"The Zog" Nears Completion/Brit Producers #2

Good Tuesday Everyone.

"THE ZOG" NEARS COMPLETION

For months I've been reporting on the development and progress on the project to makeover The Hanley Pavilion in Town Park in Telluride so that it can be used as a tenth venue during the film festival.  The Telluride Daily Planet reported yesterday that the progress has been good and that the new "Werner Herzog Theater" (The Zog) is on target.

The story also dropped a couple of interesting items.  First, and perhaps most eye-catching was the revelation that "The Zog" will be mostly a "first come, first serve venue".  Festival co-director Julie Huntsinger is quoted in the article as saying that there will be no passholder distinction at "The Zog".  Huntsinger says in the story that the exception will be in the case of film premieres that occur at the new 750 seat facility.

Another interesting note is that, in addition to the extra fifth day of programming to celebrate the fests 40th anniversary, a special Wednesday afternoon "event" will be held to start the weekend.  The story doesn't give any clues as to what that "event" might be.

Here's the link to the complete Telluride Daily Planet story:

http://www.telluridenews.com/articles/2013/07/07/news/doc51d75875e8e88369135159.txt

BRIT PRODUCERS #2

Yesterday I examined a couple of British production outfits that have been a part of the festival in the past.  Today I'll look at another: Film4.

FILM4 has been a fairly constant presence at Telluride over the past seven years:

2006: Deep Water
2007: When Did You Last See Your Father, Brick Lane
2008: Happy-Go-Lucky, Hunger, Slumdog Millionaire
2009:
2010: Another Year, Never Let Me Go
2011: Shame
2012:

Although Film4 wasn't represented in 2012, they do have a number of possible films in the barrel that could have Telluride potential including:

The John LeCarre adaptation "A Most Wanted Man"
Roger Michell's "Le Weekend"
Kevin Macdonald's "How I Live Now"
Cannes success "The Selfish Giant"
Ken Loach's "The Spirit of 45"
and Jonathan Glazer's "Under the Skin".

All but "A Most Wanted Man" have been addressed/assessed in this space recently ("Le Weekend" and "How I Live Now" were discussed in the "Usual Suspects" posts, "The Selfish Giant" in the Sundance Selects portion of U.S. distribution companies and "Spirit of '45" and "Under the Skin" in yesterday's UK Film Council breakdown).

"A Most Wanted Man" has no other Telluride indicators, so its status as a Telluride "potential" is limited.  Put it 20%.

There are other Brit Film Production houses that have some history with Telluride: Lipsync, See Saw, Film Four, but as of right now, these companies don't have films listed on IMDb that appear to be in position for TFF #40.

Tomorrow, we'll begin to take a look at the French film production houses that could be a part of this year's fest.


SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE REDUX?

A number of outlets reported the last couple of days that a new film rendition of Kurt Vonnegut's classic "Slaughterhouse Five" might be in the works.

It's my favorite novel but I've always been a bit disappointed in the 1972 George Roy Hill film version.

The story came to light in the P.R. run up to the release of "Pacific Rim" as director Guillermo del Toro revealed that he had been batting the idea around with Universal and wanted to get Charlie Kaufman on board to write a new script based on the novel.

Now, I'm not as crazy about del Toro's work as a lot of people.  I am impressed with the visual style he brings to the screen, but otherwise I've never been blown away by his directing style.  Additionally, I'll be honest, I think "Pacific Rim" looks...um...silly.  I know, I know...but the Idris Elba "canceling the apocalypse" line...please.

What I do think is exciting about the del Toro tidbits is how he'll make Tralfamadore and the Tralfamadorians look.  That and his terrific notion to try to lure Kaufman to the project.  I can't think of a better-suited screen writer for the material than Charlie Kaufman.

There do seem to be obstacles, however.  Money and time being the principle issues.

Check these posts from HitFix:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/wait-guillermo-del-toro-has-a-take-on-slaughterhouse-five-with-charlie-kaufman


and Hollywood Elsewhere:

http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/2013/07/slaughterhouse-script-unstuck-in-universal-miasma/


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More tomorrow.

"Ten Bets" #2/The Usual Suspects Part Two/No "Blue" Changes the Foreign Oscar Race?

Good Post Independence Day Friday!

TEN BETS #2

Last week's Ten Bets were:

1) Nebraska
2) The Past
3) Daughter of the Dawn
4) Aguirre: The Wrath of God
5) The Immigrant
6) Life Itself
7) The Invisible Woman
8) Labor Day
9) 12 Years a Slave
10) Like Father, Like Son

This week's Ten Bets:

1) Nebraska
2) The Invisible Woman
3) The Past
4) The Unknown Known
5) A Story of Children and Film
6) Daughter of the Dawn
7) The Immigrant
8) Aguirre: The Wrath of God
9) Labor Day
10) The Selfish Giant

Note:  With the removal of "Life Itself" (see Tuesday's blog post) a spot opened up.  It wasn't difficult to fill.  I added "The Unknown Known"  as its replacement on the list. "

"A Story of Children and Film" replaces "12 Years a Slave", though I still am fairly bullish that we'll see the McQueen film.

"The Selfish Giant" replaces "Like Father Like Son " but the two of them are part of four Sundance Selects films any or all of which might be in Telluride.  The other two being "Blue is the Warmest Color" and "Young and Beautiful".  They seem virtually interchangeable in as far as the "Ten Bets" list is concerned and probably will be for the next few weeks unless I garner some compelling evidence that one has a greater chance than the others.


THE USUAL SUSPECTS PART TWO

Yesterday I began a three part series focusing on some of the Telluride "Usual Suspects" and what they might have in store for this year's festival.  In Part One I mentioned Mark Cousins, Werner Herzog, Ken Burns and Alexander Payne

I today's Part Two we begin with Steve McQueen.  McQueen certainly has one of the higher profile films of the fall season awaiting.  His "12 Years a Slave" is expected to make a lot of noise.  McQueen's thrid feature follows his "Hunger" and "Shame" which both played at Telluride.  I fully expect, as do many others, that "12 Years" will be a part of the Venice lineup.  The question becomes whether the film follows the path "Shame" did as it also played Venice...Telluride...Toronto and New York.

For awhile, I thought that I was the only one that thought that "12 Years" might follow the "Shame" path...but I have since discovered that there are a number of others who think it could happen.  Enough so that "12 Years" made it onto my initial "Ten Bets" list last week.

Usual Suspect #6 today: Roger Michell.  The South African born director appears at T-ride with some frequency.  Last year he had "Hyde Park on Hudson".  In prior years he has been included with "Venus"and "Enduring Love".  Michell's new film "Le weekend" stars Jeff Goldblum (present in Telluride in 2008 for "Adam Resurrected"), Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan.

Frankly, I could see this being on the SHOW list, but for some reason, I'm rather dubious.  The U.S. distributor is Music Box Films... which distributed Herzog's "Happy People: A Year in the Taiga" in 2010" so there is some tenuous history there. Still, I'm doubtful.  Put "Le Weekend's chances at 25%.

Usual Suspect #7 is Errol Morris.  Errol plays in Telluride a good bit too.  Last year as a producer on "The Act of Killig"  In 2010: "Tabloid".  "Fog of War" in 2003.  Morris has a go at his first directing gig of a fictional work with "Freezing People is Easy" starring Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Christopher Walken.  But it doesn't seem to be ready.  What does seem to be ready is the Morris directed documentary about Donald Rumsfeld: "The Unknown Known: The Life and Times of Donald Rumsfeld'.  I think you can almost count on it being on the playlist for TFF #40.

And you have to wonder a little...when Morris did "Fog of War" in 2003, his subject, Robert McNamara came along.  Any chance Rumsfeld would?

Usual Suspect #8: Stephen Frears:  The Brit director was last represented in Telluride with "Tamara Drewe".  He was tributed in 1987 along with a screening of "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid".  His latest project has "prestige" smeared all over it.  Perpetual Oscar nominee Judi Dench stars in "Philomena" which also has The Weinstein Company as its distributor.

I think it seems like about a 40% chance of playing this year.

Tomorrow, the final four of "The Usual Suspects".

DOES NO "BLUE" CHANGES THE FOREIGN OSCAR RACE?

This week's revelation that Cannes Palme d"Or winner "Blue is the Warmest Color" won't be eligible for the French entry for the Foreign Language Oscar (due to its release schedule) has some wondering how or if it will shape the race for that trophy.

I think it almost certainly does and that has major implications for Telluride's Film Festival.  TFF almost always is the U.S. launching pad for any number of films from around the world that have Foreign Oscar designs.  Incontention/HitFix's Kristopher Tapley tackled that issue this week in this post:

http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/with-blue-is-the-warmest-color-out-of-the-running-a-look-ahead-to-the-foreign-oscar-race

Among the films he mentions that could well be in the Telluride baliwick are:
"The Past"
"Mood Indigo"
"Child's Pose" (which is really increasing its hold on my thinking as another possible entrant from the Berlin Fest where it won The Golden Bear.)
"The Great Beauty"
"Miele"
"Gloria"
and "like Father Like Son"

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700/Sundance Selects and Telluride/The Playlist Guesses Venice

Good Tuesday Everyone...

700

That was the number of Saturday's post...the 700th.  Hard for me to believe.  Doing some quick math, that means that each post has been looked at, on average, 112.4 times.  Thanks to everyone who reads from time to time.

SUNDANCE SELECTS AND TELLURIDE

Only a player in distribution for just a few years, Sundance Selects has been present at the Telluride Film Festival for the last three fests at various levels of involvement.

2010: The Princess of Montpensier, Tabloid
2011: The Forgiveness of Blood, The Kid with a Bike, Goodbye First Love and Into the Abyss
2012: The Central Park Five

At this point, the possible Sundance Selects offerings amount to 5 films that played at Cannes:

Palme d'Or winner "Blue is the Warmest Color", Jury Prize winner "Like Father, Like Son", Francois Ozon's "Young and Beautiful", Clio Bernard's "The Selfish Giant" and Roman Polanski's "Venus in Fur".

My feeling is that "Like Father..." and "The Selfish Giant" might be the more likely T-ride choices...though "Blue" and "Young and Beautiful" seem very possible as well.

Polanski's film seems like the least likely of the five from Cannes.

Sundance Selects also has a documentary entitled "The Summit" which has played in 2 film fests in England and Ireland...that could be a possibility.

Chances:

"Like Father, Like Son" 70%
"The Selfish Giant" 70%

"Blue is the Warmest Color" 60%
"Young and Beautiful" 50%
"Venus in Fur" 20%
""The Summit" 20%

THE PLAYLIST GUESSES VENICE (and T-ride indirectly)

The Playlist Oliver Lyttleton offers his take on potential Venice selections and, in passing mentions 5 films as Telluride possibles:

"Devil's Knot"
"The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby"
"Salinger"
"Out of the Furnace"
and "Foxcatcher"

All of which could join the San Juan SHOW...and none.

I haven't had "Devil's Knot" on my radar at all. I have mentioned the other four.  Each of which has some things working in its favor and other things that indicate that they're not so likely.

To look at Lyttleton's complete list click below:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/predicting-the-2013-venice-film-festival-line-up-20130624

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More tomorrow...

Deals at Cannes (and what they mean)/Frances Ha in Theaters

Good Thursday...

I'm headed to Taos, NM today...to see Mumford and Sons.  Paul McCartney last week and Mumford today...jealous?

I'll keep my eyes peeled for any Carey Mulligan (Mrs. Mumford) sightings.

Late breaking about Ms. Mulligan...reports are that she's the likely choice to play Hilary in "Rodham" or whatever it's going to be titled.

DEALS AT CANNES (and what they mean...maybe)

Among other things, the Cannes Film Festival serves as a market place for film.  Distribution deals and the distributors that make them can point us to some films that could end up at the Telluride Film Festival.  Consequently I have included a series of links to a variety of stories/posts about acquisitions that occurred at Cannes or in its immediate aftermath:  Beginning with a big swath of multiple posts from IndieWire
:

http://www.indiewire.com/article/cannes-wrap-up-all-the-interviews-news-and-reviews-from-indiewires-festival-coverage?page=2#articleHeaderPanel

More individual stories are as follows:

Sundance Selects grabs "Blue is the Warmest Color" (Palme d'Or winner) and "Like Father, Like Son":

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/sundance-selects-is-releasing-cannes-winners-blue-is-the-warmest-color-and-like-father-like-son

And "The Selfish Giant":

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-sundance-selects-nabs-north-555986

And "Young and Beautiful"

http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance-selects-takes-ozons-beautiful-out-of-cannes

 AND...Sony Pictures Classics has "The Lunchbox"

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/cannes-sony-pictures-classics-buys-lunchbox-93676

Sundance was represented at Telluride last year with "The Central Park Five" and in 2011 by several films.  All four listed above should be considered potential films for the TFF #40 program.

Meanwhile SPC's grab of "The Lunchbox" also means that it has some very definite Telluride potential.  SPC has been very well represented at Telluride for a good long time.

Later this month, I'll break down the distributor/producer players and look at which has what films and what that means for T-ride.


FRANCES HA IN THEATERS

Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig's delightful collaboration is in theaters now.  A definite highlight of TFF #39...here are interviews with Baumbach from Moviefone:

http://news.moviefone.com/2013/05/17/noah-baumbach-frances-ha-interview/?utm_hp_ref=moviefone

and another from The Playlist:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/interview-noah-baumbach-talks-20130514

and with actor Michael Zegen from The Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/michael-zegen-frances-ha_n_3283156.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaels-Telluride-Film-Blog-and-The-Film-Awards-Clearinghouse/107846269309712

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More on Friday...