Nora Arnezeder (“The Famous Five”) and Maria Bello (“A History of Violence”) are set to co-star in “Hell in Paradise,” a female-powered thriller inspired by a true story and produced by EuropaCorp’s Virginie Besson-Silla (“Dogman”).
Penned by Karine Silla (“A Butterfly Kiss”), “Hell in Paradise” revolves around Nina, a young French girl who leaves her native Marseille and accepts her first job as a receptionist at a luxurious hotel resort on a magnificent island of the Maldives, hoping for a better life. But when a tragedy befalls the hotel, Nina is propelled in a relentless spiral of lies and manipulations. Wrongly accused and sentenced to life in prison, she will have no other choice but to run between traps and escape this paradise turned into hell.
Arnezeder and Maria Bello star opposite Josephine de la Baume, Alyy Khan, Shubahm Saraf and Ranjit Krishnama. Gregoire Melin’s Kinology handles international...
Penned by Karine Silla (“A Butterfly Kiss”), “Hell in Paradise” revolves around Nina, a young French girl who leaves her native Marseille and accepts her first job as a receptionist at a luxurious hotel resort on a magnificent island of the Maldives, hoping for a better life. But when a tragedy befalls the hotel, Nina is propelled in a relentless spiral of lies and manipulations. Wrongly accused and sentenced to life in prison, she will have no other choice but to run between traps and escape this paradise turned into hell.
Arnezeder and Maria Bello star opposite Josephine de la Baume, Alyy Khan, Shubahm Saraf and Ranjit Krishnama. Gregoire Melin’s Kinology handles international...
- 5/6/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Asphalt City (Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire)
I entered Asphalt City at last year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE festival with nothing but morbid curiosity. Having engendered some rank responses from its Cannes premiere and not secured any known U.S. distributor, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s film had the right kind of bad-object energy one needs at the jetlagged start to their week in a small Polish city. (Or just the comfort I personally get from a Brooklyn-shot feature featuring two Club Random guests.) I walked away boasting complicated, fascinated enthusiasm: nearly every second is ridiculous and never boring, and it doesn’t not deserve to play at a cinematography festival––having the most cinematography counts for something. Starting and ending with a blatant homage to The New World...
Asphalt City (Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire)
I entered Asphalt City at last year’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE festival with nothing but morbid curiosity. Having engendered some rank responses from its Cannes premiere and not secured any known U.S. distributor, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s film had the right kind of bad-object energy one needs at the jetlagged start to their week in a small Polish city. (Or just the comfort I personally get from a Brooklyn-shot feature featuring two Club Random guests.) I walked away boasting complicated, fascinated enthusiasm: nearly every second is ridiculous and never boring, and it doesn’t not deserve to play at a cinematography festival––having the most cinematography counts for something. Starting and ending with a blatant homage to The New World...
- 4/19/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
In the latest feature from Luc Besson, a young man seeks revenge in an original fashion. Caleb Landry Jones is fantastic as the DogMan. As ‘Douglas Munroe,’ the actor is given the chance to take on the role fearlessly. The story revolves around a man who was horribly abused. His love and appreciation of dogs follows him into his adult years, leaving him angry at the world around him. And thankfully, he trains man’s best friend to take care of other, not-so-nice, people in his life. The film also stars Jojo T. Gibbs and the two are terrific together.
Recently, we spoke with Caleb Landry Jones and Jojo T. Gibbs about the film. Caleb opened up about working with Luc Besson and taking on such a powerful role. For Ms. Gibbs, she discussed working with Caleb and both of the two seemingly found inspiration working off of each other.
Recently, we spoke with Caleb Landry Jones and Jojo T. Gibbs about the film. Caleb opened up about working with Luc Besson and taking on such a powerful role. For Ms. Gibbs, she discussed working with Caleb and both of the two seemingly found inspiration working off of each other.
- 4/3/2024
- by JimmyO
- JoBlo.com
Easter is behind us, we’re into a new month, and we’re fully into spring … and yet, the box office might be hitting another lull. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
There aren’t many scenarios where “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” doesn’t win its second weekend at #1. Even with a steep drop from its Easter opening, it should still be able to bring in another $30 million this coming weekend, which will be hard to beat.
It might be a coin flip on which of the other two new wide releases might do better, but I have to give a slight edge to “The First Omen,” 20th Century’s prequel to a horror franchise that began all the way back in 1976 with the horror film, “The Omen,” directed by Richard Donner pre-“Superman.” That led to two sequels in 1978 and 1981, even though the original...
There aren’t many scenarios where “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” doesn’t win its second weekend at #1. Even with a steep drop from its Easter opening, it should still be able to bring in another $30 million this coming weekend, which will be hard to beat.
It might be a coin flip on which of the other two new wide releases might do better, but I have to give a slight edge to “The First Omen,” 20th Century’s prequel to a horror franchise that began all the way back in 1976 with the horror film, “The Omen,” directed by Richard Donner pre-“Superman.” That led to two sequels in 1978 and 1981, even though the original...
- 4/3/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on Wbgr-fm on March 28th, 2024, reviewing “DogMan,” a new film by director Luc Beeson (“The Fifth Element” “Lucy”), in wide release on April 5th, see local listings.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
The DogMan is Doug (Caleb Landry Jones) and as the movie begins we see him busted by New Jersey law enforcement, where they find several dogs in his truck, and he’s also in drag as Marilyn Monroe. Wanting to get into his motivations, they put their psychiatrist Evelyn (Jojo T. Gibbs) on the case, and she begins to unravel the DogMan’s life, which includes childhood abuse, paralysis and Shakespeare. He also has a psychic connection to the dogs he keeps, using them as an army to protect and do break-ins for him. Finally, because of all these circumstances, he lands a job as a drag queen,...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
The DogMan is Doug (Caleb Landry Jones) and as the movie begins we see him busted by New Jersey law enforcement, where they find several dogs in his truck, and he’s also in drag as Marilyn Monroe. Wanting to get into his motivations, they put their psychiatrist Evelyn (Jojo T. Gibbs) on the case, and she begins to unravel the DogMan’s life, which includes childhood abuse, paralysis and Shakespeare. He also has a psychic connection to the dogs he keeps, using them as an army to protect and do break-ins for him. Finally, because of all these circumstances, he lands a job as a drag queen,...
- 4/2/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo digs into the film “DogMan” with writer/director Luc Besson (“The Fifth Element,” “Leon: The Professional,” “Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets.”). The film follows Doug (Caleb Landry Jones), a young, crippled, abandoned man, beaten down by a tough life who has a supernatural connection to his canine companions.
Continue reading ‘DogMan’: Luc Besson On His Divisive Dog-Eat-Dog Drama, Gary Oldman’s “Genius” & More ‘Valerian’ [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘DogMan’: Luc Besson On His Divisive Dog-Eat-Dog Drama, Gary Oldman’s “Genius” & More ‘Valerian’ [The Discourse Podcast] at The Playlist.
- 4/1/2024
- by Mike DeAngelo
- The Playlist
When Quentin Tarantino begins production on his upcoming film “The Movie Critic,” it is expected to mark the fulfillment of his highly publicized pledge to retire after directing 10 movies. Tarantino has long been outspoken about his desire to step away from filmmaking at the top of his game and cited his plan to limit himself to 10 films as a reason he passed on directing an R-rated “Star Trek” movie for Paramount. But while Tarantino’s retirement plans are well-documented, he might not have been the one to come up with the idea.
In an upcoming interview on The Discourse Podcast (via The Playlist), Luc Besson claimed that Tarantino copied his idea to retire after 10 films. While Besson did not stick to the plan, he said that his idea stuck with Tarantino as the “Pulp Fiction” director plotted his career.
“What’s funny is that I said that to Tarantino a long time ago,...
In an upcoming interview on The Discourse Podcast (via The Playlist), Luc Besson claimed that Tarantino copied his idea to retire after 10 films. While Besson did not stick to the plan, he said that his idea stuck with Tarantino as the “Pulp Fiction” director plotted his career.
“What’s funny is that I said that to Tarantino a long time ago,...
- 3/30/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
It’s been a tumultuous few years for French filmmaker Luc Besson, to put it mildly. But with #MeToo allegations outwardly behind him and the director seemingly exonerated, it appears to be full steam ahead for the “Fifth Element” and “Leon: The Professional” director. After a four-year absence from the screen, his latest effort is the drama “DogMan,” starring Caleb Landry Jones, about a boy bruised by life who finds his salvation through the love of his dogs.
Continue reading Luc Besson Says ‘Lucy 2’ Sequel Is News To Him & Addresses Natalie Portman’s Negative Thoughts On ‘Leon’ at The Playlist.
Continue reading Luc Besson Says ‘Lucy 2’ Sequel Is News To Him & Addresses Natalie Portman’s Negative Thoughts On ‘Leon’ at The Playlist.
- 3/29/2024
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Luc Besson is back in US theaters with “Dogman,” and he’s already hard at work on his upcoming adaptation of “Dracula” with Caleb Landry Jones. “I started shooting it already,” Besson said in an upcoming interview with The Discourse Podcast. “It comes from the from the Bram Stoker tale, but the vision for me is a love story between him and his princess – like in the book.
Continue reading Luc Besson Says He Gave Tarantino The Idea For The 10-Film Retirement Plan & Says He Has 3 Films Left at The Playlist.
Continue reading Luc Besson Says He Gave Tarantino The Idea For The 10-Film Retirement Plan & Says He Has 3 Films Left at The Playlist.
- 3/29/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
Last month, it was announced that Luc Besson would be making Dracula movie called Dracula: A Love Tale, which is meant to be a “big-budget reimagining” of the Dracula concept that will feature “some epic and potentially spectacular set pieces.” When the announcement was made, Christoph Waltz, who won Oscars for his performances in the Quentin Tarantino films Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, was already on board to star in the film alongside Caleb Landry Jones, who just worked with Besson on his most recent film, Dogman. Just one month later, Besson has revealed to the folks at Collider that his Dracula is already filming in Finland, with production expected to go on until the end of July.
Besson told the site, “I’ve started already. I’m gonna make another movie with Mr. Caleb Landry Jones and Mr. Christoph Waltz — Dracula . I started a few days ago in Lapland in the north.
Besson told the site, “I’ve started already. I’m gonna make another movie with Mr. Caleb Landry Jones and Mr. Christoph Waltz — Dracula . I started a few days ago in Lapland in the north.
- 3/28/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Redhead Caleb Landry Jones got lucky on his first audition, at age 17. His father took a day off from work and drove him from Garland, Texas, to Dallas for a try-out, then to Austin for a callback with the Coen brothers, for a role as “the boy on the bike” in eventual Best Picture Oscar-winner “No Country for Old Men” (2007). Little did Jones know, as he launched his acting career, that he would join the ensemble on “X-Men: First Class” (2011) or win Best Actor at Cannes for playing a mass murderer in “Nitram” (2021), or that one critic would dub him “a menacing oddball character actor.”
When I read that quote to Jones over Zoom, he paused for a moment and said, “That sounds Ok to me. I heard ‘actor,’ so that sounded good.”
The Coens did Jones a huge favor, he said. “Javier Bardem. Not a bad person to see...
When I read that quote to Jones over Zoom, he paused for a moment and said, “That sounds Ok to me. I heard ‘actor,’ so that sounded good.”
The Coens did Jones a huge favor, he said. “Javier Bardem. Not a bad person to see...
- 3/27/2024
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired domestic rights to the comedy Not Another Church Movie, starring Jamie Foxx, Vivica A. Fox, Kevin Daniels, Mickey Rourke and more, slating it for a wide release in theaters on May 10th.
Daniels leads the ensemble as Taylor Pherry (his P is silent), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself: to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. What he doesn’t know is that the Devil has plans of his own. Foxx plays God, with Rourke as The Devil, in the film directed by Johnny Mack.
A Monty the Dog Production, the film was produced by James Michael Cummings and former Warner Bros executive Jim Cardwell, with Valerie McCaffrey serving as executive producer. Tisha Campbell, Jasmine Guy, Kyla Pratt and Lamorne Morris co-star.
“A huge credit to Johnny Mack, James Michael Cummings and the entire cast and crew...
Daniels leads the ensemble as Taylor Pherry (his P is silent), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself: to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. What he doesn’t know is that the Devil has plans of his own. Foxx plays God, with Rourke as The Devil, in the film directed by Johnny Mack.
A Monty the Dog Production, the film was produced by James Michael Cummings and former Warner Bros executive Jim Cardwell, with Valerie McCaffrey serving as executive producer. Tisha Campbell, Jasmine Guy, Kyla Pratt and Lamorne Morris co-star.
“A huge credit to Johnny Mack, James Michael Cummings and the entire cast and crew...
- 3/27/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Easter weekend should help end March as one of the best months of the year so far, thanks to yet another major franchise sequel, this time “Godzilla.” Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
As March comes to an end, considerably better than earlier months this year, Warner Bros. are releasing the third sequel of the month that follows up a pandemic release, as “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” brings back the giant monsters that Legendary Pictures has been shepherding along since the 2014 “Godzilla” opened with $93 million, grossed $200.7 million domestic and $529 million globally. In 2017, “Kong: Skull Island” opened with $61 million, leading into 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which opened with considerably less, $47.8 million, and only made $383 million worldwide.
Those three movies led to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which was stymied by the pandemic when it was released in late March 2021, just as movie theaters were reopening...
As March comes to an end, considerably better than earlier months this year, Warner Bros. are releasing the third sequel of the month that follows up a pandemic release, as “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” brings back the giant monsters that Legendary Pictures has been shepherding along since the 2014 “Godzilla” opened with $93 million, grossed $200.7 million domestic and $529 million globally. In 2017, “Kong: Skull Island” opened with $61 million, leading into 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which opened with considerably less, $47.8 million, and only made $383 million worldwide.
Those three movies led to 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which was stymied by the pandemic when it was released in late March 2021, just as movie theaters were reopening...
- 3/27/2024
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
The Sudanese drama Goodbye Julia is continuing its impressive awards run, earning the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature over the weekend at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California.
Mohamed Kordofani directed the story set in the context of the secessionist movement that led to the establishment of the independent nation of South Sudan in 2011.
“We commend the festival for its impressive selection of narrative features and unanimously select Goodbye Julia as the best film,” jurors wrote. “An outstanding first feature from Mohamed Kordofani, anchored by two stellar performances from Eiman Yousif and Siran Riak, Goodbye Julia provides a glimpse into a culture and region that’s underrepresented and underexplored in contemporary cinema.”
The jury, comprised of Rosa Bosch (Begin Again Films), Tyler Coates (The Hollywood Reporter), Rebecca Fisher (Magnolia Pictures), Jason Hellerstein (Sideshow), and Julie Huntsinger (Telluride Film Festival), awarded a Special Mention to Hesitation Wound, describing...
Mohamed Kordofani directed the story set in the context of the secessionist movement that led to the establishment of the independent nation of South Sudan in 2011.
“We commend the festival for its impressive selection of narrative features and unanimously select Goodbye Julia as the best film,” jurors wrote. “An outstanding first feature from Mohamed Kordofani, anchored by two stellar performances from Eiman Yousif and Siran Riak, Goodbye Julia provides a glimpse into a culture and region that’s underrepresented and underexplored in contemporary cinema.”
The jury, comprised of Rosa Bosch (Begin Again Films), Tyler Coates (The Hollywood Reporter), Rebecca Fisher (Magnolia Pictures), Jason Hellerstein (Sideshow), and Julie Huntsinger (Telluride Film Festival), awarded a Special Mention to Hesitation Wound, describing...
- 3/25/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Chicago – In one of the more unusual film releases of late, Caleb Landry Jones and Jojo T. Gibbs are the feature lead actors in “Dogman,” opening in Chicago on March 29th and wider on April 5th. Written and directed by Luc Besson (“The Fifth Element’), the film defies convention in a story that is multi-faceted and symbolic.
The DogMan is Doug (Caleb Landry Jones) and as the movie begins we see him busted by New Jersey law enforcement, where they find several dogs in his truck, and he’s also in drag as Marilyn Monroe. Wanting to get into his motivations, they put their psychiatrist Evelyn (Jojo T. Gibbs) on the case, and she begins to unravel the DogMan’s life, which includes childhood abuse, paralysis and Shakespeare. He also has a psychic connection to the dogs he keeps, using them as an army to protect and do break-ins for him.
The DogMan is Doug (Caleb Landry Jones) and as the movie begins we see him busted by New Jersey law enforcement, where they find several dogs in his truck, and he’s also in drag as Marilyn Monroe. Wanting to get into his motivations, they put their psychiatrist Evelyn (Jojo T. Gibbs) on the case, and she begins to unravel the DogMan’s life, which includes childhood abuse, paralysis and Shakespeare. He also has a psychic connection to the dogs he keeps, using them as an army to protect and do break-ins for him.
- 3/25/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The 27th Sonoma International Film Festival (March 20-24), as always, leaned into wine and food with the sold-out opening night U.S. premiere of Thomas Napper’s “Widow Clicquot” (Vertical Entertainment), starring Haley Bennett as the woman who saves the legendary winemaker’s legacy. The wine country film festival drew its highest audience attendance to date with a robust film slate programmed by artistic director Carl Spence (working with Executive Director Ginny Krieger), in his second year, including upcoming specialty fare like Luc Besson’s “DogMan” (Briarcliff Entertainment) starring Caleb Landry Jones in an incendiary performance, and Sony Pictures Classics’ raucous comedy “Wicked Little Letters,” starring Olivia Colman, along with a smattering of yummy wine and food events.
The five-day festival curated by Spence along with senior programmers Amanda Salazar and Ken Jacobson, showcased more than 100 films. Twenty-five countries were represented in this year’s lineup of 43 narrative features, 16 documentary features,...
The five-day festival curated by Spence along with senior programmers Amanda Salazar and Ken Jacobson, showcased more than 100 films. Twenty-five countries were represented in this year’s lineup of 43 narrative features, 16 documentary features,...
- 3/24/2024
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Luc Besson’s Dogman is in search of some kind of distinctive armature on which to hang its psychoanalytical and philosophical ramblings. Which is ironic considering that Douglas Munrow (Caleb Landry Jones), the paralyzed “Dogman” of the film’s title, makes much ado about having discovered his voice through drag, pontificating on the value of disguises and lip-synching while dressed as Édith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, and Marilyn Monroe. All the while, Jones plays the dog-loving avenger as a puzzling riff on Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix’s Oscar-winning performances as the Joker. It’s a performance that, like much of the film, flits between telegraphing seriousness and wanting to be understood as camp.
Doug was abused and abandoned as a child, and after embracing his ostracization as an adult, he began taking in stray dogs and playing the part of the Pied Piper by having his “babies” burglarize the wealthy and take down criminals.
Doug was abused and abandoned as a child, and after embracing his ostracization as an adult, he began taking in stray dogs and playing the part of the Pied Piper by having his “babies” burglarize the wealthy and take down criminals.
- 3/24/2024
- by Clayton Dillard
- Slant Magazine
To celebrate the release of Dogman starring Caleb Landry Jones – out 11th March on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital – we have a Blu-ray up for grabs!
The latest film from Luc Besson – the visionary filmmaker The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita and the Transporter series – Dogman won the Graffetta d’Oro for Best Film at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. It’s extraordinary, intense and heartfelt – everything you’d expect from the unique and uncompromising mind of Besson.
Caleb Landry Jones (Cannes winner for Best Actor for Nitram) stars as Doug, a troubled man who finds salvation through his canine friends. The cast also includes Jojo T Gibbs (Fresh), Christopher Denham (Billions), Clemens Schick (Das Boot), and Marisa Berenson (Barry Lyndon). Featuring an emotive score by Besson’s longtime collaborator Éric Serra (Léon), and exquisitely filmed by Colin Wandersman (Pandemonium), Dogman features production design by César award winner Hugues Tissandier (The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec...
The latest film from Luc Besson – the visionary filmmaker The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita and the Transporter series – Dogman won the Graffetta d’Oro for Best Film at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. It’s extraordinary, intense and heartfelt – everything you’d expect from the unique and uncompromising mind of Besson.
Caleb Landry Jones (Cannes winner for Best Actor for Nitram) stars as Doug, a troubled man who finds salvation through his canine friends. The cast also includes Jojo T Gibbs (Fresh), Christopher Denham (Billions), Clemens Schick (Das Boot), and Marisa Berenson (Barry Lyndon). Featuring an emotive score by Besson’s longtime collaborator Éric Serra (Léon), and exquisitely filmed by Colin Wandersman (Pandemonium), Dogman features production design by César award winner Hugues Tissandier (The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec...
- 3/14/2024
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
To celebrate the release of Dogman starring Caleb Landry Jones – out 11th March on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital – we have a Blu-Ray up for grabs!
he latest film from Luc Besson – the visionary filmmaker The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita and the Transporter series – Dogman won the Graffetta d’Oro for Best Film at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. It’s extraordinary, intense and heartfelt – everything you’d expect from the unique and uncompromising mind of Besson.
Caleb Landry Jones (Cannes winner for Best Actor for Nitram) stars as Doug, a troubled man who finds salvation through his canine friends. The cast also includes Jojo T Gibbs (Fresh), Christopher Denham (Billions), Clemens Schick (Das Boot), and Marisa Berenson (Barry Lyndon).
Featuring an emotive score by Besson’s longtime collaborator Éric Serra (Léon), and exquisitely filmed by Colin Wandersman (Pandemonium), Dogman features production design by César award winner Hugues Tissandier (The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec...
he latest film from Luc Besson – the visionary filmmaker The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita and the Transporter series – Dogman won the Graffetta d’Oro for Best Film at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. It’s extraordinary, intense and heartfelt – everything you’d expect from the unique and uncompromising mind of Besson.
Caleb Landry Jones (Cannes winner for Best Actor for Nitram) stars as Doug, a troubled man who finds salvation through his canine friends. The cast also includes Jojo T Gibbs (Fresh), Christopher Denham (Billions), Clemens Schick (Das Boot), and Marisa Berenson (Barry Lyndon).
Featuring an emotive score by Besson’s longtime collaborator Éric Serra (Léon), and exquisitely filmed by Colin Wandersman (Pandemonium), Dogman features production design by César award winner Hugues Tissandier (The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec...
- 3/9/2024
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This well-executed film spans the life of a traumatised jewellery thief with a host of dog acolytes
The question of whether Luc Besson has got his groove back is only going to annoy those who dispute any former groove-ownership. Besson himself might contend that box office success is in any case the sole criterion for assessing groove. At all events, this bizarre and macabre drama-thriller is watchable and Caleb Landry Jones gives an oddly engaging performance as Douglas Munrow, a wheelchair-using “Dogman”, questioned by police psychologist Evelyn (Jojo T Gibbs) after being arrested in full drag gear, smeared with blood, while at the wheel of a van filled with his “babies” – his dogs.
Murrow’s conversation with Evelyn reveals in flashback a childhood kept in a dog kennel by an abusive father, at whose hands a terrible injury was sustained; then there are poignant teen years in a children’s...
The question of whether Luc Besson has got his groove back is only going to annoy those who dispute any former groove-ownership. Besson himself might contend that box office success is in any case the sole criterion for assessing groove. At all events, this bizarre and macabre drama-thriller is watchable and Caleb Landry Jones gives an oddly engaging performance as Douglas Munrow, a wheelchair-using “Dogman”, questioned by police psychologist Evelyn (Jojo T Gibbs) after being arrested in full drag gear, smeared with blood, while at the wheel of a van filled with his “babies” – his dogs.
Murrow’s conversation with Evelyn reveals in flashback a childhood kept in a dog kennel by an abusive father, at whose hands a terrible injury was sustained; then there are poignant teen years in a children’s...
- 3/5/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The champagne may be flowing at the kickoff for the 27th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival – for more reasons than one.
This year’s event in California’s wine country will open with the U.S. premiere of Widow Clicquot, directed by Thomas Napper, a narrative feature about the Grande Dame of Champagne. Actress Haley Bennett stars in the titular role of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, “who against all odds advanced her late husband’s techniques to create the recipe for modern-day champagne.”
Siff, running from March 20-24, will showcase 43 narrative features, 16 documentary features, and 48 short films representing more than 25 countries, according to a release.
Maya Hawke in ‘Wildcat’
The festival’s Centerpiece Film is Wildcat, directed by Ethan Hawke and starring his daughter Maya Hawke as renowned Southern Gothic author Flannery O’Connor. The Closing Night Film is Luc Besson’s crime drama Dogman, starring Caleb Landry Jones. A Closing Night...
This year’s event in California’s wine country will open with the U.S. premiere of Widow Clicquot, directed by Thomas Napper, a narrative feature about the Grande Dame of Champagne. Actress Haley Bennett stars in the titular role of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot, “who against all odds advanced her late husband’s techniques to create the recipe for modern-day champagne.”
Siff, running from March 20-24, will showcase 43 narrative features, 16 documentary features, and 48 short films representing more than 25 countries, according to a release.
Maya Hawke in ‘Wildcat’
The festival’s Centerpiece Film is Wildcat, directed by Ethan Hawke and starring his daughter Maya Hawke as renowned Southern Gothic author Flannery O’Connor. The Closing Night Film is Luc Besson’s crime drama Dogman, starring Caleb Landry Jones. A Closing Night...
- 3/2/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
On February 23, 2024, Cohen Media Group released “Io Capitano” in the United States, Italy’s Oscar-nominated Best International Feature film directed by Matteo Garrone. The movie is a Homeric fairy tale that tells the adventurous journey of two young boys, Seydou (Seydou Sarr) and Moussa (Moustapha Fall), who leave Dakar to reach Europe. The 2024 Oscars contender has received widespread acclaim from critics, scoring a perfect 100% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The critics consensus reads, “A journey toward hope, ‘Io Capitano’ perambulates through the ravishing Saharan landscape encountering the most sublime and debased corners of humanity.” The castings, under the direction of Henri-Didier Njikam, took place on the African continent and features mostly newcomers. Read our full review round-up below.
See Watch our exciting interviews with 12 of the 20 Oscars 2024 acting nominees
Damon Wise of Deadline says, “Despite its technical elegance — and the film is near flawless in that respect — the...
The critics consensus reads, “A journey toward hope, ‘Io Capitano’ perambulates through the ravishing Saharan landscape encountering the most sublime and debased corners of humanity.” The castings, under the direction of Henri-Didier Njikam, took place on the African continent and features mostly newcomers. Read our full review round-up below.
See Watch our exciting interviews with 12 of the 20 Oscars 2024 acting nominees
Damon Wise of Deadline says, “Despite its technical elegance — and the film is near flawless in that respect — the...
- 2/24/2024
- by Vincent Mandile
- Gold Derby
As Italian director Garrone steps onto the Academy Awards red carpet on March 10 with Best International Feature Film nominee Io Capitano, the real-life skipper who part inspired the drama will be watching and rooting for the film from afar.
West African born Fofana Amara was just 15 years old when he successfully skippered a rickety boat carrying 250 people across the Mediterranean from the Libyan coast in July 2014, to arrive off the Sicilian port of Augusta.
Proudly declaring “Io, capitano” (“I’m the captain”) when the coast guard boarded the ship, the youngster was immediately slammed in jail on charges of human trafficking.
It was just one stage of Amara’s perilous journey from the Republic of Guinea to Italy, passing by Libya, which had begun when he was 14 years old.
Eventually released from jail after the people he saved testified in his favor, Amara completed a nautical course in the Sicilian...
West African born Fofana Amara was just 15 years old when he successfully skippered a rickety boat carrying 250 people across the Mediterranean from the Libyan coast in July 2014, to arrive off the Sicilian port of Augusta.
Proudly declaring “Io, capitano” (“I’m the captain”) when the coast guard boarded the ship, the youngster was immediately slammed in jail on charges of human trafficking.
It was just one stage of Amara’s perilous journey from the Republic of Guinea to Italy, passing by Libya, which had begun when he was 14 years old.
Eventually released from jail after the people he saved testified in his favor, Amara completed a nautical course in the Sicilian...
- 2/24/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome back to Dead Time. I hope you left a light on for me because this month, we’re on the hunt for the Michigan Dogman and other cryptids that might be lurking in the darkness. I talked to Shetan Noir, a cryptozoologist, Michigan based author, journalist, and paranormal researcher about her career, as well as her personal experience with cryptid sightings.
Shetan is the Lead Investigator for the Michigan chapter of the North American Dogman Project and she runs the paranormal investigation team for the Michigan Center for Unexplained Events and Phenomenon. Her fascination began with lake monsters at an early age when she first learned about the Loch Ness monster, then heard reports of lake monsters in her own state of Michigan. Her research has since grown to include Michigan’s own Dogman and Nain Rouge, Bigfoot and ghost hunting. Her books include The Hounds Tooth Cookbook, Bone Arfp’etit!
Shetan is the Lead Investigator for the Michigan chapter of the North American Dogman Project and she runs the paranormal investigation team for the Michigan Center for Unexplained Events and Phenomenon. Her fascination began with lake monsters at an early age when she first learned about the Loch Ness monster, then heard reports of lake monsters in her own state of Michigan. Her research has since grown to include Michigan’s own Dogman and Nain Rouge, Bigfoot and ghost hunting. Her books include The Hounds Tooth Cookbook, Bone Arfp’etit!
- 2/23/2024
- by Michelle Swope
- bloody-disgusting.com
Had first-time Senegalese actors Seydour Sarr and Moustapha Fall seen a Matteo Garrone film like “Gomorrah” before being scout-cast in his Italian Oscar nominee “Io Capitano,” they might’ve blinked twice. The 2008 film followed two teens from the Campania slums and into a life of organized crime, ending with them both dead in the mouth of a tractor. “Io Capitano” also follows two teens on a journey — here as African refugees making their way from Dakar to Europe in search of adventure — and as with Garrone’s crowning movie, the Italian filmmaker did not share the full script with his non-professional actors. In other words, Sarr and Fall, who in “Io Capitano” play cousins, had no idea whether their characters would survive the journey across the Mediterranean Sea.
Their voyage to Europe is marked by great danger and peril that Garrone masterfully stages and never dilutes — including a final scene...
Their voyage to Europe is marked by great danger and peril that Garrone masterfully stages and never dilutes — including a final scene...
- 2/22/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Luc Besson is back in theaters with his first film since 2019’s “Anna.” And from the looks of its new trailer, “DogMan” is another ultra-stylish, semi-deranged action thriller from the French director. But how will it hold up against Besson’s best films like “The Fifth Element,” “Le Femme Nikita,” and “Taken“? Audiences find out when “DogMan” hits theaters next month.
Continue reading ‘DogMan’ Trailer: Luc Besson’s Latest Starring Caleb Landry Jones Hits Theaters On March 29, Expands On April 5 at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘DogMan’ Trailer: Luc Besson’s Latest Starring Caleb Landry Jones Hits Theaters On March 29, Expands On April 5 at The Playlist.
- 2/22/2024
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
"Dogs have a real sense of family. So they rally around in the bad times and form a solid united entity." Briarcliff Ent. has revealed the official US trailer for Luc Besson's movie DogMan, which first premiered last year at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. This was supposed to open earlier in 2023, then they held it for the festival premiere, and it opened in Europe quickly after. "Wherever there is an unfortunate, God sends a dog." DogMan tells the incredible story of a child – bruised by life – who will find his salvation through the love of his dogs. Caleb Landry Jones stars as its fragile yet resilient protagonist who bends societal rules as he makes his own way. The film has "an edgy, indie feel reminiscent of Besson's debut feature Subway" and his other early films like The Big Blue, La Femme Nikita, & Leon. The cast also includes Christopher Denham,...
- 2/22/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Luc Besson’s DogMan has received another trailer ahead of its release next month, capping off a journey that also saw the film competing for the Golden Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival.
DogMan is writer/director Besson’s first film since 2019’s Anna and one that has built the most buzz in quite some time. The cast features Caleb Landry Jones, who was remarkable in 2021’s Nitram, and Jojo T. Gibbs, who appears in Past Lives, which is up for Best Picture this year. They are joined by Christopher Denham (Oppenheimer) and Clemens Shick (Star Wars series Andor).
Here is the synopsis of DogMan: “Having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding.
DogMan is writer/director Besson’s first film since 2019’s Anna and one that has built the most buzz in quite some time. The cast features Caleb Landry Jones, who was remarkable in 2021’s Nitram, and Jojo T. Gibbs, who appears in Past Lives, which is up for Best Picture this year. They are joined by Christopher Denham (Oppenheimer) and Clemens Shick (Star Wars series Andor).
Here is the synopsis of DogMan: “Having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding.
- 2/22/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Caleb Landry Jones is “DogMan,” whatever that moniker means.
The indie actor, who has appeared in the acclaimed likes of “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” and “Nitram,” leads controversial French director Luc Besson’s latest feature. Per the elusive logline, “DogMan” tells the story of a man who, following a traumatic childhood, finds salvation and justice through his connection with dogs.
Yet, there’s more to the twisted crime thriller than just that: Jones plays Douglas Munrow, a victim of childhood abuse who relives his past while being interviewed by a psychiatrist (Jojo T. Gibbs) after Douglas is accused of murder. Turns out Douglas’ childhood was far from fetching, with his only source of love being the dogs his father (Clemens Schick) would lock him in cages with.
As an adult, Douglas balances performing in drag as iconic stars like Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, and Marilyn Monroe with a crime spree.
The indie actor, who has appeared in the acclaimed likes of “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” and “Nitram,” leads controversial French director Luc Besson’s latest feature. Per the elusive logline, “DogMan” tells the story of a man who, following a traumatic childhood, finds salvation and justice through his connection with dogs.
Yet, there’s more to the twisted crime thriller than just that: Jones plays Douglas Munrow, a victim of childhood abuse who relives his past while being interviewed by a psychiatrist (Jojo T. Gibbs) after Douglas is accused of murder. Turns out Douglas’ childhood was far from fetching, with his only source of love being the dogs his father (Clemens Schick) would lock him in cages with.
As an adult, Douglas balances performing in drag as iconic stars like Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, and Marilyn Monroe with a crime spree.
- 2/22/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Sooner or later, it feels as though every filmmaker will have taken a crack at Dracula. Bram Stoker's infamous bloodsucker has been brought to screens countless times, so perhaps we shouldn't be too shocked that Luc Besson is the latest to try the concept. The man behind The Fifth Element has Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz circling lead roles in Dracula – A Love Tale.
The new film would reunite the director with Jones, who stars in his most recent movie, revenge thriller DogMan (we're still waiting to see when that might land in the UK), and see him work for the first time with Waltz.
According to Deadline, Besson's film will dive deeper into the origins of the character Prince Vladimir, who after the death of his beloved wife forswears god and is turned into a fanged fiend for his trouble.
Landry Jones will be playing the vampire,...
The new film would reunite the director with Jones, who stars in his most recent movie, revenge thriller DogMan (we're still waiting to see when that might land in the UK), and see him work for the first time with Waltz.
According to Deadline, Besson's film will dive deeper into the origins of the character Prince Vladimir, who after the death of his beloved wife forswears god and is turned into a fanged fiend for his trouble.
Landry Jones will be playing the vampire,...
- 2/19/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
How Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films Is Charting a New Course Without Its Iconic ‘I, Daniel Blake’ Director
If there was one puzzle from the 2023 Venice Film Festival, it concerned Caleb Landry Jones and the actor’s curious decision to conduct all his press arrangements for the Luc Besson thriller “Dogman” with a Scottish accent. As was later revealed, the Australian had taken a quick break from shooting U.K. drama “Harvest” on location in Scotland and was staying in character for the duration of his brief Italian detour.
Alongside honing Landry Jones’ vocal abilities, “Harvest,” being directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari (the Greek director’s first English-language film) and based on the book by Jim Crace, also marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the U.K.’s best-known indie production companies.
Sixteen Films, co-founded by Ken Loach and producer Rebecca O’Brien in 2002, has been behind every film by the beloved and iconoclastic director over the last two decades, including “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,...
Alongside honing Landry Jones’ vocal abilities, “Harvest,” being directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari (the Greek director’s first English-language film) and based on the book by Jim Crace, also marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the U.K.’s best-known indie production companies.
Sixteen Films, co-founded by Ken Loach and producer Rebecca O’Brien in 2002, has been behind every film by the beloved and iconoclastic director over the last two decades, including “The Wind That Shakes the Barley,...
- 2/18/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Dracula will never die — at least as long as Hollywood has anything to say about it. According to Variety, director Luc Besson is helming a new "Dracula" film starring Christoph Waltz ("Inglourious Basterds") and Caleb Landry Jones (who last starred in Besson's "Dogman).
Besson's "Dracula" joins a crowded pack. 2023 saw the release of "Renfield," an action-comedy featuring Nicolas Cage as Dracula but focusing on Nicholas Hoult as the Count's undead assistant. Another film, released only a few months later, stuck more closely to the Lord of Vampires' horror roots: "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" adapted the chapter of Bram Stoker's original novel where Dracula sails to London in a coffin and murders the ship's crew. That film's Dracula (Javier Botet) was a batlike demon, a far cry from the affable Cage.
Coming up soon is "Abigail," a reimagining of Universal Pictures' 1936 film "Dracula's Daughter." And on Christmas...
Besson's "Dracula" joins a crowded pack. 2023 saw the release of "Renfield," an action-comedy featuring Nicolas Cage as Dracula but focusing on Nicholas Hoult as the Count's undead assistant. Another film, released only a few months later, stuck more closely to the Lord of Vampires' horror roots: "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" adapted the chapter of Bram Stoker's original novel where Dracula sails to London in a coffin and murders the ship's crew. That film's Dracula (Javier Botet) was a batlike demon, a far cry from the affable Cage.
Coming up soon is "Abigail," a reimagining of Universal Pictures' 1936 film "Dracula's Daughter." And on Christmas...
- 2/17/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Luc Besson will helm a movie based on Dracula titled Dracula – A Love Tale, dubbed “a big-budget reimagining” of the character. It will star Christoph Waltz and Caleb Landry Jones, who starred in Besson’s Dogman, which premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival.
While little is actually known about Luc Besson’s Dracula movie, Deadline did report that it “has an origin story element to it exploring in a little more depth the gothic romance between Prince Vladimir and his wife whose loss turns him to forsake God and become a vampire.” It, too, is expected to have “some epic and potentially spectacular set pieces.”
The news comes out of the European Film Market, the trade fair held during the Berlin Film Festival. While Besson has never won Berlin’s top honor, the Golden Bear, his Dogman did make a splash at Venice, receiving a standing ovation despite the controversy surrounding his invitation.
While little is actually known about Luc Besson’s Dracula movie, Deadline did report that it “has an origin story element to it exploring in a little more depth the gothic romance between Prince Vladimir and his wife whose loss turns him to forsake God and become a vampire.” It, too, is expected to have “some epic and potentially spectacular set pieces.”
The news comes out of the European Film Market, the trade fair held during the Berlin Film Festival. While Besson has never won Berlin’s top honor, the Golden Bear, his Dogman did make a splash at Venice, receiving a standing ovation despite the controversy surrounding his invitation.
- 2/17/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Luc Besson has found his next project with a Dracula origin story, teaming with Caleb Landry-Jones, who starred in his last film, Dogman, and Christoph Waltz.
The big-budgeted film will be a retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic tale with Landry-Jones set to play the Transylvania Count-turned0vampire. Many directors have done their take on the infamous villain, including famously Francis Ford Coppola with 1992’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Written in the 1890s, Dracula follows a nobleman who loses his wife and in his grief and cursing of God is transformed into a vampire. While the original Stoker story travels on the doomed ship the Demeter and into England, following multiple protagonists, Besson’s take will focus on the beginning of Dracula’s life and his relationship with wife.
Besson’s EuropaCorp is producing. Kinology is handling sale of the film out of EFM.
Besson last directed Dogman, which...
The big-budgeted film will be a retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic tale with Landry-Jones set to play the Transylvania Count-turned0vampire. Many directors have done their take on the infamous villain, including famously Francis Ford Coppola with 1992’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Written in the 1890s, Dracula follows a nobleman who loses his wife and in his grief and cursing of God is transformed into a vampire. While the original Stoker story travels on the doomed ship the Demeter and into England, following multiple protagonists, Besson’s take will focus on the beginning of Dracula’s life and his relationship with wife.
Besson’s EuropaCorp is producing. Kinology is handling sale of the film out of EFM.
Besson last directed Dogman, which...
- 2/17/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Having already directed plenty of action-thrillers, a few sci-fis and — last year — a whole load of mutts (the Venice-bowing “Dogman”), Luc Besson is now set to venture into epic fantasy territories with one of the most famous big screen characters of all.
The French director is to direct an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s’ “Dracula,” telling the story of 15th century Prince Vladimir who cursed God following the death of his beloved wife and is turned into a vampire. Later, in 19th century London, he discovers his wife’s doppelgänger and dooms himself by pursuing her.
Variety understands that Christoph Waltz is in talks to star, as is Caleb Landry-Jones, which would reunite Besson with his lead in “Dogman,” which bowed in Venice last year. Like “Dogman,” Besson’s EuropaCorp is producing.
Kinology is talking to buyers about the project at the European Film Market.
Billed as Besson’s big...
The French director is to direct an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s’ “Dracula,” telling the story of 15th century Prince Vladimir who cursed God following the death of his beloved wife and is turned into a vampire. Later, in 19th century London, he discovers his wife’s doppelgänger and dooms himself by pursuing her.
Variety understands that Christoph Waltz is in talks to star, as is Caleb Landry-Jones, which would reunite Besson with his lead in “Dogman,” which bowed in Venice last year. Like “Dogman,” Besson’s EuropaCorp is producing.
Kinology is talking to buyers about the project at the European Film Market.
Billed as Besson’s big...
- 2/17/2024
- by Alex Ritman and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: One of the last big European Film Market pre-sales projects to be revealed is one of the most intriguing as SAG winner Caleb Landry Jones (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri) has been set to star with two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) in Dracula – A Love Tale, a big-budget reimagining of the Dracula story from Lucy filmmaker and Taken creator Luc Besson.
Based on Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, sources close to the production confirm to us that the project will be Besson’s next movie and mark his own take on the vampire classic about the dark Prince who is condemned to eternal life.
We hear this has an origin story element to it exploring in a little more depth the gothic romance between Prince Vladimir and his wife whose loss turns him to forsake God and become a vampire. Buyers familiar with Besson’s script tell...
Based on Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, sources close to the production confirm to us that the project will be Besson’s next movie and mark his own take on the vampire classic about the dark Prince who is condemned to eternal life.
We hear this has an origin story element to it exploring in a little more depth the gothic romance between Prince Vladimir and his wife whose loss turns him to forsake God and become a vampire. Buyers familiar with Besson’s script tell...
- 2/17/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
EuropaCorp, the production company founded by Luc Besson and taken over by New York fund Vine Alternative Investments in 2020, has appointed Jean-Marc Lacarrère as its new CEO.
Lacarrère will begin his new role on March 3, succeeding Axel Duroux, the French-Swiss executive who helmed the company for nearly four years and stepped down in December.
A French media expert, Lacarrère previously worked at the Canal+ Group, and managed the music publishing and production company La Bande Son, which was later acquired by Studiocanal. He also headed the digital news channel now known as CNews, went on to join Bolloré Média Group to spearhead Direct Cinéma and headed Canal+’s free-to-air division. He has also worked with “The Bureau” producer Alex Berger and Benjamin de Rothschild, and was appointed president of CanalPlay and head of international SVOD for the Canal+ Group. He joined Vivendi Content in 2017, before setting up Harvest Mood Films,...
Lacarrère will begin his new role on March 3, succeeding Axel Duroux, the French-Swiss executive who helmed the company for nearly four years and stepped down in December.
A French media expert, Lacarrère previously worked at the Canal+ Group, and managed the music publishing and production company La Bande Son, which was later acquired by Studiocanal. He also headed the digital news channel now known as CNews, went on to join Bolloré Média Group to spearhead Direct Cinéma and headed Canal+’s free-to-air division. He has also worked with “The Bureau” producer Alex Berger and Benjamin de Rothschild, and was appointed president of CanalPlay and head of international SVOD for the Canal+ Group. He joined Vivendi Content in 2017, before setting up Harvest Mood Films,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin-based sales agency M-Appeal has inked multiple key deals on Romina Tamburello and Federico Actis’ Argentinian title Vera And The Pleasure Of Others.
Capelight Pictures has acquired the film for North America, Germany, German-speaking Switzerland and Austria. The German company expanded to US and UK distribution in 2019, and has previously released films including Parasite, Dogman and Talk To Me.
Further deals include At Entertainment for Japan,and Scene & Sound (PoongKyung SoRi) for South Korea.
Vera And The Pleasure Of Others had its world premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in November, going on to win the best direction...
Capelight Pictures has acquired the film for North America, Germany, German-speaking Switzerland and Austria. The German company expanded to US and UK distribution in 2019, and has previously released films including Parasite, Dogman and Talk To Me.
Further deals include At Entertainment for Japan,and Scene & Sound (PoongKyung SoRi) for South Korea.
Vera And The Pleasure Of Others had its world premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in November, going on to win the best direction...
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
The great Martin Scorsese returned to the Eternal City, accompanied by the star of the moment, Lily Gladstone, as the guests of honor of a gala dinner at the Hotel Hassler by the Spanish steps Wednesday night. The event, honoring Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and hosted by co-chief of Leone Film Group, Raffaella Leone, daughter of great Italian film director Sergio Leone, and Paolo Del Brocco, head of Rai Cinema, the Italian distributor of Killers. Hot off the film’s 10 Oscar nominations, including a record-setting 10th best director nod for Scorsese and the historic best actress nod for Gladstone as the first Native American nominated in the category, the event was a must-attend for the Italian film scene.
The Hollywood Reporter Roma was the only media outlet admitted to the event, and we were a fly on the wall for the parade of A-list industry guests, which...
The Hollywood Reporter Roma was the only media outlet admitted to the event, and we were a fly on the wall for the parade of A-list industry guests, which...
- 2/1/2024
- by Manuela Santacatterina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After the cinematic doldrums of January, February brings surprisingly packed, varied offerings, from Oscar-contending international features to biographical documentaries of legendary film artists to some electrifying genre outings. Check out my picks to see below, and catch up with our Sundance coverage ahead of our Berlinale reviews here.
16. The Monk and the Gun (Pawo Choyning Dorji; Feb. 9)
Returning after his Oscar-nominated directorial debut Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, Pawo Choyning Dorji’s Ifsn Advocate Award-shortlisted The Monk and the Gun premiered at Telluride and TIFF to much acclaim and will now be released this month. Selected by Bhutan as their Oscar entry, the heartwarming film is about an American in search of a long-lost, vintage gun in Bhutan as the country’s launching a democracy.
15. Ennio (Giuseppe Tornatore; Feb. 9)
The film world lost perhaps its most legendary musician when Ennio Morricone died at the age of 91 in July 2020. Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore,...
16. The Monk and the Gun (Pawo Choyning Dorji; Feb. 9)
Returning after his Oscar-nominated directorial debut Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, Pawo Choyning Dorji’s Ifsn Advocate Award-shortlisted The Monk and the Gun premiered at Telluride and TIFF to much acclaim and will now be released this month. Selected by Bhutan as their Oscar entry, the heartwarming film is about an American in search of a long-lost, vintage gun in Bhutan as the country’s launching a democracy.
15. Ennio (Giuseppe Tornatore; Feb. 9)
The film world lost perhaps its most legendary musician when Ennio Morricone died at the age of 91 in July 2020. Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
After finding much favor with The Academy when it came to craft categories for his previous feature Pinocchio, Italian director Matteo Garrone has now earned his first Best International Feature Film nomination this year for his acclaimed migrant drama Io Capitano. In celebration, NYC’s Quad Cinema will hold a retrospective titled “The Great Garrone,” taking place February 16-22, leading up to Cohen Media Group’s February 23 release of his latest film.
“A real son of Rome, director and screenwriter Matteo Garrone carries the mantle of Italy’s neo realist and surrealist-fantasist traditions of cinema and lifts them into the 21st Century,” notes Quad Cinema. “His accolade-laden filmography toes the lines of narrative, documentary, and fantasy exquisitely, bringing forth to the surface the depth of humanism and understanding through resonant human stories and an artist’s eye for fine detail. The Quad is thrilled to present this retrospective of Matteo Garrone,...
“A real son of Rome, director and screenwriter Matteo Garrone carries the mantle of Italy’s neo realist and surrealist-fantasist traditions of cinema and lifts them into the 21st Century,” notes Quad Cinema. “His accolade-laden filmography toes the lines of narrative, documentary, and fantasy exquisitely, bringing forth to the surface the depth of humanism and understanding through resonant human stories and an artist’s eye for fine detail. The Quad is thrilled to present this retrospective of Matteo Garrone,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man is heading to the big screen courtesy of Dreamworks and Universal, here are the details.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, written by Nicholas Stoller and directed by David Soren, is one of the funniest, most delightful animated films of recent years. It even boasts a brilliant theme song by Weird Al Yankovic. The brief clad superhero ought to have had many more big screen adventures, but it wasn’t to be, although a short lived television series is still available to watch on Netflix.
Back in 2020, we heard that author Dav Pilkey’s other hit novel series Dog Man was heading to the big screen. The series consists of 11 books, with the 12th due to be published in March, and has sold over 60 million copies. We finally have some more concrete details about the film, which is nearing completion.
The synopsis reads as follows,...
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, written by Nicholas Stoller and directed by David Soren, is one of the funniest, most delightful animated films of recent years. It even boasts a brilliant theme song by Weird Al Yankovic. The brief clad superhero ought to have had many more big screen adventures, but it wasn’t to be, although a short lived television series is still available to watch on Netflix.
Back in 2020, we heard that author Dav Pilkey’s other hit novel series Dog Man was heading to the big screen. The series consists of 11 books, with the 12th due to be published in March, and has sold over 60 million copies. We finally have some more concrete details about the film, which is nearing completion.
The synopsis reads as follows,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Universal Pictures on Monday afternoon unveiled Dog Man, an animated feature adaptation of the beloved book series by Dav Pilkey — the author-illustrator best known for his enduringly popular kids’ graphic novel series Captain Underpants. Dog Man has been slated by the studio to open wide on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Previously on the release schedule as Untitled DreamWorks Animation Film, the movie has no competitors yet on the release calendar as it looks to its first weekend in theaters.
Directed by Emmy winner Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants), Dog Man‘s plot is thrust into motion when a dog and a police officer are injured together on the job. A life-saving surgery thereafter changes the course of history when Dog Man is born. Half dog, half man, Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve — as long as he isn’t distracted by squirrels — as he doggedly pursues his...
Previously on the release schedule as Untitled DreamWorks Animation Film, the movie has no competitors yet on the release calendar as it looks to its first weekend in theaters.
Directed by Emmy winner Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants), Dog Man‘s plot is thrust into motion when a dog and a police officer are injured together on the job. A life-saving surgery thereafter changes the course of history when Dog Man is born. Half dog, half man, Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve — as long as he isn’t distracted by squirrels — as he doggedly pursues his...
- 1/29/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Citizen of a Kind,” a comedy-drama about a woman who takes matters into her own hands after becoming the victim of a scam, fulfilled its promise from an earlier week of previews. “Citizen” topped the South Korean box office on its opening weekend, accounting for a more than 40% market share. But, with few other fresh titles reaching cinemas, overall theatrical revenues were at their lowest for several months.
“Citizen” earned $2.59 million between Friday and Sunday, according to figures from Kobis, the data service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Over five days since release on Wednesday, and with the addition of its earlier previews, “Citizen” finished its opening weekend with a cumulative of $3.58 million.
Directed by Park Young-ju, “Citizen” tells the tale of woman whose business has gone up in flames and takes a hefty loan in an attempt to restart it. When she discovers that the loan is...
“Citizen” earned $2.59 million between Friday and Sunday, according to figures from Kobis, the data service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Over five days since release on Wednesday, and with the addition of its earlier previews, “Citizen” finished its opening weekend with a cumulative of $3.58 million.
Directed by Park Young-ju, “Citizen” tells the tale of woman whose business has gone up in flames and takes a hefty loan in an attempt to restart it. When she discovers that the loan is...
- 1/29/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Dogman left me utterly spellbound! Douglas’ journey through a tumultuous childhood, marked by heart-wrenching struggles and relentless torture inflicted upon him by his father and brother, was both raw and poignant. The way his dogs became his refuge, his solace, tugged at my heartstrings— showing me an unwavering bond that stood tall against the harshness of life! Despite some jaw-dropping incidents that had me questioning everything, especially his furry friends, who even went to the extent of murdering people and stealing for him to bring justice, I couldn’t help but cheer for them. Dogman brilliantly navigates through the gray areas of morality, making me ponder if dogs are indeed superior to humans in their loyalty and unconditional love. Douglas, with his layers of complexity, made me question the very essence of good and evil. The intense scenes, coupled with his profound conversations with Evelyn Decker, the psychiatrist, stirred a whirlwind of emotions.
- 1/28/2024
- by Sutanuka Banerjee
- Film Fugitives
Exclusive: The Sea Beyond stars Giacomo Giorgio and Serena de Ferrari are among several Italian actors who have boarded Rai’s ambitious opera drama Bel Canto, which went into production this week.
Notably, Caterina Ferioli (The Tearsmith) and Adriana Savarese have landed the key roles as teenage sisters Carolina and Antonia, whose close friendship is tested by desires to become Italian opera singers.
Vincenzo Ferrera, another The Sea Beyond actor, has also joined the cast, alongside Andrea Bosca, Nicolo Pasetti, Carmine Ricarno (Loose Cannons), and Antonio Gerardi.
The series is among the highest profile drama series coming to of Europe this year. Production on the €15M ($16.3M) budget series began yesterday, with filming set to to take place in Naples, Rome and other parts of Italy such as the town of Pavia in Lombardia. France...
Notably, Caterina Ferioli (The Tearsmith) and Adriana Savarese have landed the key roles as teenage sisters Carolina and Antonia, whose close friendship is tested by desires to become Italian opera singers.
Vincenzo Ferrera, another The Sea Beyond actor, has also joined the cast, alongside Andrea Bosca, Nicolo Pasetti, Carmine Ricarno (Loose Cannons), and Antonio Gerardi.
The series is among the highest profile drama series coming to of Europe this year. Production on the €15M ($16.3M) budget series began yesterday, with filming set to to take place in Naples, Rome and other parts of Italy such as the town of Pavia in Lombardia. France...
- 1/23/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Cohen Media Group has set Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone’s latest pic, Io Capitano, for a nationwide release.
The film — which has been shortlisted as Italy’s submission for the Best International Feature Oscar — will roll out nationwide on February 23.
An Italy-Belgium-France co-production, the timely drama tells the story of the adventurous journey of Seydou and Moussa, two young men who leave Dakar to make their way to Europe. Synopsis reads: Io Capitano is a contemporary Odyssey through the dangers of the desert, the horrors of the detention centers in Libya, and the perils of the sea.
The film world premiered to critical acclaim in Competition in Venice, winning Best Director for Garrone, Best Young Star for co-star Seydou Sarr, and Best Production Director for Claudia Cravotta. The pic is the first film Garrone — a two-time Cannes jury prize winner — screened in competition at Venice.
The Deadline review out...
The film — which has been shortlisted as Italy’s submission for the Best International Feature Oscar — will roll out nationwide on February 23.
An Italy-Belgium-France co-production, the timely drama tells the story of the adventurous journey of Seydou and Moussa, two young men who leave Dakar to make their way to Europe. Synopsis reads: Io Capitano is a contemporary Odyssey through the dangers of the desert, the horrors of the detention centers in Libya, and the perils of the sea.
The film world premiered to critical acclaim in Competition in Venice, winning Best Director for Garrone, Best Young Star for co-star Seydou Sarr, and Best Production Director for Claudia Cravotta. The pic is the first film Garrone — a two-time Cannes jury prize winner — screened in competition at Venice.
The Deadline review out...
- 1/2/2024
- by Zac Ntim and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Briarcliff Entertainment to release writer-director Luc Besson‘s Dogman in theaters March 15, 2024 and expands on March 22, 2024. The film stars Caleb Landry Jones, Jojo T. Gibbs, and Christopher Denham.
In DogMan, having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding. Out of this hell, he grows to discover love, theatre, and cabaret, but also the injustice and disillusionment of the human world. In a life that’s been broken a thousand times, only the love of his dogs can bring salvation.
Virginie Besson-Silla and Steve Rabineau serve as producers.
In DogMan, having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding. Out of this hell, he grows to discover love, theatre, and cabaret, but also the injustice and disillusionment of the human world. In a life that’s been broken a thousand times, only the love of his dogs can bring salvation.
Virginie Besson-Silla and Steve Rabineau serve as producers.
- 12/19/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Renowned French director Luc Besson, director of Léon and The Fifth Element is releasing a new thriller next year. Briarcliff Entertainment will release Luc Besson’s thriller DogMan in select theatres on March 15, 2024, and will expand on March 22, 2024. The film, written and directed by Besson, had its World Premiere at the Venice FIlm Festival and stars Caleb Landry Jones, Jojo T. Gibbs and Christopher Denham.
The plot synopsis from Briarcliff Entertainment reads,
“In DogMan, having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding. Out of this hell, he grows to discover love, theatre, and cabaret, but also the injustice and disillusionment of the human world. In a life that’s been broken a thousand times,...
The plot synopsis from Briarcliff Entertainment reads,
“In DogMan, having just been arrested, Douglas opens his heart to tell the moving story of his life. As a survivor of childhood trauma, with a violent father who forces him to live in the family kennel, he develops a bond with dogs that defies understanding. Out of this hell, he grows to discover love, theatre, and cabaret, but also the injustice and disillusionment of the human world. In a life that’s been broken a thousand times,...
- 12/19/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Writer-director Luc Besson’s Dogman will arrive in U.S. cinemas this spring, Briarcliff Entertainment announced Tuesday.
The dark thriller, starring Caleb Landry Jones, will open in select cinemas on March 15 and then expands on March 22.
Dogman is the embattled filmmaker’s first movie to arrive in theaters after he was cleared of rape charges by a French court last summer, weeks before Besson’s new film made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. And it’s also his first directorial effort since 2019’s Anna.
Briarcliff, an indie distributor, picked up U.S. rights to the movie following its debut at Venice, where it was a major curiosity factor. The drama stars Jones as a tortured young man who finds salvation through the love of his dogs.
Besson has rebuked the notion that the movie is his comeback. “It’s really hard when you get to 60, because you...
The dark thriller, starring Caleb Landry Jones, will open in select cinemas on March 15 and then expands on March 22.
Dogman is the embattled filmmaker’s first movie to arrive in theaters after he was cleared of rape charges by a French court last summer, weeks before Besson’s new film made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. And it’s also his first directorial effort since 2019’s Anna.
Briarcliff, an indie distributor, picked up U.S. rights to the movie following its debut at Venice, where it was a major curiosity factor. The drama stars Jones as a tortured young man who finds salvation through the love of his dogs.
Besson has rebuked the notion that the movie is his comeback. “It’s really hard when you get to 60, because you...
- 12/19/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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