Hzcw BVI s King Arthur crosses $150m international mark
M6, the French broadcaster which has been quietly been acquiring all French rights to films such as Martin Scorsese s mega budget Gangs of News York, is in the process of taking control of its theatrical distribution operation with the purchase of RTL Group s SND.RTL is also a main shareholder in M6 along with Suez Lyonnaise. M6 has often co-acquired titles with SND, through its right-trading oufi
stanley uk t M6 Interactions. SND, for example, set to release a recent M6 pick-up, Michelle Yeoh-starrer The Touch.The Luxembourg-based RTL Group -- formerly known as CLT Ufa before it merged with UK s Pearson -- is also in the process of dismantling CLT Ufa International. The broadcasting group s film acquisition, sales and distribution division had been very active on the international independent production scene and had started to build a European distribution network, of which SND was the French beachhead. Noticeably, however, CLT-Ufa International had no booth in Cannes this year.According to insiders, RTL Plus international film acquisition and co-production activities will be co-ordinat
stanley cup ed by a central department, which will seek out and negotiate European rights to films in order to make full use of its position as the largest terrestrial broadcaster in Europe. However, RTL Group s various European
stanley cup channels will make the ultimate decision to buy the films and will put up their own money.Since it was taken over by Germany s Bertelsmann, RTL Group has been intent on concentrating on its Rfay Saban Films in final talks to acquire Backtrack
Three
stanley cup Chinese films have been pulled out of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Mar 17 - Apr 6 increasing fears that Chinais tightening censorship following the recent Lust, Caution controversy.Han Yan s Winds of September - The Chinese Mainland Chapter, Zhang Yibai s Chongqing-set Lost, Indulgence and A Decade of Love, a compilation of 10 shorts by 10 Hong Kong directors were set to be world premieres at the festival.No official reasons were given
stanley kubek for their withdrawal, but it is understood that the films have not yet passed the Chinese censors.Although the films contain nothing obviouslycontroversial - and such a stamp of approval is not required for their Hong Kong scre
stanley mug enings - the film-makers are at risk if their films are played without having being cleared by the censors.There is growing concern that Chinais exerting afirmer grip on the media ahead of this summer s Beijing Olympics and in view of the recent riots in Tibet.Winds Of September is a coming-of-age trilogy directed by young directors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and produced by veteran Hong Kong film-maker Eric Tsang who is the festival s Film-maker in Focus for this year.Lin Shu-yu s Taiwan chapter already received its world premiere at the festival last Friday while Heiward Mak s Hong Kong chapter is due to screen next Tuesday.Tsang is also a co-star in Lost, Indulgence which features Hong Kong s Karen Mok and Eason Chan.TopicsAsia No comments
