David Cronenberg’s films have often imagined a future where technology would find a way into our collective id. 55 years into the director’s incomparable career, might that future have finally caught up with him? In Cronenberg’s new film––the slick, scrambled The Shrouds––there are two barely speculative conceits: that an AI chatbot could be designed to look like a recently deceased love one; and primarily, that a company might have the bright idea to wrap a blanket of HD cameras around our nearest and dearest before they’re sent six-feet-under, allowing us to check in on their decaying corpse, all with the click of an app.
If that sounds a little unambitious by the Canadian’s standards, the director––whose wife of 43 years, Carolyn, died in 2017 after a battle with cancer––has his reasons. If “grief is forever,” as the director said before the premiere in Cannes,...
If that sounds a little unambitious by the Canadian’s standards, the director––whose wife of 43 years, Carolyn, died in 2017 after a battle with cancer––has his reasons. If “grief is forever,” as the director said before the premiere in Cannes,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and the reviews have begun to emerge. The film follows a businessman and grieving widower who invents a controversial technology known as Gravetech that allows families to see inside the graves of their loved ones as they decompose. Although known as the master of body horror, fans shouldn’t expect too much of that as Cronenberg’s latest is a much more personal film. The Shrouds is at least partly inspired by the death of his wife, Carolyn Cronenberg, in 2017.
THR‘s Leslie Felperin said, “This fetid stew of sex, death and tech may be an aphrodisiac for hardcore Cronenberg fans, but more casual viewers are likely to find it all rather slapdash and undercooked here. Cinematographer Douglas Koch’s lighting looks drabber than usual, and many of the scenes feel like the first or second take after a long day’s filming,...
THR‘s Leslie Felperin said, “This fetid stew of sex, death and tech may be an aphrodisiac for hardcore Cronenberg fans, but more casual viewers are likely to find it all rather slapdash and undercooked here. Cinematographer Douglas Koch’s lighting looks drabber than usual, and many of the scenes feel like the first or second take after a long day’s filming,...
- 5/20/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Legendary filmmaker David Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future released in 2022, eight years after Maps to The Stars. Thankfully, we're not going to have to wait nearly as long for the body horror maestro's next film, which is set to premiere during this year's Cannes Film Festival next week.
Titled The Shrouds, the movie stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Sandrine Holt (Fear the Walking Dead).
The first teaser trailer is now online.
The footage doesn't give us very much to go on, basically just serving as an introduction to Vincent Cassel's Karsh, "an innovative businessman and grieving widower, builds a novel device to connect with the dead inside a burial shroud. This burial tool installed at his own state-of-the-art – though controversial cemetery allows him and his clients to watch their specific departed loved one decompose in real time."
“Most burial rituals are about avoiding...
Titled The Shrouds, the movie stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Sandrine Holt (Fear the Walking Dead).
The first teaser trailer is now online.
The footage doesn't give us very much to go on, basically just serving as an introduction to Vincent Cassel's Karsh, "an innovative businessman and grieving widower, builds a novel device to connect with the dead inside a burial shroud. This burial tool installed at his own state-of-the-art – though controversial cemetery allows him and his clients to watch their specific departed loved one decompose in real time."
“Most burial rituals are about avoiding...
- 5/15/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
Variety has been given exclusive access to the teaser (above) for David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds,” ahead of its world premiere in the Competition section at Cannes. Sbs Intl. is handling international sales for the film, while WME is selling U.S. rights.
“The Shrouds” centers on Karsh, 50, a prominent businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents GraveTech, a revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed in their shrouds. One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. Karsh sets out to track down the perpetrators.
The film stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt.
It is produced by Sbs, Prospero Pictures and Saint Laurent Productions. The producers are Saïd Ben Saïd, Martin Katz and Anthony Vaccarello.
The music is by Howard Shore. The cinematographer is Douglas Koch.
In an interview with Serge Grünberg ahead of the premiere,...
“The Shrouds” centers on Karsh, 50, a prominent businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents GraveTech, a revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed in their shrouds. One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. Karsh sets out to track down the perpetrators.
The film stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce and Sandrine Holt.
It is produced by Sbs, Prospero Pictures and Saint Laurent Productions. The producers are Saïd Ben Saïd, Martin Katz and Anthony Vaccarello.
The music is by Howard Shore. The cinematographer is Douglas Koch.
In an interview with Serge Grünberg ahead of the premiere,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Legendary The Fly and Dead Ringers director David Cronenberg's Crimes of the Future released in 2022, eight years after his previous film, Maps to the Stars. Thankfully, we're not going to have to wait quite as long for the body horror maestro's next project.
Titled The Shrouds, the movie stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Sandrine Holt (Fear the Walking Dead), and is set for its world premiere later this month at the Cannes Film Festival.
Plot details had been pretty vague up until now, but the following synopsis gives us a much better idea of what to expect.
"Karsh, an innovative businessman and grieving widower, builds a novel device to connect with the dead inside a burial shroud. This burial tool installed at his own state-of-the-art – though controversial cemetery allows him and his clients to watch their specific departed loved one decompose in real time.
Titled The Shrouds, the movie stars Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Guy Pearce (Memento) and Sandrine Holt (Fear the Walking Dead), and is set for its world premiere later this month at the Cannes Film Festival.
Plot details had been pretty vague up until now, but the following synopsis gives us a much better idea of what to expect.
"Karsh, an innovative businessman and grieving widower, builds a novel device to connect with the dead inside a burial shroud. This burial tool installed at his own state-of-the-art – though controversial cemetery allows him and his clients to watch their specific departed loved one decompose in real time.
- 5/9/2024
- ComicBookMovie.com
After an eight-year gap between Maps to the Stars and Crimes of the Future, thankfully the wait for the next feature from David Cronenberg isn’t nearly as long: The Shrouds will premiere this month at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s led by Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt, and while U.S. distribution has yet to be confirmed, French distributor Pyramide Films will release it on September 25, 2024. Ahead of the world premiere, the first poster and a batch of new images have arrived.
Here’s the synopsis: “Karsh, 50, is a prominent businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents GraveTech, revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed in their shrouds. One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. Karsh sets out to track down the perpetrators.”
Clocking in at 116 minutes, it’s just...
Here’s the synopsis: “Karsh, 50, is a prominent businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents GraveTech, revolutionary and controversial technology that enables the living to monitor their dear departed in their shrouds. One night, multiple graves, including that of Karsh’s wife, are desecrated. Karsh sets out to track down the perpetrators.”
Clocking in at 116 minutes, it’s just...
- 5/7/2024
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Does darkness run in the family? Caitlin Cronenberg isn’t quite sure, but with her new horror drama “Humane”, she earns her place in the pantheon of the macabre like her father David and brother Brandon before her. Starring Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, and Peter Gallagher, the film centers on a post-ecological disaster future and a family whose patriarch has decided to enlist in a new euthanasia program designed to deplete the population of the planet.
“I enjoyed the fact that it was a family drama set within this strange and chaotic world,” Cronenberg said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I thought that it was an interesting way to tell a family story, and that’s the thing that struck me the most, especially with a very unique premise. I hadn’t come across anything even close to this premise. The characters were also these very detailed...
“I enjoyed the fact that it was a family drama set within this strange and chaotic world,” Cronenberg said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I thought that it was an interesting way to tell a family story, and that’s the thing that struck me the most, especially with a very unique premise. I hadn’t come across anything even close to this premise. The characters were also these very detailed...
- 4/28/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Caitlin Cronenberg’s assured directorial debut Humane begins with the planet plagued by ecological disaster. After decades of ignoring the warnings of scientists, society is battling the threat of its own extinction. Erratic weather patterns are commonplace. A scarcity of food and water has led to strict rations. Curfews abound. The ozone layer is anemic from years of abuse, leaving little protection from Uv rays. Everyone walks around with reflective umbrellas.
In this not-so-distant dystopian future, countries have one year to reduce their population by 20 percent. These grim terms are part of the Athens accord, an emergency international meeting convened to respond to this man-made crisis. In North America, where Humane is vaguely set, the government has created a voluntary euthanasic program. Families of citizens who enlist are paid $250,000 and receive gratitude in the form of a shoddily constructed “Thank you” video on a nationally televised piece of propaganda. The...
In this not-so-distant dystopian future, countries have one year to reduce their population by 20 percent. These grim terms are part of the Athens accord, an emergency international meeting convened to respond to this man-made crisis. In North America, where Humane is vaguely set, the government has created a voluntary euthanasic program. Families of citizens who enlist are paid $250,000 and receive gratitude in the form of a shoddily constructed “Thank you” video on a nationally televised piece of propaganda. The...
- 4/25/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alanna Bale, Sirena Gulamgaus, Peter Gallagher, Uni Park, Emily Hampshire, Jay Baruchel in HumanePhoto: Steve Wilkie/IFC Films/Shudder
One day, should humanity be blessed enough to continue upon its current collective perch, the old op-ed pages of national newspapers will provide their own records of our social temperature in these charged times.
One day, should humanity be blessed enough to continue upon its current collective perch, the old op-ed pages of national newspapers will provide their own records of our social temperature in these charged times.
- 4/24/2024
- by Brent Simon
- avclub.com
With just ten days to go until the Cannes Film Festival lineup is unveiled, one title heavily tipped to premiere is David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds, starring Vincent Cassel, Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt. While U.S. distribution has yet to be confirmed, French distributor Pyramide Films has now unveiled a September 25, 2024 release date alongside news that it will be the director’s longest film yet.
Clocking in at 119 minutes, it’s just a hair longer than Dead Ringers and Naked Lunch, which both ran 115 minutes. The distributor also confirms returning collaborators cinematographer Douglas Koch and editor Christopher Donaldson, who shot and edited Crimes of the Future, respectively, and the Canadian director’s longtime composer Howard Shore.
Here’s a new synopsis as well: “Karsh, 50, is a renowned businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents a revolutionary and controversial system, GraveTech, which allows the living...
Clocking in at 119 minutes, it’s just a hair longer than Dead Ringers and Naked Lunch, which both ran 115 minutes. The distributor also confirms returning collaborators cinematographer Douglas Koch and editor Christopher Donaldson, who shot and edited Crimes of the Future, respectively, and the Canadian director’s longtime composer Howard Shore.
Here’s a new synopsis as well: “Karsh, 50, is a renowned businessman. Inconsolable since the death of his wife, he invents a revolutionary and controversial system, GraveTech, which allows the living...
- 4/1/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
‘Cuts deep… reminiscent of Cronenberg’s freaky ’80s masterpiece The Fly… delightfully provocative…’
★★★★
NME
‘Akin to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return… Thoughtful, poignant, confusing, funny, sexy, gross – it’s a lot… long live the new flesh’
Little White Lies
From the auteur of body horror himself – visionary director David Cronenberg – comes the critically acclaimed Crimes Of The Future in a brand-new Limited Edition Dual 4K/Blu-ray Box Set.
The 2022 sci-fi epic has been lauded as ‘provocatively feverish stuff from the dearly missed vintage annals of Cronenberg’ (Rogerbert.com), and bears the Canadian maestro’s hallmarks, delving into the depths of dystopia to bring audiences fresh iterations of horror and now Crimes of The Future is available now from the masters in the field Second Sight Films.
The box set comes as a dual format edition, including both Uhd and Blu-ray versions, with the main feature and bonus features...
★★★★
NME
‘Akin to David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return… Thoughtful, poignant, confusing, funny, sexy, gross – it’s a lot… long live the new flesh’
Little White Lies
From the auteur of body horror himself – visionary director David Cronenberg – comes the critically acclaimed Crimes Of The Future in a brand-new Limited Edition Dual 4K/Blu-ray Box Set.
The 2022 sci-fi epic has been lauded as ‘provocatively feverish stuff from the dearly missed vintage annals of Cronenberg’ (Rogerbert.com), and bears the Canadian maestro’s hallmarks, delving into the depths of dystopia to bring audiences fresh iterations of horror and now Crimes of The Future is available now from the masters in the field Second Sight Films.
The box set comes as a dual format edition, including both Uhd and Blu-ray versions, with the main feature and bonus features...
- 1/4/2024
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Caitlin Cronenberg’s has wrapped the four-week shoot in Hamilton, Ontario of her directorial debut, the environment-themed thriller Humane.
The production has also unveiled the cast featuring Jay Baruchel (This Is The End), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Peter Gallagher (Grace and Frankie), Sebastian Chacon (Emergency), Alanna Bale and Sirena Gulamgaus (Transplant).
Humane takes place over a single day months after a global environmental collapse has forced world leaders to take extreme measures to reduce the earth’s population.
In a wealthy enclave, a recently retired newsman invites his four grown children to dinner to announce his intentions to enlist in the nation’s new euthanasia program. But when the father’s plan goes horribly awry, tensions flare and chaos erupts among his children.
The picture is written and produced by Victory Man Productions’ Michael Sparaga.
“From my very first read, the all-too-possible dystopian world of Michael’s script left me breathless,...
The production has also unveiled the cast featuring Jay Baruchel (This Is The End), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Peter Gallagher (Grace and Frankie), Sebastian Chacon (Emergency), Alanna Bale and Sirena Gulamgaus (Transplant).
Humane takes place over a single day months after a global environmental collapse has forced world leaders to take extreme measures to reduce the earth’s population.
In a wealthy enclave, a recently retired newsman invites his four grown children to dinner to announce his intentions to enlist in the nation’s new euthanasia program. But when the father’s plan goes horribly awry, tensions flare and chaos erupts among his children.
The picture is written and produced by Victory Man Productions’ Michael Sparaga.
“From my very first read, the all-too-possible dystopian world of Michael’s script left me breathless,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
On the occasion of her passing, take another look at 'Queen Elizabeth II' and 'Prince Philip', who brought their 'Royal Tour' to Toronto to take in a Sunday service @ St. James Cathedral July 4, 2010:
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a special playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
Click the images to enlarge...
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a special playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
Click the images to enlarge...
- 9/8/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Although one might expect David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future to deliver several cringe-inducing scenes given the festival press swirling around it, the film is actually rather subdued in terms of its adherence to the “body horror” genre generally connected with the filmmaker’s other works. That being said, while it may not be the finest example of the Cronenberg ethos, it is easily one of the more thought-provoking and interesting films of his career.
In the auteur’s latest exploration of the body politic, Cronenberg surmises that human evolution has adapted to encompass life in a synthetic environment. This has allowed some human bodies to transform and mutate (though not necessarily for identifiable or specific evolutionary purposes). Harnessing this new genetic oddity, performance artist Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen), presents the metamorphosis his body undergoes as a series of “avant-garde” performances along with his partner Caprice (Léa Seydoux). However,...
In the auteur’s latest exploration of the body politic, Cronenberg surmises that human evolution has adapted to encompass life in a synthetic environment. This has allowed some human bodies to transform and mutate (though not necessarily for identifiable or specific evolutionary purposes). Harnessing this new genetic oddity, performance artist Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen), presents the metamorphosis his body undergoes as a series of “avant-garde” performances along with his partner Caprice (Léa Seydoux). However,...
- 6/3/2022
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
This review of “Crimes of the Future” was first published May 23, 2022, after its premiere at Cannes Film Festival.
It’s hard to say whether “Crimes of the Future” will be David Cronenberg’s final film — never believe a director who says they’re quitting — but it definitely feels like a closing argument, one that both reaffirms the filmmaker’s favorite themes and stylistic choices while also reflecting a shift in his point of view.
We’ve been here before with Cronenberg; his 1999 “Existenz” also had the feel of a greatest-hits collection. But for audiences starved for brash choices from one of the cinema’s boldest living provocateurs, even a rehash seems fresher than corporate-assembled, focus-group-approved content.
Should this be the Canadian auteur’s final feature, he won’t be leaving on a high note: “Crimes of the Future” won’t be remembered alongside masterpieces like “Dead Ringers,” “The Fly,” “The Brood,...
It’s hard to say whether “Crimes of the Future” will be David Cronenberg’s final film — never believe a director who says they’re quitting — but it definitely feels like a closing argument, one that both reaffirms the filmmaker’s favorite themes and stylistic choices while also reflecting a shift in his point of view.
We’ve been here before with Cronenberg; his 1999 “Existenz” also had the feel of a greatest-hits collection. But for audiences starved for brash choices from one of the cinema’s boldest living provocateurs, even a rehash seems fresher than corporate-assembled, focus-group-approved content.
Should this be the Canadian auteur’s final feature, he won’t be leaving on a high note: “Crimes of the Future” won’t be remembered alongside masterpieces like “Dead Ringers,” “The Fly,” “The Brood,...
- 6/3/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Filming is underway in Europe on David Cronenberg’s Crimes Of The Future, starring Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, Kristen Stewart and Scott Speedman.
Joining the cast are Tanaya Beatty (Yellowstone), Nadia Litz (Big Muddy), Yorgos Karamichos (The Durrells), and Yorgos Pirpassopoulos (Beckett). Also previously announced were Welket Bungué (Berlin Alexanderplatz), Don McKellar (Blindness), and Lihi Kornowski (Losing Alice).
The film shoots in Athens, Greece until September 2021.
The film takes a deep dive into the not-so-distant future where humankind is learning to adapt to its synthetic surroundings. The evolution moves humans beyond their natural state and into a metamorphosis, altering their biological makeup. While some embrace the limitless potential of ‘transhumanism’, others attempt to police it. Either way, “Accelerated Evolution Syndrome”, is spreading fast.
“As we begin filming Crimes Of The Future, just two days into this new adventure with David Cronenberg, it feels like we’ve entered a story he...
Joining the cast are Tanaya Beatty (Yellowstone), Nadia Litz (Big Muddy), Yorgos Karamichos (The Durrells), and Yorgos Pirpassopoulos (Beckett). Also previously announced were Welket Bungué (Berlin Alexanderplatz), Don McKellar (Blindness), and Lihi Kornowski (Losing Alice).
The film shoots in Athens, Greece until September 2021.
The film takes a deep dive into the not-so-distant future where humankind is learning to adapt to its synthetic surroundings. The evolution moves humans beyond their natural state and into a metamorphosis, altering their biological makeup. While some embrace the limitless potential of ‘transhumanism’, others attempt to police it. Either way, “Accelerated Evolution Syndrome”, is spreading fast.
“As we begin filming Crimes Of The Future, just two days into this new adventure with David Cronenberg, it feels like we’ve entered a story he...
- 8/3/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Cameras have begun rolling on David Cronenberg’s sci-fi thriller “Crimes of the Future” with Tanaya Beatty (“Yellowstone”) and Nadia Litz (“Big Muddy”) joining the cast alongside Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux and Kristen Stewart.
Principal photography has begun on the movie in Athens, Greece, where shooting will run until September. Additional cast members include Scott Speedman, Welket Bungué, Don McKellar, Lihi Kornowski, Yorgos Karamichos and Yorgos Pirpassopoulos.
“As we begin filming ‘Crimes of the Future,’ just two days into this new adventure with David Cronenberg, it feels like we’ve entered a story he collaborated on with Samuel Beckett and William Burroughs, if that were possible,” said Mortensen in a statement. “We are being pulled into a world that is not quite like this or any other, and yet is one that feels strangely familiar, immediate and quite credible. I can’t wait to see where we end up.”
The movie,...
Principal photography has begun on the movie in Athens, Greece, where shooting will run until September. Additional cast members include Scott Speedman, Welket Bungué, Don McKellar, Lihi Kornowski, Yorgos Karamichos and Yorgos Pirpassopoulos.
“As we begin filming ‘Crimes of the Future,’ just two days into this new adventure with David Cronenberg, it feels like we’ve entered a story he collaborated on with Samuel Beckett and William Burroughs, if that were possible,” said Mortensen in a statement. “We are being pulled into a world that is not quite like this or any other, and yet is one that feels strangely familiar, immediate and quite credible. I can’t wait to see where we end up.”
The movie,...
- 8/3/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
One of the first conversations cinematographer Douglas Koch had with director Deepa Mehta was about his using a handheld camera in shooting “Funny Boy,” a coming-of-age story set during the civil war in Sri Lanka.
The plan was to allow complete flexibility as Koch worked with two actors — Arush Nand and Brandon Ingram — playing the role of Arjie from boyhood to adolescence as he discovers his sexual identity. As war rages between the Tamil and the Sinhalese, Arjie is further at risk in a nation where homosexuality is punishable by law. Koch made sure the camera was always motivated by the space the actors were in, and that the performers dictated how the camera moved, not the other way around.
The film was originally targeted as Canada’s foreign-language Oscar entry but was disqualified for containing too much English. Netflix resubmitted the film, which bowed in early December, in the best picture and general categories.
The plan was to allow complete flexibility as Koch worked with two actors — Arush Nand and Brandon Ingram — playing the role of Arjie from boyhood to adolescence as he discovers his sexual identity. As war rages between the Tamil and the Sinhalese, Arjie is further at risk in a nation where homosexuality is punishable by law. Koch made sure the camera was always motivated by the space the actors were in, and that the performers dictated how the camera moved, not the other way around.
The film was originally targeted as Canada’s foreign-language Oscar entry but was disqualified for containing too much English. Netflix resubmitted the film, which bowed in early December, in the best picture and general categories.
- 1/14/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
From her groundbreaking Elements Trilogy to “Funny Boy,” her gorgeous new queer coming-of-age tale currently streaming on Netflix, Deepa Mehta makes films to delight all of the senses. For her immersive adaptation of Sri Lankan-Canadian author Shyam Selvadurai’s beloved novel “Funny Boy,” Mehta kept one particular sense in mind: “I want people to smell ‘Funny Boy.’ You should smell it, smell the palm trees, you can smell the water.”
Raised in New Delhi and living in Toronto since 1973, the lauded Indo-Canadian filmmaker’s body of work spans globally in location and subject matter. Mehta is best known for her Elements Trilogy (the origin of that name are a mystery to her), which includes the controversial lesbian romance “Fire” (1996), the Partition era family drama “Earth” (1999), and the Oscar-nominated “Water” (2005). India submitted the film for the 2007 foreign-language Oscar, and this year submitted “Funny Boy,” but the Academy deemed it ineligible because it used too much English,...
Raised in New Delhi and living in Toronto since 1973, the lauded Indo-Canadian filmmaker’s body of work spans globally in location and subject matter. Mehta is best known for her Elements Trilogy (the origin of that name are a mystery to her), which includes the controversial lesbian romance “Fire” (1996), the Partition era family drama “Earth” (1999), and the Oscar-nominated “Water” (2005). India submitted the film for the 2007 foreign-language Oscar, and this year submitted “Funny Boy,” but the Academy deemed it ineligible because it used too much English,...
- 1/1/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
On the surface, “Funny Boy” has very little to do with the Barbra Streisand musical its title is riffing on. The story of a fey Sri Lankan Tamil boy growing up in 1970s Colombo is a far cry from Fanny Brice’s ascent from the Lower East Side to the heights of show business. The title comes from the Sri Lankan-Canadian novelist Shyam Selvadurai’s 1994 novel, which is read and taught widely in Sri Lanka today. Though Arjie (Brandon Ingram), the film’s wide-eyed central figure, is more of a David Bowie fan, the title’s slight homage to the beloved diva seems apt. Especially when young Arjie steels himself from bullying by declaring, “don’t mess with the grand diva,” the faintest hint of Streisand rising from behind his red feather boa.
set amidst a vicious ethnic conflict that is regionally specific, but tragically universal. It is the latest...
set amidst a vicious ethnic conflict that is regionally specific, but tragically universal. It is the latest...
- 12/10/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
“Don’t mess with the grand diva,” says 8-year-old Arjie, usually in private or under his breath, to a world determined to mess with him from all sides. Taught to him by an understanding, open-minded aunt, it’s a self-defense mantra that sees him through various forms of bullying as he comes to terms with his nascent homosexuality — no easy cross to bear in a conservative Sri Lankan household through the 1970s and 1980s.
It’s of less use, however, when his life is more violently rocked by the first bloody stirrings of the Sri Lankan Civil War: Both gay and Tamil, young Arjie is a doubly imperiled minority. Adapted from Shyam Selvadurai’s well-regarded semi-autobiographical novel, Deepa Mehta’s “Funny Boy” ambitiously braids internal and external conflict, familial and national strife, to engrossing if somewhat heavily condensed effect. Selected as Canada’s official Oscar entry, it’s the Indo-Canadian...
It’s of less use, however, when his life is more violently rocked by the first bloody stirrings of the Sri Lankan Civil War: Both gay and Tamil, young Arjie is a doubly imperiled minority. Adapted from Shyam Selvadurai’s well-regarded semi-autobiographical novel, Deepa Mehta’s “Funny Boy” ambitiously braids internal and external conflict, familial and national strife, to engrossing if somewhat heavily condensed effect. Selected as Canada’s official Oscar entry, it’s the Indo-Canadian...
- 12/10/2020
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing has dropped the first trailer and poster image for Deepa Mehta’s “Funny Boy.”
On Thursday, “Funny Boy” was announced as Canada’s entry to the 2021 Oscars, in the international feature film category.
The film is based on the best-selling 1994 coming-of-age novel by Canadian-Sri Lankan author Shyam Selvadurai that won the Lambda Literary Award for gay fiction. Mehta co-wrote the screenplay with Selvadurai.
Shot on location and set in Sri Lanka in the 1970s and 1980s, “Funny Boy” explores the sexual awakening of a young boy named Arjie (portrayed by Arush Nand and Brandon Ingram). As political tensions escalate to a boiling point between the minority Tamils and the majority Sinhalese, a young boy comes of age in a society and family that doesn’t embrace difference outside of societal norms. The film chronicles Arjie’s struggle to find balance and self-love despite the absence of empathy and understanding.
On Thursday, “Funny Boy” was announced as Canada’s entry to the 2021 Oscars, in the international feature film category.
The film is based on the best-selling 1994 coming-of-age novel by Canadian-Sri Lankan author Shyam Selvadurai that won the Lambda Literary Award for gay fiction. Mehta co-wrote the screenplay with Selvadurai.
Shot on location and set in Sri Lanka in the 1970s and 1980s, “Funny Boy” explores the sexual awakening of a young boy named Arjie (portrayed by Arush Nand and Brandon Ingram). As political tensions escalate to a boiling point between the minority Tamils and the majority Sinhalese, a young boy comes of age in a society and family that doesn’t embrace difference outside of societal norms. The film chronicles Arjie’s struggle to find balance and self-love despite the absence of empathy and understanding.
- 10/30/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Deepa Mehta’s latest film, an adaptation of Shyam Selvadurai’s Sri Lanka-set coming-of-age novel “Funny Boy,” has been picked up by Ava DuVernay’s Array Releasing, and will land on Netflix this December, Variety can reveal.
The Oscar-nominated “Earth” and “Midnight’s Children” director wrote the screenplay for the film alongside Selvadurai, whose debut 1994 novel is set in Sri Lanka during the 1970s and 1980s and was ground-breaking in its discussion of identity politics against the backdrop of escalating conflict between the island nation’s Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority.
Shot on location in Colombo, the film explores Tamil protagonist Arjie’s (Arush Nand/Brandon Ingram) sexual awakening from a young boy, deemed “funny” by disapproving family, to a teenager enamoured by a male classmate, just as political tensions escalate between the Sinhalese and Tamils in the years leading up to the 1983 uprisings — violence that led into a 26-year civil war.
The Oscar-nominated “Earth” and “Midnight’s Children” director wrote the screenplay for the film alongside Selvadurai, whose debut 1994 novel is set in Sri Lanka during the 1970s and 1980s and was ground-breaking in its discussion of identity politics against the backdrop of escalating conflict between the island nation’s Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority.
Shot on location in Colombo, the film explores Tamil protagonist Arjie’s (Arush Nand/Brandon Ingram) sexual awakening from a young boy, deemed “funny” by disapproving family, to a teenager enamoured by a male classmate, just as political tensions escalate between the Sinhalese and Tamils in the years leading up to the 1983 uprisings — violence that led into a 26-year civil war.
- 10/15/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip brought their Royal Tour to Toronto to take in a Sunday service @ St. James Cathedral July 4.
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a 3D playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
The Pinewood tour and presentation included over 100 hundred local film/TV industry personnel as well as Pinewood UK CEO Ivan Dunleavy.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek our exclusive video of "Queen Elizabeth II" in Toronto...
On July 5, the Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman.
Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series "1812", lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to watch a 3D playback of the sequence on a large projection screen.
The Pinewood tour and presentation included over 100 hundred local film/TV industry personnel as well as Pinewood UK CEO Ivan Dunleavy.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek our exclusive video of "Queen Elizabeth II" in Toronto...
- 7/7/2010
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip brought their Royal Tour to Toronto to take in a Sunday service @ St. James Cathedral July 4. July 5, The Royals visited the 11-acre Pinewood Toronto Studios, hosted by Chairman Paul Bronfman. Her Majesty watched the filming of a 3D sequence from Canadian director Deepa Mehta's new mini-series 1812, lensed by Dp Doug Koch, then was given a pair of 3D glasses, to view a 3D playback of the sequence on a large projection screen. The Pinewood tour and presentation included over 100 hundred local film/TV industry personnel as well as Pinewood UK CEO Ivan Dunleavy. Click the images to enlarge and take a look at our exclusive video of "Queen Elizabeth II" in Toronto...
- 7/6/2010
- HollywoodNorthReport.com
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