Tag: Hidden Dragon

Amazon to produce original movies for theaters and Prime Instant Video

MUMBAI: Amazon Studios, known for television series such as Transparent, Tumble Leaf and Mozart in the Jungle, will begin to produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release and early window distribution on Amazon Prime Instant Video.

Whereas it typically takes 39 to 52 weeks for theatrical movies to premiere on subscription video services, Amazon original movies will premiere on Prime Instant Video in the US just four to eight weeks after their theatrical debut. It will focus on unique stories, voices, and characters from top and up-and-coming creators.

Amazon Studios vice president Roy Price said, “We look forward to expanding our production efforts into feature films. Our goal is to create close to 12 movies a year with production starting later this year. Not only will we bring customers exciting, unique, and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”

Amazon Original Movies creative development will be led by independent film visionary Ted Hope. Hope co-founded and ran production company Good Machine, which produced Academy Award-nominated films such as Eat Drink Man Woman and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

“Audiences already recognize that Amazon has raised the bar with productions in the episodic realm, tackling bold material in unique ways and collaborating with top talent, both established and emerging. To help carry the torch into the feature film world for such an innovative company is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility,” said Hope.

January 20, 2015
Instructions Not Included becomes highest grossing Spanish Language film in the US

MUMBAI: Pantelion Films’ Instructions Not Included has become the highest grossing Spanish Language film ever released in the US, according to distributor Lionsgate. With this weekend’s estimate of $3.38 million, the breakout family comedy/drama has a cumulative of $38.567 million in its fifth weekend at the American box office.

Starring and directed by Eugenio Derbez, the movie has passed Pan’s Labyrinth‘s $37.6 million as the new record holder. It’s also the fourth biggest grossing foreign language film ever in the US, behind only Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Taiwan), Life is Beautiful (Italy), and Hero (China).

Meanwhile, Instructions Not Included is yet to release in Canada. Word of mouth spread is also helping the pic garner eyeballs, and Instructions Not Included expanded its US run to target crossover audiences.

Made for a $5 million budget and acquired by Pantelion, it was the big story coming out of Labor Day Weekend for the best-ever domestic debut for a Spanish language film. Pantelion Films is a joint venture between Lionsgate and Mexico’s media powerhouse Televisa with plans for eight to10 films per year.

September 6, 2013
Visual Effects Society set to honour Ang Lee

MUMBAI: The Visual Effects Society is all set to honour filmmaker Ang Lee with the Visionary Award at the Visual Effects Awards here next month.

In a bid to bring his films to life over the years, the director has employed various techniques in his earlier films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and creating a life-like tiger for his new adventure film Life of Pi.

Said Executive of Visual Effects Society Jeff Okun, “Lee pushed the envelope of creation of visual effects for telling a story. In our generation, only Star Wars did that.”

The 58-year-old will be feted for all his hard work with the award on 5 February.

The inaugural trophy was handed to Inception director Christopher Nolan last year.

January 8, 2013
Sony Pictures pushing licensing in Korea

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) announced that it is expanding its operations in Asia by opening a TV licensing office in Korea. Soojin Chung has been appointed as executive director of licensing and will head SPTI’s office in Seoul. She reports to SPTI senior vice president, distribution, Asia Ross Pollack.

“Opening a licensing office in Korea demonstrates our continued efforts to better serve our Korean clients and to offer more choices to our customers throughout Asia where SPTI already has numerous commitments,” said Pollack. “We are delighted to have Soojin join our team. Her experience and impressive track record as a TV executive is widely recognized in the Korean marketplace. She will be a great fit with the rest of our Asian team based in Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing.”

In her new position, Chung is responsible for the licensing of SPTI’s series and features, along with the Company’s growing lineup of successful international productions, to traditional and new media partners in Korea. In addition, she will provide support to SPTI’s Asian product acquisition efforts by assisting in the ongoing evaluation of, investment in and distribution of Korean content for SPTI in Asia and worldwide. SPTI currently has a Korean TV drama distribution deal with CJ Media in addition to distributing select movie titles from CJ and Korean anime from other partners.

Chung joins SPTI from Buena Vista International Television where she was head of sales for Korea since 2004. Prior to Buena Vista, she held a number of positions in Korea, including content acquisition manager at SBS Productions and acquisition manager at Hollyvision Saehan Media.

SPTI has been active in distributing Asian entertainment worldwide. Two of the highest grossing Asian movies of all-time Kung Fu Hustle and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon were distributed through SPTI. SPTI’s office in Seoul will be located in the Kyobo Tower and opens in February 2007.

February 8, 2007