Films already finding buyers as fest heats up
TORONTO -- Even before the 33rd Toronto International Film Festival kicked off Thursday with a gala premiere of Paul Gross' wartime romance "Passchendaele," a number of films in the lineup, ranging from the horror film "Vinyan" to the lyric documentary "Of Time and the City," found buyers.
In the number one of what sellers leslie Townes Hope will be a flood tide of Toronto buys, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group acquired domestic and Australian rights to "Vinyan." Fabrice Du Welz's film stars Rufus Sewell and Emmanuelle Beart as a twosome searching for their lacking son in a jungle filled with feral children.
Wild Bunch is repping sales for the France-U.K.-Belgium co-production, which premiered final weekend at the Venice Film Festival and bows in Toronto tonight. Release plans haven't yet been determined.
At the opening-night covering of "Passchendaele" at Roy Thomas Hall, the invitation-only audience embraced the heroic romance as a crowd-pleaser, in dividing line to recent years in which homegrown films that opened Toronto underwhelmed.
Canadian actor-director Gross, c. H. Best known for his star turn in the 1990s CBS drama "Due South," appeared on stage to introduce to his fellow cast members, who include Gil Bellows, Caroline Dhavernas and Landon Liboiron.
The film's cast was welcomed onstage by a 20-piece regimental pipe band which played a Vimy Ridge flash in keeping with the First World war theme
The film's producer, Niv Fichman, thanked oil-rich Alberta for injecting $5.5 million into the homegrown movie, which has a $20 1000000 budget.
At the Astral Media pre-gala cocktail, the talk interested how this year's indie offerings would fare in the cheek of a downturn for specialty distributors as the festival's unofficial market gets under way of life Friday.
Three films that had 2008 Festival de Cannes premieres are making their Toronto appearances with impudently inked dispersion deals in tow. Regent Releasing nabbed North American rights to Brillante Mendoza's stark Filipino family dramatic play "Serbis." The official Cannes selection chronicles a family unit forced to turn their dilapidated motion-picture show theater into a hustler-filled porn venue. They grapnel with bigamy, unwanted pregnancy, incest and other issues amidst a harsh landscape.
The Philippines/French production has its North American premiere in Toronto tonight, followed by a U.S. premiere Oct. 12 at the New York Film Festival. A theatrical rollout for the foreign-language cinema in blue-ribbon U.S. cities is set for this winter. Regent's Mark Reinhart negotiated the deal with Fortissimo Films' Michael J. Werner.
Strand Releasing picked up U.S. rights to another Cannes premiere, Terence Davies' autobiographical docu "Of Time and the City," which hits Toronto on Sunday. The highly lyrical contain on the director's childhood in Liverpool transitions from black-and-white to color as it moves from the mid-20th century to the present. Strand is planning a January release, with the pic set for an October bow in the U.K. Hanway Films repped the filmmakers in the sell.
Microdistributor the Cinema Guild acquired U.S. rights to "24 City," Jia Zhangke's unusual docu about a weapons factory converted into luxury condos. The flick, which as well premiered in Cannes and has a Sunday Toronto bow, will be shown at the New York Film Festival later this month and released early next class.
While at that place were lamentations in Venice last hebdomad about that fest's lack of star wattage, Toronto shouldn't suffer any such shortage. Brad Pitt comes to town this weekend to ticket tout the Coen brothers' dark comedy "Burn After Reading," Keira Knightley follows with "The Duchess," Spike Lee will bring his World War II drama "Miracle at St. Anna," Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear will tub-thump for the comedy "Ghost Town," and the hook drama "Pride and Glory" will land Edward Norton and Colin Farrell.
Etan Vlessing reported from Toronto; Gregg Goldstein reported from New York. Steven Zeitchik and Borys Kit in Toronto contributed to this report.
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Tuesday 9 September 2008
Sunday 31 August 2008
Pick of the week: Classical and opera
Seht Die Sonne
Royal Albert Hall, SW7
Saturday 30
The Oslo Philharmonic begins with the UK premiere of Lindberg's latest work.
Berlin Philharmoniker
Royal Albert Hall, SW7
Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 Sept
Two programmes: the first of Wagner and Messiaen, the second mating Brahms and Shostakovich.
Kashchey The Immortal
Royal Albert Hall, SW7
Friday 5 Sept
Rimsky-Korsakov's one-acter alongside the work it inspired, Stravinsky's The Firebird.
La Rondine
Peacock Theatre, WC2
Friday 5 Sept
John Lloyd Davies directs Puccini's comedy for British Youth Opera.
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Thursday 21 August 2008
The Stranglers Cover The Kinks
The Stranglers covered The Kinks �All Day and All Night� this afternoon in the glorious cheer of the V Festival Chelmsford site.
Baz Warne performed vocal duties for the impressive cover of the song before cheekily relation the crowd �cheer the fuck up, it�s sunny�.
The band tore through an array of hits including �Peaches�, �No More Heroes� and �Golden Brown�.
Kicking off things on the mo day of the festival, the Punk veterans provided an up-and-coming and much needed kick up the arse for the hungover festival-goers.
Much of the crowd were heard mumbling that the band should have headlined in some capacity, whether it be on the principal stage of a smaller stage, either way the band surely set the bench print for the day.
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Monday 11 August 2008
Chris Hinze Combination
Artist: Chris Hinze Combination
Genre(s):
New Age
Discography:
Bamboo Magic
Year: 1978
Tracks: 8
Sister Slick
Year: 1974
Tracks: 6
Mission Suite
Year: 1973
Tracks: 5
Stoned Flute
Year: 1970
Tracks: 3
Wednesday 6 August 2008
Joss Stone is joining 'The Tudors'
British soul singer to play Anne of Cleves
In her number 1 major performing gig, British soul and R&B isaac Bashevis Singer Joss Stone is joining the cast of Showtime's drama "The Tudors" for its approaching third season.
Stone will run Anne of Cleves, the fourth married woman of Henry VIII (Rhys Meyers).
A daughter of a German nobleman, Anne was betrothed to Henry in a marriage pact between the Cleves Court and the king's chancellor after Henry was shown a portrait of her.
Upon Anne's arrival to England, Henry was foiled in her looks and soon base a sound way to have the marriage annulled.
According to Showtime, the upcoming season of the racy majestic drama testament follow the king as he weds third queen Jane Seymour (Annabelle Wallis) and then Anne of Cleves.
Stone, wHO burst onto the music scene in 2003 and has had three gold albums in the U.S., has been looking to cross o'er into playacting. In 2006, she had a role in the fantasy feature "Eragon."
Stone, world Health Organization is working on a new album, is repped by Fortitude and lawyer Bob Myman.
In her number 1 major performing gig, British soul and R&B isaac Bashevis Singer Joss Stone is joining the cast of Showtime's drama "The Tudors" for its approaching third season.
Stone will run Anne of Cleves, the fourth married woman of Henry VIII (Rhys Meyers).
A daughter of a German nobleman, Anne was betrothed to Henry in a marriage pact between the Cleves Court and the king's chancellor after Henry was shown a portrait of her.
Upon Anne's arrival to England, Henry was foiled in her looks and soon base a sound way to have the marriage annulled.
According to Showtime, the upcoming season of the racy majestic drama testament follow the king as he weds third queen Jane Seymour (Annabelle Wallis) and then Anne of Cleves.
Stone, wHO burst onto the music scene in 2003 and has had three gold albums in the U.S., has been looking to cross o'er into playacting. In 2006, she had a role in the fantasy feature "Eragon."
Stone, world Health Organization is working on a new album, is repped by Fortitude and lawyer Bob Myman.
Tuesday 24 June 2008
My Chemical Romance fans: 'Songs don't cause suicide'
Music fans have spoken out in support for My Chemical Romance, after The Daily Mail and a coroner accused them of encouraging teenager Hannah Bond's suicide.
Almost all the fans commenting about My Chemical Romance's response to the allegations have defended the group.
One NME.COM user, Tiberius, wrote: "Anybody who claims that a band is able to make someone commit suicide is naive and ignorant."
Another fan, Shinkou, said: "Blaming a genre of music or a band is too simplistic. No one 'made this girl commit suicide'. The poor girl had so many things to deal with and felt like she could not reach out to anyone: MCR wasn't causing her problems. How could they be responsible?"
TotalyMCR stated: "They aren't a band wanting to make all their fans kill themselves, they are here to give people a voice...I think this march is a fantastic opportunity for us their fans to repay them for their music and words of advice."
Ace McWicked wrote: "Regardless of what you think of MCR or what you think their message is - a song does not make someone kill themselves."
However, a handful of those who posted were more critical of the band, with one, Jertum, writing: "I don't believe MCR are totally responsible, but emo music does promote a, shall we say, 'alternative' way of life. It always seems to me that emo bands tend to dabble in things that they don't understand and so give off the wrong messages in their lyrics."
NME.COM user Reder said: "MCR don't have that much an influence on people's lives, they're just not that good."
Fans of My Chemical Romance are staging a demonstration next weekend (May 31) outside the offices of The Daily Mail in London to protest against their comments about emo.
Almost all the fans commenting about My Chemical Romance's response to the allegations have defended the group.
One NME.COM user, Tiberius, wrote: "Anybody who claims that a band is able to make someone commit suicide is naive and ignorant."
Another fan, Shinkou, said: "Blaming a genre of music or a band is too simplistic. No one 'made this girl commit suicide'. The poor girl had so many things to deal with and felt like she could not reach out to anyone: MCR wasn't causing her problems. How could they be responsible?"
TotalyMCR stated: "They aren't a band wanting to make all their fans kill themselves, they are here to give people a voice...I think this march is a fantastic opportunity for us their fans to repay them for their music and words of advice."
Ace McWicked wrote: "Regardless of what you think of MCR or what you think their message is - a song does not make someone kill themselves."
However, a handful of those who posted were more critical of the band, with one, Jertum, writing: "I don't believe MCR are totally responsible, but emo music does promote a, shall we say, 'alternative' way of life. It always seems to me that emo bands tend to dabble in things that they don't understand and so give off the wrong messages in their lyrics."
NME.COM user Reder said: "MCR don't have that much an influence on people's lives, they're just not that good."
Fans of My Chemical Romance are staging a demonstration next weekend (May 31) outside the offices of The Daily Mail in London to protest against their comments about emo.
Saturday 14 June 2008
Preview : Tuscan son to shine in big arena
With its panoramic ocean views and art deco architecture, Tuscan seaside resort Forte dei Marmi is opera star Andrea Bocelli's home.Half an hour's drive from Pisa, torrential rain greets me upon my arrival on a less than balmy spring afternoon. But, despite the weather, it's easy to see why the 49-year-old tenor - born nearby in the village of Lajatico - doesn't like being away too long from the lavish waterfront mansion he shares with his girlfriend, Veronica Berti."Tuscany has been a big influence on my life so, in that sense, it has helped me to grow peacefully," Bocelli says. "Normally this is a sunny place with lots of fields and lots of green. It's a really nice place to live and this helps considerably when you are growing up."Bocelli will soon be journeying a long way from his beloved Italy when he embarks upon an Australasian tour in August that will include his first visit to New Zealand since he performed in Christchurch in 2002."I am very much looking forward to it because, this time, I hope to bring my children with me," says Bocelli, whose former wife and two sons live next door. "I remember everything about New Zealand. It was a beautiful experience. The atmosphere was tranquil and peaceful."
Accompanying Bocelli in New Zealand will be the Czech National Orchestra along with soprano Paola Sanguinetti and baritone Gianfranco Montresor. "The tour will have a repertoire consisting of some arias, some duets and some Neapolitan songs," he says. "And at the end of the concert, there will be some of the more popular songs that I have done."Although he prefers playing in more intimate surroundings, Bocelli has no qualms about appearing at Auckland's cavernous Vector Arena."There is no doubt that the best place to sing is in a theatre, especially if the singing or the symphony is performed in the orthodox way, that is without any technology. When you play in an arena - whether it's an indoor or outdoor space - something different happens. It is a different experience altogether because you have this feeling of unity. That kind of venue is also ideal for those people who are normally a little reluctant to go see a classical concert so it is a good way to pull in a different crowd."That is perhaps the price that Bocelli, who has sold more 60 million albums since he released his debut album Il Mare Calmo Della Sera in 1992, has had to pay for his considerable success. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's caustic comments about Hayley Westenra and other such popera singers, whom she branded as "the new fakes for the new generation" because they sing with a microphone, made waves around the world with Bocelli recently admitting to the Radio Times that he has sold his talent short.
Accompanying Bocelli in New Zealand will be the Czech National Orchestra along with soprano Paola Sanguinetti and baritone Gianfranco Montresor. "The tour will have a repertoire consisting of some arias, some duets and some Neapolitan songs," he says. "And at the end of the concert, there will be some of the more popular songs that I have done."Although he prefers playing in more intimate surroundings, Bocelli has no qualms about appearing at Auckland's cavernous Vector Arena."There is no doubt that the best place to sing is in a theatre, especially if the singing or the symphony is performed in the orthodox way, that is without any technology. When you play in an arena - whether it's an indoor or outdoor space - something different happens. It is a different experience altogether because you have this feeling of unity. That kind of venue is also ideal for those people who are normally a little reluctant to go see a classical concert so it is a good way to pull in a different crowd."That is perhaps the price that Bocelli, who has sold more 60 million albums since he released his debut album Il Mare Calmo Della Sera in 1992, has had to pay for his considerable success. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's caustic comments about Hayley Westenra and other such popera singers, whom she branded as "the new fakes for the new generation" because they sing with a microphone, made waves around the world with Bocelli recently admitting to the Radio Times that he has sold his talent short.
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