Hungari AFM D2 HC 110509.Indd 1 10/30/09 11:23 AM BASED on the NOVEL HENRI QUATRE by HEINRICH MANN JULIEN BOISSELIER ARMELLE DEUTSCH

2 the AFM

daiThursday, Novemberly 5, 2009 THR.com/afm

Hungari AFM D2 HC 110509.indd 1 10/30/09 11:23 AM BASED ON THE NOVEL HENRI QUATRE BY HEINRICH MANN JULIEN BOISSELIER ARMELLE DEUTSCH

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A REGINA ZIEGLER PRODUCTION A JO BAIER FILM

HE COURTED DEATH. HE COURTED DESIRE. FOR FREEDOM OF FAITH.

BAVARIA FILM INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS A REGINA ZIEGLER PRODUCTION A JO BAIER FILM STARRING JULIEN BOISSELIER JOACHIM KRÓL ROGER CASAMAJOR ANDREAS SCHMIDT ARMELLE DEUTSCH CHLOÉ STEFANI HANNELORE HOGER ULRICH NOETHEN DEVID STRIESOW KARL MARKOVICS SANDRA HÜLLER SVEN PIPPIG ANDRÉ M. HENNICKE WOTAN WILKE MÖHRING ANTOINE MONOT JR. SCREENPLAY JO BAIER COOKY ZIESCHE BASED ON THE NOVEL BY HEINRICH MANN PRODUCTION DESIGN KLAUS-PETER PLATTEN CHRISTIAN STRANG COSTUME DESIGN GERHARD GOLLNHOFER MAKE UP GERHARD ZEISS SOUND RECORDING GUNNAR VOIGT MUSIC BY HANS ZIMMER AND HENRY JACKMAN DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY GERNOT ROLL EDITING CLAUS WEHLISCH ALEXANDER BERNER LINE PRODUCER JÜRGEN TRÖSTER PRODUCTION MANAGER CORNELIA SCHMIDT-MATTHIESEN CO -PRODUCED BY GÉTÉVÉ B.A. PRODUKTION INSTITUT DEL CINEMA CATALÀ WEGA FILM MMC INDEPENDENT ARTE BR DEGETO MDR NDR SWR WDR FRANCE 2 ARTE FRANCE CINÉMA ORF TVC EXECUTIVE PRODUCER HARTMUT KÖHLER PRODUCER COOKY ZIESCHE PRODUCED BY REGINA ZIEGLER DIRECTED BY JO BAIER

Bavaria_D1_11_04_09.inddTHR_FP_Henry_212 x 278_nov05_RZ.indd 1 1 02.11.200911/2/09 15:17:42 10:21 Uhr AM D2_afm p1,54,56_n1 11/4/09 7:19 PM Page 1

Q&A the Ignasi Guardans AFM has taken on his new job as director of Spain's ICAA Film Institute with a fervor. SEE PAGE 6

dailyThursday November 5, 2009 THR.com/afm 2 Zhang power Capitol chiefs for ‘Flower’ in legal dustup By Jonathan Landreth

EIJING — Zhang Ziyi is By Alex Ben Block high-profile direc- joining Wendi Murdoch and tors and stars. BFlorence Sloan in produc- ven as Capitol Films pur- Bergstein, ing “Snow Flower and the sues international sales whose banner Secret Fan,”an English-lan- for a slate of movies at now is Pangea guage drama starring Zhang. AFM this week, legal bat- Media Group, and Wayne Wang has come tles for the men who Tutor, the Los Murdoch aboard as director. Ehead the company are heating up. Bergstein Angeles-based Set during 19th century in remote In the latest salvo, execs behind millionaire behind China, the film tells of the lifelong defunct New York hedge fund Tutor-Saliba, one of the largest friendship of Lily and Snow Flower D.B. Zwirn, which provided most U.S. construction firms, provid- and their imprisonment by rigid cul- of the money to David Bergstein ed personal guarantees on the tural codes of conduct for women. and his partner Ron Tutor to loans that appear to put them on Producers were scheduled for make and sell movies, filed suit the hook for more than $65 mil- talks in the coming days with Monday for reimbursement of lion. That’s according to the Sloan potential backers and distributors about $120 million. That money lawsuit filed on behalf of D.B. at AFM. was used by the pair to acquire Zwirn Special Opportunities Although it will be Zhang’s second feature Capitol for $30 million and Fund; its subsidiary Bernard as producer, “Snow Flower” is the first in ThinkFilm for $25 million as well National Loan Investors of the partnership with Murdoch, the Chinese-born as operate a series of companies Cayman Islands; and Hemlock

continued on page 52 and produce movies involving continued on page 52 IMAGES GALLUP/GETTY SEAN ZHANG ZIYI PHOTO: Zhang Ziyi WHAT’S INSIDE ects after seeing the hard-hit sales Market veterans flying new flags sector suffer and companies disap- >Reviews. PAGES 8, 42, 44, 56 pear. > This year’s gathering will boast a Reviews in Brief. PAGES 10, 14, 18, 20, 36, 40 By Stuart Kemp brace of familiar faces from the U.S. boasting new companies and two WORLD REPORT amiliar faces hawking under new banners is a newly formed international sales theme during AFM as veterans of the market cir- groups operating under the banners SCANDINAVIA:PAGE23 Fcuit take up the battle to secure financing for proj- continued on page 54 Bradley THAILAND:PAGE29

LONDON MADRID MONTREAL ROME NEW YORK VANCOUVER HOLLYWOOD TORONTO BANGKOK

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THR.com/afm news Thursday, November 5, 2009 Camelot spawns DarKnight AFM Daily Edition By Borys Kit Eric Mika amelot Entertainment Group Publisher has launched DarKnight Pic- Ctures, a genre division that Elizabeth Guider will acquire and distribute film Editor for domestic and international markets, picking up flicks “Nude David Morgan Nuns with Big Guns” and Deputy Editor “Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf” as its first two releases. EDITORIAL Stuart Kemp (U.K. Bureau Chief) At the same time, Camelot has Gregg Kilday (Film Editor) set Dean Cain, Tito Ortiz, Peter Kevin Cassidy (International Features Editor) Stormare and Marc Decascos in “The Fallen,”an action thriller REPORTERS Borys Kit (Senior Film Reporter) co-produced by Camelot to be Jay A. Fernandez (Film Reporter) directed by Rob Walker and pro- Jonathan Landreth (China Editor) duced by Grant Cramer and Erik Anderson. “Fallen” will be ART released by the company’s just- Jackie Rubi (Senior Designer) created distribution unit, AFM bunting REVIEWS Camelot Distribution Group. The Loews Hotel atrium in Santa Monica was all decked out and ready for Kirk Honeycutt (Chief Film Critic) DarKnight and CDG are head- business on Wednesday as the American Film Market gears up. continued on page 51 ADVERTISING Tommaso Campione (International Executive Director), Alison Smith (International Sales Director), Ivy Lam (Asia Sales & Marketing Manager)

CORRESPONDENTS Temple tackles ‘Hoax’ ‘Lion’s Den’team Pip Bulbeck (Australia), Leo Cendrowicz (Belgium), Alex Dai (China), Rebecca Leffler (France), Scott Roxborough (Germany), By Stuart Kemp “Fake!” details Nyay Bhushan (India), Eric J. Lyman (Italy), bellies up to bar Gavin Blair (Japan), John Hecht (Mexico), the complex emo- Ab Zagt (Netherlands), Janine Stein Director Julien Temple will tional triangle (Singapore), Pamela Rolfe (Spain), take on the story of art faker among three main By Patrick Frater Jolanta Chudy (United Arab Emirates) Elmyr de Hory written by the protagonists: the equally notorious hoax biogra- two fakers and HONG KONG – The team OPERATIONS Gregg Edwards (Senior Production Manager), pher Clifford Irving. Richard Orson Welles, who behind last year’s Cannes Shenaya Archer (Production) Gere played him in “The Hoax” Temple made his last film competition entry “Lion’s Den” in 2007. about de Hory. has reunited for the new AFM THR.COM Temple has pacted with U.K.- Temple said: “There’s an ele- film “Carancho.” Karen Nicoletti (Senior News Editor) based production and finance ment of ‘To Catch a Thief’ about The picture, about an house Film and Music Entertain- what they do. As becomes clear ambulance-chasing lawyer who ment to direct “Fake!,”scripted in his conversations with Welles, gets into trouble way out of his by Michael Kalesniko. one of the most amazing illu- depth, is again a collaboration Temple is working with sions Elmyr maintained during between writer-director Pablo Kalesniko with a view to a spring all the years of his career as an Trapero, actress Martina Gus- Gerry Byrne Senior Vice President, shoot in Spain, France and Croatia. art forger was that he was not a man, Argentinian producers The Entertainment Group Kalesniko’s credits include criminal and what he was doing Matanza Cine, Patagonik Film Copyright ©2008 Howard Stern’s “Private Parts” was not a crime. He knew of Group and South Korea’s Fine- Nielsen Business Media, Inc. and the Kenneth Branagh vehicle course it was against the law, but cut. French distributor Ad Vitam All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or “How to Kill Your Neighbour’s so was jaywalking or smoking a also returns as investor and local transmitted, in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or Dog,”and he is working on a joint. What he did, unlike gov- distributor. Finecut will handle otherwise — without the prior written permission rewrite of the sci-fi spoof “Iron ernments and politicians, didn’t world rights sales outside Latin of the publisher. Sky” for F&ME. harm anyone else.” ∂ continued on page 51 THOS ROBINSON/GETTY IMAGES FOR AFM IMAGES ROBINSON/GETTY THOS

& THR.com/afm q a Thursday, November 5, 2009

IGNASI GUARDANS favor women filmmakers? Director of Spain’s ICAA Film Institute Guardans: The law is the law and here there are two laws. One is the general law about equality arlier this year,Ignasi Guardans was appointed director of Spain’s ICAA Film Institute and given a mis- that has an article that requests a public body related to the promotion of the arts — which fits sion to revamp the country’s film subsidy structure.Not one of the industry insiders,Guardans has come perfectly with what we are doing — to put a very to the post with the enthusiasm and energy of someone who wants to tackle a long-overdue project.The specific attention in the creation and produc- Hollywood Reporter’s Spain Bureau Chief,Pamela Rolfe,caught up with Guardans to discuss the subsidy tion of art made by women. And the second is changes he has proposed (out on consultation to the sector), Spanish filmmaking and favoring women. the film law itself, which says that certain aid E packages should take into account gender equality when all criteria are the same. What Your background is very different from what has Guardans: You don’t set up a broadcasting that means is that if two projects are equal, if been in that position in the past. company just like you’re investing in the mid- the film has a female director or female Ignasi Guardans: It is a statement that my dle of nowhere. Because they are allowed to scriptwriter,the film will get it, up to 50% of the background is different. I am not a filmmaker. I use the public spectrum they can make money. total grants that are to be given. ∂ have business and law experience and political So that allows the state to impose on those experience and industry experience. And using something that belongs to us all some media experience from a legislative perspec- kind of duty to invest in domestic production tive. Plus international experience. You shake or cinema. That being said, I don’t want any all that together and put it at the service of the investment in cinema to be seen as a tax. They growth of the Spanish film industry. can make money out of it. So they must have a role in deciding the future. But I don’t want How would you describe the Spanish film indus- 100% of the future of Spanish cinema in the try and what you are trying to do? hands of the television broadcasters because Guardans: I think the Spanish film industry is they have criteria that are not always cultural. a mix of different people, but a majority of the industry is made up of film enthusiasts — What do you consider the most important fea- people who are there because they believe in tures of the new law? filmmaking beyond financial return. The Guardans: The automatic element in the Span- Spanish film industry is too segmented: 85% ish subsidy support system is too strong. It of Spanish film producers produce one film doesn’t discriminate at all. The law forces the per year, 14% produce two or more, and only state to keep some objectivity.Linking invest- 5% or 6% can do four or more films per year. ment and boxoffice, which hasn’t existed until That is a symptom of weakness. So we need to now.And a link between boxof- find a balance, not just turning the film fice, investment and subsidy so industry into a money-making industry. we can reach some policy objec- There has to be risk, not just money, but mes- tive, without preventing people For more Q&A sage. But you need to balance that with a from freely choosing what kind with Ignasi stronger industry, with more stability. of film they want to make. And Guardans, go to on the other side trying to pro- THR.com/people Are the two lines of subsidies outlined in the mote independent films. new law designed to make the film industry more commercial? So boxoffice and festival awards will Guardans: What I intend to do is help the proj- boost the likelihood of subsidies? ects that are designed to be commercial to be Guardans: Another very important strong enough to be commercial. And those element is the Internet because we that are not intended to be commercial are sup- will count as boxoffice the Internet ported as not-commercial. But what I want to viewers and the DVD sales. That will get rid of are those that pretend to be commer- count towards the boxoffice sales. cial, meaning a film that is in competition with That means that the better you dis- purely commercial films, but they don’t have tribute the film, the better you pro- the quality,budget or strength to play in that mote your film, even after theatri- league. It is up to the filmmaker,not the state, to cal release, the bigger support you decide what sort of film you are making. will get up to a limit. Which will mean that producers will have What about the broadcasters who argue they more interest in keeping their are the only ones capable of making strong, big- films running. budget commercial films and they are forbidden from accessing the public funds because they Can you tell me about the plans are not considered independent producers. for positive discrimination that ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS MORRIS BY ILLUSTRATION

THR.com/afm reviews Thursday, November 5, 2009

BOTTOM LINE A terrific look at a dying breed of art director and production ‘Something’s designers in the old Hollywood studio system. VENUE: AFI Fest (distributor) PRODUCTION: Adama Films Director/screenwriter/producer: Daniel Gonna LiLive’ve’ Raim. DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Haskell Wexler, Guido Verweyen, Daniel Raim. MUSIC: Ori Barel. EDITOR: Daniel Raim,Jennifer Raim. No rating, 78 minutes.

Rain did make an Oscar-nominated short doc, “The Man on Lincoln Nose,”about his profes- sor at the American Film Insti- tute, Robert Boyle, who worked with Hitchcock as a designer on “The Birds” and “North by Northwest” among hundreds of credits. In fact, Boyle still teaches at the AFI — at age 100! When Raim located footage of an interview he conducted with famed cinematographer Conrad Hall not long before his passing, footage he believed lost, he decided to embark on a feature about the men — and indeed they are all men — who played such a vital role in the Golden Age of the By Kirk Honeycutt matographers so it’s only fitting or imagined worlds come alive. studio system. Good thing he did that one finally got made about Although the focus is on Hol- for only two of the men he focus- ocumentaries have production designers. Daniel lywood, “Something’s Gonna es on are still with us — Boyle and been made about such Raim’s “Something’s Gonna Live” is a natural for festivals cinematographer Haskell Wexler. below-the-line Holly- Live” is absolutely infused with everywhere and should be a use- Raim’s approach is to stage wood talent as stunt profound admiration and respect ful, if not essential, teaching tool reunions of these “old farts,”as Dperformers and cine- for the people who can make real in any cinema course. continued on page 44

reviews

THR.com/afm in brief Thursday, November 5, 2009

For complete reviews and credits

“The Boys Are Back”

“The Boys Are Back” estingly, it also is the first project “Chloe” compelling “Chloe.”A sexually >HanWay Films he has made in Australia since >StudioCanal charged melodrama starring BOTTOM LINE: A smart, sensitive “Shine.”The Clive Owen-starring BOTTOM LINE: Acclaimed director Julianne Moore as a distrustful exploration of a father who falls in film boosts such strong emotion- Atom Egoyan has it both ways with wife who deliberately leads flir- love with his two sons. al pull that Miramax should reap an art house “Fatal Attraction.” tatious husband Liam Neeson Few films have so poignantly good boxoffice coin domestically Canadian filmmaker Atom into temptation in order to con- portrayed a father’s relationships in adult venues. Although the film Egoyan has long had the respect firm her suspicions, the cleverly with his sons as “The Boys Are revolves around an all-male of his international peers, earn- constructed film manages the Back,”a film by Scott Hicks that household, its good-looking dad ing countless accolades includ- neat feat of containing all reminds you he once directed the could make this a chick flick that ing Oscar nominations for ingredients of a potential hit luminescent “Shine.”For the first family guys will thoroughly enjoy. 1997’s “The Sweet Hereafter.” while remaining true to Egoy- time since that magical feature The film opens Sept. 25 in Los But he has never enjoyed the an’s body of work. debut, Hicks has invested heart Angeles and New York. type of commercial success that — Michael Rechtshaffen, and soul in a film project. Inter- — Kirk Honeycutt is certain to come with the continued on page 14

Los Angeles 323.525.2000 | New York 646.654.5000 | London +44.207.420.6139 | Beijing +86.10.6512.5511 (ext. 121) | THR.com/afm | day 2 10 Emperor_D3_11_06_09.indd 1 10/30/09 10:20 AM MLineDist_D2_11_05_09.indd 1 10/30/09 12:55 PM MLineDist_D2_11_05_09.indd 2 10/30/09 12:55 PM D2_afm_revbriefs p10 11/4/09 2:45 PM Page 2

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday,November 5, 2009 | reviews AT THE AFM OFFICE # 812

THE EUROPEAN MEETING POINT

Austria Austrian Film Commission Belgium Banana Films “The Collector” Croatia Croatian Audiovisual Centre Denmark Reviews in brief Smile Entertainment continued from page 10 France Eurociné “Cocaine Cowboys” the prevailing sensation is a case Germany >Magnolia Pictures of been there, impaled that. Intuit Pictures BOTTOM LINE: Billy Corben and — Michael Rechtshaffen Alfred Spellman’s docu that vividly Hungary traces Miami’s trajectory from Tivoli-Filmproductions sleepy retirement mecca to Blow “Cracks” Central, USA. >HandMade Films International The Netherlands As sensational as “Scarface” BOTTOM LINE: Ridley’s daughter Bridge Entertainment Group and a lot livelier than that makes her directing debut with this Holland Film “Miami Vice” movie, “Cocaine stylishly unstuffy period piece. Poland Cowboys” is a documentary by Eva Green successfully leaves Polish Film Institute Billy Corben and Alfred Spell- Bond behind as a free-spirited Syrena Films man that vividly traces Miami’s teacher at a British girls board- trajectory from sleepy retire- ing school who isn’t all she’s Portugal ment mecca to Blow Central, cracked up to be in the erotical- Valentim de Carvalho Multimédia USA. It might share its title with ly-laced period drama, “Cracks.” a 1979 Jack Palance-Andy Marking an assured feature Switzerland Warhol clunker, but the newer debut by Jordan Scott (the Swiss Films film, with its colorful cast of daughter of Sir Ridley), the gor- United Kingdom real-life characters and a delib- geously appointed film might Carey Films erately frenetic “coked-up” have benefited from a subtler CJA (Christopher Johnson Associates) editing style, has the feel of a touch, especially in its later narrative feature, complete with frames, but the performances Reach Up High Entertainment a two-hour running time. she coaxes from her all-female Splitwigs — Michael Rechtshaffen cast receive top marks. Stagescreen Productions — Michael Rechtshaffen Zephyr Films “The Collector” >Cinema Management Group Crazy Racer BOTTOM LINE: Not a keeper. >Media Asia Distribution CONTACT DURING THE AFM Sharing nothing in common BOTTOM LINE: An exhilarating crime Loews Hotel #812 with the 1965 Terence Stamp- caper in perpetual motion. Tel. (310) 458 6700 ext. 812 Samantha Eggar chiller other Ning Hao’s “Crazy Racer” [email protected] than the title, “The Collector” plays with the velocity of an grafts a torture porn payoff onto athlete pumped up on steroids www.efp-online.com a heist thriller setup with messy, and amphetamines. Hysterical illogical results. Having penned cartoon-like action competes “Saw IV,”“Saw V” and the with thick vernacular humor upcoming “Saw VI” with Patrick that operates on cerebral and Melton, first-time director Mar- sensory levels, as a spectacular- EFP is ﬁnancially supported by: cus Dunstan admittedly knows ly unlucky bicycle racer his way around the viscerally becomes embroiled in all kinds sick and twisted. But by this of bungled crimes in this mad- stage in the torture porn game, continued on page 18

Los Angeles 323.525.2000 | THR.com/afm | day 2 14 MovingPics D2 110509.indd 1 11/3/09 11:38 AM CMG_D2_11_05_09.indd 1 11/4/09 11:49 AM CMG_D2_11_05_09.indd 2 11/4/09 11:49 AM D2_afm_revbriefs p10 11/4/09 2:45 PM Page 3

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews in brief

“The Dancer women they love while plotting a Reviews in brief daring heist. continued from page 14 and the Thief” — Deborah Young >6 Sales cap comedy. It’s a circus act of film is an intelligent, touching BOTTOM LINE: Charming but pure cinematic showmanship depiction of a brilliant man sure of outdated tale of thieves in love. “Dare” that loosely channels the Coen his scientific skills but tormented The screen adaptation of >6 Sales brothers. Some will say Ning’s not only by remorse over the loss of Antonio Skarmeta’s novel “The BOTTOM LINE: A largely believable too clever by halfway through a beloved child but also by the real- Dancer and the Thief” is a well- and entertaining take on the last the film, but his satire on the ization that he has lost his faith. It worn project that has taken a days of high school. rampant greed driving China’s is shot beautifully and boasts per- long time getting onto the High school movies never get market economy is spot on. formances by Paul Bettany screen. Fernando Trueba’s lilting old for filmmakers because emo- — Maggie Lee as Darwin and his real- adaptation of the tions run so high and life issues life wife, Oscar winner romantic are so intense at that time in life. Jennifer Connelly,as tragedy, set in “Dare,”a smart and well- “Creation” Darwin’s wife, Emma, post-dictator- observed entry in the genre, is a >HanWay Films that should attract ship Chile, cut above the usual hijinks. The BOTTOM LINE: Spirited and moving awards attention. shows incon- universality of the story could tale about Charles Darwin with fine Thoughtful and memo- trovertible lead to satisfying returns at the performances and considerable rable, it will do well with signs of age. boxoffice and make it a staple on wisdom. grown-up audiences The whimsi- cable outlets. What elevates Jon Amiel’s “Creation” is bound across the board. cal story fol- “Dare” is the quality of the writ- to spark controversy because — Ray Bennett lows two men, ing by David Brind, crisp direc- it depicts Charles Darwin a seasoned tion by Adam Salky and a uni- struggling with his epochal safe-cracker and formly attractive and compelling 1859 work “On the Origin of a feisty 20-year- cast led by the delightful Emmy Species,”though it’s much old who has fallen Rossum. more than a red flag to reli- afoul of the law, as — James Greenberg gious fundamentalists. The they pursue the continued on page 20 “Creation”

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The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews in brief

“Chaw”

Reviews in brief “Don’t Let Me Drown” “Easier With Practice” >Elephant Eye Films >Shoreline Entertainment continued from page 18 BOTTOM LINE: A clandestine BOTTOM LINE: A disarmingly romance struggles to take hold in poignant take on contemporary “Death in Love” genre fun. Specialized festivals post-9/11 New York in a touching relationships. >Screen Media Ventures, LLC will come calling, and theatrical tale of young love. One doesn’t usually associate BOTTOM LINE: A tightly wound and release could be limited to Asia, “Don’t Let Me Drown” is one the words “tender” and “affect- harrowing family drama. but careful marketing could help of the best film portraits yet of ing” with the topic of phone sex, The sins of a mother pass on to “Chaw” find a life on DVD with New York City in the aftermath but such is the case with “Easier the next generation in this stir- the geek set. of 9/11, where a city and its With Practice,”an unexpectedly ring glimpse of the ongoing emo- — Elizabeth Kerr people cope with collective stirring first feature by Kyle tional ordeal of a Jewish family. post-traumatic stress while Patrick Alvarez about the chal- Juxtaposing gruesome Nazi con- military jets boom overhead and lenges of making human con- centration camp experiments “December” smoke from the Twin Towers nections in the weird and wired with a camp survivor’s subse- ITN Distribution hangs in the air. 21st century. quent family life, “Death in Love” BOTTOM LINE: Very serious drama — Kirk Honeycutt — Michael Rechtshaffen pierces the senses. Difficult to about a good man trying to stay watch, it’s a vivid and unsparing sober and decent while his awful family portrait by writer-director family falls apart “The Double Hour” “The Eclipse” Boaz Yakin. Melancholy bordering >SND Groupe M6 >Magnolia Pictures — Duane Byrge morose, Selton Mello’s “Decem- BOTTOM LINE: Noir with a great BOTTOM LINE: Conor McPherson “Chaw” ber” follows a reformed wastrel twist but cliched protagonist. delivers a beautiful, even believable who goes to visit his nightmar- Giuseppe Capatondi’s debut ghost drama that enraptures on >Finecut ishly self-indulgent family for feature, “The Double Hour,”is a many levels. BOTTOM LINE: By-the-numbers Christmas. It’s Portuguese title, smart psychological thriller For “The Eclipse,”Conor creature feature fun for some. “Feliz Natal” (”Merry Christ- with the one fatal flaw that McPherson leverages several of If you mixed a little bit of mas”), drips with the irony that Slavic women in Italian televi- the assets that made his award- “Razorback,”a dash of “Black the Brazilian director clearly sion and cinema must be dark, winning, multi-Tony-nominated Sheep” and a whole lot of intended but fails to pull off as tormented characters who hard- Broadway play “The Seafarer” a “Jaws” together, the result the family reveals its wretched ly ever smile. In a criminal caper hit. Back is that intriguing mix of would look like “Chaw,”a come- true colors and the drama with a twist, this actually works engaging drama and wonderful dy-horror cut from the same becomes more depressing than against the story. dialogue, all infused with stirring cloth as those films and a mostly anything else. — Natasha Senjanovic hints of the supernatural. He also amusing, if derivative, bit of — Ray Bennett continued on page 36

Los Angeles 323.525.2000 | New York 646.654.5000 | London +44.207.420.6139 | Beijing +86.10.6512.5511 (ext. 121) | THR.com/afm | day 2 20 BEST OF THE FEST SCREENING TODAY CHICAGO CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL, 2009 5TH NOV 17:00 LONDON DINARD AMC LOEWS BROADWAY 4 FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL

EalingStudios D2 FTTT 110509 R1.indd 1 11/4/09 11:36 AM Strix Television was founded in 1988 and is today one of the biggest TV-production companies in Scandinavia and a prominent player on the international market. Strix formats have been iii efd[j fh sold to more than 80 countries around the world.

THE FARM One of the most successful reality formats in the world, aired in more than 40 countries! Six women and six men are thrown together to survive as farmers without any of the luxuries we all take for granted: running water, electricity, sewerage and modern toilets, and mobile telephones. The Farm – where city slickers sink or swim in a rural setting! » TITLE: The Farm » DURATION: 40x23 min. + 10x45 min. » CATEGORY: Reality Game Show

THE BAR

Aired in 22 countries around the world! 12 strangers thrown together to run a cool city bar, with over 25 web cameras online 24/7, so everyone gets to be the ﬂy on the wall! The Bar – is an exciting combination of human relationships and elimination game, where the viewers have total control. » TITLE: The Bar » DURATION: 40x23 min. + 10x45 min. » CATEGORY: Reality Game Show

FLOOR FILLER

One of the biggest Reality Entertainment Shows in Spain currently on air with their 3rd season. Licensed in ﬁve other countries! One academy. One challenging competition. 24 dancers, all with WHEN TOMORROW COMES the same dream: to become a professional dancer. Floor Filler – their ultimate opportunity to develop their dance skills and experience the challenge of their lives. Who’s the greatest dancer? » TITLE: Floor Filler » DURATION: 10x45 min. + 50x23 min. » CATEGORY: Reality Talent Show

WHEN TOMORROW COMES

Exciting new fomat from Strix, licensed in Sweden! Plenty of people live their lives and spend money like there is no tomorrow. This is a wakeup call. How will you afford your lifestyle – when tomorrow comes? » TITLE: When Tomorrow Comes » DURATION: 10x45 min. » CATEGORY: Factual Entertainment

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SPECIAL REPORT: Scandinavia THR.com/afm world Thursday, November 5, 2009

“Reykjavik-Rotterdam” Let the Right Ones In

In the market for a remake? Forget those French comedies, A host of remakes are coming Hong Kong gangster films or Japanese supernatural horror pics; the hottest adaptations these days are coming out of Scandinavia. to the screen,from the most And the hottest, at the moment, is Swedish blockbuster “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.”The original, the first in a trilogy unlikely source based on the best-selling novels by Stieg Larsson, is already the most successful Swedish film of all time. Producer Yellow Bird is expected to sign a deal shortly for an English-language redo. But before that, a Nordic wave of translated tales involving Ice- landic smugglers, dysfunctional Danes and Swedish teen vampires is set to hit the U.S. market. By Scott Roxborough First up is “Brothers,”Jim Sheridan’s family drama starring Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire and based on the 2002 Danish film by Susanne Bier. The story revolves around a young man who comforts his older broth-

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 special world report | Scandinavia

“Let the Right One In”

er’s wife and children after his brother goes small-town detective who, while investi- MIA on a military mission in Afghanistan. “In recent Scandinavian gating a murder, uncovers a trail of corrup- The Michael De Luca production is set for a tion and dark secrets. Dec. 4 release through Lionsgate. cinema,you see a lot of Working Title has jumped onboard The Halcyon Co. has begun production another Icelandic title, the smuggling on another Bier title: her 2006 Oscar-nom- emphasis on story,on plot. thriller inated “After the Wedding.”Tom Wilkinson “Reykjavik-Rotterdam,”Iceland’s official and Camille Belle star in Michael Caton- That’s been the focus of the entry for next year’s foreign-language Jones’ remake, which Halcyon’s Victor Oscar. The company has fast-tracked the Kubicek and Derek Anderson are producing. film schools here.” English-language redo, signing up Mark There’s actually even a third Bier adapta- Wahlberg to play the lead, a security guard tion out there: Zach Braff and Paramount whose financial troubles tempt him back Pictures optioned a remake of her 2002 — Baltasar Kormakur into the smuggling business. Dogme film “Open Hearts,”about a woman Aaron Guzikowski, the writer on Antoine whose life is torn asunder after her fiance is Fuqua’s upcoming Warner Bros. thriller paralyzed in a car crash and the woman falls nal novel (by John Ajvide Lindqvist), we “Prisoners,”is penning the script. Produc- in love with the man responsible for the immediately saw the potential for a ers include Working Title’s Tim Bevan and crash. But Braff has reportedly put the proj- remake,”EFTI producer Carl Molinder Eric Fellner and “Entourage” exec pro- ect on hold. says. “It was in Berlin two and half ducer Stephen Levinson. Not so Overture Films, which is pushing years ago, while we were still in the Kormakur, who produced and forward with two Scandi remakes: “Let Me middle of producing the Swedish starred in the original and controls In,”an adaptation of Swedish vampire version, that (fellow EFTI producer) all remake rights, is onboard to romance “Let the Right One In” and “Jar John Nordling and I started talking direct. City” based on the 2006 murder mystery of seriously about the remake.” “The story of ‘Reykjavik-Rot- the same name from Iceland’s Baltasar Fredrik Malmberg of Paradox terdam’ is actually even Kormakur. Entertainment started the ball better suited to an Ameri- Matt Reeves has begun principal photog- rolling, bringing the Swedes can setting,”Kormakur raphy on “Let Me In,”which stars Kodi together with Arsenal Films says. "It’s easier to imag- Smit-McPhee (“The Road”) as a bullied boy principals John Ptak and ine this kind of genre who befriends his odd neighbor — played by Philip Elway, who helped thriller there than in a “(500) Days of Summer” star Chloe Moretz bring in Hammer and small country like Ice- — a 13 going on 300 vampire. Hammer Overture. “Let Me In” is land.” Films is producing together with EFTI, the set for a 2010 release. Peaceful, socialist Swedish company behind the original. Overture plans to Scandinavia does The teen vampire genre is now red-hot begin shooting the “Jar indeed seem a strange thanks to “Twilight,”but the deal for “Let City” redo in the U.S. source of inspiration for the Right One In” actually closed in spring next year. The new version Susanne Bier what’s become a steady 2008, well before Robert Pattinson’s rise to shifts the action from stream of crime, mon- superstardom. Reykjavik to Louisiana but ster and melodrama “When we bought the rights to the origi- keeps the original concept of remakes. If you were to

AFM 2009 INTERNATIONAL Ann-Kristin Westerberg Sr. VP,Head of Int´lDiv.

Phone +46705 3848 PREMIERE AT

Screening at AFM: November 5th 2009

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The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 special world report | Scandinavia

fighting coming-of-age drama (“Fighter”) and a sci-fi animated comedy (“Journey to Saturn”). Arcel also has a remake in the works, an adaptation of his 2007 family fan- tasy feature “Island of Lost Souls,”which he has signed on to write and direct for Univer- sal and Strike Entertainment. “In recent Scandinavian cinema, you see a lot of emphasis on story, on plot. That’s been the focus of the film schools here,” Kormakur says. “When the story is the focus, instead of the visual style or whatev- er, there a much better chance of doing a remake deal.” Most deals aren’t golden. A Danish producer with experience in the area estimates remake rights for a hit Scandinavian film often go for $100,000 or less. “Still, financially it can help a lot,”Kor- makur says. “We (in the Scandinavian “After the Wedding” industry) can be quite badly paid, and in some cases you can make as much money judge the region by its cinematic output, Add to that a younger generation which for the remake as you did producing the you’d think there was a cannibal in every has embraced genre filmmaking in all original film. But, for me (a remake of) cabin and a murderer in every Fjord. its glory. ‘Jar City’ is really a win-win. If the remake “One real trend you see in Scandinavia, Take for example Denmark’s Nikolaj Arcel, is great — which I hope — everyone will especially in Sweden, is the crime/detective the screenwriter on “The Girl With the Drag- want to see the original. And if the film genre,”Molinder says. “It’s in films, books, on Tattoo.”His recent output includes a con- flops, everyone will say ‘You should see the TV,everywhere,” spiracy thriller (“King’s Game”) a kung-fu original, it was so much better.’” ∂

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SPECIAL REPORT: Thailand THR.com/afm world Thursday, November 5, 2009 Promised Land Thailand has one of the most storied film sectors in the world,but is politics preventing it from fulfilling its full potential?

By Patrick Frater

Thailand is one of the last countries lion ($3 million) mark, usually considered in the world where the national anthem the distinction of a major hit. is still played before each movie screen- “This is not a reflection of the eco- ing. Audience members are expected to nomic crisis, but of commercial films stand up while gentle clips of King Bhu- going nowhere,”says Kriengsak ‘Victor’ mibol roll across the screen. Silakong, critic and head of the World That the king is highly revered and the Film Festival Bangkok, which kicks off anthem a nice piece of tradition — even this week (6-15 Nov) and overlaps with in the most modern multiplexes and no the American Film Market. “Audiences matter the genre of fare that follows — are simply tired of the same horror, same most Thai folk happily agree. action and same gay films. People want Where they do not agree these days is to consume something else, not the same on politics, which seems to have an thing every day.” annoying habit of getting in the way of ‘’What characterizes the Thai film the country’s film industry. market is unpredictability,’’adds Visute Thailand has one of the most estab- Poolvoraluks, CEO of the successful GTH lished film industries in the world (‘nang studio, which backed the “Nang Nak,” farang,’literally ‘foreign shadow theater’ “Shutter” and the “Phobia” series. reached Thailand in 1897, only 18 months ‘’You’d never guess that a gangster film after the Lumiere brothers first show, would be a hit, or a ghost film made from and the then-monarch King Chula- a familiar story would still draw crowds. I longkorn was featured in a Swiss film in don’t think the Thai audience has the same year). It has attractive stars, changed from 30 years ago. Perhaps the skilled directors, excellent post-produc- demographic is a little younger, but basi- tion facilities and some of the most var- cally everybody wants entertainment, ied locations in the world (It recently and everybody wants something fresh.” doubled for China in The Weinstein That applies too to the big-budget Co.’s “Shanghai.”) Plus, Bangkok’s action pictures — many of which are quality multiplexes have to be experi- backed by distributor-investor Saha- HE’S GOR YOUR enced to be believed. mongkol and producer Baa Ram Ewe — BAK: Martial arts star However, the industry currently seems and made by world class action directors Tony Jaa co-directed the to be struggling for a new direction. This like Prachya Pinkaew and Panna Rit- recent hit “Ong Bak 2.” year has seen a string of flops for sup- tikrai, who can call on top-class martial posedly mainstream commercial films arts talents Tony Jaa (who also co-direct- and only a handful pass the Baht100 mil- ed “Ong-Bak 2”) and latterly Jeeja Yanin

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 special world report | thailand

(“Chocolate”). Apichatpong Weerasethakul, “Shanghai” The need for newness lifted whose willfully obscure “Syn- “Fireball,”a hit actioner by dromes and a Century” and Thanakorn Pongsuwan featur- “Tropical Malady” entertain ing an undercover cop investi- European critics, but recently gating a sadistic version of bas- they resonate less than before ketball. The film, made in late at the local box office. Fortu- 2008 when rival political fac- nately, all four are able to tions were on the streets of attract different degrees of for- Bangkok, may also have res- eign production finance. onated with audiences as it fea- Silakong now points to the tured braying mobs and sug- current wave of new indie gested that society could be torn directors as good news for the apart by greed and self-interest. industry.“These are the wave On the other hand, in a coun- of film-makers who come after try made almost ungovernable Apichatpong and Penek and see by three years of political ten- those guys as heroes,”he says. sion, Silakong points to the Most are self taught or stud- unexpected success of GTH’s ied at the (non-specialist) Mass “Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story” Communications Department, as a need for escapism. A or work in the commercials romantic comedy set on Bangkok’s ten - and border on slapstick, are a far cry from the sector. Others have made use of the WFF’s year-old skytrain network, it sets up a lonely refined breed of Thai art films which are seen project workshop. Working mostly with digi- office-lady with a railway maintenance engi- at the world’s top festivals. tal equipment, many seem unable to avoid neer and sped past the $3 million milestone Directors Penek Ratanaruang, Nonzee political undertones in their work. on its first week of release. It is now on track Nimibutr and Wisit Sasanatieng, who found Worth watching among the indie directors to be the biggest film of the year. success with the ‘New Thai Cinema’ wave with new films are Nitchapoom Chaianun That kind of movie, or the many comedies that started in 1999, still deliver upscale art- (the documentary “I am the Director”), which make use of local TV stars or models house films. They have lately been joined by Anocha Suwichakornpong, whose “Mun-

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 special world report | thailand

“Fireball” drama “This Area Is Under “I don’t think the Thai Quarantine.” Unfortunately,“Quarantine” audience has changed from will not be seen in Thailand any time soon as this month it 30 years ago.” became the first picture to be banned under the new Film Law. The law, which was con- — Vistute Poolvoraluks,GTH studio sistently opposed by much of the film industry, creates a seven tier ratings system. But, despite many years in the draft- dane History” (aka “Jao Nok Nation”) and Uruphong Rak- bloody-but-intelligent crime ing, the law was rushed onto Krajok”) played in Pusan and sasad, director of “Agrarian thriller “Slice” and “Muay Thai the statute book in August and opens the WFF, experimentalist Utopia.”To that list are added Chaya,”and Thunska Pansit- was not entirely coherent — the Zart Tancharoen (“Lost Kongkiat Komesiri, director of tivorakul, director of the gay labels denoting the classifica- tion had to be redesigned within a month of their introduc- tion; and “Quarantine”’s problem may be an administra- tive grey area in that it was neither a film for commercial release, nor submitted for clas- sification by its rights owner. More governmental confusion had surfaced too over what its support for the film industry is intended to achieve. One department recently bankrolled an Entertainment Expo, but lack of coordination meant that it did not coincide with the (other) Bangkok International Film Fes- tival, started just days later with a curiously schizophrenic message in support of SE Asian films and ‘old Hollywood’. The BKKIFF is backed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, which some feel sends out the message that government wants film to be a propaganda barker for the country’s beach resorts — rather than a distinct cultural sector or a serious industry. Still there are signs of political progress. The new prime minis- ter, Abhisit Vejjajiva, regularly cites film as a sector for devel- opment and has pushed for closer ties with the Korean film sector. And there is regular dis- cussion of a financial or tax incentive scheme for incoming foreign shoots. The private sector may also have decided not to wait for the government. This year saw the establishment of the Foreign Film Production Services Asso- ciation, as a non-governmental promo body. And the local studios have green-lighted “Ong Bak 3,”“Fireball 2” and “Red Eagle,”a hero movie with a budget worthy of Sasanatieng’s visual skills.∂

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The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews in brief Reviews in brief continued from page 20

reconvenes the considerable tal- produced the film, stumbles in ents of “seafarers” Ciaran Hinds a few crucial areas but even so and Tony-winning Jim Norton, it’s a helluva movie. No true fan here stretching far beyond their of science fiction — or, for that play characters in the kind of matter, cinema — can help but well-crafted work art house thrill to the action, high stakes audiences will embrace. and suspense built around a — Doris Toumarkine very original chase movie. — Kirk Honeycutt “Dorian Gray” >Ealing Studios International “Exam” BOTTOM LINE: Worthy film can't >Independent decide whether it's a literary BOTTOM LINE: Claustrophobic adaptation or a horror flick. psychological-drama is a flawed but One of the most cinematically intriguing exercise in script writing “Dorian Gray” popular of all the works of pro- ingenuity and economy. fessional fop and serious literary TV’s “The Apprentice” gets a pays off, either in humor, fresh other. Based on Isaka Kotaro’s artist, Oscar Wilde, “Dorian futuristic re-imagining via in- insight into the human condition novel, “Fish Story,”with its stel- Gray” is upon us once again. demand scriptwriter Stuart or a novel, strikingly profound lar cast of young stars, will no Much wilder if not more Hazeldine’s tense directorial combination of the visual and doubt achieve moderate theatri- Wildean, this new version by debut “Exam.”This darkly aural. Alas, that is not the case cal release in Asia and fit nicely at British director Oliver Parker comic Brit miniature will find with his latest offering, the very niche festivals abroad. Foreign professes to re-interpret the plenty of festival play, especially bloated “Face,”which starts off release is a long shot, but the film novel on which it’s based, and it among those with late-night impenetrable and ends that way is glossy enough for limited surely accomplishes that. slots to fill, though the emphasis as well. Gorgeous images regu- release in urban markets where Whether or not the re-interpre- on psychological nastiness larly punctuate the film, but they Japanese pop culture is still hip. tation is always successful is rather than actual gore restricts will not be enough for most — Elizabeth Kerr another question entirely, but commercial prospects. Ancillary viewers, and thus even specialty superb production values and will likely yield the best returns. art house potential seems slim. imaginative, vigorous camera- There’s also potential for a — Peter Brunette “Fish Tank” work, music, and editing should Stateside remake. >ContentFilm International carry the film a long way. — Neil Young BOTTOM LINE: Penetrating portrait — Peter Brunette “Fireball” of a complicated teenager in a sour >Golden Network Asia Ltd. world with a standout performance “Face” BOTTOM LINE: An ultra-violent hoop by newcomer Katie Jarvis. “District 9” >Fortissimo Film Sales nightmare. Prize-winning debut feature >QED International BOTTOM LINE: Thanakorn Pongsuwan’s “Red Road” in 2006, British BOTTOM LINE: A genuinely Disappointing, self- “Fireball” crosses “Slam Dunk” director Andrea Arnold creates original science fiction film indulgent film from with “Fight Club” Thai style in a another vivid portrait of a that grabs you immediately, a world-class throbbingly violent film with the woman in “Fish Tank,”in which not letting go until the final auteur. bold idea of representing basket- newcomer Katie Jarvis gives a shot. Malaysian- ball as an underground blood star-making performance as a Combining the very born, Tai- sport. Merging agile Muay Thai disaffected teenager. Co-star- best of the postwar wanese auteur with more thuggish slashing and ring Michael Fassbender sci-fi movies with Tsai Ming- punching, and shot as if the cine- (”Hunger”) and Kierston Ware- their trenchant Liang’s films matographer is on cheap crack, ing (”It’s a Free World”), it’s a political have always “Fireball” makes “Kung-fu vivid depiction of a single mom under- required a lot of Dunk” seem as civilized as ball- (Wareing) and her two daughters tones and work. He’s a room dancing. living in a grim council flat on a pulse- rigorous prac- — Maggie Lee decaying housing estate on the pounding “District 9” titioner of the outskirts of London. dynamism extreme long- — Ray Bennett and contemporary take aesthetic, “Fish Story” movie technology that and audiences have >CJ Entertainment can blend aliens seamlessly been willing to stick BOTTOM LINE: Light entertainment “Flashbacks of a Fool” into a realistic human with such demanding that will thrill J-pop lovers. >Arclight Films world of urban and moral masterpieces as The Japanese take music very BOTTOM LINE: Intriguing tale of decay, “District 9” flirts “What Time Is It Over seriously, and so it’s no surprise youthful mistakes benefits from with greatness. This sci- There?” “The River” to find it at the heart of another star power and an expert cast. ence fiction film from and “Vive l’amour” fluffy, genre-bending film about A burned-out movie star South African-born Canadi- because despite the fate, the transcendent power of recalls the youthful trauma that an Neill Blomkamp, a pro- constant battle to over- music and our profound, if drove him away from home in tege of Peter Jackson, who come ennui, Tsai always unwitting, connections to each continued on page 40

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The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews in brief

“The Good Guy” >Mandate International Bottom Line: Handsome, well-done if too familiar look at the romantic and professional games played by upscale twentysomething Manhattan professionals working pre-recession. The Wall Street/Upper East Side axis traveled by today’s (really last year’s) bright young things provides the playing field for writer-director Julio DePietro’s impressive debut, “The Good Guy.”Suggesting “Metropolitan” meets “Boiler Room,”the film has attractive “Metropolitan”-like upwardly mobile urbanites but without the “Boiler Room” cynicism and energy that gave that film its originality and edge. — Doris Tourmarkine “The Greatest” “Flashbacks of a Fool” >Sierra Pictures Bottom Line: Stirring and emotional tale of family grief. “The Greatest” pulls off a plot and some challenges to stunning fete, drawing an audi- Reviews in brief credibility sabotage this period ence into a comprehensive film continued from page 36 conspiracy thriller. about grief. In this compelling “Glorious 39” sends mixed drama, writer-director Shana “Flashbacks of a Fool,”which and Lucas Black. So the results signals. One minute it seems like Feste transcends a clinical depic- despite a clunky title and a con- are entertaining — up to a point. a conspiracy thriller and the next tion of grief, which in less ventional structure proves a wel- — Kirk Honeycutt one of those well-upholstered assured hands could have mor- come diversion from 007 for English melodramas about the phed into a talking-heads essay. Daniel Craig. “Giallo” privileged class pushing back In large part this is because of the — Ray Bennett >Hannibal Pictures against threats to their way of shaded and nerve-ending per- Bottom Line: Clunky by-the- life. Either way, it’s a lot of formances of the cast: Susan numbers Euro-thriller wastes the hokum that relies on contrivance Sarandon is strikingly sympa- “Get Low” talents of its star and veteran and chance to move its dubious thetic as the brittle, obsessive >K5 International director. plot forward. mother, while Pierce Brosnan’s Bottom Line: A real-life Adrien Brody writes another — Kirk Honeycutt calm rectitude smartly masks a Southern fable comes offbeat chapter in his idiosyn- man on the verge of imploding. briefly to life but lacks a cratic filmography with the “Godspeed” Both performances are daring dramatic conclusion. uneven cop-vs-killer thriller >Imagination Worldwide LLC and brilliantly shaded. “Get Low” coasts “Giallo.”This unlikely-on- Bottom Line: Looks aren’t — Duane Byrge along on Southern paper, underwhelming- everything with this finely shot but folkloric whimsy in-execution collabo- otherwise affected thriller. and sly humor for a ration between Oscar If a picture is truly worth a “Happy Tears” good while but winner Brody and thousand words, then “God- >Inferno can’t escape the legendary horror- speed” should have let its Bottom Line: An odd mix of fact that, as back- suspense director evocative Alaskan backdrops do moods, acting styles and tones woods legends go, Dario Argento does- most of the talking. Visually that never jells. this one lacks a n’t rank anywhere stirring but dramatically stilted, Mitchell Lichtenstein’s first real payoff. An near the finest work this heavy-handed thriller feature as a director, 2007’s unlikely but spir- by either man. revolving around murder and “Teeth,”was a weird-funny film ited cast has — Neil Young retribution deservedly took that spoofed horror film con- assembled for the home a CineVegas special jury ventions while mixing in a bit of feature debut of “Glorious prize for exceptional artistic social satire in telling a wicked Aaron Schneider, achievement, but Robert female revenge story. The who won an Oscar 39” Saitzyk’s direction, the script actor-turned-director’s follow- for his short “Two “Giallo” >The Works (co-written with Cory Knauf) up movie, “Happy Tears,”is Soldiers,”including International and self-absorbed performances simply weird. The funny has Robert Duvall, Bill Bottom Line: An all come up short. gone missing. Murray, Sissy Spacek overly manufactured — Michael Rechtshaffen — Kirk Honeycutt

SATISFACTION AFM 20092009 Genre: Drama Starring: Sharon Stone, Chris Evans, Carice van Houten Director: Anya Camilleri Status: Pre-Production JACKBOOTS ON WHITEHALL Genre: Animated Starring: Ewan McGregor, Tom Wilkinson, Alan Cumming Director: The McHenry Brothers Status: Production – Promo screening in ofﬁce

MY LAST FIVE GIRLFRIENDS Genre: Romantic Comedy Starring: Brendan Patricks, Naomie Harris Director: Julian7pm Kemp Fairmont #5 Sat., Nov. 7: 1pm Fairmont #1 Sun., Nov. 8: Tues., Nov. 10: 1pm Fairmont #4 THE PERFECT AGE OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Genre: Musical Drama Starring: Kevin Zegers, Jason Ritter, Taryn Manning, Peter Laemmle Fonda Monica #1 1pm Director: Scott Rosenbaum3pm Laemmle Monica #1 Fri., Nov. 6: Mon., Nov. 9:

THAT EVENING SUN Genre: Drama Starring: Hal Holbrook, Mia Wasikowska Director: Scott Teems Thurs., Nov. 5: 1pm Mann Criterion #2

THE HORSEMAN Genre: Revenge Thriller Starring: Peter Marshall Director: Steven Kastrissios Fri., Nov. 6: 9am Mann Criterion #4 Mon., Nov. 9: 11am Mann Criterion #5

CASH Genre: Action Starring: Sean Bean, Chris Hemsworth Director: Stephen Milburn Anderson Thurs., Nov. 5: 9am Mann Criterion #3 Mon., Nov. 9: 9am Mann Criterion #2

REGRESA Genre: Romantic Comedy Starring: Jaime Camil, Blanca Soto Director: Alejandro González-Padilla Thurs., Nov. 5: 5pm Mann Criterion #5 Sun., Nov. 8: 11am Mann Criterion #6

DURESS Genre: Thriller Santa Monica #6 Starring: Martin Donovan,AMC Sakis Rouvas Director: Jordan Barker Sun., Nov. 8: 11am Attending for Media 8: BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN Stewart Hall Genre: Drama Starring: Dominic Cooper, President Julianne Nicholson, Timothy Loews Hutton, Broadway #4 Lawrence Meyers Chris Messina, Max MinghellaAMC Loews Broadway #3 EVP Worldwide AMC Director: John Krasinski Distribtion Sat., Nov. 7: 9am Audrey Delaney Sun., Nov., 8: 9am VP Acquisitions Vicky Kopelevich Media 8 Entertainment at AFM: Manager, Int’l Loews #711 Tel: 1-310-319-1449 Business Affairs Peter Rowley Int’l Distribution www.media8entertainment.com Credits Not Contractual Executive

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The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews

BOTTOM LINE Though overlong and repetitive, this family drama delivers subtle ‘First of All,Felicia’ performances and emotional intensity. VENUE: AFI Fest PRODUCTION:A Hi Film By Sheri Linden a flight, the film, which received Getting to the airport turns out Prods./Unlimited/Frakas Prods./ its North American premiere at to be a challenge, one that Felicia Kinorama/Arte France Cinema he title character of this the AFI Fest, is sure to get mileage meets with polite urgency bor- production. CAST: Ozana Oancea, Ileana deliberately paced family on the festival circuit. Judicious dering on resignation. When she Cernat, Vasile Mentzel, Victoria Cocias, Tdrama first appears in a cuts could ease its way to interna- misses check-in by a few min- Gelu Nitu, Serban Georgevici, Adina makeshift bed — an apt metaphor tional art-house action. utes, unyielding airline employ- Lucaciu. WRITER-DIRECTORS: Melissa de for the story that will unfold, one Felicia (Ozana Oancea) rises ees do nothing to help her. Raaf, Razvan Radulescu. PRODUCER: that’s very much about being in from the couch-turned-bed, an A few other characters enter Ada Solomon. No rating, 121 minutes. between. With its long takes, indeterminate character — she the story, but essentially the film quiet realism and fusion of dark might be 25 or 35. It turns out she’s becomes a two-hander between an indecipherable Greek chorus humor and poignancy,“First of 40, has been visiting her parents the terrific lead actresses, as for a woman entering middle age, All, Felicia” bears the hallmarks in Bucharest for a week and today mother and daughter navigate shuttling between East and West, of recent Romanian cinema. One will fly home to the Netherlands, the no-man’s-land of the airport past and present. of the film’s writer-directors, where she has lived for many while circling land mines in their It becomes increasingly clear Razvan Radulescu, is a leading years. The hip, understated ele- relationship. how unloved Felicia feels, espe- screenwriter within that flour- gance of her clothes and hair con- The international way station, cially when she must solicit the ishing scene, among whose cred- trast with the Old World clutter of itself a place that feels caught help of her ex-husband regarding its is Cristi Puiu’s extraordinary her parents’ apartment. (The between the 20th and 21st cen- their son. But as it progresses, the “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu.” excellent, cliché-free production turies, is a fitting — if not always film depends too much on Repetitive and overlong, this design throws in such unexpected visually interesting — place to explanatory dialogue and self- first-time directorial effort by touches as a Glen Campbell album strand a woman who returns evident observations. Felicia’s Radulescu and Dutch newcomer amid the shelves of books.) annually to a place where she’ll big meltdown, as moving as Melissa de Raaf hasn’t the tensile Felicia must dodge the con- never again feel at home. Oancea and the silent, reacting strength or daring of that earlier stant intrusions of her disingen- The hostility of customer serv- Cernat make it, arrives with a film. When it clicks, though, it’s a uous, controlling mother (Ileana ice, the insult of roaming charges, predictability that’s the most penetrating look at what it means Cernat). Her seriously ill father (a the passive-aggressive maternal conventional thing about the to be the adult child of aging par- heartbreaking performance by shadow all play out against the movie. At its best, this meticu- ents, caught between two cultures. Vasile Mentzel) is determined to ambient airport murmur. The lously choreographed work, Unfolding over the frustrating maintain his purpose and dignity, film’s top-notch live sound comes devoid of improvisation, is alive hours of Felicia’s struggle to make to gently comic effect. to feel like the noise of the world, with everyday anguish. ∂

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews ‘Live’ continued from page 8

they like to call themselves, so they can reminisce. Boyle re- visits Paramount Studios with his pals Henry Bumstead (”To Kill a Mockingbird,”“The Sting”) and Albert Nozaki (”The War of the Worlds,” “The Commandments”). Or Boyle and Harold Michelson (”Star Trek: The Motion Pic- ture,”“Catch-22”) journey to Bodega Bay north of San Francisco where they worked on “The Birds” together. Hall attends a film revival with Boyle, then in a later exchange reflects on the demise of the storytelling art in current movies. He says he hopes for a “renaissance” in cinema, although one he doesn’t expect to live long enough to see. So these are neither lec- tures nor interviews where the old guys could be better pinned down as to what they did and how they did it. The men also, being north of their 80’s in most cases, lose the thread of the conversation ‘A Room and a Half’ just as they are about to make a key point. By Kirk Honeycutt series of young women introduced Yet much of this informa- BOTTOM LINE to his parents and then escorted tion can’t help leaking into his Russian film is about as A fanciful and melancholy behind a curtain in their claustro- their chats, and Raim cuts different as you can get portrait of exiled Russian poet phobic room-and-a-half flat. away to splendid examples of Joseph Brodsky. from standard-issue Holly- Little is done to establish storyboards, matte paintings, T VENUE: AFI Fest. PRODUCTION: School- wood biopics. Andrey studio SHAR. CAST: Grigoriy Brodsky’s importance as a poet. models and drawings attrib- Khrzhanovsky, a veteran anima- Dityatkovskiy, Alisa Freindlich, Sergei Indeed for non-Russian speakers uted to his heroes. tor in both Soviet and post-Sovi- Yurskiy, Artem Smola, Evgeniy the frustration is that the visuals You do wish that a film et era Russia, makes a smooth Ogandzhanyan. DIRECTOR: Andrey tend to overwhelm the words and about the look of movies were feature debut with “A Room and Khrzhanovsky. SCREENWRITERS: Yuri those words get translated into better looking. Much of this is a Half,”a free-form look at the Arabov, Andrey Khrzhanovsky. white subtitles often lost against beyond Raim’s control. He life of exiled Russian poet and PRODUCER: Andrey Khrzhanovsky, Artem white backgrounds. (When will grabs shots as best he can and Nobel Laureate Joseph Brodsky Vassiliev. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: subtitlists learn that you must makes old behind-the-scenes Lyuboc Gaidukova. SALES: School-studio (1940-1996). Outside its native SHAR. No rating, 130 minutes. use yellow letters if they are to be photographs look reasonably country, the film will mostly seen against all backgrounds?) good. But lighting is an iffy travel the festival circuit This is therefore a limited thing, locations are some- although occasional art house with his parents. En route, he glimpse of a famous writer, show- times drab and tourist shots playdates can be expected. reminiscences about his child- ing little about his American along Hollywood Boulevard The film mixes archival hood and activities as a young experiences and almost nothing add little if anything. footage, different styles of ani- man but the focus lands solidly about his creative life. Rather it’s These are minor flaws in a mation and nostalgic re-enact- on the love between this only an exile’s lament, a vivid demon- film that pays tribute to the ments of Brodsky’s life to render child and his parents. stration that you cannot remove art of production design an artistic fulfilling but melan- Grigoriy Dityatkovskiy,a dead Russia from the soul of a Russian before the advent of comput- choly life of a man forced to live ringer for Brodsky — the real man no matter where he lives. er-generated images. At one in exile in the U.S. after the Sovi- is glimpsed in an old newsreel — Alisa Freindlich and Sergei point, Boyle and Michelson ets kick him out in 1972. He never plays the writer with a gentle-sad Yurskiy, who play the parents, joke that today “The Birds” saw his aging parents again. longing for what was but what can grab most of the camera’s atten- would have been a simple The movie imagines that he never be reclaimed. As a young tion while the whimsical anima- movie to make — you just did travel by luxury liner back to man, he seems fascinated by tion, from cats to floating musi- push a few computer buttons his hometown of Leningrad — St. Western culture, as is most of his cal instruments, dominate the rather than having to wrangle Petersburg? — for a final visit crowd. His love life consists of a visual side to the movie. ∂ hundreds of real birds. ∂

Los Angeles 323.525.2000 | New York 646.654.5000 | London +44.207.420.6139 | Beijing +86.10.6512.5511 (ext. 121) | THR.com/afm | day 2 44 PlanetaInform D234 1105060709.indd 1 10/30/09 4:12 PM NuImage_Conan_11_04_09.indd 1 10/30/09 3:41 PM NuImage_elephant_11_04_09.indd 1 10/30/09 3:46 PM NuImage_Rambo_11_04_09.indd 1 10/30/09 3:47 PM NuImage_Trust_11_04_09.indd 1 10/30/09 3:51 PM NuImage_Conan_11_04_09.indd 1 10/30/09 3:41 PM D2_afm p4,51,52_n2 11/4/09 7:26 PM Page 51

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | news

‘Lions’ Delivery is set for early summer vacy of characters trying to sur- Quick start: Works 2010. vive in an unstable world, where a continued from page 4 “This film is a classic ‘film noir, fact that seems minor can trigger America and France. like those of the 1940s and 1950s, a series of fatalities. It is, in its sells rights to ‘Love’ Production is under way in where the police plot quietly own way, the desperate love story Buenos Aires, with Ricardo Darin became a portrait of a complicat- between a man and a woman, By Stuart Kemp (“Son of the Bride,”“Nine ed social fabric,”Trapero said. “It immersed in a market where dis- Queens”) as the scuzzball lawyer. is also the description of the pri- grace is the currency.” ∂ U.K. based international sales house the Works International has hit the AFM running, selling Scandinavian rights to Luca Guadagnino’s Tilda Swinton starrer “I Am Love” (Lo Sono Amore). The deal was hammered out by The Works sales manager Clare Crean and Jim Frazee of Scanbox Entertainment on the first morn- ing of the market. “Love” is a Mikado Film and First Sun production with Rai Cinema, La Dolce Vita Prods. and Pixel DNA. The film is billed as a tragic love story set at the turn of the millennium in Milan. It follows the fall of the haute bourgeoisie due to the forces of passion and unconditional love. ∂

DarKnight continued from page 4 ed by newly appointed Jamie Thompson, who will oversee global sales and acquisitions. Camelot chairman Robert Atwell said the DarKnight label is positioned to take advantage of the “exciting time” genre films are experiencing worldwide. The DarKnight titles are clearly aimed for the grindhouse crowd. “Nuns” centers on Sister Sarah, who is abused and drugged into submission by a corrupt clergy, who, armed with God’s will and an arsenal, dis- penses Judgement Day on her tormentors. “Samurai” follows a blind man who seeks revenge against a psy- chopath who took away his sight as well as the lives of his wife and daughter. “Nuns,”from the makers of “Run! Bitch! Run!” recently wrapped production and “Samurai” is having its premiere screening Saturday at AFM. “Fallen,”meanwhile, sees mercenaries team up with a poacher on a rescue mission but end up battling a beast protecting a treasure. ∂

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | news

Capitol CineFinance, meanwhile, was continued from page 1 acquired by HCC Insurance Four sign on to get ‘Dirty’ Holdings of Houston, which S.A.R.L. of Luxembourg, which eventually negotiated a settle- By Stuart Kemp was set up to collect money ment with Bergstein for an esti- owed Zwirn by Fortress Invest- mated $15 million. That included uno Temple,Sally Hawkins, William H. Macy ment Group, which acquired the payments to Aramid, most of and Lisa Kudrow have joined the cast of Abe defunct fund in April. which have not been made. JSylvia’s directorial debut, “Dirty Girl.” The suit is the latest in a string As part of the deal, Bergstein The project, being sold here by WME for of legal actions against Bergstein also promised to finish “Transit” North America and the U.K.’s Salt Co. interna- and Tutor and related entities. so it could be sold but did not do tionally, tells the story of a high school tramp They already have lost ownership so. Another producer involved who runs away with the school’s gay, fat kid in Hawkins of several movies because they said it is finished but is so mud- his homophobic dad’s stolen car. defaulted on production bridge dled that it can’t be released. Boasting plans for a 1980s soundtrack and loans made by Aramid Entertain- Aramid, which held a bridge loan, Broadway-style dance numbers, the movie is ment Fund, a Cayman Island repossessed its interest in that written and will be directed by Sylvia, a Broadway company that operates out of negative as well. performer and choreographer-turned-director. There are other movies Berg- Temple plays dirty girl Danielle, and Hawkins stein’s companies did finance is her hopeless “reformed slut” mother Sue- The suit is the latest that might be releasable, includ- Ann. Macy is Sue-Ann’s easily shockable Mor- Kudrow ing “Nailed,”a $33 million pro- mon fiance, and Kudrow stars as his mousy in a string of legal duction directed by David O. repressed mother. Russell and starring Jake Gyllen- Rob Paris, Charles Pugliese, Jana Edelbaum actions against haal, Jessica Biel and Tracy Mor- and Rachel Cohen are producers, with executive gan. “Nailed” was shut down producers Christine Vachon,Pam Koffler and Bergstein and Tutor several times during production Michael Lesser. by SAG and the DGA, but Berg- Production banners Paris Film, Killer Films and and related entities. stein resolved the concerns of Ideal Partners plan to shoot the picture on location those guilds. in California in March, bankrolled by Ideal Partners. Macy Matthew Rhodes, a producer on Salt chief Samantha Horley said: “’Dirty Girl’ London and now has the low- “Nailed,”said there are funds for has it all. It’s funny, naughty, has a huge heart and the gayest budget hit “Paranormal Activity.” postproduction, and “Nailed” will dance number since Terence Stamp donned a lizard suit in The movies that Aramid, be offered to domestic distributors ‘Priscilla,’a film I was involved in during my PolyGram days.” which has lost more than $20 and international buyers next year million, has taken full or partial at Cannes. He called the movie control of include Taylor Hack- “fantastic” and “wonderful.” ford’s “Love Ranch,”starring According to the latest suit, Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci; “The Zwirn specialized in unusually boxofffice success with the con- Edge of Love,”starring Keira risky loans seeking high returns. Zhang temporary urban romantic com- Knightley; “$5 a Day,”starring Between 2004-07, Zwirn and continued from page 1 edy “Sophie’s Revenge,”her first Christopher Walken and Sharon subsidiaries loaned film as producer. Stone; British horror movie “Bad Bergstein/Tutor companies $51 wife of News Her most recent big interna- Meat”; and the thriller “Black million, $23.2 million, $29.4 mil- Corp. chairman tional project was Rob Marshall’s Water Transit,”directed by Tony lion and $16 million. and CEO Rupert 2005 film “Memoirs of a Geisha,” Kaye and starring Stephen Dorff In mid-2008, according to the Murdoch. Sloan, also an English-language Asian and Laurence Fishburne. suit, Bergstein/Tutor stopped who is Malaysian- period piece based on a novel. Aramid terminated its right to making payments on the loans Chinese, is mar- That performance drew best sell or license those movies, but and soon went into default. The ried to MGM actress noms from BAFTA, SAG Capitol/Pangea is selling foreign filing also says Tutor did not chairman Harry Wang and the Golden Globes. rights at AFM to “Love Ranch” deliver evidence of his financial Sloan. “Memoirs” cost $85 million to and “$5 A Day,”apparently trying assets as required, though it notes The nascent partnership make and grossed about to raise money. Aramid’s he previously showed a personal appears to have Zhang — per- $162 million worldwide for spokesman declined comment worth of at least $800 million. haps China’s most exportable Sony/Columbia. but indicated plans for additional Tutor is said to have personally female star — following the “Snow Flower” will be legal action. invested more than $40 million practice of big Hollywood talent: Wang’s first film made in Capitol no longer is actively before he stopped funding. establishing her own production China. Born and raised in Hong selling “Transit,”which it All the loans have swelled with company to pull in projects for Kong, he moved to the U.S. unveiled as a major property two the addition of interest charges herself and control a greater when he was 17. His 1985 film, years ago at Cannes. When Kaye and the claims for legal cost share of revenue. “Dim Sum: A Little Bit of finished editing the film, Berg- reimbursement. Pangea has The “Snow Flower” script, Heart,”put him on the critics’ stein refused to take delivery, offices in Westwood and employs based on a novel by Lisa See, was radar, but it wasn’t until 1993’s reportedly because he considered about 50 people. penned by Wang and screen- “The Joy Luck Club” that Wang it unreleasable. He sought com- Calls to Tutor, who has said he writer Michael Ray, collaborators gained wider recognition. pensation from completion bond is a silent partner in the movie on Wang’s 2007 film “The His 2002 romantic comedy company CineFinance, claiming business, and an attorney at Princess of Nebraska.”Shooting “Maid in Manhattan,”starring the budget had ballooned to Capitol/Pangea said to represent is expected to begin early next Jennifer Lopez, grossed $94 about $48 million, which could Bergstein were not returned by year in China. million in North America and not be recovered. press time. ∂ Zhang is coming off a Chinese $61 million internationally. ∂

The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | news

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Christopher Petzel has formed Filming is scheduled for early covers that, with Timeless looking Marketing jump the Aura Film Partnership, which 2010 in Manitoba, Canada. to specialize in the family field. continued from page 1 will focus on the production, Broadside’s portfolio company Under the joint venture, Time- acquisition and worldwide distri- Clandestine Service, an interna- less and Metropolis will be spear- Metropolis International Sales bution of independent features. tional feature film sales agency, headed by Kamp and underwrit- and Timeless Films from the U.K. Aura has established a $50 mil- will bring Aura’s productions to ten by Prescience, giving buyers Veteran sales agent Reiko Bradley somewhere to come in search of — who recently survived a brain movie titles for slates. hemorrhage — has launched Eclipse Thanks to the support of some pretty incredible Kamp said: “We are differenti- International, a sales and distribu- ating family product from other tion company.Bradley is CEO and friends and physical therapists,I have been able genres and creating brand recog- Stephen Durham is president of the to recover enough to do something I have always nition for distributors and, ulti- L.A.-based company. mately, audiences. Timeless Films The company wheels into the wanted to do — launch my own sales company.” will become synonymous with market with four films including quality family entertainment, science fiction thriller “New — Reiko Bradley whilst Metropolis will have the World Order” detailing a time- freedom and scope to handle all traveling quest to prevent terror- other genres.” ists from attacking an interna- lion financing fund and will seek the global marketplace. Timeless will be hoping such tional peace summit in 2012. out film projects in the $5 million- Aura is repped by Fierce Enter- projects as “Wickie the Mighty In late 2006, the now 47-year- $20 million range. The company tainment in L.A. and Invicta Cap- Viking,”from Michael “Bully” old Bradley suffered a brain hem- also will target completed films ital in London. Herbig and “Animals United,”a 3D orrhage, underwent brain surgery for acquisition and distribution. Metropolis and Timeless animated feature, both from Con- to remove the congenital malfor- Its first production is the post- launched as a joint venture in the stantin Film, will help buyers stop mation that caused her sudden apocalyptic action film “Tundra,” U.K. in September, with veteran by the suite to rustle up business. stroke and then set about launch- which follows a band of survivors sales executive Ralph Kamp, for- Metropolis Films, a wholly ing a sales company. struggling through a frozen world merly head of now-defunct owned subsidiary of Prescience, “It was a very scary and debili- wrecked by climate change and Odyssey Entertainment, and Tim will be repped at AFM by Tim tating experience,”Bradley said. oil dependency. Veteran stunt Smith, managing director of fin- Smith and Ralph Kamp, with head “Thanks to the support of some coordinator Nicholas Powell ancier and movie fund Prescience of sales, James Scott, and Jemma pretty incredible friends and phys- (“The Bourne Identity”) is direct- spearheading them. Sands, head of marketing, on hand. ical therapists, I have been able to ing a screenplay by Michael MIS is Prescience’s first foray Its slate includes “sex&drugs& recover enough to do something I Thoma (“The Set Up”). into the international sales arena, rock&roll,”the movie inspired by have always wanted to do — launch Original Pictures’ Kim Todd and it will handle all product gen- the life of Ian Dury and starring my own sales company.” (“Leaving Metropolis”) is pro- res excluding family and children. Andy Serkis, Olivia Williams and Broadside Capital CEO ducing with Lindsay Moffat. But the setup of two companies Ray Winstone. ∂

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The Hollywood Reporter | Thursday, November 5, 2009 | reviews

‘Everybody’s Fine’

By Kirk Honeycutt and with American culture is the first son he visits, a painter in BOTTOM LINE painfully evident. New York, has disappeared. A thoroughly fake movie with here isn’t much that’s fine The movie glides along a sur- So he drops in on one of his trite characters that is about, of in “Everybody’s Fine,”an face of complete inauthenticity. daughters (Kate Beckinsale), who all things, the need for Tembarrassing misfire for Characters have no depth, and all lives with her husband and son in truthfulness. Kirk Jones, who once gave us the emotions get ladled on via a a tony Chicago neighborhood. VENUE: AFI Fest. OPENS: Friday, Dec. 4 exhilarating comedy “Waking syrupy score and De Niro’s stren- She can’t wait to get rid of him, (Miramax). PRODUCTION: Radar Pictures in Ned Devine,”and Miramax, a uous acting. It’s a no-go almost but it’s clear — like everything in association with Hollywood Gang Prods. CAST: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate storied company now reduced to from the start. this movie, perhaps too clear — Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Katherine little more than a film library. De Niro plays Frank, a man that something is seriously amiss. Moenning, James Frain, Melissa Leo. Despite a cloyingly sentimental who has been rough on his kids, En route to visit a second son, DIRECTOR-SCREENWRITER: Kirk Jones. story that rings false in every demanding their success as pay- the long-distance telephone BASED ON THE SCREENPLAY BY: Giuseppe moment, the production did ment for his hard work support- wires buzz with the siblings’ Tornatore. PRODUCERS: Gianni Nunnari, attract a substantial cast headed ing them through their formative urgent calls that alert one anoth- Ted Field, Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Glynis Murray. by Robert De Niro. It’s not going years. Now he wonders why no er to Dad’s sneak visits and let EXEC PRODUCERS: Craig J. Flores, Meir to help, though, when Miramax one in his scattered family wants you know the New York son is in Teper, Joe Rosenberg, Mike Weber, Callum releases the film Dec. 4. to visit him after their mother deep trouble in Mexico. Greene. Rated PG-13, 100 minutes. Sometimes a filmmaker and a died. She was always the buffer, The second son (Sam Rockwell) project just don’t make any but now she’s gone. doesn’t quite have the job Frank tagonist to penetrate. He merely sense, and “Fine” is a case in True to his fashion, he ignores expected. Later, Drew Barrymore, observes a dance of deceit, point. The film is ostensibly a his doctor’s advice to take things the other daughter, seems happy responds politely, but when his remake of Giuseppe Tornatore’s easy because of a lung condition as a dancer in Las Vegas shows, health finally and inevitably 1990 film “Stanno Tutti Bene.” and hits the road, traveling by bus but signals are everywhere that breaks down, he is in a position to That bittersweet Italian dramedy or train — he hates airplanes — this too is a false front. demand the truth. has been totally Americanized, to visit his two sons and two What Jones intends here is a What he “learns” is what has which is fine, only wouldn’t you daughters unannounced. Appar- puzzle: Everything is so utterly been apparent from the start. He want an American director ently, sneak attacks are the best predictable and the false fronts pushed too hard as a father and, aboard to supervise? Jones, who approach with this family. so obvious, was he really count- to protect him against disap- is British and has never made an You can pretty much guess ing on audiences being sur- pointment, his children put on a American film, not only is the that when his wife told him the prised? show and play the happy family. director here, he is the writer. His kids were just fine all those years, There is no web of complexity What a long way to go for such shaky footing on American soil she wasn’t being frank. Indeed, or societal mischief for the pro- a banal payoff. ∂