Considering the gradual rise of cinema in the Arabic countries, either indoors or through diaspora, this year we expanded the selection of the Best West Asian films to include both West and Central Asian countries, in a list we feel highlights the diversity of the cinema of those countries, as much as the quality of their productions. Iran has the lion’s share as usual, considering it is the largest industry of the region, but movies from Israel, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kurdistan also found their place in the list. Also of note is the fact that a number of these productions move towards the mainstream, in a rather pleasant diversity from the “misery porn” we usually get to watch from these countries, while documentaries and shorts are also included
Without further ado, here are the best West Asian films of 2022, in random order. Some...
Without further ado, here are the best West Asian films of 2022, in random order. Some...
- 1/5/2023
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Beta Cinema has revealed that Menemsha Films has taken all rights to Ofir Raul Graizer’s critically acclaimed drama “America” for North America amidst strong interest for the territory.
The sensual, visually impressive melodrama about a tragic incident turning upside down the life of a Tel Aviv-based couple and their childhood friend was rewarded with an enthusiastic standing ovation at its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it played in the Crystal Globe Competition, and radiant reviews in the trade and consumer press.
In “America,” Chicago-based swimming coach Eli returns to his homeland, Israel, after 10 years of absence. A visit to his childhood friend Yotam and his newly engaged fiancée Iris will set a series of events in motion that will affect everyone’s lives.
The film is directed by Graizer, whose feature film debut “The Cakemaker” was a worldwide festival and sales hit, collecting numerous awards,...
The sensual, visually impressive melodrama about a tragic incident turning upside down the life of a Tel Aviv-based couple and their childhood friend was rewarded with an enthusiastic standing ovation at its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, where it played in the Crystal Globe Competition, and radiant reviews in the trade and consumer press.
In “America,” Chicago-based swimming coach Eli returns to his homeland, Israel, after 10 years of absence. A visit to his childhood friend Yotam and his newly engaged fiancée Iris will set a series of events in motion that will affect everyone’s lives.
The film is directed by Graizer, whose feature film debut “The Cakemaker” was a worldwide festival and sales hit, collecting numerous awards,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The festival runs July 21-31.
Alexandru Belc’s Metronom has picked up the award for best international film at the 39th edition of the Jerusalem Film Festival (Jff) this week.
The Romanian film was selected from 11 international titles, which included Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave and Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning. It centres around a teenage couple spending their last few days together in 1972. Belc also won the best director award when the film played in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard selection earlier this year.
Berlinale managing director Mariette Rissenbeek, Hungarian filmmaker László Nemes and Icelandic director Rúnar Rúnarsson comprised the jury.
Alexandru Belc’s Metronom has picked up the award for best international film at the 39th edition of the Jerusalem Film Festival (Jff) this week.
The Romanian film was selected from 11 international titles, which included Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave and Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning. It centres around a teenage couple spending their last few days together in 1972. Belc also won the best director award when the film played in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard selection earlier this year.
Berlinale managing director Mariette Rissenbeek, Hungarian filmmaker László Nemes and Icelandic director Rúnar Rúnarsson comprised the jury.
- 7/29/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
There is hardly a more exploited concept in literature and cinema as it is a love triangle, and there are few filmmakers that could pull it in a new and fresh way. The Israeli filmmaker Ofir Raul Graizer has a difficult task to stir the water in his unique way with his sophomore feature “America” that has premiered in the official Crystal Globe competition at Karlovy Vary. Some sort of a festival tour might be expected judging by the tone of film, its execution and Graizer’s own reputation: his debut “The Cakemaker” (2017) that also premiered at Kviff went to become the Israeli official entry for 2018 Oscar and a minor arthouse hit.
The title, which later proves to be quite misleading, comes to the place where our protagonist Ilay Cross (Michael Moshonov) resides and works as a swimming coach. One day, he receives a phone call from his father’s...
The title, which later proves to be quite misleading, comes to the place where our protagonist Ilay Cross (Michael Moshonov) resides and works as a swimming coach. One day, he receives a phone call from his father’s...
- 7/9/2022
- by Marko Stojiljković
- AsianMoviePulse
For director Ofir Raul Graizer, everything changed in Karlovy Vary. In 2017, the Israeli filmmaker brought his feature debut “The Cakemaker” to the Czech film festival, entering the spa town an unknown and leaving a rising star.
If the route that carried Graizer to his Karlovy Vary world premiere was dotted with eight years of false starts and rejection letters from international film funds, after the romantic drama received an historic 12-minute ovation – so ardent that people still talk about it until this day – Graizer’s path forward was set. Not only would “The Cakemaker” sweep Israel’s Ophir Awards (thus becoming that country’s Oscar submission), the film’s galvanizing reception opened new doors into the European industry.
And so, when Graizer’s more ambitious follow-up “America” made its world premiere at this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the project did so as the first Israeli-German-Czech co-production, carried...
If the route that carried Graizer to his Karlovy Vary world premiere was dotted with eight years of false starts and rejection letters from international film funds, after the romantic drama received an historic 12-minute ovation – so ardent that people still talk about it until this day – Graizer’s path forward was set. Not only would “The Cakemaker” sweep Israel’s Ophir Awards (thus becoming that country’s Oscar submission), the film’s galvanizing reception opened new doors into the European industry.
And so, when Graizer’s more ambitious follow-up “America” made its world premiere at this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the project did so as the first Israeli-German-Czech co-production, carried...
- 7/9/2022
- by Ben Croll
- The Wrap
“America” is a burdensome title for Israeli director Ofir Raul Graizer’s bright, frangible new film, casting expectations of continent-sized import onto a more individual, interior study of immigrant unrest. Visually iridescent and unexpectedly buoyant even when dealing with matters of plunging personal tragedy, this study of a Chicago-based swimming coach returning to his native Israel after his father’s death — setting off a chain of both present-tense misfortunes and disinterred traumas — braids blunt melodramatic storytelling with a softer, more searching look at conflicted identity, both cultural and sexual. If the film isn’t always narratively credible, it’s sincerely felt to the last.
“America” shares this appealing quality — as well as a few parallel plot points, and a quiet, diffident queerness — with Graizer’s 2017 debut “The Cakemaker,” and should resonate warmly with the same audience that made that film (selected as Israel’s international Oscar submission) an arthouse sleeper.
“America” shares this appealing quality — as well as a few parallel plot points, and a quiet, diffident queerness — with Graizer’s 2017 debut “The Cakemaker,” and should resonate warmly with the same audience that made that film (selected as Israel’s international Oscar submission) an arthouse sleeper.
- 7/6/2022
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
The Independent Cinema Office and The Bridge Group today (July 6) published the report, titled ’The UK Film Exhibition Sector Workforce Survey’.
UK support organisation, the Independent Cinema Office (Ico), has identified a series of ethnic, economic and geographical inequalities across the UK cinema exhibition workforce in its survey of the UK cinema exhibition sector, published today (July 6).
Key findings include: half of the survey respondents had never received any training, over half of respondents come from a more privileged background, a lack of representation of the UK’s ethnic make-up and a weighting towards jobs in London and the southeast.
UK support organisation, the Independent Cinema Office (Ico), has identified a series of ethnic, economic and geographical inequalities across the UK cinema exhibition workforce in its survey of the UK cinema exhibition sector, published today (July 6).
Key findings include: half of the survey respondents had never received any training, over half of respondents come from a more privileged background, a lack of representation of the UK’s ethnic make-up and a weighting towards jobs in London and the southeast.
- 7/6/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The Israeli filmmaker’s follow up to The Cakemaker plays in competition this week Karlovy Vary.
As with his debut feature The Cakemaker, Israeli director Ofir Raul Graizer latest film America unspools this week in competition at the Karlovy Vary International FIlm Festival.
The film follows Eli, played by Michael Moshonov, who is forced to return to his native Israel after his father’s death. After contacting old friend Yotam (Ofri Biterman) – as well as meeting his fiancée Iris (Oshrat Ingedashet) – an incident will soon occur that will create a seismic shift in the lives of each of them.
The...
As with his debut feature The Cakemaker, Israeli director Ofir Raul Graizer latest film America unspools this week in competition at the Karlovy Vary International FIlm Festival.
The film follows Eli, played by Michael Moshonov, who is forced to return to his native Israel after his father’s death. After contacting old friend Yotam (Ofri Biterman) – as well as meeting his fiancée Iris (Oshrat Ingedashet) – an incident will soon occur that will create a seismic shift in the lives of each of them.
The...
- 7/5/2022
- by Laurence Boyce
- ScreenDaily
Following the success of Ofir Raul Graizer’s debut feature “The Cakemaker,” acquired by Netflix in the U.S. and already optioned for a Hollywood remake, securing financing for his second film “America” was much easier. But then the pandemic came. “This made things extremely complicated,” he tells Variety.
“We shot in 2020. There were still no vaccines, so we were basically making a film when there was a sense that the world was coming to an end. This was the feeling we had: a constant anxiety attack.”
Now, “America” – a Laila Films production – will compete for the Crystal Globe award at Karlovy Vary Film Festival. With Beta Cinema handling world sales, it was produced by Itai Tamir. Michael Moshonov, Oshrat Ingedashet and Ofri Biterman star.
In “The Cakemaker,” a German baker travels to Jerusalem in search of his dead male lover’s family. This time, Eli – an Israeli swimming coach living in the U.
“We shot in 2020. There were still no vaccines, so we were basically making a film when there was a sense that the world was coming to an end. This was the feeling we had: a constant anxiety attack.”
Now, “America” – a Laila Films production – will compete for the Crystal Globe award at Karlovy Vary Film Festival. With Beta Cinema handling world sales, it was produced by Itai Tamir. Michael Moshonov, Oshrat Ingedashet and Ofri Biterman star.
In “The Cakemaker,” a German baker travels to Jerusalem in search of his dead male lover’s family. This time, Eli – an Israeli swimming coach living in the U.
- 7/4/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Festival reveals 13 features set to receive their world premieres.
Jerusalem Film Festival (Jff) has revealed its line-up of Israeli films for its 39th edition, which includes world premieres for anticipated features by Michal Vinik and Yona Rozenkier.
A total of eight features have been selected for the Haggiag Competition for Israeli features while seven titles make up the Diamond Competition for Israeli documentaries.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The Haggiag Competition includes the world premiere of Valeria Gets Married by Israeli filmmaker Vinik, who previously made waves internationally with her 2015 drama Blush about a relationship between two Israeli schoolgirls.
Jerusalem Film Festival (Jff) has revealed its line-up of Israeli films for its 39th edition, which includes world premieres for anticipated features by Michal Vinik and Yona Rozenkier.
A total of eight features have been selected for the Haggiag Competition for Israeli features while seven titles make up the Diamond Competition for Israeli documentaries.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The Haggiag Competition includes the world premiere of Valeria Gets Married by Israeli filmmaker Vinik, who previously made waves internationally with her 2015 drama Blush about a relationship between two Israeli schoolgirls.
- 6/30/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Jerusalem Film Festival Unveils Israeli Competition As It Gears Up For First Full Edition Since 2019
The Jerusalem Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its Israeli feature film competition as well as all the other local productions selected to screen in its 39th edition, running 21-31.
The event returns to its traditional July dates for the first time since 2019 this year, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it online in 2020 and pushed it into August and prevented it from inviting international guests in 2021.
This edition is being piloted by Jerusalem Cinematheque manager Roni Mahadav-Levin and artistic director Elad Samorzik, following the departure earlier this year of longtime cinematheque and festival director Noa Regev to head up the Israel Film Fund. Her replacement will be decided after this year’s edition.
World premieres in the Israeli competition include Michal Vinik’s drama Valeria Is Getting Married about two Ukrainian sisters who travel to Israel for marriage. It is Vinik’s first solo feature since 2015 festival breakout Blush.
The event returns to its traditional July dates for the first time since 2019 this year, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it online in 2020 and pushed it into August and prevented it from inviting international guests in 2021.
This edition is being piloted by Jerusalem Cinematheque manager Roni Mahadav-Levin and artistic director Elad Samorzik, following the departure earlier this year of longtime cinematheque and festival director Noa Regev to head up the Israel Film Fund. Her replacement will be decided after this year’s edition.
World premieres in the Israeli competition include Michal Vinik’s drama Valeria Is Getting Married about two Ukrainian sisters who travel to Israel for marriage. It is Vinik’s first solo feature since 2015 festival breakout Blush.
- 6/30/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The trailer has debuted for “America,” a drama directed by Ofir Raul Graizer (“The Cakemaker”), which will world premiere at Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival in the Crystal Globe Competition. Beta Cinema is handling world sales.
The film centers on Eli, an Israeli swimming coach living in the U.S. A phone call notifies him that his father, who he has not been in touch with, has died. Eli reluctantly travels to Tel Aviv for the first time in 10 years to deal with the estate. On his short trip, he decides to visit his childhood friend Yotam, who used to swim with Eli when they were young. However, Yotam has left swimming long ago. He is running a flower shop in Jaffa with his fiancée Iris, who, like Eli, is not in touch with her family. When Eli comes to visit the two, he will set in motion a series...
The film centers on Eli, an Israeli swimming coach living in the U.S. A phone call notifies him that his father, who he has not been in touch with, has died. Eli reluctantly travels to Tel Aviv for the first time in 10 years to deal with the estate. On his short trip, he decides to visit his childhood friend Yotam, who used to swim with Eli when they were young. However, Yotam has left swimming long ago. He is running a flower shop in Jaffa with his fiancée Iris, who, like Eli, is not in touch with her family. When Eli comes to visit the two, he will set in motion a series...
- 6/27/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has completed its 2022 line-up, adding Alexandre O. Philippe’s documentary Lynch/Oz to its Horizons section and three new premieres to its Imagina sidebar.
Lynch/Oz, which premiered at Tribeca earlier this month, will have its European premiere at the Czech festival. Philippe’s documentary essay explores how the film classic The Wizard of Oz helped inspire and shape the work of David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet). Alexandre O. Philippe will attend Karlovy Vary to present the film on July 4. The festival will also screen The Wizard of Oz, Lynch’s Wild at Heart, and Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 sci-fi classic Back to the Future, all of which play a major role in the documentary.
For its Imagina section, which highlights more experimental work, Karlovy Vary has added three world premieres to its final line up: Tiger,...
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has completed its 2022 line-up, adding Alexandre O. Philippe’s documentary Lynch/Oz to its Horizons section and three new premieres to its Imagina sidebar.
Lynch/Oz, which premiered at Tribeca earlier this month, will have its European premiere at the Czech festival. Philippe’s documentary essay explores how the film classic The Wizard of Oz helped inspire and shape the work of David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet). Alexandre O. Philippe will attend Karlovy Vary to present the film on July 4. The festival will also screen The Wizard of Oz, Lynch’s Wild at Heart, and Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 sci-fi classic Back to the Future, all of which play a major role in the documentary.
For its Imagina section, which highlights more experimental work, Karlovy Vary has added three world premieres to its final line up: Tiger,...
- 6/17/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film festival unveils 27 world premieres and three international premieres.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff) has announced the line-up of 33 features for its 56th edition, which includes Jake Paltrow’s Ukraine-shot Adolf Eichmann feature June Zero.
The Czech festival will take place from July 1-9 and the selection includes 27 world premieres, three international premieres and three European premieres.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The 12 titles in the Crystal Globe Competition are all world premieres, with the exception of Anna Kazejak’s Fucking Bornholm; Sophie Linnenbaum’s The Ordinaries; and Jonás Trueba’s You Have To Come And See It – all international premieres.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff) has announced the line-up of 33 features for its 56th edition, which includes Jake Paltrow’s Ukraine-shot Adolf Eichmann feature June Zero.
The Czech festival will take place from July 1-9 and the selection includes 27 world premieres, three international premieres and three European premieres.
Scroll down for full list of titles
The 12 titles in the Crystal Globe Competition are all world premieres, with the exception of Anna Kazejak’s Fucking Bornholm; Sophie Linnenbaum’s The Ordinaries; and Jonás Trueba’s You Have To Come And See It – all international premieres.
- 5/31/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The 56th Karlovy Vary Film Festival has unveiled its official selection, which comprises 33 films from five continents screening across three sections. Scroll down for full list.
Artistic director Karel Och’s program includes twenty-seven world premieres, three international premieres, and three European premieres, covering five continents.
Among the lineup are Jake Paltrow’s drama June Zero about the trial of Nazi Adolf Eichmann. Shot on Super-16mm film in Israel and Ukraine, the film is produced by Miranda Bailey (God’s Country), David Silber (Incitement) and Oren Moverman (Bad Education).
In addition to the Crystal Globe Competition and Special Screenings section, Kviff’s new competition, Proxima (for young filmmakers and auteurs with films that defy categorization), will make its debut in this year’s edition. Contrary to its preceding competition, East of the West, Proxima has no geographical restrictions and is open to filmmakers from around the world.
The Czech festival...
Artistic director Karel Och’s program includes twenty-seven world premieres, three international premieres, and three European premieres, covering five continents.
Among the lineup are Jake Paltrow’s drama June Zero about the trial of Nazi Adolf Eichmann. Shot on Super-16mm film in Israel and Ukraine, the film is produced by Miranda Bailey (God’s Country), David Silber (Incitement) and Oren Moverman (Bad Education).
In addition to the Crystal Globe Competition and Special Screenings section, Kviff’s new competition, Proxima (for young filmmakers and auteurs with films that defy categorization), will make its debut in this year’s edition. Contrary to its preceding competition, East of the West, Proxima has no geographical restrictions and is open to filmmakers from around the world.
The Czech festival...
- 5/31/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Thirty-three films comprise the eclectic lineup for the 56th Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival, the programming team led by the artistic director Karel Och revealed Tuesday. The selection includes 27 world premieres, three international premieres, and three European premieres, covering five continents.
In addition to the Crystal Globe Competition and Special Screenings section, Kviff’s new competition, Proxima, will make its debut in this year’s edition. Proxima aims to be “an inclusive space for pictures by young filmmakers and renowned auteurs alike, presenting bold works that defy categorization,” the festival said. In contrast to the East of the West competition, which it replaces, Proxima has no geographical restrictions.
Thirteen titles in the official selection are directed by filmmakers who have competed in Kviff before. Nine films are debut features. Melodramas, dystopian sci-fis, romantic comedies and essay documentaries are part of the wide-ranging lineup.
“From the 1,500 films that have been submitted this year,...
In addition to the Crystal Globe Competition and Special Screenings section, Kviff’s new competition, Proxima, will make its debut in this year’s edition. Proxima aims to be “an inclusive space for pictures by young filmmakers and renowned auteurs alike, presenting bold works that defy categorization,” the festival said. In contrast to the East of the West competition, which it replaces, Proxima has no geographical restrictions.
Thirteen titles in the official selection are directed by filmmakers who have competed in Kviff before. Nine films are debut features. Melodramas, dystopian sci-fis, romantic comedies and essay documentaries are part of the wide-ranging lineup.
“From the 1,500 films that have been submitted this year,...
- 5/31/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Film and TV productions in Germany have come back with gusto following the three-month Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year, albeit under stringent health protection requirements.
Despite a second lockdown in November due to the rise in coronavirus cases, shooting continues around the country, both in studios and on location. Warners’ “Matrix 4,” Sony’s “Uncharted,” Apple TV Plus’ “Foundation” and the Netflix pic “Munich” are among the big international productions that have recently shot in Germany.
At Studio Babelsberg, “Matrix 4” and “Uncharted” recently wrapped after being initially shut down in March. “We are happy that we were able to carry out both productions without any major incidents in the very difficult period after the lockdown and that everything went wonderfully,” says Studio Babelsberg COO Christoph Fisser.
Peter Dinges, CEO of the German Federal Film Board (Ffa), notes that “Matrix 4” in particular was “an absolutely major project for us,...
Despite a second lockdown in November due to the rise in coronavirus cases, shooting continues around the country, both in studios and on location. Warners’ “Matrix 4,” Sony’s “Uncharted,” Apple TV Plus’ “Foundation” and the Netflix pic “Munich” are among the big international productions that have recently shot in Germany.
At Studio Babelsberg, “Matrix 4” and “Uncharted” recently wrapped after being initially shut down in March. “We are happy that we were able to carry out both productions without any major incidents in the very difficult period after the lockdown and that everything went wonderfully,” says Studio Babelsberg COO Christoph Fisser.
Peter Dinges, CEO of the German Federal Film Board (Ffa), notes that “Matrix 4” in particular was “an absolutely major project for us,...
- 12/9/2020
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The 34th Israel Film Festival Los Angeles has confirmed its line-up for this year’s edition, which will be held entirely online for the first time.
Running December 13 – 27, the fest will screen 23 features, including two U.S. premieres, Israel’s Oscar submission this year, Asia, as well as a number of past Ophir award winners. The event will also host Q&As after each film with talent.
Asia opens the festival having recently won Best Film at this year’s Ophir Awards, Israel’s top film awards, which automatically makes it the Oscar contender for 2021. The film also won Ophirs for Best Actress, Supporting Actress and Cinematography.
The festival will present its 2020 Iff Lifetime Achievement Award to Meir Feningstein, the event’s founder and executive director. It will also screen concert documentary Poogy / Kaveret 2013 Reunion Concert, centered on the band for which Feningstein is the drummer.
“As the world faces enormous disruption and loss,...
Running December 13 – 27, the fest will screen 23 features, including two U.S. premieres, Israel’s Oscar submission this year, Asia, as well as a number of past Ophir award winners. The event will also host Q&As after each film with talent.
Asia opens the festival having recently won Best Film at this year’s Ophir Awards, Israel’s top film awards, which automatically makes it the Oscar contender for 2021. The film also won Ophirs for Best Actress, Supporting Actress and Cinematography.
The festival will present its 2020 Iff Lifetime Achievement Award to Meir Feningstein, the event’s founder and executive director. It will also screen concert documentary Poogy / Kaveret 2013 Reunion Concert, centered on the band for which Feningstein is the drummer.
“As the world faces enormous disruption and loss,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The UK Jewish Film Festival (Nov 6-23) has assembled a strong jury lineup for its 23rd edition including BAFTA chairwoman Jane Lush, Bridget Jones’s Baby scribe Dan Mazer, former Storyville boss Nick Fraser and Three Identical Strangers director Tim Wardle. Scroll down for the full list of jurors.
The festival program will be revealed on September 19 and organizers tell us it will be the biggest to date. The hub of the festival will be in London but there are due to be regional screenings in more than 20 cities in the UK.
Last year the Dorfman Best Film Award went to Wardle’s acclaimed doc Three Identical Strangers. There were special screenings for movies including Foxtrot, Promise At Dawn, Working Woman and Philip Roth adaptation The Human Stain. Guests included Simon Chinn, Mélanie Thierry and David Schneider.
The festival featured 85 films from 16 countries, including 51 UK premieres, at 21 cinemas in London,...
The festival program will be revealed on September 19 and organizers tell us it will be the biggest to date. The hub of the festival will be in London but there are due to be regional screenings in more than 20 cities in the UK.
Last year the Dorfman Best Film Award went to Wardle’s acclaimed doc Three Identical Strangers. There were special screenings for movies including Foxtrot, Promise At Dawn, Working Woman and Philip Roth adaptation The Human Stain. Guests included Simon Chinn, Mélanie Thierry and David Schneider.
The festival featured 85 films from 16 countries, including 51 UK premieres, at 21 cinemas in London,...
- 9/11/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
This story on “The Cakemaker” first appeared in the Foreign Language issue of TheWrap’s Oscar magazine.
Ofir Raul Graizer was a film student when he first encountered the story that would turn into “The Cakemaker,” a winner of Israel’s Ophir Awards about an Israeli bakery owner and the German man who comes into her world hiding a secret about her late husband.
The film is Israel’s entry in this year’s Oscar race for Best Foreign Language Film, and this interview is one in a series of conversations TheWrap had with directors of the foreign contenders.
Also Read: Oscars Foreign Language Race 2018: Complete List of Submissions
This story came from a personal experience, didn’t it?
Ofir Raul Graizer: Yeah. It’s not mine, but I knew a guy a long time ago — 10, 12 years ago — and he had a double life. He had a wife and...
Ofir Raul Graizer was a film student when he first encountered the story that would turn into “The Cakemaker,” a winner of Israel’s Ophir Awards about an Israeli bakery owner and the German man who comes into her world hiding a secret about her late husband.
The film is Israel’s entry in this year’s Oscar race for Best Foreign Language Film, and this interview is one in a series of conversations TheWrap had with directors of the foreign contenders.
Also Read: Oscars Foreign Language Race 2018: Complete List of Submissions
This story came from a personal experience, didn’t it?
Ofir Raul Graizer: Yeah. It’s not mine, but I knew a guy a long time ago — 10, 12 years ago — and he had a double life. He had a wife and...
- 11/19/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
“With a gentle approach, [The Cakemaker] portrays a journey towards acceptance and the pursuit of love. The unique bond formed between the characters strengthens a healing process that brings them a new life. It allows the viewer to connect to the most important of human values, something that overcomes all prejudices: love.” – The 2017 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival’s Ecumenical Jury
One of the biggest indie breakouts of 2018 was Ofir Raul Graizer’s The Cakemaker. The film kicked off its festival run at the 2017 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and won the Award of Ecumenical Jury. When the film debuted stateside last summer, it played for 19 weeks and became one of Strand Releasing’s best performing titles of the last decade, making $875,000. Despite receiving little attention from American press, it was certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 98% rating, which clearly helped with word of mouth.
Prior to the film’s release,...
One of the biggest indie breakouts of 2018 was Ofir Raul Graizer’s The Cakemaker. The film kicked off its festival run at the 2017 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and won the Award of Ecumenical Jury. When the film debuted stateside last summer, it played for 19 weeks and became one of Strand Releasing’s best performing titles of the last decade, making $875,000. Despite receiving little attention from American press, it was certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 98% rating, which clearly helped with word of mouth.
Prior to the film’s release,...
- 11/13/2018
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Ofir Raul Graizer ‘s poignant feature debut, ‘The Cakemaker’, is Israel’s official Oscar® entry for Best Foreign Language Film. I rank it among the top contenders ‘Never Look Away’, ‘Burning’, ‘Cold War’, ‘Roma’, ‘The Heiresses’, and ‘Birds of Passage’.
I was so moved by the film and so identified with it that I jumped at the chance to interview Ofir and actor Tim Kalkhof. Our interview became a conversation that lasted several hours as we first sipped wine and then ordered pizza at the wonderful Caffé Roma in Beverly Hills.
The Cakemaker is an extraordinary movie for many reasons. First and foremost, its emotional resonance is so in tune to many people. Film writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer and the costar of his film Tim Kalkhof, can recount many stories of people coming up to them tearfully or hugging them spontaneously after having seen the film at some point since...
I was so moved by the film and so identified with it that I jumped at the chance to interview Ofir and actor Tim Kalkhof. Our interview became a conversation that lasted several hours as we first sipped wine and then ordered pizza at the wonderful Caffé Roma in Beverly Hills.
The Cakemaker is an extraordinary movie for many reasons. First and foremost, its emotional resonance is so in tune to many people. Film writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer and the costar of his film Tim Kalkhof, can recount many stories of people coming up to them tearfully or hugging them spontaneously after having seen the film at some point since...
- 11/13/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
‘Jirga’
Benjamin Gilmour’s Afghanistan-set drama Jirga will carry Australia’s hopes of being nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
The international recognition as Australia’s official submission follows the film’s international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and winning the $100,000 best film prize, Australia’s richest, at CinfestOZ.
Produced and distributed by John Maynard, the film stars Sam Smith as a former Australian soldier who returns to Afghanistan seeking forgiveness and puts his life in the hands of the village justice system – the Jirga.
There are 87 countries vying for the prize, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger and high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s Roma and Poland’s Cold War, both of which are hoping to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director and more.
Gilmour said: “We are thrilled about the honour of representing Australia.
Benjamin Gilmour’s Afghanistan-set drama Jirga will carry Australia’s hopes of being nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
The international recognition as Australia’s official submission follows the film’s international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and winning the $100,000 best film prize, Australia’s richest, at CinfestOZ.
Produced and distributed by John Maynard, the film stars Sam Smith as a former Australian soldier who returns to Afghanistan seeking forgiveness and puts his life in the hands of the village justice system – the Jirga.
There are 87 countries vying for the prize, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger and high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s Roma and Poland’s Cold War, both of which are hoping to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director and more.
Gilmour said: “We are thrilled about the honour of representing Australia.
- 10/8/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for consideration in the foreign language category for the 91st Academy Awards.
Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 and the ceremony will be held on Feb. 24 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Malawi and Niger are first-time entrants. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Monday.
High-profile titles include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Mexican entry; Denmark’s “The Guilty”; Germany’s “Never Look Away,” from previous Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” the Japanese entry that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival; Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” the Cannes jury prize winner from Lebanon; and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” the Cannes best director prize winner from Poland.
The 2018 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director;
Argentina, “El Ángel,...
Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 and the ceremony will be held on Feb. 24 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Malawi and Niger are first-time entrants. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Monday.
High-profile titles include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Mexican entry; Denmark’s “The Guilty”; Germany’s “Never Look Away,” from previous Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” the Japanese entry that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival; Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” the Cannes jury prize winner from Lebanon; and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” the Cannes best director prize winner from Poland.
The 2018 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director;
Argentina, “El Ángel,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
A whopping 87 countries submitted entries in the Foreign-Language Film race at the 2019 Oscars. That is down by five from last year’s record 92 submissions but up by two from 2017, which had broken the benchmark of 83 set in 2015. The nations represented ranged from A (Afghanistan) to Y (Yemen). Among the contenders is the Mexican entry “Roma” by Oscar winner Alfonso Cuaron (“Gravity”). This Venice Film Festival winner is a strong contender in both this and the Best Picture race at the Oscars.
Predicting the eventual five Oscar nominees for Best Foreign-Language Film is made difficult by the two-step process.
First, the several hundred academy members of the Foreign-Language Film screening committee are required to watch a number of the submissions (upwards of a dozen) over a two-month period that ends in mid December. They will rate them from 6 to 10 and their top six vote-getters make it to the next round, as...
Predicting the eventual five Oscar nominees for Best Foreign-Language Film is made difficult by the two-step process.
First, the several hundred academy members of the Foreign-Language Film screening committee are required to watch a number of the submissions (upwards of a dozen) over a two-month period that ends in mid December. They will rate them from 6 to 10 and their top six vote-getters make it to the next round, as...
- 10/8/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the official list of submissions for the 2019 Oscar for best foreign language film. There are 87 countries vying for the prize this awards season, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger. Included among the titles are high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s “Roma” and Poland’s “Cold War,” both of which are vying to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director, and more.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced today that 87 countries have qualified for this year’s Foreign Language Film competition. With some of the
strongest entries in recent years this is shaping up as one of the richest fields of contenders in memory. Of course one of the Netflix titles, Mexico’s Roma from director Alfonso Cuaron has been widely acclaimed at numerous festivals and already won top prize at Venice which makes it the front runner here. It is also expected to be in contention for a Best Picture nomination as well as other categories and that could enhance its chances. However could an upset be in the offing? I would say there are a number of equally fine movies in the mix here including Japan’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Shoplifters; Denmark’s riveting The Guilty; Germany’s epic Never Look Away from previous Oscar winner...
strongest entries in recent years this is shaping up as one of the richest fields of contenders in memory. Of course one of the Netflix titles, Mexico’s Roma from director Alfonso Cuaron has been widely acclaimed at numerous festivals and already won top prize at Venice which makes it the front runner here. It is also expected to be in contention for a Best Picture nomination as well as other categories and that could enhance its chances. However could an upset be in the offing? I would say there are a number of equally fine movies in the mix here including Japan’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Shoplifters; Denmark’s riveting The Guilty; Germany’s epic Never Look Away from previous Oscar winner...
- 10/8/2018
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Best film winner is traditionally entered as Israel’s foreign-language Oscar submission.
Ofir Raul Graizer’s bittersweet romantic drama The Cakemaker triumphed at Israel’s prestigious Ophir Awards on Thursday evening (Sept 6), clinching six prizes including best film.
The winner of the best film Ophir traditionally goes on to represent Israel as the country’s foreign-language Oscar submission.
A tale secrets and loss, the drama revolved around Berlin pastry chef Thomas who heads to Jerusalem in the footsteps of his late married Israeli lover, where he bonds with the man’s wife Anat.
It was produced by Itai Tamir at...
Ofir Raul Graizer’s bittersweet romantic drama The Cakemaker triumphed at Israel’s prestigious Ophir Awards on Thursday evening (Sept 6), clinching six prizes including best film.
The winner of the best film Ophir traditionally goes on to represent Israel as the country’s foreign-language Oscar submission.
A tale secrets and loss, the drama revolved around Berlin pastry chef Thomas who heads to Jerusalem in the footsteps of his late married Israeli lover, where he bonds with the man’s wife Anat.
It was produced by Itai Tamir at...
- 9/7/2018
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
German-Israeli film “The Cakemaker” won best picture at Israel’s Ophir Awards on Thursday evening, an accolade that automatically makes it the country’s submission to the foreign-language film category at the Oscars.
The film was written and directed by Ofir Raul Graizer, an Israeli who lives in Berlin. Released last year, “The Cakemaker” focuses on a young German baker named Thomas who falls in love with Oren, a married Israeli man visiting Berlin. After Oren dies in a car crash, Thomas travels to Jerusalem to find closure – and answers – concealing his identity and insinuating himself into the life of Oren’s widow, Anat, by working as a cake-maker in her cafe.
The film first premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival last year, where it won the Ecumenical Jury prize.
On Thursday, “The Cakemaker” picked up five other Ophir Awards, Israel’s version of the Oscars, including best screenplay,...
The film was written and directed by Ofir Raul Graizer, an Israeli who lives in Berlin. Released last year, “The Cakemaker” focuses on a young German baker named Thomas who falls in love with Oren, a married Israeli man visiting Berlin. After Oren dies in a car crash, Thomas travels to Jerusalem to find closure – and answers – concealing his identity and insinuating himself into the life of Oren’s widow, Anat, by working as a cake-maker in her cafe.
The film first premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival last year, where it won the Ecumenical Jury prize.
On Thursday, “The Cakemaker” picked up five other Ophir Awards, Israel’s version of the Oscars, including best screenplay,...
- 9/6/2018
- by Amy Spiro
- Variety Film + TV
Strand Releasing has acquired all U.S. rights to Eric Khoo’s drama “Ramen Shop” from MK2 Films, Variety has learned exclusively.
The film, which premiered at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, will have its North American premiere in New York at Japan Society on July 19 as the opening film of Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Films.
“We are thrilled to premiere ‘Ramen Shop’ as the opening film of this year’s Japan Cuts,” said Aiko Masubuchi, senior film programmer at Japan Society. “Khoo’s touching transnational drama shows how food, like cinema, offers a bridge across cultures and histories. We are honored that he and star Takumi Saitoh will join to share the film with our audiences.”
The movie centers on a young chef who leaves his hometown in Japan to embark on a culinary journey to Singapore to find out the truth about his parents...
The film, which premiered at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, will have its North American premiere in New York at Japan Society on July 19 as the opening film of Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Films.
“We are thrilled to premiere ‘Ramen Shop’ as the opening film of this year’s Japan Cuts,” said Aiko Masubuchi, senior film programmer at Japan Society. “Khoo’s touching transnational drama shows how food, like cinema, offers a bridge across cultures and histories. We are honored that he and star Takumi Saitoh will join to share the film with our audiences.”
The movie centers on a young chef who leaves his hometown in Japan to embark on a culinary journey to Singapore to find out the truth about his parents...
- 6/26/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The Cakemaker Strand Releasing Reviewed by: Harvey Karten Director: Ofir Raul Graizer Screenwriter: Ofir Raul Graizer Cast: Tim Kalkhof, Sarah Adler, Roy Miller, Zohar Strauss, Sandra Sade Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, Opens: June 29 in NY and La “The Cakemaker” is a lovely, bittersweet drama that takes place both in a charming café in […]
The post The Cakemaker Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Cakemaker Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 6/25/2018
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Strand Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Christophe Honore’s “Sorry Angel” which world premiered in competition at Cannes Film Festival.
Sold by MK2, “Sorry Angel” takes place in Paris, in 1993, and follows Jacques, a renown writer and single father in his 30’s who is desperately trying to maintain a sense of normalcy against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis and unexpectedly falls in love with an enthusiastic aspiring writer in his early 20s.
The film is headlined by a strong French cast, including Pierre Deladonchamps (“Stranger by the Lake”), Vincent Lacoste (“Lolo”) and Denis Podalydes (“Mr & Mme Adelman”).
Speaking to Variety at Cannes, Honoré said he wanted, through the film, to “explore (his) memories of being in my 20s in the ’90s.” “AIDS was part of our lives (…) and the fear of death was looming over love and sex relationships,” said Honoré.
“We’re delighted that this very...
Sold by MK2, “Sorry Angel” takes place in Paris, in 1993, and follows Jacques, a renown writer and single father in his 30’s who is desperately trying to maintain a sense of normalcy against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis and unexpectedly falls in love with an enthusiastic aspiring writer in his early 20s.
The film is headlined by a strong French cast, including Pierre Deladonchamps (“Stranger by the Lake”), Vincent Lacoste (“Lolo”) and Denis Podalydes (“Mr & Mme Adelman”).
Speaking to Variety at Cannes, Honoré said he wanted, through the film, to “explore (his) memories of being in my 20s in the ’90s.” “AIDS was part of our lives (…) and the fear of death was looming over love and sex relationships,” said Honoré.
“We’re delighted that this very...
- 6/14/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
"A story of hidden love, challenged faith, and unwittingly shared grief." Strand Releasing has unveiled an official Us trailer for a German drama titled The Cakemaker, which played at a number of film festivals throughout 2017. Made by Israeli filmmaker Ofir Raul Graizer, the film is about a talented young German baker who travels to Israel after his secret lover, an Israeli married man, is killed in a car crash. There he searches for his lover's wife and son, but ends up lost in an entirely different world with all kinds of feelings to deal with. Tim Kalkhof stars as Thomas, along with Sarah Adler, Zohar Shtrauss, Sandra Sade, and Roy Miller. The film won various awards at the Jerusalem Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival, and Miami Jewish Film Festival. This looks like a good under-the-radar foreign film to discover - see below. Here's the official Us trailer (+ poster) for Ofir Raul Graizer's The Cakemaker,...
- 5/25/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Producer Uri Singer has acquired remake rights to The Cakemaker, Israeli director Ofir Raul Graizer’s debut drama that played the festival circuit last year. Singer via his Passage Pictures will team with Graizer on a U.S. adaptation.
The Iraeli-German film, which had its world premiere last year at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, centers on a secret affair between a Berlin pastry chef and a visiting Israeli businessman that is cut short when the latter is killed in a car crash. The chef seeks out the man’s widow and son and ends up working in her cafe — she doesn’t know they are grieving for the same reason. The pic is in English, German and Hebrew.
“This film is completely aligned with the projects Passage Pictures develops,” Singer said. “It is a delicate and moving human story about love and loss that can leave audiences all...
The Iraeli-German film, which had its world premiere last year at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, centers on a secret affair between a Berlin pastry chef and a visiting Israeli businessman that is cut short when the latter is killed in a car crash. The chef seeks out the man’s widow and son and ends up working in her cafe — she doesn’t know they are grieving for the same reason. The pic is in English, German and Hebrew.
“This film is completely aligned with the projects Passage Pictures develops,” Singer said. “It is a delicate and moving human story about love and loss that can leave audiences all...
- 4/6/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival reveals the award winners from its 34th edition.
Scaffolding has won the best Israeli feature film prize at the 34th edition of the Jerusalem Film Festival.
The debut feature from director Matan Yair – produced by rising Israeli production outfit Green Productions – takes home a prize worth $28,000 (100,000 Ils).
Scaffolding also scooped the best actor prize for debutant Asher Lax and an honorary mention in the best cinematography category for DoP Bartosz Bieniek.
A jury consisting of Elle producer Saïd Ben Saïd, artist Yael Bartana, cinematographer Agnès Godard and Cíntia Gíl, director of film festival Doclisboa, said of the film: “For a film that combines the reality of a group of teenagers and the will of questioning cinema and the role of filmmaking. For its capacity of capturing the tenderness sometimes behind these kids’ violence, their capacity for love, their surprising imagination, in a society that places them in a marginal role forever.”
The festival...
Scaffolding has won the best Israeli feature film prize at the 34th edition of the Jerusalem Film Festival.
The debut feature from director Matan Yair – produced by rising Israeli production outfit Green Productions – takes home a prize worth $28,000 (100,000 Ils).
Scaffolding also scooped the best actor prize for debutant Asher Lax and an honorary mention in the best cinematography category for DoP Bartosz Bieniek.
A jury consisting of Elle producer Saïd Ben Saïd, artist Yael Bartana, cinematographer Agnès Godard and Cíntia Gíl, director of film festival Doclisboa, said of the film: “For a film that combines the reality of a group of teenagers and the will of questioning cinema and the role of filmmaking. For its capacity of capturing the tenderness sometimes behind these kids’ violence, their capacity for love, their surprising imagination, in a society that places them in a marginal role forever.”
The festival...
- 7/20/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Czech title Little Crusader takes Crystal Globe; works in progress winners announced.
The 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (June 20 - July 8) closed last night with a packed awards ceremony, whose winners included Czech movie Little Crusader, UK director Ken Loach and Us stars Jeremy Renner and Uma Thurman.
Scroll down for full list of winners
According to organisers, the festival was attended by 13, 734 accredited visitors. Of that number 11, 554 had festival passes, 398 were filmmakers, 1,165 film professionals, and 617 journalists.
There were a total of 505 film screenings and a total of 140 067 tickets were sold. A total of 207 films were shown: 179 feature films (144 full-length and 35 short) and 28 documentary films.
23 films received their world premiere, while 18 had their international premiere and 13 their European premiere. 183 screenings were personally presented by delegations of filmmakers. 96 Press & Industry screenings were held.
According to a festival release, 1,248 film buyers, sellers, distributors, film festival programmers, representatives of film institutions, and other industry professionals were accredited for the...
The 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (June 20 - July 8) closed last night with a packed awards ceremony, whose winners included Czech movie Little Crusader, UK director Ken Loach and Us stars Jeremy Renner and Uma Thurman.
Scroll down for full list of winners
According to organisers, the festival was attended by 13, 734 accredited visitors. Of that number 11, 554 had festival passes, 398 were filmmakers, 1,165 film professionals, and 617 journalists.
There were a total of 505 film screenings and a total of 140 067 tickets were sold. A total of 207 films were shown: 179 feature films (144 full-length and 35 short) and 28 documentary films.
23 films received their world premiere, while 18 had their international premiere and 13 their European premiere. 183 screenings were personally presented by delegations of filmmakers. 96 Press & Industry screenings were held.
According to a festival release, 1,248 film buyers, sellers, distributors, film festival programmers, representatives of film institutions, and other industry professionals were accredited for the...
- 7/9/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Czech title Little Crusader takes Crystal Globe; works in progress winners revealed.
The 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (June 20 - July 8) closed last night with a packed awards ceremony, whose winners included Czech movie Little Crusader, UK director Ken Loach and Us stars Jeremy Renner and Uma Thurman.
Scroll down for full list of winners
According to organisers, the festival was attended by 13, 734 accredited visitors. Of that number 11, 554 had festival passes, 398 were filmmakers, 1,165 film professionals, and 617 journalists.
There were a total of 505 film screenings and a total of 140 067 tickets were sold. A total of 207 films were shown: 179 feature films (144 full-length and 35 short) and 28 documentary films.
23 films received their world premiere, while 18 had their international premiere and 13 their European premiere. 183 screenings were personally presented by delegations of filmmakers. 96 Press & Industry screenings were held.
According to a festival release, 1,248 film buyers, sellers, distributors, film festival programmers, representatives of film institutions, and other industry professionals were accredited for the...
The 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (June 20 - July 8) closed last night with a packed awards ceremony, whose winners included Czech movie Little Crusader, UK director Ken Loach and Us stars Jeremy Renner and Uma Thurman.
Scroll down for full list of winners
According to organisers, the festival was attended by 13, 734 accredited visitors. Of that number 11, 554 had festival passes, 398 were filmmakers, 1,165 film professionals, and 617 journalists.
There were a total of 505 film screenings and a total of 140 067 tickets were sold. A total of 207 films were shown: 179 feature films (144 full-length and 35 short) and 28 documentary films.
23 films received their world premiere, while 18 had their international premiere and 13 their European premiere. 183 screenings were personally presented by delegations of filmmakers. 96 Press & Industry screenings were held.
According to a festival release, 1,248 film buyers, sellers, distributors, film festival programmers, representatives of film institutions, and other industry professionals were accredited for the...
- 7/9/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
A scene from Men Don’t Cry: recipient of the Europa Cinemas Label its “non-judgemental stance on the characters' different perspectives.” Photo: Film Servis Kviff
As the 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival winds down this weekend (8 July) the first crop of prize winners has been announced with the Us title Keep The Change, about a group of colourful New Yorkers, scooping the award of the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci).
Directed by Rachel Israel, it was described by critics comprising Peter Kremski, Germany; Karin Svensson, Sweden and Kaan Karsan, Turkey, as having “one of the funniest scripts we have ever come across, with a sense of humour that ranges from the crude jokes of conflicted protagonist David, to the no-nonsense cut-offs by its leading lady Sarah – a female character with a personal brand of vivaciousness never before seen on the cinema screen. We were deeply affected by this...
As the 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival winds down this weekend (8 July) the first crop of prize winners has been announced with the Us title Keep The Change, about a group of colourful New Yorkers, scooping the award of the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci).
Directed by Rachel Israel, it was described by critics comprising Peter Kremski, Germany; Karin Svensson, Sweden and Kaan Karsan, Turkey, as having “one of the funniest scripts we have ever come across, with a sense of humour that ranges from the crude jokes of conflicted protagonist David, to the no-nonsense cut-offs by its leading lady Sarah – a female character with a personal brand of vivaciousness never before seen on the cinema screen. We were deeply affected by this...
- 7/8/2017
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The film had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to Israeli filmmaker Ofir Raul Graizer’s The Cakemaker from Films Boutique.
Jon Gerrans and Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing and Jean-Christophe Simon and Valeska Neu of Films Boutique negotiated the deal at this year’s German Films Previews at Karlovy Vary.
The Cakemaker centres on a German baker, Thomas, who falls in love with an Israeli businessman. When the businessman dies in an accident, Thomas travels from Germany to Israel to connect with the man’s wife and a bond is formed.
The film has also been acquired in Japan (Shin Nippon), Spain (Karma), Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay (Mirada) and Hungary (Cirko Films).
The Cakemaker is an Israeli-German co-production, produced by Itai Kamir from Laila Films and Mathias Schwerbrock at Film Base Berlin.
“We’re thrilled to have this amazing film and hope that...
Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to Israeli filmmaker Ofir Raul Graizer’s The Cakemaker from Films Boutique.
Jon Gerrans and Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing and Jean-Christophe Simon and Valeska Neu of Films Boutique negotiated the deal at this year’s German Films Previews at Karlovy Vary.
The Cakemaker centres on a German baker, Thomas, who falls in love with an Israeli businessman. When the businessman dies in an accident, Thomas travels from Germany to Israel to connect with the man’s wife and a bond is formed.
The film has also been acquired in Japan (Shin Nippon), Spain (Karma), Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay (Mirada) and Hungary (Cirko Films).
The Cakemaker is an Israeli-German co-production, produced by Itai Kamir from Laila Films and Mathias Schwerbrock at Film Base Berlin.
“We’re thrilled to have this amazing film and hope that...
- 7/7/2017
- ScreenDaily
After the death of his part-time boyfriend, a taciturn German pastry chef moves to Jerusalem to work in the cafe of his lover's widow in The Cakemaker (Der Kuchenmacher), the debut feature from Israeli writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer. This is the kind of polite, hushed melodrama that might have a theoretically bisexual protagonist but that's been made — or should that read neutered? — for the widest possible (straight) audience. To paraphrase the critic Jay Weissberg, this is the kind of queer film that won't ruffle the feathers of a granny in Manitoba, though it's bound to ...
After the death of his part-time boyfriend, a taciturn German pastry chef moves to Jerusalem to work in the cafe of his lover's widow in The Cakemaker (Der Kuchenmacher), the debut feature from Israeli writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer. This is the kind of polite, hushed melodrama that might have a theoretically bisexual protagonist but that's been made — or should that read neutered? — for the widest possible (straight) audience. To paraphrase the critic Jay Weissberg, this is the kind of queer film that won't ruffle the feathers of a granny in Manitoba, though it's bound to ...
After the death of his part-time boyfriend, a taciturn German pastry chef moves to Jerusalem to work in the cafe of his lover's widow in The Cakemaker (Der Kuchenmacher), the debut feature from Israeli writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer. This is the kind of polite, hushed melodrama that might have a theoretically bisexual protagonist but that's been made — or should that read neutered? — for the widest possible (straight) audience. To paraphrase the critic Jay Weissberg, this is the kind of queer film that won't ruffle the feathers of a granny in Manitoba, though it's bound to make more discerning...
- 7/7/2017
- by Boyd van Hoeij
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Karlovy Vary – 2017 is turning out to be one exceptional year for gay cinema with “Call Me By Your Name,” “120 Beats Per Minute” and “God’s Own Country” all earning raves on the festival circuit. That trend continues with Ofir Raul Graizer’s delicate and moving “The Cakemaker,” which debuted at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Tuesday. Beyond its gay subject matter, it’s primarily a film about love and loss; the fact that Graizer can bring a slightly new perspective to a classic literary and cinematic theme is one of the filmmaker’s most unique achievements.
Continue reading ‘The Cakemaker’: A Delicate And Moving Drama That Questions Love Beyond Sexual Identity [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Cakemaker’: A Delicate And Moving Drama That Questions Love Beyond Sexual Identity [Review] at The Playlist.
- 7/4/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
A forbidden love story takes a wholly unexpected — but richly rewarding — turn in Ofir Raul Graizer’s upcoming Karlovy Vary premiere, “The Cakemaker.” The film follows shy Berlin baker Thomas (Tim Kalkhof) who embarks on a passion and special affair with Oran (Roy Miller), a businessman visiting from Jerusalem who falls for both Thomas and his delicious baked goods.
Their story is cut short, however, when Oran is killed in a car accident and a devastated Thomas cooks up a plan to help his grieving family (and maybe his own broken heart) by traveling to Jerusalem and offering up his expertise to Oran’s widow Anat (Sarah Adler), who owns a struggling cafe. Of course, Thomas can’t explain who exactly he is or what he knows about Oran, and his nationality adds another layer to his evolving relationship with Anat. What will be revealed? And what will happen once those secrets are told?...
Their story is cut short, however, when Oran is killed in a car accident and a devastated Thomas cooks up a plan to help his grieving family (and maybe his own broken heart) by traveling to Jerusalem and offering up his expertise to Oran’s widow Anat (Sarah Adler), who owns a struggling cafe. Of course, Thomas can’t explain who exactly he is or what he knows about Oran, and his nationality adds another layer to his evolving relationship with Anat. What will be revealed? And what will happen once those secrets are told?...
- 7/3/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Festival selects 12 titles for second edition of competitive strand.
Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled, the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time, and François Ozon’s Amant Double (The Double Lover) all of which played in competition at Cannes, have been selected for this year’s international competition at the Jerusalem Film Festival (July 13-17).
Returning for a second time after launching in 2016, the festival’s international competition has picked a total of 12 titles and will again award a prize of $20,000 to the winning film.
Joining the aforementioned are: Hong Sang-soo’s On The Beach At Night Alone, Cãlin Peter Netzer’s Ana, Mon Amour, Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß’s My Happy Family, Ferenc Török’s 1945, Valeska Grisebach’s Western, Fellipe Barbosa’s Gabriel And The Mountain, Mohammad Rasoulof’s A Man Of Integrity, Stéphane Brizé’s A Woman’s Life, and Lav Diaz’s The Woman Who Left.
As previously announced, the festival...
Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled, the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time, and François Ozon’s Amant Double (The Double Lover) all of which played in competition at Cannes, have been selected for this year’s international competition at the Jerusalem Film Festival (July 13-17).
Returning for a second time after launching in 2016, the festival’s international competition has picked a total of 12 titles and will again award a prize of $20,000 to the winning film.
Joining the aforementioned are: Hong Sang-soo’s On The Beach At Night Alone, Cãlin Peter Netzer’s Ana, Mon Amour, Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß’s My Happy Family, Ferenc Török’s 1945, Valeska Grisebach’s Western, Fellipe Barbosa’s Gabriel And The Mountain, Mohammad Rasoulof’s A Man Of Integrity, Stéphane Brizé’s A Woman’s Life, and Lav Diaz’s The Woman Who Left.
As previously announced, the festival...
- 6/28/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
The 2017 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has announced its 12-film competition lineup, including two films from directors who previously won the fest’s Crystal Globe award.
Read More: 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Will Honor Ken Loach, James Newton Howard and More
“Birds Are Singing in Kigali,” the last film from Polish director Krzysztof Krauze, who died in 2014, was completed by Krauze’s co-director and wife, Joanna Kos-Krauze. The film focuses on the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Krauze’s film “My Nikifor” won the Crystal Globe and the award for Best Director at the festival in 2005.
Georgian filmmaker George Ovashvili also returns to the fest with the drama “Khibula.” The film is “an archetypal story inspired by journey of the newly independent Georgia’s first president.” Ovashvili’s “Corn Island” won the Crystal Globe in 2014.
The 2017 edition of Kviff will also include Boris Khlebnikov’s new drama “Arrhythmia,” Václav Kadrnka...
Read More: 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Will Honor Ken Loach, James Newton Howard and More
“Birds Are Singing in Kigali,” the last film from Polish director Krzysztof Krauze, who died in 2014, was completed by Krauze’s co-director and wife, Joanna Kos-Krauze. The film focuses on the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Krauze’s film “My Nikifor” won the Crystal Globe and the award for Best Director at the festival in 2005.
Georgian filmmaker George Ovashvili also returns to the fest with the drama “Khibula.” The film is “an archetypal story inspired by journey of the newly independent Georgia’s first president.” Ovashvili’s “Corn Island” won the Crystal Globe in 2014.
The 2017 edition of Kviff will also include Boris Khlebnikov’s new drama “Arrhythmia,” Václav Kadrnka...
- 5/30/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
The Karlovy Vary Film Festival announced the lineup for the 52nd edition of the prestigious Czech Republic festival and it includes a surprise American entry in competition. Rachel Israel‘s “Keep The Change,” which debuted to strong notices at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in April, will compete alongside new films from Boris Khlebnikov, Ofir Raul Graizer, Alen Drljević and Karma Takapa among others.
Continue reading Tribeca Favorite ‘Keep The Change’ Part of 52nd Karlovy Vary Film Festival Competition at The Playlist.
Continue reading Tribeca Favorite ‘Keep The Change’ Part of 52nd Karlovy Vary Film Festival Competition at The Playlist.
- 5/30/2017
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
The final film from Krzysztof Krauze and new project from Giorgi Ovashvili to play in main competition.Scroll Down For Competition Line-ups
The 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (June 30 - July 8) has unveiled the competition titles in its Official Selection, East of the West and Documentary sections.
Main competition
The 12-strong main competition will comprise eight world premieres and four international premieres, including Birds Are Singing In Kigali (pictured), the final film from Polish director Krzysztof Krauze, who died in 2014.
The project, which depicts the consequences of the Rwandan genocide, was completed by his co-director and wife Joanna Kos-Krauze.
Other films in competition include Boris Khlebnikov’s new drama Arrhythmia, Václav Kadrnka’s Little Crusader, Peter Bebjak’s criminal thriller The Line and Giorgi Ovashvili’s Georgian historical drama Khibula. Ovashvili returns after winning the Kviff Crystal Globe for Corn Island in 2014.
East of the West
The East of the West strand will open with Ilgar Najaf...
The 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (June 30 - July 8) has unveiled the competition titles in its Official Selection, East of the West and Documentary sections.
Main competition
The 12-strong main competition will comprise eight world premieres and four international premieres, including Birds Are Singing In Kigali (pictured), the final film from Polish director Krzysztof Krauze, who died in 2014.
The project, which depicts the consequences of the Rwandan genocide, was completed by his co-director and wife Joanna Kos-Krauze.
Other films in competition include Boris Khlebnikov’s new drama Arrhythmia, Václav Kadrnka’s Little Crusader, Peter Bebjak’s criminal thriller The Line and Giorgi Ovashvili’s Georgian historical drama Khibula. Ovashvili returns after winning the Kviff Crystal Globe for Corn Island in 2014.
East of the West
The East of the West strand will open with Ilgar Najaf...
- 5/30/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
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