New York was central to most of Woody Allen ‘s film career until he headed to Europe in the mid-2000s, with features set in London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, but if some Allen fans have their way, he’ll be shooting in Israel. Now that he has To Rome With Love making its way to screens in the U.S., the Oscar-winning filmmaker is reportedly headed to San Francisco for his next project, which will star Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Bobby Cannavale and curiously, Andrew Dice Clay. But if a group of L.A.-based Jewish campaigners have any say, his follow-up will be in Israel and they’re looking to put their crowd-funding wares to the test in order to lure Allen to film in the Jewish state. The Jewish Journal in Los Angeles is spearheading the campaign, according to Vanity Fair . “As far as I know, Allen himself has never been to Israel. For a man who has done much to define the image of ‘Jew’ in our time, this needs repair,” the publication’s editor Rob Eshman told VF. He is hoping to motivate his readers to donate money toward a $9 million would-be production via Jewcer, a Jewish crowd-funding platform. Born Allan Stewart Konigsberg, Woody Allen has solid New York-Jewish pedigree. His grandparents were German immigrants who spoke Yiddish, Hebrew as well as German and his mother worked at her family’s delicatessen. Allen also attended a Hebrew school for a number of years. Despite the heritage, Allen has not headed to Israel. He has noted in interviews that his latest stints in Europe were because those were places he was able to get financing for his films. Despite decades of adulation, Allen still allegedly struggles with raising money, though Midnight in Paris made over $150 million worldwide (his biggest success of his career in terms of box office) and the recently released To Rome with Love has cashed in at just under $16.6 million so far. So, with a little boost from his new-found crowd-funding L.A. friends, Allen will have an Israeli production. All he’d need to do is write it up (perhaps swinging Tel Aviv will provide an inspirational backdrop). Still as of now, only $6,000 has been raised and there is only 45 days to go for the $9 million. The Jewish Journal is offering various incentives including an email subscription to the blog HollywoodJew as well as others including a home-cooked dinner from Rob Eshman personally for a $5,000 donation. [Source: Vanity Fair ]
New York was central to most of Woody Allen ‘s film career until he headed to Europe in the mid-2000s, with features set in London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, but if some Allen fans have their way, he’ll be shooting in Israel. Now that he has To Rome With Love making its way to screens in the U.S., the Oscar-winning filmmaker is reportedly headed to San Francisco for his next project, which will star Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Bobby Cannavale and curiously, Andrew Dice Clay. But if a group of L.A.-based Jewish campaigners have any say, his follow-up will be in Israel and they’re looking to put their crowd-funding wares to the test in order to lure Allen to film in the Jewish state. The Jewish Journal in Los Angeles is spearheading the campaign, according to Vanity Fair . “As far as I know, Allen himself has never been to Israel. For a man who has done much to define the image of ‘Jew’ in our time, this needs repair,” the publication’s editor Rob Eshman told VF. He is hoping to motivate his readers to donate money toward a $9 million would-be production via Jewcer, a Jewish crowd-funding platform. Born Allan Stewart Konigsberg, Woody Allen has solid New York-Jewish pedigree. His grandparents were German immigrants who spoke Yiddish, Hebrew as well as German and his mother worked at her family’s delicatessen. Allen also attended a Hebrew school for a number of years. Despite the heritage, Allen has not headed to Israel. He has noted in interviews that his latest stints in Europe were because those were places he was able to get financing for his films. Despite decades of adulation, Allen still allegedly struggles with raising money, though Midnight in Paris made over $150 million worldwide (his biggest success of his career in terms of box office) and the recently released To Rome with Love has cashed in at just under $16.6 million so far. So, with a little boost from his new-found crowd-funding L.A. friends, Allen will have an Israeli production. All he’d need to do is write it up (perhaps swinging Tel Aviv will provide an inspirational backdrop). Still as of now, only $6,000 has been raised and there is only 45 days to go for the $9 million. The Jewish Journal is offering various incentives including an email subscription to the blog HollywoodJew as well as others including a home-cooked dinner from Rob Eshman personally for a $5,000 donation. [Source: Vanity Fair ]
Jesse Eisenberg landed an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network and most recently, he is a love-sick architect opposite Alec Baldwin in Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love . Next up, the young star plays a piano prodigy who tries to check his mother (played by Oscar-winner Melissa Leo) into rehab. Things, however, go awry when he is taken hostage by her drug dealer (hate when that happens) and he is suddenly off on a wild adventure. The film was formerly titled Predisposed when it debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Despite the obvious that’s revealed in the trailer – namely the aforementioned mother who is hooked on drugs and a kidnapping by a drug dealer, the film appears to have some laughs. Phil Dorling and Ron Nyswanner co-direct the film and wrote the screenplay. IFC Films will release the film August 17th.
Penélope Cruz, Woody Allen and Geta Gerwig at the NYC premiere of To Rome with Love this week hosted by the Cinema Society. Photo by Nick Hunt/Patrick McMullan Co. This weekend’s new theatrical offerings include a massive array for any taste. In the studio realm, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter marks the 16th Prez as a savior from Vampires, Pixar’s Brave centers on a Princess who must save her kingdom. Focus’ Seeking a Friend for the End of the World pits a mismatched man and woman on an unlikely road trip, while doc The Invisible War is a fascinating but sad exposé on the sad truth about sexual assault in the U.S. military. Fellow doc Kumaré , meanwhile follows a man posing as an Eastern guru who builds his own following in Arizona. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Director: Timur Bekmambetov Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith Cast: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie Distributor: Fox Just the title itself makes it a worthy consideration. In this fantasy/horror pic, America’s 16th President adds another credit to his stellar historical legacy. Vampires are planning to take over the United States and of course he is the man who takes it upon himself to eliminate them… Brave (Animation) Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell Writers: Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson Distributor: Buena Vista Paramount/Dreamworks Animation has been bringing in lots of cash with their big summer animated feature Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and it looks like Disney/Pixar will be reaping some box office gold themselves with Brave . So, for the plot… Princess Merida is a determined gal, who wants to follow her own destiny. She breaks with tradition and unfortunately it brings chaos to her kingdom. But, she is granted one wish and Merida must rely on her bravery and even her archery prowess to end the curse. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Director: Lorene Scafaria Writer: Lorene Scafaria Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Melanie Lynskey, Adam Brody Distributor: Focus Features The directorial debut of screenwriter Lorene Scafaria, this pic explores what people will do when faced with the end of the world. In the feature, an asteroid is speeding toward Earth and one attempt to avoid calamity has failed. Dodge (Steve Carell), a man who plays by the rules, is facing a failed marriage. His wife leaves him on the spot. Meanwhile, his neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) is an extroverted woman who does not play by the rules. Dodge decides to seek out a long lost love, while Penny makes her way back to her family and the two unlikely travel companions set out on the road together. The Invisible War (Documentary) Director: Kirby Dick Subjects: Helen Benedict, Anu Bhagwati, Susan Burke Distributor: Cinedigm Digital Cinema, Docurama This could very well get an Oscar nomination, so check it out before the hype begins. Kirby Dick and producing partner Amy Ziering delve into the mostly unknown scourge of rape and sexual assault that runs rampant in the U.S. military. Don’t let the subject matter scare you off. Sure it’s tough, but this is a great movie and – what the hell – why not educate yourself? Said Kirby Dick about making the film : “Each one of these interviews were equally stunning. Amy did each interview and she did a phenomenal job and she’d be emotionally drained and devastated and be incredibly angry afterward. It was a good combination.” Kumaré (Documentary) Director: Vikram Gandhi Subjects: Vikram Gandhi, Purva Bedi, Kristen Calgaro Distributor: Kino Lorber Films Ever wondered how gurus and other spirituals manage to find their, well… following? If so, then so has filmmaker Vikram Gandhi and his crew. Gandhi, who grew up in New Jersey and is skeptical of religion decides to don a beard, long hair and some made-up Eastern Mysticism jargon and heads West to Arizona where sure enough, he finds his followers. His message is quite benign, “the answers are within yourself,” he tells his sheep. “It’s a place where nobody really knew us and a place that represented America, but at the same time open to new ideas,” producer Brendan Colthurst shared about Arizona. Most of the country may have to wait a bit though, the film is only in New York this weekend. To Rome with Love Director: Woody Allen Writer: Woody Allen Cast: Woody Allen, Penélope Cruz, Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Page, Roberto Benigni, Judy Davis Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics Last year Woody Allen made the City of Lights a character in one of his most successful films to date, Midnight in Paris and this year, the New York director made the Eternal City a star in To Rome with Love . The film, a story about a number of people in the Italian capital, follows Americans and Italians in various romances and adventures throughout Rome. The film already opened overseas and opened the Los Angeles Film Festival last week. It had its own glittering premiere in New York earlier this week, courtesy of the Cinema Society and sponsor Piaget at Casa Lever. Fittingly, Italian beverage Disaronno was being served. Along with cast members, the celeb quotient was through the roof.
Woody Allen has cemented an historic onscreen legacy by managing to play a grand total of one single character for the last 47 years. (What versatility!) Needless to say, it’s been one hell of a character: Allen’s extreme version of himself, trading on some of the most base cultural stereotypes out there about New Yorkers, Jews and intellectuals, has, logically or not, repeatedly held mainstream America’s interest. Yet, in a halfhearted nod to the idea of variety, Allen hasn’t always played the character himself – due to the constraints of age, style, and physical type, he’s occasionally enlisted actors to come in and do their best Woody Allen imitation over the years. With a new addition to the coterie coming in To Rome With Love – Jesse Eisenberg is a neo-Woody if ever there was one – it’s worthwhile to take a look back at Allen’s nine most entertaining surrogates. Kenneth Branagh, Celebrity Could the staid, withdrawn nature of British mores and culture – or those of the Irish, for that matter – be any further from the traits needed to play the Woody character effectively? It seems like a counterintuitive choice, but going with Branagh for the Woody surrogate in Celebrity (one of Allen’s more underappreciated films) was a smart choice; Branagh’s natural composure collides in an interesting way with the foregone conclusion of the character’s neuroses and tics. The result is a performance where Branagh is restrained on the surface while seemingly jittery and anxious underneath – a more subtle and surprisingly effective way of making Allen’s comedy work. Jason Biggs, Anything Else One of Allen’s most maligned pictures, it’s this writer’s contention that Anything Else has received an undeservedly bad rap. Sure, the chemistry between Biggs and Christina Ricci is closer to producing liquid nitrogen than hot sparks, but there’s plenty of great one-liners, and Allen himself steals the show. Biggs, one of the least skilled actors to portray a Woody alter ego, is nevertheless entertaining in a performance that paints the character in even broader, more direct strokes than Woody’s on-the-nose performances normally do. It’s as far from subtle as can be, but the broadness and directness of Biggs’ choices sometimes serves to let the delivery of Allen’s bon mots swing for the fences. Larry David, Whatever Works Could there be a more appropriate Allen surrogate under the sun than uber-neurotic Larry David? The cultural connection between the two couldn’t be more apparent; Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm could never have been seen as potentially viable in mainstream America without Allen’s career success. Giving his performance far more vitriol than what Allen is capable of, David revels in the misanthropy that is present, but often more subtly disguised, in Allen’s films. John Cusack, Bullets Over Broadway This is what happens when a talented, popular actor really uses their likability to channel the Woody character well. As famous as Allen is, his character’s narcissism (as well as his personal transgressions later in life) can make him difficult for audiences to root for at times. Cusack blended the typical Woody persona with his own undeniable charm to create a character who, when in a tough spot, you can’t help but empathize with. That would be good if this was a simple relationship film, but when Cusack’s character is getting into danger by dealing with gangsters, it’s more than good – it’s great.
Legendary director Woody Allen had kind of an awkward Father’s Day yesterday after his estranged son ripped him on Twitter with a joke about Woody and his wife. When your wife used to be your stepdaughter, you’re sorta asking for it. Ronan Farrow, the 24-year-old son of Allen and Mia Farrow, posted on Twitter, “Happy father’s day — or as they call it in my family, happy brother-in-law’s day.” Mia Farrow then re-tweeted the message … and added the word, “BOOM.” According to reports, Ronan stopped speaking to his father back in 1992 when it was discovered Woody was cheating on Mia with Soon-Yi Previn. That would be Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter with her second husband, Andr
Some were skeptical that Woody Allen would make an appearance at the opening night of the LA Film Festival , even with his latest Euro-whimsy To Rome With Love premiering in the kick-off slot Thursday night. But show up Woody did, with five of his starlets in tow — including Alison Pill, Greta Gerwig , and a dazzling Penelope Cruz — to debut his 43rd feature film with a few charmingly self-deprecating zingers. “I had a wonderful time making the picture in Rome,” Allen said, introducing his film to a packed theater at LA Live with a quip. “That doesn’t mean that you’ll enjoy it.” Allen continued, quietly demurring the palpable adoration of the opening night crowd, joined by Cruz, Pill, Gerwig, and Italian co-stars Alessandra Mastronardi and Simona Caparrini. “I had fun. I was there for three months eating pasta, working with beautiful actresses and scintillating leading men. It was great for me. But whether it came out or not, you have to be the judge. If you like it, I want you to tell your friends and pressure Sony, so they don’t put it in the Witness Protection Program.” [Sony Pictures Classics releases the film in select cities next week.] Allen’s Roman outing follows in the vein of his Oscar-nominated hit Midnight in Paris , exploring the spirit of the Eternal City through four light-hearted, if exhausting and scattered vignettes. In one, renowned architect Alec Baldwin visits his old Rome stomping grounds, running into Jesse Eisenberg’s 30 years-younger counterpart as he falls into an ill-advised affair. In another, a fiery hooker (Cruz) upends the life of a timid Italian newlywed. Roberto Benigni (“delightful, brilliant, sensational,” lauded Allen) shines in his own Fellini-esque tale of an average Roman businessman who becomes an overnight celebrity, enjoying — then bemoaning — the trappings of fame. And Allen stars himself, alongside Pill and a wonderfully acerbic Judy Davis, as a neurotic visiting American navigating culture clash with his Italian in-laws. To Rome may lack the pure magic and cohesion of Midnight in Paris , but it’s more fascinated with riffing on the fantasy that the Italian city inspires. (Critics were mixed following the film’s LA Film Fest premiere.) Among the themes turned over and over by Allen’s characters: Celebrity, desire, and the twin, or dueling, identities entrenched in the very fabric of the city — a place where the ruins of ancient civilization are an inescapable part of the modern landscape, a reminder of humanity’s impulse to reach for greatness, even at the risk of great failure. That hunger for life’s “what ifs?” is, the film argues, as essential as it is impossible to ignore. A starstruck woman ponders the extramarital affair that would make for a lifetime of stories; a mortician seizes the chance at operatic greatness, even under the silliest of circumstances. In the film’s most Allenesque pairing, Baldwin’s knowing John peppers Eisenberg’s Jack with the advice he knows he won’t heed, because he didn’t take it himself as a young man. Their double dose of relentless, self-aware commentary — about life, love, and the wrong choices (and ill-advised love affairs) you just can’t help choosing — speaks to a filmmaker who is all too haunted by his past, yet content to come to terms with the naivete of his younger self. Given how baldly he confronts the funny business of art and celebrity in the film, from all sides — the fleeting pointlessness (and compulsive appeal) of being famous for famous’ sake in today’s reality TV culture, the eternal struggle to balance art and commerce, even the oiliness and pretension pervasive to Hollywood types alike, personified by Italian actor Antonio Albanese and with particular deftness by Ellen Page — Allen’s pre-screening sign-off remained softly humble. “Thank you very much for showing up tonight,” he said. “If you like the picture, I’m thrilled. If you hate it and think it was a waste of time coming, don’t let me know [pause] because I get depressed easily.” To Rome with Love opens on June 22. Read more from the LA Film Fest here . Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Young Québécois filmmaker Xavier Dolan won major praise back in 2009 for his debut I Killed My Mother which debuted in Cannes and winning awards at festivals there and around the world. His second feature Heartbeats also headed to Cannes and received theatrical release in the U.S. last year. And Dolan’s third film, Laurence Anyways debuted in Cannes last month. But it his first film evaded U.S. audiences outside the festival circuit until now. It had initially been picked up by now defunct specialty distributor Regent Releasing and when the company went belly up, the film’s rights in the States seemed resigned to the company’s fate, but Paris-based sales agent reclaimed rights to the critically acclaimed film and it will now receive its long-awaited release in the U.S. via Kino Lorber Films. Also starring Dolan, the film revolves around Hubert Minel, a 16-year-old Québécois living in suburban Montreal with his single mother, Chantale (Anne Dorval). The feature beautifully captures the anxieties of a mother-son relationship, as well as their inability to re-affirm their love for each other against the backdrop of bullying, the difficulties of single parenting, and many specific challenges facing queer youth. “When we learned in Cannes that this stunning debut film by the then 20-year-old Xavier Dolan was newly available,” said Kino Lorber’s Richard Lorber in a statement. “We jumped at the chance to pick it up. Having also seen his latest film at the festival, it convinced us even more of his unique talent and the importance of finally bringing this brilliant first work to screens across the U.S.” Kino Lorber is planning a full theatrical release for the film during the fall of 2012, before making it available in all home video and VOD platforms.
Young Québécois filmmaker Xavier Dolan won major praise back in 2009 for his debut I Killed My Mother which debuted in Cannes and winning awards at festivals there and around the world. His second feature Heartbeats also headed to Cannes and received theatrical release in the U.S. last year. And Dolan’s third film, Laurence Anyways debuted in Cannes last month. But it his first film evaded U.S. audiences outside the festival circuit until now. It had initially been picked up by now defunct specialty distributor Regent Releasing and when the company went belly up, the film’s rights in the States seemed resigned to the company’s fate, but Paris-based sales agent reclaimed rights to the critically acclaimed film and it will now receive its long-awaited release in the U.S. via Kino Lorber Films. Also starring Dolan, the film revolves around Hubert Minel, a 16-year-old Québécois living in suburban Montreal with his single mother, Chantale (Anne Dorval). The feature beautifully captures the anxieties of a mother-son relationship, as well as their inability to re-affirm their love for each other against the backdrop of bullying, the difficulties of single parenting, and many specific challenges facing queer youth. “When we learned in Cannes that this stunning debut film by the then 20-year-old Xavier Dolan was newly available,” said Kino Lorber’s Richard Lorber in a statement. “We jumped at the chance to pick it up. Having also seen his latest film at the festival, it convinced us even more of his unique talent and the importance of finally bringing this brilliant first work to screens across the U.S.” Kino Lorber is planning a full theatrical release for the film during the fall of 2012, before making it available in all home video and VOD platforms.
Also in Thursday’s quick round up of film news, ARC Entertainment is bringing Fat Kid to the States, Meryl Streep gives her two cents on big studio flops, and audiences just are not heading to theaters frequently like they used to. Fat Kid to Hit North America ARC Entertainment has picked up North American rights to director Matthew Lillard’s Fat Kid Rules the World . Starring Jacob Wysocki ( Terri ), Matt O’Leary ( Natural Selection ) and Billy Campbell ( The Killing ), the film won the Narrative Feature Audience Award at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival. The film revolves around two guys who form a strong friendship after one saves the other from suicide. Around the ‘net… Meryl Streep Has Words for Studio Tentpole Failures The actress had advice for studio execs behind big budget box office flops like Battleship and John Carter : “Listen to the ladies.” THR reports . Waiting for the Avengers Directors Cut Following in the footsteps of other high stakes box office titles, Joss Whedon is rumored to be reinstating footage into a three-hour version of the blockbuster that has taken in billions worldwide, The Guardian reports . Only 3% Rate Moviegoing as Frequent Form of Entertainment Only two years ago, 28% of U.S. consumers said “cinema/movies” were a frequent source of entertainment, according to PR outfit Edelman which released the statistics, Deadline reports . LA Film Festival Lures Woody Allen to Opener The director is, not publicly anyway, a frequent visitor in Los Angeles, but LAFF managed to get the filmmaker to its opening night. THR talks to the festival’s head programmer on how they made it happen. Follow Brian Brooks on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
