Altitude has secured UK-Ireland rights on Nick Hamm’s William Tell, with SquareOne Entertainment picking up the film for Germany, Austria and Switerzerland.
Both distributors are targeting a Q1 2025 release for the film, which has its world premiere as a Gala title on Tuesday, September 10 at Toronto Film Festival.
Beta Cinema is selling international rights on the film, with WME representing US rights.
The film previously sold to Sf Studios, Beta Fiction (Spain), Eagle Pictures (Italy), Dutch Filmworks (Benelux), Pris Audiovisuais (Portugal), Monolith Films (Poland), Cinemart (Czech Republic), Blitz (Former Yugoslavia), Ads (Hungary and Romania), Beta Film (Bulgaria), Tfg (Greece...
Both distributors are targeting a Q1 2025 release for the film, which has its world premiere as a Gala title on Tuesday, September 10 at Toronto Film Festival.
Beta Cinema is selling international rights on the film, with WME representing US rights.
The film previously sold to Sf Studios, Beta Fiction (Spain), Eagle Pictures (Italy), Dutch Filmworks (Benelux), Pris Audiovisuais (Portugal), Monolith Films (Poland), Cinemart (Czech Republic), Blitz (Former Yugoslavia), Ads (Hungary and Romania), Beta Film (Bulgaria), Tfg (Greece...
- 9/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
Portuguese feature Manas and Dutch title Alpha. have won the first two prizes from the independent Giornate degli Autori sidebar in Venice.
Marianna Brennand Fortes’ Manas took the Director’s Award, selected by The Souvenir director Joanna Hogg’s jury. Set in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, the film follows a 13-year-old girl who decides to confront the oppressive system that controls her family and the women in their community.
The film is backed by Walter Salles and the Dardenne Brothers, and produced by Fortes for Portugal’s Fado Filmes. The film receives a €20,000 cash prize, to be divided equally between...
Marianna Brennand Fortes’ Manas took the Director’s Award, selected by The Souvenir director Joanna Hogg’s jury. Set in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, the film follows a 13-year-old girl who decides to confront the oppressive system that controls her family and the women in their community.
The film is backed by Walter Salles and the Dardenne Brothers, and produced by Fortes for Portugal’s Fado Filmes. The film receives a €20,000 cash prize, to be divided equally between...
- 9/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
Bulldog Film Distribution has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to writer-director Gino Evans feature debut Treading Water.
Treading Water will have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. Bulldog is scheduling a theatrical release for 2025.
Set in Manchester, the film follows a man released from prison into the tough reality of supported housing, where he tries to take control of his life while dealing with mental health issues.
It is produced by Ben Toye for the UK’s Big North Films. Bulldog acquired rights directly from the filmmakers.
The film stars Joe Gill, Becky Bowe, Darryl Clark and Darren Connolly.
Treading Water will have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. Bulldog is scheduling a theatrical release for 2025.
Set in Manchester, the film follows a man released from prison into the tough reality of supported housing, where he tries to take control of his life while dealing with mental health issues.
It is produced by Ben Toye for the UK’s Big North Films. Bulldog acquired rights directly from the filmmakers.
The film stars Joe Gill, Becky Bowe, Darryl Clark and Darren Connolly.
- 9/5/2024
- ScreenDaily
The 68th BFI London Film Festival has unveiled its star-studded 2024 lineup, featuring Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Daniel Craig, Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, Saoirse Ronan, and more in a program boasting 39 world premieres and 12 international premieres among its 253 feature, short, series and immersive works.
The festival’s headline gala screenings will showcase a range of high-profile films. The world premiere of Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” starring Ronan opens the festival, while Morgan Neville’s “Piece by Piece” closes it.
Other gala screenings include R.J. Cutler and David Furnish’s “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Sean Baker’s “Anora,” Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice” starring Sebastian Stan, Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” Edward Berger’s “Conclave” with Ralph Fiennes, Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths,” Ben Taylor’s “Joy,” Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” featuring Jolie, Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch” starring Amy Adams, Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door...
The festival’s headline gala screenings will showcase a range of high-profile films. The world premiere of Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” starring Ronan opens the festival, while Morgan Neville’s “Piece by Piece” closes it.
Other gala screenings include R.J. Cutler and David Furnish’s “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Sean Baker’s “Anora,” Ali Abbasi’s “The Apprentice” starring Sebastian Stan, Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” Edward Berger’s “Conclave” with Ralph Fiennes, Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths,” Ben Taylor’s “Joy,” Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” featuring Jolie, Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch” starring Amy Adams, Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door...
- 9/4/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, BBC and SundanceTV announce the third and final season of “The Split,” Sky and XYZ Films prepare to shoot “Book of Love” and Vis Distribution adds 750 hours of content following its acquisition of Israel’s Ananey Studios.
Television
BBC One and SundanceTV have ordered a third and final season of Sister’s “The Split,” created by BAFTA and International Emmy-winning writer Abi Morgan and produced by Jane Featherstone (“Chernobyl”), Lucy Dyke (“Black Mirror”) and Lucy Richer (“Small Axe”), with Dee Koppang O’Leary boarding as lead director.
Unspooling in London’s high-end divorce circuit, “The Split” follows the lives of the Defoe sisters, Hannah, Nina and Rose, and their imposing mother Ruth. Season two ended with divorce lawyer Hannah’s own marriage in tatters and the couple negotiating the terms of their own split. As the dust seems to be settling, a new revelation comes to light,...
Television
BBC One and SundanceTV have ordered a third and final season of Sister’s “The Split,” created by BAFTA and International Emmy-winning writer Abi Morgan and produced by Jane Featherstone (“Chernobyl”), Lucy Dyke (“Black Mirror”) and Lucy Richer (“Small Axe”), with Dee Koppang O’Leary boarding as lead director.
Unspooling in London’s high-end divorce circuit, “The Split” follows the lives of the Defoe sisters, Hannah, Nina and Rose, and their imposing mother Ruth. Season two ended with divorce lawyer Hannah’s own marriage in tatters and the couple negotiating the terms of their own split. As the dust seems to be settling, a new revelation comes to light,...
- 2/8/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu have a whole host of new titles coming to the service this month, everything from zombie thrillers and screwball comedies to action romps and music documentaries. Suffice it to say, there’s a lot to look forward to on the streaming service over the next few weeks and below, you can find the entire rundown of what’s on the way. Ready to dive in?
Available June 1
Celebrity Family Feud: Season 6 Premiere (ABC)
Press Your Luck: Season 2 Premiere (ABC)
Match Game: Season 5 Premiere (ABC)
Children’s Hospital: Complete Series (Adult Swim)
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Seasons 1-3 (Adult Swim)
10 Year Plan (2014)
4th Man Out (2015)
Above & Beyond (2014)
Almost Adults (2016)
Born to be Wild (2011)
Casino (1995)
Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
Cliffhanger (1993)
Constantine (2005)
Dave (1993)
Digging for Fire (2015)
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
Equilibrium (2002)
Fair Game (2010)
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)
Futureworld (1976)
Grown Ups (2010)
Happily N’Ever After (2007)
Happily N’Ever After 2...
Available June 1
Celebrity Family Feud: Season 6 Premiere (ABC)
Press Your Luck: Season 2 Premiere (ABC)
Match Game: Season 5 Premiere (ABC)
Children’s Hospital: Complete Series (Adult Swim)
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Seasons 1-3 (Adult Swim)
10 Year Plan (2014)
4th Man Out (2015)
Above & Beyond (2014)
Almost Adults (2016)
Born to be Wild (2011)
Casino (1995)
Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
Cliffhanger (1993)
Constantine (2005)
Dave (1993)
Digging for Fire (2015)
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
Equilibrium (2002)
Fair Game (2010)
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)
Futureworld (1976)
Grown Ups (2010)
Happily N’Ever After (2007)
Happily N’Ever After 2...
- 6/1/2020
- by Alex Crisp
- We Got This Covered
Hulu is out with its list of everything coming and going on the streaming service in June.
Highlights include a new episode of the Hulu original anthology series “Into the Dark” called “Good Boy,” which follows Maggie (Judy Greer), who gets an emotional support dog for her anxiety — but little does she know, he kills anyone who adds stress to her life. Also, take a closer look at the hip-hop group Lin-Manuel Miranda was in before he did “Hamilton” in a new documentary called “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme.”
Leaving at the end of the month are classics like “Bend It Like Beckham,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Kill Bill” volumes one and two.
Below is the full list of everything coming and going throughout the month of June:
Also Read: Hulu Launches New Group Viewing Feature
June 1
Celebrity Family Feud: Season 6 Premiere (ABC)
Press Your Luck: Season 2 Premiere (ABC...
Highlights include a new episode of the Hulu original anthology series “Into the Dark” called “Good Boy,” which follows Maggie (Judy Greer), who gets an emotional support dog for her anxiety — but little does she know, he kills anyone who adds stress to her life. Also, take a closer look at the hip-hop group Lin-Manuel Miranda was in before he did “Hamilton” in a new documentary called “We Are Freestyle Love Supreme.”
Leaving at the end of the month are classics like “Bend It Like Beckham,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Kill Bill” volumes one and two.
Below is the full list of everything coming and going throughout the month of June:
Also Read: Hulu Launches New Group Viewing Feature
June 1
Celebrity Family Feud: Season 6 Premiere (ABC)
Press Your Luck: Season 2 Premiere (ABC...
- 5/28/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
There are a lot of popular streaming platforms to choose from, but Hulu has always stood alongside Netflix as one of the two essentials for households looking for diversity in content. In the past, they’ve been known for focusing more heavily on newer television content, while Netflix has always offered a larger selection of sought-after films. But now, it looks like Hulu’s June lineup is only going to continue the service’s recent trend of providing high quality movies to bring itself in line with their competitor.
First up, you can get wholesome with Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which tells the story of an investigative journalist who learns some hard life lessons from one of television’s most beloved personalities. You can then supplement that wholesomeness with My Girl and My Girl 2 for some wonderful 90s nostalgia.
Speaking of nostalgia, you won...
First up, you can get wholesome with Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which tells the story of an investigative journalist who learns some hard life lessons from one of television’s most beloved personalities. You can then supplement that wholesomeness with My Girl and My Girl 2 for some wonderful 90s nostalgia.
Speaking of nostalgia, you won...
- 5/18/2020
- by Billy Givens
- We Got This Covered
June 2020 is set to be a big month for the whole streaming Disney family. Not only will ESPN+ have the entirety of The Last Dance on its servers for late-adopting sports fans to catch up with, but Disney+ will be premiering its long-awaited Artemis Fowl film. Over on its biggest streaming service in Hulu, however, Disney is taking things a bit more slowly.
This month finds only three major original releases for Hulu. Animated medieval comedy Crossing Swords premieres on June 12, then Ya love story Love Victor and cooking show Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi both arrive on June 19. All in all, that’s not a bad haul for originals for the typically slow summer months.
June 1 sees a pretty impressive crop of movies coming to Hulu’s library as well. October Sky, The X-Files (1998), and Casino will all be ready to stream at the beginning of the month.
This month finds only three major original releases for Hulu. Animated medieval comedy Crossing Swords premieres on June 12, then Ya love story Love Victor and cooking show Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi both arrive on June 19. All in all, that’s not a bad haul for originals for the typically slow summer months.
June 1 sees a pretty impressive crop of movies coming to Hulu’s library as well. October Sky, The X-Files (1998), and Casino will all be ready to stream at the beginning of the month.
- 5/17/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
J.J. Abrams has just added another project under his producing umbrella. The filmmaker and his Bad Robot Productions are once again reteaming with HBO to develop a new space drama titled “Glare.”
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the hourlong sci-fi series will focus on the colonization of an alien planet. Abrams will be executive producing alongside Bad Robot head of development Ben Stephenson and Javier Gullón, who is also penning the script. No additional plot details were revealed.
“Glare” stems from a blind deal Bad Robot signed with Gullón and hails from Warner Bros. Television, where Abrams is under an overall deal.
Read More: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’: How Ava DuVernay Helped J.J. Abrams Make a Critical Lightsaber Fight Epic
The drama is Abrams’ latest TV venture. He most recently executive produced “Westworld,” which was renewed for a second season. His previous television credits also include the Showtime’s “Roadies,...
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the hourlong sci-fi series will focus on the colonization of an alien planet. Abrams will be executive producing alongside Bad Robot head of development Ben Stephenson and Javier Gullón, who is also penning the script. No additional plot details were revealed.
“Glare” stems from a blind deal Bad Robot signed with Gullón and hails from Warner Bros. Television, where Abrams is under an overall deal.
Read More: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’: How Ava DuVernay Helped J.J. Abrams Make a Critical Lightsaber Fight Epic
The drama is Abrams’ latest TV venture. He most recently executive produced “Westworld,” which was renewed for a second season. His previous television credits also include the Showtime’s “Roadies,...
- 12/9/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
In Patrick Süskind’s novel “Perfume” (which was turned into a film back in 2006 by German helmer Tom Tykwer) the central character is born with no body odor and becomes fascinated with the scent of others. This defining trait affects his relationship with the world around him terribly hindering his social skills. Even though tonally both stories couldn’t be more disparate, filmmaker Analeine Cal y Mayor’s debut feature “Treading Water” revolves around a protagonist who suffers from essentially the opposite problem: his body secretes a fetid smell, which resembles that of fish, and there is nothing he can do to change it. And just like the murderous protagonist in the German tale, the hero here is also shaped negatively by his unique relationship with bodily aromas.
Born to a Mexican mother, Sophie (Ariadna Gil), and an American, mostly absent father, Richard (Don McKellar), curly-haired boy Mica (played by Brian Bridger and Douglas Smith) learns very early on that people are repulsed by him. Though it’s clear this reaction is nothing personal, it has an atrocious effect on his self-esteem. As if such strange physiological condition wasn’t enough to make him feel abnormal, Mica and his family live in a house that’s actually a museum honoring legendary Mexican singer Guillermo Garibai (Gonzalo Vega) – a fictional character that appears to be based on classic performers from a bygone era. Sophie is the defacto tour guide, but not surprisingly Mica’s smell becomes a problem for the visitors - a clientele made up almost entirely of elderly women. Isolated and wearing a tree-shaped air freshener around his neck, grade-school-age Mica gets used to navigating life on his own having his therapist Catherine (Carrie-Anne Moss) as his only friend.
Cal y Mayor’s visual and tonal approach, particularly in the opening sequences, is reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s “Amelie,” even with in the darkly comedic way that a tragic death is handled. The quirky nature of the world allows for the filmmaker to showcase its eccentricities in all aspects of the story. Ostentatious portraits of Garibai, colorful wallpapers, a vintage gramophone, and many other bizarre objects and mementos conform the delightfully elaborate production design. A unique narcissistic shrine like this is fitting for this often irreverent coming-of-ager.
Fast-forwarding a few years, teenage Mica has become a skillful swimmer, as he knows that while underwater his smell isn’t as noticeable. Used to his lonesome path, he has decided not to go to college and instead runs the house/museum by himself. The only source of care and human interaction he knows is Catherine, who has definitely gone beyond her professional duties to help him. Unavoidably, this cycle is broken when a love interest emerges. Running into each other at the local pool, Laura (played by charismatic “Divergent” actress Zoë Kravitz), and Mica begin a romance that is not dictated by his uncommon stink or her secret life as a janitor.
Laced with magical realist elements, “Treading Water” suffers from an uneven use of its collection of odd qualities that loses sight of what makes it special and relies on safe genre conventions for leverage. It centers on an abruptly conceived relationship that drives the attention away from the initial self-discovery premise and introduces an easy solution to the lead character’s core issue. Mica doesn’t really overcome his struggle with his unchangeable “curse,” but instead hopes that by finding someone who likes him enough to ignore, he might also accept it – the familiar “love cures all” card comes into play.
Interestingly enough, even if the film rushes to find a feel-good conclusion, there are multiple instances in which Cal y Mayor confronts her characters with more somber truths. Mica is perpetually depressed and craves companionship so much that he confuses platonic love with sexual attraction. Cynicism consumes him. When Catherine tries to reassure him, he explicitly calls himself a “freak” and attacks her for what he considers default, empty statements to make him better. These responses read as sincere from a person who has experienced alienation from birth, and it’s here that the film conveys engaging sincerity.
Exuding genuine emotions while in such singular surroundings, fresh-faced Douglas Smith is a talented discovery. His receptive demeanor and gullible personality blend with the surreal reality and weird fairytale–like occurrences: renowned Mexican actor Gonzalo Vega has one scene in which he is basically a funny fairy-godfather dealing with high cholesterol. Despite it all, Smith is promising and was able to carry “Treading Water” by making such an unordinary concept into something relatable, and occasionally moving. An added bonus is the subtle way the director imbued the film with her Mexican roots through the use of traditional music, even if the story doesn’t reflect it as much thematically.
Aesthetically amusing and with a handful of notable components, “Treading Water” is hit-and-miss, yet enjoyable offbeat romantic comedy. With this imaginative tale, Cal y Mayor establishes her fondness for idiosyncratic storytelling, and though this might not be a perfect example of her abilities, it sure smells like her work promises to have a memorable fragrance
"Treading Water" is playing now in Los Angeles and New York, and it's also available on VOD
Follow SydneysBuzz on Twitter @sydneysbuzz and on Facebook
Follow Carlos Aguilar on Twitter @Carlos_Film and on Instagram @carlosfilm...
Born to a Mexican mother, Sophie (Ariadna Gil), and an American, mostly absent father, Richard (Don McKellar), curly-haired boy Mica (played by Brian Bridger and Douglas Smith) learns very early on that people are repulsed by him. Though it’s clear this reaction is nothing personal, it has an atrocious effect on his self-esteem. As if such strange physiological condition wasn’t enough to make him feel abnormal, Mica and his family live in a house that’s actually a museum honoring legendary Mexican singer Guillermo Garibai (Gonzalo Vega) – a fictional character that appears to be based on classic performers from a bygone era. Sophie is the defacto tour guide, but not surprisingly Mica’s smell becomes a problem for the visitors - a clientele made up almost entirely of elderly women. Isolated and wearing a tree-shaped air freshener around his neck, grade-school-age Mica gets used to navigating life on his own having his therapist Catherine (Carrie-Anne Moss) as his only friend.
Cal y Mayor’s visual and tonal approach, particularly in the opening sequences, is reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s “Amelie,” even with in the darkly comedic way that a tragic death is handled. The quirky nature of the world allows for the filmmaker to showcase its eccentricities in all aspects of the story. Ostentatious portraits of Garibai, colorful wallpapers, a vintage gramophone, and many other bizarre objects and mementos conform the delightfully elaborate production design. A unique narcissistic shrine like this is fitting for this often irreverent coming-of-ager.
Fast-forwarding a few years, teenage Mica has become a skillful swimmer, as he knows that while underwater his smell isn’t as noticeable. Used to his lonesome path, he has decided not to go to college and instead runs the house/museum by himself. The only source of care and human interaction he knows is Catherine, who has definitely gone beyond her professional duties to help him. Unavoidably, this cycle is broken when a love interest emerges. Running into each other at the local pool, Laura (played by charismatic “Divergent” actress Zoë Kravitz), and Mica begin a romance that is not dictated by his uncommon stink or her secret life as a janitor.
Laced with magical realist elements, “Treading Water” suffers from an uneven use of its collection of odd qualities that loses sight of what makes it special and relies on safe genre conventions for leverage. It centers on an abruptly conceived relationship that drives the attention away from the initial self-discovery premise and introduces an easy solution to the lead character’s core issue. Mica doesn’t really overcome his struggle with his unchangeable “curse,” but instead hopes that by finding someone who likes him enough to ignore, he might also accept it – the familiar “love cures all” card comes into play.
Interestingly enough, even if the film rushes to find a feel-good conclusion, there are multiple instances in which Cal y Mayor confronts her characters with more somber truths. Mica is perpetually depressed and craves companionship so much that he confuses platonic love with sexual attraction. Cynicism consumes him. When Catherine tries to reassure him, he explicitly calls himself a “freak” and attacks her for what he considers default, empty statements to make him better. These responses read as sincere from a person who has experienced alienation from birth, and it’s here that the film conveys engaging sincerity.
Exuding genuine emotions while in such singular surroundings, fresh-faced Douglas Smith is a talented discovery. His receptive demeanor and gullible personality blend with the surreal reality and weird fairytale–like occurrences: renowned Mexican actor Gonzalo Vega has one scene in which he is basically a funny fairy-godfather dealing with high cholesterol. Despite it all, Smith is promising and was able to carry “Treading Water” by making such an unordinary concept into something relatable, and occasionally moving. An added bonus is the subtle way the director imbued the film with her Mexican roots through the use of traditional music, even if the story doesn’t reflect it as much thematically.
Aesthetically amusing and with a handful of notable components, “Treading Water” is hit-and-miss, yet enjoyable offbeat romantic comedy. With this imaginative tale, Cal y Mayor establishes her fondness for idiosyncratic storytelling, and though this might not be a perfect example of her abilities, it sure smells like her work promises to have a memorable fragrance
"Treading Water" is playing now in Los Angeles and New York, and it's also available on VOD
Follow SydneysBuzz on Twitter @sydneysbuzz and on Facebook
Follow Carlos Aguilar on Twitter @Carlos_Film and on Instagram @carlosfilm...
- 3/19/2015
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Treading Water is a modern-day fairytale complete with hero and heroine, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a fairy godfather (of sorts) and an unexpected all-dancing / all-swimming finale.
Mica (Douglas Smith) faces a number of challenges. He’s grown up in a house that’s actually a museum celebrating the renowned Mexican crooner Guillermo Garibai (Gonzalo Vega). Mica’s mother Sophie (Ariadna Gil) is the guardian and tour guide of this wildly over-the-top shrine. And then there’s the fact that Mica smells like fish…
Mother and son are both too much (or not enough) for Mica’s father Richard (Don McKellar), who ends up abandoning them. No one around Mica, not even his therapist Catherine (Carrie-Anne Moss), is able to get him on track, until his childhood crush Laura (Zoë Kravitz) swims back into his life. For the first time in his life he feels happy, but Mica ends up losing her as well.
Mica (Douglas Smith) faces a number of challenges. He’s grown up in a house that’s actually a museum celebrating the renowned Mexican crooner Guillermo Garibai (Gonzalo Vega). Mica’s mother Sophie (Ariadna Gil) is the guardian and tour guide of this wildly over-the-top shrine. And then there’s the fact that Mica smells like fish…
Mother and son are both too much (or not enough) for Mica’s father Richard (Don McKellar), who ends up abandoning them. No one around Mica, not even his therapist Catherine (Carrie-Anne Moss), is able to get him on track, until his childhood crush Laura (Zoë Kravitz) swims back into his life. For the first time in his life he feels happy, but Mica ends up losing her as well.
- 3/13/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Originally, Treading Water was called The Boy Who Smells Like Fish — a more accurate title, though the new one is more appropriately generic. Set in a faceless, timeless suburb, Analeine Cal y Mayor's bland, faux-quirky dramedy's most distinguishing set piece is a kitschy historic house museum dedicated to an erstwhile Mexican crooner named Guillermo Garibai. This is where Mica (Douglas Smith) lives with his mother (Ariadna Gil), who receives money from the singer's foundation to give tours of the preserved Garibai home, and his father (Don McKellar), who excuses himself from the family early and only returns later to steal their television. Much of the drabness of Mica's life can be blamed on one "particularity," as he calls it — he suffers f...
- 3/11/2015
- Village Voice
Trimethylaminuria is an uncommon metabolic disorder first described in 1970 that affects the body’s ability to produce the enzyme flavin, which monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). This causes trimethylamine to build up and release in excess through a person’s sweat, urine and breath. Trimethylamine gives off a strong, fishy body odor, which is why the disease is more colloquially referred to as, “fish malodor syndrome.” While the disorder is incurable, those afflicted can reduce the fishy smell by avoiding foods like beans, red meats and, understandably, fish.
Trimethylaminuria is the cause of our protagonist’s condition and the starting point for writer/director Analeine Cal y Mayor’s debut film. Although the titular boy, Mica (two child actors, then Douglas Smith), doesn’t learn the specifics of his illness until young adulthood, his life is altered from birth as the doctor in his delivery room takes a quick, unpleasant sniff of his...
Trimethylaminuria is the cause of our protagonist’s condition and the starting point for writer/director Analeine Cal y Mayor’s debut film. Although the titular boy, Mica (two child actors, then Douglas Smith), doesn’t learn the specifics of his illness until young adulthood, his life is altered from birth as the doctor in his delivery room takes a quick, unpleasant sniff of his...
- 11/4/2014
- by Zachary Shevich
- We Got This Covered
We asked a few LatinoBuzz amigos to get their Robinson Crusoe on and pick a film, an album, a book and a companion from the movies to join them in their shenanigans were they to be stuck on a deserted island (and before anyone nitpicks, filmmakers are resourceful, so of course they built solar powered entertainment centers made from bamboos, coconuts and grass to watch movies and listen to baby making slow jams). We figured we'd start with the narrative filmmakers since they probably sit around thinking about this kinda stuff anyway.
Film: Choosing desert island items may mean sacrificing taste and/or reason, thinking about those items that you wouldn’t forgive yourself for not bringing them as your company, it´s like choosing the woman of your life. Here it goes: Hiroshima Mon Amour; there might be others I fancy as much as or more than (La Dolce Vita, Vertigo, M , some Lubitsch or Preminger), but I can think of no other as unique. I wouldn’t be able to choose any other without feeling Hiroshima’s absence - the best love film, the best movie about war, the best motion picture regarding the memory and its consequences. I can spend my whole life learning about film and the world because of Hiroshima...'.
Album: “Los Preludios de Debussy” by Claudio Arrau. These were so important to my life (I'm referring to my childhood of course) and I think no one does it better than Arrau. Same thing: it is endless. I think I could never tire of this and I could still wake up each and every morning amazed by it.
Book: “Sentimental Education”, by Flaubert. Similar to “Hiroshima”, a book that changed my outlook on literature and the world and I am certain it will keep transforming it forever.
Companion: Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer in 'The fabulous Baker Boys'). Since I saw the film (which I liked very much!) in the provincial movie theater of my childhood, I felt as Jack Baker´s relative and I loved Susie. If we had a piano, it would all be all be perfect. - Santiago Palavecino (Algunas chicas/Some Girls)
Film: This is a tricky question. I've always said that on a deserted island you should bring some porn. You could use that more than regular movies. But since I've got to pick a film I guess it'd be Jaws. Why? Because it's one of my favorites (I could also go with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). But being on a deserted island, Jaws will remind me all the time what'll happen to me for sure if I try to get away!
Album: “ Appetite for Destruction” (Guns N' Roses). Hey, I was 13 when this came out. I listen to it every day while I work, anyways. My favorite, by far.
A Book: I'm going to cheat on this one: 'The Complete Works' by Jorge Luis Borges. The best writer, and enough labyrinths to get lost on endless nights.
Companion: Sherlock Holmes. He's always been my favorite, and also, since my guess is he'll be pretty useless in a deserted island, every time we fail to get out because of him I can get to tell him "Is that the best you can do, Sherlock? - Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead)
Film: Los Olvidados- this is punk rock and Pachuco. Mexico City style before the bombed out bunkers of Sid & Nancy. Bunuel is a hero and I wanna buy Jaibo a beer and milk for the old poetic man!
Album: The Blade Runner album. I can play it over and over, get cranked up or mellow with Blade Runner Blues and the constant rain.
Book: '20 years of Joda' - poems of Jose Montoya, my pop. Epic stuff! 'Ran with Miguel Pinero in the Lower Eastside!”
Companion: Michael Corleone cause he's Mack in my book! Jaibo gets an honorable mention. - Richard Montoya (Water & Power )
Film: I´d choose Misery because a year can go by and I can watch it again eagerly. It's simple and the director (Rob Reiner) and Stephen King are both masters of suspense.
Album: I know this may be considered cheating but it would have to be 'The Best of David Bowie'. That way I have 2 CD's with nearly 40 songs!
Companion: There's many great people who I would to live with but on a deserted Island? It would have to be Mary Poppins for obvious reasons.
Book: And finally the book would be 'Blood Meridian' by Cormac McCarthy because it's one I haven't read yet. Analeine Cal y Mayor - (The Boy Who Smells Like Fish)
Film: I would say White Chicks. I’m going to need some humor! White Chicks is the movie that I put on when I need a good laugh. It does it for me every time. I grew up with characters like that; and admittedly, I can regress back to a few of them myself when no one is looking.
Album: ' Songs From the Capeman' - Paul Simon. I can’t get enough of that album. It instantly takes me to that world and electrifies that side of me that’s determined to make a change for Latinos. I want to keep that feeling with me alive eternally…wherever I’m at.”
Book: There are many but 'Anatomy of the Spirit' by Caroline Myss has been my compass. It taught me how to take control of my destiny by listening to my intuition and body. I stand by her quote: “Your biography becomes your biology.
Companion: The first person that came to mind when I read the question was silly Clarence from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I guess I’m going to need an angel with me, and he’s perfect. He has a pure childlike spirit that would help me find gratitude in the most unlikely moments… even on a deserted island! That right there is the meaning of life. - Carmen Marron (Endgame)
Film: There are so many brilliant, groundbreaking favorite films that have influenced me (The 400 Blows; Jules and Jim ; Law of Desire; et al) but I wouldn't bring any of them. If I'm stuck on a deserted island, I'm bringing Neil Simon's Murder by Death so I can laugh my ass off. Not a great film at all, it's true, but it's a classic comedy.
Album: Oh, this is easy: Madonna's "Ray of Light." I am no Madonna fanatic, but "deserted island, " means beach + summer weather + Fire Island-like atmosphere. So somewhere nearby there's got to be gay guys partying and I will use Madonna to lure them to me so I can be rescued.
One Book: Varga Llosa's "Feast of the Goat" ("La Fiesta del Chivo") -- it's action-packed historical fiction. It will keep me occupied. One of my favorite novels.
Companion: Huckleberry Finn. He will be a great companion: not only will he tell great stories, but undoubtedly, the ever-resourceful Huck Finn will figure out how to build a raft and get us out off that island! - Terracino (Elliot Loves )
Film: Whenever anyone asks me this I always think of what use these items would serve practically on a deserted island, so I answered this in that respect. Tokyo Story - Yasujiro Ozu. This would be a great film to take on a deserted island because it's really about the unavoidable suffering of the cycle of life, which I'm sure you'd relate to if you were stuck on an island. I really could watch this film a million times over and notice something new every time. Watching most Ozu films is not unlike participating in a Zen meditation practice. It's patience and slowness and trying to empty your mind of thought until your left with the basics of existence. Kind of like sitting on a deserted island alone. I can watch the scene where Kyoto says “Life is disappointing, isn't it?” and Noriko smiles and says “Yes it is.” I can watch that endlessly and cry every time. It's so true.
Album: ' Tusk' - Fleetwood Mac. I could also deal with 'Rumours' but I picked 'Tusk' because it's longer and denser; probably better for an island. 'Sara' is maybe my favorite song in the world and so it would be nice to have that with me. I think channeling the powerful witchy energy of Stevie Nicks would be a real asset on an island. This album has so much strange material on - you wouldn't get bored too easily with it. It's also got a range of emotions so if you get too depressed on the island you can just put on 'Never Forget' and feel better. And 'Sisters of the Moon' would be good around a fire at night. Even though you're stuck on an island, it's good to create an ambiance to remind you that life is worth living.
Book: ' In Search of Lost Time' - Marcel Proust. I've only read 'Swann's Way' which is first part of this. My analyst recommend it to me when I was totally heartbroken after someone broke up with me. It really did the trick. This would be a good long epic read that has enough complex ideas in it to keep you occupied for a life time. Probably a good book (or set of books) to get back to nature with.
Companion: I'll say Terry Malloy from “On the Waterfront”. He'd be strong and good to have around to cut down trees and hunt and stuff. He's also easy on the eyes and someone that could do with a little lonely contemplation away from the loading docks. That doesn't sound half bad...stuck on like a tropical island with a young, cute Marlon Brando, watching Ozu, reading Proust and listening to Fleetwood Mac all day. Sign me up! - Joshua Sanchez (Four)
Film: My film would have to be Luis Buñuel's Los Olvidados. I have been a movie watcher since I was a child. Raised on mainstream American films and Wuxia flicks, it wasn't until I was a late teen that I took my first film class and was introduced to the work of Buñuel. Los Olvidados literally changed my perception of the world, both socially and visually. It was also the gateway for me to progress from movie watcher to film student.
Album: Music is my religion and I belong to the church of Robert Nesta Marley. I would prefer the whole anthology, but if I had to choose one album it would be “Exodus”. When on an island listen to island music.
Book: Right around the time I discovered the work of Buñuel, I was gifted Jose Montoya's 'In Formation: 20 years of Joda'. The book is a treasure of epic poems, sketches, and corridos. All testaments to the beauty and strength of Chicana/o culture. 20 years later I pay homage to both of these Maestros in my debut feature film, “Cry Now”. The film's protagonist is nicknamed 'Ojitos' during the course of the narrative, a reference to one of the characters in Los Olvidados. The late great Lupe Ontiveros playing the role of a sage loosely recites Montoya's mantra 'La Locura Cura' (In madness you find truth) while she councils our protagonist.
Companion: To bring it all full circle my fictitious character would have to be a Wuxia hero. As a child I was awe inspired by these bigger than life martial artists. As an adult, Ang Lee's “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” did the same. I know all would be as it should if Yu Shu Lien was on that island with me. - Alberto Barboza (Cry Now )
Film: Nothing But a Man (1964) It's a film that does an incredible job balancing a character-driven story within a politically charged context. It's a film I'm finding myself inspired by as I continue to write Los Valientes.
Album: I'm not a fan of albums, but if I had to choose one I guess I would have to go with any of Prince's albums. His music always puts me in a trance.
Book: My dream journal so I can look back look for signs of what is to become of my future.
Companion: Who better than TV's MacGyver. I'd put his ass to work on getting me off the island! -Aurora Guerrero (Mosquita y Mari)
Film: Hell in the Pacific so that I can be reminded that even in paradise there is a duality.
Album: “La Scala: Concert” by Ludovico Einaudi – I've listened to it a thousand times and each time I feel or discover something new.
Book: “ Voces Reunidas” by Antonio Porchia. Each time I read one of his poems I learn something new and I'm deeply moved.
Companion: Barbarella, so I could never be lonely and I could enjoy this planet-island – Diego Quemada-Díez (La jaula de oro/The Golden Dream)
Written by Juan Caceres . LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...
Film: Choosing desert island items may mean sacrificing taste and/or reason, thinking about those items that you wouldn’t forgive yourself for not bringing them as your company, it´s like choosing the woman of your life. Here it goes: Hiroshima Mon Amour; there might be others I fancy as much as or more than (La Dolce Vita, Vertigo, M , some Lubitsch or Preminger), but I can think of no other as unique. I wouldn’t be able to choose any other without feeling Hiroshima’s absence - the best love film, the best movie about war, the best motion picture regarding the memory and its consequences. I can spend my whole life learning about film and the world because of Hiroshima...'.
Album: “Los Preludios de Debussy” by Claudio Arrau. These were so important to my life (I'm referring to my childhood of course) and I think no one does it better than Arrau. Same thing: it is endless. I think I could never tire of this and I could still wake up each and every morning amazed by it.
Book: “Sentimental Education”, by Flaubert. Similar to “Hiroshima”, a book that changed my outlook on literature and the world and I am certain it will keep transforming it forever.
Companion: Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer in 'The fabulous Baker Boys'). Since I saw the film (which I liked very much!) in the provincial movie theater of my childhood, I felt as Jack Baker´s relative and I loved Susie. If we had a piano, it would all be all be perfect. - Santiago Palavecino (Algunas chicas/Some Girls)
Film: This is a tricky question. I've always said that on a deserted island you should bring some porn. You could use that more than regular movies. But since I've got to pick a film I guess it'd be Jaws. Why? Because it's one of my favorites (I could also go with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). But being on a deserted island, Jaws will remind me all the time what'll happen to me for sure if I try to get away!
Album: “ Appetite for Destruction” (Guns N' Roses). Hey, I was 13 when this came out. I listen to it every day while I work, anyways. My favorite, by far.
A Book: I'm going to cheat on this one: 'The Complete Works' by Jorge Luis Borges. The best writer, and enough labyrinths to get lost on endless nights.
Companion: Sherlock Holmes. He's always been my favorite, and also, since my guess is he'll be pretty useless in a deserted island, every time we fail to get out because of him I can get to tell him "Is that the best you can do, Sherlock? - Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead)
Film: Los Olvidados- this is punk rock and Pachuco. Mexico City style before the bombed out bunkers of Sid & Nancy. Bunuel is a hero and I wanna buy Jaibo a beer and milk for the old poetic man!
Album: The Blade Runner album. I can play it over and over, get cranked up or mellow with Blade Runner Blues and the constant rain.
Book: '20 years of Joda' - poems of Jose Montoya, my pop. Epic stuff! 'Ran with Miguel Pinero in the Lower Eastside!”
Companion: Michael Corleone cause he's Mack in my book! Jaibo gets an honorable mention. - Richard Montoya (Water & Power )
Film: I´d choose Misery because a year can go by and I can watch it again eagerly. It's simple and the director (Rob Reiner) and Stephen King are both masters of suspense.
Album: I know this may be considered cheating but it would have to be 'The Best of David Bowie'. That way I have 2 CD's with nearly 40 songs!
Companion: There's many great people who I would to live with but on a deserted Island? It would have to be Mary Poppins for obvious reasons.
Book: And finally the book would be 'Blood Meridian' by Cormac McCarthy because it's one I haven't read yet. Analeine Cal y Mayor - (The Boy Who Smells Like Fish)
Film: I would say White Chicks. I’m going to need some humor! White Chicks is the movie that I put on when I need a good laugh. It does it for me every time. I grew up with characters like that; and admittedly, I can regress back to a few of them myself when no one is looking.
Album: ' Songs From the Capeman' - Paul Simon. I can’t get enough of that album. It instantly takes me to that world and electrifies that side of me that’s determined to make a change for Latinos. I want to keep that feeling with me alive eternally…wherever I’m at.”
Book: There are many but 'Anatomy of the Spirit' by Caroline Myss has been my compass. It taught me how to take control of my destiny by listening to my intuition and body. I stand by her quote: “Your biography becomes your biology.
Companion: The first person that came to mind when I read the question was silly Clarence from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I guess I’m going to need an angel with me, and he’s perfect. He has a pure childlike spirit that would help me find gratitude in the most unlikely moments… even on a deserted island! That right there is the meaning of life. - Carmen Marron (Endgame)
Film: There are so many brilliant, groundbreaking favorite films that have influenced me (The 400 Blows; Jules and Jim ; Law of Desire; et al) but I wouldn't bring any of them. If I'm stuck on a deserted island, I'm bringing Neil Simon's Murder by Death so I can laugh my ass off. Not a great film at all, it's true, but it's a classic comedy.
Album: Oh, this is easy: Madonna's "Ray of Light." I am no Madonna fanatic, but "deserted island, " means beach + summer weather + Fire Island-like atmosphere. So somewhere nearby there's got to be gay guys partying and I will use Madonna to lure them to me so I can be rescued.
One Book: Varga Llosa's "Feast of the Goat" ("La Fiesta del Chivo") -- it's action-packed historical fiction. It will keep me occupied. One of my favorite novels.
Companion: Huckleberry Finn. He will be a great companion: not only will he tell great stories, but undoubtedly, the ever-resourceful Huck Finn will figure out how to build a raft and get us out off that island! - Terracino (Elliot Loves )
Film: Whenever anyone asks me this I always think of what use these items would serve practically on a deserted island, so I answered this in that respect. Tokyo Story - Yasujiro Ozu. This would be a great film to take on a deserted island because it's really about the unavoidable suffering of the cycle of life, which I'm sure you'd relate to if you were stuck on an island. I really could watch this film a million times over and notice something new every time. Watching most Ozu films is not unlike participating in a Zen meditation practice. It's patience and slowness and trying to empty your mind of thought until your left with the basics of existence. Kind of like sitting on a deserted island alone. I can watch the scene where Kyoto says “Life is disappointing, isn't it?” and Noriko smiles and says “Yes it is.” I can watch that endlessly and cry every time. It's so true.
Album: ' Tusk' - Fleetwood Mac. I could also deal with 'Rumours' but I picked 'Tusk' because it's longer and denser; probably better for an island. 'Sara' is maybe my favorite song in the world and so it would be nice to have that with me. I think channeling the powerful witchy energy of Stevie Nicks would be a real asset on an island. This album has so much strange material on - you wouldn't get bored too easily with it. It's also got a range of emotions so if you get too depressed on the island you can just put on 'Never Forget' and feel better. And 'Sisters of the Moon' would be good around a fire at night. Even though you're stuck on an island, it's good to create an ambiance to remind you that life is worth living.
Book: ' In Search of Lost Time' - Marcel Proust. I've only read 'Swann's Way' which is first part of this. My analyst recommend it to me when I was totally heartbroken after someone broke up with me. It really did the trick. This would be a good long epic read that has enough complex ideas in it to keep you occupied for a life time. Probably a good book (or set of books) to get back to nature with.
Companion: I'll say Terry Malloy from “On the Waterfront”. He'd be strong and good to have around to cut down trees and hunt and stuff. He's also easy on the eyes and someone that could do with a little lonely contemplation away from the loading docks. That doesn't sound half bad...stuck on like a tropical island with a young, cute Marlon Brando, watching Ozu, reading Proust and listening to Fleetwood Mac all day. Sign me up! - Joshua Sanchez (Four)
Film: My film would have to be Luis Buñuel's Los Olvidados. I have been a movie watcher since I was a child. Raised on mainstream American films and Wuxia flicks, it wasn't until I was a late teen that I took my first film class and was introduced to the work of Buñuel. Los Olvidados literally changed my perception of the world, both socially and visually. It was also the gateway for me to progress from movie watcher to film student.
Album: Music is my religion and I belong to the church of Robert Nesta Marley. I would prefer the whole anthology, but if I had to choose one album it would be “Exodus”. When on an island listen to island music.
Book: Right around the time I discovered the work of Buñuel, I was gifted Jose Montoya's 'In Formation: 20 years of Joda'. The book is a treasure of epic poems, sketches, and corridos. All testaments to the beauty and strength of Chicana/o culture. 20 years later I pay homage to both of these Maestros in my debut feature film, “Cry Now”. The film's protagonist is nicknamed 'Ojitos' during the course of the narrative, a reference to one of the characters in Los Olvidados. The late great Lupe Ontiveros playing the role of a sage loosely recites Montoya's mantra 'La Locura Cura' (In madness you find truth) while she councils our protagonist.
Companion: To bring it all full circle my fictitious character would have to be a Wuxia hero. As a child I was awe inspired by these bigger than life martial artists. As an adult, Ang Lee's “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” did the same. I know all would be as it should if Yu Shu Lien was on that island with me. - Alberto Barboza (Cry Now )
Film: Nothing But a Man (1964) It's a film that does an incredible job balancing a character-driven story within a politically charged context. It's a film I'm finding myself inspired by as I continue to write Los Valientes.
Album: I'm not a fan of albums, but if I had to choose one I guess I would have to go with any of Prince's albums. His music always puts me in a trance.
Book: My dream journal so I can look back look for signs of what is to become of my future.
Companion: Who better than TV's MacGyver. I'd put his ass to work on getting me off the island! -Aurora Guerrero (Mosquita y Mari)
Film: Hell in the Pacific so that I can be reminded that even in paradise there is a duality.
Album: “La Scala: Concert” by Ludovico Einaudi – I've listened to it a thousand times and each time I feel or discover something new.
Book: “ Voces Reunidas” by Antonio Porchia. Each time I read one of his poems I learn something new and I'm deeply moved.
Companion: Barbarella, so I could never be lonely and I could enjoy this planet-island – Diego Quemada-Díez (La jaula de oro/The Golden Dream)
Written by Juan Caceres . LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...
- 3/5/2014
- by Juan Caceres
- Sydney's Buzz
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave to open festival; director Peter Greenaway to receive Visionary Award.Scroll down for full line-up
Steve McQueen’s historic drama 12 Years a Slave is to open the Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 6-17) and is nominated in the Stockholm Xxiv Competition.
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, the drama about free black man kidnapped from his family and sold into slavery in the 1850s debuted at Telluride and has received positive reactions throughout its festival tour of Toronto, New York and London among others.
It will be released in Sweden on Dec 20 by Ab Svensk Filmindustri.
Screenwriter John Ridley, who will be present during the festival, is nominated for the Aluminum Horse in the category Best Script.
McQueen’s Hunger won Best Directorial Debut at Stockholm in 2008.
Line-up
The 24th Siff includes more than 180 films from more than 50 countries.
As previously announced, the spotlight of this year’s festival is freedom but Chinese artist...
Steve McQueen’s historic drama 12 Years a Slave is to open the Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 6-17) and is nominated in the Stockholm Xxiv Competition.
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, the drama about free black man kidnapped from his family and sold into slavery in the 1850s debuted at Telluride and has received positive reactions throughout its festival tour of Toronto, New York and London among others.
It will be released in Sweden on Dec 20 by Ab Svensk Filmindustri.
Screenwriter John Ridley, who will be present during the festival, is nominated for the Aluminum Horse in the category Best Script.
McQueen’s Hunger won Best Directorial Debut at Stockholm in 2008.
Line-up
The 24th Siff includes more than 180 films from more than 50 countries.
As previously announced, the spotlight of this year’s festival is freedom but Chinese artist...
- 10/22/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
'The Boy Who Smells Like Fish' (USA) Dir. By Analeine Cal Y Mayor
LatinoBuzz: This is your first film - they say that sometimes you have been waiting your whole life to tell the first one - Was that the case with this story?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: Not with this story. I had never heard about this disease until 2006 in the first place. I was waiting indeed for a long time to direct my first feature. I felt I was ready and I enjoyed working with actors very much but the story was not waiting in a drawer for years fortunately. I saw the article in the newspaper and I immediately knew I wanted to do a film based on that news. It was a beautiful girl with this terrible disease, Trimethylaminuria, terrible more because of what it causes emotionally and psychologically to the persons not so much the physical part. I wanted to turn this drama into a comedy, otherwise I would do a documentary.
LatinoBuzz: Was it always an intention when you were writing the screenplay, that this would be in English?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: Actually it was not the intention at all. I wrote it in Spanish with another screenwriter (Javier Gullón) thinking it would be shot in Spanish. But I always imagined a North American neighborhood where Mica, the main character, lives. Partly inspired by Elvis´ Graceland, he lives in a museum house of Mexican kitsch singer Guillermo Garibai but we don´t have those museums in Spain or Mexico. We started even casting Spanish actors but suddenly it didn´t make sense where they lived. Somehow it didn’t fit that the actor was saying “joder” and other Spanish slang with this setting. Also the singer was supposedly very famous so I wanted it to be outside Mexico, he was an International singer after all. Now that I see the film it seems naturally suited for English language and the good news is that nobody that read it after it was translated suspected it was first in Spanish. Then my Canadian producer Niv Fichman told me “ You need to meet this actor, Douglas Smith, he is perfect for 'Mica'”. So I waited for the occasion for several months and finally one evening in Toronto we met after a screening and walking towards him was really like a film , I still remember crossing to the other side of the theater like in slow motion and when I saw him I knew it was going to work. I don´t know who was more nervous but he stepped on my foot. Zöe Kravitz came later. I didn´t write thinking of any actor in particular. I wanted someone that was attractive but that could stand out in other ways. There´s always in Hollywood like 4 or 5 actresses that I confuse because they don´t really stand out. She had to have a personality that you believed she fell in love with someone like him, and also a beautiful women that in the story is relaxed about her looks. She is an amazing actress and has something unique that I can´t really put in words. She is just a natural.
LatinoBuzz: You've worked on projects across the globe - has it changed the way you look at art?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: After making video art in Innbruck, Austria and then getting a grant in almost the opposite city: New Delhi, I changed the way of working and also I try to get rid of clichés about expecting some art based on the artist´s Nationality. I learned to see more, I guess. I write a project back home but then when I get to a place I take my time to observe. I forbid myself to take photographs the first week and after a week I decide how to adapt my project or throw it away and start from scratch. Also after traveling I know that people expect a type of film again depending of your Nationality but that is a prejudice. Some people are going to say my film is not very Mexican or very Latin but that is if they are referring to a cliché of the “Mexicanity”. What does a film needs to have a Mexican flavor? Cactus, drug lords? Well, I have some mariachi music after all but because my characters live in a house of a Mexican singer. It ´s all part of the same world.
LatinoBuzz: There's amazing women filmmakers coming out of Latin America that's bringing an excitement and an invigorating voice that's been missing - do you see this continuing to emerge or is there still much needed change needed within the industry?
AnaIeine Cal Y Mayor: I'm optimistic of the emerging women directors. Every year I see a little bit more coming up slowly. In Mexico at least, the industry is still a man´s world. It's funny how some crew members can´t say “Yes, Mam” they say “Yes sir “ all the time! And they do it without thinking. I´m “Sir” in Mexico a lot of times. I admire Claudia Llosa and in Mexico, Paula Markovich, Mariana Chenillo and Patricia Arriaga.
LatinoBuzz: What's next from you?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: I'm working on a new script that has to happen in an isolated forest, perhaps Sweden or Finland but while that film takes shape I might spend all my savings to do a very, very low budget film. This is one thing that I still enjoy in Mexico: my colleagues make films with 20 million pesos, 2 million or $200,000.
Visit www.analeine.com for more on this great talent!
The Midnight Game (USA) Dir. By A.D. Calvo
LatinoBuzz: What was the first horror film that scared the bejeezus out of you and got you hooked?
A.D. Calvo: Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things. Back in '79, shortly after my father died, my mom moved us into an old white house on a hill with an historic New England cemetery in the backyard. My bedroom window overlooked the tiny lot riddled with crooked, broken headstones. I can still remember the name on one of them, Alexander X. Weed, and my morbid fascination with the babies’ graves that had shifted in the ground over the years, revealing dark crevices into the earth around them. We didn't have cable back then, so I'd occasionally catch a scary movie on channel 9 or 11, our local NY affiliates. This film really scared the crap out of me. The thought of the dead rising from their graves kept me awake half the night. I was only 11 at the time, and I'm sure the death of my father -- and that damn cemetery – didn’t help. I checked that film out recently, and it was rather comical, deliberately campy. But man, oh, man, it wasn't back then. Orville was a living corpse who haunted me on many nights.
LatinoBuzz: How do you see your work evolving within the horror genre?
A.D. Calvo: Honestly, I'm not a big fan of violence in film and have consistently focused more on the psychological aspects of horror. In my more recent films, particularly The Midnight Game, I've tried to "amp up" certain graphic elements -- but my style is still a far cry from anything close to gore porn or slasher, which are just not my thing. I love a great ghost story and would love to revisit that world with a more mature approach one day. I think of horror classics like The Shining as benchmarks for what's possible within that realm. It all comes down to finding the right screenplay or writing something that I feel really works. After four films, three of which were skewed more toward young-adult horror, I'm looking to shift into more mature themes.
LatinoBuzz: With the likes of Guillermo Del Toro and Fede Alvarez etc and even a film like, Mama - crossing over to the mainstream, do you see a possible gateway for films to be made starring a Latino cast and marketed successfully to an American Latino audience?
A.D. Calvo: Yes, I do. I've always loved Latin horror films like The Devil's Backboneand The Orphanage, and even cerebral sci-fi like Timecrimes. I like the weird ones too, e.g., Santa Sangre, The Last Circus. There's just so many amazing Latino actors and directors, many who haven't been exposed much to Us audiences. The Argentine actor, Ricardo Darin, is a personal favorite, but lesser known here in the states, despite the Oscar win for The Secret in their Eyes. He'd be great in an American Latino ghost story! Something gothic like The Others, don't you think? Perhaps a nice mix of foreign Latino names, like Darin, and some better known domestic faces (Oscar Isaac, John Leguizamo, Rosario Dawson -- a few more personal favs). It's fun to think of the possibilities.
LatinoBuzz: You take a trip to a cabin in the middle of the woods straight outta Deliverance with 4 characters from Horror films and there's no cell phone reception -- because, despite all previous warnings, it's still a great idea -- Who are they and who's out in the woods (Dick Cheney is a perfectly acceptable answer)?
A.D. Calvo: I love this question! Here's my dream team: I'd take a Ripley-like character (from Alien)—someone who's capable of kicking ass and protecting the bunch; and I'd throw in a weak male sidekick, to provide a little comic relief—the quirky Shaggy of the bunch. My cabin wouldn't be complete without a wise old man, physically inferior but intellectually a necessity to the group's survival (I'm picturing Michael Caine type wisdom and self assurance here)… Then, lastly, I'd toss in another woman, but a sensitive type—someone who understands that even evil can have a good side. A character like the one Naomi Watts played in The Ring. She'll help offset Ripley's take-no-prisoners attitude, But will make the crucial mistake of sparing the lives of a few of our villains, who are none other than a mutant militia controlled by their own evil inbred children. (Militias really scare me. As do evil children.) Not sure what my chances of survival would be, but it would make for an interesting movie!
LatinoBuzz: Where and how do the ideas come to you? And how do you flesh them out?
A.D. Calvo: My creative process can be summed up as follows: left brain, right brain. On the one hand, I think about other films I've responded to and try to create an amalgam, of sorts, from that. Something fresh and new, but that still feels familiar and is producible within a set of constraints. This is the logical, left brain half of the process. On the other hand, I remain open to the infinite possibilities that unfold before us, in a more mystical and romantic way (the "creative tap" we all have access to). I have found this balance serves me well. Being true to my vision, creatively and aesthetically, while listening to, but not being bound by, the business side of things. In terms of fleshing out ideas, I have a great set of "go to" people whose opinions I really trust. As with any collaborative endeavor, it's important to keep folks involved (and hence excited about the project). Of course, it's also important to separate individual tastes and personal opinions from more important ideas that can make a project better (and not just different). When you hear that a particular thing isn't working, from a couple of trusted sources, you know you have a problem. Likewise if one's suggestion is well received by others on your team then it's probably worth pursuing, despite any hesitation you may have. I believe you can do this without compromising the so-called, "singular vision of the director." I've heard of film directors referred to as "benign dictators" but the key word here is "benign" and not "dictator." Filmmaking is a collaborative medium so you're acting more like a creative CEO, you still have a boardroom of key folks to listen to. It's really just a matter of building the right team and becoming calibrated enough to recognize the things that raise the bar versus the things that don't really matter. That's the core of it, I think. That, and not letting your ego get in the way of that, is key.
LatinoBuzz: What are the next projects?
A.D Calvo: I just finished another screenplay, my first in 2 years. It's definitely a deviation from horror. It’s a character-driven mystery with a little magical realism thrown in. American Splendor and Ghost World meetThe Lovely Bones. Very different for me. I've also been developing an original time travel concept. Sci-fi is a genre I've always enjoyed and I have a unique idea for a time machine that's fairly well grounded in physics... I have a few other concepts in various stages of development.
Any of these projects could be next, but we'll have to wait and see. Having the wherewithal to push another film through to the end is becoming a greater challenge, psychically, for me. Knowing the pitfalls and what is and isn't possible, given a budget, can become a hindrance of sorts, but it can also make you more discerning and creative—which is a good thing… as long as it doesn't cripple you.
For more on A.D.'s work, check out: www.goodnightfilm.com
Eenie Meenie Mineny Moe (USA) Dir. by Jorge 'Jokes' Yanez
LatinoBuzz: Tell us about the scene in the 305 -- there's a few collectives down there doing really interesting things.
Jokes: The 305 is my home, and there's nothing like it anywhere in the world, the mix of cultures, styles, personalities and weather is a stew with a flavor all its own. In the last few years the arts has really been gaining momentum and there’s talent that is staying and making stuff here which is great. I love seeing Miami artists I grew up with getting their respect. Miami has made its mark in music, sports and visual art and I'm happy that it’s finally starting to get an identity in film.
Latinobuzz: Where did this idea come from and how long from when you wrote this, did it go into production?
Jokes: The idea was conceived around 2003/2004, I was living in L.A. and directing music videos flying to all these different cities and I noticed how people would tell me I had an accent and style that they couldn't put a finger on. When I would say “Miami” they would say of course, it's obvious. So the first seed of making a feature with characters that were authentically Miami came to mind in the way New York filmmakers tell New York stories and wanting to make a movie that addressed a lot of the attitudes that I thought were prevalent in the 305, especially about hustlers with strong ethics and loyalty that were gaming the system. The final ingredient was meeting a few tow truck drivers and it inspired using that as a thread to tie everything together. In early 2007, J.Bishop, my writing partner and I finished the script and I started looking for financing. In 2009, we created a short film 'Vladimir’s Vodka' that features some of the characters and the aesthetics of “Eenie Meenie Miney Moe”. That piece created the momentum we needed and we finally went into production in late 2011.
LatinoBuzz: Who are the filmmakers that inspired the aesthetic of your work?
Jokes: I would say for this film i was really inspired by the work of Brian DePalma, Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky and a few little sprinkles of Kubrick, Scorsese and James Cameron. I mean all these guys are like titans in the industry its hard to make a movie and not be influenced by their work. Overall, I’ve been a film buff for years and there’s so many influences that contribute to my aesthetic choices.
LatinoBuzz: What does premiering in your home town mean to you?
Jokes: I couldn't imagine it any better way. I made this movie because of growing up in Miami and being able to share it with so many of my friends and family is what its all about.
LatinoBuzz: What are the constraints of making independent films in Miami?
Jokes: The biggest constraint is finding money, Miami is a party town and not too many investors have done anything in the movie business and actually not been burned by it, the second is the weather being outdoors in the summer is hot and wet two things that’ll put a production in slow motion.
LatinoBuzz: And what are the benefits?
Jokes: Locations and finding people that are still mesmerized by the allure of the movie biz. In La it's big business and people are jaded and want their check, here so many people are just so helpful and proud that their block or business is being shown that they bend over backwards to accommodate you.
LatinoBuzz: Name a classic novel you could make into a film, and set it in Miami -- what is it and who is in it?
Jokes: 'The Count of Monte Cristo': I can see that being re-imagined into a Miami setting and I am definitely drawn into the revenge plot. I would love to use Benecio Del Toro, Julio Mechoso and Nestor Carbonell and some fresh new faces. I like discoveries.
LatinoBuzz: What's the next Jokes Flick?
Jokes: The next one is titled 'The Local Crew', it's a true to life story about some of the experiences J.Bishop and I had growing up. We just finished the script and are building the team to produce it.
For more on Jokes flick, visit: www.eeniemeeniemineymoe.com
Tony Tango (USA) Dir. By Manolo Celi
LatinoBuzz: You wrote the screenplay along with Billy Sommer from an idea Max Maulion and Andres Oliveira came up with.
Manolo Celi: Yep! Billy Sommer was the genius writer. There was a lot of back and forth between us via phone and many many Skype sessions, but the best stuff was written by Billy who is a truly gifted writer. Andres and Maxx had written an initial 1st draft and they created the iconic character of Tony Tango, and what started to be a doctoring of the script, ended up being a complete transplant. Everything changed except for some character names and that there is a dance competition, but even the main characters were re-written completely anew.
LatinoBuzz: How was this presented to you in the first place?
Manolo Celi: Andres and I had worked on some commercial projects previously, and we really hit it off. They gave me that 1st draft, and while I knew the script needed work, I really related to the character of Tony who was a real underdog. I also found both Andres and Maxx to be very talented and driven to get the film done.
LatinoBuzz: How did pitching a story about an overweight tango dancer in ill fitting ballroom outfits to investors go?
Manolo Celi: All of the investments came from Andres and Maxx sources. They dealt with the financing 100%
LatinoBuzz: What about the casting process? These characters where very specific.
Manolo Celi: We were lucky that the two main characters, Tony and Pablo were already being played by Maxx and Andres. And then, we were so fortunate to find tremendous talent like Antoni Corone and Sergia Louise Andersen to complete the picture - not to mention the rest of the cast who were all truly amazing. My main concern was working with the cast to get as genuine performances as possible. While their characters are very absurd and quirky, the audience needed to relate to all of them and sympathize with them.
LatinoBuzz: A lot of care went into the detail in making the film - the costumes, the choreography and the tone of the humor was very specific. How did you go about getting the right team with budget limitations?
Manolo Celi: What can I say about the crew? What great luck!! Many of them, I had already worked with or had known for a very long time. DoP Angel Barroeta is an incredible Dp and professional, not to mention a beautiful human being. Tom Criswell is hilarious and somehow made the art department work with barely any resources, Li Millian, the wardrobe stylist created Tony's most memorable clothing, hands down, Jonathan David Kane made the day to day run so smoothly, Alan Ramos found us the absolute best locations we could find within the limits of our budget, Jerry Perez and Christine Lopez not only acted great throughout the movie, but they also donated so much time beforehand choreographing Maxx's dance routines, Obi Reyes did a miraculous job with all of the film's make up needs, Carlos Gomez was superstar Gaffer. Both Ad's De la Vega and Rafa Herrera ran the set so smoothly, and they kept the energy alive and the production going. And, on the post side even, it was amazing: Juan Pablo Mantilla, the music producer composed an amazing score, and also produced so many great pieces for the film, and Bob Curreri was an incredible colorist. I mean, really, everyone put in so much time and love into the project for next to no money or for no money whatsoever. I hope to work with every single one of these people again, for the rest of my career.
LatinoBuzz: And how much was specifically your vision?
Manolo Celi: It really was a wonderful collaborative process by everyone involved. Obviously, as director, it is important to have a clear vision, and keep everyone on the same track. Especially in a low budget production like this, there are always situations that crop up that force you to think on your feet and be very receptive to suggestions from your team. I believe a good deal of the film reflects my vision, with compromises due to the resources available and not having final cut of the film, but there are many things that reflect the direction that we had aimed for.
LatinoBuzz: You guys applied this green initiative to shooting the film in Miami - and here people are, thinking filmmakers are heartless brutes -- where in the process was that decision made?
Manolo Celi: We all tend to be very environmentally conscious as individuals, but it was Jonathan David Kane who really pushed the green initiative. He was really who got that ball rolling and was very disciplined about it.
LatinoBuzz: What's the next project?
Manolo Celi: I have a short and another feature in the works. The short is musically-themed, and the feature is more indie-action themed. Besides that, I continue directing commercials.
For all info on Tony Tango click here! www.tonytangothemovie.com...
LatinoBuzz: This is your first film - they say that sometimes you have been waiting your whole life to tell the first one - Was that the case with this story?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: Not with this story. I had never heard about this disease until 2006 in the first place. I was waiting indeed for a long time to direct my first feature. I felt I was ready and I enjoyed working with actors very much but the story was not waiting in a drawer for years fortunately. I saw the article in the newspaper and I immediately knew I wanted to do a film based on that news. It was a beautiful girl with this terrible disease, Trimethylaminuria, terrible more because of what it causes emotionally and psychologically to the persons not so much the physical part. I wanted to turn this drama into a comedy, otherwise I would do a documentary.
LatinoBuzz: Was it always an intention when you were writing the screenplay, that this would be in English?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: Actually it was not the intention at all. I wrote it in Spanish with another screenwriter (Javier Gullón) thinking it would be shot in Spanish. But I always imagined a North American neighborhood where Mica, the main character, lives. Partly inspired by Elvis´ Graceland, he lives in a museum house of Mexican kitsch singer Guillermo Garibai but we don´t have those museums in Spain or Mexico. We started even casting Spanish actors but suddenly it didn´t make sense where they lived. Somehow it didn’t fit that the actor was saying “joder” and other Spanish slang with this setting. Also the singer was supposedly very famous so I wanted it to be outside Mexico, he was an International singer after all. Now that I see the film it seems naturally suited for English language and the good news is that nobody that read it after it was translated suspected it was first in Spanish. Then my Canadian producer Niv Fichman told me “ You need to meet this actor, Douglas Smith, he is perfect for 'Mica'”. So I waited for the occasion for several months and finally one evening in Toronto we met after a screening and walking towards him was really like a film , I still remember crossing to the other side of the theater like in slow motion and when I saw him I knew it was going to work. I don´t know who was more nervous but he stepped on my foot. Zöe Kravitz came later. I didn´t write thinking of any actor in particular. I wanted someone that was attractive but that could stand out in other ways. There´s always in Hollywood like 4 or 5 actresses that I confuse because they don´t really stand out. She had to have a personality that you believed she fell in love with someone like him, and also a beautiful women that in the story is relaxed about her looks. She is an amazing actress and has something unique that I can´t really put in words. She is just a natural.
LatinoBuzz: You've worked on projects across the globe - has it changed the way you look at art?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: After making video art in Innbruck, Austria and then getting a grant in almost the opposite city: New Delhi, I changed the way of working and also I try to get rid of clichés about expecting some art based on the artist´s Nationality. I learned to see more, I guess. I write a project back home but then when I get to a place I take my time to observe. I forbid myself to take photographs the first week and after a week I decide how to adapt my project or throw it away and start from scratch. Also after traveling I know that people expect a type of film again depending of your Nationality but that is a prejudice. Some people are going to say my film is not very Mexican or very Latin but that is if they are referring to a cliché of the “Mexicanity”. What does a film needs to have a Mexican flavor? Cactus, drug lords? Well, I have some mariachi music after all but because my characters live in a house of a Mexican singer. It ´s all part of the same world.
LatinoBuzz: There's amazing women filmmakers coming out of Latin America that's bringing an excitement and an invigorating voice that's been missing - do you see this continuing to emerge or is there still much needed change needed within the industry?
AnaIeine Cal Y Mayor: I'm optimistic of the emerging women directors. Every year I see a little bit more coming up slowly. In Mexico at least, the industry is still a man´s world. It's funny how some crew members can´t say “Yes, Mam” they say “Yes sir “ all the time! And they do it without thinking. I´m “Sir” in Mexico a lot of times. I admire Claudia Llosa and in Mexico, Paula Markovich, Mariana Chenillo and Patricia Arriaga.
LatinoBuzz: What's next from you?
Analeine Cal Y Mayor: I'm working on a new script that has to happen in an isolated forest, perhaps Sweden or Finland but while that film takes shape I might spend all my savings to do a very, very low budget film. This is one thing that I still enjoy in Mexico: my colleagues make films with 20 million pesos, 2 million or $200,000.
Visit www.analeine.com for more on this great talent!
The Midnight Game (USA) Dir. By A.D. Calvo
LatinoBuzz: What was the first horror film that scared the bejeezus out of you and got you hooked?
A.D. Calvo: Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things. Back in '79, shortly after my father died, my mom moved us into an old white house on a hill with an historic New England cemetery in the backyard. My bedroom window overlooked the tiny lot riddled with crooked, broken headstones. I can still remember the name on one of them, Alexander X. Weed, and my morbid fascination with the babies’ graves that had shifted in the ground over the years, revealing dark crevices into the earth around them. We didn't have cable back then, so I'd occasionally catch a scary movie on channel 9 or 11, our local NY affiliates. This film really scared the crap out of me. The thought of the dead rising from their graves kept me awake half the night. I was only 11 at the time, and I'm sure the death of my father -- and that damn cemetery – didn’t help. I checked that film out recently, and it was rather comical, deliberately campy. But man, oh, man, it wasn't back then. Orville was a living corpse who haunted me on many nights.
LatinoBuzz: How do you see your work evolving within the horror genre?
A.D. Calvo: Honestly, I'm not a big fan of violence in film and have consistently focused more on the psychological aspects of horror. In my more recent films, particularly The Midnight Game, I've tried to "amp up" certain graphic elements -- but my style is still a far cry from anything close to gore porn or slasher, which are just not my thing. I love a great ghost story and would love to revisit that world with a more mature approach one day. I think of horror classics like The Shining as benchmarks for what's possible within that realm. It all comes down to finding the right screenplay or writing something that I feel really works. After four films, three of which were skewed more toward young-adult horror, I'm looking to shift into more mature themes.
LatinoBuzz: With the likes of Guillermo Del Toro and Fede Alvarez etc and even a film like, Mama - crossing over to the mainstream, do you see a possible gateway for films to be made starring a Latino cast and marketed successfully to an American Latino audience?
A.D. Calvo: Yes, I do. I've always loved Latin horror films like The Devil's Backboneand The Orphanage, and even cerebral sci-fi like Timecrimes. I like the weird ones too, e.g., Santa Sangre, The Last Circus. There's just so many amazing Latino actors and directors, many who haven't been exposed much to Us audiences. The Argentine actor, Ricardo Darin, is a personal favorite, but lesser known here in the states, despite the Oscar win for The Secret in their Eyes. He'd be great in an American Latino ghost story! Something gothic like The Others, don't you think? Perhaps a nice mix of foreign Latino names, like Darin, and some better known domestic faces (Oscar Isaac, John Leguizamo, Rosario Dawson -- a few more personal favs). It's fun to think of the possibilities.
LatinoBuzz: You take a trip to a cabin in the middle of the woods straight outta Deliverance with 4 characters from Horror films and there's no cell phone reception -- because, despite all previous warnings, it's still a great idea -- Who are they and who's out in the woods (Dick Cheney is a perfectly acceptable answer)?
A.D. Calvo: I love this question! Here's my dream team: I'd take a Ripley-like character (from Alien)—someone who's capable of kicking ass and protecting the bunch; and I'd throw in a weak male sidekick, to provide a little comic relief—the quirky Shaggy of the bunch. My cabin wouldn't be complete without a wise old man, physically inferior but intellectually a necessity to the group's survival (I'm picturing Michael Caine type wisdom and self assurance here)… Then, lastly, I'd toss in another woman, but a sensitive type—someone who understands that even evil can have a good side. A character like the one Naomi Watts played in The Ring. She'll help offset Ripley's take-no-prisoners attitude, But will make the crucial mistake of sparing the lives of a few of our villains, who are none other than a mutant militia controlled by their own evil inbred children. (Militias really scare me. As do evil children.) Not sure what my chances of survival would be, but it would make for an interesting movie!
LatinoBuzz: Where and how do the ideas come to you? And how do you flesh them out?
A.D. Calvo: My creative process can be summed up as follows: left brain, right brain. On the one hand, I think about other films I've responded to and try to create an amalgam, of sorts, from that. Something fresh and new, but that still feels familiar and is producible within a set of constraints. This is the logical, left brain half of the process. On the other hand, I remain open to the infinite possibilities that unfold before us, in a more mystical and romantic way (the "creative tap" we all have access to). I have found this balance serves me well. Being true to my vision, creatively and aesthetically, while listening to, but not being bound by, the business side of things. In terms of fleshing out ideas, I have a great set of "go to" people whose opinions I really trust. As with any collaborative endeavor, it's important to keep folks involved (and hence excited about the project). Of course, it's also important to separate individual tastes and personal opinions from more important ideas that can make a project better (and not just different). When you hear that a particular thing isn't working, from a couple of trusted sources, you know you have a problem. Likewise if one's suggestion is well received by others on your team then it's probably worth pursuing, despite any hesitation you may have. I believe you can do this without compromising the so-called, "singular vision of the director." I've heard of film directors referred to as "benign dictators" but the key word here is "benign" and not "dictator." Filmmaking is a collaborative medium so you're acting more like a creative CEO, you still have a boardroom of key folks to listen to. It's really just a matter of building the right team and becoming calibrated enough to recognize the things that raise the bar versus the things that don't really matter. That's the core of it, I think. That, and not letting your ego get in the way of that, is key.
LatinoBuzz: What are the next projects?
A.D Calvo: I just finished another screenplay, my first in 2 years. It's definitely a deviation from horror. It’s a character-driven mystery with a little magical realism thrown in. American Splendor and Ghost World meetThe Lovely Bones. Very different for me. I've also been developing an original time travel concept. Sci-fi is a genre I've always enjoyed and I have a unique idea for a time machine that's fairly well grounded in physics... I have a few other concepts in various stages of development.
Any of these projects could be next, but we'll have to wait and see. Having the wherewithal to push another film through to the end is becoming a greater challenge, psychically, for me. Knowing the pitfalls and what is and isn't possible, given a budget, can become a hindrance of sorts, but it can also make you more discerning and creative—which is a good thing… as long as it doesn't cripple you.
For more on A.D.'s work, check out: www.goodnightfilm.com
Eenie Meenie Mineny Moe (USA) Dir. by Jorge 'Jokes' Yanez
LatinoBuzz: Tell us about the scene in the 305 -- there's a few collectives down there doing really interesting things.
Jokes: The 305 is my home, and there's nothing like it anywhere in the world, the mix of cultures, styles, personalities and weather is a stew with a flavor all its own. In the last few years the arts has really been gaining momentum and there’s talent that is staying and making stuff here which is great. I love seeing Miami artists I grew up with getting their respect. Miami has made its mark in music, sports and visual art and I'm happy that it’s finally starting to get an identity in film.
Latinobuzz: Where did this idea come from and how long from when you wrote this, did it go into production?
Jokes: The idea was conceived around 2003/2004, I was living in L.A. and directing music videos flying to all these different cities and I noticed how people would tell me I had an accent and style that they couldn't put a finger on. When I would say “Miami” they would say of course, it's obvious. So the first seed of making a feature with characters that were authentically Miami came to mind in the way New York filmmakers tell New York stories and wanting to make a movie that addressed a lot of the attitudes that I thought were prevalent in the 305, especially about hustlers with strong ethics and loyalty that were gaming the system. The final ingredient was meeting a few tow truck drivers and it inspired using that as a thread to tie everything together. In early 2007, J.Bishop, my writing partner and I finished the script and I started looking for financing. In 2009, we created a short film 'Vladimir’s Vodka' that features some of the characters and the aesthetics of “Eenie Meenie Miney Moe”. That piece created the momentum we needed and we finally went into production in late 2011.
LatinoBuzz: Who are the filmmakers that inspired the aesthetic of your work?
Jokes: I would say for this film i was really inspired by the work of Brian DePalma, Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky and a few little sprinkles of Kubrick, Scorsese and James Cameron. I mean all these guys are like titans in the industry its hard to make a movie and not be influenced by their work. Overall, I’ve been a film buff for years and there’s so many influences that contribute to my aesthetic choices.
LatinoBuzz: What does premiering in your home town mean to you?
Jokes: I couldn't imagine it any better way. I made this movie because of growing up in Miami and being able to share it with so many of my friends and family is what its all about.
LatinoBuzz: What are the constraints of making independent films in Miami?
Jokes: The biggest constraint is finding money, Miami is a party town and not too many investors have done anything in the movie business and actually not been burned by it, the second is the weather being outdoors in the summer is hot and wet two things that’ll put a production in slow motion.
LatinoBuzz: And what are the benefits?
Jokes: Locations and finding people that are still mesmerized by the allure of the movie biz. In La it's big business and people are jaded and want their check, here so many people are just so helpful and proud that their block or business is being shown that they bend over backwards to accommodate you.
LatinoBuzz: Name a classic novel you could make into a film, and set it in Miami -- what is it and who is in it?
Jokes: 'The Count of Monte Cristo': I can see that being re-imagined into a Miami setting and I am definitely drawn into the revenge plot. I would love to use Benecio Del Toro, Julio Mechoso and Nestor Carbonell and some fresh new faces. I like discoveries.
LatinoBuzz: What's the next Jokes Flick?
Jokes: The next one is titled 'The Local Crew', it's a true to life story about some of the experiences J.Bishop and I had growing up. We just finished the script and are building the team to produce it.
For more on Jokes flick, visit: www.eeniemeeniemineymoe.com
Tony Tango (USA) Dir. By Manolo Celi
LatinoBuzz: You wrote the screenplay along with Billy Sommer from an idea Max Maulion and Andres Oliveira came up with.
Manolo Celi: Yep! Billy Sommer was the genius writer. There was a lot of back and forth between us via phone and many many Skype sessions, but the best stuff was written by Billy who is a truly gifted writer. Andres and Maxx had written an initial 1st draft and they created the iconic character of Tony Tango, and what started to be a doctoring of the script, ended up being a complete transplant. Everything changed except for some character names and that there is a dance competition, but even the main characters were re-written completely anew.
LatinoBuzz: How was this presented to you in the first place?
Manolo Celi: Andres and I had worked on some commercial projects previously, and we really hit it off. They gave me that 1st draft, and while I knew the script needed work, I really related to the character of Tony who was a real underdog. I also found both Andres and Maxx to be very talented and driven to get the film done.
LatinoBuzz: How did pitching a story about an overweight tango dancer in ill fitting ballroom outfits to investors go?
Manolo Celi: All of the investments came from Andres and Maxx sources. They dealt with the financing 100%
LatinoBuzz: What about the casting process? These characters where very specific.
Manolo Celi: We were lucky that the two main characters, Tony and Pablo were already being played by Maxx and Andres. And then, we were so fortunate to find tremendous talent like Antoni Corone and Sergia Louise Andersen to complete the picture - not to mention the rest of the cast who were all truly amazing. My main concern was working with the cast to get as genuine performances as possible. While their characters are very absurd and quirky, the audience needed to relate to all of them and sympathize with them.
LatinoBuzz: A lot of care went into the detail in making the film - the costumes, the choreography and the tone of the humor was very specific. How did you go about getting the right team with budget limitations?
Manolo Celi: What can I say about the crew? What great luck!! Many of them, I had already worked with or had known for a very long time. DoP Angel Barroeta is an incredible Dp and professional, not to mention a beautiful human being. Tom Criswell is hilarious and somehow made the art department work with barely any resources, Li Millian, the wardrobe stylist created Tony's most memorable clothing, hands down, Jonathan David Kane made the day to day run so smoothly, Alan Ramos found us the absolute best locations we could find within the limits of our budget, Jerry Perez and Christine Lopez not only acted great throughout the movie, but they also donated so much time beforehand choreographing Maxx's dance routines, Obi Reyes did a miraculous job with all of the film's make up needs, Carlos Gomez was superstar Gaffer. Both Ad's De la Vega and Rafa Herrera ran the set so smoothly, and they kept the energy alive and the production going. And, on the post side even, it was amazing: Juan Pablo Mantilla, the music producer composed an amazing score, and also produced so many great pieces for the film, and Bob Curreri was an incredible colorist. I mean, really, everyone put in so much time and love into the project for next to no money or for no money whatsoever. I hope to work with every single one of these people again, for the rest of my career.
LatinoBuzz: And how much was specifically your vision?
Manolo Celi: It really was a wonderful collaborative process by everyone involved. Obviously, as director, it is important to have a clear vision, and keep everyone on the same track. Especially in a low budget production like this, there are always situations that crop up that force you to think on your feet and be very receptive to suggestions from your team. I believe a good deal of the film reflects my vision, with compromises due to the resources available and not having final cut of the film, but there are many things that reflect the direction that we had aimed for.
LatinoBuzz: You guys applied this green initiative to shooting the film in Miami - and here people are, thinking filmmakers are heartless brutes -- where in the process was that decision made?
Manolo Celi: We all tend to be very environmentally conscious as individuals, but it was Jonathan David Kane who really pushed the green initiative. He was really who got that ball rolling and was very disciplined about it.
LatinoBuzz: What's the next project?
Manolo Celi: I have a short and another feature in the works. The short is musically-themed, and the feature is more indie-action themed. Besides that, I continue directing commercials.
For all info on Tony Tango click here! www.tonytangothemovie.com...
- 3/6/2013
- by Juan Caceres
- Sydney's Buzz
The 30th anniversary edition of the Miami International Film Festival (March 1-10) has announced its full slate, which this year includes 45 films that will be making their world, international, North American and U.S. premieres. World premieres include "The Boy Who Smells Like Fish" starring Zoe Kravitz and Douglass Smith about a lonely boy with a weird condition, "Eenie Meenie Miney Moe," a crime drama about a two truck driver from the team behind MIFF11's "Magic City Memoirs," "Sanitarium" starring Robert Englund, Malcom McDowell, and Loud Diamond Phillips in three separate stories set in a mental asylum, and "Marriage (Matrimonio)" loosely based on James Joyce's "Ulysses" starring Cecilia Roth and Dario Grandinetti. The festival will open with Morgan Neville's "Twenty Feet From Stardom," which turns the spotlight on the many unknown backup singers behind famed musicans like Stevie Wonder...
- 2/6/2013
- by Erin Whitney
- Indiewire
Comicbookmovie.com got their hands on this first look photo featuring Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky in the upcoming action film “Mad Max: Fury Road” by director George Miller (Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Mad Max, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome) and starring Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Warrior, Inception), Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class, Clash of the Titans), Charlize Theron (Snow White and the Huntsman 2, Prometheus), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Transformers: Dark of the Moon), Zoë Kravitz (Californication, The Boy Who Smells Like Fish) and Riley Keough (Magic Mike, The Runaways). Synopsis: “Mad Max Fury Road” sees Mad Max (Hardy) caught up with a group of people fleeing across the [ Read More ]
The post First Look Photo of Tom Hardy from Mad Max: Fury Road appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post First Look Photo of Tom Hardy from Mad Max: Fury Road appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/21/2012
- by Brian Corder
- ShockYa
Directed by Chris Columbus from Rick Riordan fantasy novel, the initial Percy Jackson film was released in 2010 and likely was going to trigger the next page-to-screen teen-lit sensation - a worthy successor to Harry Potter. And while The Lightning Thief earned $226M at the global box office, only $88M of that came from the States. Perhaps audiences suffered Potter fatigue? Or maybe they just weren.t that familiar with Mr. Jackson. Well, they.re going to get another shot. Variety claims that original Percy Jackson stars Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario are on board for a sequel, subtitled The Sea of Monsters, and that Douglas Smith is in final negotiations to join the ensemble in an as-yet-to-be-determined role. Smith.s best known for his role in HBO.s Big Love, though he can also be seen in the upcoming features The Boy Who Smells Like Fish and Antiviral. Thor Freudenthal...
- 2/17/2012
- cinemablend.com
As we reported last March, and unbeknownst to me, Fox 2000 is taking the plunge with a sequel to Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. With Logan Lerman and Alexandra Daddario returning to the follow-up, subtitled The Sea of Monsters, the studio is defying not just bad box office sales, but a generally middling reaction from critics as well. And, as Variety reports, Big Love actor Douglas Smith is in final negotiations to join the project in an unspecified role.
Thor Freudenthal has taken the place of Chris Columbus as director for the sequel, which follows “the trio of friends, who go to the titular sea to find the mythical Golden Fleece and to free a friend who has been captured there.” Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, known for their work on Ed Wood and Agent Cody Banks, are also returning to pen the sequel.
Chris Columbus, Karen Rosenfelt and...
Thor Freudenthal has taken the place of Chris Columbus as director for the sequel, which follows “the trio of friends, who go to the titular sea to find the mythical Golden Fleece and to free a friend who has been captured there.” Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, known for their work on Ed Wood and Agent Cody Banks, are also returning to pen the sequel.
Chris Columbus, Karen Rosenfelt and...
- 2/16/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
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