Bit of an eleventh hour news post, this one, but I thought it work mentioning that the Hong Kong Film Week kicks off in London this week. While hardly a film festival – it’s more a case of 5 movies showing in several different cinemas – the week is a great opportunity to see some of the Hong Kong film industry’s most celebrated recent output on the big screen.

As part of the ‘Think Asia, Think Hong Kong’ campaign, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Overheard 2 will receive an International Premiere at The May Fair Hotel on 12^th September, 7.45pm, introduced by writer/director Alan Mak.

The Prince Charles Cinema will also be showing the following:

IP Man (13^th September, 6.30pm)

Echoes of the Rainbow - followed by post screening Q&A session with director Alex Law and producer Mabel Cheung (14^th September, 6.15pm)

Love in a Puff (15^th September, 6.30pm)

The Beast Stalker (16^th September, 6.30pm)

The selection presents a movie for everyone, really, and while Ip Man has been available on DVD for some time, Donnie Yen’s kung fu gem begs to be seen on the big screen.

For more details visit www.thinkasiathinkhk.com/en/filmweek.htm

The site is currently taking pitches for a 2 minute film, under the criteria that it is based on the bible – though how you use the good book as your inspiration is entirely up to you. Entrants have until 14 October 2011 to pitch their film, which will be judged by actors David Oyelowo and David Suchet, animator Nick Park, editor of Empire magazine Nev Pierce and BBC producer Anna Cox.

The Pitch previously ran in 2009; winner Simeon Lumgair got to meet X-Men producer Ralph Winter and see his effort in numerous international film festivals.

Project Director Luke Walton apparently wants “… people from all over the UK to enter The Pitch. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just turned 18 or 65 – all you need is imagination and drive.” Imagination and drive, eh? Dammit, I’m currently high on the former yet running empty on the latter… Shame.

This Sunday, Kim Newman will be introducing the 1974 cult classic The Beast Must Die, and celebrating the new edition of Nightmare Movies, his comprehensive guide to everything gruesome, ghastly and gory.

The epitome of cult cinema, The Beast Must Die will include the original theatrical release’s ‘Werewolf Break,’ in which the audience were encouraged to guess the lupine murderer from a suspect list that includes Charles Gray, Michael Gambon and genre stalwart Peter Cushing.

The Beast Must Die - poster

The show/event will include ’70s tunes, drinks and canapés from 10pm, as well as another Short in the Dark entry courtesy of the London Short Film Festival. Attendees are advised to ‘dress for dinner’.

Tickets are £7.00 (plus booking fee) and available here.

From the press release:

‘The Beast Must Die’ comes from the legendary Amicus, the studio that dripped blood and stars Calvin Lockhart, Peter Cushing and Michael Gambon. A wealthy businessman and skilled huntsman summons a handful of guests to his home for the weekend, one of whom has a taste for blood. It’s up to the others to seek out the monster before the full moon fades…

“super sweet dose of 70’s werewolf camp with a top-notch cast and music” – Eat My Brains

“The Beast Must Die is a horror classic in every sense of the word. It has it all: horn heavy bow-chica-bow-wow Seventies theme music, a badass soul brother as the lead character, some surprising gore… and one of the true masters of our genre; Peter Cushing” – Dread Central

Midnight Movies

Curated by event programmers MMX Associates, Midnight Movies have taken place across London every month since February 2008 at venues such as Curzon Soho, Rio Cinema in Dalston and Ritzy Cinema in Brixton plus The End of the Road and Green Man music festivals. Offering London film-goers an array of cult films in a late night setting, the screenings include a pre-party with live music, themed cocktails, fancy dress and decor.  Featured recently on BBC’s Film 2011, Midnight Movies has welcomed cult legends John Landis, Edgar Wright, Dario Argento, Roger Corman and Bruce Campbell to present their work, held the English premiere of Lars Von Trier’s controversial Antichrist and partnered with the BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, Sci-Fi London and the London International Animation Festival. For more information, visit: www.midnight-movies.co.uk or www.facebook.com/midmov.

Nightmare Movies by Kim Newman, published by Bloomsbury

Now over twenty years old, the original edition of Nightmare Movies has retained its place as a true classic of cult film criticism. In this new edition, Kim Newman brings his seminal work completely up to date, both reassessing his earlier evaluations and adding a second part that analyses the last two decades of horror films with all the wit, intelligence and insight for which he is known. Since the publication of the first edition, horror has been on a gradual upswing and has gained a new and stronger hold over the film industry. Newman negotiates his way through a vast back catalogue of horror and charts the on-screen progress of our collective fears and bogeymen, from the low-budget slasher movies of the 1960s, through to the slick releases of the 2000s. Nightmare Movies is an invaluable companion that not only provides a newly updated history of the darker side of film but also acts as a truly entertaining guide with which to explore the less well-trodden paths of horror and rediscover the classics with a newly instructed eye.

Well, that project hasn’t yet blossomed into a new Hollywood feature but a 10-part webseries, in which Michael Jai White and Jeri Ryan resume their roles as Jackson Briggs and Sonya Blade, respectively, as they once again take on Kano. It’s an origin story/reboot of sorts, one that explores Kano sans-cybernetic eye and Jax before he got those kick-ass arms.

I say “explores”, but anyone expecting characterisation here will be disappointed; fortunately, the first webisode delivers on the action, which, let’s face it, is what Mortal Kombat is all about. Series stalwarts Sub-Zero and Scorpion are due to make an appearance soon.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy - Sub-Zero

This highly stylish trailer alone is enough to make it the cinematic oddity you just have to see for yourself:

Rubber may have straight-to-DVD written all over it, but those in the UK who wish to see the film on the big screen may be in luck, depending on where they live. The film will be screening at the following special events across March and April:

Saturday 26th March:
Flatpack Festival @ Electric, Birmingham

Tuesday 5th April:
Celluloid Screams @ Sheffield Showroom Cinema

Friday 8th April:
Midnight Movies @ The Ritzy, Brixton

Hardly a national release, then, but better than nothing. For the rest of us, Rubber will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from EST 11th April.

Rubber - Quentin Dupieux

Plot Synopsis:

Rubber is the story of Robert, an inanimate tire that has been abandoned in the desert, and suddenly and inexplicably comes to life. As Robert roams the bleak landscape, he discovers that he possesses terrifying telepathic powers that give him the ability to destroy anything he wishes without having to move. At first content to prey on small desert creatures and various discarded objects, his attention soon turns to humans, especially a beautiful and mysterious woman who crosses his path. Leaving a swath of destruction across the desert landscape, Robert becomes a chaotic force to be reckoned with, and truly a movie villain for the ages. Directed by legendary electro musician Quentin Dupieux (Steak, Nonfilm), aka Mr. Oizo, RUBBER is a smart, funny and wholly original tribute to the cinematic concept of “no reason.”

Directed by Quentin Dupieux (aka legendary French electro DJ Mr.Oizo)
Produced by Grégory Bernard and Julien Berlan
Starring Stephen Spinella, Jack Plotnick and Wings Hauser
Original Music by Gaspard Auge (Justice) and Mr Oizo

DVD Extras:
Interview with Quentin Dupieux
Interview with Stephen Spinella
Interview with Jack Plotnick
Interview with Roxane Mesquida
First camera tests
Trailer

Oh to be 16 again. And also a girl…

So how might one apply? Via the modern wonders of Facebook and by following the instructions on Sally’s website (www.sallypotter.com/casting). Isn’t the internet marvellous?

From the press release:

Film production company Adventure Pictures is searching for two teenage girls to play the lead roles in a new feature film.  Director Sally Potter is looking for two aspiring actresses, with a playing age of 15 – 16, for her 60′s period film. Potter has worked with stars including Johnny Depp, Tilda Swinton, Judi Dench and Jude Law on her previous films, including the Oscar-nominated Orlando. Adventure is inviting those interested to post a short video of themselves performing part of a scene from the film, and the best ones will be invited to an audition in London.

Sally Potter & Lily Cole on the set of 'Rage'

I’m not sure what those special features entail, exactly, but can only imagine that the package will be in line with the deluxe Star Wars tomes that have been released over the years, only with more “coming atcha off the page!” factor.

The book will be released 15th November, priced £34.99.

Avatar: Collector's Vault 3D

From the press release:

As you make your way through James Cameron’s Avatar Collector’s Vault 3D, you will journey through stunning terrain that few human eyes have seen — the world of the Na’vi, the 10-foot-tall blue-skinned humanoids who inhabit Pandora. They have a mystical connection to Pandora’s natural world, which they believe to be nurtured by and inextricably bound with Eywa, the goddess of life they worship.

Enjoy natural wonders like the floating Hallelujah Mountains and Pandora’s natural bioluminescence. View the moon’s amazing creatures, ranging from the gentle, spirit-powered woodsprite to fearsome predators such as the thanator and the great flying leonopteryx. This interactive book also contains 3D glasses to further enhance your viewing experience, plus 3D Pandora removable profiles. If you are inspired by the awesome beauty of Pandora, James Cameron’s Avatar Collector’s Vault 3D is for you!

Check out the trailer below:

The film definitely looks promising; a restrained, character-driven piece more similar in tone to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road than the zombie-infested/Mad Max scenarios we are so accustomed to.

The Workbook Discovery and Distribution Award is a US “social open source” initiative that’s been set up to help those in the creative industries not only fund, promote and distribute their project but make a enough profit from it to sustain subsequent endeavours. The Workbook Project was founded by independent filmmaker Lance Weiler, best known for the effective yet ultra-low budget cult horror The Last Broadcast.

So, Doomsday showed us Scotland after the fall of civilisation… now all that’s left to make my desolate life feel complete is a post-apocalypse movie set in Wales. Think of the possibilities…

Visit www.onehundredmornings.com for more on the film, or read the press release below for dates and times:

WORKBOOK PROJECT ANNOUNCES SCREENING DATES AND LOCATION FOR DISCOVERY & DISTRIBUTION AWARD-WINNER ‘ONE HUNDRED MORNINGS’

(Philadelphia, PA) -- The WorkBook Project (WBP) is excited to announce the screening dates and venue for its Discovery and Distribution Award Winner, the Irish post-apocalyptic drama One Hundred Mornings.

As part of the WorkBook Project Discovery and Distribution Award, One Hundred Mornings was given a one-week theatrical release at the state of the art Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles. In addition, the winning filmmaker will receive a special P&A package consisting of PR, street team and social media support (provided by Culture Shock Marketing and WBPLabs). The winning filmmaker will also receive 100% of the box office receipts, providing funding for future distribution opportunities.

The Discovery & Distribution Award is made possible thanks to a number of amazing partners IndieFlix, the Slamdance Film Festival, Hammer to Nail and the Downtown Independent Theater. The screening will be co-presented and supported by local independent film groups, in an unprecedented show of unity, including Cinefist, Cinema Speakeasy, Slamdance Film Festival, the Downtown Independent Theatre, and more.

“The Discovery and Distribution award is an effort to help give a boost to exciting creative works that might otherwise not be seen. We look to leverage the creative community to help get the word out and to collectively work to make a DIY discovery and distribution effort easier” says Lance Weiler, the founder of The WorkBook Project.

What: One Hundred Mornings screening
Where: Downtown Independent Theatre, 251 South Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Screenings: Opening night is Thursday September 16^th at 8:00PM

Subsequent screenings:
Friday Sep 17th: 7:30, 9:30
Sat Sep 18^th: 5:30, 7:30, 9:30
Sun Sep 19th: 5:30, 7:30, 9:30
Mon Sep 20th: 7:30, 9:30
Tues Sep 21^st: : 7:30, 9:30
Wed Sep 22nd: 7:30, 9:30

One Hundred Mornings cast and crew Conor Horgan (writer/director), Katie Holly (producer) and Kelly Campbell (actor) will be in attendance for the opening night event.

Every night of the run other than opening night will feature an independent local short film curated by Cinefist, Cinema Speakeasy and Slamdance. Check www.downtownindependent.com/ for programming updates.

About One Hundred Mornings

www.onehundredmornings.com
(85 mins, Ireland, written and directed by Conor Horgan)

Awards include: Slamdance Special Mention, IFTA for Best Cinematography

Set in a world upended by a complete breakdown of society, two couples hide out in a lakeside cabin hoping to survive the crisis. As resources run low and external threats increase, each of them faces a critical decision they never thought they’d have to make.

About The Workbook Project Discovery and Distribution Award

The WorkBook Project Discovery and Distribution Award is part of an expanded WBP initiative to provide tangible options for those working in film, music, games, design and software to fund, create, distribute and sustain.  The award opens new channels and modes of distribution currently unavailable in the traditional system and established festival circuit. Pooling distribution channels, making them accessible, and spotlighting a featured filmmaker with theatrical run and packaged PR through secured resources, the WBP Award displaces a limited bottleneck system with an open-source, sustainability model. In addition to the winner, The WBP awarded another 20 selected filmmakers with an exclusive digital distribution access package provided by WBP Award partner IndieFlix that will place them on Hulu, iTunes, Netfilx, and variety of other outlets.

About the Downtown Independent

Downtown Independent is the hub for independent film in Los Angeles. The state-of-the-art facility houses a 222 seat auditorium capable of screening films in any format from 35mm to digital 3D. Located at 251 South Main Street in Downtown Los Angeles the theater provides easy access for independent productions to reach a live audience. Downtown Independent is the space for intrepid Angelenos to enjoy the latest independent films as well as classics, new music and art.

Wow. Secret Cinema continues to grow, in the face of fears that cinema attendance will eventually succumb to cheaper DVDs and internet piracy. It’s a phenomenon that seems to have spread from word of mouth and movie mag mentions to national media attention in just over a year.

I for one am not surprised. Not only does Secret Cinema’s “live cinema” have the potential to make moviegoing an event once more, but the evenings are clearly aimed at those with a genuine love for the movies – as opposed to those stumped for something better to do on a Sunday night. Furthermore, it’s always great to see such classics as Blade Runner, Ghostbusters and The Warriors as God intended.

So what is this most ambitious event, then? An entire weekend, from the 3^rd to the 5^th of September. And the films they’ll be showing are as always anyone’s guess; previous movies have included Aliens, Anvil! The Story of Anvil and the gruesome pie-in-face-fest that is Bugsy Malone.

The last show saw Canary Wharf transformed into a cyberpunk dystopia for a showing of Blade Runner to an audience of 7,000. Check the video below:

Tickets are available at www.secretcinema.org priced at £27.50 (£23.50 for students). But be warned: these shows sell out quickly.

_

From the press release:

SECRET CINEMA, THE PIONEER OF LIVE CINEMA, ANNOUNCE THEIR MOST AMBITIOUS EVENT TO DATE. BE PART OF THE REVOLUTION.

3-5 SEPTEMBER 2010

In Partnership with Windows^® Phone

Secret Cinema is looking for the adventurous, the valiant, the stalwart and the brave to venture with them on their most incredible journey yet.

Taking place from 3^rd to 5^th September, in partnership with Windows® Phone, Secret Cinema continues its revolution in creating an alternative to the traditional cinema-going experience with its biggest show to date.

With audience figures rising and tickets selling out in record time due to popular demand be sure to get yours here: www.secretcinema.org.

Since its conception in December 2007 when 400 people came together under London Bridge for Gus Van Saint’s Paranoid Park, Secret Cinema has continued to push the boundaries of how audiences experience film. In June 2010, 7000 people descended upon Canary Wharf for SC’s 11^th outing to discover the world of Los Angeles 2019 and to enjoy an immersive experience of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic Blade Runner. A vast abandoned warehouse was transformed into the brave new world with littered alleyways, live bands, DJs and over 100 actors, climaxing in a live aerial recreation of the film’s famous final scene.

‘Secret Cinema is looking to grow the experience and community with every event. Our huge growth in numbers is a protest from our audience to bring the magic back to cinema. Our partnership with Windows Phone has blossomed over the past few events and we are very happy to be continuing to work together.’

Founder and creative director, Fabien Riggall

Secret Cinema is revolutionising the traditional cinematic experience, the secret venue will be revealed a few days before the event. The film is revealed upon arrival. Secret Cinema screen all genres and eras, cult classics, golden oldies and exclusive preview screenings of eagerly anticipated upcoming releases. Surprising site-specific locations from five-star hotel car parks to working city farms are commandeered to evoke the spirit of the secret movie.

Audiences interact with the experience by joining up to Secret Cinema’s Facebook and Twitter, where the first seeds of the film’s identity begin to be sown in the weeks ahead of the events. Join the nearly 50,000 friends of Secret Cinema on Facebook

www.facebook.com/pages/Secret-Cinema/46896241052 or on Twitter @secretcinema.

September’s Secret Cinema marks a renewed partnership with Windows Phone, who over the next year will bring even more connectivity and interactivity to the Secret experience.

“We’re thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Secret Cinema,” said Alex Reeve, Director, Mobile Business Group, Microsoft UK. “Windows Phone aims to help amplify the cinematic experience that Secret Cinema brings to its fan base, who are connecting and sharing their experiences every day via the web and mobile.”

Recent Secret Cinema events in partnership with Windows Phone have included a mind blowing new world of visual delights in an epic recreation of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and an amazing re-creation of post-war and modern Berlin, for Wings Of Desire in February earlier this year.

Do you want to be part of the uprising? Let us be great again…

About Secret Cinema

SECRET CINEMA, which launched in December 2007, has already captured the imagination of those looking for a stimulating night of alternative entertainment. Previous Secret Cinema Events include:

Blade Runner, Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf, June 2010
Wings Of Desire, The Shepherd’s Bush Pavilion, February 2010
Bugsy Malone, The Troxy, November 2009
Alien, Shoreditch warehouse, October 2009
The Warriors, London Fields, September 2009
The Harder They Come, Coronet Theatre, June 2009
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (UK Premiere), Shepherd’s Bush Empire, February 2009
Ghostbusters, Royal Horticultural Halls and the Corn Exchange, Brighton, Nov 2008
A Night at the Opera, Hackney Empire, October 2008
If… Dulwich College, London, and Clifton College, Bristol, June 2008
Funny Face, The Royal Academy of Arts, February 2008
Paranoid Park (UK Premiere), A disused railway tunnel in South London, December 2007

About Future Cinema

FUTURE CINEMA, the creators of Secret Cinema, creates large scale cinematic experiences, fusing feature film with music, theatre and live performance. The company is famed for taking audiences on multi-sensory rides that have become genuine ‘Don’t Miss’ events. Future Cinema also operates as an agency, bringing talent to creative projects and developing innovative experiential campaigns for brands, new releases and other third parties. For more information: www.futurecinema.co.uk

Secret Cinema In Partnership with Windows® Phone

The action comedy will see Eisenberg and Parks & Recreation’s Aziz Ansari play a hapless pizza delivery boy and a high school history teacher, respectively, who are forced to carry out a bank heist by aspiring criminal mastermind Danny McBride.

The hook? Eisenberg and Ansari have a mere half-hour to pull the robbery off, when one of the duo is strapped into a bomb vest.

30 Minutes or Less will go into production this Summer, from a script by Michael Diliberti and Matthew Sullivan, and is scheduled for an August 2011 release.