Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov returns to Cannes once again this year with Limonov: The Ballad starring Ben Whishaw, for which we can share a first-look image from above.
The film’s synopsis reads: A revolutionary militant, a thug, an underground writer, a butler to a millionaire in Manhattan. But also a switchblade-waving poet, a lover of beautiful women, a warmonger, a political agitator, and a novelist who wrote of his greatness. Eduard Limonov’s life story is a journey through Russia, America, and Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
The film was written by Pawel Pawlikowski, Ben Hopkins, and Serebrennikov, based on the novel ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère, published in the US by Macmillan Publishers and in France by Pol.
Producers are Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, a Fremantle Company, Dimitri Rassam for Chapter 2, a Mediawan Company, Ilya Stewart for Hype Studios and coproduced by...
The film’s synopsis reads: A revolutionary militant, a thug, an underground writer, a butler to a millionaire in Manhattan. But also a switchblade-waving poet, a lover of beautiful women, a warmonger, a political agitator, and a novelist who wrote of his greatness. Eduard Limonov’s life story is a journey through Russia, America, and Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
The film was written by Pawel Pawlikowski, Ben Hopkins, and Serebrennikov, based on the novel ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère, published in the US by Macmillan Publishers and in France by Pol.
Producers are Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, a Fremantle Company, Dimitri Rassam for Chapter 2, a Mediawan Company, Ilya Stewart for Hype Studios and coproduced by...
- 4/11/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian actress and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi’s directorial feature debut, There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è Ancora Domani), and Matteo Garrone’s Io Capitano lead nominations at this year’s David Di Donatello Awards.
There’s Still Tomorrow nabbed 19 noms, including best film while Io Capitano landed 15, including best director for Garrone. Trailing the leading two is Alice Rohrwacher’s latest film, La Chimera, starring Josh O’Connor. Other leading films are Rapito (11), Comandante (10), Il Sol Dell’avvenire (7), and Adagio (5).
The 69th David di Donatello Awards take place May 3. The live show will be broadcast on Rai 1 in Italy. This year’s hosts include Carlo Conti and Alessia Marcuzzi. The ceremony will take place at the legendary Cinecittà studios.
Check out the full list of nominees below:
Best Film
C’È Ancora DOMANIprodotto da Mario Gianani e Lorenzo Gangarossa per Wildside società del gruppo Fremantle; Vision Distribution società del gruppo Sky; in collaborazione...
There’s Still Tomorrow nabbed 19 noms, including best film while Io Capitano landed 15, including best director for Garrone. Trailing the leading two is Alice Rohrwacher’s latest film, La Chimera, starring Josh O’Connor. Other leading films are Rapito (11), Comandante (10), Il Sol Dell’avvenire (7), and Adagio (5).
The 69th David di Donatello Awards take place May 3. The live show will be broadcast on Rai 1 in Italy. This year’s hosts include Carlo Conti and Alessia Marcuzzi. The ceremony will take place at the legendary Cinecittà studios.
Check out the full list of nominees below:
Best Film
C’È Ancora DOMANIprodotto da Mario Gianani e Lorenzo Gangarossa per Wildside società del gruppo Fremantle; Vision Distribution società del gruppo Sky; in collaborazione...
- 4/3/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features has set a U.S. release date for Edward Berger’s new thriller, Conclave, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.
The film, set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope, will be released in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2024, before going wider a week later on Nov. 8.
Conclave is German director Berger’s follow up to his 2022 anti-war epic and Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
The film, set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope, will be released in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2024, before going wider a week later on Nov. 8.
Conclave is German director Berger’s follow up to his 2022 anti-war epic and Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
- 3/8/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Focus Features has firmed up release plans for Conclave, the papal thriller marking filmmaker Edward Berger’s follow-up to his 2022 Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. An adaptation of Robert Harris’ same-name bestseller, penned by Peter Straughan, the film releases in theaters in New York and L.A. on November 1st, before expanding on the 8th.
Currently, the 1st is only occupied by an unknown title from Universal Pictures. Titles set to open on the 8th include Sony’s Venom 3 and 20th’s action thriller The Amateur starring Rami Malek.
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds...
Currently, the 1st is only occupied by an unknown title from Universal Pictures. Titles set to open on the 8th include Sony’s Venom 3 and 20th’s action thriller The Amateur starring Rami Malek.
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: It was on the set of Sky and HBO’s We Are Who We Are that Lorenzo Mieli asked Francesca Manieri, a screenwriter known for crafting stories about female empowerment, to pen a TV series about Rocco Siffredi, the infamous hardcore porn star. Initially, she could barely believe it. “I laughed,” she recalls. “I was sure he was joking.”
Only he wasn’t, and after a week of deliberation, she said yes, having realized it would give her the chance to explore “the core of contemporary masculinity.”
Manieri — known for films such as Rose Island, Italian Race, The First King and The Miracle and as co-writer of We Are Who We Are — went away and drew up her plan for a series that would allow her to “turn the tables” on the narratives men have dictated to women for, well, probably ever: a series about what porn represents and how modern masculinity is constructed.
Only he wasn’t, and after a week of deliberation, she said yes, having realized it would give her the chance to explore “the core of contemporary masculinity.”
Manieri — known for films such as Rose Island, Italian Race, The First King and The Miracle and as co-writer of We Are Who We Are — went away and drew up her plan for a series that would allow her to “turn the tables” on the narratives men have dictated to women for, well, probably ever: a series about what porn represents and how modern masculinity is constructed.
- 3/5/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Sonia Rovai and Annamaria Morelli have been named as the new bosses of Wildside and The Apartment, respectively.
Former Sky Italia exec Rovai has become CEO of Wildside and Morelli CEO of the Apartment, following the exits of Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, who today unveiled co-production deal with Fremantle through their new business.
The two companies will “continue to have editorial autonomy and to coordinate – from an organizational point of view – with Fremantle,” according to the super-indie.
Rovai has been MD of Wildside since October last year. Prior to that she was at Sky, where she had risen through the ranks to lead original productions during a 17-year stint at the Comcast-owned pay-tv broadcaster.
Morelli is a film and TV producer who since 2019 as been founder and CEO of Elsinore Film. Her previous roles include story editor posts at Rai and Mediaset.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO,...
Former Sky Italia exec Rovai has become CEO of Wildside and Morelli CEO of the Apartment, following the exits of Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, who today unveiled co-production deal with Fremantle through their new business.
The two companies will “continue to have editorial autonomy and to coordinate – from an organizational point of view – with Fremantle,” according to the super-indie.
Rovai has been MD of Wildside since October last year. Prior to that she was at Sky, where she had risen through the ranks to lead original productions during a 17-year stint at the Comcast-owned pay-tv broadcaster.
Morelli is a film and TV producer who since 2019 as been founder and CEO of Elsinore Film. Her previous roles include story editor posts at Rai and Mediaset.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle has appointed new heads for its Italian labels The Apartment and Wildside and has agreed a co-production deal with their former CEOs Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani.
Film and TV producer Annamaria Morelli becomes CEO of The Apartment while former Sky Italia exec Sonia Rovai has been named CEO of Wildside.
Their appointments follow the recent departures of The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani from the Fremantle-owned companies.
Mieli and Gianani are launching a new company together, full details of which will be announced in the near future. Fremantle has signed a co-production agreement with...
Film and TV producer Annamaria Morelli becomes CEO of The Apartment while former Sky Italia exec Sonia Rovai has been named CEO of Wildside.
Their appointments follow the recent departures of The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani from the Fremantle-owned companies.
Mieli and Gianani are launching a new company together, full details of which will be announced in the near future. Fremantle has signed a co-production agreement with...
- 2/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Fremantle has appointed new bosses for its Italian production subsidiaries The Apartment and Wildside but will continue to work with outgoing CEOs Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani.
Fremantle on Thursday announced that Annamaria Morelli will be taking over as CEO of The Apartment and Sonia Rovai as CEO of Wildside. Fremantle said both companies will continue to have editorial autonomy while coordinating with Fremantle on an organizational basis, and will continue to work with the same talents, Italian and international, going forward.
“Annamaria Morelli and Sonia Rovai have vision, experience and passion. I am so happy to welcome them to The Apartment and Wildside, two labels that have attracted some of the best talent, both Italian and international,” said Andrea Scrosati, group COO and CEO, continental Europe at Fremantle. “We are and will continue to be the place creatives want to call home. A place where you can express your...
Fremantle on Thursday announced that Annamaria Morelli will be taking over as CEO of The Apartment and Sonia Rovai as CEO of Wildside. Fremantle said both companies will continue to have editorial autonomy while coordinating with Fremantle on an organizational basis, and will continue to work with the same talents, Italian and international, going forward.
“Annamaria Morelli and Sonia Rovai have vision, experience and passion. I am so happy to welcome them to The Apartment and Wildside, two labels that have attracted some of the best talent, both Italian and international,” said Andrea Scrosati, group COO and CEO, continental Europe at Fremantle. “We are and will continue to be the place creatives want to call home. A place where you can express your...
- 2/29/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Well-established Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli — who left their Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and The Apartment, respectively, earlier this year — are returning to the growing TV and film powerhouse with their new scripted outfit.
The duo — who co-founded “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend” production house Wildside in 2009 before Mieli exited to set up The Apartment, which was behind the recent hit “Priscilla” — are yet to reveal details of their new company. But the pair have now signed a co-production deal with Fremantle that will see them collaborate on several projects.
Among those in production and post-production from the two producers are Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film, Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov -The Ballad,” “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino starring Daniel Craig, the new film by Gabriele Mainetti, “Maria” by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie, plus the TV series “M. The Son of the Century” by Joe Wright and “Il Mostro” by Stefano Sollima.
The duo — who co-founded “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend” production house Wildside in 2009 before Mieli exited to set up The Apartment, which was behind the recent hit “Priscilla” — are yet to reveal details of their new company. But the pair have now signed a co-production deal with Fremantle that will see them collaborate on several projects.
Among those in production and post-production from the two producers are Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film, Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov -The Ballad,” “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino starring Daniel Craig, the new film by Gabriele Mainetti, “Maria” by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie, plus the TV series “M. The Son of the Century” by Joe Wright and “Il Mostro” by Stefano Sollima.
- 2/29/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Following their departures as CEOs of Fremantle’s Wildside and The Apartment, Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli have struck a co-production deal with their old employer Fremantle on several projects as they unveil their new company.
More details about the new company, whose name was not revealed today, will be “announced in the near future.”
Gianani and Mieli departed Fremantle in mid-January.
The Fremantle pact will lead to a new film from Paolo Sorrentino, Limonov – The Ballad, by Kirill Serebrennikov; Queer from Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig; a new film by Gabriele Mainetti, Maria by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie; and the TV series M. The Son of the Century by Joe Wright and Il Mostro by Stefano Sollima.
Fremantle continues to operate Wildside and The Apartment with new leadership in place.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO, Continental Europe, Fremantle said: “I am really happy to continue collaborating...
More details about the new company, whose name was not revealed today, will be “announced in the near future.”
Gianani and Mieli departed Fremantle in mid-January.
The Fremantle pact will lead to a new film from Paolo Sorrentino, Limonov – The Ballad, by Kirill Serebrennikov; Queer from Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig; a new film by Gabriele Mainetti, Maria by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie; and the TV series M. The Son of the Century by Joe Wright and Il Mostro by Stefano Sollima.
Fremantle continues to operate Wildside and The Apartment with new leadership in place.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO, Continental Europe, Fremantle said: “I am really happy to continue collaborating...
- 2/29/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are emerging in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.
This week we explore Italian movie hit There’s Still Tomorrow, which begins rolling out on cinema screens worldwide this spring with other key deals underway after a stellar release back home last fall, where it is now the ninth highest-grossing film in the history of the country’s box office.
Name: There’s Still Tomorrow
Country: Italy
Producer: Wildside
Seller: Vision Distribution
Where you can watch: In cinemas worldwide (see distributor list below)
For fans of: Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful, Ettore Scola’s A Special Day,...
This week we explore Italian movie hit There’s Still Tomorrow, which begins rolling out on cinema screens worldwide this spring with other key deals underway after a stellar release back home last fall, where it is now the ninth highest-grossing film in the history of the country’s box office.
Name: There’s Still Tomorrow
Country: Italy
Producer: Wildside
Seller: Vision Distribution
Where you can watch: In cinemas worldwide (see distributor list below)
For fans of: Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful, Ettore Scola’s A Special Day,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian musician turned filmmaker Federico Zampaglione’s Sitges world premiere The Well has inked deals in 24 territories for UK genre specialist Jinga Sales.
Lighthouse Entertainment have acquired all rights for Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Media4Fun have inked for Poland and Pflug for Japan; Star Entertainment will theatrically release in India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Butan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan; and Suraya Filem will theatrically release in South East Asia.
The gothic horror is set in a remote Italian village, with Terrifier 2 star Lauren Lavera playing a young American art restorer hired to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory.
Lighthouse Entertainment have acquired all rights for Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Media4Fun have inked for Poland and Pflug for Japan; Star Entertainment will theatrically release in India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Butan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan; and Suraya Filem will theatrically release in South East Asia.
The gothic horror is set in a remote Italian village, with Terrifier 2 star Lauren Lavera playing a young American art restorer hired to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory.
- 1/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Amazon is restructuring its Emea Prime Video business in a move which may result in job losses for staff in Africa and the Middle East.
Prime Video is set to reroute original programming funding towards two priority regional groups ‘EU Established’, which includes the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain, and ‘EU Emerging’, which covers Benelux the Nordics and Central and Eastern Europe.
Consequently, investment for original programming in sub-Saharan Africa and Mena will decrease as part of what Prime Video’s vice-president and general manager for Emea Barry Furlong described in an internal memo as a “rebalance and pivot” of resources.
Prime Video is set to reroute original programming funding towards two priority regional groups ‘EU Established’, which includes the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain, and ‘EU Emerging’, which covers Benelux the Nordics and Central and Eastern Europe.
Consequently, investment for original programming in sub-Saharan Africa and Mena will decrease as part of what Prime Video’s vice-president and general manager for Emea Barry Furlong described in an internal memo as a “rebalance and pivot” of resources.
- 1/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Prominent Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli are exiting their Fremantle-owned companies — Wildside and The Apartment, respectively — in an industry shakeup expected to lead them to jointly form a new independent scripted content outfit.
Gianani and Mieli co-founded Wildside in 2009 and turned it into the powerhouse behind major global dramas such as Rai/HBO’s “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend,” to name a few. Wildside was aquired by Fremantle in 2015.
Mieli subsequently went his own way and set up The Apartment in 2020 under the Fremantle umbrella. Recent The Apartment titles include Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and Pablo Larrain’s upcoming Angelina-starrer “Maria” about iconic soprano Maria Callas, amid a rich international slate.
A Fremantle Italy spokesperson confirmed the ongoing exits of the two top producers, adding that the separations are not acrimonious and that Fremantle is discussing “the ways in which we will will continue to work together.
Gianani and Mieli co-founded Wildside in 2009 and turned it into the powerhouse behind major global dramas such as Rai/HBO’s “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend,” to name a few. Wildside was aquired by Fremantle in 2015.
Mieli subsequently went his own way and set up The Apartment in 2020 under the Fremantle umbrella. Recent The Apartment titles include Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and Pablo Larrain’s upcoming Angelina-starrer “Maria” about iconic soprano Maria Callas, amid a rich international slate.
A Fremantle Italy spokesperson confirmed the ongoing exits of the two top producers, adding that the separations are not acrimonious and that Fremantle is discussing “the ways in which we will will continue to work together.
- 1/19/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani are exiting their Fremantle-owned Italian production companies.
The pair are among Italy’s most well known TV and film producers, but their exits have been confirmed, with their next moves not yet official. They may team together to launch their own indie together, reports say.
A Fremantle spokesperson said the super-indie would look to work with Mieli and Gianani “in a different structure” in the future.
The Hollywood Reporter Italy, which revealed the news towards the end of 2023, reported the pair are planning their own production company, but neither could be contacted for comment before press time.
Fremantle confirmed it remains the 100% owner of both indies and new leadership to be announced in due course.
Gianani’s Wildside makes features such as There’s Still Tomorrow and Finally Dawn and TV shows including Disney+ original The Good Mothers, while Mieli’s company, The Apartment, made...
The pair are among Italy’s most well known TV and film producers, but their exits have been confirmed, with their next moves not yet official. They may team together to launch their own indie together, reports say.
A Fremantle spokesperson said the super-indie would look to work with Mieli and Gianani “in a different structure” in the future.
The Hollywood Reporter Italy, which revealed the news towards the end of 2023, reported the pair are planning their own production company, but neither could be contacted for comment before press time.
Fremantle confirmed it remains the 100% owner of both indies and new leadership to be announced in due course.
Gianani’s Wildside makes features such as There’s Still Tomorrow and Finally Dawn and TV shows including Disney+ original The Good Mothers, while Mieli’s company, The Apartment, made...
- 1/19/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Two of Italy’s top producers – The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani – are leaving their Fremantle-owned companies.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
- 1/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Two of Italy’s top producers – The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani – are leaving their Fremantle-backed companies.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
- 1/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Universal Pictures International has acquired French rights for Italian actress and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi’s feature directorial debut hit There’s Still Tomorrow, in a deal brokered by Vision Distribution.
The drama is currently enjoying a phenomenal box office run in Italy where it has clocked up almost two million admissions since its theatrical launch on October 26 for a box office of some €13m.
It is the best result for an Italian film this year and the biggest box office for a local picture since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the film world premiered as the opening film of the Rome Film Festival in October.
Cortellesi stars as a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly...
The drama is currently enjoying a phenomenal box office run in Italy where it has clocked up almost two million admissions since its theatrical launch on October 26 for a box office of some €13m.
It is the best result for an Italian film this year and the biggest box office for a local picture since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the film world premiered as the opening film of the Rome Film Festival in October.
Cortellesi stars as a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly...
- 11/14/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
“Conclave,” the latest from Oscar-winning director Edward Berger, has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Focus Features, TheWrap has learned. Berger’s follow-up to Netflix’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” remake stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini.
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, the Peter Straughan-penned film centers on a secret papal conclave as they go about electing a new Pope — and a conspiracy amid rival factions and self-serving political ambitions. Spoiler: The previous pope was hiding a secret or two.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus,” Berger said. “Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return. To now work with Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team...
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, the Peter Straughan-penned film centers on a secret papal conclave as they go about electing a new Pope — and a conspiracy amid rival factions and self-serving political ambitions. Spoiler: The previous pope was hiding a secret or two.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus,” Berger said. “Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return. To now work with Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team...
- 11/10/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Edward Berger’s upcoming thriller “Conclave,” starring Ralph Fiennes and John Lithgow, has been acquired by Focus Features for U.S. distribution.
Directed by Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of the world’s most secretive event: election of a new Pope.
The script was written by Peter Straughan.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in the film, a Catholic dignitary tasked with running the Vatican’s mysterious papal conclave who finds himself trapped in a treasonous web as groups of ambitious rival cardinals form factions in the hope of swaying the vote.
“As ambitions, divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen,” reads the logline.
Joining Fiennes and Lithgow in the feature are Stanley Tucci,...
Directed by Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of the world’s most secretive event: election of a new Pope.
The script was written by Peter Straughan.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in the film, a Catholic dignitary tasked with running the Vatican’s mysterious papal conclave who finds himself trapped in a treasonous web as groups of ambitious rival cardinals form factions in the hope of swaying the vote.
“As ambitions, divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen,” reads the logline.
Joining Fiennes and Lithgow in the feature are Stanley Tucci,...
- 11/10/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Edward Berger is coming home to Focus Features with his upcoming film “Conclave.”
The “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning director helms upcoming adaptation “Conclave” about the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features for his first job in Hollywood; Focus Features now has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave.”
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus. Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return,” Berger said in a press statement. “To now work with [Focus Features Chairman] Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team feels like I have arrived at a home that I‘ve always missed. I am grateful and so cannot wait to share the movie with audiences in the U.
The “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning director helms upcoming adaptation “Conclave” about the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features for his first job in Hollywood; Focus Features now has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave.”
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus. Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return,” Berger said in a press statement. “To now work with [Focus Features Chairman] Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team feels like I have arrived at a home that I‘ve always missed. I am grateful and so cannot wait to share the movie with audiences in the U.
- 11/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
More movies potentially for next year’s starved 2024 theatrical release calendar: Focus Features has taken U.S. distribution rights to Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front filmmaker Edward Berger’s papal thriller Conclave. The movie’s starry cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini.
The Peter Straughan-penned script based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel centers on the secret papal conclave, which is electing a new Pope. After the death of a beloved Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process inside the back corners of the Vatican. Lawrence quickly finds himself the center of a conspiracy, as the cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes the departed Pope had...
The Peter Straughan-penned script based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel centers on the secret papal conclave, which is electing a new Pope. After the death of a beloved Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process inside the back corners of the Vatican. Lawrence quickly finds himself the center of a conspiracy, as the cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes the departed Pope had...
- 11/10/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“There’s Still Tomorrow,” a dramedy inspired by Italy’s Pink Neorealism genre that follows the plight of an abused housewife in post-war Rome, is scoring record-breaking numbers at Italy’s box office.
After winning three prizes – including the audience award – at the Rome Film Festival, the black-and-white film, which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, has landed the country’s top box office slot ahead of Lionsgate’s hit slasher “Saw X.” “There’s Still Tomorrow” has grossed more than $3.7 million over the seven-day Italian holiday frame that spans Oct. 26-Nov. 1, via Vision Distribution. “Saw X,” which opened on Oct. 25, pulled roughly $2.5 million.
The first week box office haul for “There’s Still Tomorrow” marks the best opening for an Italian movie since 2022 Christmas comedy “Il Grande Giorno” by local trio Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo. Furthermore, as local box office analysts are pointing out, the...
After winning three prizes – including the audience award – at the Rome Film Festival, the black-and-white film, which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, has landed the country’s top box office slot ahead of Lionsgate’s hit slasher “Saw X.” “There’s Still Tomorrow” has grossed more than $3.7 million over the seven-day Italian holiday frame that spans Oct. 26-Nov. 1, via Vision Distribution. “Saw X,” which opened on Oct. 25, pulled roughly $2.5 million.
The first week box office haul for “There’s Still Tomorrow” marks the best opening for an Italian movie since 2022 Christmas comedy “Il Grande Giorno” by local trio Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo. Furthermore, as local box office analysts are pointing out, the...
- 11/2/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italian actress and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi’s directorial feature debut There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è Ancora Domani) opened the 18th Rome Film Festival on Wednesday evening.
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the quirky black-and-white work mixes drama with comedy elements, and a period feel with modern music tracks.
Cortellesi stars as protagonist Delia, a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly young sons as she juggles odd jobs in between cooking, cleaning as and caring for her misogynist bedridden father-in-law.
In the backdrop, she frets over what the future holds for her teenage daughter who has fallen for a local boy with a possessive streak.
The feature marks a departure for Cortellesi, who is a household name in Italy, best known as a singer and comic actress,...
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the quirky black-and-white work mixes drama with comedy elements, and a period feel with modern music tracks.
Cortellesi stars as protagonist Delia, a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly young sons as she juggles odd jobs in between cooking, cleaning as and caring for her misogynist bedridden father-in-law.
In the backdrop, she frets over what the future holds for her teenage daughter who has fallen for a local boy with a possessive streak.
The feature marks a departure for Cortellesi, who is a household name in Italy, best known as a singer and comic actress,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Spanish film-tv’s good and great joined illustrious international figures to sketch out a roadmap for Europe’s film-tv future at a Conference on Sunday at San Sebastian.
Hosted by Spain’s government, coinciding with its E.U. Council Presidency, the event delivered a bullish vote of confidence in film, TV and audiovisual in general.
Such confidence is natural given the panelists, such as Movistar Plus’ Domingo Corral, Morena Films’ Pilar Benito and Atresmedia TV’s José Antonio Antón, Beta Film’s Jan Mojto and Mario Gianani, at Italy’s Wildside at a first session turning on the consolidation of business models.
Another panel broke down three European hits – Netflix’s “The Snow Girl” and animated pic franchise “Tadeo Jones,” both from Spain, and mega European co-production “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan,” led by France’s Pathé.
Below, eight takeaways:
Size Matters
99% of companies in Europe’s Av sector are SMEs,...
Hosted by Spain’s government, coinciding with its E.U. Council Presidency, the event delivered a bullish vote of confidence in film, TV and audiovisual in general.
Such confidence is natural given the panelists, such as Movistar Plus’ Domingo Corral, Morena Films’ Pilar Benito and Atresmedia TV’s José Antonio Antón, Beta Film’s Jan Mojto and Mario Gianani, at Italy’s Wildside at a first session turning on the consolidation of business models.
Another panel broke down three European hits – Netflix’s “The Snow Girl” and animated pic franchise “Tadeo Jones,” both from Spain, and mega European co-production “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan,” led by France’s Pathé.
Below, eight takeaways:
Size Matters
99% of companies in Europe’s Av sector are SMEs,...
- 9/25/2023
- by John Hopewell and Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
Production in Italy has boomed in recent years, and so too have budgets and international investment.
Cast an eye over the titles vying for a Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival and one thing stands out – the number of Italian films in the main competition.
Six of the 23 films in the main competition are Italian, an increase from the usual three Italian titles that are programmed in the section. While the step change could be a result of the writers and actors’ strikes leading to fewer US productions making the trip to Venice, each of the selected...
Cast an eye over the titles vying for a Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival and one thing stands out – the number of Italian films in the main competition.
Six of the 23 films in the main competition are Italian, an increase from the usual three Italian titles that are programmed in the section. While the step change could be a result of the writers and actors’ strikes leading to fewer US productions making the trip to Venice, each of the selected...
- 9/1/2023
- by Gabriele Niola
- ScreenDaily
Italian producer and Lido habitué Mario Gianani is at the Venice Film Festival this year with Saverio Costanzo’s drama Finally Dawn which world premieres in Competition on Friday.
The head of Fremantle-owned film and TV production company Wildside has worked with Costanzo for two decades, producing all his work, from feature directorial debut Private to his more recent series In Treatment and the HBO hit My Brilliant Friend.
They are back together for a new period piece set against the backdrop of the 1950s heydays of Rome’s Cinecittà studios.
Italian newcomer Rebecca Antonaci plays a young extra on a swords and sandals production who is swept up by its stars and taken on a memorable, life-changing night across Rome’s high society hotspots.
Antonaci is joined in the cast by Lily James as a capricious, magnetic and self-obsessed acting diva, Willem Dafoe, as a U.S. expat Rome art gallerist,...
The head of Fremantle-owned film and TV production company Wildside has worked with Costanzo for two decades, producing all his work, from feature directorial debut Private to his more recent series In Treatment and the HBO hit My Brilliant Friend.
They are back together for a new period piece set against the backdrop of the 1950s heydays of Rome’s Cinecittà studios.
Italian newcomer Rebecca Antonaci plays a young extra on a swords and sandals production who is swept up by its stars and taken on a memorable, life-changing night across Rome’s high society hotspots.
Antonaci is joined in the cast by Lily James as a capricious, magnetic and self-obsessed acting diva, Willem Dafoe, as a U.S. expat Rome art gallerist,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Saverio Costanzo, who was last in the Venice competition in 2014 with Adam Driver-starrer “Hungry Hearts,” is back on the Lido with “Finally Dawn.”
The 1950s-set film stars Lily James plays a slightly fading American diva named Josephine Esperanto, who’s shooting a swords and sandals epic at Cinecittà when the famed filmmaking facilities were known as Hollywood on the Tiber. At the studios, Esperanto intersects with a young Roman woman named Mimosa, who is auditioning as an extra and takes a shine to her innocence. A “Dolce Vita” night follows in which Esperanto, Mimosa and the Hollywood epic’s other U.S. actors — played by Joe Keery and Rachel Sennott, plus an art dealer played by Willem Dafoe — spend some memorable hours.
Written and directed by Costanzo — who saw global success with Rai and HBO’s multi-season “My Brilliant Friend” — the picture is produced by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside,...
The 1950s-set film stars Lily James plays a slightly fading American diva named Josephine Esperanto, who’s shooting a swords and sandals epic at Cinecittà when the famed filmmaking facilities were known as Hollywood on the Tiber. At the studios, Esperanto intersects with a young Roman woman named Mimosa, who is auditioning as an extra and takes a shine to her innocence. A “Dolce Vita” night follows in which Esperanto, Mimosa and the Hollywood epic’s other U.S. actors — played by Joe Keery and Rachel Sennott, plus an art dealer played by Willem Dafoe — spend some memorable hours.
Written and directed by Costanzo — who saw global success with Rai and HBO’s multi-season “My Brilliant Friend” — the picture is produced by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Deadline can reveal a first clip for Italian director Saverio Costanzo’s new film Finally Dawn (Finalemente L’Alba) following the announcement on Tuesday of its world premiere in Competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival.
Set in the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecittà in the 1950s, the cast features newcomer Rebecca Antonaci alongside international cast Lily James, Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Rachel Sennott (The Idol), Alba Rohrwacher and Willem Dafoe.
Antonaci plays teenage ingenue Mimosa who undergoes a coming-of age adventure over the course of one night after she is hired as an extra on a classic swords and sandals drama.
In the backdrop to her personal voyage is the mysterious death of Wilma Montesi, a real-life young woman from Rome with acting aspirations, whose semi-naked body was found on a beach in 1953, on the nearby Lazio coastline.
Finalmente L’Alba is Costanzo’s first directorial credit...
Set in the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecittà in the 1950s, the cast features newcomer Rebecca Antonaci alongside international cast Lily James, Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Rachel Sennott (The Idol), Alba Rohrwacher and Willem Dafoe.
Antonaci plays teenage ingenue Mimosa who undergoes a coming-of age adventure over the course of one night after she is hired as an extra on a classic swords and sandals drama.
In the backdrop to her personal voyage is the mysterious death of Wilma Montesi, a real-life young woman from Rome with acting aspirations, whose semi-naked body was found on a beach in 1953, on the nearby Lazio coastline.
Finalmente L’Alba is Costanzo’s first directorial credit...
- 7/25/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Cinema Italiano is on a roll, as reflected by the fact that this year Italy has scored three Cannes competition slots.
Despite the persisting sore spot that sees the country still lagging behind other European territories in terms of post-pandemic box office returns, Italy “continues to produce and invest heavily in film and is overcoming the crisis,” noted Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux after announcing the lineup.
The robust Croisette contingent marks the second time in 20 years that Italy lands three Cannes competition berths. Though the trio of selected directors — Marco Bellocchio, Nanni Moretti and Alice Rohrwacher — are all Cannes regulars “they represent three different generations of auteurs,” said Paolo Del Brocco, chief of state broadcaster Rai’s Rai Cinema arm that co-produced all three titles. And each of these films, he went on to point out, displays “very different ideas and cinematic visions.”
Moretti is back on the Croisette...
Despite the persisting sore spot that sees the country still lagging behind other European territories in terms of post-pandemic box office returns, Italy “continues to produce and invest heavily in film and is overcoming the crisis,” noted Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux after announcing the lineup.
The robust Croisette contingent marks the second time in 20 years that Italy lands three Cannes competition berths. Though the trio of selected directors — Marco Bellocchio, Nanni Moretti and Alice Rohrwacher — are all Cannes regulars “they represent three different generations of auteurs,” said Paolo Del Brocco, chief of state broadcaster Rai’s Rai Cinema arm that co-produced all three titles. And each of these films, he went on to point out, displays “very different ideas and cinematic visions.”
Moretti is back on the Croisette...
- 5/18/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
“The Eight Mountains,” Belgian directors Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch’s Italian-language drama about friendship, mountains and growing up, scored the top prize at Italy’s 68th David di Donatello Awards.
Besides winning best picture, the film also scooped statuettes for best non-original screenplay, photography and sound.
Given that the directors are not Italian, it was a particularly significant victory for “Mountains,” which was praised as “quietly magnificent” by Variety critic Jessica Kiang. The film, which is currently playing well on the U.S. arthouse circuit, tracks the decades-long friendship between two Italian boys named Pietro and Bruno — one from the city, the other a shepherd boy from the Alps.
“It’s pretty incredible,” commented a visibly moved Van Groeningen. “Two Belgians who win this prize in Italy for an Italian movie.” “Thank you for this declaration of love,” added Vandermeersch, his partner in life. “We love Italy very much.
Besides winning best picture, the film also scooped statuettes for best non-original screenplay, photography and sound.
Given that the directors are not Italian, it was a particularly significant victory for “Mountains,” which was praised as “quietly magnificent” by Variety critic Jessica Kiang. The film, which is currently playing well on the U.S. arthouse circuit, tracks the decades-long friendship between two Italian boys named Pietro and Bruno — one from the city, the other a shepherd boy from the Alps.
“It’s pretty incredible,” commented a visibly moved Van Groeningen. “Two Belgians who win this prize in Italy for an Italian movie.” “Thank you for this declaration of love,” added Vandermeersch, his partner in life. “We love Italy very much.
- 5/10/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Starring a mother to a transgender boy living in 1970s Rome, Penélope Cruz appears as good as ever in the first trailer for Emanuele Crialese’s “L’Immensità.” The film will open in New York and Los Angeles on May 12 prior to a nationwide theatrical roll-out.
The preview slowly lays out its premise and openly presents the issue of dealing with a young child dealing with gender dysphoria well before a vocabulary or much of an understanding of such a thing existed. And it is refreshing to see a trailer for a non-English language film that actually has a fair amount of subtitle dialogue, as quite a few previews for “foreign” films tend to sell straight-up imagery and vibes over plot and conversational dialogue. That said, if you’re going to make a film set in the 1970s about a seemingly traditional family living realizing one of their children is trans,...
The preview slowly lays out its premise and openly presents the issue of dealing with a young child dealing with gender dysphoria well before a vocabulary or much of an understanding of such a thing existed. And it is refreshing to see a trailer for a non-English language film that actually has a fair amount of subtitle dialogue, as quite a few previews for “foreign” films tend to sell straight-up imagery and vibes over plot and conversational dialogue. That said, if you’re going to make a film set in the 1970s about a seemingly traditional family living realizing one of their children is trans,...
- 4/19/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Fremantle is restructuring management of its Italian operations by promoting Marco Tombolini to the role of CEO Fremantle Italy.
Tombolini, who since May of 2022 was Fremantle Italy co-ceo, will now “Take the helm of all areas and functions of the company, with the senior management of Fremantle Italy reporting directly to him,” a Fremantle statement said.
Gabriele Immirzi – who had long served as Fremantle Italy CEO prior to sharing the CEO role with Tombolini since last May – has now stepped down but is staying in the Fremantle fold becoming co-ceo with Lorenzo Mieli of The Apartment Pictures.
Fremantle-owned The Apartment is the expanding film and TV shingle behind upcoming big-budget Apple TV Italian original series “Ferrari” and Angelina Jolie-directed anti-war drama “Without Blood,” among other high-profile titles. Fremantle’s other Italian companies are Wildside, which is run by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa and recently produced new Disney+ original series The Good Mothers,...
Tombolini, who since May of 2022 was Fremantle Italy co-ceo, will now “Take the helm of all areas and functions of the company, with the senior management of Fremantle Italy reporting directly to him,” a Fremantle statement said.
Gabriele Immirzi – who had long served as Fremantle Italy CEO prior to sharing the CEO role with Tombolini since last May – has now stepped down but is staying in the Fremantle fold becoming co-ceo with Lorenzo Mieli of The Apartment Pictures.
Fremantle-owned The Apartment is the expanding film and TV shingle behind upcoming big-budget Apple TV Italian original series “Ferrari” and Angelina Jolie-directed anti-war drama “Without Blood,” among other high-profile titles. Fremantle’s other Italian companies are Wildside, which is run by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa and recently produced new Disney+ original series The Good Mothers,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
A buzz title at Berlinale Series and one of Disney+’s early big plays in Southern Europe, U.K.-Italian mafia series “The Good Mothers” walked off on Wednesday night with the Berlin Festival’s inaugural Berlinale Series Award.
A large virtue of the series is to come in at the mafia from a novel angle: a real story of women who dare to defy the Italian mob.
The title forms part of the first European slate by new Disney+ international streaming service Star. It tells how bosses at the the Calabrian mob were targeted by a female prosecutor, Alessandra Cerreti, thanks to the collaboration of three women inside the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime clan.
“The Good Mothers” brings large production pedigree to the table both from the U.K. and Italy, being produced by Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross and Harriet Spencer for London’s House Productions, which originated the project,...
A large virtue of the series is to come in at the mafia from a novel angle: a real story of women who dare to defy the Italian mob.
The title forms part of the first European slate by new Disney+ international streaming service Star. It tells how bosses at the the Calabrian mob were targeted by a female prosecutor, Alessandra Cerreti, thanks to the collaboration of three women inside the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime clan.
“The Good Mothers” brings large production pedigree to the table both from the U.K. and Italy, being produced by Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross and Harriet Spencer for London’s House Productions, which originated the project,...
- 2/22/2023
- by Marta Balaga and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
New Disney+ original series “The Good Mothers,” which provides a fresh female take on the Calabrian mob, marks a case of truly organic collaboration between the U.K. and Italy to ensure that a great story didn’t risk losing an iota of authenticity.
The show, which is competing in the “Berlinale Series” section, depicts the Calabrian mob through the prism of three daring women inside the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime clan who collaborated with a female prosecutor and withstood the consequences of their attempt to escape its iron grip. It is produced produced by Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross and Harriet Spencer for London’s House Productions, which originated the project, and by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Rome’s Wildside, a Fremantle company, which helped to firmly root the story in its Calabrian context.
“Good Mothers” is based on a book by U.K.-based journalist Alex Perry and...
The show, which is competing in the “Berlinale Series” section, depicts the Calabrian mob through the prism of three daring women inside the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime clan who collaborated with a female prosecutor and withstood the consequences of their attempt to escape its iron grip. It is produced produced by Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross and Harriet Spencer for London’s House Productions, which originated the project, and by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Rome’s Wildside, a Fremantle company, which helped to firmly root the story in its Calabrian context.
“Good Mothers” is based on a book by U.K.-based journalist Alex Perry and...
- 2/21/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
This new Italian series The Good Mothers, offers a unique twist on the crime genre: this is the mafia seen entirely from the women’s perspectives. The series is a multifaceted, choral work that tells the true story of three women, raised within the fiercest and richest clans of ‘Ndrangheta. They decide to cooperate with a courageous magistrate working to destroy it from within. These women will then have to fight against their own families for the right to survive and build a new future for themselves and their children.
A Star Original for Disney+, the series is directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominee Julian Jarrold and Elisa Amoruso (Sirly, Chiara Ferragni: Unposted) and executive produced by Juliette Howell and Tessa Ross for House Productions (Brexit: The Uncivil War) and Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, written by BAFTA Award-winning Stephen Butchard (Baghdad Central), and based on the...
A Star Original for Disney+, the series is directed by BAFTA and Emmy nominee Julian Jarrold and Elisa Amoruso (Sirly, Chiara Ferragni: Unposted) and executive produced by Juliette Howell and Tessa Ross for House Productions (Brexit: The Uncivil War) and Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, written by BAFTA Award-winning Stephen Butchard (Baghdad Central), and based on the...
- 2/20/2023
- by Music Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Music
Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie
The critic elite in Cannes might not have been big (we were) on his Tchaikovsky’s Wife, but Kirill Serebrennikov is in beast mode despite having to had to pack up bags mid shoot due to the complications of the war. Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie is in the can and has the great Ben Whishaw toplining. Viktoria Miroshnichenko from Beanpole fame his playing his wife Elena. Co-written by Pawel Pawlikowski (who was originally set to make this his film), production was split into two last year. Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie producers include Ilya Stewart, Wildside’s Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa, Chapter 2’s Dimitri Rassam.…...
The critic elite in Cannes might not have been big (we were) on his Tchaikovsky’s Wife, but Kirill Serebrennikov is in beast mode despite having to had to pack up bags mid shoot due to the complications of the war. Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie is in the can and has the great Ben Whishaw toplining. Viktoria Miroshnichenko from Beanpole fame his playing his wife Elena. Co-written by Pawel Pawlikowski (who was originally set to make this his film), production was split into two last year. Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie producers include Ilya Stewart, Wildside’s Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa, Chapter 2’s Dimitri Rassam.…...
- 1/18/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Finalemente L’alba
After directing a whopping 70 episodes of “In Treatment” and just over a dozen episodes of “My Brilliant Friend,” 2014’s Hungry Hearts (five-time winner at the Venice Film Festival) filmmaker Saverio Costanzo finally makes a return to film with Finalemente l’alba. Production began in September at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios with a cast comprised of Rebecca Antonaci, Lily James, Joe Keery, Willem Dafoe and Rachel Sennott. Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Call Me By Your Name) worked on 35mm for the project. Wildside’s Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa (Le otto montagne) produced the project. Set in the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecittà in the 1950s, the feature follows teenage ingenue Mimosa (Antonaci) over the course of one night after she is hired as an extra.…...
After directing a whopping 70 episodes of “In Treatment” and just over a dozen episodes of “My Brilliant Friend,” 2014’s Hungry Hearts (five-time winner at the Venice Film Festival) filmmaker Saverio Costanzo finally makes a return to film with Finalemente l’alba. Production began in September at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios with a cast comprised of Rebecca Antonaci, Lily James, Joe Keery, Willem Dafoe and Rachel Sennott. Cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Call Me By Your Name) worked on 35mm for the project. Wildside’s Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa (Le otto montagne) produced the project. Set in the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecittà in the 1950s, the feature follows teenage ingenue Mimosa (Antonaci) over the course of one night after she is hired as an extra.…...
- 1/11/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Further titles include Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s ’The Beasts’ and Chie Hayakawa’s debut ‘Plan 75’.
Venice titles including Fyzal Boulifa’s Morocco-set drama The Damned Don’t Cry and Penelope Cruz-starring melodrama L’Immensità are among the prestige international titles on UK-Ireland distributor Curzon’s 2023 slate.
The line-up represents filmmakers from Italy, Spain, Japan, France and the UK.
“The past year has been a difficult one for international film in the UK,” said Louisa Dent, Curzon Film managing director, “but we remain absolutely committed to championing the best cinema from around the world.”
UK filmmaker Boulifa’s second feature, after debut Lynn + Lucy,...
Venice titles including Fyzal Boulifa’s Morocco-set drama The Damned Don’t Cry and Penelope Cruz-starring melodrama L’Immensità are among the prestige international titles on UK-Ireland distributor Curzon’s 2023 slate.
The line-up represents filmmakers from Italy, Spain, Japan, France and the UK.
“The past year has been a difficult one for international film in the UK,” said Louisa Dent, Curzon Film managing director, “but we remain absolutely committed to championing the best cinema from around the world.”
UK filmmaker Boulifa’s second feature, after debut Lynn + Lucy,...
- 12/20/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The Paris-based outfit also co-produced the Italian coming-of-age drama.
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired US and Canadian distribution rights and Curzon has taken UK rights to Italian coming-of-age story Amanda sold by co-producer and Paris-based international sales house Charades.
The debut feature of writer/director Carolina Cavalli premiered in Venice’s Horizons Extra section in September before screening in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section.
The film follows the titular character, a wealthy, self-absorbed, combative woman in her twenties who is feeling lost after studying abroad, and sets out to rekindle a childhood friendship with a woman who has become a sullen shut-in.
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired US and Canadian distribution rights and Curzon has taken UK rights to Italian coming-of-age story Amanda sold by co-producer and Paris-based international sales house Charades.
The debut feature of writer/director Carolina Cavalli premiered in Venice’s Horizons Extra section in September before screening in Toronto’s Contemporary World Cinema section.
The film follows the titular character, a wealthy, self-absorbed, combative woman in her twenties who is feeling lost after studying abroad, and sets out to rekindle a childhood friendship with a woman who has become a sullen shut-in.
- 11/3/2022
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara will yet again work together on Pawel Pawlikowski’s dramatic thriller, inspired by true events, ‘The Island.’
The dramatic thriller, loosely based on real events, will portray an attractive American couple in the 1930s who escape to their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht turns the couple into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled countess appears with two lovers and plans to build a luxury hotel on the island. As battle lines are quickly drawn, psychological warfare ensues between the countess and the American couple as sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually, murder takes place among the island interlopers.
Also in news – Filmmaker Joe Wright set to direct Sky Original series ‘M. Son of the Century’
Pawlikowski will write and direct the film, which is produced by Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward...
The dramatic thriller, loosely based on real events, will portray an attractive American couple in the 1930s who escape to their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht turns the couple into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled countess appears with two lovers and plans to build a luxury hotel on the island. As battle lines are quickly drawn, psychological warfare ensues between the countess and the American couple as sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually, murder takes place among the island interlopers.
Also in news – Filmmaker Joe Wright set to direct Sky Original series ‘M. Son of the Century’
Pawlikowski will write and direct the film, which is produced by Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward...
- 10/25/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara have bagged the two lead roles in Pawel Pawlikowski’s next feature, tentatively titled “The Island,” a period thriller scheduled to start shooting in 2023.
The film will be shopped by FilmNation Entertainment to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market and is being directed and written by Pawlikowski. It is inspired by true events.
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The synopsis for the film, loosely based on a true story, is as follows: “The Island” is about an attractive American couple in the 1930s who turn their back on civilization to build their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht inadvertently turns them into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled Countess arrives out of the blue with her two strange lovers with plans to take over...
The film will be shopped by FilmNation Entertainment to international buyers at the upcoming American Film Market and is being directed and written by Pawlikowski. It is inspired by true events.
Also Read:
CAA Severs Ties With Kanye ‘Ye’ West
The synopsis for the film, loosely based on a true story, is as follows: “The Island” is about an attractive American couple in the 1930s who turn their back on civilization to build their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht inadvertently turns them into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled Countess arrives out of the blue with her two strange lovers with plans to take over...
- 10/24/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara have grabbed lead roles in Pawel Pawlikowski’s next feature, with the working title The Island, set to shoot in 2023.
The dramatic thriller, loosely based on real events, will portray an attractive American couple in the 1930s who escape to their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht turns the couple into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled countess appears with two lovers and plans to build a luxury hotel on the island.
As battle lines are quickly drawn, psychological warfare ensues between the countess and the American couple as sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually murder takes place among the island interlopers.
“Pawel Pawlikowski is one of the world’s greatest filmmakers working today. Pawel bringing this story of jealousy, betrayal and murder in...
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara have grabbed lead roles in Pawel Pawlikowski’s next feature, with the working title The Island, set to shoot in 2023.
The dramatic thriller, loosely based on real events, will portray an attractive American couple in the 1930s who escape to their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht turns the couple into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled countess appears with two lovers and plans to build a luxury hotel on the island.
As battle lines are quickly drawn, psychological warfare ensues between the countess and the American couple as sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually murder takes place among the island interlopers.
“Pawel Pawlikowski is one of the world’s greatest filmmakers working today. Pawel bringing this story of jealousy, betrayal and murder in...
- 10/24/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara will star in Pawel Pawlikowski’s next feature, which is tentatively titled “The Island.”
The film is loosely based on a true story and centers on an American couple who turn their backs on civilization to build a secluded paradise on a deserted island, where they decide to live off the land. But Eden proves difficult to pull off, particularly after a European countess finds out about their plans and arrives with her two lovers planning to take over the island and build a luxury hotel. According to the official description, that triggers some good old-fashioned psychological warfare, with “seduction and jealousy” turning into “sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually murder.”
Pawlikowski is one of the most respected auteurs currently working, having earned an Oscar nomination for directing “Cold War” and winning an Academy Award for best foreign language feature for “Ida.” His other credits include...
The film is loosely based on a true story and centers on an American couple who turn their backs on civilization to build a secluded paradise on a deserted island, where they decide to live off the land. But Eden proves difficult to pull off, particularly after a European countess finds out about their plans and arrives with her two lovers planning to take over the island and build a luxury hotel. According to the official description, that triggers some good old-fashioned psychological warfare, with “seduction and jealousy” turning into “sexual infidelity, betrayal and eventually murder.”
Pawlikowski is one of the most respected auteurs currently working, having earned an Oscar nomination for directing “Cold War” and winning an Academy Award for best foreign language feature for “Ida.” His other credits include...
- 10/24/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara are set to star in Pawel Pawlikowski’s next feature The Island (working title), a dramatic thriller scheduled to start shooting next year. FilmNation Entertainment will launch international sales next month at the American Film Market.
Written and directed by Pawlikowski, the flick is inspired by true events and follows an attractive American 1930s couple who turn their back on civilization to build their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht inadvertently turns them into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled countess arrives out of the blue with her two strange lovers with plans to take over the island and build a luxury hotel.
The synopsis continues: This larger-than-life European “countess” and her entourage soon begin to threaten the Eden that the couple has built and battle lines are quickly drawn.
Written and directed by Pawlikowski, the flick is inspired by true events and follows an attractive American 1930s couple who turn their back on civilization to build their own private paradise on a deserted island and live off the land. But after a millionaire passing by on his yacht inadvertently turns them into a tabloid newspaper sensation, a self-styled countess arrives out of the blue with her two strange lovers with plans to take over the island and build a luxury hotel.
The synopsis continues: This larger-than-life European “countess” and her entourage soon begin to threaten the Eden that the couple has built and battle lines are quickly drawn.
- 10/24/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers earmark 2023 production start on “murder-mystery set in an epic landscape”.
In what is likely to become a must-have title at AFM, FilmNation will launch international pre-sales on The Island (working title) from auteur Pawel Pawlikowski to star Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
WME Independent represents US rights to the dramatic thriller, which is lined up for a 2023 shoot and is produced by Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward for Apocalypso Pictures, and Brightstar.
Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa are on board as co-producers for Wildside with Vision Distribution in collaboration with Sky. Ewa Puszczynska is co-producing for Extreme Emotions and...
In what is likely to become a must-have title at AFM, FilmNation will launch international pre-sales on The Island (working title) from auteur Pawel Pawlikowski to star Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
WME Independent represents US rights to the dramatic thriller, which is lined up for a 2023 shoot and is produced by Tanya Seghatchian and John Woodward for Apocalypso Pictures, and Brightstar.
Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa are on board as co-producers for Wildside with Vision Distribution in collaboration with Sky. Ewa Puszczynska is co-producing for Extreme Emotions and...
- 10/24/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Italian director Paolo Virzì (“Human Capital,” “Like Crazy”) is in Venice where his dystopic drama “Siccità,” which means drought in Italian, is premiering out-of-competition. The innovative pic, which features an A-list ensemble cast comprising Monica Bellucci, Sara Serraiocco (“Counterpart”) and Silvio Orlando (“The Young Pope”), is set amid a protracted drought caused by climate change in the Italian capital where the Tiber has dried up.
Virzì spoke to Variety about how “Siccità” germinated during Covid-19 and was shot amid tight pandemic protocols. Excerpts.
You worked with novelist and screenwriter Paolo Giordano on the concept and the script for this film. How did the collaboration start?
I knew Paolo, but it’s not like we had ever worked together. I knew him a bit as a writer and during the pandemic I read his articles in Corriere della Sera about what was happening at a time when there were lots of different fears going around.
Virzì spoke to Variety about how “Siccità” germinated during Covid-19 and was shot amid tight pandemic protocols. Excerpts.
You worked with novelist and screenwriter Paolo Giordano on the concept and the script for this film. How did the collaboration start?
I knew Paolo, but it’s not like we had ever worked together. I knew him a bit as a writer and during the pandemic I read his articles in Corriere della Sera about what was happening at a time when there were lots of different fears going around.
- 9/10/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Last year Andrea Scrosati – who is group COO and continental Europe CEO of Fremantle – was at Venice with two films. This year Fremantle’s got six pics launching from the Lido, three of them in competition, which is a larger contingent than any of the U.S. studios or streamers.
Fremantle’s business model, which involves a cluster of companies mostly across Europe that they either fully own or are majority investors in, has been bearing fruit on their film side. Their output has grown “from 8 to 32 delivered movies in two years,” Scrosati says.
And the multi-pronged company’s Venice lineup – which includes Luca Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” Emanuele Crialese’s “L’Immensità,” and Joanna Hogg’s “The Eternal Daughter” – is a reflection of that.
Scrosati spoke to Variety in Venice about his vision for how Fremantle is spawning a wide range of films from its organic agglomeration of companies.
Fremantle’s business model, which involves a cluster of companies mostly across Europe that they either fully own or are majority investors in, has been bearing fruit on their film side. Their output has grown “from 8 to 32 delivered movies in two years,” Scrosati says.
And the multi-pronged company’s Venice lineup – which includes Luca Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” Emanuele Crialese’s “L’Immensità,” and Joanna Hogg’s “The Eternal Daughter” – is a reflection of that.
Scrosati spoke to Variety in Venice about his vision for how Fremantle is spawning a wide range of films from its organic agglomeration of companies.
- 9/5/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Emanuele Crialese put in a buoyant performance at the Venice Film Festival Sunday, during which he discussed how his identity informed his Golden Lion contender L’immensità.
“The inspiration was my childhood and my story that is being transposed and reinterpreted,” Crialese said of the flick. “I tried to find the good interpretation in it. I didn’t want it to be self-referential. I didn’t want to talk about just me. As I try to do with every film I make, I’ve tried to somehow represent in a broader way the topics I really care for like migration. The migration of a soul. That means a transition from one state to another one.”
Crialese added that he cares deeply about the topics in the film, which he said he “interpreted in an autobiographical way.”
Set in 1970s Rome, the film follows the Borghetti family that has just moved into...
“The inspiration was my childhood and my story that is being transposed and reinterpreted,” Crialese said of the flick. “I tried to find the good interpretation in it. I didn’t want it to be self-referential. I didn’t want to talk about just me. As I try to do with every film I make, I’ve tried to somehow represent in a broader way the topics I really care for like migration. The migration of a soul. That means a transition from one state to another one.”
Crialese added that he cares deeply about the topics in the film, which he said he “interpreted in an autobiographical way.”
Set in 1970s Rome, the film follows the Borghetti family that has just moved into...
- 9/4/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Mario Gianani, CEO of Fremantle’s Rome-based The Young Pope and My Brilliant Friend production powerhouse Wildside, is enjoying a high-profile time on the international film festival circuit this year.
The producer, whose earlier feature film credits include Marco Bellocchio’s Vincere (2009) and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Io E Te (2012), was at Cannes this May with Belgian directorial duo Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch’s Jury Prize winner The Eight Mountains.
He is now at Venice with a quartet of Italian titles: Emanuele Crialese’s Golden Lion contender L’Immensità, Paolo Virzì’s Out of Competition title Siccità (Dry) and first features Amanda and Ghost Night.
Deadline talked to Gianani ahead of the world premiere on Sunday of the 1970s Rome-set drama L’Immensità, starring Penelope Cruz as a mother, whose daughter’s determination to identify as a boy pushes their fragile family dynamics to the edge.
Deadline: Emanuele Crialese’s recently...
The producer, whose earlier feature film credits include Marco Bellocchio’s Vincere (2009) and Bernardo Bertolucci’s Io E Te (2012), was at Cannes this May with Belgian directorial duo Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch’s Jury Prize winner The Eight Mountains.
He is now at Venice with a quartet of Italian titles: Emanuele Crialese’s Golden Lion contender L’Immensità, Paolo Virzì’s Out of Competition title Siccità (Dry) and first features Amanda and Ghost Night.
Deadline talked to Gianani ahead of the world premiere on Sunday of the 1970s Rome-set drama L’Immensità, starring Penelope Cruz as a mother, whose daughter’s determination to identify as a boy pushes their fragile family dynamics to the edge.
Deadline: Emanuele Crialese’s recently...
- 9/4/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
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