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SPOTLIGHT ON THE INDUSTRY…
…BASE SESSIONS KICK OFF WEDNESDAY
LINING UP MORE SUCCESS
ZOO OPEN FOR BUSINESS
AMMONITE: FROM SHORES TO STORES
CAMPING IT UP
MADE MEN
NIGHT MOVES
AFRICAN BUSINESS
IT’S ALL GREEK
AT THE MOVIES
TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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BASE is kicking off its summer season of virtual events via Zoom on Wednesday June 16 under the banner of the Spotlight Sessions. They’re aimed at giving important insight into the industry, where the business is at and, crucially, where it’s going. Each session will offer guest speakers and unparalleled insight into the world of home entertainment and beyond. The first event is due to take place next Wednesday from 4pm and will focus on Home Entertainment Consumer Trends. The event will be hosted by head of insight at BASE and Degi, James Duvall, who will be joined by guests Craig Armer, Strategic Insight Director (Entertainment), Kantar Worldpanel and Max Signorelli, Senior Analyst, Media & Entertainment, Omdia. Future sessions will cover elements such as Direct-To-Consumer Services, Cinemas: One month In, Film & TV Piracy and more to be announced. You can register for tickets here.
We’ll have more on the Spotlight Sessions next week after the first one has taken place, but to give a taste of what’s to come, Kantar’s Craig Armer said: “Cinema and high street closures; multiple new subscription options; the growth of online and digital… After the events of 2020, understanding consumer behaviour has become more important than ever. Kantar, using its 15K GB consumer panel, investigate the disruption caused by the events of 2020, and share their views about which new habits are here to stay as we emerge from lockdowns.” Max Signorelli, at Omdia added: “In a year unlike any other in the history of media, how have consumers reacted to shifting and reactive content distribution strategies in the UK and around the world? How are consumers making use of the multitude of multifaceted services across all business models and how will this change as markets emerge from the pandemic and business strategies continue to evolve?”
Chart news and over in the TV charts the latest Line Of Duty is dominating the proceedings following its release on the late May bank holiday. It tops the television listing as well taking the fourth spot with the complete DVD boxset. And there’s still the first that is a Blu-ray set featuring all six series of the programme. Commenting on the success, Acorn’s Helen Squire said: “The sign of a truly successful franchise has to be that it performs even when launched the same week as summer in the UK! We’re delighted with Line of Duty Series 6 which comfortably took the number one slot last week with the Complete 1-6 DVD Boxset at number 4. But of course it’s all about the hotly anticipated Blu-ray Boxset which arrives on July 12. As always, a big thank you to Spirit, Aim and all of our retail partners for their fantastic support."
Sticking with Acorn and on to Monday releases for June 14, We Children From Bahnhof Zoo arrives on DVD after making its debut on Amazon Prime Video. The series is adapted from Christiane F’s memoirs that provided the inspiration for the early 1980s Berlin classic film Christiane F. Like the film, it depicts with brutal honesty the highs and lows of heroin addiction, with the series adding a modern twist to the proceedings, giving a glossy sheen to the Berlin scuzz. Like its predecessor, it features the music of David Bowie, which has become closely associated with the story, but it also adds a further modern twist to the soundtrack too. Commenting on the release, Acorn’s Helen Squire said: “Made in collaboration with the Bowie estate this German language series is beautiful and shocking in equal measure and we're delighted to give audiences the chance to own it from Monday.”
Lionsgate is keeping itself busy on Monday June 14, with a trio of releases. First up is Ammonite, the latest much-talked about film from Francis Lee, who’s God’s Own Country thirst him into the spotlight. Commenting on the release, Lionsgate junior marketing manager Katy Machin said: “On Monday, we are delighted to release Ammonite on Blu-Ray and DVD. Directed by Francis Lee (God’s Own Country), Ammonite delivers beautiful visuals and artful filmmaking. Starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan and set in 1840s England, acclaimed and overlooked fossil Hunter Mary Anning (Winslet), and a young woman sent to convalesce by the sea (Ronan) develop an intense relationship, altering both of their lives forever. Also starring Fiona Shaw, Gemma Jones and Alec Secareanu, Ammonite is a beautiful story not to be missed. Following on from the theatrical and PVOD releases, we are supporting the home entertainment release with a thorough press office campaign and are also running a targeted media campaign to excite fans of the genre and cast across social.”
There’s also I Still Believe, which charts the true story of a Christian musician. Commenting on the release, Lionsgate’s Katy Machin said: “We are very excited to finally bring I Still Believe to the UK market. Based on the inspiring true story of Christian musician Jeremy Camp, this beautiful love story proves there is always hope in the midst of tragedy and that faith tested is the only faith worth sharing. Starring KJ Apa, Britt Robertson and Shania Twain and from the Erwin Brothers, filmmakers of ‘I Can Only Imagine’, I Still Believe is the heart-warming story we all need right now.
And completing the trio of titles from Lionsgate, just in time for Father’s
Day, is Made In Italy, about a father and son – played by real-life dad and
offspring Liam Neeson and Michael Richardson – heading to southern
Europe to rekindle their relationship. Marketing manager Charlotte Pooler
said: “On Monday, we are delighted to release Made in Italy on DVD and
Digital, the perfect gift for Father's Day. Starring Liam Neeson and his
real-life son Micheál Richardson, Made in Italy is a heart-warming
comedy, set in glorious Tuscany, about bohemian London artist Robert
(Neeson) who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Richardson) to
make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. The
directorial and screenwriting debut for esteemed actor James D’Arcy,
Made in Italy is the perfect escape to the luscious Tuscan countryside…all
from the comfort of your own home.We are supporting the home
entertainment release with a thorough press office campaign and are also
running a targeted media campaign to excite fans of the genre and cast
across social.”
The ever-impressive Second Run operation has another new release on Monday in the shape of Before The Night Is Over, here’s the company’s Chris Barwick on the impending release as well as looking forward to the title beyond that, saying: "We're delighted to continue our association with the Slovak Film Institute as we release a series of neglected classics of Slovak cinema. Peter Solan's long-suppressed 1965 gem Before Tonight Is Over is a wonderful re-discovery. Highly improvised and breaking all the rules of then-contemporary state-sanctioned cinema, it's a freewheeling and fresh comic drama. We hope UK viewers will succumb to its charms as we have. Coming next on July 12 will be Adoption, by the great Hungarian filmmaker Marta Meszaros. Presented from a new 4K restoration, this will be the world premiere Blu-ray release of this important and award-winning film.”
At cinemas this weekend, opening on Friday June 11 ahead of a home entertainment bow, is Mandabi, a landmark African cinema title restored and given a new lease of life via Studiocanal, Commenting on the release, Studiocanal’s Tara Hutton said: “As part of our prestige catalogue re-issues strategy, the Senegalese classic Mandabi restored to 4K, is out on cinemas this Friday before it launches onto blu-ray and DVD 28th June. This is the first film to have been made in an African language (Wolof) and is from the legendary director Ousmane Sembene. In partnership with the ICO and We Are Parable, we launched with a live music and poetry event at The Rio in Dalston this Tuesday which will then be screened across the country as part of We Are Parable's Who We Are campaign celebrating Black culture on screen. The ICO have also created a Q&A introduction to be screened with the film discussing the legacy of Sembene and the importance of his work. The restoration of this incredible social satire that has never been available in the UK has sparked an unprecedented response in the media including the Guardian, FT, Sight & Sound, Little White Lies, Radio 4 and BBC iplayer to name a few. This has been a very exciting project to work on giving a 1960s African classic the attention it deserves.”
You’ve probably noticed by now, but the much-delayed Euro 2020 tournament has kicked off at various locations around the continent, so what better time for 101 Films to announce the release of a new documentary, King Otto. The title is out on July 5 and it follows Greece’s remarkable win in the 2004 event, where the stunned the world by becoming unlikely victors against more fancied opposition. Key to their success was their German manager, Otto Rehhagel, whose lack of Greek didn’t hamper the team in the tournament. Commenting o the release, 101 Films’ Tim Scaping said: “As this summer’s Euros kick off, we’re delighted to announce that 101 Films will release King Otto on July 5, the story of Greece’s incredible victory in the tournament back in 2004 under manager Otto Rehhagel. This brand-new, critically acclaimed feature documentary is a heartwarming and inspiring retelling of what is surely one of the greatest upsets in sporting history, and arrives on DVD and digital in the final week of this summer’s tournament; perfect pre-match entertainment in the buildup to England’s spectacular victory in the final on July 11.”
AT THE MOVIES
The Kingpin is dead, long live the Kingpin. For it seems as if the Farrell Brothers’ tenpin bowling film of the same name is set to return. That’s pretty much all the detail available, but it seems as if Bobby and Peter are putting together a sequel to their outrageous 90s sports comedy. The original starred Woody Harrelson, Bill Murray and Randy Quaid, the latter an Amish bowling sensation who takes on Murray’s champ under Harrelson’s tutelage. The pair are producing the sequel, it is unclear as to who if any of the original team will return.
A Quiet Place is stretching beyond the boundaries of Emily Blunt and family for a New addition for the franchise. The first sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, is currently making a big moist at cinemas on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond and ahead of the announcement of an almost certain Part III with John Krasinski again at the helm and his missus Emily Blunt starring, there’s another one on the way. For Jeff Nichols, director Behind the likes f Mudnight Psecial, will be handling a film in the same world where aurally sensitive aliens hunt down humans. Hopefully long-term pal and co-star Michael Shannon will appear as is de rigeur in Nichols flicks.
Get ready for more Tolkien. For in addition to Amazon’s long-awaited project spinning off from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books, moreIs on the way. For Warner and its New Line imprint are working on a new animated title based o. The fantasy maestro’s work. Little else is known, apart from the title: the Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Follow us on www.twitter.com/theraygun
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Monsters are back…
More Monsters…
Here’s Otto…
The secret’s out…
Apple's slate…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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