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Tag: 12 Years a Slave

  • MN+ to air its Oscar special property ‘The Academy Club’

    MUMBAI: MN+ is all geared up to air their Oscar special property The Academy Club that will leave the movie lover ecstatic with cinematic brilliance. The channel will air this property on 25 and 26 February, throughout the day.

    The line-up of movies on this channel will include movies that defined cinema and those that demand repeat-viewing for the sheer quality of the direction, writing, cinematography and performances. The movies are a collection of nine of the best Academy Award winning films like The Hurt Locker, 12 Years a Slave, Crash, LOTR: Return of the King, Chicago, The English Patient, The Silence of the Lambs, Rain Man and Gandhi.

    Every movie on the list has won not just an Academy Award but also the Best Picture Award in the year of its release.

  • Sony Pictures’ Amy Pascal steps down

    Sony Pictures’ Amy Pascal steps down

    MUMBAI: After being targeted by hacking group called ‘Guardians of Peace’, linked closely to North Korea, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Amy Pascal has decided to step down after her emails and conversations were made public. She will be resigning as the co-chairwoman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and chairwoman of Sony Motion Picture Group.

     

    Seen as one of Hollywood’s top most female executives, she has been with the Group since 1996, when she was named as the president of the Columbia Pictures Unit, post her stint with Turner Pictures. Before joining Turner she was with Sony since 1988. Equating the company as her home, Pascal in a statement said, “I have spent almost my entire professional life at Sony Pictures, and I am energized to be starting this new chapter based at the company I call home,”

     

    The embarrassing emails contained her leaked conversations that had her discussing with other executives to halt the release of the humour based film, The Interview. The film is based on the assassination of North Korea’s current leader Kim Jong-un. Not limited to just that, the emails shared in the cyberspace also saw her cracking racially insensitive jokes with producer Scott Rudin about the viewing habits of US President Barack Obama. They both joked that the President’s favourite movies were black themed cinema like Django Unchained and 12 Years A Slave.

     

    Pascal later apologised in a statement which read, “The content of my emails to Scott were insensitive and inappropriate but are not an accurate reflection of who I am. Although this was a private communication that was stolen, I accept full responsibility for what I wrote and apologise to everyone who was offended.”

     

    Pascal who was worked with the studio for close to two decades, will now begin a production company that will see its launch in May 2015. The studio has decided to stand by her as it will fund her company for at least four years and will retain the distribution rights. Her successor is yet to be named.

  • HBO strengthens movie library with 2014 Oscar winners

    HBO strengthens movie library with 2014 Oscar winners

    MUMBAI: The Home of Box Office (HBO) is all set scorch television sets this summer with some of the best award winning movies of 2013.

     

    The channel has acquired Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyers Club, The Great Gatsby and many other path-breaking 86th Academy Award winning movies and will be premiering them on its 100 per cent Ad-Free HBO premium channels HBO Defined and HBO Hits.

     

    The 86th Academy Award celebration was a spectacular affair, and saw many unexpected, unbelievable wins. Hence, the mesmerising event has now escalated the Oscar fever more than ever and has got everyone clamouring to watch the award-winning movies. HBO is giving its viewers the best movies that swept the most number of Academy Awards.

  • Ellen’s star-studded selfie at Oscars 2014 crashes Twitter

    Ellen’s star-studded selfie at Oscars 2014 crashes Twitter

    MUMBAI: Topping President Barack Obama’s iconic “four more years” tweet, Ellen’s star-studded selfie twitpic at the 86th Annual Academy Awards a.k.a. Oscars that included Bradley Cooper, Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyung’o, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kevin Spacy, Jared Leto, Julia Roberts, Channing Tatum and Ellen DeGeneres broke Twitter records as the most retweeted tweet with over 2 million retweets and counting. Also photobombing the twitpic was Lupita’s younger brother, Junior.

     

    From Liza Minneli’s wardrobe malfunction to Jennifer Lawrence’s embarrassing fall, host Ellen DeGeneres wasted no time in poking fun at the stars in her opening monologue. “If you win tonight, I think we should bring you the Oscar,” DeGeneres joked to 22-year-old Lawrence. Ellen also refused to be drawn into who dressed best before declaring that Jared Leto was “the prettiest”.

     

    Starting off the big wins was Jared Leto who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal as a transvestite in Dallas Buyers Club, while Lupita Nyung’o took home her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years a Slave.

     

    Later, Frozen was awarded the Best Animated Feature with producers Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho appearing utterly unsurprised. Gravity topped the Oscar winning list 7 wins including Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score and Best Director Award for Alfanso Cuaron.

     

    In addition to Best Supporting Actor and Best Hairstyle and Makeup, Dallas Buyers Club also took home the third Oscar with Matthew McConaughey winning the Best Actor Oscar. 12 Years a Slave won the big Best Picture Oscar and Best Adapted Screenplay.

     

    For comic relief, host Ellen DeGeneres dressed herself as the White Witch to pay an homage to The Wizard of Oz which was continued with a delightful rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by P!NK. Other memorable music performances included Karen O and Ezra Koenig’s duet of “The Moon Song” from Her, with Pharell Williams performing the peppy number “Happy” from Despicable Me 2 and Idina Menzel serenaded the extremely popular “Let It Go” from Frozen, which won the Best Original Song Oscar.

     

    The Oscar winners:

    Best Picture: “12 Years a Slave”

    Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, “Gravity”

    Lead Actor: Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club”

    Lead Actress: Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine”

    Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club”

    Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave”

    Best Adapted Screenplay: “12 Years a Slave,” John Ridley

    Best Original Screenplay: “Her,” Spike Jonze

    Achievement in Costume Design: “The Great Gatsby,” Catherine Martin

    Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling: “Dallas Buyers Club,” Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews

    Best Animated Short Film: “Mr. Hublot” Laurent Witz and Alexandre Espigares

    Best Animated Feature Film: “Frozen”

    Achievement in Visual Effects: “Gravity,” Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk and Neil Corbould

    Best Live Action Short Film: “Helium,” Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson

    Best Documentary Short Subject: “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life,” Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed

    Best Documentary Feature: “20 Feet from Stardom,” Morgan Neville, Gil Friesen and Caitrin Rogers

    Best Foreign Language Film: “The Great Beauty,” Italy 

    Achievement in Sound Mixing: “Gravity” Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro

    Achievement in Cinematography: “Gravity,” Emmanuel Lubezki

    Achievement in Sound Editing: “Gravity,” Glenn Freemantle

    Achievement in Film Editing: “Gravity,” Alfonso Cuaron and Mark Sanger

    Achievement in Production Design: “The Great Gatsby,” Catherine Martin; Set Decoration: Beverley Dunn

    Best Original Score: “Gravity”, Steven Price

    Best Original Song: “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and performed by Idina Menzel

  • 12 Years a Slave to be part of public high school curriculum

    12 Years a Slave to be part of public high school curriculum

    MUMBAI: The National School Boards Association (NSBA) is partnering with New Regency, Penguin Books, and the filmmakers to distribute copies of the film, book and study guide of the acclaimed motion picture, 12 Years a Slave to America’s public high schools.

     

    The initiative, coordinated by Montel Williams, host of The Montel Williams Show, one of the longest tabloid talk shows in recent times, will start to distribute 12 Years a Slave nationwide in September 2014 in concert with the new school year. It is modeled against an initiative Williams launched to distribute the Civil War film Glory to public high schools that ultimately led to The Montel Williams Show.

     

    In a press release Montel said, “12 Years a Slave is one of the most impactful films in recent memory, and I am honored to have been able to bring together Fox Searchlight and National School Boards Association to maximise its educational potential.  When Hollywood is at its best, the power of the movies can be harnessed into a powerful educational tool. This film uniquely highlights a shameful period in American history, and in doing so will evoke in students a desire to not repeat the evils of the past while inspiring them to dream big of a better and brighter future, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

     

    “Since first reading 12 Years a Slave, it has been my dream that this book be taught in schools.  I am immensely grateful to Montel Williams and the National School Boards Association for making this dream a reality and for sharing Solomon Northup’s story with today’s generation,” said Steve McQueen, director of 12 Years a Slave.

     

    12 Years a Slave is an award-winning film that depicts the harrowing tale of a New York State-born free black man kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in 1841 and sold into slavery. This groundbreaking film won the 2014 Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Picture, the Producers’ Guild Association (PGA) Award for Best Picture, the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Film and is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year.

     

    According to the press release, NSBA President David A. Pickler is quoted saying, “The National School Boards Association is honored to partner with Fox Searchlight Pictures and Penguin Books to ensure that every public high school student in America has the opportunity to stare the stark realities of slavery in the eye through books and film. We believe that providing America’s public high school students the opportunity to bear witness to such an unrelenting view of the evils of slavery is essential toward ensuring that this history is never forgotten and must never be repeated.”

     

    Williams also has joined NSBA as a celebrity spokesperson in its Stand Up 4 Public Schools campaign that showcases the great things happening in America’s public schools.

  • PVR celebrates 86th Academy Awards

    PVR celebrates 86th Academy Awards

    NEW DELHI: PVR Cinemas, the largest cinema exhibition company in India, announces the opening of the PVR Oscar Film Festival in India, starting from 31st January till 6th February 2014. With this endeavor, PVR brings globally acclaimed movies which have been nominated for this year’s Academy Awards to the nine cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Kochi.

     

    PVR has always aimed to give the best to its audience by offering world class cinema. This year, besides bringing movies like ‘American Hustle’, ‘The Wolf of the Wall Street’, ‘12 years a Slave’ which have received major nominations at the Oscars, PVR cinemas will also showcase ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ and ‘August Osage County’ at the OSCAR Film Festival almost a month before the scheduled theatrical release of these two films in India.

     

    Talking about the festival, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR Ltd, said, “PVR has consistently worked towards offering the best cinema experience to the Indian audience. People from the film fraternity as well the audience look up to the Academy Awards for the quality cinema that it entails. Keeping up with our promise we are very excited to host PVR Oscar Film Festival in India.”

     

    The Oscar Film Festival by PVR is hosted to keep the cities entertained with movies of immense action and drama. The multiplex is expected to witness heavy footfalls with movie connoisseurs excited for their favorite movies.

     

    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 408 screens in 95 cinemas spread across 39 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 link

    http://www.pvrcinemas.com/corporate/about-us.aspx

     

    For any media query please contact:

    Avian Media

    Silky Chopra/ Kanika Berry / Chinmoyee Kalita

    9650303863/ 9810744517 / 9999874549

  • Producers Guild Award creates history with a tie in Outstanding Picture category

    Producers Guild Award creates history with a tie in Outstanding Picture category

    MUMBAI: On Sunday, 19 January, the Producers Guild Awards (PGA) was announced at the Beverley Hilton with a major twist. For the first time in the 25 years of PGA history, two films have won the coveted statuette. Alfonso Cuaron’s space epic Gravity and the harrowing historical drama 12 Years a Slave shared the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures.

     

    In the past week, 12 Years a Slave landed wins from the Golden Globes (drama film) and the Critics’ Choice Awards. American Hustle won the Globe (comedy film) and the SAG Ensemble prize.

     

    Gravity has been hailed as an Oscar front-runner since its release with 10 Oscar nominations in its kitty. However, it had not scored any high-profile top prizes until Sunday. The PGA win is a giant leap for the film.

     

    Frozen, Disney’s latest animated feature film which surpassed box office records worldwide, won the award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures. This does not come as a surprise since it also won a Golden Globe award in the same category.

     

    On the television front, Breaking Bad won The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama, while Modern Family won The Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy. The Michael Douglas and Matt Damon HBO movie, Behind the Candelabra won The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television.

  • ’12 Years a Slave’ set to release in India on 31 January

    ’12 Years a Slave’ set to release in India on 31 January

    MUMBAI: PVR Pictures, one of the largest independent distributor of Hollywood movies in India, is all set to bring the much awaited drama 12 Years a slave to India. Based on the memoirs of Solomon Northup, the movie stars award winning actors Chiwetel Ejifor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and features a special appearance by Brad Pitt. The historical drama is directed by Steve Mcqueen (Hunger) and brings on board Brad Pitt as producer.

     

    Set in the 1900’s. 12 Years a Slave is the poignant story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, who is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty at the hands of a malevolent slave owner, as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

     

    Commenting on the release of the movie, PVR Pictures president Kamal Gianchandani said, “12 Years a Slave is meaningful cinema and acting prowess at its best. The movie handles sensitive subjects of slavery and racial discrimination beautifully winning accolades at across film festivals and award ceremonies. We are proud to bring the movie for our Indian audiences who are certain to appreciate good cinema.” 

     

    12 Years a Slave has won Golden Globe award for the Best Picture Drama and has received nine Oscar nominations.

     

    Release Date in India – 31 January, 2013

    Director – Steve McQueen

    Writers – Matt Whitely

    Producer – Mark Hulme & Marcos A. Rodriguezs

    Starring – Chiwetel Ejifor, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt