To celebrate the release of Hidden Assets Series One & Two Box Set on DVD along with Series Two DVD both available from 22 January 2024 and On digital now, we are giving away a Boxset to one lucky winner!
Discover More Hidden Assets with the highly anticipated return of this lauded, gritty Irish-Belgian Noir. The brand-new six-part second series sees acclaimed actress Nora-Jane Noone join the cast as DS Claire Wallace, an ambitious newcomer who’s brought in to head up the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab). With a no-nonsense attitude and a point to prove, she must deal with the organisation’s old enemies once and for all.
Series one introduces viewers to the bureau and Detective Emer Berry, who must untangle an international conspiracy involving drugs, terrorism and corrupt corporate and political leaders. With explosive criminal danger and dodgy diamond deals, reveal Hidden Assets Series One & Two Box set to discover...
Discover More Hidden Assets with the highly anticipated return of this lauded, gritty Irish-Belgian Noir. The brand-new six-part second series sees acclaimed actress Nora-Jane Noone join the cast as DS Claire Wallace, an ambitious newcomer who’s brought in to head up the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab). With a no-nonsense attitude and a point to prove, she must deal with the organisation’s old enemies once and for all.
Series one introduces viewers to the bureau and Detective Emer Berry, who must untangle an international conspiracy involving drugs, terrorism and corrupt corporate and political leaders. With explosive criminal danger and dodgy diamond deals, reveal Hidden Assets Series One & Two Box set to discover...
- 1/16/2024
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Assest Sales Disclosure
Rights to the second season of Irish crime drama series “Hidden Assets” have been licensed by Dcd Rights. Buyers include the BBC for the U.K., Sbs and Stan for Australia, TV4 for Sweden and TV2 for Norway.
The 12-part series is produced by Saffron Moon, Facet4Media & Potemkino for Rte, Super Channel & Acorn TV, and was written by Peter McKenna, Morna Regan, Mary Fox and Marthy Thornton. It was co-directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan and leading Belgian director Kadir Ferati Balci (“Cold Courage”). The second season, which had co-funding from Screen Ireland and Creative Europe Media, was first transmitted on Rte Ireland in September this year.
It stars Nora-Jane Noone, Wouter Hendrickx and Simone Kirby. Series One also starred Angeline Ball.
The story picks up from the first season in which Irish investigators probed a series of bombings in Belgium. Personnel changes mean that the Criminal Assets Bureau...
Rights to the second season of Irish crime drama series “Hidden Assets” have been licensed by Dcd Rights. Buyers include the BBC for the U.K., Sbs and Stan for Australia, TV4 for Sweden and TV2 for Norway.
The 12-part series is produced by Saffron Moon, Facet4Media & Potemkino for Rte, Super Channel & Acorn TV, and was written by Peter McKenna, Morna Regan, Mary Fox and Marthy Thornton. It was co-directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan and leading Belgian director Kadir Ferati Balci (“Cold Courage”). The second season, which had co-funding from Screen Ireland and Creative Europe Media, was first transmitted on Rte Ireland in September this year.
It stars Nora-Jane Noone, Wouter Hendrickx and Simone Kirby. Series One also starred Angeline Ball.
The story picks up from the first season in which Irish investigators probed a series of bombings in Belgium. Personnel changes mean that the Criminal Assets Bureau...
- 11/30/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
To mark the release of Acceptable Risk, out now, we’ve been given 1 copy to give away on DVD.
Packed full of intrigue, Acceptable Risk is a thrilling Irish-noir crime-drama that sees Emer Byrne (her maiden name), tackle a deadly murder case in Dublin and promises to grip mystery lovers from the offset.
When Sarah Manning’s (Elaine Cassidy – No Offence) husband, Lee, is murdered while on business in Montreal, her busy high-end life in Dublin quickly tailspins. Fond memories give way to alarming questions and Sarah soon realises that she knows little about her husband’s past, or his job at a powerful international pharmaceutical company…
Detective Emer Byrne (Angeline Ball) is brought in to uncover the truth, and as she ruthlessly investigates, she soon upends a web of devastation, deception and lies. As danger mounts, Sarah begins to suspect that Lee’s murder is connected to the death of her first husband.
Packed full of intrigue, Acceptable Risk is a thrilling Irish-noir crime-drama that sees Emer Byrne (her maiden name), tackle a deadly murder case in Dublin and promises to grip mystery lovers from the offset.
When Sarah Manning’s (Elaine Cassidy – No Offence) husband, Lee, is murdered while on business in Montreal, her busy high-end life in Dublin quickly tailspins. Fond memories give way to alarming questions and Sarah soon realises that she knows little about her husband’s past, or his job at a powerful international pharmaceutical company…
Detective Emer Byrne (Angeline Ball) is brought in to uncover the truth, and as she ruthlessly investigates, she soon upends a web of devastation, deception and lies. As danger mounts, Sarah begins to suspect that Lee’s murder is connected to the death of her first husband.
- 2/28/2022
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Both have received 10 nominations.
Colm Bairéad’s debut The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Ciúin) and Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast are the joint frontrunners for the 2022 Irish Film And Television Academy (IFTA) awards, with 10 nominations each.
The Quiet Girl is an Irish-language drama telling the story of a young girl’s summer break away from her dysfunctional family in 1980s Ireland, when she stays with a foster couple. It is set to receive its premiere as the opening film at the Dublin International Film Festival tomorrow, and recently won the grand prize in the Generation Kplus strand at the Berlinale.
Scroll...
Colm Bairéad’s debut The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Ciúin) and Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast are the joint frontrunners for the 2022 Irish Film And Television Academy (IFTA) awards, with 10 nominations each.
The Quiet Girl is an Irish-language drama telling the story of a young girl’s summer break away from her dysfunctional family in 1980s Ireland, when she stays with a foster couple. It is set to receive its premiere as the opening film at the Dublin International Film Festival tomorrow, and recently won the grand prize in the Generation Kplus strand at the Berlinale.
Scroll...
- 2/22/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Nominations have been announced for this year’s Irish Film And TV Academy Awards (IFTAs). Scroll down for the full list.
Leading the way with ten apiece are Kenneth Branagh’s much-fancied awards contender Beflast and Irish-language feature An Cailín Ciúin, which recently won the Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus program at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Both titles are up for Best Film, alongside Deadly Cuts, Swan Song, Who We Love, and You Are Not My Mother. Of those six, four are debut features.
For Belfast, Branagh will also contend for the Best Director and Best Script prizes. The film is up for seven Oscars this year.
On the TV Side, crime drama Kin dominated the field with 13 nominations, including Best Drama, as well as director, script, actor (twice) and actress. Vikings:Valhalla, the Netflix sequel of the popular historical show, received seven noms, as did BBC show Hidden Assets.
Leading the way with ten apiece are Kenneth Branagh’s much-fancied awards contender Beflast and Irish-language feature An Cailín Ciúin, which recently won the Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus program at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Both titles are up for Best Film, alongside Deadly Cuts, Swan Song, Who We Love, and You Are Not My Mother. Of those six, four are debut features.
For Belfast, Branagh will also contend for the Best Director and Best Script prizes. The film is up for seven Oscars this year.
On the TV Side, crime drama Kin dominated the field with 13 nominations, including Best Drama, as well as director, script, actor (twice) and actress. Vikings:Valhalla, the Netflix sequel of the popular historical show, received seven noms, as did BBC show Hidden Assets.
- 2/22/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” and Colm Bairéad “An Cailín Ciúin” lead nominations at the 2022 Irish Film and Television Academy Film and Drama award nominations with 10 nods across categories.
“Belfast” is nominated for best film, best director and script for Branagh, with a lead actor nod for Jude Hill, supporting actor recognitions for Ciarán Hinds and Jamie Dornan and a supporting actress nod for Caitríona Balfe, besides craft nominations.
“An Cailín Ciúin” (“The Quiet Girl”), which won the grand prize at the Generation Kplus strand of the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival, was similarly recognized across the main categories.
“Kin” led the drama nominations with 13 nods, while “Vikings: Valhalla” and “Hidden Assets” had seven each and “Smother” five.
IFTA chief executive Áine Moriarty said: “What a spectacular line-up of nominees that have been shortlisted for Irish Academy Awards this year, after a record-breaking production year for the Irish industry. The work...
“Belfast” is nominated for best film, best director and script for Branagh, with a lead actor nod for Jude Hill, supporting actor recognitions for Ciarán Hinds and Jamie Dornan and a supporting actress nod for Caitríona Balfe, besides craft nominations.
“An Cailín Ciúin” (“The Quiet Girl”), which won the grand prize at the Generation Kplus strand of the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival, was similarly recognized across the main categories.
“Kin” led the drama nominations with 13 nods, while “Vikings: Valhalla” and “Hidden Assets” had seven each and “Smother” five.
IFTA chief executive Áine Moriarty said: “What a spectacular line-up of nominees that have been shortlisted for Irish Academy Awards this year, after a record-breaking production year for the Irish industry. The work...
- 2/22/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Myriad Pictures has licensed Irish comedy Deadly Cuts to Level 33 Entertainment for distribution in North America.
The company will release the film on March 17, 2022, to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.
Written and directed by Irish director Rachel Carey, and filmed on location in Ireland, the dark comedy is set in a working-class hair salon where young stylists Stacey, Gemma, Chantelle, along with boss Michelle become accidental vigilantes and community heroes as they take on the gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community.
Starring are Angeline Ball (The Commitments), Victoria Smurfit (The Beach), Ericka Roe (Herself), Lauren Larkin, and Shauna Higgins (A Date for Mad Mary).
Additional deals have closed in Australia/New Zealand (Rialto Distribution), South Africa (Mnet), and Spain (Media Solution Partners).
Following its Ireland release on October 8th, the film ranked in third place on its opening weekend behind No Time To Die and The Addams Family 2.
The company will release the film on March 17, 2022, to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.
Written and directed by Irish director Rachel Carey, and filmed on location in Ireland, the dark comedy is set in a working-class hair salon where young stylists Stacey, Gemma, Chantelle, along with boss Michelle become accidental vigilantes and community heroes as they take on the gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community.
Starring are Angeline Ball (The Commitments), Victoria Smurfit (The Beach), Ericka Roe (Herself), Lauren Larkin, and Shauna Higgins (A Date for Mad Mary).
Additional deals have closed in Australia/New Zealand (Rialto Distribution), South Africa (Mnet), and Spain (Media Solution Partners).
Following its Ireland release on October 8th, the film ranked in third place on its opening weekend behind No Time To Die and The Addams Family 2.
- 1/11/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s Kev with a video review of Irish-set black comedy Deadly Cuts, a black comedy set in a working-class Dublin hair salon where the stylists become accidental vigilantes and community heroes as they take on the gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community.
Written and directed by Rachel Carey, Deadly Cuts stars Angeline Ball, Ericka Roe, Lauren Larkin and Shauna Higgins.
Written and directed by Rachel Carey, Deadly Cuts stars Angeline Ball, Ericka Roe, Lauren Larkin and Shauna Higgins.
- 12/15/2021
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
With violent gangsters, a gentrification storyline and a hairdressing competition, this movie can’t figure out what it wants to be
Here is a frantically overdone film that’s all over the place. The script feels weirdly undeveloped, as if it can’t figure out which of two different kinds of film it wants to be: gonzo violent black comedy or big-hearted romp about hairdressers saving their community from developers.
The setting is the fictional north Dublin district of Piglinstown. It’s a bit rough, but local businesses are the beating heart of the neighbourhood, including the Deadly Cuts hair salon, run by the fearless Michelle (Angeline Ball). Like everyone else, she is bullied by odious gangster Deano (Ian Lloyd Anderson) demanding ruinous protection money or the place gets smashed up. When this horrible individual swaggers into the salon one afternoon, a chaotic confrontation leads to violence and then a...
Here is a frantically overdone film that’s all over the place. The script feels weirdly undeveloped, as if it can’t figure out which of two different kinds of film it wants to be: gonzo violent black comedy or big-hearted romp about hairdressers saving their community from developers.
The setting is the fictional north Dublin district of Piglinstown. It’s a bit rough, but local businesses are the beating heart of the neighbourhood, including the Deadly Cuts hair salon, run by the fearless Michelle (Angeline Ball). Like everyone else, she is bullied by odious gangster Deano (Ian Lloyd Anderson) demanding ruinous protection money or the place gets smashed up. When this horrible individual swaggers into the salon one afternoon, a chaotic confrontation leads to violence and then a...
- 10/6/2021
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Wildcard Distribution distributes in Ireland, UK.
Heading into the Cannes virtual pre-screenings event next month, Los Angeles-based Myriad Pictures has picked up international rights excluding the UK and Ireland to Irish comedy Deadly Cuts.
Rachel Carey wrote and directed the film, a Dublin International Film Festival Discovery Awards recipient for breakthrough talent that closed the festival in March.
Deadly Cuts follows a working class hair salon where young stylists Stacey, Gemma, and Chantelle and their boss Michelle accidentally become vigilantes and community heroes when they challenge gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community.
Angeline Ball (The Commitments), Victoria Smurfit, Ericka Roe,...
Heading into the Cannes virtual pre-screenings event next month, Los Angeles-based Myriad Pictures has picked up international rights excluding the UK and Ireland to Irish comedy Deadly Cuts.
Rachel Carey wrote and directed the film, a Dublin International Film Festival Discovery Awards recipient for breakthrough talent that closed the festival in March.
Deadly Cuts follows a working class hair salon where young stylists Stacey, Gemma, and Chantelle and their boss Michelle accidentally become vigilantes and community heroes when they challenge gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community.
Angeline Ball (The Commitments), Victoria Smurfit, Ericka Roe,...
- 5/10/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Irish comedy among first titles to be revealed for upcoming festival.
Wildcard Distribution has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Rachel Carey’s comedy Deadly Cuts, which will receive its world premiere as the closing film of the Dublin International Film Festival (Diff) in March 2021.
Deadly Cuts is produced by Auveen Lush, Ciara Appelbe and Liz Gill of Dubln-based O’Sullivan Productions, which did the deal directly with WIldcard. The film is the directorial debut of Carey and is about a working-class Dublin hair salon where the stylists become accidental vigilantes and community heroes, Angeline Ball, Ericka Roe, Lauren Larkin, Shauna Higgins and Victoria Smurfit star.
Wildcard Distribution has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Rachel Carey’s comedy Deadly Cuts, which will receive its world premiere as the closing film of the Dublin International Film Festival (Diff) in March 2021.
Deadly Cuts is produced by Auveen Lush, Ciara Appelbe and Liz Gill of Dubln-based O’Sullivan Productions, which did the deal directly with WIldcard. The film is the directorial debut of Carey and is about a working-class Dublin hair salon where the stylists become accidental vigilantes and community heroes, Angeline Ball, Ericka Roe, Lauren Larkin, Shauna Higgins and Victoria Smurfit star.
- 12/4/2020
- by Esther McCarthy
- ScreenDaily
Full list of nominations revealed for 15th edition of awards.
The Irish Film and Television Academy (Ifta) has unveiled the nominations for its 2018 film and drama awards.
Source: Sony Pictures Classics
Maudie
Now in its 15th year, the event celebrates the best in Irish film and TV from the past 12 months.
In the film categories, Aisling Walsh’s Maudie, starring Sally Hawkins, leads the way with six nominations including best feature film and director.
Cardboard Gangsters, Handsome Devil, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Farthest follow with five nominations, while The Drummer And The Keeper, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, Maze and Michael Inside received four apiece.
The Lodgers, Pilgrimage, Song Of Granite all received three nods, while Lady Bird received two.
In the drama categories, Vikings leads the way on six nominations including best drama, while Game Of Thrones and Peaky Blinders received five each. Paula received four, Acceptable Risk and [link=tt...
The Irish Film and Television Academy (Ifta) has unveiled the nominations for its 2018 film and drama awards.
Source: Sony Pictures Classics
Maudie
Now in its 15th year, the event celebrates the best in Irish film and TV from the past 12 months.
In the film categories, Aisling Walsh’s Maudie, starring Sally Hawkins, leads the way with six nominations including best feature film and director.
Cardboard Gangsters, Handsome Devil, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Farthest follow with five nominations, while The Drummer And The Keeper, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, Maze and Michael Inside received four apiece.
The Lodgers, Pilgrimage, Song Of Granite all received three nods, while Lady Bird received two.
In the drama categories, Vikings leads the way on six nominations including best drama, while Game Of Thrones and Peaky Blinders received five each. Paula received four, Acceptable Risk and [link=tt...
- 1/11/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Element and Koch Media have boarded rights to Irish production also starring Indian Summers’ Nikesh Patel.
Element Pictures has acquired Irish and UK rights to Halal Daddy, a culture-clash comedy which commenced principal photography in the west of Ireland this week.
Colm Meaney (Con Air) has joined the cast on the Irish-German co-production, which will shoot in and around Sligo for the next five weeks.
Rights to the project have also been acquired in Germany by Koch Media (theatrical) and Telepool (TV) amid strong international interest.
Produced by Hermann Florin for Florin Films and its Irish outlet Benrae Florin Films alongside Ailish McElmeel for Ireland’s Deadpan Pictures, the production is supported by the Irish Film Board and Eurimages with Global Screen handling world sales. Peter Rommel of German outfit Rommel Films is co-producer.
The film is directed by Conor McDermottroe (Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne) who co-wrote the script with Mark O’Halloran (Adam & Paul...
Element Pictures has acquired Irish and UK rights to Halal Daddy, a culture-clash comedy which commenced principal photography in the west of Ireland this week.
Colm Meaney (Con Air) has joined the cast on the Irish-German co-production, which will shoot in and around Sligo for the next five weeks.
Rights to the project have also been acquired in Germany by Koch Media (theatrical) and Telepool (TV) amid strong international interest.
Produced by Hermann Florin for Florin Films and its Irish outlet Benrae Florin Films alongside Ailish McElmeel for Ireland’s Deadpan Pictures, the production is supported by the Irish Film Board and Eurimages with Global Screen handling world sales. Peter Rommel of German outfit Rommel Films is co-producer.
The film is directed by Conor McDermottroe (Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne) who co-wrote the script with Mark O’Halloran (Adam & Paul...
- 6/10/2016
- ScreenDaily
Ifta winning actress Angeline Ball will adopt a Manchester accent for her new role as Gloria in Channel 4's comedy 'Shameless'. The BAFTA award winning series is set in the fictional Chatsworth council estate in Manchester as it follows the lives of the dysfunctional Gallagher family. Angeline Ball's previous roles include back-up singer Imelda Quirke in 'The Commitments' and Vada's mum Maggie Muldovan in 'My Girl 2'.
- 6/20/2011
- IFTN
The once baby-faced cast of Alan Parker’s smash-hit film “The Commitments” have come together with the plan of putting on shows around the county. Once an unknown cast of the movie, based on Roddy Doyle’s hilarious book, are now successful in their own rights and ready to mark the movies 20th anniversary and raise some money for charity by touring around Ireland. At the Liberty Hall Theatre Andrew Strong (who played Deco Cuffe in the movie) along with his backing singer Angeline Ball (Imelda Quirke) and Bronagh Gallagher (Bernie McGloughlin) sung their rousing rendition of “Mustang Sally”. Along with them were Robert Arkins (who played Jimmy Rabbitte, the band manager). Arkins will now feature as a singer in the band. Also present were Dick Massey (drummer Billy Mooney), Felim Gormley (Dean Fay), Ken McCluskey (Derek Scully) Dave Finnegan (Mickah Wallace), Michael Aherne (Steve Clifford) and 'Outspan' Foster, played...
- 10/8/2010
- IrishCentral
The original members of the cast of 'The Commitments' are to reunite to mark the 20th anniversary of the classic film.
Glen Hansard, Andrew Strong, Bronagh Gallagher and Angeline Ball are among the names reforming the soul band for an Irish tour.
The group will perform a series of concerts for the first time next March, with shows planned in Castlebar, Killarney, Belfast and Dublin. Tickets go on sale next Friday, October 15th.
Check out the RTÉ news report on the reunion in the player below:...
Glen Hansard, Andrew Strong, Bronagh Gallagher and Angeline Ball are among the names reforming the soul band for an Irish tour.
The group will perform a series of concerts for the first time next March, with shows planned in Castlebar, Killarney, Belfast and Dublin. Tickets go on sale next Friday, October 15th.
Check out the RTÉ news report on the reunion in the player below:...
- 10/7/2010
- by [email protected] (Flicks News)
- FlicksNews.net
Dead Long Enough
Stars: Michael Sheen, Jason Hughes, Angeline Ball, Mercedes Grower, Douglas Henshall | Written by James Hawes and Tom Collins | Directed by Tom Collins
Despite being made in 2005, Irish/Welsh comedy-drama Dead Long Enough has only just been brought to DVD, most likely due to its star Michael Sheen gaining a much larger fanbase since doing career building films like The Queen, Frost/Nixon and, er, The Twilight Saga: New Moon. That said, if a film gets a DVD release five years after it was made only because of belated star power, what does that say about it?
The film, based on James Hawes’s novel, revolves around two estranged Welsh brothers, Harry (Sheen) and Ben (Jason Hughes), who are polar opposites – Harry is a loud, womanising TV personality, Ben a grounded, dull lawyer – who are brought together by Harry’s ill-advised and paparazzi-haunted wedding. When Ben’s girlfriend proposes to him,...
Stars: Michael Sheen, Jason Hughes, Angeline Ball, Mercedes Grower, Douglas Henshall | Written by James Hawes and Tom Collins | Directed by Tom Collins
Despite being made in 2005, Irish/Welsh comedy-drama Dead Long Enough has only just been brought to DVD, most likely due to its star Michael Sheen gaining a much larger fanbase since doing career building films like The Queen, Frost/Nixon and, er, The Twilight Saga: New Moon. That said, if a film gets a DVD release five years after it was made only because of belated star power, what does that say about it?
The film, based on James Hawes’s novel, revolves around two estranged Welsh brothers, Harry (Sheen) and Ben (Jason Hughes), who are polar opposites – Harry is a loud, womanising TV personality, Ben a grounded, dull lawyer – who are brought together by Harry’s ill-advised and paparazzi-haunted wedding. When Ben’s girlfriend proposes to him,...
- 9/11/2010
- by Mark Allen
- Nerdly
Commitments Sequel Is On - If The Script Is Any Good
A sequel to rock comedy Commitments, The (1991) is definitely on - provided the new script is good enough. Singer Andrew Strong, who had one of the main roles in the movie, says he has been approached by Miramax about a second movie. He reveals, "A scriptwriter came over here and spoke to all of us, just sounding us out. He's back in New York at the moment to write it. It could be a great thing or it could be the kiss of death. But if it's a good script then I'm definitely interested." Andrew was only 16 when he was approached to play singer Deco Cuffe in the movie version of the Roddy Doyle book. Other members of the fictitious Irish soul band are believed to be keen to make a sequel, and previously stated that Strong's reluctance to get involved was the only drawback. Fellow stars Angeline Ball, Bronagh Gallagher and Maria Doyle Kennedy all went on to further screen success.
- 9/28/2000
- WENN
Film review: 'The Gambler'
An English-language winner featured in the second Hungarian Film Festival of Los Angeles, "The Gambler" (screening tonight at Laemmle's Music Hall) stars Michael Gambon as Fyodor Dostoevsky as he faces a write-or-perish dilemma in St. Petersburg in 1866.
In Karoly Makk's conservatively directed but involving 1997 drama based on a true story in the Russian novelist's remarkable life, the bearishly sexual, unpredictably epileptic and all-around self-destructive future writer of "Crime and Punishment" is saved from ruin and a dead-end career by his inspired stenographer, Anna Grigoryevna Snitkina (Jodhi May).
With one month to write a novel or sign away his earnings to a venomous publisher (Tom Jansen), convinced-he's-a-failure Dostoevsky rallies under the initially cautious and professional but soon genuinely caring attentions of Anna.
While distractions abound and Fyodor has an awful mean streak, his well-observed tale of a young gambler (Dominic West) in the midst of an orgy of roulette playing and backstabbing hooks Anna and the viewer, with the film alternating between the fictional and real worlds.
Two-time Oscar winner Luise Rainer appears on screen for the first time in 55 years as the controlling grandmother of West's character in the story within a story. In several exciting sequences, she gets the wild look of a gambler on a streak of incredible good fortune and, despite overuse of slow-motion and editing to build tension, Makk splendidly captures the delirium and brutal shocks of winning and losing.
Notwithstanding their differences in age, his furious temper and the pressures of creating a whole novel in mere weeks -- with her taking dictation, then translating her shorthand and copying out the manuscript by hand -- Anna and Fyodor fall in love. In a fine performance, May ("The Last of the Mohicans") has a pale strength and beauty that tames the tattered literary lion, while Gambon is terrific in one of his best roles.
THE GAMBLER
UGC DA International and Channel Four Films
in association with Hungry Eye Pictures and KRO Drama
A Marc Vlessing production
Director: Karoly Makk
Producers: Charles Cohen, Marc Vlessing
Screenwriters: Katharine Ogden, Charles Cohen, Nick Dear
Director of photography: Jules van den Steenhoven
Production designer: Ben van Os
Editor: Kevin Whelan
Costume designer: Dien van Straalen
Music: Brian Lock
Casting: Celestia Fox
Color/stereo
Cast:
Fyodor Dostoevsky: Michael Gambon
Anna: Jodhi May
Alex: Dominic West
Stellovsky: Tom Jansen
Grandmother: Luise Rainer
Polyna: Polly Walker
General: John Wood
De Jriex: Johan Leysen
Blanche: Angeline Ball
Running time -- 99 minutes
No MPAA rating...
In Karoly Makk's conservatively directed but involving 1997 drama based on a true story in the Russian novelist's remarkable life, the bearishly sexual, unpredictably epileptic and all-around self-destructive future writer of "Crime and Punishment" is saved from ruin and a dead-end career by his inspired stenographer, Anna Grigoryevna Snitkina (Jodhi May).
With one month to write a novel or sign away his earnings to a venomous publisher (Tom Jansen), convinced-he's-a-failure Dostoevsky rallies under the initially cautious and professional but soon genuinely caring attentions of Anna.
While distractions abound and Fyodor has an awful mean streak, his well-observed tale of a young gambler (Dominic West) in the midst of an orgy of roulette playing and backstabbing hooks Anna and the viewer, with the film alternating between the fictional and real worlds.
Two-time Oscar winner Luise Rainer appears on screen for the first time in 55 years as the controlling grandmother of West's character in the story within a story. In several exciting sequences, she gets the wild look of a gambler on a streak of incredible good fortune and, despite overuse of slow-motion and editing to build tension, Makk splendidly captures the delirium and brutal shocks of winning and losing.
Notwithstanding their differences in age, his furious temper and the pressures of creating a whole novel in mere weeks -- with her taking dictation, then translating her shorthand and copying out the manuscript by hand -- Anna and Fyodor fall in love. In a fine performance, May ("The Last of the Mohicans") has a pale strength and beauty that tames the tattered literary lion, while Gambon is terrific in one of his best roles.
THE GAMBLER
UGC DA International and Channel Four Films
in association with Hungry Eye Pictures and KRO Drama
A Marc Vlessing production
Director: Karoly Makk
Producers: Charles Cohen, Marc Vlessing
Screenwriters: Katharine Ogden, Charles Cohen, Nick Dear
Director of photography: Jules van den Steenhoven
Production designer: Ben van Os
Editor: Kevin Whelan
Costume designer: Dien van Straalen
Music: Brian Lock
Casting: Celestia Fox
Color/stereo
Cast:
Fyodor Dostoevsky: Michael Gambon
Anna: Jodhi May
Alex: Dominic West
Stellovsky: Tom Jansen
Grandmother: Luise Rainer
Polyna: Polly Walker
General: John Wood
De Jriex: Johan Leysen
Blanche: Angeline Ball
Running time -- 99 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 10/21/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film review: 'Brothers in Trouble'
NEW YORK -- The title of Udayan Prasad's feature refers to a group of Pakistani emigrants, all living together in one house and trying to survive in 1960s England. A tragicomedy and kitchen-sink drama with an occasional lurch into melodrama, this well-made film works best as a study of intense claustrophobia and cultural dislocation.
"Brothers in Trouble" received its U.S. theatrical premiere recently at New York's Film Forum.
Amir (Pavan Malhotra) arrives in town under less than dignified circumstances -- in a packing crate filled with vegetables, to be exact. He is spirited away to a home in London, which is filled with 17 other Pakistanis who have set up a secret communal living arrangement. The older leader of the group is Hussein Shah (Om Puri), who arranges for such necessities as the prostitute who comes over every Sunday to service the entire house. Amir soon finds work at a local mill and begins to settle in, hanging out with Sakib (Pravesh Kumar), a sensitive would-be writer.
Trouble arises when a woman enters the mix; Shah brings his British girlfriend Mary (Angeline Ball, from "The Commitments") to stay at the house. At first, her sunny spirits prove infectious, and the men respond to her charm. Mary is pregnant, and when it turns out that her newborn child is obviously not Shah's, he is humiliated. To save face, he forces her to endure a paper marriage to his nephew Irshad (Ahsen Bhatti). The resulting romantic complications have tragic repercussions.
The film is an affecting portrait of both the intense camaraderie and competitive tension that develops among the immigrants, and it is most effective when detailing their feelings of isolation and strangeness, such as the scene in which they visit a local movie house to enjoy imported Indian movies. It works less well as conventional drama; Amir, the central character, is a passive and oblique figure who mainly reacts to the chaos around him. And the film, like the house, is overpopulated to such a degree that confusion reigns.
Puri, one of India's leading actors, provides a great authority to his role as Shah, and Ball is a delight as Mary. Director Prasad is expert at conveying the chillingly cramped confines of the men's living conditions and their prospects in general.
BROTHERS IN TROUBLE
BBC Films
A Renegade Films production
A First Run Features release
Director Udayan Prasad
Producer-screenplay Robert Buckler
Executive producer George Faber
Director of photography Alan Almond
Editor Barrie Vince
Music Stephen Warbeck
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hussein Shah Om Puri
Mary Angeline Ball
Amir Pavan Malhotra
Sakib Pravesh Kumar
Irshad Ahsen Bhatti
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
"Brothers in Trouble" received its U.S. theatrical premiere recently at New York's Film Forum.
Amir (Pavan Malhotra) arrives in town under less than dignified circumstances -- in a packing crate filled with vegetables, to be exact. He is spirited away to a home in London, which is filled with 17 other Pakistanis who have set up a secret communal living arrangement. The older leader of the group is Hussein Shah (Om Puri), who arranges for such necessities as the prostitute who comes over every Sunday to service the entire house. Amir soon finds work at a local mill and begins to settle in, hanging out with Sakib (Pravesh Kumar), a sensitive would-be writer.
Trouble arises when a woman enters the mix; Shah brings his British girlfriend Mary (Angeline Ball, from "The Commitments") to stay at the house. At first, her sunny spirits prove infectious, and the men respond to her charm. Mary is pregnant, and when it turns out that her newborn child is obviously not Shah's, he is humiliated. To save face, he forces her to endure a paper marriage to his nephew Irshad (Ahsen Bhatti). The resulting romantic complications have tragic repercussions.
The film is an affecting portrait of both the intense camaraderie and competitive tension that develops among the immigrants, and it is most effective when detailing their feelings of isolation and strangeness, such as the scene in which they visit a local movie house to enjoy imported Indian movies. It works less well as conventional drama; Amir, the central character, is a passive and oblique figure who mainly reacts to the chaos around him. And the film, like the house, is overpopulated to such a degree that confusion reigns.
Puri, one of India's leading actors, provides a great authority to his role as Shah, and Ball is a delight as Mary. Director Prasad is expert at conveying the chillingly cramped confines of the men's living conditions and their prospects in general.
BROTHERS IN TROUBLE
BBC Films
A Renegade Films production
A First Run Features release
Director Udayan Prasad
Producer-screenplay Robert Buckler
Executive producer George Faber
Director of photography Alan Almond
Editor Barrie Vince
Music Stephen Warbeck
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hussein Shah Om Puri
Mary Angeline Ball
Amir Pavan Malhotra
Sakib Pravesh Kumar
Irshad Ahsen Bhatti
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 5/27/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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