Wednesday 20 May 2015

Premiere of Pakistan’s First Ever Animated Movie 3-Bahadur

The Premiere of Pakistan’s First Ever Animated Movie ‘3-Bahadur’

By MediaPoondi on December 24, 2014

courtesy media poondi

Waadi Animation announced their core partners and synergies and premiered a ‘First Look’ of their debut film ‘3 Bahadur’ at an exclusive event held at Nueplex Cinemas in Karachi on 23^rd December 2014. Waadi Animations is set to release Pakistan’s first animated full-length super hero film ‘3 Bahadur’ [#3Bahadur] in May 2015.
3 Bahadur is a quintessential Pakistani story – replete with unlikely heroes, menacing villains, fumbling thugs, dark horses, and moments of triumph and bouts of despair. Packed with action, comedy and heart rendering moments, the film is an epic journey of friendship, teamwork and courage and aims to inspire the next generation to realize that they too hold the power to change the future of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s leading biscuit manufacturing company, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt.) Limited (EBM), is the lead sponsor of Pakistan’s first-ever feature length animated film, ‘3-Bahadur’.
Zulfiqar Ali Ansari, Head of Marketing at EBM, said

“We are proud to be associated with this project. The movie brings out a powerful message for children, that, each one of them has unique abilities and strengths through which they can make positive contribution to the society and that EBM’s brands communicate as well.”

3-Bahadur is a 3D animated film, which follows the adventures of three friends who set out on an epic journey to save their town from the evils that plague it. Equipped with courage and super powers, Amna, Saadi and Kamil (the main characters of the film) battle against the odds to restore peace and harmony in their once thriving neighborhood.

The event was hosted by leading television and film personality Fahad Mustafa who introduced the project’s core partners to a packed house. Salman Iqbal, Director Waadi Animations, addressed the audience where he talked about the work and efforts of the Animation House. This was followed by an exclusive behind-the-scenes video preview for member of the audience and the premiere of 3 Bahadur’s First Look. This was followed by addresses from Jerjees Seja, CEO ARY Digital Network, Zulfiqar Ali Ansari, Head of Marketing at English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt.) Ltd. (EBM), Aziz Jindani, Commercial Operations Leader at P&G Pakistan and Jamil Ahmed Mughal, Director of Marketing & Development, McDonald’s Pakistan. The event concluded with a media address by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Creative Director for 3 Bahadur, who talked about the process of producing and directing Pakistan’s first full-length super hero film. The event was well attended by celebrities, film enthusiasts, media personalities and esteemed members of the press.

At this event, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy also announced that Waadi Animations will be launching a dedicated website for ‘3 Bahadur’ which will showcase detailed information on the film, its story and characters and downloadable content such as photos, music and exclusive behind-the-scenes videos. Waadi Animations is also working on a ‘3 Bahadur’ smartphone video game for Android, Windows and iOS based platforms. In addition to this, Waadi Animations will also be launching a ‘3 Bahadur’ Children’s Book and weekly Comic Strips Series which will showcase side adventures of the ‘3 Bahadur’ gang fighting issues that the common Pakistani man faces on a daily basis. This unprecedented promotional engagement will commence from January 2015.
Produced entirely in Pakistan, this animated feature promises to set a new standard for animated fiction and content geared towards children in the country. Based in a fictional town in Pakistan, Roshan Basti (Town of Light), eleven year olds Amna, Saadi and Kamil set out to save their community from the many evils that plague it. The film is a journey of fighting back, taking charge, and finding support and love in the most improbable of places. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, CEO of Waadi Animations, is also the Creative Director of ‘3 Bahadur’ with ARY Films extending its expertise in distribution and marketing of ‘3 Bahadur’. The original soundtrack for ‘3 Bahadur’ has been composed and produced by acclaimed musician Shiraz Uppal.
“We are proud to be bringing the first animated feature film 3 Bahadur under the banner of Waadi Animations, aimed at bringing quality entertainment to our little cinema fans. 3 Bahadur will definitely set a culture of making inspirational movies for children in Pakistan.” said Mr. Salman Iqbal, Director Waadi Animations/Founder and President, ARY Digital Network.
“We are proud to be associated with Pakistan’s first ever animated movie 3 Bahadur- Energized by Peek Freans Gluco. Our brands have always played a major part in providing an exciting experience, consequently this time as well, we have a lot in store for our consumers such as introducing limited edition packs for Peek Freans Gluco, themed based digital activities for Peek Freans RIO and much more. We are enthusiastic for the movie and hope children enjoy it to the fullest.” said Zulfiqar Ali Ansari, Head of Marketing at English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt.) Ltd. (EBM)

“Safeguard is committed to empowering families with health and hygiene, thus helping them safeguard the ones they love. For the past 20 years, we have worked towards creating a healthier society by providing health and hygiene education to more than 10 million children through the Safeguard School Education Program. We believe that every child has the potential to be a champion. We have partnered with Waadi Animations as a sponsor for Pakistan’s first animated movie ‘3 Bahadur’ which highlights how every child has the potential to be exceptional. Through our health and hygiene efforts and sponsorship of ‘3 Bahadur’ we aim to inspire children across Pakistan to reach their potential and be agents of change.” said Benish Irshad, Group Brand Operations Manager, Procter & Gamble
“At McDonald’s Pakistan we strongly believe in supporting local talent and their creativity so that they can flourish and make the nation proud in the international arena. Teen Bahadur, the first animated movie of Pakistan, is a great step towards development of animation and film industry in the country. For this breakthrough in the Pakistani cinema, we warmly congratulate the team at Waadi Animations and wish them all the best for their future endeavors.” said Jamil Ahmed Mughal, Director of Marketing & Development, McDonald’s Pakistan.
“A huge portion of our population is under the age of 15 and there has been very little film entertainment for them locally. We at ARY Films strongly believe that 3 Bahadur will definitely fill the gap and in the process create more marketing opportunities for brands who cater to our young population.” said Mr. Jerjees Seja, CEO, ARY Digital Network.

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Cannes: 'Sicario'

Cannes: 'Sicario' Director Denis Villeneuve on Exploring the "Reality of Women in the World Today" (Q&A)

courtesy http://www.hollywoodreporter.com

by Gregg Kilday , Etan Vlessing

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, 47, is making his first appearance in the Cannes competition with Sicario. Based on an original screenplay by Taylor Sheridan, the drama, which Lionsgate is distributing stateside, stars Emily Blunt as an FBI agent who teams up with Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin to bring down a Mexican drug lord.
The director — who’s readying his next film, Story of Your Life, in which Amy Adams plays a linguist encountering aliens, while also developing a Blade Runner sequel — spoke with THR about the importance of strong women characters, the pressure that comes with directing a sequel to a classic and fl•ying the fl•ag for Canada in Cannes.
How do you feel finally getting into the Palme d’Or competition with Sicario, an English-language American movie filled with Hollywood stars?
I should say it’s a big compliment because doing a movie in Los Angeles, away from my home country, there’s always a fear that I could lose my identity as a filmmaker. And of course, my dream is to make sure I make no compromise and I want keep my freedom. And from my point of view, I was able to keep that identity doing Sicario. And being invited by the o–fficial competition committee says that, according to them, I didn’t lose my identity, either. So going there with an American production, this is a huge compliment.
Coming off Prisoners and Enemy, you jumped quickly into Sicario. What attracted you to the project?
It’s always mysterious. I just fell in love with the screenplay. Taylor is a very strong voice. To me, it said important things about the world today, about the choices we are making and the north part of Mexico, an area of the world that I felt as a filmmaker I had a responsibility to look at.
How did you come to cast Emily Blunt?
I loved her in Young Victoria and I thought she would be perfect. We would be shooting in rough, climatic conditions in the desert, and I believed she has the physical strength and the spiritual strength to be such a character, an FBI agent working in harsh conditions.

Was her part always written for a woman?
In the past, some distributor or some producer wanted a man. When he said that to me, I felt it was a very strong, beautiful part for a woman, and that is something that doesn’t exist very oft en, so the fact that she’s a woman is important. They didn’t ask me to change the part. But I knew if I kept her character as a woman, I would probably have less money [to work with].
You’ve committed to a Blade Runner sequel. Feeling the pressure?
I’m attached to direct. I took the decision aft er much thinking. I’m aware of the massive pressure I will have on my shoulders doing this. But first, I’m a massive fan of the first Blade Runner. It’s one of my favorite movies of all time, and I’m a huge fan of Ridley Scott’s work. When I read the script, I felt it was so strong and so inspiring, I was not able to say no. I said, “Alright, let’s do it,” and I have Ridley Scott’s blessing. I know I can do it, but honestly, it’s a big challenge. It’s the biggest challenge of my life.
Can you talk about your next project, Paramount’s Story of Your Life?
My next feature will be shot in Montreal. It’s with Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker. It’s a sci-fi story that I fell in love several years ago from a short story written by Ted Chiang. The adaptation was made by Eric Heisserer. We shoot that in mid-June. So I’m in prep now, so I’m not thinking about champagne [in Cannes] quite yet. I’m really focused on my next feature right now.
Your movies tackle various genres. Do you see a common denominator in your work?
I don’t know if it’s a good thing to have a distance about what you are doing. I know a lot of my projects are talking about the reality of women in the world today. A friend of mine told me that a fter Prisoners, Sicario is the second part of a trilogy about life in America.
Do you ever talk to fellow Quebec director Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club) and together wonder when, as busy as you are in Hollywood, you will ever get back to Montreal to make a French-language movie?
I feel like Jean-Marc. Because in Montreal I don’t know any screenwriter that can write for me. It means I have to write. And I love it, but it’s a slow process. Since I began making movies, I’ve always looked for screenwriters instead of going through the long and painful process of writing. Right now I have the privilege of being with artists who bring me stories that inspire me. As long as I have that material, I will do movies in Los Angeles. But one day for sure I need to go back to Montreal and write something on my own. I just don’t know when.

Sunday 17 May 2015

Charlize Theron and Sean Penn Cannes Mad Max premiere

By Bethany Minelle For Mailonline

courtesy http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Hollywood royalty Charlize Theron and Sean Penn were leaving Nice in a style fit for a king on Friday.

The celebrity couple boarded a private jet along with their three year-old-son Jackson, who Charlize adopted back in 2012.

The 39-year-old actress was in France for the official Mad Max premiere in Cannes the previous evening.

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Jumping on a jet plane: 39-year-old Charlize Theron was in France for the official Mad Max premiere in Cannes on Thursday evening

Sean kept it casual too, mirroring her dark look in black jeans and bomber jacket, worn with his trademark suede cowboy boots.

The South African beauty had arrived at Nice Airport earlier in the week with her son Jackson, and seemed to enjoy a few days of relaxation in the sun before the hard work begun.

Ready to go: Oscar-winner Charlize, was close friends with Penn prior to developing a romance with the 54-year-old reformed hell raiser in 2014

Family trip: On Wednesday, she was joined by Hollywood leading man and her doting boyfriend Sean Penn as she took part in interview's ahead of the action film's release

On Wednesday, she was joined by Hollywood leading man and her doting boyfriend Sean Penn as she took part in interview's ahead of the action film's release.

In Mad Max Oscar-winner Charlize takes on the role of Imperator Furiosa - a warrior with a shaved head and prosthetic arm, attempting to rescue a harem of wives held captive by a warlord - in the much anticipated post-apocalyptic film.

Charlize explained in a recent interview 'When people first started talking about this film, this loud whisper went around town that George was looking to create a female character that can stand next to Max and carry the journey with him.'

'For a female actress, that always sounds intriguing. Look, we hear it all the time and very few filmmakers see that through.'

Charlize Theron stuns in yellow with 'Mad Max' cast at Cannes

Look of love: Sean Penn gazes admiringly at Charlize, as she makes her red carpet appearance at the Mad Max premiere in Cannes on Thursday

Despite their family time together in the sunny South of France, the love-birds had tight schedule to keep following the film premiere.

Charlize was a guest at the the Life Ball 2015, in Vienna, on Saturday, accompanied at the conference by her beau.

The Life Ball in Vienna is a charity event supporting people with HIV or AIDS.

In demand: Charlize was a guest at the the Life Ball 2015, in Vienna, on Saturday, accompanied at the conference by her beau

Great Cause: Ellen von Unwerth (R) and Charlize Theron attend the Life Ball 2015 press conference at Hotel Imperial on Saturday

Oscar-winner Charlize, was close friends with Penn prior to developing a romance with the 54-year-old reformed hell raiser in 2014.

Since they met Sean has directed Charlize in forthcoming movie The Last Face.

The couple appear to be going from strength-to-strength, with Sean recently confessing to Esquire: 'I'm surprised to be in love.'

'To run into somebody now who you care about is a much more passionate, deeper, truer and – God! – a much happier feeling,' he added.

No time to waste: Despite their family time together in the sunny South of France, the love-birds had tight schedule to keep after the film premiere

Leading Lady: Since they met Sean has directed Charlize in forthcoming movie The Last Face

'It's a lot more romantic and a lot more fulfilling to be in a relationship and to think you're a good person within it.'

In a recent Elle magazine interview Charlize also praised Penn, her first serious partner following her separation from actor-director Stuart Townsend, saying 'he's the love of my life.'

Sean has also as good as confirmed that marriage is on the cards with Charlize, by admitting: ‘Yes, I’d get married again’.

Mad Max will be released in the US and UK on May 15 2015

Charlize Theron chats about shaving her head for Mad Max