Cannes-Bound ‘Left-Handed Girl,' ‘Heads or Tails?' Producer Cinema Inutile Takes Stake in 1-2 Special
The New York and Tokyo-based production company, which has been steadily building a slate of festival darlings, has joined as a founding partner in the recently launched North American distributor headed by Jason Hellerstein, a former Sideshow executive who debuted the venture in February.
More from Variety
Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve Family Drama 'Fjord' Sells to Neon
Variety to Host Global Conversations Summit at Cannes Film Festival
Cannes' Thierry Fremaux on Trump's Tariff Plan, Resilience of American Film Culture: 'The United States Remains a Great Country for Cinema'
Cinema Inutile slate includes recent festival hits 'Stranger Eyes' (Venice Competition 2024), 'Happyend' (Venice Orizzonti 2024), and 'Viet and Nam' (Cannes Un Certain Regard 2024). Its development pipeline features collaborations with art-house heavyweights including Ruben Östlund's 'The Entertainment System Is Down,' Manuela Martelli's 'The Meltdown,' and Jim Jarmusch's 'Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.'
The move represents a significant evolution for Cinema Inutile, expanding its end-to-end capabilities in the independent space. The company now stands positioned to shepherd projects from development through theatrical release, a rarity in today's challenging art-house market.
The announcement comes as Cinema Inutile celebrates a banner year on the festival circuit, with two high-profile entries set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival: Shih-Ching Tsou's 'Left-Handed Girl' (co-written and edited by 'Anora' helmer Sean Baker) in Critics' Week, and Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis' 'Heads or Tails?' in Un Certain Regard.
The theatrical-first strategy represents a bullish stance on traditional exhibition at a time when many independent distributors are pivoting toward streaming and day-and-date strategies. 1-2 Special plans to release up to 10 films annually, with Radu Jude's 'Kontinental '25' from this year's Berlinale marking its inaugural acquisition.
'This partnership with 1-2 Special is a natural and exciting next step for Cinema Inutile,' Lo told Variety. 'Be it 'The Settlers,' 'Girls Will Be Girls,' or 'Stranger Eyes,' we've always championed stories that challenge conventions and ignite conversation. Collaborating with Jason, who shares that same passion for risk-taking cinema, is incredibly inspiring.'
'We're both committed to supporting films that deserve to be seen on the big screen, and to creating a home for filmmakers who bring new and unique perspectives to the conversation,' Lo added.
Cinema Inutile is represented by Hayden Goldblatt at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Terence Stamp, prolific actor who played General Zod in ‘Superman' films, dies at 87
Terence Stamp, the prolific English actor who played General Zod in the 'Superman' films and earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the title character in 'Billy Budd,' has died. He was 87. Stamp died of undisclosed causes Sunday morning, his family confirmed to Reuters. 'He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come,' the family said in a statement. Stamp began his acting career onstage in 1960 on London's West End, but quickly received international attention and critical acclaim with his 1962 portrayal of the title role in Peter Ustinov's adaptation of Herman Melville's historical adventure novel, 'Billy Budd.' The humanity Stamp imbued in the tragic, stammering naval vessel crewman established Stamp as a talent to watch — with a Golden Globe Award for best male newcomer to prove it. Still, Stamp didn't fully break through in Hollywood until 1978 when he embodied the chilling persona of Superman's arch-nemesis, General Zod, in the first film of what would become a wildly successful franchise. Stamp took on the role again in 1982's 'Superman II.' Stamp, with his calm demeanor and pale eyes, proved such a successful villain that he feared he was becoming typecast as one. In 1994 he decided to try something radically different when he took on the role of a transgender woman named Bernadette in Stephan Elliott's now cult-classic film, 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert.' The film marked one of the first times a transgender character was portrayed as a lead in an international film. When the movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May of that year, The Times' then film critic, Kenneth Turan, interviewed Stamp for a feature. Stamp told Turan that he had been extremely nervous to play the role, but that a good friend encouraged him to take it, saying, 'If you don't start doing parts like this all you can look forward to is playing villains in Hollywood movies for the rest of your life,' and that, Stamp said, 'stuck fear and loathing into my heart.' 'Priscilla,' about a group of drag performers on a bus trip to play a show at a resort hotel in the Australian desert, was a critical success, with Turan writing that it, 'added some needed life to the Cannes Film Festival scene,' debuting in a 'raucous midnight screening.' In 1999 Stamp teamed up with Peter Fonda in Steven Soderbergh's crime thriller, 'The Limey.' 'When '60s icons collide, that should be the pitch for 'The Limey,',' noted a feature in The Times about the project. Stamp called his role as a British ex-con named Wilson investigating the death of his daughter in L.A., 'the best offer I've had in 40 years.' Stamp and Fonda, old friends who had long wanted to work together, were both experiencing comebacks at the time, with Stamp having just played Chancellor Finis Valorum in the blockbuster, 'Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.' Terence Henry Stamp was born in London in 1938. His father was part of the Merchant Navy, and was often away for long periods of time. Stamp was raised mostly by his mother, grandmother and a variety of aunts. He loved the movies and idolized Gary Cooper and James Dean. As a young man he earned a scholarship to Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art — one of Britain's leading drama schools — and soon began performing at repertory theaters. His roommate at that time was the young actor Michael Caine, and the pair made friends with Peter O'Toole, quickly becoming enmeshed in the good-looking, fast-moving London party scene of the 1960s. Stamp famously dated actor Julie Christie, whom he starred alongside in director Ken Loach's first feature film, 1967's 'Poor Cow.' Stamp was known for his intense dedication to craft, particularly his ability to hone in on the psychological underpinnings of a given character. He was known for bringing the same depth of devotion to all his roles, including 1962's 'Term of Trial' alongside Laurence Olivier; William Wyler's 'The Collector' (1965); Joseph Losey's 'Modesty Blaise' (1966); John Schlesinger's adaptation of Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd' (1967); and a 50-minute short film by Federico Fellini, 'Toby Dammit' (1968), among many others. In 1999, while filming 'The Limey,' he told The Times, 'When you've had a long career you kind of merge all your great roles together. So I don't think about being good in an individual thing. I think of the collective total, of working with [William] Wyler and Pasolini ... I recently thought to myself, 'You know, if it had to end now, it would really be OK.' From 'Billy Budd' to 'The Limey,' no actor could ask for more, so it's a very great moment for me.'
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
"Weapons" maintained top spot during second weekend, scaring off newcomer "Nobody 2"
LOS ANGELES (AP) — 'Weapons' scared its way to the top of the box office in its debut and managed to stay there during its second box office weekend, beating out 'Freakier Friday' and newcomer 'Nobody 2.' Zach Cregger's horror earned $25 million in 3,450 North American theaters, a 43% drop from its first weekend. The highly anticipated film benefitted from strong audience reviews and social media trends to attract large crowds. 'Freakier Friday,' which lost the battle for first place to 'Weapons' during its double premiere, also maintained its second spot, bringing in $14.5 million domestically. The films' staying power comes during a slower box office weekend, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data firm Comscore. Both films also prevailed against 'Nobody 2,' the R-rated action sequel. The Bob Odenkirk-led film earned $9.25 million across 3,260 North American theaters in its debut weekend. 'August came on strong last year, so it makes comparisons tough,' Dergarabedian said, noting the box office success of movies like 'Deadpool and Wolverine' and the horror sci-fi 'Alien: Romulus' that premiered this time last year. This summer is unlikely to hit the $4 billion benchmark, but succeeded in provided movie goers a dynamic and diverse slate of movies, he said. "I can't find a genre that's not represented or a demographic that wouldn't be attracted to one of these films out there," Dergarabedian said. 'It's just that eclectic mix of films with appeal to every demographic.' 'Nobody 2' follows the pandemic success of the first in the series, 'Nobody," which released in 2021. In the sequel, Hutch Mansell, the assassin-turned-nice-guy, played by Odenkirk, returns to the big screen, this time taking a much-needed family vacation that goes awry. The calm weekend turns anything but as Mansell uncovers a corrupt town. Jim Orr, president of domestic distributions at Universal Pictures, said he hopes the movie's reaction scores — a 89% Audience score and B+ CinemaScore — point 'to a long and successful run at the domestic box office.' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps" took the fourth spot during its fourth weekend in theaters, bringing in $8.8 million domestically. The film stumbled at the box office after its initially strong $118 million debut. Another sequel, 'The Bad Guys 2,' took fifth place with $7.5 million during its third weekend in theaters. Notably, Dergarabedian said, international movies made a splash in the top 15 this weekend. 'Coolie,' an Indian action thriller, debuted domestically and snatched the tenth spot, followed by 'War 2,' another Indian action movie, at number 11. The domestic re-release of 'Shin Godzilla," a Japanese film that initially premiered in 2016, came in at the 12th spot. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. 'Weapons,' $25 million. 2. 'Freakier Friday,' $14.5 million. 3. 'Nobody 2,' $9.25 million. 4. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' $8.8 million. 5. 'The Bad Guys 2,' $7.5 million. 6. 'Superman,' $5.3 million. 7. 'The Naked Gun,' $4.8 million. 8. 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' $2.9 million. 9. 'F1: The Movie,' $2.6 million. 10. 'Coolie," $2.4 million.
Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
‘Weapons' maintained top spot during second weekend, scaring off newcomer ‘Nobody 2'
LOS ANGELES — 'Weapons' scared its way to the top of the box office in its debut and managed to stay there during its second box office weekend, beating out 'Freakier Friday' and newcomer 'Nobody 2.' Zach Cregger's horror earned $25 million in 3,450 North American theaters, a 43% drop from its first weekend. The highly anticipated film benefitted from strong audience reviews and social media trends to attract large crowds. 'Freakier Friday,' which lost the battle for first place to 'Weapons' during its double premiere, also maintained its second spot, bringing in $14.5 million domestically. The films' staying power comes during a slower box office weekend, said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for the data firm Comscore. Both films also prevailed against 'Nobody 2,' the R-rated action sequel. The Bob Odenkirk-led film earned $9.25 million across 3,260 North American theaters in its debut weekend. 'August came on strong last year, so it makes comparisons tough,' Dergarabedian said, noting the box office success of movies like 'Deadpool and Wolverine' and the horror sci-fi 'Alien: Romulus' that premiered this time last year. This summer is unlikely to hit the $4 billion benchmark, but succeeded in provided movie goers a dynamic and diverse slate of movies, he said. 'I can't find a genre that's not represented or a demographic that wouldn't be attracted to one of these films out there,' Dergarabedian said. 'It's just that eclectic mix of films with appeal to every demographic.' 'Nobody 2' follows the pandemic success of the first in the series, 'Nobody,' which released in 2021. In the sequel, Hutch Mansell, the assassin-turned-nice-guy, played by Odenkirk, returns to the big screen, this time taking a much-needed family vacation that goes awry. The calm weekend turns anything but as Mansell uncovers a corrupt town. Jim Orr, president of domestic distributions at Universal Pictures, said he hopes the movie's reaction scores — a 89% Audience score and B+ CinemaScore — point 'to a long and successful run at the domestic box office.' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' took the fourth spot during its fourth weekend in theaters, bringing in $8.8 million domestically. The film stumbled at the box office after its initially strong $118 million debut. Another sequel, 'The Bad Guys 2,' took fifth place with $7.5 million during its third weekend in theaters. Notably, Dergarabedian said, international movies made a splash in the top 15 this weekend. 'Coolie,' an Indian action thriller, debuted domestically and snatched the tenth spot, followed by 'War 2,' another Indian action movie, at number 11. The domestic re-release of 'Shin Godzilla,' a Japanese film that initially premiered in 2016, came in at the 12th spot. With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. 'Weapons,' $25 million. 2. 'Freakier Friday,' $14.5 million. 3. 'Nobody 2,' $9.25 million. 4. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' $8.8 million. 5. 'The Bad Guys 2,' $7.5 million. 6. 'Superman,' $5.3 million. 7. 'The Naked Gun,' $4.8 million. 8. 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' $2.9 million. 9. 'F1: The Movie,' $2.6 million. 10. 'Coolie,' $2.4 million.
