The International Business Times and others covered Kino Lorber's acquisition of Daniel Leconte's 2008 documetnary, "It's Hard To Be Loved By Jerks." Read more below:
An American film distributor (Kino Lorber) has purchased the rights to a documentary about Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine that was attacked on Jan. 7 by extremists who killed 12 people, including some of the magazine's most prominent cartoonists. Kino Lorber, the company, bought the rights from French company Pyramide International, which holds the rights to the documentary, "It's Hard Being Loved by Jerks" ("C'est dur d'être aimé par des cons").
The documentary, released in France in 2008 and directed by Daniel Leconte, is named after the caption of a popular Charlie Hebdo cartoon. In 2006, the magazine sparked an uproar in France when it reprinted a set of highly controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad originally published in a Danish paper. The documentary examined the legal battle that ensued in France after Charlie Hebdo was charged with defamation, is considered sympathetic to the cause of freedom of expression for which the magazine championed. Some of those interviewed in the documentary were killed in the January attacks. When the documentary was first released, it sold about 40,000 tickets, according to Eric Lagesse, president of Pyramide.
The day after the January attack, the film was re-released in France, eventually playing in 110 theaters and selling about 10,000 tickets, according to Variety magazine. Pyramide is offering the film again to distributors at the Berlin Film Festival, which ends Feb. 15.
Lagesse told AFP he thinks the film will succeed in American universities and arthouse cinemas. Kino Lorber is expected to release the film in universities and major U.S. cities this spring. Elizabeth Sheldon, a senior vice president at Kino Lorber, said the film would be "a catalyst for conversation."
"As a distributor, freedom of speech concerns me at first range and today it is more important to keep defending those ideas," Pyramide's Lagesse said. "More than ever."
I am very proud to be involved in this truly worthwhile project, a boxset of rare or never-before-seen vintage films from early African American directors called PIONEERS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CINEMA. The distributor, Kino Lorber, has launched a Kickstarter campaign; not only to help finance the expense of the restoration but also to help raise awareness of how important film restoration & preservation is to get this historic work out into the world.
Support the campaign here:
Old Fashioned
Film Review by Kam Williams
If you’re looking for a wholesome romantic romp as a viable alternative to Fifty Shades of Grey, then look no further than this relatively-chaste faith-based drama revolving around a chivalrous Christian’s courting of his restless new tenant. Old Fashioned opens with a quote from the late Zora Neal Hurston, “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” That wise adage proves pertinent in this modern morality play chronicling the slow transformation of a wounded woman into one willing to trust again.
At the point of departure, we are introduced to Clay Walsh (Rik Swartzwelder), an unassuming gentleman who retreated to a quiet Midwestern town to run an antique store for his aging but sage Aunt Zella (Dorothy Silver). You’d never guess that this pious proprietor had been a womanizing party animal back in college. But that was ages ago, and the reformed frat boy has been celibate for almost a decade since being Born Again.
Christ-like Clay is mercilessly teased for that by his misogynistic pal, Brad (Tyler Hollinger), a raunchy, radio talk show host who advocates taking advantage of dumb females. In fact, the disgusting shock jock is planning to relocate to Los Angeles because of the number of gullible girls there.
The plot thickens soon after Clay rents the vacant apartment above his shop to Amber Hewson (Elizabeth Ann Roberts), an attractive free-spirit who’s never lived anywhere long enough to put down roots. Sparks soon fly between landlord and tenant based on looks alone, despite their being polar opposites in terms of values and temperament.
But thanks to Clay’s refusal even to kiss while dating, the two are forced to get to know each other rather than rush to intimacy. Written and directed by its star Rik Swartzwelder, the aptly titled Old Fashioned is a refreshingly-principled parable proving that a picture championing chastity can be every bit as entertaining and enjoyable as one promoting promiscuity.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for mature themes
Running time: 115 minutes
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
To see a trailer for Old Fashioned, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p0ozDjAQco
Da Sweet Blood of Jesus
Film Review by Kam Williams
The Kickstarter page where Spike Lee raised $1,418,910 from fans for his latest “Joint” expressly states that the money would not used to shoot a remake of Blacula (1972). But it also failed to inform investors that the crowdfunded feature was ostensibly-inspired by another Blaxploitation era horror flick, namely, Ganja & Hess (1973). And after screening this disappointing indie, it’s obvious there was no reason to redo that picture either.
Spike’s sharp decline as a filmmaker in recent years is nothing short of shocking, with Oldboy (2013) and Red Hook Summer (2012) also submitted for your disapproval. Claims to the contrary notwithstanding, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is basically a boring vampire adventure that’s severely lacking in terms of tension, thrills, premise, storyline, special f/x, plausibility, production value, editing and character development. Am I forgetting anything?
The tawdry tale revolves around Dr. Hess Greene (Stephen Tyrone Williams), a wealthy anthropologist specializing in African Art History. This unrepentant bon vivant divides his time between New York City and an oceanfront summer home up on Martha’s Vineyard, living in the lap of luxury with the help of a private jet, a chauffeured Rolls Royce, and a loyal manservant (Rami Malek).
The plot thickens soon after Dr. Greene is stabbed with an ancient Ashanti artifact, when he develops an insatiable addiction to blood. To satisfy the craving, he steals some from a hospital, and he also embarks on a killing spree. Besides gratuitous slaughter, the film indulges in frontal nudity and eroticized violence, including a sleazy, lesbian sex scene that looks like an outtake from a soft core snuff film.
What would Jesus do, Spike? Repent!
Fair (1 star)
Unrated
Running time: 123 minutes
Studio: 40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
To see a trailer for Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n739-zHeooQ
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Film Review by Kam Williams
Harry Hart (Colin Firth) is such an unassuming, buttoned-downed bloke that no one in his right mind would suspect him to be a highly-skilled secret agent capable of killing at the drop of a derby. But as a Kingsman, he belongs to an exclusive fraternity of nattily-attired spies who abide by the motto “Manners Maketh Man.” Members of this covert organization consider themselves modern-day knights, and they see their suits as body armor.
Despite an otherwise distinguished service record, Harry still regrets the mistake he made during a 1997 operation in the Middle East that cost a colleague his life. Today, Harry hopes to make it up to his dearly departed partner by taking on his orphaned son, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), as a protégé.
This will be easier said than done since, besides completing the requisite Navy SEAL-like training program, the young apprentice has a lot of rough edges that need smoothing, including a grating cockney accent. For, the lad grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, so he could use a few lessons in etiquette, ala My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle.
Meanwhile, a matter of more pressing concern comes to Harry’s attention, namely, a plot being hatched by a proverbial diabolical villain bent on world domination. That would be Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), a twisted tech mogul who’s in the midst of giving away billions of free SIM cards ensuring free phone calls and free internet access for everyone, forever. All over the planet, people are standing in long lines for the freebies, oblivious of an apocalyptic app they’re about to simultaneously download into their cells.
Adapted from the comic book series The Secret Service, Kingsman is an adrenaline-fueled satire of the espionage genre which, at every turn, will have you harking back to the early James Bond adventures starring Sean Connery. The picture was directed by Matthew Vaughn who co-wrote the script with Jane Goldman, the same collaborator on the equally-inspired Kick-Ass (2010).
Colin Firth is delightfully debonair, here, whether turning on the charm or dispatching bad guys. Samuel L. Jackson is just as amusing cast against type as his worthy adversary with a flamboyant persona complete with lisp. A nostalgic homage to 007 that’s also the most mesmerizing movie of the year thus far.
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for profanity, sexuality and graphic violence
In English and Swedish with subtitles
Running time: 129 minutes
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
To see a trailer for Kingsman: The Secret Service, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4NCribDx4U