This article contains spoilers for "Shōgun."
It already feels safe to say that FX's "Shōgun'' is the TV breakout of 2024. FX, noticing the comparisons of "Shōgun" to "Game of Thrones," has concluded they have a golden goose and picked up the limited series for two more seasons.
"Shōgun" is set in Japan during the year 1600. Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) gains an ally in John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a shipwrecked European sailor. Blackthorne came to Japan to ensure the Portuguese didn't seize the island nation before his homeland England could get a trading foothold. When he arrives, he doesn't speak a word of his new companions' language.
One of the first Japanese words that Blackthorne learns is "Teki" — "Enemy." I remember as I watched the scene, I recognized the word myself. I don't speak Japanese, but I have picked up a few words from watching many different anime series.
It already feels safe to say that FX's "Shōgun'' is the TV breakout of 2024. FX, noticing the comparisons of "Shōgun" to "Game of Thrones," has concluded they have a golden goose and picked up the limited series for two more seasons.
"Shōgun" is set in Japan during the year 1600. Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) gains an ally in John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a shipwrecked European sailor. Blackthorne came to Japan to ensure the Portuguese didn't seize the island nation before his homeland England could get a trading foothold. When he arrives, he doesn't speak a word of his new companions' language.
One of the first Japanese words that Blackthorne learns is "Teki" — "Enemy." I remember as I watched the scene, I recognized the word myself. I don't speak Japanese, but I have picked up a few words from watching many different anime series.
- 5/21/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
US outfit Gkids has partnered with the UK’s Anime Ltd. to secure international rights to The Colors Within, the highly anticipated anime feature directed by Naoko Yamada.
It was revealed today that the upcoming feature will receive its world premiere in competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 9-15).
The two companies secured the rights – which exclude Asia, the Middle East and North Africa – from Japan’s Story Inc. and have appointed Paris-based Charades to handle sales for select territories.
Gkids has rights for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. Anime Ltd. has rights for the UK,...
It was revealed today that the upcoming feature will receive its world premiere in competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 9-15).
The two companies secured the rights – which exclude Asia, the Middle East and North Africa – from Japan’s Story Inc. and have appointed Paris-based Charades to handle sales for select territories.
Gkids has rights for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. Anime Ltd. has rights for the UK,...
- 4/25/2024
- ScreenDaily
Two of France’s fastest-rising young stars, Lyna Khoudri and Rio Vega, will lead the French voice cast of animated feature “In Waves,” an unconditional first love story, and tale of loss and memories adapting American illustrator Aj Dungo’s same-titled multi-prized graphic novel.
An anticipated banner prestige animation title from Paris-based Silex Films, “In Waves” lead producer, the feature also marks the first animated co-production of both Anonymous Content and Charades, behind sales of Jeremy Clapin’s “I Lost My Body” and Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai,” both Oscar nominated titles.
In Waves is directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, a former student of French animation schools Gobelins and La Poudrière who helmed episodes of the Silex-produced animated series “Brazen” and was Oscar-shortlisted for her short “My Home,” “In Waves” has just been announced as one of five titles at the Annecy Animation Showcase, part of Cannes’ Animation Day on May...
An anticipated banner prestige animation title from Paris-based Silex Films, “In Waves” lead producer, the feature also marks the first animated co-production of both Anonymous Content and Charades, behind sales of Jeremy Clapin’s “I Lost My Body” and Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai,” both Oscar nominated titles.
In Waves is directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, a former student of French animation schools Gobelins and La Poudrière who helmed episodes of the Silex-produced animated series “Brazen” and was Oscar-shortlisted for her short “My Home,” “In Waves” has just been announced as one of five titles at the Annecy Animation Showcase, part of Cannes’ Animation Day on May...
- 4/23/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Jr Ntr’s Devara Earns A Big Amount By Selling Theatrical Rights?(Photo Credit –Facebook)
This year, we are going to see some really big pan-India films, one of which is Devara. The film features Jr Ntr, Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in key roles. While there’s still a lot of time in the release, the film is already making all the noise due to its pre-release deals. Now, the latest we learned about the biggie is about the theatrical rights deal. Keep reading to know more!
For those who don’t know, the film will be made in two parts, the first of which is titled Devara: Part 1. Initially, it was planned for a summer 2024 release, but as per the recent official update, it is now scheduled to arrive in theatres on 10 October 2024, thus aiming to enjoy the benefit of the Dussehra holidays.
After Rrr, Jr Ntr...
This year, we are going to see some really big pan-India films, one of which is Devara. The film features Jr Ntr, Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in key roles. While there’s still a lot of time in the release, the film is already making all the noise due to its pre-release deals. Now, the latest we learned about the biggie is about the theatrical rights deal. Keep reading to know more!
For those who don’t know, the film will be made in two parts, the first of which is titled Devara: Part 1. Initially, it was planned for a summer 2024 release, but as per the recent official update, it is now scheduled to arrive in theatres on 10 October 2024, thus aiming to enjoy the benefit of the Dussehra holidays.
After Rrr, Jr Ntr...
- 4/19/2024
- by Shalmesh More
- KoiMoi
Angry Thalapathy Vijay Fans Troll The Greatest Of All Time Composer Yuvan Shankar Raja? (Photo Credit –Instagram/YouTube)
Thalapathy Vijay is all set to shift his gears from films to politics soon, but before doing that, the superstar is going to complete his already-signed films, and The Greatest Of All Time is among the projects that have already been committed. The promotions are in full swing, and recently, the first single was dropped from The Goat album. However, the reception has been average so far among audiences. Keep reading to know more!
For the unversed, all recent films of Vijay started their promotional journey on a good note, with their first single turning out to be a big hit. Be it Master, Beast, Varisu, or Leo, all these films built immense buzz around themselves due to the first chartbuster single. However, the thing isn’t similar in the case of...
Thalapathy Vijay is all set to shift his gears from films to politics soon, but before doing that, the superstar is going to complete his already-signed films, and The Greatest Of All Time is among the projects that have already been committed. The promotions are in full swing, and recently, the first single was dropped from The Goat album. However, the reception has been average so far among audiences. Keep reading to know more!
For the unversed, all recent films of Vijay started their promotional journey on a good note, with their first single turning out to be a big hit. Be it Master, Beast, Varisu, or Leo, all these films built immense buzz around themselves due to the first chartbuster single. However, the thing isn’t similar in the case of...
- 4/19/2024
- by Shalmesh More
- KoiMoi
News Wrap Apr 18, 2024: Pushpa 2’s Digital Rights Deal, Srk-Suhana Khan’s Film, Shilpa Shetty-Raj Kundra’s Legal Mess. (Photo Credit – Instagram)
Koimoi’s Entertainment news wrap is here for you! In today’s news, Pushpa 2: The Rule secured a record-breaking digital rights deal, Teja Sajja’s action film Mirai unveiled its first look, and Chiyaan Vikram’s Veera Dheeran Sooran Part 2 began filming. 8 Indians were well-represented on Time’s 100 Most Influential List. Sandeep Vanga criticized Adil Hussain over Kabir Singh, while Ar Rahman defended himself against Subhash Ghai’s criticism. Security was increased for Shah Rukh Khan following threats, but they were unrelated to the Salman Khan attack. Reality TV stars Abhishek Kumar and Ayesha Khan trended online, and Shah Rukh Khan will reportedly share the screen with his daughter Suhana Khan for the first time. And Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra faced legal trouble...
Koimoi’s Entertainment news wrap is here for you! In today’s news, Pushpa 2: The Rule secured a record-breaking digital rights deal, Teja Sajja’s action film Mirai unveiled its first look, and Chiyaan Vikram’s Veera Dheeran Sooran Part 2 began filming. 8 Indians were well-represented on Time’s 100 Most Influential List. Sandeep Vanga criticized Adil Hussain over Kabir Singh, while Ar Rahman defended himself against Subhash Ghai’s criticism. Security was increased for Shah Rukh Khan following threats, but they were unrelated to the Salman Khan attack. Reality TV stars Abhishek Kumar and Ayesha Khan trended online, and Shah Rukh Khan will reportedly share the screen with his daughter Suhana Khan for the first time. And Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra faced legal trouble...
- 4/18/2024
- by Nikita Wagh
- KoiMoi
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Box Office Collection Day 20: Crosses 1 Crore Mark Again!( Photo Credit – IMDb )
It was back to 1 crore+ earning for Hollywood flick Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as the film brought in 1.10 crore on Wednesday. The film had collected 0.87 crore the day earlier and grew a bit. Two factor played a role in this. Firstly it was Ramanavami partial holiday and secondly, it’s also a set film and the competition is hardly coming into play.
The film has now collected 88.74 crores and will come quite close to 90 crores mark today. Then there would be growth over the weekend and though it would be tough for the film to enter the 100 Crore Club by end of next week, it will certainly happen well within the weekend that follows.
Thankfully this holdover release had been liked by the audience due to which exhibitors have something to play.
It was back to 1 crore+ earning for Hollywood flick Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as the film brought in 1.10 crore on Wednesday. The film had collected 0.87 crore the day earlier and grew a bit. Two factor played a role in this. Firstly it was Ramanavami partial holiday and secondly, it’s also a set film and the competition is hardly coming into play.
The film has now collected 88.74 crores and will come quite close to 90 crores mark today. Then there would be growth over the weekend and though it would be tough for the film to enter the 100 Crore Club by end of next week, it will certainly happen well within the weekend that follows.
Thankfully this holdover release had been liked by the audience due to which exhibitors have something to play.
- 4/18/2024
- by Joginder Tuteja
- KoiMoi
Varshangalkku Shesham Box Office Collection Day 7: Surpasses Malaikottai Vaaliban Lifetime Total (Photo Credit – YouTube)
Vineeth Sreenivasan’s directorial venture Varshangalkku Shesham has displayed steady collections throughout its first week at the box office, proving its mettle against another major Malayalam release, Aavesham. Read further to know how the period drama fared at the box office on Day 7, i.e., 1st Wednesday.
While Aavesham captured headlines with its action-comedy genre, Varshangalkku Shesham held its own, averaging a decent 2.5 crore collection on weekdays. The film garnered 2.65 crore on its first Monday, followed by 2.35 crore and 2.10 crore (estimated) on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. With a total collection of 20.20 crore after seven days, trade analysts predict it will comfortably reach 22 crore by the end of its first week (eight days).
This performance is particularly noteworthy considering Varshangalkku Shesham’s focus on a different genre compared to Aavesham. The film’s 36.10% Malayalam occupancy rate...
Vineeth Sreenivasan’s directorial venture Varshangalkku Shesham has displayed steady collections throughout its first week at the box office, proving its mettle against another major Malayalam release, Aavesham. Read further to know how the period drama fared at the box office on Day 7, i.e., 1st Wednesday.
While Aavesham captured headlines with its action-comedy genre, Varshangalkku Shesham held its own, averaging a decent 2.5 crore collection on weekdays. The film garnered 2.65 crore on its first Monday, followed by 2.35 crore and 2.10 crore (estimated) on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. With a total collection of 20.20 crore after seven days, trade analysts predict it will comfortably reach 22 crore by the end of its first week (eight days).
This performance is particularly noteworthy considering Varshangalkku Shesham’s focus on a different genre compared to Aavesham. The film’s 36.10% Malayalam occupancy rate...
- 4/18/2024
- by Nikita Wagh
- KoiMoi
The first look of Teja Sajja’s next Super Yodha Film ‘Mirai’ Was Released Today. ( Photo Credit – People Media Factory / YouTube )
It’s been quite the start for major south releases. After HanuMan‘s major success, Tejja Sajja is ready to star in another major hit. People Media Factory, a thriving production house in Tollywood, just revealed their upcoming project, Production No. 36. Directed by the incredibly skilled Karthik Gattamneni, it stars Super Hero Teja Sajja as Super Yodha.
Tg Vishwa Prasad, who possesses impeccable taste and is highly passionate about filmmaking, is financing the film on a massive scale, with high production and technical standards. As promised, the makers revealed the film’s title, first-look poster, and teaser today. The film’s name is Extraordinarily Mirai, meaning “Future.” The Title logo is designed in a Japanese font. In the first-look poster, Teja Sajja stands atop an exploding volcano, sporting a...
It’s been quite the start for major south releases. After HanuMan‘s major success, Tejja Sajja is ready to star in another major hit. People Media Factory, a thriving production house in Tollywood, just revealed their upcoming project, Production No. 36. Directed by the incredibly skilled Karthik Gattamneni, it stars Super Hero Teja Sajja as Super Yodha.
Tg Vishwa Prasad, who possesses impeccable taste and is highly passionate about filmmaking, is financing the film on a massive scale, with high production and technical standards. As promised, the makers revealed the film’s title, first-look poster, and teaser today. The film’s name is Extraordinarily Mirai, meaning “Future.” The Title logo is designed in a Japanese font. In the first-look poster, Teja Sajja stands atop an exploding volcano, sporting a...
- 4/18/2024
- by Aayushi Hemnani
- KoiMoi
Teja Sajja will be next seen in the upcoming multi-lingual film ‘Mirai’ based on the fictional story of King Ashoka and his ‘Secret 9’.
The title logo of the film, designed in a Japanese font, was unveiled on Thursday.
The first look poster showcases Teja Sajja in a Super Yodha appearance, wielding a Yo (Staff Stick), standing atop an erupting volcano against the backdrop of an eclipse.
Teja’s character is tasked with preventing the eclipse from reaching Ashoka’s Secret 9. He excels in Karra Samu (stick fights) and other forms of fights.
The cinematography for the film is handled by Karthik Gattamneni, with background score by Gowra.
Karthik has also penned the screenplay, alongside Manibabu Karanam, who has written the dialogues.
The film is bankrolled by Tg Vishwa Prasad and People Media Factory.
The makers, through the glimpse, have announced the release of ‘Mirai’ in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam,...
The title logo of the film, designed in a Japanese font, was unveiled on Thursday.
The first look poster showcases Teja Sajja in a Super Yodha appearance, wielding a Yo (Staff Stick), standing atop an erupting volcano against the backdrop of an eclipse.
Teja’s character is tasked with preventing the eclipse from reaching Ashoka’s Secret 9. He excels in Karra Samu (stick fights) and other forms of fights.
The cinematography for the film is handled by Karthik Gattamneni, with background score by Gowra.
Karthik has also penned the screenplay, alongside Manibabu Karanam, who has written the dialogues.
The film is bankrolled by Tg Vishwa Prasad and People Media Factory.
The makers, through the glimpse, have announced the release of ‘Mirai’ in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Following the success of “HanuMan,” Teja Sajja joins forces with director Karthik Gattamneni for a new pan-India film titled “Mirai” [3D]. The title glimpse has been unveiled, generating excitement among fans.
Starring Teja Sajja and Ritika Nayak, “Mirai” is produced by T G Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory. The film is slated for release on April 18, 2025, across multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and Chinese.
With anticipation building for Teja Sajja’s next venture, “Mirai” promises to be an immersive cinematic experience, catering to audiences across different regions and languages. Directed by Karthik Gattamneni, known for his expertise in storytelling, the film is expected to captivate viewers with its engaging narrative and visual effects in 3D.
As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await further updates and glimpses into the world of “Mirai.” With its pan-India appeal and diverse language release, the film aims to reach...
Starring Teja Sajja and Ritika Nayak, “Mirai” is produced by T G Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory. The film is slated for release on April 18, 2025, across multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and Chinese.
With anticipation building for Teja Sajja’s next venture, “Mirai” promises to be an immersive cinematic experience, catering to audiences across different regions and languages. Directed by Karthik Gattamneni, known for his expertise in storytelling, the film is expected to captivate viewers with its engaging narrative and visual effects in 3D.
As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await further updates and glimpses into the world of “Mirai.” With its pan-India appeal and diverse language release, the film aims to reach...
- 4/18/2024
- by Anshu Harvansh
- ReferSMS
Gkids has announced the acquisition of North American rights to Mamoru Hosoda’s entire film catalog.
Hosoda’s films include “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Wolf Children,” “Mirai” and “Belle.”
Gkids’ President David Jesteadt said, “One of Gkids’ earliest distribution projects was the theatrical release of ‘Summer Wars,’ when Mamoru Hosoda had already cemented his position as one of the most exciting animation directors. We were honored to deepen our relationship with the release of his two latest films, ‘Mirai’ and ‘Belle,’ and are excited to now be able to showcase the full breadth of Hosoda’s ambitious storytelling across his film catalog, featuring some of the most acclaimed and successful Japanese animated films of all time.”
Hosoda’s six features have all been nominated for, and five have been awarded, the Japan Academy Prize for “Animation of the Year.” He also landed an Oscar nomination for 2018’s “Mirai...
Hosoda’s films include “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time,” “Wolf Children,” “Mirai” and “Belle.”
Gkids’ President David Jesteadt said, “One of Gkids’ earliest distribution projects was the theatrical release of ‘Summer Wars,’ when Mamoru Hosoda had already cemented his position as one of the most exciting animation directors. We were honored to deepen our relationship with the release of his two latest films, ‘Mirai’ and ‘Belle,’ and are excited to now be able to showcase the full breadth of Hosoda’s ambitious storytelling across his film catalog, featuring some of the most acclaimed and successful Japanese animated films of all time.”
Hosoda’s six features have all been nominated for, and five have been awarded, the Japan Academy Prize for “Animation of the Year.” He also landed an Oscar nomination for 2018’s “Mirai...
- 3/18/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
“Close to You,” the Elliot Page-starring drama directed by BAFTA winner Dominic Savage, will be introduced to international buyers at the European Film Market by former Charades exec Jean-Félix Dealberto.
The film, which was written by Savage and Page, and also stars Hillary Baack (“Sound of Metal”), had its world premiere in Toronto, where Greenwich Entertainment acquired U.S. distribution rights.
“Close to You” follows Sam (Page), who moved to Toronto from his small town on Lake Ontario, Canada, and finally decides to return home to visit his family for his dad’s birthday. On his journey, he has a chance encounter with a friend from high school (Baack) that sparks old feelings. It is on this trip where Sam can finally confront long-buried feelings, a first love that was never properly resolved, his relationship with his family and a newfound love and confidence in himself.
The film was...
The film, which was written by Savage and Page, and also stars Hillary Baack (“Sound of Metal”), had its world premiere in Toronto, where Greenwich Entertainment acquired U.S. distribution rights.
“Close to You” follows Sam (Page), who moved to Toronto from his small town on Lake Ontario, Canada, and finally decides to return home to visit his family for his dad’s birthday. On his journey, he has a chance encounter with a friend from high school (Baack) that sparks old feelings. It is on this trip where Sam can finally confront long-buried feelings, a first love that was never properly resolved, his relationship with his family and a newfound love and confidence in himself.
The film was...
- 2/15/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
An anime film was bound to make it into the Oscar nominations this year, and the contender this time around is Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron . Ghibli's latest film was nominated in the Animated Feature Film Category, where it will compete with Elemental , Nimona , Robot Dreams and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse . Other nominations include Godzilla Minus One , which is up for the Visual Effects category , and Japanese/German co-production Perfect Days —directed by Wim Wenders and written by Wim Wenders and Takuma Takasaki—which is up for Best International Feature Film . We'll find out who wins when the 96th annual Academy Awards ceremony airs live on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 4:00pm Pacific Time. Related: The Boy and the Heron Awarded Golden Globe for Best Animated Film Miyazaki previously won an Academy Award in 2002 for Spirited Away , making anime history. His Howl's Moving Castle film was nominated in...
- 1/23/2024
- by Joseph Luster
- Crunchyroll
Charades has taken on worldwide sales rights outside of Japan for anime master Mamoru Hosoda’s library.
Charades has taken on worldwide sales rights outside of Japan for anime master Mamoru Hosoda’s library and has partnered with acclaimed animation house Studio Chizu to expand the brand across borders.
Hosada’s full library will now be consolidated under the Charades banner after the two powerhouse companies previously joined forces for sales on the filmmaker’s Oscar-nominated 2018 coming-of-age anime Mirai and 2021 metaverse fairytale Belle that premiered in Cannes and was a box office hit in Japan, the US and other global territories.
Charades has taken on worldwide sales rights outside of Japan for anime master Mamoru Hosoda’s library and has partnered with acclaimed animation house Studio Chizu to expand the brand across borders.
Hosada’s full library will now be consolidated under the Charades banner after the two powerhouse companies previously joined forces for sales on the filmmaker’s Oscar-nominated 2018 coming-of-age anime Mirai and 2021 metaverse fairytale Belle that premiered in Cannes and was a box office hit in Japan, the US and other global territories.
- 1/16/2024
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
In just a few weeks, the 18th recipient of the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature will be revealed. While it is highly likely that the new winner will share a 3D visual style in common with nearly all of its predecessors, voters may instead decide to finally honor a fully hand-drawn movie for the first time. Fittingly, this monumental distinction would be credited to the legendary Studio Ghibli and its esteemed cofounder, Hayao Miyazaki, who suspended his brief retirement in order to make his dozenth film, “The Boy and the Heron.”
With an original plot that pointedly references the classic Japanese novel “How Do You Live?,” “The Boy and the Heron” is the 25th entry in Studio Ghibli’s animated canon and the company’s 10th film released after the creation of this Golden Globe category. Although four of its post-2005 productions earned Oscar notices for Best Animated Feature,...
With an original plot that pointedly references the classic Japanese novel “How Do You Live?,” “The Boy and the Heron” is the 25th entry in Studio Ghibli’s animated canon and the company’s 10th film released after the creation of this Golden Globe category. Although four of its post-2005 productions earned Oscar notices for Best Animated Feature,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: There’s been much celebratory talk here at the Tokyo Film Festival about a new dawn of internationally-minded Japanese artists led by directors such as Hirokazu Kore-eda, Makoto Shinkai, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
One of the key creative voices often mentioned amongst this new Japanese set is Genki Kawamura, known internationally by audiences as the writer of If Cats Disappeared from the World, one of Japanese literature’s most successful contemporary novels, and the filmmaker who brought that book and titles such as Suzume, Weathering with You, and, most recently, Kore-eda’s Cannes prize-winning Monster to the big screen.
Born in Yokohama in 1979, Kawamura began his career at entertainment juggernaut Toho, where he was identified early as a promising talent. He cut his teeth on pics like Tetsuya Nakashima’s 2010 feature Confessions, which was shortlisted for the Best International Feature Oscar, and Mamoru Hosoda’s The Boy and the Beast.
One of the key creative voices often mentioned amongst this new Japanese set is Genki Kawamura, known internationally by audiences as the writer of If Cats Disappeared from the World, one of Japanese literature’s most successful contemporary novels, and the filmmaker who brought that book and titles such as Suzume, Weathering with You, and, most recently, Kore-eda’s Cannes prize-winning Monster to the big screen.
Born in Yokohama in 1979, Kawamura began his career at entertainment juggernaut Toho, where he was identified early as a promising talent. He cut his teeth on pics like Tetsuya Nakashima’s 2010 feature Confessions, which was shortlisted for the Best International Feature Oscar, and Mamoru Hosoda’s The Boy and the Beast.
- 10/26/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
“Chicken for Linda!” has been acquired for domestic distribution by Gkids. The hand-painted comedy-drama will play in competition at this year’s Annecy International Film Festival and was an official Cannes selection in this year’s Acid program.
“Linda veut du poulet!” is directed by husband-and-wife team Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach, who work together frequently on both live-action and animation productions.
Malta primarily works in live-action filmmaking and is best known for “Simple Women” (co-wrote with Laudenbach). Laudenbach is best known for his Annecy Jury Prize-winning debut “The Girl Without Hands.” Gkids will release “Chicken for Linda!” in theaters in 2024 following a release in France this October.
“Chicken For Linda! is a breath of fresh air in animation,” Gkids president David Jesteadt said. “Through pairing such a unique and daring visual style with a deeply emotional and universal story about family, directors Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach have given...
“Linda veut du poulet!” is directed by husband-and-wife team Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach, who work together frequently on both live-action and animation productions.
Malta primarily works in live-action filmmaking and is best known for “Simple Women” (co-wrote with Laudenbach). Laudenbach is best known for his Annecy Jury Prize-winning debut “The Girl Without Hands.” Gkids will release “Chicken for Linda!” in theaters in 2024 following a release in France this October.
“Chicken For Linda! is a breath of fresh air in animation,” Gkids president David Jesteadt said. “Through pairing such a unique and daring visual style with a deeply emotional and universal story about family, directors Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach have given...
- 6/15/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” has swung into theatres with aplomb, matching (if not beating) the excitement and love that the first movie, “Into the Spider-Verse,” garnered in 2018.
“Across the Spider-Verse” follows on from that first movie with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) now a successful Spider-Man in his own universe. But another encounter with Hailee Steinfeld‘s Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman leads to Miles being launched into the Spider-Verse wherein he encounters a society of Spider-People, led by Oscar Isaac‘s Miguel O’Hara, and a new foe — Spot (Jason Schwartzman). The film ends on an outrageous cliffhanger, teasing the conclusion of the series with next year’s “Beyond the Spider-Verse.”
For now, however, fans will have to be satisfied with this excellent addition to the Spider-Man canon, which currently stands at an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s critical consensus reading: “Just as visually dazzling and action-packed as its predecessor,...
“Across the Spider-Verse” follows on from that first movie with Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) now a successful Spider-Man in his own universe. But another encounter with Hailee Steinfeld‘s Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman leads to Miles being launched into the Spider-Verse wherein he encounters a society of Spider-People, led by Oscar Isaac‘s Miguel O’Hara, and a new foe — Spot (Jason Schwartzman). The film ends on an outrageous cliffhanger, teasing the conclusion of the series with next year’s “Beyond the Spider-Verse.”
For now, however, fans will have to be satisfied with this excellent addition to the Spider-Man canon, which currently stands at an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s critical consensus reading: “Just as visually dazzling and action-packed as its predecessor,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
If you’re wondering what’s new on Amazon Prime Video in June, the answer is a lot. The streamer has a solid slate of movies heading into summer 2023. From the first two “Creed” films to “Love, Rosie,” “Yours, Mine & Ours” and other clever romantic comedies, the streamer has a range of options for viewers with different tastes. Newer theatrical releases arriving on the streamer in June include “TÁR,” “Armageddon Time,” and “M3GAN.”
TV premieres to look forward to include Boots Riley’s “I’m A Virgo” and the fourth and final season of John Krasinski’s “Jack Ryan.” “Crazy Rich Asians” arrives early in June, followed by “Interstellar” for all Christopher Nolan and Matthew McConaughey lovers. Even though “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” doesn’t release in theaters until November, all four “Hunger Games” films land on Prime Video this June. Perfect timing — maybe even with a reread...
TV premieres to look forward to include Boots Riley’s “I’m A Virgo” and the fourth and final season of John Krasinski’s “Jack Ryan.” “Crazy Rich Asians” arrives early in June, followed by “Interstellar” for all Christopher Nolan and Matthew McConaughey lovers. Even though “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” doesn’t release in theaters until November, all four “Hunger Games” films land on Prime Video this June. Perfect timing — maybe even with a reread...
- 6/1/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
With its list of new releases for June 2023, Prime is bringing a handful of Amazon Originals and many recent movie hits to the fold.
It’s actually quite a busy month for non-American programming in Amazon Originals department. Shows and movies like Deadloch, My Fault, and Medellín all originate from outside the U.S. and U.K. For the American and British crowd, however, the streamer is debuting two big tentpoles.
The first is I’m a Virgo on June 23. Acclaimed director Boots Riley’s TV followup to Sorry to Bother You will tale the surreal and satirical tale of a giant in Oakland. That will be followed by the more conventional (assumedly) fourth season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on June 30.
The real fireworks this month come from a ludicrously deep bench of library TV and movie titles. Give them a look for yourself below but if we were to highlight just a few,...
It’s actually quite a busy month for non-American programming in Amazon Originals department. Shows and movies like Deadloch, My Fault, and Medellín all originate from outside the U.S. and U.K. For the American and British crowd, however, the streamer is debuting two big tentpoles.
The first is I’m a Virgo on June 23. Acclaimed director Boots Riley’s TV followup to Sorry to Bother You will tale the surreal and satirical tale of a giant in Oakland. That will be followed by the more conventional (assumedly) fourth season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on June 30.
The real fireworks this month come from a ludicrously deep bench of library TV and movie titles. Give them a look for yourself below but if we were to highlight just a few,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
The fourth and final season of “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” arrives on Prime Video on June 30. It finds Ryan — now the new acting CIA director — unearthing internal corruption and suspicious black ops that leaves the United States vulnerable to attack. John Krasinski stars as the tough-as-nails Ryan.
Watch the “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” trailer:
“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is a new docuseries that reveals the truth behind the myth of the wholesome religious family and their involvement with the predatory Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles. The organization’s abusive practices — and the insidious long political game it plays — is revealed on June 2. The Duggars and their 19 “happy” kids are exposed as frauds, while also being manipulated by Gothard and enduring the scandal of Josh, their sexually abusive son.
Check out the “Shiny Happy People” trailer:
When a body is found on the beach in the Tasmanian town of Deadloch,...
Watch the “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” trailer:
“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is a new docuseries that reveals the truth behind the myth of the wholesome religious family and their involvement with the predatory Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles. The organization’s abusive practices — and the insidious long political game it plays — is revealed on June 2. The Duggars and their 19 “happy” kids are exposed as frauds, while also being manipulated by Gothard and enduring the scandal of Josh, their sexually abusive son.
Check out the “Shiny Happy People” trailer:
When a body is found on the beach in the Tasmanian town of Deadloch,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
Exclusive: Paris-based sales and production company Charades and London-based production and financing studio Anton are partnering on the worldwide sales of Oscar-winning Australian director Adam Elliot’s upcoming stop-motion drama Memoir Of A Snail.
The poignant tale of a young lonely misfit is the second feature after the award-winning 2019 animation Mary And Max for Elliot, who won an Oscar for the 2004 short Harvey Krumpet.
The partners have unveiled a first image as well as some first members of international voice cast featuring Jacki Weaver (Yellowstone), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Elvis), Dominique Pinon, Magda Szubanski, and Eric Bana (The Dry).
The lead cast has yet to be announced.
The animated feature is produced by Arenamedia, with Liz Kearney (Paper Planes) as producer, and Robert Connolly (The Dry) and Robert Patterson as Executive Producers.
The film is currently shooting in Melbourne, Australia, with an expected release date...
The poignant tale of a young lonely misfit is the second feature after the award-winning 2019 animation Mary And Max for Elliot, who won an Oscar for the 2004 short Harvey Krumpet.
The partners have unveiled a first image as well as some first members of international voice cast featuring Jacki Weaver (Yellowstone), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Elvis), Dominique Pinon, Magda Szubanski, and Eric Bana (The Dry).
The lead cast has yet to be announced.
The animated feature is produced by Arenamedia, with Liz Kearney (Paper Planes) as producer, and Robert Connolly (The Dry) and Robert Patterson as Executive Producers.
The film is currently shooting in Melbourne, Australia, with an expected release date...
- 5/4/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Anonymous Content has come on board California surf-themed animated feature adapted from illustrator Aj Dungo’s celebrated graphic memoir, “In Waves.”
Produced by Paris-based Silex Films, “In Waves” marks the feature debut of Phuong Mai Nguyen (“Brazen”), and is being penned by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, whose screenwriting credits include “After Love” and “The Origin of Evil.”
The feature is produced by Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora, co-Founders of Silex Films, alongside Charades and Nick Shumaker, Garrett Kemble, and David Levine who will executive produce on behalf of Anonymous Content.
“We fell in love immediately with ‘In Waves’ on first read,” said Nick Shumaker on behalf of Anonymous Content. “Its themes of first love, loss, and memory will speak to worldwide audiences across age ranges and demographics, and is a needed anecdote to help inject positive emotion back into our everyday,” Shumaker continued. He pointed out the projects marks...
Produced by Paris-based Silex Films, “In Waves” marks the feature debut of Phuong Mai Nguyen (“Brazen”), and is being penned by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, whose screenwriting credits include “After Love” and “The Origin of Evil.”
The feature is produced by Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora, co-Founders of Silex Films, alongside Charades and Nick Shumaker, Garrett Kemble, and David Levine who will executive produce on behalf of Anonymous Content.
“We fell in love immediately with ‘In Waves’ on first read,” said Nick Shumaker on behalf of Anonymous Content. “Its themes of first love, loss, and memory will speak to worldwide audiences across age ranges and demographics, and is a needed anecdote to help inject positive emotion back into our everyday,” Shumaker continued. He pointed out the projects marks...
- 5/4/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Gkids has snapped up North American rights to Keiichi Hara’s Lonely Castle in the Mirror, after serving as the distributor in the territory for his past animated features Summer Days with Coo and Miss Hokusai. The film based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura, featuring animation from A-1 Pictures, is slated for a theatrical release in both its original Japanese language and an all-new English dub this summer.
Reuniting Hara with collaborators including screenwriter Miho Maruo, composer Harumi Fuuki and artist Ilya Kuvshinov, Lonely Castle in the Mirror follows shy outcast Kokoro, who has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. And when a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game,...
Reuniting Hara with collaborators including screenwriter Miho Maruo, composer Harumi Fuuki and artist Ilya Kuvshinov, Lonely Castle in the Mirror follows shy outcast Kokoro, who has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. And when a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Gkids has acquired North American rights to Unicorn Wars — the latest genre-bending animated feature from Goya and Annecy Cristal-winning director Alberto Vázquez (Birdboy: The Forgotten Children) — ahead of its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest. The horror-comedy will be released in theaters by Gkids in early 2023, following its domestic release in Spain this fall.
Billed as Bambi meets Apocalypse Now, Unicorn Wars‘ logline is as follows:
For ages, teddy bears have been locked in an ancestral war against their sworn enemy, the unicorns, with the promise that victory will complete the prophecy and usher in a new era. Aggressive, confident teddy bear Bluet and his sensitive, withdrawn brother Tubby could not be more different. As the rigors and humiliation of teddy bear bootcamp turn to the psychedelic horrors of a combat tour in the Magic Forest, their complicated history and increasingly strained relationship will come to determine the fate of the entire war.
Billed as Bambi meets Apocalypse Now, Unicorn Wars‘ logline is as follows:
For ages, teddy bears have been locked in an ancestral war against their sworn enemy, the unicorns, with the promise that victory will complete the prophecy and usher in a new era. Aggressive, confident teddy bear Bluet and his sensitive, withdrawn brother Tubby could not be more different. As the rigors and humiliation of teddy bear bootcamp turn to the psychedelic horrors of a combat tour in the Magic Forest, their complicated history and increasingly strained relationship will come to determine the fate of the entire war.
- 9/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Gkids has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Unicorn Wars,” ahead of the adult animated film’s U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. The news was announced Thursday.
Set during an ancestral war between teddy bears and unicorns, the horror-comedy film follows Bluet and Tubby, teddy bear brothers who are polar opposites to each other. When their time at teddy bear bootcamp leads to a combat tour in the Magic Forest, Bluet and Tubby’s complicated history and tense relationship could affect the fate of the war, including whether the teddy bears will fulfill the prophecy and usher in a new era.
“Unicorn Wars” is directed and written by illustrator Alberto Vázquez. Prior to this deal, Gkids distributed Vázquez’s Goya Award-winning feature “Birdboy: The Forgotten Children” and animated short “Decorado.”
“There is nobody on Earth who could make a film like ‘Unicorn Wars’ except Alberto Vázquez,...
Set during an ancestral war between teddy bears and unicorns, the horror-comedy film follows Bluet and Tubby, teddy bear brothers who are polar opposites to each other. When their time at teddy bear bootcamp leads to a combat tour in the Magic Forest, Bluet and Tubby’s complicated history and tense relationship could affect the fate of the war, including whether the teddy bears will fulfill the prophecy and usher in a new era.
“Unicorn Wars” is directed and written by illustrator Alberto Vázquez. Prior to this deal, Gkids distributed Vázquez’s Goya Award-winning feature “Birdboy: The Forgotten Children” and animated short “Decorado.”
“There is nobody on Earth who could make a film like ‘Unicorn Wars’ except Alberto Vázquez,...
- 9/15/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
"Beauty and the Beast" truly is a tale as old as time, and has been retold in countless ways, like the Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton TV series of the same name, the Fran Drescher comedy "The Beautician and the Beast," the teen rom-drama "Beastly," or even in an episode of "Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater." Recently, legendary Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda delivered "Belle," a magnificent animated sci-fi fantasy film that thrusts the tale out of the world of old and into the techno future.
The story takes place in the not-so-distant future where the internet has evolved into a legitimate virtual reality called U, where avatars are created by users' scanned biometric information. A teenager named Suzu creates an avatar named Belle who becomes a pop superstar, but everything changes when her virtual concert is interrupted by the seemingly undefeatable fighter The Dragon (or "The Beast"), who she quickly becomes infatuated with.
The story takes place in the not-so-distant future where the internet has evolved into a legitimate virtual reality called U, where avatars are created by users' scanned biometric information. A teenager named Suzu creates an avatar named Belle who becomes a pop superstar, but everything changes when her virtual concert is interrupted by the seemingly undefeatable fighter The Dragon (or "The Beast"), who she quickly becomes infatuated with.
- 8/12/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Movie: "Belle"
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Mamoru Hosoda, the Academy Award-nominated director of films like "Mirai," "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time," "Wolf Children," and the single best episode of "Digimon Adventure," wowed audiences at Cannes with his latest film, "Belle" — which received a 14-minute standing ovation. The sci-fi musical takes place in a world where the internet has grown to become a massive virtual reality called...
The post The Daily Stream: Belle Makes the Internet a Place of Good (and Rocks Out While Doing So) appeared first on /Film.
The Movie: "Belle"
Where You Can Stream It: HBO Max
The Pitch: Mamoru Hosoda, the Academy Award-nominated director of films like "Mirai," "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time," "Wolf Children," and the single best episode of "Digimon Adventure," wowed audiences at Cannes with his latest film, "Belle" — which received a 14-minute standing ovation. The sci-fi musical takes place in a world where the internet has grown to become a massive virtual reality called...
The post The Daily Stream: Belle Makes the Internet a Place of Good (and Rocks Out While Doing So) appeared first on /Film.
- 8/11/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
August is here, which means summer is winding down and the options at your local multiplex are starting to become a bit slimmer. Not to worry, though, because a bevy of new titles are streaming this month, offering a ton of new movies — both newly streaming films and genuine new releases — to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best new movies to stream in August, which runs the gamut from a new “Predator” prequel to a vampire action comedy to a pair of brand new animated films.
Belle Studio Chizu
August 1, HBO Max
One of last year’s very best animated features, “Belle” hails from Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. A 21st century take on “Beauty and the Beast,” “Belle” concerns a young girl who refashions herself as a pop princess in a virtual space known as the U.
Belle Studio Chizu
August 1, HBO Max
One of last year’s very best animated features, “Belle” hails from Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. A 21st century take on “Beauty and the Beast,” “Belle” concerns a young girl who refashions herself as a pop princess in a virtual space known as the U.
- 8/5/2022
- by Drew Taylor and Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Gkids today announced that its upcoming animated feature The Deer King, from directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji, will hit theaters nationwide in July. Fan preview events of the Japanese-language version will be put on in cinemas nationwide on July 13th, in partnership with Fathom Events, with previews of the English-language version to take place the following day.
In addition to the full feature, preview audiences will view a special introduction from Ando, exclusive to the Fathom Events screenings. These events will be followed by a limited theatrical release in select markets nationwide starting July 15th.
The Deer King is a fantasy epic marking the directorial debut of veteran animator Ando, whose work on such landmark films as Spirited Away, Paprika and Your Name helped shape the world of modern animation. It’s set in the aftermath of a brutal war and follows former soldier Van, who toils in a...
In addition to the full feature, preview audiences will view a special introduction from Ando, exclusive to the Fathom Events screenings. These events will be followed by a limited theatrical release in select markets nationwide starting July 15th.
The Deer King is a fantasy epic marking the directorial debut of veteran animator Ando, whose work on such landmark films as Spirited Away, Paprika and Your Name helped shape the world of modern animation. It’s set in the aftermath of a brutal war and follows former soldier Van, who toils in a...
- 5/10/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to International Disruptors, a feature where we shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. shaking up the offshore marketplace. With the 75th Cannes Film Festival less than two weeks away, we’re speaking with well-respected French sales exec Carole Baraton, co-founder of international sales and production outfit Charades. The company has four titles in selection and Baraton tells us about the company’s ambitions and why she’s looking forward to being back on the Croisette.
It’s been five years since French sales veteran Carole Baraton joined forces with former Gaumont exec Yohann Comte and former Studiocanal exec Pierre Mazars to launch Charades and in that short period of time the trio have managed to carve out a boutique sales and production label that has quickly become synonymous with quality independent fare.
The Paris-based company is a regular fixture on the international...
It’s been five years since French sales veteran Carole Baraton joined forces with former Gaumont exec Yohann Comte and former Studiocanal exec Pierre Mazars to launch Charades and in that short period of time the trio have managed to carve out a boutique sales and production label that has quickly become synonymous with quality independent fare.
The Paris-based company is a regular fixture on the international...
- 5/4/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Photo: 'Belle' Director Mamoru Hosoda may be one of the unsung heroes of animation in the past decade and change, especially when it comes to the wide realm of Japanese animation. Since his breakout hit with ‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’ in 2006, Hosoda has put out a feature film every three years without fail, all of them of remarkably consistent quality. In 2019, when the Academy Awards announced nominees for Best Animated Feature, Hosoda’s ‘Mirai’ became the first Oscar-nominated anime feature not made by Studio Ghibli. Now with his latest film, ‘Belle’, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021 to much applause, Hosoda paints on the widest canvas he can manage, giving us a true epic for the digital age. Don’t worry about the film’s message, though; this is not a pessimistic tale about the evils of the internet, but rather about how the...
- 2/24/2022
- by Brian Collins
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
‘The Souvenir Part II’, ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ both open.
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Feb 4-6) Total gross to date Week 1. Sing 2 (Universal) £5.1m £13m 2 2. Jackass Forever (Paramount) £2.1m £2.1m 1 3. Belfast (Univeral) £1.5m £9m 3 4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) £1.15m £91.7m 8 5. Moonfall (Efd) £1m £1.16m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.35
Paramount’s Jackass Forever has set a franchise opening record with a £2.1m start at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, as Sing 2 kept top spot with an impressive second session.
Jackass Forever played in 537 locations, taking a location average of £3,911 – a decent total for an 18-rated film.
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Feb 4-6) Total gross to date Week 1. Sing 2 (Universal) £5.1m £13m 2 2. Jackass Forever (Paramount) £2.1m £2.1m 1 3. Belfast (Univeral) £1.5m £9m 3 4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony) £1.15m £91.7m 8 5. Moonfall (Efd) £1m £1.16m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.35
Paramount’s Jackass Forever has set a franchise opening record with a £2.1m start at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, as Sing 2 kept top spot with an impressive second session.
Jackass Forever played in 537 locations, taking a location average of £3,911 – a decent total for an 18-rated film.
- 2/7/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
‘Moonfall’, ‘The Souvenir Part II’, ‘Belle’ among busy weekend.
Paramount Picitures’ non-fiction comedy Jackass Forever heads the new openers at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, on a busy weekend that also features sci-fi Moonfall, festival favourite The Souvenir Part II and anime Belle.
The fifth theatrically-released film in the Jackass franchise, Jackass Forever reunites Johnny Knoxville, Steve-o, Chris Pontius and the gang of miscreants for what they claim is their final outing under the Jackass name; although this was previously asserted after the 2002 first film, Jackass: The Movie.
Forever opens in 537 locations – a significant increase on the previous films...
Paramount Picitures’ non-fiction comedy Jackass Forever heads the new openers at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, on a busy weekend that also features sci-fi Moonfall, festival favourite The Souvenir Part II and anime Belle.
The fifth theatrically-released film in the Jackass franchise, Jackass Forever reunites Johnny Knoxville, Steve-o, Chris Pontius and the gang of miscreants for what they claim is their final outing under the Jackass name; although this was previously asserted after the 2002 first film, Jackass: The Movie.
Forever opens in 537 locations – a significant increase on the previous films...
- 2/4/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
This weird postmodern drama sees a lonely teenager join a virtual world where she becomes a hugely successful singer
There’s some amazing big-screen spectacle in this weird postmodern emo photo-love drama from Japanese anime director Mamoru Hosoda, whose previous film Mirai elevated him to auteur status. Suzu, voiced by Kaho Nakamura, is a deeply unhappy and lonely teenager at high school, who lives with her dad. Her mum died some years ago, attempting (successfully) to save a child from drowning and Suzu can’t come to terms with the zero-sum pointlessness of this calamity: a total stranger was saved but her mother died. Or not zero in fact: while her loss increased the sum-total of unhappiness, the most popular boy in school – a friend since they were little – is tender and protective towards Suzu.
Her life is complicated further when she is persuaded to join a virtual reality meta-universe called U,...
There’s some amazing big-screen spectacle in this weird postmodern emo photo-love drama from Japanese anime director Mamoru Hosoda, whose previous film Mirai elevated him to auteur status. Suzu, voiced by Kaho Nakamura, is a deeply unhappy and lonely teenager at high school, who lives with her dad. Her mum died some years ago, attempting (successfully) to save a child from drowning and Suzu can’t come to terms with the zero-sum pointlessness of this calamity: a total stranger was saved but her mother died. Or not zero in fact: while her loss increased the sum-total of unhappiness, the most popular boy in school – a friend since they were little – is tender and protective towards Suzu.
Her life is complicated further when she is persuaded to join a virtual reality meta-universe called U,...
- 2/1/2022
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The boxing dreams drama is fifth fiction feature by Japanese director Shô Miyake who was last in Berlin in 2019.
Paris-based sales company Charades has boarded Japanese director Shô Miyake’s drama Small Slow But Steady ahead of its premiere in the Encounters section of the Berlinale.
Yukino Kishii stars as a hearing-impaired young woman with dreams of becoming a professional boxer. The Covid-19 pandemic combined with the threatened closure of her boxing club and the illness of its ageing president (played by Tomokazu Miura), who has been her biggest supporter, push her to the limit.
Miyake, whose career spans fiction,...
Paris-based sales company Charades has boarded Japanese director Shô Miyake’s drama Small Slow But Steady ahead of its premiere in the Encounters section of the Berlinale.
Yukino Kishii stars as a hearing-impaired young woman with dreams of becoming a professional boxer. The Covid-19 pandemic combined with the threatened closure of her boxing club and the illness of its ageing president (played by Tomokazu Miura), who has been her biggest supporter, push her to the limit.
Miyake, whose career spans fiction,...
- 1/19/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Even in the midst of a massive Covid wave this January, box office receipts continue to surprise. One of the most impressive openings of the pandemic era so far didn’t feature a franchise superhero, but the pop star avatar of a teenage girl in Mamoru Hosoda’s critically acclaimed anime epic “Belle.” The Gk Films release took in over $2 million in just 1,300 theaters this weekend racking up the third-best per screen behind “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and the latest “Scream.” Oh, and the Cannes premiere could find the “Mirai” filmmaker with a second Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Continue reading Mamoru Hosoda On Creating A Virtual ‘Beauty And The Beast’ For ‘Belle’ [Interview] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Mamoru Hosoda On Creating A Virtual ‘Beauty And The Beast’ For ‘Belle’ [Interview] at The Playlist.
- 1/17/2022
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Belle is set to top $2 million Thurs.-Mon. on 1,326 screens, according to distributor Gkids. With Saturday’s actuals, it said, the gross surpassed $1.2M, making it director Mamoru Hosoda’s highest grossing film in the U.S. That was previously 2018’s Mirai with $812K.
Hosoda’s (The Boy and the Beast) latest film with Studio Chizu was also his first to screen in Imax and a hit in Japan when it was released last summer.
Gkids director of distribution Chance Huskey said Belle also stands as the top grossing original anime film — meaning not affiliated with a TV franchise as most are — since 2020’s Weathering With You made $8M. Gkids distributed Mirai and Weathering with You. Belle is by far its widest U.S. Huskey said its performing best on the West Coast, the East may be getting dinged by weather.
This is a musical film seeing lots of organic engagement on TikTok and Twitter,...
Hosoda’s (The Boy and the Beast) latest film with Studio Chizu was also his first to screen in Imax and a hit in Japan when it was released last summer.
Gkids director of distribution Chance Huskey said Belle also stands as the top grossing original anime film — meaning not affiliated with a TV franchise as most are — since 2020’s Weathering With You made $8M. Gkids distributed Mirai and Weathering with You. Belle is by far its widest U.S. Huskey said its performing best on the West Coast, the East may be getting dinged by weather.
This is a musical film seeing lots of organic engagement on TikTok and Twitter,...
- 1/16/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Fathom Events presents Betty White: A Celebration in 1,529 locations nationwide, a one-day-only special event on Monday honoring the actress who died Dec. 31 just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. The star-studded reflection on White’s life and career, which had already been set by filmmakers Steven Boettcher and Mike Trinklein to celebrate her centennial Jan. 17, will run three showtimes at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm.
As for weekend openings, a pair of solid documentaries and two dramas — about memory loss and global apocalypse by pink gas — debut in a frame where there isn’t much new. Distributors are carefully weighing expansion for award hopefuls already out amid the ongoing surge in Omicron and ahead of Oscar nods Feb. 8.
Newcomers include Magnolia Pictures’ drama Italian Studies in seven theaters including New York and LA, and on demand. Directed by Adam Leon it stars Vanessa Kirby, Simon Brickner,...
As for weekend openings, a pair of solid documentaries and two dramas — about memory loss and global apocalypse by pink gas — debut in a frame where there isn’t much new. Distributors are carefully weighing expansion for award hopefuls already out amid the ongoing surge in Omicron and ahead of Oscar nods Feb. 8.
Newcomers include Magnolia Pictures’ drama Italian Studies in seven theaters including New York and LA, and on demand. Directed by Adam Leon it stars Vanessa Kirby, Simon Brickner,...
- 1/14/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
"Belle" comes to us from Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu, and today we've got the entire opening scene. When you can pull your eyes away from the first image (and I expect to see cosplay pics on my Twitter if you dress like this), you have to watch. It's a stunning video, and it's out there to tease the film hitting theaters and IMAX on January 14, 2022. The film will be subtitled and dubbed.
"Belle" comes to us from Oscar-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda, creator of "Mirai," "Wolf Children," Summer Wars," and "The...
The post Watch the Gorgeous Opening Scene of Mamoru Hosoda's Belle appeared first on /Film.
"Belle" comes to us from Oscar-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda, creator of "Mirai," "Wolf Children," Summer Wars," and "The...
The post Watch the Gorgeous Opening Scene of Mamoru Hosoda's Belle appeared first on /Film.
- 1/13/2022
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
At this stage of his career, I think it's pretty safe to say that Mamoru Hosoda has firmly established himself as one of the best contemporary Japanese animation directors. He's also no stranger at the Sitges Film Festival, where he has won four Anima't Awards (the festival award for animated movies) for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Summer Wars (2009), Wolf Children (2012) and Mirai (2018). So it's only natural that, considering those precedents, Hosoda's latest film is one of his most eagerly anticipated. The story of Belle is that of Suzu, a shy teenager who lives in a small mountain village with her father. Suzu is unable to cope with her mother's loss, who died when she was just a child in...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/12/2022
- Screen Anarchy
To many anime lovers worldwide, Hosoda Mamoru probably doesn't need an introduction. For the past fifteen years, the man has had a regular output of excellent films, making him one of the current giants of the Japanese animation industry, and one of very few people to have founded a studio dedicated to just making theatrical features. He also made Summer Wars, which is one of my favorite films so far in this century. His previous film Mirai was nominated for an Oscar, and his newest film Belle premièred at the French film festival in Cannes, where it got a fourteen-minute-long standing ovation from the audience. Belle has had a very successful festival run and will première in cinemas in the US and Canada this January....
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/12/2022
- Screen Anarchy
Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home is expected to cede its No. 1 four-weekend run to Paramount and Spyglass Media’s Scream over the MLK four-day holiday, the latter eyeing a take that’s in the $20 million-plus range at 3,661 theaters.
There’s a shot that Scream goes higher, but we’ll leave any lofty predictions in this funky pandemic, Spider-Man-dominated marketplace to what 18th century economist Adam Smith called “the invisible hand”. By previous measurements, the best opening for a pure horror movie over the MLK holiday belongs to Universal’s Andy Muschietti directed title Mama which collected $32.1M back in 2013 (I would argue that M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass with a $46.5M start in 2019 was more of a thriller).
In the transition from Paramount studio boss Jim Gianopulos to Brian Robbins, there’s been a lot of chatter out there how the Melrose lot looks to embrace a more...
There’s a shot that Scream goes higher, but we’ll leave any lofty predictions in this funky pandemic, Spider-Man-dominated marketplace to what 18th century economist Adam Smith called “the invisible hand”. By previous measurements, the best opening for a pure horror movie over the MLK holiday belongs to Universal’s Andy Muschietti directed title Mama which collected $32.1M back in 2013 (I would argue that M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass with a $46.5M start in 2019 was more of a thriller).
In the transition from Paramount studio boss Jim Gianopulos to Brian Robbins, there’s been a lot of chatter out there how the Melrose lot looks to embrace a more...
- 1/12/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In most Oscar categories, it’s clear what “best” means. Not so the annual animated feature race, in which the ballot presents perhaps the greatest range of any category every year — certainly, in terms of budget, subject matter, artistic style and formal innovation. Where else can you see a pair of superhero movies competing against an ultra-personal Japanese anime and stop-motion Wes Anderson movie, to use 2018 as an example?
Consider this year’s crop: Among the 26 films that qualified, you’ll find everything from a splashy studio hit (“Sing 2”) to a cult-interest Sundance indie (Dash Shaw’s hand-drawn “Cryptozoo”), from a Sony-animated pop-culture phenom (“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”) to a highly targeted, “Heavy Metal”-esque midnight movie (“The Spine of Night”).
Many of the more eccentric submissions will be eliminated in the next phase — including perhaps anime entry “The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim,...
Consider this year’s crop: Among the 26 films that qualified, you’ll find everything from a splashy studio hit (“Sing 2”) to a cult-interest Sundance indie (Dash Shaw’s hand-drawn “Cryptozoo”), from a Sony-animated pop-culture phenom (“The Mitchells vs. the Machines”) to a highly targeted, “Heavy Metal”-esque midnight movie (“The Spine of Night”).
Many of the more eccentric submissions will be eliminated in the next phase — including perhaps anime entry “The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim,...
- 1/11/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
"Birds no one's ever seen... Flowers no one's ever seen..." The next new film from Studio Ponoc! This is the animation studio in Japan that is known as the successor to Studio Ghibli - they already released Mary and the Witch's Flower, Mirai, and Modest Heroes in the last few years. Their next feature film is titled The Imaginary, adapted from the best-selling book "The Imaginary" by A.F. Harrold and Emily Gravett. The story is about a boy named Rudger, created in the mind of a your girl. Rudger and his new friends in "The Imaginaries Town" embark on an adventure no one can see at the risk of the futures and fates of those they love. This sounds quite lovely. No voice cast has been announced yet, and nothing else has been confirmed other than the title. It's being directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, who Isao Takahata once called "the...
- 12/8/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Neon/Participant’s Oscar buzzy animated doc, “Flee,” won the Grand Prize at the fourth annual Animation Is Film Festival, held last weekend at the Tcl Chinese 6 Theater in Hollywood. This follows Sundance doc and Annecy animation wins for the Danish entry in this season’s international Oscar race.
“Flee,” directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, tells the true story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with his secret past as an Afghan refugee on the verge of marrying his husband.
“In the touching and innovative documentary ‘Flee,’ Jonas Poher Rasmussen takes great care in sharing the personal history of an Afghan refugee. The filmmaker uses the process of animation to protect the identity of his subject, while also bringing an added layer to the material, capturing the impact of trauma on memory and identity in the process,” said Jury chair Peter Debruge, chief Variety film critic.
“Belle,” the GKids contender,...
“Flee,” directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, tells the true story of Amin Nawabi as he grapples with his secret past as an Afghan refugee on the verge of marrying his husband.
“In the touching and innovative documentary ‘Flee,’ Jonas Poher Rasmussen takes great care in sharing the personal history of an Afghan refugee. The filmmaker uses the process of animation to protect the identity of his subject, while also bringing an added layer to the material, capturing the impact of trauma on memory and identity in the process,” said Jury chair Peter Debruge, chief Variety film critic.
“Belle,” the GKids contender,...
- 10/26/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
One of this year’s animated Oscar contenders could be veteran Mamoru Hosoda’s dazzling Cannes debut “Belle: The Dragon and the Freckled Princess”, inspired by the French “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale, about rural school kids who take on alter egos in a digital universe, based on their strengths and weaknesses. “Belle” could mark the filmmaker’s second animated feature Oscar nomination after “Mirai.” The movie screens October 23 at Hollywood’s Animation Is Film festival before its later Oscar-qualifying GKids release.
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island.
“It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a...
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island.
“It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a...
- 10/23/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
One of this year’s animated Oscar contenders could be anime veteran Mamoru Hosoda’s dazzling Cannes debut “Belle”, inspired by the French “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale, about rural school kids who take on alter egos in a digital universe, based on their strengths and weaknesses. “Belle” could mark the filmmaker’s second animated feature Oscar nomination after “Mirai.” The movie screens October 23 at Hollywood’s Animation Is Film festival before its later Oscar-qualifying GKids release.
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island. “It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a part of Japan that is dying away.
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island. “It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a part of Japan that is dying away.
- 10/23/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Valdimar Jóhannsson’s Icelandic-Swedish-Polish drama “Lamb,” starring Noomi Rapace was awarded best film and actress for Rapace at the 54th edition of Sitges’ International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, which wrapped Sunday.
The prizes add to an Originality Prize which the film received when competing at July’s Cannes Un Certain Regard.
“Lamb,” a horror-comedy combo, follows protagonist Maria, played by Rapace, a woman living with her husband in the total loneliness of the Icelandic countryside. According to a Variety review, “creepy-funny-weird-sad ‘Lamb’ proves just how far disbelief can be suspended if you’re in the hands of a director — and a cast, and a SFX/puppetry department — who really commit to the bit.” Lamb is produced by Go to Sheep, Black Spark Film & TV and Madants with New Europe Film Sales and A24 attached.
Rapace shared best actress honors with Susanne Jensen in Peter Brunner’s “Luzifer.” Justin Kurzel...
The prizes add to an Originality Prize which the film received when competing at July’s Cannes Un Certain Regard.
“Lamb,” a horror-comedy combo, follows protagonist Maria, played by Rapace, a woman living with her husband in the total loneliness of the Icelandic countryside. According to a Variety review, “creepy-funny-weird-sad ‘Lamb’ proves just how far disbelief can be suspended if you’re in the hands of a director — and a cast, and a SFX/puppetry department — who really commit to the bit.” Lamb is produced by Go to Sheep, Black Spark Film & TV and Madants with New Europe Film Sales and A24 attached.
Rapace shared best actress honors with Susanne Jensen in Peter Brunner’s “Luzifer.” Justin Kurzel...
- 10/18/2021
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
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