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NEWS Monday 20 May 2019
DAY 7

Hansel and Gretel CANNES
CONFIDENTIAL

Maud

Amson

© DR © DR
HANSEL AND GRETEL

MARKS FIRST OUTING Your job title? Majestic, Carlton
or Airbnb?
Head of sales & operations
FOR WIZART AND QED at the Marché du Film. Palais!

USSIAN animation producer improved each new project and increased
Wizart presents its new quality and budgets,” he said. “So we come Astrological sign? What would you
animation Hansel and Gretel at to Hansel and Gretel with considerable like to say to
the Marché du Film this year. experience and knowledge and we believe It stings. Alejandro
R It’s the first project to be that this will take the franchise to a totally González Iñárritu?
co-produced under a new co-operation new level. Today the main task for myself
between Wizart and QED International, and my team is to make an animated Perro, te amo.
the US producer and distributor. feature that will appeal to audiences around You were born on…
“In addition to providing financial support the world, but we also have to beat our own The year of the horse.
to the project, QED will take responsibility record and gross even more in box office
to strengthen the global exposure of jointly than Snow Queen III.” Competing in the Outside of Cannes
produced animation features,” producer at animated feature market, facing giants like what is your
Wizart Animation and leading producer on Disney and DreamWorks, is no easy task, Your three favourite films favourite
the project Hansel and Gretel, Vladimir but Nikolaev said Wizart has succeeded by of the last 12 months? film festival
Nikolaev said. As with it’s international hit following the audience. “We conduct a full The Favourite by Yorgos and why?
franchise Snow Queen, Nikolaev said the analysis of their reaction after each release. Lanthimos, Grâce à Dieu by Venice for the magic of the
company is “equally attentive to both the This helps us to understand what aspects
original story and the humour and should be improved and then we carry out François Ozon and Creed II by place and because you can
dynamics that are necessary in modern those improvements,” Nikolaev said. “Such Steven Caple Jr. arrive two minutes before the
screen versions”. He added: “As with the an approach allows us to expand the screenings and get in.
first Snow Queen, we’re expanding the audience and compete with the films with
universe, bringing in new characters, larger production and marketing budgets.” What can we expect from
making the children not victims, but In Cannes Wizart is introducing Hansel and your organisation Are the digital
adventure hunters — and adding humour.” Gretel to international buyers at the Made at Cannes this year? platforms
A global success, with fourth feature Snow In Russia stand in the Palais des Festivals.
Queen: Mirrorlands due at the end of the Made In Russia promotes and raises That Cannes happens. the future of
year, Nikolaev said the franchise was awareness of Russia’s exports, business and the cinema
initially a slow-burner for the company. culture in both domestic and foreign industry?
“We moved conservatively, adhering to the markets. ✦ Part of the future, yes.
spirit of the original tale. Then we gradually Julian Newby When do you
usually go to bed
on a typical
night during What are your
the Festival? post-Festival
plans?
Two in the morning.
The French Open.

Where are your
favourite How many stamps
spots to dine on your passport?
in Cannes?
Definitely not enough!
McDonald’s of course.

How long did it take
Your weirdest Cannes you to answer
moment? these questions?
Having my burger stolen by a Definitely more than
seagull. expected!
10 years of All Rights Entertainment: the Hong Kong-based sales company
© DR celebrated its 10th anniversary in Cannes.

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