Wednesday, April 22, 2009
VITAGRAPH FILMS ENTERS DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH CONSTANTIN FILMS TO DISTRIBUTE 2009 OSCAR AND GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX IN THE U.S
Vitagraph Films currently plans to theatrically platform the release of the film in August 2009 in 18 of the top 20 markets.
“We are pleased that an American audience will now be able to see this exceptional film in theatres. David Shultz and Margot Gerber have shown a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and Constantin Film is proud to be in business with Vitagraph Films,” says Martin Moszkowicz of Constantin Film AG. “This is a story that has not been widely told in America,” says David Shultz, President of Vitagraph Films.
“With the early years of our current century dominated by the aftermath of 9/11, this is an interesting time for audiences to take a look at a previous generation of terrorism – and through it, a complex political world history that continues to reverberate in our times.” Vitagraph Films LLC is currently distributing THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH, TOKYO! and VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR. Established in 1999, some of Vitagraph’s previous titles include JCVD, Larry Clark’s WASSUP ROCKERS, Takashi Miike’s AUDITION and Alex de la Iglesia’s EL CRIMEN PERFECTO.
ABOUT CONSTANTIN FILM
Constantin Film has been one of the most successful producers and independent distributors of feature films in Germany for over 25 years. The company, which is listed on the stock market since 1999, is also involved in the international production of theatrical films in English as well as TV production (TV movies, series, entertainment formats). The classic production and distribution operations were supplemented successfully in 2004 by license trading and the internal exploitation of video and DVD rights and intensified TV service production, with a particular focus on TV entertainment. Constantin Film’s international box-office hits include The Neverending Story, The Name of the Rose, the Resident Evil and Fantastic Four franchises, Perfume—The Story of a Murderer and Academy Award® nominees Downfall and The Baader Meinhof Complex. Forthcoming releases include Pope Joan and Pandorum.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Vitagraph to take VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR into expanded marketplace
Vogue columnist Andre Leon Talley will join the director for q & a at the City Cinemas 1, 2, 3 in Manhattan on Friday when the film expands beyond the Film Forum where it opened on March 18. Vitagraph Films will now work with the filmmakers to expand the number of cities where the film will open.
VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR is a feature-length film on the legendary designer Valentino Garavani in the wake of his exit in 2008 from the company he founded in Rome more than 45 years ago. Produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, the film is an intimate, engaging and very funny fly-on-the-wall exploration of the singular world of one of Italy's richest and most famous men. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino’s celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life and work, and also explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. But at the heart of the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti.
For theatres, to see photos and trailer and more:
http://www.valentinomovie.com/
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Tokyo! Opens Today on More LA Screens & Around the Country
Here are some screens we are on this week in the LA Area. Check out this link for more cities and theatres:
You can join the Vitagraph e-mail list on our home page.
3/27/09: Irvine, CA
Edwards Westpark 8 Cinema
3755 Alton Pkwy
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 622-8600
http://www.fandango.com/edwardswestpark8_aabhq/theaterpage?wssac=58&wssaffid=11481_REGWebsite
3/27/09: West Hollywood, CA
Laemmle's Sunset 5
http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?thid=2
8000 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, 90046
(323) 848-3500
3/27/09: Pasadena, CA
Laemmle's Playhouse 7
http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?thid=6
673 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, 91101
(626) 844-6500
Landmark’s Regent Theatre
http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/LosAngeles/RegentTheatre.htm
1045 Broxton Avenue (between Weyburn & Kinross) Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 281-8223
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Some Nice Press, Ayako stays longer at the Nuart
Originally she was just doing an introduction, but now its a full fledged q & a after the screening. Ayako was interviewed by the LA Times' Michael Ordona so look for a profile on her in what is left of the paper on Thursday. Susan King wrote this great peice on the movie!
Vitagraph personnel will be hanging around the Nuart Friday night so come by and have a spring roll with us before, after or during one of the screenings!
We also open this weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area including Berkeley and San Jose. All of our theatres are listed at this link.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tokyo! Opens in our Hometown March 20!
The lead actress in the Michel Gondry segment of Tokyo!, Ayako Fujitani is coming down to introduce the film for that show. See below for more on Ayako. She has a really cool retro looking digital camera.
You can actually win tickets to that show if you check out giveaways at Giant Robot and Royal/T or listen to KCRW.
And when you come be sure to say hi to Jim and Marc the Nuart managers.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
TOKYO! Achieves Highest Per Screen Average Gross in Opening Weekend with EXPLICIT ILLS coming in Third in the Country
TOKYO! came in ahead of WATCHMEN in the box office competition for highest per screen average this weekend, concentrated on one one screen while WATCHMEN went out on thousands. Opening March 6th, the films' three day gross came in at $23,460 on one screen (Landmark's Sunshine Cinema). WATCHMEN diluted its gross by being on too many screens and TOKYO! just snuck in and rose to the top.
The film continues its release with a planned opening at Chicago's Music Box on March 13 and expands in New York on four additional screens: BAM, Brooklyn Heights Cinema, AMC Empire on 42nd Street, Angelika's City Cinemas 1, 2, 3 in addition to a hold over at the Sunshine.
EXPLICIT ILLS came in 3rd in per screen average on one screen at the Angelika Theatre in New York with a gross of $9,125. The Angelika Film Center will hold it over for a second week. The film expands to Landmark's The Ritz at the Bourse in Philadelphia on March 13 and Los Angeles on March 20.
We are trying to find out what drew you to see the film so if you are reading, please comment.
Tokyo! Sneak Preview at the Egyptian with Michel Gondry & Akyako Fujitani In Person
Henry Rollins made the screening as well. Akyao brought her digital camera (a German/Japanese collaboration she explained) that looks like an old view camera which was a big hit with the photographers shooting her. Pre-screening activities included a Giant Robot t-shirt giveaway and an intro by Gondry in which he quoted Carax (one of his co-directors) as starting screenings by saying, "I doubt you will like it." He also let everyone know that TOKYO! brought in the highest per screen average in the country when it opened in New York this past weekend - outgrossing studio blockbuster WATCHMEN since the latter was open on thousands of screens nationwide and TOKYO! on just one in New York. Actress and Director stuck around for a lengthy discussion after the film. They spoke about the casting: Ayako recalled Gondry saying he "was tired of looking at pretty girls" when he found her. Looking pretty radiant herself, Ayako spoke about cutting her teeth as a child and teen on Gamera and other monster movies and doing physical acting for the benefit of special effects, including wearing a fair amount of blue screen on her person! Gondry recalled casting Ayako's boyfriend in the movie, a cocky ex-boy band member who he had to bring down to size when he met Ryo and his entourage for the first time. He says the filmmaker character Ryo Kase portrays is not at all based on him, but Ayako said that the joke on the set was that the young actor was trying to imitate some of Gondry's traits as a director to bring into his role as an ambitious young filmmaker. Differences in shooting in Japan? Gondry recalled a blessing ritual that began production. Following the discussion the audience was treated to Sapporo beer and a chance to talk about which segment of the three they liked best - Gondry's tale of the metamorphosis of a young woman who can't seem to find her place in Tokyo!, Leos Carax' story of a madman terrorizing Tokyo - or Bong Joon-ho's fable about a young man who lives as a shut in, but is forced out of his house after ten years to find the woman he thinks he can love. TOKYO! opens on March 20th in Los Angeles and many other cities as well. www.tokyothemovie.com
See more pictures View Album at Shutterfly
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tokyo! Premiere at the Japan Society last night
Despite the weather people braved going out to attend the premiere. We are still gathering details and photos, but from this early report we gather that Liberation President Jay Boberg (pictured with Michel Gondry) and Leos Carax were in attendance along with David Cross of "Mr. Show," Vincent Musetto, reviewing for the NY Post, Alison Chernick (the director of "Matthew Barney: No Restraint"), reps from the Consulate General of Japan and others. Gabrielle Bell who wrote the original graphic novel that Gondry based his segment on, joined the directors onstage for the introduction. Reportedly Carax and Gondry stayed until the lights went on at the after party.
Ah the party. Food: lots of great sushi, some sort of cool chicken on a skewer with a very fresh green vegetable, great little mini muffin-cupcake things with some sort of tofu icing in chocolate and vanilla flavor. The vanilla muffin-cupcakes had a green tea flavored tofu icing. And beer from Sapporo! Music was great, with favorites from 70's, 80's and 90's. The DJ was selected by Gondry and his name is forthcoming.
We hear that Indiewire covered the premiere so check out their site for posts (and to see our Tokyo banner ads).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Michel Gondry & Leos Carax In Person at the Sunshine Theatre with TOKYO!
Vitagraph Films is getting ready to release TOKYO! on March 6th in New York City. TOKYO! is a triptych film directed by Michel Gondry (BE KIND REWIND), Leos Carax (POLA X) and Bong Joon-ho (THE HOST).
Directors Leos Carax and Michel Gondry will appear in person at the theatre for opening weekend in New York! Here is when you can hear them talk with TOKYO!
Landmark's Sunshine Cinema
143 E. Houston St.
New York, NY
212 777-FILM #687
*subject to change
Tokyo! opens across the country in March and April in a theatre near you as they say. Details on the Tokyo! website.