LizaOnFilm: 'Leaving Europe: A New Life in America' Exhibition...

LizaOnFilm: 'Leaving Europe: A New Life in America' Exhibition...: By Liza Foreman On view on Europeana.eu is an online exhibition about immigration to America from Europe.  The exhibition includes a...

'Leaving Europe: A New Life in America' Exhibition on View on Europeana

By Liza Foreman

On view on Europeana.eu is an online exhibition about immigration to America from Europe.  The exhibition includes a series of wonderful pictures such as this image of two Italian kids, shown courtesy of the French National Library. 

America is well-known as a land of immigrants; a notion that is essential to its identity. European migration to America may be dated from 1620 when 100 Pilgrims from England set out on the difficult four-month journey across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Most Europeans emigrated to America between 1820-1920. They came in two major waves, first from northern and western Europe in the early 19th century, then from southern and eastern Europe between 1860 and 1920. While the Pilgrims left their homeland seeking freedom from religious persecution, immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries were also fleeing poor economic conditions or political oppression.

In early 19th century America, immigrants worked as farmers and domestic servants. As the country moved from an agricultural to an industrial economy in the latter half of the 19th century, they laid railway tracks and worked in factories. They opened small restaurants, barbershops, and shoeshine parlours. 

They worked in the textile industry and in coal mines. They helped produce iron and steel, and worked on gas, electricity, and water projects. America’s immigrants settled the country, developed its infrastructure, and advanced its politics and culture...

Check it out: http://exhibitions.europeana.eu/exhibits/show/europe-america-en/europe-america

LizaOnFilm: The Gutenberg Bible on View with Other Treasures o...

LizaOnFilm: The Gutenberg Bible on View with Other Treasures o...: By Liza Foreman Once upon a time, people read books for pleasure. Pictured here an image of the 42-line Gutenberg Bible, the first major...

The Gutenberg Bible on View with Other Treasures on Europeana.eu

By Liza Foreman

Once upon a time, people read books for pleasure. Pictured here an image of the 42-line Gutenberg Bible, the first major book made with movable type which helped herald in the age of print.

This Gutenberg Bible is housed in the British Library. But it can also now be viewed, along with 24 million other artifacts from Europe's cultural history, on the five-year-old portal www.europeana.eu.

Other treats include The Treaty of Versailles and the Mona Lisa.

Who needs blockbusters.

LizaOnFilm: 'Smurfette' Collection to Preview at New York Fash...

LizaOnFilm: 'Smurfette' Collection to Preview at New York Fash...: By Liza Foreman Collaborations between fashion designers and filmmakers are on the increase. Witness the recent Banana Republic “Anna Kare...

'Smurfette' Collection to Preview at New York Fashion Week

By Liza Foreman

Collaborations between fashion designers and filmmakers are on the increase. Witness the recent Banana Republic “Anna Karenina” collection, or the design of costumes for “The Great Gatsby” which was aided by Miuccia Prada.

Now Sony and Snoopy are taking the development to a new level, with a New York Fashion Week show presenting a collection in honor of the release of “The Smurfs 2” movie which is due out in July.

Junk Food Art House is teaming up with Sony Pictures Animation in collaboration with Lois Sakany and Samia Grand-Pierre of Highsnobette.com, to unveil the new collection inspired by the animated character, Smurfette. The show will reflect Smurfette’s “spunk and undeniable cute factor with hints of Parisian accents from the movie,” as per the press release.

The collection mixes a "high-end aesthetic with street-wear elements to create looks that capture the spirit of the film and characters, though a non-literal translation."

Can’t wait.

The aesthetic theme of the collection is so-called “Gamine Chic,” contrasting the modern look of classic tailored silhouettes with signature soft knit tops, which are the heart of the Junk Food brand.

The theme will combines the Smurfs’ color palette with inspirations from the movie’s Paris storyline. In keeping with the contemporary fairytale aesthetic of the Smurfs’ world, tops are cut in a variety of soft shapes that portray Smurfette’s rough and tumble yet girlish nature. Styling silhouettes include mod dresses, sharp trousers, flip skirts, and three-quarter length cropped jackets.

Customized tees in the show will be heightened with art that speaks to the trippy, timeless appeal of the Smurfs, including versions of the Smurfs’ “La La La” theme song, all-over print headshots of Smurfette and key images from the classic show, all of which are in step with current fashion themes paying tribute to brightly colored animated characters with icon status.

This will be the fifth collaboration for Junk Food Art House (following Anthony Lister, Aaron Rose, MARIPOL, and Keith Haring) and marks its second appearance at Fashion Week, following its debut last February with “Money Can’t Buy Happiness” themed show curated by Aaron Rose, transforming the runway into a live Monopoly game.

LizaOnFilm: Bobby Moresco's 'The Harbor' Lands at The Solution...

LizaOnFilm: Bobby Moresco's 'The Harbor' Lands at The Solution...: By Liza Foreman The Solution Entertainment Group has joined forces with Jonathan Zucker of 25A Productions and Robert Teitel to produce ...

Bobby Moresco's 'The Harbor' Lands at The Solution Group

By Liza Foreman

The Solution Entertainment Group has joined forces with Jonathan Zucker of 25A Productions and Robert Teitel to produce and co-finance the action crime thriller "The Harbor."

Bobby Moresco ("Crash") is set to write and direct the film about a New Orleans PI investigating the mysterious death of a woman. He uncovers a conspiracy leading him into a shadowy realm involving rogue agents from the government’s top spy agency.

The Solution is handling the international distribution rights and will present the film to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin. ICM is packaging the film and handling the North American sale on behalf of the filmmakers. Mary Vernieu is currently casting the film for a summer 2013 start on location in New Orleans.

The deal with The Solution was brokered on behalf of filmmakers by attorney Evan Krause of Gray Krauss Stratford Des Rochers.

Moresco adapted the script for "The Harbor" from the novel "Deadly Codes" by Joseph P. O’Donnell and will direct the feature film. He won an Academy Award alongside Paul Haggis for his original screenplay for "Crash" that he also produced in 2004. His writing and directing credits include the NBC TV series "The Black Donnellys." Moresco has two other scripts in development, including "Castro's Daughter" with Michael Radford set to direct.

Moresco is repped by ICM Partners and Intellectual Artists Management. Intellectual Artists Management is also repping the Zucker and Teitel.

Deborah Hughes Signs The House of Hardy Amies

By Liza Foreman

Deborah Hughes Inc. has signed the Saville Row fashion house, The House of Hardy Amies, which was established at No. 14 Savile Row in 1946.  

The brand's collections draw upon the refined and distinct British style of the house's founder. The timeless look includes, "perfectly cut tailoring, elegant pieces of knitwear and easy outerwear designed to create a definitive modern wardrobe."

LizaOnFilm: Fox Searchlight Sets April 5 Release Date for 'Tra...

LizaOnFilm: Fox Searchlight Sets April 5 Release Date for 'Tra...: FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF DANNY BOYLE’S IN SELECT THEATRES ON FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013 This fi...

Fox Searchlight Sets April 5 Release Date for 'Trance'

FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF DANNY BOYLE’S

IN SELECT THEATRES ON FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

This film will be a limited platform release

LizaOnFilm: North Korean Espionage Feature 'Pyongyang' Finds ...

LizaOnFilm: North Korean Espionage Feature 'Pyongyang' Finds ...: By Liza Foreman New Regency and Gore Verbinski’s Blind Wink are joining forces on the feature film “Pyongyang,” about outsourcing run...

LizaOnFilm: Julia Garner Joins 'Sin City: A Dame To Kill For'

LizaOnFilm: Julia Garner Joins 'Sin City: A Dame To Kill For': By Liza Foreman Julia Garner has joined the cast of Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s "Sin City: A Dame To Kill For," which is now fil...

LizaOnFilm: MGM Buys Bestseller 'Me Before You'

LizaOnFilm: MGM Buys Bestseller 'Me Before You': By Liza Foreman Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios has secured the feature film rights to Jojo Moyes bestselling novel “Me Before You” it was a...

LizaOnFilm: K5 Acquires Rights to SXSW Feature 'Beware of Mr B...

LizaOnFilm: K5 Acquires Rights to SXSW Feature 'Beware of Mr B...: By Liza Foreman Possibly the wildest, most confrontational, stubborn, egocentric and downright dangerous piece of work that is Ginger Ba...

LizaOnFilm: By Liza Foreman “From Up on Poppy Hill,” the la...

LizaOnFilm:

By Liza Foreman

“From Up on Poppy Hill,” the la...: By Liza Foreman “From Up on Poppy Hill,” the latest production from Studio Ghibli, will be released in Los Angeles and New York on March ...

By Liza Foreman

“From Up on Poppy Hill,” the latest production from Studio Ghibli, will be released in Los Angeles and New York on March 15, 2013, and will expand its run on March 29.

Written by the legendary studio's founder, Hayao Miyazaki, and directed by Goro Miyazaki, “From Up on Poppy Hill” marks the first creative collaboration between father and son.

The setting is Yokohama in 1963, and the filmmakers bring to life the bustling seaside town, with its misty harbor, sun-drenched gardens, shops and markets, and some of the most mouthwatering Japanese home-cooking set to film.

The story centers on an innocent romance beginning to bud between Umi and Shun, two high school kids caught up in the changing times.

Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics – and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. 

While the children work together to save a dilapidated Meiji era club house from demolition, their tentative relationship begins to blossom. But – in an unexpected twist that parallels what the country itself is facing – a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.

The voice cast includes Gillian Anderson, Sarah Bolger, Beau Bridges, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bruce Dern, Jeff Dunham, Isabelle Fuhrman, Christina Hendricks, Ron Howard, Chris Noth, Emily Osment, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Saxton, Alex Wolff and Anton Yelchin. 

Gary Rydstrom directed the English language version from a script adaptation by Karey Kirkpatrick. Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy executive produced.

Studio Ghibli’s past productions include “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” among others.

K5 Acquires Rights to SXSW Feature 'Beware of Mr Baker'

By Liza Foreman

Possibly the wildest, most confrontational, stubborn, egocentric and downright dangerous piece of work that is Ginger Baker, the drummer of Cream and Blind Faith, is the subject of Jay Bulger’s SXSW Grand Jury Prize winning documentary "Beware of Mr Baker" which has been snapped up by K5 International for international sales at Berlin’s European Film Market next month.

Directed by Jay Bulger, produced by Insurgent Media’s Andrew Karsch (Moneyball, Prince of Tides) and Fisher Stevens ("The Cove," "Stand Up Guys"), and executive produced by Julie Goldman("Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, Buck"), the film introduces us to one of the world’s greatest drummers but also a character full of rage and unpredictability. Baker’s drug-induced self-destruction is the finest in car-crash viewing.

Constructed from hours of interviews from Bulger’s three month stay with Baker and accompanied by highly visual 3D-animated photography, from Baker’s former days in the cradle of Fela-Kuti’s Afro-beat to his recent secluded life as a 73-year-old with his young 39-year-old bride in the wilderness of South Africa, Bulger takes the audience on a journey through every smash of Baker’s drumming career. The film includes interviews with music legends such as Eric Clapton, Charlie Watts, SteveWinwood, Carlos Santana and Stewart Copeland.

MGM Buys Bestseller 'Me Before You'

By Liza Foreman

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios has secured the feature film rights to Jojo Moyes bestselling novel “Me Before You” it was announced today by Jonathan Glickman, MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group.

“Me Before You” tells the story of two very different characters: Lou, a small town girl caught between dead-end jobs and Will, a high-profile, successful man who becomes wheelchair bound following an accident.

Will has decided his life is not worth living until Lou is hired for six months to be his new caretaker.  Worlds apart and trapped together by circumstance, the two get off to a rocky start. But, Lou becomes determined to prove to Will that life is worth living and as they embark on a series of adventures together, each finds their world changing in ways neither of them could begin to imagine.

The novel has sold over half a million copies and quickly landed on The New York Times bestseller list.  Global E-book sales have crossed 250,000 and the book is now sold into thirty-one translations, including an upcoming first printing in Germany (March 2013) with 120,000 copies. 

Critical raves include The New York Times Book Review: “Moyes story provokes tears that are redemptive, the opposite of gratuitous.  Some situations, she forces the reader to recognize, really are worth crying over…with Lou and Will she has created an affair to remember;” The Daily Mail: “A deftly plotted narrative populated with likable engaging characters…a bittersweet story about love, learning and letting go. It’s a tremendous read;” and People Magazine: “Funny, surprising and heartbreaking, populated with characters who are affecting and amusing…This is a thought-provoking, thoroughly entertaining novel that captures the complexity of love.”

“Jojo’s book is frankly one of the most unique, emotional and engaging love stories written in recent years,” said Glickman.  “We’re so thrilled to collaborate with her on creating a classic film romance that lives up to this exceptional novel.”

Said Moyes: “I could not be more excited about MGM and their plans for ‘Me Before You.’ The studio is so passionate about the book and I'm thrilled that a story that seems to have come alive in so many readers’ imaginations is about to have a whole new life on-screen.”

The film rights were negotiated by Jessica Cooper of Curtis Brown for Moyes. Cassidy Lange, MGM’s senior vice president, production, will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

Julia Garner Joins 'Sin City: A Dame To Kill For'

By Liza Foreman

Julia Garner has joined the cast of Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s "Sin City: A Dame To Kill For," which is now filming in Austin at Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios. Garner, an up-and-comer whose credits include "Martha Marcy May Marlene" and "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower," will play a young stripper opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Johnny in the follow-up to 2005′s "Sin City," adapted from Miller’s own graphic novel series.

Also onboard for Dimension Films’ October 4, 2013 release are Josh Brolin, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Dennis Haysbert, and Juno Temple, while "Sin City" vets Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Michael Madsen, Rosario Dawson, Jamie King, and Clive Owen are returning.

Garner made her feature debut in Sean Durkin’s "Martha Marcy May Marlene" and nabbed roles last year in "Wallflower and Not Fade Away." She recently hit Park City with Jim Mickle's cannibal pic "We Are What We Are," bought by eOne out of Sundance last week.

Garner also stars as a young Mormon teenager in Rebecca Thomas’s Berlin entry "Electrick Children," which Phase 4 Films will be opening theatrically this March and will next be seen in CBS Films’ horror sequel "The Last Exorcism 2," in theaters March 1. She is repped by Authentic Talent & Literary Management and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

North Korean Espionage Feature 'Pyongyang' Finds Producers

By Liza Foreman

New Regency and Gore Verbinski’s Blind Wink are joining forces on the feature film “Pyongyang,” about outsourcing run amok when a young animator sent to North Korea is accused of spying.

This film will reteam director/producer Gore Verbinski and writer Steve Conrad (“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”) for the adaptation of Guy Delisle’s graphic novel “Pyongyang.” Verbinski is currently in post-production on “The Lone Ranger,” which is set for a Summer 2013 release.

Founded in 2008, Blind Wink is Gore Verbinski’s transmedia production company. Blind Wink’s first production was the Oscar-winning feature “Rango,” for Paramount, which has grossed over $240 million worldwide.

Founded in 1991 by Arnon Milchan, New Regency Productions is involved in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television and sports. Distributing its films through Twentieth Century Fox, Regency has produced many high-profile films over the years, including: “Fight Club,” “Heat,” “JFK,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,”  and “LA Confidential.”

2013 Golden Globes Winners List

The 2013 Golden Globes Winners are as follows:

Best Motion Picture - Drama


WINNER: "Argo"


» "Django Unchained"


» "Life of Pi"


» "Lincoln"


» "Zero Dark Thirty"

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy


WINNER: "Les Miserables"


» "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"


» "Moonrise Kingdom"


» "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen"


» "Silver Linings Playbook"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama


WINNER: Daniel Day-Lewis - "Lincoln"


» Richard Gere - "Arbitrage"


» John Hawkes - "The Sessions"


» Joaquin Phoenix - "The Master"


» Denzel Washington - "Flight"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama


WINNER: Jessica Chastain - "Zero Dark Thirty"


» Marion Cotillard - "Rust and Bone"


» Helen Mirren - "Hitchcock"


» Naomi Watts - "The Impossible"


» Rachel Weisz - "The Deep Blue Sea"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy


WINNER: Hugh Jackman - "Les Miserables"


» Jack Black - "Bernie"


» Bradley Cooper - "Silver Linings Playbook"


» Ewan McGregor - "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen"


» Bill Murray - "Hyde Park on Hudson"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy


WINNER: Jennifer Lawrence - "Silver Linings Playbook"


» Maggie Smith - "Quarter"


» Emily Blunt - "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen"


» Judi Dench - "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"


» Meryl Streep - "Hope Springs"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture


WINNER: Christoph Waltz - "Django Unchained"


» Alan Arkin - "Argo"


» Leonardo DiCaprio - "Django Unchained"


» Philip Seymour Hoffman - "The Master"


» Tommy Lee Jones - "Lincoln"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture


WINNER: Anne Hathaway - "Les Miserables"


» Amy Adams - "The Master"


» Sally Field - "Lincoln"


» Helen Hunt - "The Sessions"


» Nicole Kidman - "The Paperboy"

Best Director - Motion Picture


WINNER: Ben Affleck - "Argo"


» Kathryn Bigelow - "Zero Dark Thirty"


» Ang Lee - "Life of Pi"


» Steven Spielberg - "Lincoln"


» Quentin Tarantino - "Django Unchained"

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture


WINNER: Quentin Tarantino - "Django Unchained"


» Mark Boal - "Zero Dark Thirty"


» Tony Kushner - "Lincoln"


» David O. Russell - "Silver Linings Playbook"


» Chris Terrio - "Argo"

Best Original Song - Motion Picture


WINNER: "Skyfall" - "Skyfall"


» "For You" - "Act of Valor"


» "Not Running Anymore" - "Stand Up Guys"


» "Safe and Sound" - "The Hunger Games"


» "Suddenly" - "Les Miserables"

Best Original Score - Motion Picture


WINNER: "Life of Pi"


» "Argo"


» "Anna Karenina"


» "Cloud Atlas"


» "Lincoln"

Best Animated Film


WINNER: "Brave"


» "Frankenweenie"


» "Hotel Transylvania"


» "Rise of Guardians"


» "Wreck-It Ralph"

Best Foreign Language Film


WINNER: "Amour"


» "A Royal Affair"


» "The Intouchables"


» "Kon-Tiki"


» "Rust and Bone"

Best Television Series - Drama


WINNER: "Homeland"


» "Breaking Bad"


» "Boardwalk Empire"


» "Downton Abbey"


» "The Newsroom"

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy


WINNER: "Girls"


» "Big Bang Theory"


» "Episodes"


» "Modern Family"


» "Smash"

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television


WINNER: "Game Change"


» "The Girl"


» "Hatfields & McCoys


» "The Hour"


» "Political Animals"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama


WINNER: Damien Lewis - "Homeland"


» Steve Buscemi - "Boardwalk Empire"


» Brian Cranston - "Breaking Bad"


» Jeff Daniels - "The Newsroom"


» Jon Hamm - "Mad Men"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama


WINNER: Claire Danes - "Homeland"


» Connie Britton - "Nashville"


» Glenn Close - "Damages"


» Michelle Dockery - "Downton Abbey"


» Julianna Margulies - "The Good Wife"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy


WINNER: Don Cheadle - "House of Lies"


» Alec Baldwin - "30 Rock"


» Matt LeBlanc - "Episodes"


» Louie C.K. - "Louie"


» Jim Parsons - "Big Bang Theory"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy


WINNER: Lena Dunham - "Girls"


» Zooey Deschanel - "The New Girl"


» Julia Louis-Dreyfus - "Veep"


» Tina Fey - "30 Rock"


» Amy Poehler - "Parks and Recreation"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television


WINNER: Kevin Costner - "Hatfields & McCoys"


» Benedict Cumberbatch - "Sherlock"


» Woody Harrelson - "Game Change"


» Toby Jones - "The Girl"


» Clive Owen - "Hemingway & Gellhorn"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television


WINNER: Julianne Moore - "Game Change"


» Nicole Kidman - "Hemingway & Gellhorn"


» Jessica Lange - "American Horror Story"


» Sienna Miller - "The Girl"


» Sigourney Weaver - "Political Animals"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television


WINNER: Ed Harris - "Game Change"


» Max Greenfield - "New Girl"


» Danny Huston - "Magic City"


» Mandy Patinkin - "Homeland"


» Eric Stonestreet - "Modern Family"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television


WINNER: Maggie Smith - "Downton Abbey"


» Hayden Panettiere - "Nashville"


» Archie Panjabi - "The Good Wife"


» Sofia Vergara - "Modern Family"