Germany network Rtl Deutschland has struck a long-term strategic deal with Wiedemann & Berg Film and the producer’s parent, Leonine Studios.
The multi-year agreement covers free TV and streaming, and means Rtl Deutschland will have exclusive rights to German theatrical releases from the two companies, which produced or co-produced the country’s most successful film in each year between 2020 and 2023.
The pact includes the new comedy Alter Weisser Mann from director Simon Verhoeven starring Jan Josef Liefers, Nadja Uhl, Friedrich von Thun, Michael Maertens, Meltem Kaptan and Elyas M’Barek. It began shooting this month.
The film follows family man Heinz Hellmich, who tries show is ‘wokest’ side and prove he is not an ‘old white man’ to land the job he has longed for. Inviting his boss and colleagues to a dinner party, his family politically correct facade begins to crumble, causing chaos among the guests.
Andreas Fischer, Chief Operating...
The multi-year agreement covers free TV and streaming, and means Rtl Deutschland will have exclusive rights to German theatrical releases from the two companies, which produced or co-produced the country’s most successful film in each year between 2020 and 2023.
The pact includes the new comedy Alter Weisser Mann from director Simon Verhoeven starring Jan Josef Liefers, Nadja Uhl, Friedrich von Thun, Michael Maertens, Meltem Kaptan and Elyas M’Barek. It began shooting this month.
The film follows family man Heinz Hellmich, who tries show is ‘wokest’ side and prove he is not an ‘old white man’ to land the job he has longed for. Inviting his boss and colleagues to a dinner party, his family politically correct facade begins to crumble, causing chaos among the guests.
Andreas Fischer, Chief Operating...
- 4/26/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
If you’re going to make a music biopic — and with new dramatic takes on the lives of Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson on the way, it appears everyone is — you’d better secure the music rights. Making a movie purporting to tell the story of a pop music legend without first clearing rights to use the pop music that made them legendary is a recipe for box office disaster.
Remember Stardust, Gabriel Range’s 2020 David Bowie biopic starring Johnny Flynn, shot without any music from Bowie? Or Jimi: All Is By My Side (2013) directed by John Ridley with André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix playing none of his original songs? How about England Is Mine, Mark Gill’s unauthorized Morrissey biopic with Jack Lowden and Jodie Comer? Probably not. Without the sing-alone tunes, those films sank without a trace.
The blockbuster pop biopics — Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman,...
Remember Stardust, Gabriel Range’s 2020 David Bowie biopic starring Johnny Flynn, shot without any music from Bowie? Or Jimi: All Is By My Side (2013) directed by John Ridley with André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix playing none of his original songs? How about England Is Mine, Mark Gill’s unauthorized Morrissey biopic with Jack Lowden and Jodie Comer? Probably not. Without the sing-alone tunes, those films sank without a trace.
The blockbuster pop biopics — Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman,...
- 11/2/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A new feature-length documentary digging into the true story of the infamous R&b duo Milli Vanilli has been acquired by Paramount+. The film, simply titled Milli Vanilli, will premiere on Tuesday, October 24th in the U.S. and Canada, and on Wednesday, October 25th in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Milli Vanilli goes directly behind the scenes through exclusive interviews with the group’s members Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus, as well as the real singers, record executives, and the producer behind the duo, who became one of the most popular groups of the late ’80s and early ’90s until it was discovered that they had been lip-synching the entire time. Pilatus died of an accidental alcohol and prescription drug overdose in 1998.
“Finally — the true story of Milli Vanilli has been told!” Morvan said in a statement. “I’m thankful...
Milli Vanilli goes directly behind the scenes through exclusive interviews with the group’s members Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus, as well as the real singers, record executives, and the producer behind the duo, who became one of the most popular groups of the late ’80s and early ’90s until it was discovered that they had been lip-synching the entire time. Pilatus died of an accidental alcohol and prescription drug overdose in 1998.
“Finally — the true story of Milli Vanilli has been told!” Morvan said in a statement. “I’m thankful...
- 9/13/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
A new feature-length documentary digging into the true story of the infamous R&b duo Milli Vanilli has been acquired by Paramount+. The film, simply titled Milli Vanilli, will premiere on Tuesday, October 24th in the U.S. and Canada, and on Wednesday, October 25th in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Milli Vanilli goes directly behind the scenes through exclusive interviews with the group’s members Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus, as well as the real singers, record executives, and the producer behind the duo, who became one of the most popular groups of the late ’80s and early ’90s until it was discovered that they had been lip-synching the entire time. Pilatus died of an accidental alcohol and prescription drug overdose in 1998.
“Finally — the true story of Milli Vanilli has been told!” Morvan said in a statement. “I’m thankful...
Milli Vanilli goes directly behind the scenes through exclusive interviews with the group’s members Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus, as well as the real singers, record executives, and the producer behind the duo, who became one of the most popular groups of the late ’80s and early ’90s until it was discovered that they had been lip-synching the entire time. Pilatus died of an accidental alcohol and prescription drug overdose in 1998.
“Finally — the true story of Milli Vanilli has been told!” Morvan said in a statement. “I’m thankful...
- 9/13/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Since its establishment in 2019, Leonine Studios has become one of Germany’s leading film distributors.
Forged by the merger of two companies, Concorde Film and Universum Film, the distribution powerhouse releases between20 and 25 films a year, including around five in-house productions or co-productions, says Bernhard zu Castell, Leonine Studios’ chief distribution officer.
“Our aim is to offer a slate of event movies that is an optimal blend of genres for all target groups and all our partners in the highest possible quality,” adds zu Castell, who previously headed Universum Film. “This strategy was key in establishing ourselves as a reliable distributor and licensor for all content platforms.”
The company last year enjoyed its biggest hit yet with “School of Magical Animals 2,” a fast-growing franchise that Leonine also co-produces. The film sold more than 2.8 million admissions (3 million counting Austria), making it 2022’s most successful German release and the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year by admissions.
Forged by the merger of two companies, Concorde Film and Universum Film, the distribution powerhouse releases between20 and 25 films a year, including around five in-house productions or co-productions, says Bernhard zu Castell, Leonine Studios’ chief distribution officer.
“Our aim is to offer a slate of event movies that is an optimal blend of genres for all target groups and all our partners in the highest possible quality,” adds zu Castell, who previously headed Universum Film. “This strategy was key in establishing ourselves as a reliable distributor and licensor for all content platforms.”
The company last year enjoyed its biggest hit yet with “School of Magical Animals 2,” a fast-growing franchise that Leonine also co-produces. The film sold more than 2.8 million admissions (3 million counting Austria), making it 2022’s most successful German release and the fifth highest-grossing movie of the year by admissions.
- 5/11/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
With some of Germany’s most successful production companies in its stable, Leonine Studios is reaping the rewards with such feature film and television hits as “School of Magical Animals,” “Nightlife,” “Dark” and “Pagan Peak.”
Leonine’s production division includes such well-established companies as Wiedemann & Berg Film, which focuses on theatrical features, W&b Television and Odeon Fiction, which produce movies and series for all broadcasters and streaming platforms in Germany, documentary outfit Gebrueder Beetz and format maker I&u TV.
“We are in for high creative quality and commercial success,” explains Quirin Berg, who, along with Max Wiedemann, serves as Leonine’s chief production officer and managing director of Wiedemann & Berg Film.
“The parameters in each segment we are operating in may be different, but the agenda is not. And that was already the profile when we started out as producers some 20 years ago.”
Indeed, Wiedemann & Berg’s first feature film,...
Leonine’s production division includes such well-established companies as Wiedemann & Berg Film, which focuses on theatrical features, W&b Television and Odeon Fiction, which produce movies and series for all broadcasters and streaming platforms in Germany, documentary outfit Gebrueder Beetz and format maker I&u TV.
“We are in for high creative quality and commercial success,” explains Quirin Berg, who, along with Max Wiedemann, serves as Leonine’s chief production officer and managing director of Wiedemann & Berg Film.
“The parameters in each segment we are operating in may be different, but the agenda is not. And that was already the profile when we started out as producers some 20 years ago.”
Indeed, Wiedemann & Berg’s first feature film,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Voltage Pictures has boarded worldwide sales, excluding Germany, on buzzy Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True from Leonine Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film. The company began shopping the title at Berlin’s European Film Market after a footage showcase for buyers on Thursday.
The film follows the spectacular 1980s rise of the Grammy-winning German-French R&b duo, as well as their fall after it emerges that they lip-synch all of their songs. It wrapped production late last year and is expected to be ready for release near the end of 2023.
Newcomers Tijan Njie from Germany and Elan Ben Ali from France play bandmates Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, while Simon Verhoeven (Welcome to Germany) directs and Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann (The Lives of Others, Dark) produce. The film also features Matthias Schweighöfer (Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Oppenheimer), Graham Rogers (The Kominsky Method) and Bella Dayne (Troy: Fall of a City).
Verhoeven,...
The film follows the spectacular 1980s rise of the Grammy-winning German-French R&b duo, as well as their fall after it emerges that they lip-synch all of their songs. It wrapped production late last year and is expected to be ready for release near the end of 2023.
Newcomers Tijan Njie from Germany and Elan Ben Ali from France play bandmates Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, while Simon Verhoeven (Welcome to Germany) directs and Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann (The Lives of Others, Dark) produce. The film also features Matthias Schweighöfer (Christopher Nolan’s upcoming Oppenheimer), Graham Rogers (The Kominsky Method) and Bella Dayne (Troy: Fall of a City).
Verhoeven,...
- 2/18/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Production wrapped in December; delivery expected in fourth quarter.
Voltage Pictures has boarded worldwide sales excluding Germany on Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True from Leonine Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film and has kicked off talks with buyers at the EFM.
The production, financing and sales company showed first footage to buyers during a lively presentation at CinemaxX on Thursday evening.
The film charts the meteoric rise of the Grammy-winning German French R&b duo, who took the world by storm in the late 1980s before it all came crashing down when it emerged they lip-synched their songs.
Voltage Pictures has boarded worldwide sales excluding Germany on Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True from Leonine Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film and has kicked off talks with buyers at the EFM.
The production, financing and sales company showed first footage to buyers during a lively presentation at CinemaxX on Thursday evening.
The film charts the meteoric rise of the Grammy-winning German French R&b duo, who took the world by storm in the late 1980s before it all came crashing down when it emerged they lip-synched their songs.
- 2/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Production wrapped in December; delivery expected in fourth quarter.
Voltage Pictures has boarded worldwide sales excluding Germany on Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True from Leonine Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film and has kicked off talks at the EFM.
The production, financing and sales company showed first footage to buyers during a lively presentation at CinemaxX on Thursday evening.
The film charts the meteoric rise of the Grammy-winning German French R&b duo, who took the world by storm in the late 1980s before it all came crashing down when it emerged they lip-synched their songs.
Simon Verhoeven...
Voltage Pictures has boarded worldwide sales excluding Germany on Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True from Leonine Studios and Wiedemann & Berg Film and has kicked off talks at the EFM.
The production, financing and sales company showed first footage to buyers during a lively presentation at CinemaxX on Thursday evening.
The film charts the meteoric rise of the Grammy-winning German French R&b duo, who took the world by storm in the late 1980s before it all came crashing down when it emerged they lip-synched their songs.
Simon Verhoeven...
- 2/17/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
Everyone’s favorite ’80s pop star scandal are back, and they’ve brought their own hair gel.
Leonine Studios has dropped the first two images from their hotly anticipated Milli Vanilli music biopic Girl You Know It’s True, and the first look is something to see.
After several failed attempts to bring the story of the rise and scandalous fall of the ’80s pop stars to the screen, Leonine, together with star producers Wiedemann & Berg (Dark, The Lives of Others), are currently shooting the feature, which is expected to wrap in December.
Elan Ben Ali and Tijan Njie and (see above) star as Fabrice Morvan and Robert Pilatus, the top-charting pop R&b duo out of Munich who became global stars in the 1980s, scoring three No. 1 hits in the U.S. But the duo had a dirty secret: they were a fake band,...
Everyone’s favorite ’80s pop star scandal are back, and they’ve brought their own hair gel.
Leonine Studios has dropped the first two images from their hotly anticipated Milli Vanilli music biopic Girl You Know It’s True, and the first look is something to see.
After several failed attempts to bring the story of the rise and scandalous fall of the ’80s pop stars to the screen, Leonine, together with star producers Wiedemann & Berg (Dark, The Lives of Others), are currently shooting the feature, which is expected to wrap in December.
Elan Ben Ali and Tijan Njie and (see above) star as Fabrice Morvan and Robert Pilatus, the top-charting pop R&b duo out of Munich who became global stars in the 1980s, scoring three No. 1 hits in the U.S. But the duo had a dirty secret: they were a fake band,...
- 9/1/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With production underway on its Milli Vanilli biopic Girl You Know It’s True, Leonine Studios has revealed the first-look photos for the pic produced by Wiedemann & Berg Film.
Newcomers Tijan Njie and Elan Ben Ali are set to portray the respective lead roles of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan. Matthias Schweighöfer is starring as German music producer Frank Farian. The cast also includes Graham Rogers as Milli Vanilli’s U.S. assistant Todd and Bella Dayne as Milli, Farian’s right-hand woman.
You can see the first images below of Ali as Fabrice and Njie as Robert, followed by an image of Schweighöfer as Farian:
Simon Verhoeven is directing the pic, with Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann producing. It marks another collaboration of the successful trio that has teamed on four No. 1 German box office hits. Kirstin Winkler is overseeing production as executive producer.
Girl You Know It’s...
Newcomers Tijan Njie and Elan Ben Ali are set to portray the respective lead roles of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan. Matthias Schweighöfer is starring as German music producer Frank Farian. The cast also includes Graham Rogers as Milli Vanilli’s U.S. assistant Todd and Bella Dayne as Milli, Farian’s right-hand woman.
You can see the first images below of Ali as Fabrice and Njie as Robert, followed by an image of Schweighöfer as Farian:
Simon Verhoeven is directing the pic, with Quirin Berg and Max Wiedemann producing. It marks another collaboration of the successful trio that has teamed on four No. 1 German box office hits. Kirstin Winkler is overseeing production as executive producer.
Girl You Know It’s...
- 8/31/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Costume designer Michael Clancy, who worked on My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Ray Donovan, has died. No further details are currently available but Deadline will update this story accordingly.
His friend Naomi Wolff Lachter remembered Clancy and celebrated their friendship via Instagram with a collection of photos. She referred to him as “a true original” and a “brilliant artist.” Clancy and Lachter both worked on the 2010 series, Running Wilde.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Naomi Wolff Lachter (@wolffie78)
Clancy dressed some of Hollywood’s biggest stars from TV and film in projects including My Big Fat Greek Wedding, We Own The Night, and Party Girl on the big screen; Blue Bloods, Ray Donovan, and Drop Dead Diva for the small screen.
Born in Ireland, Clancy was a global citizen growing up in Kenya before moving to Toronto as a teen followed by his adult years in New York and London.
His friend Naomi Wolff Lachter remembered Clancy and celebrated their friendship via Instagram with a collection of photos. She referred to him as “a true original” and a “brilliant artist.” Clancy and Lachter both worked on the 2010 series, Running Wilde.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Naomi Wolff Lachter (@wolffie78)
Clancy dressed some of Hollywood’s biggest stars from TV and film in projects including My Big Fat Greek Wedding, We Own The Night, and Party Girl on the big screen; Blue Bloods, Ray Donovan, and Drop Dead Diva for the small screen.
Born in Ireland, Clancy was a global citizen growing up in Kenya before moving to Toronto as a teen followed by his adult years in New York and London.
- 8/1/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenberg will increase the amount it invests in production and VFX companies.
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenberg (Mbb) is to receive a cash injection of €15m from Berlin’s state government to boost the amount it invests in film and TV productions over the next two years, Berlin’s VFX companies and the creation of a new office to administer permits.
This brings Berlin’s total funding for Mbb to €17.2m for 2022 and €17.9m for 2023.
Among the projects now shooting in Berlin and the neighbouring state of Brandenburg are German films Christian Petzold’s Roter Himmel, Barbara Albert’s Mittagsfrau, Simon Verhoeven...
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenberg (Mbb) is to receive a cash injection of €15m from Berlin’s state government to boost the amount it invests in film and TV productions over the next two years, Berlin’s VFX companies and the creation of a new office to administer permits.
This brings Berlin’s total funding for Mbb to €17.2m for 2022 and €17.9m for 2023.
Among the projects now shooting in Berlin and the neighbouring state of Brandenburg are German films Christian Petzold’s Roter Himmel, Barbara Albert’s Mittagsfrau, Simon Verhoeven...
- 7/6/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Dianne Doan (Warrior) and Connor Paolo (Revenge) have been cast as leads in Better Half, a surreal romantic comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Patrick Henry Phelan.
Pic’s plot is being kept under wraps, but it’s describe as a stylized feature set in Joshua Tree, CA.
Better Half hails from StudioFest, a festival program that awards its winners the opportunity to produce a feature film. Charles Irving Beale and Jess Jacklin lead the initiative and will exec produce.
“We are so excited to bring Connor and Dianne together for our movie,” said Phelan, “and hope audiences will have as much fun watching it as we’re having making it.”
Doan portrays lead Mai Ling in the Cinemax series Warrior. She’s also known for turns on the TV side in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Good Trouble, Disney Channel’s Descendants franchise, Vikings and more. The actress will next appear alongside Nina Dobrev,...
Pic’s plot is being kept under wraps, but it’s describe as a stylized feature set in Joshua Tree, CA.
Better Half hails from StudioFest, a festival program that awards its winners the opportunity to produce a feature film. Charles Irving Beale and Jess Jacklin lead the initiative and will exec produce.
“We are so excited to bring Connor and Dianne together for our movie,” said Phelan, “and hope audiences will have as much fun watching it as we’re having making it.”
Doan portrays lead Mai Ling in the Cinemax series Warrior. She’s also known for turns on the TV side in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Good Trouble, Disney Channel’s Descendants franchise, Vikings and more. The actress will next appear alongside Nina Dobrev,...
- 11/8/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Berlin ceremony brought together the German industry for the first time in 18 months.
Maria Schrader’s I’m Your Man was the big winner at the Lolas, the German Film Awards in Berlin on October 1, winning best film, best director, best screenwriter for Schrader and Jan Schomberg and best actress for Maren Eggert.
I’m Your Man is produced by Lisa Blumenberg’s Hamburg-based Letterbox Filmproduktion. It is Germany’s entry to the best international film category at the Oscars. I’m Your Man had its world premiere in competition at the Berlinale in March where Eggert also won the Berlinale’s Silver Bear for her performance.
Maria Schrader’s I’m Your Man was the big winner at the Lolas, the German Film Awards in Berlin on October 1, winning best film, best director, best screenwriter for Schrader and Jan Schomberg and best actress for Maren Eggert.
I’m Your Man is produced by Lisa Blumenberg’s Hamburg-based Letterbox Filmproduktion. It is Germany’s entry to the best international film category at the Oscars. I’m Your Man had its world premiere in competition at the Berlinale in March where Eggert also won the Berlinale’s Silver Bear for her performance.
- 10/4/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Meanwhile cinemas will remain closed until January 31.
German exhibitors and distributors saw box-office takings fall by over 70% in 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
According to provisional figures collated by Comscore, German cinemas posted total box-office turnover of €284.8m and sold 33.7m tickets. This was 70.5% and 69.2% down on takings and admissions recorded for 2019.
While US releases took €171.8m and were seen by over 19.5m cinema-goers - translating into a year-on-year decrease of 75.8% and 74.9% respectively, German films fared somewhat better in a year dominated by the pandemic and lockdown measures forcing cinemas to close for months.
Local production generated €85.3m box-office...
German exhibitors and distributors saw box-office takings fall by over 70% in 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
According to provisional figures collated by Comscore, German cinemas posted total box-office turnover of €284.8m and sold 33.7m tickets. This was 70.5% and 69.2% down on takings and admissions recorded for 2019.
While US releases took €171.8m and were seen by over 19.5m cinema-goers - translating into a year-on-year decrease of 75.8% and 74.9% respectively, German films fared somewhat better in a year dominated by the pandemic and lockdown measures forcing cinemas to close for months.
Local production generated €85.3m box-office...
- 1/6/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
The news comes as the German Producers Alliance issued a statement calling for solidarity within the film industry.
All of Germany’s cinemas must now be closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic following an agreement reached on Monday (16 March) by the Federal Government in Bonn with the prime ministers of the 16 regional Länder.
The new guidelines specify that cinemas, along with bars, clubs, theatres, opera houses and museums will shut down until further notice.
At the weekend, cities such as Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg announced measures to restrict social contact, which had included the closing of cinemas,...
All of Germany’s cinemas must now be closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic following an agreement reached on Monday (16 March) by the Federal Government in Bonn with the prime ministers of the 16 regional Länder.
The new guidelines specify that cinemas, along with bars, clubs, theatres, opera houses and museums will shut down until further notice.
At the weekend, cities such as Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg announced measures to restrict social contact, which had included the closing of cinemas,...
- 3/17/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
Dieter Berner’s directs the ambitious new period drama.
Picture Tree International has confirmed the financing and casting on Dieter Berner’s ambitious new period drama, Alma & Oskar, which will begin shooting in June.
The film, set in pre-First World War Vienna and which explores the turbulent relationship between the Viennese society Grand Dame Alma Mahler and the expressionist artist and enfant terrible Oskar Kokoschka. has been put together as an Austrian (Fillm Ag), German (Wüste Film), Swiss (Turnus Film) and Czech (Dawson Films) coproduction.
In advance of shooting, various distributors are also already aboard the production: Alamode for Germany,...
Picture Tree International has confirmed the financing and casting on Dieter Berner’s ambitious new period drama, Alma & Oskar, which will begin shooting in June.
The film, set in pre-First World War Vienna and which explores the turbulent relationship between the Viennese society Grand Dame Alma Mahler and the expressionist artist and enfant terrible Oskar Kokoschka. has been put together as an Austrian (Fillm Ag), German (Wüste Film), Swiss (Turnus Film) and Czech (Dawson Films) coproduction.
In advance of shooting, various distributors are also already aboard the production: Alamode for Germany,...
- 2/21/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Berlin-based Picture Tree International (Pti) has acquired global sales rights to Leander Haussmann’s highly anticipated East German laffer “A Stasi Comedy.”
Set in the early 1980s, the film centers on East Germany’s infamous state security service, the Staatssicherheitsdienst or Stasi, and young agent Ludger, played by David Kross, who is sent to infiltrate the counterculture scene in East Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district, home to artists, bohemians and free-thinking radicals. Decades later, Ludger is confronted with the possibility of his secret Stasi past coming to light.
Written and directed by Haussmann, “A Stasi Comedy” is the third installment in the celebrated filmmaker’s East German-themed comedy trilogy that began with “Sonnenallee” (“Sun Alley”) in 2000 and followed with “Nva” in 2004.
“After 30 years, it should be finally allowed to laugh about the Stasi,” Haussmann said.
“A Stasi Comedy” is produced by Ufa Fiction in co-production with Constantin Film, which is...
Set in the early 1980s, the film centers on East Germany’s infamous state security service, the Staatssicherheitsdienst or Stasi, and young agent Ludger, played by David Kross, who is sent to infiltrate the counterculture scene in East Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district, home to artists, bohemians and free-thinking radicals. Decades later, Ludger is confronted with the possibility of his secret Stasi past coming to light.
Written and directed by Haussmann, “A Stasi Comedy” is the third installment in the celebrated filmmaker’s East German-themed comedy trilogy that began with “Sonnenallee” (“Sun Alley”) in 2000 and followed with “Nva” in 2004.
“After 30 years, it should be finally allowed to laugh about the Stasi,” Haussmann said.
“A Stasi Comedy” is produced by Ufa Fiction in co-production with Constantin Film, which is...
- 2/17/2020
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Picture Tree Intl. has secured global sales rights of Berlin comedy “Nightlife,” directed by Simon Verhoeven, following his last film “Welcome to Germany,” which was Germany’s comic relief to the refugee crisis. The film sold to more than 60 territories and screened at more than 50 festivals worldwide, while being the No.1 box office hit in Germany in 2016.
“Nightlife” features German star Elyas M’Barek as bartender Milo who, on a night out in Berlin, meets Sunny, a Berlin native and the woman of his dreams – a fateful encounter as it soon turns out. Their first date starts out very smoothly until Milo’s chaotic friend Renzo, played by Frederick Lau, appears on the scene. Unexpectedly, the romantic evening turns into a wild race through the nightlife of Berlin with the trio fighting for nothing less than their lives and true love.
After blockbusters like “Maennerherzen” (Men in the City) (2009) and “Welcome to Germany...
“Nightlife” features German star Elyas M’Barek as bartender Milo who, on a night out in Berlin, meets Sunny, a Berlin native and the woman of his dreams – a fateful encounter as it soon turns out. Their first date starts out very smoothly until Milo’s chaotic friend Renzo, played by Frederick Lau, appears on the scene. Unexpectedly, the romantic evening turns into a wild race through the nightlife of Berlin with the trio fighting for nothing less than their lives and true love.
After blockbusters like “Maennerherzen” (Men in the City) (2009) and “Welcome to Germany...
- 2/12/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The German director is in Berlin shooting a new comedy toplined by Elyas M’Barek, Palina Rojinski and Frederick Lau. Production began last week in Berlin and the surrounding areas on Nightlife, a new film by Simon Verhoeven. Best known for having directed the box-office hit Men in the City and Welcome to Germany, a comedy about the refugee crisis, which in 2016 managed to attract more than 3.9 million viewers into the dark rooms and became the highest-grossing German-language film of the year, Verhoeven is now readying his sixth feature. Nightlife will follow Millo (Elyas M’Barek), a barkeeper, and Sunny (Palina Rojinski), a real Berliner, as they meet accidentally during a night out and decide to go on a date. Everything seems to be going well, but when Millo’s shambolic friend Renzo (Frederick Lau) joins them, the romantic evening turns into a wild ride through Berlin’s nightlife. Millo and Sunny.
“The Square” was the big winner at the European Film Awards, taking nearly every top prize: Best Film, Director, Actor, Screenwriter, even Best Comedy for good measure. It continues a very good year for Ruben Östlund’s art-world satire, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and is considered a likely nominee for the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
Also represented were “On Body and Soul,” which won the Golden Bear at Berlinale and earned Alexandra Borbely the Best Actress award, and “Communion,” which took the Documentary prize.
This year’s ceremony, the 30th, took place in Berlin. Avail yourself of the winner list below.
Read More:2017 European Film Awards Nominations: ‘The Square,’ ‘Bpm,’ ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer,’ and More Lead the Way Best European Film
“Bpm (Beats per Minute),” (Robin Campillo, France)
“Loveless,” (Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia, Belgium, Germany, France)
“On Body and Soul,” (Ildiko Enyedi,...
Also represented were “On Body and Soul,” which won the Golden Bear at Berlinale and earned Alexandra Borbely the Best Actress award, and “Communion,” which took the Documentary prize.
This year’s ceremony, the 30th, took place in Berlin. Avail yourself of the winner list below.
Read More:2017 European Film Awards Nominations: ‘The Square,’ ‘Bpm,’ ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer,’ and More Lead the Way Best European Film
“Bpm (Beats per Minute),” (Robin Campillo, France)
“Loveless,” (Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia, Belgium, Germany, France)
“On Body and Soul,” (Ildiko Enyedi,...
- 12/9/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The European Film Awards nominations have been released, with a number of festival favorites landing high-profile nods. Among them are “The Square” and “Bpm,” which were both nominated for Best European Film, and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” which missed out on the top category but was recognized in the Director, Actor, and Screenwriter fields.
Read More:‘The Square’ Director Ruben Östlund Wants to Push Cultural Boundaries, But Won’t Read Any Scripts With Killing
This year’s ceremony, the 30th, takes place in Berlin on December 9. Here are all the nominees:
Best European Film
“Bpm (Beats per Minute),” (Robin Campillo, France)
“Loveless,” (Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia, Belgium, Germany, France)
“On Body and Soul,” (Ildiko Enyedi, Hungary)
“The Other Side of Hope,” (Aki Kaurismaki, Finland, Germany)
“The Square,” (Ruben Ostlund, Sweden, Germany, France, Denmark)
Best European Director
Ildiko Enyedi, (“On Body and Soul”)
Aki Kaurismaki, (“The Other Side of Hope”)
Yorgos Lanthimos,...
Read More:‘The Square’ Director Ruben Östlund Wants to Push Cultural Boundaries, But Won’t Read Any Scripts With Killing
This year’s ceremony, the 30th, takes place in Berlin on December 9. Here are all the nominees:
Best European Film
“Bpm (Beats per Minute),” (Robin Campillo, France)
“Loveless,” (Andrey Zvyagintsev, Russia, Belgium, Germany, France)
“On Body and Soul,” (Ildiko Enyedi, Hungary)
“The Other Side of Hope,” (Aki Kaurismaki, Finland, Germany)
“The Square,” (Ruben Ostlund, Sweden, Germany, France, Denmark)
Best European Director
Ildiko Enyedi, (“On Body and Soul”)
Aki Kaurismaki, (“The Other Side of Hope”)
Yorgos Lanthimos,...
- 11/4/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Keep up with the glitzy awards world with our weekly Awards Roundup column.
– The Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja) have announced that Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris as the recipient of the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award. Morris will receive his award at the second annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards gala event, set to take place on Thursday, November 2 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York, hosted by Penn Jillette.
Journalist and author Kathryn Schulz will present the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award to Morris. Damien Echols will present the previously announced Critics’ Choice Impact Award to filmmaker Joe Berlinger. Additional award presenters include: Clive Davis, Matt Dillon, Gilbert Gottfried, Barbara Kopple, Lawrence O’Donnell, Linda Perry, and Fisher Stevens, Diane Warren, among others.
Read More:Helen Mirren Set for Chaplin Award, European Film Academy Honors Newcomers, and More — Awards Roundup
Netflix will release Morris’ newest offering,...
– The Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja) have announced that Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Errol Morris as the recipient of the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award. Morris will receive his award at the second annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards gala event, set to take place on Thursday, November 2 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York, hosted by Penn Jillette.
Journalist and author Kathryn Schulz will present the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award to Morris. Damien Echols will present the previously announced Critics’ Choice Impact Award to filmmaker Joe Berlinger. Additional award presenters include: Clive Davis, Matt Dillon, Gilbert Gottfried, Barbara Kopple, Lawrence O’Donnell, Linda Perry, and Fisher Stevens, Diane Warren, among others.
Read More:Helen Mirren Set for Chaplin Award, European Film Academy Honors Newcomers, and More — Awards Roundup
Netflix will release Morris’ newest offering,...
- 10/27/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Ruben Ostlund's The Square, winner of the Palme d'Or in Cannes, has also picked up a nomination for this year's European Film Awards.
Ostlund's satire of the international art world, starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West, is one of four nominees for best European comedy, announced Wednesday by the European Film Academy. The other contenders in the category are Simon Verhoeven's box- office hit Welcome to Germany, Christophe Van Rompaey's Vincent and the End of the World and King of the Belgians, from directors Jessica Woodworth and Peter Brosens.
In the best European animation category, this year's nominees...
Ostlund's satire of the international art world, starring Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West, is one of four nominees for best European comedy, announced Wednesday by the European Film Academy. The other contenders in the category are Simon Verhoeven's box- office hit Welcome to Germany, Christophe Van Rompaey's Vincent and the End of the World and King of the Belgians, from directors Jessica Woodworth and Peter Brosens.
In the best European animation category, this year's nominees...
- 10/25/2017
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The European Film Academy has set nominees in the Animated Feature Film and Comedy categories for this year's awards. In the European Comedy race are Ruben Ostlund's Palme d'Or winner The Square (Sweden/Germany/France/Denmark) which is also Sweden's Foreign Language Oscar entry; and smash German comedy Welcome To Germany by Simon Verhoeven. Figuring too are King Of The Belgians (Belgium/Netherlands/Bulgaria) helmed by Jessica Woodworth & Peter Brosens, and Vincent And The…...
- 10/25/2017
- Deadline
Social media can be a real time killer in everyday life, but in the new movie Friend Request, it kills more than just time, thanks to a supernatural social outcast who seeks vengeance on a group of tight-knit college classmates (suffice it to say that there are some people you should never unfriend). With the new horror film now out in Us theaters from Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures, I had the pleasure of catching up with co-writer/director Simon Verhoeven for our latest Q&A to discuss how he came up with the idea for the film, exploring a supernatural subconscious of the Internet, mixing ancient rituals with new technology, and much more.
You can read on for my full Q&A with Verhoeven, and, in case you missed it, check out our Q&A with Friend Request co-star Liesl Ahlers and my review of the film, as well as...
You can read on for my full Q&A with Verhoeven, and, in case you missed it, check out our Q&A with Friend Request co-star Liesl Ahlers and my review of the film, as well as...
- 9/22/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
We had the opportunity recently to catch up with Simon Verhoeven, the director of the latest “social media horror” flick, Friend Request. We asked him what makes his movie different and what some of his inspiration was when crafting this… Continue Reading →
The post Exclusive: Director Simon Verhoeven Accepts Our Friend Request appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Exclusive: Director Simon Verhoeven Accepts Our Friend Request appeared first on Dread Central.
- 9/22/2017
- by Staci Layne Wilson
- DreadCentral.com
Social media outlets like Facebook are supposed to bring people together, but anyone who has an online account nowadays knows that isn’t always the case, and it especially isn’t true for a college student named Marina (Liesl Ahlers) in Friend Request, a new horror film featuring witchcraft, disturbing visions, and face-eating wasps. But perhaps the most haunting thing of all is the number lurking under the friends tab on Marina’s page: “0.”
Marina’s classmate Laura (Fear The Walking Dead’s Alycia Debnam-Carey) has an opposite online life. Her social media friends are in the healthy 800+ range, but more importantly, she enjoys spending time with a tight-knit group of pals in real life, including the tech-savvy Kobe (Stake Land’s Connor Paolo) and her boyfriend, Tyler (William Moseley).
Admiring Marina’s dark fantasy digital artwork, Laura becomes friends with her reclusive classmate online, but as that dreaded “0” is...
Marina’s classmate Laura (Fear The Walking Dead’s Alycia Debnam-Carey) has an opposite online life. Her social media friends are in the healthy 800+ range, but more importantly, she enjoys spending time with a tight-knit group of pals in real life, including the tech-savvy Kobe (Stake Land’s Connor Paolo) and her boyfriend, Tyler (William Moseley).
Admiring Marina’s dark fantasy digital artwork, Laura becomes friends with her reclusive classmate online, but as that dreaded “0” is...
- 9/22/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The scariest thing in Simon Verhoeven’s social media-themed horror film Friend Request isn’t any of the frequent gruesome onscreen killings of its young characters. Rather, it’s this warning that keeps popping up on their computer screens: “An unknown error has occurred. Please try again later.” Just typing the words brings on a shudder.
No doubt you’ve encountered a variation of the phrase at some point or another. And you’ve probably also kept careful track of how many friends you have on Facebook, looking on enviously at other members with higher numbers. This film, like such predecessors as Unfriended, taps into...
No doubt you’ve encountered a variation of the phrase at some point or another. And you’ve probably also kept careful track of how many friends you have on Facebook, looking on enviously at other members with higher numbers. This film, like such predecessors as Unfriended, taps into...
- 9/22/2017
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A campfire tale for the social media age, Friend Request is Hollywood’s latest attempt to portray the internet as a scary place. It’s a conventional and predictable horror yarn, though well-executed enough that if you go in with lowered expectations, you may have some fun with it. Friend Request begins promisingly, introducing protagonist Laura Woodson (Alycia Debnam-Carey) in a lively and well-edited montage showing how she blends her real life with the internet. Laura is an outgoing popular college sophomore with plenty of friends including close ones Olivia (Brit Morgan), Izzy (Brooke Markham) and Gus (Sean Marquette), boyfriend Tyler (William Moseley), and over 800 more on Facebook (though the word ‘Facebook’ is never actually uttered in the film). She accepts a friend request from a fellow student, the damaged goth misfit Marina Nedifar (anagram of ‘A Friend’ – and played by Liesl Ahlers), who seems to do little except stare...
- 9/22/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
You'd think it would be difficult to empathize with someone who uses Facebook to destroy people's lives in gruesome ways, but Liesl Ahlers absolutely pulls it off in Friend Request. With the new horror film coming out in Us theaters this Friday from Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures (the same studio behind the recent Us theatrical release of 47 Meters Down), I had the great pleasure of catching up with actress Liesl Ahlers, who plays Marina, the social outcast who blends witchcraft and social media to haunt her college classmate Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and her friends. During the Q&A, Ahlers discusses how she brought out both the humanity and the vengeful side of Marina, learning to walk on stilts for the demonic version of the character, which member of The Breakfast Club she thinks Marina shares similarities with, and much more.
Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us,...
Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us,...
- 9/21/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
A group of tight-knit college classmates are haunted by a vengeful spirit through social media on their computers and phones in the new horror film Friend Request. To celebrate the film's release this Friday from Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures, a new prank video has been released in which unsuspecting participants in a virtual reality demo discover scares that are all too real when they get a scary surprise by actors wearing macabre makeup inspired by the new movie.
Watch the new prank video for Friend Request below, and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on Friend Request this week. In the meantime, just be careful who you add to your social media network...
Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Friend Request stars Alycia Debnam-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette, Liesl Ahlers, and Shashawnee Hall.
Synopsis: "Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends,...
Watch the new prank video for Friend Request below, and stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on Friend Request this week. In the meantime, just be careful who you add to your social media network...
Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Friend Request stars Alycia Debnam-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, Sean Marquette, Liesl Ahlers, and Shashawnee Hall.
Synopsis: "Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends,...
- 9/21/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
MaryAnn’s quick take… We’ve literally just seen this, in 2015’s Unfriended. Tedious wannabe scarefest misses the true horrors of Facebook and cultivates a personality-free blandness. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): not a big horror fan
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
If you’ve seen 2015’s Unfriended — about a bunch of high school students who are tormented online by the evil spirit of a classmate who was recently bullied into suicide — then you’ve already seen Friend Request, which is about a bunch of college students who are tormented online by the evil spirit of a classmate who recently committed suicide as the ultimate passive-aggressive response to being ignored. And in fact, this “new” movie has been languishing unreleased in the Us for a year and a half, perhaps to get more air between it and the earlier film.
I’m “biast” (con): not a big horror fan
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
If you’ve seen 2015’s Unfriended — about a bunch of high school students who are tormented online by the evil spirit of a classmate who was recently bullied into suicide — then you’ve already seen Friend Request, which is about a bunch of college students who are tormented online by the evil spirit of a classmate who recently committed suicide as the ultimate passive-aggressive response to being ignored. And in fact, this “new” movie has been languishing unreleased in the Us for a year and a half, perhaps to get more air between it and the earlier film.
- 9/19/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
You want to be careful who you unfriend on Facebook, especially when witchcraft is involved. A scorned classmate from the dead uses social media to tear a group of students apart—perhaps even literally—in the new horror film Friend Request, and we've been provided with an exclusive set of images from the movie to share with Daily Dead readers.
You can check out our exclusive images below, including Alycia Debnam-Carey from Fear The Walking Dead, Connor Paolo from the Stake Land movies, and Brit Morgan from Supergirl.
Directed by Simon Verhoeven and starring Alycia Debnam-Carey, Liesl Ahlers, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, and Sean Marquette, Friend Request will be released in theaters on September 22nd:
"Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and Irl. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl Ahlers) online friend request, until Marina crosses the line and Laura unfriends her.
You can check out our exclusive images below, including Alycia Debnam-Carey from Fear The Walking Dead, Connor Paolo from the Stake Land movies, and Brit Morgan from Supergirl.
Directed by Simon Verhoeven and starring Alycia Debnam-Carey, Liesl Ahlers, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan, Brooke Markham, and Sean Marquette, Friend Request will be released in theaters on September 22nd:
"Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and Irl. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl Ahlers) online friend request, until Marina crosses the line and Laura unfriends her.
- 9/14/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
We've seen Alycia Debnam-Carey survive the ravenous Infected on Fear The Walking Dead, but can she survive a scorned classmate who could be a witch? A new trailer for Friend Request explores one woman's brutal revenge via social media.
Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Friend Request will be released in theaters on September 22nd:
"Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and Irl. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl Ahlers) online friend request, until Marina crosses the line and Laura unfriends her. To everyone’s shock, Marina takes her own life in a ritual meant to torment Laura, which appears in a video posted on Laura’s profile. Even though it wasn’t Laura who posted the video, or other creepy content that begins appearing on her page, her Facebook friend count begins to dwindle as a result. When her real-life friends start dying mysterious,...
Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Friend Request will be released in theaters on September 22nd:
"Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and Irl. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl Ahlers) online friend request, until Marina crosses the line and Laura unfriends her. To everyone’s shock, Marina takes her own life in a ritual meant to torment Laura, which appears in a video posted on Laura’s profile. Even though it wasn’t Laura who posted the video, or other creepy content that begins appearing on her page, her Facebook friend count begins to dwindle as a result. When her real-life friends start dying mysterious,...
- 9/5/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Friend Request U.S. Trailer Simon Verhoeven‘s Friend Request (2016) U.S. movie trailer stars Alycia Debnam-Carey, William Moseley, Brit Morgan, Connor Paolo, and Liesl Ahlers. Friend Request‘s plot synopsis: “Popular college student Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has tons of friends, both on Facebook and Irl. She graciously accepts social outcast Marina’s (Liesl [...]
Continue reading: Friend Request (2016) U.S. Movie Trailer: A Witch is Hunting & Killing via Social Media...
Continue reading: Friend Request (2016) U.S. Movie Trailer: A Witch is Hunting & Killing via Social Media...
- 9/3/2017
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
A new horror movie with social media as an antagonist, Friend Request, is about one Facebook friend gone wrong. When I saw the trailer for Simon Verhoeven‘s R-rated horror film before 47 Meters Down, it was hard not to chuckle a little at the doom it spelled out when the lead unfriends what may be a witch on […]
The post ‘Friend Request’ Trailer: Witches and Social Media Team Up for a Horror Movie appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Friend Request’ Trailer: Witches and Social Media Team Up for a Horror Movie appeared first on /Film.
- 9/2/2017
- by Jack Giroux
- Slash Film
Tagline: "Evil is Trending." The true horror of losing friends on social media has been put to film, again! This time, the horror film is titled Friend Request. Directed by German filmmaker Simon Verhoeven, the film shows what can happen when you ostracize people on social media platforms. Plus, a little witchcraft is thrown into the mix to spice things up. This film stars: Alycia Debnam-Carey ("Fear the Walking Dead") and Liesl Ahlers. This title was shot in South Africa. And, Friend Request will see theatres, in the United States, this September. The trailer shows more of the film's mayhem. Laura (Debnam-Carey) unfriends Marina (Ahlers), on a very Facebook-like social media platform. Marina kills herself, not much later. Then, Marina's spirit returns to haunt Laura, both online and in real life. The spirit world, technology and the real world collide in Friend Request. As well, the film's theatrical poster is hosted here.
- 8/30/2017
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
While today’s technology-laden world makes a lot of things easier, it also comes at a price. Things may be easier than ever before, allowing us to be more productive in ways we never imagined, but it can sometimes open up all sorts of unexpected dangers.
There have been all kinds of horror movies that use technology at its center. One Missed Call used the cell phone, Unfriended was a horror film that took place over an extensive Skype conversation, and now, Friend Request takes the idea of social media and mixes it with a dash of more traditional horror elements, including witchcraft. But is it enough to make this film anything more than another gimmick?
Based on the trailer, it’s difficult to say. At some points, the concepts seems pretty interesting, but at others, it comes across as more of a cringefest. This one also has an interesting release history.
There have been all kinds of horror movies that use technology at its center. One Missed Call used the cell phone, Unfriended was a horror film that took place over an extensive Skype conversation, and now, Friend Request takes the idea of social media and mixes it with a dash of more traditional horror elements, including witchcraft. But is it enough to make this film anything more than another gimmick?
Based on the trailer, it’s difficult to say. At some points, the concepts seems pretty interesting, but at others, it comes across as more of a cringefest. This one also has an interesting release history.
- 8/30/2017
- by Joseph Medina
- LRMonline.com
On tap right now we have a fresh poster and trailer for the social media chiller, Friend Request, but it came and went without any fanfare. Look for it on September 22, 2017! Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Friend Request stars… Continue Reading →
The post Friend Request – Evil Trends in New Poster and Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Friend Request – Evil Trends in New Poster and Trailer appeared first on Dread Central.
- 8/30/2017
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Comedy and romance bookend the 2017 Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union. The 22nd Annual Sbff opens on July 20th at Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University. U.S. premiere screening of Welcome to Germany (Willkommen bei den Hartmanns), a feature written and directed by Simon Verhoeven (Men in the City), opens the Festival. Welcome to Germany is a timely comedy about a well-off Munich family who offer to take in a refugee. The film stars Senta Berger, Heiner Lauterbach, Palina Rojinski, Elyas M'Barek and Eric Kabongo. The film from Picture Tree, produced by Quirin Berg, Michael Verhoeven, Simon Verhoeven and Max Wiedemann, is being shown in its first screening in North America. A romantic comedy, Text for You, from...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 5/10/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Keep up with the always-hopping film festival world with our weekly Film Festival Roundup column. Check out last week’s Roundup right here.
Lineup Announcements
– BAMcinématek has announced the full lineup for the ninth annual BAMcinemaFest (Jun 14 – 25, 2017), which features 24 New York premieres, one North American premiere, and two world premieres. Opening the festival on Wednesday, June 14 is the New York premiere of Aaron Katz’s “Gemini.” This year’s Closing Night selection is the New York premiere of Brooklyn filmmaker Alex Ross Perry’s fifth feature, “Golden Exits.”
Other highlights include “En el Séptimo Día,” “A Ghost Story,” “Landline,” and “Whose Streets.” Check out the full lineup here.
– The Greenwich International Film Festival is proud to announce the full film slate and programming for the 3rd annual festival running June 1 – 4, 2017 in Greenwich, Connecticut.
“Bending the Arc,” a documentary about the extraordinary team of doctors and activists whose work thirty years...
Lineup Announcements
– BAMcinématek has announced the full lineup for the ninth annual BAMcinemaFest (Jun 14 – 25, 2017), which features 24 New York premieres, one North American premiere, and two world premieres. Opening the festival on Wednesday, June 14 is the New York premiere of Aaron Katz’s “Gemini.” This year’s Closing Night selection is the New York premiere of Brooklyn filmmaker Alex Ross Perry’s fifth feature, “Golden Exits.”
Other highlights include “En el Séptimo Día,” “A Ghost Story,” “Landline,” and “Whose Streets.” Check out the full lineup here.
– The Greenwich International Film Festival is proud to announce the full film slate and programming for the 3rd annual festival running June 1 – 4, 2017 in Greenwich, Connecticut.
“Bending the Arc,” a documentary about the extraordinary team of doctors and activists whose work thirty years...
- 5/4/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Maren Ade named best director as female filmmakers flourish.
Toni Erdmann continued its triumphant run at the German Film Awards on Friday night, taking home six coveted Lola statuettes in an evening dominated by strong women filmmakers.
Maren Ade’s tragicomedy received the Golden Lola for Best Feature Film as well as double honours for Ade (pictured at left) herself as director and screenwriter, plus statuettes for her lead actors Sandra Hueller (pictured at right) and Peter Simonischek, and a Lola for the film’s editor Heike Parplies.
Handled internationally by The Match Factory, Toni Erdmann began winning the hearts of critics and audiences around the globe following its premiere in Cannes’ Official Competition last year.
It picked up five European Film Awards in Poland’s Wroclaw last December – in the same categories as the Lolas except for editing – as well as Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.
Hours before Friday night’s ceremony in Berlin, the film’s...
Toni Erdmann continued its triumphant run at the German Film Awards on Friday night, taking home six coveted Lola statuettes in an evening dominated by strong women filmmakers.
Maren Ade’s tragicomedy received the Golden Lola for Best Feature Film as well as double honours for Ade (pictured at left) herself as director and screenwriter, plus statuettes for her lead actors Sandra Hueller (pictured at right) and Peter Simonischek, and a Lola for the film’s editor Heike Parplies.
Handled internationally by The Match Factory, Toni Erdmann began winning the hearts of critics and audiences around the globe following its premiere in Cannes’ Official Competition last year.
It picked up five European Film Awards in Poland’s Wroclaw last December – in the same categories as the Lolas except for editing – as well as Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.
Hours before Friday night’s ceremony in Berlin, the film’s...
- 4/28/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
German government reveals bold plan to increase film funding to €150m from 2018; Toni Erdmann scores six German Film Awards nominations.
The German government has approved a major increase in film funding in a bold bid to grow the local and international film business in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet has authorized a €50m boost to approximately $150m in film funding for 2018.
Culture secretary Monika Grütters confirmed on Thursday morning during the announcement of the nominations for this year’s German Film Awards (Lolas) that the budget from 2018 would comprise of €25m for culturally-oriented funding, €50m for the existing German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) cash rebate incentive programme, and €75m for the Dfff II scheme.
The latter is targeted at attracting and retaining major national and international productions in Germany as well as providing support for production service producers such as studios and VFX companies operating out of Germany.
This latest move to put Germany on a more...
The German government has approved a major increase in film funding in a bold bid to grow the local and international film business in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet has authorized a €50m boost to approximately $150m in film funding for 2018.
Culture secretary Monika Grütters confirmed on Thursday morning during the announcement of the nominations for this year’s German Film Awards (Lolas) that the budget from 2018 would comprise of €25m for culturally-oriented funding, €50m for the existing German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) cash rebate incentive programme, and €75m for the Dfff II scheme.
The latter is targeted at attracting and retaining major national and international productions in Germany as well as providing support for production service producers such as studios and VFX companies operating out of Germany.
This latest move to put Germany on a more...
- 3/16/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
German government reveals bold plan to increase film funding to €150m from 2018; Toni Ermann scores six German Film Awards nominations.
The German government has approved a major increase in film funding in a bold bid to grow the local and international film business in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet has authorized a €50m boost to approximately $150m in film funding for 2018.
Culture secretary Monika Grütters confirmed on Thursday morning during the announcement of the nominations for this year’s German Film Awards (Lolas) that the budget from 2018 would comprise of €25m for culturally-oriented funding, €50m for the existing German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) cash rebate incentive programme, and €75m for the Dfff II scheme.
The latter is targeted at attracting and retaining major national and international productions in Germany as well as providing support for production service producers such as studios and VFX companies operating out of Germany.
This latest move to put Germany on a more...
The German government has approved a major increase in film funding in a bold bid to grow the local and international film business in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet has authorized a €50m boost to approximately $150m in film funding for 2018.
Culture secretary Monika Grütters confirmed on Thursday morning during the announcement of the nominations for this year’s German Film Awards (Lolas) that the budget from 2018 would comprise of €25m for culturally-oriented funding, €50m for the existing German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) cash rebate incentive programme, and €75m for the Dfff II scheme.
The latter is targeted at attracting and retaining major national and international productions in Germany as well as providing support for production service producers such as studios and VFX companies operating out of Germany.
This latest move to put Germany on a more...
- 3/16/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
German government reveals bold plan to increase film funding to €150m from 2018; Toni Ermann scores six German Film Awards nominations.
The German government has approved a major increase in film funding in a bold bid to grow the local and international film business in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet has authorized a €50m boost to approximately $150m in film funding for 2018.
Culture secretary Monika Grütters confirmed on Thursday morning during the announcement of the nominations for this year’s German Film Awards (Lolas) that the budget from 2018 would comprise of €25m for culturally-oriented funding, €50m for the existing German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) cash rebate incentive programme, and €75m for the so-called Dfff II scheme.
The latter is targeted at attracting and retaining major national and international productions in Germany as well as providing support for production service producers such as studios and VFX companies operating out of Germany.
This latest...
The German government has approved a major increase in film funding in a bold bid to grow the local and international film business in Germany.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet has authorized a €50m boost to approximately $150m in film funding for 2018.
Culture secretary Monika Grütters confirmed on Thursday morning during the announcement of the nominations for this year’s German Film Awards (Lolas) that the budget from 2018 would comprise of €25m for culturally-oriented funding, €50m for the existing German Federal Film Fund (Dfff) cash rebate incentive programme, and €75m for the so-called Dfff II scheme.
The latter is targeted at attracting and retaining major national and international productions in Germany as well as providing support for production service producers such as studios and VFX companies operating out of Germany.
This latest...
- 3/16/2017
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
As society continues to further the threshold of technological advancement, horror cinema must adapt accordingly. More than any other genre, horror films mirror social phenomenons to exploit generational norms. Wireless carriers rarely drop service, smartphones can be tracked via Gps locators, handheld devices can research data on-the-spot – it’s getting harder and harder for on-screen killers to dupe victims these days. That’s why movies like Unfriended, The Den and Cam2Cam have ushered in a new cyber-terror scourge, something that Simon Verhoeven’s Friend Request looks to upgrade.
Alycia Debnam-Carey stars as Laura, a popular college co-ed with a healthy social following on Facebook (it’s never spoken, but it’s Facebook). Out of the blue one night, she receives a friend request from one of her loner classmates (Marina Mills, played by Liesl Ahlers). Laura initially sees no harm in befriending the quiet new student, and spends the...
Alycia Debnam-Carey stars as Laura, a popular college co-ed with a healthy social following on Facebook (it’s never spoken, but it’s Facebook). Out of the blue one night, she receives a friend request from one of her loner classmates (Marina Mills, played by Liesl Ahlers). Laura initially sees no harm in befriending the quiet new student, and spends the...
- 12/5/2016
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
Simon Verhoeven’s Welcome to the Hartmanns becomes the year’s No 1 local-language film in Germany, earning more than $20m at the domestic box office
A comedy about the refugee crisis has become Germany’s biggest homegrown film of the year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Willkommen bei den Hartmanns (Welcome to the Hartmanns) – which follows a well-to-do woman’s decision to take in an African refugee – has broken the $20m barrier at the German box office. This puts it some distance ahead of the second-placed Der Geilste Tag (The Most Beautiful Day) as the most successful German language film of 2016 at the domestic box office.
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A comedy about the refugee crisis has become Germany’s biggest homegrown film of the year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Willkommen bei den Hartmanns (Welcome to the Hartmanns) – which follows a well-to-do woman’s decision to take in an African refugee – has broken the $20m barrier at the German box office. This puts it some distance ahead of the second-placed Der Geilste Tag (The Most Beautiful Day) as the most successful German language film of 2016 at the domestic box office.
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- 11/28/2016
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
A broad comedy about the European refugee crisis has become Germany's top local-language film of the year, earning more than $20 million to date.
Welcome to the Hartmanns, directed by Simon Verhoeven, earned a further $2.1 million over the weekend with some 230,000 admissions, taking its total to 2.1 million admissions. It is on track to shoot by Verhoeven's top-grossing film, Men in the City (2009), which earned $20.3 million in Germany.
The movie stars veteran actor Senta Berger as Angelika Hartmann, a well-to-do Munich socialite who decides, in the wake of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-border policy of 2015,...
Welcome to the Hartmanns, directed by Simon Verhoeven, earned a further $2.1 million over the weekend with some 230,000 admissions, taking its total to 2.1 million admissions. It is on track to shoot by Verhoeven's top-grossing film, Men in the City (2009), which earned $20.3 million in Germany.
The movie stars veteran actor Senta Berger as Angelika Hartmann, a well-to-do Munich socialite who decides, in the wake of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-border policy of 2015,...
- 11/28/2016
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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