KINO LORBER ACQUIRES US RIGHTS OF FATIMA
Kino Lorber has acquired all US rights to Philippe Faucon’s Fatima, which won France’s prestigious Louis Delluc award and has been nominated for Cesar nods (France’s equivalent to Oscars). The movie, which world premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, will have its US premiere early next month at the upcoming New York set Rendezvous with French Cinema, a festival organized by Unifrance and ilm Society of Lincoln Center. Fatima will then play at COLCOA, the Los Angeles based French film festival, in Apr, 2016. In addition to winning a Louis Delluc prize, an award given by film critics and headed by former Cannes president Gilles Jacob, Fatima won “Best Script” at this year’s Lumieres Awards, the French equivalent to Golden Globes. The movie competed in all major categories at the Cesar ceremony.
STREAMING & SUB SERVICES SUSTAIN VIVENDI’S UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
Launching 2 of the top 3 US albums of 2015, Taylor Swift’s 1989 & Justin Bieber’s Purpose, Vivendi’s Universal Music Group, the world’s No. 1 company in recorded music, saw revenues edge up 2.7% in 2015 to €5.1 billion ($5.6 billion), thanks to a 43% hike in subscription & streaming revenues, Vivendi announced Thurs as it presented full – year 2015 results. Addressing an analysts’ conference Thurs evening in Paris, Vivendi CEO Arnaud De Puyfontaine reiterated chairman Vincent Bolloré’s insistence on a drive into content, plus distribution & media, in partnership with telcos such as Telecom Italia & Spain’s Telefonica asonference Thurs evening in Paris, Vivendi CEO Artone growth strategy at one & media groups. The elephant in the room remains Netflix. Driving into content, such as soccer rights, Vivendi is now attempting to ward off accumulating global competition, including Discovery – Eurosport, which snagged European rights to the Olympic Games in 2018 & 2022 in France & UK.
NEWS CORP SETS UP CONSERVATIVE WEBSITE
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is planning to launch Heat Street, a libertarian website that will serve a right – of – center audience in US & UK. It will be led by Louise Mensch, a former Conservative Party Member of Parliament in UK and Noah Kotch, a former TV producer for NBC & ABC. Mensch, who now lives in New York, said in a tweet that the site will be somewhere where “disagreement is encouraged.” Investigative journalist Miles Goslett, whose scoops have included reports on the Jimmy Savile sex – abuse scandal and the controversy surrounding children’s charity Kids Company, has been appointed Heat Street’s UK editor. News Corp spokesman Jim Kennedy said in a statement, “The field is wide open for diverse, provocative Internet – native content, so we’ll let it be judged by its uniqueness when it launches.” Kennedy added that Heat Street will “in a spirit of free speech and no ‘safe spaces,’ covers a variety of topics from a diversity of viewpoints.”
GRASSHOPPER FILM BUYS NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS OF NICOLA CONSTANTINO: THE ARTEFACTA
New indie distribution shingle Grasshopper Film has acquired all North American rights to buzz documentary Nicola Costantino: The Artefacta, about one of Latin America’s most controversial artists. They are partnering with on -demand streaming Fandor for its combined day – and – date premium SVOD & theatrical release in the US this spring. Grasshopper Film is founded by Ryan Krivoshey, former acquisitions chief of New York based boutique distributor the Cinema Guild. His new company, which just launched at Berlin’s EFM mart, plans to release 8 to 12 titles theatrically per year and more than 50 pics on VOD, digital & non – traditional outlets. Helmed by Italian editor – turned – director Natalie Cristiani, Nicola Costantino: The Artefacta, world premiered at Canada’s HotDocs 2015 to a positive reception and more recently screened at BFI London Film Festival, during which it screened in a limited window in Europe on premium subscription streaming service Mubi.
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH TO NARRATE BBC DOCUMENTARY SERIES
David Attenborough has come on board to narrate natural history series Planet Earth II, which is being presented to international buyers at a BBC Worldwide sales event in Liverpool, England tomorrow. BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK broadcaster, has inked its 1st sales on 6 part show, ahead of BBC Worldwide Showcase, which draws 700 international buyers. The series, which is a co -production between BBC, BBC America, ZDF in Germany & France Televisions in France, has just been picked up by Sweden’s SVT, Denmark’s DR & Italy’s Mediaset. Its launch comes a decade on from the critically acclaimed Planet Earth, which sold to more than 230 territories. David Attenborough will be in Liverpool for an event on Tues to launch the series. He will be interviewed on stage by documentary film maker Louis Theroux, and will be joined by the show’s executive producer Mike Gunton and the series producer Tom Hugh – Jones. Planet Earth II, previously known by its working title One Planet, explores “the characteristics of Earth’s most iconic habitats and the extraordinary ways animals survive within them.”
PETER BAZALGETTE FACES CHALLENGES
Peter Bazalgette, the new chairman of ITV, is as comfortable talking content as he is debating the more arcane aspects of media regulation. Few of British TV’s top brass are as experienced, or as well connected, as the 62 year old Bazalgette, or Baz, as he likes to be known. Bazalgette effortlessly rubs shoulders with US content kings, senior British politicians & fashionable independent producers. A food writer for the Financial Times and author of Billion Dollar Game, which contained an insider’s account of his one time boss, Endemol co – founder John De Mol, Bazalgette is a man of many parts. He once said his hobbies are opera & gluttony, an interesting insight into the TV topper who persuaded UK web Channel 4 to buy Big Brother. From setting up indie Bazal Productions, sold to what became Endemol, to Big Brother, Bazalgette’s career has mapped many of the changes in TV business during the past 3 decades.
UK’S PICTUREHOUSE ACQUIRES THE INNOCENTS
Picturehouse Entertainment has picked up UK rights to Anne Fontaine’s The Innocents (Agnus Dei), which premiered at Sundance. Set in Poland in 1945, the inspiring drama tells the true story of French Red Cross doctor Madeleine Pauliac who was on a mission to help World War II survivors when she crossed paths with a nun who sought help. She was then brought to a convent where several pregnant sisters were concealed, the victims of the Soviet soldiers’ barbarities. Unable to reconcile their faith with their pregnancy, the nuns turned to the doctor who became their only hope. Penned by Sabrina B. Karine, Alice Vial, Pascal Bonitzer, the French – Polish drama toplines French up – and -comer Lou De Laage & Agata Kulesza. The deal was negotiated between Films Distribution’s Sebastien Beffa & Picturehouse Entertainment’s Clare Binns. The Innocents is produced by Eric Altmayer & Nicolas Altmayer. Eliza Oczkowska & Klaudia Smieja are co -producers.
F&ME BOOSTS PRODUCTION SLATE TO 12 FILMS
London based production house Film & Music Entertainment, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has expanded its 2015 / 2016 active production slate to 12 pictures. The company has produced more than 50 feature films in – house. F&ME, which is headed by Mike Downey & Sam Taylor, has come on board Bodo Kox’s screenplay The Man With The Magic Box, produced by Iza Igel at Alter Ego Prods, and is in an advanced stage of negotiation with Polish partners to join Andrzej Jakimowski’s new production, as well as a collaboration with producers Radoslaw Drabik & Michal Kachinski, whose rom – com Planet Single has been blazing a trail at the Polish Box Office in the last 10 days. F&ME’s slate includes I Want To Be Like You, by writer -director Konstantin Bojanov, which is in post – production in Berlin. The road movie about a young artist’s journey to meet his hero stars 71’s Barry Keoghan, Kim Bodnia & Thure Lindhardt. A co – production between UK (F&ME), Bulgaria (Multfilm) & Belgium (Leftfield), the film is being sold internationally by Antonio Saura’s Latido Film Sales.
EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT FINDS SUPPORT FROM CARACOL TV
One of the staunchest champions behind Colombia’s 1st ever “Best Foreign Language” Oscar nominee Embrace Of The Serpent is Colombia’s Caracol TV, one of just 2 private broadcasters in this Andean nation where local film production has grown exponentially. “We’d been searching for years to find a story about the Amazon,” said Alejandro Bernal, General Manager of new channels & film at Caracol Television. After meeting helmer Ciro Guerra and his producing partner Cristina Gallego about their black & white Amazon set drama, they jumped in from the onset, putting up at least 30% of the $1.4 million budget. On top of that, it spent an estimated $500,000 on the film’s marketing & promotion at home & abroad.
GUILLAUME DE POSCH TO DELIVER MIPTV KEYNOTE
Guillaume De Posch, co -chief executive officer of RTL Group, Europe’s leading TV network with interests in more than 50 TV channels, will deliver a keynote speech at TV trade show MipTV, which runs from 4th Apr, 2016 to 7th Apr, 2016 in Cannes. De Posch will address the MipTV audience on 4th Apr, 2016 taking as his theme “The digital transformation of RTL Group.” De Posch was appointed chief operating officer and member of the RTL Group executive committee in Jan, 2012, subsequently being named co – CEO of RTL Group in Apr, 2012. In this position he oversees RTL Group’s broadcasting operations outside Germany and its content production arm, FremantleMedia, whose numerous hit titles include Idols, X Factor, Got Talent & The Price Is Right. De Posch is also chairman of the board of BroadbandTV, StyleHaul & SpotX, RTL Group’s recent digital investments in North America.
SUBURBICON SELLS TO FRANCE’S METROPOLITAN FILMEXPORT
Samuel Hadida & Victor Hadida’s Paris based distribution company Metropolitan Filmexport has acquired George Clooney’s Suburbicon, one of the hottest projects sold in Berlin. The deal, which is rumored to be for about $4 million, perpetuates Metropolitan’s relationship with Clooney. Victor Hadida told Variety that Metropolitan previously co -produced George Clooney’s Good Night & Good Luck and co – financed The Ides Of March. Currently in pre -production, Suburbicon spurred a bidding war for France, a highly competitive & key European market for prestige US indies. Penned by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Suburbicon has Matt Damon & Julianne Moore attached to star. The movie centers on a picture perfect family that turns to blackmail, revenge & betrayal after a home invasion. Pic has been sold worldwide by Alex Walton’s Bloom. Deals were inked for UK (eOne), Germany (Tele München / Concorde); Spain (Tri – Pictures SA); Italy (Leone Films); Latin America (Sun Distribution); Canada (Elevation); Greece (Odeon); Hong Kong,(Bravos); Scandinavia (MisLabel); Romania (Odeon); Turkey (Bir); Korea (Woosung);Japan (Tohokushinka Film Corporation); India (PVR); Taiwan (Filmware); Czech Republic (AQS); Poland (Monolith); Australia (Roadshow); former Yugoslavia (Blitz) & Middle East (Salim Ramia).
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY FILM COLETTE SELLS OUT IN BERLIN
Keira Knightley starrer Colette, based on the life of the French author who wrote Gigi & Cheri, has enjoyed robust sales in Berlin this year, with sales agent Hanway Films selling out the project. Pic, which is produced by Number 9 Films & Killer Films (both shingles behind Carol) as well as Bold Films, has inked deals in France (Mars), Germany & Austria (DCM), Italy (Good Films), Spain (DeAPlaneta), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Japan (Tohokushinsha), Australia /New Zealand (Transmission), Latin America (Sun Distribution), South Korea (Rollong & First Run), Poland (Monolith), Czech /Slovak Republics (AQS), former Yugoslavia (Discovery), Greece & Cyprus (Odeon), Portugal (Lusomundo), Baltics (Acme), Middle East (Front Row), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), Hong Kong (Suncream), Taiwan (Filmware) and airlines (Jaguar).
LEECO EXPANDS INTO US MARKET
New year’s celebrations are winding down in China this week, where the whole country has been at a virtual standstill for a little over a week. Lunar New Year is China’s biggest holiday, and the most recent one rang in the Year of the Monkey. “Monkeys are known as great leaders,” says Zhang Zhao, CEO of Beijing based LeVision Pictures. “Great leadership also (reshapes) what it means to be innovative by breaking down borders.” Zhang has been trying to break down borders himself ever since he joined LeVision in 2011, co – financing Hollywood movies like The Expendables 2 and distributing them in China, and also getting into the production business in a big way with the Matt Damon helmed pic The Great Wall, due to be released later this year. But Zhang and his colleagues aren’t just looking to make a splash with movies during the Year of the Monkey. LeVision’s corporate parent LeEco is getting ready for an ambitious international expansion that will also include taking the 1st ever steps into US market to sell smartphones, TV sets & content services.
UNIVERSAL & PERFECT WORLD PICTURES COMPLETE $500 MILLION DEAL
Perfect World Pictures & Universal Pictures have announced the completion of a $500 million slate financing deal running up to 5 years that will make the Beijing based maker of films, television programs & online games a major investor in one of Hollywood’s most successful studios. Word of the deal came in an announcement from Jeff Shell, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Michael Chi, chairman of Perfect World. It will cover the co – financing of 50 films or last for 5 years, with specific pictures within the deal to be announced later. The pact will not alter Legendary Entertainment’s co -financing of some Universal films. Legendary was recently purchased by another Chinese firm, Dalian Wanda. The cementing of the arrangement, the 1st time ever a Chinese company will invest in a multi year slate deal, comes a month after it was 1st reported in
Variety, marking another in a series of significant investments by Chinese concerns in Western Entertainment Operations. The deal came to light just days after Dalian Wanda revealed its $3.5 billion deal for Thomas Tull’s Legendary Entertainment. The $500 million investment is said to be split evenly between debt & equity contributions to the Universal movie slate.
THE MERMAID BECOMES HIGHEST GROSSING FILM EVER MADE
Stephen Chow’s fishy fantasy The Mermaid comfortably won its 2nd week at the Chinese Box Office and swam into the record books as the biggest film of all time released in China. At the end of the weekend it stood at $415 million after 14 days of release, overtaking the previous records of Monster Hunt & Fast And Furious 7, both set last year. Estimates for Mon (22nd Feb, 2016) see it extending that score to $431 million. In the past week it scored $139 million, ahead of $40 million for The Monkey King 2 and $32.5 million for The Man From Macau 3. Both films were released on the same day as The Mermaid, the 1st day of the Chinese New Year holidays and stand at $157 million & $152 million, respectively. Over the 3 day Fri – to – Sun weekend, The Mermaid was again on top, beating new release Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny, which opened with $20.8 million in 3 days. That puts The Mermaid on course to become the 1st half billion dollar scoring film in Chinese history.