Amy Winehouse Biopic Finds New Director
Sam Taylor-Johnson is officially attached to direct Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black on behalf of StudioCanal. The tragically short life of the troubled but much celebrated British songstress has previously been the subject of an Oscar winning documentary Amy, but will now be dramatized on screen as well.
Ongoing efforts have been made to get a film to screen since Winehouse died in 2011 at the age of 27, following years of well publicised struggles with drugs and alcohol. Despite these well documented person problems the iconic British songstress, who got her start on the North London jazz circuit, also became an award-winning global musical superstar.
Previous efforts have stumbled because ongoing issues with music rights, but the new project seemingly at last has the support of Winehouse’s estate. It remains to be seen how deeply the film will probe into the darker side of Winehouse’s life beyond the stage though it will be based on a latest script draft from Matt Greenhalgh.
Noomi Rapace had been previously attached to the role several years ago, but it seems perhaps more likely that Taylor-Johnson will now being a search for her own lead.
Robert Davi Attends London Die Hard Screening
Robert Davi, the award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, producer and jazz vocalist, will perform at the very special event and screening of Die Hard at The London Action Film Festival. He joins legendary director, John McTiernan, who will take part in the special screening Q & A and explore why the movie is widely considered the greatest Action movie of all time.
Davi is one of the film industry’s most recognized and beloved tough guys. He is known for his portrayal of the opera singing baddie in “The Goonies” and as one of the most popular James Bond villains Franz Sanchez in “Licence to Kill”. His role as FBI Special Agent Big Johnson in “Die Hard” remains a fan favourite
Audiences at the event will get to see and hear why he is also considered one of the top vocalists of our day in interpreting the Great American Songbook. He has thrilled audiences at top venues like the Venetian in Las Vegas where he headlines, playing for 10,000 people at the Harry Chapin Theater in East Meadow, Long Island or the Orleans in Vegas.
His debut album Davi Sings Sinatra- On the Road to Romance, produced by Phil Ramone shot to number 6 for more than several weeks on Billboard’s Jazz Charts.
Davi is determined to settle the global debate as to whether John McClane’s first adventure is a “Christmas Movie” once and for all.
Speaking about the event Davi said
“I can’t wait to be back in the UK and perform at this very special evening – celebrating a movie that continues to delight audiences around the world.”
The event will take place on Thursday 28 July – 19.30pm at the Royal Geographical Society, located in the heart of South Kensington’s arts and science district.
Following the announcement last week McTiernan, will be honoured at the Festival with the “Moving Target” award for his outstanding contribution to Action Cinema. Also receiving an award is British Stuntman, Stunt Co-ordinator and Action Director, Vic Armstrong.
The awards will be presented as part of the Festival’s ‘Friday Night Showdown’ on 29 July a truly unique one night only live celebration of all things action
On The Come Up Gets TIFF World Premiere
TIFF is thrilled to showcase director Sanaa Lathan’s directorial feature film debut On the Come Up with a World Premiere at the 47th edition of the Festival.
On the Come Up is the story of Bri, a 16-year-old gifted rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. But when her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false persona that the industry wants to impose upon her. Based on the NY Times’ #1 best-selling novel by Angie Thomas.
On the Come Up stars Jamila C. Gray, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Justin Martin, Titus Makin, Michael Cooper Jr., GaTa with Sanaa Lathan and Cliff “Method Man” Smith. The film is produced by George Tillman, Jr., Robert Teitel, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, Angie Thomas and Timothy M. Bourne and executive produced by John Fischer.
Life Of Pi Extends West End Run
It was announced today that 100,000 new tickets have been released for the final booking period of the phenomenally successful West End production of Life of Pi.
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaption of Yann Martel’s award-winning book starring Oliver Award winning actor Hiran Abeysekera as Pi alongside a life-size Royal Bengal Tiger puppet has now been extended until 15 January 2023, the final performance of the show at Wyndham’s Theatre in London, where the production will have played almost 500 performances.
Nuwan Hugh Perera, who is currently the alternate Pi, will take over the title role on 7 September 2022 with Chirag Benedict Lobo joining the cast as the new alternate Pi. Other new cast members joining in September are: Davina Moon as Ma, Ameet Chana as Father, Tanvi Virmani as Rani, Saikat Ahamad as Mamaji/Pandit-Ji, Sakuntala Ramanee as Mrs Biology Kumar/Zaida Khan, Kevin Shen as Mr Okamoto, Phyllis Ho as Lulu Chen, Kazeem Tosin Amore as Cook/Voice of Richard Parker, Owain Gwynn as Puppeteer and understudies Lilian Tsang and Mohit Mathur. Original West End cast members remaining in the show from 7 September are: Tom Espiner (Father Martin/Commander Grant-Jones) and puppeteers: Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Chris Milford and Tom Stacy.
Future plans for the show include a North American premiere in December 2022 through to January 2023 at the American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge, Massachusetts, as well as an anticipated transfer to Broadway, and separate productions in Asia, Australia and Mexico.
TIFF Announces Industry Conference Plans
The Toronto International Film Festival’s development, business, and networking initiatives are set to return fully in-person, with the Festival welcoming international professionals back to Toronto this September. This year’s five-day Industry Conference will be held at the Glenn Gould Studio September 9–13, while the Industry Centre returns to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Festival Village. TIFF is creating industry incentives for professionals to gather at its year-round home, TIFF Bell Lightbox, for targeted development sessions and impactful rooftop events.
“We are so excited to welcome the international film and television communities back to Toronto this September to celebrate the craft and its creators, build towards more sustainable business practices, and help develop original, distinct, and diverse voices that deserve to be championed,” said Geoff Macnaughton, Senior Director, Industry and Theatrical, TIFF. “Although we had many successes delivering hybrid digital/in-person Industry initiatives over the last two years, including a record-breaking year in film sales, we are thrilled to return to in-person business and networking.”
Under the direction of TIFF’s new Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, this year’s Industry Conference is programmed and developed by Geoff Macnaughton and Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, and managed by Julla Shanghavi, Manager, Industry Conference.
The 2022 Industry Conference comprises six distinct programmes. Visionaries offers inspirational keynotes from distinguished industry leaders who are forging innovative new paths creatively and in business. Dialogues features rich and lively discussions on craft among creators, including directors, writers, and showrunners. Perspectives presents timely and thought-provoking conversations with a wide range of expert panellists, who will speak on various aspects of the current state and the future of the industry. Connections is geared toward emerging and mid-career filmmakers, providing them the opportunity to interact directly with industry leaders and acquire practical insight that will help fuel their projects and expand their understanding of the industry. Microsessions are curated discussions that showcase new technologies and new ways of doing business, while TIFF’s Spotlights stream highlights global talent, incentives, co-production opportunities, and pitching sessions. TIFF’s Industry Conference is supported by Major Supporters Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, and media partners including The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Screen International.
Some of the topics and speakers confirmed to date include a rare onstage Visionaries conversation with MUBI Founder & CEO Efe Cakarel, who will discuss the impact of the company as a streamer, curator, publisher, distributor, producer, and, most importantly, cinema lover. Jason Ryle, TIFF International Programmer, Indigenous Cinema, will guest program a Perspectives session on Narrative Sovereignty; and Nuria Bronfman, Executive Director of the Movie Theatre Association of Canada, will guest program a Perspectives session on The State of Global Film Exhibition.This timely session brings together exhibition experts who look beyond post-pandemic recovery and explore new ways to strengthen the cinema-going experience as well as continue to what they do best: transform the way we see films together.
Also supporting the Industry Conference programming this year are Thom Powers, TIFF International Programmer, Documentaries, who will invite the international documentary community back to TIFF through insightful conversations from leading doc filmmakers. Jason Anderson, TIFF International Programmer, Short Cuts, will program two Connections sessions focusing on short films and first features.
TIFF will continue to support emerging film creators from under-represented communities through its pass-gifting initiative, now in its third year. The initiative provides burgeoning diverse talents and up-and-coming professionals with access to the Festival’s Industry Conference, Press & Industry screenings, and networking tools to expand their careers and make connections for future opportunities. Last year, this initiative supported over 240 emerging filmmakers in collaboration with supporting partners and community organizations from across North America.
Press & Industry delegates are invited to follow @TIFF_Industry on Twitter for the latest announcements, updates, and live tweets from the Industry Conference, Press Conferences, and the Festival. Join the conversation to connect with other delegates, stimulate conversation, and amplify important discussions.
Further details on TIFF Industry programmes and Talent Development initiatives will follow throughout the summer.
Online registration for TIFF’s Industry Conference is now open through August 26. To learn more about passes and price points, visit www.tiff.net/industry-accreditation/.