Oscilloscope Nabs SXSW Doc Tchoupitoulas
Pronounced "Chop-Ih-Tou-Less," the New York-based specialty distributor picked up North American rights to the feature directed by Bill and Turner Ross. The film is described as a "lyrical documentary that follows three adolescent brothers as they journey through one night in New Orleans, encountering a vibrant kaleidoscope of dancers, musicians, hustlers, and revelers parading through the lamplit streets." The deal was finalized at the recently completed Cannes Film Festival. David Laub and Dan Berger of Oscilloscope negotiated the deal with George Rush on behalf of the filmmakers. The film is produced by the Ross Brothers along with Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey, and Josh Penn of Court 13.
1st Look East: Korean Film Festival Takes Shape
Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood will be the home of the first annual event celebrating Korean cinema June 23 - 24. A 3D version of cult favorite The Host is on tap to join the roster of ten films, including U.S. premieres Flower in Hell and A Hometown in My Heart.
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Next Up for Ridley Scott: Moses
The Prometheus director had some choice words for religion - all religions - and let it slip that he will direct the film about the Biblical figure, noting, "I probably shouldn't have let that slip out. I'm not supposed to say anything. It's definitely in the cards though…" Esquire reports.
Amazon Studios to Conquer Rome with Zombies
The studio has tapped Clive Barker to re-write and direct Zombies vs. Gladiators in which a shaman who faces death in the Coliseum casts a spell creating the world's first zombies. But a gladiator steps in to try and end the zombie menace and save Rome, Deadline reports.
MTV Movie Awards Takes a Hit
The zany awards show saw a 28% decline in the 12 - 34 age range, perhaps a victim of the waning Twilight craze, Deadline reports.
Foo Fighters Drummer to Play Iggy Pop
Taylor Hawkins will play rock legend Iggy Pop in the upcoming rock film CBGB. Also joining the cast are The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki as music manager Terry Ork and portraying Patti Smith will be The Borgias actress Mickey Sumner, THR reports.
Favino to Preside over Venice's Horizons Jury
Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino (Angles and Demons) will lead the Venice Film Festival's cutting-edge Horizons section. Venice's new artistic director Alberto Barbera has tightened the Horizons section's lineup to 18 feature films, including some docs, representing "the latest trends in global cinema," Variety reports.