Films

The story behind first Cyprus production on Netflix

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The story behind first Cyprus production on Netflix

– Cypriot filmmaker Stelana Kliris sold the rights of her romantic comedy “Find Me Falling” to Netflix, set to premiere on July 19.
– Stelana Kliris began her film career in 2004 and has worked on various projects including romantic comedies and social dramas.
– She founded her own company, Meraki Films, and utilized her experiences to produce “Find Me Falling.”
– The film was completed in 2023 and sold to Netflix after a private screening for distributors.
– The original title of the film was “The Islander,” but Netflix changed it to “Find Me Falling.”
– The film was inspired by an article about a kind man living near a ‘suicide hotspot’ in Sydney.
– “Find Me Falling” was shot over six weeks in May/June 2022 in Peyia and Nicosia, Cyprus.
– The main cast includes Agni Scott, Ali Fumiko Whitney, and Harry Connick, Jr.
– The film received funding from the deputy ministry of culture and was the first to utilize both the national fund and the Cyprus Film Commission’s cash rebate.
– Stelana Kliris is preparing her next feature “Apart from Her” and developing other projects.

Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

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Cypriot film community denounces Cyprus-Israel partnership

The ratification of a film co-production agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Israel is condemned by 100 individuals from the Cypriot film industry. This condemnation was organized by the network Film Workers for Palestine – Cyprus, under the call titled “No to the exploitation of cinema as an alibi for whitewashing the genocide of Palestinians.” The individuals opposing this agreement express their concern over the use of cinema to whitewash the actions of the state of Israel and its government against Palestinians.

Cypriot films find global audiences as Netflix picks up “Find Me Falling”, “Africa Star” premieres at Sofia Film Festival

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Cypriot films find global audiences as Netflix picks up “Find Me Falling”, “Africa Star” premieres at Sofia Film Festival

– The Deputy Ministry of Culture has recognized the international success of Cypriot cinema.
– Stelana Kliris’ film “Find Me Falling” has been acquired by Netflix.
– “Find Me Falling” features Harry Connick Jr, Agni Scott, Ali Fumiko Whitney, and others, and will begin streaming on Netflix on July 19th.
– “Africa Star” by Adonis Florides will have its world premiere at the 28th Sofia International Film Festival on March 18th.
– Constantinos Patsalides’ short film “Milk-Rose” was selected for competition at the 21st Annual Greek Film Festival in San Francisco.
– The mentioned film productions were co-financed by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture through its special cinema programmes.

Hollywood heads to the Oscars with ‘Oppenheimer’ the odds-on favorite

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Hollywood heads to the Oscars with ‘Oppenheimer’ the odds-on favorite

– The annual Academy Awards ceremony celebrates the best performances in film, with this year’s event expected to highlight the atomic bomb drama “Oppenheimer.”
– Jimmy Kimmel is the host for the fourth time, and the ceremony takes place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, broadcast live on ABC at 4 p.m. PDT.
– “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, has 13 nominations and is the frontrunner for the best picture prize.
– The Oscars aim to celebrate two global hits, “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” which together earned .4 billion at the box office.
– Oscar producers plan unannounced cameos and surprises for the audience.
– Ryan Gosling and members of the Osage Nation are set to perform nominated songs from “Barbie” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” respectively.
– Cillian Murphy is favored for best actor for his role in “Oppenheimer,” and Lily Gladstone is a contender for best actress for “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
– “Barbie” may win the original song prize for Billie Eilish’s ballad “What Was I Made For?” and could also receive awards for costumes and production design.
– Christopher Nolan could win his first directing Oscar and the award for adapted screenplay with “Oppenheimer.”

International short film festival arrives in Paphos

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International short film festival arrives in Paphos

A Greek short film festival, aimed at showcasing young filmmakers, will screen its award-winning films in Cyprus, starting with Paphos. This leading festival of short drama films occurs every September and is presented globally. It is organized by the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Rialto Theater, Drama Festival, Nicosia Cinema Friends Association, Larnaca Cinema Club, Paphos House of Arts and Letters, and Limassol Cinema Club. Screenings in Paphos are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday at 7.30pm at the House of Arts and Letters.

Berlin Film Festival jury questions move to uninvite far right

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Berlin Film Festival jury questions move to uninvite far right

The Berlin Film Festival’s jury members criticized the decision to withdraw invitations to hard-right politicians from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The politicians were initially invited to the opening ceremony but had their invites withdrawn after it was revealed that they had discussed deportations of ethnic minorities at a secret meeting. The jury members, including German director Christian Petzold and Italian actor Jasmine Trinca, argued that the decision hindered open discussion and that cinema has the power to change people’s perspectives. The AfD party criticized the decision, claiming that it marginalized and stigmatized democratically elected representatives. The jury members also faced questions about current affairs, including Russia’s missile attacks, but tried to steer the conversation back to cinema.

Berlinale Selection 2024

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The Berlinale Selection 2024 is a film series organized by the Goethe-Institut Cyprus since 2019. This year, five films that were at the Berlinale in 2023 and 2022 will be shown in Nicosia from 1 to 4 February 2024. The screening program includes films such as “Sun and Concrete,” “Lonely Oaks,” “Talking About the Weather,” “Seven Winters in Tehran,” and “Love, Deutchmarks and Death.” The films cover various themes, including coming-of-age, activism, female bonds, and Turkish-German history. The screenings will be followed by introductions and discussions, and admission is free.