Village Roadshow's commitment to Dustin Hoffman's low-budget, high-quality ambitions has been vindicated by the marketplace. In an extraordinary show of faith, several key territories have already committed to the first project to be produced by Hoffman's Punch Productions, under its innovative six-film deal with Village Roadshow: Spain, Germany, South Africa, Poland and Korea have inked deals, with the UK and Turkey pending, but a further four territories are expected to sign up by week's end.
With nothing more than a script for the initial project, The Golden Rule, going into production later this year, the singular co-venture between Australia's pre-eminent film and entertainment conglomerate and a leading American actor/producer indicates the potential strength of thespian-led production entities.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that premium prices are being negotiated, with US$600,000 mooted for the Spanish rights, a figure considered above expectations for that territory. The Punch/Roadshow pact sets out to produce two slates of three pictures each for something less than US$10 million each. Hoffman's on-screen presence is not a prerequisite, nor is he expected to direct any of the projects, unless he choses to.
"Although cast and scripts are not confirmed for all the projects, we believe that Hoffman's involvement will give them an exciting edge," says Ana Amigo, head of acquisitions at Spain's Sogepaq, on signing with Village. While the deal is significant for the Australian player, it is equally valuable for Hoffman and other actors (such as Martin Landau) who are aiming to be involved with quality independent projects, in any role and not necessarily a starring one. Andrew L. Urban, John Hopewell
Foundry gets all fired up
Producer Robert Greenhut, best known for producing Woody Allen's films since Annie Hall, and investment banker Jon Ein have joined forces with Nippon Film Development and Finance (NDF) to form Foundry Film Partners, a fund designed to fully finance and produce a portfolio of eight to 12 films in the US$5 to US$15 million range over the next five years.
The announcement was made in Cannes yesterday by Ein and Joanna Levi, Foundry's creative executive who has been a story analyst for such companies as New Line, Miramax, and Oliver Stone's Ixtlan. Greenhut was back in New York - where the company will be based - producing Penny Marshall's The Preacher's Wife for Disney. In addition to acting as one of Foundry's managing general partners, Greenhut will produce or executive produce many of the projects.
"From a business standpoint," Ein said, "our objective is simply to provide equity financing to a market where equity is scarce. With this first fund we hope to establish a track record, both among investors and filmmakers."
Ein and Levi say the company will be "filmmaker focused, director driven and creatively daring." The first investment made by the group is purely financial and is in The Assassin, one of the biggest ever Asian productions, which Chen Kaige is making for their partners, NDF. NDF will represent the Foundry slate in Asia.
Levi revealed that she is already looking at a number of British projects and hoped to tap the talent pool in Australia and New York. Ein said that Foundry will aggressively risk manage and, to be successful, will be looking to have "one Smoke-sized hit; one moderate hit; four base cases of break even or better; and four losses" in every 10 projects.Christopher Pickard
Universal's The Lost World is up for its world premiere screening at next year's 50th Cannes, Moving Pictures has learnt. The Lost World, the long-awaited sequel to Steven Spielberg's mega box-office smasher Jurassic Park, is scheduled for a summer 1997 release in the US. Spielberg is also one of the patrons of the 50th Cannes Festival, joining such names as Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman, Francis Coppola, Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, Maurice Pialat, Andrzej Wajda and Billy Wilder.
Next year's festival will take place from 7-19 May - and will last 13 instead of the traditional 12 days (see page 2). Michèle Morgan, winner of the first Best Actress prize in 1946 and Jury president in 1971, will be the subject of a special tribute. A committee of Palme d'Or-winning filmmakers at next year's Cannes will select the winner for a special honorary Palme d'Or. HW
© Fortissimo announced that it has added Directors' Fortnight entry The Prisoner of the Mountain to its line-up.
The company sold A Hot Roof to New Vision (Australia), Ost for Paradis (Denmark), Poltel (Poland), Slovenia TV (Slovenia). Further sales included Saint Clara to Kino (US), Gemini (Mexico), Japan (Uplink), Slovenia TV (Slovenia), Wilmar Andersson (Scandinavia); Zusjes to Canada (Aska) Brazil, (Tabu), Japan (Parco), Australia/New Zealand (Palace), Icelandic TV, Hungary (Budapest), Czech Rep. (Cinemart), Denmark (Ost for…), Sweden (Folkets Pio), France (Connaissance), Greek TV, Israel (Ella), Slovenia TV.
© Live will be having an additional screening of The Arrival, today at 16.00 in Olympia 5.
Dickie gets digital: Attenborough will direct In Love and War, the story of Hemingway's love affair with a young nurse (Sandra Bullock), which inspired him to write A Farewell to Arms\More cash for 50th Cannes' bash
The Hollywood Studios will definitely be back on the Croisette next year, promised Cannes Film Festival topper Gilles Jacob. He said this after meeting Jack Valenti on Tuesday night. "We had a very good meeting," Jacob confirmed to Moving Pictures. He also announced that the 1997 edition will run an extra day - 13 days, instead of 12.
Jacob hopes that he will be able to count on additional funding for next year's 50th edition. "Special occasions need special support - extra financial support." That extra money is expected to come not only from the French government, but also from private sponsors and sources.
"What can I say? We will have at least double, if not three times, the number of guests we usually welcome!" The question is where to put them. "But I will look after all the professionals attending," Jacob promised.
Previous laurel winners, particularly filmmakers, will be warmly welcomed. "But since this festival has always taken great pride in discovering new talent, we are planning a retrospective of 'Cannes Discoveries' in order to focus on genuine highlights from the past five decades - films that made cinema history."
To sharpen the focus, Laurent Jacob will be issuing Préludes II, a compilation of vignette footage from Cannes highlights over 50 years. Asked whether one festival favourite, Woody Allen, might come for the anniversary, Jacob responded with a smile: "He can come with his clarinet and play a couple of solos for his jazz fans, as he did in Paris. All I can say is that he won't be bothered by anyone else - we can even arrange it so that he won't be seen by the crowd."
Regarding this year's Cannes Festival, he said: "It's one of our best - in fact, if next year's selection is as good as this one, I will be very happy." And he is particularly happy with the French renaissance: "We have not had five French films in the main program for 50 years - and all rather exceptional, I might add." Ron Holloway
Due to popular demand, the wacky Spanish sci-fi comedy thriller Killer Tongue will receive an extra - and final - screening today (Ambassades 7, 20.00). Guests can then exercise their own tongues at the Killer cocktail bash held in the La Grande Brasserie, next door to the Ambassades Cinema. The Killer Tongue's actors and director Alberto Sciama will be in attendance.
Live announced that, due to popular demand, it is organising an additional screening today of its US box-office splasher, The Arrival (Olympia 5, 16.00).
Lider, the international film sales arm of high-rating private Spanish broadcaster, Antena 3 TV, has kicked off sales on its Cannes slate inking deals with Germany, Latin-America and the Far East. Making its market debut, the comedy Pon un hombre en tu vida has been picked up by More Films in Germany, Video Visa in Mexico and Film Circle in Korea. Video Visa also signed for Todos los hombre mienten and Dile a Laura que la quiero, starring Jorge Perigorría, which also sold to Korea's Motion Pictures.
Spanish flamenco rock singer, Antonio Carmona, one of the most charasmatic figures on the art scene in Spain, seems to be grooming a budding film career. Carmona has been offered a main role in the Wim Wenders' produced Go for Gold and will also collaborate on the soundtrack.
Pandora grabs Silver
Pandora has acquired all rights in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa to the jokey Peter Jackson "mocudrama", Forgotten Silver, leaving only North American and Asian rights to sell, New Zealand Film Commission marketing director Lindsay Shelton announced.
The deal was concluded the day before the 50-minute film's debut screening on Wednesday night, after Edward Noeltner of Pandora had seen it when it aired on New Zealand television. "I just love it," Noeltner said. "It generated some amazing reactions. but that's not why I bought it. It's a picture that needs to be seen, and it has good theatrical potential - especially combined with three New Zealand shorts we are buying."
Noeltner, who also lectures on film, said the film "goes through the whole history of moving pictures and the passion of filmmakers… Even though it's a fake documentary, it opens eyes and ears to film history. I could talk about it for hours." And he will: Noeltner says that he is planning to begin his future lectures with a screening of the picture. Theatrical rights are also available in Australia, where the television rights only have been acquired by the Nine Network. Andrew L Urban
Dealspotting at Film Four
As those who attended the star-studded Trainspotting party on Tuesday night attempt to regain their hearing, Film Four International, which is selling the film internationally, is sewing up the last remaining territories on the film. It has managed to recreate the buzz surrounding the film in the UK.
Bill Stephens of FFI said his office has been "unbelievably busy" this week, with deals closed on Latin America, South Africa and Hong Kong, with Taiwan pending. These territories were nervous about boarding a film with such a controversial subject matter, but the reaction at Cannes has led them to take the plunge.
Other FFI films are benefiting from the interest: Anant Singh's Distant Horizon has acquired Hettie McDonald's Beautiful Thing , as well as Trainspotting, for South Africa and a number of major deals are pending for FFI's True Blue. Nick Thomas
Due to popular demand, the wacky Spanish sci-fi comedy thriller Killer Tongue will receive an extra -and final - screening today (Ambassades 7, 20.00). Guests can then exercise their own tongues at the Killer cocktail bash held in the La Grande Brasserie, next door to the Ambassades Cinema. The Killer Tongue's actors and director Alberto Sciama will be in attendance.
Live announced that, due to popular demand, it is organising an additional screening today of its US box-office splasher, The Arrival (Olympia 5, 16.00).
Lider, the international film sales arm of high-rating private Spanish broadcaster, Antena 3 TV, has kicked off sales on its Cannes slate inking deals with Germany, Latin-America and the Far East. Making its market debut, the comedy Pon un hombre en tu vida has been picked up by More Films in Germany, Video Visa in Mexico and Film Circle in Korea. Video Visa also signed for Todos los hombre mienten and Dile a Laura que la quiero, starring Jorge Perigorría, which also sold to Korea's Motion Pictures.
Spanish flamenco rock singer, Antonio Carmona, one of the most charasmatic figures on the art scene in Spain, seems to be grooming a budding film career. Carmona has been offered a main role in the Wim Wenders' produced Go for Gold and will also collaborate on the soundtrack.
Big Rock rolls out early
Buena Vista gave international exhibitors a sneak preview last night of The Rock, a major contender for one of the top slots at the summer box-office. The Rock, with Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris, rolls out in June after what, director Michael Bay (Bad Boys) said, are the most positive test results for any of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer's films. Other pictures are now scurrying to get out of its way.
"I think it will perform," Bay told Moving Pictures, "and it will have legs. We got unanimous approval from our test audiences, and that's from both men and women.
It's got a great twist to fool the audience. I just hope the reviews don't give it away." Bay's stop in Cannes gave the director his first day off in nearly nine months. He has had four editing teams working flat out in Los Angeles since the film wrapped principal photography on 23 February to be ready for its Cannes screening.
Cage was only chosen for the role after Bay met him personally. "I had seen him in Kiss of Death and didn't think he would be right. But when I met him, I knew he was perfect for his role as the everyday guy because I didn't want a stud."
The Rock's believability was essential for the director to take on the project and it was only when the producers allowed Bay to rewrite elements of the script to make the entire scenario plausible that he excepted the job.
Sean Connery was another key element and the script was re-touched to allow him to play his role as British. "Connery is a consummate professional and his attitude rubbed off on the entire cast and crew. He has a total work ethic - none of the star trappings, no temper tantrums. I put Sean through his paces and he does things that are amazing for a man of his age. I think you will see a lot of the old James Bond in him." Christopher Pickard
Bronco in the saddle
Peter Broughan, who developed and produced the US$30 million Rob Roy - the biggest feature to be made entirely in Scotland, is at Cannes with a slate of new films from his production outfit Bronco Films.
Broughan announced that Shekhar Kapur (director of the internationally acclaimed Bandit Queen) will direct The Making of Ronnie Singh, a comedy feature described as the first Scottish Asian film. Currently working with Fox 2000 on a major new project, Peter has also announced a partnership with Rob Roy writer Alan Sharp for two new features. Vain Glory is a thriller set in Elizabethan England and based on the murder of dramatist Christopher Marlowe, while Confessions of a Justified Sinner is the long-awaited adaptation of James Hogg's story of a fanatical young Calvinist in 18th-century Scotland.
Glasgow-based Bronco Films is also developing Brandon Lee, the true story of 32-year-old Brian McKinnon, who returned to school in an attempt to become a medical student. Bronco acquired the rights to McKinnon's soon-to-be published autobiography in a keen battle for rights. Nick Thomas
Sogepaq moves on
Spanish distributor Sogepaq has acquired Spanish rights to domestic films Secretos del Corazón and Rigor Mortis. The acquisitions follow similar deals on the the US$6.5 million Dreaming of Julia, sold by Mark Damon's MDP, and Things I Forgot to Remember, co-financed by Kushner Locke.
The deals are domestic indie pick-ups outside the films that Sogepaq accesses from production company Sogetel in co-production pacts with Andrés Vicente Gómez's Lola Films, Cesar Benítez's BocaBoca Producciones and José Luis Olazoila's CPA, Sogepaq's involvement re-confirming its status as a major financing force in Spain. Sogepaq domestic pick-ups are normally distributed theatrically through Sogepaq Distribución, a joint venture with PolyGram; Sogepaq International takes overseas rights. Both Sogepaq and sogetel are majority controlled by Spanish major PRISA.
Produced by helmer Imanol Uribe, Secretos de corazón will be directed by Montxo Armendáriz. The feature-film debut of Koldo Azkarreta, Rigor Mortis is a black-humoured thriller. To be directed by Puerto Rican Juan Gerard, Dreaming of Julia stars Harvey Keitel and Mira Sorvino; it rolls this July. Things I Forgot to Remember is produced by Spaniard Jaime de Oriol and will be directed by Enrique Oliver; it will star John Seda and Carmen Maura. John Hopewell
Ann Dubinet of newly-formed production and finance company Alchemy Filmworks has named Bonnie Voland senior vp creative affairs, and Mark Reinhart senior vp international distribution.
Dubinet is said to be "delighted to have two gifted executives in these key positions".
Vancouver-based North American Releasing announced a number of mid-market international sales today following an impressive first few days of the Cannes film market. In the first two hours of the market, US$500,000 had been achieved in sales.
Japanese and Korean rights to Chained Heat went to World Television Corporation and Hollyvision respectively. Korea's Daewoo Corporation completed a deal for Do Or Die. Crackerjack II was picked up by Otto Wobma's Three Lines Pictures in Benelux, and Free Dolphin bought Dangerous Prey for France.
Spain's Teleseis picked up all rights to movies like Downdraft, XTROII (TV) and Heaven's Tears, while Reid & Puskar took Downdraft for Australia.
Pinnacle Pictures has picked up all rights, excluding North America, to Monika Harris' debut feature, the comedy thriller The Promised Land, through the Medaillon Entertainment Management Group.
Heading the cast is new talent Lela Rochon (Waiting to Exhale, The Chamber).
Politics and piracy for Valenti
The movie business is fiscally dangerous. It is not for the fainthearted.
It is terribly risky," Jack Valenti, president and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, warned Moving Pictures.
Valenti, who at 14.30 joins a panel of experts in the Hotel Martinez to discuss the problems of piracy, has been coming to Cannes every year since 1967.
"If you're not in Cannes, you're not in movies," he said. "It's the number one festival and market in the world. I come to gather information; to trade information; to listen; to learn." Valenti has spent his time in Cannes this week in a whirlwind of meetings, mainly within the industry, but occasionally in the political arena, as was the case with his meeting with the UK's Secretary of State for National Heritage, Virginia Bottomley on Tuesday. Valenti arrived in Cannes via Paris where, on Friday, he had been a signatory to a French-American cultural accord that represents the first time funds from France's private copy levy will be used to promote US-French cultural understanding.
This year, US$400,000 has been budgeted for four main projects: scholarships to enrol French and US students in leading film schools; a fund to help prominent French and US directors, writers and producers to lecture in the US and France; a fund to finance discussions on the latest developments in the film world; and a fund to promote the exhibition of French films in the US.
Valenti estimated that 75% of his time is now dedicated to international matters. He recently visited both China and Brazil and is scheduled to visit Deauville and Venice in September, London and Bonn in October, and Czechoslovakia and Hungary in November.
China is a major thorn in Valenti's side and due to that country's lack of recognition of the intellectual property trade agreement, signed in February 1995, the US Government were due to implant US$3 billion worth of trade sanctions against Beijing yesterday. "Hopefully the problem can be resolved," Valenti said.
Asked what impact the coming US elections might have on the MPA, Valenti was emphatic: "None. We take the US government out of our business. In America we have the first amendment and I am the guardian of that principal. There are no regulations in the US. We operate in an arena that is open to everyone." Christopher Pickard
President's insect doc buzzing on the Croisette
Solange Cazier-Charpentier of Paris-based President Films announced a flurry of activity immediately following the Competition screening of Microcosmos. Buyers came out of the insect doc buzzing.
"This film is so special," said Cazier-Charpentier, "they wanted to buy the film right away." Overnight deals were closed on such territories as Germany (Pandora), Italy (Lucky Red), Japan (Kuzui), Taiwan (Era), Canada (CFP), Greece (Rosebud), and Singapore (Shaw). Benelux rights were sold prior to Cannes and a deal is expected for the US. Prices reputedly paid are stinging. Germany, re buzz, went for US $420,000, although a second distributor bid too late US$500,000.
Upcoming President production, the Claude Zidi-topper, Christopher Lambert-starrer One Day My Prince Will Come has heavy pre-sale interest reported Cazier-Charpentier: "We weren't even pushing sales on this one." Julia Hammer, John Hopewell
Nijinski gets Cox treatment
Hot after Lust & Revenge premiere screenings in the market, Paul Cox spent yesterday in Barcelona to negotiate with major investors in his upcoming feature, "the definitive film on Nijinsky", according to his producer Jane Ballantyne, who accompanied Cox, together with Judith McCann, head of the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). SAFC are the team responsible for Lust & Revenge, which screens again tomorrow through Jeannine Seawell Films.
Lust & Revenge has been acquired for Belgium by Alexander Vandeputte of Classic Films Distribution, who has firmed his links with Cox by taking on the role of co-producer on the US$5 million Nijinsky project. Classic first worked with Cox as distributor on A Woman's Tale. Preproduction on Nijinsky is due to begin immediately after Cox finishes his 3D Imax film House Guests, shooting mid year (Moving Pictures, 12 May).
"I've read the script, which is based on Nijinsky's memoirs and it's quite Vincent-like… Nijinsky getting the Paul Cox treatment." Andrew L. Urban
Kiss Me Guido, the first film from former Fine Line president Ira Deutchman's Redeemable Features, begins production this week. The film, an urban comedy written and directed by Tony Vitale, is produced by Deutchman and Christine Vachon, and is jointly financed by London-based Capitol Films and New York-based Kardana Films.
Boy Meets Girl, the controversial low-budget UK film that has been refused a certificate from the British Board of Film Censors, has been acquired for Japan by Channel Communications. Director and producer Ray Brady, whose appeal against the BBFC's decision is due to be heard in August, is in Cannes looking looking for sales on his new feature, Little England.
Valiant Films, a new production company with offices in LA and London, is hoping to makes a splash with its debut feature Sleeping with Skin, based an a sex-change case that rocked Italy. The company, set up by producer Simon De Selva and director Marc Benadout, has finance in place but is looking for international deals.
United Media, the re-structured UK-based production and distribution outfit, has signed a deal to back Louis Melville's US$3.5 million psychological thriller But I'm On Your Side. UM has agreed to provide an advance against UK and Scandinavian rights.
Lau debuts with Last Chance
German-based producer-director Ankie Lau is in Cannes with Last Chance Love, the film she wrote, financed, produced, directed and starred in, and which she is also selling at this year's Cannes.
The US$4.5 million production was photographed by award-winning Gu Changwei (Farewell My Concubine, Ju Dou) and edited by Hannes Nikel, of Das Boot/The Boat and Enemy Mine fame. It was shot 80% on locations in Los Angeles and 20% in Hong Kong, with an English dialogue. Only post-production took place in Germany, where Lau has been living for the past 17 years.
Originally an actress, starting in her Hong Kong teens, she has performed in numerous films (Leo Sunnyboy, Big Mac) and TV series (Derrick, Tatort, Blood Line, Sweet & Sour), both in Hong Kong, Europe and the US. Besides buying films she has acted as producer and part-director, also of commercials, but she considers Last Chance Love her feature debut as director and definitely the project she has been mostly involved in.
"Working in the business for so many years has given me an idea of what kind of films audiences want to see - you need the right story, which must not be too sad, but include a touch of comedy, and a happy end. This picture has got all the ingredients, so I do not consider filmmaking a risky business. I am even so sure about it that I have financed it with my own money," Lau concluded. Jørn Rossing Jensen
Rocksavage heads South to hear Other Voices…
Truman Capote's book Other Voices, Other Rooms, "has a lot of autobiographical elements," according to English filmmaker David Rocksavage, whose adaptation of the book is screening at this market today through Stranger Than Fiction.
Capote's 'voice' in the book becomes an audible narrative voice in Bob Kingdom's film which was adapted by Sara Flanigan, "who has a matchless ear for the Southern dialogue" of Louisianna, where it is set. Actually shot in South Carolina, in a suitably dilapidated house, "a prison for the characters," the film was executive produced by Robert Stigwood, and launched at the Hamptons International Film Festival last year. This is its first market outing.
"I used a lot of imagery from the book," said Rocksavage, "as we wanted to retain the mood. I was attracted by the theme of a boy finding a mentor, while in search of his father. He finds the man who has shot his father taking care of him, sort of atoning..."
Rocksavage cast Lothaire Blutheau as Randolph, the mentor figure, after seeing the actor in Jesus of Montreal. Anna Thomson, the prostitute in Unforgiven, plays Randolph's bitter, eccentric spinster cousin, and Joel Sansom, the central character, is played by David Speck (The Client).
Rocksavage said he found it "very exciting to see the foreign culture and landscape of the South." Andrew L Urban
CMD runs for Media 2's IO
When CMD (Consortium Media Distrubution), made up of four companies (EVE, Dublin; D & S, Munich; GFA-IMC, Hamburg; SEA, Paris), presented its proposal for running Media 2's distribution intermediary organisation in March, it had no idea how controversial the bid would become (See Moving Pictures, 13 May).
CMD's proposal, said Ute Schneider (still secretary general of efdo), is based on the expertise in the areas of theatrical, video and TV distribution. The proposed overhead is 6.5% below any comparable media programme budget in the past. Schneider expressed her hope that the existence of the experienced teams based in different European cities will be saved in order to guarantee the fast implementation and running of Media 2. Silke Schuetze
Lovers in real life (soon to be married), Anthony La Paglia and Gia Carides hate each other on screen in Brilliant Lies (Beyond Films), Richard Franklin's adaptation of David Williamson's play about sexual harassment.
La Paglia flew in to promote Brilliant Lies from the set of his next film, Garden of Redemption (Paramount) in which he plays an Italian priest in war-time Portugal.
Australian distributors Reid and Puskar have signed an all rights deal for the next six projects from Canada's Image Organisation, including Never Too Late and Stranger in the House. "Image is well known to the Australian video buyers and is held in high regard with a first-rate track record," said Rod Puskar.
Oscar nominee Roger Ford (Babe) has been signed as production designer on the upcoming Patsy Cline Lives, from writer/director/producer Chris Kennedy (This Won't Hurt a Bit) which is handled by Southern Star for world rights. Described as a wry comedy about a reluctant hero who sacrifices his dreams for love and desire, the project "will have a pedigree crew," according to Robyn Watts of Southern Star, "of which Roger is a good example." Now casting, the film starts shooting in September on locations in Australia and Nashville.
The search is on for William Shakespeare - at least an actor to play him in Dead White Males, a screen adaptation of Australian playwright David Williamson's hit play of the same name. Writer/director Richard Franklin, whose two recent films were both adaptations of works for the stage (Hotel Sorrento and Brilliant Lies, the latter screening at this market through Beyond Films). Franklin is looking for a British partner, as he has relocated the setting to Cambridge.
