Thompson on Hollywood

Early Review Roundup: Wong Kar-wai's 'The Grandmaster' Strikes a Balance Between Haunting Style and True Kung Fu

Reviews

Two early reviews for Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-wai's highly anticipated and long-gestating "The Grandmaster" have hit the web, both praising the film's deft balance between being a "beautiful" kung fu genre movie and a stylish exploration of many of the director's career-long themes. Complaints include that the film has been cut drastically from its intended length, and that actor Chang Chen is given too little screen time, while muse Tony Leung "lacks his usual intensity." Highlights below, updates to be added as more reviews come in.

By Beth Hanna
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January 9, 2013 11:31 AM
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Berlinale: Take 'Ajami' Director Scandar Copti's Workshop on Directing Actors

Festivals

If you are attending the Berlinale, there's still time to register for Scandar Copti's two day workshop on directing actors. The intensive workshop, limited to 25 participants, takes place February 16-17 and will focus on Copti's method to elicit natural performances from actors.

By Sophia Savage
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January 2, 2013 12:31 PM
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Wong Kar Wai's 'The Grandmaster' Will Open the Berlinale After Debuting in China on January 8

Festivals

The Berlin International Film Festival will open with the international premiere of Wong Kar Wai's long-delayed "The Grandmaster" on February 7. The world premiere of The Grandmaster will be celebrated on January 8, 2013 in China, and the film will open at cinemas in numerous countries including Germany in spring 2013.

By Sophia Savage
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December 19, 2012 12:46 PM
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Berlin International Film Fest's 2013 Shooting Stars Include Young Talent from 'Royal Affair,' 'Lore,' 'Purge'

Festivals

European Film Promotion has announced the 10 young European actors selected as the 2013 Shooting Stars at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival, running February 7-17. A jury of international industry professionals chose the talent, which includes Mikkel Boe Følsgaard from Danish Oscar entry "A Royal Affair," Laura Birn from Finnish Oscar entry "Purge," and Saskia Rosendahl from Cate Shortland's "Lore." Full list below.

By Beth Hanna
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December 15, 2012 4:10 PM
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Berlinale Announces First Six Competition Titles; 'Promised Land' & New Films from Hong Sang-soo and Ulrich Seidl

Festivals

The 63rd Berlin International Film Festival (February 7-17) has announced the first six titles in its competition lineup. Productions and co-productions from Germany, France, Austria, the Republic of Korea, Chile, Romania, Spain and the U.S. are included, with Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land" and the new film by Hong Sang-soo, "Nobody's Daughter Haewon," and the third in Ulrich Seidl's "Paradise" trilogy ("Paradise: Hope"), part of the program.

By Beth Hanna
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December 13, 2012 11:32 AM
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Master Auteur Wong Kar Wai to Head Berlin 2013 Jury

Festivals

As we head into fall festivals full tilt, some exciting news from one of the world's top winter fests: Director Wong Kar Wai will head the jury of the Berlin International Film Festival 2013 (running February 7-17).

By Sophia Savage and Beth Hanna
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August 28, 2012 1:05 PM
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Imprisoned Chinese Artist and Dissident Ai Weiwei Will Learn the Fate of His Bail Conditions on June 22

News

China's most famous international artist and staunchly outspoken domestic critic, Ai Weiwei, finds out June 22 if the Chinese government's bail conditions for his imprisonment over the past year will be lifted. The subject of Alison Klayman's Sundance and Berlinale doc "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry," the artist was incarcerated...

By Beth Hanna
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June 21, 2012 12:39 PM
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Tribeca Film Acquires Rights to Berlin Silver Bear Winner 'War Witch'

News

Tribeca Film has acquired the rights to Kim Nguyen's "War Witch," which had its world premiere and garnered a Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year, and took home the Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. The talented actress in question is 15-year-old Rachel Mwanza, who was discovered on the streets of Kinshasa, Congo.

By Beth Hanna
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June 13, 2012 2:23 PM
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IFC Midnight Takes US and UK Rights to 'As Luck Would Have It'

News

IFC Midnight acquired all US and UK rights to director Alex De La Iglesia’s "As Luck Would Have it." The film world premiered at a special screening at this year's Berlin Film Festival. It will premiere in North America at this year's Tribeca Film Festival in the Spotlight Section.

By Maggie Lange
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April 25, 2012 2:31 PM
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Juliette Binoche Talks 'Elles,' Masturbation & her Upcoming Portrayal of Camille Claudel

Features

If there’s one theme running through Juliette Binoche’s impressive and varied resume, it’s her desire to confound preconceived notions about the predominantly challenging women she portrays. That’s true of her latest film, "Elles," in which she plays a journalist and mother juggling domestic routines while toiling on an expose about prostitutes.