The Global Film Village

KATHRYN BIGELOW and MARK BOAL to create “The Hunt for Osama bin Laden” for COLUMBIA PICTURES

// May 25th, 2011 // Comments Off // Industry Event

By Marla Lewin

The answer to what is the next film from The Hurt Locker team was revealed today. Columbia Pictures has acquired US distribution rights to the untitled forthcoming motion picture from Oscar®-winners Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal. The film is based on the black ops mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden. The team will bring the same level of intensity to the story of  this mission as in their previous film. Bigelow and Boal have been developing the project since 2008 and plan to incorporate recent events.

 

Boal and Bigelow will produce the project, along with Annapurna Picture’s Megan Ellison, and executive producer, Greg Shapiro producer of The Hurt Locker. Production is slated to start in the late summer of 2011.  The film will be released in the United States in the 4th quarter of 2012.

Amy Pascal of Columbia Pictures said, “With the death of Osama bin Laden, this film could not be more relevant.  Kathryn and Mark have an outstanding perspective on the team that was hunting the most wanted man in the world.  Mark is second to none as an investigative journalist, and Kathryn will bring the same kind of compelling authenticity and urgency that distinguished The Hurt Locker and made that film so memorable and special.”

ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT SCREENS with small red carpet, BIG STARS

// June 22nd, 2010 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

by Marla Lewin

The World Premiere of “One Lucky Elephant” at the L.A. Film Festival attracted  Lily Tomlin, Academy Award-director, Kathryn Bigelow and actress Persia White (“Girlfriends”), who saw the film and stayed for a special panel discussion hosted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that focused on the plight of elephants and other wild animals in captivity.  Moderated by NY Times journalist and author Charles Siebert, the panel featured the film’s director Lisa Leeman and writer / producer Cristina Colissimo, Laura Balding (wife of Flora’s ‘father’, David Balding, featured in the film). Also their were scientist Dr. Toni Frohoff (behavioral and wildlife biologist and author of Dolphin Mysteries: Unlocking the Secrets of Communication), Dr. Lorin Lindner (clinical psychologist and author of Post-Traumatic Stress and Elephants in Captivity, and Ron Kagan (director, Detroit Zoo, one of the first zoos to close their elephant exhibit, relocating their elephants to sanctuaries).

The panel proved  as thought-provoking as the film.   Lisa Leeman stated “The film is about people as much as it is about animals” referring to the plight of David Balding finding the right place for Flora upon her retirement.  David’s wife, Laura eloquently explained, “while our love for these animals is genuine, we must really take responsibility when caring for them.”  Moved by Laura’s statement, Dr. Toni Frohoff turned to Laura Balding and said “Accountability is a testament to human ability” which resulted in  applause.

Perry Chen, a 10-year-old film critic who gave the film 4 out of 5 Starfish asked- “why are people so ignorant about animals feelings?

“One Lucky Elephant” screens again at the L.A. film Festival on Friday, June 25, at 5pm and Saturday, June 26, at 1:45 p.m, both at the Regal Cinemas.  Log onto www.oneluckyelephant.com for more information.

Hurt Locker Triumphs at BAFTA Awards

// February 21st, 2010 // Comments Off // Awards

2010 BAFTA Awards Winners photo (c) BAFTA

by Marla Lewin

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards for 2010 (BAFTA) were announced tonight at London’s Royal Opera House. In his first formal act as President of BAFTA, Prince William presented Vanessa Redgrave with a British Academy Fellowship. HRH Prince William succeeds Lord Attenborough in the position. David Parfitt, Chair of BAFTA, said: “The Academy has had a long association with the Royal Family and we are absolutely delighted that HRH Prince William has agreed to become our President”.

The Hurt Locker won six BAFTA Awards this year including Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing. A Single Man actor Colin Firth won the Leading Actor and Carrey Mulligan in An Education won the leading Actress award. Avatar wins Production Design and Special Visual Effects. The Supporting Actor and Actress awards went to Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds and Mo’Nique in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. Kristen Stewart won the Orange Rising Star Award.

Complete list and Videos of the winners after the jump

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OSCAR NOMINEES TO BE HONORED AT ACADEMY LUNCHEON

// February 12th, 2010 // Comments Off // Awards

Monday is the the annual Academy Awards Luncheon and the Academy reports that nearly 3/4 of the actors nominated will attend along with all of the directors. From the Leading Actor and Actress categories, Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Jeremy Renner, Sandra Bullock, Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe and Meryl Streep are expected to attend. Vera Farmiga, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick, Woody Harrelson and Christoph Waltz will represent the Supporting Actress and Actor categories. Many of  those planning to attend have just been to the 25th Santa Barabara International Film Festival where they were honored.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Kathryn Bigelow wins DGA Feature Film Award for The Hurt Locker

// January 31st, 2010 // Comments Off // Awards

by Marla Lewin

Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the DGA’s highest honor in its 61 year history. James Cameron  will just have to be content with having the two highest grossing films in history and the knowledge that his good friend and former wife has finally gotten the recognition that she deserves. He basically said that on the Jay Leno show last week.

Bigelow and Cameron are still widely considered the frontrunners for the Academy Award for Best Director. Avatar and Cameron won the top awards at the Golden Globes, where it was named Best Film Drama and he won the Director award. Most other critics awards have gone to The Hurt Locker, which has also won more of the crucial Hollywood guild awards. The DGA’s Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film has traditionally served as a near-perfect barometer for the Academy Award for Best Director. Only six times since the DGA Award’s inception in 1948 has the winner not gone on to receive the Academy Award for Best Director.

The other award winners are: (more…)