News

ATATURK
Carnaby International Sales & Distribution PLC are delighted to announce their next project – with Hungarian-American Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond – who is to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award on Friday 23rd May. This will be the highly anticipated ATATURK, which Carnaby is introducing to buyers at The Cannes International Film Festival 2014.  The $8.8m movie is a story of love, betrayal and revenge set against the turbulent backdrop of the Turkish war of independence.  Written and directed by Fuad Kavur, the Executive Producer is Anthony Waye, who has worked on no fewer than eight BOND movies.  In an extraordinary career spanning some six decades, Zsigmond’s outstanding credits include THE DEER HUNTER, HEAVEN’S GATE, CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE THIRD KIND, THE LONG GOODBYE, BLOW OUT, DELIVERANCE, TALL DARK STRANGER and MELINDA & MELINDA.  ATATURK stars the young English Actor Jack Fox (THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY, FRESH MEAT), Edmund Kingsley (HUGO, BEAST, ALLIES), Terence Stamp (SUPERMAN II, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, VALKYRIE, THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU), Sarah Gadon (A DANGEROUS METHOD, COSMOPOLIS), Daisy Bevan (TWO FACES OF JANUARY, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE), Miles Richardson (FLUSHED AWAY, THE BEST OFFER) and Julian Rhind Tutt (RUSH, THE HOUR, GREEN WING).

HEIDI
This live action family adventure, due to go into production in September, stars Anna Friel (PUSHING DAISIES, LIMITLESS, LAND OF THE LOST), Bill Nighy (LOVE ACTUALLY, HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) and Greg Wise (CRANFORD, JOHNNY ENGLISH, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY) in a modern reworking of the international classic.  Heidi is a free-spirited and rather curious twelve-year-old girl who lives an idyllic life with her Grandpa in his remote mountain cabin.  When the townsmen declare him an unsuitable guardian, Heidi is sent to the city to live as a companion to Clara, the daughter of a wealthy professor.  They become instant friends, but their fun is spoiled by a cruel governess who is hatching an evil plot… HEIDI is directed by John Henderson (BENIDORM, THE BORROWERS, SPY).

TOM THUMB
A family comedy with a very high profile cast to be announced soon.  Set in a time before legend… a time of war and magic, of princes, of warriors, of sorcerers and the battle between good and evil for supremacy of the world.  With his kingdom of Camelot now finally at peace, King Arthur can look forward to his much anticipated wedding.  But the sorceress Morgana has her own wicked plans.  The only hope for Camelot rests with Tom Thumb, one of the kingdom’s tiniest, but most resourceful, athletic, brave and clever citizens.  The director is Julian Kemp and the film is due to go into production in September 2014.

A LOVE OF MONEY
Action crime drama to star Alan Cumming, Luke Treadaway, Naya Rivera and Josh Charles with other names to be announced.  A crooked investment manager has been running a successful, rather lucrative scam for years, but when her luck runs out she plots an escape with $25m in stolen cash.  With Mafia money in the mix, she catches the attention of two organised crime detectives who need her to bring down major crime syndicates.  Unbeknownst to her, her informant wants a piece of the pie too and a series of hit men are on the money trail, each willing to risk all for A LOVE OF MONEY.  The film will be directed by Elliot Davis and is due to go into production in July 2014.

THE RISE OF THE KRAYS
Carnaby International is also delighted to present this epic period gangster film at the Cannes International Film Festival 2014 for worldwide sales.  Based on the true story of London’s most feared and respected villains, twin brothers ‘Ronnie’ and ‘Reggie’ Kray, and with principal photography due to start in the UK in June, Carnaby has already kicked off pre-sales with Australia’s Jigsaw bagging the first distribution deal.

THE ART OF LIVING
Major biographical crime drama based on the true story of Manuel Salazar who was wrongly convicted of the killing of a Chicago Police Officer and sentenced death.  It’s 1995 and   Salazar has spent 12 years on Illinois’ Death Row for a crime he did not commit.  After receiving inspirational messages from the anonymous Englishman Esterhazy, his talent for painting is magically ignited.  His paintings go on to inspire an international campaign for his release… The cast includes Edward James Olmos (TWO GUNS, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, MIAMI VICE), Jimmy Smits (STAR WARS, WEST WING), Anamaria Marinca (4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS, EUROPA REPORT) and Efren Ramirez (CRANK, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE).  Director by Carlo Carlei (FLIGHT OF THE INNOCENT, FLUKE) and cinematographer David Tattersall (THE GREEN MILE, STAR WARS) are in talks to respectively helm and lens the film.  The Executive Producers are Ed Elbert, Edward James Olmos and Harvey Cooper.

Stars confirmed to date include Bill Nighy (LOVE ACTUALLY, HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, UNDERWORLD), Greg Wise (CRANFORD, JOHNNY ENGLISH, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY) and Anna Friel (PUSHING DAISIES, LIMITLESS, LAND OF THE LOST), in a modern reworking of the international classic. Moreover Anna Friel’s daughter Gracie Ellen Mary Thewlis – nine in July – will make her acting debut in the film.

On Friday 23^rd May legendary Hungarian-American Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond will receive a Life Time Achievement Award from the 67^th Cannes International Film Festival 2014.  In an extraordinary, Academy Award-winning career spanning some six decades, Zsigmond’s outstanding credits include THE DEER HUNTER and HEAVEN’S GATE directed by Michael Cimino, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and SUGARLAND EXPRESS by Steven Spielberg, THE LONG GOODBYE by Robert Altman, BLOW OUT by Brian de Palma, DELIVERANCE by John Boorman and TALL DARK STRANGER and MELINDA & MELINDA by Woody Allen.

Carnaby International Sales & Distribution PLC are delighted to announce that the next project on which he will be Director of Photography is the highly anticipated ATATURK, which Carnaby will be introducing to international buyers at Cannes.

Carnaby will be holding a cocktail reception and special presentation to celebrate the announcement of ATATURK on Thursday May 15^th 6-8pm at 22 Boulevard de la Croisette, hosted by visionary Producer / Director Fuad Kavur, who has also written the screenplay, and renowned Executive Producer Anthony Waye, who has worked on no fewer than eight BOND movies, with Guest of Honour, Director of Photography Vilmos Szigmond.

The cocktail party will also be attended by ATATURK’S star, the young English Actor Jack Fox (THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY).  The film also stars Edmund Kingsley (HUGO, BEAST, ALLIES), Terence Stamp (SUPERMAN II, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, VALKYRIE, THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU), Sarah Gadon (A DANGEROUS METHOD, COSMOPOLIS), Daisy Bevan (TWO FACES OF JANUARY, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE), Miles Richardson (FLUSHED AWAY, THE BEST OFFER) and Julian Rhind Tutt (RUSH, THE HOUR, GREEN WING).

ATATURK is about one of the true giants of the 20^th Century, Kemal Ataturk, who in the 1920s single-handedly founded the modern secular republic of Turkey.  It is a story of love, betrayal and revenge, set against the turbulent backdrop of the War of Independence in the aftermath of the First World War, as the Allied powers  are posed to partition Turkey.  This is the story of two men, Kemal and Fuat, who start life as the best of friends but end up the worst of enemies.  Kemal’s brief but passionate affair with the sensuous American journalist Louise, the sudden arrival of Ismet, an old comrade in arms and the ensuing power struggle set the scene for a fight to the death.  Victory at war is followed by the fairytale marriage of Kemal to a young and beautiful Turkish heiress with a $1m dowry.  As one friend Kemal achieves political power and sets his country on a course to modernism, the other, conservative and religious Fuat plots to assassinate him…

ATATURK is an Anglo-Hungarian co-production to be filmed entirely in Hungary, except for one week in Istanbul.  The principal photography will start in October at ORIGO Film Studios in Budapest, whose owner, Greg Szetlik is the producer of the film.

Fuad Kavur says: “The story of ATATURK is about the triumph of Good over Evil.  Oddly, the idea to make the film was not mine.  It came from an old friend Branko Lustig, who was my First Assistant on MEMED MY HAWK.  Branko, an Auschwitz survivor, later went on to produce SCHINDLER’S LIST and GLADIATOR and won Oscars for both films.  He is an extraordinary man.  Although not a Turk but a Croatian Jew, he understood Ataturk instinctively.  For Branko understands good versus evil.  The goodness of Kemal Ataturk, a man who sacrificed himself for the Turkish nation, lies in the fact that he did not rely on any dogmas.  Ataturk wanted his people to understand that each individual is free to choose their own destiny.  Of course his policies ruffled some feathers and made him enemies.  Just as well, for without that there would be no screenplay: the essence of all drama is conflict!”

Sean O’Kelly comments: “Academy Award winner Vilmos Zsigmond is one of the most influential cinematographers in history and his extraordinary achievements are being recognised at Cannes this year.  Carnaby International are absolutely delighted to be working with him on the major motion picture ATATURK.  Carnaby hit the ground running when we launched the company at the Berlin Film Festival in February this year, and I am confident we will be an even stronger presence at the Cannes International Film Festival 2014.”

In cinema terms, the fourth film in any franchise is usually the point where it goes straight to DVD. Lord of the Rings was three, The Hobbit will be three, Star Wars should have remained at three although the sixth was the first/last three episodes’ saving grace. What JJ Abrams will do with the next trilogy is anyone’s guess.

Carnaby International Sales & Distribution is delighted to announce first major deals on PANZER 88 at EFM Berlinale 2014. Bobby Jones, President of leading distributor IPA Asia Pacific, has boarded the $40 million dollar action fantasy film for Thailand and Vietnam.

Jones is constantly on the look-out for big theatrical titles with strong story-lines, good scripts and fresh concepts. From the producers of Academy Award winning STAR WARS, ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, the film is due to go into production in the UK and Canada in October 2014.

The producers are Gary Kurtz, Oscar-winning producer of STAR WARS, STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and AMERICAN GRAFFITI, and Ivor Powell (ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER, THE DUELLISTS). PANZER 88 is written and directed by cinematographer Peter Briggs, the co-writer of HELLBOY.

1944. The Eastern front of Russia. An invincible German King Tiger tank retreats across the icy tundra. Battle-weary, hungry and cold, its crack, five-man crew are unbroken. But a curious twist of fate means they reluctantly pick up a stranded SS officer. Unaware of his part in the massacre of the inhabitants of a local village, it proves a fatal decision as they become the prey of a vengeful and unstoppable mythical entity that hungers for their destruction. Behind the lens is the 5 time Oscar winning special effects company Weta Workshop (AVATAR, THE HOBBIT, LORD OF THE RINGS, DISTRICT 9, KING KONG), along with VFX company Prime Focus (WORLD WAR Z, TREE OF LIFE, X-MEN FIRST CLASS, TRON LEGACY, AVATAR).

The deal was negotiated between Tania Sarra, Carnaby’s Director of International Sales, and Bob Jones. Sean O’Kelly, CEO of Carnaby, adds: “We’re delighted to be working with IPA Asia Pacific. They are a first class distributor and a great distribution partner for the film.”

Other international buyers who have signed deals with Carnaby on the film to date are Monolith the leading independent film distributor in Poland, Blitz Film in the Former Yugoslavia, J&J Media in Korea and the Middle East’s leading film distributor Gulf Film. Carnaby are also in discussions with other major international territories.

Status: Completed
Genre: Sports Documentary
Director: Mark Sloper (The Final Cut & Small Time Obsession)
Featuring: Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne , Alex Lowes, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Josh Brookes, James Ellison, Tommy Bridewell
Narrated By: Murray Walker: the voice of British motorsport

> I, Superbiker 4 trailer

Synopsis 
I, Superbiker IV: The War for 4 follows the lead riders through the intense 2013 British Superbike Season, the most competitive and closely fought motorcycle championship in the world.

Racing over 12 rounds, with the electrifying showdown format, the title cannot be decided until the last thrilling race of the year at the famous Brands Hatch circuit.

Reigning title holder and three times champ Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is very close to becoming the all-time most winning racer in the history of the sport, but only one man stands in his way – young title fighter Alex Lowes, twin of world champion super biker Sam . With his brother in the ascendancy on the world platform, Lowes is absolutely determined to steal the crown from Shakey. Can youth overcome experience? Only one thing is certain: anything can, and will probably happen.

ALSO AVAILABLE:
iSuperbiker 1, 2 & 3

> iSuperbiker 2 trailer

Carnaby International is proud to congratulate THE WEE MAN for taking
home a BAFTA for Best Film – voted for by the audience – at the 2013
Scottish BAFTAs.

The Wee Man, from the producers of A Lonely Place to Die and Rise of the Footsoldier, features exceptional performances from Martin Compston, nominated for Best Actor, and Daniel Kerr, winner of The BAFTA New Talent Award. The cast also includes Stephen McCole and John Hannah.

The film is a high-paced gangster-action thriller based on a true story that charts the rise of Scotland’s most feared gangster, Paul Ferris, who turned to violence and crime as a teenager in the 1980s as a way of surviving in the impoverished area where he was raised and eventually grew to become a major figure in the criminal underworld.

For further inquiries and to request a screener please contact Tania Sarra, Director of International Sales, at tania@carnabyinternational.com.

Language: English

Running Time: 105 minutes

Avails – World, excluding: Benelux, Canada, Former Yugoslavia, Middle East, Scandinavia, Turkey, UK & Eire, USA, Australia & New Zealand.

Carnaby International makes its market debut with the $40 million dollar action fantasy film written and directed by cinematographer Peter Briggs – the screenwriter of HELLBOY, teaming with the producers of Academy Award winning STAR WARS, ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER.

Producer Gary Kurtz said, “I am very pleased to be working with the Carnaby team on PANZER 88. They have enthusiastically supported the project from the beginning. I look forward to working closely with Carnaby on all aspects of the marketing and distribution of the film. I knew instinctively hearing Peter Briggs tell me the story of PANZER 88 that I had to, simply had to make this movie. Same instinct that got me working on STAR WARS.”

Peter Briggs stated, “I’m deliriously pleased with the way Carnaby integrated seamlessly with the creative core of Gary, Ivor, Priscilla, Alex, and myself on PANZER 88. Bringing to bear the undeniable A-list class and commercial know-how of the producers of STAR WARS and ALIEN, and the technical wizardry of Richard Taylor’s 5-time Academy Award winning Weta Workshop, Carnaby are launching to market what I think is one of the most extraordinary supernatural action movies that has emerged from this or any other past AFM. Carnaby know they have a commercial and genuinely thrilling project in PANZER, and their bold and clear strategy grabs you by the jugular the moment you walk through the front door of Loew’s.”

Ivor Powell commented: “With Carnaby, we have been fortunate enough to find a team that share our passion in PANZER 88. I’m confident that the Carnaby team’s sales expertise will be brilliant for the project. These past few weeks have proved an exciting roller coaster for all of us as the Carnaby team shifted into overdrive for our AFM debut. It was exciting to witness everything coming together.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with such an accomplished and talented team of people,” said Sean O’Kelly, CEO of Carnaby. “We’ve had an amazing response from buyers who have really responded to the concept of PANZER 88. It’s a film that delivers the entire package.”

Cast is being finalized with the producers in discussion with Jay Baruchel, Gary Oldman, Thomas Kretschmann and Liev Schreiber.

PANZER 88 is produced by Gary Kurtz, Oscar-winning producer of STAR WARS, STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, AMERICAN GRAFFITI and Ivor Powell: ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER, THE DUELLISTS. Special Effects are engineered by Weta Workshop: (5 time Oscar-winning) AVATAR, THE HOBBIT, LORD OF THE RINGS, DISTRICT 9, KING KONG, with VFXPrime Focus: WORLD WAR Z, TREE OF LIFE, X-MEN FIRST CLASS, TRON LEGACY, AVATAR.

PANZER 88 is set to start shooting in the UK and Canada in late 2014.