The AFM 2006 Report   The American Film Market was held in Santa Monica, California November 1-8, 2006 for 8 days of meetings, screenings and dealmaking for filmmakers from around the world. The AFM 2006 had a record number of attendees 8,400. Of that number there were 3,888 people from 435 Exhibitor companies representing 36 countries. The Buyers for films totaled 1,573 from 61 countries. There was a record 592 films, including 431 market premieres screening at the AFM, up from 534 films in 2005. 54 films represented at the AFM were also Official Selections at AFI FEST. The number of Buyers was up as follows: Italy (up 22% in individuals and 20% in companies). Turkey (up 44% in individuals and 20% in companies). Japan (up 9% in companies). Latin/South America Buyers (up 10% increase in individuals and an 11% increase in companies), and the biggest increase is Mexico up 57% in individuals and 30% in companies. The AFM isn’t a film festival, it’s a marketplace where film production and distribution deals are closed. From November 1 to 8th, an estimated $800 million in deals will be sealed on completed films & some on films that haven’t even started shooting yet. The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association that represents producers and distributors of independent Film & TV. the AFM LINK:  www.americanfilmmarket.com. FILM BUYERS REPORT: Click here For a breakdown on the BUYERS at the AFM 2006     AFM 2006 HIGHLIGHTS	AFM 2006 HIGHLIGHTS ROB-B-HOOD JACKIE CHAN   ROB-B-HOOD (2006) Directed by Benny Chan JCE Movies Limited Staring Cast: Jackie Chan & Louis Koo, Jmichael Hui and Michael Medvedev as the 30 million dollar baby. Jackie Chan’s latest film introduced at the AFM 2006 is ROB-B-HOOD. This one is in Chinese with subtitles, but you’ll hardly even notice you don’t speak the language. Directed by Benny Chan, the great use of cinematography and images speaks internationally. The Music in the film is great and very well placed and adds to that getting lost in the movie experience. As you might expect, the film is full of those excellently choreographed Hong Kong style scenes with that original flare that is the trademark of Jackie Chan. But it’s the mix of Action, Humor & emotional moments that put Jackie’s films over the top. The Humor is graphic, slapstick at times, edgy and a lot of it involves a small baby, and P.S, there are plenty of dirty diapers. You’ll hear the audience gasp around you as the little tike is thrown into some NO HOLDS BARRED Jackie Chan Action sequences. I imagine the censor for TV in the USA will actually faint! Jackie is a great actor, comedian and creative genius. The film features a trickster trio notoriously known as the Thieving Muskateers, consisting of Slipper (Jackie Chan), Landlord (Michael Hui) and Octopus (Louis Koo). A reward of 30 million for the kidnapping of a tiny tod sounds like an offer that the thieving trio cannot refuse. However, one thing snowballs into another, landing everyone into a moral dilemma and a dangerous quandary. This film is definite Winner, Chinese languge and all! Here’ the official site for the FILM: http://rob-b-hood.jce.com.hk/en/main.html For HOLLYWOOD2YOU.TV - John Reed
I AM SOMEBODY (Previous aka title: CHINAMAN'S CHANCE) CHINAMAN’S CHANCE (to be released in summer 2007) Directed by Aki Aleong MUSTARD SEED FILMS The talented cast includes actors REGGIE LEE, TIMOTHY BOTTOMS, ERNEST BORGNINE, COOLIO, OLIVIA HUSSEY, GEOFFREY LEWIS, CHRISTOPHER ATKINS, MARTIN KOVE, BO SVENSON, THERESA RUSSELL, TOMMY CHONG, LORENZO LAMAS, DANNY TREJO, MATTHIAS HUES and more... “This is a story that needs to be told” says director Aki Aleong. Aki Aleong’s new movie CHINAMAN’S CHANCE, is a powerful statement about the lives of Chinese immigrants in the 1800’s. Aki’s vision for the film is a social commentary of racial conciseness in America’s past, and how in the future love & forgiveness can bring us together. This is an independent film so the cast was drawn to it not for large salaries, but the fact that this was a project with a message of truth to educate America, and that Aki had an overwhelming passion for the telling of this story. The actual casting is a very significant part of the message of the film. The casting is very ethnically diverse using a rich variety of Asian, Hispanic, African, and Caucasian actors, but on a deeper level the use actors like Tommy Chong (part Asian) playing the part of a white man sends another subliminal message to the audience. The lead actor REGGIE LEE (‘Pirates of the Caribbean II, III’ - ‘Prison Break’), said this was a special opportunity for him to play an Asian role and NOT be cast in one of the traditional Asian roles of films made today that portray Asians as gang members, drug dealers or car racers. Aki Aleong adds, that stereotypes of Asian people have stifled the casting of films for a long time. Aki has worked with SAG as the National Chairman of the EEOC to help promote film casting to reflect the social ethnic scene. The film centers on Chinese railroad workers and how they were mistreated and considered more like a piece of merchandise that could be disposed of as necessary. The quote “If you don’t have a chance in Hell, you have a Chinaman’s Chance” reflects the reality of the time. During the 1880’s the powerful religious backing in America believed the Chinese people were a bad influence and associated them with drugs (Opium) and Prostitutes, and felt that they should not be part of America. The Historical fact is that the United States passed the Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited any additional Chinese from entering America. It wasn’t until 1942 that the ACT was overturned, and the Chinese were once again allowed to enter the United States. Aki sites, “Chinese contributions to America have been numerous and should be recognized, like bringing cultivation techniques well known in China, to California farming in the 1800’s”. Aki Aleong started his career on Broadway in “Tea House of the August Moon” over 50 years ago, and has stared or co-stared in over 250 television shows and 40 movies. In his long line of credits he has worked with some of the greats of Hollywood like Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Betty Davis, Peter Lawford, Roger Moore, Joanne Woodward, Frank Sinatra and many others. Perhaps this film will help awaken the conciseness of Americans to the contributions that the Chinese people have made to America, and to help bridge the gap between the US and CHINA relations which is a political necessity today. Here’s the link to view the CHINAMAN’S CHANCE trailer: THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.chinamanschance.com/ The film is being represented at the AFM by +Entertainment. http://www.plusent.com/ For Hollywood2you.TV - John Reed	INTERNATIONAL FILMING SINGAPORE      The Island of Singapore is poised to make movies for Hollywood. At the AFM (American Film Market) this year, the Singapore government operated MDA (Media Development Authority) is making aggressive efforts to bring Hollywood productions to Singapore. They have funded the FILM & Media area for support to the tune of 500 million dollars. They are encouraging film production, post-production and co-productions with Singapore companies. At the same time, they welcome companies to establish operations on the Island long term.  LUCAS ARTS ANIMATION is one of the first to do so. The LUCAS ARTS facility is expected to ramp up to 300 employees. Since the MDA is government managed, it is promoting ALL media companies in Singapore equally, not just a select group. They also act as quality control to verify the business claims and practices of those companies that are being promoted. The Island has state-of-the-art facilities & numerous services available, but if need be, they have excellent relationships with the surrounding countries. Singapore has been said to be the GATEWAY to Asia and has some great locations to prove it. They have downtown towering skyscrapers, getaway Island paradises, gritty industrial sites, grassy wastelands, sandy beaches and vibrant ethnic villages. One terrific advantage is that there isn’t the problem of a language barrier as English is the official language of business and administration. Financial incentives are available to draw in filmmakers, and will be handled by the (FSS), the Film in Singapore Scheme. There are a few different Schemes that you can take advantage of, and they will subsidize up to a maximum of 50% of qualifying expenses incurred for filming in Singapore including: hiring of professional services, local talent, production staff, post production services, location specialists, renting of production equipment & facilities and airfares too. Singapore looks very serious about bringing more business in, so check them out when you're considering filming in ASIA for sure. Here’s the link to the SINGAPORE MDA site: http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/index_flash.aspx LUCAS ANIMATION - SINGAPORE Pictured here at the Skywalker Ranch just prior to the startup of Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, are (left to right) Micheline Chau, President and Chief Operating Officer, Lucasfilm Ltd.; George Lucas; and Teo Ming Kian, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board. (Photographer: Dean Bentley.) For Hollywood2You - John Reed
OCTOBER KINGSLEY is…. Dr. Fugazzi in her crazy psycho thriller. I met with October Kingsley at the AFM and we talked about how she Wrote, Produced, Directed, and Starred in Dr. Fugazzi. This is her first film. She didn’t graduate from film school, but was an actress who took matters into her own hands and wanted to make a film with IMPACT. She is visibly of Indian (India that is) decent, although actually born in Australia. She had run into the same problem that thousands of other actors in Hollywood do, being type cast into standard stereotyped roles. She said "What am I going to do, be cast as a Terrorist or something!”.  So first, she found & arranged some funding to do her own film. Then she wrote a script that could be handled within that budget. When it came time for a Producer or Co-producer, she was told it was too complicated a film to do for the money. She said, “It can’t be that difficult” and so she took it as a challenge, as an experiment to prove it could be done.  She knew she would need production people that knew the nuts and bolts, so she hired an experienced UPM and got started. Knowing a name actor could help increase the value & help sell the film, she soon had Faye Dunaway on board playing the part of the detective. When I asked her what tag line she would use to describe this film she said,” something like Blue Velvet meets Clockwork Orange”. When I asked her if we were seeing any of the REAL October in the film, she said “If you want to know the Artist, look at the Art”.  October Kingley is a Philosophy graduate of UCLA, although she feels it’s really somewhat useless. She said she has one life to do something special and to make an Impact, and from what I see, she’s doing it right now. I really have to give it to this POWER HOUSE of a Lady! In a year and a half, she has written, financed, directed, produced and starred in a film that’s being sold internationally at the American Film Market in 2006. October Kingsley is on a roll and has a 2nd film in development now, so keep your eyes on this Writer/Producer/Director/Actress. Here’s the link to the sales company for the AFM 2006 - CINEMA EPOCH http://www.cinemaepoch.com/ And here’s the Link the official Dr. Fugazzi site: http://www.drfugazzi.com/home.htm For Hollywood2you.TV - John Reed	PLANE DEAD (2006) Directed by Scott Thomas IMAGEWORKS ENTERTAINMENT PLANE DEAD - We have a situation captain…. Ah yes we start this film with fairly standard but nicely done character set up that you’ve come to expect. But soon it’s time to buckle your seat belts for some intense Action & Horror that’s enough to make your future air travel questionable. Horrorifing Zombie-ish images are coming back to life, and proliferating their species with every bite. They’re coming out of the walls, up through the floor, and the damn things just won’t die! Thank God Director Scott Thomas & co-screenplay writer Mark Onspaugh, spiced in some GREAT Laugh-Out-Loud Comic relief scenes throughout the film. The comedic aspect really added to the film, and made it a very entertaining experience. P.S. The audience was really LOL. Imageworks Entertainment are the producers of this film being offered at the AFM 2006. When I spoke to a rep for the company they said the international markets were very excited and anticipate a very successful international acceptance. I agree and look forward to a domestic success as well. Here’s the site for the Imageworks Entertainment film site: http://www.imageworksentertainment.com/PlaneDead.htm For Hollywood2You.TV – John Reed
AFM and AFI – Foreign Film Report - 2006 by Georges Chamchoum Los Angeles in November “La Fete du Cinema” as the French say, it means literally The Feast of the Cinema. Why? Well, there are two big events or should I say 2 huge events every November that attracts every Film biz dude from all over the World, they are the AFM – the ultimate Film Market and the AFI Fest one of the most important if not prestigious Film Festivals on the globe. AFM: The American Film Market which takes place in Santa Monica and the AFI Fest: The American Film Institute Film Festival which took over 20 years ago from the FILMEX, and it takes place where else but in the heart of Hollywood. There are more than 500 Festivals all over the World – everyone and anyone wants his Festival, gone the good old days when they were a handful of Festivals, where Cannes was the Queen, Venice The King, Berlin the Knight in Shinning Armor, Moscow a splendid Princess, Karlovy-vary the Crowning Prince and finally the Prince of Darkness Le Festival du Film Fantastique et de Science-Fiction in Paris. Now the above have offspring all over the World the most notable AFI Fest, The Montreal World Film Festival, Toronto, Sundance, Tokyo and the babies growing at a fast pace: Pusan in Korea, Bangkok in Thailand and Dubai, UAE. Now as for the city of Los Angeles alone I let the next phrase speaks for itself, Christian Gaines, Director of AFI Fest said: “[…] you can’t throw a rock without hitting a film festival!” AFI has the distinctive feature of being unique in many ways: “[…] the quality of the experience for all the constituents that come together: the filmmakers, the press, the audience. There are so many ways to get and see movies now, and with accessibility comes greater appreciation of international films.” said Gaines. AFI Fest has become the stepping stone to the Oscars and mostly for the Foreign Movies Submissions. This year alone they were no less than 15 films that will raise their countries flag high-up in the skies of Hollywood. 5 will be the lucky one but it does not mean they are the best – last year for example one of the Best Foreign movie was from Canada C.R.A.Z.Y directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, which by the way and sadly has not found a home (Distributor) in the US. As an Intro to this Foreign Language Films submitted by their countries to the Academy Awards 2007 Director Gavin Hood as he accepted last year’s Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film Tsotsi (South Africa) said: “We may have foreign language films, but our stories are the same as your stories. They are about the human heart and emotion!” This Year’s Movies are: After The Wedding, Directed by Susanne Bier (Brothers, 2004) from Denmark; American Visa, Directed by Juan-Carlos Valvidia from Bolivia; Curse of the Golden Flower, Directed by Master Filmmaker Zhang Yimou (Jet Li’s Hero, 2004 and House of the Flying Daggers, 2002) from China, an opulent historic drama, a feast for the eyes and mind. Yimou is no stranger to the Oscars. Days of Glory, Directed by Rachid Bouchareb from Algeria. Days of Glory is by far one of my 2 favorite Foreign Movies in many, many years. Algeria won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film with Coasta-Gavras’ Z in 1969 and Francoise Bonnot for Best Editing – will 2006 be the Year of Algeria? Days of Glory chronicles the heroism of North Africans who fought for France during World War II, uncompromising and raw. Falkenberg Farewell, Directed by Jesper Ganslandt from Sweden; Family Law, Directed by Daniel Burman from Argentina; Grbavica, Directed by Jasmila Zbanic from Bosnia Herzegovina, this stunning first feature is set in contemporary Sarajevo and tells the story of a woman and her daughter still reeling from the aftermath of war. A harsh condemnation of any war and its aftermath; Pan’s Labyrinth, Directed by Guillermo del Toro (Mimic,1996, Hellboy, 2002, Blade II, 2004, from Mexico. It has spellbinding cinematic and artistic effects – which del Toro is master at. Ten Canoes, Directed by Rolf De Heer (The Tracker, 2002) from Australia. Rolf De Heer employs the tools of modern film to extend and illuminates an Aboriginal oral tradition that stretches back hundreds of centuries. The story takes place in the mythical past and also represent a modern first, being shot entirely in Aboriginal language. The Banquet, Directed by Feng Xiaogang from Hong Kong. A loose adaptation of Hamlet, The Banquet is set in 10th Century China in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies they would like to finish off at a banquet. It’s a sumptuous epic featuring the wonderful Zhang Ziyi; The Lives of Others, Directed by Florian Henkel von Donnersmarck from Germany. Set in the former East Germany in 1984, about a loyal Stasi (East German State Police) who is assigned to gather evidence against a playright, and find himself immersed in a life of free thought and forbidden speech. The Yacoubian Building, masterly directed by Marwan Hamed from Egypt. The famous Yacoubian Building was erected in downtown Cairo in 1934 to house the city’s upper crust. In its heyday it housed wealthy pashas, government ministers, foreign diplomats and even Jews as the Narrator states. After the military-coup of 1952 the rich foreigners fled the country abandoning the once stately building. Today the tenants of its spacious apartments are a bit tattered and its roof top laundry rooms are converted into homes for the poor. It’s a meditation on corruption, fundamentalism, prostitution, homosexuality, and drugs in central Cairo, an uncompromising look at Cairo today. This movie is one of the best I have seen in many, many years. It’s a movie that is reminiscent of Salh Abu Seif’s (master Egyptian Filmmaker) best. A wonderful cast led by Adel Imam, Nour El Sherif, Yousra, Ahmed Ratib, Hind Sabri and many others round-up this must-see movie. It’s not only a triumph of Egyptian Cinema but I would go as far as say a Triumph of World Cinema! Vitus, Directed by Fredi Murer from Switzerland; Volver, Directed by Pedro Almodovar from Spain – and as usual over blown and over rated filmmaker. White Palsm by Szabolcs Hajdu from Hungary, a wonderful film winner of 5 awards at the Hungarian Film Week. The movie is based on Hajdu’s own brother Zoltan’s experiences: a talented gymnast is traumatized by an abusive teacher…. To round-up the Selection of Foreign Movies I will add 4 more movies that were not screened at the AFI one come from India Rang De Basanti, Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra featuring the wonderful and talented Aamir Khan from the Academy Award nominated film Lagaan (2001). Rang De Basanti tells the story of a young woman from England who travels to India to make a documentary about her grandfather's diary, which was written in the 1920s about the Indian Independence. 9th Company, Directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk from Russia. It tells the true story of Young Soviet Army recruits stuck in the bloody war in Afghanistan in the 1980’s. For the little story Bondarchuk who also plays the lead is the son of Sergei Bondarchuk, Russian actor, director and screenwriter, famous for his big budget war dramas (War and Peace, 1968, Boris Godunov, 1986, Quiet Flows the Don, 2004) and no less famous Russian Actress Irina Skobtseva, and brother of Natalya & Yelena Bondarchuk both actresses. The King and the Clown, Directed by Lee Joon-ik (Hwangsanbul, 2003) from South Korea. Two clowns living in the Chosun Dynasty get arrested for staging a play that satirizes the king. They are dragged to the palace and threatened with execution, but are given a chance to save their lives if they can make the king laugh, brilliantly crafted movie, entertaining and gripping. South Korea has given us some of the most agreeable surprises in the Biz these past 6 or 7 years, the breakthrough came with Shiri with Yun-jin Kim (Lost) in 1999. At the AFM they were no less than 21 Companies and some 100 representatives from South Korea. The Los Angeles Times quoted during the AFM: “ In a business where the one language everyone speaks is money. Hollywood is searching for its creative Seoul.” “Once a backwater of international cinema South Korea has become one of the hottest film centers churning out box-office hits and critical fave that have Studio Executives and Agents scrambling for remakes….” Some notorious remakes and future remakes are: Il Mare (The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock); Oldboy; The Host; The Tale of Two Sisters; My Sasy Girl and many more…. South Korean cinema reinvented the language of movies. Finaly Al Bosta, Directed by Philippe Aractingi from Lebanon. Aractingi said to me: “ I just came back from Beirut (Lebanon) you have no idea the sense of helplessness you see in people. In a world getting more violent by the hour and the Middle East sinking literally into inferno, my movie shows normal “Arabs”, without beards or veils, without any complexes or flaws. My movie tells a simple story; a story about life and happiness, about little things. I would go as far as to say in many ways “a claim…!” Aractingi’s maiden voyage into Feature Films. Al Bosta is a breeze of fresh air in a stuffy world.  BOSTAwebstie: http://www.bostathemovie.com/ AFI is becoming the magic word for good and groundbreaking movies. AFM is becoming the magic word for discoveries and next hit surprise. The heart of Los Angeles beats at the cadence of celluloid dreams. See you next year, Inch Allah and in the meantime first the movie I am going to see is James Bond Casino Royal… and then dream maybe Egypt, Algeria or Lebanon will be Oscar Nominated this year 2007 – I’m allowed dream, no?!!! for Hollywood2you - Georges Chamchoum Here's the link to the AFI website:  http://www.afi.com/ A record 61 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 79th Academy Awards®  CLICK HERE for a list of the Foreign Language Film submissions for Oscar® consideration.	TROMA ENTERTAINMENT   TROMA is an independent film cult phenomena that’s been occurring & reoccurring for generations now. After 32 years in business they have some 900 films in their library. Many notable actors have made their first films with TROMA. Founder filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman has inspired thousands of young filmmakers to “MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE”, which is what his popular book is aptly titled. Lloyd is pictured above next to one of his biggest stars, TOXIE the Toxic Avenger.  Is it just me, or do you see a resemblance? The enthusiasm of his team, who are his crew & cast & students, is very apparent when you speak with them. Young filmmakers come from all around the world to work with him, and to work for free if necessary just to learn how to make films the TROMA way. I watched the 1st five minutes of POULTRY GEIST their latest creation.  It's about Zombie Chickens coming back for revenge on fast food consumers!. Many of the films are set in Tromaville, New York?? On their website you can find they have TROMA everything like DVDs, T-shirts, posters, bumper stickers etc. There’s even a Sundance event they hold called TROMADANCE.  It's held just a few blocks away from Sundance in Aspen. Unlike Sundance, the fee for this festival is FREE! The TROMA Team has embraced the INTERNET with MYSPACE, TROMA VOD casts and distribution of everything, and these guys seems to being having FUN at whatever they do. The TROMA film recipe seems to be… one part: Campy-Humor, one part: Bloody-Horror, mix with some SEX thrown in to taste. Nothing is really off bounds from what I can see, although they do offer Spicy & Mild versions on the menu of POULTRY GEIST DVD MENU. P.S. I know is just a movie, but I’m not ordering Chicken for awhile just in case! Troma Entertainment 733 Ninth Avenue • New York, NY 10019 Here’s the link to TROMAVILLE USA http://www.troma.com/ For Hollywood2You.TV – John Reed       CLICK ABOVE TO RETURN TO THE HOME PAGE                               Hollywood2You.TV 525 South Francisca Ave. Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (310) 316-4551   Contact@Hollywood2You.TV © 2006 HOLLYWOOD2YOU.TV - all rights reserved