Oscar winner Jeremy Irons has joined the cast of Palme d’Or-winning director Bille August’s prestige limited series “The Count of Monte Cristo,” which also stars Sam Claflin.
A sprawling adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, the English-language series is produced by Mediawan’s banner Palomar, the leading Italian company behind “That Dirty Black Bag” and “The Name of the Rose,” in collaboration with another Mediawan label, France’s Demd Productions. The series’ five-month shoot will wrap in Malta in December, after having lensed in France and Italy.
The show underscores Mediawan’s strategy to pursue prestige scripted projects with strong international potential under its €100 million co-investment agreement signed earlier this year with private equity film Entourage Ventures.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” marks Irons’ third collaboration with August, who directed him in “Night Train to Lisbon” and “The House of Spirits.” A revered Danish filmmaker, August previously won...
A sprawling adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, the English-language series is produced by Mediawan’s banner Palomar, the leading Italian company behind “That Dirty Black Bag” and “The Name of the Rose,” in collaboration with another Mediawan label, France’s Demd Productions. The series’ five-month shoot will wrap in Malta in December, after having lensed in France and Italy.
The show underscores Mediawan’s strategy to pursue prestige scripted projects with strong international potential under its €100 million co-investment agreement signed earlier this year with private equity film Entourage Ventures.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” marks Irons’ third collaboration with August, who directed him in “Night Train to Lisbon” and “The House of Spirits.” A revered Danish filmmaker, August previously won...
- 11/20/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Bille August, the two-time Palme d’Or winning director of “Pelle the Conqueror,” is directing a sprawling English language series adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” starring an international cast led by Sam Claflin (“Peaky Blinders”).
“The Count of Monte Cristo” marks the first series which is entirely produced within Mediawan and represented by its distribution arm Mediawan Rights. As such, Italy’s Palomar is producing the eight-part series in collaboration with Demd Productions in France, in association with Entourage Ventures, as well as Rai Fiction and France Televisions which are the commissioning broadcasters in Italy and France, respectively.
The show underscores Mediawan’s strategy to pursue prestige scripted projects with strong international potential under its €100 million co-development agreement signed earlier this year with private equity film Entourage Ventures. Another recent Mediawan show in the same vein is the anticipated “Zorro” series reboot directed by...
“The Count of Monte Cristo” marks the first series which is entirely produced within Mediawan and represented by its distribution arm Mediawan Rights. As such, Italy’s Palomar is producing the eight-part series in collaboration with Demd Productions in France, in association with Entourage Ventures, as well as Rai Fiction and France Televisions which are the commissioning broadcasters in Italy and France, respectively.
The show underscores Mediawan’s strategy to pursue prestige scripted projects with strong international potential under its €100 million co-development agreement signed earlier this year with private equity film Entourage Ventures. Another recent Mediawan show in the same vein is the anticipated “Zorro” series reboot directed by...
- 10/11/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Denmark has submitted Nikolaj Arcel’s The Promised Land as its candidate for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
The epic historic drama stars Mads Mikkelsen as the real-life Ludvig von Kahlen, a former soldier who tries to make his fortune by taming the then wild and lawless heath of the Danish Jutland peninsula, so it could be turned over to cultivation following a declaration by King Frederik V.
The film world premiered at Venice and then headed to Telluride and Toronto, is currently screening at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, and will next screen at the Zurich Film Festival, Filmfest Hamburg, Hamptons International Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
The film was selected from a short list which also included Anders Walter’s Before It Ends and Lea Glob’s documentary Apolonia, Apolonia.
The Danish Film Institute-backed film produced by Louise Vesth for...
The epic historic drama stars Mads Mikkelsen as the real-life Ludvig von Kahlen, a former soldier who tries to make his fortune by taming the then wild and lawless heath of the Danish Jutland peninsula, so it could be turned over to cultivation following a declaration by King Frederik V.
The film world premiered at Venice and then headed to Telluride and Toronto, is currently screening at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, and will next screen at the Zurich Film Festival, Filmfest Hamburg, Hamptons International Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
The film was selected from a short list which also included Anders Walter’s Before It Ends and Lea Glob’s documentary Apolonia, Apolonia.
The Danish Film Institute-backed film produced by Louise Vesth for...
- 9/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery is projecting huge losses from the impact of writer and actor strikes, but “Barbie” is still around to help them pay bills. It’s hardly news that as Greta Gerwig’s smash hit starts its initial post-theater platform release, it’s #1 on PVOD charts. The real story: that it’s doing so with a hefty premium price.
Gerwig’s #1 theatrical hit worldwide for 2023 (which will end up with around $1.5 billion in theatrical returns) is now renting on PVOD for $24.99, with the option to add it to your digital library permanently for $29.99. Studios recover 80 percent from revenues returned for these transactions, less a small slice for the carrier. That means Warner Bros. Discovery will recoup around $20 for each “Barbie” rental, $25 for each download. It’s a bonanza.
As always, how much actual money is involved with these transactions is not known, but if five million domestic homes rent the film,...
Gerwig’s #1 theatrical hit worldwide for 2023 (which will end up with around $1.5 billion in theatrical returns) is now renting on PVOD for $24.99, with the option to add it to your digital library permanently for $29.99. Studios recover 80 percent from revenues returned for these transactions, less a small slice for the carrier. That means Warner Bros. Discovery will recoup around $20 for each “Barbie” rental, $25 for each download. It’s a bonanza.
As always, how much actual money is involved with these transactions is not known, but if five million domestic homes rent the film,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Burbank, Calif. – As part of the year-long centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio, the iconic supernatural film The Exorcist from Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin (The French Connection) will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital for the first time this September.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1973 release, on September 19, The Exorcist will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more.
The Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs include both the 1973 theatrical version of the film and the 2000 Extended Director’s Cut of the film, which features eleven additional minutes of footage not seen in theaters.
Directed by Friedkin, who died today at age 89, from a screenplay by Academy Award winner William Peter Blatty, the film is based on Blatty...
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1973 release, on September 19, The Exorcist will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu, and more.
The Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs include both the 1973 theatrical version of the film and the 2000 Extended Director’s Cut of the film, which features eleven additional minutes of footage not seen in theaters.
Directed by Friedkin, who died today at age 89, from a screenplay by Academy Award winner William Peter Blatty, the film is based on Blatty...
- 8/7/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
As part of the year-long centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio, the iconic supernatural film The Exorcist from Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin (The French Connection) will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD Disc and Digital for the first time this September, Bloody Disgusting has learned today.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1973 release, on September 19 The Exorcist will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.
The Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs include both the 1973 theatrical version of the film and the 2000 Extended Director’s Cut of the film which features eleven additional minutes of footage not seen in theaters.
Directed by Friedkin from a screenplay by Academy Award winner William Peter Blatty, the film is based on Blatty’s 1971 novel of the same name.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its 1973 release, on September 19 The Exorcist will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.
The Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs include both the 1973 theatrical version of the film and the 2000 Extended Director’s Cut of the film which features eleven additional minutes of footage not seen in theaters.
Directed by Friedkin from a screenplay by Academy Award winner William Peter Blatty, the film is based on Blatty’s 1971 novel of the same name.
- 8/1/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival came to a close on Saturday, May 27 after two weeks of films, celebrities, parties and interviews in the small city on the French Riviera. Now that the prizes have been given out, we can start looking at what could be top contenders for next year’s Oscars. Let’s analyze the results from this year’s festival and see this history that each category has when it comes to the Academy Awards.
Over the past several years the festival has been a springboard for major players in the Oscar derby. We’ve really seen it be an influence in the International Feature category where in-competition films have been nominated a regular basis. Recent Cannes films that ended up being top awards contenders in above the line categories include “Triangle of Sadness,” “Drive My Car,” “Parasite,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “BlacKkKlansman.
Over the past several years the festival has been a springboard for major players in the Oscar derby. We’ve really seen it be an influence in the International Feature category where in-competition films have been nominated a regular basis. Recent Cannes films that ended up being top awards contenders in above the line categories include “Triangle of Sadness,” “Drive My Car,” “Parasite,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “BlacKkKlansman.
- 5/28/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Ruben Östlund has been named president of the jury at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Cannes organizers announced Tuesday morning in Paris.
Östlund is a two-time winner of Cannes’ highest honor, the Palme d’Or, which he won in 2017 for “The Square” and last year for “Triangle of Sadness,” which is currently an Oscar nominee for Best Picture. He is one of only nine directors to have won the Palme twice, and one of only three to win the award for consecutive films. (The others were Michael Haneke for “The White Ribbon” and “Amour” and Bille August for “Pelle the Conqueror” and “The Best Intentions.”)
Two other two-time winners, Francis Ford Coppola and Emir Kusturica, have previously served as jury presidents, but Östlund is the first to do it the year after winning the Palme. He will become the first jury president from Sweden since Ingmar Bergman served in the position...
Östlund is a two-time winner of Cannes’ highest honor, the Palme d’Or, which he won in 2017 for “The Square” and last year for “Triangle of Sadness,” which is currently an Oscar nominee for Best Picture. He is one of only nine directors to have won the Palme twice, and one of only three to win the award for consecutive films. (The others were Michael Haneke for “The White Ribbon” and “Amour” and Bille August for “Pelle the Conqueror” and “The Best Intentions.”)
Two other two-time winners, Francis Ford Coppola and Emir Kusturica, have previously served as jury presidents, but Östlund is the first to do it the year after winning the Palme. He will become the first jury president from Sweden since Ingmar Bergman served in the position...
- 2/28/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Soren Green makes his feature debut.
LevelK has boarded international rights to the upcoming Danish drama B.O.Y. – Bruises Of Yesterday. Soren Green, who has directed award-winning shorts including An Afternoon, An Evening And A Night, makes his feature debut.
The film is being pitched today (February 2) as part of the Work in Progress presentations at Goteborg’s Nordic Film Market.
The film follows a 16-year-old boy who has to spend the summer with his grandparents. He falls in love with an older young man but when tragedy strikes, he falls into a dark hole of self-harm, lust, and loneliness.
LevelK has boarded international rights to the upcoming Danish drama B.O.Y. – Bruises Of Yesterday. Soren Green, who has directed award-winning shorts including An Afternoon, An Evening And A Night, makes his feature debut.
The film is being pitched today (February 2) as part of the Work in Progress presentations at Goteborg’s Nordic Film Market.
The film follows a 16-year-old boy who has to spend the summer with his grandparents. He falls in love with an older young man but when tragedy strikes, he falls into a dark hole of self-harm, lust, and loneliness.
- 2/2/2023
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
After two years of cancellations and delays, the Cannes Film Festival finally returned to the south of France during the month of May. The winners of this year’s festivities were announced on Saturday, May 25. How many of these will become major players in this year’s Oscar derby? Below let’s review the results from the 75th installment of the international festival and examine the history each serves as a forecaster for the Academy Awards.
In recent years, Cannes has served as a launching pad for films that have become major contenders in awards season. This is particularly true in the International Feature category which, for the past several years, has had several nominees that were screened in competition. It’s also been true in other categories, including several above the line races, with films like “Drive My Car,” “Parasite,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “BlacKkKlansman” having their premieres on the Croissette.
In recent years, Cannes has served as a launching pad for films that have become major contenders in awards season. This is particularly true in the International Feature category which, for the past several years, has had several nominees that were screened in competition. It’s also been true in other categories, including several above the line races, with films like “Drive My Car,” “Parasite,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and “BlacKkKlansman” having their premieres on the Croissette.
- 6/6/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Neon earned bragging rights tonight with the third consecutive Palme d’Or Cannes winner in a row, that being Ruben Östlund’s satirical comedy Triangle of Sadness, which was a huge crowd pleaser during the fest.
The pic follows Neon’s previous Palme d’Or winner, last year’s Titane and, of course, 2019’s Parasite which went on to win four Oscars including Best Picture.
Triangle of Sadness is a knock on the 1 and follows a fashion model and her model casting agent partner, played by Charlbi Dean and Harris Dickinson. The duo wind up on luxury yacht where they’re the poorest of the poor. Woody Harrelson plays a Marxist captain who gets drunk with a Russian oligarch, reads from the Communist manifesto and sends his yacht into rough waters until the passengers crap and vomit. Hijinks ensue with a portion marooned to a deserted island.
The pic clocks in at 2 1/2 hours.
The pic follows Neon’s previous Palme d’Or winner, last year’s Titane and, of course, 2019’s Parasite which went on to win four Oscars including Best Picture.
Triangle of Sadness is a knock on the 1 and follows a fashion model and her model casting agent partner, played by Charlbi Dean and Harris Dickinson. The duo wind up on luxury yacht where they’re the poorest of the poor. Woody Harrelson plays a Marxist captain who gets drunk with a Russian oligarch, reads from the Communist manifesto and sends his yacht into rough waters until the passengers crap and vomit. Hijinks ensue with a portion marooned to a deserted island.
The pic clocks in at 2 1/2 hours.
- 5/28/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The “Cinderella” story for “Drive My Car” has been one of the award season’s most enlightening. The Japanese submission captured a nom for best international feature, best picture, director and adapted screenplay. It became the eighth film in Oscars history to be nominated for both picture and international categories.
The others are “Z” (1969), “The Emigrants” (1971/72), “Life is Beautiful” (1998), “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000), “Amour” (2012), “Roma” (2018) and “Parasite” (2019). “Emigrants” is the only one to have lost the international category. However, that’s due to it receiving nominations in different years. It represented Sweden at the 1972 awards before getting a U.S. release and qualifying for the following ceremony, picking up four noms for picture, directing, actress and adapted screenplay.
With a robust runtime of 179 minutes, “Drive My Car” has gotten over the hurdle of getting enough Academy attention to secure its noms. But, with over 9,400 eligible members able to vote in every category,...
The others are “Z” (1969), “The Emigrants” (1971/72), “Life is Beautiful” (1998), “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000), “Amour” (2012), “Roma” (2018) and “Parasite” (2019). “Emigrants” is the only one to have lost the international category. However, that’s due to it receiving nominations in different years. It represented Sweden at the 1972 awards before getting a U.S. release and qualifying for the following ceremony, picking up four noms for picture, directing, actress and adapted screenplay.
With a robust runtime of 179 minutes, “Drive My Car” has gotten over the hurdle of getting enough Academy attention to secure its noms. But, with over 9,400 eligible members able to vote in every category,...
- 3/9/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The international-film category was once littered with feel-good stories about the relationship between an older person and a child, such as “Madame Rosa,” “Pelle the Conqueror,” “Burnt by the Sun” and “Kolya” that took home the statuette. Given the Oscars bestowed on the likes of “Cinema Paradiso” and “Life Is Beautiful,” individual nations could be forgiven for skewing their annual submissions in a crowd-pleasing direction.
However, the global film establishment had to take notice as the Academy started honoring tough-minded stories about “The Lives of Others,” as the title of 2006’s examination of post-Cold War suspicion puts it. A heartbreaking Balkan standoff fuels “No Man’s Land.” Assisted suicide is central to “The Sea Inside” and “Amour.” Bullying and xenophobia animate “In a Better World.”
The 2021 Oscars feature five nominees that reflect the sometimes-bleak world but there is always a strong note of hope. The five contenders are “Drive My Car,...
However, the global film establishment had to take notice as the Academy started honoring tough-minded stories about “The Lives of Others,” as the title of 2006’s examination of post-Cold War suspicion puts it. A heartbreaking Balkan standoff fuels “No Man’s Land.” Assisted suicide is central to “The Sea Inside” and “Amour.” Bullying and xenophobia animate “In a Better World.”
The 2021 Oscars feature five nominees that reflect the sometimes-bleak world but there is always a strong note of hope. The five contenders are “Drive My Car,...
- 2/26/2022
- by Shalini Dore and Bob Verini
- Variety Film + TV
For many of us, the first mental image prompted by the name Karen Blixen is of a radiant Meryl Streep, resplendent in oatmeal linen and undulating safari hat, romantically lit in the tawny Kenyan dusk. If you wish that to remain the case, best to steer clear of “The Pact” — not that Bille August’s flat, unflattering portrait of the older Blixen should be appointment viewing for anyone. Drawn from Danish poet Thorkild Bjørnvig’s memoir of his thorny friendship with, and tutelage under, the older literary icon, this well-dressed midcentury period piece keeps teasing a darker, more perverse take on a familiar story of cross-generational creative mentorship. Yet despite a performance of unnerving severity by Birthe Neumann as the rancorous Blixen, the film remains too polite and light on incident to deliver on that promise.
Written by Danish TV heavyweight Christian Torpe (“Rita”), the screenplay of “The Pact” bristles with quiet but disquieting tensions,...
Written by Danish TV heavyweight Christian Torpe (“Rita”), the screenplay of “The Pact” bristles with quiet but disquieting tensions,...
- 2/11/2022
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar and double Palme d’Or winning director Bille August is attending the Göteborg Film Festival for a Director’s Talk and the gala screening of his psycho-drama “The Pact”.
He will also pitch at the adjoining Nordic Film Market (Feb. 3-6), the work in progress of his upcoming Danish pic “The Kiss”.
August spoke exclusively to Variety about “The Kiss,” his enduring interest in the complexity of human beings, book-to-screen adaptations and his belief in the big screen experience.
Loosely based on Stefan Zweig’s novel “Beware of Pity and transposed from an Austrian to a Danish setting, “The Kiss” is a romantic drama set in 1913. The helmer has reunited with “A Fortunate Man”’s lead Espen Smed, cast as cavalry officer trainee Anton. Introduced to Baron von Løvenskjold’s daughter Edith, a wheelchair user following an accident, Anton is attracted to her, but unsure if his feelings are of pity or true love.
He will also pitch at the adjoining Nordic Film Market (Feb. 3-6), the work in progress of his upcoming Danish pic “The Kiss”.
August spoke exclusively to Variety about “The Kiss,” his enduring interest in the complexity of human beings, book-to-screen adaptations and his belief in the big screen experience.
Loosely based on Stefan Zweig’s novel “Beware of Pity and transposed from an Austrian to a Danish setting, “The Kiss” is a romantic drama set in 1913. The helmer has reunited with “A Fortunate Man”’s lead Espen Smed, cast as cavalry officer trainee Anton. Introduced to Baron von Løvenskjold’s daughter Edith, a wheelchair user following an accident, Anton is attracted to her, but unsure if his feelings are of pity or true love.
- 1/31/2022
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Keep track of all the submissions for best international feature at the 2022 Academy Awards
Entries for the 2022 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
Scroll down for profiles of each Oscar entry
The 94th Academy Awards will take place on March 27, 2022 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This is the first time since 2018 that the ceremony will take place in March, having moved to avoid conflicting with the Winter Olympics.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the US with a predominantly non-English dialogue...
Entries for the 2022 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
Scroll down for profiles of each Oscar entry
The 94th Academy Awards will take place on March 27, 2022 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This is the first time since 2018 that the ceremony will take place in March, having moved to avoid conflicting with the Winter Olympics.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture produced outside the US with a predominantly non-English dialogue...
- 10/25/2021
- by Ben Dalton¬Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Denmark is the current holder of the award with ‘Another Round’.
Denmark has announced a trio of films shortlisted for its submission for the international Oscar race.
The three finalists are:
Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s Flee, the animated documentary about an Afghan refugee’s journey to Denmark - winner of the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Documentary section at Sundance, with Neon handling North American distribution. Charlotte Sieling’s Margrete - Queen of the North – a epic drama starring Trine Dyrholm as Margrete the First, who ruled Scandinavia in the early 1400s; Samuel Goldwyn will release in the US.
Denmark has announced a trio of films shortlisted for its submission for the international Oscar race.
The three finalists are:
Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s Flee, the animated documentary about an Afghan refugee’s journey to Denmark - winner of the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Documentary section at Sundance, with Neon handling North American distribution. Charlotte Sieling’s Margrete - Queen of the North – a epic drama starring Trine Dyrholm as Margrete the First, who ruled Scandinavia in the early 1400s; Samuel Goldwyn will release in the US.
- 9/16/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Queen Margrethe II, the reigning Danish monarch, will add an adaptation of Karen Blixen’s fantasy novel Ehrengard to her two previous screen credits
Queen Margrethe II, reigning monarch of Denmark, is to design the sets for a forthcoming Netflix film adapted from a novel by Karen Blixen, it has been announced.
A romantic fantasy set in the fairytale kingdom of Babenhausen, Ehrengard will be directed by Bille August, the veteran Danish director of Pelle the Conqueror (which won both the Palme d’Or and Oscar for best foreign language film in 1988) and The Best Intentions (which won August a second Palme d’Or).
Queen Margrethe II, reigning monarch of Denmark, is to design the sets for a forthcoming Netflix film adapted from a novel by Karen Blixen, it has been announced.
A romantic fantasy set in the fairytale kingdom of Babenhausen, Ehrengard will be directed by Bille August, the veteran Danish director of Pelle the Conqueror (which won both the Palme d’Or and Oscar for best foreign language film in 1988) and The Best Intentions (which won August a second Palme d’Or).
- 8/31/2021
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
After going virtual last year and not handing out any prizes due to the Covid pandemic, the 2021 Cannes Film Festival returned to form by announcing its winners on July 17. How many of these will figure in the upcoming Oscar race? We recap the results from the 74th edition of this foremost of film festivals and review its history as a forecaster of the Academy Awards.
The top award at Cannes is the Palme d’Or. Over the years, 40 winners of this prize have amassed 135 Academy Award nominations. Seventeen of these have claimed a combined 32 Oscars. This year, the Palme d’Or went to French filmmaker Julia Ducournau‘s “Titane.” Her dramatic thriller centers on a father reunited with his son who was missing for a decade during which several unexplained crimes were committed. Ducournau is the second woman to take this top prize following Jane Campion‘s breakthrough in 1993 with “The Piano.
The top award at Cannes is the Palme d’Or. Over the years, 40 winners of this prize have amassed 135 Academy Award nominations. Seventeen of these have claimed a combined 32 Oscars. This year, the Palme d’Or went to French filmmaker Julia Ducournau‘s “Titane.” Her dramatic thriller centers on a father reunited with his son who was missing for a decade during which several unexplained crimes were committed. Ducournau is the second woman to take this top prize following Jane Campion‘s breakthrough in 1993 with “The Piano.
- 7/18/2021
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
A tribute to the Nordic film industry’s resilience, four Nordic titles have made it through to Cannes’ Official Selection. And unlike previous years, when Denmark or Sweden (Rüben Östlund) drew most of the worldwide attention, audiences should watch out for new and established voices from Norway, Finland and Iceland.
“Compartment No. 6”
Juho Kuosmanen’s sophomore feature marks Finland’s return to competition after a decade away (the previous Finnish film in competition was Aki Kaurismäki’s “Le Havre”). The Finnish director won Un Certain Regard back in 2016 with his black-and- white debut, “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki.” The story of a young Finnish student and a misanthropic Russian miner who share a journey along the Soviet Union’s trans-Siberian railway in the late 1980s, “Compartment No. 6” stars Seidi Haarla, one of the Berlinale’s 10 Shooting Stars.
“The Gravedigger’s Wife”
Finland makes history this year...
“Compartment No. 6”
Juho Kuosmanen’s sophomore feature marks Finland’s return to competition after a decade away (the previous Finnish film in competition was Aki Kaurismäki’s “Le Havre”). The Finnish director won Un Certain Regard back in 2016 with his black-and- white debut, “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki.” The story of a young Finnish student and a misanthropic Russian miner who share a journey along the Soviet Union’s trans-Siberian railway in the late 1980s, “Compartment No. 6” stars Seidi Haarla, one of the Berlinale’s 10 Shooting Stars.
“The Gravedigger’s Wife”
Finland makes history this year...
- 7/9/2021
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes
Ava Cahen will become the artistic director of Critics’ Week at Cannes from Aug. 1, taking over from Charles Tesson.
Cahen founded the magazine Clap in 2014 and FrenchMania in 2017 along with the Woody Club she created in 2016. She has been a commentator for the TV program “Le Cercle” on Canal Plus since 2014 and since 2019 for “Une heure en séries,” a radio show on France Inter. She has published several books on cinema and series including “Woody Allen Profession Cynique” (2015), “Cheforama” (2017) and “Game of Thrones” (2019).
In 2016, at 30, Cahen became the youngest selection committee member in the history of Critics’ Week and joined the French Union of Film Critics. She also lectures at Nanterre Paris X University.
Sales
Producer Sean O’Kelly (“Iron Sky”) has teamed with veteran sales agent Marc Bikindou to launch Brilliant Pictures, a venture encompassing production, finance, sales and distribution for film and TV with offices in London and Rome,...
Ava Cahen will become the artistic director of Critics’ Week at Cannes from Aug. 1, taking over from Charles Tesson.
Cahen founded the magazine Clap in 2014 and FrenchMania in 2017 along with the Woody Club she created in 2016. She has been a commentator for the TV program “Le Cercle” on Canal Plus since 2014 and since 2019 for “Une heure en séries,” a radio show on France Inter. She has published several books on cinema and series including “Woody Allen Profession Cynique” (2015), “Cheforama” (2017) and “Game of Thrones” (2019).
In 2016, at 30, Cahen became the youngest selection committee member in the history of Critics’ Week and joined the French Union of Film Critics. She also lectures at Nanterre Paris X University.
Sales
Producer Sean O’Kelly (“Iron Sky”) has teamed with veteran sales agent Marc Bikindou to launch Brilliant Pictures, a venture encompassing production, finance, sales and distribution for film and TV with offices in London and Rome,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Chloé Zhao becomes only second woman in history to win best director
Oscar favourite Nomadland and UK talent triumphed at the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday (April 25) as the most protracted season, and one shaped by the pandemic, came to an end.
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland was named best picture and also scored wins for Asian American best director Chloé Zhao – who became the first woman of colour and only the second woman in history to win the award after Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2010 – and lead actress Frances McDormand, who competed in a particularly close contest.
McDormand fought...
Oscar favourite Nomadland and UK talent triumphed at the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday (April 25) as the most protracted season, and one shaped by the pandemic, came to an end.
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland was named best picture and also scored wins for Asian American best director Chloé Zhao – who became the first woman of colour and only the second woman in history to win the award after Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2010 – and lead actress Frances McDormand, who competed in a particularly close contest.
McDormand fought...
- 4/26/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The film medium, all too often, is boxed or labeled into specific genres, and when it comes time for awards, that’s the only place voters deem “appropriate” for recognition. This includes documentaries, international and animated features, as well big-budget blockbusters that only find distinction in sound and visual effects, or comedies in a rare instance of the screenplay and a supporting acting nomination.
We’ve seen an eclectic and vibrant selection of films unveiled in this unconventional year. While milestone recognitions look to be on the horizon, all awards voters still have work to do in getting a more dynamic number of films recognized in other key categories. We’ve seen AMPAS take an important step in the right direction with HBO’s “Welcome to Chechnya,” which made the shortlists for both documentary and visual effects. Like last year’s “Honeyland,” which was nominated for both international and documentary feature,...
We’ve seen an eclectic and vibrant selection of films unveiled in this unconventional year. While milestone recognitions look to be on the horizon, all awards voters still have work to do in getting a more dynamic number of films recognized in other key categories. We’ve seen AMPAS take an important step in the right direction with HBO’s “Welcome to Chechnya,” which made the shortlists for both documentary and visual effects. Like last year’s “Honeyland,” which was nominated for both international and documentary feature,...
- 3/2/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Believe it or not, the Golden Globes will wield even more influence than usual this year. With Oscar voting for nominees set to take place March 5-10, the Feb. 28 Globes ceremony falls just five days before Academy members receive their ballots.
The Globes are going to carry more weight because the normal all-telling industry groups — such as the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild, the American Society of Cinematographers and BAFTA — will announce their nominations in the middle of the Oscar voting window. And American Cinema Editors, always a strong indicator for the best picture nominees and winners, will announce its noms after the voting period has closed on March 11.
Whichever films and performances the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. selects will have an impact on Academy voters, since they won’t have ballots in their possession, and the Globes will be the last televised industry event to take place before they receive them.
The Globes are going to carry more weight because the normal all-telling industry groups — such as the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild, the American Society of Cinematographers and BAFTA — will announce their nominations in the middle of the Oscar voting window. And American Cinema Editors, always a strong indicator for the best picture nominees and winners, will announce its noms after the voting period has closed on March 11.
Whichever films and performances the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. selects will have an impact on Academy voters, since they won’t have ballots in their possession, and the Globes will be the last televised industry event to take place before they receive them.
- 2/25/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Sf Studios and sales banner REinvent have unveiled the trailer for “The Pact,” Bille August’s psychological drama based on real events in the life of Karen Blixen, the Danish author best known for her autobiographical novel “Out of Africa.”
The film depicts Blixen’s tumultuous relationship with Thorkild Bjørnvig, a promising young poet, after she returned from Africa. Birthe Neumann headlines the film as Blixen in her first major dramatic film role since “The Celebration.”
“The Pact” is produced by Sf Studios and Motor with producers Jesper Morthorst and Karin Trolle. Nordic distribution is handled by Sf Studios while REinvent International Sales is selling worldwide rights. The film will be released in cinemas in Denmark on April 15.
Along with “Margrete-Queen of the North” and “The Emigrants,” “The Pact” is one of the thee projects from Sf Studios which will be presented in the Works in Progress section at this...
The film depicts Blixen’s tumultuous relationship with Thorkild Bjørnvig, a promising young poet, after she returned from Africa. Birthe Neumann headlines the film as Blixen in her first major dramatic film role since “The Celebration.”
“The Pact” is produced by Sf Studios and Motor with producers Jesper Morthorst and Karin Trolle. Nordic distribution is handled by Sf Studios while REinvent International Sales is selling worldwide rights. The film will be released in cinemas in Denmark on April 15.
Along with “Margrete-Queen of the North” and “The Emigrants,” “The Pact” is one of the thee projects from Sf Studios which will be presented in the Works in Progress section at this...
- 2/4/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Mads Mikkelsen stars in the drinking drama.
Thomas Vinterberg’s drinking drama Another Round will represent Denmark in the international feature category at the 2021 Oscars.
It was selected by the Danish Oscar committee, comprised of film industry representatives including from the Danish Film Institute.
The title was chosen from a three-film shortlist, ahead of Malou Reymann’s A Perfectly Normal Family and Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid’s Shorta.
Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far
Another Round premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in September, having previously been awarded the Cannes 2020 label in June.
Thomas Vinterberg’s drinking drama Another Round will represent Denmark in the international feature category at the 2021 Oscars.
It was selected by the Danish Oscar committee, comprised of film industry representatives including from the Danish Film Institute.
The title was chosen from a three-film shortlist, ahead of Malou Reymann’s A Perfectly Normal Family and Anders Ølholm and Frederik Louis Hviid’s Shorta.
Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far
Another Round premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in September, having previously been awarded the Cannes 2020 label in June.
- 11/18/2020
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
As social distancing, shuttered theaters, and self-quarantine become daily life, chances are you’ve turned to your plethora of streaming services to quell the boredom. But there’s more to life than Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+: several niche streaming services are offering free trials and discounts, giving you plenty of offbeat and hard-to-find content choices. Among them is horror specialist Shudder, British-focused Acorn TV, nonfiction purveyor Dox, and Sundance Now.
IndieWire has compiled a list of services currently offering discounts and free trials, along with some of their most notable offerings, and will update it with any new additions. Also included are other streaming services that regularly offer free trials.
More from IndieWireThe Best Movies New to Every Major Streaming Platform in February 2020A Mysterious Plane Crash Unravels Into Global Conspiracy in 'Cold Case Hammarskjöld' Doc -- Exclusive Clip Shudder
The offer: 30 days free with promo code...
IndieWire has compiled a list of services currently offering discounts and free trials, along with some of their most notable offerings, and will update it with any new additions. Also included are other streaming services that regularly offer free trials.
More from IndieWireThe Best Movies New to Every Major Streaming Platform in February 2020A Mysterious Plane Crash Unravels Into Global Conspiracy in 'Cold Case Hammarskjöld' Doc -- Exclusive Clip Shudder
The offer: 30 days free with promo code...
- 3/18/2020
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Stage and screen acting legend Max Von Sydow, who starred in The Seventh Seal and appeared in The Exorcist, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Flash Gordon, and Game of Thrones, died on March 8 at the age of 90, according to Variety.
“It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow,” his wife, the producer Catherine Brelet, said in a statement.
Von Sydow made his Hollywood debut as Jesus in the 1965 Biblical epic The Greatest Story Ever Told. This gave him the authority to observe “if Jesus were alive today and saw what they are saying in his name, he would never stop throwing up” in Woody Allen’s 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters. Von Sydow had the power to compel Satan as Father Merrin in William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic The Exorcist and Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), directed by John Boorman.
“It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow,” his wife, the producer Catherine Brelet, said in a statement.
Von Sydow made his Hollywood debut as Jesus in the 1965 Biblical epic The Greatest Story Ever Told. This gave him the authority to observe “if Jesus were alive today and saw what they are saying in his name, he would never stop throwing up” in Woody Allen’s 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters. Von Sydow had the power to compel Satan as Father Merrin in William Friedkin’s 1973 horror classic The Exorcist and Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), directed by John Boorman.
- 3/9/2020
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Throughout 2020, Gold Derby continues to update our photo gallery above with major celebrity deaths from film, television, theater and music. Tour through our pictures so far with the following 11 people currently featured:
Max von Sydow died on March 8 at age 90. The Swedish actor often worked with Ingmar Bergman, including in “The Seventh Seal,” “The Passion of Anna” and “Shame.” He received Oscar nominations for “Pelle the Conqueror” and “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” plus Emmy bids for “Red King, White Knight” and “Game of Thrones.”
SEEIngmar Bergman movies: 25 greatest films ranked worst to best
James Lipton, longtime host of “Inside the Actors Studio,” is dead at the age of 93 on March 2. He received 20 Emmy nominations for that Bravo program and won the award in 2013. He was also nominated in 1988 for an original song on a Bob Hope comedy special.
Actor Robert Conrad died on February 8 at age 84. He was the...
Max von Sydow died on March 8 at age 90. The Swedish actor often worked with Ingmar Bergman, including in “The Seventh Seal,” “The Passion of Anna” and “Shame.” He received Oscar nominations for “Pelle the Conqueror” and “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” plus Emmy bids for “Red King, White Knight” and “Game of Thrones.”
SEEIngmar Bergman movies: 25 greatest films ranked worst to best
James Lipton, longtime host of “Inside the Actors Studio,” is dead at the age of 93 on March 2. He received 20 Emmy nominations for that Bravo program and won the award in 2013. He was also nominated in 1988 for an original song on a Bob Hope comedy special.
Actor Robert Conrad died on February 8 at age 84. He was the...
- 3/9/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
With more than 160 acting credits to his name (according to IMDb), including one of the most iconic horror movie characters of all time, Max von Sydow was one of the most prolific actors of his or any other generation, and we're deeply sad to report that the great actor has passed away at the age of 90.
According to multiple reports, including The Hollywood Reporter, Sydow passed away in his Provence, France home on Sunday, March 8th. His wife, Catherine von Sydow, confirmed his passing, saying (via THR), "It's with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max Von Sydow on March 8, 2020."
A dynamic performer, Sydow brought roomfuls of characters to life over an acting career that included eight decades, with his first acting credit being 1949's Only a Mother.
Sydow made an indelible mark on cinema with his performance...
According to multiple reports, including The Hollywood Reporter, Sydow passed away in his Provence, France home on Sunday, March 8th. His wife, Catherine von Sydow, confirmed his passing, saying (via THR), "It's with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max Von Sydow on March 8, 2020."
A dynamic performer, Sydow brought roomfuls of characters to life over an acting career that included eight decades, with his first acting credit being 1949's Only a Mother.
Sydow made an indelible mark on cinema with his performance...
- 3/9/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Stars took to Twitter to remember Max von Sydow, the prolific Swedish actor best known for “The Exorcist” and “The Seventh Seal.” The two-time Oscar-nominated actor died Sunday at age 90.
Martin Scorsese, Mia Farrow and Seth Meyers lead the tributes to the Oscar-nominated actor Monday.
“Max Von Sydow was something like a consummate actor, with a pride in his art and a dedication to his craft that I’ve encountered in very few people in my life,” Scorsese, who directed von Sydow in 2010’s “Shutter Island,” said in a statement. “On the set he was remarkable, and off the set he a complete gentleman. … And what he and Ingmar Bergman found together is more precious than gold.”
Farrow, the actress known for the 1968 classic “Rosemary’s Baby,” left a heartfelt message next to a photo of von Sydow in his younger years.
Also Read: Mart Crowley, 'The Boys in the Band' Playwright,...
Martin Scorsese, Mia Farrow and Seth Meyers lead the tributes to the Oscar-nominated actor Monday.
“Max Von Sydow was something like a consummate actor, with a pride in his art and a dedication to his craft that I’ve encountered in very few people in my life,” Scorsese, who directed von Sydow in 2010’s “Shutter Island,” said in a statement. “On the set he was remarkable, and off the set he a complete gentleman. … And what he and Ingmar Bergman found together is more precious than gold.”
Farrow, the actress known for the 1968 classic “Rosemary’s Baby,” left a heartfelt message next to a photo of von Sydow in his younger years.
Also Read: Mart Crowley, 'The Boys in the Band' Playwright,...
- 3/9/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Celebrated Swedish actor Max von Sydow, who memorably played a priest in the iconic horror film The Exorcist and received two Oscar nominations over the course of his illustrious career, has died. He was 90.
Von Sydow died at his home in Provence, France on Sunday. His wife Catherine von Sydow, a documentary filmmaker and producer, confirmed his death to French press on Monday.
“It’s with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max Von Sydow on March 8, 2020,” she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The couple married in...
Von Sydow died at his home in Provence, France on Sunday. His wife Catherine von Sydow, a documentary filmmaker and producer, confirmed his death to French press on Monday.
“It’s with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max Von Sydow on March 8, 2020,” she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The couple married in...
- 3/9/2020
- by Ale Russian
- PEOPLE.com
Swedish actor featured in more than 100 films and TV series.
Swedish actor Max von Sydow, who featured in more than 100 films and TV series, has died aged 90.
His wife, Catherine von Sydow, announced “with a broken heart and infinite sadness” that the actor had died in France on Sunday (March 8).
Born Carl Adolf von Sydow in Sweden in 1929, he studied at Stockholm’s Royal Dramatic Theatre (Dramaten) and made his screen debuts in Alf Sjöberg’s Only A Mother (1949) and Miss Julie (1951).
It was in 1955 that he met director Ingmar Bergman, with whom he made 11 films including The Seventh Seal...
Swedish actor Max von Sydow, who featured in more than 100 films and TV series, has died aged 90.
His wife, Catherine von Sydow, announced “with a broken heart and infinite sadness” that the actor had died in France on Sunday (March 8).
Born Carl Adolf von Sydow in Sweden in 1929, he studied at Stockholm’s Royal Dramatic Theatre (Dramaten) and made his screen debuts in Alf Sjöberg’s Only A Mother (1949) and Miss Julie (1951).
It was in 1955 that he met director Ingmar Bergman, with whom he made 11 films including The Seventh Seal...
- 3/9/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
It's a sad day in the entertainment world.
Max Von Sydow, best known for roles in The Seventh Seal, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Game of Thrones, has passed away at 90.
He was found dead at his home, according to his agent Jean Diamond.
A statement which announced his death reads: "It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow, March 8, 2020."
His career spanned five decades.
Born Carl Adolf von Sydow in Lund, Sweden, on April 10, 1929, he began his acting career just 20 years later.
His first role was in the Swedish movie Only a Mother, which hit cinemas back in 1949.
Sydow's breakout role came eight years later in The Seventh Seal, which hailed from Ingmar Bergman.
It focused on a man who was looking for answers about life and what comes after who comes...
Max Von Sydow, best known for roles in The Seventh Seal, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Game of Thrones, has passed away at 90.
He was found dead at his home, according to his agent Jean Diamond.
A statement which announced his death reads: "It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow, March 8, 2020."
His career spanned five decades.
Born Carl Adolf von Sydow in Lund, Sweden, on April 10, 1929, he began his acting career just 20 years later.
His first role was in the Swedish movie Only a Mother, which hit cinemas back in 1949.
Sydow's breakout role came eight years later in The Seventh Seal, which hailed from Ingmar Bergman.
It focused on a man who was looking for answers about life and what comes after who comes...
- 3/9/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Max von Sydow, known to TV audiences as Game of Thrones‘ enigmatic Three-Eyed Raven, died Sunday. He was 90.
“It’s with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow on March 8, 2020,” the actor’s wife, Catherine von Sydow, confirmed in a statement. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
More from TVLineTV Ratings: Bull Matches Season High; All Rise, All American and Manifest DipThe Good Doctor Finale Promo Teases a Natural Disaster -- R.I.P., [Spoiler]?The Good Doctor's Shaun Just Exploded on Lea...
“It’s with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow on March 8, 2020,” the actor’s wife, Catherine von Sydow, confirmed in a statement. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
More from TVLineTV Ratings: Bull Matches Season High; All Rise, All American and Manifest DipThe Good Doctor Finale Promo Teases a Natural Disaster -- R.I.P., [Spoiler]?The Good Doctor's Shaun Just Exploded on Lea...
- 3/9/2020
- TVLine.com
Max von Sydow, the prolific Swedish actor who first made his name in Ingmar Bergman films like 1957’s “The Seventh Seal” before progressing to international renown in hits like “The Exorcist” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” died Sunday at age 90.
During his decades-long career, he earned two Oscar nominations, for his lead role as a picked-on Swedish immigrant to a Danish farming community in Bille August’s 1987 drama “Pelle the Conqueror” and then as a mute old man in Stephen Daldry’s post-9/11 drama “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”
Born into a wealthy family on the Swedish coast, von Sydow studied at the national drama school before meeting Bergman in 1955. The two collaborated in theater before embarking on a series of influential films that increased in reputation worldwide, beginning with “The Seventh Seal” and then “The Magician,” “The Virgin Spring” and “Wild Strawberries.”
Also Read: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of...
During his decades-long career, he earned two Oscar nominations, for his lead role as a picked-on Swedish immigrant to a Danish farming community in Bille August’s 1987 drama “Pelle the Conqueror” and then as a mute old man in Stephen Daldry’s post-9/11 drama “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”
Born into a wealthy family on the Swedish coast, von Sydow studied at the national drama school before meeting Bergman in 1955. The two collaborated in theater before embarking on a series of influential films that increased in reputation worldwide, beginning with “The Seventh Seal” and then “The Magician,” “The Virgin Spring” and “Wild Strawberries.”
Also Read: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of...
- 3/9/2020
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Max von Sydow, the tall, tragic-faced Swedish actor whose name was virtually synonymous with the films of Ingmar Bergman, has died. He was 90.
Variety has confirmed that the actor died on Sunday.
Von Sydow, who became Bergman’s symbol for the modern man in such films as “The Passion of Anna” and “Shame” after making his Bergman debut as the errant knight in “The Seventh Seal,” also had an unusually prolific career in Hollywood and international films.
He made his American debut in the role of Jesus Christ in George Stevens’ turgid 1965 epic “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and went on to make strong impressions with audiences in “The Exorcist,” Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters,” David Lynch’s “Dune,” “Three Days of the Condor,” “Hawaii,” “Conan the Barbarian” and “Awakenings.”
Von Sydow worked for other Scandinavian directors as well, drawing an Oscar nomination for his role in Bille August...
Variety has confirmed that the actor died on Sunday.
Von Sydow, who became Bergman’s symbol for the modern man in such films as “The Passion of Anna” and “Shame” after making his Bergman debut as the errant knight in “The Seventh Seal,” also had an unusually prolific career in Hollywood and international films.
He made his American debut in the role of Jesus Christ in George Stevens’ turgid 1965 epic “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and went on to make strong impressions with audiences in “The Exorcist,” Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters,” David Lynch’s “Dune,” “Three Days of the Condor,” “Hawaii,” “Conan the Barbarian” and “Awakenings.”
Von Sydow worked for other Scandinavian directors as well, drawing an Oscar nomination for his role in Bille August...
- 3/9/2020
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Max von Sydow, the Sweden-born French actor whose credits included Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist, and the role of Emperor Ming in Flash Gordon, has died at the age of 90.
The actor’s 65-year career spanned acclaimed arthouse, Hollywood blockbusters, and television. In recent years, he played Lor San Tekka in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Three-Eyed Raven in Game Of Thrones, and voiced a character on The Simpsons.
“It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow, on March 8, 2020,” a statement from his widow Catherine von Sydow read, sent via the actor’s international reps who confirmed to Deadline that he passed away on Sunday, March 8.
Born in Lund, Sweden, von Sydow studied at Stockholm’s Royal Dramatic Theatre before getting his start in the film business...
The actor’s 65-year career spanned acclaimed arthouse, Hollywood blockbusters, and television. In recent years, he played Lor San Tekka in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Three-Eyed Raven in Game Of Thrones, and voiced a character on The Simpsons.
“It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow, on March 8, 2020,” a statement from his widow Catherine von Sydow read, sent via the actor’s international reps who confirmed to Deadline that he passed away on Sunday, March 8.
Born in Lund, Sweden, von Sydow studied at Stockholm’s Royal Dramatic Theatre before getting his start in the film business...
- 3/9/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
With the six Oscar nominations Bong Joon Ho‘s “Parasite” scored on Monday morning, the film became the latest to have won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and score an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Only one film has actually succeeded in winning both of those honors: Delbert Mann‘s “Marty,” which prevailed in 1955.
Since the Palme d’Or was established, 15 other films have managed to take the top prize at Cannes and make it into the Best Picture race: “Marty” (1955), “Friendly Persuasion” (1957), “M*A*S*H” (1970), “The Conversation” (1974), “Taxi Driver” (1976), “Apocalypse Now” (1979), “All That Jazz” (1979), “Missing” (1982), “The Mission” (1986), “The Piano” (1993), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Secrets & Lies” (1996), “The Pianist” (2002), “The Tree of Life” (2011) and “Amour” (2012).
See 2020 Oscar nominations: Full list of Academy Awards nominees in all 24 categories
The top prize from the French film festival is not always a reliable barometer for what will get in at the Oscars.
Since the Palme d’Or was established, 15 other films have managed to take the top prize at Cannes and make it into the Best Picture race: “Marty” (1955), “Friendly Persuasion” (1957), “M*A*S*H” (1970), “The Conversation” (1974), “Taxi Driver” (1976), “Apocalypse Now” (1979), “All That Jazz” (1979), “Missing” (1982), “The Mission” (1986), “The Piano” (1993), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Secrets & Lies” (1996), “The Pianist” (2002), “The Tree of Life” (2011) and “Amour” (2012).
See 2020 Oscar nominations: Full list of Academy Awards nominees in all 24 categories
The top prize from the French film festival is not always a reliable barometer for what will get in at the Oscars.
- 1/16/2020
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
The new feature by the Danish filmmaker centres on the secret relationship between Karen Blixen and young poet Thorkild Bjønvig. Danish award-winning film and television director Bille August is now working on his new feature project, entitled The Pact. The Breed-born helmer is best known for his 1987 drama Pelle the Conqueror, screened at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Palme d’Or, the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language, and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, among other honours. The Pact, penned in its entirety by Christian Torpe, is based on Thorkild Bjørnvig’s autobiography of the same name. The psychological drama tells the story of the intense relationship between Danish author Karen Blixen, best known for her autobiographical novel Out of Africa, and Bjønvig, a young and promising poet. Speaking about the film’s themes, August said: “The Pact...
- 10/31/2019
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
Bille August (“Pelle the Conqueror”), one of Denmark’s best known filmmakers, is set to direct “The Pact,” a psychological drama about the intense friendship between Karen Blixen, the Danish author best known for her autobiographical novel “Out of Africa,” and Thorkild Bjønvig, a young and promising poet.
“The Pact” was written by Christian Torpe, based on Bjørnvig’s autobiography of the same name.
Torpe previously wrote August’s “Silent Heart,” which won the Silver Seashell at San Sebastian in 2014. “The Pact” is produced by Jesper Morthorst at Motor and Sf Studios, which will release the film theatrically in early 2021.
“‘The Pact’ is a relationship drama, the eternal story of seduction and wanting to be seduced, of the art of manipulation, of guilt and innocence, of a highly unusual friendship between two deeply talented people and a relationship that develops into a fateful bond,” said August, whose credits include the...
“The Pact” was written by Christian Torpe, based on Bjørnvig’s autobiography of the same name.
Torpe previously wrote August’s “Silent Heart,” which won the Silver Seashell at San Sebastian in 2014. “The Pact” is produced by Jesper Morthorst at Motor and Sf Studios, which will release the film theatrically in early 2021.
“‘The Pact’ is a relationship drama, the eternal story of seduction and wanting to be seduced, of the art of manipulation, of guilt and innocence, of a highly unusual friendship between two deeply talented people and a relationship that develops into a fateful bond,” said August, whose credits include the...
- 10/25/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar and Palme d’Or-winning Danish director Bille August (Pelle The Conqueror) is teaming up with U.S. producer David Brown’s fledgling outfit Clear Horizon on historical drama A War Of Their Own about two of the first women to serve as ambulance drivers on the front lines during WWI. Clear Horizon will co-produce and handle world sales at the Afm.
The film is inspired by the remarkable story of British women Mairi Chisholm and Elsie Knocker, who became nurses and ambulance drivers during World War One. The duo won numerous medals for bravery and saved many soldiers on the Western Front in Belgium. Chisolm first got the job as ambulance driver when she was spotted making hair-pin bends on her motorbike in London as a courier. After the war, despite failing health as a result of her exploits on the front, she briefly took up car racing.
The film is inspired by the remarkable story of British women Mairi Chisholm and Elsie Knocker, who became nurses and ambulance drivers during World War One. The duo won numerous medals for bravery and saved many soldiers on the Western Front in Belgium. Chisolm first got the job as ambulance driver when she was spotted making hair-pin bends on her motorbike in London as a courier. After the war, despite failing health as a result of her exploits on the front, she briefly took up car racing.
- 10/22/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Trine Dyrholm stars as a woman who seduces her teenage stepson.
Danish filmmaker May el-Toukhy’s Sundance award-winner Queen Of Hearts has been chosen as Denmark’s entry to the best international film prize at the 2020 Academy Awards.
The film was selected by the Danish Academy Award Committee.
It launched at Sundance Film Festival in January, where it won the ‘world cinema – dramatic’ audience award.
Subsequent prizes have included three awards at Göteborg Film Festival, including the event’s $110,000 Dragon award for best Nordic film, one of the most lucrative film cash prizes in the industry.
Queen Of Hearts stars...
Danish filmmaker May el-Toukhy’s Sundance award-winner Queen Of Hearts has been chosen as Denmark’s entry to the best international film prize at the 2020 Academy Awards.
The film was selected by the Danish Academy Award Committee.
It launched at Sundance Film Festival in January, where it won the ‘world cinema – dramatic’ audience award.
Subsequent prizes have included three awards at Göteborg Film Festival, including the event’s $110,000 Dragon award for best Nordic film, one of the most lucrative film cash prizes in the industry.
Queen Of Hearts stars...
- 9/24/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Max von Sydow turned 90 this month, which is a milestone for most people, but age has always seemed incidental to the actor. When he played the elderly, frail Father Merrin in “The Exorcist,” von Sydow was 44 — meaning he was the same age Bradley Cooper is today.
In the 1950s, von Sydow had his big breakthrough in a trio of Ingmar Bergman films — “The Seventh Seal,” “Wild Strawberries” and “The Magician” — while still in his 20s, but with the wisdom and sadness of the world in his eyes. Von Sydow has appeared in such fan favorites as “Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Rush Hour 3” and David Lynch’s “Dune.” But to most, he’s synonymous with his 11 films for Bergman and “The Exorcist.” In A.D. Murphy’s enthusiastic Variety review of the latter on Dec. 24, 1973, he said of von Sydow, “His performance is one of controlled dedication.
In the 1950s, von Sydow had his big breakthrough in a trio of Ingmar Bergman films — “The Seventh Seal,” “Wild Strawberries” and “The Magician” — while still in his 20s, but with the wisdom and sadness of the world in his eyes. Von Sydow has appeared in such fan favorites as “Game of Thrones,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Rush Hour 3” and David Lynch’s “Dune.” But to most, he’s synonymous with his 11 films for Bergman and “The Exorcist.” In A.D. Murphy’s enthusiastic Variety review of the latter on Dec. 24, 1973, he said of von Sydow, “His performance is one of controlled dedication.
- 4/19/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
But be careful what you wish for, all you who have longed for a hostless Oscars after Kevin Hart dropped out in December — and the Academy failed to line up a replacement.
After all, the last Academy Awards show that didn’t have a host, the 61st Oscars in 1989, is widely considered the worst Oscars ever. No, the lack of a host didn’t really have much to do with the show’s multitudinous failures. And no, this year’s producer, Donna Gigliotti, and co-producer and director, Glenn Weiss, aren’t likely to make the kind of mistakes that Allan Carr made back then.
But looking at that show, it’s hard not to think that a steady hand at the helm would have helped.
Also Read: Who Should Host the Oscars Now? Hollywood Offers Suggestions
If you remember that 1989 show, you probably don’t remember it as the Oscars...
After all, the last Academy Awards show that didn’t have a host, the 61st Oscars in 1989, is widely considered the worst Oscars ever. No, the lack of a host didn’t really have much to do with the show’s multitudinous failures. And no, this year’s producer, Donna Gigliotti, and co-producer and director, Glenn Weiss, aren’t likely to make the kind of mistakes that Allan Carr made back then.
But looking at that show, it’s hard not to think that a steady hand at the helm would have helped.
Also Read: Who Should Host the Oscars Now? Hollywood Offers Suggestions
If you remember that 1989 show, you probably don’t remember it as the Oscars...
- 2/22/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/20/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/20/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Cairo International Film Festival has announced Danish director Bille August will serve as jury president at its upcoming 40th anniversary festival.
One of Europe's most decorated directors, August is one of eight directors in history who has won the Palme d'Or twice. He also won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best foreign language film in 1989 for his landmark movie Pelle the Conqueror.
"Bille August is one of the eminent names in world cinema; his films have captured the hearts of audiences all over the world," said Cairo President Mohamed Hefzy. "It ...
One of Europe's most decorated directors, August is one of eight directors in history who has won the Palme d'Or twice. He also won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best foreign language film in 1989 for his landmark movie Pelle the Conqueror.
"Bille August is one of the eminent names in world cinema; his films have captured the hearts of audiences all over the world," said Cairo President Mohamed Hefzy. "It ...
Cairo International Film Festival has announced Danish director Bille August will serve as jury president at its upcoming 40th anniversary festival.
One of Europe's most decorated directors, August is one of eight directors in history who has won the Palme d'Or twice. He also won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best foreign language film in 1989 for his landmark movie Pelle the Conqueror.
"Bille August is one of the eminent names in world cinema; his films have captured the hearts of audiences all over the world," said Cairo President Mohamed Hefzy. "It ...
One of Europe's most decorated directors, August is one of eight directors in history who has won the Palme d'Or twice. He also won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for best foreign language film in 1989 for his landmark movie Pelle the Conqueror.
"Bille August is one of the eminent names in world cinema; his films have captured the hearts of audiences all over the world," said Cairo President Mohamed Hefzy. "It ...
Oscar-winning Danish director Bille August will preside over the jury of the Cairo Film Festival, which is being revamped by Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy.
August, who has accomplished the rare feat of winning two Cannes Palme d’Or awards, is best known for “Pelle the Conqueror” – which scored the foreign-language Oscar, the Palme d’Or and a Golden Globe – and for “The House of the Spirits,” “Smilla’s Sense Of Snow,” and “Les Miserables.” He is currently in pre-production on Gianni Versace biopic “The Emperor of Dreams.”
August will be returning to Cairo after attending the fest with “Les Miserables” in 1998.
Hefzy, who was appointed president of the Cairo festival in March, praised August in a statement as “one of the eminent names in world cinema,” adding that he was honored to have the director serve as jury president in what he called a “historic 40th edition” of the event.
August, who has accomplished the rare feat of winning two Cannes Palme d’Or awards, is best known for “Pelle the Conqueror” – which scored the foreign-language Oscar, the Palme d’Or and a Golden Globe – and for “The House of the Spirits,” “Smilla’s Sense Of Snow,” and “Les Miserables.” He is currently in pre-production on Gianni Versace biopic “The Emperor of Dreams.”
August will be returning to Cairo after attending the fest with “Les Miserables” in 1998.
Hefzy, who was appointed president of the Cairo festival in March, praised August in a statement as “one of the eminent names in world cinema,” adding that he was honored to have the director serve as jury president in what he called a “historic 40th edition” of the event.
- 8/1/2018
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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