News :

Caravaggio’s Shadow by Michele Placido starring Riccardo Scarmarcio, Louis Garrel and Isabelle Huppert is coming out today in France. It’s a coproduction between Goldenart Production, Rai Cinema, Le Pacte and MACT. Le Pacte is handling the distribution in France.

Synopsis: Italy 1610. Caravaggio is both one of the most brilliant painters of his time and a rebel against Church rulings that dictate how religious subjects are represented. Having been informed that he depicts prostitutes, thieves and vagabonds in his work, Pope Paul V orders the Vatican secret service to investigate, to decide whether to grant the clemency for which the painter has petitioned since being sentenced to death for the murder of a rival in love. The investigator – known as The Shadow – begins the inquiry that will lead him to discover the conflicting vices and virtues of the artist whose life — or death – lies in his hands.

"Placido livre là un biopic intelligent et respectueux. Car plutôt que de verser dans le banal film de cape et d’épée [...], il s’est surtout employé à rendre le côté mystique et écorché vif du personnage, peintre star de son époque avec les caprices et les audaces que cela comporte."
Le Figaro ****

"Michele Placido, réalisateur de « Romanzo Criminale », fait entrer dans la vie et la tête du Caravage, manieur de pinceau et d’épée, aussi bien les profanes que les spécialistes."
Le Parisien ****

"Un portrait éclaté de l’artiste, mais aussi de la société romaine et des débats esthétiques et théologiques de la Contre-Réforme dans le sillage récent du concile de Trente."
Positif ****

5 is the Perfect Number directed by Igort starring Toni Servillo and Valeria Golino is coming out today in France. A coproduction between Propaganda Italia, Potemkino, Rai Cinema, Cité Films and MACT. Nour Films is releasing the film in France.

Synopsis: Peppino, a retired hitman for the Camorra, has now fully passed on his job and know-how to his single son, Nino. But when Nino is brutally assassinated, the old man is back in business to take revenge. Aside his everlasting love Rita and his longtime henchman Toto, Peppino will go to any lengths, even if it means bringing the Camorra down.

"Enlevé, très graphique et bourré de références à la BD, le film multiplie les scènes somptueuses, mises en scène et éclairées de façon stupéfiante."
Le Parisien ****

"Un film noir à l’esthétique sublime qui est plus qu’un beau livre d’images grâce à l’interprétation phénoménale de Toni Servillo."
Ouest France ****

"Extrêmement stylisé, le traitement de l’image, des ombres et de la lumière doit beaucoup à l’éclectique culture picturale d’Igort, à son goût pour les toiles de Casorati ou des maîtres flamands."
Télérama ****

Shelter directed by Eran Riklis starring Golshifteh Farahani and Neta Riskin is coming out today in France. It’s a coproduction between MACT Productions, Heimatfilm, Riva Filmproduktion, Eran Riklis Productions, United King Films and Arte France Cinema. It’s released in France by Pyramide Distribution.

Synopsis: LEMON TREE meets JOHN LE CARRE in a subtle thriller set in Germany involving Mona, a Lebanese woman (Golshifteh Farahani), and Naomi, an Israeli Mossad agent (Neta Riskin) sent to protect their informant while recovering from plastic surgery for her new identity. Mona and Naomi - together for two weeks in a quiet apartment in Hamburg. A safe house. A shelter.

"Ce "Un film étonnant, très réussi, porté par l’interprétation de Golshifteh Farahani (Mona) et surtout par celle de la comédienne israélienne Neta Riskin, remarquable de retenue dans le rôle de Naomi."
Le Parisien ****

"Oscillant entre différentes atmosphères, le film de Riklis n’est, lui, jamais enfermé dans une case et ouvre aux spectateurs le champ des possibles, au point parfois de confondre fantasmes et réalité. (...) Le tout porté par la complicité éclatante de deux comédiennes remarquables "
Le Studio Magazine****

"Le Dossier Mona Lina offre un huis clos original et prenant."
Le Figaro ***

Sicilian Ghost Story directed by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza starring Julia Jedlikowska and Gaetano Fernandez is coming out today in France. It’s a coproduction between MACT Productions, Indigo Films, Cristaldi Pictures, Rai cinema and Ventura Film. The film opened Canne’s 2017 Critics Week. It’s released in France by Jour 2 fête.

Synopsis: In a little Sicilian village at the edge of a forest, Giuseppe, a boy of 13, vanishes. Luna, his classmate who loves him, refuses to accept his mysterious disappearance. She rebels against the code of silence and collusion that surrounds her, and to find him she descends into the dark world which has swallowed him up and which has a lake as its mysterious entrance. Only their indestructible love will be able to bring her back along.

"Ce "Sicilian Ghost Story", porté par deux gamins épatants, colle ainsi à la peau du spectateur, l’envoûte jusqu’à l’étourdir. Les derniers instants de cette oeuvre déchirent le coeur de celles et ceux qui auront accepté de voyager jusqu’à ces terres maudites."
Studio Magazine ****

"C’est osé, sublimement réalisé, d’une troublante beauté."
Le Nouvel Observateur ****

"Formidable chronique sicilienne qui aborde le thème des enfants martyrisés par la mafia, des fantômes et des secrets de famille, "Sicilian Ghost Story" flirte de façon étonnante avec le fantastique, tout en dénonçant un système d’une terrible cruauté."
Le Parisien ****

L’Ordre des choses directed by Andrea Segre starring Paolo Pierobon, Giuseppe Batiston and Olivier Rabourdin is coming out today in France. It’s a coproduction between MACT Productions, Jolefilm, Rai cinema and Sophie Dulac Productions. The film was selected at the 74th Mostra and is released in France by Sophie Dulac Distribution.

Synopsis: Corrado, a policeman for the European task force in charge of immigration control, is on a field assignment in Libya. During a night patrol in the desert, he meets Swada, a young Somaliwoman who left her war-ravaged country in order to try and reach Europe. Corrado gives her something to eat and drink before she resumes her journey. But their destinies are now linked, and Corrado will soon find himself faced with a choice: respect his orders and the law, or save Swada’s life.

"Un cadre glacial pour un drame brûlant. Et un grand film."
Le Nouvel Observateur ****

"L’Ordre des choses s’inscrit dans la tradition des grands films politiques italiens."
La Voix du Nord ****

"Tourné avec la rigueur d’une enquête journalistique et la conscience humaniste d’un documentaire, "L’Ordre des choses" met au jour le terrible écheveau des compromis politiques internationaux."
Positif ****

Barrage directed by Laura Schroefer starring Lolita Chammah, Themis Pauwels and Isabelle Huppert is coming out today in France. It’s a coproduction between MACT Productions, Entre Chien et Loup and Red Lion Films. The film was selected at the 68th Berlinale (Forum) and is released in France by Alfama Films.

Synopsis: Catherine returns to Luxembourg from Switzerland following a period of ten years during which her daughter Alba was raised by her own mother Elisabeth. From the side of the tennis court, she watches Elisabeth coach Alba, her face clearly showing how well she remembers this mixture of stimulus and humiliation from her own childhood. The roles in this female family trio have been assigned. Does Catherine stand any sort of chance of being a mother to her daughter after so much time has passed? On a spontaneous trip to the family’s summer house, Alba and Catherine’s wounds and longings come out into the open. Sometimes they seem more like two very different sisters, who dance together in the garden and wear the same childish sweatshirts. When they bury Catherine’s dog Charbon in the forest, they resemble two children performing a ceremony for a pet. Catherine named the dog after a song, “Black Like Coal” – the same dark colour as the depressive moods she takes tablets to ward off. The gentleness of Laura Schroeder’s storytelling is shot through with serious undertones, supported by a carefully chosen soundtrack and most of all her superb actors.

"Lolita Chammah et sa mère, Isabelle Huppert, ont beau être très convaincantes, elles se font voler la vedette par la jeune Thémis Pauwels, impressionnante de justesse."
Le Journal du Dimanche ***

"Profond et incarné"
The Hollywood Reporter ****

"Ce triangle féminin se révèle d’autant plus troublant que Zaza et Catherine sont interprétées avec justesse par Isabelle Huppert et Lolita Chammah, mère et fille à la ville."
Le Parisien ***

Sicilian Ghost Story Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s new film will open the 56th Cannes’s Critics" week. The film is a coproduction between Indigo Film, Cristaldi Pics, Rai cinema, Ventura Films and MACT Productions. Jour2fête will release the film in France.

Subject: "In a little Sicilian village on the edge of a forest, Giuseppe, a boy of 13, vanishes. Luna, his classmate who’s in love with him, refuses to accept his mysterious disappearance. She rebels against the silence and complicity surrounding her. To find him, she descends into the dark world which has swallowed him up and which has a lake as its mysterious entrance. Only their indestructible love will be able to bring her back."

One day my prince, Flavia Coste’s first feature starring Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, Mylène Saint-Sauveur, Catherine Jacob and Pierre-François Martin-Laval comes out today in France. It’s a coproduction between MACT Productions, Christal Films and Paradis Films. The film is released in France by Paradis Films.

Synopsis: Almost one hundred years ago Sleeping Beauty was plunged into a deep sleep. Until now, no prince has managed to wake her up with a kiss. And time is running out: if no serious candidate appears, the kingdom of the fairies risks disappearing forever. Queen Titiana hence sends two fairies to Paris, Blondine and Mélusine, on a special mission to find the ideal man. But our two fairies, projected into the 21st century, quickly come to realize that the task is more complicated than it appears.

"Ce premier film porté par Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse et Mylène Saint-Sauveur, deux actrices canadiennes aux charmes ravageurs, explore la Carte du Tendre avec une ironie tendre et beaucoup d’imagination."
20 Minutes ****

"Ce conte léger et pétillant enchaîne les situations cocasses."
Le Parisien ****

Girafada, Rani Massalha’s first feature starring Saleh Bakri, Laure de Clermont, Ahmad Bayatra and Roschdy Zem is coming out this week in French theaters. The film was selected at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a French-German-Palestinian coproduction between MACT Productions, Heimatfilm and Lumiere & Co. It’s released in France by Pyramide Distribution.

Synopsis: Yacine is a veternarian in Palestine’s only remaining zoo. His ten-year-old son Ziad spends a lot of time with the animals and has a strong bond with the zoo’s two giraffes. One night, after an air raid on the city, the male giraffe dies. The female giraffe can’t survive alone and starts to slowly let itself die. Yacine must absolutely find a new companion for the beast, but the only zoo that can help him is in Tel Aviv.

"Rani Massalha’s appealing debut feature has a pleasant sweetness that makes it ideal for kids’ showcases and smallscreens."
Variety

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Salvo, Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza’s first feature starring Saleh Bakri and Sara Serraiocco is coming out this week in French theaters. The film won the 52nd Cannes Critics Week Grand Prix. It’s a French-Italian coproduction between MACT Productions, Cité Films, Acaba Produzioni and Cristaldi Pictures. It’s released in France by Bodega Films.

Synopsis: Salvo, a cold, impacable and pitiless man, is a killer in the Sicilian Mafia. When he commits a house invasion to wipe out a man, he encounters Rita, a young, blind woman, who is forced to helplessly sit by while her brother is murdered. Salvo tries to close her disturbing eyes, which stare at him with seeing him. Something impossible occurs. Rita sees for the first time. Salvo therefore decides to let her live. Henceforth, each haunted by the world to which they belong, they are bound together forever.

"There’s no denying the sheer aesthetic talent on display here, and beyond all the shootouts and genre tropes, Salvo manages to distill an authentically unsettling atmosphere that speaks volumes about the state of modern-day Sicily."
The Hollywood Reporter

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The shooting of La Sapience, Eugène Green’s new feature film (Le Monde vivant, Le Pont des arts, La Religieuse portugaise) started on September 15th, 2013 for 6 weeks starring Fabrizio Rongione and Christelle Prot. The film is shot in Italy (Turin and Rome). It’s a French-Italian coproduction between MACT and La Sarraz Pictures.

Synopsis: Alexandre Schmid, a well-known architect, has begun to doubt about the value of the work he has done up until now. He decides to make a journey to Switzerland and Italy in order to write a long put-off essay about the Roman baroque architect Francesco Borromini, whose life and work obsess him, and Aliénor, his wife, decides to go with him. In Stresa, on the Lago Maggiore, they meet two adolescents, a brother and sister named Goffredo and Lavinia. Aliénor decides to stay in Stresa for a while. Alexandre wants to continue on to Rome, and since Goffredo plans on studying architecture, Aliénor tells her husband to take the boy with him.

Giraffada, Rani Massalha’s first feature film starring Saleh Bakri, Ahmad Bayatra, Laure de Clermont and Roschdy Zem was selected at The Toronto International Film Festival (Discovery). The film is a French-German-Israeli coproduction between MACT Productions, Heimatfilm Gmbh and Lumière Co.

Synopsis: Yacine is the veterinarian of the only zoo remaining in the Palestinian West Bank. He lives alone with his 10-year old son, Ziad. The kid has a special bond with the two giraffes in the zoo. He seems to be the only one to communicate with them. After an air raid in the region the male giraffe dies. His mate, Rita, won’t survive unless the veterinarian finds her a new companion. The only zoo that might provide this animal is located in Tel Aviv ...

Salvo, Antonio Piazza and Fabio Grassadonia’s first feature starring Saleh Bakri and Sara Serraiocco, topped the Cannes Film Festival’s 52nd Critics’ Week, taking its Grand Prix and the France 4 Revelation Prize. The film is a French/Italian coproduction between Acaba Produzioni, Cristaldi Pictures, Cité Films and MACT Productions.

Synopsis: A henchman for the Sicilian Mafia, Salvo is solitary, cold and ruthless. When he sneaks into a house to eliminate someone from a rival Mafia clan, he discovers Rita, a young blind girl who powerlessly stands by while her brother is assassinated. When Salvo decides to spare her life, something extraordinary happens. From then on, these two beings - both haunted by the world they belong to - are linked together forever.

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Sous le Figuier, the latest film directed Anne Marie Étienne with Gisèle Casadesus, Anne Consigny, Jonathan Zaccaï and Marie Kremer opens today in French theaters. The film is a French-Belgium coproduction between MACT Productions and Tarantula Belgique

Synopsis: Nathalie, Christophe, and Joëlle are all going through an existential crisis. The siblings all come together to spend a final summer vacation with Selma, their 95 year-old, seriously ill mother. But the vacation doesn’t quite go as planned and they come to understand that the woman they thought they were helping to die is in fact helping them to live.

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Gebo et l’ombre, the new film directed by Manoel de Oliveira with Michael Lonsdale, Claudia Cardinale and Jeanne Moreau, will be presented in official selection - out of competition - at the 69th Venice Film Festival. The film is a French/Portuguese coproduction between MACT and O SOM E A FURIA. EPICENTRE FILMS will distribute it in France.

Synopsis: Set in the late 19th century, about a honored but poor patriarch who sacrifices himself to protect his fugitive son.

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Christine Laurent’s new film, Demain ?, starring Laure de Clermont, Marc Ruchmann and also Luis Miguel Cintra, will be released in French theaters on August, 22nd by ZELIG FILMS. The film is a French/Portuguese coproduction between MACT and O SOM E A FURIA.

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The shooting of Manoel de Oliveira’s last film Gebo et l’Ombre with Michael LONSDALE, Claudia CARDINALE and Jeanne MOREAU just ended. Épicentre Films will release it in France.

The shooting of Anne Marie Étienne’s last film La Sieste sous le Figuier with Gisèle CASADESUS, Jonathan ZACCAÏ, Anne CONSIGNY and Marie KREMER just ended. Océan Films will release the film in France.

The shooting of Gebo et l’ombre, Manoel de Oliveira’s new film feature (L’Étrange Affaire Angélica , Belle Toujours...) will start in Paris on September 19th 2011 and will last 4 weeks. Michael LONSDALE, Claudia CARDINALE and Jeanne MOREAU are part of the cast.

The shooting of La Sieste sous le figuier, Anne-Marie Étienne’s new feature film (Tôt ou tard, Si c’était lui...) has started on August 29th 2011 and will last 7 weeks. The cast is composed by Gisèle Casadesus, Jonathan Zaccaï, Anne Consigny and Marie Kremer. The film is shot in Luxembourg and Brussels and coproduced by MACT and Tarantula.

Si tu meurs, je te tue, Hiner Saleem’s new film (Vodka Lemon, Kilomètre zéro, Sous les toits de Paris) produced by MACT Production with Jonathan Zaccaï, Golshifteh Farahani and Mylène Demongeot is now in theathers.

Synopsis :

Philippe, who is just out of prison, encounters Avdal, a Kurd who is looking for an Iraqi criminal. A friendship forms between the two men. Avdal, who dreams of staying in France, has planned to get his fiancée Siba to Paris. Avdal dies suddenly and Philippe finds himself obliged to look after his friend’s funeral arrangements. Siba arrives in Paris and learns of her fiancé’s death. Taken in by a group of Kurds, she meets Philippe. Meanwhile, Cheto, Avdal’s father also arrives in Paris.

Antoine de Clermont-Tonnerre was re-elected this morning as president of Unifrance Films by the association’s Board of Directors with an absolute majority of represented votes.

Unifrance’s Board of Directors is composed of 50 members, including 23 members from the four Committees elected by the association’s Councils (the Feature Film Producers’ Council, the Directors’, Actors’, Writers’, and Artists’ Agents’ Council, the Film Exporters’ Council, and the Short Film Producers’ and Distributors’ Council), 12 ex officio members, 12 statuary members, and 3 qualified industry figures appointed by the Ministers of Culture and Foreign Affairs.