Movies

Four female Italian bandits known as “Le Drude” are the protagonists of “My Body Will Bury You” a Sicily-set revenge drama/Western set in 1860 that is among standout titles presented to prospective buyers and sales agents during the Rome MIA market’s What’s Next Italy showcase. This second feature by Alessandro La Parola, whose bittersweet comedy

Starring “La casa de papel’s” Ursula Corberó, “The Tree of Blood,” the latest movie from Spain’s Julio Medem, is being brought onto the international market at Rome’s MIA market by FilmSharks Intl., which has acquired world sales rights. FilmSharks Intl. will continue introducing the film to buyers at the American Film Market, which opens Oct.

Danny Leiner, a film and television director whose feature films included “Dude, Where’s My Car” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” died Thursday. He was 57. Leiner’s collaborator Ross Putman confirmed his death in a Facebook post, and described its cause as a long illness. “If there’s one thing I can say about

Sex-trafficking drama “Joy,” from Austrian-Iranian director Sudabeh Mortezai, has won the award for Best Film at the BFI London Film Festival. “Joy” was one of 10 films in the official competition lineup, half of which were directed or co-directed by women, including Mortezai. The winning picture is a “vital, beautifully made film,” said Lenny Abrahamson, president

Like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which successfully combined fresh new material with a plethora of nostalgic nods to the past, Universal’s “Halloween” reboot manages to pick up where John Carpenter’s 1978 classic left off while paying sly homage to the original film and several of the sequels it otherwise ignores. Overflowing with inside jokes,

October 20, 2018 9:08AM PT Tinge Krishnan’s upbeat, London-set musical romance is a mixed bag galvanized by Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene’s star chemistry. Michaela Coel plays a character called Simone in Tinge Krishnan’s neon-bright urban musical “Been So Long” — and whether that’s coincidental, or intended to humor internet fan calls for the up-and-comer

“Halloween” will not only take home the box office crown in its debut weekend, but may also break “Venom’s” recently-set record for best October opening of all time. Universal’s reboot, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, is heading for an estimated $80 million from 3,928 North American locations in its first weekend. It’ll have to outpace “Venom’s”

At France’s 10th Lumière Film Festival, Jane Fonda received on Friday night a Lumière Award, presented by filmmaker Costa-Gavras. Earlier, she gave a masterclass to a packed house at Lyon’s Théâtre des Célestins, speaking with Institut Lumiere director and Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux. Here are some of the highlights, translated from French, which Fonda speaks

LYON, France – Attending the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon for the first time this week, Charles S. Cohen, chairman and CEO of Cohen Media Group, praised the event and its International Classic Film Market (MIFC). A producer and distributor of independent and arthouse films and the biggest distributor of French films in the U.S.,

At Lyon’s Lumière Festival to present “Walkover,” and “The Departure,” Jerzy Skolimowski will be the subject of a five-film tribute at the Cinématheque Française’s Toute La Mémoire du Monde Festival as event distribution emerges ever more as one of the biggest hopes for the classic film business. Titles screening at the Toute La Mémoire du

Jean-Luc Godard, the subject of a film showcase at this year’s Lumière Film Festival in Lyon that includes his latest film, “The Image Work,” remains a hot commodity for Paris-based sales group Wide. The company, which is attending the fest’s International Classic Film Market with a strong heritage film lineup, recently signed a number of

It’s no trick for even the most ham-fisted global action thriller to achieve a ripped-from-the-headlines “topicality.” Just throw in a terrorist from the right enemy nation, or an American president with the right haircut. So it’s a weird and musty Twilight Zone indeed that one enters to watch “Hunter Killer,” a grindingly ponderous and bombastic

October 19, 2018 6:36PM PT UPDATE – Bruce Dern has suffered a possible fractured hip after collapsing while jogging in Los Angeles and has been released after being hospitalized. The news was first reported late Friday afternoon by TMZ, which reported that the incident took place at 3:45 p.m. The site posted a photo taken

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” writer-producer Audrey Wauchope has accused the Directors Guild of America of bias against female directing teams. Wauchope leveled the assertions Friday in the wake of longtime partner Rachel Specter not receiving directing credit for co-directing Friday’s segment with Wauchope. The DGA had no comment Friday, citing its policy of not commenting on internal

Cinepolis Distribution, the distribution arm of Mexican exhibition giant Cinepolis, has picked up all Latin American rights to “Chicuarotes,” the second feature helmed by award-winning multi hyphenate Gael Garcia Bernal. The film, described as a dark comedy, is produced by Garcia Bernal via his new shingle with partner Diego Luna, La Corriente del Golfo, along with Marta

Let’s say you come across gritty desperadoes-on-the-run thriller “Galveston,” maybe flipping channels or because you decided to take a gamble and buy the Ben Foster–Elle Fanning drama on-demand. Watching the tough, Gulf of Mexico road movie unfold — burning slow and even from Louisiana to its title Texas destination like a lit cigarette in a dead

Jamie Lee Curtis’ “Halloween” is looking to slice up an opening weekend of as high as $75 million at 3,928 North American locations, early estimates showed Friday. Universal’s R-rated slasher film is on its way to posting the second-highest October launch of all time, bested only by the $80 million opening of Tom Hardy’s “Venom”

Animator Nina Paley’s wit and imagination provide such unique delights that it seems almost churlish to complain that her second feature feels more like a tray of hors d’oeuvres than a full meal — even if it’s inspired by the traditional ritual feast of Passover Seder. But “Seder-Masochism” plays as considerably less of an organic

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa, and India from Participant Media to Victor Kossakosvky’s water-themed documentary “Aquarela.” The film had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival and also screened at the London Film Festival. Sony Classics is planning to release

October 19, 2018 11:00AM PT Academy Award winner Geena Davis and Joan Chen have joined Jessica Chastain’s action-drama “Eve” from Voltage Pictures and Freckle Films. Tate Taylor is directing with production underway in Boston. Colin Farrell, Common, John Malkovich, and Diana Silvers are also starring. Voltage will fully finance “Eve” and handle worldwide sales at

LYON, France  — Jane Fonda wowed a packed house at Lyon’s majestic Théâtre des Célestins on Friday, delivering a masterclass at the Lumière Film Festival, in French no less, that was in turns humorous, emotional and downright militant, at one point even expressing gratitude to Donald Trump for making activism stronger than it has ever

October 19, 2018 10:51AM PT After previously being protective of the movie’s musical climax, the stars are ready for the emotional ballad to shine outside of theaters. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper have released the official music video for “I’ll Never Love Again,” the heartbreaking final track on the “A Star is Born” soundtrack. Gaga

Chile’s Storyboard Media, a leader in production and distribution in that country, have given Variety exclusive access to the heartwarming first trailer for the sophomore feature from director Shawn Garry, “After Elena.” The film tells the story of Roberto, a man in his 70s who has just lost the love of his life, Elena. The typically stoic

October 19, 2018 10:00AM PT Disney has moved Dwayne Johnson’s “Jungle Cruise” nine months back to the mid-summer of 2020. The studio announced Friday that “Jungle Cruise,” based on the Disneyland ride, would open on July 24, 2020. The previous date had been Oct. 11, 2019. Johnson also tweeted the news, with a short video

More than 60 films were submitted to form part of the 4th Impulso Morelia, the works in progress section of the Morelia Film Festival taking place this week in the pre-Colombian Mexican city. This year’s crop of projects, as much if not more than ever before, demonstrates the reflective capabilities of Mexican filmmakers in regards

October 19, 2018 8:50AM PT Paris-based Luxbox locks down China, U.K. for retro thriller “Rojo,” a noirish retro drama-thriller by fast-rising Argentinean helmer Benjamin Naishtat, has closed a number of territories, including France and China, after scooping three prizes at the San Sebastian Film Festival following its Toronto world premiere.   The distribution pacts sold

Jamie Lee Curtis’ “Halloween” has opened strongly with $7.7 million at 3,200 North American locations in Thursday night preview showings. Universal’s R-rated slasher film recorded one of the biggest preview nights for a horror movie. Warner Bros.’ “It” took in $13.5 million from 3,500 theaters on Sept 7, 2017. Anticipation is high among moviegoers for

October 19, 2018 6:04AM PT Oscar-nominated “Hacksaw Ridge” producer David Permut has acquired the motion picture rights to Joel Dobson’s nuclear bomb thriller “The Goldsboro Broken Arrow.” Dobson’s book follows the formerly classified events that took place in 1961 when four pilots ejected out of a B-52 aircraft carrying two thermonuclear bombs at 9,000 feet

Keshet Intl. CEO Alon Shtruzman discussed the company’s recently launched $65 million fund at a keynote speech in Rome on Thursday, as the company looks to ramp up its production of films and high-end dramas that could be the next “Homeland.” Appearing onstage during the MIA Market with Lorenzo De Maio, head of TV sales

LYON, France  — As part of its efforts to improve the distribution and cross-border consumption of European film, the European Commission on Thursday unveiled its new directory of European films. Presenting the project at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, Mariya Gabriel, the European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, said the directory was the