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VHS MAKES AN UNLIKELY COMEBACK…
…NEW LABEL BRINGING TAPES TO MARKET
KFILM ACQUIRED BY MEDIA ENTREPRENEUR
PADDINGTON’S OFF TO A FLYING START…
…AS STUDIOCANAL GOES FROM PERU TO ORKNEY
MURPHY’S LAW MAKES WAVES AT CINEMAS
CRITERION MARKS 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH BUSINESS…
…AND UNVEILS JANUARY TITLES
BFI REVEALS AKERMAN BOX SET PLANS…
…AND FULL Q1 LINE-UP
RADIANCE MOVES INTO FEBRUARY
SEVERIN OPENS TREASURE CHEST FOR MEYER FILMS
BLAKE’S 7 FIT FOR HIGH DEFINITION JOURNEY…
…AS BEEB RETOOLS CLASSIC SERIES
NEW FILM STORIES OUT
DAZZLER SWINGS INTO ACTION
GLADIATOR SEQUEL ON THE STARTING GRID
BULLDOG SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE…
FACT HONOURS POLICE, AUTHORITIES
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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It was a good week for… VHS, back on (virtual) shelves, and there's good news from the indie sector and homegrown operator KFIlm…
It was a bad week for… Amazon's Freevee, which is being shuttered as its content moves to Prime Video…
We’ve been watching… A near-back-to-back double bill of Small Things Like These and The Outrun, which made for some tough but compelling viewing, and we started tucking into Arrow's mammoth third volume of martial arts mayhem, Shawscope…
No-one in the industry ever really expected consumers to get nostalgic about VHS as a format after DVD became the fastest selling consumer goods launch ever back in the 1990s. Its clunky size, poor quality picture and standardised box packaging made the format seemed destined for the the bin as sales of films and TV on disc soared. And yet almost 20 years after the format was consigned to the history books, VHS is making a comeback. It’s been a few years, but not only is the secondhand market in tapes thriving (anyone who follows our Twitter will know that old tapes, particularly pre-cert horrors, are fetching a fair penny on eBay and the likes), and there have been a clutch of VHS releases too from the likes of Mondo, and even an Alien Romulus currently on pre-sale via grocery giant Walmart in the US. Perhaps more pertinently, eagle-eyed types might have noticed that hmv’s website is now selling VHS releases from the UK-based imprint Vice Press (here and here), in fact Evil Dead II has already sold out – too late if you wanted to snap one up. And there’s more to come too – with a clutch of releases due next year – at least one a quarter said James Henshaw, one of the leading lights behind Vice Press and its Home Video arm, kicking off in January 2025 with John Carpenter’s They Live. Vice Press started life doing alternative versions of film posters – all with approval – by their own team of artists, branching into other merchandise and working with distributors such as Studiocanal and Universal on Steelbook releases its team designed. It then worked on the Film Vault with Universal and Warner, while Henshaw and others started toying with the idea of doing video releases. What started off almost as a “what if…?” kind of gag soon became a reality. On a practical level, its two titles this far, Evil Dead II and Suspiria, are available in different SKUs with different artwork and in different kinds of packaging, both the US-favoured cardboard slipcases as well as more familiar UK retail video sturdy boxes (known in the US as clamshells),
Speaking to The Raygun, Vice Press Home Video’s James Henshaw – who told us with a smile that he was categorically not a hipster – said: “Over the years, we've been asked, will we do our own Steelbook range? Will we do our own 4K range? Will we do our own vinyl range? There are companies out there that do all of those far better than we would ever be able to do. We'd be entering into a market that was saturated, but saturated with quality. Don't get me wrong, there are some duff ones out there, but there are companies like Arrow that do a great job and then the studios themselves that do a great job. We wouldn't be able to compete. The artwork is our key USP, which would drive a great deal of interest, but we'd just be doing it for the sake of doing it, and we're not really a company that does stuff for the sake of it. We do stuff because we genuinely are interested in it. Behind the scenes, probably two or three years ago, I kind of coveted the idea of wanting to do VHS releases. And I'd started figuring out how we do it. Then one of the artists we work with regularly, Florey, Matthew Henson, two years ago this year, and we were talking about the Film Vault and a few other things and said it’d be great to utilise artwork in a different way. And he said: ‘Well, why don't we do VHS?’ It was a bit of a joke, but I said ‘funny you should say that, because I know exactly how we can do VHS. I've always collected VHS. I've kind of never stopped. It's slowed down significantly over the past few years, I was kind of around when VHS was big, when Terminator 2 came out, with the fancy packaging, when Jurassic Park came out, with the kind of embossed plastic cases. VHS releases something that I've always found quite fascinating and tangible. You have to understand the limitations, that the image quality is never going to be the best. There is a huge amount of nostalgia in it nowadays, a romanticism that goes with it, What we very much agreed early on is that we wanted them to be legitimate and credible. We didn't want it to be a gimmick. We didn't want to release VHS that wouldn't play. We wanted people to collect them. It’s the same as the kind of attitude that's applied to the posters. There are fans of that title.” After creating a shortlist, they hit on Evil Dead II (“it was always our first choice”) and Dario Argento’s Suspiria, with They Live to follow. Henshaw they added that they are in discussion for more releases, with more to follow. Given that Disney has produced a limited edition VHS of Alien Romulus in the US as an exclusive with Walmart, could this be a fully fledged revival? Stay tuned for more on this…
Big news from the KFilm group, which takes in familiar names such as Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, Platform Entertainment and Icon Film Distribution, as well as international sales business, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, which has been acquired by John Gore Media Ltd. The new owner, run by the eponymous media entrepreneur Gore, has acquired 100 per cent of the share capital of the group, including the minority stake owned by KFilm’s previous investors, Schneider Investment Associates. John Gore and Jonathan Lack will join KFilm founder and CEO Spencer Pollard and his long-time associate and COO Adam Sergeant on the board of KFilm, with its senior team staying on board to look after the day-to-day business. Pollard told The Raygun: “On the eve of our 16th birthday it is the very best news for myself, Adam and the Kaleidoscope team that we are becoming part of the John Gore Media group of companies that already comprises Hammer Films and Silver Salt. As the landscape changes at an ever quicker pace, the ability to potentially evolve and develop new distribution and sales strategies is exciting. There are too many people to thank for their support over the past 16 years individually but we will try to whenever possible. Adam and myself are too young to retire – so you won't be getting rid of us easily and we remain in charge of day to day matters for the short and medium term at the very least. I am so proud of the journey we have had and of course we have survived many bumps in the road, as any distributor incurs in its usual life. From Trailer Park of Terror on January 26 2009 as our first new to market title through acquisition of Platform Entertainment in 2016, Icon Film Distribution in 2018, alongside the launch of our International Saes business in 2010, it has been a whirlwind.” And as Pollard noted in the official announcement: “We are a 360-degree distribution and sales business with our own FAST channels, own SVOD service, a keen eye on library acquisitions, and a financier of independent animation features, documentaries and commercial genre films. Now is the right time to take everything we have built and make it part of something bigger and even more exciting. This is the perfect environment for me, the board and the KFilm team to thrive and grow. We cannot wait to get started.” John Gore added: “With the acquisition of KFilm, we are preserving the legacy of British film and television, while getting the chance to champion new stories. KFilm’s success, reputation and global reach give us a unique foundation to bridge past and future – honouring classics that shape British culture and advancing new stories to captivate audiences worldwide. It’s a commitment to both heritage and growth, ensuring these narratives endure."
As fully expected, Paddington In Peru has got off to a flying start at cinemas as the loveable Peruvian bear continues to wow audiences with his adventures. It was always going to be a hard task even matching the superlative performance of the second outing, acknowledged by many as one of the greatest sequels ever made, both in terms of box office and acclaim, but the Studiocanal release is having a real crack at following in its predecessors’ illustrious footsteps. It took £9.7 million in its opening weekend, aided by an impressive campaign from Studiocanal, which included, among other things, a giant mural at Waterloo, a big premiere and multimedia screening, a special Google Easter egg and more. It helped the latest in the franchises to Studiocanal’s biggest ever UK opening and bested both the previous two Paddington instalments. It’s the third biggest opening of the weekend, behind only Deadpool And Wolverine and Inside Out 2. The Raygun was lucky enough to see the film ahead of its theatrical opening and had a blast – it’s heap of funs and has a great crack at matching the previous two outings, aided by Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas, who are both having a whale of a time. Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s Guy Lodge in Variety, who said: “Paddington in Peru” is, as any Paddington adventure should be, fast and buoyant and disarmingly sunny in a way that viewers who weren’t alive -- or at least of cinemagoing age -- for the 2017 release of Paddington 2 will lap up.” At HeyUGuys Linda Marric said: “A wonderfully fun adventure with all the warmth, humour, and heart fans of this beloved franchise have come to adore. With just the right blend of humour and heartfelt moments, Paddington in Peru is a joyful adventure and a must-see for fans old and new!”
Sticking with Studiocanal and the company has announced release strategy for its recent theatrical outing The Outrun. The Saoirse Ronan starrer has earned critical and audience plaudits, coming to the screen after being adapted from Amy Liptrot’s best selling novel. It got its home premiere this week on Monday November 11, with a physical release across Blu-ray and DVD due on December 16. Studiocanal’s Will Fraser said: “We are delighted to bring The Outrun to Home Premiere on November 11 and physical formats on December 16. Saoirse Ronan is sensational as Rona, a recovering alcoholic, who escapes her chaotic life in London to return to her home in Orkney. The Outrun is a beautiful, inspiring film and the perfect adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir of the same name.”
Also worth noting at cinemas right now is Small Things Like These, the Cillian Murphy-produced film, in which the Peaky Blinders star also appears, which opened to a very healthy near-£1 million figure at UK and Irish cinemas in its first weekend and enjoyed a strong second outing too, which has helped it earn an impressive £2.2 million by November 11. Moreover, its Irish opening was the second biggest ever for an Irish film, bested only by Mrs Brown’s Boys and ahead of the likes of The Banshees Of Inisherin and Belfast. We saw it over the weekend in a near-full Sunday afternoon screening and it went down a storm. The reviews add to the strong word of mouth and expect this to have a long life on home entertainment too. The reviews include the Guardian’s four-star notice: “Small Things Like These casts a powerful spell.” And RTE’s summary: “In front of and behind the camera, everyone shines here, but most important of all, they do justice to all the stories that have informed this one. Don't miss it.” And as part of its excellent crop of reviews, the Sunday Independent in Ireland sad: “Without Murphy, Small Things Like These would still be a powerful film; with him, it's a near-perfect one.”
To the Picturehouse Central in the heart of London for a special event put on to mark the 40th anniversary of the Criterion Collection, improbably launched before even DVD, kicking off in 1984 with the launch of Citizen Kane on LaserDisc (the imprint didn’t officially hit these shores until less than a decade ago). The label has, of course, been instrumental in the growth of successive formats, from LD to DVD and latterly Blu-ray and 4K, and its “film school in a box” ethos still prevails, proving to be hugely influential. To mark the anniversary, UK distributor Spirit and agency DNA helped put on a screening of Risky Business, the Tom Cruise starrer that recently joined the Collection, with the film itself preceded by critic and quiz host Ali Plumb offering up his own Criterion-themed quiz, with spot prizes for the packed audience of 4k releases and Blu-rays. Spirit took the opportunity to further sales and interest in the Criterion Collection with a stall selling discs and showing off its wares. Spirit’s Tracy Niland said: “It's always exciting to engage with customers who love the product as much as you do and last Tuesday night was a great time to do just that. It was a fantastic event and really helped launch our 40 per cent off, 40th anniversary promotion which is proving extremely successful so far with week-on-week sales increasing by more than 680 per cent during its first week.”
As well as celebrating 40 years in the business, Criterion has also announced its January release slate for January, with a raft of impressive release, all of which are available in the UK to own on these formats for the first time ever. Here’s Spirit’s Tracy Niland again to talk us through the schedule. She said: “First out of the traps is Mikey & Nicky on January 13 starring frequent collaborators John Cassavetes and Peter Falk on Blu-ray only. From a new 4k restoration along with new interviews and a new feature about the film, it’s time to revisit an unsung masterpiece of American Cinema. Over to France next, where one week later on January 20, The Mother and The Whore is released. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival and directed by Jean Eustache, it comes to 4K and Bly-ray in a brand new 4k restoration along with new interviews and an insightful program on the restoration process. And finally on January 27, the inimitable Richard Pryor not only starred in, but also directed, produced and co-wrote the screenplay to Jo Jo Dancer: Your Life is Calling, a semi-autobiographical film about his extremely eventful life and how he nearly killed himself freebasing cocaine. A glimpse behind the mask of one of the greatest comedians of all time, from a new 4k restoration complete with interviews and a Dolby Vision-HDR version of the film on the 4k, the title is out on both 4k and BD.”
The BFI announced earlier this year that, following her ascent to the top of the pile in the Sight And Sound Greatest Films Of All Time Poll a couple of years ago with the seminal Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, it had acquired the catalogue of director Chantal Akerman’s work, and now the organisation has unveiled its plans for her work. This includes a mammoth two-month season at the BFI Southbank in February 2025, with the season spreading out to other venues nationwide and a theatrical release for Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles too. More pertinently for Raygun readers, there will also be not one by two box sets from the BFI’s home video arm. Chantal Akerman Collection Volume 1: 1967-1978 will be released on February 24 and Volume 2: 1982-2015 is due in June. Many have never been released before in the UK. Managing editor at Sight and Sound and BFI retrospective curator Isabel Stevens said: “In Chantal Akerman’s first short film, the darkly comic Saute ma ville, she barricades herself in her kitchen and sets about exploding it. That’s exactly what she did to cinema throughout her career: blow it up. Her films about women, domestic spaces, anxiety, loneliness and displacement, broke the rules of film form and language, fundamentally shifted our concept of what constitutes epic cinema, and, with her mostly female crews, our understanding of who could make films. She always had a surprise up her sleeve. She was a restless, uncompromising experimenter, as comfortable working with melodrama and musicals as she was with minimalism. Her radical feature Jeanne Dielman is only one slice of her story. To adapt a quote from Laura Mulvey, in cinema history, there’s a before and an after Chantal Akerman.”
The Chantal Akerman box sets are at the heart of the BFI’s plans for the first part of 2025, and the organisation has just announced its slate for the first quarter of the year. It kicks off on January 20 with two further Akira Kurosawa releases making their Blu-ray debut, as both High And Low and Stray Dog get their first high definition disc releases on these shores. February sees the aforementioned first box in the two volumes covering Chantal Akerman’s career, as well as a new 4K restoration of Guillermo del Toro’s debut outing Cronos, with the Mexican horror film being given the full treatment. March sees two further Kurosawa’s coming in 4K UHD and Blu-ray sets as Yojimbo and Sanjuro come to market, with a debut for 2024 Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light. After an acclaimed UK premiere at the London Film Festival, Payal Kapadia’s film is set to feature on many critics’ year-end lists. The BFI’s John Ramchandani said: “Continuing BFI's commitment to enriching the UK film culture, we are thrilled to announce an abundantly versatile collection of world cinema for release in Q1 2025. Taking in the cinemas of Japan, Mexico, Belgium and India, our slate will whet the appetite of film enthusiasts throughout the country.”
Also announcing over the past few days has been Radiance, this time with its February releases, offering up four titles that are as diverse as you’d expect from this eclectic imprint. These include German genre mister Dominik Graf’s The Cat, a heist thriller with more than a nod towards the likes of Michael Mann; a first UK home video release for Tom Noonan’s What Happened Was… about a couple spending the night together who get a lot more than they bargained for; a double bill in one package from Hong Kong director Patrick Tam, pairing Nomad and My Heart Is That Eternal Rose and yakuza action in Hokuriku Proxy War. The label’s Fran Simeoni said: “We're delighted with the response to our latest announcements which as ever includes a selection of titles making their world debuts. The Cat, a heist thriller we described as being like Die Hard with the precision of Michael Mann has been warmly received, with those who were lucky enough to see it at a retrospective and otherwise singing its praises, similarly obscure but highly regarded are two films by Patrick Tam which are coming in a loaded edition from new restorations. Sundance winner What Happened Was... inexplicably never released in the UK has also similarly been enthusiastically received. A title that looks like a standard awkward date movie is anything but, with highly atmospheric shooting style and a dark script taking the audience to unknown places. Lastly our announcement of another great yakuza film by Kinji Fukaksaku was the icing on the cake for many.”
Severin has released more details of its early 2025 release of the first fruits of its deal with The Russ Meyer Charitable Trust bringing the great exploitation director’s work to high and ultra high definition formats. A trio of titles, Vixen, Supervixens and Beneath The Valley Of The Ultravixens are all due on January 27, with pre-orders now up on the company’s own website. Severin is making the 4K and Blu-ray releases as definitive as possible – the three releases feature a total of more than nine hours’ worth of additional features, taking in archival elements featuring the director who died some 20 years ago, as well as new materials. “In addition to our unprecedented restorations, these Special Features collectively comprise a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of Russ Meyer’s legacy,” said David Gregory, co-founder and CEO of Severin Films. “The entire Severin Team is enormously proud of our ongoing efforts to honour Russ Meyer the man, the First Amendment warrior and the American filmmaking legend.”
Landing this week is a sumptuous release from BBC Studios which pulls together the entire first series of classic homegrown TV sci-fi classic Blake’s 7, fully restored for the high definition era and, as part of a raft of extra material, the episodes come with the option of viewing with redone special effects. These update the originals – which can still be viewed in the form they were first aired in – or with newly-created CGI effects. Russell Minton, who has worked on previous BBC Studios Blu-ray releases for the likes of Doctor Who, oversaw the series and, in a wider interview due to be published in a forthcoming issue of Film Stories magazine, told The Raygun’s Tim Murray: “We just thought, well, why not? Let's see how it looks. And you know, if you're trying to enhance the product because it's always an enhancement. It's not replacing the original. The original is brilliant, and people have still got that, but we got a lot of the models remade and shot slightly differently, so that the shots were a bit smoother, particularly if they were a bit wobbly. It's just like the Doctor Who releases – it's it's an alternative way of watching it. With the exteriors that have been added with some really nice backgrounds, it kind of enhances the story. So you've still got your original. But then you've got this new way of watching a story and appraising it, which I think is great. I don't think it's a bad thing, what we’re saying is ‘you've probably watched this. If you're a fan, you've probably watched it a few times before, maybe try this one as well. It’s a way of saying ‘If they'd have had more money back, then what might they have done’ That was the brief. It still doesn't look too out of place. It is a nod to the, late seventies rather than just being shoehorned in, because if it was just 2024 effects, it wouldn't look right.”
Some of the restored and enhance episodes have already aired at a special screening at the BFI on the Southbank in London, with fans being won over by the new look. Further comment on the release came from BBC Studios’ Rob Crowe, who told The Raygun: “With the continuing success of our Doctor Who: The Collection range of Blu-ray box sets, we're incredibly pleased to now be bringing to market Blake’s 7: The Collection Series 1. The same love and care has been put into remastering picture and sound, and also into curating a fantastic set of added value content, all of which is sure to delight the many fans of British TV Sci-Fi.”
Mention of Film Stories brings us on to film magazines and The shock news of the closure of long-standing magazine Total Film has left one less outlet for movie coverage in the UK-based media, so, thank heavens then, for the arrival of the latest issue of Film Stories. We’ve oft covered it here over its half century of issues published, and the latest, issue 52, has just landed with a resounding thud. The magazine, which retails for a mere £6.99, can proudly claim to be the UK’s biggest film magazine (and, as editor and founder Simon Brew notes, it’s printed on some damn fine paper too), and it works with an ethos and moral compass few other magazines of its ilk can boast. It eschews the obvious blockbuster fare that some publications are so enamoured of, aims to put homegrown films, actors and filmmakers on the cover rather than the next big superhero flick and also offers young, aspiring writers the chance to get their words into print. Brew has written and spoken passionately in defence of print magazines as a concept – you can see him fighting for the cause here https://youtu.be/rMmzByTWubc?si=ODR2Tsiynl9LqTy-. Moreover, he is also happy to lift the lid on the trials and tribulations of independent publishing. Oh, and on top of all this, The Raygun’s very own Tim Murray is his physical media correspondent, writing about and reviewing DVD and Blu-ray fare, from features on the, er, good old days of VHS to notes on the latest clutch of releases. The new issue is available now, you can see him unboxing his own publication here https://youtu.be/LVfilc_WtTQ?si=O09S3OPbIaArGmKj and you can order an issue here https://store.filmstories.co.uk/ Get in touch with Tim at the Raygun at the usual address or with simon@filmstories.co.uk to discuss editorial and anything else and let’s try and support this magazine and print in general…
Thriving independent Dazzler is continuing to not just release an array of home entertainment titles across digital and physical, taking in feature films, TV and more, but also to release selected family titles at cinemas. And its current offering, animated fairytale Rebellious, which was released theatrically during the half-term week. And what’s more it is also helping raise cash for the long-term chosen charity of the home entertainment industry, Action For Children. For all the proceeds from a single from the film’s soundtrack, Hear My Voice sung by Grammy-nominated chanteuse Kristal Oliver, released digitally, will be going towards the children’s charity. Rebellious producer and soundtrack composer, Sefi Carmel, CEO of Creation Entertainment and SphereTrax, said: "My team and I worked tirelessly for over two years, combining the score and sound design, to create an immersive experience that encompasses the cultural diversity of the film. As our characters come from very different backgrounds, it was only natural to call on wonderful musicians from around the globe, to take part in the creation of this soundtrack. We are truly proud to support Action for Children on the release of the single.” Graham Davidson, CEO of Dazzler Media added: “We love the film and believe the message of Hear My Voice will resonate with viewers of all ages, and aligns perfectly with the great work by Action for Children.” Alanah King, senior corporate partnerships manager at Action for Children said: "We are delighted to be receiving the proceeds from the lead single in Rebellious. Every penny raised brings us closer to ensuring that more children and young people can experience a safe and happy childhood. Together, we can build brighter futures and give children and young people the foundations they need to thrive.”
Further comment on Rebellious came from Dazzler’s commercial and acquisitions directorPaul Holland who also also plugged some of the company’s current releases and teased more going forward too, saying: “We are continuing to bring quality family films to UK and Irish cinema audiences and Rebellious is a great example of this. We also worked with the producers to support the amazing work of Action for Children, through the release of the film's charity single.” Meanwhile, we are still focused on bringing high quality film and television titles to the Home Entertainment market, such as Ben Wheatley's Generation Z, the first hit series of The Traitors, new channel 5 drama The Hardacres and cult horror favourite, Cuckoo. We are excited to bring even more titles to market in the new year.” Rebellious, meanwhile, is out on DVD, Blu-ray and digital on December 9.
Gladiator II received a royal world premiere in front of the king this week and the monarch will be joined by two of the biggest names in motor-racing after Paramount linked up with Scuderia Ferrari HP for a promotion. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will be in attendance, with the F1 drivers wearing special tuxedos designed by the company’s designer Rocco Iannone. The collaboration will, the announcement said “also extend across digital and TV channels, showcasing exclusive content and Ferrari-branded livery at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, offering fans an immersive experience that unites cinematic storytelling with the thrill of peak performance shared by Paramount Pictures and Scuderia Ferrari HP”. Paramount Pictures’ president of worldwide marketing and distribution Marc Weinstock said: “Gladiator II brings audiences an epic viewing experience with scope and scale that is second to none. It only made sense for us to team up with the most iconic, adrenaline-pumping brand in motorsports. Together with Ferrari, we’re creating a unique entertainment experience that highlights our shared legacy of excellence and innovation.” Ferrari’s chief racing revenue officer Lorenzo Giorgetti, added: “We’re excited to join Paramount Pictures in celebrating Gladiator II, a name as famous in cinema as Scuderia Ferrari HP is in racing. With the Gladiator II cast joining us at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Ferrari collections and custom-made looks, this collaboration brings Ferrari Lifestyle to centre stage, creating a distinctive blend of cinematic and motorsport flair.”
Many in the industry, including those on the acquisitions side of the business, are currently returning from AFM in Las Vegas, and among the deals announced was indie imprint Bulldog Film Distribution’s picking up of the rights to Signs Of Life, the directorial debut of actor-turned-helmer Joseph Millson. The film, which follows a woman’s journey to southern Europe to reset her life, has been picked up for UK and Ireland release by Bulldog, as well as seeing its international sales being looked after by Moviehouse Entertainment. Millson said: “I wanted to make my first feature completely independently, without the strictures so often affecting the filmmaking world and in doing so, believe audiences will thoroughly enjoy what the cast, crew and supporters have delivered. I’m delighted Bulldog Film Distribution have come on board and will release the film in the UK and Ireland in 2025 and Moviehouse Entertainment similarly handle international sales. Bulldog’s Philip Hoille, who negotiated the deal, added: “Joseph Millson’s feature debut behind the camera is a beautifully performed, shot and scored story of hope centred on two characters thrown together at pivotal moments in their lives as they deal with internal struggles at odds with the sunny, scenic holiday-destination backdrop that surrounds them. We’re big supporters of British talent and filmmaking like this and are sure that audiences both here and internationally will respond to this relatable, poignant story.”
Anti-piracy news and FACT has celebrated the efforts of police and other authorities in helping fight against IP theft, not least the scourge of those selling dodgy Firesticks and enable illegal streaming of TV, film and sports channels. Its annual Excellence Awards at Guildhall East in the capital saw a dozen individuals and three teams rewarded for their “outstanding work in investigating intellectual property crime”, FACT said. These included police from Merseyside Police, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, and the National Crime Agency, as well as trading standards officers from Cornwall council, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge councils and the e-crime team from York. Teams from the London-based Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) and the South Wales Tarian Proactive Economic Crime Team were all awarded too. FACT CEO Kieron Sharp said:“These awards are a testament to the hard work and commitment of those who strive to protect intellectual property rights. Each recipient has played a crucial role, and we are proud to honour those who have gone above and beyond in their investigative work. The dedication of these recipients has not gone unnoticed. Piracy not only undermines the efforts of creators but also fuels organised crime, posing significant risks to our wider communities. Their exceptional contributions highlight the importance of our collective mission to combat this threat.”
SPOTTED OUT AND ABOUT
We loved this, as Universal helped transform London's Greenwich into Greenwitch ahead of the November 22 theatrical release of blockbuster stage-to-screen musical WIcked. It'll stay this way until the 24th… More here The night-in promotion, beloved of the video industry, both in suermarkets and rental stores, in the 1990s and beyond, is still a thing. Here's Proper popcorn and Netflix, with a partnership that includes a limited flavour and competition prizes, as well as this pillow-sized pack. Apparently, it's "reimagining everyday moments", rather than an extension of an old video industry concept…
  TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
The final mission…
This arrived with the subject line “Official Christmas Trailer”…
Due on MUBI…
Not that kind of Carry-On
Silence or violence…
THE OBLIGATORY GDPR BIT
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