San Sebastian — Over the course of a burgeoning career as a documentary director, and while not producing movies such as Cannes Festival opener “Everybody Knows,” Morena Films producer-partner Alvaro Longoria has addressed lamentably little-known subjects of large resonance with good-humor, clarity, candor and a healthy dose of all-round prejudice-bashing. “Ni distintos ni diferentes: Campeones” marks his third doc feature after Spanish Academy Goya winner “Sons of the Clouds” (2013) an analytical lament for the fate of the Sahara people made with Javier Bardem, and “The Propaganda Game” (2017), a study of geo-political prejudice about North Korea, in and outside the country. In it, these qualities are shared by his extraordinary subjects. These take in both the mentally uncoordinated star actors of Spanish fiction comedy blockbuster “Campeones” (Champions) where they play members of a basketball team, and, as important, their equally remarkable parents.
Mixing interview and observation, as the actors go about their daily life,...
Mixing interview and observation, as the actors go about their daily life,...
- 9/28/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Spain’s biggest national box office hit of the year, “Campeones” (Champions), has been selected by the Spain’s Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as the country’s submission for a foreign-language Academy Award.
Grossing €18.5 million ($$21.4 million) in Spain for Universal Pictures Intl. Spain, “Campeones” beat out two other contenders in a submission shortlist: Ashgar Farhadi’s Cannes Festival opening film “Everybody Knows,” starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, which was shot in Spain and produced out of Spain, like “Champions,” by Spain’s Morena Films; and Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi “Handía,” a flagship production of the building Basque cinema which won a Special Jury Prize at last September’s San Sebastian festival and then 10 Goya Academy Awards this January.
On paper, “Campeones” could have disappeared without trace at the Spanish box office, taking a difficult subject – intellectual discapacity – and rolling it into a drama-comedy about...
Grossing €18.5 million ($$21.4 million) in Spain for Universal Pictures Intl. Spain, “Campeones” beat out two other contenders in a submission shortlist: Ashgar Farhadi’s Cannes Festival opening film “Everybody Knows,” starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, which was shot in Spain and produced out of Spain, like “Champions,” by Spain’s Morena Films; and Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi “Handía,” a flagship production of the building Basque cinema which won a Special Jury Prize at last September’s San Sebastian festival and then 10 Goya Academy Awards this January.
On paper, “Campeones” could have disappeared without trace at the Spanish box office, taking a difficult subject – intellectual discapacity – and rolling it into a drama-comedy about...
- 9/6/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The veteran documentary-maker revisits a romantic interlude during a visit to North Korea in the 1950s, and the result is self-indulgent but undeniably fascinating
We are living through a mini-boom in documentaries about North Korea. Film-makers are getting into Pyongyang to shoot – clandestinely, semi-clandestinely and on various pretexts – those vast statues and eerie cityscapes. Werner Herzog’s Into the Inferno suggested the North Koreans’ defensive mindset had something to do with living in the shadow of a volcano, Mount Paektu. Norwegian director Morten Traavik told the extraordinary story of how obscure Slovenian art-rockers Laibach became the first Western band to play North Korea. Alvaro Longorio’s The Propaganda Game argued that North Korea is a zombie state, kept alive by the duplicitous interests of great powers, and Ross Adam and Robert Cannon’s The Lovers and the Despot is about the staggering true story of how in late 70s the...
We are living through a mini-boom in documentaries about North Korea. Film-makers are getting into Pyongyang to shoot – clandestinely, semi-clandestinely and on various pretexts – those vast statues and eerie cityscapes. Werner Herzog’s Into the Inferno suggested the North Koreans’ defensive mindset had something to do with living in the shadow of a volcano, Mount Paektu. Norwegian director Morten Traavik told the extraordinary story of how obscure Slovenian art-rockers Laibach became the first Western band to play North Korea. Alvaro Longorio’s The Propaganda Game argued that North Korea is a zombie state, kept alive by the duplicitous interests of great powers, and Ross Adam and Robert Cannon’s The Lovers and the Despot is about the staggering true story of how in late 70s the...
- 5/21/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
This extraordinary documentary charts the antics of the first western band allowed into the country – to perform thunderous versions of songs from The Sound of Music
Just as Noah Cross in Chinatown said that politicians, ugly buildings and whores all get respectable if they last long enough, so the Stalinist Ruritania of North Korea has hung on, to become increasingly regarded as an exotic or even tragicomic kind of despotism, with its vast squares, monumental architecture and fixed, poignant smiles.
Alvaro Longoria’s film The Propaganda Game suggested it is a zombie state, animated by obsolete communist delusions but kept alive by the duplicitous interests of great powers. It suits the Americans to maintain an old-style red scare; the Russians and Chinese don’t want a Us-dominated Korean peninsula; and the South Koreans don’t fancy footing the bill for a German-style reunification. Werner Herzog recently got into the country...
Just as Noah Cross in Chinatown said that politicians, ugly buildings and whores all get respectable if they last long enough, so the Stalinist Ruritania of North Korea has hung on, to become increasingly regarded as an exotic or even tragicomic kind of despotism, with its vast squares, monumental architecture and fixed, poignant smiles.
Alvaro Longoria’s film The Propaganda Game suggested it is a zombie state, animated by obsolete communist delusions but kept alive by the duplicitous interests of great powers. It suits the Americans to maintain an old-style red scare; the Russians and Chinese don’t want a Us-dominated Korean peninsula; and the South Koreans don’t fancy footing the bill for a German-style reunification. Werner Herzog recently got into the country...
- 11/22/2016
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
It's a well-known fact that Iberoamerican cinema, which includes Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese productions, has had a prominent presence at the most important international film festivals for several years now and several films have been recognized at some of the most important film awards around the world. Colombia's "Embrace of the Serpent" earning the country's first-ever Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category and Argentina's "Wild Tales" taking home the 2016 BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in English Language are juts two examples of recent victories.
Acknowledging the need for a unified industry in the region and a platform for the Iberoamerican industry to honor and support its own productions, the Premios Platino of Iberoamerican Cinema were born three years ago. Each year the organizing committee selects a diverse group of nominees and invites members of the industry across the American continent and the Iberian peninsula to vote in order to select the winners. The ceremony takes place in a different country every year as a way to include all of the varied industries in the process and execution of the event.
This morning, after considering more than 150 films from a pool of over 800 theatrically releases productions, the final nominees were announced by a group of talented actors, including legendary Mexican-American thespian Edward James Olmos, and filmmakers led by CNN en Español's journalist Juan Carlos Arciniegas. Guatemala's Berlin-winning gem "Ixcanul" received 8 nominations, just as Colombia's Oscar-nominated "Embrace of the Serpent" did. These two gorgeously executed works center on indigenous stories and highlight the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. It's a pleasant surprise to see these two fantastic films get the most love.
Chile's "The Club" and Argentina's "The Clan," films by the two most prolific Pablos working in South America, Pablo Larrain and Pablo Trapero, received 6 nominations each. Larrain's dark tale about Catholic priests with questionable pasts was also nominated this year for a Golden Globe in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Perhaps one of the most surprising, yet well-deserved nominations, was the inclusion of Alonso Ruizpalacios among the Best Director nominees for his brilliant debut "Güeros."
Two films distributed by Pantelion received nomations: "600 Miles" and "Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos." Oscilloscope earned 10 mentions with properties "Ma Ma" and "Embrace of the Serpent." Kino Lorber's "Ixcanul, ""Güeros," and "The Pearl Button" also earned the art house distributor 10 nominations.
Regarding the quality of the films being produced in Iberoamerica Egeda's Elvi Cano said, “This has been an exceptional year for Iberoamerican Cinema, with 826 qualifying releases. Iberoamerican Cinema is alive, growing and stronger then ever.” Renowned journalist and host Juan Carlos Arciniegas added," These awards are starting a revolution and it's my dream, as an ambassador for Premios Platino, that these magnificent films that got nominated today to be seen by all our Iberoamerican audiences. I can't be more proud of what our filmmakers are doing today and if the public don't get to enjoy them, we won't be doing our job"
The 3rd Annual Premios Platino of Iberoamerican Cinema will take place on July 24th in Punta del Este, Uruguay
Here is the full list of nominees:
Premio Platino for Best Iberoamerican Picture
-"Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente), by Ciro Guerra (Ciudad Lunar Producciones, Caracol Cine, Dago García Producciones, Nortesur Producciones S.A., Mc Producciones, Buffalo Films) (Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina).
-"The Clan" (El clan), by Pablo Trapero (Kramer & Sigman Films, Matanza Cine S.R.L., El Deseo, P.C., S.A.) (Argentina, Spain).
-"The Club" (El club), by Pablo Larraín (Fabula Producciones) (Chile).
-"Ixcanul," by Jayro Bustamante (La Casa de Producción, Tu vas voir Productions) (Guatemala).
-"Truman," by Cesc Gay (Imposible Films S.L., Truman Film A.I.E., Bd Cine S.R.L) (Spain, Argentina).
Premio Platino for Best Director
-Alonso Ruizpalacios, for "Güeros."
-Cesc Gay, for "Truman."
-Ciro Guerra, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
Pablo Larraín, for "The Club" (El club).
Pablo Trapero, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Premio Platino for Best Actor
-Alfredo Castro, for "The Club" (El club).
-Damián Alcázar, for "Magallanes."
-Guillermo Francella, for "The Clan" (El clan).
-Javier Cámara, for "Truman."
-Ricardo Darín, for "Truman."
Premio Platino for Best Actress
-Antonia Zegers, for "The Club" (El club).
-Dolores Fonzi, for "Paulina."
-Elena Anaya, for "The Memory of Water" (La memoria del agua).
-Inma Cuesta, for "The Bride" (La novia).
-Penélope Cruz, for "Ma Ma."
Premio Platino for Best Original Score
-Alberto Iglesias, for "Ma Ma."
-Federico Jusid, for "Magallanes."
-Lucas Vidal, for "Nobody Wants the Night" (Nadie quiere la noche).
-Nascuy Linares, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Pascual Reyes, for "Ixcanul."
Premio Platino for Best Animated Feature Film
-"Capture the Flag" (Atrapa la bandera), by Enrique Gato (Telecinco Cinema S.A., Los Rockets La Película A.I.E., Telefónica Studios S.L.U., 4 Cats Pictures S.L., Ikiru Films S.L., Lightbox Animation Studios S.L.) (Spain).
-"Top Cat Begins" (Don Gato 2: El inicio de la pandilla), by Andrés Couturier (Anima Estudios) (Mexico).
-"El Americano", by Ricardo Arnaiz, Mike Kunkel (Olmos Productions, Phil Roman Entertainment, Animex) (Mexico).
-"Amila's Secret" (El secreto de Amila), by Gorka Vázquez (Baleuko, S.L., Talape Animazioa, Draftoon Animation) (Spain, Argentina).
-"Huevos: Little Rooster's Egg-Cellent Adventure" (Un gallo con muchos huevos), by Gabriel Riva Palacio Alatriste, Rodolfo Riva Palacio Alatriste (Huevocartoon Producciones) (Mexico).
Premio Platino for Best Documentary Feature Film
-"Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Allende mi abuelo Allende), by Marcia Tambutti Allende (Errante Producciones Ltda, Martfilms) (Chile, Mexico).
-"New Girls 24 Hours" (Chicas nuevas 24 horas), by Mabel Lozano (Mafalda Entertainment, S.L., Aleph Media S.A., Puatarará Films, Hangar Films, Arte Vital) (Spain, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru).
-"The Pearl Button" (El botón de nácar), by Patricio Guzmán (Atacama Productions, Valdivia Film, France 3 Cinema, Mediaproduccion, S.L.) (Chile, Spain).
-"Tea Time" (La once), by Maite Alberdi (Micromundo Producciones) (Chile).
-"The Propaganda Game," by Álvaro Longoria (Morena Films S. L.) (Spain).
Premio Platino for Best Screenplay
-Cesc Gay, Tomás Aragay, for "Truman."
-Ciro Guerra, Jacques Toulemonde, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Jayro Bustamante, for "Ixcanul."
-Pablo Larraín, Guillermo Calderón, Daniel Villalobos; for "The Club" (El club).
-Salvador del Solar, for "Magallanes."
Premio Platino for Best Iberoamerican Debut Feature Film
-"600 Miles" (600 Millas), by Gabriel Ripstein (Lucia Films) (Mexico).
- "Retribution" (El desconocido), by Dani de la Torre (Atresmedia Cine S. L., Vaca Films Studio, S.L.) (Spain).
-"The Boss, Anatomy of a Crime" (El patrón: radiografía de un crimen), by Sebastián Schindel (Magoya Films S.A., Estrella Films) (Argentina, Venezuela).
-"Ixcanul," by Jayro Bustamante (La Casa de Producción, Tu vas voir Productions) (Guatemala).
-"Magallanes," by Salvador del Solar (Péndulo Films, Tondero Producciones, Cepa Audiovisual S.R.L., Proyectil, Cinemara, Nephilim Producciones, S.L.) (Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Spain).
Premio Platino for Best Film Editing
-César Díaz, for "Ixcanul."
-Eric Williams, for "Magallanes."
-Etienne Boussac, Cristina Gallego, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Jorge Coira, for "Retribution" (El desconocido).
-Pablo Trapero, Alejandro Carrillo Penovi, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Premio Platino for Best Art Direction
-Angélica Perea, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Bruno Duarte, Artur Pinheiro, for "Arabian Nights: Vol.2 - The Desolate One" (As mil e uma noites: Volume 2, O desolado).
-Jesús Bosqued Maté, Pilar Quintana, for "The Bride" (La novia).
-Pilar Peredo, for "Ixcanul."
-Sebastián Orgambide, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Premio Platino for Best Cinematography
-Arnaldo Rodríguez, for "The Memory of Water" (La memoria del agua).
-David Gallego, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Luis Armando Arteaga, for "Ixcanul."
-Miguel Ángel Amoedo, for "The Bride" (La novia).
-Sergio Armstrong, for "The Club" (El club).
Premio Platino for Best Sound Direction
-Carlos García, Marco Salavarría, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-David Machado, Jaime Fernández, Nacho Arenas, for "Retribution" (El desconocido).
-Eduardo Cáceres, Julien Cloquet, for "Ixcanul."
-Federico Esquerro, Santiago Fumagalli, Edson Secco, for "Paulina."
-Vicente D’Elía, Leandro de Loredo, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Acknowledging the need for a unified industry in the region and a platform for the Iberoamerican industry to honor and support its own productions, the Premios Platino of Iberoamerican Cinema were born three years ago. Each year the organizing committee selects a diverse group of nominees and invites members of the industry across the American continent and the Iberian peninsula to vote in order to select the winners. The ceremony takes place in a different country every year as a way to include all of the varied industries in the process and execution of the event.
This morning, after considering more than 150 films from a pool of over 800 theatrically releases productions, the final nominees were announced by a group of talented actors, including legendary Mexican-American thespian Edward James Olmos, and filmmakers led by CNN en Español's journalist Juan Carlos Arciniegas. Guatemala's Berlin-winning gem "Ixcanul" received 8 nominations, just as Colombia's Oscar-nominated "Embrace of the Serpent" did. These two gorgeously executed works center on indigenous stories and highlight the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. It's a pleasant surprise to see these two fantastic films get the most love.
Chile's "The Club" and Argentina's "The Clan," films by the two most prolific Pablos working in South America, Pablo Larrain and Pablo Trapero, received 6 nominations each. Larrain's dark tale about Catholic priests with questionable pasts was also nominated this year for a Golden Globe in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Perhaps one of the most surprising, yet well-deserved nominations, was the inclusion of Alonso Ruizpalacios among the Best Director nominees for his brilliant debut "Güeros."
Two films distributed by Pantelion received nomations: "600 Miles" and "Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos." Oscilloscope earned 10 mentions with properties "Ma Ma" and "Embrace of the Serpent." Kino Lorber's "Ixcanul, ""Güeros," and "The Pearl Button" also earned the art house distributor 10 nominations.
Regarding the quality of the films being produced in Iberoamerica Egeda's Elvi Cano said, “This has been an exceptional year for Iberoamerican Cinema, with 826 qualifying releases. Iberoamerican Cinema is alive, growing and stronger then ever.” Renowned journalist and host Juan Carlos Arciniegas added," These awards are starting a revolution and it's my dream, as an ambassador for Premios Platino, that these magnificent films that got nominated today to be seen by all our Iberoamerican audiences. I can't be more proud of what our filmmakers are doing today and if the public don't get to enjoy them, we won't be doing our job"
The 3rd Annual Premios Platino of Iberoamerican Cinema will take place on July 24th in Punta del Este, Uruguay
Here is the full list of nominees:
Premio Platino for Best Iberoamerican Picture
-"Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente), by Ciro Guerra (Ciudad Lunar Producciones, Caracol Cine, Dago García Producciones, Nortesur Producciones S.A., Mc Producciones, Buffalo Films) (Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina).
-"The Clan" (El clan), by Pablo Trapero (Kramer & Sigman Films, Matanza Cine S.R.L., El Deseo, P.C., S.A.) (Argentina, Spain).
-"The Club" (El club), by Pablo Larraín (Fabula Producciones) (Chile).
-"Ixcanul," by Jayro Bustamante (La Casa de Producción, Tu vas voir Productions) (Guatemala).
-"Truman," by Cesc Gay (Imposible Films S.L., Truman Film A.I.E., Bd Cine S.R.L) (Spain, Argentina).
Premio Platino for Best Director
-Alonso Ruizpalacios, for "Güeros."
-Cesc Gay, for "Truman."
-Ciro Guerra, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
Pablo Larraín, for "The Club" (El club).
Pablo Trapero, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Premio Platino for Best Actor
-Alfredo Castro, for "The Club" (El club).
-Damián Alcázar, for "Magallanes."
-Guillermo Francella, for "The Clan" (El clan).
-Javier Cámara, for "Truman."
-Ricardo Darín, for "Truman."
Premio Platino for Best Actress
-Antonia Zegers, for "The Club" (El club).
-Dolores Fonzi, for "Paulina."
-Elena Anaya, for "The Memory of Water" (La memoria del agua).
-Inma Cuesta, for "The Bride" (La novia).
-Penélope Cruz, for "Ma Ma."
Premio Platino for Best Original Score
-Alberto Iglesias, for "Ma Ma."
-Federico Jusid, for "Magallanes."
-Lucas Vidal, for "Nobody Wants the Night" (Nadie quiere la noche).
-Nascuy Linares, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Pascual Reyes, for "Ixcanul."
Premio Platino for Best Animated Feature Film
-"Capture the Flag" (Atrapa la bandera), by Enrique Gato (Telecinco Cinema S.A., Los Rockets La Película A.I.E., Telefónica Studios S.L.U., 4 Cats Pictures S.L., Ikiru Films S.L., Lightbox Animation Studios S.L.) (Spain).
-"Top Cat Begins" (Don Gato 2: El inicio de la pandilla), by Andrés Couturier (Anima Estudios) (Mexico).
-"El Americano", by Ricardo Arnaiz, Mike Kunkel (Olmos Productions, Phil Roman Entertainment, Animex) (Mexico).
-"Amila's Secret" (El secreto de Amila), by Gorka Vázquez (Baleuko, S.L., Talape Animazioa, Draftoon Animation) (Spain, Argentina).
-"Huevos: Little Rooster's Egg-Cellent Adventure" (Un gallo con muchos huevos), by Gabriel Riva Palacio Alatriste, Rodolfo Riva Palacio Alatriste (Huevocartoon Producciones) (Mexico).
Premio Platino for Best Documentary Feature Film
-"Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Allende mi abuelo Allende), by Marcia Tambutti Allende (Errante Producciones Ltda, Martfilms) (Chile, Mexico).
-"New Girls 24 Hours" (Chicas nuevas 24 horas), by Mabel Lozano (Mafalda Entertainment, S.L., Aleph Media S.A., Puatarará Films, Hangar Films, Arte Vital) (Spain, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru).
-"The Pearl Button" (El botón de nácar), by Patricio Guzmán (Atacama Productions, Valdivia Film, France 3 Cinema, Mediaproduccion, S.L.) (Chile, Spain).
-"Tea Time" (La once), by Maite Alberdi (Micromundo Producciones) (Chile).
-"The Propaganda Game," by Álvaro Longoria (Morena Films S. L.) (Spain).
Premio Platino for Best Screenplay
-Cesc Gay, Tomás Aragay, for "Truman."
-Ciro Guerra, Jacques Toulemonde, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Jayro Bustamante, for "Ixcanul."
-Pablo Larraín, Guillermo Calderón, Daniel Villalobos; for "The Club" (El club).
-Salvador del Solar, for "Magallanes."
Premio Platino for Best Iberoamerican Debut Feature Film
-"600 Miles" (600 Millas), by Gabriel Ripstein (Lucia Films) (Mexico).
- "Retribution" (El desconocido), by Dani de la Torre (Atresmedia Cine S. L., Vaca Films Studio, S.L.) (Spain).
-"The Boss, Anatomy of a Crime" (El patrón: radiografía de un crimen), by Sebastián Schindel (Magoya Films S.A., Estrella Films) (Argentina, Venezuela).
-"Ixcanul," by Jayro Bustamante (La Casa de Producción, Tu vas voir Productions) (Guatemala).
-"Magallanes," by Salvador del Solar (Péndulo Films, Tondero Producciones, Cepa Audiovisual S.R.L., Proyectil, Cinemara, Nephilim Producciones, S.L.) (Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Spain).
Premio Platino for Best Film Editing
-César Díaz, for "Ixcanul."
-Eric Williams, for "Magallanes."
-Etienne Boussac, Cristina Gallego, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Jorge Coira, for "Retribution" (El desconocido).
-Pablo Trapero, Alejandro Carrillo Penovi, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Premio Platino for Best Art Direction
-Angélica Perea, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Bruno Duarte, Artur Pinheiro, for "Arabian Nights: Vol.2 - The Desolate One" (As mil e uma noites: Volume 2, O desolado).
-Jesús Bosqued Maté, Pilar Quintana, for "The Bride" (La novia).
-Pilar Peredo, for "Ixcanul."
-Sebastián Orgambide, for "The Clan" (El clan).
Premio Platino for Best Cinematography
-Arnaldo Rodríguez, for "The Memory of Water" (La memoria del agua).
-David Gallego, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-Luis Armando Arteaga, for "Ixcanul."
-Miguel Ángel Amoedo, for "The Bride" (La novia).
-Sergio Armstrong, for "The Club" (El club).
Premio Platino for Best Sound Direction
-Carlos García, Marco Salavarría, for "Embrace of the Serpent" (El abrazo de la serpiente).
-David Machado, Jaime Fernández, Nacho Arenas, for "Retribution" (El desconocido).
-Eduardo Cáceres, Julien Cloquet, for "Ixcanul."
-Federico Esquerro, Santiago Fumagalli, Edson Secco, for "Paulina."
-Vicente D’Elía, Leandro de Loredo, for "The Clan" (El clan).
- 5/27/2016
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Grimsby | Secret In Their Eyes | King Jack | The Benefactor | The Forest | The Propaganda Game | Bafta Shorts 2016 | Exposed
Satirising the Benefits Street stereotype of low-income Britain is asking for trouble, but Baron Cohen doubles down on the offensiveness and just about gets away with it. Middling buddy-action comedy is a given when his lager-swilling geezer reunites with his super-spy brother, but there’s enough slapstick absurdity and gross-out invention to break down even the sternest resistance.
Continue reading...
Satirising the Benefits Street stereotype of low-income Britain is asking for trouble, but Baron Cohen doubles down on the offensiveness and just about gets away with it. Middling buddy-action comedy is a given when his lager-swilling geezer reunites with his super-spy brother, but there’s enough slapstick absurdity and gross-out invention to break down even the sternest resistance.
Continue reading...
- 2/26/2016
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
★★★☆☆ The Hermit Kingdom is a nickname inspired by North Korea's secrecy and withdrawal from the wider world. The last remaining stronghold of Communism, it is a country reviled and lampooned in the West, where its mystery inspires ridicule and anxiety in equal measure. Last year, threats were made against cinemas intended to screen Seth Rogen and James Franco's comedy The Interview - in which they plot to assassinate the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. Barrack Obama responded by asking that if that was the reaction to satire, what would they do when they saw a documentary they didn't like? Which is an interesting question to bear in mind when watching The Propaganda Game, Spanish director Alva Longoria's state-sanctioned video diary of his week in Pyongyang that is as fascinating as it is superficial.
- 2/24/2016
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
The Academia de las Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas de España has announced the nominees for the 30th edition of the Goya Awards, to be presented on February 6.
The finalist with most nominations is "La Novia" (The Bride) , which had its world premiere in the Zabaltegi section at the last edition of the San Sebastian Festival. The film by Paula Ortiz is nominated in twelve categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Inma Cuesta), Best Actor (Asier Etxeandia), Best Supporting Actress (Luisa Gavasa), Best New Actor (Álex García), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup and/or Hairstyles.
"Truman," the film by Cesc Gay which competed in the Official Selection and won the best actor award for Ricardo Darin and Javier Cámara at the last edition, earned six nominations: Best film, Best Director, Best Actor (Ricardo Darin), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Cámara), Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.
The winner of the best actress award at the last Festival, Yordanka Ariosa for Agustí Villaronga’s "El Rey de La Habana" (The King of Havana), received a Best New Actress nomination alongside another two in the Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
Another two titles screened in the Official Selection have landed nominations: "Amama" (When a Tree Falls) for Best New Actress (Iraia Elias), and the film by Álex de la Iglesia, "Mi Gran Noche" (My Big Night) , premiered out of competition, which competes for the Best Art Director, Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Special Effects Goya Awards.
Another two titles that premiered in this year’s Zabaltegi section are also among the finalists. Álvaro Longoria’s "The Propaganda Game" is nominated for best documentary, while Fernando Colomo competes for the best new actor award with his movie "Isla Bonita."
Dani de la Torre’s "El Desconocido" (Retribution) , screened in the Velodrome section, garnered eight candidacies: Best New Director, Best Actor (Luis Tosar), Best Supporting Actress (Elvira Mínguez), Best Original Screenplay, Best Production Supervision, Best Editing, Best Sound and Best Special Effects.
Furthermore, Borja Cobeaga's "Negociador" (Negociator), which premiered in the Zabaltegi section at the 62nd edition of the Festival, landed a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
"Un Otoño Sin Berlin" (An Autumn without Berlin) by Lara Izagirre, opening film of the Zinemira section, also got a nomination for Best new Actress for Irene Escolar.
Two films that also screened at the San Sebastian Festival compete for the Best Foreign Film in the Spanish Language Award: Pablo Trapero’s "El Clan" (The Clan) screened in the Pearls section following its premiere at the Venice Festival; and Salvador del Solar’s "Magallanes" winner of the Films in Progress Award at the 62nd edition of the Festival, before going on to form part of this year’s Horizontes Latinos selection.
Another three nominated were programmed as part of the Made in Spain section, following their premiere at the Malaga Festival: Daniel Guzmán’s "A Cambio de Nada" (Nothing in Return) , with six nominations, Leticia Dolera’s "Requisitos Para Ser Una Persona Normal," with three candidacies and Gracia Querejeta’s "Felices 140" (Happy 140) , which competes for two awards.
The finalist with most nominations is "La Novia" (The Bride) , which had its world premiere in the Zabaltegi section at the last edition of the San Sebastian Festival. The film by Paula Ortiz is nominated in twelve categories: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Inma Cuesta), Best Actor (Asier Etxeandia), Best Supporting Actress (Luisa Gavasa), Best New Actor (Álex García), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Makeup and/or Hairstyles.
"Truman," the film by Cesc Gay which competed in the Official Selection and won the best actor award for Ricardo Darin and Javier Cámara at the last edition, earned six nominations: Best film, Best Director, Best Actor (Ricardo Darin), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Cámara), Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing.
The winner of the best actress award at the last Festival, Yordanka Ariosa for Agustí Villaronga’s "El Rey de La Habana" (The King of Havana), received a Best New Actress nomination alongside another two in the Best Cinematography and Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
Another two titles screened in the Official Selection have landed nominations: "Amama" (When a Tree Falls) for Best New Actress (Iraia Elias), and the film by Álex de la Iglesia, "Mi Gran Noche" (My Big Night) , premiered out of competition, which competes for the Best Art Director, Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Special Effects Goya Awards.
Another two titles that premiered in this year’s Zabaltegi section are also among the finalists. Álvaro Longoria’s "The Propaganda Game" is nominated for best documentary, while Fernando Colomo competes for the best new actor award with his movie "Isla Bonita."
Dani de la Torre’s "El Desconocido" (Retribution) , screened in the Velodrome section, garnered eight candidacies: Best New Director, Best Actor (Luis Tosar), Best Supporting Actress (Elvira Mínguez), Best Original Screenplay, Best Production Supervision, Best Editing, Best Sound and Best Special Effects.
Furthermore, Borja Cobeaga's "Negociador" (Negociator), which premiered in the Zabaltegi section at the 62nd edition of the Festival, landed a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
"Un Otoño Sin Berlin" (An Autumn without Berlin) by Lara Izagirre, opening film of the Zinemira section, also got a nomination for Best new Actress for Irene Escolar.
Two films that also screened at the San Sebastian Festival compete for the Best Foreign Film in the Spanish Language Award: Pablo Trapero’s "El Clan" (The Clan) screened in the Pearls section following its premiere at the Venice Festival; and Salvador del Solar’s "Magallanes" winner of the Films in Progress Award at the 62nd edition of the Festival, before going on to form part of this year’s Horizontes Latinos selection.
Another three nominated were programmed as part of the Made in Spain section, following their premiere at the Malaga Festival: Daniel Guzmán’s "A Cambio de Nada" (Nothing in Return) , with six nominations, Leticia Dolera’s "Requisitos Para Ser Una Persona Normal," with three candidacies and Gracia Querejeta’s "Felices 140" (Happy 140) , which competes for two awards.
- 12/15/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Full line-up of the Stockholm film festival includes feature and documentary competition line-ups.Scroll down for full line-up
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 11-22) has unveiled the line-up for its 26th edition, comprising more than 190 films from over 70 countries.
The Stockholm Xxvi Competition includes Marielle Heller’s Us title The Diary of a Teenage Girl and László Nemes’ Holocaust drama Son Of Saul.
It marks the first time Stockholm has a greater number of women than men competing for the Bronze Horse – the festival’s top prize.
The documentary competition includes Amy Berg’s An Open Secret, an investigation into accusations of teenagers being sexually abused within the film industry; and Cosima Spender’s Palio, centred on the annual horse race in Siena, Italy.
Announcing the programme, festival director Git Scheynius also revealed that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will visit Stockholm for the first time as chairman of the jury for the first Stockholm Impact Award, which...
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 11-22) has unveiled the line-up for its 26th edition, comprising more than 190 films from over 70 countries.
The Stockholm Xxvi Competition includes Marielle Heller’s Us title The Diary of a Teenage Girl and László Nemes’ Holocaust drama Son Of Saul.
It marks the first time Stockholm has a greater number of women than men competing for the Bronze Horse – the festival’s top prize.
The documentary competition includes Amy Berg’s An Open Secret, an investigation into accusations of teenagers being sexually abused within the film industry; and Cosima Spender’s Palio, centred on the annual horse race in Siena, Italy.
Announcing the programme, festival director Git Scheynius also revealed that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will visit Stockholm for the first time as chairman of the jury for the first Stockholm Impact Award, which...
- 10/20/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The Australian premiere of Cate Blanchett's Carol is set to headline this year's Adelaide Film Festival.
One-hundred and eighty films will screen at the Festival - including over 40 Australian films, and 24 South Australian films - with 51 countries represented at the Festival.
Some of films' biggest names, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, Michael Keaton, Richard Roxburgh, Anthony Lapaglia and Rachel McAdams.
In its eleventh year, the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival will provide the best of local, Australian and internationally produced films, with an eclectic mix of cinema, television, art and the moving image . plus the one night only reunion of Festival ambassadors Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, as they host the Ultimate Quiz night.
The Festival will feature new work from Australian directors including Scott Hicks, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Matt Saville, Sue Brooks, Stephen Page, Matthew Bate, Meryl Tankard and Rosemary Myers.
It will also include work from international filmmakers Todd Haynes,...
One-hundred and eighty films will screen at the Festival - including over 40 Australian films, and 24 South Australian films - with 51 countries represented at the Festival.
Some of films' biggest names, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, Michael Keaton, Richard Roxburgh, Anthony Lapaglia and Rachel McAdams.
In its eleventh year, the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival will provide the best of local, Australian and internationally produced films, with an eclectic mix of cinema, television, art and the moving image . plus the one night only reunion of Festival ambassadors Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, as they host the Ultimate Quiz night.
The Festival will feature new work from Australian directors including Scott Hicks, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Matt Saville, Sue Brooks, Stephen Page, Matthew Bate, Meryl Tankard and Rosemary Myers.
It will also include work from international filmmakers Todd Haynes,...
- 9/8/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Spanish-language titles from Pablo Agüero, Asier Altuna, Cesc Gay among line-up.Scroll down for line-up
The San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 18 – 26) this morning announced an array of Spanish-language titles set to compete at the festival, including new films from Pablo Agüero, Asier Altuna, Cesc Gay, Marc Recha, Federico Veiroj and Agustí Villaronga, all of which will play in Official Competition.
Gay’s Truman, starring Ricardo Darin and Javier Cámara, revolves around the relationship between two friends - accompanied by a faithful dog - who share an intense few days, while Marc Recha’s latest Un Dia Perfecte Per Volar, starring his son Roc and Sergi López, charts the story of a boy trying to fly a kite made by his father.
Aguero’s drama Eva No Duerme explores political turmoil in Argentina through the life of an expert in charge of embalming iconic politician Evita Peron.
As anonunced this morning in Madrid, Imanol Uribe’s [link...
The San Sebastian Film Festival (Sept 18 – 26) this morning announced an array of Spanish-language titles set to compete at the festival, including new films from Pablo Agüero, Asier Altuna, Cesc Gay, Marc Recha, Federico Veiroj and Agustí Villaronga, all of which will play in Official Competition.
Gay’s Truman, starring Ricardo Darin and Javier Cámara, revolves around the relationship between two friends - accompanied by a faithful dog - who share an intense few days, while Marc Recha’s latest Un Dia Perfecte Per Volar, starring his son Roc and Sergi López, charts the story of a boy trying to fly a kite made by his father.
Aguero’s drama Eva No Duerme explores political turmoil in Argentina through the life of an expert in charge of embalming iconic politician Evita Peron.
As anonunced this morning in Madrid, Imanol Uribe’s [link...
- 7/23/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
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