Body-snatching aliens attempt to navigate love in the modern world in genre-bending comedy The Becomers, and Dark Star Pictures announced today that they’ve acquired it for release.
In The Becomers: “Dropped to Earth and escaping their dying planet, the two extraterrestrials (played by a sequence of actors) seek each other out —jumping from body to body— on our planet while becoming increasingly drawn into the madness of modern-day America.
Written, directed, and edited by Zach Clark (Little Sister), the film was shot in Chicago and stars Molly Plunk (Little Sister, Profane), Mike Lopez (All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, Crimes Against Humanity), Frank V. Ross (Drinking Buddies), Isabel Alamin, and Keith Kelly, and features the voice Russell Mael, lead singer of the explosive pop-rock band Sparks. The Becomers is produced by Joe Swanberg (Depraved, The Rental), and Edwin Linker (Saint Frances, Queen of Earth) of Slasher Films.
Clark...
In The Becomers: “Dropped to Earth and escaping their dying planet, the two extraterrestrials (played by a sequence of actors) seek each other out —jumping from body to body— on our planet while becoming increasingly drawn into the madness of modern-day America.
Written, directed, and edited by Zach Clark (Little Sister), the film was shot in Chicago and stars Molly Plunk (Little Sister, Profane), Mike Lopez (All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, Crimes Against Humanity), Frank V. Ross (Drinking Buddies), Isabel Alamin, and Keith Kelly, and features the voice Russell Mael, lead singer of the explosive pop-rock band Sparks. The Becomers is produced by Joe Swanberg (Depraved, The Rental), and Edwin Linker (Saint Frances, Queen of Earth) of Slasher Films.
Clark...
- 2/8/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Dark Star Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to Zach Clark’s genre-bending comedy “The Becomers,” with plans for a theatrical release in the third quarter of 2024. The acquisition took place before the commencement of the 2024 European Film Market on Feb. 15.
The alien romance film had its world premiere at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal; it subsequently screened at Beyond Fest and the Leeds International Film Festival. The cast includes Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, Frank V. Ross, Isabel Alamin and Keith Kelly. Russell Mael, the lead singer of Sparks, lends his voice to the film as narrator.
Written in march 2021, the film “reverberates with the pulse of American politics of that time,” according to the description. It draws from Covid, Qanon, and “constant states of anxiety while exploring themes of confusion, isolation and the deep need for human connection through the story of two body-snatching alien lovers.
The alien romance film had its world premiere at the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal; it subsequently screened at Beyond Fest and the Leeds International Film Festival. The cast includes Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, Frank V. Ross, Isabel Alamin and Keith Kelly. Russell Mael, the lead singer of Sparks, lends his voice to the film as narrator.
Written in march 2021, the film “reverberates with the pulse of American politics of that time,” according to the description. It draws from Covid, Qanon, and “constant states of anxiety while exploring themes of confusion, isolation and the deep need for human connection through the story of two body-snatching alien lovers.
- 2/8/2024
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Last week, a bunch of high-ranking military officials went before the US Congress and admitted that the government has been aware of the existence of aliens and that remains of extraterrestrials had been recovered from UFO crash sites. But the public at large was relatively unphased by this news because we're already so wrapped up in our own problems. How much more shocking can an alien invasion be to say, a global pandemic or a climate crisis?
Seeing The Becomers at the Fantasia Film Festival reflected this mood. The sci-fi rom-com indie satire drops a pair of aliens into a distracted and troubled world much like our own. It was written and directed by Zach Clark (Little Sister) in the early days of Covid-19, joining the leagues of post-pandemic flicks like Sick and Corona Zombies.
“…the film has an unworldly feeling to it…”
In The Becomers, an alien has landed on earth,...
Seeing The Becomers at the Fantasia Film Festival reflected this mood. The sci-fi rom-com indie satire drops a pair of aliens into a distracted and troubled world much like our own. It was written and directed by Zach Clark (Little Sister) in the early days of Covid-19, joining the leagues of post-pandemic flicks like Sick and Corona Zombies.
“…the film has an unworldly feeling to it…”
In The Becomers, an alien has landed on earth,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Chris Aitkens
Writer/Director Zach Clark (Little Sister) takes familiar science fiction concepts, namely body-hopping aliens attempting to assimilate themselves on Earth, to awkward results and gets even weirder with it. The Becomers defies easy categorization as it blends absurdist humor with gross-out sci-fi and quirky rom-com conventions. It’s an ambitious voyage aimed to challenge perceptions and occasionally the gag reflex as it examines the power of love amidst a turbulent world.
The Becomers begins as horror, with an alien landing on Earth and seeking a human host to emulate. The alien finds one but then comes upon a woman giving birth in her car, asking for help. The title card then abruptly appears over a revolting mingling of blood and viscous yellow body fluid swirling on the ground. It’s enough to impress upon viewers that this alien species’ body-hopping way of fitting in spells bad news for the human hosts.
The Becomers begins as horror, with an alien landing on Earth and seeking a human host to emulate. The alien finds one but then comes upon a woman giving birth in her car, asking for help. The title card then abruptly appears over a revolting mingling of blood and viscous yellow body fluid swirling on the ground. It’s enough to impress upon viewers that this alien species’ body-hopping way of fitting in spells bad news for the human hosts.
- 8/1/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
As the narrator (Sparks’ Russell Mael) tells his story of star-crossed love many moons away, we watch as violence is wrought upon random, unsuspecting souls. Is the brightly lit, eye-holed entity taking over these bodies the same character as the disembodied voice we hear? Maybe. Hopefully.
Why? Because that would mean it isn’t acting out of aggression. It would merely be an alien creature come to Earth, jumping from host to host until it can reunite with its lover. When one body no longer proves sufficient, it must discard and seek another. When it settles on one that works, it lays low in hiding––using the cash from the pockets of its victims to find its way onto the Internet so it can buy contact lenses that hide its glow without the need of sunglasses. Unfortunately, however, Earth (and especially America) is hardly the “safest” place to hide.
Writer-director...
Why? Because that would mean it isn’t acting out of aggression. It would merely be an alien creature come to Earth, jumping from host to host until it can reunite with its lover. When one body no longer proves sufficient, it must discard and seek another. When it settles on one that works, it lays low in hiding––using the cash from the pockets of its victims to find its way onto the Internet so it can buy contact lenses that hide its glow without the need of sunglasses. Unfortunately, however, Earth (and especially America) is hardly the “safest” place to hide.
Writer-director...
- 7/24/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Some star-packed projects are heading to the 19th annual Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. The just-announced lineup includes films featuring, produced or directed by the likes of Tom Hanks, Eva Longoria, Alden Ehrenreich, Queen Latifah, Tom Holland, Keke Palmer, Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, John Travolta and more.
Over 400 short films are programmed in the festival, which runs from August 10-20. It’s a hybrid event, with in-person screenings at the Tcl Chinese Theatres in Hollywood complemented by a virtual program streaming on the platform Bitpix TV. It’s an Oscar-qualifying festival in four categories: Best Documentary Short (newly added this year), Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Short Animation and Best Short Live Action. Winners of those prizes automatically become eligible for Academy Award consideration.
Mindful of the actors and writers strikes, the festival issued a statement along with the lineup announcement. “HollyShorts supports both the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes,...
Over 400 short films are programmed in the festival, which runs from August 10-20. It’s a hybrid event, with in-person screenings at the Tcl Chinese Theatres in Hollywood complemented by a virtual program streaming on the platform Bitpix TV. It’s an Oscar-qualifying festival in four categories: Best Documentary Short (newly added this year), Best Short Film Grand Prize, Best Short Animation and Best Short Live Action. Winners of those prizes automatically become eligible for Academy Award consideration.
Mindful of the actors and writers strikes, the festival issued a statement along with the lineup announcement. “HollyShorts supports both the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes,...
- 7/19/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Body-snatching aliens attempt to navigate love in the modern world in The Becomers, a genre-bending comedy set to make its premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival.
A new clip and poster reveal below gives a glimpse at the weird, funny, grotesque blend of genres in the latestby writer/director Zach Clark (Little Sister).
The Becomers tells “of a body-snatching alien who comes to Earth, reconnects with their partner, and tries to find their way in modern America.”
Written, directed, and edited by Clark, the film was shot in Chicago and stars Molly Plunk (Little Sister, Profane), Mike Lopez (All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, Crimes Against Humanity), Frank V. Ross (Drinking Buddies), Isabel Alamin, and Keith Kelly, and features the voice Russell Mael, lead singer of the explosive pop-rock band Sparks. The Becomers is produced by Joe Swanberg (Depraved, The Rental), and Edwin Linker (Saint Frances, Queen of Earth) of Slasher Films.
A new clip and poster reveal below gives a glimpse at the weird, funny, grotesque blend of genres in the latestby writer/director Zach Clark (Little Sister).
The Becomers tells “of a body-snatching alien who comes to Earth, reconnects with their partner, and tries to find their way in modern America.”
Written, directed, and edited by Clark, the film was shot in Chicago and stars Molly Plunk (Little Sister, Profane), Mike Lopez (All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, Crimes Against Humanity), Frank V. Ross (Drinking Buddies), Isabel Alamin, and Keith Kelly, and features the voice Russell Mael, lead singer of the explosive pop-rock band Sparks. The Becomers is produced by Joe Swanberg (Depraved, The Rental), and Edwin Linker (Saint Frances, Queen of Earth) of Slasher Films.
- 7/18/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
It’s time for some body-snatching mayhem.
Zach Clark’s “The Becomers,” about confused alien lovers trying to find their place on Earth, and each other, has debuted the first clip and poster ahead of its Fantasia Film Festival premiere.
“I was really inspired and influenced by 1950s B-movies. I have always liked the disreputable pockets of film history. My general approach to the entire movie was to embrace that and embrace kitsch as an access point,” said Clark.
“Older genre films really invite the audience in. Now, it’s all about visual effects and things looking as real as possible. But this more lo-fi effect asks you to play along in a way that modern stuff doesn’t.”
Also joining in on the fun is the film’s surprising narrator, Russell Mael, best known as the lead singer for Sparks: The cult American band celebrated by Edgar Wright...
Zach Clark’s “The Becomers,” about confused alien lovers trying to find their place on Earth, and each other, has debuted the first clip and poster ahead of its Fantasia Film Festival premiere.
“I was really inspired and influenced by 1950s B-movies. I have always liked the disreputable pockets of film history. My general approach to the entire movie was to embrace that and embrace kitsch as an access point,” said Clark.
“Older genre films really invite the audience in. Now, it’s all about visual effects and things looking as real as possible. But this more lo-fi effect asks you to play along in a way that modern stuff doesn’t.”
Also joining in on the fun is the film’s surprising narrator, Russell Mael, best known as the lead singer for Sparks: The cult American band celebrated by Edgar Wright...
- 7/17/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Lydia Tár made her Glastonbury debut, sort of, as actress Cate Blanchett joined Sparks onstage at the U.K. festival to interpretive dance during the performance of the cult rockers’ recent single “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte.”
Blanchett’s surprise appearance was a live rendition of the Oscar-winning actress’ starring role in the track’s music video, which similarly featured Blanchett in a bright yellow suit, sunglasses and red headphones, dancing to her own beat as the Sparks songs plays.
Cate Blanchett and Sparks at #Glastonbury! pic.twitter.
Blanchett’s surprise appearance was a live rendition of the Oscar-winning actress’ starring role in the track’s music video, which similarly featured Blanchett in a bright yellow suit, sunglasses and red headphones, dancing to her own beat as the Sparks songs plays.
Cate Blanchett and Sparks at #Glastonbury! pic.twitter.
- 6/24/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Hollywood superstar Cate Blanchett made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury to perform with US pop-rock duo Sparks. The 54-year-old two-time Oscar winning actress appeared in the music video for the band’s recent single ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’, reports Mirror.co.uk. Sparks are a pop/rock band from Los Angeles formed by brothers Ron and Russell Mael, who perform keyboard and lead vocals, respectively.
Speaking to the crowds ahead of their performance, Russell shared his delight at being able to welcome ‘Lord of the Rings’ icon Cate to join them.
He gushed: “Hopefully as many of you know we have a brand new album, it just came out a couple of weeks ago. We have a super special treat tonight. We did a video for this song recently and we had the great honour of having the great actor Cate Blanchett join us – where are you Cate Blanchett?...
Speaking to the crowds ahead of their performance, Russell shared his delight at being able to welcome ‘Lord of the Rings’ icon Cate to join them.
He gushed: “Hopefully as many of you know we have a brand new album, it just came out a couple of weeks ago. We have a super special treat tonight. We did a video for this song recently and we had the great honour of having the great actor Cate Blanchett join us – where are you Cate Blanchett?...
- 6/24/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Horror Feature “My (Best Friend’S) Head Exploded” to Premiere in June: "Writer/Director Scott Bryan’s puppet-filled existential horror feature, “My (Best Friend’S) Head Exploded,” will have its two-weekend world premiere this June.
“My (Best Friend’s) Head Exploded” is a rebellious, existential, terrifyingly messy puppet feature made out of material things by actual people. It tells the story of Lydia, a coming-of-ageless vampire forced to deal with the loss of her best friend, Sam, after the pair conjures a moment of complete clarity which causes Sam’s head to explode.
In the aftermath, Lydia must contend with old ghosts, generational trauma, oppressive authority figures, and the confusing fear of infinity to set reality right and save her own sanity.
“I love making weird stuff that a studio would be afraid of and a computer couldn’t replicate,” Bryan said.
The film will show at the Salem Witch Board Museum in Salem,...
“My (Best Friend’s) Head Exploded” is a rebellious, existential, terrifyingly messy puppet feature made out of material things by actual people. It tells the story of Lydia, a coming-of-ageless vampire forced to deal with the loss of her best friend, Sam, after the pair conjures a moment of complete clarity which causes Sam’s head to explode.
In the aftermath, Lydia must contend with old ghosts, generational trauma, oppressive authority figures, and the confusing fear of infinity to set reality right and save her own sanity.
“I love making weird stuff that a studio would be afraid of and a computer couldn’t replicate,” Bryan said.
The film will show at the Salem Witch Board Museum in Salem,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
The genre-bending comedy features a voice performance from Sparks’ Russell Mael.
Yellow Veil Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to Zach Clark’s The Becomers and will launch the genre-bending comedy at this week’s Cannes market.
Clark wrote, directed and edited the film, which tells the story of a body-snatching alien who comes to Earth, reconnects with their partner and tries to find their way in modern America.
Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, Frank V Ross, Isabel Alamin and Keith Kelly star and Sparks lead singer Russell Mael has a voice role.
Clark said: “During the pandemic, I binged the original...
Yellow Veil Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to Zach Clark’s The Becomers and will launch the genre-bending comedy at this week’s Cannes market.
Clark wrote, directed and edited the film, which tells the story of a body-snatching alien who comes to Earth, reconnects with their partner and tries to find their way in modern America.
Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, Frank V Ross, Isabel Alamin and Keith Kelly star and Sparks lead singer Russell Mael has a voice role.
Clark said: “During the pandemic, I binged the original...
- 5/18/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Yellow Veil Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to “The Becomers,” a genre-bending comedy written and directed by Zach Clark. The company will launch the film at the Marche Du Film in Cannes this week. “The Becomer” tells the story of a body-snatching alien who comes to Earth, reconnects with their partner, and tries to find their way in modern America.
“During the pandemic, I binged the original ‘Star Trek’ series for the first time and then I made this movie” Clark said about his latest film. “It felt like life as we knew it was ending, but then again, it also felt like that might not be the worst thing either. ‘The Becomers’ is a story of love, longing, and alienation. A kitsch-soaked, pathos-laden melodrama about our sad, sad planet. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever made and I can’t think of anyone better than Yellow Veil...
“During the pandemic, I binged the original ‘Star Trek’ series for the first time and then I made this movie” Clark said about his latest film. “It felt like life as we knew it was ending, but then again, it also felt like that might not be the worst thing either. ‘The Becomers’ is a story of love, longing, and alienation. A kitsch-soaked, pathos-laden melodrama about our sad, sad planet. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever made and I can’t think of anyone better than Yellow Veil...
- 5/18/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Sparks have shared the title track to their upcoming album, The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte, and the accompanying music video stars none other than Cate Blanchett.
In the clip, the Tár actor sports a bright yellow suit and gigantic red headphones, alternating between standing still and breaking out some arm-flailing and knee-knocking dance moves. In the background, Sparks lead singer Russell Mael chills on a stool while his elder brother Ron cleans up a spilled latte (get it?). Watch Sparks’ video for “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte” below.
Talking to Variety, the Mael brothers said they shot the video in Los Angeles just two weeks ago after a chance meeting with Blanchett at a film festival. “When she first heard it, she said, ‘I’m laughing and I’m crying at the same time,’ and I thought that was a really apt comment about this song,...
In the clip, the Tár actor sports a bright yellow suit and gigantic red headphones, alternating between standing still and breaking out some arm-flailing and knee-knocking dance moves. In the background, Sparks lead singer Russell Mael chills on a stool while his elder brother Ron cleans up a spilled latte (get it?). Watch Sparks’ video for “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte” below.
Talking to Variety, the Mael brothers said they shot the video in Los Angeles just two weeks ago after a chance meeting with Blanchett at a film festival. “When she first heard it, she said, ‘I’m laughing and I’m crying at the same time,’ and I thought that was a really apt comment about this song,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Cate Blanchett isn’t afraid to bust a move.
The actress took center stage in the music video for pop duo Sparks’ “This Girl Is Crying In Her latte”.
Dressed in a bright yellow suit and red headphones, the Academy Award-winning actress alternates between staring at the audience and showing off an eccentric set of dance moves while the duo singer behind her in a liminal space.
Read More: Cate Blanchett Insists Awards Season’s ‘Whole F**king Structure’ Should Change: ‘What Is This Patriarchal Pyramid Where Someone Stands Up Here?’
“We met Cate Blanchett in Paris at the César Awards last year,” said Ron and Russell Mael. “Little knowing that a year later, one of the great actors of our time (and a splendid person!) would graciously consent to lending her bootie-shaking skills to the first video from our new album, ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’. Dreams really do come true.
The actress took center stage in the music video for pop duo Sparks’ “This Girl Is Crying In Her latte”.
Dressed in a bright yellow suit and red headphones, the Academy Award-winning actress alternates between staring at the audience and showing off an eccentric set of dance moves while the duo singer behind her in a liminal space.
Read More: Cate Blanchett Insists Awards Season’s ‘Whole F**king Structure’ Should Change: ‘What Is This Patriarchal Pyramid Where Someone Stands Up Here?’
“We met Cate Blanchett in Paris at the César Awards last year,” said Ron and Russell Mael. “Little knowing that a year later, one of the great actors of our time (and a splendid person!) would graciously consent to lending her bootie-shaking skills to the first video from our new album, ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’. Dreams really do come true.
- 3/3/2023
- by Anita Tai
- ET Canada
Pop-rock stalwarts Sparks landed one of the greatest acting talents the world has ever seen, Cate Blanchett, for their new music video and got her to do what she does best — dance!
In the new clip for “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte” (the title track from Sparks’ next album), Blanchett appears in a striking yellow suit with red headphones covering her ears, oblivious to Sparks’ Ron and Russell Mael behind her. While Russell sings the song and Ron sits quietly in the back — briefly cleaning up a bit...
In the new clip for “The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte” (the title track from Sparks’ next album), Blanchett appears in a striking yellow suit with red headphones covering her ears, oblivious to Sparks’ Ron and Russell Mael behind her. While Russell sings the song and Ron sits quietly in the back — briefly cleaning up a bit...
- 3/3/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
It’s rare we cover music videos––mostly those with a major name behind the camera. But no smaller an auteur label could be applied to Sparks, as sui generis as any force in popular music and with whom I spoke twice in 2021 on the occasion of films by Edgar Wright and Leos Carax. (Also this is my place to populate with whatever I like and the release of an album is cause for celebration equal with almost any movie.) With their new album The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte arriving May 26, the first single (and title track) has received proper video treatment.
All justification’s in place without the inclusion of Lydia Tár, who has begun a recovery cycle after events from last year. Say what you will about supporting cancelled artists; possibly, also, this is just Cate Blanchett and I’m getting signals crossed. Whatecer the case:...
All justification’s in place without the inclusion of Lydia Tár, who has begun a recovery cycle after events from last year. Say what you will about supporting cancelled artists; possibly, also, this is just Cate Blanchett and I’m getting signals crossed. Whatecer the case:...
- 3/3/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Cate Blanchett will feature her “booty-shaking skills” in the new music video for US pop-rock duo Sparks.
The accompanying video for the title track off of their forthcoming 26th studio album, The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte, will premiere on YouTube on Friday (3 March).
In a short clip shared ahead of its premiere, Blanchett can be seen donning a bright yellow suit and red headphones as she wiggles her entire body.
Brothers Ron and Russell Mael met Blanchett “in Paris at the Cesar Awards last year”.
“Little knowing that a year later, one of the great actors of our time – and a splendid person – would graciously consent to lending her booty-shaking skills to the first video from our new album,” the Mael brothers said (via Evening Standard).
“Dreams really do come true. We will sleep well tonight knowing that forever we can say we co-starred in a film with Cate Blanchett.
The accompanying video for the title track off of their forthcoming 26th studio album, The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte, will premiere on YouTube on Friday (3 March).
In a short clip shared ahead of its premiere, Blanchett can be seen donning a bright yellow suit and red headphones as she wiggles her entire body.
Brothers Ron and Russell Mael met Blanchett “in Paris at the Cesar Awards last year”.
“Little knowing that a year later, one of the great actors of our time – and a splendid person – would graciously consent to lending her booty-shaking skills to the first video from our new album,” the Mael brothers said (via Evening Standard).
“Dreams really do come true. We will sleep well tonight knowing that forever we can say we co-starred in a film with Cate Blanchett.
- 3/2/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - Music
Well, we've got about another month left in 2022, and when many of us will be celebrating ringing in 2023, some terrific movies and television programs will be shuffling off of HBO Max. Sure, they will probably be finding themselves on another streaming service in the near future, but there are a number of great works that you should not spend any more time putting off. What better time to see them than in the waning days of this year?
From the beautiful nature documentary series "Planet Earth" to the Robert Zemeckis breakthrough hit "Romancing the Stone," quite a lot will be leaving the service when the ball drops. As time is not infinite, I've got five recommendations for you to fire up on HBO Max before the year is out, and all five are a grand time that I feel did not get nearly enough attention upon their initial theatrical releases.
From the beautiful nature documentary series "Planet Earth" to the Robert Zemeckis breakthrough hit "Romancing the Stone," quite a lot will be leaving the service when the ball drops. As time is not infinite, I've got five recommendations for you to fire up on HBO Max before the year is out, and all five are a grand time that I feel did not get nearly enough attention upon their initial theatrical releases.
- 11/23/2022
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.NEWSNighthawks.Buenos Aires—1970s Los Angeles—outer space—all of these destinations are contained in Issue 2 of the Notebook print magazine, which will ship out at the end of January. Click here to learn more and subscribe.If you read this New York Times profile of Jennifer Lawrence carefully, you’ll find that she is planning a project with Lynne Ramsay—an adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s Die, My Love. In a follow-up tweet, Kyle Buchanan added that Martin Scorsese will produce.X Crucior is the heavy-metal name of the next film project written by Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks—a musical, of course, continuing their momentum with Annette (2021). No director is attached yet, but if it's not too much to ask, a reunion with Guy Maddin would be fun.According to The Times,...
- 11/9/2022
- MUBI
Veteran studio executives Peter Kujawski and Jason Cassidy will receive an Industry Tribute at the 32nd annual Gotham Awards ceremony, taking place live and in person at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Monday, November 28.
Kujawski and Cassidy are the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the leading specialty film studio Focus Features, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. The former joined Focus when it was formed, rising to the role of Chairman in 2016. The latter came aboard as Marketing President that same year, being elevated to his current post in 2019.
Related Story Austin Film Festival 2022 Winners Of Jury, Audience & Picture Awards Related Story 'X Crucior' Musical From Sparks Duo Ron & Russell Mael In Works At Focus Features Related Story 'Polite Society' Release Date: 'We Are Lady Parts' Creator Nida Manzoor Makes Feature Directorial Debut With Action-Comedy For Focus Features
Focus is known for producing or distributing such...
Kujawski and Cassidy are the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the leading specialty film studio Focus Features, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. The former joined Focus when it was formed, rising to the role of Chairman in 2016. The latter came aboard as Marketing President that same year, being elevated to his current post in 2019.
Related Story Austin Film Festival 2022 Winners Of Jury, Audience & Picture Awards Related Story 'X Crucior' Musical From Sparks Duo Ron & Russell Mael In Works At Focus Features Related Story 'Polite Society' Release Date: 'We Are Lady Parts' Creator Nida Manzoor Makes Feature Directorial Debut With Action-Comedy For Focus Features
Focus is known for producing or distributing such...
- 11/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Last summer Leos Carax’s long-awaited Annette was finally birthed into the world. As delightfully strange and singular as one would expect a musical written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael of the Sparks to be, it also thankfully will not be the last cinematic creation from the band.
Focus Features, who released Edgar Wright’s documentary The Sparks Brothers, is now reuniting with the Maels for a new project titled X Crucior. While there are no specific details yet on the “musical epic,” the duo will be writing and executive producing the original project and Focus’ Kiska Higgs will oversee production on behalf of the studio. Staying as prolific as ever, Sparks will release their 27th studio album in 2023, following 2020’s A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip and, of course, the Annette album.
“We think it’s a modern musical and something that has intentions of being something special and...
Focus Features, who released Edgar Wright’s documentary The Sparks Brothers, is now reuniting with the Maels for a new project titled X Crucior. While there are no specific details yet on the “musical epic,” the duo will be writing and executive producing the original project and Focus’ Kiska Higgs will oversee production on behalf of the studio. Staying as prolific as ever, Sparks will release their 27th studio album in 2023, following 2020’s A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip and, of course, the Annette album.
“We think it’s a modern musical and something that has intentions of being something special and...
- 11/4/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Fans of Sparks, rejoice! Not only will we be getting our favorite band's 27th album next year, they also have another cinematic project in the works. After using their mad genius to concoct last year's utterly singular "Annette" with French auteur Leos Carax, Ron and Russell Mael, have begun work on a new, original movie-musical called "X-Crucior." The film will be brought to us by Focus Features, who distributed last year's terrific documentary about the band called "The Sparks Brothers," directed by Edgar Wright.
As to what "X-Crucior" will be about, that information is currently being kept under wraps, but in their announcement, Focus describes the film as a "musical epic." Frankly, that's all I need to hear. We also do not know who will be coming on to direct the project, but the Maels will be serving as writers, composers, and executive producers. Along with the Maels, Focus' Kirsta...
As to what "X-Crucior" will be about, that information is currently being kept under wraps, but in their announcement, Focus describes the film as a "musical epic." Frankly, that's all I need to hear. We also do not know who will be coming on to direct the project, but the Maels will be serving as writers, composers, and executive producers. Along with the Maels, Focus' Kirsta...
- 11/3/2022
- by Mike Shutt
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Focus Features is getting back in business with musicians Ron and Russell Mael, after serving as the distributor for the 2021 Edgar Wright doc The Sparks Brothers, of which the duo were the subjects. The studio has today announced the launch of development on X Crucior, an original musical epic to be written and exec produced by the Maels.
Specifics as to the film’s plot are being kept under wraps, and whether a director has been attached to the project is not yet clear. But Focus’ Kiska Higgs will oversee production on behalf of the studio.
Brothers Ron and Russell Mael are best known for their work as the avant-garde pop-and-rock duo Sparks, and are currently enjoying a career resurgence following the release of two film projects including The Sparks Brothers. That feature takes audiences on a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with the brother bandmates,...
Specifics as to the film’s plot are being kept under wraps, and whether a director has been attached to the project is not yet clear. But Focus’ Kiska Higgs will oversee production on behalf of the studio.
Brothers Ron and Russell Mael are best known for their work as the avant-garde pop-and-rock duo Sparks, and are currently enjoying a career resurgence following the release of two film projects including The Sparks Brothers. That feature takes audiences on a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with the brother bandmates,...
- 11/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
French New Wave auteur Jean-Luc Godard’s lasting legacy on cinema was embodied by the thousands of tributes to the late “Breathless” director.
Godard died at age 91 of assisted suicide in Switzerland, where the elective injection is legal. “He was not sick, he was simply exhausted,” a Godard family member told press outlets. The director’s longtime legal advisor Patrick Jeannere confirmed to The New York Times that Godard suffered from “multiple disabling pathologies.”
“He could not live like you and me, so he decided with a great lucidity, as he had all his life, to say, ‘Now, it’s enough,’” Jeanneret said.
Fellow directors, film critics, and actors paid tribute to the late “Band of Outsiders” icon.
French President Emmanuel Macron honored Godard in a social media statement, writing, “It was like an appearance in French cinema. Then he became a master. Jean-Luc Godard, the most iconoclastic of New Wave filmmakers,...
Godard died at age 91 of assisted suicide in Switzerland, where the elective injection is legal. “He was not sick, he was simply exhausted,” a Godard family member told press outlets. The director’s longtime legal advisor Patrick Jeannere confirmed to The New York Times that Godard suffered from “multiple disabling pathologies.”
“He could not live like you and me, so he decided with a great lucidity, as he had all his life, to say, ‘Now, it’s enough,’” Jeanneret said.
Fellow directors, film critics, and actors paid tribute to the late “Band of Outsiders” icon.
French President Emmanuel Macron honored Godard in a social media statement, writing, “It was like an appearance in French cinema. Then he became a master. Jean-Luc Godard, the most iconoclastic of New Wave filmmakers,...
- 9/15/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Tributes are flowing in following the news of iconic New Wave filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard’s death at 91. The French-Swiss director, known for films like Breathless and Alphaville, died Tuesday, according to newspaper Libération and other French media outlets, citing relatives of the director.
The impact of Godard’s work has been vast, including for many working directors, writers, and actors. After the filmmaker’s death was announced on Tuesday morning, numerous filmmakers, world leaders, and celebrities reflected on his work.
French president Emmanuel Macron was one of the first to weigh in,...
The impact of Godard’s work has been vast, including for many working directors, writers, and actors. After the filmmaker’s death was announced on Tuesday morning, numerous filmmakers, world leaders, and celebrities reflected on his work.
French president Emmanuel Macron was one of the first to weigh in,...
- 9/13/2022
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
(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: The Sparks Brothers
Where You Can Stream It: Netflix
The Pitch: As its title suggests, "The Sparks Brothers" is about Ron and Russell Mael, the brothers behind Sparks, the best band you may never have heard of. Filmmaker Edgar Wright pulls back the curtain on the inscrutable duo, giving them the career retrospective they deserve. Using a delightful mixture of animation, concert footage, interviews and more, self-described Sparks...
The post The Daily Stream: Edgar Wright's The Sparks Brothers Is a Must-Watch Music Documentary appeared first on /Film.
The Movie: The Sparks Brothers
Where You Can Stream It: Netflix
The Pitch: As its title suggests, "The Sparks Brothers" is about Ron and Russell Mael, the brothers behind Sparks, the best band you may never have heard of. Filmmaker Edgar Wright pulls back the curtain on the inscrutable duo, giving them the career retrospective they deserve. Using a delightful mixture of animation, concert footage, interviews and more, self-described Sparks...
The post The Daily Stream: Edgar Wright's The Sparks Brothers Is a Must-Watch Music Documentary appeared first on /Film.
- 3/5/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated documentary “Flee” has been named the best nonfiction film of 2021 at the 15th annual Cinema Eye Honors, which were presented on Tuesday night in New York City. “The Rescue,” about the efforts to retrieve a Thai youth soccer team from a flooded cave, won the Audience Choice Prize.
The Neon release “Flee,” which uses animation to give anonymity to a young gay man who escaped Afghanistan as a teenager and made his way to Denmark, also won the award for graphic design and animation. It is nominated for Oscars in the documentary, animated-feature and international-feature categories.
Robert Greene won the directing award for “Procession,” while Matthew Heineman, Jenna Millman and Leslie Norville took the producing prize for “The First Wave.”
Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension” won the most Cinema Eye awards, three, taking the prizes for debut feature, cinematography and score.
Other winners included “Summer of Soul...
The Neon release “Flee,” which uses animation to give anonymity to a young gay man who escaped Afghanistan as a teenager and made his way to Denmark, also won the award for graphic design and animation. It is nominated for Oscars in the documentary, animated-feature and international-feature categories.
Robert Greene won the directing award for “Procession,” while Matthew Heineman, Jenna Millman and Leslie Norville took the producing prize for “The First Wave.”
Jessica Kingdon’s “Ascension” won the most Cinema Eye awards, three, taking the prizes for debut feature, cinematography and score.
Other winners included “Summer of Soul...
- 3/2/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
This year’s ceremony was uncharacteristically devoid of controversy after politically-charged editions in 2020 and 2021.
Xavier Giannoli’s costume drama Lost Illusions was the big winner at the 47th Cesar awards of France’s Academy of Cinema and Arts and Sciences on Friday evening (25), winning best film, adapted screenplay, costume and supporting actor among others.
The adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s19th-century novel premiered in competition at Venice last year. It was the frontrunner at the nomination stage, making it into 15 of the 24 César categories.
The other big winner of the evening was Leos Carax’s English-language musical Annette. Carax won best director,...
Xavier Giannoli’s costume drama Lost Illusions was the big winner at the 47th Cesar awards of France’s Academy of Cinema and Arts and Sciences on Friday evening (25), winning best film, adapted screenplay, costume and supporting actor among others.
The adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s19th-century novel premiered in competition at Venice last year. It was the frontrunner at the nomination stage, making it into 15 of the 24 César categories.
The other big winner of the evening was Leos Carax’s English-language musical Annette. Carax won best director,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The 46th César Awards took place at L’Olympia Bruno Coquatrix in Paris on Friday, February 25. The ceremony, France’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, honored the best in French cinema from 2021. The star-studded event also featured plenty of American talent, with the likes of Adam Driver and Cate Blanchett attending the ceremony. The show was hosted by French broadcaster Antoine de Caunes, marking his 10th time as emcee.
The night’s big winners were “Annette” and “Lost Illusions.” The former, a musical from director Leos Carax starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and featuring music by Sparks, is a rock opera about a married couple whose lives change when they have a child, which is portrayed by a marionette puppet. Carax took home the trophy for Best Director, with Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks winning Best Original Score. The film also performed well in the crafts categories, winning Best Sound,...
The night’s big winners were “Annette” and “Lost Illusions.” The former, a musical from director Leos Carax starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and featuring music by Sparks, is a rock opera about a married couple whose lives change when they have a child, which is portrayed by a marionette puppet. Carax took home the trophy for Best Director, with Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks winning Best Original Score. The film also performed well in the crafts categories, winning Best Sound,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Update, writethru: Xavier Giannoli’s Lost Illusions (Illusions Perdues) scooped the Best Film prize at France’s César Awards this evening in Paris. Along with the top honor, the period drama adapted from the Honoré de Balzac classic took a further six statues and was the overall biggest laureate of the evening. (Scroll down for the full list of winners.)
An absent Leos Carax was named Best Director for Annette, his musical starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard that opened the Cannes Film Festival last year — where Carax was also named Best Director — and which took a total five Césars tonight.
Lost Illusions and Annette led nominations coming into the evening, followed by Valérie Lemercier’s Céline Dion-inspired Aline which converted in the Best Actress category for Lemercier’s titular portrayal.
Cédric Jiminez’s Bac Nord (The Stronghold) was shut out across its seven nominations. A box office success at home,...
An absent Leos Carax was named Best Director for Annette, his musical starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard that opened the Cannes Film Festival last year — where Carax was also named Best Director — and which took a total five Césars tonight.
Lost Illusions and Annette led nominations coming into the evening, followed by Valérie Lemercier’s Céline Dion-inspired Aline which converted in the Best Actress category for Lemercier’s titular portrayal.
Cédric Jiminez’s Bac Nord (The Stronghold) was shut out across its seven nominations. A box office success at home,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Rolling off an unpredictable and crowded race, Xavier Giannoli’s period piece “Lost Illusions” and Leos Carax’s musical romance “Annette” scooped the top prizes at the 47th Cesar Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, on Friday evening. “Lost Illusions,” which led the nominations, won seven awards, including best film and best male newcomer. “Annette,” which world premiered on opening night at the Cannes Film Festival, won five awards, including best director and original score for Ron Mael and Russell Mael from the rock band Sparks, who performed live during the Cesar ceremony.
The glitzy in-person event took place at the Olympia theater in Paris with prestigious guests including Adam Driver, who was nominated for his performance in “Annette,” and Cate Blanchett, who received the honorary Cesar Award from the hands of Isabelle Huppert. Celebrated by a long and rowdy standing ovation, Blanchett got up on stage and gave a long hug to Huppert.
The glitzy in-person event took place at the Olympia theater in Paris with prestigious guests including Adam Driver, who was nominated for his performance in “Annette,” and Cate Blanchett, who received the honorary Cesar Award from the hands of Isabelle Huppert. Celebrated by a long and rowdy standing ovation, Blanchett got up on stage and gave a long hug to Huppert.
- 2/25/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Audrey Diwan’s “Happening,” Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” and Terence Davies’s “Benediction” won top prizes at the 2022 Ics Awards, which are handed out by the International Cinephile Society.
This 19th edition marked a milestone with female talents winning best picture, director, animated film, documentary, debut feature, breakthrough performance and cinematography.
“Happening,” a timely abortion drama set in 1960s France, took home best picture, while its star, Anamaria Vartolomei, won best breakthrough performance.
“Remarkable in its combination of artistic delicacy and brutal realism, yet resisting any hint of didacticism, the film quietly builds tension to a gut-wrenching emotional pitch,” stated the Ics.
Campion, meanwhile, won best director with her Western family drama “The Power of the Dog.” Runner-up for top film was Hamaguchi with “Drive My Car,” a road drama based on Haruki Murakami’s short story about guilt and grief.
This 19th edition marked a milestone with female talents winning best picture, director, animated film, documentary, debut feature, breakthrough performance and cinematography.
“Happening,” a timely abortion drama set in 1960s France, took home best picture, while its star, Anamaria Vartolomei, won best breakthrough performance.
“Remarkable in its combination of artistic delicacy and brutal realism, yet resisting any hint of didacticism, the film quietly builds tension to a gut-wrenching emotional pitch,” stated the Ics.
Campion, meanwhile, won best director with her Western family drama “The Power of the Dog.” Runner-up for top film was Hamaguchi with “Drive My Car,” a road drama based on Haruki Murakami’s short story about guilt and grief.
- 2/7/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ceremony for awards voted on by 4,363 members of the César academy will take place on February 25.
Xavier Giannoli’s literary adaptation Lost Illusions is the frontrunner in the nomination stage of the 47th edition of France’s César awards, followed by Leos Carax’s Annette and Valérie Lemercier’s Aline.
France’s Academy of Cinema and Arts and Sciences unveiled the nomination list online on Wednesday morning (January 26), ahead of the ceremony scheduled to take place on February 25.
Giannoli’s adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s eponymous 19th-century novel, which premiered in competition at Venice last year, was nominated in...
Xavier Giannoli’s literary adaptation Lost Illusions is the frontrunner in the nomination stage of the 47th edition of France’s César awards, followed by Leos Carax’s Annette and Valérie Lemercier’s Aline.
France’s Academy of Cinema and Arts and Sciences unveiled the nomination list online on Wednesday morning (January 26), ahead of the ceremony scheduled to take place on February 25.
Giannoli’s adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s eponymous 19th-century novel, which premiered in competition at Venice last year, was nominated in...
- 1/26/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Update: Xavier Giannoli’s Illusions Perdues (Lost Illusions) leads nominations for the 2022 César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscar. The Venice premiere scored 15 mentions, followed by Leos Carax’s Annette, which opened the Cannes Film Festival last year and has 11 nominations. They are followed by Valérie Lemercier’s Aline, the musical dramedy inspired by the life of Céline Dion which also debuted in Cannes and has 10 nods. (Scroll down for the full list of nominations.)
Interestingly, the three films that France shortlisted for the International Feature Academy Award race came in on the lower end. Cédric Jiminez’s Bac Nord (The Stronghold) took seven nominations, while Audrey Diwan’s Venice Golden Lion winner Happening settles for four, tying Cannes Palme d’Or winner Titane.
The latter was France’s eventual entry to the Oscars, but did not make the shortlist. It was also shut out of the Best Film category at the Césars today.
Interestingly, the three films that France shortlisted for the International Feature Academy Award race came in on the lower end. Cédric Jiminez’s Bac Nord (The Stronghold) took seven nominations, while Audrey Diwan’s Venice Golden Lion winner Happening settles for four, tying Cannes Palme d’Or winner Titane.
The latter was France’s eventual entry to the Oscars, but did not make the shortlist. It was also shut out of the Best Film category at the Césars today.
- 1/26/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Predicting Best Original Song at the Oscars is made more difficult by the three-stage process. In years past, many seemingly sure-fire contenders were deemed to be ineligible. Even those ditties that cleared this hurdle then have to pass muster with the nearly 400 members of the music branch of the academy. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2022 Oscar predictions for Best Original Song.)
To be even eligible for consideration, a tune must meet these criteria:
It must be an original song with words and music, both of which were original and written specifically for the film;
It must be the result of a creative interaction between the filmmaker(s) and the songwriter(s) who have been engaged to work directly on the film; and
There must be a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition (not necessarily visually presented) of both lyric and melody used in the body of the movie or as...
To be even eligible for consideration, a tune must meet these criteria:
It must be an original song with words and music, both of which were original and written specifically for the film;
It must be the result of a creative interaction between the filmmaker(s) and the songwriter(s) who have been engaged to work directly on the film; and
There must be a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition (not necessarily visually presented) of both lyric and melody used in the body of the movie or as...
- 1/24/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Why do songs play such a vital role in cinema storytelling? What is your favorite movie song of all time? When you first started out as a songwriter, what do you wish you knew about the ups and downs of songwriting for film that you know now?
These were some of the questions answered by seven world-renowned songwriters when they joined Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Oscar contenders. Watch our full group chat above with Ron Mael and Russell Mael (for the song “So May We Start” from “Annette”), Idina Menzel and Laura Veltz (for the song “Dream Girl” from “Cinderella”), Nicholai Baxter (for the song “Beyond the Shore” from “Coda”), Diane Warren (for the song “Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days”) and Jamie Hartman (for the song “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from “Respect.”) Click on each name above to...
These were some of the questions answered by seven world-renowned songwriters when they joined Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Oscar contenders. Watch our full group chat above with Ron Mael and Russell Mael (for the song “So May We Start” from “Annette”), Idina Menzel and Laura Veltz (for the song “Dream Girl” from “Cinderella”), Nicholai Baxter (for the song “Beyond the Shore” from “Coda”), Diane Warren (for the song “Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days”) and Jamie Hartman (for the song “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from “Respect.”) Click on each name above to...
- 1/21/2022
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
Venice Golden Lion winner Happening won best film and best actress prizes
Audrey Diwan’s Venice Golden Lion winner Happening won best film at the 27th edition of France’s Lumière Awards on Monday evening, while its star Anamaria Vartolomei was awarded the best actress prize.
Adapted from French writer Annie Ernaux’s 2019 semi-autobiographical work, Happening recounts a gifted literature student’s struggle to get an abortion in 1964, 11 years before abortion was legalised in France in 1975.
It marks a first lead role for Vartolomei, whose previous credits include How To Be A Good Wife and The Royal Exchange. Vartolomei is...
Audrey Diwan’s Venice Golden Lion winner Happening won best film at the 27th edition of France’s Lumière Awards on Monday evening, while its star Anamaria Vartolomei was awarded the best actress prize.
Adapted from French writer Annie Ernaux’s 2019 semi-autobiographical work, Happening recounts a gifted literature student’s struggle to get an abortion in 1964, 11 years before abortion was legalised in France in 1975.
It marks a first lead role for Vartolomei, whose previous credits include How To Be A Good Wife and The Royal Exchange. Vartolomei is...
- 1/18/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Oscars’ original song shortlist — 15 tunes that will vie for the final five nomination slots come Feb. 8 — may be the most star-studded in Academy history. Is the Motion Picture Academy’s music branch smitten by such A-list names, or did 2021 just happen to be a particularly strong year for well-known recording stars or high-powered writers? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for sure: the 375 members who get to vote on the nominees have a glittering array of choices.
Leading the list is Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die,” the theme for the James Bond film that finally arrived in October and marks Daniel Craig’s swan song as 007. She’s already won the Grammy for movie song, not to mention a Golden Globe, and Eilish and her co-writer Finneas are certain to be nominated. If she wins, it will mark the third consecutive Bond film...
Leading the list is Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die,” the theme for the James Bond film that finally arrived in October and marks Daniel Craig’s swan song as 007. She’s already won the Grammy for movie song, not to mention a Golden Globe, and Eilish and her co-writer Finneas are certain to be nominated. If she wins, it will mark the third consecutive Bond film...
- 1/11/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Eight top songwriters will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2022 Academy Awards and guild contenders. Each person from these films is now on the Oscar shortlist. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Tuesday, January 18, at 6:00 p.m. Pt; 9:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Rob Licuria and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series throughout January and February. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 awards contenders:
“Annette:” Ron Mael, Russell Mael
Synopsis: A stand-up comedian and his opera singer wife have a...
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series throughout January and February. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2022 awards contenders:
“Annette:” Ron Mael, Russell Mael
Synopsis: A stand-up comedian and his opera singer wife have a...
- 1/11/2022
- by Chris Beachum and Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
For Variety‘s Writers on Writers, Rian Johnson pens a tribute to “Annette” (screenplay by Ron and Russell Mael).
The whispers started years ago. It’s going to be a musical. It’s a rock opera. It’s got a puppet. It’s got Driver in it. It’s written by Sparks. As a Leos Carax superfan, I thought I was being trolled — the elements just seemed too crazy and too good for this world. And as the movie came together and fell apart over several iterations over several years, I braced myself for it to fall into the realm of unmade myth.
Then they made it.
The true accomplishment of Ron and Russell is that even with all the anticipation, their movie took me totally be surprise. And even with all the insanity of its ingredients, it landed for me like an emotional shock bomb. “Annette” is the type...
The whispers started years ago. It’s going to be a musical. It’s a rock opera. It’s got a puppet. It’s got Driver in it. It’s written by Sparks. As a Leos Carax superfan, I thought I was being trolled — the elements just seemed too crazy and too good for this world. And as the movie came together and fell apart over several iterations over several years, I braced myself for it to fall into the realm of unmade myth.
Then they made it.
The true accomplishment of Ron and Russell is that even with all the anticipation, their movie took me totally be surprise. And even with all the insanity of its ingredients, it landed for me like an emotional shock bomb. “Annette” is the type...
- 12/22/2021
- by Rian Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
“A cinematographer is a visual psychiatrist–moving an audience through a movie […] making them think the way you want them to think, painting pictures in the dark,” said the late, great Gordon Willis. As we continue our year-end coverage, one aspect we must highlight is, indeed, cinematography. From talented newcomers to seasoned professionals, we’ve rounded up the examples that have most impressed us this year. Check out our rundown below.
About Endlessness (Gergely Pálos)
Working with close collaborator Gregory Palos, director Roy Andersson rids About Endlessness of any color contrast (there are almost no shadows too) to create a surreal but superficial uniformity implying the banality of everyday tasks. The film’s use of static one-shots over a series of vignettes paints life in a period of stasis. Andersson’s aesthetic choices give the film a sense of transcendence while uncovering the dark humor of everyday life while still looking gorgeous,...
About Endlessness (Gergely Pálos)
Working with close collaborator Gregory Palos, director Roy Andersson rids About Endlessness of any color contrast (there are almost no shadows too) to create a surreal but superficial uniformity implying the banality of everyday tasks. The film’s use of static one-shots over a series of vignettes paints life in a period of stasis. Andersson’s aesthetic choices give the film a sense of transcendence while uncovering the dark humor of everyday life while still looking gorgeous,...
- 12/22/2021
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlists for Original Song and Original Score vying for Oscars nominations consideration. As Variety reports, the next phase of voting begins on Jan. 27 and ends Feb. 1. The official nominees for all the categories will be announced on Feb. 8.
A total of 84 songs were eligible in the Original Songs category, and 15 comprise the shortlist. The Original Song category pits couple Beyoncé (“Be Alive”) against Jay-Z (“Guns Go Bang”). Billie Eilish with brother Finneas’ “No Time to Die,” Ariana Grande and...
A total of 84 songs were eligible in the Original Songs category, and 15 comprise the shortlist. The Original Song category pits couple Beyoncé (“Be Alive”) against Jay-Z (“Guns Go Bang”). Billie Eilish with brother Finneas’ “No Time to Die,” Ariana Grande and...
- 12/22/2021
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlists in 10 categories for the upcoming 94th Oscars ceremony.
The shortlist voting concluded on Dec. 15, and the remaining ones will move on to the official phase one voting. Nominations voting begins on Thursday, Jan. 27, and ends on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The official credits and nominees for all the films will be announced, with the rest of the Oscar nominations on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Check out the list of the films and categories below:
Original Song
“So May We Start?” from “Annette” (Amazon Studios)
Ron Mael, Russell Mael (Sparks) “Down To Joy” from “Belfast” (Focus Features)
Van Morrison “Right Where I Belong” from “Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road” (Screen Media Films)
Brian Wilson, Jim James “Automatic Woman” from “Bruised” (Netflix)
H.E.R. (other songwriters to be added) “Dream Girl” from “Cinderella” (Amazon Studios)
Idina Menzel, Laura Veltz “Beyond The Shore” from...
The shortlist voting concluded on Dec. 15, and the remaining ones will move on to the official phase one voting. Nominations voting begins on Thursday, Jan. 27, and ends on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The official credits and nominees for all the films will be announced, with the rest of the Oscar nominations on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Check out the list of the films and categories below:
Original Song
“So May We Start?” from “Annette” (Amazon Studios)
Ron Mael, Russell Mael (Sparks) “Down To Joy” from “Belfast” (Focus Features)
Van Morrison “Right Where I Belong” from “Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road” (Screen Media Films)
Brian Wilson, Jim James “Automatic Woman” from “Bruised” (Netflix)
H.E.R. (other songwriters to be added) “Dream Girl” from “Cinderella” (Amazon Studios)
Idina Menzel, Laura Veltz “Beyond The Shore” from...
- 12/21/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
1. FleeThe official release poster for Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated refugee memoir Flee—the one you might have seen more often than this—isn’t half bad: the film’s subject, Amin, is revealed in the elongated ascenders of the title, as if behind bars, while a happy memory of him as a child slips freely into the poster’s negative space. And, to be honest, the design I have chosen as my favorite movie poster of the year (this is the original Swedish version but a US version of this design has been seen in the wild) doesn’t express Flee half as well as that other one does. Its it-takes-a-village cast of characters promises something different from the film itself, which is a lean and harrowing and often solitary odyssey from Afghanistan to Denmark, and from childhood to manhood. That said, I can’t stop loving this poster...
- 12/18/2021
- MUBI
Camila Cabello is opening up about her mental health struggles. The 24-year-old superstar, who starred in Amazon Prime Video's Cinderella, revealed that she wrote the film's hit song "Million to One" during a challenging time in her life. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, alongside Kid Cudi, Anderson .Paak, and brothers Ron and Russell Mael, for its Songwriter Roundtable, Camila explained how working on the fairytale movie helped her cope with her mental health struggles. "I don't think I know how to write in any way that isn't personal to me," she told the publication last month, which published the piece on Friday, Dec. 10. "When I was...
- 12/11/2021
- E! Online
The awards are voted on by 95 international correspondents from 36 countries.
Xavier Giannoli’s literary adaptation Lost Illusions leads the nominations of the 27th edition of France’s Lumière awards, followed by Audrey Diwan’s Venice Golden Lion winner Happening and Arthur Harari’s Onoda, 10,000 Nights In The Jungle.
The awards, which are voted on by 95 international correspondents hailing from 36 countries this year, are France’s equivalent of the Golden Globes.
Giannoli’s adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s eponymous 19th-century novel, which premiered in competition in Venice this year, was nominated in five categories including best film, director, screenplay, actor...
Xavier Giannoli’s literary adaptation Lost Illusions leads the nominations of the 27th edition of France’s Lumière awards, followed by Audrey Diwan’s Venice Golden Lion winner Happening and Arthur Harari’s Onoda, 10,000 Nights In The Jungle.
The awards, which are voted on by 95 international correspondents hailing from 36 countries this year, are France’s equivalent of the Golden Globes.
Giannoli’s adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s eponymous 19th-century novel, which premiered in competition in Venice this year, was nominated in five categories including best film, director, screenplay, actor...
- 12/10/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
by Cláudio Alves
On December 21st, the Academy will announce their shortlists in several categories, including Best Original Song. As usual, some mainstream triumphs feel like locks already, maybe not for the final lineup but certainly the roster of 15 finalists. Even before the movie was released, Billie Eilish had already won a Grammy for her Bond theme, "No Time to Die." Beyoncé seems like an inevitable nominee thanks to King Richard's "Be Alive." As for Lin-Manuel Miranda's work for Encanto, it's never a good idea to bet against Disney. In the midst of it all, the weird glory of Leos Carax's Annette may be forgotten, despite its vast score of original songs by the Sparks (Ron Mael and Russell Mael). Please, dear reader, allow me to make the case for that musical's first and best tune…...
On December 21st, the Academy will announce their shortlists in several categories, including Best Original Song. As usual, some mainstream triumphs feel like locks already, maybe not for the final lineup but certainly the roster of 15 finalists. Even before the movie was released, Billie Eilish had already won a Grammy for her Bond theme, "No Time to Die." Beyoncé seems like an inevitable nominee thanks to King Richard's "Be Alive." As for Lin-Manuel Miranda's work for Encanto, it's never a good idea to bet against Disney. In the midst of it all, the weird glory of Leos Carax's Annette may be forgotten, despite its vast score of original songs by the Sparks (Ron Mael and Russell Mael). Please, dear reader, allow me to make the case for that musical's first and best tune…...
- 12/9/2021
- by Cláudio Alves
- FilmExperience
Ron and Russell Mael didn’t intend for 2021 to be the year they conquered Hollywood, but there’s serendipity in what wound up happening. The brothers, known for their longtime work in the band Sparks, found themselves overcoming decades of false starts in the movie business with not one but two highly acclaimed films.
First up was Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” detailing their rise from an obscure duo to influencing some of today’s most significant artists – all the while avoiding super stardom.
Shortly thereafter came the Cannes premiere of “Annette,” a musical film which is based on the duo’s screenplay and features their music.
Listen to the full interview with the Maels in the latest edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast below:
In “Annette,” Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star as a comedian and an opera star with a unique young daughter who sings...
First up was Edgar Wright’s documentary “The Sparks Brothers,” detailing their rise from an obscure duo to influencing some of today’s most significant artists – all the while avoiding super stardom.
Shortly thereafter came the Cannes premiere of “Annette,” a musical film which is based on the duo’s screenplay and features their music.
Listen to the full interview with the Maels in the latest edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast below:
In “Annette,” Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star as a comedian and an opera star with a unique young daughter who sings...
- 12/3/2021
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Leos Carax's Annette is exclusively showing on Mubi in many countries starting November 26, 2021 in the series Luminaries.The relationship between western opera and cinema has often been direct and codependent, with one “bigger than life” art form exchanging notes with the other. There’ve been films based on opera and vice-versa, the relatively recent trend of operas being live broadcast in cinemas, and the use of moving images have found their way to the opera stage. Two motion pictures, the film Annette and the television series Perfect Lives, give this connection a deeper treatment. To varying extents, they mine the vein between opera and cinema, combining libretto, music, and moving images. What they discover, directly or indirectly, are past forms, styles and approaches to art ripe for repurposing in the pursuit of artistic reflection and evolution. Annette, the new film directed by Leos Carax, co-written with Ron and Russell Mael of the band Sparks,...
- 12/3/2021
- MUBI
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