Thompson on Hollywood

Sony Pictures Classics Picks Up Another Middle Eastern Film and Foreign Oscar Submission

News

In advance of its New York Film Festival screening next week, Israel's Oscar entry "Fill the Void," has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Israel sends its Ophir Best Picture winner to the Oscars.

By Anne Thompson
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October 2, 2012 1:26 PM
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Fest Buyer Sony Pictures Classics Heads to the Middle East (VIDEO)

News

Sony Pictures Classics has always leaned heavily on foreign acquisitions in advance of the awards season. Michael Barker and Tom Bernard are often betting on the likely submissions for the best foreign film entry, and can be counted upon to wind up with more than one in the final five. At the same time they can't handle too many movies at once, so they must pick well.

By Anne Thompson
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September 16, 2012 5:02 PM
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Sony Pictures Classics Acquires 'At Any Price'

Festivals

In advance of festival premieres at Venice and Toronto, Sony Pictures Classics has scooped up all North American and Eastern European rights (excluding CIS and Russia) to Ramin Bahrani's "At Any Price," starring Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Kim Dickens and Heather Graham, which debuted in the Cannes market.

By Anne Thompson
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August 3, 2012 6:53 PM
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Arthouse Audit: 'Moonrise Kingdom' Conquers More Box Office; Specialized Success of The Year

Box Office

The news this week is in the expanding films. Two huge hits-- a phenomenal second week for Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom" and more success for "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"-- joined with two other decently grossing expansions-- "Intouchables" and "Bernie"-- to provide an even better early June than last year.

By Tom Brueggemann
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June 3, 2012 2:55 PM
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Cannes: Audiard's Anti-Romance 'Rust & Bone' Showcases Cotillard

Festivals

While director Jacques Audiard says that he wanted to offer a love story for these harsh economic times, his follow-up to Oscar-nominated "A Prophet," "Rust & Bone," which screened for press on Thursday morning, is far from a romance. It's more of a survival tale about violence and healing.

By Anne Thompson
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May 17, 2012 6:50 AM
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Weekend Box Office Specialty Films Report: What It Means

Box Office

Three specialized films with stellar reviews opened this weekend, but the one going out the widest and also available for home viewing, "Marley," boasted the most success. Three other new releases also had parallel premieres on video-on-demand.

By Tom Brueggemann
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April 22, 2012 2:18 PM
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Sony Pictures Classics Scoops Up Michael Haneke's 'Amour' Before Cannes

News

Sony Pictures Classics, which released Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or-winning and Oscar-nominated "White Ribbon," has acquired all North American rights to Films Du Losange's "Amour."

By Anne Thompson
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April 17, 2012 5:52 PM
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Weekend Box Office: What the Indie Numbers Really Mean UPDATED

Box Office

The weekend marks the return of two veteran filmmakers who were established in specialized theaters in the 1990s – Whit Stillman and Nanni Moretti. Films from both directors (who have always made pointed observations about their surroundings) opened to respectable if not spectacular grosses this holiday weekend.

By Tom Brueggemann
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April 10, 2012 1:52 PM
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Weekend Indie Box Office: What It Means, from 'Bully' to 'Island President' UPDATED

Box Office

“Bully” led a slew of documentary openers this weekend (at least eight) both in terms of attention and success. The others, including two with significant previous acclaim, reveal the results of the new Oscar rule requiring full week theatrical dates in New York and/or Los Angeles with published reviews in their leading papers.

By Tom Brueggemann
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April 2, 2012 10:39 PM
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Whit Stillman Q & A: 'Damsels in Distress,' 13-Year Hiatus, Upcoming Ska Rocksteady Project

Features

Director Whit Stillman and actress Analeigh Tipton were on hand Sunday evening for a Q&A following Cinefamily's sneak preview screening of "Damsels in Distress."