The distributor has acquired Us rights to Werner Herzog’s drama starring Nicole Kidman and James Franco and will release in spring 2017.
Benaroya Pictures financed Queen Of The Desert and Michael Benaroya produced with Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan.
Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis also star in the Berlin 2015 world premiere about British explorer, cartographer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell on an epic odyssey to chart the borders of the modern Middle East.
Jonathan Debin, Cathy Gesualdo, James Lejsek, Ben Sachs, D. Todd Shepherd, Shelley Madison, Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro served as executive producers on Queen Of The Desert.
“The entire team at IFC Films is thrilled to be working once more with Werner Herzog who is undoubtedly a modern master of cinema,” said IFC, which brokered the deal with Elwes, Lawrence Kopeikin and CAA on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Having previously worked with him on his award-winning Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, Werner continues...
Benaroya Pictures financed Queen Of The Desert and Michael Benaroya produced with Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan.
Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis also star in the Berlin 2015 world premiere about British explorer, cartographer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell on an epic odyssey to chart the borders of the modern Middle East.
Jonathan Debin, Cathy Gesualdo, James Lejsek, Ben Sachs, D. Todd Shepherd, Shelley Madison, Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro served as executive producers on Queen Of The Desert.
“The entire team at IFC Films is thrilled to be working once more with Werner Herzog who is undoubtedly a modern master of cinema,” said IFC, which brokered the deal with Elwes, Lawrence Kopeikin and CAA on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Having previously worked with him on his award-winning Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, Werner continues...
- 11/1/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to the Werner Herzog drama “Queen of the Desert,” starring Nicole Kidman and James Franco. The film is an adventure biopic about explorer and cartographer Gertrude Bell. More to come. Read the full release: IFC Films announced today from the American Film Market conference that the company has acquired Us rights to Werner Herzog‘s Queen Of The Desert. The film, written and directed by Herzog, stars Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis. The film was produced by Michael Benaroya, Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan and was executive produced by Jonathan Debin,...
- 11/1/2016
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
2nd Annual Asian World Film Festival Opens in Culver City October 24: Best of Asian World CinemaExecutive Director, Georges N. Chamchoum
This is the first festival of its kind to play in the United States, giving audiences the unique opportunity to see films from Japan and Turkey and everywhere in-between. The festival is held at the height of the awards season to give these Asian filmmakers maximum exposure. The festival’s Executive Director, Georges N. Chamchoum is announcing films from 51 countries which are eligible. Greater recognition to the region’s wealth of filmmakers will strengthen ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries.
All films selected by their countries as Oscar® or Golden Globes® contenders are automatically invited. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizes these showings as the required official screenings for their members who vote on the Golden Globes®. At last year’s inaugural event some 30 films from 27 countries participated.
This is the first festival of its kind to play in the United States, giving audiences the unique opportunity to see films from Japan and Turkey and everywhere in-between. The festival is held at the height of the awards season to give these Asian filmmakers maximum exposure. The festival’s Executive Director, Georges N. Chamchoum is announcing films from 51 countries which are eligible. Greater recognition to the region’s wealth of filmmakers will strengthen ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries.
All films selected by their countries as Oscar® or Golden Globes® contenders are automatically invited. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizes these showings as the required official screenings for their members who vote on the Golden Globes®. At last year’s inaugural event some 30 films from 27 countries participated.
- 10/18/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The Asian World Film Festival (Awff), which is dedicated to bringing the best of a broad selection of Asian World cinema to Los Angeles, has added East West Artists (Ewa) Co-Founder Jaeson Ma as Director of International Relations. The Festival slate will consist of select foreign language films that have been officially submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) as their country’s Oscar® hopeful and those submitted to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for Golden Globe consideration.
Awff has also enlisted several notable industry executives for its Honorary Board, including former studio executive Teddy Zee and Carolco Pictures executive producer Mario Kassar ("Rambo," "Basic Instinct") as well as the former Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa. With The Wrap serving as the official media partner, Awff will take place October 26-November 2, 2015 and will be based at ArcLight Cinema in downtown Culver City and the luxury iPic Theaters in Westwood.
After recently teaming up with Ma on "The Shack," starring Octavia Spencer, Sumire and Sam Worthington, producer Lani Netter secured Ma, recognizing his ability as a strategic consultant and producer, cultivating global Asian talents at Ewa, (which is in partnership with Untitled Entertainment), and since his expertise directly aligns with Awff’s goal of drawing greater recognition to an underrepresented region of talent and filmmakers.
“Jaeson Ma is an ideal partner and asset to Awff because of his long established relationships with the Hollywood and Asian filmmaking industries. He's a trusted ally and invaluable addition,” said Netter, who serves as the Festival’s Director of Development and Philanthropy.
On joining the Awff Board, Ma shared, “Awff will showcase films and talents from the fastest growing region for entertainment, which is very exciting. There are many incredible films in Asia that are not realized by the international marketplace but now they have a fighting chance to be recognized and celebrated at the highest level through Awff."
The Festival’s Advisory Board welcomed producer Stefan Brunner, Shoreline Entertainment producer, Alex Flores, producer Medha Jaishankar, Emmy-winning TV and film director Jeremy Kagan, Igor Kokarev, scholar and expert on Soviet and American Film History, producer Brad Littlefield, producer and Founder and CEO of the Hollywood Film Academy Gia Noortas, South Korean film producer Keon-Seop Park, producer Eliyas Qureshi, producer Nick N. Raslan and Thomas Small, writer and Cultural Affairs Commissioner to the City of Culver City.
I'm excited to announced that I will be joining a great group including His Royal Highness Prince Gharios of Ghassan, Hany Haddad, immediate Past Chair of Board of Directors at the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Lebanese philanthropist Maya Ibrahim, Amin Maalouf, best-selling author and member of the French Academy, Oscar®-winning producer Andre Morgan (Million Dollar Baby), director George Ovashvili, Hon. Roy Paul, judge for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, South Korean film producer and distributor Chul Shin, community leader and Co-Founder of the Hollywood Schoolhouse, Ferris Wehbe, Weissman/Markovitz Communications Chairman and Co-Founder Murray Weissman and Korean activist and public figure Grace Yoo, to serve on this year’s Honorary Board.
Awff will open with a red carpet awards gala on Monday, October 26, recognizing celebrities and well-known foreign talent and filmmakers who have been major contributors throughout the Asian world film community, followed by seven days of films at ArcLight Cinema and the iPic Theater and with the closing night Festival Awards presented along with the closing night film on Monday, November 2. Throughout the week there will also be expert panels on subjects like film financing, distribution, PR, marketing and awards campaigns, editing for a global audience and more to be announced.
Films that will be accepted by the Festival include those from the 50 countries recognized by the Academy and HFPA. Priority will be given to those in the Best Foreign Language Film categories at the 88th Academy Awards and 73rd Golden Globes. In rare cases, the Asian World Film Festival will consider other outstanding films that are not in contention for the Oscars® or Golden Globes, but which have received critical acclaim on the international film festival circuit. More detailed guidelines are available at www.asianworldfilmfest.org/submissions.
The prizes given out are of significant value to enhance the awards campaign and will feature top prizes for Best Film, Jury Selection and Audience awards including The Wrap’s Awards Special Screening Series and full page ads in the Foreign Film and Oscar Wrap issues valued at over $50,000.
Awff has also enlisted several notable industry executives for its Honorary Board, including former studio executive Teddy Zee and Carolco Pictures executive producer Mario Kassar ("Rambo," "Basic Instinct") as well as the former Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa. With The Wrap serving as the official media partner, Awff will take place October 26-November 2, 2015 and will be based at ArcLight Cinema in downtown Culver City and the luxury iPic Theaters in Westwood.
After recently teaming up with Ma on "The Shack," starring Octavia Spencer, Sumire and Sam Worthington, producer Lani Netter secured Ma, recognizing his ability as a strategic consultant and producer, cultivating global Asian talents at Ewa, (which is in partnership with Untitled Entertainment), and since his expertise directly aligns with Awff’s goal of drawing greater recognition to an underrepresented region of talent and filmmakers.
“Jaeson Ma is an ideal partner and asset to Awff because of his long established relationships with the Hollywood and Asian filmmaking industries. He's a trusted ally and invaluable addition,” said Netter, who serves as the Festival’s Director of Development and Philanthropy.
On joining the Awff Board, Ma shared, “Awff will showcase films and talents from the fastest growing region for entertainment, which is very exciting. There are many incredible films in Asia that are not realized by the international marketplace but now they have a fighting chance to be recognized and celebrated at the highest level through Awff."
The Festival’s Advisory Board welcomed producer Stefan Brunner, Shoreline Entertainment producer, Alex Flores, producer Medha Jaishankar, Emmy-winning TV and film director Jeremy Kagan, Igor Kokarev, scholar and expert on Soviet and American Film History, producer Brad Littlefield, producer and Founder and CEO of the Hollywood Film Academy Gia Noortas, South Korean film producer Keon-Seop Park, producer Eliyas Qureshi, producer Nick N. Raslan and Thomas Small, writer and Cultural Affairs Commissioner to the City of Culver City.
I'm excited to announced that I will be joining a great group including His Royal Highness Prince Gharios of Ghassan, Hany Haddad, immediate Past Chair of Board of Directors at the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Lebanese philanthropist Maya Ibrahim, Amin Maalouf, best-selling author and member of the French Academy, Oscar®-winning producer Andre Morgan (Million Dollar Baby), director George Ovashvili, Hon. Roy Paul, judge for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, South Korean film producer and distributor Chul Shin, community leader and Co-Founder of the Hollywood Schoolhouse, Ferris Wehbe, Weissman/Markovitz Communications Chairman and Co-Founder Murray Weissman and Korean activist and public figure Grace Yoo, to serve on this year’s Honorary Board.
Awff will open with a red carpet awards gala on Monday, October 26, recognizing celebrities and well-known foreign talent and filmmakers who have been major contributors throughout the Asian world film community, followed by seven days of films at ArcLight Cinema and the iPic Theater and with the closing night Festival Awards presented along with the closing night film on Monday, November 2. Throughout the week there will also be expert panels on subjects like film financing, distribution, PR, marketing and awards campaigns, editing for a global audience and more to be announced.
Films that will be accepted by the Festival include those from the 50 countries recognized by the Academy and HFPA. Priority will be given to those in the Best Foreign Language Film categories at the 88th Academy Awards and 73rd Golden Globes. In rare cases, the Asian World Film Festival will consider other outstanding films that are not in contention for the Oscars® or Golden Globes, but which have received critical acclaim on the international film festival circuit. More detailed guidelines are available at www.asianworldfilmfest.org/submissions.
The prizes given out are of significant value to enhance the awards campaign and will feature top prizes for Best Film, Jury Selection and Audience awards including The Wrap’s Awards Special Screening Series and full page ads in the Foreign Film and Oscar Wrap issues valued at over $50,000.
- 8/19/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
I've already listed my top ten most anticipated blockbusters of the new year and now I'll take a look at the rest of the field as I've done my best to whittle things down to an even twenty films. So before you get in a huff that your favorite franchises aren't listed, just remember you can view all my anticipated blockbusters right here, I simply didn't know how to write the headline other than to just say these were my most anticipated movies without any further distinction. That said, I think I have a nice rounded list for you here. Obviously several from the major studios, but also a few overseas entries to spice things up. Plenty of Tom Hardy and Jake Gyllenhaal and a couple starring Rachel Weisz along with several of my favorite directors coming with new films for the new year. If you're wondering where films such...
- 1/14/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Queen of the Desert
Director: Werner Herzog // Writer: Werner Herzog
One of the most prominent members of the New German Wave happens to be Werner Herzog, an auteur who has remained a vibrant cinematic icon going on five decades. Lately working almost exclusively in documentary (and starring as a villain in 2012’s Jack Reacher), Herzog returns with his first feature since his pair of bizarre 2009 titles, Queen of the Desert. Starring a heady, glitzy cast made up of Nicole Kidman, James Franco, and Robert Pattinson, the film is a chronicle of Gertrude Bell’s life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Cast: Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, Jenny Agutter
Producers: Benaroya Pictures’ Michael Benaroya (Hateship Loveship), Cassian Elwes (Reach Me), Nick N. Raslan (Rescue Dawn), Mark Burg (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints).
U.S. Distributor:...
Director: Werner Herzog // Writer: Werner Herzog
One of the most prominent members of the New German Wave happens to be Werner Herzog, an auteur who has remained a vibrant cinematic icon going on five decades. Lately working almost exclusively in documentary (and starring as a villain in 2012’s Jack Reacher), Herzog returns with his first feature since his pair of bizarre 2009 titles, Queen of the Desert. Starring a heady, glitzy cast made up of Nicole Kidman, James Franco, and Robert Pattinson, the film is a chronicle of Gertrude Bell’s life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Cast: Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, Jenny Agutter
Producers: Benaroya Pictures’ Michael Benaroya (Hateship Loveship), Cassian Elwes (Reach Me), Nick N. Raslan (Rescue Dawn), Mark Burg (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints).
U.S. Distributor:...
- 1/6/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Over the weekend producer Nick Raslan tweeted he'd seen the final cut of Werner Herzog's newest film, Queen of the Desert and in true producer fashion said, "It's a true Epic." Along with the high praise he tweeted the above picture offering our first look at the film, which many believe may be headed to one, if not several, of the upcoming fall film festivals. The film is based on the true story of Gertrude Bell (Nicole Kidman), the traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attache for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century. Robert Pattinson, James Franco and Damian Lewis co-star. In a recent conversation with The Playlist, Herzog discussed the performance from Kidman in the film saying, "Wait for that one. Wait for it. I make an ominous prediction: How good she is." So, as I've been reviewing Herzog's older films (read my...
- 7/14/2014
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
German filmmaker Werner Herzog is on the brain today. The 71-year-old filmmaker is about to celebrate the release of the superb Shout Factory boxset "Herzog: The Collection" and he’s got a new film waiting in the wings. Titled “Queen Of The Desert," the film features the filmmaker’s most starry cast to date: Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson, “Homeland” star Damian Lewis and many more. The film chronicles the events of Gertrude Bell's life, a British explorer, traveler, archaeologist and political officer. And apparently it’s done and in the can. Co-producer Nick N. Raslan tweeted the first photo of the movie over the weekend, said the movie was done and described it as a “true epic” (you can see the tweets below). Surely if the picture is done that means we can absolutely expect it at one of the fall film festivals this September, at either Tiff,...
- 7/14/2014
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Fans of "Homeland" will see one of its stars go from the small screen to big, as actor Damian Lewis is about set to join Nicole Kidman in drama "Queen of the Desert." The Werner Herzog-directed flick centers on English army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hotham Montagu Doughty-Wylie (Lewis) and famed explorer/writer Gertrude Bell (Kidman), their affair and their letters sent during 1912-1915. Production starts shooting in December, with Herzog at the helm and Nick Raslan/Palmyra Films, Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya producing. Lewis plays Nicolas Brody in "Homeland," the new season on now. Kidman has several projects coming up, including "Grace...
- 10/22/2013
- by Katie Hasty
- Hitfix
Exclusive: Damian Lewis, who has won Golden Globes and Emmys for his work as Pow-turned-terrorist Nicolas Brody in Showtime’s Homeland, is near a deal to star opposite Nicole Kidman in director Werner Herzog’s Queen Of The Desert. The UK-born Lewis won’t have to hide his homegrown accent for the feature. He will play Lieutenant Colonel Charles Doughty-Wylie, an unhappily married English war hero who engages in a turbulent affair with Gertrude Bell (Kidman), with whom he exchanged love letters with from 1913-1915 until he was killed in active duty at Gallipoli. Production is scheduled to begin in December. Queen Of The Desert refers to Bell, the iconic explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché for the British Empire, who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th Century. Nick Raslan is producing through his Palmyra Films banner along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya.
- 10/21/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
"Homeland" star Damian Lewis is set to join Nicole Kidman in Queen of the Desert , the upcoming period drama written and directed by Werner Herzog. The film stars Kidman as Gertrude Bell, an explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché for the British Empire, who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th century. Although production was originally aiming for earlier this year with both James Franco and Robert Pattinson attached to star, the film is now looking to lens in December in Morocco. Nick Raslan will produce via his Palmyra Films banner along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya. Benaroya's Benaroya Pictures banner will finance the film. (Photo Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN.com)...
- 10/21/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Nicole Kidman is in talks to replace her friend Naomi Watts on Werner Herzog's upcoming Gertrude Bell biopic "Queen Of The Desert".
Bell was a real-life British woman who was a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Though only a commoner, Bell ultimately helped found the modern states of Iraq and Jordan and installing their first rulers, King Abdullah and King Faisal.
This marks the second casting swap on the project following the departure of Jude Law and the inclusion of James Franco in the role of Charles Doughty-Wylie with whom Bell had an unconsummated affair.
Robert Pattinson remains attached to play T.E. Lawrence. Nick Raslan, Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya are producing.
Source: Deadline...
Bell was a real-life British woman who was a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.
Though only a commoner, Bell ultimately helped found the modern states of Iraq and Jordan and installing their first rulers, King Abdullah and King Faisal.
This marks the second casting swap on the project following the departure of Jude Law and the inclusion of James Franco in the role of Charles Doughty-Wylie with whom Bell had an unconsummated affair.
Robert Pattinson remains attached to play T.E. Lawrence. Nick Raslan, Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya are producing.
Source: Deadline...
- 9/9/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Looks like director Werner Herzog is going to get a new Queen Of The Desert. I’m hearing that Naomi Watts is exiting the film about the early 20th Century explorer Gertrude Bell, and that Nicole Kidman is in talks to take the plum role. This follows a switch of the male leads earlier this year, when Jude Law departed and James Franco replaced him. Robert Pattinson also stars. Bell is the iconic explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché for the British Empire who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th century. The story plays with the sweep of Lawrence Of Arabia, potentially, and Kidman seems a nice match for the material. Nick Raslan is producing through his Palmyra Films banner along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya. Benaroya’s Benaroya Pictures banner will finance the film. Sierra/Affinity will handle international sales.
- 9/8/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Check out the trailer as well as images and the poster in the gallery for Werner Herzog's Happy People: A Year in Taiga. Directed by Dmitry Vasyukov and Herzog, the documentary from Music Box Films which premiered at the 2011 San Francisco Green Festival, opens January 25th in theaters. The film's produced by Christoph Fisser, Vladimir Perepelkin, Charlie Woebcken and Nick N. Raslan. Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) serves as executive producer alongside Klaus Badelt, Yanko Damboulev and Herzog. With Happy People: A Year in Taiga, Werner Herzog takes viewers on yet another unforgettable journey into remote and extreme natural landscapes. The acclaimed filmmakerpresents this visually stunning documentary about the life of indigenous people living in the heart of the Siberian Taiga.
- 1/11/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out the trailer as well as images and the poster in the gallery for Werner Herzog's Happy People: A Year in Taiga. Directed by Dmitry Vasyukov and Herzog, the documentary from Music Box Films which premiered at the 2011 San Francisco Green Festival, opens January 25th in theaters. The film's produced by Christoph Fisser, Vladimir Perepelkin, Charlie Woebcken and Nick N. Raslan. Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) serves as executive producer alongside Klaus Badelt, Yanko Damboulev and Herzog. With Happy People: A Year in Taiga, Werner Herzog takes viewers on yet another unforgettable journey into remote and extreme natural landscapes. The acclaimed filmmakerpresents this visually stunning documentary about the life of indigenous people living in the heart of the Siberian Taiga.
- 1/11/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
One of my favorite documentaries this year, "Searching for Sugar Man," received top honors at the 2012 Ida Documentary Awards winning the Best Feature prize. The documentary about the search for the elusive musician, Rodriguez, is truly a brilliant film illuminating failed dreams and eventual redemption.
Here's the complete winners list of the 2012 Ida Documentary Awards:
Career Achievement Award
Arnold Shapiro
Jacqueline Donnet Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award
David France
Pioneer Award
Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program And Fund
Best Feature Award
Searching For Sugar Man
Director/Producer/Writer: Malik Bendjelloul
Producer: Simon Chinn
Executive Producer: John Battsek
Red Box Films, Sony Pictures Classics
Best Short Award
Saving Face
Director: Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Producers: David Coombe, Daniel Junge, Alison Greenberg, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Sabiha Sumar
Co-Producers: Aaron Kopp, Fazeelat Aslam
Senior Producer: Lisa Heller (HBO)
Executive Producer: Sheila Nevins (HBO)
HBO Documentary Films, Milkhaus, LLC, and JungeFilm, LLC
Best Limited Series Award...
Here's the complete winners list of the 2012 Ida Documentary Awards:
Career Achievement Award
Arnold Shapiro
Jacqueline Donnet Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award
David France
Pioneer Award
Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program And Fund
Best Feature Award
Searching For Sugar Man
Director/Producer/Writer: Malik Bendjelloul
Producer: Simon Chinn
Executive Producer: John Battsek
Red Box Films, Sony Pictures Classics
Best Short Award
Saving Face
Director: Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
Producers: David Coombe, Daniel Junge, Alison Greenberg, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Sabiha Sumar
Co-Producers: Aaron Kopp, Fazeelat Aslam
Senior Producer: Lisa Heller (HBO)
Executive Producer: Sheila Nevins (HBO)
HBO Documentary Films, Milkhaus, LLC, and JungeFilm, LLC
Best Limited Series Award...
- 12/8/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Jude Law has joined Naomi Watts and Robert Pattinson in Werner Herzog's Queen of the Desert. The independent drama stars Watts as Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, political officer, traveler, archeologist and writer who explored and mapped, becoming highly influential in the making of British imperial policy-making. This was due to her her travels in Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Greater Syria and Arabia. Along with T.E. Lawrence, Bell aided in establishing the Hashemite dynasties, in what is today Jordan, and Iraq. Nick Raslan produces via Palmyra Films, alongside Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya of financiers Benaroya' Pictures. Herzog plans to start shooting Gertrude Bell some time in March in Morocco, helming from his own script. Law is top-notch, with strong performances in the comedic crime franchise Sherlock Holmes, Steven Soderbergh's Contagion and Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning Hugo.
- 11/3/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Jude Law has joined Naomi Watts and Robert Pattinson in Werner Herzog's Queen of the Desert. The independent drama stars Watts as Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, political officer, traveler, archeologist and writer who explored and mapped, becoming highly influential in the making of British imperial policy-making. This was due to her her travels in Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Greater Syria and Arabia. Along with T.E. Lawrence, Bell aided in establishing the Hashemite dynasties, in what is today Jordan, and Iraq. Nick Raslan produces via Palmyra Films, alongside Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya of financiers Benaroya' Pictures. Herzog plans to start shooting Gertrude Bell some time in March in Morocco, helming from his own script. Law is top-notch, with strong performances in the comedic crime franchise Sherlock Holmes, Steven Soderbergh's Contagion and Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning Hugo.
- 11/3/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Jude Law has joined Naomi Watts and Robert Pattinson in "Queen of the Desert," a period drama written and directed by Werner Herzog, the filmmakers announced on Friday at the American Film Market. Nick Raslan will produce through his Palmyra Films banner, along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya. Benaroya Pictures will finance the film. Sierra/Affinity will handle international sales. The film stars Naomi Watts as Gertrude Bell, an explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché who is credited with helping catalyze the formation of the modern Middle East at the dawn of...
- 11/3/2012
- by Liza Foreman
- The Wrap
Oscar nominee Jude Law is joining Naomi Watts and "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson in "Queen of the Desert," Sierra/Affinty's period drama written and directed by famed German auteur Werner Herzog ("Aguirre: The Wrath of God," "Into the Abyss"). "Queen" stars Watts as Gertrude Bell, the British explorer/writer/spy who was instrumental in re-drawing the political map of the Middle East in the early 20th century. Her more famous male counterpart, T.E. Lawrence (better known as "Lawrence of Arabia"), will be played by Pattinson. Law's role has yet to be announced. Nick Raslan is producing along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya. Shooting is scheduled to...
- 11/2/2012
- by Dave Lewis
- Hitfix
Adding another title to its arsenal, Sierra/Affinity will represent foreign rights to Werner Herzog's Gertrude Bell biopic Queen of the Desert. Jude Law is joining the cast of the film, which headlines Naomi Watts as Bell and Robert Pattinson as T.E. Lawrence, otherwise known as Lawrence of Arabia. Photos: 11 British Actors Invading Hollywood's 'It' List Bell -- like Lawrence -- was an explorer, writer, archaeologist and attaché for the British Empire, credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th century. She and Lawrence often crossed paths. Nick Raslan is producing via
read more...
read more...
- 11/2/2012
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jude Law has officially joined Naomi Watts and Robert Pattinson in Queen of the Desert , the upcoming period drama written and directed by Werner Herzog. The film stars Watts as Gertrude Bell, an explorer, writer, archeologist and attaché for the British Empire, who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th century. "It is great to be working with Herzog again on this epic story as Ms. Bell been called the female 'Lawrence of Arabia,'" said Nick Raslan. Nick Meyer, Sierra/Affinity's CEO, added, "It is a great opportunity to be working with such acclaimed talent on such an important project. We look forward to seeing Werner Herzog make this exciting piece of history come alive for a global...
- 11/2/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Robert Pattinson is putting his Twilight days behind him...by pulling a Peter O'Toole? After starring for director David Cronenberg in Cosmopolis, which hits theaters Friday, E! News has learned the British heartthrob is now setting his sights on his most challenging role to date: playing a young T.E. Lawrence opposite Naomi Watts in Werner Herzog's Queen of the Desert. A rep for the film's producer, Nick Raslan, confirmed that Pattinson has been offered the part in a biopic about famed English writer Gertrude Bell that chronicles her days as a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer and political attaché for the British Empire in the early 20th century. Lawrence, of...
- 8/15/2012
- E! Online
"Twilight" hunk Robert Pattinson is stepping into some very big shoes as he has become attached to play the one and only T.E. Lawrence in Werner Herzog’s Gertrude Bell biopic "Queen of the Desert" says The Hollywood Reporter.
Naomi Watts plays Bell, an explorer, writer, archeologist and political attache who worked for British Intelligence during World War I. Bell had a major impact on the politics of the Middle East - helping establish framework for modern day Jordan and Iraq.
Lawrence was an explorer, writer, archeologist and British Army officer who himself played key roles in Middle Eastern revolutions around the same time period and was close friends with Bell. His adventures became one of the greatest films of all time - "Lawrence of Arabia".
Herzog also penned the screenplay for 'Queen' which aims to begin shooting this Fall in Jordan and England. Nick Raslan and Cassian Elwes will produce.
Naomi Watts plays Bell, an explorer, writer, archeologist and political attache who worked for British Intelligence during World War I. Bell had a major impact on the politics of the Middle East - helping establish framework for modern day Jordan and Iraq.
Lawrence was an explorer, writer, archeologist and British Army officer who himself played key roles in Middle Eastern revolutions around the same time period and was close friends with Bell. His adventures became one of the greatest films of all time - "Lawrence of Arabia".
Herzog also penned the screenplay for 'Queen' which aims to begin shooting this Fall in Jordan and England. Nick Raslan and Cassian Elwes will produce.
- 8/15/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The truth is: I'm an ordinary man. Some interesting casting news courtesy of Variety today. Werner Herzog is developing a new independent project called Queen of the Desert, about English writer Gertrude Bell, who is already set to be played by Naomi Watts. While the film will focus on Gertrude Bell's life "as a writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer and political attache for the British Empire", one of her good friends was Thomas Edward Lawrence, or T.E. Lawrence, the author who wrote Lawrence of Arabia and whom that story is based. Herzog has now cast Robert Pattinson to play Lawrence in the film. Read on! Werner Herzog's Queen of the Desert is being produced by veteran indie producers Cassian Elwes (The Chase, Frank & Jesse, The Paperboy) and Nick Raslan (Rescue Dawn, On Death Row) and is looking to start production in the late fall later this year. This may just...
- 8/14/2012
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
"The Twilight Saga" and Cosmopolis star Robert Pattinson is joining Naomi Watts in Werner Herzog's indie Queen of the Desert , the biopic of English writer Getrude Bell. Variety says that the film "will chronicle Bell's life as a writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer and political attache for the British Empire. One of the first women to graduate from Oxford at the turn of the 20th century, she traveled through the Middle East, defining the borders of Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia." Pattinson will play T.E. Lawrence, a British Army officer whose writing earned him fame as Lawrence of Arabia, on whom David Lean's classic film is based. Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan will produce the film, which starts production in late fall. (Photo...
- 8/14/2012
- Comingsoon.net
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