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Category: Movies

  • Dan Fellman steps down from Warner Bros; Kroll named president worldwide distribution

    Dan Fellman steps down from Warner Bros; Kroll named president worldwide distribution

    MUMBAI: Hollywood’s theatrical distribution legend Dan Fellman is all set to leave Warner Bros. Pictures at year’s end. As Warner Bros. Pictures enjoys its unprecedented 15th consecutive billion-dollar-plus year at the US box office, Fellman, who serves as president, domestic distribution, will hang his boots at the studio at the end of the year, capping a 37-year career with Warner Bros.

     

    In the light of this development, Warner Bros has consolidated the studio’s domestic and international film distribution into a global function, wherein Sue Kroll has been promoted to Warner Bros. Pictures president, worldwide marketing and distribution. Kroll will report to Warner Bros chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara.

     

    Additionally, Veronika Kwan Vandenberg has been promoted to Warner Bros. Pictures president, worldwide distribution.

     

    Speaking on Fellman, Tsujihara said, “While Dan’s role was to run domestic distribution for Warner Bros., he really helped shape and lead the entire theatrical distribution business. It goes without saying he’s been an invaluable asset to the company, and he’s also been incredibly important and helpful to me personally. A couple of years ago, I asked him to stay on to help me – and Warner Bros. – through the executive transition. He graciously agreed, and now we’re at a place where we both feel the time is right to make this change. We will miss him tremendously.”

     

    Under Fellman’s leadership of domestic distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures has become the only studio to gross more than $1 billion domestically for 15 consecutive years (including 2015) as well as to have more than 70 movies earn more than $100 million domestically.

     

    He was instrumental in the industry’s conversion to digital cinema and the development of the satellite delivery system DCDC. In 2003, he pioneered the theatrical release of feature films in the IMAX format. The division recently handled the strategic rollout of Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper, with a domestic gross of $350 million, the highest of 2014.

     

    Eastwood opined, “I’ve known and worked with Dan for years, from Unforgiven to American Sniper and everything in between. He’s been a great partner on my films and helped us find the right audiences for our greatest success. Dan’s a fantastic film executive and a close friend, and I look forward to working with him on my projects in the future.”

     

    Speaking on Kroll and Kwan Vandenberg’s appointments, Tsujihara said, “Entertainment is a global business, and combining domestic and international film distribution is the logical evolution of our operations. Sue and Veronika are great executives with global perspectives and expertise that will serve this new structure well. Veronika has headed up our international distribution for the last 15 years and we know she’ll bring the same thoughtful, strategic management to our domestic film operations. And, Sue is widely known and respected for her acumen and success in marketing and distribution in the global film marketplace. Dan has been a formidable force in the distribution world, and there’s no one better to continue his great work on our behalf than Veronika and Sue.”

     

    “Veronika and I have been partners for years, and I look forward to this next chapter in our professional relationship. I’d also like to acknowledge the legacy of excellence and achievement that Dan and his team have established. There’s a high bar set for us, and I’m confident that working together as a global team, we’ll continue this success,” said Kroll.

     

    “I am very fortunate to have worked closely with my colleague and dear friend Dan Fellman throughout these years. Our domestic film team is the best in the business, and I’m excited to be working with Jeff Goldstein (EVP and general sales manager) and the entire domestic distribution group. Bringing all of our talented executives’ distribution expertise together into a worldwide organization will help us to maximize every opportunity for success,” said Kwan Vandenberg.

     

    Kroll most recently served as Warner Bros. Pictures president, worldwide marketing and international distribution, a role she’d held since 2013. On the other hand, Kwan Vandenberg most recently served as Warner Bros. Pictures president, international distribution, a post to which she was promoted in November 2000. 

  • Universal Pictures to release ‘Everest’ across India in September

    Universal Pictures to release ‘Everest’ across India in September

    MUMBAI: Universal Pictures is all set to release the epic adventure Everest across India this September.

     

    This movie showcases the spine-chilling journey of a group of mountaineers who embark on a journey to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest.

     

    It is based on the real life incidents that took place in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster and stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal. Everest has been directed by Baltasar Kormákur.

     

    Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach Mount Everest, the movie documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.   

     

    Shot across the locales of Nepal, Rome and UK, Everest will focus on the challenges faced by two groups, the one that was led by Scott Fischer (played by Gyllenhaal), and the one led by Rob Hall (played by Clarke).

     

    The movie has been co-written by William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy.   

  • Box Office: ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ zooms past Rs 200 crore

    Box Office: ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ zooms past Rs 200 crore

    MUMBAI: While most films shy away from releasing immediately after a much expected blockbuster is released in theatres, the small but critically acclaimed film Masaan was bold enough to come in the week following the Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

     

    Masaan, despite being awarded at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, fails to make a mark at the box office as its very limited opening weekend footfalls show.

     

    After a weekend of over Rs 100 crore, Bajrangi Bhaijaan continued to cash in on post Eid revelries. The almost universal positive word of mouth also helped the film continue its record-breaking spree throughout its first week outperforming all top grossers of recent times. The film ended its first week with Rs 184.85 crore and went on to cross the Rs 200 crore mark on day nine.

     

    The film has an open week and will continue its march into the second week where it is expected to create more records, especially on Saturday and Sunday.

     

    Baahubali: The Beginning (Hindi- Dubbed) maintains a strong trend in its second week despite strong opposition in Bajrangi Bhaijaan. At the same time, the film also benefitted from Eid celebrations as the Muslim audience throng the cinemas after a month of restraint due to Ramzan. The film collected Rs 24.7 crore in its second week to take its two-week total to Rs 66.25 crore.

     

    Having crossed the Rs 100 crore mark, which matter much to such controlled budget films, ABCD 2 comes to the end of its run adding Rs 10 lakh in its fifth week taking its five week total to Rs 105.05 crore.

  • Universal Pictures preps for ‘Jurassic World’ sequel

    Universal Pictures preps for ‘Jurassic World’ sequel

    MUMBAI: Universal Pictures is all set to make the sequel to the recently release Jurassic World.

     

    Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard have been confirmed for the sequel.

     

    Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly, who did a rewrite on Jurassic World, will write the script for the sequel.

     

    Jurassic World, which opened in theatres in June this year, has been one of the biggest successes in the history of Universal and has broken a slew of box office records. The movie has earned $1.5 billion worldwide to date.

     

    Trevorrow dished about the Jurassic World 2 plot and teased that the movie will not be limited to theme parks.

     

    Jurassic World ended with the Indominus Rex getting pushed to the Mosasaurus and being dragged and eaten by aquatic lizards.

  • Essel Vision bags distribution rights of Lionsgate’s ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

    Essel Vision bags distribution rights of Lionsgate’s ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s (Zeel) content studio, Essel Vision Productions has acquired the distribution and marketing rights of Lionsgate’s supernatural thriller The Last Witch Hunter starring Vin Diesel.

     

    Essel Vision recently revealed the first look of the movie to moviegoers in India.

     

    The company will release the film in theatres across India a day prior to its worldwide release on Thursday, 22 October, 2015. The Last Witch Hunter features an ensemble cast led by Diesel, Academy Award-winning Michael Caine and Rose Leslie, widely acclaimed for her role as Ygritte in the blockbuster series Game of Thrones. The film is directed by Breck Eisner.

     

    Essel Vision Studio business head Akash Chawla said, “We’re always looking to collaborate with the most successful content companies in the world as well as to give new filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Following our successful ventures into television, short form content, Bollywood, regional cinema and music, our exclusive deal with global content leader Lionsgate to handle all the marketing and distribution of The Last Witch Hunter in India cements our leadership in handling Hollywood blockbusters as well.”

     

    “Vin Diesel is one of the biggest action heroes on the planet. Following the record-breaking success of Furious 7, his next film is breathlessly anticipated by his fans here in India and around the world. Today’s sneak peek marks the first step in our innovative and aggressive marketing campaign to ensure that the film receives the mammoth reception it deserves,” added Chawla. 

     

    “The Last Witch Hunter showcases action superstar Vin Diesel at his exciting best, and we’re delighted to partner with our friends at Zee Entertainment to bring his latest thriller to Indian moviegoers,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman.

     

    “The large and fast-growing Indian marketplace offers tremendous opportunities. With their marketing prowess and distribution expertise, Zee Entertainment is the right partner, The Last Witch Hunter is the right film and Vin Diesel is the right superstar to help us conquer the box office there,” they said.

     

    Essel Vision will also make its foray into Hindi motion pictures in October with the release of Jazbaa, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, which is being directed by Sanjay Gupta.

  • ‘Masaan’ ticket sales sees spurt with word of mouth publicity

    ‘Masaan’ ticket sales sees spurt with word of mouth publicity

    MUMBAI: As has been seen with strong content films, a huge word of mouth buzz pushed Masaan ticket sales to double up by Saturday, 25 July afternoon in all the metros.

     

    The superlative reviews of the film have piqued the interest of cine-goers, which has in turn translated into box office sales.

     

    In spite of facing huge competition from big blockbusters like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Bahubali, and less number of shows, the film has managed to stand on its own and was playing house full by Saturday noon at most screens in the metros. The small towns though still are warming up to this film, but the producers feel that the Masaan promotions in the small towns will also pay and sales will be stable throughout the week.

     

    The film, which has opened in around 250 screens in the country, is looking stable to go in the second week with more shows.

     

    Drishyam Films’ Manish Mundra said, “Excellent reviews coupled with very strong word of mouth has resulted in full house in all most all major multiplexes in urban centers on Saturday. We are confident that Masaan will sustain in theatres for good number of weeks making it also a success at the box office along with being critical acclaimed.”

     

    Phantom Films’ Vikramaditya Motwane added, “The strong word of mouth and the super reviews have added to the buzz around the film, and the ticket sales have gone up by almost double on Sat. This reinstates our belief in good content and we hope the audience will keep spreading the appreciation and we will have a good weekday tickets’ sales too.”

  • Buddhism docu by Benoy K Behl wins at Madrid International Filmfest

    Buddhism docu by Benoy K Behl wins at Madrid International Filmfest

    NEW DELHI: Indian Roots of Tibetan Buddhism by filmmaker and conservator Benoy K. Behl has won the Best Documentary Producer Award at the Madrid International Film Festival.

     

    The film, produced by the External Publicity Division of the External Affairs Ministry, was in competition against around a 100 films from 50 countries.

     

    An eminent art historian and filmmaker who began his career as a photographer, Behl has made 130 documentary films in the past but this is the first film that he has ever entered in an international film festival. The film has already won awards at the Bioscope Global Film Festival in Delhi where he won the Best Documentary Award and another in Noida where the film won the award of Best Script Writer. 

     

    Behl’s films are regularly screened in universities and museums around the world. They have also been screened on Doordarshan’s National and DD Bharati channels.

     

    Another film made by Behl Yoga: An Ancient Vision of Life was screened in 50 countries on 21 June, World Yoga Day. His photographic exhibitions on Yoga were also held by Embassies and High Commissions of India in 20 countries around the world.

     

    The Indian Roots of Tibetan Buddhism traces its history from the vast universities of Eastern India, which had hundreds of teachers and students who came from across India and from the many countries of Asia and Buddhist philosophy. The greatest of these was at Nalanda. The scholars of Nalanda made outstanding contributions to numerous fields of study. The many acharyas or great masters at Nalanda, authored hundreds of treatise in various fields; on philosophy, metaphysics, psychology, logic, medicine, astrology, arts, literature and other subjects.  

     

    The Dalai Lama said, “I really respect and appreciate, admire Christianity, Islam, different Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Judaism and so on. All these traditions have really brought immense benefit and hope to millions of people, in the last few thousand years, and still today and in the future also.” 

     

    There was no written script in Tibet till the 7th century. The acceptance of the Buddhist faith entailed the understanding of subtle philosophic concepts and profound commentaries. This transfer of knowledge would not have been possible without translating and writing it down. A very sophisticated language and a script capable of preserving this knowledge had to be formulated. 

     

    The Dalai Lama adds, “Tibetan script is very much a copy and very much similar to Sanskrit because it is based on one of the ancient Indian scripts.”

     

    Once Buddhism reached Tibet, translations started. There was no vocabulary in Tibetan to translate Buddhist knowledge and traditions. New words were created. Therefore, eventually Sanskrit vocabulary or Sanskrit terminology and Tibetan terminology go exactly the same.

     

    The films are shot extensively in Tibet, Kalmykia in European Russia, Ladakh, Spiti, Arunachal Pradesh, Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Karnataka Behl is the director and the narrator of these films. 

     

    Behl and assistant director Sujata Chatterji are just back in Delhi from US, Morocco and Spain. In California, they were shooting for their second epic documentary on Yoga. In Morocco, they were photographing cultural heritage monuments, as part of their vast project of documenting the spread of culture in the world during ancient and medical times.

  • Akira Kurosawa’s films to screen at 72nd Venice International Film Fest

    Akira Kurosawa’s films to screen at 72nd Venice International Film Fest

    NEW DELHI: Restored films of famed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and Hou Hsiao-hsien will be screened in the Classics section of the Venice International Film Festival in September.

     

    The 72nd edition of the Festival, one of the oldest in the world, is being held from 2 – 12 September. The full list of selected films will be announced by director Alberto Barbera next week.

     

    The 21-film Classics programme includes Kurosawa’s Red Beard (1965) presented by Japan’s Toho Co Ltd and Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Boys from Fengkuei (1983) co-presented by Hou, Cinémath?que Royal de Belgique and the Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project. 

     

    Other films in the section includes Sal?, or the 120 Days of Sodom, Yilmaz Güney’s Hope, Jean-Pierre Melville’s Léon Morin, Priest and Federico Fellini’s epoch-making Amarcord.

     

    Everest directed by Baltasar Kormákur for Universal and shot on location in Nepal and the Italian Alps will be opening film. It stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, and Jake Gyllenhaal.

     

    The world premiere of Everest will be screened on 2 September. Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.

     

    Another film that will have its world premiere out-of-competition is Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated drama Black Mass, directed by Scott Cooper. The film stars Johnny Depp as notorious gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, along with an acclaimed ensemble cast including Joel Edgerton,  Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard, and Kevin Bacon.

  • ‘Masaan:’ Limited appeal

    ‘Masaan:’ Limited appeal

    MUMBAI: Now this one is a film truly reflecting the real India. The Manikarnika Ghat at the Banaras is said to be so sacrosanct for the cremation of a deceased Hindu that it is said to guarantee eternal Nirvana, a short cut to heaven notwithstanding how one lived the life or the sins committed!

    The characters, at least the main male protagonist’s life revolves around this holy crematorium site and hence the title. Otherwise, the film is about two love stories, one nipped in the bud and the other one just when it has ripened. The stories of two star-crossed lovers traverse parallel on the banks of River Ganges in Banaras also to find their culmination on the banks of Ganges, but in another town, Allahabad on this river flowing over 2500 km plus across India and Bangladesh.

    Richa Chadda is at an age when she is easily attracted to a fellow student at her academy, grows fond of him and agrees to give herself to him. They check into a shady lodge to give vent to their pent up sexual urges when the cops barge in. There is no bar on consensual sex between two adults but not knowing the basic law, carries a high price. Also, there is the fear of losing face. The couple is caught in the act. The boy in this case fears shame and family reprisal, locks himself in the washroom and kills himself. The cop on the spot threatens Richa with abetment to suicide case despite the cause of suicide being the police.

    On Richa’s part, it was a natural calling of a girl in her upper teens but the top cop takes to blackmailing her father, Sanjai Mishra: the price tag is Rs 3 lakh. Manikarnika Ghat is known for its Hindu last rites as cremation here sets the soul free of the deceased. Mishra makes a living out of selling accessories needed for the ritual, making about Rs 10,000 a month. The income of the household shrinks further as Richa is forced to leave her job thanks to taunts and jibes from her fellow workers about her deed. Another job and still the same problem. Her reputation precedes her. The whole world runs her down and her father, Mishra, leads the bunch.

    Then there is Vicky Kaushal. He belongs to a family, which makes a living out of burning dead bodies on the ghat. It is a family business. Vicky is studying engineering but in his spare time, also helps his folk cremate dead bodies. The work is rather gory and heartless as the ritual says a burning body’s skull needs to be hit hard seven times with a pole to crack it so that the dead person’s soul attains heaven.

    Then Kaushal falls in love. The girl, Shweta Tripathi, is an upper cast Gupta, from the Agrawal trader’s family. The love blossoms notwithstanding social taboos despite both sides knowing the barriers. But, finally, before social taboos can interfere, fate does. Kaushal and Shweta are parted.

    Richa has accepted an ad hoc job with the railways and soon as her father’s Rs 3 lakh obligation is over, decides to move to Allahabad where she doesn’t expect her taint to follow. Meanwhile, Kaushal gets a job with the railways on probation. He too gets a posting at Allahabad. With empty hearts and heavy minds, both end up, symbolically, at the Allahabad Sangam, accept the mallha’s (boatman) pitch to take a boat ride and get talking. Two of a kind, sort of.

    The film has dark sides as well as some bright moments with a satisfactory end. The story is interesting and very earthy depicting a side of India, which is as ancient as it always has been and not likely to change soon so what if they are well versed with laptops and cell phones.

    First time director, Neeraj Ghaywan, who is also the writer with Varun Grover, makes sure everything about the scenario is realistic. The musical score is thematic and blends well with the proceedings. Cinematography is excellent.

    Such a film needs able performers and, to that end, the casting is perfect. Richa is totally in to her character. Mishra, as usual, lives up to his reputation given a good role. Shweta is perfect playing the pampered girl in love for the first time. Kaushal is a natural. The young boy, playing the help to Mishra, Nikhil Sahni, is promising. Rest are equally good.

    Masaan, having made its mark at the Cannes Film Festival with two awards: International Jury of Film Critics prize and Promising Future prize in the Un-Certain Regard section, will appeal to connoisseurs of cinema and its box office prospects will be limited to a few multiplexes and, to some extent, in UP.

    Producers: Vikas Bahl, Anurag Kashyap, Guneet Monga, Vikramaditya Motwane, Shaan Vyas, Manish Mundra, Marie-Jeanne Pascal, Mélita Toscan du Plantier

    Director: Neeraj Ghaywan

    Cast: Richa Chaddha, Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Tripathi, Sanjai Mishra, Nikhil Sahni

  • Shemaroo acquires TV distribution rights to Red Chillies’ films

    Shemaroo acquires TV distribution rights to Red Chillies’ films

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment has acquired the exclusive television distribution rights to Red Chillies Entertainment’s film library.

     

    The deal includes a dozen blockbuster films of Shah Rukh Khan namely Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Chalte Chalte, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Asokaamong others.

     

    Shemaroo Entertainment director Hiren Gada said, “We are excited to join hands with Red Chillies to distribute its content on TV platform.  This is just the beginning of a synergic relationship with them and we hope to go a long way ahead. The catalogue that we have acquired is definitely a value addition to our library as Shah Rukh Khan is the superstar of the industry and his movies have mass appeal. Also these films are across different genres and connect with all age groups.”

     

    Red Chillies Entertainments CEO Venky Mysore added, “Shemaroo is one of the oldest companies in business, owns a diverse library of content, they have great relationships across TV networks and this association will definitely add value to both organizations, we are looking forward for a mutually beneficial relationship with them.”