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NEWS Thursday 10 May 2018
DAY 3

FOCUS ACQUIRES
CANNES OPENER; CANNES Q&A:
GYLLENHAAL TO STAR
IN NEW THRILLER
FOCUS features has acquired the Cannes ANICK POIRIER
Film Festival’s opening night film
Everybody Knows (Todos Los Saben).
Focus will distribute the film in the US, VP INTERNATIONAL SALES, SEVILLE INTERNATIONAL
Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand,
South Africa, India, a number of Asian How have the last 12 months been Anthropocene is the third film in a series
territories and the Middle East, apart for Seville? from award-winning filmmakers Jennifer
from Iran. Focus acquired rights Things have been very busy. The business Baichwal, Nick de Pencier and Edward
in Spain last year. is undeniably shifting and certain Burtynsky, showing the impact of
Asghar Farhadi wrote and directed the challenges have made us refine our goals humankind on earth— both in its beauty
Spanish-language psychological thriller and expectations. We are continuing and devastation. And lastly, a wonderful
starring Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem to build great partnerships with our doc we just premiered at Hot Docs called
and Ricardo Darín. producers and are constantly on the I Used to be Normal. It’s boy band/ fangirl
The film follows Laura (Cruz) on her lookout for exciting projects to fall story where we lovingly follow four
travels from Argentina to her hometown in love with and to defend. We love fangirls who have yet to grow out of their
in Spain for her sister’s wedding, bringing giving creative input on evolving teenage fandom, while still feeling strong
her two children along for the occasion. projects, especially where we feel and empowered in their identity as fans. © KERRY SHAW
During the course of the celebrations, we can share our experience with talent. We will also be showing a promo of a
Laura’s eldest daughter is abducted. Highlights of the past year include dark comedy with a zombie twist, Zoo,
In the tense days that follow, various meeting new talent and getting on board which is currently in post-production. contained and non-addictive and you are
family and community tensions surface with gifted young film-makers who are not stuck on having to spend the rest of
and deeply hidden secrets are revealed. recognised by critics, audiences and How is the international your weekends binge-watching. That
Everybody Knows is produced by festivals worldwide — for example marketplace for arthouse/ being said, we understand the production
Alexandre Mallet-Guy of Memento Films dam MacDonald, writer and director of crossover films at the moment? challenges of having to find actors who
and Álvaro Longoria of Morena Films. Pyewacket (2018) and Pascal Plante, There are a lot of films available, as it would work on the big screen, but who
UTA Indie Film Group and Memento writer and director of Fake Tattoos seems that Latin America, Asia and the are otherwise opting to take on recurring
Films International negotiated the deal (2017). Middle East, for example, are ramping roles on TV. We also understand the
on behalf of the film-making team. up production. There is always room for changing tastes of audiences who enjoy
Farhadi is represented by UTA. What are your priorities for good projects with a strong vision. binge-watching, and especially with
At the start of the Cannes Film Festival Cannes this year? Uniqueness, plus simple but effective their favourite actors moving to the small
Focus Features also announced that it has We have four new projects to introduce positioning are key. High production screen.
acquired the rights to Welcome to Vienna to buyers in Cannes. Great Green Wall, values help, as does cast. If the film can
an adaptation of Kevin Wignall’s thriller which is an amazing [United Nations- speak to the audience, then you have Where are your strongest markets
To Die In Vienna. Jake Gyllenhaal will star. backed climate change and music a home run. around the world?
In Welcome to Vienna, Freddie documentary] project on planting a wall It depends on the film. China is quite
(Gyllenhaal) is an American surveillance of trees stretching 8,000 km along the Do you feel competition from competitive; Japan and France are the
contractor who, for the last year, has Sahel Desert in Africa, crossing 12 high-end television drama? ones that stand out. And if the films work
been watching Jiang Cheng, a Chinese countries, and empowering Africans to High-end TV drama is competing for for airlines, that too can be a lucrative
academic in Vienna. When Freddie returns mould their future with their own hands. audience attention and time. Surprisingly territory. There are opportunities with
home early one day, suffering a migraine, Denys Arcand’s latest film, The Fall of enough though, the number of theatres is emerging markets such as Vietnam and
he interrupts a break-in at his apartment. the American Empire, is a fun ride, a heist increasing in Europe and Asia. I am a China is evolving well. New platforms
The intruder escapes, but then comes film that only Denys can present. firm believer in films. At least they are are also an opportunity. ✦ JN
back and tries to kill Freddie. But this
was no ordinary break-in and it’s clear
that Freddie has seen something he
shouldn’t have seen and from that
moment on, Freddie’s a hunted man. The UK’s Carnaby takes on second
Annie Marter, Executive Vice-President
Production & Development for Nine feature from Alexandra McGuinness
Stories, will executive produce. To Die
In Vienna will be published by Thomas
& Mercer in June. ✦ Julian Newby
ARNABY International is World Pictures and Anna O’Malley International & Production at Carnaby
representing Alexandra and Eammon Cleary from TW Films, International, Tim Grohne said.
McGuinness’ second Highway was financed by GCI Films “We look forward to presenting footage
feature Highway. and the Irish Film Board. The film features which will give distributors a first glimpse
C The film stars Eiza Gonzalez Heidi (Lucy Fry) and Jane (Eiza Gonzalez) of Alexandra’s remarkable film.”
(Baby Driver, From Dusk Til Dawn, Alita: who live in a small desert town, which CAA and Verve Ventures are
Battleangel), Lucy Fry (Bright, 11.22.63, has been bypassed by a bigger, brighter co-representing North America
Wolf Creek), Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor, world. While Heidi is happy to daydream with Carnaby International Sales &
Black Hawk Down), Christian Camargo her time away in between shifts at Distribution representing the rest
(The Hurt Locker, The Twilight Saga), the local diner, Jane strives for a life of the world.
Blake Berris (Breaking Bad, Pretty Little she thinks she deserves. After Jane Carnaby International has been has been
Liars), Sheila Vand (Argo, A Girl Walks suddenly disappears, Heidi is forced financing and producing films for over
Home Alone at Night) and Antonia to take control and sets out through 15 years. Among its successes are
Campbell-Hughes (Bright Star, Split, the desert to find her friend.. The Wee for which it won two
Kelly + Victor). “Highway is a rare discovery and a great BAFTA-Scotland awards and the Rise
Written and directed by Alexandra example of a film that defines with such of the Footsoldier trilogy, a successful
McGuinness (Lotus Eaters, Riders) and intimacy, the boundaries in which British crime franchise. ✦
Everybody Knows (Todos Los Saben) © DR produced by Dominic Wright from Ripple friendships live or die,” President, JN

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