Film financier Peter Samuelson and showrunner-director Jonathan Prince have joined forces to launch PhilmCo, a production and distribution banner designed to produce socially-conscious movies and TV shows with a built-in philanthropic component.
Samuelson and Prince are working with private investors to fund the development of a range of projects that are about to be shopped to studio and network partners. The content backed by PhilmCo will focus on issues and causes that allow creative partners to build in calls to action to address the problems illustrated by the story.
Prince said issue-oriented content in the past has rarely taken the step of directly connecting audiences to charitable donations or social actions to capitalize on awareness. This will be a primary focus of PhilmCo which aims to knit together a network of appropriate nonprofit, charitable and philanthropic partners to help support each project and benefit.
“We’re all great storytellers, we...
Samuelson and Prince are working with private investors to fund the development of a range of projects that are about to be shopped to studio and network partners. The content backed by PhilmCo will focus on issues and causes that allow creative partners to build in calls to action to address the problems illustrated by the story.
Prince said issue-oriented content in the past has rarely taken the step of directly connecting audiences to charitable donations or social actions to capitalize on awareness. This will be a primary focus of PhilmCo which aims to knit together a network of appropriate nonprofit, charitable and philanthropic partners to help support each project and benefit.
“We’re all great storytellers, we...
- 10/8/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Affleck is taking a seat in the director’s chair once again.
The Oscar winner, 47, is set to direct the upcoming King Leopold’s Ghost, a drama based on Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about King Leopold II of Belgium’s conquest into the African Congo and the Congolese’s fight back against the monarch. The atrocities committed during King Leopold’s looting led to one of the first human rights movements. The movie will be set in the 20th century in Congo.
On top of directing, Affleck will also produce alongside Martin Scorsese, according to Deadline. The last...
The Oscar winner, 47, is set to direct the upcoming King Leopold’s Ghost, a drama based on Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about King Leopold II of Belgium’s conquest into the African Congo and the Congolese’s fight back against the monarch. The atrocities committed during King Leopold’s looting led to one of the first human rights movements. The movie will be set in the 20th century in Congo.
On top of directing, Affleck will also produce alongside Martin Scorsese, according to Deadline. The last...
- 11/22/2019
- by Ale Russian
- PEOPLE.com
Ben Affleck is heading back to the director’s chair with the historical drama ‘King Leopold’s Ghost’. He will also serve as a producer on the feature.
The film is said to be inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
‘Apocalypto’ co-scribe Farhad Safinia is attached to adapt the script. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia.
Also in the news – Dexter Fletcher set to helm ‘Dracula’ story ‘Renfield’
Affleck was last behind...
The film is said to be inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
‘Apocalypto’ co-scribe Farhad Safinia is attached to adapt the script. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia.
Also in the news – Dexter Fletcher set to helm ‘Dracula’ story ‘Renfield’
Affleck was last behind...
- 11/22/2019
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Actor Ben Affleck will direct and produce the historical drama titled "King Leopold's Ghost", set in the early 20th century in the Congo.
Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner.
Also Read:?Harrison Ford gears up for upcoming action-adventure film
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild's best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium's plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back, reports variety.com.
The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
Affleck starred in and directed "Argo" and "The Town".
His key leading roles include "Justice League", "The Accountant", "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", "Gone Girl" and the upcoming "The Way Back.
Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner.
Also Read:?Harrison Ford gears up for upcoming action-adventure film
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild's best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium's plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back, reports variety.com.
The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
Affleck starred in and directed "Argo" and "The Town".
His key leading roles include "Justice League", "The Accountant", "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice", "Gone Girl" and the upcoming "The Way Back.
- 11/22/2019
- GlamSham
Ben Affleck will direct and produce the historical drama “King Leopold’s Ghost,” set in the early 20th Century in the Congo.
The project will be developed by One Community. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
One Community is a co-financer on Warner Bros.’ drama “Just Mercy,” starring Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson.
The project will be developed by One Community. Affleck will produce via his Pearl Street Films banner, alongside Martin Scorsese who will produce via his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte will also produce. Emma Koskoff-Tillinger is also producing for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Farhad Safinia is attached to write the script, inspired by Adam Hochschild’s best-selling book about Leopold II of Belgium’s plunder in the Congo and the Congolese who defied him and fought back. The struggle sparked an unlikely alliance between a black American missionary, an English investigative journalist and an Irish spy, resulting in one of the first human rights movements in history.
One Community is a co-financer on Warner Bros.’ drama “Just Mercy,” starring Michael B. Jordan and Brie Larson.
- 11/21/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Affleck has found his next directorial project, as he’s set to direct “King Leopold’s Ghost,” a drama that details the true story of the oppression of the Congo in Africa by European rulers in the early 20th century.
Scott Budnick’s One Community, which is behind “Just Mercy” upcoming later this year, is financing the film. Affleck will also produce for his Pearl Street Films banner alongside Martin Scorsese for Sikelia Productions. Farhad Safinia (“Apocalypto”) is attached to write the script based on the non-fiction book by Adam Hochschild, “King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa.”
Harry and Gina Belafonte are also producing the film along with Emma Koskoff-Tillinger for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Also Read: Ridley Scott Revenge Tale 'The Last Duel' to Open Christmas 2020
“King Leopold’s Ghost” is based on...
Scott Budnick’s One Community, which is behind “Just Mercy” upcoming later this year, is financing the film. Affleck will also produce for his Pearl Street Films banner alongside Martin Scorsese for Sikelia Productions. Farhad Safinia (“Apocalypto”) is attached to write the script based on the non-fiction book by Adam Hochschild, “King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa.”
Harry and Gina Belafonte are also producing the film along with Emma Koskoff-Tillinger for Sikelia. Madison Ainley will executive produce for Pearl Street.
Also Read: Ridley Scott Revenge Tale 'The Last Duel' to Open Christmas 2020
“King Leopold’s Ghost” is based on...
- 11/21/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Ben Affleck will direct King Leopold’s Ghost, a fact-based drama about the plunder of the Congo by Belgium’s King Leopold II in the late 1800s. One Community, which co-financed Just Mercy, is financing development with an option to co-finance the film. Farhad Safinia (Apocalypto) is writing the script. Affleck is producing through his Pearl Street Films banner alongside Martin Scorsese and Emma Koskoff-Tillinger through his Sikelia Productions banner. Harry and Gina Belafonte are also producing, with Pearl Street’s Madison Ainley exec producing.
Safinia is basing his script on the Adam Hochschild book: King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa. The film covers an atrocious piece of history that is every bit as bad as the subtitle infers. Set at a moment when European countries were racing to find ways to carve up the natural resources of Africa, Leopold became...
Safinia is basing his script on the Adam Hochschild book: King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror and Heroism in Colonial Africa. The film covers an atrocious piece of history that is every bit as bad as the subtitle infers. Set at a moment when European countries were racing to find ways to carve up the natural resources of Africa, Leopold became...
- 11/21/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
PALM SPRINGS -- The story of the Congolese people and their nation -- through its permutations as Belgian Congo, Zaire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- is one of the cruelest chapters in modern history. It's a chapter that is far from over, as this exceptionally well-researched film by actress-turned-director Pippa Scott and co-director Oreet Rees makes painfully clear.
The dispiriting facts, drawn from Adam Hochschild's acclaimed 1998 book "King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa," have a harrowing power onscreen. As an introduction and overview, this is an important film. But in a sense the feature length feels awkward; a miniseries would be warranted, given the wealth of archival material, including photographs, illustrations, film footage and journal entries (read by narrator Don Cheadle, Alfre Woodard and James Cromwell, among others). After its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, "King Leopold's Ghost" should have a long life on the small screen and video and, in the hands of the right distributor, could connect with theatrical audiences.
The Congo's history is the story of the unchecked quest for rubber, diamonds, ivory and uranium -- and today, coltan, a metallic ore essential to the production of computers and cell phones. The phrase "crimes against humanity" was first used in 1890 by American journalist George Washington Williams, exposing the system of slave labor, torture and mutilation that made Leopold II an unconscionably wealthy man and put his tiny nation of Belgium on the map as a colonial power. In the territory that became the Belgian Congo, Leopold happened upon one of the world's richest stores of natural resources. Ruthless enterprise cost the colony 10 million lives, or half its population, in a 40-year period beginning in 1885. Companies making 700% profit on rubber routinely chopped off the hands of workers who didn't meet their quotas.
The atrocities haven't ended; Congo today is one of the most unstable countries on Earth, mired in war with neighbors and the internecine maneuvers of illegal traders. In its hard-hitting depiction of a legacy of unspeakable brutality, this film shows that the ghosts of Leopold are alive and well.
The dispiriting facts, drawn from Adam Hochschild's acclaimed 1998 book "King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa," have a harrowing power onscreen. As an introduction and overview, this is an important film. But in a sense the feature length feels awkward; a miniseries would be warranted, given the wealth of archival material, including photographs, illustrations, film footage and journal entries (read by narrator Don Cheadle, Alfre Woodard and James Cromwell, among others). After its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, "King Leopold's Ghost" should have a long life on the small screen and video and, in the hands of the right distributor, could connect with theatrical audiences.
The Congo's history is the story of the unchecked quest for rubber, diamonds, ivory and uranium -- and today, coltan, a metallic ore essential to the production of computers and cell phones. The phrase "crimes against humanity" was first used in 1890 by American journalist George Washington Williams, exposing the system of slave labor, torture and mutilation that made Leopold II an unconscionably wealthy man and put his tiny nation of Belgium on the map as a colonial power. In the territory that became the Belgian Congo, Leopold happened upon one of the world's richest stores of natural resources. Ruthless enterprise cost the colony 10 million lives, or half its population, in a 40-year period beginning in 1885. Companies making 700% profit on rubber routinely chopped off the hands of workers who didn't meet their quotas.
The atrocities haven't ended; Congo today is one of the most unstable countries on Earth, mired in war with neighbors and the internecine maneuvers of illegal traders. In its hard-hitting depiction of a legacy of unspeakable brutality, this film shows that the ghosts of Leopold are alive and well.
- 1/18/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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