The Bangkok International Film Festival recognizes Wouter Barendrecht and Michael J. Werner's contribution to Asian Cinema and will present their company Fortissimo Films with a Golden Kinnaree during the black tie Awards Gala on February 24 th . In making the announcement, Director of Programming Jennifer Stark stated, "The Bangkok International Film Festival is proud to recognize the incredible cultural contributions to Asian cinema that Wouter and Michael have made. Their commitment and dedication to the continued growth of the Asian cinema market is unparalleled."
Wouter Barendrecht founded Fortissimo Film Sales in 1991 dedicating the company to the development, sales and marketing of quality art-house films.
Michael J. Werner, co-chairman and co-owner of Fortissimo Films has been involved with the company for more than ten years.
Directors they have nurtured include Pen-ek Ratanaruang (whose Invisible Waves was selected as the festival's Opening Night Gala presentation, recently received 11 Hong Kong Film Award nominations), Wong Kar-wai, Iwai Shunuji, Tsai Ming-liang, Alex van Warmerdam, Pang Brothers and Jim Jarmusch among others. Seven Fortissimo titles are included in the 2006 Berlin Film Festival line-up.
Fortissimo Films is one of the world's leading international film, television and video sales organizations specializing in unique, innovative, award winning feature films from independent filmmakers from all over the world. With offices in Amsterdam, London and Hong Kong, and agents in Sydney, New York, Tokyo and Beijing, the company has a true global presence and reach.
As of August 2005 Fortissimo Films represents nearly 200 films from around the globe. Approximately 12-15 films are added per year to their line-up. Additionally the company has started to acquire and manage existing libraries on be half of independent producers and directors.
During the last five years the company has entered into activities related to the development, financing and co-production of films and has received production credits on a number of titles including The Goddess of 1967, Thomas in Love, Party Monster, Grimm, Tsui Hark's The Era of Vampires, Springtime in a small Town, The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Last Life in the Universe, P.S., Mysterious Skin and Seven Swords.
Confirmed to attend the Bangkok International Film Festival are Vanessa Redgrave, Terry Gilliam, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Lee, Rosario Dawson, Carlo Nero, Peter Chan, Thom Fitzgerald, Diane Ladd, Dee pa Mehta, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, Bruce Beresford, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, Roger Donaldson, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Rufus Sewell, Tracie Thoms, Anthony Dod Mantle, Tadanobu Asano, Gang Hy Jung, Danis Tanovic, Vincent Ward, Nadine Monfils among others.
The BRUKAN Film Advertisement Production Organisation was founded in 2000 with the aim of making good films. For the last two years the company has worked on creating production conditions for its first cinema project, ”Brukan”.
“Brukan” aims to take a special place in world cinema and has been created as a result of careful and long research into the migration experienced in the 1600s.
The project will not only describe the migration that changed Brukan history 400 years ago in the area of Diyarbakir; it also aims to add a new breath, movement and viewpoint to Turkish cinema, culture and art.
“Brukan” holds a mirror to a migration legend that extends from the past to now: 400 years ago, the Brukan were a peaceful nomadic people who lived in honour and had no problems with the Ottoman government. However, when one Ottoman commander abused his position, a migration was started which was to last hundreds of years and was to be full of homesickness and countless suffering.
The continuous and fast migration plot also includes a love story that matches the story of the tribe.
The migration starts in autumn and continues during the difficult conditions of winter. With the death of the tribal leader Şemdin Bey in spring, the journey of the tribe is brought to a vital turning point.
Kasım GÜLTEKİN
Productor
www.brukan.com info@brukan.com
Posted by: kasim gultekin | November 25, 2007 at 06:21 PM