ITV

Category: International

  • Producer Mark Canton to develop superhero film “Warrior Birth of the Sadhu”

    Producer Mark Canton to develop superhero film “Warrior Birth of the Sadhu”

    MUMBAI: Acclaimed Hollywood producer, Mark Canton, and Graphic India, acharacter entertainment company focused on creating superheroes, comics and stories through mobile and digital platforms, announced today that Canton will be developing and producing a live-action feature film based on Graphic’s superhero property, “The Sadhu” through his production company, Atmosphere Entertainment.

    Canton’s long list of blockbuster motion pictures include the film adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel ‘300,’ ‘The Immortals,’ and the just released ‘300: Rise of an Empire,’ which opened last Friday (7) to a stellar worldwide weekend gross in excess of $133 million and is setting new box office records in numerous countries. Graphic India Co-Founders, Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra, who will produce the film with Canton, also co-wrote the theatrical film screenplay for “Warrior: Revenge of The Sadhu,” which is based on a new mobile comic series on the character to be launched later this year across India.

    The story centers on James Jenson, A British soldier whose family is brutally murdered by a corrupt superior officer in the Indian colony of Bengal in 1858. Jenson escapes in the remote forests of India where he seeks refuge with the mysterious Indian mystics known as sadhus. After years of being trained in their supernatural arts, Jenson must decide whether to use his newfound powers for inner peaceand enlightenment as they are intended, or for justice against the people who murdered his family. Warrior: The Sadhu follows the journey of one man who barters his soul’s deliverance for his family’s honor.

    Commenting on the project Canton added, “In the same way Greek myths have captivated the imagination of audiences around the world, the screenplay by Gotham Chopra and SharadDevarajan for ‘Warrior’ taps into the mystical traditions and mythologies of India through an accessible action-packed adventure that I am confident will make a spectacular blockbuster film and will mark the birth of a new franchise.”

    Sharad Devarajan, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphic India added, “With ‘300’ and ‘Immortals,’ Mark Canton has produced some of the most successful films in Hollywood based on epic myths and legends.We are incredibly honored that he will now be working with us to take the story of ‘The Sadhu’ to the big screen.”

    Graphic India was formed by comic book company, Liquid Comics and CA Media LP, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG).

     

  • 2nd BAFTA Film Talent Showcase in NY, LA

    2nd BAFTA Film Talent Showcase in NY, LA

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that it will profile BAFTA-winning director Amma Asante (A Way of Life, Belle) in April at the first of this year’s ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’, a series of showcase events hosted by BAFTA in New York and Los Angeles, in partnership with British Council, that introduce outstanding British film talent to the US film industry.

     

    On Tuesday 1 April in New York, and on Thursday 3 April in Los Angeles, director Amma Asante will be introduced at a screening of her second feature film Belle, which premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival to strong reviews, and opened this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival. Belle is inspired by the true story of a mixed race girl raised as an aristocratic Lady in England around the time of the abolition of slavery. The film will be released by Fox Searchlight in the US on Friday 2 May, and in the UK on Friday 13 June.

     

    In 2005, BAFTA awarded Asante the Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer for her debut film A Way of Life. She was also named Best Director – Drama at the BAFTA Cymru Awards in Wales in the same year.

     

    At each ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ event, a British actor, director, writer or producer who shows great promise presents a sample of recent work to an exclusive audience of film industry professionals. BAFTA also arranges a number of follow-up meetings for the individuals to meet with key industry figures in both cities.

     

    Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA exclaimed his delight on continuing our ‘Brits to Watch’ activity in 2014. Three years ago, with the support of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, he launched their very first ‘Brits to Watch’ event in Los Angeles. Since then, BAFTA introduced a range of activity to support up-and-coming British talent and, now in its second year, ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ – a strand that BAFTA is uniquely placed to deliver – introduces British rising stars to the US film industry. “I am thrilled that Amma Asante, a very talented film maker, and a BAFTA winner – is our next ‘Brit to Watch’.”

     

    Nigel Daly, Chairman of BAFTA Los Angeles, added: “The Brits to Watch: The Screenings series is central to BAFTA’s mission, and here in Los Angeles we are in a privileged position to offer a platform for the best British talents as they break through to the US marketplace. There is a long tradition of talent exchange between the US and UK, and we are honored to showcase the new generation of talents and support Amma as she furthers her career in the US.”

     

    Charles Tremayne, Chairman of BAFTA New York, added: “This is the second year of our Brits to Watch: The Screenings program in New York and we are delighted that we have been able to bring such talented up and coming individuals to showcase their considerable work in America. It’s a vital role for BAFTA as New York is clearly where Britain meets America so it’s even more important that we continue to encourage directors, producers, writers and actors from both sides of the pond to work together to create excellence in a truly globalized entertainment world.”

     

    Briony Hanson, Director of Film at British Council, said: “British Council is delighted to be continuing the series by showcasing the talents of Amma Asante. She’s a perfect fit for the programme having made a hugely confident second feature in Belle which marries a traditional view of British Cinema – period drama and a top notch cast – with a very unusual and surprising story. We really look forward to helping her connect with the US industry during her visit.”

     

    The first ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ events took place in 2013 with BAFTA-nominated directors Clio Barnard (The Selfish Giant) and Richard Laxton (Burton and Taylor). As a result of their trips, Barnard has secured US representation with The Gersh Agency and is in contact with a number of US producers about future projects, while Laxton is in talks on a number of US projects, one of which is expected to be announced imminently.

     

    The series builds on the legacy of BAFTA’s 2011 ‘Brits to Watch’ initiative supported by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at which BAFTA introduced 42 promising British newcomers to leading figures in the US film, television and games industries at a black-tie gala event in Los Angeles. It is endorsed by ‘Friends of Brits to Watch: The Screenings’, a high-profile group of film professionals including: actors Damian Lewis (Homeland) Tom Hiddleston (Avengers Assemble, Midnight in Paris), Andrea Riseborough (Shadow Dancer, Brighton Rock), Simon Pegg(Star Trek, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn), Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness, Men in Black 3) and Sienna Miller (The Girl, Interview), Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End, Vicky Christina Barcelona) and David Harewood (Homeland, Blood Diamond); director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World); screenwriter John Logan (Skyfall, Hugo, The Aviator); and writer, director and producer Armando Iannucci (Veep, In The Loop).

  • Sony will sell TV and film content via Comcast’s Xfinity

    Sony will sell TV and film content via Comcast’s Xfinity

    MUMBAI: Comcast, the largest cable company and home internet service provider in the United States on 11 March announced that it has signed an agreement with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) to sell the studio’s titles through the Xfinity On Demand – the digital store for Xfinity, the company’s rebranded trademark for triple play services in Comcast’s largest markets including the company’s digital cable, cable Internet access and cable telephone services and radio.

     

    In the coming weeks, Xfinity TV customers will be able to purchase Sony Pictures movies and TV shows to own and access any time, any where, on any device, often before the DVD release.

     

    The Sony Pictures library is a terrific addition to Comcast’s rapidly expanding offering of hit films and TV shows available for purchase. Comcast Cable Senior Vice President of Content Acquisition Michael Schreiber said in a press statement, “The response to the digital store has been encouraging and tells us our customers love the flexibility and ease of purchasing content directly from Xfinity On Demand to watch when and where they want it.”

     

    “Sony Pictures is pleased that this agreement brings significant titles to Comcast customers,” said SPHE President Man Jit Singh.  “We deeply value our relationship with Comcast and look forward to working closely with them to meet the needs of all audiences.”

     

    Among the first titles available for purchase will be the multi-Academy Award nominated American Hustle which will be available to own digitally on March 11. 

     

    Other Sony Pictures movie and TV titles that will be available for purchase in the coming weeks include the critically-acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad, as well as popular movies such as Captain Phillips, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, The Amazing Spiderman and 21 Jump Street.

     

    Comcast customers have the ability to purchase movies and television shows – often weeks before they are available to rent or purchase on Blu-ray and DVD – and store them seamlessly in the cloud. Their content can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime, on their TV, PC or mobile devices. Purchased titles are added to customers’ On Demand menus which are easily accessible on the TV, online or via the Xfinity On Demand Purchases app.

     

    The Comcast catalog now includes content from FOX, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros.

  • Jeffrey D. Brown’s ‘Sold’ to open Indian Film Fest of LA

    Jeffrey D. Brown’s ‘Sold’ to open Indian Film Fest of LA

    MUMBAI: The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announced on 6 March that its Opening Night Gala film would be Sold, a harrowing and inspiring story of child trafficking directed by Jeffrey D. Brown (Molly’s Pilgrim), executive produced by Emma Thompson (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), and starring Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), David Arquette (Scream), and Seema Biswas (Bandit Queen).

     

    The full line-up of screenings and events will be announced in mid-March. The festival is widely recognised as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema. Celebrating its 12th year, IFFLA will run from 8 to 13 April at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception.

     

    Through one extraordinary girl’s journey, Sold illustrates the brutality of child trafficking, a crime experienced by millions of girls every year around the globe. Sold is a clarion call to action and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

     

    “Because of Sold’s marvelous script and courageous and brilliant cast,” said Emma Thompson in a press statement, “It is a story that we can all watch, so that we may understand the processes of slavery in modern India and feel able to act without feeling the kind of rage and hopelessness that gets in the way of doing anything.”

     

    Sold is an adaptation of the National Book Award-Finalist novel by Patricia McCormick, based on true accounts. The book has been translated into 32 languages and is a powerful entry point to introduce young people to the issue of modern day slavery.

     

    Director Jeffery D. Brown and select A-list cast and supporters will be in attendance at the Opening Night Gala.

  • The Oscars to stream live on Watch ABC

    The Oscars to stream live on Watch ABC

    MUMBAI: For the first time ever, the Oscars preshow and full awards telecast will stream live for verified Watch ABC viewers online and on mobile devices.  The Watch ABC app allows viewers with participating TV subscription services access to 24/7 live viewing of the network, as well as next day on demand access to most series, making it possible for fans to watch the entire the Oscars experience – including Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars – in more places and at more times than ever before.

     

    Live streaming is currently available through Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Midcontinent Communications, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber and AT&T U-verse in ABC’s eight Owned Station markets – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno.  Once aired, the full Oscars telecast and pre-show will be available on demand via WATCH ABC for verified viewers for three days, through Wednesday, March 5.  WATCH ABC can be accessed from Oscar.com, ABC.com, and WATCHABC.com or via the WATCH ABC app, which is free on select Android devices and iOS and can be downloaded at Google Play, the Amazon Appstore, and the App Store.  Verified viewers then log in using their cable or satellite subscription username and password.

     

    The Academy and Disney/ABC Television Group’s Digital Media team are also unveiling the talent line up for their Emmy Award-winning Oscar second screen experience, The Oscars Backstage, which will also be streamed this year to all viewers – regardless of whether they are verified – via Watch ABC.  Hosts and correspondents include: 

     

    •Entertainment Reporter and Film Critic Ben Lyons (Yahoo, “Extra!,” ESPN Radio, “E! News,” among others) and fashion retail correspondent and author Hitha Prabhakar (who has contributed to ABC World News, Good Morning America, Nightline, Bravo, CNN, E! Entertainment television, among others) will co-host from the red carpet and backstage.

    •PEOPLE’s Managing Editor Peter Castro will once again report from the fan bleachers on the red carpet.  The bleachers are sponsored by Time Inc.’s PEOPLE, which invites 700 fans and PEOPLE VIP subscribers to watch and cheer nominees, presenters and film’s biggest stars as part of the PEOPLE Oscar Fan Experience.

    •Good Morning America and ESPN contributing editor Chris Connelly is returning as the official greeter of the Oscars Red Carpet, which includes welcoming nominees, presenters and performers to the show.  

     

    Presented again this year by Samsung Galaxy, The Oscars Backstage is designed to be the ultimate complement to the live telecast. All Oscar viewers who visit WATCH ABC will be able to select from three channels that will pull from more than 15 live cameras strategically placed on the Red Carpet and throughout the backstage areas of the Dolby Theatre, providing fans with insider views into the most memorable moments of the night. Popular cameras positions include the Thank You cam, Winners Walk, Audience and Press Room.   Fans will also be able to access the official Oscar Buzz social feed and popular photo galleries from within the app.   The Oscars Backstage experience launched in 2011 to much acclaim and has been recognized with an Emmy for Creative Achievement in Interactive Arts and an Industry Star Mobile Excellence Award.  It remains unprecedented in terms of live event second screen access. 

     

    “We’re extremely proud of how much the Oscar Digital Experience has evolved,” said Albert Cheng, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Digital Media, Disney/ABC Television Group in a press release. “This year more people than ever before will have access to the backstage streams and verified WATCH ABC viewers will be able to participate in the most interactive Oscars to date, seamlessly navigating between the pre-show, telecast and The Oscars Backstage experience on their mobile devices.”

     

    “We’re excited to once again bring viewers backstage and allow them to experience all of the action on Oscar Sunday – not just what happens on stage, but the stories that play out behind-the-scenes as well”, said Josh Spector, Managing Director of Digital Media and Marketing at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a statement.

     

    Additionally, video highlights from the telecast and The Oscars Backstage will be available as embeddable clips on Oscar.com almost immediately after they air at Oscar.com/blogs. Full  performances of the shows musical performances, including Pharrell (Happy), Idina Menzel, (Let It Go),  Karin O (The Moon Song) and U2 (Ordinary Love) will be featured in a dedicated “Musical Moments” section sponsored by Pepsi that includes in-depth video and photo coverage of past music winners. 

     

    The site is also showcasing nominees “in their own words,” a collection of official nominee questionnaires, including Bradley Cooper (American Hustle), Bruce Dern (Nebraska), Michael Fassbender (Shame), June Squibb (Nebraska), Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine), among others.  To add to the fun, insanely addicting quizzes from past year’s awards shows are featured, including: “Guess Who Won Best Actress”, “Guess the Dress”, “Who Starred In?”, and “Script to Screen”.  The hugely popular “My Picks” interactive ballot is also live.  Friends can view and share the ballot on Facebook, which will update in real time on Oscar Night, ensuring that the most competitive Oscar handicappers are instantly aware of their ranking among friends. 

     

    Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC Television Network.  The presentation, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

     

    The 9th annual Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars airs Sunday, 2 march in the US after the late local news ET/CT and at 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time on ABC. It will also be available live and on demand via the WATCH ABC app.  Broadcasting from Disney’s El Capitan Theater located on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of L.A.’s star-studded Walk of Fame, the studio is just steps away from Dolby Theater, home to the “Academy Awards.” Past guest appearances on Kimmel’s post-Oscar specials have included Tom Cruise, Ben Affleck, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Ellen DeGeneres, Jessica Chastain, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, John Krasinski, Samuel L. Jackson and many more. Additionally, previous comedy bits featured include the epic trailers for Movie: The Movie, which has been viewed over 24 million times on YouTube, the follow-up Movie: The Movie: 2V as well as Toddlers and Tiaras with Tom Hanks and Kimmel pitching show ideas to Oprah. Last year’s Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars marked the most-watched post-Oscar telecast in the franchise’s history.

  • First Footage of Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken released

    First Footage of Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken released

    MUMBAI: Complimenting the current ongoing Sochi Winter Olympics, Universal Pictures has just released the first footage of the upcoming feature film adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand’s bestseller, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.

     

    Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie directs and produces Unbroken, an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini, played by Jack O’Connell (Skins) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII—only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.

     

    Adapted from Laura Hillenbrand’s enormously popular book, Unbroken brings to the big screen Zamperini’s unbelievable and inspiring true story about the resilient power of the human spirit.

     

    Starring alongside O’Connell are Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & Part 2) and Finn Wittrock (All My Children) as Phil and Mac—the airmen with whom Zamperini endured perilous weeks adrift in the open Pacific—Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) and John Magaro (Not Fade Away) as fellow POWs who find an unexpected camaraderie during their internment, Alex Russell (Carrie) as Zamperini’s brother, Pete, and in his English-language feature debut, Japanese singer turned actor Miyavi as the brutal camp guard known only to the men as “The Bird.”

     

    The film is produced by Jolie, as well as Matthew Baer (City by the Sea), Erwin Stoff (The Day the Earth Stood Still) and Clayton Townsend (This is 40). Leading the accomplished behind-the-scenes crew is 10-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Skyfall).

     

    Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men) rewrote the screenplay from earlier drafts by William Nicholson (Les Misérables) and Richard LaGravenese (HBO’s Behind the Candelabra). 

     

    The following preview of the film that marks Jolie’s sophomore entry into film direction includes new footage from the film along with commentary by the 96 year old Olympian himself, Louis Zampereni and narration by Tom Brokaw, the former NBC Nightly News anchor.

     

    Click here to watch the inspiring footage: Unbroken – Olympics Preview

  • And the 2014 BAFTA Award goes to…

    And the 2014 BAFTA Award goes to…

    MUMBAI: At London, on Sunday 16 February, at the EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), 12 Years a Slave was named Best Film with Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dancing On the Edge) winning Leading Actor. The Awards were hosted by Stephen Fry (Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes: a Game of Shadows) and held at London’s Royal Opera House.  Gravity won six awards: Outstanding British Film, Original Music, Cinematography, Sound and Special Visual Effects with Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) winning for Director.

     

    American Hustle won three BAFTA Awards: Original Screenplay for Eric Warren Singer (The International) and David O. Russell (The Fighter), Make Up & Hair, and Supporting Actress for Jennifer Lawrence (The Silver Linings Playbook). Production Design and Costume Design were awarded to The Great Gatsby.

     

    Leading Actress was presented to Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, The Monuments Men) for playing the title role in Blue Jasmine – her third BAFTA win – and in his feature film debut Barkhad Abdi won Supporting Actor for Captain Phillips. Director and Writer Kieran Evans received the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for his first feature film Kelly + Victor.

     

    Adapted Screenplay was awarded to Jeff Pope (Mrs. Biggs) and Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge) for Philomena, Steve Coogan also produced and starred in the film. The Great Beauty won the award for Film Not in the English Language and the BAFTA for Editing went to Rush.

     

    The Act of Killing received the Documentary award and Frozen took home the BAFTA for Animated Film. The EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, was presented to Will Poulter (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Millers). Sleeping with the Fishes won the British Short Animation award and the British Short Film award was presented to Room 8.

     

    Director Peter Greenaway whose films include The Draughtsman’s Contract and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover received the award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. The Fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can bestow, was presented to Helen Mirren (The Queen) by HRH The Duke of Cambridge.

  • Two Indian movies nominated for the 8th Asian Film Awards

    Two Indian movies nominated for the 8th Asian Film Awards

    NEW DELHI: The Lunchbox by Ritesh Batra may have failed to make it to the Academy nominations but it figures prominently in the nominations for the Asian version of the Oscars — the 8th Asian Film Awards.

     

    The awards are to be presented on 27 March at a ceremony to be held at the City of Dreams casino resort in Macau, and the nominations were announced in Hong Kong over the weekend.

     

    The Lunchbox has been nominated for the best film award and Ritesh Batra has been nominated for the best screenplay while actor Irrfan Khan is in the list of best actor awards.

     

    The only other Indian film to make it to the nominations is Bhag Milka Bhag by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the music composers of which – Shankar Ehsaan Loy – have been nominated for best music category.

     

    Renowned filmmaker Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster topped with eleven nominations including best film and best director out of 14 categories. The highly stylised martial arts drama opened the Berlin festival this time last year.

     

    After being organised by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited (HKIFF) for the past seven years, this year’s award is being organised by the new Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), a combined effort between the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), and the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).

     

    Competing closely with Wong Kar-wai is Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi fantasy Snowpiercer with five nominations including best film and best director.

     

    A total of 28 films from ten countries and regions have been nominated this year from over a thousand eligible films. Hong Kong films have the most nominations with a total of 19 shared between The Grandmaster (11 nominations), Rigor Mortis (4 nominations), Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (3 nominations) and The Way We Dance (1 nomination).

     

    Films from South Korea and Japan are tied at 14 nominations each. In addition to the five recognitions for Snowpiercer, the nominated South Korean films are Cold Eyes (4 nominations), The Attorney (3 nominations), Mr. Go (1 nomination) and The Face Reader (1 nomination).

     

    The 14 nominations for films from Japan are shared between The Great Passage (3 nominations), Like Father, Like Son (3 nominations), Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (3 nominations), Tokyo Family (2 nominations), Backwater (1 nomination), and The Ravine of Goodbye (1 nomination).

     

    HKIFF’s chairman Wilfred Wong is Chairman of the AFAA committee, which also includes BIFF’s Lee Yong-kwan and TIFF’s Shiina Yasushi.

     

    Director Peter Chan is serving as this year’s jury president, with Donnie Yen joining as a “celebrity jury” member. The two are joined by the Philippines’ Ronald Arguelles, Indonesia’s John Badalu, Japan’s Ishizaaka Kenji, France’s Christian Jeune, Singapore’s Eric Khoo, South Korea’s Lee Yong-kwan, Thailand’s Kong Rithdee, Taiwan’s Wen Tien-hsiang as well as Hong Kong’s Jacob Wong and Patricia Cheng.

     

    “Each industry, although successful commercially, is becoming more and more localised, catering to the taste of local audiences. As a result there are fewer channels for crossover distribution outside local markets. I think AFA is not only important in its celebration of Asian film and filmmakers, but an event that can bring Asian films together,” says Chan.

     

    For the first time this year, the award ceremony has been moved to a venue outside of Hong Kong, to a casino resort in neighbouring Macau. While the ceremony is traditionally held on the first day of the Hong Kong FilMart, this year’s ceremony will be held on 27 March, the final day of this year’s film market.

  • Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014

    Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014

    MUMBAI: This is the final review in a 10-part series by Indiantelevision.com on the books that are being adapted into Hollywood movies in the year 2014.

    The Fault in Our Stars – John Green

    “You gave me forever in numbered days, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for that.”

    The Fault in Our Stars follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, who diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs… for now. Two years post the medical miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time, Hazel lives strapped to an oxygen tank, the tumors sparsely kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

    Enter Augustus “Gus” Waters. A match made at Cancer Kid Support Group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and interested in Hazel, something that has taken Hazel completely by surprise. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-think how the stereotypical vows taken at wedding of sickness and health, life and death, will completely rewrite her story.

    “Sometimes you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read that book.” When Hazel Grace Lancaster said that, millions of readers agreed with her hook line and sinker. What with a raking of 4.50/5 of 5,29,985 ratings on Goodreads and Booklist calling it Green’s best and most ambitious novel to date, The Fault in Our Stars is known to stand out for its “ironic sense of humour, melancholic realism and quirky philosophy which strikes an endearing chord with the readers”.

    In January 2012, Fox 2000, a division of 20th Century Fox, optioned the rights to adapt the novel into a feature film. The film stars Golden Globe Award nominee Shailene Woodley (The Descendents, The Secret Life of an American Teenager) as Hazel Grace Lancaster, while newcomer Ansel Elgort (Carrie, Divergent) stars as Augustus Waters sparking an interesting chemistry between the two characters. Golden Globe Award winner Laura Dern (Enlightened), Scream Award nominee Sam Trammel (True Blood) and Academy Award nominee Willem Dafoe (Spiderman) round up the cast in the film.

  • PVR Director’s Rare romances with ‘Her’ this Valentine’s Day

    PVR Director’s Rare romances with ‘Her’ this Valentine’s Day

    NEW DELHI: PVR Cinemas, the largest cinema exhibition company in India releases ‘HER’ this Valentine’s Day under its Director’s Rare banner. The movie has been critically acclaimed with 5 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. PVR Director’s Rare is the limited release arm of PVR Group and works as a spring board to support the theatrical release of critically acclaimed cinema from across the world and niche content.

    Under its banner, Director’s Rare now offers an eclectic mix of Indian Indies, international Indies, cult classics, short film packages and avant grade documentaries. Director Spike Jonze’s ‘HER’ releasing on 14th February in India is yet another movie which has been acclaimed universally, for its direction, screenplay, and exceptional performances exhibited by the actors.

    The film revolves around a man who becomes intrigued with a new, advanced operating system, which promises to be an intuitive entity in its own right, individual to each user. The movie depicts a state of pleasure in a unique way offering audiences fresh insights on romance.

     
    Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR said, “With the gradual shift towards appreciating content led movies, we feel extremely happy to bring this movie under our Director’s Rare banner. Over the years, our audience has evolved and enjoys watching movies like Moonrise Kingdom, Fire in the Blood, Amour, Fruitvale Station, Inside Llewyn Davis and more”.

    He further adds, “On this occasion of Valentine’s Day, PVR brings a “sweet, soulful and smart” movie, expressing human relationships in the era of modern times. We hope to entertainour audience with many such movies and are hopeful that our efforts to offer meaningful cinema are successful.”

    The movie display various shades of love, friendship, needs and desires phenomenally. ‘HER’ has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and has also been the winner for the best screenplay at the recently held Golden Globe Awards.

    The movie will be released on 14th February’2014 across cities like Delhi & NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Goa.

    About Director’s Rare Film Banner: PVR Director’s Rare is the limited release arm of PVR Group and works as a spring board to support the theatrical release of critically acclaimed cinema from across the world and niche content.  Launched in October 2011 PVR Director’s Rare has been involved with the theatrical release of more than 50 films which includes an eclectic mix of Indian indies, international indies, cult classics, short film packages and avant grade documentaries. Upcoming line up includes Academy nominated Nebraska, August Osage County, The Butler, The Grandmaster, Nishtha Jain’s multiple award winning documentary Gulabi Gang etc.

    About PVR Limited: PVR is the largest and the most premium film entertainment company in India. It is listed as India’s Most Trusted and Most Attractive brand – The Brand Trust Report, 2013 in the Category of Entertainment and Display. PVR is currently amongst the top 10 cinema companies in the world with respect to the terms of admissions per screen, entering the World Economic Forum’s List of Fastest-Growing ‘Global Growth Companies’. The brand currently operates a cinema circuit comprising 417 screens in 96 cinemas in 40 cities in India.

    The company acquired the Cinemax properties in 2012 and currently serves 65 million patrons at PAN India level. From PVR’s Gold Class and Mainstream Cinemas to Director’s Cut, PVR has made exceptional technology like the IMAX® and the ECX (Enhanced Cinema Experience) accessible to its audience. PVR as a brand is known for cultivating and spreading international movie culture countrywide and supports independent filmmakers under the banner of ‘Directors Rare’.

    PVR Ltd, the integrated ‘film and retail brand’ has PVR Cinemas as its major subsidiary. Its other two subsidiaries are PVR Leisure and PVR Pictures. PVR Leisure focuses on rolling out F&B and retail entertainment concepts. It’s one of a kind venture, ‘PVR BluO’ is the largest bowling chain in India comprising of 135 cosmic bowling lanes which spreads across 6 centers. PVR Leisure’s first casual dining concept ‘Mistral’ is another venture that offers patrons a high quality experience. Adding to the portfolio, PVR Pictures has been a prolific distributor of non-studio/ independent international films in India for many years.

    For any further information, please refer to the enclosed ink http://www.pvrcinemas.com/corporate/about-us.aspx

     

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