Tribeca Film Festival Unveils World Narrative And Documentary Lineups

The Tribeca Film Festival unveiled 46 out of 90 feature-length films it has on tap this year with 12 films each screening in the festival’s World Narrative Feature and World Narrative Documentary competitions. The 11th annual event also revealed selections for its out-of-competition Viewpoints section, established last year to “highlight personal stories in international and independent cinema.”The festival is set for April 18-29 in NY City. Following last year’s festival, Tribeca revamped its programming team following the departure of head of programming David Kwok. Former Cannes Directors Fortnight artistic director Frdric Boyer came on board as TFF’s artistic director. Geoffrey Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises, expanded his role overseeing the festival’s programming, while Genna Terranova was upped to director of programming.”Last year was the 10th anniversary of Tribeca and there was a sense that we wanted to see the festival step up this year,” Gilmore told Deadline. “The only way you can do this is if you find films that make you feel passionate.” Gilmore added that balance between American and international titles in the competitions had been off kilter in years past but the mix for 2010 is more aligned. “There wasn’t an agenda to make it more American, but there was an aspiration to keep more of a balance,” he said. The 2012 film roster includes 54 world premieres, four international premieres,16 North American premieres, 10 U.S. premieres andsix NY premieres and 32 countries are represented. Here’s the lineup: World Narrative Feature Competition All In (La Suerte En Tus Manos), directed by Daniel Burman, written by Daniel Burman and Sergio Dubcovsky. (Argentina) International Premiere. Professional poker player Uriel has been on a real hot streakwith the ladiessince his marriage fizzled out. But in between growing his online gambling business and helping to raise his kids, Uriel has rediscovered his old pre-marriage flame, Gloria. Starring the great ValeriaBertuccelli (XXY) and Oscar-winning songwriter Jorge Drexler, this romantic comedy from Daniel Burman (Lost Embrace) unfolds in the acclaimed directors signature style: poignant, natural, and bitingly funny. In Spanish with subtitles. Beyond the Hill (Tepenin Ardi), directed and written by Emin Alper. (Turkey, Greece) North American Premiere. Faik, a proud old forester, is having trouble with nomads grazing their livestock on his land. For revenge, he and his hulking farm hand Mehmet snatch a goat to butcher for a family holiday, unwittingly sparking a dire blood feud. Debuting Turkish director Emin Alper creates an atmosphere of skin-crawling terror in this psychological drama by withholding, not showing, the escalating acts of violence that hurtle these feuding farmers toward a shocking confrontation. In Turkish with subtitles. First Winter, directed and written by Benjamin Dickinson. (USA) World Premiere. In the extraordinary debut feature, a blackout of apocalyptic proportions strands a group of Brooklyn hipsters in a remote country farmhouse with no heat and no electricity during the coldest winter on record. At first, its all sex and drugs and acoustic guitars. But as the days go on and the food supply dwindles, struggles of power, jealousy, and desire threaten the groups ability to work together in order to survive. The Girl, directed and written by David Riker. (USA, Mexico) World Premiere. From the director of La Ciudad comes this moving drama about a single mother (Abbie Cornish) caught in emotional quicksand after losing her job and custody of her son. Desperate to earn cash for her custody battle, she makes the daring choice to help smuggle illegal immigrants over the border. A deep connection to a young Mexican girl will take her on a life-changing journey and force her to confront her past. In English, Spanish with subtitles. Jack and Diane, directed and written by Bradley Rust Gray. (USA) World Premiere. Tomboy Jack and bubbly Diane fall head over heels in love one hot summer in NY City. When Diane reveals she must leave the city for school in Europe, their budding love is tested. Weaving horror elements into a distinctive and fresh yet timeless and universalfirst-love story, TFF alum Bradley Rust Gray (The Exploding Girl) brings his unique vision to this idiosyncratic story of the joys and terrors of first love. A Magnolia Pictures release. Nancy, Please, directed by Andrew Semans, written by Will Heinrich and Andrew Semans. (USA) World Premiere. Pauls life is good. He has a gig teaching literature at Yale, and he just moved in with his longtime girlfriend, finally shedding his casually sinister roommate, Nancy. Theres just one thing. Paul left an item of great importance at his old apartment, and Nancy doesnt want to give it back. Pauls life is about to unravel. Debuting director Andrew Semans skillfully orchestrates a minor annoyance into an all consuming obsession in this smart, stunning psychodrama. Postcards From the Zoo (Kebun Binatang), directed by Edwin, written by Edwin, Daud Sumolang, and Titien Wattimena. (Indonesia) North American Premiere. Acclaimed Chinese-Indonesian director Edwin (Blind Pig Who Wants To Fly) returns with a gorgeous, dreamlike fairy tale set inside Jakartas wondrous Ragunan Zoo. Abandoned in the zoo as a little girl and raised among the wild menagerie, Lana finally embarks outside the peculiar confines she has always knownand into the seedier side of Jakartawhen she falls in love with a charming magician. In Indonesian with subtitles. Una Noche, directed and written by Lucy Mulloy. (UK, Cuba, USA) North American Premiere. Fed up with catering to the privileged tourist class, Cuban teens Raul and Elio are tantalized by the promise of a new life in Miami. Accused of assaulting a foreigner, Raul has no choice but to flee, but Elio must decide whether his own escape is worth abandoning his beloved sister. Brimming with the nervous energy of Havanas restless youth and evocative cinematography of the sun-bleached capital, Una Noche follows one sweltering day, full of hope and fraught with tensions, that burns to a shocking climax. In Spanish with subtitles. Unit 7 (Grupo 7), directed by Alberto Rodriguez, written by Rafael Cobos and Alberto Rodriguez. (Spain) International Premiere. Unit 7 is a semi-official police detail with a seemingly impossible mission: kick Sevilles most vicious drug trafficking ring out of town ahead of a major international expo. By any means necessary. As they slip outside the bounds of the law in the name of duty, two officers fueled by violence, lies, and ambition end up on opposing paths. Spanish superstar Mario Casas (Neon Flesh) stars in this adrenaline-pumping action thriller. In Spanish with subtitles. War Witch (Rebelle), directed and written by Kim Nguyen. (Canada) North American Premiere, Narrative. At 14, Komona has lived through horrors that eclipse any adults worst nightmares. In this mesmerizing, otherworldly drama, shot entirely in the Congo, she confides to the baby growing inside of her the harrowing story of her life since rebel warlords stormed her village. Fortified by eerily mystical powers and the warming friendship of an albino boy, the sensitive girl battles through this dire, war-ravaged world enchained as a child soldier. In French, Lingala with subtitles. While We Were Here, directed and written by Kat Coiro. (USA) World Premiere. Jane (Kate Bosworth) and her English husband travel to Naples hoping to reinvigorate their silently disintegrating marriage and escape a personal tragedy that hangs heavily between them. When Jane, facing writers block, takes a day trip to a beautiful island off the coast, she meets a young American man living a hermetic life on the island. As the two embark on an unlikely emotional affair, Jane faces some drastic changes in her life. Yossi (Ha-Sippur Shel Yossi), directed by Eytan Fox, written by Itay Segal. (Israel) World Premiere. Returning to the role that won him TFFs Best Actor award in Eytan Foxs Yossi & Jagger in 2003, Ohad Knoller is extraordinary as Yossi, a closeted gay man living a solitary existence in Tel Aviv. A chance encounter with a group of soldiers ignites Yossis desire to live an open, fulfilling life. Written and directed with uncommon honesty and compassion by Fox, this is a deeply moving film about the power of second chances. In Hebrew with subtitles. World Documentary Feature Competition Ballroom Dancer, directed and written by Christian Bonke and Andreas Koefoed. (Denmark) North American Premiere. In 2000, Slavik Kryklyvyy became the World Latin American Dance Champion. Enduring success seemed assured, but instead Slaviks career sputtered… until redemption seemed possible with his new partner and lover, Anna. But will Slaviks unwavering ambition prove toxic to their romance? Subtly depicting the pairs shifting relationship through gestures, glances, and the dance itself, Ballroom Dancer begins as a comeback story and evolves into a movingly intimate tragic romance In Russian, English with subtitles. Downeast, directed by David Redmon and Ashley Sabin. (USA) World Premiere. Gouldsboro, Maine. Hit hard by the closure of the sardine canning factory, its laid-off residentsmostly 70-year-oldsjust want to get back to work. So why is Italian immigrant Antonio Bussone having so much trouble getting federal funds to open a new lobster processing plant? Charged with the spirit of a generation that still gives it 110 percent, this poignant and poetic documentary sheds new light on the trying task of putting America back to work. Fame High, directed and written by Scott Hamilton Kennedy. (USA) World Premiere. Scott Hamilton Kennedys follow-up to his Oscar-nominated The Garden captures all the drama, competition, heartbreak, and triumph among a group of struggling students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. From the nail-biting freshman auditions to the spectacular senior graduation performance, this endearing coming-of-age documentary is a tribute to discovering your passion and deciding whether you have the talent to take it to the next level. The Flat (Ha-dira), directed and written by Arnon Goldfinger. (Israel, Germany) North American Premiere. At age 98, director Arnon Goldfingers grandmother passed away, leaving him the task of clearing out the Tel Aviv flat that she and her husband shared since immigrating to Palestine from Nazi Germany in the 1930s. In this emotionally riveting documentary, Goldfinger follows the hints they left behind in alifetimes collection of documents to investigate long-buried family secrets and uncover the mystery of his grandparents painful past. In Hebrew, German, English with subtitles. High Tech, Low Life, directed by Stephen Maing. (USA, China) World Premiere. With the Chinese government employing 40,000 internet police, more than half a million websites are blocked in the country. Local TV stations only publicize the good news. The rising tide of censorship has aroused a wave of citizen reporters committed to investigating local news stories and crime scenes. This timely and probing documentary tracks rogue bloggers Zola and Tiger Temple as they risk political persecution to become Chinas uncensored eyes and ears. In Mandarin with subtitles. The List, directed by Beth Murphy. (USA) World Premiere. After leading rebuilding teams in war-torn cities in Iraq, Kirk Johnson returned to America to establish and advocate for a growing number of Iraqi citizens now targeted by radical militias because they aided the U.S. in the reconstruction effort. TFF alum Beth Murphy (Beyond Belief) creates an affecting portrait of an unlikely but passionate humanitarian who has championed the cause of Iraqi refugees largely ignored by the U.S. government. In English, Arabic with subtitles. Off Label, directed by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher. (USA) World Premiere. The term off-label refers to the use of pharmaceuticals in any way counter to their prescribed dosage and function. Weaving together the powerful, personal stories of misdiagnosed patients, professional guinea pigs, recreational drug users, and soldiers struggling with PTSD, Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher (October Country) expose the breadth of off-label drug use and take us on an emotional road trip through an overmedicated, misdiagnosed, and drug-addled America. Planet of Snail, directed by Seung-Jun Yi. (South Korea) North American Premiere. Deaf and blind, Young-Chan lives in a quiet, isolated world in his small apartment. But when Soon-Ho, an empathetic woman compromised by a spinal disability, comes into his life, a unique love story begins. Poetic and gently paced, Planet of Snail brings to life the sensual world shared by this special couple, and illustrates that the greatest beauty can be found in the smallest and most unlikely love stories. In Korean with subtitles. The Revisionaries, directed by Scott Thurman, written by Jawad Metni and Scott Thurman. (USA) World Premiere. Once in a decade, the 15 members of the Texas State Board of Education meet in Austin to revise the textbook standards for five million schoolchildren. Led by Don McLeroy, a Young-Earth Creationist and Evangelical Christian, the panel implements standards that will ultimately go into effect in science and history textbooks for schoolchildren across the nation. The Revisionaries is a galvanizing peek behind the curtain at the politicization of education. The Virgin, the Copts and Me (La Vierges, les Coptes et Moi), directed by Namir Abdel Messeeh, written by Namir Abdel Messeeh, Nathalie Najem, and Anne Paschetta. (France, Qatar) North American Premiere. In his feature debut, French Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeehsets out to investigate the phenomenon of supposedly miraculous Virgin Mary apparitions in Egypts Coptic Christian community. But when the secular director faces opposition from skittish producers and his Coptic family, Namir turns the camera on his wonderfully smart-alecky mother andreimagines his film as a touching, uniquely hilarious portrait of family and heritage. In Arabic, French with subtitles. Wavumba, directed by Jeroen van Velzen, written by Jeroen van Velzen and Sara Kee. (Netherlands) North American Premiere. Mysticism and color reign in this stunning documentary steeped in the fishermen lore of Kenya. Revisiting a childhood fairy tale of a spirit-filled island with the magic to either bless or curse a fishermans journey, Dutch filmmaker Jeroen van Velzen explores his memories via Masoud, a real-life legend of shark fishing. His glory days long gone, Masoud relives his youth through grandiose stories told with swaggering pride and heartbreaking nostalgia. In English, Swahili with subtitles. The World Before Her, directed by Nisha Pahuja. (Canada) World Premiere. Weaving together the seemingly opposing stories of the Miss India beauty pageant and a fundamentalist Hindu camp for girls, director Nisha Pahuja illuminates the situation of women across contemporary India, drawing surprising parallels in the way women are perceived and the opportunities that are afforded them in both modernizing and traditional cultures. The World Before Her is a riveting, thoughtfulprofile of the fundamental contradictions of a country in transition. In English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati with subtitles. Viewpoints Babygirl, directed and written by Macdara Vallely. (Ireland, USA) World Premiere, Narrative. For as long as she can remember, Bronx teenager Lena has watched her mom Lucy squander her life on a series of deadbeat men. When Victor, her moms latest boy toy, starts hitting on Lena, she sets up a trap to expose Victor for the creep he is but the plan backfires. Macdara Vallely crafts a heartfelt drama about the emotional highs and lows in the moment between childhood and adulthood. Benji, directed by Coodie and Chike. (USA) World Premiere, Documentary.In 1984, 17-year-old Ben Wilson was a symbol of everything promising about Chicago: a sweet-natured youngster from the citysfabled South Side, and Americas top high school basketball prospect. His senseless murder on the day before his senior seasondevastated the city of Chicago andsentripples of anguish nationwide. A stirring portrait of a phenomenon admired both on the court and off,Benjitells the story of a legend who mightve been. Burn, directed by Tom Putnam and Brenna Sanchez. (USA) World Premiere, Documentary. Detroit is burning. Meet the men and women charged with saving the once-roaring American city that many have written off as dead. With vast stretches of forsaken buildings left as kindling, they face one of the worst arson rates in the world. From executive producer Denis Leary,Burndrives us straight into the heart-pounding fire and introduces us to the characters and controversies that make up the most overworked and under-equipped firehouse in the country. Caroline and Jackie, directed and written by Adam Christian Clark. (USA) World Premiere, Narrative. When Caroline throws a surprise birthday party for her sister Jackie, what starts as an evening with friends devolves into a night that will change everything, as their bond is tested by the emotional mayhem only sisters can wring. Injecting his dinner-party-gone-wrong story with genuine tension, first-time filmmaker Adam Christian Clark strips away the layers of Caroline and Jackies fraught relationship right up until the films raw and moving conclusion. Certain People (Katinkas Kalas), directed by Levan Akin, written by Lisa stberg. (Sweden) World Premiere, Narrative. A small group of friendsupper-class, art world bohemians in their thirtiesgather at Katinkas summer house to celebrate her birthday. Suddenly during dinner, Katinkas brother arrives with Linda, a blonde game show hostess whose brusque and liberated manners are entertaining and fresh at first. During the course of the evening Linda stretches the groups invisible social rules of hospitality. Contempt starts to grow, and hidden prejudices flare up.In Swedish with subtitles. Consuming Spirits, directed and written by Chris Sullivan. (USA) World Premiere, Narrative. Nearly 15 years in the making, Chris SullivansConsuming Spiritsis a meticulously constructed tour de force of experimental animation. Shooting frame by frame in 16mm, Sullivan seamlessly blends together a range of techniques into a distinct, signature visual style. In the process, he constructs a hypnotic, layered narrative, a suspenseful gothic tale that tracks the intertwined lives of three kindred spirits working at a local newspaper in a Midwestern rust belt town. Cut,directed by Amir Naderi, written by Amir Naderi and Abou Farman. (Japan) U.S. premiere, Narrative. Award-winning Iranian filmmaker and TFF alum (Vegas: Based on a True Story) Amir Naderi travels to Tokyo to tell this striking, fiercely unconventional tale of a struggling young filmmaker, Shuji. Desperate to create great cinema, Shuji obtains financing for a few utterly forgettable pictures from his brotherwho got the money from the mob. Now Shuji must repay his debts and test his love of the movies by working as a human punching bag for yakuza thugs.In Japanese with subtitles. Death of a Superhero, directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, written by Anthony McCarten. (Ireland, Germany) U.S. premiere, Narrative. Donald is a teenager with extraordinary talents, wild daydreams, and a bright future as an artist of fantastical graphic novels. But when Donald discovers that a very real enemy is trying to kill him, an unorthodox psychologist tries to help him find the light in an otherwise dark world. Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Andy Serkis star in this exceptionally honest drama about discovering life, love, and death.A Tribeca Film release. El Gusto, directed and written by Safinez Bousbia. (Algeria, Ireland, UAE) North American Premiere, Documentary. A rhythmic cocktail of European and Arabic traditions, chaabi music was the heart and soul of cosmopolitan Algiers in the 1940s, but the war of independence with France tore apart the peaceful Muslim and Jewish communities that came together to play this unique music. A group of over-the-hill but still fiery musicians reunites after five decades apart in this spirited, gorgeously shot documentary about musics power to transcend cultural boundaries.In French, Arabic with subtitles. Fairhaven, directed and written by Tom OBrien. (USA) World Premiere, Narrative. Jon is well past his glory days on the football field and searching for meaning in the small town of Fairhaven. When his friend Dave comes home for his fathers funeral, the limits of friendship are tested as the past is uncovered. This thoughtful meditation on love, loss, and minor triumphs reminds us that sometimes the most important things in life are the little moments we cherish forever. The Fourth Dimension, directed by Harmony Korine, Alexey Fedorchenko, and Jan Kwiecinski, written byHarmony Korine, Alexey Fedorchenko, Jan Kwiecinski, Oleg Loevsky, and Yaroslava Pulinovich. (USA, Poland, Russia) World Premiere, Narrative. A motivational speaker named Val Kilmer (played by Val Kilmer) delivers a sermon at a roller rink. A Russian scientist builds a time machine in his apartment. Four friends stumble upon an abandoned village in the Polish countryside. All are in search of the fourth dimensionwhether they know it or not. Weird, ominous, cool, compelling: These three short films could only be inspired by the creative vision of Harmony Korine and Vice Medias Eddy Moretti.In English, Polish, Russian with subtitles. Francophrenia (or: Dont Kill Me, I Know Where the Baby Is), directed by Ian Olds and James Franco, written by Ian Olds and Paul Felten. (USA) North American Premiere, Narrative. James Franco stunned the film world when he committed to a regular gig onGeneral Hospital, but the Oscar-nominated actor had a clever trick up his sleeve. While shooting a keyGHepisode, Franco brought along a film crew. TFF award winner Ian Olds (Fixer, 2009) then repurposed Francos behind-the-scenes footage into an experimental psychological thriller set amid the spectacle of a celebritys escalating paranoia, creating a mind-bending exploration of identity. Journey to Planet X, directed by Josh Koury and Myles Kane. (USA) World Premiere, Documentary. By day Eric Swain and Troy Bernier are a couple of mild-mannered, middle-aged desk jockeys from Florida, but their wildest dreams come to life after hours when they get together to make fantastical sci-fi movies with the help of a green screen, amateur actors, and retro-futuristic computer graphics. As they embark on their most ambitious production yet, this hip and heartwarming documentary shows how boundless imagination can hilariously stretch the limits of DIY moviemaking. On The Mat, directed and written by Fredric Golding. (USA) World Premiere, Documentary. Achieving greatness in high school wrestling requires a level of devotion unmatched perhaps by any other sport. That greatness has become a yearly expectation at Lake Stevens High, winner of seven Washington state championships in the past 10 years. Narrated by Lake Stevens wrestling alum Chris Pratt (Moneyball), this riveting documentary follows the team over the course of a season as they fight through injuries and academic issues to maintain their schools legacy. Resolution, directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Scott Moorhead, written by Justin Benson. (USA) World Premiere, Narrative. Michael is committed to getting his best friend Chris to sober up and put his life back on track. But what begins as an attempt to save his friends life quickly takes an unexpected turn as the two friends confront personal demons, the consequences of past actions, and forces beyond their control. Expertly balancing dark humor, heart, and thrills,Resolutionis an utterly unique cinematic experience that defies genre classification. Room 514, directed and written by Sharon Bar-Ziv. (Israel) North American Premiere, Narrative. When a young, idealistic military investigator confronts an elite soldier with accusations of unnecessary violence against a Palestinian man in the Occupied Territories, her quest for justice ends up having far-reaching consequences. Director Sharon Bar-Zivs feature debut is a gritty minimalist drama that provides a raw, direct look at the psyche of contemporary Israeli culture as shaped by the effects of the ongoing conflict.In Hebrew, Russian with subtitles. Rubberneck,directed by Alex Karpovsky, written by Alex Karpovsky and Garth Donovan. (USA) World Premiere, Narrative. Months after a one-night-stand-gone-nowhere with a sexy coworker, sad-sack Boston scientist Paul still finds himself increasingly consumed with obsessive thoughts toward his uninterested colleague. As his impulses become increasingly irresistible, and the repercussions of his actions snowball, the tension mounts. Indie stalwart Alex Karpovsky directs this slow-burn psychosexual character study. Sexy Baby, directed by Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus. (USA) World Premiere, Documentary. In the age of runaway social media and sexting, raunchy rap songs on pop radio and hardcore pornography at the click of a mousewhats it like to be a woman? A girl? A teenage boy? A parent? Following a middle-aged former porn star, a young woman undergoing a controversial surgery, and a 12-year-old girl whos growing up faster than her parents can handle,Sexy Babyis a startling look at Americas increasingly sex-saturated culture. Stones in the Sun (Woch nan Soley), directed and written by P. Benoit. (USA, Haiti) World Premiere, Narrative. In the 1980s, in the midst of increasing political violence, a young couple, two sisters, and a father and son are driven from Haiti to NY, where they must confront the truths of their interlocked pasts. In her impassioned, penetrating feature film debut, Haitian director P. Benoit steers clear of clichs about immigrants and refugees, authentically tapping into the reality of the unique Haitian-American experience.In English, Haitian Creole with subtitles. Supporting Characters, directed by Daniel Schechter, written by Tarik Lowe and Daniel Schechter. (USA) World Premiere, Narrative. In this funny and authentic take on modern relationships, best friends Darryl (Tarik Lowe) and Nick (Alex Karpovsky) are a film editing duo hired to rework a movie in crisis, only to find themselves increasingly consumed with reworking their own personal lives. While Nick begins to question his stable relationship after receiving attentions from the films flirtatious starlet, Darryl finds himself falling hard for tempestuous dancer Liana (Melonie Diaz). Town of Runners, directed by Jerry Rothwell. (UK) World Premiere, Documentary. Over the past two decades the small, rural Ethiopian town of Bekoji has been the unlikely home to numerous Olympic champion long-distance runners, whose athletic success has paved the way for a generation of young Ethiopians searching for a better future. With a keen artistic eye, TFF award winner Jerry Rothwell (Donor Unknown) follows two teenage track hopefuls who face the challenge of growing up and striving for greatness in a developing nation.In Amharic, Oromowith subtitles. Turn Off the Lights, directed by Ivana Mladenovic, written by Ivana Mladenovic and Bianca Oana. (Romania) World Premiere, Documentary. After years behind bars, three young men begin to rediscover lives of aggression and excess in their raucous Roma community. Among them is Alex, a captivating figure with a disturbingly blas attitude toward violence, women, and guilt. In this absorbing documentary, offering a rare peek into contemporary Roma culture, Alex and his fellow ex-cons reconcile the outside world with the gray-shaded areas of morality with which they all struggle.In Romanian with subtitles.

The new sony Pictures Classics nabs 'Smashed'

The new sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide privileges to "Smashed," which opened at Sundance."Smashed" is directed by James Ponsoldt and created by Jonathan Schwartzand Andrea Sperlingof Super Crispy Entertainment. The film is executive created by Audrey and Zygi Wilf.Pic stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally and Mary Kay Place.Story focuses on a married relationship that grows fastest on the shared fondness for music, laughter and becoming smashed.The offer was discussed by UTA and CAA, with respect to Super Crispy Entertainment, in addition to lawyers Lawrence Kopeikin and Elsa Ramo. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Quintet Of Actors Cast In Broadcast Pilots

How To Make It In America‘s Victor Rasuk is set to co-star opposite Ryan Hansen in Foxs comedy pilot El Jefe. The project, from writers David Guarascio & Moses Port and Sony TV, centers on an affable but lost 30-year-old (Ryan Hansen) who, tossed out of his Brentwood home, moves in with his longtime Latin American nanny. Rasuk will play the nanny’s oldest son who is her favorite. Rasuk, repped by Gersh and Washington Square, is the second How To Make It In America star to book a broadcast pilot this week following Bryan Greenberg’s casting as the lead in the CBS Greg Malins/Greg Berlanti comedy. L Word alumna Erin Daniels is set to co-star opposite Colin Ferguson in Bill Lawrences Fox pilot Like Father. The project, from Warner Bros. TV, centers on Van (Ferguson) who, after his wife dies, moves into his son Wills campus apartment. Daniels, repped by Innovative and Framework, will play Ali, a recently separated mother and close friend to Van. Nico Tortorella has joined Fox’s untitled Kevin Williamson drama pilot. The project, from Warner Bros TV, is a thriller about ex-FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) who leads the search to catch diabolical serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) who has created a cult of serial killers. Tortorella, repped by Gersh and KLWGN, will play Will Wilson, a friend and confidant of Sarah, Joe Carrolls last victim, who vows to keep her safe. The pilot reunites the actor with Williamson after Tortorella co-starred in the Williamson-written Scream 4. Cougar Town‘s Josh Hopkins and Tymberlee Hill have been cast in Keri Lizer’s NBC comedy pilot Lady Friends. It centers on two life-long female friends, Nicole (Andrea Anders) and Jen, who are living very different lives but cant live without each other. Hopkins will play Nicole’s husband. The casting is in second position to Cougar Town. Hill, repped by TalentWorks andOdenkirk Provissiero, will play Nicole’s friend, a mother of three.

Fox Tweaks Schedule: Gives Touch Idol Lead-In, Moves Bones To Monday

Kiefer Sutherland won't be coming back to his old Monday 9 PM slot where his previous Fox drama, 24, broadcast. The network makes a arranging change, moving Sutherland’s new series, Touch, to Thursdays where it'll air after The American Idol Show beginning March 22. Touch will bump utility player Bones, which is on the go all over again, this time around to Mondays where it'll lead the evening at 8 PM beginning April 2. That same evening, House will slide to 9 PM where it'll finish its run. Fox also introduced that it is 25th anniversary special will air April 22.

Oscars give pair box office bump

'The Descendants' 'The Artist'In the run-up to the 84th Oscars telecast, two multiple-nominated pics continued their stalwart domestic runs.The Weinstein Co.'s "The Artist" nabbed just shy of $3 million from Feb. 17-20, pushing the silent pic's Stateside tally north of $28 million, while "The Descendants," from Fox Searchlight, grossed $3.5 million over the same frame for a cume of $75.6 million domestically."The Artist," which received 10 noms, including picture, director and actor for Jean Dujardin, has been steadily building at the B.O. -- boosted by strong perfs in markets outside NY and Los Angeles. The pic actually gained 8% during the three-day frame (its 13th) vs. the previous weekend at the same number of domestic locations -- 808."The Descendants," meanwhile, became helmer Alexander Payne's highest-grossing Stateside release, and Fox Searchlight's fourth-highest, surpassing 2004's "Sideways" ($71.5 million). The George Clooney-starrer, which earned the thesp his third lead actor nom, received four other nods: picture, director, adapted screenplay and film editing.Both films have amassed noteworthy overseas hauls as well. After 19 weeks, "The Artist" is approaching $45 million (pic first launched Oct. 12 in France), while "Descendants," released internationally by Fox Intl., is nearing $70 million in just six weeks."The Artist" has been released in 31 markets outside the U.S.; "The Descendants" is playing in 50 territories. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

New Avengers image released online

The Avengers involves Uk cinemas in just dependent on several days, and Marvel have whetted our appetites much more while using relieve a shiny new image featuring three in the team planning for doing things.The completely new shot shows Captain America striding positively for that camera, between SHIELD agents Hawkeye and Black Widow. Pretty badass, we feel you'll agree.It really is nice to find out Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson given some exposure in the advertising campaign that has naturally focused plenty of attention upon marquee names Thor, Hulk, Cap and Iron Guy.Just two more several days to go to just before the film finally lands, meaning all the speculation over cameos, story lines as well as the identity of Loki's military will rapidly be going to an finish. And although we're absurdly excited with the final product, we'd be lounging whenever we mentioned we wouldn't miss the hype.The Avengers opens inside the Uk on 27 April 2012. Next, we'll need to wait for Amazing Spider-Guy. After which it there's the Dark Dark evening Increases... it's a large year for spandex, isn't it?[brightcove]1213024251001[/brightcove]

Canana launches genre pic franchise

Marking its entry into English-language production, Mexican production-distrib Canana is launching a genre franchise directed by Russia's enigmatic Makinov. The first film in the franchise, "Child's Play," is in post-production. "Play" stars Vinissa Shaw ("Two Lovers") and Ebon Moss ("Damages") as a husband and his pregnant wife who travel to Mexico for some quiet, only to be attacked by maniacal children.Canana is developing an actioner and a thriller with Makinov, said Canana producer Pablo Cruz.The mysterious Makinov is described by Canana as a Russian-American who has lived in Mexico. On set, he wears a mask and a heavy worker jacket called a Makinov."Through anonymity I can do anything, tackle any genre and not be afraid to fail," Makinov is quoted as saying.Televisa has all Mexican rights and will release "Play" in Mexico via distrib arm Videocine.Having repped Gerardo Naranjo's Canana-produced "Miss Bala," Fox Intl. Prods. will handle worldwide sales outside Mexico on "Child's Play," introducing it to buyers at the European Film Market. Canana is run by actor-helmers Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna and producer Pablo Cruz. "Genre allows you a freedom that you don't get when you are telling a story of a country in poverty or the mountain life of two kids," Cruz told Variety.He added: "Also, it's fun, and we need to build stronger brands, make movies with international appeal which don't always define us as a Mexican production company." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Kobalt Music taps Sanders as prexy

Richard Sanders has been named prexy of Kobalt Music Group, the independent music publisher announced Friday. In the newly created position, Sanders will be based in NY and report to Kobalt founder-CEO Willard Ahdritz. The fast-growing indie publisher recently acquired digital distributor Artists Without a Label, and launched new divisions in neighboring rights and artist and label services. A three-decade industry vet, Sanders was most recently chairman of Sony Music Intl. as well as president of global marketing. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Jennifer Aniston Knows The Standard Heart

Alec Baldwin & Jim Parsons also aboardThough he introduced this year he was establishing an adaptation of Ray Kramer's autobiographical Helps drama The Standard Heart, director Ryan Murphy (Eat Pay Love) has had a bit longer to drag things together than planned. But in the looks from the cast he's putting together, it seems it had been well worth the wait, as Jennifer Aniston will star alongside Alec Baldwin, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and also the already-attached Mark Ruffalo.Kramer initially authored and staged the play in 1985, searching in the rise of Aids/Helps among NY's gay community within the eighties. It obtained a Tony for the best Revival this past year, as well as won honours for John Benjamin Hickey and Ellen Barkin.Ruffalo's playing author/activist Ned Days, who throws themself in to the struggle to obtain the disease viewed as something apart from the "gay cancer" that lots of top quality it at that time. Roberts is going to be Emma Brookner, a physician who is among the couple of doctors in NY to accept problem seriously. Baldwin is on as Weeks' brother, an attorney that has trouble together with his brother's homosexuality. Bomer's signed on as Felix Turner, who romances Days and tragically contracts the condition. Finally there's Parsons, who's reprising his role in the Broadway version, another activist who's a part of a gay men's health crisis group.Murphy has become searching to lock lower the financing for that film, however with Roberts and also the relaxation aboard, that should not take too lengthy. Meanwhile, the Glee co-creator continues to be busy on his other effective TV series, American Horror Story.Roberts, who starred in Eat, will next be observed in Snow Whitened tale Mirror Mirror. Baldwin has musical Rock Of Age range set to reach this season in addition to his regular job on 30 Rock. Bomer was last observed in Over Time and can next appear in Steven Soderbergh's stripper drama Miracle Mike, while Parsons, usually most widely known as Sheldon around the Large Bang Theory, adorned the giant screen briefly within the Muppets. Last but in no way least there's Ruffalo, who seems within the Avengers, which a couple of of you may be conscious of...

Osvart joins 'Aftershock' thriller

OsvartAndrea Osvart is positioned to star inside the indie thriller "Aftershock," set through the aftermath in the 2010 Chilean earthquake.Nicolas Lopez is helming the pic with Eli Roth and John Oliver creating the pic.Aside from the film's setting, plot particulars are increasingly being saved under systems.Guillermo Armoedo is penning the script with production prone to start sometime this spring.Osvart is completely new for the U.S. market, getting turning up in many photos overseas, but is presently starring inside the Cinemax pilot "The Transporterm" using the Jason Statham action franchise.She's repped by Innovative Artists and Variety. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Oz honors McAlpine

The inaugural Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts kudos kicked off in Sydney on Sunday with an awards luncheon that honored cinematographer Don McAlpine. McAlpine, 77, who lensed local pics "Breaker Morant" and "Don's Party" plus Hollywood hits "Predator" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" among many others, was given the Raymond Longford kudo for services to the industry. "Every time (I worked with him) Don displayed amazing artistry" said helmer Bruce Beresford, who McAlpine worked with on "The Adventures of Barry McKenzie." "He's amiable personality and respect for actors made my job a lot easier." Accepting the kudo, McAlpine, said his love of cinema was undiminished in the digital age. "These electronic cameras are exact tools that will enable us to record pictures with precision that we only dreamt of on film, the computer has enabled us to tell stories that were once locked in our imagination -- do you really think I want to quit now?" he said. AACTA also bowed its inaugural list of international nominees via a live link with the G'Day USA event in Los Angeles where thesp Jackie Weaver ("Animal Kingdom") announced the runners in five categories: screenplay, direction, actor, actress and film. The 10 film noms included "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris" and "We Need to Talk About Kevin." The luncheon also awarded the local TV, docu and f/x prizes. The inaugural AACTA awards kudocast will take place Jan. 31 at the Sydney Opera House. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Watercooler: One Tree Hill's Last Stand

Richard Burgi, Sophia Rose bush It's the start of the finish and we're not Comfortable with that.Although some folks may go through that certain Tree Hill has transpired its prime, you will find individuals diehard fans who still think existence within the small town that made it the WB-CW merger may go so on. Like Celine Dion's heart. Just with super-sensitive voice-overs and crazy baby sitters.For individuals people who updated to the final season's premiere last evening, that belief was just compounded through the pile of tales which were established to help drive this last batch of episodes. Within the opening three minutes alone, we've got expensive-submitted glimpses of mayhem in the future that may fuel a whole tenth season. In the shot of Serta loading a gun alongside Chris Keller and the Jimmy Neutron hair towards the mental issues driving Clay's sleepwalking, it's obvious there is a still lot happening with one of these figures, a number of whom have been in existence since Day 1 (yay, Brooke and Haley!), some we are finally beginning to love (that might be you, Chase). To become completely honest, a whole episode of Brooke driving around using the twins, narrating her feelings about becoming an adult in Tree Hill wouldn't be a poor factor whatsoever. She, a lot more than anybody, has developed probably the most and that we lovelovelove Sophia Rose bush.But alas, the show's fate continues to be sealed, so we'll need to be satisfied with what executive producer Mark Schwahn calls "a 13-part miniseries" that'll be "just a little more dark and a bit more questionable." What am i saying? Might be that we are gonna see some kind of body count prior to the finale (and not simply due to that clip of Haley determining an appearance within the morgue or even the gossips of Nathan's kidnapping). Important figures have left previously and thinking about the number of wackadoos came and gone, a couple of deaths could create some serious lather for that soap's swan song. Which, knowing this show's killer style of music, will most likely be some awesome emo ballad set to some montage of moments we'll always remember.Are you currently adhering using the show 'til the finish? Or are you currently within the Hill?Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Charlie Sheen: Im Not Crazy Anymore

First Published: January 9, 2012 11:28 AM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Charlie Sheen is seen at Foxs All-Star Party at Castle Green in Pasadena, Calif. on January 8, 2012 Charlie Sheen says hes back to reality! Im not crazy anymore. That was an episode, the actor told reporters at Sunday nights FOX Television Critics Association party in Pasadena, Calif. I think Im a different person than I was yesterday. Everything is a lot more mellow and focused and much more rooted in reality. The headline-making 46-year-old actor is excited to begin shooting his new FX show, Anger Management, which plans to film 10 episodes in six weeks. Ive been at this 30 years. Its nice to be in a situation where the people Im working with are excited about my input. That wasnt the case for a long time, he said. Charlie said it is premature to name other actors who might guest star on his new series, but teased that everybody wants to be on the new comedy. The actor also said hes traded in Twitter rants and nights with his former Goddesses for quality time with his family. Ive been spending a lot of time with the kids, a lot of time with the family and Im getting back into work mode, he explained. Im a single guy hanging out with my children. As for his former Two and a Half Men co-star Jon Cryer and the shows producer Chuck Lorre, he says some lines of communication are open. Jon and I text. Chuck, no, he explained. But at some point we are going to have to get some closure there. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Weekend Box Office: 'Devil Inside' Scares Up Record-Breaking Debut

Tough to say what's more frightening: the completely hostile reviews and word-of-mouth for 'The Demon Inside,' or the truth that the pans did not stop the brand new horror movie from the record-breaking box office debut. 'Devil' required having this area office crown by having an believed $34.5 million, about two times that which was expected, setting an archive for that greatest opening ever for that first weekend of the season. Nobody expected much in the low-budget chiller, a star-free effort opening on just 2,285 screens. However the film had a couple of things going for this: the marketing secrets of Vital -- last year's top-grossing studio and also the distributor from the similarly cheap, docu-style 'Paranormal Activity' horror franchise, which now is the owner of October -- and audiences' fondness for exorcism movies, which appear to complete especially well in The month of january, when audiences want an antidote towards the sugarplum sweetness of holiday fare. Past Januarys have experienced such related hits as 'One Skipped Call,' 'The Unborn,' and 'The Rite.' Still, not one of them did in addition to 'The Demon Inside,' which isn't just the top first-weekend debut but the third best ever opening in The month of january, capped only by fellow docu-horror movie 'Cloverfield' in 2008 ($40.a million million) and also the 'Star Wars' exclusive edition re-release in 1997 ($35.9 million). Still, it's difficult to take into account this type of huge opening for any movie so poorly received by audiences in addition to experts. (Demonic influence, possibly?) It will be interesting to determine the way the movie stands up next weekend, once the movie will not face any new wide-release competition for that horror audience, so when its only obstacle is going to be its very own negative buzz audiences gave 'The Demon Inside' a nearly unheard-of F-grade on Cinemascore. The prosperity of 'Devil' scared up crowds for other movies too, knowing because when well older movies held onto their audiences. Last week's champion, 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' ended up to second place but lost just 30 % of last weekend's business, a shallow drop for any movie in the 4th week of release. It gained an believed $20.5 million, for any total up to now of $170.two million. In third was 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows,' another four-week veteran, which fell just 33 percent for an believed $14.a million. Its total to date is $157.4 million. The littlest dip among wide releases belonged to 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo,' The thriller slid just 24 percent, consuming an believed $11.3 million, great for 4th place. Despite a sluggish start three days ago, the film has gained $76.8 million to date, and distributor The new sony thinks it's on the right track to mix $100 million. The very best family movie was still being 'Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,' which finished in fifth place. Its believed $9.5 million take, lower 42 percent from a week ago, brings the film's four-week total to $111.six million. Getting into wider release, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' broke in to the top ten by growing from 57 screens to 809. It gained an believed $5.8 million, great for ninth place along with a five-week total of $10.4 million. Honours buzz for 'Tinker' and many more limited-release movies was reflected in large per-screen earnings for many year-finish challengers playing in a number of theaters. 'The Iron Lady' averaged an believed $34,420 on all of five screens. 'A Separation' gained an believed $16,103 on all of its six screens. The per-screen average of 'Extremely Noisy and extremely Close' (six screens) was an believed $16,000. 'Pina' obtained a typical believed at $27,000 for every of three screens. In comparison, 'Devil Inside' loved a per-screen average of $15,098. Already, box office for 2012 is $283.8 million, some 12.6 % in front of the same period last year. Between last weekend's busy New Year's traffic which weekend's achievements, 2012 is off and away to a roaring start. 'The Demon Inside' - Trailer No. 1 The entire top ten: 1. 'The Demon Inside,' $34.5 million (2,285 screens), era 2. 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' $30.5 million (3,555), $170.two million total 3. 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Title of Shadows,' $14.a million (3,603), $157.4 million 4. 'The Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo,' $11.3 million (2,950), $76.8 million 5. 'Alvin and also the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked,' $9.5 million (3,425), $111.six million 6. 'War Equine,' $8.six million (2,783), $56.8 million 7. 'We Purchased a Zoo,' $8.5 million (3,170), $56.5 million 8. 'The Adventures of Tintin,' $6.six million (3,006), $61.9 million 9. 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' $5.8 million (809), $10.4 million 10. 'New Year's Eve,' $3.3 million (1,864), $52. million [Photo: Vital] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook Follow Gary Susman on Twitter: @garysusman

Don Cheadle Updates On Miles Davis Film

His would be the gangster versionUnperturbed in the news that the rival biopic has been produced by George Tilman Junior, Don Cheadle has revealed towards the Wall Street Journal that their own lengthy-developing Miles Davis movie continues to be greatly a going concern. "When the world is able to have two Miles Davis movies, fantastic," he states. "He must have eight or ten of these.InchCheadle states that as opposed to the conventional Walk The Road / Ray approach that his rivals now utilize (according to Dark Magus, the biography by Davis' boy Gregory), his can be a far more "cubist" undertake the legendary jazz trumpeter. Through which we assume he means Davis is going to be seen and examined from numerous viewpoints to provide a much better knowledge of his character, instead of that Davis will be provided together with his face on the rear of his mind for the whole film."We are attempting to shuffle it, without tossing history away," Cheadle describes. "It isn't a biopic, by itself. It is a gangster pic. It is a movie that Miles Davis might have desired to star in."The participation of Davis' own family at nighttime Magus project can also be not always an issue, Cheadle thinks, since, "We are working with your family [too] and most of us have the background music we want. [Another film covers] another duration of music, about 3 or 4 years, which estates are occasionally bifurcated.I do not think anyone's likely to be making the type of movie we are making.The majority of it happens in 1979, inside a period where he really wasn't playing. We traverse lots of his existence, but it is not really a cradle to grave story."Already lengthy in development, Cheadle states he and the creating partners do are in possession of a studio offer, and are attempting to crunch the amounts for that profferred budget. "This is actually the type of movie the company 10 years ago might have jumped at," he laments. "Now, you do not really see movies such as this,and we are attempting to back to a financial budget number, like we always need to do, without gutting the piece."He's confident enough to possess already acquired the trumpet though. "It is the new passion for my existence at this time,Inch he enthuses. "I'd this type of kinesthetic sense of the trumpet. I possibly could listen to it pretty rapidly, though not skillfully, that is strange since it is an unforgiving, mean instrument."