The movie adaptation of “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” the 2003 novel of American author Lionel Shriver is the winner of the best film at the 55th BFI London Film Festival Wednesday. The novel won the Orange Prize for fiction in 2005.
The film described as an unflinching portrayal of a mother’s troubled relationship with her son featured Oscar winner Tilda Swinton, starring as Eva, Kevin’s mother
Kevin (Ezra Miller), 15, commits a massacre at his high school and goes to jail. Stunned, his mother, Eve (Tilda Swinton) can only react to tragedy when it begins to correspond with her husband, Franklin (John C. Reilly), who lives far and recalls the boy’s troubled past.
“We Need to Talk about Kevin” premiered at the last Cannes Film Festival was directed by Scottish film maker Lynne Ramsay. It beat eight other films, including Russian Alexander Sokurov’s Faust that won the Golden Lion at the 68th Venice International Film Festival.
“In the end, we were simply bowled over by one film, a sublime, uncompromising tale of the torment that can stand in the place of love,” said John Madden, chair of the judging panel.
“‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ is made with the kind of singular vision that links great directors across all the traditions of cinema.”
The festival closes Thursday evening with a gala screening of “The Deep Blue Sea,” Terence Davies’ adaptation of Terence Rattigan’s play starring Rachel Weisz.
~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima with contributions from Mike Collett-White.
Del-York International Spearheads “Bem-Vindo A Nollywood’’ Film Festival
In São Paulo, Brazil
LAGOS, NIGERIA, 25 October 2011 – Del-York International is teaming up with Kinopedia Ltd and the Departamento de Expansão Cultural da Secretaria de Cultura, Prefeitura de São Paulo to host the first Nollywood film festival in South America from 18th–27th November 2011.
This milestone will be held at the Cine Olido in São Paulo, Brazil,, which will host a roundtable discussion featuring some of Nollywood’s most respected practitioners as well as showcase a retrospective of nine films by the award-winning director Tunde Kelani.
Since the Festival marks the beginning of a multi-year cultural exchange with the government of Brazil, The film festival aims at promoting Del-York’s mission to inaugurate a sustainable relationship between the Nigerian film industry “Nollywood” and the Brazilian people, by celebrating the Yoruba heritage and traditions shared by both nations. especially those that trace their origin to the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria and Africa at large,which is commendably portrayed in Tunde Kelani’s films.
Tunde Kelani, a celebrated advocate of Yoruba culture, has long been considered to be one of Nigeria’s most accomplished filmmakers. His four-decade-long career started in the early 1970s as a television cameraman. When the devaluation of the Naira decreased filmmakers’ purchasing power, Kelani ceased his work as a cinematographer to direct and produce his own films on video format with the establishment of Mainframe Television and Movie Productions in 1992 – producing such beloved classics as “Saworoide” (1999) and “Thunderbolt: Magun” (2001).
In Kelani’s words: “The list of nine films selected for the Ffilm festival are important, because the films are valuable not only to the Yorubas in the homeland, but especially to Yorubas in the Diaspora, who despite 200 years to 300 years of slave-trade and how they got to that side of the world, they have remained true and close to the culture.”
According to the 2011 World Bank report, “The Untold Story of Growth & Employment Potential in Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry,” Nollywood has already demonstrated significant impact on poverty alleviation through the creation of jobs especially for the youth. However, one challenge to its continued growth is that the industry lacks a branding strategy to compete with other well-established industries on a global scale. As such, the “Bem-vindo a Nollywood” Film Festival will formally introduce Nigerian films to Brazilian audiences and contribute to establishing the industry on the international stage, thus growing Nollywood’s export potential and multiplying its ability to create employment.
Russian Alexander Sokurov’s “Faust” a free cinematic interpretation of the Faust legend from the adaptations by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Thomas Mann won the Golden Lion at the 68th Venice International Film Festival.
The film cost €8 million.
Aleksandr Sokurov with the Golden Lion
Official Result of the Winners of the 68th Venice Film Festival
Hanna Schygulla in “Faust”
Golden Lion for Best Film Faust by Aleksander Sokurov (Russia)
Silver Lion for Best Director
Shangjun CAI for the film Ren Shan Ren Hai (People Mountain People Sea) (China – Hong Kong)
Special Jury Prize Terraferma by Emanuele Crialese (Italy)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
Michael Fassbender in the film Shame by Steve McQueen (United Kingdom)
Coppa Volpi for Best Actress Deanie Yip in the film Tao jie (A Simple Life) by Ann Hui (China – Hong Kong)
Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress
Shôta Sometani and Fumi Nikaidô in the film Himizu by Sion Sono (Japan)
Osella for the Best Cinematography
Robbie Ryan for the film Wuthering Heights by Andrea Arnold (United Kingdom)
Osella for Best Screenplay
Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou for the film Alpis (Alps) by Yorgos Lanthimos (Grecia)
Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis”Venice Award for a Debut Film Là-bas by Guido Lombardi (Italy) – International Critics’ Week
and a prize of 100,000 USD, donated by Filmauro di Aurelio e Luigi De Laurentiis, to be divided equally between the director and the producer
ORIZZONTI
Orizzonti Award (full-length films): Kotoko by Shinya Tsukamoto (Japan)
Special Orizzonti Jury Prize (full-length films): Whores’ Glory di Michael Glawogger (Austria, Germania)
Orizzonti Award: Accidentes Gloriosos (medium-length films) by Mauro Andrizzi and Marcus Lindeen (Sweden, Denmark, Germany)
Orizzonti Award (short films): In attesa dell’avvento by Felice D’Agostino and Arturo Lavorato (Italia)
Special Mentions: O Le Tulafale (The Orator) by Tusi Tamasese (New Zealand, Samoa) All The Lines Flow Out by Charles LIM Yi Yong (Singapore)
CONTROCAMPO ITALIANO
Controcampo Award (for narrative feature-length films) Scialla! by Francesco Bruni
Controcampo Award (for short films) A Chjàna by Jonas Carpignano
Controcampo Doc Award (for documentaries) Pugni chiusi by Fiorella Infascelli
Special Mentions:
to the documentary Black Block by Carlo Augusto Bachschmidt
to Francesco Di Giacomo for the cinematography of Pugni chiusi
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Marco Bellocchio
Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award 2011 Al Pacino
Persol 3D Award for the Most Creative Stereoscopic Film of the Year Zapruder Filmmakers Group (David Zamagni, Nadia Ranocchi, and Monaldo Moretti)
L’Oréal Paris Award for Cinema
Nicole Grimaudo
Countries of the filmmakers whose films were screened at the 68th Venice International Film Festival
ARGENTINA
Edgardo COZARINSKY, Nocturnos (Orizzonti)
AUSTRALIA
Amiel COURTIN-WILSON, Hail (Orizzonti)
AUSTRIA
Josef DABERNIG, Hypercrisis (Orizzonti medium-length and short films)
Michael GLAWOGGER, Whores’ Glory (Orizzonti)
Norbert PFAFFENBICHLER, Conference (Orizzonti medium-length and short films)
BELGIUM
Chantal AKERMAN, La Folie Almayer(Out Of Competition)
Nicolas PROVOST, The Invader (Orizzonti)
Nicolas PROVOST, Moving Stories (Orizzonti medium-length and short films)
‘Sinking Sands’ opens in Nigerian Cinemas from October 14
Leila Djansi’s award-winning film about domestic violence, ‘Sinking Sands,’ will finally get its Nigerian showing in cinemas across Nigeria, in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt from October 14.
The movie starring Jimmy Jean-Louis, Yemi Blaq, Akosua Agyepong, Doris Sakitey, introducing Ama K. Abebrese is a psycho-drama that tells the story of a couple, Jimah and Pabi in a loving marriage which turns into one of violence and abuse when Jimah becomes disfigured in a domestic accident.
Nigerian actor , Yemi Blaq who just finished shooting ‘When Love Dies’ with Earnest Obi is yet to see his portrayal of Dr Zach in ‘Sinking Sands’ but says he expects it to be nothing short of the great reviews that it has been receiving from critics all over the world.
“ I had no doubt the movie was going to be a success, the script had me wowed, the directing ability of Leila Djansi is nothing to suck your teeth at and the professionalism of the crew in Ghana was exceptional. All these ingredients are nothing if not the recipe for success,” comments Yemi.
He also added that his schedule at the moment is quite tight but he would make sure that he creates space to attend one of the screenings in Nigeria.
Writer/director/producer of ‘Sinking Sands’, Leila Djansi expects a successful showing in Nigeria. She comments: “I love Nigerians, because I’ve come to know they are a people who are very supportive of anything good so I am confident ‘Sinking Sands’ will find a home in Nigeria and help the cause of saying NO to violence against women.”
‘Sinking Sands’ will show in the following cinemas from October 14:
Vincent Opurum: We Can Compete With the Best in the World
Vincent Opurum is one of the new heartthrobs in Nollyood with his good looks and fun loving swagger. He has played prominent roles in TV soap operas and in Nigerian home videos. His outstanding acting skills have been proved over 12 movies so far. His lover boy role in BlackBerry Babes increased his thousands of fans, especially his female admirers who see him as a sex symbol and he has been romantically linked with the pretty and sexy, but controversial actress Tonto Dike. Vincent has also attracted public attention for his roles in My Love My Sorrow, Heavy Battle, Desert Storm, One Last Feeling, Stolen Desire, Breath Of Love, Empty Coffin, Forget Heaven, Unending Love, Kingdom Of Men, The King and The Medians, Royal Ammargidom , Mission To No Where, Fake Prophet, Holy Prostitutes, Looking For Husband and Mother’s Love.
“I am decent but controversial and I love to put smile on people faces.I love what I do and most people don’t know that I’m a good footballer as well,” said Vincent when we met after the Nigerian premiere of Djo Munga’s Congolese gangster thriller Viva Riva at the Lagos office of the Nigerian Film Corporation last month.
He is from the Igbo region, but grew up among Hausas in kaduna state, before he found his way to Lagos to become an actor and he is really happy that he has become notable within a short time.
“We have all it takes to compete with the best in the world, from Bollywood to Hollywood,” he said.
Vincent loves good music and appreciates the beauty of nature.
“The road to success is a lonely path, yet with God and strong belief with determination, success is sure,” he concluded.
“I am excited to see how Michael’s vision and passion for music and dance will be interpreted by Cirque du Soleil for the Immortal Tour,” said Mrs. Jackson. “His vibrant spirit and love for performing will be honored in this unique tribute to Michael’s legacy.”
Montreal, October 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil are proud to present tonight the World Premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ in Montreal at the Bell Centre. Proudly presented by Sun Life Financial, tonight’s performance is the kick-off of the world tour which will travel across North America and then the rest of the world. The show was written and directed by Jamie King, the leading concert director in pop music today.
Members of the Jackson Family, including Michael’s mother, Katherine, and his three children, along with special guests and generous donors for La Soirée ONE DROP will be on hand to experience this once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production that will combine Michael Jackson’s music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity, to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture.
MONTREAL, Oct. 2: Katherine Jackson and her three sons, Tito, Jackie and Marlon attend the world premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil.
MONTREAL, Oct. 2: Michael’s children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, along with their cousins attend the world premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil.
One of the most recent stakeholders initiatives to improve the quality of film production in Nigeria was the 2011 iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Forum (iREP) collaborative workshop with the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the United Consulate in Lagos, on Story Telling, Scripting and Content Management, an industry clinic targeted at professionals within the various disciplines of film making.
Michael Gozzard and the participants at the introductory session
Michael Gozzard, a multiple-award winning script writer and content manager from Hollywood was the instructor at the one week workshop held at the Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street on Victoria Island in Lagos. The interactive workshop ended on Friday September 2, 2011. Gozzard, who wrote and produced the famous Hollywood film, Pride took the 32 participants through intensive sessions on general introduction of the dynamics of Scriptwriting and Storytelling. The Participants were nominated by their various Guilds.
Veteran actor, Olu Jacobs with iREP;s Executive Director, Femi Odugbemi at the end of one of the sessions.
The Workshop is in pursuit of iREP’s commitment to encouraging Training and Manpower Development in the local film industry aside organizing Exhibitions and Conversations around the Nigeria and African film industry.
Michael Gozzard, Femi Odugbemi, Makinwa Soyinka and Bene Uche, Senior Cultural Officer with PAS.
Hope Obioma Opara, Publisher of Supple magazine and President, Eko International Film Festival and Busola Holloway, President of Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN).
iREP’s executives Makinwa Soyinka, Director of Lagos Film Office and Jahman Anikulapo, The Editor of The Guardian on Sunday with Michael Gozzard.
This is the one of iREP’s collaborations with various agencies of culture production and promotion to encourage flowering of artistic ideas and development of the culture sector. Other collaborations include with Ka-Yalema Productions, USA; DV WORX Productions, Lagos; Lagos Film Office; Goethe Institut, Lagos; Real life Festival, Ghana; Committee for Relevant Art, Lagos; Freedom Park, Lagos; Nigeria Film Corporation, NFC, Jos; Nigeria Film and Video Census Board, NFVCB, Abuja; Lifehouse Centre, Lagos; British Council, Lagos and others.
Hope Opara commending the workshop.
ABOUT IREP
iREP is a touring film festival established by three Nigerian culture figures (Femi Odugbemi, Jahman Anikulapo and Makin Soyinka) to promote independent documentary films and global awareness about the role of documentary films in deepening participatory democracy. iREP is conceptualized to create platform of awareness and expression for aspiring and practising filmmakers who are creating socially relevant documentary films to positively impact our world.It is a co-promoter of the West African Documentary Film Forum with the REAL LIFE Festival based in Ghana/USA/France.
Some of iREP’s other objectives include creating a platform of awareness and expression for aspiring and practising filmmakers, and providing a forum for people’s ingenuity to be showcased without prejudice to style or subject.
iREP’s maiden international Documentary Film Festival held in January 2011 over a period of one week with participants from Nigeria, Sudan, United States, South Africa, Germany and France. Preparation is in top gear for the 2012 edition, also on the conceptual theme: AFRICA IN SELF-CONVERSATION.
iREP has also been involved with a monthly screening programme around key Art and event Centres around lagos i.e Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos and LIfehouse in VI, Lagos — with plans to extend programmes to other major cities in the country. iREP, in collaboration with the Goethe Insitut lagos and the Nigeria Film Corporation, NFC, will this month begin a Monthly Film Screening/ Exhibition programme at the Nigeria Film Corporation Lagos Office, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos.
