'Lionsgate' to release 'Cafe Society' in theaters + first reactions to a clip at Cinema Con

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For an update on the date of release for 'Cafe Society' please check out our post here.

"A good robust theatrical run is good for everyone," Amazon Studios chief Roy Price told theater owners in Las Vegas hours after learning that five of his movies will play at the Cannes Film Festival.

Just hours after learning that five of its films will play at the Cannes Film Festival, Amazon Studios on Thursday revealed that the streaming service is teaming with Lionsgate to release Woody Allen's festival opener Cafe Society in theaters in August.

Amazon Studios marketing and distribution chief Bob Berney announced the news during a luncheon hosted by the streaming service at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of theater owners in Las Vegas. His boss, Roy Price, also took to the podium, declaring that Amazon will give most of its original movies a proper theatrical release, unlike rival Netflix.

"A good robust theatrical run is good for everyone," Price told the crowd, prompting several rounds of applause. "Therefore, almost all of our films will have full theatrical releases. Our goals are aligned with exhibition."

Berney led most of the luncheon presentation. It's a coup that Amazon was part of the official program at CinemaCon, considering many exhibitors have been leery about Netflix and Amazon's move into the original movie business. However, Amazon has quickly decided that it's better for their films to play first in theaters and honor the 90-day window before making them available to Amazon Prime customers. Otherwise, most theaters will refuse to play the movies at all.

Last fall, Amazon and partner Roadside Attractions failed to book more than 300 locations for Spike Lee's Chi-Raq since the movie was made available in short order on Prime. Chi-Raq topped out at $2.7 million; worse, it was shut out of the Oscar race, as was Netflix's Beasts of No Nation, which got an even smaller theatrical run. (Price is keen to achieve the same awards glory with film that he has had in TV with Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle.)

The other Amazon Studios pics going to Cannes include Nicolas Winding Refn's The Neon Demon, Jim Jarmusch's Paterson and Iggy Pop music documentary Gimme Danger, all of which will play in competition, and The Handmaiden from Korean genre-film master Park Chan-wook.

"As you know, we've been very, very busy, We acquired six films at Sundance," said Berney, who went detailed the company's slate, including never-before-seen footage of Cafe Society and Neon Demon, as well as the premiere of the trailer for the latter pic. Refn spoke to the room via taped message, while Neon Demon star Elle Fanning appeared in person to plug the film.

"Nick is a genius and he’s created something that I’ve never, ever seen before.
 There’s a lot of secrets in it, too, so there’s lots of surprises," said the actress.

Neon Demon was filmed in chronological order, and Fanning said they came up with the ending after they were already shooting. The short clip of Cafe Society featured Jesse Eisenberg and Anna Camp. 


Deadline ...has learned is that the all-star film is going wide on Aug. 29, making it the filmmaker’s first wide release since 2003’s Anything Else which was distributed by DreamWorks and opened to $1.67M at 1,033. That’s big news for an Allen title which typically get platformed. As is the standard, Allen films typically debut in his hometown of New York City, and also in Los Angeles during their first frame. I remember during my distribution days at Savoy Pictures in the ’90s calling around for hourlies on Friday opening films and Allen’s title at the time was putting up hourly grosses at Sony/Loews Lincoln Center on par to a title like Warner Bros. Batman Forever.

Clip from Woody Allen's "Cafe Society": Jesse Eisenberg doing a credible Allen impression.

— Ben Fritz (@benfritz) April 14, 2016

The Cafe Society clip we saw featured Jesse Eisenberg's character turning down Anna Camp's character bc he has a headache #cinemacon

— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) April 14, 2016

Just saw a funny scene from Cafe Society with Anna Camp and Jesse Eisenberg. Woody sent it to Amazon just last night. #CinemaCon

— Gregory Ellwood (@TheGregoryE) April 14, 2016

We just saw the first footage of Woody Allen's Cafe Society featuring Jesse Eisenberg. #cinemacon

— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) April 14, 2016

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'Personal Shopper' to premiere in competition at the 69th Cannes Film Festival + NEW still

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#Cannes2016 PERSONAL SHOPPER by OLIVIER ASSAYAS #Competition

— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) April 14, 2016

The Cannes Film Festival runs from May 11 to May 22.
The schedule will be released in the next few weeks. 

Expect 'Personal Shopper' to be screened during the first weekend of the festival.

Running Time: 1:50.

Les Films du Losange, the French distributor for 'Personal Shopper', has a page for the film on it's site. Check it out here.

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Fan photos of Kristen in NYC - 13 April 2016

    

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Cherie Currie talks about 'The Runaways' movie and Kristen

SR: I’ve heard you talk about how impressed you were with Dakota Fanning’s portrayal of you and how highly you regard her, as an actor. What was it like watching the film for the very first time?

CC: Wow. Well, you know what? I will say, more than watching the film for the first time, when Joan and I were on the set for when they did that scene which was to be taking place in Japan, Joan and I literally had tears running down our faces, because we’d finally got to see what everybody else had seen. It was like we were watching The Runaways. That was a moment I’ll never forget, because that’s how realistic Dakota and Kristen were playing us. And it was remarkable seeing the movie. Well, I saw it with my family for the first time and you know, it was a little weird, especially when it came to the more sexualised parts. My son’s sitting next to me, you understand. But I will say that Dakota’s always been one of my favourite actors of all time. So when she signed on to do this film…I’m still in shock that she did it. And Kristen – of course, she was fantastic. And Michael Shannon was fantastic. It was just such a great cast and Floria Sigismondi really captured the seventies in such a unique way. It just seemed to take us back.

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First reactions to 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' at Cinema Con - 12 April 2016

The Wrap

Sony Motion Picture Chairman Tom Rothman unveils powerful glimpse at Ang Lee‘s next film

Sony Pictures offered up a first look at Ang Lee‘s anticipated “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” on Tuesday night, on the convention floor of CinemaCon 2016.

The annual gathering of movie exhibitors were treated to an incomplete teaser trailer that tells the emotional story of Iraq hero Billy Lynn  — an awfully young veteran who becomes a prime public relations coop for the military still grappling with the horrors of war.

“It’s weird being honored for the worst day of your life,” says male lead and newcomer Joe Alwyn. His character is selected to make a nerve-wrecking appearance at the annual Super Bowl — and the style and surreal excitement of the holy American event is juxtaposed with his horrific, blood-spattered days in the Middle East.

The teaser is set to a chill-inducing choir version of Alesso’s club hit “Heroes (we can be).” The experimental use of frame speeds strikes a deep emotional cord, as sparks of fireworks over a sports arena melt into the dust clouds of IEDs in Baghdad.

Alwyn is fantastic — subtle, strong and heartbreaking. Kristen Stewart makes a poignant appearance as Billy’s sister, asking through tear-filled eyes, “What really happened over there?”

Steve Martin pops up as an opportunistic Army executive who tells Billy, “Your story no longer belongs to you. It’s America’s story now.”

Vin Diesel also shows  up, but the sum of the teaser makes it clear who the show belongs to — director Lee.

Deadline

Now, Rothman is introducing the teaser for Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. This time around, Lee is employing an ultra high frame rate that will allow the audience to feel the contrast of intensity of war and the rest of life. The film, based on Ben Fountain’s novel, follows an infantryman’s final hours before he returns to Iraq with his fellow soldiers. This is a TriStar release.

THR

"Technology is always second to story, and Billy Lynn's story is an American story," said Sony chair Tom Rothman of the technically bold film.

A short teaser for Ang Lee's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk received enthusiastic applause as Sony Pictures kicked off its presentation Tuesday night at the CinemaCon exhibitors convention in Las Vegas. The newest movie from the Oscar-winning director of Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi has generated lots of anticipation in the production and entertainment communities since it was announced that the movie is being filmed in 4K (four times the resolution of today's commonly used 2K), in 3D and at a high frame rate of 120 frames per second, per eye — normally, movies are shot and presented at 24fps. The movie's specs, unprecedented for a feature-length Hollywood release, promise to offer a very natural look.

Sony Pictures motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman introduced the film by emphasizing Lee's visionary, inventive nature, and saying that the director used what Rothamn called "ultra high frame rates" for "blending" the intensity of war and the rest of life — seeming to indicate that the frame rates might vary in the production to suit the filmmaker's reative intent. "But technology is always second to story, and Billy Lynn's story is an American story."

Made with Jeff Robinov's Studio 8, Billy Lynn is an adaptation of Ben Fountain's novel about 19-year-old private (newcomer Joe Alwyn), who survives a battle in Iraq that was captured by news cameras. He and his company of soldiers return to the States for a promotional tour culminating in a Thanksgiving Day football game’s halftime show.

The clip (which included unfinished visual effects} included sequences during the war, when Billy returns home, and colorful shots of the fireworks and lights in the halftime show.

At CinemaCon, the teaser was not shown in the 4K, 3D, 120fps fortmat. On April 16, at the National Association of Broadcasters convention, Lee will present a clip from his film in its intended format for the first time. No single digital cinema projector is currently capable of playing back that format, and so at NAB, it will be shown using two 4K laser projectors from manufacturer Christie.

Sony hasn't announced its plans for the release, and it's unclear how many theaters will be equipped to show the film in Lee's preferred format; it’s expected to be a very small number due to the complexity and experimental nature of the effort.

Variety

LAS VEGAS — Since coming to the studio in 2013, Sony Pictures chairman (formerly TriStar Productions chairman) Tom Rothman hasn’t landed a film in the sweet spot of awards season yet. “The Walk” was a box office failure that couldn’t make it to the dance last year, while Will Smith starrer “Concussion” (inherited from former chair Amy Pascal’s tenure) couldn’t perform during the holiday season or secure notice from the Academy.

That could change with “Billy Lynn’s Halftime Walk,” Ang Lee’s follow-up to his Oscar-winning 2012 drama “Life of Pi.” Notably, Rothman stood on the Colosseum stage at Caesar’s Palace here four years ago to debut footage from “Life of Pi” when he was still serving as chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment. Back again in a “different uniform,” as he put it, he kicked off this year’s presentation of Sony’s robust slate with a look at Lee’s latest.

The film is based on Ben Fountain’s celebrated 2012 novel, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction that year. It tells the story of an Iraq veteran wrangling with disenchantment while being hailed a war hero. Rothman called it “familiar, but powerful,” not unlike “Life of Pi,” he said.

Situating it in the tradition of “Lone Survivor” and “American Sniper” (both of which performed exceptionally well at the box office), Rothman said Lee’s film was in the middle of a “very complicated post[-production],” and he played up Lee’s innovative use of ultra high frame rate filmmaking for the military sequences. The use of that technique was first announced at last year’s convention, and Rothman noted Tuesday that it allows the viewer to “feel the contrast between the intensity of war and the rest of life, exactly as the young soldiers do.”

A somber trailer was presented to the audience of theater owners and NATO delegates, set to a melancholy rendition of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” A few choice lines of dialogue jumped out from the assemblage, shedding light on the war drama’s themes. “It is so weird, being honored for the worst day in your life,” newcomer Joe Alwyn, as the eponymous Lynn, says in voiceover. “Your story no longer belongs to you. It’s America’s story now,” Steve Martin — as a fictionalized National Football League team owner — says to Flynn at one point.

Kristen Stewart also stars as Lynn’s sister, desperate to know what the war did to him. Vin Diesel, Garrett Hedlund and Chris Tucker fill out the principal cast.

Lee took home the best director Oscar for “Life of Pi,” his second to date. Unfortunately, themes of war continue to be evergreen in their relevance, so watch for this one to land an emotional blow when it enters the marketplace on Veterans Day this November.

Rothman is really hyping up Ang Lee's "Billy lynn's Long Halftime Walk," comparing it to an "American Sniper" with a younger war hero.

— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) April 13, 2016

First footage of Ang Lee's #BillyLynnsLongHalftimeWalk revealed. Powerful. #CinemaCon

— Pamela McClintock (@PamelaDayM) April 13, 2016

Just got the first look at Billy Lynn's Long Half Time Walk. Very focused on newcomer Joe Alwyn. Also scenes w/Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel.

— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) April 13, 2016

Kristen Stewart plays Billy Flynn's sister not the cheerleader as many reported. Teaser looks good. Different style for Ang Lee #CinemaCon

— Gregory Ellwood (@TheGregoryE) April 13, 2016

Sony just premiered teaser trailer for BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK. Could be a powerful look at post war life.

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 13, 2016

BILLY LYNN by far the best new footage I've seen at #CinemaCon so far. Top of the must see list this year.

— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) April 13, 2016

Sony shows trailer #BillyLynnsLongHalftimeWalk, cites #AmericanSniper/#LoneSurvivor as lineage #cinemacon2016

— Brent Lang (@BrentALang) April 13, 2016

Sony shows emotional first trailer for Ang Lee's "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk," which looks very, very Oscar-friendly. #CinemaCon

— Yahoo Movies (@YahooMovies) April 13, 2016

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is sure to be an emotional & visceral experience. Hard to not get excited about an Ang Lee film. #CinemaCon

— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) April 13, 2016

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk teaser was really good. Very emotional, a bit similar to American Sniper, has potential to be outstanding.

— Alex Billington (@firstshowing) April 13, 2016

Sony kicks off with Ang Lee's Billy Lee's Long Halftime Walk, an emotional return-from-warfare story w/ Kristen Stewart, Steve Martin & more

— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) April 13, 2016

"Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" - in the tradition of "Lone Survivor" and "American Sniper," Tom Rothman says. Somber trailer. Intrigued.

— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) April 13, 2016

Um, "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" looks AWESOME.

— Darren Franich (@DarrenFranich) April 13, 2016

Susan Sarandon mentions Kristen with Harper's Bazaar

Today I think there is a crop of young women who are interested in having fun and having lives but are not necessarily trying to please all the time—even though they are scrutinized constantly. The Melissa McCarthys, the Amy Poehlers, all of those gals who are creating work, being funny and independent. You don't always have to be about liberation. Then there's Shailene Woodley and Ellen Page and Brie Larson—they seem to be creating a life. Kristen Stewart. Saoirse Ronan. These women are using their careers instead of being used by them.

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Photo of Kristen and friends in NYC - 12 April 2016

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New 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' Posters

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Posters are being exhibited at Cinema Con in Las Vegas. 

Sony Pictures (the studio behind the film) will be presenting their upcoming films there on April 12 (7.30pm PT).

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Photo of Kristen at her 26th birthday party - 9 April 2016

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Lotta Kvarnung Happy birthday darlin Kristen! 🎉 

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