HANDS ON A HARDBODY

Cult-Classic Documentary HANDS ON A HARDBODY Remastered and Re-Released On DVD / Streaming

LOS ANGELES, CA (MMD Newswire) February 26, 2013 -- Fans of the critically lauded and impossible-to-find Hands On A Hardbody are in luck. After a decade of $100 to $400 asking prices on Amazon and EBay, a remastered version of the movie Time Out New York Magazine called, "...nearly Shakespearean" will be released April 1st, 2013. The Boston Society of Film Critics named S.R. Bindler's gripping portrait of small-town Texans vying for their piece of the American dream one of the best documentaries of the decade.

"... Hands on A Hardbody is a classic piece of Americana, a down-home documentary that not only produces gales of laughter but also manages, by the end, to come together as a highly unlikely metaphor for the rigors of human existence." -- Todd McCarthy, Daily Variety

Originally released in 1997 in a hundred theaters, Hands On A Hardbody ran for a historic 16 months in Austin, Texas but the film went out of print and has been unavailable for 15 years. The DVD and Download has been completely remastered and features 86 minutes of never-before-seen material from the movie. The DVD ($25) and download ($10) will be available at HandsOnAHardbodyTheMovie.com with other platforms forthcoming.

"Packs a punch most big budget blow-outs would be hard pressed to match." -- Village Voice

The contest featured in the film is one of endurance and sleep-deprivation - whoever can remain standing the longest (contests have lasted more than 100 hours) with one hand on the truck will get to drive it home. Capturing several days of lunacy, laughter, struggle and heartbreak, Hands On A Hardbody is a fascinating study of competition, camaraderie, faith and determination.

"...it left me stunned. It's quite an ingenious film; it transcends its campy, Americana subject [the competition itself] to become a universal meditation on competition and desire." -- (Pulitzer-winning writer) Doug Wright -- Quills, Grey Gardens

Over the years, the documentary attracted the attention of notable filmmakers like Robert Altman (who was adapting the documentary as a feature film at the time of his death) to Richard Linklater, whose recent film Bernie pays tribute to the film. Profiled by NPR's Ira Glass and The New York Times, the movie has been adapted for the musical stage by Pulitzer-winning writer Doug Wright, opening on Broadway in late March at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. The film will tour theatrically throughout Texas in April and will start a national Tugg.com theatrical campaign in the summer of 2013. For a film made for less than the cost of the pick-up at the heart of the movie, Hardbody keeps trucking.

"Fascinating... Accomplished."-- The New York Times


Website: www.HandsOnAHardbodyTheMovie.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/handsonahardbody

MULTIPLAY TOURNAMENTS

RAZER LEAGUE OF LEGENDS CUP REVEALED FOR 2013

Razer backs the fastest growing MOBA tournament with yearlong, multi-event support at the UK’s largest LAN events; iSeries.

HAMBURG – Feb. 27, 2013 – Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, has today announced its headline-sponsorship of the hugely anticipated League of Legends tournament throughout all of the Multiplay iSeries events through 2013. The tournament, which will be known as “Razer League of Legends Cup”, demonstrates Razer’s commitment to supporting gamers at every level. This already massively popular League of Legends tournament attracts gamers of all abilities and they will be given a chance to win a much sought after suite of Razer gear by entering.

Teams who sign up for the League of Legends tournament at i48 will be entered into a draw for an awesome live pre-qualifier. The teams will be invited to the exclusive Razer Bunker in London's Tottenham Court Road PC World where they will play for over £2,000 worth of prizes for their team; including free team entry to Multiplay i48 series and the Razer League of Legends Cup and incredible suite of high-end Razer gaming peripherals to give the team the extra edge in the tournament.

“We are thrilled to be sponsoring the iSeries and to put the Razer name to the League of Legends tournament. We know so many of the players and teams are already huge Razer fans and we are thrilled to be able to show our support and commitment to gamers of every level and the competitive teams out there." said Darren Roberts, Razer UK Sales Director.

"Razer products are designed with the gamer in mind and we are delighted to be able to offer a team a completely unfair advantage by giving them the chance to win a suite of peripherals at the pre-qualifier to take with them to the tournament!” Roberts concluded.

The pre-qualifier will see all the teams then head to i48 to compete in the Razer League of Legends Cup where, in addition to the £2,500 prize pool for the tournament winners, Razer will be offering up plenty of spot prizes throughout the tournament for moments of gaming excellence or sheer good luck – so even if teams don’t get through to the finals they can still walk away with some amazing Razer gear.

"Multiplay are over-the-moon to have Razer as our headline sponsor for the League of Legends tournament. The tournament is one of the most popular and has team entries of all levels. To have the added pre-qualifiers to the event will be massively popular too as the teams have a chance to win some amazing Razer gear for the tournament. We are expecting an influx of entries for this tournament and teams are encouraged to enter as soon as possible so as not to miss the draw for the pre-qualifiers." Said Craig Fletcher, Multiplay CEO.

About the Razer Group:
Razer™ is the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems. Founded in 1998, with its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the company has offices in nine cities around the globe. Used by the most demanding professional gamers who compete in global tournaments, Razer provides gamers with the unfair advantage of cutting-edge technology and award-winning design. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.™

For more information, please visit http://www.razerzone.com/.

NYF Television & Film Awards

New York Festivals Honors CBS News Senior Executive Producer, Susan Zirinsky with 2013 TV & Film Lifetime Achievement Award

New York Festivals® International Television & Film Awards™ will honor CBS News Senior Executive Producer Susan Zirinsky with its 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Zirinsky, the Senior Executive Producer of CBS News’ broadcast 48 HOURS, will be honored on Tuesday, April 9^th at the New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards ceremony taking place at the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas. The NYF Television & Film Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes prominent industry leaders whose accomplishments and contributions have advanced their field and made a lasting impression on the industry. The organization is now in its 56^th year of honoring the World’s Best TV Programs & Films™.

“By selecting Susan Zirinsky as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, New York Festivals honors a woman whose commitment to broadcast journalism has been paramount, covering the major domestic and international stories of our time,” said Rose Anderson, NYF Television & Film Awards Executive Director. “She’s a producer’s producer whose body of work is an inspiration.”

In addition to her work on 48 HOURS, now in its 25^th full season, Zirinsky routinely is the Senior Executive Producer of breaking news specials events for CBS News, including the Aurora, CO theater shooting and the murders at a Newtown, CT elementary school. She has also produced special projects for CBS Entertainment, the CW and Showtime.

Her extensive journalism career has provided her with a front seat to some of the iconic moments in TV news history including the Falklands War, the student uprising in Tiananmen Square, the Gulf War, the invasion of Panama, the election of President Barack Obama, 9/11, The Presidencies of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan George H. Bush and World Summits in Moscow, Russia Helsinki, Finland; Malta and Iceland.  Zirinsky’s vast body of work includes producing documentaries on fashion, music and the occasional “Person to Person” newsmaker profile specials.

Zirinsky was also the executive producer of CBS News’ historic and award-winning “9/11” broadcast, a riveting documentary that included the only picture of the first plane going into the North Tower of the World Trade Center as well as video footage inside the Towers capturing first responders who would ultimately die in the buildings’ collapse. The documentary garnered an Emmy, a George Foster Peabody Award, A Christopher Award, a Writers Guild of America Award, a Radio-TV News Directors award, and the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence.   Zirinsky has won multiple Emmy Awards for her body of work.

She is a journalist at heart. Zirinsky began at CBS News as a production clerk and during her tenure at the network, her journalism career has taken her around the world and included everything from politics and sports, celebrities and murders. She has also worked on such broadcasts as the CBS MORNING NEWS, the CBS EVENING NEWS and the newsmagazine EYE To EYE. She has been the Executive Producer of 48 HOURS since 1996.

“We are pleased to be in our third year, hosting NYF's prestigious Television & Film Awards ceremony at NAB Show,” said NAB Executive Vice President, Conventions and Business Operations, Chris Brown.  “This partnership illustrates NAB Show's commitment to the content community across all genres and platforms.  News production is a core component of NAB Show and we are thrilled to welcome Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Susan Zirinsky to our program.  We know her extensive knowledge of international production in both the news and entertainment arenas will be an inspiration for the thousands of creative professionals and amateurs who attend each year.”

The New York Festivals Awards ceremony will shine the spotlight on the 2013 World’s Best TV & Films, as well as present the Lifetime Achievement Award, Broadcaster of the Year, Production Company of the Year, and United Nations Department of Public Information Awards. Award winners and ceremony attendees will have access to the 2013 NAB Show. For more information or to order tickets please visit: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/nabshow2013/nyf_show.html

The official media sponsor of the 2013 NYF Television & Film Awards is Production Hub.

RASPBERRY PI CONTEST

The Design Museum, London, U.K.,  is asking the public to enter their home-made

Raspberry Pi inventions into a competition to go on display in the

forthcoming exhibition Designs of the Year.

One of the most amazing things about this cheap and tiny single-board

computer is its ability to be modified, hacked and adapted. Raspberry Pi is

nominated for the Design Museum Designs of the Year 2013. The complete

set of 100 nominees, across seven categories, will go on display at the

Design Museum from 20 March.

As part of the Raspberry Pi display in the exhibition, the Design Museum is

calling for entries from the public of interesting, intriguing and generally cool

creations made from Raspberry Pi. Images and films of the best entries will

then go on display in the exhibition.

The $25 single-board computer was designed to make computer

programming more affordable and accessible for students but its low cost,

small size and low power requirements makes it a perfect starting point for

many home projects. Just a look at the RaspberryPi.org Blog shows the

vast possibilities of projects enabled by Raspberry Pi; from robots and toy

tanks to a keyboard made from beer cans, a Raspberry Pi super computer

to a retro arcade game player, and a home-brew system to a USB

controlled toy rocket launcher.

Raspberry Pi users are asked to send pictures and films of their

creations to pi@designmuseum.org by 5pm GMT 4 March 2013.

http://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/2013/designs-of-the-year-2013

@DesignMuseum

@Raspberry_Pi

#Raspberry_Pi

NETFLIX MAKES FIRST EPISODE OF HOUSE OF CARDS

AVAILABLE TO NON-MEMBERS FOR ONE MONTH

BEGINNING 1 FEBRUARY, 2013

 

Highly-Anticipated and Critically-Acclaimed, Original Series Starring Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright

and Kate Mara Premieres In all Netflix Territories Today

(Beverly Hills, CA – 1 February, 2013) – Netflix is making available to everyone in all Netflix territories the first episode of the highly-anticipated, critically-acclaimed drama series “House of Cards” to enjoy for one month, beginning 1 February, at netflix.com/houseofcards.


“The creative team in front of and behind the camera have delivered a riveting 13-chapter narrative that we’re proud to present to Netflix members today, said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix. “By offering the first episode for free, including to non-members, we are opening up this fascinating world for everyone to see and are confident they’ll want more.”


Current Netflix members are now able to watch the entire 13-episode first season of the drama programme, in territories where Netflix is available – U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Latin America, Brazil and the Nordics.


From director David Fincher (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Social Network”), who directed the first two episodes; award-winning playwright and Academy Award® nominated screenwriter Beau Willimon (“Farragut North,” “The Ides of March”) and Academy Award® winner Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump,” “Munich”), “House of Cards” is based on the BBC miniseries of the same name. This wicked political drama starring Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright and Kate Mara slithers beneath the curtain and through the back halls of greed, sex, love and corruption in modern Washington D.C.


An uncompromising exploration of power, ambition and the American way, the programme orbits Francis Underwood (Spacey), the House Majority Whip. Underwood is the politician’s politician – masterful, beguiling, charismatic and ruthless. He and his equally ambitious wife Claire (Wright) stop at nothing to ensure their ascendancy. In addition to Spacey, Wright and Mara, the series stars Corey Stoll (“Midnight in Paris”), Kristen Connolly (“The Cabin in the Woods”), Michael Kelly (“The Adjustment Bureau”) and Sakina Jaffrey (“Definitely Maybe”).


“House of Cards” is executive produced by Fincher, Willimon, Joshua Donen, Eric Roth, Spacey, Dana Brunetti, Andrew Davies, Michael Dobbs and John Melfi. The one-hour drama is produced by Donen/Fincher/Roth and Trigger Street Productions, Inc. in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix. 

COMING TO NETFLIX

HIT SERIES VAMPIRE DIARIES, GOSSIP GIRL, FRINGE AND CHUCK 
Netflix Members in UK and Ireland to Exclusively Enjoy Complete Prior Seasons of Top U.S. Programmes

Netflix Inc. and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution today announced a multi-year licensing agreement allowing Netflix members in the U.K. and Ireland to exclusively enjoy complete previous seasons of some of the hottest series on American television.

The first three seasons of hit teen supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries come to Netflix on December 1, while seasons one through five of saucy young adult favorite Gossip Girl begin on March 1. Later in 2013, four seasons of the J.J. Abrams-created science fiction show Fringe will be available to watch instantly as will all five seasons of Chuck, the beloved hybrid action-comedy, spy-drama that completed its American run in January.

“We are thrilled to be the exclusive online subscription home for these incredibly entertaining shows from Warner Bros. Television,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “We are giving fans the opportunity to relive their favorite moments from these programmes while hopefully attracting a lot of new ones who will be able to enjoy these serialized stories from their very beginning.”

“We are pleased to be able to offer fans in the UK on-demand access to past seasons of these incredibly addictive series,” said Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television.  “Whether fans discover, catch-up or relive favorite episodes, Netflix is a terrific distribution partner and this deal demonstrates that there is now a viable new outlet for our programming after the initial telecast in the UK.”

About Netflix 

With more than 27 million streaming members in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the United States, Canada and Latin America, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world's leading internet subscription service for enjoying films and TV programmes. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can instantly watch films and TV programmes streamed over the internet to PCs, Macs and TVs. Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are the Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, internet-connected TVs, home theatre systems, digital video recorders and internet video players; Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV. In total, more than 800 devices that stream from Netflix are available. For additional information, visit www.netflix.com. Follow Netflix on Facebook (www.facebook/netflix) and Twitter (www.netflix/twitter).

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Have a very Meery Christmas to all who read this blog and who read and write for the main www.talkingpix.co.uk website.

Fear and Desire

Stanley Kubrick’s FEAR AND DESIRE will be screened in cinemas across the country from 4^th January 2013

[For immediate release] Eureka Entertainment have announced that in support of the release on home video of Stanley Kubrick’s FEAR AND DESIRE, the film will be screening across venues in the Picturehouse Chain from 4^th January 2013. 

Full Details are as follows:

Duke's at Komedia, Brighton - Jan 4-5 2013 (2 days)

Harbour Lights Picturehouse - Jan 6 2013, Jan 10 2013 (2 days)

Stratford Picturehouse, East London  - Jan 10 2013 (1 day)

Greenwich Picturehouse - Jan 10 2013 (1 day)

Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton - Jan 14 2013 (1 day)

Phoenix Picturehouse, Oxford - Jan 14 2013 (1 day)

Hyde Park Picturehouse, Leeds – Jan 17 2013 (1 day)

Clapham Picturehouse - Jan 20 2013 (1 day)

Picturehouse at FACT, Liverpool - Jan 21 2013 (1 day)

Cameo Picturehouse, Edinburgh - Jan 24 2013 (1 day)

Exeter Picturehouse - Jan 28 2013 (1 day)

City Screen Picturehouse, York - Jan 28 2013 (1 day)

Cinema City, Norwich - Jan 28 2013 (1 day)

The Belmont Picturehouse, Aberdeen - Jan 30 2013 (1 day)

Hackney Picturehouse - Jan 31 2013 (1 day)

Eureka Entertainment will be releasing FEAR & DESIRE on Blu-ray & DVD on 28 January 2013 in a new restoration for the first time ever in the UK. It is the only Kubrick film besides A Clockwork Orange that was nearly impossible to see in the UK for several decades.

For further details of the screenings http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/

For details of the Blu-ray & DVD release http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/catalogue/fear-and-desire/

Original Theatrical Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37fK7SVWSek

ODEON studios launches in Leicester square

ODEON offers new cinema experience to local film fans 

ODEON – the largest cinema chain across the UK and Ireland - has today announced the completion of ODEON Studios, the newly refurbished cinema in Leicester Square.

Designed to offer guests a more private cinema experience, and part of ODEON’s ongoing refurbishment programme, the new ODEON Studios boasts five fully accessible luxury screens in smaller, more personal auditoriums. Featuring brand new seats and increased screen size, ODEON Studios provides guests with the ultimate comfort and the latest in cutting edge digital technology. 

With a new boutique feel, ODEON Studios also features a Costa Coffee concession as well as a fully licensed bar, enabling guests to enjoy a beer or glass of wine whilst watching the film of their choice.

Tessa Street, General Manager at ODEON Studios said: “We are delighted to be able to offer film fans a new ODEON experience, more personal and unique than before. The refurbishment has meant that guests can enjoy ODEON’s fantastic film offering in a comfortable and stylish setting and we’re excited to welcome new and existing guests through the doors.”

Fanatical about film, ODEON Studios will provide film fans with a wide and varied choice of films, as well as a variety of alternative content such as sports, theatre and concerts.

Guests can continue to take advantage of the fantastic promotions at ODEON including the cheapest family, child and adult off-peak cinema tickets available in Leicester Square*. Other benefits include the option of joining the ODEON Première Club, a rewards scheme which allows members to earn points to spend on film tickets and snacks.

Create Levels, Share Experiences and Save the Universe

 with Friends in Piece Corps, A  New Mobile Game for iOS and Android
Piece Corps,

Created by Joe Doucet Studio, Promotes Diversity and Ignites Imagination
Without Boundaries by Letting Players Control the Game

Piece Corps, a new physics-based mobile game for casual gamers of all ages, is now available for free to download in the iTunes App Store and from Google Play. Piece Corps unites its players and characters through unique abilities and crafty problem solving skills to overcome challenging levels of schoolyard madness. Players can also control their own game play by creating new levels and sharing with friends, Facebook and the whole Piece Corps community.

The Piece Corps characters are a group of daring, young girls who protect the powerful “Book of
Dreams”. Unfortunately, the Evil Scientist has stolen it for his own wicked bidding! So it's up to
the Piece Corps to band together using their unique abilities against enemies of all kinds to get
the book back safely and save the universe.

"Piece Corps is more than a physics-based mobile game. It empowers imagination and
creativity by supplying the tools for players to create their own levels to be shared within a
global Piece Corps community," said Joe Doucet. "Also, by leveraging the unique abilities of
these diverse characters, we want to show the promise of uniting through differences, to work
together to achieve common goals.”

Key Features:

Who Are The Piece Corps?

Players can select one of five unique Piece Corps characters: Djane, Bundi, Meana, Deevah,
and Martia. Each character possesses three distinctive abilities to help solve complex and challenging levels. Mix and match from more than 125 different character combinations to best
tackle each puzzling level. For example, players can use Djane’s giant stereo to stun enemies
with a blast of music, or protect your chosen character in her pursuit to save the Piece Corps
friends with Martia’s impenetrable force field.

Quirky Enemies & Allies

The Evil Scientist has enlisted the help of the Wicked Lunch Lady, Foul Janitor, Criminal Coach,
and the Malicious Little Hall Monitors to stop the Piece Corps from recovering the “Book of
Dreams”!

Finish an entire pack to free and unlock a Piece Corps friend to help you along the journey.
Players should also always be on the look out for allies like the Powerful Principal, Special
School Nurse, and Cute Crush, who all aid the Piece Corps cause

Create Levels. Share with the World.

Piece Corps gives players a chance to be a part of the game. Every player is encouraged to put
his or her creative juices to work by building customized levels to share with the global Piece Corps community. Every level is a playable work of art, which other players can rate and share
as their favorite user-generated level.

Piece Corps is available now for free from the iTunes store (http://bit.ly/T2IZBw) and for Android
on Google Play (http://bit.ly/V5tmeu). Piece Corps will be available for Amazon, Kindle and in
the Mac App Store coming soon.

Stay in touch with the Piece Corps community and their latest news:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PieceCorps
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ThePieceCorps

TopGear Magazine iPad edition

TopGear Magazine Launches Fully Interactive iPad Edition, Now Available On Newsstand

TopGear Magazine has today launched the first fully-interactive version of the world’s greatest car magazine on Newsstand with its ‘Cars of 2012’ Awards issue, setting a new high octane standard for iPad.

The TopGear Magazine iPad edition brings you up close and personal with the world’s most exciting cars allowing you to hear, see and interact with them in more high-definition, eye-popping detail than ever before.

The interactive magazine features more from the TopGear telly team (Clarkson, Hammond, May and the Stig), more of the incredible jaw-dropping imagery from TopGear’s world-class team of photographers and more exclusive - and loud –HD videos. It’s basically TopGear, but with added everything. And don’t forget that this is just the start. Every month the magazine will be packed with even more interactivity that puts you in the driving seat, so we hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an amazing ride. Readers can now decide how they want to experience TopGear Magazine with the key features including:

Ø  HD videos – stunning video of our world-exclusive feature

Ø  HD galleries – experience your favourite supercar from every angle, with extra images

Ø  Interactive content wheel – navigate to the latest news, hottest car reviews and the TopGear Garage

Ø  Facebook and Twitter – join live-populating feeds to interact with other readers

Ø  Entertainment – fire up the engines of our cover stars by tapping them on-screen

Ø  Secret Content – tap to reveal additional content within features

Ø  Exclusive offers – digital promotions only available on iPad

Ø  Buyers’ guide – read all the essentials for every new car available

Charlie Turner, Editor-in-Chief, TopGear Magazine said; “The launch of the fully interactive edition of TopGear Magazine on Newsstand is a huge milestone in the TopGear journey. Rammed full of exciting interactive content, our iPad edition also features exclusive HD videos, spine-tingling noise and even more stunning imagery from the world’s greatest photographers. Included as standard is some of the industry’s most evocative writing, and even more from those stalwarts of TGTV, Clarkson, Hammond, May and the Stig…. Though the Stig remains generally uncommunicative. TopGear Magazine really does put the reader in the driving seat. To quote a certain J.Clarkson, it's time to feel the.... Poweeeeeer!”

Simon Carrington, Publisher, TopGear Magazine added; “We are delighted to have finally arrived on iPad and Newsstand with a product that we believe fully maximises the technology. We know that the TopGear audience is used to seeing and hearing cars and it’s great to be able to provide video content that is on a par with their expectations. In the current media climate it’s important that TopGear can provide existing and new readers the chance to access the fantastic content that TopGear magazine generates every month.”

The app was developed by Engine Creative for Immediate Media Company, who publish TopGear Magazine under contract from BBC Worldwide.

The TopGear Magazine App is available for free from Newsstand on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore. Six-month (£14.99) and 12-month (£24.99) subscriptions are available via In-App Purchase, and individual issues are available for £2.99.

LAS ACACIAS

Pablo Giorgelli, director of the award winning film LAS ACACIAS, has recently written and directed REENCUENTRO, a 6 minute film exploring the relationship between a father and his daughter. 

View the film on the Verve Pictures website:  

http://www.vivaverve.com/product.php/223/0/reencuentro__meeting_again_

MASTERS OF CINEMA Series

Kaneto Shindō’s ONIBABA will be released as part of Eureka Entertainment’s MASTERS OF CINEMA Series on Blu-ray on 25 February 2013.

[For immediate release] Eureka Entertainment have announced that they will be upgrading one of the most popular titles in the Masters of Cinema Series, ONIBABA to a new 1080p HD Blu-ray on 25 February 2013.  One of the most popular Japanese horror films of all-time, ONIBABA was directed by Kaneto Shindō, the prolific director of 48 films (The Naked Island, Kuroneko) who passed away in 2012 at the age of 100, and who was still working up until his death.

  

“Onibaba graphically illustrates that brutalism, art and allegory can co-exist to spellbindingly powerful effect.” – Film 4

---

SYNOPSIS:

Kaneto Shindō, one of Japan’s most prolific directors, received his biggest international success with the release of Onibaba [The Demoness] in 1964. Its depiction of violence and graphic sexuality was unprecedented at the time of release. Shindō managed — through his own production company Kindai Eiga Kyōkai — to bypass the strict, self-regulated Japanese film industry and pave the way for such films as Yasuzo Masumura’s Mojuu (1969) and Nagisa Oshima’s In the Realm of the Senses (1976).

Onibaba [or Onibabaa, in its alternate spelling] is set during a brutal period in history, a Japan ravaged by civil war between rivaling shogunates. Weary from combat, samurai are drawn towards the seven-foot high susuki grass fields to hide and rest themselves, whereupon they are ambushed and murdered by a ruthless mother (Nobuko Otowa) and daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) team. The women throw the samurai bodies into a pit, and barter their armour and weapons for food. When Hachi (Kei Satō), a neighbour returning from the wars, brings bad news, he threatens the women’s partnership.

Erotically charged and steeped in the symbolism and superstition of its Buddhist and Shintō roots, Kaneto Shindō’s Onibaba is in part a modern parable on consumerism, a study of the destructiveness of sexual desire and — filmed within a claustrophobic sea of grass — one of the most striking and unique films of Japan's last half-century, winning Kiyomi Kuroda the Blue Ribbon Award for Cinematography in 1965. The memorably frenetic drumming soundtrack was scored by long-time Shindō collaborator Hikaru Hayashi. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Onibaba for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK.

Original Theatrical Trailer http://youtu.be/s2SkmwgU8qs 

Available to pre-order from:

Amazon http://amzn.to/WljXOy

Play http://tidd.ly/e39e1d56

The Hut http://tidd.ly/defea0d5

Movie Mail http://bit.ly/RBr2gv

---

SPECIAL NEW BLU-RAY EDITION:

• Gorgeous new 1080p HD transfer
• Full-length director’s audio commentary by director Kaneto Shindō and the stars of the film, Kei Satō, and Jitsuko Yoshimura

• Video introduction by Alex Cox
• 8mm footage (40-minutes) shot on location by lead actor Kei Satō
• Optional English subtitles
• Original theatrical trailer
• Production stills and promotional art gallery
• 36-PAGE BOOKLET with a new essay by Doug Cummings, an English translation of the original short Buddhist fable that inspired the film and a statement from writer/director Kaneto Shindō about why he made Onibaba

Amy shoots cover for NME

Amy Brammal was perhaps, more excited than most when she picked up her 60^th anniversary copy of NME magazine. This particular issue featured the Sex Pistols front man, John Lydon, sitting crossed-legged in a chair – and Amy took the picture.

29-year-old Amy from Leicester said: “I’ve done a lot of work for NME, all over the UK and as far afield as Serbia in the past. John Lydon was lovely to direct through the shoot and I was ridiculously happy when my picture it was selected for the cover. It’s definitely a career highlight to date and hopefully will be the first of many.”

Amy started taking photos at friend’s music gigs and soon found that she had a natural talent. She studied for both an A-Level and Foundation Degree in Photography with Leicester College, before ‘topping-up’ to a full BA at De Montfort University.

Meeting music promoters earned her more work, which she fitted in around her five years of study. By the time she graduated in 2009, Amy had enough work to keep her busy as a full-time freelancer – and she has done ever since.

 “When I first started, I was shooting bands in abandoned warehouses standing against walls and that sort of thing, which is pretty typical. By about my third shoot, I decided I wanted to do something different and really developed my own style,” says Amy.

Amy’s striking style has taken her all over the world; behind the scenes with bands on tour, in front of soap stars on TV sets and in the photo pits at some of the biggest festivals on the planet. Although she does a lot of work with bands, she wouldn’t describe herself as a music photographer.

 “I’d say my work is commercial photography. It’s predominantly music-based based because of my love of music and the work I’ve done for NME. For me it’s all about portraiture, I love capturing people. It can sometimes feel like you’re intruding on a private moment, but then you remember it’s your job. I really enjoy shooting people who are enjoying it and communicating with me the most,” she explained.

 “I didn’t know anyone in the industry when I started and I think that was one of the hardest things as half the battle is working out who you need to speak to and when. Gaining formal qualifications at College and University was really important for me though and definitely helped. I was really nervous on my first few shoots for NME, but with more experience; comes more confidence.”

Amy is currently working in Leeds for ITV; a role that has seen her on the sets of Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Celebrity Juice. She doesn’t want to stop there though, with ambitions to do book or album covers watch out for more of Amy’s work in the near future.

Film Magic

Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) to cast a festive spell with two special screenings of THE HOBBIT in support of East End charity Step Forward at the Genesis Cinema.

Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit star, Sir Ian McKellen will attend two exclusive fundraiser Q&A screenings of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, in which he reprises the role of Gandalf, at the Genesis Cinema on Friday 21^st December in support of East End charity Step Forward. Sir Ian who is patron of Step Forward has been an active supporter of the charity, who work with young people in Tower Hamlets, since 1996.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated version of THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, is the first of a trilogy of films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduring masterpiece.

Step Forward is an independent charity committed to improving the health, well being and life chances of local young people aged 11-25 affected by poverty and disadvantage in Tower Hamlets. The charity offers a range of free and confidential counselling and support services, helping young people deal with any difficulties in their life or recover from past trauma or abuse. Through their purpose built centre in Bethnal Green they offer a place of sanctuary which inspires and encourages 2,000 young people a year to realise their self-worth, raise their aspirations and reach their full potential in life.

Like many charities in London Step Forward has been affected by public sector cuts and reduction in funding across the board. “Step Forward is so impressive to visit, welcoming and utterly committed to helping local young people,” says Sir Ian. “It is amazing that such an evidently worthwhile project does not receive the funding necessary to continue its vital work. I am very happy and honoured to be a Patron for Step Forward and support its aim to continue providing essential support services over the coming years.”

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, (12A, r/t: 170 minutes).

Special Charity Fundraiser screenings on Friday 21^st December:

18:30 (Screen 1), 19:00 (Screen 5)

Q&As with Sir Ian McKellan before each screening

At The Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Rd, London. E1 4UJ.

Tickets are £20 for Screen 1 and VIP tickets for Screen 5 are being auctioned. Tickets for Screen 1 are now on sale through the Genesis Cinema Box Office: 020 7780 2000 or online booking at:http://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/comingsoon.php Ticket prices will include a donation of £10 to Step Forward on each ticket.

VIP tickets for the private screening in Studio 5 which seats 40 people will be auctioned by Step Forward via Ebay from the 8^th December. For more details check out the charity’s web site on: www.step-forward.org

Masters of Cinema

Big name director Claude Chabrol is set to join the Masters of Cinema Series as Eureka Entertainment announce their release schedule for March and April 2013

          

Eureka Entertainment announced today via their twitter feeds (@eurekavideo & @mastersofcinema) the forthcoming releases in The Masters of Cinema series for the months of March and April 2013.

From French New Wave and Italian art cinema classics to lesser known gems from France and Japan, The Masters of Cinema Series remains as eclectic as ever in its March and April 2013 releases – a 6-release slate that includes big name directors Claude Chabrol, Michelangelo Antonioni, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Yūzō Kawashima, and Sadao Yamanaka.   

Producer of the Masters of Cinema Series, Andrew Utterson stated “In March, we welcome legendary French director Claude Chabrol into the series for the very first time, with a back-to-back French New Wave double-bill,Le Beau Serge [Handsome Serge] and Les Cousins [The Cousins], alongside fellow French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot's exquisite comedy-thriller The Murderer Lives at 21 [L'Assassin habite au 21].

More cinematic treats follow in April with a stunning new presentation of Michelangelo Antonioni's majestic slice of Italian art cinema La notte [The Night] as well as rare treasures in the form of a blazing new restoration of Yūzō Kawashima's utterly thrilling but long-unavailable-in-the-west Bakumatsu taiyō-den [aka A Sun-Tribe Myth from the Bakumatsu Era] and the collected release of fellow Japanese filmmaker Sadao Yamanaka's entire surviving works.”  

Managing Director of Eureka Entertainment added “Across six standout releases, world and UK home viewing and Blu-ray premières abound, with new restorations aplenty, as we continue our quest to release the very finest in world cinema, using the very best available materials, all with a meticulous attention to design and detail.”

Full details of each of the titles announced can be found on the Eureka / Masters of Cinema website www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc

For latest news and updates from Eureka & The Masters of Cinema Series, Eureka can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/EurekaEntertainment and via their twitter feeds @mastersofcinema & @eurekavideo.