Hulu documentary “The Contestant” is putting “The Truman Show” to shame.
Centered on the shocking true story of Japanese comedian Tomoaki “Nasubi” Hamatsu, the feature is written and directed by Clair Titley. “The Contestant” charts the early days of reality TV in the 1990s, with Nasubi an unknowing participant in a twisted reality show. Nasubi was trapped alone and naked in an apartment for 15 months with cameras surrounding him as he fulfilled tasks like entering magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing. The show was watched by more than 15 million people and titled “Denpa Shonen: A Life in Prizes.”
Per the official synopsis for “The Contestant,” Nasubi thought he was attending an audition when a successful Japanese TV producer, Toshio Tsuchiya, enlisted him to take part in a challenge. Tsuchiya led Nasubi into a room, ordered him to strip naked, and left him with a stack of magazines. Nasubi’s...
Centered on the shocking true story of Japanese comedian Tomoaki “Nasubi” Hamatsu, the feature is written and directed by Clair Titley. “The Contestant” charts the early days of reality TV in the 1990s, with Nasubi an unknowing participant in a twisted reality show. Nasubi was trapped alone and naked in an apartment for 15 months with cameras surrounding him as he fulfilled tasks like entering magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing. The show was watched by more than 15 million people and titled “Denpa Shonen: A Life in Prizes.”
Per the official synopsis for “The Contestant,” Nasubi thought he was attending an audition when a successful Japanese TV producer, Toshio Tsuchiya, enlisted him to take part in a challenge. Tsuchiya led Nasubi into a room, ordered him to strip naked, and left him with a stack of magazines. Nasubi’s...
- 4/9/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Hulu has revealed the trailer and key art for its original documentary, The Contestant, which will premiere on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
This true story of a Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing, prompts innumerable questions about our culture of oversharing.
Before the onslaught of reality television in the West, there was an ominous harbinger in Japan of what was to come in our oversharing-obsessed culture. The Contestant traces the experience of aspiring comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu, nicknamed Nasubi, who unwittingly became an extreme case study.
In 1998, Nasubi thought he was attending an audition when a successful Japanese TV producer, Toshio Tsuchiya, enlisted him to take part in a challenge. Tsuchiya led Nasubi into a room, ordered him to strip naked, and left him with a stack of magazines.
Nasubi’s task was to...
This true story of a Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing, prompts innumerable questions about our culture of oversharing.
Before the onslaught of reality television in the West, there was an ominous harbinger in Japan of what was to come in our oversharing-obsessed culture. The Contestant traces the experience of aspiring comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu, nicknamed Nasubi, who unwittingly became an extreme case study.
In 1998, Nasubi thought he was attending an audition when a successful Japanese TV producer, Toshio Tsuchiya, enlisted him to take part in a challenge. Tsuchiya led Nasubi into a room, ordered him to strip naked, and left him with a stack of magazines.
Nasubi’s task was to...
- 4/9/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
One of the biggest pop culture moments of the 80s was when a large group of pop artists came together for a special one-time song dedicated to raising awareness and helping to end famine in Africa. That song, “We Are the World,” was amazingly stacked with talent, including Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Belafonte, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis. A documentary from Netflix recounts the story of how the song came together with The Greatest Night in Pop. The film is also scheduled to screen at the Sundance Film Festival this year, with Lionel Richie in tow.
Netflix’s description of the documentary reads,
“On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history.
Netflix’s description of the documentary reads,
“On January 25, 1985, dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a studio in Los Angeles, checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history.
- 1/9/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Netflix has set a January 29 streaming premiere date for The Greatest Night in Pop, a feature doc just announced as world premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on the 19th of this month.
Directed by award winner Bao Nguyen (Be Water), the film takes viewers back to January 25, 1985, when dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a Los Angeles studio and checked their egos at the door amidst the recording of a song to benefit African famine relief — one that would alter global pop culture history. Chronicled in the doc is the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a time before cell phones and email. That group of artists, led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.
Directed by award winner Bao Nguyen (Be Water), the film takes viewers back to January 25, 1985, when dozens of the biggest names in music convened at a Los Angeles studio and checked their egos at the door amidst the recording of a song to benefit African famine relief — one that would alter global pop culture history. Chronicled in the doc is the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a time before cell phones and email. That group of artists, led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.
- 1/5/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Every creator on earth now feels the guiding hand of AI.
On social media, TikTokers are rewarded with massive views for tailoring content to an algorithm that is meticulously designed to trigger dopamine release. In Hollywood, producers are rewarded with lucrative film deals for developing projects that feed the black box AI at studios and streaming platforms, which keep valuable viewership data insights to themselves. That viewership data is built via feedback loops created by recommendation engines reinforced by the very viewer behaviors they shape in the first place. It is value creation increasingly usurped by machines, and between TikTok and streaming platforms, the precious space that allows for human-first innovation is closing. TikTokification is metastasizing.
The Writers Guild is right to push for protections against AI, but nowhere are these protections more urgent than in the documentary and nonfiction space, where I have worked both as a producer and a writer.
On social media, TikTokers are rewarded with massive views for tailoring content to an algorithm that is meticulously designed to trigger dopamine release. In Hollywood, producers are rewarded with lucrative film deals for developing projects that feed the black box AI at studios and streaming platforms, which keep valuable viewership data insights to themselves. That viewership data is built via feedback loops created by recommendation engines reinforced by the very viewer behaviors they shape in the first place. It is value creation increasingly usurped by machines, and between TikTok and streaming platforms, the precious space that allows for human-first innovation is closing. TikTokification is metastasizing.
The Writers Guild is right to push for protections against AI, but nowhere are these protections more urgent than in the documentary and nonfiction space, where I have worked both as a producer and a writer.
- 5/4/2023
- by Emmet McDermott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Independent TV and film studio MRC has named Jenna Santoianni its president of television.
MRC CEO Scott Tenley made the announcement Tuesday morning. Santoianni will oversee MRC’s current programming, its development slate, joint ventures, production partnerships, operational unites, business, legal affairs and production finance. She is expected to begin this week.
“Jenna is an incredibly talented television executive with invaluable high-level experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry, including development, production and packaging,” Tenley said in a press release. “With sharp creative instincts, Jenna’s strength is her commitment to fostering a collaborative internal culture along with an impressive track record for producing groundbreaking and compelling series. She is that rare entrepreneurial leader who can help deliver the successful growth of our television slate for years to come.”
Also Read:
‘Poker Face’ Renewed for Season 2 at Peacock
Santoianna, who most recently served as executive VP and head...
MRC CEO Scott Tenley made the announcement Tuesday morning. Santoianni will oversee MRC’s current programming, its development slate, joint ventures, production partnerships, operational unites, business, legal affairs and production finance. She is expected to begin this week.
“Jenna is an incredibly talented television executive with invaluable high-level experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry, including development, production and packaging,” Tenley said in a press release. “With sharp creative instincts, Jenna’s strength is her commitment to fostering a collaborative internal culture along with an impressive track record for producing groundbreaking and compelling series. She is that rare entrepreneurial leader who can help deliver the successful growth of our television slate for years to come.”
Also Read:
‘Poker Face’ Renewed for Season 2 at Peacock
Santoianna, who most recently served as executive VP and head...
- 3/7/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
MRC has set Jenna Santoianni as the studio’s new president of television, following the exit of former president Elise Henderson.
In her new role, Santoianni will oversee MRC’s current programming, its full slate of development, all joint ventures and production partnerships, as well as all of the television studio’s operational units, including production, business and legal affairs and production finance.
Reporting to recently named MRC CEO Scott Tenley, Santoianni is expected to begin this week.
She joins the studio amid a restructuring that saw Tenley elevated, while co-founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu assumed the new roles of chairmen. Jonathan Golfman and Brye Adler remain co-presidents of film and Amit Dey as head of non-fiction.
“Jenna is an incredibly talented television executive with invaluable high-level experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry, including development, production and packaging,” Tenley said. “With sharp creative instincts, Jenna’s...
In her new role, Santoianni will oversee MRC’s current programming, its full slate of development, all joint ventures and production partnerships, as well as all of the television studio’s operational units, including production, business and legal affairs and production finance.
Reporting to recently named MRC CEO Scott Tenley, Santoianni is expected to begin this week.
She joins the studio amid a restructuring that saw Tenley elevated, while co-founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu assumed the new roles of chairmen. Jonathan Golfman and Brye Adler remain co-presidents of film and Amit Dey as head of non-fiction.
“Jenna is an incredibly talented television executive with invaluable high-level experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry, including development, production and packaging,” Tenley said. “With sharp creative instincts, Jenna’s...
- 3/7/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Former Paramount Television Studios executive Jenna Santoianni has joined MRC as President of Television. She will replace Elise Henderson who is leaving the company after a four-year stint. The personnel change comes on the heels of Scott Tenley’s elevation to CEO as part of a new executive structure the studio announced last week, with co-founders Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu assuming the new roles of Chairmen. (Jonathan Golfman and Brye Adler continue as co-Presidents of Film and Amit Dey as Head of Non-Fiction.)
This marks the first executive move by Tenley and comes amid a major TV ramp-up at the indie studio over the past few years under Henderson with such series as Peacock’s breakout hit Poker Face, Hulu’s The Great, Prime Video’s The Terminal List and a recently greenlit prequel, Apple TV+’s The Shrink Next Door, Shining Girls and Hello Tomorrow!. The company also...
This marks the first executive move by Tenley and comes amid a major TV ramp-up at the indie studio over the past few years under Henderson with such series as Peacock’s breakout hit Poker Face, Hulu’s The Great, Prime Video’s The Terminal List and a recently greenlit prequel, Apple TV+’s The Shrink Next Door, Shining Girls and Hello Tomorrow!. The company also...
- 3/7/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: London-based Dogwoof has boarded world sales, excluding North America, on The Last Rider, the latest documentary from MRC Non-Fiction and filmmaker Alex Holmes on the story of cyclist Greg LeMond.
The deal was negotiated between Dogwoof CEO Anna Godas and Amit Dey, MRC’s Executive Vice President of Non-Fiction. This is the second Alex Holmes film Dogwoof has represented, following 2019’s Maiden. The Last Rider will make its World Premiere at Telluride this weekend. Dogwoof will present the film to buyers ahead of TIFF.
The doc follows the story of Greg LeMond, who came back from the brink of death after a hunting accident to win the closest race in the history of the Tour de France beating his rivals Laurent Fignon and Pedro Delgado. LeMond remains the only American to have won the race without performance-enhancing drugs.
The Last Rider is a New Black Films production. Victoria Gregory,...
The deal was negotiated between Dogwoof CEO Anna Godas and Amit Dey, MRC’s Executive Vice President of Non-Fiction. This is the second Alex Holmes film Dogwoof has represented, following 2019’s Maiden. The Last Rider will make its World Premiere at Telluride this weekend. Dogwoof will present the film to buyers ahead of TIFF.
The doc follows the story of Greg LeMond, who came back from the brink of death after a hunting accident to win the closest race in the history of the Tour de France beating his rivals Laurent Fignon and Pedro Delgado. LeMond remains the only American to have won the race without performance-enhancing drugs.
The Last Rider is a New Black Films production. Victoria Gregory,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Woodstock ’99 Documentary ‘Burn It Down!’ From MRC Non-Fiction Bound for London Festival (Exclusive)
MRC Non-Fiction’s feature documentary “Burn It Down!,” which reexamines the infamous Woodstock ’99 music festival, will have its world premiere at the 65th British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival.
The festival took place during the last summer of the 20th century on July 23-25, 1999 and featured performances by Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Insane Clown Posse, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Wyclef Jean and Sheryl Crow among others. It was meant to invoke the spirit of the iconic 1969 Woodstock music festival on its 30th anniversary, but failed to do so.
“Festival organisers cobbled together a poorly conceived rehash of an iconic cultural moment. From security, to basic needs, nothing had been properly planned,” reads the film’s description in the BFI London Film Festival program. “The line-up was a cocktail of 1990s pop rock and peak nu metal angry-white-man bands, including Limp Bizkit and Korn. What began as carefree revelry...
The festival took place during the last summer of the 20th century on July 23-25, 1999 and featured performances by Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Insane Clown Posse, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Wyclef Jean and Sheryl Crow among others. It was meant to invoke the spirit of the iconic 1969 Woodstock music festival on its 30th anniversary, but failed to do so.
“Festival organisers cobbled together a poorly conceived rehash of an iconic cultural moment. From security, to basic needs, nothing had been properly planned,” reads the film’s description in the BFI London Film Festival program. “The line-up was a cocktail of 1990s pop rock and peak nu metal angry-white-man bands, including Limp Bizkit and Korn. What began as carefree revelry...
- 9/14/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Milli Vanilli is getting the documentary treatment. Luke Korem will direct the film, named after the pop duo’s hit single “Girl You Know It’s True.”
The film will chronicle the rise and fall of the most infamous Grammy winners in history.
In 1987, German producer Frank Farian brought together immigrants Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus to create the pop duo Milli Vanilli. The two produced one of the biggest hits of the decade, won the Grammy for Best New Artist and sold over 10 million records. But after it was revealed that the two had lip-synced their multi-platinum 1989 album, it caused a scandal that led to them being stripped of their awards, their financial independence, their dignity as artists and, eventually, Pilatus’ tragic death.
The film will feature never-before-seen footage as well as interviews with the actual singers behind Milli Vanilli’s music and exclusive access to surviving member Morvan.
The film will chronicle the rise and fall of the most infamous Grammy winners in history.
In 1987, German producer Frank Farian brought together immigrants Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus to create the pop duo Milli Vanilli. The two produced one of the biggest hits of the decade, won the Grammy for Best New Artist and sold over 10 million records. But after it was revealed that the two had lip-synced their multi-platinum 1989 album, it caused a scandal that led to them being stripped of their awards, their financial independence, their dignity as artists and, eventually, Pilatus’ tragic death.
The film will feature never-before-seen footage as well as interviews with the actual singers behind Milli Vanilli’s music and exclusive access to surviving member Morvan.
- 5/13/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
MRC Non-Fiction is announcing the production of a new documentary, “Girl You Know It’s True,” about the quick rise and faster fall of Milli Vanilli, the late ’80s pop duo that won the best new artist Grammy and sold more than 10 million records before losing it all amid a musical scandal.
The documentary about Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus will be directed by Luke Korem, who directed and produced the SXSW award-winning non-fiction film “Dealt.” Korem will be a producer on the new film as well, under the banner of his Keep on Running Pictures, alongside producing partner Bradley Jackson and Fulwell 73. The latter company’s Richard Thompson is an executive producer, as is music critic and author Hanif Abdurraqib.
“Milli Vanilli has made an indelible mark on music and pop culture history, yet the truth of what happened is more bizarre than anyone knows,” Korem said.
The documentary about Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus will be directed by Luke Korem, who directed and produced the SXSW award-winning non-fiction film “Dealt.” Korem will be a producer on the new film as well, under the banner of his Keep on Running Pictures, alongside producing partner Bradley Jackson and Fulwell 73. The latter company’s Richard Thompson is an executive producer, as is music critic and author Hanif Abdurraqib.
“Milli Vanilli has made an indelible mark on music and pop culture history, yet the truth of what happened is more bizarre than anyone knows,” Korem said.
- 5/13/2021
- by Roy Trakin
- Variety Film + TV
A new documentary from Rolling Stone Films and MRC Non-Fiction will examine the life and career of Rudy Giuliani.
The doc is slated for a 2022 release and will be directed by Oscar nominee Zach Heinzerling (Cutie and the Boxer) and Emmy winner Gabrielle Schonder (The NRA: Under Fire). The film will be based on Seth Hettena’s May 2020 feature on Giuliani for Rolling Stone, “What Happened to America’s Mayor?”
Per a press release, the film will delve into how Giuliani rose to prominence after September 11th as “America’s Mayor,...
The doc is slated for a 2022 release and will be directed by Oscar nominee Zach Heinzerling (Cutie and the Boxer) and Emmy winner Gabrielle Schonder (The NRA: Under Fire). The film will be based on Seth Hettena’s May 2020 feature on Giuliani for Rolling Stone, “What Happened to America’s Mayor?”
Per a press release, the film will delve into how Giuliani rose to prominence after September 11th as “America’s Mayor,...
- 5/10/2021
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
A new documentary about the public life of Rudy Giuliani is now in production, and it’s based on the 2020 Rolling Stone article “What Happened to America’s Mayor?” by Seth Hettena. The film will be directed by Academy Award-nominated “Cutie and the Boxer” filmmaker Zach Heinzerling, and two-time News and Documentary Emmy Award winner Gabrielle Schonder, known for her contributions to “Frontline” and “60 Minutes.”
The film is being produced and financed MRC Non-Fiction, a division of MRC, which is currently engaged with IndieWire parent company Pmc in a joint venture partnership.
Per the official synopsis: “The film reflects on what Rudy Giuliani once represented to most Americans: a man whose steady response to the attacks of September 11th, 2001 transcended partisan politics and transformed him into a national hero, and explores how the man christened ‘America’s Mayor’ fell from grace and into a downward spiral that’s marred his once venerable reputation.
The film is being produced and financed MRC Non-Fiction, a division of MRC, which is currently engaged with IndieWire parent company Pmc in a joint venture partnership.
Per the official synopsis: “The film reflects on what Rudy Giuliani once represented to most Americans: a man whose steady response to the attacks of September 11th, 2001 transcended partisan politics and transformed him into a national hero, and explores how the man christened ‘America’s Mayor’ fell from grace and into a downward spiral that’s marred his once venerable reputation.
- 5/10/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Feature based on 2020 article What Happened To America’s Mayor?
MRC Non-Fiction and Rolling Stone are in production on a documentary about the career of Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s embattled former attorney who was once the beloved mayor of New York City.
The feature is based on the 2020 article What Happened To America’s Mayor? by Seth Hettena and reflects on the fall from grace of the man whose response to the September 11 attacks nearly two decades ago turned him into a national hero and earned him the nickname “America’s Mayor”.
Zach Heinzerling (Cutie & The Boxer) and two-time...
MRC Non-Fiction and Rolling Stone are in production on a documentary about the career of Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s embattled former attorney who was once the beloved mayor of New York City.
The feature is based on the 2020 article What Happened To America’s Mayor? by Seth Hettena and reflects on the fall from grace of the man whose response to the September 11 attacks nearly two decades ago turned him into a national hero and earned him the nickname “America’s Mayor”.
Zach Heinzerling (Cutie & The Boxer) and two-time...
- 5/10/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The former Mayor of New York City turned controversial Donald Trump fixer, Rudy Giuliani, is becoming great fodder for feature documentaries. This morning, Deadline has learned that a second docu is already in production on the former NYC-based U.S. Attorney mob crusader from MRC Non-Fiction and Rolling Stone Films and Oscar-nominated Zach Heinzerling (Cutie & The Boxer) and two-time Emmy Award-winner Gabrielle Schonder (The NRA: Under Fire) in the directors’ chairs.
My colleague Peter White broke earlier this Am that another Giuliani feature docu from the team behind Hulu’s recent WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn doc is also happening.
The MRC Non-Fiction and Rolling Stone version will be based off of magazine scribe Seth Hettena’s 2020 article “What Happened to America’s Mayor?”. MRC Non-Fiction is bankrolling the project which is set for release in 2022.
The Heinzerling and Schonder nonfiction film will reflect...
My colleague Peter White broke earlier this Am that another Giuliani feature docu from the team behind Hulu’s recent WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn doc is also happening.
The MRC Non-Fiction and Rolling Stone version will be based off of magazine scribe Seth Hettena’s 2020 article “What Happened to America’s Mayor?”. MRC Non-Fiction is bankrolling the project which is set for release in 2022.
The Heinzerling and Schonder nonfiction film will reflect...
- 5/10/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” which premiered to rave reviews at Sundance Film Festival.
“The Sparks Brothers” takes a look at siblings Ron and Russell Mael, two halves of the enigmatic rock pop duo known as Sparks. Wright’s film, capturing their decades-long career and impact, features commentary from celebrity fans like Flea, Beck, Jack Antonoff, Jason Schwartzman and Neil Gaiman.
The film, which argues the Sparks are at once hugely influential and criminally overlooked, reunites Wright with the studio that will distribute his next feature film, “Last Night in Soho.”
In addition to directing, Wright also produced the documentary with his partner Nira Park through their company Complete Fiction Pictures. George Hencken, and Complete Fiction’s Laura Richardson also produced the film. MRC Non-Fiction financed the film. Focus Features will distribute “The Sparks Brothers” in the U.S. and Canada,...
“The Sparks Brothers” takes a look at siblings Ron and Russell Mael, two halves of the enigmatic rock pop duo known as Sparks. Wright’s film, capturing their decades-long career and impact, features commentary from celebrity fans like Flea, Beck, Jack Antonoff, Jason Schwartzman and Neil Gaiman.
The film, which argues the Sparks are at once hugely influential and criminally overlooked, reunites Wright with the studio that will distribute his next feature film, “Last Night in Soho.”
In addition to directing, Wright also produced the documentary with his partner Nira Park through their company Complete Fiction Pictures. George Hencken, and Complete Fiction’s Laura Richardson also produced the film. MRC Non-Fiction financed the film. Focus Features will distribute “The Sparks Brothers” in the U.S. and Canada,...
- 2/23/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features has acquired the global rights to Edgar Wright’s first documentary feature, The Sparks Brothers, about famed electronica pop duo Sparks.
The deal brings the Universal specialty label back in business with the filmmaker behind their upcoming Oct. 22 drama thriller Last Night in Soho. Universal will distribute the movie overseas.
The Sparks Brothers, from MRC Non-Fiction, made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this year, notching a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film chronicles the decades-long career and influence of Sparks, Los Angeles musician brothers Ron and Russell Mael. One was the wavy haired singer with the soothing voice, and the other played instruments with a quirky look and a Hitler-type mustache on his face. Sparks became more of a sensation over in England than the U.S. though the guys did ultimately build out a fervent cult following here. Sparks had an absurdist style...
The deal brings the Universal specialty label back in business with the filmmaker behind their upcoming Oct. 22 drama thriller Last Night in Soho. Universal will distribute the movie overseas.
The Sparks Brothers, from MRC Non-Fiction, made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this year, notching a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film chronicles the decades-long career and influence of Sparks, Los Angeles musician brothers Ron and Russell Mael. One was the wavy haired singer with the soothing voice, and the other played instruments with a quirky look and a Hitler-type mustache on his face. Sparks became more of a sensation over in England than the U.S. though the guys did ultimately build out a fervent cult following here. Sparks had an absurdist style...
- 2/23/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features has picked up the worldwide rights to “The Sparks Brothers,” the documentary from director Edgar Wright about the enigmatic and influential Los Angeles pop duo Sparks.
“The Sparks Brothers” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews, landing a 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The acquisition reunites Focus Features with “Baby Driver” director Wright, who also directed the upcoming “Last Night in Soho” for the distributor. Universal Pictures is distributing the film internationally.
Sparks is comprised of brothers Russell and Ron Mael, who have released more than 20 albums over the decades. They have proven to be highly influential, as they’ve dabbled in experimental ’70s pop and later synth dance music that has inspired artists across genres on the backs of albums like “Kimono My House,” “No. 1 in Heaven” and “Propaganda.”
And yet Wright’s “The Sparks Brothers,” his documentary debut, posits that this rock band...
“The Sparks Brothers” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews, landing a 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The acquisition reunites Focus Features with “Baby Driver” director Wright, who also directed the upcoming “Last Night in Soho” for the distributor. Universal Pictures is distributing the film internationally.
Sparks is comprised of brothers Russell and Ron Mael, who have released more than 20 albums over the decades. They have proven to be highly influential, as they’ve dabbled in experimental ’70s pop and later synth dance music that has inspired artists across genres on the backs of albums like “Kimono My House,” “No. 1 in Heaven” and “Propaganda.”
And yet Wright’s “The Sparks Brothers,” his documentary debut, posits that this rock band...
- 2/23/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Schitt’s Creek has become the show to emulate when it comes to Canadian producers looking to find success outside of the Great White North.
Starting as a small comedy on Canadian public broadcaster, it has become a huge hit in the U.S. and around the world after launching on Pop TV and subsequently Netflix and stands a good chance at this weekend’s Emmys. It is one of a handful of Canadian shows, along with the likes of Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol, to become as successful as any comedy south of the border.
Now, a government-backed scheme has identified six Canadian producers with projects that they hope to replicate this success.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator, which is backed by the Trade Commissioner Service of the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and the Government of Quebec, has highlighted six shows that will receive help and money to break out in the States.
Starting as a small comedy on Canadian public broadcaster, it has become a huge hit in the U.S. and around the world after launching on Pop TV and subsequently Netflix and stands a good chance at this weekend’s Emmys. It is one of a handful of Canadian shows, along with the likes of Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol, to become as successful as any comedy south of the border.
Now, a government-backed scheme has identified six Canadian producers with projects that they hope to replicate this success.
The Canadian Creative Accelerator, which is backed by the Trade Commissioner Service of the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and the Government of Quebec, has highlighted six shows that will receive help and money to break out in the States.
- 9/18/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Documentary filmmaker Alex Holmes is going from the world of boat racing in his critically acclaimed pic Maiden to the world of cycling with Last Rider, which chronicles the story of Greg LeMond. The director will team with Mrc Non-Fiction for the production. James Erskine and Victoria Gregory are set to produce on behalf of New Black Films.
Last Rider follows the story of LeMond, who came back from the brink of death after a hunting accident to win the closest race in the history of the Tour de France. He remains the only American to have won the race without performance-enhancing drugs.
“The 1989 Tour de France was one of the most thrilling spectacles in sport,” said Holmes. “It pitted LeMond, the only American ever to have won the tour, against the great French champion Laurent Fignon. It was a race that tested not only their physical endurance but their mental strength.
Last Rider follows the story of LeMond, who came back from the brink of death after a hunting accident to win the closest race in the history of the Tour de France. He remains the only American to have won the race without performance-enhancing drugs.
“The 1989 Tour de France was one of the most thrilling spectacles in sport,” said Holmes. “It pitted LeMond, the only American ever to have won the tour, against the great French champion Laurent Fignon. It was a race that tested not only their physical endurance but their mental strength.
- 6/25/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (Uphe) Content Group has hired former Wild Bunch Germany acquisitions exec David Kehrl as Senior Manager, Acquisitions and Production, International, I have learned. Out of its London office, Uphe is also newly working with UK producer Louis Tisné (Hungry Hearts).
Kehrl is based in the London office of the group and reports to the division’s Svp of Acquisitions and Production Jasper van Hecke. Kehrl, who joined the studio this month, previously spent five years at Wild Bunch Germany, most recently as Head Of Acquisition & Co-Production. Recent releases for the German division of the French indie giant include Wind River and Omar Sy comedy Knock.
This was a sought after job among rising European sales and distribution execs as it brings consistent interface with the international industry within a studio context. Kehrl comes in to partly fill the space left by well-liked Universal staffer Amit Dey who relocated to L.
Kehrl is based in the London office of the group and reports to the division’s Svp of Acquisitions and Production Jasper van Hecke. Kehrl, who joined the studio this month, previously spent five years at Wild Bunch Germany, most recently as Head Of Acquisition & Co-Production. Recent releases for the German division of the French indie giant include Wind River and Omar Sy comedy Knock.
This was a sought after job among rising European sales and distribution execs as it brings consistent interface with the international industry within a studio context. Kehrl comes in to partly fill the space left by well-liked Universal staffer Amit Dey who relocated to L.
- 3/29/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Vacant is a short film production created by the Vancouver Film School students and in this ten minute short love, death, and infidelity all take place in a very short time span. Vacant is an example of what local westcoast talent can produce in the Vfs Film Production program and for your viewing pleasure the entire short is just below courtesy of Shoot for the Head.
Director/Writer: William McKnight.
Producer: Eliza Rogers.
Director of Photography: Amit Dey.
Other Production Staff: Geoff Webb, Aaron Hecker, Melissa Ward, Ryan Mitchell, Russell O'Neill, Ross Macdonald, Reilly Derkitt, Lawrence Kan, Ian Shirley, David Burnett, Chris Killoran, Tobias Silverstolpe, Chris Killoran, Cedric Malayi, Jennifer Li, and Forrest Wong.
Cast: Tom Stevens, Lisa Ovies, Dariya Parakhnevych, Alex Borrowman, Jack Hedley, and
Lee Page.
The ten minute short for Vacant here:
Sources:
Steffan at Gods of Advertising (First to View Vacant)
Vacant on Shoot for...
Director/Writer: William McKnight.
Producer: Eliza Rogers.
Director of Photography: Amit Dey.
Other Production Staff: Geoff Webb, Aaron Hecker, Melissa Ward, Ryan Mitchell, Russell O'Neill, Ross Macdonald, Reilly Derkitt, Lawrence Kan, Ian Shirley, David Burnett, Chris Killoran, Tobias Silverstolpe, Chris Killoran, Cedric Malayi, Jennifer Li, and Forrest Wong.
Cast: Tom Stevens, Lisa Ovies, Dariya Parakhnevych, Alex Borrowman, Jack Hedley, and
Lee Page.
The ten minute short for Vacant here:
Sources:
Steffan at Gods of Advertising (First to View Vacant)
Vacant on Shoot for...
- 1/31/2010
- by Michael Ross Allen
- 28 Days Later Analysis
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