Partridge (Lamb) and Lorenzo Allchurch (Atlantis) are to star in dystopian drama The White King, which is readying to shoot in Budapest over the summer.
Based on György Dragomán’s novel, published in 28 languages, the film will follow a precocious 12-year-old coming to grips with his father’s abduction and internment at the hands of the totalitarian state he calls home.
Deyn will play the boy’s mother who must navigate a world of propaganda, abuse and gangs in order to reunite her family.
British duo Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel will make their directorial debuts on the production from UK outfit Oiffy, in association with Yellow Knife and post-production partner chimney Group.
Oiffy’s Philip Munger is producing with Teun Hilte (Miss Julie).
“The film’s DNA has an intense and unusual blend of brutality and tenderness,” said Helfrecht...
Model-turned-actress Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song, Pusher), Ross Partridge (Lamb) and Lorenzo Allchurch (Atlantis) are to star in dystopian drama The White King, which is readying to shoot in Budapest over the summer.
Based on György Dragomán’s novel, published in 28 languages, the film will follow a precocious 12-year-old coming to grips with his father’s abduction and internment at the hands of the totalitarian state he calls home.
Deyn will play the boy’s mother who must navigate a world of propaganda, abuse and gangs in order to reunite her family.
British duo Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel will make their directorial debuts on the production from UK outfit Oiffy, in association with Yellow Knife and post-production partner chimney Group.
Oiffy’s Philip Munger is producing with Teun Hilte (Miss Julie).
“The film’s DNA has an intense and unusual blend of brutality and tenderness,” said Helfrecht...
- 5/16/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The Orchard are still adding to their SXSW shopping cart as IndieWIRE reports that the distributor has landed the North American, UK and Australian and New Zealand rights to Ross Partridge’s Lamb. Slaying SXSW auds and garnering all-around positive reviews (including our site), the drama recently won Sarasota Film Fest’s Independent Visions award. The drama looks set for more film fest exposure before receiving an eventual 2016 theatrical release.
Gist: Based on the novel by Bonnie Nadzam, hoping to regain some faith in his own goodness, he turns his attention to Tommie (Oona Laurence), an awkward and unpopular 11-year-old girl. Lamb is convinced that he can help her avoid a destiny of apathy and emptiness, and takes Tommie for a road trip from Chicago to the Rockies, planning to initiate her into the beauty of the mountain wilderness.
Worth Noting: Ross Partridge, the actor turned director will net be...
Gist: Based on the novel by Bonnie Nadzam, hoping to regain some faith in his own goodness, he turns his attention to Tommie (Oona Laurence), an awkward and unpopular 11-year-old girl. Lamb is convinced that he can help her avoid a destiny of apathy and emptiness, and takes Tommie for a road trip from Chicago to the Rockies, planning to initiate her into the beauty of the mountain wilderness.
Worth Noting: Ross Partridge, the actor turned director will net be...
- 5/13/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Read More: Sarasota Film Festival Announces Jury and Audience Award Winners; 'White God' Nets Prize The Orchard has snagged distribution rights across North America for Ross Partridge's acclaimed rural drama "Lamb." Ross Partridge stars in and directed this intensely provocative rural drama, which features Jess Weixler ("The Good Wife"), Scoot McNairy ("Argo") and Joel Murray ("Mad Men") in supporting roles. The film's official synopsis reads as follows: "Based on the novel by Bonnie Nadzam, 'Lamb' traces the self-discovery of David Lamb (Partridge) in the weeks following the disintegration of his marriage and the death of his father. Hoping to regain some faith in his own goodness, he turns his attention to Tommie (Oona Laurence), an awkward and unpopular 11-year-old girl. Lamb is convinced that he can help her avoid a destiny of apathy and emptiness, and takes Tommie for a road trip from Chicago to the Rockies,...
- 5/13/2015
- by David Canfield
- Indiewire
There are few cinematic devices as disturbing as pedophilia; with Lamb, Partridge uses the perpetual threat of pedophilia to create an even more unsettling viewing experience. Fueled by the astounding lead performances of Oona Laurence and Ross Partridge, Lamb is by no means an enjoyable film to watch. Partridge succeeds in providing the necessary character development to justify Tommie and David's actions, but it is still nearly impossible to resist yelling at the screen, pleading for Tommie to get away from David -- either that, or you will find yourself averting your eyes and just hoping for the best.
- 3/21/2015
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Lamb is a deeply uncomfortable drama in the icy vein of Lolita – a sublimely acted but inherently disturbing meditation on virtue and vice, and the blurred lines between them that present themselves over the course of one 45-year-old man’s spur-of-the-moment camping trip with an 11-year-old girl he befriended in a burned-out Chicago parking lot.
The film is as dangerously compelling and quietly terrifying as that premise suggests. Should protagonist David Lamb (Ross Partridge, who also directed and adapted the novel by Bonnie Nadzam) succumb to his most immoral instincts and transform an initially innocuous relationship with the young, malleable Tommie (Oona Laurence) into something far more sinister, humanity is essentially screwed. After all, symbolism runs rampant in Lamb (the title alone questions which character is the real innocent). Any audience member can find some part of themselves in its protagonist, a lonely man who recently buried his father and...
The film is as dangerously compelling and quietly terrifying as that premise suggests. Should protagonist David Lamb (Ross Partridge, who also directed and adapted the novel by Bonnie Nadzam) succumb to his most immoral instincts and transform an initially innocuous relationship with the young, malleable Tommie (Oona Laurence) into something far more sinister, humanity is essentially screwed. After all, symbolism runs rampant in Lamb (the title alone questions which character is the real innocent). Any audience member can find some part of themselves in its protagonist, a lonely man who recently buried his father and...
- 3/16/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in TrainwreckPhoto: Universal Pictures With Sundance just wrapping up and Berlin starting up in a few days, we are now immersed in the year-long barrage of film festivals. One such festival in South By Southwest. A few weeks back they announced the first seven films of their program, including the opening night film Brand: A Second Coming. Today, they have revealed the rest of the features to be shown in March (except for the midnight program), and some of it has me very excited. The bigger titles announced do not do much for me. Paul Feig's Spy, starring Melissa McCarthy, and the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart starrer Get Hard leave a lot to be desired in terms of anticipation, as does a work in progress cut of Judd Apatow's latest film Trainwreck. I'm guessing an Apatow work in progress is probably around three and a half hours.
- 2/3/2015
- by Mike Shutt
- Rope of Silicon
South by Southwest, the multi-faceted film, music and technology festival held annually in Austin, TX will feature such upcoming films as Paul Feig’s Spy, David Gordon Green’s Manglehorn, Alex Gibney’s documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, and Ondi Timoner’s Russell Brand profile Brand: A Second Coming as headliners in this year’s film festival lineup.
SXSW runs from March 13 to 21 in Austin and is now in its 22nd year. Variety has details of the 145 films and 100 world premieres bowing at this year’s festival. Brand, as previously reported, will be the festival’s opening night film.
Other notable titles on the list are the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard, a rough cut of Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland, Ex Machina, and a new comedy by Michael Showalter, Hello, My Name is Doris.
On the small screen,...
SXSW runs from March 13 to 21 in Austin and is now in its 22nd year. Variety has details of the 145 films and 100 world premieres bowing at this year’s festival. Brand, as previously reported, will be the festival’s opening night film.
Other notable titles on the list are the Will Ferrell/Kevin Hart comedy Get Hard, a rough cut of Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, the directorial debut of 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland, Ex Machina, and a new comedy by Michael Showalter, Hello, My Name is Doris.
On the small screen,...
- 2/3/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
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