Tatami, the groundbreaking Iranian drama co-directed by Oscar winner Guy Nattiv (Golda) and Cannes best actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi, has been picked up by XYZ Films for North America, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Based on real-life stories, the Farsi-language drama sees Arienne Mandi play Leila, an Iranian female judo athlete who travels to a world championship with her coach, played by Ebrahimi. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, or she will be branded a traitor of the state.
With her own freedom as well as her family’s at stake, she’s faced with an impossible choice: comply with the Iranian regime as her coach implores her to do, or fight on for the gold.
Tatami is the first feature film to have Iranian and Israeli filmmakers as co-directors. Nattiv directed the 2023 film Golda,...
Based on real-life stories, the Farsi-language drama sees Arienne Mandi play Leila, an Iranian female judo athlete who travels to a world championship with her coach, played by Ebrahimi. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, or she will be branded a traitor of the state.
With her own freedom as well as her family’s at stake, she’s faced with an impossible choice: comply with the Iranian regime as her coach implores her to do, or fight on for the gold.
Tatami is the first feature film to have Iranian and Israeli filmmakers as co-directors. Nattiv directed the 2023 film Golda,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Tatami,” the Iranian drama from co-directors Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir, has been picked up by XYZ Films for North America, where both lip-synched English and original language versions will be released later this year.
The feature, which bowed in Venice 2023 where it won the Brian Award, made history by becoming the first film to be jointly directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker.
Starring Arienne Mandi, Amir, Jaime Ray Newman and Ash Goldeh, and written by Nattiv — an Oscar winner for his short film “Skin” — and Elham Erfani, “Tatami” is set during the Judo World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Midway through the competition, Iranian female judo fighter Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Amir ) receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, lest she be branded a traitor of the state. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake,...
The feature, which bowed in Venice 2023 where it won the Brian Award, made history by becoming the first film to be jointly directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker.
Starring Arienne Mandi, Amir, Jaime Ray Newman and Ash Goldeh, and written by Nattiv — an Oscar winner for his short film “Skin” — and Elham Erfani, “Tatami” is set during the Judo World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Midway through the competition, Iranian female judo fighter Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Amir ) receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, lest she be branded a traitor of the state. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake,...
- 2/17/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Tatami, the groundbreaking Iranian drama co-directed by Oscar-winner Guy Nattiv (Golda, Skin) and Cannes best actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Shayda, Holy Spider), has landed a number of major international territory deals following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
WestEnd Films has closed sales on the feature — the first to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker — for Italy (Bim Distribuzione), France (Metropolitan), Portugal (Nos), Benelux (Cineart), Greece (Cinobo), Scandinavia (Mislabel), Spain (Vertigo), Germany and Switzerland (Wild Bunch), and Israel (United King). Discussions are undergoing for North America, the U.K. and all remaining territories. Range are co-repping North America with Westend.
Based on real-life stories, Tatami follows Iranian female judokas Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who travel to the Judo World Championship intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic...
WestEnd Films has closed sales on the feature — the first to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker — for Italy (Bim Distribuzione), France (Metropolitan), Portugal (Nos), Benelux (Cineart), Greece (Cinobo), Scandinavia (Mislabel), Spain (Vertigo), Germany and Switzerland (Wild Bunch), and Israel (United King). Discussions are undergoing for North America, the U.K. and all remaining territories. Range are co-repping North America with Westend.
Based on real-life stories, Tatami follows Iranian female judokas Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who travel to the Judo World Championship intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic...
- 10/5/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Holy Spider” breakout Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv are set to make history with “Tatami,” the first feature co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker.
Premiering in Venice Film Festival’s Horizons section, “Tatami” shows Iranian female judo fighter Leila (played by “The L Word: Generation Q” star Arienne Mandi) heading to the world championships with her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi). Soon, they receive an ultimatum: in order to avoid squaring off against an Israeli opponent, Leila should immediately fake an injury and drop out.
“Can you imagine how many threats I have received after ‘Holy Spider,’ accusing me of ‘working with Jews’? We are not even allowed to call someone Israeli. It’s always ‘the occupying regime,’” Ebrahimi says.
Fearing for their safety, they decided to shoot in secret.
“We didn’t want anyone to know about it. We shot in Tbilisi in Georgia, two hours away from...
Premiering in Venice Film Festival’s Horizons section, “Tatami” shows Iranian female judo fighter Leila (played by “The L Word: Generation Q” star Arienne Mandi) heading to the world championships with her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi). Soon, they receive an ultimatum: in order to avoid squaring off against an Israeli opponent, Leila should immediately fake an injury and drop out.
“Can you imagine how many threats I have received after ‘Holy Spider,’ accusing me of ‘working with Jews’? We are not even allowed to call someone Israeli. It’s always ‘the occupying regime,’” Ebrahimi says.
Fearing for their safety, they decided to shoot in secret.
“We didn’t want anyone to know about it. We shot in Tbilisi in Georgia, two hours away from...
- 9/2/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
WestEnd Films has acquired worldwide rights to Keshet Studios’ political thriller “Untitled Judo” and will introduce it to buyers at Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM).
The film, currently in post-production, is co-directed by Guy Nattiv (Oscar winner for short “Skin”) and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Cannes best actress winner for “Holy Spider,” and co-written by Elham Erfani (“The Case of Sacrifice”).
It features Arienne Mandi (“The L Word: Generation Q”) and Amir Ebrahimi in the lead roles, alongside Jaime Ray Newman (“Dopesick”), Nadine Marshall (“The Silent Twins”) and Mehdi Bajestani (“Holy Spider”).
The film follows Iranian female judoka Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who travel to the Judo World Championship, intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake,...
The film, currently in post-production, is co-directed by Guy Nattiv (Oscar winner for short “Skin”) and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Cannes best actress winner for “Holy Spider,” and co-written by Elham Erfani (“The Case of Sacrifice”).
It features Arienne Mandi (“The L Word: Generation Q”) and Amir Ebrahimi in the lead roles, alongside Jaime Ray Newman (“Dopesick”), Nadine Marshall (“The Silent Twins”) and Mehdi Bajestani (“Holy Spider”).
The film follows Iranian female judoka Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who travel to the Judo World Championship, intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi are to make history by becoming the first Israeli and Iranian filmmakers to co-direct a feature.
Unveiled at a time when the Iranian government still criminalizes any contact with Israelis and state violence against women is amplified, political thriller Untitled Judo is a collaboration aimed at shining a spotlight on the regime currently governing Iran.
The film — backed by Israel’s Keshat Studios and launched in Berlin by WestEnd Films, which has worldwide rights — follows an Iranian female judoka and her coach as they face life-changing decisions during the Judo World Championships. Nattiv — already in Berlin with his Helen Mirren-starring Golda Meir biopic Golda — will co-direct Untitled Judo alongside Holy Spider lead actress Ebrahimi (who will also star) from a script co-written by Elham Erfani.
Untitled Judo is a portrait of Iranian female judoka Leila (played by The L Word: Generation Q‘s Arienne Mandi...
Unveiled at a time when the Iranian government still criminalizes any contact with Israelis and state violence against women is amplified, political thriller Untitled Judo is a collaboration aimed at shining a spotlight on the regime currently governing Iran.
The film — backed by Israel’s Keshat Studios and launched in Berlin by WestEnd Films, which has worldwide rights — follows an Iranian female judoka and her coach as they face life-changing decisions during the Judo World Championships. Nattiv — already in Berlin with his Helen Mirren-starring Golda Meir biopic Golda — will co-direct Untitled Judo alongside Holy Spider lead actress Ebrahimi (who will also star) from a script co-written by Elham Erfani.
Untitled Judo is a portrait of Iranian female judoka Leila (played by The L Word: Generation Q‘s Arienne Mandi...
- 2/8/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WestEnd Films has acquired world rights to Untitled Judo, a political thriller co-directed by Guy Nattiv and actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Holy Spider).
The film is currently in post-production. WestEnd Films will launch sales at this year’s European Film Market.
The pic is the first feature film to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker and follows an Iranian female judoka and her coach as they face life-changing decisions during the Judo World Championships. Elham Erfani (The Case of Sacrifice) is a co-writer on the project.
Arienne Mandi (The L Word: Generation Q) and co-director Zar Amir Ebrahimi star in the lead roles, alongside Jaime Ray Newman, Nadine Marshall and Mehdi Bajestani (Holy Spider).
The full synopsis reads: Untitled Judo is a thrilling portrait of Iranian female judoka Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who...
The film is currently in post-production. WestEnd Films will launch sales at this year’s European Film Market.
The pic is the first feature film to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker and follows an Iranian female judoka and her coach as they face life-changing decisions during the Judo World Championships. Elham Erfani (The Case of Sacrifice) is a co-writer on the project.
Arienne Mandi (The L Word: Generation Q) and co-director Zar Amir Ebrahimi star in the lead roles, alongside Jaime Ray Newman, Nadine Marshall and Mehdi Bajestani (Holy Spider).
The full synopsis reads: Untitled Judo is a thrilling portrait of Iranian female judoka Leila (Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who...
- 2/8/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Faraway Road Productions, the production label founded by Fauda creators Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff and which was acquired this year by Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media, has hired Salome Peillon and Adi Ezroni, as Chief Operating Officer and EVP of Content, respectively.
With offices in Tel Aviv and Los Angeles, Peillon will oversee the studio’s global operations. Ezroni will oversee creative development and production for Faraway Road’s film and TV projects.
Ezroni previously served as Co-Head of Features and VP Television at Keshet Studios, while Peillon previously served as Head of International Sales at ITV-owned Armoza Formats.
The hires come on the eve of Fauda‘s season four premiere on Israel’s Yes TV, prior to its worldwide rollout on Netflix.
Raz and Issacharoff said: “We are excited to add Salome and Adi to our team, to further drive our focus on creating premium content with global appeal,...
With offices in Tel Aviv and Los Angeles, Peillon will oversee the studio’s global operations. Ezroni will oversee creative development and production for Faraway Road’s film and TV projects.
Ezroni previously served as Co-Head of Features and VP Television at Keshet Studios, while Peillon previously served as Head of International Sales at ITV-owned Armoza Formats.
The hires come on the eve of Fauda‘s season four premiere on Israel’s Yes TV, prior to its worldwide rollout on Netflix.
Raz and Issacharoff said: “We are excited to add Salome and Adi to our team, to further drive our focus on creating premium content with global appeal,...
- 7/28/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, the Santa Barbara Film Festival moves back, Legion M is backing “Save Yourselves!,” Gravitas buys “Odd Man Rush,” a Tiny Tim documentary finds a home and The Creative Coalition is backing films about obesity.
Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has shifted its dates backwards for its 36th annual event, which will now take place from March 31 to April 10, 2021.
The festival, which typically occurs in January and is a key stop for awards campaigns, made the announcement Wednesday, two days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed the 93rd Academy Awards telecast by two months to April 25, 2021. The Sbiff had previously been set for Jan. 27 – Feb. 6, 2021.
“Like so many other prestigious ceremonies and events, we’ve had to adjust our plans in this extremely unprecedented era,” said Sbiff Executive Director Roger Durling. “There has never been a more critical...
Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has shifted its dates backwards for its 36th annual event, which will now take place from March 31 to April 10, 2021.
The festival, which typically occurs in January and is a key stop for awards campaigns, made the announcement Wednesday, two days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed the 93rd Academy Awards telecast by two months to April 25, 2021. The Sbiff had previously been set for Jan. 27 – Feb. 6, 2021.
“Like so many other prestigious ceremonies and events, we’ve had to adjust our plans in this extremely unprecedented era,” said Sbiff Executive Director Roger Durling. “There has never been a more critical...
- 6/18/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, “Save Yourselves!” and “Becoming” find homes, Cast & Crew buys Media Services, “Parasite” is getting a Criterion special edition and MethodFest unveils early titles.
Acquisitions
Bleecker Street has bought worldwide distribution rights to the survivalist romantic comedy “Save Yourselves!”
The film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson from their own script, stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds, who portray a Brooklyn couple who find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. They seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods but are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at Sundance in the dramatic competition. It will be released in theaters in the summer.
The film is produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
****
Gravitas Ventures has bought North American rights to the horror thriller “Becoming,...
Acquisitions
Bleecker Street has bought worldwide distribution rights to the survivalist romantic comedy “Save Yourselves!”
The film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson from their own script, stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds, who portray a Brooklyn couple who find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. They seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods but are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at Sundance in the dramatic competition. It will be released in theaters in the summer.
The film is produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
****
Gravitas Ventures has bought North American rights to the horror thriller “Becoming,...
- 2/14/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Film premiered recently in U.S. Dramatic Competition
Bleecker Street has picked up worldwide rights to Sundance comedy Save Yourselves from writer-directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson.
Keshet Studios produced the film, which premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds as a Brooklyn hipster couple who switch off their devices and head to the woods for a weekend as aliens arrive on earth.
Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produced with Kara Durrett.
Bleecker negotiated the deal with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation and Keshet Studios on behalf of the filmmakers and plans a summer theatrical release.
Bleecker Street has picked up worldwide rights to Sundance comedy Save Yourselves from writer-directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson.
Keshet Studios produced the film, which premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds as a Brooklyn hipster couple who switch off their devices and head to the woods for a weekend as aliens arrive on earth.
Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produced with Kara Durrett.
Bleecker negotiated the deal with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation and Keshet Studios on behalf of the filmmakers and plans a summer theatrical release.
- 2/13/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Bleecker Street has acquired the worldwide rights to “Save Yourselves!” starring Sunita Mani, John Reynolds and Ben Sinclair.
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the film. It was produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Jack (Reynolds) and Su (Mani) are a hip Brooklyn couple who go on a getaway trip to disconnect from the world after realizing they cannot put down their phones. Sheltered from the rest of the world, they are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
See Video: 'Save Yourselves!' Writers Wrote the Script for Lead Sunita Mani
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the dramatic competition category and will hit theaters this summer.
The deal was negotiated between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation, Fkks’ Victoria Cook and Keshet Studios’ Evp business affairs Avital...
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the film. It was produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Jack (Reynolds) and Su (Mani) are a hip Brooklyn couple who go on a getaway trip to disconnect from the world after realizing they cannot put down their phones. Sheltered from the rest of the world, they are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
See Video: 'Save Yourselves!' Writers Wrote the Script for Lead Sunita Mani
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the dramatic competition category and will hit theaters this summer.
The deal was negotiated between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation, Fkks’ Victoria Cook and Keshet Studios’ Evp business affairs Avital...
- 2/13/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Bleecker Street has acquired the worldwide rights to science fiction comedy Save Yourselves!
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
- 2/13/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Bleecker Street has acquired the worldwide rights to science fiction comedy Save Yourselves!
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
- 2/13/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Keshet Studios, the producer behind the Sundance entry “Save Yourselves!,” has partnered with tech entrepreneur Ori Allon to jointly develop and finance movies for the global market.
Allon, founder and executive chairman of the digital real estate firm Compass, launched his White Lodge Productions banner in 2018 with the goal of creating high-end content that taps into the changing technological landscape of the media world.
“Technology continues to evolve and is changing how we consume information,” Allon said. “Together with Keshet, White Lodge Productions is looking to partner with writers who will enthusiastically embrace the modern and expanding media landscape to create smart and innovative content.”
Keshet Studios executives and Allon are on the ground in Park City this week shopping for content and scouting for talent.
“We are on the lookout at Sundance and throughout the year for compelling IP and energetic writers, directors and producers to collaborate with,” said...
Allon, founder and executive chairman of the digital real estate firm Compass, launched his White Lodge Productions banner in 2018 with the goal of creating high-end content that taps into the changing technological landscape of the media world.
“Technology continues to evolve and is changing how we consume information,” Allon said. “Together with Keshet, White Lodge Productions is looking to partner with writers who will enthusiastically embrace the modern and expanding media landscape to create smart and innovative content.”
Keshet Studios executives and Allon are on the ground in Park City this week shopping for content and scouting for talent.
“We are on the lookout at Sundance and throughout the year for compelling IP and energetic writers, directors and producers to collaborate with,” said...
- 1/23/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Autism drama The A Word is set for a U.S. remake with Keshet Studios, the La-based division of the Israeli media firm, and Universal Television planning to take it out in the forthcoming network development season.
The series is based on Keren Margalit’s Israeli drama Yellow Peppers, which launched in 2010, and was remade in the UK for the BBC by Peter Bowker with Christopher Eccleston, airing on SundanceTV in the U.S. The UK show is in production for season three.
The news emerged as part of a wide-ranging interview with Keshet Media Group CEO Avi Nir as he prepares to pick up the Visionary Award at the La-based Israel Film Festival, which takes place today, Thursday June 13 at the Beverly Hilton. Nir discusses how the company has grown since first scoring Homeland at Showtime, a remake of its thriller Prisoners of War and revealed that Keshet...
The series is based on Keren Margalit’s Israeli drama Yellow Peppers, which launched in 2010, and was remade in the UK for the BBC by Peter Bowker with Christopher Eccleston, airing on SundanceTV in the U.S. The UK show is in production for season three.
The news emerged as part of a wide-ranging interview with Keshet Media Group CEO Avi Nir as he prepares to pick up the Visionary Award at the La-based Israel Film Festival, which takes place today, Thursday June 13 at the Beverly Hilton. Nir discusses how the company has grown since first scoring Homeland at Showtime, a remake of its thriller Prisoners of War and revealed that Keshet...
- 6/13/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Drama won special jury award in Park City in January.
IFC Films has picked up Us rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Sundance world premiere The Sound Of Silence starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones.
Film Constellation hadnles internaitonal sales on Michael Tyburski’s debut feature about an autodidact who works as a house tuner, advising people how to change acoustics in their homes to feel most content.
One particular client forces him to challenge what he thought he knew. Rounding out the cast are Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton.
Ben Nabors and Tyburski co-wrote the screenplay and the producers are Ben Nabors,...
IFC Films has picked up Us rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Sundance world premiere The Sound Of Silence starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones.
Film Constellation hadnles internaitonal sales on Michael Tyburski’s debut feature about an autodidact who works as a house tuner, advising people how to change acoustics in their homes to feel most content.
One particular client forces him to challenge what he thought he knew. Rounding out the cast are Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton.
Ben Nabors and Tyburski co-wrote the screenplay and the producers are Ben Nabors,...
- 4/9/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to The Sound of Silence, Michael Tyburski’s debut feature that stars Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones. The pic will get a 2019 theatrical release after it world premiered at Sundance this year.
Based on Tyburski’s award-winning 2013 Sundance short Palimpest, the plot centers on a self-taught scientist, Peter (Sarsgaard), working in New York City as a “house tuner” — his clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue, and after extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination that’s altering their mood and is able to calibrate it. But following a routine house call where he meets Ellen (Jones), who is experiencing exhaustion, Peter obsessively searches for the fault in his practice after his initial conclusion proves incorrect.
Tyburski and Ben Nabors penned the script, and Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton co-star.
The film is produced by Nabors,...
Based on Tyburski’s award-winning 2013 Sundance short Palimpest, the plot centers on a self-taught scientist, Peter (Sarsgaard), working in New York City as a “house tuner” — his clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue, and after extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination that’s altering their mood and is able to calibrate it. But following a routine house call where he meets Ellen (Jones), who is experiencing exhaustion, Peter obsessively searches for the fault in his practice after his initial conclusion proves incorrect.
Tyburski and Ben Nabors penned the script, and Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton co-star.
The film is produced by Nabors,...
- 4/9/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
IFC Films has picked up the U.S. rights to “The Sound of Silence” starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones, the company announced Tuesday.
“The Sound of Silence,” the debut feature from Michael Tyburski, premiered at 2019’s Sundance Film Festival as part of the U.S. Dramatic competition. IFC will release the film theatrically later in 2019.
Tyburski co-wrote the film with Ben Nabors, who together wrote the short film “Palimpsest” from 2013 that won the Special Jury Award from Sundance that year.
Also Read: 'Sword of Trust' Starring Marc Maron Acquired by IFC Films
“The Sound of Silence” follows a self-taught scientist, Peter (Sarsgaard), working in New York City as a “house tuner”–a unique, highly specialized profession he’s invented. His clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination that’s altering their...
“The Sound of Silence,” the debut feature from Michael Tyburski, premiered at 2019’s Sundance Film Festival as part of the U.S. Dramatic competition. IFC will release the film theatrically later in 2019.
Tyburski co-wrote the film with Ben Nabors, who together wrote the short film “Palimpsest” from 2013 that won the Special Jury Award from Sundance that year.
Also Read: 'Sword of Trust' Starring Marc Maron Acquired by IFC Films
“The Sound of Silence” follows a self-taught scientist, Peter (Sarsgaard), working in New York City as a “house tuner”–a unique, highly specialized profession he’s invented. His clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination that’s altering their...
- 4/9/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
IFC Films has bought U.S. rights to Peter Sarsgaard’s drama “The Sound of Silence,” two months after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
IFC plans to release “The Sound of Silence,” which also stars Rashida Jones, Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton, later this year. The film is Michael Tyburski’s directorial debut feature, which he co-wrote with Ben Nabors. Producers are Nabors, Michael Prall, Anonymous Content’s Tariq Merhad and Charlie Scully, and Keshet Films’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni.
“The Sound of Silence,” based on the short film “Palimpsest,” follows a self-taught scientist working in New York City as a “house tuner” — a highly specialized profession he’s invented — in which his clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination that’s altering their mood and re-calibrates the home.
“We...
IFC plans to release “The Sound of Silence,” which also stars Rashida Jones, Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton, later this year. The film is Michael Tyburski’s directorial debut feature, which he co-wrote with Ben Nabors. Producers are Nabors, Michael Prall, Anonymous Content’s Tariq Merhad and Charlie Scully, and Keshet Films’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni.
“The Sound of Silence,” based on the short film “Palimpsest,” follows a self-taught scientist working in New York City as a “house tuner” — a highly specialized profession he’s invented — in which his clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination that’s altering their mood and re-calibrates the home.
“We...
- 4/9/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Drama won special jury award in Park City in January.
IFC Films has picked up Us rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Sundance world premiere The Sound Of Silence starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones.
Film Constellation hadnles internaitonal sales on Michael Tyburski’s debut feature about an autodidact who works as a house tuner, advising people how to change acoustics in their homes to feel most content.
One particular client forces him to challenge what he thought he knew. Rounding out the cast are Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton.
Ben Nabors and Tyburski co-wrote the screenplay and the producers are Ben Nabors,...
IFC Films has picked up Us rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Sundance world premiere The Sound Of Silence starring Peter Sarsgaard and Rashida Jones.
Film Constellation hadnles internaitonal sales on Michael Tyburski’s debut feature about an autodidact who works as a house tuner, advising people how to change acoustics in their homes to feel most content.
One particular client forces him to challenge what he thought he knew. Rounding out the cast are Tony Revolori and Austin Pendleton.
Ben Nabors and Tyburski co-wrote the screenplay and the producers are Ben Nabors,...
- 4/9/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
As more filmmakers have entered the TV space, the rise of the non-writing producer has become a crucial function on TV series according to the Intv panel today The Film Factor: How Filmmakers are Changing the Landscape of Television.
For years the non-writing producer was irrelevant; a position that was largely relegate to sit at the table and keep quiet. But times have changed.
“We’re producing episodic TV as we produced movies. It’s far more intense and rigorous and the budgets have become inflated,” said Liza Chasin founder of 3dot Productions and Ep of Mary Queen of Scots on translating pic producerial experience to TV, ” We’re producing hours and hours of television with the head space of producing film.”
“You have these amazing filmmakers who are coming into TV with serious POVs, and they have something substantial to contribute. They’re coming from movies with these enormous budgets.
For years the non-writing producer was irrelevant; a position that was largely relegate to sit at the table and keep quiet. But times have changed.
“We’re producing episodic TV as we produced movies. It’s far more intense and rigorous and the budgets have become inflated,” said Liza Chasin founder of 3dot Productions and Ep of Mary Queen of Scots on translating pic producerial experience to TV, ” We’re producing hours and hours of television with the head space of producing film.”
“You have these amazing filmmakers who are coming into TV with serious POVs, and they have something substantial to contribute. They’re coming from movies with these enormous budgets.
- 3/12/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has picked up all international rights to “The Sound of Silence” in advance of its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Variety has learned.
The drama stars Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, Tony Revolori, and Austin Pendleton. It centers on a well-renowned “house tuner” who caters to a New York City-based clientele, calibrating the sound in their homes in order to adjust their moods. However, things go awry when he meets a client with a problem he can’t solve using his unique brand of therapy.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. North American rights for the pic are still available. It’s the second major acquisition out of Sundance for the division. Last week, Variety broke the news that Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions had nabbed the international rights to “The Tomorrow Man,” a romantic drama with John Lithgow and Blythe Danner that premieres at the fest.
The drama stars Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, Tony Revolori, and Austin Pendleton. It centers on a well-renowned “house tuner” who caters to a New York City-based clientele, calibrating the sound in their homes in order to adjust their moods. However, things go awry when he meets a client with a problem he can’t solve using his unique brand of therapy.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. North American rights for the pic are still available. It’s the second major acquisition out of Sundance for the division. Last week, Variety broke the news that Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions had nabbed the international rights to “The Tomorrow Man,” a romantic drama with John Lithgow and Blythe Danner that premieres at the fest.
- 1/25/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Peter Sarsgaard stars as a self-taught scientist.
UK-based sales and financing company Film Constellation has picked up international rights to Michael Tyburski’s The Sound Of Silence, ahead of its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival (January 24 – February 3).
The film is Tyburski’s feature debut, and adapted from his and writer-produer Ben Nabors’ short Palimpsest, winner of the special jury prize at Sundance 2013. UTA is handling North American rights on the feature.
It tells the story of self-taught scientist Peter (Peter Sarsgaard), who analyses the acoustic characteristics of houses. A meeting with Ellen (Rashida Jones) reveals a fault in his practice.
UK-based sales and financing company Film Constellation has picked up international rights to Michael Tyburski’s The Sound Of Silence, ahead of its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival (January 24 – February 3).
The film is Tyburski’s feature debut, and adapted from his and writer-produer Ben Nabors’ short Palimpsest, winner of the special jury prize at Sundance 2013. UTA is handling North American rights on the feature.
It tells the story of self-taught scientist Peter (Peter Sarsgaard), who analyses the acoustic characteristics of houses. A meeting with Ellen (Rashida Jones) reveals a fault in his practice.
- 1/10/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Film Constellation Boards Sundance Drama ‘The Sound Of Silence’ With Peter Sarsgaard & Rashida Jones
Exclusive: UK sales outfit Film Constellation has picked up international sales rights to Sundance-bound drama The Sound Of Silence, starring Peter Sarsgaard (Jackie) and Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation).
Writer-director Michael Tyburski’s feature debut, which will get its world premiere in competition at the Utah festival, tells the story of self-taught scientist Peter (Sarsgaard) who works in New York as a ‘house tuner’ – a unique, highly specialized profession he’s invented. His clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination – a radiator mixed with a kitchen appliance, for instance – that’s altering their mood. Despite some skepticism, his clients see results… until he meets Ellen (Jones), who is experiencing exhaustion. After his initial conclusion proves incorrect, Peter obsessively searches for the fault in his practice.
Also starring are Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel...
Writer-director Michael Tyburski’s feature debut, which will get its world premiere in competition at the Utah festival, tells the story of self-taught scientist Peter (Sarsgaard) who works in New York as a ‘house tuner’ – a unique, highly specialized profession he’s invented. His clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination – a radiator mixed with a kitchen appliance, for instance – that’s altering their mood. Despite some skepticism, his clients see results… until he meets Ellen (Jones), who is experiencing exhaustion. After his initial conclusion proves incorrect, Peter obsessively searches for the fault in his practice.
Also starring are Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel...
- 1/10/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Haifa Script Distillery will support Israeli writers.
Israel’s Haifa International Film Festival (September 22 - October 1) has launched a script development programme called the Haifa Script Distillery to support Israeli writers to develop English-language film and TV scripts.
The initiative has been unveiled during this year’s festival where 20 projects chosen from 400 entries are being presented (See full list below). Six to eight works will be shortlisted and will each receive a development grant of 50,000 Nis. Each writer will be mentored and receive training from tutors and supporting partners.
Once fully developed, the selected works will be presented to...
Israel’s Haifa International Film Festival (September 22 - October 1) has launched a script development programme called the Haifa Script Distillery to support Israeli writers to develop English-language film and TV scripts.
The initiative has been unveiled during this year’s festival where 20 projects chosen from 400 entries are being presented (See full list below). Six to eight works will be shortlisted and will each receive a development grant of 50,000 Nis. Each writer will be mentored and receive training from tutors and supporting partners.
Once fully developed, the selected works will be presented to...
- 9/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
In April last year, Keshet Media Group launched feature development and production division, Keshet Films, under its Keshet International subsidiary Keshet Studios and headed by award-winning producers Mandy Tagger and Adi Ezroni. Making a first trip to the Cannes Film Festival, the pair visited Deadline’s Cannes Studio this week to discuss being a gateway to the bigger Keshet family and what types of projects they’re looking for. Check out the video above.
Tagger in New York and Ezroni in Tel Aviv oversee the development and production of features budgeted between $15M-$20M for the U.S. and international markets, with the unit also looking to finance some of the films.
Tagger and Ezroni joined from their New York-based Spring Pictures label, where they developed, financed and produced a string of independent films.
Ezroni says the division is a “gateway to the world of Keshet, meaning that if content comes in,...
Tagger in New York and Ezroni in Tel Aviv oversee the development and production of features budgeted between $15M-$20M for the U.S. and international markets, with the unit also looking to finance some of the films.
Tagger and Ezroni joined from their New York-based Spring Pictures label, where they developed, financed and produced a string of independent films.
Ezroni says the division is a “gateway to the world of Keshet, meaning that if content comes in,...
- 5/18/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Keshet Media Group continues to expand its U.S. footprint. Two years after launching Keshet International subsidiary Keshet Studios, a Los Angeles-based scripted TV production operation led by Peter Traugott, the powerhouse Israeli indie producer behind Homeland is adding a feature development and production division, Keshet Films. It will be headed by award-winning producers Mandy Tagger-Brockey and Adi Ezroni. Reporting to Keshet Studios Scripted President Traugott in…...
- 4/20/2017
- Deadline
From Round Films (Rebecca Miller and Damon Cardasis recently-launched production company) comes the feature film “Saturday Church,” written and to be directed by Cardasis with Miller producing alongside Spring Pictures’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni. The musical fantasy drama, with… Continue Reading →...
- 11/5/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Exclusive: Sales deal for feature produced by Maggie’s Plan producer Rebecca Miller; first-look image.
WestEnd Films has acquired international rights to Saturday Church, the musical produced by Damon Cardasis and Rebecca Miller from Round Films (Maggie’s Plan) and Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni from Spring Pictures (A Late Quartet).
Cardasis (Vicky & Lysander) has directed the movie, of which Screen can reveal the first look.
The score is composed by Nathan Larson (Boys Don’t Cry).
The movie follows Ulysses, a teenager from the Bronx struggling with gender identity and religion, who uses fantasy and music to escape his real life and figure out who he truly is.
The film stars newcomer Luka Kain alongside Margot Bingham (The Family) and Regina Taylor (I’ll Fly Away).
Currently in post-production, WestEnd will introduce the film to buyers at the Afm. CAA is representing the North American rights.
WestEnd Films has acquired international rights to Saturday Church, the musical produced by Damon Cardasis and Rebecca Miller from Round Films (Maggie’s Plan) and Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni from Spring Pictures (A Late Quartet).
Cardasis (Vicky & Lysander) has directed the movie, of which Screen can reveal the first look.
The score is composed by Nathan Larson (Boys Don’t Cry).
The movie follows Ulysses, a teenager from the Bronx struggling with gender identity and religion, who uses fantasy and music to escape his real life and figure out who he truly is.
The film stars newcomer Luka Kain alongside Margot Bingham (The Family) and Regina Taylor (I’ll Fly Away).
Currently in post-production, WestEnd will introduce the film to buyers at the Afm. CAA is representing the North American rights.
- 11/4/2016
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Lisa Wilson will kick off pre-sales in Cannes on the comedy package buoyed by the plum casting of recent Oscar winner Jk Simmons alongside Emile Hirsch.
Gavin Wiesen will direct The Runaround from a screenplay by Seth W Owen about a globe-trotting workaholic father who enlists the help of his daughter’s awkward ex to find his girl during a layover in Los Angeles.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group jointly represent North American rights.
Spring Pictures’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produce with American Film Production’s George Voskericyan and Jmr Luna, Wing And A Prayer Pictures’ Ron Perlman and Josh Crook and P Jennifer Dana.
The film is being produced in association with Abbolita Films and Heretic Films and is scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles in July.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group arranged financing with the producers’ counsels: Cdas’ Marc Simon for Spring Pictures, Jonathan Gray for [link...
Gavin Wiesen will direct The Runaround from a screenplay by Seth W Owen about a globe-trotting workaholic father who enlists the help of his daughter’s awkward ex to find his girl during a layover in Los Angeles.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group jointly represent North American rights.
Spring Pictures’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produce with American Film Production’s George Voskericyan and Jmr Luna, Wing And A Prayer Pictures’ Ron Perlman and Josh Crook and P Jennifer Dana.
The film is being produced in association with Abbolita Films and Heretic Films and is scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles in July.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group arranged financing with the producers’ counsels: Cdas’ Marc Simon for Spring Pictures, Jonathan Gray for [link...
- 4/30/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Lisa Wilson will kick off pre-sales in Cannes on the comedy package buoyed by the plum casting of recent Oscar winner Jk Simmons alongside Emile Hirsch.
Gavin Wiesen will direct Runaround from a screenplay by Seth W Owen about a globe-trotting workaholic father who enlists the help of his daughter’s awkward ex to find his girl during a layover in Los Angeles.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group jointly represent Us rights.
Spring Pictures’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produce with American Film Production’s George Voskericyan and Jmr Luna, Wing And A Prayer Pictures’ Ron Perlman and Josh Crook and P Jennifer Dana.
The film is being produced in association with Abbolita Films and Heretic Films and is scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles in July.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group arranged financing with the producers’ counsels: Cdas’ Marc Simon for Spring Pictures, Jonathan Gray for [link...
Gavin Wiesen will direct Runaround from a screenplay by Seth W Owen about a globe-trotting workaholic father who enlists the help of his daughter’s awkward ex to find his girl during a layover in Los Angeles.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group jointly represent Us rights.
Spring Pictures’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produce with American Film Production’s George Voskericyan and Jmr Luna, Wing And A Prayer Pictures’ Ron Perlman and Josh Crook and P Jennifer Dana.
The film is being produced in association with Abbolita Films and Heretic Films and is scheduled to shoot in Los Angeles in July.
The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent Film Group arranged financing with the producers’ counsels: Cdas’ Marc Simon for Spring Pictures, Jonathan Gray for [link...
- 4/30/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
As the Toronto International Film Festival gets underway with North American and World debuts of films that will hit Awards Season and beyond,a good number of seasoned films that have traveled the festival circuit are finally making their way into the Specialty Box Office. Drafthouse Films will open Cannes ’13 title The Congress starring Robin Wright and Harvey Keitel in a dozen locations this weekend, while SXSW’s Juliette Lewis starrer Kelly & Cal will open exclusively in NYC. Sundance’s Last Days In Vietnam will have a theatrical run before heading to PBS next fall and the Guadalajara Film Festival’s Frontera is taking advantage of a timely topic in the U.S. Venice financed its 2013 premiere Memphis, opening exclusively this weekend in NYC. And China Lion hopes to take a successful template for romantic dramas and apply that to But Always.
The Congress
Director-writer: Ari Folman
Writer: Stanislaw Lem (novel)
Cast: Robin Wright,...
The Congress
Director-writer: Ari Folman
Writer: Stanislaw Lem (novel)
Cast: Robin Wright,...
- 9/5/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
"Cougar Town" star Josh Hopkins has landed a lead role alongside Juliette Lewis and Jonny Weston in the indie movie "Kelly and Cal," TheWrap has learned. Jen McGowan is directing from a script by Amy Lowe Starbin. Mandy Tagger and Adi Ezroni are producing the movie, which starts shooting on July 22 in New York. Lewis stars as Kelly, a former punk rocker now miserable and married with a child in the suburbs. She finds comfort in the company of Cal (Weston), a teenager who was seriously injured in a car crash. Hopkins...
- 7/9/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
The Session Trailer has premiered. Haim Bouzaglo‘s Session (2011) movie trailer stars Bar Refaeli, Tom Bower, Steven Bauer, Shirly Brener, and Gil Hacohen. Session‘s plot synopsis: “A psychological suspense drama-thriller where a psychologist becomes obsessed with one of his patients. The lines between dreams and reality blend.”
We previously posted Bar Refaeli to star in Session. This movie looks bad, real bad. Half way through this movie trailer I realized why Session has been on the shelf for three years and is being released Stv. The film seems like a lazy The Ward-lite, if that’s possible.
I am surprised though that no one film producer has seen fit to use a model of Bar Refaeli’s beauty in their horror movie as a waiting-to-die or the survivor girl. It certainly would be a cool place to begin her acting career and a resume builder.
Session also stars Benjamin Daniels and Adi Ezroni.
We previously posted Bar Refaeli to star in Session. This movie looks bad, real bad. Half way through this movie trailer I realized why Session has been on the shelf for three years and is being released Stv. The film seems like a lazy The Ward-lite, if that’s possible.
I am surprised though that no one film producer has seen fit to use a model of Bar Refaeli’s beauty in their horror movie as a waiting-to-die or the survivor girl. It certainly would be a cool place to begin her acting career and a resume builder.
Session also stars Benjamin Daniels and Adi Ezroni.
- 7/1/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
Bar Refaeli GQ Magazine Italy (Italia) Photos for May 2011 have premiered. The May 2011 Italia/Italy GQ Magazine Bar Refaeli photos are eye-catching and hilarious coterminous. They are eye-catching for obvious reasons, as are many of her photo shoots and videos, which can be found on our Bar Refaeli Page. I say hilarious because Israeli citizens are required to serve in the Israel Defense Force for two years, men and women, and Bar Refaeli was able to circumvent this requirement.
Though military service is required for male and female Israelis over the age of 18, it was revealed in 2007 that Refaeli had managed to avoid the draft.
The Jewish news site ynet.com reported at the time that she had married an acquaintance to get out of the draft and, though they later divorced, she had no regrets about her choice.
“I don’t regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time,...
Though military service is required for male and female Israelis over the age of 18, it was revealed in 2007 that Refaeli had managed to avoid the draft.
The Jewish news site ynet.com reported at the time that she had married an acquaintance to get out of the draft and, though they later divorced, she had no regrets about her choice.
“I don’t regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time,...
- 5/6/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
It seems to be harder and harder for excellent movies on difficult subjects to find their way to theaters.
Holly was filmed more than two years ago. (Chris Penn, who died in January 2006, plays a supporting role.) After making the rounds at festivals, it finally is opening theatrically.
An unsparing look at child prostitution is a hard sell for audiences, but this movie is a memorable achievement, far superior to the recently released Trade, another movie about sex trafficking.
Producer and co-writer Guy Jacobson was inspired to make the film when traveling in Cambodia several years ago and being approached by child prostitutes, some as young as 6 or 7. He worked with director Guy Moshe on fashioning the script, which is admirably lean and unsentimental and all the more powerful as a result.
They begin the film by intercutting the adventures of the two main characters. Holly (newcomer Thuy Nguyen) is a 12-year-old girl brought back to a Cambodian brothel after trying to escape. At the same time, Patrick (Ron Livingston), an American expatriate and gambler living in Cambodia, goes to work for a shady entrepreneur (Penn) and finds himself in the town where Holly is imprisoned.
When the two meet, he takes a paternal interest in her, and she sees him as a possible savior. At first Patrick tries to keep his distance, but eventually he decides to play a more active role in rescuing her.
Filmed on location in Cambodia, the picture benefits from an extraordinarily vivid atmosphere. Many of the actors are nonprofessionals, adding to the sense of authenticity. The film successfully walks a fine line, underscoring the sordid nature of the sex trade without resorting to any exploitative or titillating scenes. The characterizations are also richly layered, aided by superb performances from the two stars.
The backgrounds of both characters are deliberately left fairly sketchy. We are told a bit about Holly's family in Vietnam, and there are allusions to Patrick's troubled past in America, but the script concentrates on their present dilemmas and leaves their back stories opaque.
Nguyen highlights Holly's fierce determination, which makes her vulnerability even more poignant. Livingston does a marvelous job of conveying Patrick's solicitousness without turning him into any kind of plaster saint. In fact, one of the most intriguing elements of the film is its acknowledgment that Patrick feels a tinge of attraction to Holly that is not purely platonic. His struggle against his darker impulses is the film's most provocative drama, eloquently expressed in Livingston's subtle performance.
Penn, Udo Kier as a cynical lawyer and Virginie Ledoyen as a human rights advocate have small parts, but all give strong performances. Technical credits are first-rate, and there is a haunting score by Ton-That Tiet. To its credit, the film ends without any false reassurances; it leaves the characters' fates unresolved. The last shot is a telling close-up of Holly that places the burden on the audience, daring us to open our eyes to the plight of abused children all over the world.
HOLLY
Priority Films
Max Entertainment, Vox Entertainment, Autumn Entertainment Partners
Credits:
Director: Guy Moshe
Screenwriters: Guy Jacobson, Guy Moshe
Producers: Guy Jacobson, Adi Ezroni, Guy Moshe, Nava Levin
Executive producers: Jennifer Krychowecky, David Wiener, Charles Feng, Amit Kort
Director of photography: Yaron Orbach
Production designer: Gabriel Higgins
Music: Ton-That Tiet
Costume designer: Rotem Noyfeld
Editor: Isabella Monteiro de Castro
Cast:
Holly: Thuy Nguyen
Patrick: Ron Livingston
Marie: Virginie Ledoyen
Klaus: Udo Kier
Freddie: Chris Penn
Mama San: Montakan Ransibrahmanakul
Ma Tommy: Sahajak Boonthanakit
Running time -- 113 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Holly was filmed more than two years ago. (Chris Penn, who died in January 2006, plays a supporting role.) After making the rounds at festivals, it finally is opening theatrically.
An unsparing look at child prostitution is a hard sell for audiences, but this movie is a memorable achievement, far superior to the recently released Trade, another movie about sex trafficking.
Producer and co-writer Guy Jacobson was inspired to make the film when traveling in Cambodia several years ago and being approached by child prostitutes, some as young as 6 or 7. He worked with director Guy Moshe on fashioning the script, which is admirably lean and unsentimental and all the more powerful as a result.
They begin the film by intercutting the adventures of the two main characters. Holly (newcomer Thuy Nguyen) is a 12-year-old girl brought back to a Cambodian brothel after trying to escape. At the same time, Patrick (Ron Livingston), an American expatriate and gambler living in Cambodia, goes to work for a shady entrepreneur (Penn) and finds himself in the town where Holly is imprisoned.
When the two meet, he takes a paternal interest in her, and she sees him as a possible savior. At first Patrick tries to keep his distance, but eventually he decides to play a more active role in rescuing her.
Filmed on location in Cambodia, the picture benefits from an extraordinarily vivid atmosphere. Many of the actors are nonprofessionals, adding to the sense of authenticity. The film successfully walks a fine line, underscoring the sordid nature of the sex trade without resorting to any exploitative or titillating scenes. The characterizations are also richly layered, aided by superb performances from the two stars.
The backgrounds of both characters are deliberately left fairly sketchy. We are told a bit about Holly's family in Vietnam, and there are allusions to Patrick's troubled past in America, but the script concentrates on their present dilemmas and leaves their back stories opaque.
Nguyen highlights Holly's fierce determination, which makes her vulnerability even more poignant. Livingston does a marvelous job of conveying Patrick's solicitousness without turning him into any kind of plaster saint. In fact, one of the most intriguing elements of the film is its acknowledgment that Patrick feels a tinge of attraction to Holly that is not purely platonic. His struggle against his darker impulses is the film's most provocative drama, eloquently expressed in Livingston's subtle performance.
Penn, Udo Kier as a cynical lawyer and Virginie Ledoyen as a human rights advocate have small parts, but all give strong performances. Technical credits are first-rate, and there is a haunting score by Ton-That Tiet. To its credit, the film ends without any false reassurances; it leaves the characters' fates unresolved. The last shot is a telling close-up of Holly that places the burden on the audience, daring us to open our eyes to the plight of abused children all over the world.
HOLLY
Priority Films
Max Entertainment, Vox Entertainment, Autumn Entertainment Partners
Credits:
Director: Guy Moshe
Screenwriters: Guy Jacobson, Guy Moshe
Producers: Guy Jacobson, Adi Ezroni, Guy Moshe, Nava Levin
Executive producers: Jennifer Krychowecky, David Wiener, Charles Feng, Amit Kort
Director of photography: Yaron Orbach
Production designer: Gabriel Higgins
Music: Ton-That Tiet
Costume designer: Rotem Noyfeld
Editor: Isabella Monteiro de Castro
Cast:
Holly: Thuy Nguyen
Patrick: Ron Livingston
Marie: Virginie Ledoyen
Klaus: Udo Kier
Freddie: Chris Penn
Mama San: Montakan Ransibrahmanakul
Ma Tommy: Sahajak Boonthanakit
Running time -- 113 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 11/9/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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