This year’s European Film Market is filled with popular names, complex themes, and crowd-pleasing excitement. The spotlight has shifted from the traditional art-house films to commercial productions, mirroring an industry that’s unsure about the future of cinema post-COVID. Action, horror, and comedy genres are leading the way, with notable projects such as Guy Ritchie’s “Wife & Dog” (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rosamund Pike), Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (featuring Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, and A$AP Rocky), and Ernest Dickerson’s unnamed hitman thriller (starring Samuel L. Jackson and Daveed Diggs) creating a buzz among the attendees.
As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of films, I’m thrilled to see genre filmmakers pushing boundaries! Iko Uwais, known for his role in “The Raid,” is teaming up with Timo Tjahjanto again for the electrifying cyberpunk actioner “Neon Blood.” Meanwhile, horror fans can look forward to chilling experiences like “Bad Boy” starring Ke Huy Quan and Lili Reinhart, as well as the bone-chilling body-horror thriller “Diamond Shitter.”
Comedy, often a challenge on the global stage, is experiencing a golden era. Ari Aster’s “Eddington,” a twisted modern Western starring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler, is one such example. Another laugh-out-loud moment comes from Adam Rifkin, director of “Detroit Rock City,” with his stoner comedy “Toad.” This hilarious flick features Tiffany Haddish, James Franco, James Paxton, and Oliver Wyman.
In Berlin, there’s not an abundance of anticipated drama releases, but some notable films are expected to captivate industry professionals. These include David Lowery’s “Mother Mary” featuring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel, Cristian Mungiu’s first English production titled “Fjord,” starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, Benedict Cumberbatch’s film “The Thing With Feathers” directed by Dylan Southern, and a new project from Mike Leigh.
500 MILES
Director: Morgan Matthews
Stars: Roman Griffin Davis, Bill Nighy, Maisie Williams
Buzz: The heartwarming adventure comedy, Jojo Rabbit, features breakout star Roman Griffin Davis alongside screen veterans Nighy and Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones. This film chronicles the journey of teenager Finn (Davis) and his younger brother Charlie (newcomer Dexter Sol Ansell), as they travel 500 miles to Ireland to reunite with their estranged grandfather. The production team, which includes David Thompson from Billy Elliot, Martina Niland from Sing Street, and Alex Gordon and Keren Misgav Ristvedt from Hope Gap, gives an impression of the wide-ranging audience appeal this Irish crowd-pleaser offers.
Sales: Beta Cinema
A GIRL WITH CLOSED EYES
DIRECTOR Chun Sunyoung
PRINCIPAL ACTORS Kim Minha, Moon Choi
NOTEWORTHY FACT This Korean movie featuring Kim Minha from the popular Apple TV+ series Pachinko is generating buzz at Berlin. It has secured a number of Asian sales since its initial screening at Busan last year. The plot revolves around a murder mystery that brings together a suspect and a detective who share a past.
DISTRIBUTION STATUS Finecut
ARCTIC SKIES
Directors: Elliot & Zander Weaver
Stars: Morfydd Clark, Ariyon Bakare
Buzz: The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller, titled LOTR: Rings of Power spin-off, features Clark and Life actor Bakare. This film is inspired by a real-life UFA mystery about a cargo plane crew that disappeared over the Arctic Circle. It’s one of many titles at this year’s EFM aiming to strike the right balance between artistic prestige and commercial success.
Sales: Independent Entertainment handles the distribution of this intriguing production.
BAD BOY
Director – Jacob Chase
Stars: Ke Huy Quan, Lili Reinhart
Buzz: This genre-blending horror thriller, featuring a canine companion, promises an irresistible watch. The latest offering from the director of “Come Play,” this film is told through the perspective of a devoted terrier belonging to its new owner, Cameron (Quan). As he uncovers a hidden girl (Reinhart) imprisoned in the basement, he becomes her sole chance for escape.
Sales: Black Bear, CAA Media Finance, UTA (agencies handling distribution)
THE BLOOD COUNTESS
DIRECTOR Ulrike Ottinger
PRINCIPAL ACTORS Isabelle Huppert, Birgit Minichmayr, Lars Eidinger, Thomas Schubert
NOTABLE FACTS This modern adaptation of the tale of Countess Elizabeth Báthory, infamous for allegedly bathing in the blood of virgins to maintain her youth, boasts an illustrious ensemble of art-house veterans, with Huppert portraying the bloodthirsty Countess. The screenplay was jointly penned by Elfriede Jelinek, a Nobel Prize-winning writer known for “The Piano Teacher”. This captivating blend of art and horror is sure to enthrall niche distributors and aficionados alike.
DISTRIBUTION Magnify
BREATHE DEEP
DIRECTOR James Kermack
STARRING Ingrid Torelli, Michiel Huisman, Avani Gregg
Buzz Shark movies are popular, and this heart-pounding survival thriller aims to draw in a larger audience thanks to the debut of TikTok sensation Avani Gregg in her first significant film role. The story revolves around Ingrid Torelli from Late Night With the Devil, an explorer who ventures back to the location where her father was killed by a shark, only to find herself in a life-or-death struggle against a vicious great white.
DISTRIBUTION Cornerstone Films
THE BUTLER
Title character, Tom Edmunds, is the director of this unique blend of Downton Abbey and Die Hard. Starring Jean Reno, he portrays a former World War I commando who now serves as a family butler in a grand estate. However, when a gang of criminals invade the home, his past skills are needed to protect his employers. An inventive fusion aimed at appealing to both action-loving males and the female audience fond of upstairs/downstairs dramas. Sales handled by K5 International.
THE DESERT CHILD
Title Director: Gilles de Maistre
Main Actors: Kev Adams
Synopsis: An awe-inspiring, true-story-based adventure set in the Sahara, where a child grows up among ostriches. This could be another heartwarming, animal-focused family film from the French director known for “Mia and the White Lion” and “Autumn and the Black Jaguar.”
Distribution: Studiocanal
DIAMOND SHITTER
DIRECTOR Antonia Campbell-Hughes has taken the helm for this film
STARS Raffey Cassidy, Eva Green, Ben Whishaw, Alessandro Nivola lend their talents to this production
BUZZ This thought-provoking body horror thriller is poised to fill the void left by The Substance. Directed by actress from Bright Star, Campbell-Hughes, the movie tells the story of a young intern within Geneva’s high society who inexplicably ingests the valuable jewels belonging to her host family.
SALES Beta Cinema and UTA Independent Film Group have picked up the distribution rights for this project.
DIE BY NIGHT
Title Director: Rod Blackhurst
Main Cast: Isabelle Fuhrman, Ben Hardy, Scoot McNairy
Buzz: A suspenseful survival thriller reminiscent of “A Quiet Place”, featuring creatures known as The Horde that emerge at night in a post-apocalyptic world. At dusk, these deadly beings are unleashed. Lucia (Fuhrman), a fugitive, joins forces with Barry (Hardy) to navigate hazards both natural and supernatural on their journey towards The Wall, where they hope to find safety. This stylish and relentless genre piece is poised to draw attention at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Sales: Protagonist Pictures, UTA Independent Film Group
EDDINGTON
The director of the film is Ari Aster. The main actors are Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Pedro Pascal, Luke Grimes, and Austin Butler. This upcoming movie, backed by A24, is a modern-day comedy set in a Western town with Joaquin Phoenix portraying a sheriff with lofty goals. With such an impressive cast and A24’s involvement, there’s no doubt it will generate significant interest before its release.
FJORD
DIRECTOR Cristian Mungiu, known for his Palme d’Or winning film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, steps into the English-language realm with this unnerving drama exploring cultural conflicts and parental suspicion in a secluded Norwegian hamlet. The compelling duo of Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve graces the screen, positioning this film for high-profile festival screenings and significant attention from arthouse aficionados.
SALES This production finds its distribution through Goodfellas.
GANGSTAS
DIRECTORS Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah
ACTORS Matteo Simoni, Nora Gharib, Junes Lazaar, Saïd Boumazoughe
HYPE The directors of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” are back, delving into their hometown’s gritty streets with this much-anticipated sequel to their 2018 cult favorite. This crime thriller is a must-have for indie buyers who enjoy blending genres.
DISTRIBUTION Indie Sales
HONEY BUNCH
DIRECTORS: Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli
CAST: Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie, Kate Dickie, Jason Isaacs, India Brown
HYPE: A captivating psychological thriller delving into themes of memory, marriage, and pioneering treatments. It is making its debut at Berlinale Special, and this unnerving drama could surprise us as a hidden gem.
DISTRIBUTION: XYZ Films (excluding the UK and Canada)
IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU
Director – Mary Bronstein
Stars: Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, A$AP Rocky
Buzz: This dark comedy-drama revolves around a mother battling a puzzling illness, searching for a missing person, and dealing with an uncooperative therapist. Bronstein’s dramedy has generated buzz at Berlin with a strong Sundance premiere and an undeniably trendy cast.
Sales: The film is distributed by A24
JIMPA
DIRECTOR Sophie Hyde
MAIN CAST Olivia Colman, John Lithgow
PLOT SUMMARY In this touching tale that spans generations, Hannah (Colman) accompanies her transgender, non-binary teenage child, Frances, to Amsterdam to meet their granddad, “Jimpa” (Lithgow). As Frances ponders the idea of staying in Europe, Hannah reevaluates her parenting philosophies and past assumptions. This journey leads to a personal exploration of self-understanding and acceptance.
DISTRIBUTION Protagonist Pictures, CAA Media Finance
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
DIRECTOR Bill Condon
CAST Diego Luna, Jennifer Lopez
NOTEWORTHY POINTS This uncommon indie musical, directed by the filmmaker behind Chicago and Dreamgirls, is a Broadway adaptation. It could attract larger international buyers in search of a movie-sized feature for wide release. The story, set in 1980s Argentina, focuses on two political prisoners who develop a friendship through a captivating tale.
DISTRIBUTION AGC, CAA, WME
HOT MILK
Title Director: Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Principal Cast: Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, Vicky Krieps, Vincent Perez, Patsy Ferran
Critical Acclaim: Renowned Polish screenwriter Lenkiewicz (Ida, Disobedience, She Said) debuts as director with this drama, featuring a mother-daughter duo (Shaw and Mackey), who journey to the Spanish coast seeking help from an enigmatic healer (Perez). This film is a notable addition to a sparse landscape of high-quality dramas.
Distribution: HanWay Films
MOTHER MARY
DIRECTOR David Lowery’s New Film
STARRING Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, FKA Twigs
Buzz: The latest offering from the director of “The Green Knight” and “A Ghost Story,” Lowery, is a pop melodrama focusing on a fictional musician (Hathaway) and her relationship with a renowned fashion designer (Coel). Lowery’s visually captivating storytelling and an impressive ensemble cast could make this a potential awards contender.
Distribution: A24
NEON BLOOD
DIRECTOR Timo Tjahjanto
MAIN CAST Iko Uwais, Jessica Henwick
NOTABLE FACT Known for his role in the popular film The Raid, Uwais collaborates once more with director Tjahjanto from their movie The Night Comes For Us. This high-octane cyberpunk action flick revolves around a rebellious cop and a skilled hacker joining forces to dismantle a criminal organization in the future. It’s like an electrifying punch to the jaw, making it a perfect fit for both mainstream movie buyers and streaming platforms.
DISTRIBUTOR XYZ Films
OLD PALS
DIRECTOR Wendey Stanzler
STARS Henry Winkler, Brian Cox, Emma Roberts, Evan Rachel Wood
PUBLIC PERCEPTION Renowned TV director Stanzler (known for ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Party Down’), steps into feature films with this comedy focusing on an unconventional friendship between two grumpy widowers, played by Winkler and Cox. Their daughters, Roberts and Wood, conspire to bring them together.
MARKETING Neon International, CAA Media Finance, Verve Ventures
PERFECT GIRL
Title Director: Hong Won-ki
Starring Actors: Adeline Rudolph, Arden Cho
Hype: A gripping psychological thriller unfolds in the intense realm of K-pop. This chilling production is from Hong Won-ki, who transitioned from a K-Pop music video director to a horror mastermind (Goedam, Urban Myths). The screenplay is based on a 2023 Black List script by Lynn Q. Yu. It’s been described as a fusion of Scream and Black Swan, with an electrifying cast led by Adeline Rudolph (Mortal Kombat 2) and Arden Cho (Partner Track).
Sales: This revamped version promises a thrilling experience for the audience.
PETER HUJAR’S DAY
DIRECTOR Ira Sachs has another film on the horizon, following the success of his previous work, Passages. This new project stars Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall. The movie, titled something like a continuation in the pipeline from Sundance to Berlinale, is centered around Whishaw’s character, Hujar, a New York photographer, with Hall playing his friend, author Linda Rosenkrantz. The film is based on an intriguing 1974 conversation that was recently discovered between these two characters.
SALES The distribution rights for this upcoming film are being handled by WME and SBS.
THE RAGE
In this historical drama titled “The Peasants’ Revolt,” the renowned director, Paul Greengrass, collaborates with the Academy Award-winning actor, Matthew McConaughey. This movie is set during England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt and showcases McConaughey as a farmer who takes the lead in a rebellion against unfair taxation and socio-economic disparities. The pairing of Greengrass with McConaughey’s star power is expected to attract attention from upscale independent movie buyers, making it a potential contender for awards. The film will be distributed by FilmNation Entertainment.
SLEEPING LIONS
DIRECTOR Mat Whitecross
STARRING Jonathan Pryce, Nick Mohammed
HYPE Akin to a blend of Agatha Christie and Knives Out, this humorous British mystery from the director of Road to Guantanamo is titled Mister Smith Entertainment’s latest production. In it, Slow Horses actor Pryce takes on the role of a dying Earl who gathers his closest companions for a festive Christmas celebration. However, an unexpected snowstorm isolates them from the outside world, and when the Earl’s son, the leader of a radical new political party, becomes a target, tensions rise.
SALES Mister Smith Entertainment’s upcoming release
THE SHITHEADS
A Chaotic Road Trip Comedy – “The Disastrous Delivery”
Director: Macon Blair
Stars: Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Peter Dinklage
Description: Embark on a dark, humorous journey as we follow two hapless individuals who find themselves in charge of transporting a troubled rich kid to rehab. Instead, they plunge headfirst into a whirlwind of drug-induced calamities. With Franco and Jackson at the helm, this film promises to be a must-have for buyers craving low-brow, stoner humor.
Distribution: WME Independent
SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT
DIRECTOR Mike P. Nelson, known for helming the popular Terrifier series, is partnering with Cineverse for a fresh take on the contentious 1984 slasher movie classic. Previews suggest it could become a gruesome holiday tradition, as the original producers are involved in the reboot and the film is due for release by the end of this year.
SALES Studios Canal/Sixth Dimension (outside North America)
THE THING WITH FEATHERS
DIRECTOR Dylan Southern
MAIN ACTORS Benedict Cumberbatch
CRITICAL ACCLAIM This drama, based on Max Porter’s 2015 novella “Grief Is the Thing With Feathers”, has been receiving one of Berlin market’s biggest awards. It stars Cumberbatch as a grieving father of two young sons, who is struggling with the sudden loss of his wife and begins to suspect a sinister presence is stalking him.
DISTRIBUTION UTA and MK2 are handling its sales.
TOAD
As a die-hard gamer, I’d enthusiastically share this exciting news: I’m the guide in a fresh, comedic adventure titled by director Adam Rifkin. This hilarious journey stars some heavyweights like Tiffany Haddish, James Franco, Christopher Meloni, Katt Williams, Craig Robinson, James Paxton, and Oliver Wyman.
The buzz around this film is electric! It’s the second stoner comedy of the year at EFM that spotlights James Franco in a supporting role alongside James Paxton and Oliver Wyman as bumbling drug mules. They unwittingly trip on a mind-bending substance known as “acid toads.”
Lastly, if you’re intrigued by this storyline, keep an eye out for the sales details. I can’t wait to see how this architectural adventure unfolds!
TRUST THE MAN
DIRECTOR: Award-winning filmmaker Will Graham, known for “Daisy Jones & The Six,” takes the helm in this gripping psychological thriller set during the Vietnam War. A military intelligence officer, portrayed by Lucas Hedges, is tasked with probing a decorated soldier, played by Daniel Radcliffe, who harbors a mysterious past.
STARS: Daniel Radcliffe and Lucas Hedges star in this production.
BUZZ: With the combined talents of Radcliffe and Hedges at the forefront, audiences can expect intense performances that are bound to leave distributors eagerly awaiting its release.
SALES: Neon International is handling the worldwide sales for this film.
UNTITLED HITMAN THRILLER
DIRECTOR Ernest Dickerson
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Daveed Diggs
Buzz: A former mob hitman, portrayed by Jackson, is compelled to reenter the dangerous world of crime when his nephew (Diggs) becomes implicated in a theft from powerful criminals. This hard-hitting action thriller promises to captivate audiences and entice international investors.
Sales: WME Independent, Fifth Season, CAA Media Finance
UNTITLED MIKE LEIGH
As a dedicated admirer of Mike Leigh’s cinematic masterpieces, I’m thrilled to share that the esteemed British filmmaker is working on another drama this year, following his acclaimed comeback with Hard Truths. While specifics are still under wraps — Leigh is known for maintaining secrecy about his storylines and principal cast until the movie is completed — it’s confirmed that his collaborators from Hard Truths will rejoin him in this project. These include Bleecker Street, who will handle U.S. distribution, and StudioCanal, responsible for the U.K. rights. Cornerstone Films has also been involved in the sales. I can hardly wait to see what unfolds!
WIFE & DOG
DIRECTOR Guy Ritchie (renowned for his work)
STARRING Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike, Anthony Hopkins, Cosmo Jarvis, James Norton, Paddy Considine, Pip Torrens (an impressive ensemble cast)
HYPE A revisit to Ritchie’s distinctive universe of cunning criminals and aristocratic deceit. Specific details are still secret, but with such a talented British cast and Ritchie directing, anticipate robust ticket sales and potential competitive bidding.
SALES Black Bear (expected to be commercially successful)
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2025-02-07 21:28