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Exclusive: Matthew Lewis, Parvinder Shergill and Kayleigh-Paige Rees are leading comedy-drama Touché, a UK indie feature set in the world of fencing.

The film is shooting this summer in London as a co-production between Shergill’s Pinder Productions and Rees’ Raspberry Films, and will follow themes of diversity in fencing and female empowerment.

Plot follows Deep (Shergill), a struggling British South Asian woman who decides to turn her life around by learning how to fence. Rees plays Kate, a fencing champion in the fencing club unable to accept the newcomer, and Lewis is Tom, who strikes an unexpected friendship with Deep and is hiding a family secret.

The production is being supported by Julianna Revesz from Knightsbridge Fencing Club, who is the fencing consultant.

Lewis is best known for his role as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies, and was most recently cast in Romesh Ranganathan’s BBC Comedy Avoidance alongside Aisling Bea.

Dev Patel’s feature directorial debut Monkey Man leads the new films at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, starting in 592 cinemas through Universal.

Directed, produced, from a story by and starring Patel, Monkey Man follows an anonymous young man who unleashes a campaign of violence against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother, and continue to systematically victimise the poor and powerless.

Filmed in early 2021, Netflix originally bought worldwide rights to Monkey Man. After Jordan Peele boarded the title as producer through his Monkeypaw Productions, Universal acquired it from Netflix earlier this year. It debuted at SXSW last month.

Screen Rant interviewed We Were Dangerous director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, writer Maddie Dai, and producer Morgan Waru. With a talented cast, sharp writing, and snappy direction, the film highlights the struggles of misfit girls against a strict system. The filmmakers meticulously crafted the tone, characters, and dynamics, blending humor and seriousness to create a thought-provoking experience.

We Were Dangerous is a hilarious yet tense drama that explores themes of colonization and body autonomy in 1954 New Zealand. The story centers around misfit teenage girls Nellie (Erana James), Daisy (Manaia Hall), and Louisa (Nathalie Morris) who are labeled delinquents and sent to live on a remote island under the guard of a strict and uncompromising Matron (Rima Te Wiata). The movie debuted at South by Southwest, it was praised for sharp writing, strong performances, and snappy direction.

While the movie was executive produced by hit filmmaker Taika Waititi, it is the work...

British historical comedy Seize Them!, in which Aimee Lou Wood, Lolly Adefope, and Nicola Coughlan star, is landing in UK cinemas in April.

Update: Below you’ll see our original story about the film Seize Them!, from when it started shooting in March 2022. We’ve been waiting a little while for the film to land on the UK release schedule; initially, it was inked in for October 2023. However, its release date came and went, with no sign of the film.

Now, though, we actually have a proper release date. Entertainment Film Distributors is putting the movie into UK cinemas, and Friday April 5th 2024 is the date to mark in your diaries.

Now, back to the original story…

With a cast full of British talent, historical comedy Seize Them! begins filming today. The film is set in the Dark Ages, and stars Sex Education actor Aimee Lou Wood alongside comedian Lolly Adefope and Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan.

Watching an international version of Taskmaster has the uncanny quality of trying to explain a dream. The sets are the same, but also not. The theme music’s a match, but it’s playing over people and tasks you don’t recognise. The Taskmaster was there, but it wasn’t the Taskmaster, just some other tall man in a suit. And instead of the familiar comedian configuration of ‘two off telly, two off Twitter and one you’ve never heard of’, you (probably) haven’t heard of anybody.

Once you have your bearings though, free Taskmaster! Multiple new-to-you episodes to fill the gap while we wait for series 16. And it’s good stuff. The New Zealand version is particularly strong, with an excellent choice of Taskmaster’s Assistant and consistently funny comedians. Also, thanks to (the show’s own) joke that New Zealand has a population of just eight people,...

Puss In Boots Puss in Boots, 2.55pm, Film4, Monday, August 28

The swashbuckling cat with the silky voice of Antonio Banderas was so beloved by fans of Shrek 2 and its sequels that he got his own spin-off film, a franchise that also now continues to expand with this year’s Puss In Boots: The Last Wish. This first instalment is an origin story that's every bit as enjoyable as Shrek was - a rip-roaring adventure that includes all round bad egg Humpty Dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis), cat burglar Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and a magic beans quest. Packed with visual humour and cat-inflected comedy, with the double-act between Humpty and Puss a real family treat.

Baby Done, 10.45pm, BBC3, Monday, August 28

If you're in the mood for something light and frothy then this New Zealand romcom is well worth a watch. Its likeable, realistic characters go a long way to making.

In the Harry Potter movies, the evil villain Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is obsessed with racial purity. It seems that magical ability is a genetic trait in the Wizarding World, and two magical parents typically have magical children. Occasionally, though, magical children will be born to non-magical -- or muggle -- parents. Voldemort sought to murder any children with muggle blood and leave only his wicked Death Eater cult standing. The films' dark themes of eugenics aren't too openly discussed in dialogue, however, and none of the Harry Potter characters draw a parallel between Voldemort and, say, Adolf Hitler. They're too busy evading capture and seeking magical Horcruxes to stop and talk.

One of Voldemort's disciples is a wicked witch named Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter), who is introduced while serving a hefty sentence in Azkaban prison. In the series' fifth film -- David Yates' "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix...

"Seize Them!" is coming, and we couldn't be more excited. This upcoming British comedy - much like Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott's latest venture with their highly anticipated film "Strangers" - boasts the best of the UK and Ireland's talent. "Bridgerton"'s Nicola Coughlan, "Sex Education"'s Aimee Lou Wood, and "Shrill"'s Lolly Adefope will be joining forces as part of this medieval-set movie.

Whilst Coughlan has already served us plenty Barbiecore outfit inspiration for the press run as part of her supporting role in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," we certainly can't wait to see her as the leading lady alongside the all-star cast for this comedy.

Keep reading for all of the details we know so far about "Seize Them!" - including the plot and release date.

"Seize Them!" Cast

As well as Wood, Coughlan and Adefope, "Seize Them!" is also set to star "Hot Fuzz"'s...

As principal photography begins on the historical comedy, ‘Seize Them! a lead cast of Aimee Lou Wood, Nicola Coughlan, Nick Frost, Lolly Adefope and Jessica Hynes has been announced.

Directed by Curtis Vowell (Baby Done, Fantail), the female-led comedy is set in the dark ages of Britain. Queen Dagan (Aimee Lou Wood) is master of all she surveys, with an ego to match – until she’s toppled by a revolution led by the charismatic Humble Joan (Nicola Coughlan). The Queen becomes a fugitive in her own land, a hefty bounty on her head. With the help of Shulmay (Lolly Adefope), a former servant with a lot of secrets – and Bobik (Nick Frost), a shit-shoveller who wants more out of life – Queen Dagan must face every conceivable hardship and danger as she embarks on a voyage to win back her throne. She also has to face up to the very worst parts of herself.

Production is underway in the UK, with Curtis Vowell directing.

Aimee Lou Wood, Nicola Coughlan and Lolly Adefope have started shooting Curtis Vowell’s comedy Seize Them! in the UK today. Entertainment Film Distributors is fully financing the comedy and will release in the UK and Ireland.

The producers are Damian Jones and Matthew James Wilkinson, with a script by Andy Riley.

The comedy is set in the Dark Ages and follows the egotistical Queen Dagan who is topped in a revolution led by Humble Joan leaving the queen as a fugitive in her own land. Nick Frost and Jessica Hynes also star.

Principal photography commenced Monday at U.K. locations on historical comedy “Seize Them!,” directed by Curtis Vowell (“Baby Done”).

The cast includes BAFTA winner, Aimee Lou Wood (“Sex Education”), Lolly Adefope (“Shrill”), Nicola Coughlan, Nick Frost (“Hot Fuzz”) and Jessica Hynes (“W1A”).

Written by Andy Riley (“Ron’s Gone Wrong”), “Seize Them!” is a female led comedy set in dark ages Britain where Queen Dagan (Wood) is toppled by a revolution led by Humble Joan (Coughlan). The Queen becomes a fugitive in her own land, a hefty bounty on her head. With the help of Shulmay (Adefope), a former servant with a lot of secrets and Bobik (Frost), a shit-shoveller who wants more out of life, Queen Dagan must face hardship and danger as she embarks on a voyage to win back her throne.

The film is produced by Damian Jones (“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie”) and Matthew James Wilkinson (“Yesterday”) and executive produced by Nigel Green,...

Ninjababy Ninjababy, 12.05am, Film4, Tuesday, March 8

This Norwegian comedy drama uses animation to accentuate the emotional experience of the hard partying Rakel (Kristine Kujath Thorp), who gets a shock when she discovers she is heavily pregnant. She starts chatting to her "stealthy ninjababy", who appears in animated form as she grapples with what to do next in a film that offers comedy and poignancy in equal measure. Loosely adapted with an offbeat fluidity from the graphic novel by Inga Sætre, Yngvild Sve Flikke's film has a thoroughly modern take on potential motherhood that isn't scared to acknowledge it is not for everyone. If you liked Baby Done or Saint Frances, it offers a similar vibe.

Phantom Thread, 11.15pm, BBC2, Tuesday, March 8

Jennie Kermode writes: Featuring the last film performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who announced his retirement shortly before it was released in 2018, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sumptuously presented drama has echoes of.

The creator of the hit BBC romcom talks about having less than a day to enjoy its triumph – and how extreme nerd-dom got her through 2021

Rose Matafeo is arguably the breakout star of 2021. Her BBC Three sitcom Starstruck became the channel’s best-performing comedy within weeks of launch, racking up 3m views and earning a second series before it even premiered. The impact was so huge and immediate that you could be forgiven for thinking she had dropped from the sky fully formed.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. After winning a New Zealand international comedy festival award for standup in 2007, at the age of 15, Matafeo has conquered just about everything she has ever attempted. She has written for Daily Show-esque satirical news programmes. She has presented entertainment shows. She co-created and starred in a sketch series, and has directed sitcoms. In 2018, her show Horndog – detailing, in part,...

Featuring a rich and deep central performance from Essie Davis - who knows this is an emotional marathon not a sprint - and a narrative from Baby Done scribe Sophie Henderson that unfolds in unexpected ways, The Justice Of Bunny King sees director Gaysorn Thavat come full circle back to film (where she started as a focus puller), from TV with this thoughtful and moving drama.

Davis is Bunny as a distillation of determination and desperation, a woman who has been forced to the fringes by things largely outside of her control and which are gradually revealed through this well worked character study. She works as "a squeegee bandit", washing car windows with a wide smile and putting the coins in a jar that she keeps in her sister Grace's (Toni Potter) home. The graft doesn't stop when she puts away her water bottle as, with her sis pulling long shifts,...

Chance are you don’t know New Zealand comedian, actress, and TV presenter, Rose Matafeo (“Baby Done,” “Horndog”), a writer and performer on the Nz late-night comedy sketch show “Funny Girls.” January saw Rose star in the feature film “Baby Done” From producer Taika Waititi, while she has featured on BAFTA-winning “Taskmaster” (Ch4), “Have I Got News For You” (BBC One), and many more.

Continue reading ‘Starstruck’ Trailer: A Celebrity Hook-Up With An Aimless Millenial Becomes Something More On HBO Max at The Playlist.

New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) CEO Annabelle Sheehan is set to depart her role and return to Australia after three years at the helm of the organisation.

The Nzfc announced Sheehan’s resignation today, citing her desire to focus on her family while she completes her treatment for breast cancer, which she has been undergoing for the past six months. She will make a full recovery.

Nzfc chair Dame Kerry Prendergast said the board was “saddened” by her resignation and the reasons for it, commending Sheehan for continuing to lead the development and implementation of new programs and initiatives, including the New Zealand Government’s Covid-19 recovery funds.

Sheehan joined the commission in 2018 from the South Australian Film Corporation (Safc), where as CEO, she supported over 30 productions to shoot in the state, while also introducing programs such as the Aboriginal Screen Strategy and Gender Agenda.

Her commitment to diversity, inclusion,...

If the phrase "it's nice to be nice" took on film form, it would probably look a lot like Together Together. The latest film from Nicole Beckwith has a sweet little heart, even if it is more likely to generate the occasional wry smile than belly laughs. It shares a similarly cheerfully progressive outlook to New Zealand pregnancy comedy Baby Done and, like that film, benefits enormously from its strong female lead performance.

Patti Harrison should find herself getting a lot more film work after her impressive turn as Anna, a young woman who has been hired by 40-something Matt (Ed Helms) to be the surrogate mum of his first child. Unusually for films about surrogacy, Matt is straight and single, while Anna is not conflicted about her decision to offer the services of her womb for a few months. The film is, instead, built upon the platonic friendship...

The New Zealand comic opens up about millennial anxieties over parenthood, nerdy interests and the perils of dating comedians

10 comedians to watch in 2021Modern Toss on the magic of comedy

Wear a prosthetic bump, fake a bloody water birth and share your plans for motherhood with a parade of strangers: this seems like a devious form of torture for an anxiety-prone millennial, ambivalent about having children but conscious of her biological clock. Yet it was an act of sadism that New Zealand comedian and 2018 Edinburgh comedy award winner Rose Matafeo willingly went through when starring in Baby Done, a sweet if acerbic romcom about bracing for parenthood at a time in life when other paths seem possible – even preferable.

Related: The Guide: Staying In – sign up for our home entertainment tips...

Baby Done is confronting, comedic production that looks into the nuances of childbirth, through the prism of adventurer Zoe, played here by the wonderful Rose Matafeo, alongside Matthew Lewis. To mark the film’s release, we had the pleasure of speaking to the Kiwi actress, as we discuss the positives to having this refreshingly honest take on pregnancy, but also the frustrations that this even needs to be labelled refreshing at all.

We also talk about our generation, and how we over-think major decisions, while we also discuss the flowing talent to come out of New Zealand, and what it is about their style of comedy that is just so appealing.

Watch the full interview with Rose here:

Synopsis

Wannabe-adventurer Zoe freaks out when she falls pregnant to her long-term boyfriend Tim. As Tim embraces the prospect of fatherhood, Zoe attempts to rush through her dreams.

Rose Matafeo stars in...

Directed by Curtis Vowell and produced by Taika Waititi, this sweet, funny and charming movie stars Matafeo as a somewhat reluctant mother

During an early moment in director Curtis Vowell’s very enjoyable and sassy New Zealand comedy Baby Done, the protagonist, Zoe (Rose Matafeo), articulates her mixed feelings towards bringing another life into this world. “I want to have a baby,” she says, “I just don’t want to turn into a mum.”

The Taika Waititi-produced film is not about the fear of being a bad parent, or even of being a parent per se, but rather how one’s existence changes when a little person emerges – the start of the bub’s life inevitably signalling the end of certain aspects of the parent’s.

Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: What better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? This week, […]

The post This Week In Trailers: Baby Done, Herself, Ringmaster, Deaf U, The Disrupted appeared first on /Film.

Industry registration closes on September 2.

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) organisers on Tuesday (September 1) announced a selection of 30 global acquisition titles outside the Official Selection.

TIFF Industry Selects titles hail from 29 countries and have been hand-picked by TIFF’s industry and festival programming teams and will screen to accredited users on the festival’s dedicated press and industry platform, TIFF Digital Cinema Pro. Industry registration closes on September 2.

2020 TIFF Industry Selects Titles:

A Good Man (France) Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar

After Love (UK) Aleem Khan

And Tomorrow The Entire World (Germany/France) Julia Von Heinz

Apples (Greece) Christos Nikou

Baby Done (New...

The Toronto Film Festival has unveiled around 30 indie movie titles that will screen as part of its inaugural TIFF Industry Selects sidebar during this year’s online-only film market.

The international titles looking to spark interest at TIFF among buyers and global festival programmers include Nicole Riegel’s Holler, a 2020 SXSW pick that stars Jessica Barden and is produced by Paul Feig; Curtis Vowell’s New Zealand comedy Baby Done, from Taika Waititi’s Piki Films; and Falling For Figaro, Ben Lewin’s romantic comedy that stars Joanna Lumley and Danielle Macdonald.

The market picks for Toronto’s Sept. 10-19 run are ...

The Toronto Film Festival has unveiled around 30 indie movie titles that will screen as part of its inaugural TIFF Industry Selects sidebar during this year’s online-only film market.

The international titles looking to spark interest at TIFF among buyers and global festival programmers include Nicole Riegel’s Holler, a 2020 SXSW pick that stars Jessica Barden and is produced by Paul Feig; Curtis Vowell’s New Zealand comedy Baby Done, from Taika Waititi’s Piki Films; and Falling For Figaro, Ben Lewin’s romantic comedy that stars Joanna Lumley and Danielle Macdonald.

The market picks for Toronto’s Sept. 10-19 run are ...

Comedy starring Rose Matafeo set for release in 2021.

Vertigo Releasing has secured UK and Ireland rights to Curtis Vowell’s New Zealand comedy Baby Done from Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal’s Piki Films to release in 2021. Vertigo will also handle distribution in South Africa.

The film is written Sophie Henderson and is a semi-autobiographical story inspired by her own reaction to starting a family with her husband (and the film’s director) Vowell. Comedian Rose Matafeo plays a woman who fears her dreams of adventure will be thwarted when she becomes pregnant and so rushes through acheiving her wild dreams before the baby arrives.

"Aren't you ever tired of just being so responsible?" Madman Films from Australia has just released the first official Australian trailer for Baby Done, a fun coming-of-baby comedy made by New Zealand filmmaker Curtis Vowell. It is also executive produced by none other than Taika Waititi! Supporting his own New Zealanders. Wannabe-adventurer Zoe freaks out when she falls pregnant with her long-term boyfriend Tim. As Tim embraces the prospect of fatherhood, Zoe attempts to rush through her dreams. "Growing a baby doesn't mean growing up." Ha. Starring Rose Matafeo and Matthew Lewis as Zoe and Tim, along with Rachel House, Emily Barclay, and Ryan O'Kane. It's cool to see this twist about a woman who doesn't really want a baby dealing with pregnancy, but the humor seems just as bad as so many other dull comedies. Here's the official Australian trailer (+ poster) for Curtis Vowell's Baby Done, from Madman's...