Sandra Hüller (a Best Actress nominee) and Christian Friedel, stars of Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest — nominated for Best Picture, Best International Picture, Director, Sound, and Adapted Screenplay — are familiar with Shakespeare’s famous verse from Hamlet: ”All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players …” That’s because both thespians have been playing the Danish prince on stages around Germany for years.
Due to Germany’s repertory system in city and state theaters, an actor can revisit an assortment of plays time after time over a number of years.
Friedel tells me that he first played the Dane in 2012. It’s a sort of rock star Hamlet performed with his band, Woods of Birnam. “It can take years until the piece is really finished,” he explains.
He adds that “It changes as you’re getting older,” an experience he feels with movies as well.
Due to Germany’s repertory system in city and state theaters, an actor can revisit an assortment of plays time after time over a number of years.
Friedel tells me that he first played the Dane in 2012. It’s a sort of rock star Hamlet performed with his band, Woods of Birnam. “It can take years until the piece is really finished,” he explains.
He adds that “It changes as you’re getting older,” an experience he feels with movies as well.
- 3/9/2024
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After a five-year run at the company and the recent acquisition of Oscar nominee Io Capitano, Robert Aaronson has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Cohen Media Group (Cmg).
Aaronson has been overseeing Cmg’s LA office since 2019, primarily responsible for theatrical acquisitions, digital and ancillary distribution, licensing of the company’s classic movie archive, and programming its SVOD platform. He will continue to report directly to company CEO and founder Charles S. Cohen.
Among recent acquisitions for Cmg is Matteo Garrone’s Best International Feature Film nominee Io Capitano. Cmg is also coming out of the Berlin Film Festival where they picked up Black Tea by Abderrahmane Sissako, and Martin Scorsese-narrated doc Made In England: The Films Of Powell and Pressburger.
Prior to joining Cmg, Aaronson held domestic and worldwide acquisitions, co-productions and distribution positions at Universal Pictures Content Group, Netflix, Fox and New Line Cinema,...
Aaronson has been overseeing Cmg’s LA office since 2019, primarily responsible for theatrical acquisitions, digital and ancillary distribution, licensing of the company’s classic movie archive, and programming its SVOD platform. He will continue to report directly to company CEO and founder Charles S. Cohen.
Among recent acquisitions for Cmg is Matteo Garrone’s Best International Feature Film nominee Io Capitano. Cmg is also coming out of the Berlin Film Festival where they picked up Black Tea by Abderrahmane Sissako, and Martin Scorsese-narrated doc Made In England: The Films Of Powell and Pressburger.
Prior to joining Cmg, Aaronson held domestic and worldwide acquisitions, co-productions and distribution positions at Universal Pictures Content Group, Netflix, Fox and New Line Cinema,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ahead of its world premiere today at the Berlin Film Festival, Cohen Media Group has secured all North American distribution rights to Made In England: The Films Of Powell And Pressburger.
Martin Scorsese narrates the film, which is directed by Emmy winner David Hinton.
Cmg negotiated exclusive theatrical and ancillary rights in North America with a planned release in 2024 in an exclusive window prior to TCM’s subsequent TV premiere.
The film puts a spotlight on Brit filmmakers Powell and Pressburger who created some of the most revered films of the British golden age, including The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, A Matter of Life and Death and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. In the words of Scorsese, their films were “grand, poetic, wise, adventurous, headstrong, enraptured by beauty, deeply romantic, and completely uncompromising.”
You can check out an exclusive clip of the film here and read our...
Martin Scorsese narrates the film, which is directed by Emmy winner David Hinton.
Cmg negotiated exclusive theatrical and ancillary rights in North America with a planned release in 2024 in an exclusive window prior to TCM’s subsequent TV premiere.
The film puts a spotlight on Brit filmmakers Powell and Pressburger who created some of the most revered films of the British golden age, including The Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, A Matter of Life and Death and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. In the words of Scorsese, their films were “grand, poetic, wise, adventurous, headstrong, enraptured by beauty, deeply romantic, and completely uncompromising.”
You can check out an exclusive clip of the film here and read our...
- 2/21/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Cohen Media Group, the U.S. distribution company behind Matteo Garrone’s Oscar-nominated “Io Capitano,” has acquired North American rights to “The President’s Wife,” a biting movie starring Catherine Deneuve as France’s former first lady Bernadette Chirac.
The deal closed during the European Film Market currently taking place and running alongside the Berlin Film Festival.
The movie, which marks the feature debut of director Léa Domenach, is nominated for a Cesar Award for best first film. The deal was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, executive VP of Cohen Media Group, and Charlotte Boucon, head of world sales at Orange Studio — newly acquired by Studiocanal — on behalf of Warner Bros Picture France.
The film opens in 1995, as Jacques Chirac becomes president of France. “His wife Bernadette now expects to be treated with the respect due to her lifelong work in the shadow of her husband. But mocked as too corny, she’s cast aside.
The deal closed during the European Film Market currently taking place and running alongside the Berlin Film Festival.
The movie, which marks the feature debut of director Léa Domenach, is nominated for a Cesar Award for best first film. The deal was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, executive VP of Cohen Media Group, and Charlotte Boucon, head of world sales at Orange Studio — newly acquired by Studiocanal — on behalf of Warner Bros Picture France.
The film opens in 1995, as Jacques Chirac becomes president of France. “His wife Bernadette now expects to be treated with the respect due to her lifelong work in the shadow of her husband. But mocked as too corny, she’s cast aside.
- 2/17/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Cohen Media Group has bought all North American rights to “Io Capitano,” a lushly-lensed, stirring immigration drama by “Gomorrah” director Matteo Garrone. Sold worldwide by Pathé Films, the critically acclaimed movie is Italy’s official Oscar entry and is slated to be released theatrically in early 2024.
With Cohen Media Group as its North American distributor, “Io Capitano” has strengthened its position in the awards season. The movie world premiered to stellar reviews in September at Venice Film Festival, where it was greeted with a 13-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion for Garrone and best emerging actor for Seydou Sarr.
“Io Capitano” went on to win the best European film award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The movie is also vying for best film and director at the European Film Awards this weekend.
Reminiscent of “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Io Capitano” tells the epic story of a teenage boy who,...
With Cohen Media Group as its North American distributor, “Io Capitano” has strengthened its position in the awards season. The movie world premiered to stellar reviews in September at Venice Film Festival, where it was greeted with a 13-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion for Garrone and best emerging actor for Seydou Sarr.
“Io Capitano” went on to win the best European film award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The movie is also vying for best film and director at the European Film Awards this weekend.
Reminiscent of “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Io Capitano” tells the epic story of a teenage boy who,...
- 12/8/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
“Kidnapped,” the new feature film from Marco Bellocchio, has been acquired for domestic distribution by Cohen Media Group, TheWrap has confirmed.
The drama, which played in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, concerns a young Jewish boy who, after being secretly baptized by his nurse as a baby, is abducted and raised Christian in 19th Century Italy.
The picture debuted to mostly positive reviews (76% fresh and an average critic rating of 7/10 on Rotten Tomatoes), with TheWrap’s Ben Croll noting that the film “doesn’t so much pit one faith against another, casting oppressors against oppressed; instead, the film sets individuals against larger institutions.” It has earned $1.14 million in Italy since opening there in late May.
Marco Bellocchio, along with his contemporaries Bernardo Bertolucci and Pier Paolo Pasolini, helped redefine Italian and world cinema in the 1960s and beyond. He created the landmark films “Fists in the Pocket,...
The drama, which played in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, concerns a young Jewish boy who, after being secretly baptized by his nurse as a baby, is abducted and raised Christian in 19th Century Italy.
The picture debuted to mostly positive reviews (76% fresh and an average critic rating of 7/10 on Rotten Tomatoes), with TheWrap’s Ben Croll noting that the film “doesn’t so much pit one faith against another, casting oppressors against oppressed; instead, the film sets individuals against larger institutions.” It has earned $1.14 million in Italy since opening there in late May.
Marco Bellocchio, along with his contemporaries Bernardo Bertolucci and Pier Paolo Pasolini, helped redefine Italian and world cinema in the 1960s and beyond. He created the landmark films “Fists in the Pocket,...
- 6/9/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Cohen Media Group has scooped rights to “Kidnapped,” the latest movie by revered Italian master Marco Bellocchio, which world premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The drama reconstructs the true tale of Edgardo Mortara, a young Jewish boy who was kidnapped and forcibly raised as a Christian in 19th-century Italy.
Described by Variety as a “handsomely mounted period drama,” “Kidnapped” opens in 1858, in the Jewish quarter of Bologna, where the Pope’s soldiers burst into the home of the Mortara family. By order of the cardinal, they have come to take Edgardo, their seven-year-old son. The child had been secretly baptized by his nurse as a baby, and the papal law is unquestionable: he must receive a Catholic education.
Edgardo’s parents, distraught, will do anything to get their son back. The Mortaras are supported by public opinion and the international Jewish community, but the Church and the...
Described by Variety as a “handsomely mounted period drama,” “Kidnapped” opens in 1858, in the Jewish quarter of Bologna, where the Pope’s soldiers burst into the home of the Mortara family. By order of the cardinal, they have come to take Edgardo, their seven-year-old son. The child had been secretly baptized by his nurse as a baby, and the papal law is unquestionable: he must receive a Catholic education.
Edgardo’s parents, distraught, will do anything to get their son back. The Mortaras are supported by public opinion and the international Jewish community, but the Church and the...
- 6/8/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Sold by Memento International, the Martin Provost-directed biopic has also drawn buyers worldwide.
Cohen Media Group has acquired US rights to Martin Provost’s art world romance Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe following the biopic’s bow in Cannes Premiere.
Sold by Memento International, the love story between French “painter of happiness” Pierre Bonnard and his companion and muse Marthe has also drawn buyers worldwide.
The film has also sold to Canada (Sphere), Latin America (California), Australia & New Zealand (Palace), Germany (Prokino), Italy (I Wonder), Spain (Vercine), Switzerland (Frenetic), Austria (Panda), Sweden (Njuta), Denmark (Filmbazar), Portugal (Lusomundo), Israel (New Cinema), Greece...
Cohen Media Group has acquired US rights to Martin Provost’s art world romance Bonnard, Pierre & Marthe following the biopic’s bow in Cannes Premiere.
Sold by Memento International, the love story between French “painter of happiness” Pierre Bonnard and his companion and muse Marthe has also drawn buyers worldwide.
The film has also sold to Canada (Sphere), Latin America (California), Australia & New Zealand (Palace), Germany (Prokino), Italy (I Wonder), Spain (Vercine), Switzerland (Frenetic), Austria (Panda), Sweden (Njuta), Denmark (Filmbazar), Portugal (Lusomundo), Israel (New Cinema), Greece...
- 6/1/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Cohen Media Group (Cmg) has acquired US rights to the feature documentary Slava Ukraini, co-directed by French philosopher and activist Bernard-Henri Lévy.
The doc will open in select theaters on May 3 before moving to digital/VOD platforms on May 5.
Lévy co-directed the pic with Marc Roussel (The Will to See). The philosopher has been traveling throughout Ukraine since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Slava Ukraini follows Lévy on the ground during the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, through to the Ukrainian counteroffensive in September 2022, until the aftermath of the liberation of Kherson at the end of 2022.
The synopsis reads: Lévy and his team move all around the country, embedded with the Ukrainian special forces, filming Bakhmut, Lyman, Izium, and Kharkiv; standing in solidarity with the citizens of Kyiv during attacks on civilian infrastructure; showing the evacuation of civilians in Donbas; following the heroes in action near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant,...
The doc will open in select theaters on May 3 before moving to digital/VOD platforms on May 5.
Lévy co-directed the pic with Marc Roussel (The Will to See). The philosopher has been traveling throughout Ukraine since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Slava Ukraini follows Lévy on the ground during the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, through to the Ukrainian counteroffensive in September 2022, until the aftermath of the liberation of Kherson at the end of 2022.
The synopsis reads: Lévy and his team move all around the country, embedded with the Ukrainian special forces, filming Bakhmut, Lyman, Izium, and Kharkiv; standing in solidarity with the citizens of Kyiv during attacks on civilian infrastructure; showing the evacuation of civilians in Donbas; following the heroes in action near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant,...
- 4/4/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Cohen Media Group has picked up all U.S. rights to Slava Ukraini, a new documentary on the war in Ukraine by famed French philosopher, activist and filmmaker Bernard-Henri Lévy.
Slava Ukraini will bow in select theaters on May 3 and go out nationwide on digital and VOD platforms May 5. Lévy will attend several screenings, including the May 3 premiere at the Quad Cinema in New York, a May 4 screening at the United Nations, and a May 6 screening at the Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles.
The film follows Lévy on the ground in Ukraine from the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The war diary documents first-hand the Ukrainian counteroffensive from September 2022 through to the liberation of Kherson at the end of 2022. Embedded with the Ukrainian special forces, Lévy and his team were able to film from the heart of the war zone in key battlegrounds in Bakhmut, Lyman, Izium, and Kharkiv.
Slava Ukraini will bow in select theaters on May 3 and go out nationwide on digital and VOD platforms May 5. Lévy will attend several screenings, including the May 3 premiere at the Quad Cinema in New York, a May 4 screening at the United Nations, and a May 6 screening at the Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles.
The film follows Lévy on the ground in Ukraine from the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The war diary documents first-hand the Ukrainian counteroffensive from September 2022 through to the liberation of Kherson at the end of 2022. Embedded with the Ukrainian special forces, Lévy and his team were able to film from the heart of the war zone in key battlegrounds in Bakhmut, Lyman, Izium, and Kharkiv.
- 4/4/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spring release planned on British-Palestinian filmmaker Basil Khalil’s culture-clash comedy-drama.
Cohen Media Group has acquired US rights to British-Palestinian filmmaker Basil Khalil’s TIFF Discovery premiere A Gaza Weekend.
‘A Gaza Weekend’: Toronto Review
Khalil’s made his feature directorial debut on the culture-clash comedy-drama about a couple stranded amid a deadly virus outbreak which has sealed off Israel and turned the Gaza Strip into the safest place in the region.
A British journalist and his Israeli girlfriend who want to flee Israel must place their faith in two Palestinian street merchants who promise a way out in exchange for cash.
Cohen Media Group has acquired US rights to British-Palestinian filmmaker Basil Khalil’s TIFF Discovery premiere A Gaza Weekend.
‘A Gaza Weekend’: Toronto Review
Khalil’s made his feature directorial debut on the culture-clash comedy-drama about a couple stranded amid a deadly virus outbreak which has sealed off Israel and turned the Gaza Strip into the safest place in the region.
A British journalist and his Israeli girlfriend who want to flee Israel must place their faith in two Palestinian street merchants who promise a way out in exchange for cash.
- 3/23/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Cohen Media Group has acquired all North American distribution rights to filmmaker Mark Cousins’ Alfred Hitchcock doc My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock.
The film premiered at Telluride and examines the Psycho and Vertigo director’s vast body of work, exploring his techniques, themes and obsessions. The plan is for a theatrical release later this year.
Cousins, who utilizes actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan to portray Hitch in voiceover, connects the stylistic dots running through the director’s 50-plus films, from revered classics like North by Northwest, Psycho and Rear Window to less frequently discussed but intriguing works such as The Paradine Case, Sabotage and more, stretching all the way back to his silent films.
The deal, announced by Cohen Media Group Chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen, was negotiated by Cmg Senior Vice President Robert Aaronson and Cleo Veger, Head Sales at London-based film sales company Dogwoof.
Among positive reviews,...
The film premiered at Telluride and examines the Psycho and Vertigo director’s vast body of work, exploring his techniques, themes and obsessions. The plan is for a theatrical release later this year.
Cousins, who utilizes actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan to portray Hitch in voiceover, connects the stylistic dots running through the director’s 50-plus films, from revered classics like North by Northwest, Psycho and Rear Window to less frequently discussed but intriguing works such as The Paradine Case, Sabotage and more, stretching all the way back to his silent films.
The deal, announced by Cohen Media Group Chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen, was negotiated by Cmg Senior Vice President Robert Aaronson and Cleo Veger, Head Sales at London-based film sales company Dogwoof.
Among positive reviews,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Cohen Media Group has acquired North American distribution rights to June Zero, writer-director Jake Paltrow’s historical drama about the last days of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.
The distribution deal was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, Cohen Media Group Senior Vice President, and CAA Media Finance. Films Boutique is representing International rights for the film at the American Film Market.
June Zero, shot in Israel and Ukraine, is set in 1962 Israel, where, after an emotional public trial, Adolf Eichmann – one of the key architects of the Holocaust – has been tried and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and crimes against the Jewish people. The film explores the experiences of three characters involved in the nation-defining event: David, a precocious 13-year-old Libyan factory worker; Haim, Eichmann’s main prison guard, tasked with protecting this dead man walking; and Micha, a police investigator for the prosecution, on his first trip...
The distribution deal was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, Cohen Media Group Senior Vice President, and CAA Media Finance. Films Boutique is representing International rights for the film at the American Film Market.
June Zero, shot in Israel and Ukraine, is set in 1962 Israel, where, after an emotional public trial, Adolf Eichmann – one of the key architects of the Holocaust – has been tried and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and crimes against the Jewish people. The film explores the experiences of three characters involved in the nation-defining event: David, a precocious 13-year-old Libyan factory worker; Haim, Eichmann’s main prison guard, tasked with protecting this dead man walking; and Micha, a police investigator for the prosecution, on his first trip...
- 11/3/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Cohen Media Group has acquired U.S. domestic distribution rights to Toronto film “Driving Madeleine,” according to a report in Variety.
The French language film was directed by Christian Carion (“Joyeux Noel”) and is playing in the Official Selection at the Toronto Film Festival.
“Driving Madeleine” stars Dany Boon (“Bienvenue chez les ch’tis”) who plays Charles, a taxi driver in Paris who is struggling under mounting stress. His debts are coming due, his driver’s license is in danger of being suspended because of numerous fines, and his marriage is falling apart. He has no way of knowing his life is about to be transformed when he picks up Madeleine, a 92-year-old woman who is soon to move into a care facility. She asks Charles to make certain stops during what may be her last ride through the city. Charles grumbles but is slowly charmed by Madeleine’s warmth and...
The French language film was directed by Christian Carion (“Joyeux Noel”) and is playing in the Official Selection at the Toronto Film Festival.
“Driving Madeleine” stars Dany Boon (“Bienvenue chez les ch’tis”) who plays Charles, a taxi driver in Paris who is struggling under mounting stress. His debts are coming due, his driver’s license is in danger of being suspended because of numerous fines, and his marriage is falling apart. He has no way of knowing his life is about to be transformed when he picks up Madeleine, a 92-year-old woman who is soon to move into a care facility. She asks Charles to make certain stops during what may be her last ride through the city. Charles grumbles but is slowly charmed by Madeleine’s warmth and...
- 9/9/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Theatrical release set for April 29.
Cohen Media Group has picked up all US rights from Gaumont to Bernard-Henri Lévy’s documentary The Will To See documenting humanitarian crises across the world including Ukraine.
The French filmmaker and philosopher travelled to global hotspots and spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky prior to the war with Russia. The feature came about in 2020 when Lévy was sent by international newspapers to bear witness and report from countries around the world where citizens are struggling to live through war and large-scale acts of violence.
He also visited Nigeria, Syrian and Iraqi Kurdistan, Somalia, Bangladesh,...
Cohen Media Group has picked up all US rights from Gaumont to Bernard-Henri Lévy’s documentary The Will To See documenting humanitarian crises across the world including Ukraine.
The French filmmaker and philosopher travelled to global hotspots and spoke to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky prior to the war with Russia. The feature came about in 2020 when Lévy was sent by international newspapers to bear witness and report from countries around the world where citizens are struggling to live through war and large-scale acts of violence.
He also visited Nigeria, Syrian and Iraqi Kurdistan, Somalia, Bangladesh,...
- 4/8/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
New York-based Cohen Media Group has acquired all U.S. rights to Javier Bardem-starrer “The Good Boss” (“El Buen Patrón”), Spain’s submission to the international feature film Oscars race at the 2022 Academy Awards.
The deal was negotiated by Cmg senior VP Robert Aaronson and Fionnuala Jamison, managing director, MK2, which is handling international sales on the film.
Written and directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, “The Good Boss” world premiered at September’s San Sebastián Festival, where it was one of the best received of main competition films, critics especially highlighting Bardem’s central performance.
Released by Tripictures in Spain, it has grossed €1.64 million ($1.9 million) after its first three weekends, a resilient result in a still under-performing Spanish box office.
A workplace satire which says much about how corporate identity has eviscerated family and human relations in a modern world, “The Good Boss” stars a once more remarkably coiffured Bardem – here,...
The deal was negotiated by Cmg senior VP Robert Aaronson and Fionnuala Jamison, managing director, MK2, which is handling international sales on the film.
Written and directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, “The Good Boss” world premiered at September’s San Sebastián Festival, where it was one of the best received of main competition films, critics especially highlighting Bardem’s central performance.
Released by Tripictures in Spain, it has grossed €1.64 million ($1.9 million) after its first three weekends, a resilient result in a still under-performing Spanish box office.
A workplace satire which says much about how corporate identity has eviscerated family and human relations in a modern world, “The Good Boss” stars a once more remarkably coiffured Bardem – here,...
- 11/8/2021
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
While Hollywood blockbusters such as “Dune” and “No Time to Die” are dominating the U.S. box office, foreign-language specialty titles are proving their theatrical mettle in the early post-pandemic era.
Driven by Bong Joon Ho’s historic best picture win for “Parasite” in 2019, U.S. awards season has never been more open to non-English-language fare, with Julia Ducournau’s shocking “Titane,” Valdimar Jóhannsson’s chilling “Lamb” and Asghar Farhadi’s sobering “A Hero” getting Oscar buzz in categories beyond international feature film.
Where larger U.S. distributors now buy fewer of these titles, independent outfits like A24, Neon, IFC Films and Samuel Goldwyn Films have stepped forward during the pandemic, scooping up the hottest foreign-language movies on the festival circuit.
“One of the things that is most amazing now is that there are so many [U.S.] companies that do foreign films; it’s not one or two companies that dominate,...
Driven by Bong Joon Ho’s historic best picture win for “Parasite” in 2019, U.S. awards season has never been more open to non-English-language fare, with Julia Ducournau’s shocking “Titane,” Valdimar Jóhannsson’s chilling “Lamb” and Asghar Farhadi’s sobering “A Hero” getting Oscar buzz in categories beyond international feature film.
Where larger U.S. distributors now buy fewer of these titles, independent outfits like A24, Neon, IFC Films and Samuel Goldwyn Films have stepped forward during the pandemic, scooping up the hottest foreign-language movies on the festival circuit.
“One of the things that is most amazing now is that there are so many [U.S.] companies that do foreign films; it’s not one or two companies that dominate,...
- 11/8/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy and Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix Appoints Hamish Moseley As Distribution Exec
London-based Hamish Moseley has been tapped as Director Of Distribution, theatrical, for Emea, reporting to Spencer Klein, Head of Distribution at the streamer. The distribution vet most recently helped establish Altitude’s distribution arm, acquiring titles including Oscar-winners Moonlight and Minari, and helped to get the UK theatrical supply chain back up and running after the pandemic with movies like Unhinged. He respected professional started out at Momentum Pictures working on titles including The Woman In Black and The King’s Speech. Netflix is expected to theatrically release around 30 features and docs in the Emea per year. Screen was first to report the hire.
Cohen Media Acquires Picks Up Israeli Oscar Submission
Cohen Media Group has acquired North American rights to Let It Be Morning, Israel’s submission to the 2022 Oscars. The Eran Kolirin-directed drama is a gently satirical tale of a man...
London-based Hamish Moseley has been tapped as Director Of Distribution, theatrical, for Emea, reporting to Spencer Klein, Head of Distribution at the streamer. The distribution vet most recently helped establish Altitude’s distribution arm, acquiring titles including Oscar-winners Moonlight and Minari, and helped to get the UK theatrical supply chain back up and running after the pandemic with movies like Unhinged. He respected professional started out at Momentum Pictures working on titles including The Woman In Black and The King’s Speech. Netflix is expected to theatrically release around 30 features and docs in the Emea per year. Screen was first to report the hire.
Cohen Media Acquires Picks Up Israeli Oscar Submission
Cohen Media Group has acquired North American rights to Let It Be Morning, Israel’s submission to the 2022 Oscars. The Eran Kolirin-directed drama is a gently satirical tale of a man...
- 11/4/2021
- by Anuj Radia
- Deadline Film + TV
Cohen Media Group has acquired all U.S. and Canada rights to writer-director Eran Kolirin’s “Let It Be Morning,” Israel’s official submission to the international film race at the 2022 Academy Awards, the company announced on Thursday.
The title world premiered earlier this year in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, and went on to win nine of the 11 noms it received last month at the Ophir Awards — Israel’s Academy Award-equivalent — including best film, director, actor and actress.
Based on a novel of the same name by Palestinian author Sayed Kashua, the film tells the story of Sami, a Palestinian-born Israeli citizen who finds that the Arab village where he grew up is one day suddenly surrounded by an ominous wall, forcing him to confront new questions of identity and national belonging.
It also stars Juna Suleiman (“The Time That Remains”), Salim Dau (“The Crown”) and Ehab Salami...
The title world premiered earlier this year in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, and went on to win nine of the 11 noms it received last month at the Ophir Awards — Israel’s Academy Award-equivalent — including best film, director, actor and actress.
Based on a novel of the same name by Palestinian author Sayed Kashua, the film tells the story of Sami, a Palestinian-born Israeli citizen who finds that the Arab village where he grew up is one day suddenly surrounded by an ominous wall, forcing him to confront new questions of identity and national belonging.
It also stars Juna Suleiman (“The Time That Remains”), Salim Dau (“The Crown”) and Ehab Salami...
- 11/4/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all U.S., U.K. and Irish distribution rights to Mark Cousins’ Cannes Film Festival documentary The Storms Of Jeremy Thomas about the Oscar-winning producer of The Last Emperor.
A theatrical release is expected later in 2021 for the movie, which is a David P. Kelly Films production.
In The Storms Of Jeremy Thomas, filmmaker and writer Mark Cousins (The Story Of Film: An Odyssey) accompanies legendary producer Thomas on the latter’s annual pilgrimage to the Cannes Film Festival.
Each year for the last 45 years, Thomas has made the journey to Cannes. This time Cousins is along for the off-beat grand tour on sea and land, chatting with Thomas as they take in landmarks and people connected to the producer’s films and life, from the Paris locations of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Dreamers,...
A theatrical release is expected later in 2021 for the movie, which is a David P. Kelly Films production.
In The Storms Of Jeremy Thomas, filmmaker and writer Mark Cousins (The Story Of Film: An Odyssey) accompanies legendary producer Thomas on the latter’s annual pilgrimage to the Cannes Film Festival.
Each year for the last 45 years, Thomas has made the journey to Cannes. This time Cousins is along for the off-beat grand tour on sea and land, chatting with Thomas as they take in landmarks and people connected to the producer’s films and life, from the Paris locations of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Dreamers,...
- 10/21/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Distributor, Kinology reunite after Oscar-nominated Mustang.
Cohen Media Group has picked up all North American rights from Kinology to actress Aurélie Saada’s feature directorial debut Rose starring Françoise Fabian.
The film received its world premiere inat Locarno Film Festival in August and centres on a 78-year-old woman who has just lost her husband of more than 50 years. Devastation gives way to a strong desire to live life to the full even though the woman’s newfound joie de vivre threatens to upset the family balance.
The cast includes Aure Atika, Grégory Montel, Damien Chapelle, Pascal Elbé and Mehdi Nebbou.
Cohen Media Group has picked up all North American rights from Kinology to actress Aurélie Saada’s feature directorial debut Rose starring Françoise Fabian.
The film received its world premiere inat Locarno Film Festival in August and centres on a 78-year-old woman who has just lost her husband of more than 50 years. Devastation gives way to a strong desire to live life to the full even though the woman’s newfound joie de vivre threatens to upset the family balance.
The cast includes Aure Atika, Grégory Montel, Damien Chapelle, Pascal Elbé and Mehdi Nebbou.
- 10/11/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all U.S. and U.K. distribution rights to “Everything Went Fine,” Francois Ozon’s film with Sophie Marceau, which just world-premiered in competition at Cannes and earned a warm critical welcome.
The deal was negotiated by Cmg senior VP Robert Aaronson, Curzon Artificial Eye’s managing director Louisa Dent and Sébasten Beffa and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert at Playtime.
“Everything Went Fine” marks Marceau’s first time working with Ozon, one of France’s most critically laureled helmers. The drama is based Emmanuèle Bernheim’s novel “Everything Went Well” and centers on a woman as she is confronted with her father’s declining health following a stroke. Sick and half-paralyzed in his hospital bed, André asks Emmanuèle to help him end his life. The film explores the father-daughter relationship.
Written and directed by Ozon, “Everything Went Fine” also stars Géraldine Pailhas, Charlotte Rampling,...
The deal was negotiated by Cmg senior VP Robert Aaronson, Curzon Artificial Eye’s managing director Louisa Dent and Sébasten Beffa and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert at Playtime.
“Everything Went Fine” marks Marceau’s first time working with Ozon, one of France’s most critically laureled helmers. The drama is based Emmanuèle Bernheim’s novel “Everything Went Well” and centers on a woman as she is confronted with her father’s declining health following a stroke. Sick and half-paralyzed in his hospital bed, André asks Emmanuèle to help him end his life. The film explores the father-daughter relationship.
Written and directed by Ozon, “Everything Went Fine” also stars Géraldine Pailhas, Charlotte Rampling,...
- 7/10/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Curzon previously acquired UK and Ireland rights.
In the first on-site US deal for a film in the Cannes festival, Cohen Media Group has acquired Directors’ Fortnight opening film Between Two Worlds starring Juliette Binoche.
Emmanuel Carrère’s drama follows a writer who goes undercover as a contract cleaner in order to write an exposé on precarious working conditions in France.
The writer experiences first-hand the financial instability and social invisibility of the ‘gig economy’, but also finds solidarity among a group of working-class women and questions the ethics of her deception.
Between Two Worlds is based loosely on Florence Aubenas...
In the first on-site US deal for a film in the Cannes festival, Cohen Media Group has acquired Directors’ Fortnight opening film Between Two Worlds starring Juliette Binoche.
Emmanuel Carrère’s drama follows a writer who goes undercover as a contract cleaner in order to write an exposé on precarious working conditions in France.
The writer experiences first-hand the financial instability and social invisibility of the ‘gig economy’, but also finds solidarity among a group of working-class women and questions the ethics of her deception.
Between Two Worlds is based loosely on Florence Aubenas...
- 7/10/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Fox Corp. streaming service Tubi has made a deal with Cohen Media Group to put 80 of its film titles on the free, ad-supported platform.
Tubi will have exclusive free streaming rights to classics like Howards End and Daughters Of The Dust. More recent films that are heading to the platform include Agnès Varda and Jr’s documentary collaboration, Faces Places and Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Mustang.
Cohen titles already on Tubi include Maurice with Hugh Grant; Farewell My Queen, starring Diane Kruger and Léa Seydoux; and François Ozon’s Double Lover and The New Girlfriend. The full slate will roll out throughout the month of June.
Fox closed its $440 million acquisition of Tubi last year and has steadily increased its programming offering. It now has 30,000 film and TV titles from more than 250 suppliers.
Tubi reported having 33 million monthly active users as of last fall. It has also said that streaming...
Tubi will have exclusive free streaming rights to classics like Howards End and Daughters Of The Dust. More recent films that are heading to the platform include Agnès Varda and Jr’s documentary collaboration, Faces Places and Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Mustang.
Cohen titles already on Tubi include Maurice with Hugh Grant; Farewell My Queen, starring Diane Kruger and Léa Seydoux; and François Ozon’s Double Lover and The New Girlfriend. The full slate will roll out throughout the month of June.
Fox closed its $440 million acquisition of Tubi last year and has steadily increased its programming offering. It now has 30,000 film and TV titles from more than 250 suppliers.
Tubi reported having 33 million monthly active users as of last fall. It has also said that streaming...
- 6/3/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Though the U.S. specialty theatrical market remains stagnant for the foreseeable future, two of the leading buyers of international art-house fare want to send a message to their French partners: We’re still here, and we’re looking to pick up.
“As a very bullish, supportive and embracing distributor we’ll continue to acquire films,” says Charles S. Cohen, whose Cohen Media Group remains the foremost distributor of French cinema in the U.S. “We’re committed,” he adds, “[but] we’re frustrated, just like everyone else.”
Over the past year, Cohen Media Group – which also owns art-house chains Landmark Theaters in the U.S. and Curzon in the U.K. – has had to sit on a number of French titles while waiting for theaters in New York and Los Angeles to reopen, but has still continued to buy.
In June, it picked up Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh’s...
“As a very bullish, supportive and embracing distributor we’ll continue to acquire films,” says Charles S. Cohen, whose Cohen Media Group remains the foremost distributor of French cinema in the U.S. “We’re committed,” he adds, “[but] we’re frustrated, just like everyone else.”
Over the past year, Cohen Media Group – which also owns art-house chains Landmark Theaters in the U.S. and Curzon in the U.K. – has had to sit on a number of French titles while waiting for theaters in New York and Los Angeles to reopen, but has still continued to buy.
In June, it picked up Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh’s...
- 1/15/2021
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Uberto Pasolini’s film is being sold by Beta Films.
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all US, UK and Ireland distribution rights to Uberto Pasolini’s Nowhere Special which made its world premiere in Venice Horizons in September.
Beta Films is handling remaining territories at the AFM.
James Norton, whose credits include Little Women and Mr Jones, stars as a window cleaner and single father to a four-year-old after his partner left after childbirth. He embarks on a mission to find a new family for his son after he learns he has a few months left to live.
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all US, UK and Ireland distribution rights to Uberto Pasolini’s Nowhere Special which made its world premiere in Venice Horizons in September.
Beta Films is handling remaining territories at the AFM.
James Norton, whose credits include Little Women and Mr Jones, stars as a window cleaner and single father to a four-year-old after his partner left after childbirth. He embarks on a mission to find a new family for his son after he learns he has a few months left to live.
- 11/13/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
James Norton stars.
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all US, UK and Ireland distribution rights to Uberto Pasolini’s Nowhere Special and expect to release the film in 2021.
Beta Films is handling remaining territories at the AFM.
James Norton stars as a 35-year-old window cleaner and single father to a four-year-old after his partner left after childbirth. The man embarks on a mission to find a new family for his son after he learns he has a few months left to live. Daniel Lamont also stars.
Nowhere Special is a UK-Italy-Romania a co-production between Picomedia Srl, Nowhere Special Ltd.
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly acquired all US, UK and Ireland distribution rights to Uberto Pasolini’s Nowhere Special and expect to release the film in 2021.
Beta Films is handling remaining territories at the AFM.
James Norton stars as a 35-year-old window cleaner and single father to a four-year-old after his partner left after childbirth. The man embarks on a mission to find a new family for his son after he learns he has a few months left to live. Daniel Lamont also stars.
Nowhere Special is a UK-Italy-Romania a co-production between Picomedia Srl, Nowhere Special Ltd.
- 11/13/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have jointly taken all US, UK and Eire distribution rights to Uberto Pasolini’s drama Nowhere Special. A theatrical release next year is being eyed.
James Norton (Little Women and Grantchester) plays John, a 35-year-old window cleaner, who has dedicated his life to bringing up his four-year-old son, Michael (Daniel Lamont), after the child’s mother left them soon after giving birth. But their worlds are turned upside down when John learns he has only a few months left to live. He sets out on an urgent mission to find a new, perfect family for Michael, determined to shield him from the terrible reality of the situation.
The deal, announced by Cohen Media Group Chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen and Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull, was negotiated by Cmg Senior Vice President Robert Aaronson, Curzon Artificial Eye MD Louisa Dent and Beta Cinema’s CEO,...
James Norton (Little Women and Grantchester) plays John, a 35-year-old window cleaner, who has dedicated his life to bringing up his four-year-old son, Michael (Daniel Lamont), after the child’s mother left them soon after giving birth. But their worlds are turned upside down when John learns he has only a few months left to live. He sets out on an urgent mission to find a new, perfect family for Michael, determined to shield him from the terrible reality of the situation.
The deal, announced by Cohen Media Group Chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen and Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull, was negotiated by Cmg Senior Vice President Robert Aaronson, Curzon Artificial Eye MD Louisa Dent and Beta Cinema’s CEO,...
- 11/13/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Cohen Media Group has taken North American rights to Apples, Greek filmmaker Christos Nikou’s debut feature which was a hit at Venice this year.
As Deadline exclusively revealed earlier this month, Cate Blanchett and her team at Dirty Films came on board as executive producers on the movie after the Lido bow, where Blanchett was jury president. Pic was also a selection of Telluride and TIFF.
Deal was done by Cmg Senior Vice President Robert Aaronson and CAA Media Finance and Alpha Violet.
Apples takes place amidst an unpredictable, sweeping pandemic that causes people to develop sudden amnesia. A man finds himself enrolled in a recovery program designed to help him build a new life. His treatment: performing daily tasks prescribed by his doctors on cassette tape, and capturing these new memories with a Polaroid camera.
Cohen Media Group’s Robert Aaronson said, “Apples is a film not just...
As Deadline exclusively revealed earlier this month, Cate Blanchett and her team at Dirty Films came on board as executive producers on the movie after the Lido bow, where Blanchett was jury president. Pic was also a selection of Telluride and TIFF.
Deal was done by Cmg Senior Vice President Robert Aaronson and CAA Media Finance and Alpha Violet.
Apples takes place amidst an unpredictable, sweeping pandemic that causes people to develop sudden amnesia. A man finds himself enrolled in a recovery program designed to help him build a new life. His treatment: performing daily tasks prescribed by his doctors on cassette tape, and capturing these new memories with a Polaroid camera.
Cohen Media Group’s Robert Aaronson said, “Apples is a film not just...
- 10/29/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Columbian drama is directed by Oscar-winner Fernando Trueba.
Curzon and Cohen Media Group (Cmg) have secured UK and North American rights to Fernando Trueba’s Forgotten We’ll Be in a deal with Spanish sales agency Film Factory Entertainment.
The Columbian drama was part of the official selection for this year’s cancelled Cannes Film Festival and marks the first joint acquisition across both territories since Cmg acquired Curzon last December.
Theatrical release is planned in the UK and Us in 2021. The deal was negotiated by Cmg’s Robert Aaronson and Film Factory’s Vicente Canales.
Trueba’s Belle Epoque...
Curzon and Cohen Media Group (Cmg) have secured UK and North American rights to Fernando Trueba’s Forgotten We’ll Be in a deal with Spanish sales agency Film Factory Entertainment.
The Columbian drama was part of the official selection for this year’s cancelled Cannes Film Festival and marks the first joint acquisition across both territories since Cmg acquired Curzon last December.
Theatrical release is planned in the UK and Us in 2021. The deal was negotiated by Cmg’s Robert Aaronson and Film Factory’s Vicente Canales.
Trueba’s Belle Epoque...
- 6/22/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Fernando Trueba’s Cannes Official Selection drama Forgotten We’ll Be has scored U.S. and UK deals via a joint acquisition from Cohen Media Group and Artificial Eye.
The acquisition is the first joint buy from the two firms after Ae was acquired by Cmg last year.
The film will be released theatrically in the U.S. and the UK in 2021. The distribution deal was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, Cmg’s Senior Vice President, and Vicente Canales, Managing Director of Spanish international sales agency Film Factory Entertainment
Belle Époque and Chico & Rita director Trueba’s latest is adapted from Héctor Abad Faciolince’s novel about his father, Colombian human rights activist Dr. Héctor Abad Gómez. Starring Javier Cámara (Talk To Her), the story follows a man torn between the love of his family and his political fight set in the violence-riddled Colombia of recent decades. The film also stars Juan Pablo Urrego...
The acquisition is the first joint buy from the two firms after Ae was acquired by Cmg last year.
The film will be released theatrically in the U.S. and the UK in 2021. The distribution deal was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, Cmg’s Senior Vice President, and Vicente Canales, Managing Director of Spanish international sales agency Film Factory Entertainment
Belle Époque and Chico & Rita director Trueba’s latest is adapted from Héctor Abad Faciolince’s novel about his father, Colombian human rights activist Dr. Héctor Abad Gómez. Starring Javier Cámara (Talk To Her), the story follows a man torn between the love of his family and his political fight set in the violence-riddled Colombia of recent decades. The film also stars Juan Pablo Urrego...
- 6/22/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Cohen Media Group and Curzon have acquired North American and U.K. distribution rights to the Colombian drama “Forgotten We’ll Be,” directed by Fernando Trueba.
The acquisition was unveiled Monday, and appears to be the first deal announced for a film from the 2020 Cannes Official Selection. It’s also the first acquisition made jointly across both major English-speaking territories since the Cmg purchase of Curzon in December. The film will be released theatrically in the U.S. and U.K. in 2021. Variety revealed the film’s trailer last week.
“Forgotten We’ll Be” is adapted from Héctor Abad Faciolince’s memoir about his father, Colombian human rights activist Dr. Héctor Abad Gómez. Javier Cámara stars in the story of a man torn between the love of his family and his political fight, set in the violence-riddled Colombia of recent decades. Gomez devoted himself to social and political causes before he was murdered in 1987 in Colombia.
The acquisition was unveiled Monday, and appears to be the first deal announced for a film from the 2020 Cannes Official Selection. It’s also the first acquisition made jointly across both major English-speaking territories since the Cmg purchase of Curzon in December. The film will be released theatrically in the U.S. and U.K. in 2021. Variety revealed the film’s trailer last week.
“Forgotten We’ll Be” is adapted from Héctor Abad Faciolince’s memoir about his father, Colombian human rights activist Dr. Héctor Abad Gómez. Javier Cámara stars in the story of a man torn between the love of his family and his political fight, set in the violence-riddled Colombia of recent decades. Gomez devoted himself to social and political causes before he was murdered in 1987 in Colombia.
- 6/22/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Robert Aaronson, an acquisitions, production and distribution executive who has worked for the likes of Fine Line Features, Fox Searchlight, Netflix and most recently Universal Studios Home Entertainment, has been hired as senior vice president of indie distributor-producer Cohen Media Group.
In the new role, Aaronson will oversee domestic acquisitions, digital and ancillary sales and marketing. He will head Cmg’s Los Angeles office and report to Charles S. Cohen.
Aaronson most recently worked from 2010-2018 in acquisitions at Universal Studios Home Entertainment, structuring deals that included North American and multiple international markets. He also negotiated and secured output deals with companies including Neon, Film Arcade, Amazon Studios, Aviron Pictures and Great Point Media.
“As a producer and executive, Bob Aaronson is the perfect fit for our company and we’re thrilled to have him bring his vast experience to Cohen Media Group,” said Cohen on Friday. “His expertise will boost our growing,...
In the new role, Aaronson will oversee domestic acquisitions, digital and ancillary sales and marketing. He will head Cmg’s Los Angeles office and report to Charles S. Cohen.
Aaronson most recently worked from 2010-2018 in acquisitions at Universal Studios Home Entertainment, structuring deals that included North American and multiple international markets. He also negotiated and secured output deals with companies including Neon, Film Arcade, Amazon Studios, Aviron Pictures and Great Point Media.
“As a producer and executive, Bob Aaronson is the perfect fit for our company and we’re thrilled to have him bring his vast experience to Cohen Media Group,” said Cohen on Friday. “His expertise will boost our growing,...
- 10/11/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Flight Risk” is taking off with Great Point, which has boarded sales on the U.S.-produced thriller. The film follows a group of strangers who wake up with amnesia on a bullet-ridden plane. Luis Prieto, who helmed the remake of Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Pusher,” is attached to direct.
The action thriller is being produced by L.A.-based Automatic Media’s Ray Haboush (“The Last House on the Left”) and Robert Aaronson (“Chocolate City”). Great Point co-founders Robert Halmi and Jim Reeve will exec produce.
The story follows the strangers as they wake up on the plane, which is running on autopilot. They have no idea who they are, how they got there or who they can trust. “I was immediately hooked by the brilliant concept at the heart of this project, and I’m excited by the possibilities for an amazing cinematic experience,” Prieto said.
Producers Aaronson...
The action thriller is being produced by L.A.-based Automatic Media’s Ray Haboush (“The Last House on the Left”) and Robert Aaronson (“Chocolate City”). Great Point co-founders Robert Halmi and Jim Reeve will exec produce.
The story follows the strangers as they wake up on the plane, which is running on autopilot. They have no idea who they are, how they got there or who they can trust. “I was immediately hooked by the brilliant concept at the heart of this project, and I’m excited by the possibilities for an amazing cinematic experience,” Prieto said.
Producers Aaronson...
- 5/17/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
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