Twenty-nine film projects have been selected for the seventh edition of European Work in Progress Cologne (Ewip), the pitching event held from October 14-16.
Among the titles being pitched to an international audience of sales agents, distributors and festival programmers is Bulgarian filmmaker Stephan Komendarev’s seventh feature Made In EU, about a provincial town turning against a seamstress after it appears she is the first local to have contracted Covid.
Other projects include German director Frédéric Halambek’s second feature Marielle, starring child actor Laeni Geiseler as a girl with the telepathic ability to know what her parents are...
Among the titles being pitched to an international audience of sales agents, distributors and festival programmers is Bulgarian filmmaker Stephan Komendarev’s seventh feature Made In EU, about a provincial town turning against a seamstress after it appears she is the first local to have contracted Covid.
Other projects include German director Frédéric Halambek’s second feature Marielle, starring child actor Laeni Geiseler as a girl with the telepathic ability to know what her parents are...
- 10/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
Revered Italian auteur Marco Bellocchio is back behind the camera producing and shooting “Portobello,” a TV series reconstructing one of Italy’s most clamorous travesties of justice.
The show marks the first project out of the gate hailing from Our Films, the new shingle headed by prominent producer duo Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli best known for shepherding “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend.”
The “Portobello” series is lead-produced by Our Films with Bellocchio’s Kavac Film headed by producer Simone Gattoni. It is an Arte France co-production also in collaboration with Fremantle’s The Apartment Pictures. “Portobello” is written by Marco Bellocchio with Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”) and Peppe Fiore (“The King”).
The six-episode Bellocchio series will delve into the true story of popular Italian TV host Enzo Tortora who, among other programs, conducted a primetime game show titled “Portobello” that aired on Italian state...
The show marks the first project out of the gate hailing from Our Films, the new shingle headed by prominent producer duo Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli best known for shepherding “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend.”
The “Portobello” series is lead-produced by Our Films with Bellocchio’s Kavac Film headed by producer Simone Gattoni. It is an Arte France co-production also in collaboration with Fremantle’s The Apartment Pictures. “Portobello” is written by Marco Bellocchio with Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”), Giordana Mari (“My Love”) and Peppe Fiore (“The King”).
The six-episode Bellocchio series will delve into the true story of popular Italian TV host Enzo Tortora who, among other programs, conducted a primetime game show titled “Portobello” that aired on Italian state...
- 9/25/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The SpringHill Company is partnering with France’s Mediawan, the owner of Brad Pitt’s Plan B.
SpringHill Company and Mediawan will develop and co-produce original film and TV projects, adapt existing IP and explore new international distribution opportunities. Projects will range from movies, scripted, unscripted and animation, the pair said.
The companies are already working on Weekend Warriors, an adaptation of hit 2023 German-language sports comedy-drama Weekend Rebels, which was produced by German film company Wiedemann & Berg, along with a French adaptation, aimed at French speaking countries in Europe and Africa, of The Shop, the unscripted format co-created by Randy Mims and Paul Rivera.
Carter, who founded The SpringHill Company with basketball star James, said: “We are excited to deepen our relationship with Pierre-Antoine and the Mediawan team as it allows us, together, to bring to light authentic, impactful content for the world to experience.
SpringHill Company and Mediawan will develop and co-produce original film and TV projects, adapt existing IP and explore new international distribution opportunities. Projects will range from movies, scripted, unscripted and animation, the pair said.
The companies are already working on Weekend Warriors, an adaptation of hit 2023 German-language sports comedy-drama Weekend Rebels, which was produced by German film company Wiedemann & Berg, along with a French adaptation, aimed at French speaking countries in Europe and Africa, of The Shop, the unscripted format co-created by Randy Mims and Paul Rivera.
Carter, who founded The SpringHill Company with basketball star James, said: “We are excited to deepen our relationship with Pierre-Antoine and the Mediawan team as it allows us, together, to bring to light authentic, impactful content for the world to experience.
- 9/24/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
LeBron James’ and Maverick Carter’s The SpringHill Company shingle has struck a partnership with European indie studio Mediawan with an eye toward bolstering both companies’ presence in their respective territories. Under terms of the deal, Mediawan and SpringHill Co. will develop and co-produce original film and TV projects.
The alliance with SpringHill Co. gives Mediawan another entry point into the U.S. market alongside Plan B (of which it acquired a majority stake in 2022). The Paris-headquartered television and film production group is backed by Kkr and was founded in 2015 by producer Pierre-Antoine Capton, telco billionaire Xavier Niel and financier Matthieu Pigasse.
Going forward, SpringHill Co. and Mediawan also plan to collaborate on adapting their intellectual properties, including on a local basis, and look at potential new international distribution. The partnership already has several projects in the works — including the basketball-themed “Weekend Warriors,” which will be produced by SpringHill Co.
The alliance with SpringHill Co. gives Mediawan another entry point into the U.S. market alongside Plan B (of which it acquired a majority stake in 2022). The Paris-headquartered television and film production group is backed by Kkr and was founded in 2015 by producer Pierre-Antoine Capton, telco billionaire Xavier Niel and financier Matthieu Pigasse.
Going forward, SpringHill Co. and Mediawan also plan to collaborate on adapting their intellectual properties, including on a local basis, and look at potential new international distribution. The partnership already has several projects in the works — including the basketball-themed “Weekend Warriors,” which will be produced by SpringHill Co.
- 9/24/2024
- by Michael Schneider and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Fremantle is moving its North America scripted business under Christian Vesper, the CEO of global drama and film, who will now up all drama and film operations for Fremantle across both the U.S. and Europe.
As part of the shift, Dante Di Loreto — who served as Fremantle’s North America president of scripted entertainment since 2017 and helped built the banner’s drama slate (including the award-winning Showtime series “Fellow Travelers”) — will transition to a producer deal with Fremantle.
Fremantle’s North America scripted business and labels will now report directly to Vesper, who will continue to report to Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO Continental Europe.
The executive shuffle reflects an ongoing restructuring of Fremantle’s global business. In the U.K., the group recently laid off all the staff at drama producer Euston Films and documentary label Undeniable. The labels have not yet been technically shuttered, despite having no staff.
As part of the shift, Dante Di Loreto — who served as Fremantle’s North America president of scripted entertainment since 2017 and helped built the banner’s drama slate (including the award-winning Showtime series “Fellow Travelers”) — will transition to a producer deal with Fremantle.
Fremantle’s North America scripted business and labels will now report directly to Vesper, who will continue to report to Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO Continental Europe.
The executive shuffle reflects an ongoing restructuring of Fremantle’s global business. In the U.K., the group recently laid off all the staff at drama producer Euston Films and documentary label Undeniable. The labels have not yet been technically shuttered, despite having no staff.
- 9/10/2024
- by Michael Schneider and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Mediawan has taken a majority stake in Our Films, the production and film financing company launched earlier this year by top Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli.
Rome-based Our Films reunites Gianani and Mieli who have worked together on productions including HBO’s The Young Pope, The New Pope and My Brilliant Friend.
Recently, Mieli has produced films such as Paolo Sorrentino’sThe Hand of God and Parthenope, Luca Guadagnino’s Bones And All and Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla.
Gianani’s recent film credits include The Eight Mountains by Felix Von Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch, Italian box office smash...
Rome-based Our Films reunites Gianani and Mieli who have worked together on productions including HBO’s The Young Pope, The New Pope and My Brilliant Friend.
Recently, Mieli has produced films such as Paolo Sorrentino’sThe Hand of God and Parthenope, Luca Guadagnino’s Bones And All and Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla.
Gianani’s recent film credits include The Eight Mountains by Felix Von Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch, Italian box office smash...
- 8/27/2024
- ScreenDaily
Mediawan, the European parent company of Brad Pitt’s Plan B, is taking a majority stake in Our Films, a new production and film financing company led by film and TV producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli.
Launched in 2024 and based in Rome, Our Films is focused on working with established and emerging European, U.S. and international filmmakers and talent across features documentaries and series.
Mediawan, which is home to over 80 production companies, has produced projects like “Call My Agent,” “Three Body Problem,” “Bob Marley: One Love,” “Miraculous Ladybug,” “Rhythm and Flow France,” “The Agency,” “The Count of Montecristo,” “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” “Hip/High Potential,” and “One Day.”
Its investment in Our Films comes as part of the company’s strategy to create a truly pan-European studio with an increasingly growing presence, which now spans 13 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux, and the UK in Europe,...
Launched in 2024 and based in Rome, Our Films is focused on working with established and emerging European, U.S. and international filmmakers and talent across features documentaries and series.
Mediawan, which is home to over 80 production companies, has produced projects like “Call My Agent,” “Three Body Problem,” “Bob Marley: One Love,” “Miraculous Ladybug,” “Rhythm and Flow France,” “The Agency,” “The Count of Montecristo,” “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” “Hip/High Potential,” and “One Day.”
Its investment in Our Films comes as part of the company’s strategy to create a truly pan-European studio with an increasingly growing presence, which now spans 13 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux, and the UK in Europe,...
- 8/27/2024
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Plan B’s pan-European parent company Mediawan has taken a majority stake in Our Films, the new production and film financing company formed by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, the award-winning Italian producer duo behind “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend.”
Based in Rome, Our Films reunites Gianani and Mieli, who exited their respective Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and the Apartment, earlier this year. The pair, whose flair for talent has shined through their impressive track record over the years, will continue working with European, U.S. and international filmmakers and talent across features, documentaries and series.
Gianani and Mieli also have a co-production deal with Fremantle under which they will continue to shepherd a number of projects that they initiated at Fremantle, some of which are hot titles world premiering at the Venice Film Festival, such as Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig; Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas...
Based in Rome, Our Films reunites Gianani and Mieli, who exited their respective Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and the Apartment, earlier this year. The pair, whose flair for talent has shined through their impressive track record over the years, will continue working with European, U.S. and international filmmakers and talent across features, documentaries and series.
Gianani and Mieli also have a co-production deal with Fremantle under which they will continue to shepherd a number of projects that they initiated at Fremantle, some of which are hot titles world premiering at the Venice Film Festival, such as Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig; Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas...
- 8/27/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Mediawan has made it official that their majority stake in Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani’s Our Films has closed as the Venice Film Festival gets underway. News of both parties’ union began to emerge out of Cannes.
The investment is in line with Mediawan’s strategy of creating a Pan-European studio, home to more than 80 production companies. The Paris-based studio made a majority investment in Brad Pitt’s Plan B back in December 2022 with four of that shingle’s projects premiering on the Lido: Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the Apple Jon Watts directed Pitt-George Clooney comedy noir Wolfs, and documentaries One to One: John & Yoko, directed by Kevin Macdonald, and Apocalypse in the Tropics directed by Petra Costa.
Mieli and Gianani departed as CEOs of their respective Fremantle labels, Wildside and The Apartment, in January, and launched their Rome, Italy-based Our Films earlier this year.
The investment is in line with Mediawan’s strategy of creating a Pan-European studio, home to more than 80 production companies. The Paris-based studio made a majority investment in Brad Pitt’s Plan B back in December 2022 with four of that shingle’s projects premiering on the Lido: Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the Apple Jon Watts directed Pitt-George Clooney comedy noir Wolfs, and documentaries One to One: John & Yoko, directed by Kevin Macdonald, and Apocalypse in the Tropics directed by Petra Costa.
Mieli and Gianani departed as CEOs of their respective Fremantle labels, Wildside and The Apartment, in January, and launched their Rome, Italy-based Our Films earlier this year.
- 8/27/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The new boss of My Brilliant Friend producer Wildside is on a mission to discover the next generation of Italian talent.
Detailing the Fremantle-backed producer’s strategy for the first time since taking over, Sonia Rovai said she will not depart from the genres that the Italian outfit specializes in but will instead attempt to shift the dial by unearthing young scribes and directors.
Rovai said she is slowly building up a development slate featuring these voices, with projects that she will likely produce herself.
“We need to push to find the Italian next generation,” she told Deadline at the AVPSummit in south Italy. “So we are selecting and working on new voices and young talent.”
Rovai is “investing time” in the endeavor, she said, visiting local theaters and reaching out to those who may have left Italy to find work in nations like the UK. “To find...
Detailing the Fremantle-backed producer’s strategy for the first time since taking over, Sonia Rovai said she will not depart from the genres that the Italian outfit specializes in but will instead attempt to shift the dial by unearthing young scribes and directors.
Rovai said she is slowly building up a development slate featuring these voices, with projects that she will likely produce herself.
“We need to push to find the Italian next generation,” she told Deadline at the AVPSummit in south Italy. “So we are selecting and working on new voices and young talent.”
Rovai is “investing time” in the endeavor, she said, visiting local theaters and reaching out to those who may have left Italy to find work in nations like the UK. “To find...
- 6/13/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
French producer Dimitri Rassam is enjoying a high-profile Cannes Film Festival as producer of Competition title Limonov: The Ballad and The Count Of Monte Cristo, which scored a rousing 12-minute ovation at its Out of Competition debut.
“It’s my first film in Competition, it has been a tremendous ride,” says Rassam, who is a producer on Limonov under his Paris-based Chapter 2 banner, alongside Italy’s Lorenzo Gangarossa and Mario Gianani as well as director Kirill Serebrennikov’s long-time collaborator Ilya Stewart.
Rassam is no stranger to the Cannes red carpet having regularly accompanied his actress mother Carole Bouquet in his early 20s, before mounting the festival’s famed steps in his own right as the producer of The Little Prince and co-producer of L’Immensità.
Cinema is also in his blood on his paternal side through late producer father Jean-Pierre Rassam, and uncle Paul Rassam, the long-time friend and collaborator...
“It’s my first film in Competition, it has been a tremendous ride,” says Rassam, who is a producer on Limonov under his Paris-based Chapter 2 banner, alongside Italy’s Lorenzo Gangarossa and Mario Gianani as well as director Kirill Serebrennikov’s long-time collaborator Ilya Stewart.
Rassam is no stranger to the Cannes red carpet having regularly accompanied his actress mother Carole Bouquet in his early 20s, before mounting the festival’s famed steps in his own right as the producer of The Little Prince and co-producer of L’Immensità.
Cinema is also in his blood on his paternal side through late producer father Jean-Pierre Rassam, and uncle Paul Rassam, the long-time friend and collaborator...
- 5/24/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Russian auteur Kirill Serebrennikov (“Leto,” “Petrov’s Flu,” “Tchaikovsky’s Wife”) is back in the Cannes competition with “Limonov,” an epic about Russian punk poet Eduard Limonov that the director describes as “probably the most complicated project in my life.”
Based on the best-selling book by Emmanuelle Carrere, “Limonov” delves into the story of its titular character who lived many lives. He was an underground writer in the Soviet Union who escaped to the U.S. where he became a punk-poet and also a butler to a millionaire in Manhattan. “Eddie” then became a literary sensation in Paris before returning to Russia where he morphed into a charismatic dissident party leader with rock star status, only to be incarcerated by Vladimir Putin.
Serebrennikov was shooting “Limonov” in Moscow on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The director – who himself has had troubles with Putin – was able to leave the country and eventually complete...
Based on the best-selling book by Emmanuelle Carrere, “Limonov” delves into the story of its titular character who lived many lives. He was an underground writer in the Soviet Union who escaped to the U.S. where he became a punk-poet and also a butler to a millionaire in Manhattan. “Eddie” then became a literary sensation in Paris before returning to Russia where he morphed into a charismatic dissident party leader with rock star status, only to be incarcerated by Vladimir Putin.
Serebrennikov was shooting “Limonov” in Moscow on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The director – who himself has had troubles with Putin – was able to leave the country and eventually complete...
- 5/19/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Andrea Scrosati, Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for continental Europe, is understandably proud that the company has landed five titles in the Cannes official selection, three of which – “Kinds of Kindness,” by Yorgos Lanthimos, Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope” and Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov” — are in competition.
The other two are Rungano Nyoni’s “On becoming a Guinea Fowl” and Ariane Labed’s “September Says,” both in Un Certain Regard.
“The incredible diversity of these titles – even in terms of the geographies and cultures they’re based on – is exactly the result of our strategy,” he tells Variety.
Scrosati, who is the architect of Fremantle’s expansion under a business model comprising a cluster of companies across Europe and beyond, discussed how he’s navigating a changing marketplace ahead of Cannes.
It looks like you’re scaling up on the film side. Why?
I think this comes from...
The other two are Rungano Nyoni’s “On becoming a Guinea Fowl” and Ariane Labed’s “September Says,” both in Un Certain Regard.
“The incredible diversity of these titles – even in terms of the geographies and cultures they’re based on – is exactly the result of our strategy,” he tells Variety.
Scrosati, who is the architect of Fremantle’s expansion under a business model comprising a cluster of companies across Europe and beyond, discussed how he’s navigating a changing marketplace ahead of Cannes.
It looks like you’re scaling up on the film side. Why?
I think this comes from...
- 5/16/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli are entering the Mediawan fold after recently exiting Fremantle to jointly form a new independent outfit.
The two producers will both be in Cannes as executive producers with Fremantle movies premiering in the Cannes competition, Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov” and Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope,” respectively.
Mediawan, the production powerhouse that now comprises more than 85 labels around the world, is in the process of acquiring a 51% majority stake in Gianani and Mieli’s Rome-based Our Films company under a deal that will officially close in September, according to several sources.
Gianani and Mieli, who declined to be interviewed for this article, are still closely tied to Fremantle even after exiting their Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and the Apartment, earlier this year. As previously announced, they have a co-production deal with Fremantle under which they will continue to shepherd a number of projects that they had in the Fremantle pipeline.
The two producers will both be in Cannes as executive producers with Fremantle movies premiering in the Cannes competition, Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov” and Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope,” respectively.
Mediawan, the production powerhouse that now comprises more than 85 labels around the world, is in the process of acquiring a 51% majority stake in Gianani and Mieli’s Rome-based Our Films company under a deal that will officially close in September, according to several sources.
Gianani and Mieli, who declined to be interviewed for this article, are still closely tied to Fremantle even after exiting their Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and the Apartment, earlier this year. As previously announced, they have a co-production deal with Fremantle under which they will continue to shepherd a number of projects that they had in the Fremantle pipeline.
- 5/14/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Matteo Garrone’s Oscar-nominated drama “Io Capitano,” about the odyssey of two young African men who decide to leave Dakar to reach Europe, and Paola Cortellesi’s feminist dramedy “There’s Still Tomorrow” were both the big winners at Italy’s 69th David di Donatello Awards.
“Io Capitano” won Davids for best picture, director, producers, editor, and cinematographer, among other prizes, while “Still Tomorrow,” which is about the plight of an abused housewife in post-war Rome and had 19 nominations scored six statuettes, including best directorial debut, actress, non supporting actress, screenplay, and audience award.
“Still Tomorrow,” which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, who also stars, is shot in black-and-white and riffs on Italy’s neorealist past, albeit with a contemporary female empowerment angle.
“I made this debut at the brink of menopause,” Cortellesi, who is 50, said while accepting the statuette for best debuting director. “I hope...
“Io Capitano” won Davids for best picture, director, producers, editor, and cinematographer, among other prizes, while “Still Tomorrow,” which is about the plight of an abused housewife in post-war Rome and had 19 nominations scored six statuettes, including best directorial debut, actress, non supporting actress, screenplay, and audience award.
“Still Tomorrow,” which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, who also stars, is shot in black-and-white and riffs on Italy’s neorealist past, albeit with a contemporary female empowerment angle.
“I made this debut at the brink of menopause,” Cortellesi, who is 50, said while accepting the statuette for best debuting director. “I hope...
- 5/3/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Matteo Garrone’s refugee drama Io Capitano, an Oscar nominee this year for Italy in the best international feature category, was the big winner of this year’s 2024 David Di Donatello Awards, Italy’s equivalent to the Oscars, winning best film and director for Garrone.
Io Capitano also picked up prizes for best cinematography, editing, sound, and visual effects.
Paola Cortellesi’s There’s Still Tomorrow, a black-and-white feminist dramedy that became the top-grossing film in Italy last year, won Cortellesi the Donatello honors for best actress, directorial debut, and original script for the screenplay she co-wrote with Furio Andreotti and Giulia Calenda.
“I want to thank those who gave me the opportunity to write this role as I wanted it,” she said, accepting her actress honor.
Cortellesi’s film, a dramedy about an abused woman in post-wwii Rome that manages to combine serious social drama with situational comedy, sight gags and even a musical number,...
Io Capitano also picked up prizes for best cinematography, editing, sound, and visual effects.
Paola Cortellesi’s There’s Still Tomorrow, a black-and-white feminist dramedy that became the top-grossing film in Italy last year, won Cortellesi the Donatello honors for best actress, directorial debut, and original script for the screenplay she co-wrote with Furio Andreotti and Giulia Calenda.
“I want to thank those who gave me the opportunity to write this role as I wanted it,” she said, accepting her actress honor.
Cortellesi’s film, a dramedy about an abused woman in post-wwii Rome that manages to combine serious social drama with situational comedy, sight gags and even a musical number,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Matteo Garrone’s Oscar-nominated drama Io Capitano triumphed in Italy’s David di Donatello film awards on Friday evening, winning best film and best director.
The film about the trials and tribulations of two Senegalese teenagers as they try to make it to Europe via the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea, also won best producer for companies Archimede, Rai cinema, Pathé and Tarantula as well as best sound, special effects, cinematography and editing.
Io Capitano premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, where it won best director for Garrone and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for Seydou Sarr.
The movie went on to enjoy a buzzy awards season, securing a Golden Globe nomination for best non-English language film and an Academy Award nomination for best international film.
“This film tells the stories of those who are not listened to,” said Garrone, on receiving the best director award.
The film about the trials and tribulations of two Senegalese teenagers as they try to make it to Europe via the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea, also won best producer for companies Archimede, Rai cinema, Pathé and Tarantula as well as best sound, special effects, cinematography and editing.
Io Capitano premiered at the Venice Film Festival last September, where it won best director for Garrone and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor for Seydou Sarr.
The movie went on to enjoy a buzzy awards season, securing a Golden Globe nomination for best non-English language film and an Academy Award nomination for best international film.
“This film tells the stories of those who are not listened to,” said Garrone, on receiving the best director award.
- 5/3/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov returns to Cannes once again this year with Limonov: The Ballad starring Ben Whishaw, for which we can share a first-look image from above.
The film’s synopsis reads: A revolutionary militant, a thug, an underground writer, a butler to a millionaire in Manhattan. But also a switchblade-waving poet, a lover of beautiful women, a warmonger, a political agitator, and a novelist who wrote of his greatness. Eduard Limonov’s life story is a journey through Russia, America, and Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
The film was written by Pawel Pawlikowski, Ben Hopkins, and Serebrennikov, based on the novel ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère, published in the US by Macmillan Publishers and in France by Pol.
Producers are Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, a Fremantle Company, Dimitri Rassam for Chapter 2, a Mediawan Company, Ilya Stewart for Hype Studios and coproduced by...
The film’s synopsis reads: A revolutionary militant, a thug, an underground writer, a butler to a millionaire in Manhattan. But also a switchblade-waving poet, a lover of beautiful women, a warmonger, a political agitator, and a novelist who wrote of his greatness. Eduard Limonov’s life story is a journey through Russia, America, and Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
The film was written by Pawel Pawlikowski, Ben Hopkins, and Serebrennikov, based on the novel ‘Limonov’ by Emmanuel Carrère, published in the US by Macmillan Publishers and in France by Pol.
Producers are Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, a Fremantle Company, Dimitri Rassam for Chapter 2, a Mediawan Company, Ilya Stewart for Hype Studios and coproduced by...
- 4/11/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian actress and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi’s directorial feature debut, There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è Ancora Domani), and Matteo Garrone’s Io Capitano lead nominations at this year’s David Di Donatello Awards.
There’s Still Tomorrow nabbed 19 noms, including best film while Io Capitano landed 15, including best director for Garrone. Trailing the leading two is Alice Rohrwacher’s latest film, La Chimera, starring Josh O’Connor. Other leading films are Rapito (11), Comandante (10), Il Sol Dell’avvenire (7), and Adagio (5).
The 69th David di Donatello Awards take place May 3. The live show will be broadcast on Rai 1 in Italy. This year’s hosts include Carlo Conti and Alessia Marcuzzi. The ceremony will take place at the legendary Cinecittà studios.
Check out the full list of nominees below:
Best Film
C’È Ancora DOMANIprodotto da Mario Gianani e Lorenzo Gangarossa per Wildside società del gruppo Fremantle; Vision Distribution società del gruppo Sky; in collaborazione...
There’s Still Tomorrow nabbed 19 noms, including best film while Io Capitano landed 15, including best director for Garrone. Trailing the leading two is Alice Rohrwacher’s latest film, La Chimera, starring Josh O’Connor. Other leading films are Rapito (11), Comandante (10), Il Sol Dell’avvenire (7), and Adagio (5).
The 69th David di Donatello Awards take place May 3. The live show will be broadcast on Rai 1 in Italy. This year’s hosts include Carlo Conti and Alessia Marcuzzi. The ceremony will take place at the legendary Cinecittà studios.
Check out the full list of nominees below:
Best Film
C’È Ancora DOMANIprodotto da Mario Gianani e Lorenzo Gangarossa per Wildside società del gruppo Fremantle; Vision Distribution società del gruppo Sky; in collaborazione...
- 4/3/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features has set a U.S. release date for Edward Berger’s new thriller, Conclave, which stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.
The film, set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope, will be released in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2024, before going wider a week later on Nov. 8.
Conclave is German director Berger’s follow up to his 2022 anti-war epic and Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
The film, set in the secretive Vatican meeting of Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to pick a new Pope, will be released in theaters in New York City and Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2024, before going wider a week later on Nov. 8.
Conclave is German director Berger’s follow up to his 2022 anti-war epic and Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the Cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the Conclave. But as the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lomeli realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope has been chosen.
- 3/8/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Focus Features has firmed up release plans for Conclave, the papal thriller marking filmmaker Edward Berger’s follow-up to his 2022 Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. An adaptation of Robert Harris’ same-name bestseller, penned by Peter Straughan, the film releases in theaters in New York and L.A. on November 1st, before expanding on the 8th.
Currently, the 1st is only occupied by an unknown title from Universal Pictures. Titles set to open on the 8th include Sony’s Venom 3 and 20th’s action thriller The Amateur starring Rami Malek.
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds...
Currently, the 1st is only occupied by an unknown title from Universal Pictures. Titles set to open on the 8th include Sony’s Venom 3 and 20th’s action thriller The Amateur starring Rami Malek.
Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: It was on the set of Sky and HBO’s We Are Who We Are that Lorenzo Mieli asked Francesca Manieri, a screenwriter known for crafting stories about female empowerment, to pen a TV series about Rocco Siffredi, the infamous hardcore porn star. Initially, she could barely believe it. “I laughed,” she recalls. “I was sure he was joking.”
Only he wasn’t, and after a week of deliberation, she said yes, having realized it would give her the chance to explore “the core of contemporary masculinity.”
Manieri — known for films such as Rose Island, Italian Race, The First King and The Miracle and as co-writer of We Are Who We Are — went away and drew up her plan for a series that would allow her to “turn the tables” on the narratives men have dictated to women for, well, probably ever: a series about what porn represents and how modern masculinity is constructed.
Only he wasn’t, and after a week of deliberation, she said yes, having realized it would give her the chance to explore “the core of contemporary masculinity.”
Manieri — known for films such as Rose Island, Italian Race, The First King and The Miracle and as co-writer of We Are Who We Are — went away and drew up her plan for a series that would allow her to “turn the tables” on the narratives men have dictated to women for, well, probably ever: a series about what porn represents and how modern masculinity is constructed.
- 3/5/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Sonia Rovai and Annamaria Morelli have been named as the new bosses of Wildside and The Apartment, respectively.
Former Sky Italia exec Rovai has become CEO of Wildside and Morelli CEO of the Apartment, following the exits of Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, who today unveiled co-production deal with Fremantle through their new business.
The two companies will “continue to have editorial autonomy and to coordinate – from an organizational point of view – with Fremantle,” according to the super-indie.
Rovai has been MD of Wildside since October last year. Prior to that she was at Sky, where she had risen through the ranks to lead original productions during a 17-year stint at the Comcast-owned pay-tv broadcaster.
Morelli is a film and TV producer who since 2019 as been founder and CEO of Elsinore Film. Her previous roles include story editor posts at Rai and Mediaset.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO,...
Former Sky Italia exec Rovai has become CEO of Wildside and Morelli CEO of the Apartment, following the exits of Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli, who today unveiled co-production deal with Fremantle through their new business.
The two companies will “continue to have editorial autonomy and to coordinate – from an organizational point of view – with Fremantle,” according to the super-indie.
Rovai has been MD of Wildside since October last year. Prior to that she was at Sky, where she had risen through the ranks to lead original productions during a 17-year stint at the Comcast-owned pay-tv broadcaster.
Morelli is a film and TV producer who since 2019 as been founder and CEO of Elsinore Film. Her previous roles include story editor posts at Rai and Mediaset.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle has appointed new heads for its Italian labels The Apartment and Wildside and has agreed a co-production deal with their former CEOs Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani.
Film and TV producer Annamaria Morelli becomes CEO of The Apartment while former Sky Italia exec Sonia Rovai has been named CEO of Wildside.
Their appointments follow the recent departures of The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani from the Fremantle-owned companies.
Mieli and Gianani are launching a new company together, full details of which will be announced in the near future. Fremantle has signed a co-production agreement with...
Film and TV producer Annamaria Morelli becomes CEO of The Apartment while former Sky Italia exec Sonia Rovai has been named CEO of Wildside.
Their appointments follow the recent departures of The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani from the Fremantle-owned companies.
Mieli and Gianani are launching a new company together, full details of which will be announced in the near future. Fremantle has signed a co-production agreement with...
- 2/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Fremantle has appointed new bosses for its Italian production subsidiaries The Apartment and Wildside but will continue to work with outgoing CEOs Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani.
Fremantle on Thursday announced that Annamaria Morelli will be taking over as CEO of The Apartment and Sonia Rovai as CEO of Wildside. Fremantle said both companies will continue to have editorial autonomy while coordinating with Fremantle on an organizational basis, and will continue to work with the same talents, Italian and international, going forward.
“Annamaria Morelli and Sonia Rovai have vision, experience and passion. I am so happy to welcome them to The Apartment and Wildside, two labels that have attracted some of the best talent, both Italian and international,” said Andrea Scrosati, group COO and CEO, continental Europe at Fremantle. “We are and will continue to be the place creatives want to call home. A place where you can express your...
Fremantle on Thursday announced that Annamaria Morelli will be taking over as CEO of The Apartment and Sonia Rovai as CEO of Wildside. Fremantle said both companies will continue to have editorial autonomy while coordinating with Fremantle on an organizational basis, and will continue to work with the same talents, Italian and international, going forward.
“Annamaria Morelli and Sonia Rovai have vision, experience and passion. I am so happy to welcome them to The Apartment and Wildside, two labels that have attracted some of the best talent, both Italian and international,” said Andrea Scrosati, group COO and CEO, continental Europe at Fremantle. “We are and will continue to be the place creatives want to call home. A place where you can express your...
- 2/29/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Well-established Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli — who left their Fremantle-owned banners, Wildside and The Apartment, respectively, earlier this year — are returning to the growing TV and film powerhouse with their new scripted outfit.
The duo — who co-founded “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend” production house Wildside in 2009 before Mieli exited to set up The Apartment, which was behind the recent hit “Priscilla” — are yet to reveal details of their new company. But the pair have now signed a co-production deal with Fremantle that will see them collaborate on several projects.
Among those in production and post-production from the two producers are Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film, Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov -The Ballad,” “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino starring Daniel Craig, the new film by Gabriele Mainetti, “Maria” by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie, plus the TV series “M. The Son of the Century” by Joe Wright and “Il Mostro” by Stefano Sollima.
The duo — who co-founded “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend” production house Wildside in 2009 before Mieli exited to set up The Apartment, which was behind the recent hit “Priscilla” — are yet to reveal details of their new company. But the pair have now signed a co-production deal with Fremantle that will see them collaborate on several projects.
Among those in production and post-production from the two producers are Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film, Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov -The Ballad,” “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino starring Daniel Craig, the new film by Gabriele Mainetti, “Maria” by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie, plus the TV series “M. The Son of the Century” by Joe Wright and “Il Mostro” by Stefano Sollima.
- 2/29/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Following their departures as CEOs of Fremantle’s Wildside and The Apartment, Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli have struck a co-production deal with their old employer Fremantle on several projects as they unveil their new company.
More details about the new company, whose name was not revealed today, will be “announced in the near future.”
Gianani and Mieli departed Fremantle in mid-January.
The Fremantle pact will lead to a new film from Paolo Sorrentino, Limonov – The Ballad, by Kirill Serebrennikov; Queer from Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig; a new film by Gabriele Mainetti, Maria by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie; and the TV series M. The Son of the Century by Joe Wright and Il Mostro by Stefano Sollima.
Fremantle continues to operate Wildside and The Apartment with new leadership in place.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO, Continental Europe, Fremantle said: “I am really happy to continue collaborating...
More details about the new company, whose name was not revealed today, will be “announced in the near future.”
Gianani and Mieli departed Fremantle in mid-January.
The Fremantle pact will lead to a new film from Paolo Sorrentino, Limonov – The Ballad, by Kirill Serebrennikov; Queer from Luca Guadagnino and starring Daniel Craig; a new film by Gabriele Mainetti, Maria by Pablo Larraín starring Angelina Jolie; and the TV series M. The Son of the Century by Joe Wright and Il Mostro by Stefano Sollima.
Fremantle continues to operate Wildside and The Apartment with new leadership in place.
Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO, Continental Europe, Fremantle said: “I am really happy to continue collaborating...
- 2/29/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Global Breakouts, Deadline’s fortnightly strand in which we shine a spotlight on the TV shows and films killing it in their local territories. The industry is as globalized as it’s ever been, but breakout hits are emerging in pockets of the world all the time and it can be hard to keep track. So we’re going to do the hard work for you.
This week we explore Italian movie hit There’s Still Tomorrow, which begins rolling out on cinema screens worldwide this spring with other key deals underway after a stellar release back home last fall, where it is now the ninth highest-grossing film in the history of the country’s box office.
Name: There’s Still Tomorrow
Country: Italy
Producer: Wildside
Seller: Vision Distribution
Where you can watch: In cinemas worldwide (see distributor list below)
For fans of: Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful, Ettore Scola’s A Special Day,...
This week we explore Italian movie hit There’s Still Tomorrow, which begins rolling out on cinema screens worldwide this spring with other key deals underway after a stellar release back home last fall, where it is now the ninth highest-grossing film in the history of the country’s box office.
Name: There’s Still Tomorrow
Country: Italy
Producer: Wildside
Seller: Vision Distribution
Where you can watch: In cinemas worldwide (see distributor list below)
For fans of: Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful, Ettore Scola’s A Special Day,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian musician turned filmmaker Federico Zampaglione’s Sitges world premiere The Well has inked deals in 24 territories for UK genre specialist Jinga Sales.
Lighthouse Entertainment have acquired all rights for Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Media4Fun have inked for Poland and Pflug for Japan; Star Entertainment will theatrically release in India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Butan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan; and Suraya Filem will theatrically release in South East Asia.
The gothic horror is set in a remote Italian village, with Terrifier 2 star Lauren Lavera playing a young American art restorer hired to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory.
Lighthouse Entertainment have acquired all rights for Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Media4Fun have inked for Poland and Pflug for Japan; Star Entertainment will theatrically release in India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Butan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan; and Suraya Filem will theatrically release in South East Asia.
The gothic horror is set in a remote Italian village, with Terrifier 2 star Lauren Lavera playing a young American art restorer hired to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory.
- 1/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Amazon is restructuring its Emea Prime Video business in a move which may result in job losses for staff in Africa and the Middle East.
Prime Video is set to reroute original programming funding towards two priority regional groups ‘EU Established’, which includes the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain, and ‘EU Emerging’, which covers Benelux the Nordics and Central and Eastern Europe.
Consequently, investment for original programming in sub-Saharan Africa and Mena will decrease as part of what Prime Video’s vice-president and general manager for Emea Barry Furlong described in an internal memo as a “rebalance and pivot” of resources.
Prime Video is set to reroute original programming funding towards two priority regional groups ‘EU Established’, which includes the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain, and ‘EU Emerging’, which covers Benelux the Nordics and Central and Eastern Europe.
Consequently, investment for original programming in sub-Saharan Africa and Mena will decrease as part of what Prime Video’s vice-president and general manager for Emea Barry Furlong described in an internal memo as a “rebalance and pivot” of resources.
- 1/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Prominent Italian producers Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli are exiting their Fremantle-owned companies — Wildside and The Apartment, respectively — in an industry shakeup expected to lead them to jointly form a new independent scripted content outfit.
Gianani and Mieli co-founded Wildside in 2009 and turned it into the powerhouse behind major global dramas such as Rai/HBO’s “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend,” to name a few. Wildside was aquired by Fremantle in 2015.
Mieli subsequently went his own way and set up The Apartment in 2020 under the Fremantle umbrella. Recent The Apartment titles include Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and Pablo Larrain’s upcoming Angelina-starrer “Maria” about iconic soprano Maria Callas, amid a rich international slate.
A Fremantle Italy spokesperson confirmed the ongoing exits of the two top producers, adding that the separations are not acrimonious and that Fremantle is discussing “the ways in which we will will continue to work together.
Gianani and Mieli co-founded Wildside in 2009 and turned it into the powerhouse behind major global dramas such as Rai/HBO’s “The Young Pope” and “My Brilliant Friend,” to name a few. Wildside was aquired by Fremantle in 2015.
Mieli subsequently went his own way and set up The Apartment in 2020 under the Fremantle umbrella. Recent The Apartment titles include Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and Pablo Larrain’s upcoming Angelina-starrer “Maria” about iconic soprano Maria Callas, amid a rich international slate.
A Fremantle Italy spokesperson confirmed the ongoing exits of the two top producers, adding that the separations are not acrimonious and that Fremantle is discussing “the ways in which we will will continue to work together.
- 1/19/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani are exiting their Fremantle-owned Italian production companies.
The pair are among Italy’s most well known TV and film producers, but their exits have been confirmed, with their next moves not yet official. They may team together to launch their own indie together, reports say.
A Fremantle spokesperson said the super-indie would look to work with Mieli and Gianani “in a different structure” in the future.
The Hollywood Reporter Italy, which revealed the news towards the end of 2023, reported the pair are planning their own production company, but neither could be contacted for comment before press time.
Fremantle confirmed it remains the 100% owner of both indies and new leadership to be announced in due course.
Gianani’s Wildside makes features such as There’s Still Tomorrow and Finally Dawn and TV shows including Disney+ original The Good Mothers, while Mieli’s company, The Apartment, made...
The pair are among Italy’s most well known TV and film producers, but their exits have been confirmed, with their next moves not yet official. They may team together to launch their own indie together, reports say.
A Fremantle spokesperson said the super-indie would look to work with Mieli and Gianani “in a different structure” in the future.
The Hollywood Reporter Italy, which revealed the news towards the end of 2023, reported the pair are planning their own production company, but neither could be contacted for comment before press time.
Fremantle confirmed it remains the 100% owner of both indies and new leadership to be announced in due course.
Gianani’s Wildside makes features such as There’s Still Tomorrow and Finally Dawn and TV shows including Disney+ original The Good Mothers, while Mieli’s company, The Apartment, made...
- 1/19/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Two of Italy’s top producers – The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani – are leaving their Fremantle-owned companies.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
- 1/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Two of Italy’s top producers – The Apartment’s Lorenzo Mieli and Wildside’s Mario Gianani – are leaving their Fremantle-backed companies.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
Between them, Mieli and Gianani’s companies have produced many of Italy’s most acclaimed features of recent years.
A Fremantle spokesperson confirmed their departures, describing the moves as amicable, and told Screen: “We are finalising a way to continue to work together in a different structure.”
Gianani’s Wildside is behind 2023 Italian box office smash There’s Still Tomorrow, as well as festival hits The Eight Mountains, Saverio Costanzo’s Finally Dawn and Disney+ series The Good Mothers.
- 1/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Universal Pictures International has acquired French rights for Italian actress and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi’s feature directorial debut hit There’s Still Tomorrow, in a deal brokered by Vision Distribution.
The drama is currently enjoying a phenomenal box office run in Italy where it has clocked up almost two million admissions since its theatrical launch on October 26 for a box office of some €13m.
It is the best result for an Italian film this year and the biggest box office for a local picture since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the film world premiered as the opening film of the Rome Film Festival in October.
Cortellesi stars as a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly...
The drama is currently enjoying a phenomenal box office run in Italy where it has clocked up almost two million admissions since its theatrical launch on October 26 for a box office of some €13m.
It is the best result for an Italian film this year and the biggest box office for a local picture since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the film world premiered as the opening film of the Rome Film Festival in October.
Cortellesi stars as a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly...
- 11/14/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
“Conclave,” the latest from Oscar-winning director Edward Berger, has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Focus Features, TheWrap has learned. Berger’s follow-up to Netflix’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” remake stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini.
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, the Peter Straughan-penned film centers on a secret papal conclave as they go about electing a new Pope — and a conspiracy amid rival factions and self-serving political ambitions. Spoiler: The previous pope was hiding a secret or two.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus,” Berger said. “Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return. To now work with Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team...
Based on Robert Harris’ novel, the Peter Straughan-penned film centers on a secret papal conclave as they go about electing a new Pope — and a conspiracy amid rival factions and self-serving political ambitions. Spoiler: The previous pope was hiding a secret or two.
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus,” Berger said. “Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return. To now work with Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team...
- 11/10/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Edward Berger’s upcoming thriller “Conclave,” starring Ralph Fiennes and John Lithgow, has been acquired by Focus Features for U.S. distribution.
Directed by Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of the world’s most secretive event: election of a new Pope.
The script was written by Peter Straughan.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in the film, a Catholic dignitary tasked with running the Vatican’s mysterious papal conclave who finds himself trapped in a treasonous web as groups of ambitious rival cardinals form factions in the hope of swaying the vote.
“As ambitions, divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen,” reads the logline.
Joining Fiennes and Lithgow in the feature are Stanley Tucci,...
Directed by Berger and based on Robert Harris’ novel of the same name, it tells the story of the world’s most secretive event: election of a new Pope.
The script was written by Peter Straughan.
Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in the film, a Catholic dignitary tasked with running the Vatican’s mysterious papal conclave who finds himself trapped in a treasonous web as groups of ambitious rival cardinals form factions in the hope of swaying the vote.
“As ambitions, divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen,” reads the logline.
Joining Fiennes and Lithgow in the feature are Stanley Tucci,...
- 11/10/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Edward Berger is coming home to Focus Features with his upcoming film “Conclave.”
The “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning director helms upcoming adaptation “Conclave” about the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features for his first job in Hollywood; Focus Features now has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave.”
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus. Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return,” Berger said in a press statement. “To now work with [Focus Features Chairman] Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team feels like I have arrived at a home that I‘ve always missed. I am grateful and so cannot wait to share the movie with audiences in the U.
The “All Quiet on the Western Front” Academy Award-winning director helms upcoming adaptation “Conclave” about the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church. Berger previously interned at the company that later became Focus Features for his first job in Hollywood; Focus Features now has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Conclave.”
“Twenty-seven years ago, I landed my first job as an intern at the company that later became Focus. Ever since I left and embarked on the long path of making movies I have been wanting to return,” Berger said in a press statement. “To now work with [Focus Features Chairman] Peter Kujawski and his incredibly dedicated team feels like I have arrived at a home that I‘ve always missed. I am grateful and so cannot wait to share the movie with audiences in the U.
- 11/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
More movies potentially for next year’s starved 2024 theatrical release calendar: Focus Features has taken U.S. distribution rights to Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front filmmaker Edward Berger’s papal thriller Conclave. The movie’s starry cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brían F. O’Byrne, Merab Ninidze, Sergio Castellitto and Isabella Rossellini.
The Peter Straughan-penned script based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel centers on the secret papal conclave, which is electing a new Pope. After the death of a beloved Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process inside the back corners of the Vatican. Lawrence quickly finds himself the center of a conspiracy, as the cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes the departed Pope had...
The Peter Straughan-penned script based on Robert Harris’ bestselling novel centers on the secret papal conclave, which is electing a new Pope. After the death of a beloved Pope, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process inside the back corners of the Vatican. Lawrence quickly finds himself the center of a conspiracy, as the cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As divisions and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes the departed Pope had...
- 11/10/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“There’s Still Tomorrow,” a dramedy inspired by Italy’s Pink Neorealism genre that follows the plight of an abused housewife in post-war Rome, is scoring record-breaking numbers at Italy’s box office.
After winning three prizes – including the audience award – at the Rome Film Festival, the black-and-white film, which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, has landed the country’s top box office slot ahead of Lionsgate’s hit slasher “Saw X.” “There’s Still Tomorrow” has grossed more than $3.7 million over the seven-day Italian holiday frame that spans Oct. 26-Nov. 1, via Vision Distribution. “Saw X,” which opened on Oct. 25, pulled roughly $2.5 million.
The first week box office haul for “There’s Still Tomorrow” marks the best opening for an Italian movie since 2022 Christmas comedy “Il Grande Giorno” by local trio Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo. Furthermore, as local box office analysts are pointing out, the...
After winning three prizes – including the audience award – at the Rome Film Festival, the black-and-white film, which marks the directorial debut of popular Italian actor Paola Cortellesi, has landed the country’s top box office slot ahead of Lionsgate’s hit slasher “Saw X.” “There’s Still Tomorrow” has grossed more than $3.7 million over the seven-day Italian holiday frame that spans Oct. 26-Nov. 1, via Vision Distribution. “Saw X,” which opened on Oct. 25, pulled roughly $2.5 million.
The first week box office haul for “There’s Still Tomorrow” marks the best opening for an Italian movie since 2022 Christmas comedy “Il Grande Giorno” by local trio Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo. Furthermore, as local box office analysts are pointing out, the...
- 11/2/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italian actress and screenwriter Paola Cortellesi’s directorial feature debut There’s Still Tomorrow (C’è Ancora Domani) opened the 18th Rome Film Festival on Wednesday evening.
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the quirky black-and-white work mixes drama with comedy elements, and a period feel with modern music tracks.
Cortellesi stars as protagonist Delia, a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly young sons as she juggles odd jobs in between cooking, cleaning as and caring for her misogynist bedridden father-in-law.
In the backdrop, she frets over what the future holds for her teenage daughter who has fallen for a local boy with a possessive streak.
The feature marks a departure for Cortellesi, who is a household name in Italy, best known as a singer and comic actress,...
Set in the lead up to Italy’s historic post-World War Two institutional referendum on June 2, 1946, in which women were allowed to vote for the first time, the quirky black-and-white work mixes drama with comedy elements, and a period feel with modern music tracks.
Cortellesi stars as protagonist Delia, a downtrodden Rome housewife run ragged by her violent husband (Valerio Mastandrea) and unruly young sons as she juggles odd jobs in between cooking, cleaning as and caring for her misogynist bedridden father-in-law.
In the backdrop, she frets over what the future holds for her teenage daughter who has fallen for a local boy with a possessive streak.
The feature marks a departure for Cortellesi, who is a household name in Italy, best known as a singer and comic actress,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Spanish film-tv’s good and great joined illustrious international figures to sketch out a roadmap for Europe’s film-tv future at a Conference on Sunday at San Sebastian.
Hosted by Spain’s government, coinciding with its E.U. Council Presidency, the event delivered a bullish vote of confidence in film, TV and audiovisual in general.
Such confidence is natural given the panelists, such as Movistar Plus’ Domingo Corral, Morena Films’ Pilar Benito and Atresmedia TV’s José Antonio Antón, Beta Film’s Jan Mojto and Mario Gianani, at Italy’s Wildside at a first session turning on the consolidation of business models.
Another panel broke down three European hits – Netflix’s “The Snow Girl” and animated pic franchise “Tadeo Jones,” both from Spain, and mega European co-production “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan,” led by France’s Pathé.
Below, eight takeaways:
Size Matters
99% of companies in Europe’s Av sector are SMEs,...
Hosted by Spain’s government, coinciding with its E.U. Council Presidency, the event delivered a bullish vote of confidence in film, TV and audiovisual in general.
Such confidence is natural given the panelists, such as Movistar Plus’ Domingo Corral, Morena Films’ Pilar Benito and Atresmedia TV’s José Antonio Antón, Beta Film’s Jan Mojto and Mario Gianani, at Italy’s Wildside at a first session turning on the consolidation of business models.
Another panel broke down three European hits – Netflix’s “The Snow Girl” and animated pic franchise “Tadeo Jones,” both from Spain, and mega European co-production “The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan,” led by France’s Pathé.
Below, eight takeaways:
Size Matters
99% of companies in Europe’s Av sector are SMEs,...
- 9/25/2023
- by John Hopewell and Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
Production in Italy has boomed in recent years, and so too have budgets and international investment.
Cast an eye over the titles vying for a Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival and one thing stands out – the number of Italian films in the main competition.
Six of the 23 films in the main competition are Italian, an increase from the usual three Italian titles that are programmed in the section. While the step change could be a result of the writers and actors’ strikes leading to fewer US productions making the trip to Venice, each of the selected...
Cast an eye over the titles vying for a Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival and one thing stands out – the number of Italian films in the main competition.
Six of the 23 films in the main competition are Italian, an increase from the usual three Italian titles that are programmed in the section. While the step change could be a result of the writers and actors’ strikes leading to fewer US productions making the trip to Venice, each of the selected...
- 9/1/2023
- by Gabriele Niola
- ScreenDaily
Italian producer and Lido habitué Mario Gianani is at the Venice Film Festival this year with Saverio Costanzo’s drama Finally Dawn which world premieres in Competition on Friday.
The head of Fremantle-owned film and TV production company Wildside has worked with Costanzo for two decades, producing all his work, from feature directorial debut Private to his more recent series In Treatment and the HBO hit My Brilliant Friend.
They are back together for a new period piece set against the backdrop of the 1950s heydays of Rome’s Cinecittà studios.
Italian newcomer Rebecca Antonaci plays a young extra on a swords and sandals production who is swept up by its stars and taken on a memorable, life-changing night across Rome’s high society hotspots.
Antonaci is joined in the cast by Lily James as a capricious, magnetic and self-obsessed acting diva, Willem Dafoe, as a U.S. expat Rome art gallerist,...
The head of Fremantle-owned film and TV production company Wildside has worked with Costanzo for two decades, producing all his work, from feature directorial debut Private to his more recent series In Treatment and the HBO hit My Brilliant Friend.
They are back together for a new period piece set against the backdrop of the 1950s heydays of Rome’s Cinecittà studios.
Italian newcomer Rebecca Antonaci plays a young extra on a swords and sandals production who is swept up by its stars and taken on a memorable, life-changing night across Rome’s high society hotspots.
Antonaci is joined in the cast by Lily James as a capricious, magnetic and self-obsessed acting diva, Willem Dafoe, as a U.S. expat Rome art gallerist,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Saverio Costanzo, who was last in the Venice competition in 2014 with Adam Driver-starrer “Hungry Hearts,” is back on the Lido with “Finally Dawn.”
The 1950s-set film stars Lily James plays a slightly fading American diva named Josephine Esperanto, who’s shooting a swords and sandals epic at Cinecittà when the famed filmmaking facilities were known as Hollywood on the Tiber. At the studios, Esperanto intersects with a young Roman woman named Mimosa, who is auditioning as an extra and takes a shine to her innocence. A “Dolce Vita” night follows in which Esperanto, Mimosa and the Hollywood epic’s other U.S. actors — played by Joe Keery and Rachel Sennott, plus an art dealer played by Willem Dafoe — spend some memorable hours.
Written and directed by Costanzo — who saw global success with Rai and HBO’s multi-season “My Brilliant Friend” — the picture is produced by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside,...
The 1950s-set film stars Lily James plays a slightly fading American diva named Josephine Esperanto, who’s shooting a swords and sandals epic at Cinecittà when the famed filmmaking facilities were known as Hollywood on the Tiber. At the studios, Esperanto intersects with a young Roman woman named Mimosa, who is auditioning as an extra and takes a shine to her innocence. A “Dolce Vita” night follows in which Esperanto, Mimosa and the Hollywood epic’s other U.S. actors — played by Joe Keery and Rachel Sennott, plus an art dealer played by Willem Dafoe — spend some memorable hours.
Written and directed by Costanzo — who saw global success with Rai and HBO’s multi-season “My Brilliant Friend” — the picture is produced by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside,...
- 8/31/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Deadline can reveal a first clip for Italian director Saverio Costanzo’s new film Finally Dawn (Finalemente L’Alba) following the announcement on Tuesday of its world premiere in Competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival.
Set in the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecittà in the 1950s, the cast features newcomer Rebecca Antonaci alongside international cast Lily James, Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Rachel Sennott (The Idol), Alba Rohrwacher and Willem Dafoe.
Antonaci plays teenage ingenue Mimosa who undergoes a coming-of age adventure over the course of one night after she is hired as an extra on a classic swords and sandals drama.
In the backdrop to her personal voyage is the mysterious death of Wilma Montesi, a real-life young woman from Rome with acting aspirations, whose semi-naked body was found on a beach in 1953, on the nearby Lazio coastline.
Finalmente L’Alba is Costanzo’s first directorial credit...
Set in the golden age of Rome’s historic Cinecittà in the 1950s, the cast features newcomer Rebecca Antonaci alongside international cast Lily James, Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Rachel Sennott (The Idol), Alba Rohrwacher and Willem Dafoe.
Antonaci plays teenage ingenue Mimosa who undergoes a coming-of age adventure over the course of one night after she is hired as an extra on a classic swords and sandals drama.
In the backdrop to her personal voyage is the mysterious death of Wilma Montesi, a real-life young woman from Rome with acting aspirations, whose semi-naked body was found on a beach in 1953, on the nearby Lazio coastline.
Finalmente L’Alba is Costanzo’s first directorial credit...
- 7/25/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Cinema Italiano is on a roll, as reflected by the fact that this year Italy has scored three Cannes competition slots.
Despite the persisting sore spot that sees the country still lagging behind other European territories in terms of post-pandemic box office returns, Italy “continues to produce and invest heavily in film and is overcoming the crisis,” noted Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux after announcing the lineup.
The robust Croisette contingent marks the second time in 20 years that Italy lands three Cannes competition berths. Though the trio of selected directors — Marco Bellocchio, Nanni Moretti and Alice Rohrwacher — are all Cannes regulars “they represent three different generations of auteurs,” said Paolo Del Brocco, chief of state broadcaster Rai’s Rai Cinema arm that co-produced all three titles. And each of these films, he went on to point out, displays “very different ideas and cinematic visions.”
Moretti is back on the Croisette...
Despite the persisting sore spot that sees the country still lagging behind other European territories in terms of post-pandemic box office returns, Italy “continues to produce and invest heavily in film and is overcoming the crisis,” noted Cannes artistic director Thierry Fremaux after announcing the lineup.
The robust Croisette contingent marks the second time in 20 years that Italy lands three Cannes competition berths. Though the trio of selected directors — Marco Bellocchio, Nanni Moretti and Alice Rohrwacher — are all Cannes regulars “they represent three different generations of auteurs,” said Paolo Del Brocco, chief of state broadcaster Rai’s Rai Cinema arm that co-produced all three titles. And each of these films, he went on to point out, displays “very different ideas and cinematic visions.”
Moretti is back on the Croisette...
- 5/18/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
“The Eight Mountains,” Belgian directors Felix Van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch’s Italian-language drama about friendship, mountains and growing up, scored the top prize at Italy’s 68th David di Donatello Awards.
Besides winning best picture, the film also scooped statuettes for best non-original screenplay, photography and sound.
Given that the directors are not Italian, it was a particularly significant victory for “Mountains,” which was praised as “quietly magnificent” by Variety critic Jessica Kiang. The film, which is currently playing well on the U.S. arthouse circuit, tracks the decades-long friendship between two Italian boys named Pietro and Bruno — one from the city, the other a shepherd boy from the Alps.
“It’s pretty incredible,” commented a visibly moved Van Groeningen. “Two Belgians who win this prize in Italy for an Italian movie.” “Thank you for this declaration of love,” added Vandermeersch, his partner in life. “We love Italy very much.
Besides winning best picture, the film also scooped statuettes for best non-original screenplay, photography and sound.
Given that the directors are not Italian, it was a particularly significant victory for “Mountains,” which was praised as “quietly magnificent” by Variety critic Jessica Kiang. The film, which is currently playing well on the U.S. arthouse circuit, tracks the decades-long friendship between two Italian boys named Pietro and Bruno — one from the city, the other a shepherd boy from the Alps.
“It’s pretty incredible,” commented a visibly moved Van Groeningen. “Two Belgians who win this prize in Italy for an Italian movie.” “Thank you for this declaration of love,” added Vandermeersch, his partner in life. “We love Italy very much.
- 5/10/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Starring a mother to a transgender boy living in 1970s Rome, Penélope Cruz appears as good as ever in the first trailer for Emanuele Crialese’s “L’Immensità.” The film will open in New York and Los Angeles on May 12 prior to a nationwide theatrical roll-out.
The preview slowly lays out its premise and openly presents the issue of dealing with a young child dealing with gender dysphoria well before a vocabulary or much of an understanding of such a thing existed. And it is refreshing to see a trailer for a non-English language film that actually has a fair amount of subtitle dialogue, as quite a few previews for “foreign” films tend to sell straight-up imagery and vibes over plot and conversational dialogue. That said, if you’re going to make a film set in the 1970s about a seemingly traditional family living realizing one of their children is trans,...
The preview slowly lays out its premise and openly presents the issue of dealing with a young child dealing with gender dysphoria well before a vocabulary or much of an understanding of such a thing existed. And it is refreshing to see a trailer for a non-English language film that actually has a fair amount of subtitle dialogue, as quite a few previews for “foreign” films tend to sell straight-up imagery and vibes over plot and conversational dialogue. That said, if you’re going to make a film set in the 1970s about a seemingly traditional family living realizing one of their children is trans,...
- 4/19/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Fremantle is restructuring management of its Italian operations by promoting Marco Tombolini to the role of CEO Fremantle Italy.
Tombolini, who since May of 2022 was Fremantle Italy co-ceo, will now “Take the helm of all areas and functions of the company, with the senior management of Fremantle Italy reporting directly to him,” a Fremantle statement said.
Gabriele Immirzi – who had long served as Fremantle Italy CEO prior to sharing the CEO role with Tombolini since last May – has now stepped down but is staying in the Fremantle fold becoming co-ceo with Lorenzo Mieli of The Apartment Pictures.
Fremantle-owned The Apartment is the expanding film and TV shingle behind upcoming big-budget Apple TV Italian original series “Ferrari” and Angelina Jolie-directed anti-war drama “Without Blood,” among other high-profile titles. Fremantle’s other Italian companies are Wildside, which is run by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa and recently produced new Disney+ original series The Good Mothers,...
Tombolini, who since May of 2022 was Fremantle Italy co-ceo, will now “Take the helm of all areas and functions of the company, with the senior management of Fremantle Italy reporting directly to him,” a Fremantle statement said.
Gabriele Immirzi – who had long served as Fremantle Italy CEO prior to sharing the CEO role with Tombolini since last May – has now stepped down but is staying in the Fremantle fold becoming co-ceo with Lorenzo Mieli of The Apartment Pictures.
Fremantle-owned The Apartment is the expanding film and TV shingle behind upcoming big-budget Apple TV Italian original series “Ferrari” and Angelina Jolie-directed anti-war drama “Without Blood,” among other high-profile titles. Fremantle’s other Italian companies are Wildside, which is run by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa and recently produced new Disney+ original series The Good Mothers,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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