ITV

Category: Movies

  • MPA and CFCA collaborate to fight illegal camcording

    MUMBAI: The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and China Film Copyright Association (CFCA) in an understanding (MOU) have decided to work in close collaboration particularly on illegal camcording.

    The MOU was signed in Beijing at the 2nd China International Copyright Expo by MPA president and COO Bob Pisano, MPA Asia Pacific president Mike Ellis and Zhu Yongde, chairman of the CFCA.

    The two groups will work closely to monitor the level of illegal camcording in cinemas in mainland China. The camcording situation has worsened in the country since many studios moved to releasing film day-and-date in a bid to prevent piracy.

    It is understood that following the release of Paramount‘s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in late June, illegally-recorded content from the film was available on a several online video websites in China.

    According to MPA, more than 90 per cent new released films that end up appearing illegally on the streets and online originate from illegal copies made in cinemas.

  • Ranga Shankara Theater Fest to commence on 5 Nov

    BANGALORE: Karnataka’s Ranga Shankara’s creative director Arundhati Nag today unveiled the Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival, 2009. Fest 2009, the sixth such for Ranga Shankara will be held between 5 November and 15 November, and “Laugh all the way home…” will be the theme.


    Eight top-notch comedies from all over India have been invited to take part in this festival. Two of Kannada’s well-known directors, Prakash Belawadi and Mandya Ramesh, are directing a play each especially for the occasion.



    “Comedy is an evergreen theme for theatre. For time immemorial, theatre has banked on comedy to create masterpieces and pull audiences in droves. At Ranga Shankara too, comedies have had a very special place. I am sure that the carefully chosen plays from across the country give Bangaloreans a flavour of the best of contemporary theatre,” said Nag.


    S Surendranath (Suri), an alumnus of National School of Drama and a well-known playwright and director, is the festival’s curator.


    Explains Suri, “Comedy is clearly the most misunderstood genre in theatre and it is certainly no laughing matter. We have taken very special care in choosing the plays that will perform in our festival. Many comedy genres will be showcased – commercial (“Olakh na Palakh” in Marathi), political (“Aatankavaadiya Akasmika Saavu” in Kannada), musical (“Aao Saathi Sapne Dekhen” in Hindi and a modern regional comedy in Tulu (“Madime”). Two rare “Kavi Sammelanas” and a serious session on non-sense poetry are also woven into the festival. On 9 November, Ajith Saldanha will do a special comedy piece too.”



    On 9 November, a website on him will be launched. The website will provide his fans with special and authentic insights into his life and work.



    For the first time, Ranga Shankara will play host to an Intercollegiate Competition. 10 colleges across the city will participate to win a chance to perform at Ranga Shankara on 9 November.



    Eight young directors have been chosen to script and direct short pieces to be showcased just before the main show every day.



    Ranga Shankara Festival ‘09 will also have the third edition of the immensely popular Theatre and Arts Appreciation Course. Spearheaded by the renowned culture critic Sadanand Menon, the course will be held over six days from 6-8 November and 13-15 November. The course will examine and discuss theatre, cinema, dance, photography and music through lectures, film screenings, plays, as well as interaction with directors and actors.

  • T-Series to produce Patiala House

    MUMBAI

    : T-Series‘ latest venture Patiala House is expected to go on the floors on 21 December.

    The film, starring Akshay Kumar, will have Anushka Sharma of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi fame playing the female lead. Rishi Kapoor has been signed on to play a key role. Other cast and credits are being finalised.

    Directed by Nikhil Advani, the film is being jointly produced by T-Series chairman & managing director Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Talreja.

    Expressing his delight on the venture, Bhushan Kumar says, “We are proud to announce Patiala House with Nikhil. He is a promising and capable director.”

  • Major sops to encourage foreign filmmakers shoot in Israel

    MUMBAI: The legislative wing of the Government of Israel has approved a law that would encourage production of foreign films in Israel through a tax benefit of up to 20 per cent on goods and services purchased within the country.
    However, the benefits by the law accrue to an Israeli production company which is expected to pass on these benefits to the foreign production company.

    Passed by the Israeli Knesset, the law recognises two models.


    The first model deals with productions by foreign filmmakers in Israel that retain the services of an Israeli production company. In this, an Israeli film production company that purchases Israeli goods and services on behalf of a foreign production company can withhold tax payments of 17 per cent. However, this benefit pertains to films in which the local production costs exceed $2 million.


    The other model is for films with Israeli co-producers and co-financiers who own certain rights in the film. In order to qualify for the benefits, the total production cost in Israel should be at least 4 million shekels (approximately $1.0 million).


    Terming the formulation of the law as a positive move towards better international relations, Israel consul general Orna Sagiv says, “Israel offers film producers a cost-effective professional filming package along with a vast variety of beautiful locations. Availability of 5 star hotels and an advanced telecommunications network clubbed with the 20 per cent reduction in cost makes Israel one of the most sought-after places for filming.”


    The new law positions Israel in line with most advanced countries in the world. The tax benefits complement Israel‘s competitive advantages of favourable climate, varied sceneries within short driving distances, experienced crews, first-rate infrastructure and more.

  • UK-New Zealand TV companies co-producing disaster epic Ice

    MUMBAI: UK-based Power and New Zealand‘s Screentime, both predominantly television companies, have teamed to produce the disaster epic Ice, set in 2020.

    Ice draws on worldwide fears about climate change to tell a story of devastation and panic after a glacier in Greenland melts due to the actions of an energy company.

    The film based on a book by James Follett and directed by the UK‘s Nick Copus stars Australian actors Richard Roxburgh and Frances O‘Connor as the scientists at the heart of the story.

    Other actors of the United Kingdom include Claire Forlani, Ben Cross, Simon Callow and Patrick Bergin. New Zealander Sam Neill also has a major role in the film.

    The film‘s status as an official UK/New Zealand co-production makes it eligible to claim incentives in both countries, including 40 per cent off its New Zealand costs under the Screen Production Incentive Fund.


  • Warners pitching for a peacock-oriented animation film

    MUMBAI: Warner is in final negotiations with writers Austin Winsberg and Heath Corson to acquire a pitch centering on a peacock.

    Trevor Engleson and Nicholas Osborne will produce the film via their Underground Management banner while Elishia Holmes will oversee for the studio.


    The peacock project is the latest sign that studios are ramping up animation efforts as the category continues to be a bastion of reliability for the major studios in a time of box-office uncertainty.


    The move marks the strengthening of animation efforts for Warners which was once very active in the sector but had since scaled back its theatrical efforts. Earlier in 2006, the Studio had developed and produced Happy Feet, the music-themed penguin film directed by George Miller.

    Warners, the proud holders of properties like Superman and Scooby-Doo has been producing animation content for television and home video.


    Winsberg is a veteran TV writer who has worked on shows such as Jakes in Progress and Still Standing.

  • Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber diagnosed with cancer

    MUMBAI: British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is said to have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

    A statement from the composer‘s spokesman says that the condition had been caught at an early stage. “Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year,” the statement said.


    Lloyd Webber has been associated with musical hits like Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats and Starlight Express. He had recently announced that he was staging a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera



    .



    Webber is also set to judge a BBC television talent show next year.

  • South Korea’s CJ Entertainment to co-finance animation film Dino Mom

    MUMBAI: South Korea‘s CJ Entertainment has agreed to co-finance the English-language animated feature film Dino Mom and is also planning a wide 2010 release in the country.

    Directed by Yoon S Choi and produced by David K Lovegren in association with Jae Woo Park of Toiion, Inc. and Motif RMC respectively, the film is currently in the post-production stage.

    The story chronicles the adventures of three curious children who accidentally travel back in time 65 million years to the nest of a T-Rex who accepts them as her own.

    Film artistes Pamela Adlon, Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Strong are among the key voiceover artistes.

    Said CJ Entertainment CEO Katharine Kim, “The film has a great story, amazing animation and being kind of project that is supported by merchandising and promotions, we see many, many opportunities.”

  • All The Best recovers after slow start

    MUMBAI: After a weak opening on Friday and Saturday, Ajay Devgan‘s All The Best has picked up dramatically to garner a producer-share of around Rs 170 million as it starts its second-week run.

    According to trade sources, the occupancy rates at multiplexes varied between 50 and 70 per cent as the movie


    progressed after its theatrical release on 16 October.

    Avers CS Poojary of RR Films, distributor of the film in the Mumbai territory, “The revival of All The Best from the third day of its release is anything but ordinary. The relatively weak opening in the first two days could be attributed to the pre-Diwali period where family audiences stayed away from theatres.”


    Released across India with 1000 prints, All The Best is the third film in recent times after Munnabhai MBBS and No Entry to have a slow start before picking up steam on strength of a strong public response.


  • Aladin to open South Asian Film Fest

    MUMBAI: Eros Entertainment‘s Aladin will be the first ever Hindi film to kick off the South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) in New York.

    The film which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh and debutante Jacqueline Fernandes will be screened at The Paris Theatre on 28 October.

    Said director Sujoy Ghosh, “It is a wish come true to be chosen as the opening film for SAIFF. A lot of people have worked over a long period to make Aladin and an honour like this fully makes it worthwhile. It‘s a great platform for an Indian film to be showcased to a global audience. I am grateful to SAIFF for making this happen.”