Update on Various Live Action 'Little Mermaid's

This post is not about the Disney live action in the making. That's only recently been confirmed as a legitimate project and everything around it is very hush, hush at present. As we all know, however, there are others in the works...

In particular, we have been very interested in the live action movie by a different studio, Universal, said to follow Hans Christian Andersen's story much more faithfully, which originally had Sofia Coppola attached to direct. (We are sadly certain it would have been amazing... sigh.)

It's been in the works a long time now and has looked so promising, so often, only to have continual setbacks. Coppola resigning was a big blow to high hopes across the board for a truly interesting film (especially after the first casting of a transgender supermodel Andrej Pejic as one of the mermaid sisters). She cited creative differences, especially with regard to wanting to cast an unknown in the lead role. Most recently in September, Chloe Grace Moretz, chosen to star in the title role by the following (and currently attached) director, Rebecca Thomas, also quit the project (and many others), for personal reasons. (The Moretz pictures in this post are from her Facebook earlier this year, showing her initial enthusiasm for the project.)

Chloe Grace Moretz

With the movie originally planned for release in 2017, up till as late as the middle of this year, what's happening with it now? It's a little difficult to tell. much of the original information has disappeared, even from general production news and casting sites. Director Rebecca Thomas, is still attached and while there's been no official word on Pejic pulling out, she's no longer listed as attached either, but that's all that seems to be confirmed.

It gets confusing quickly with at least two other indie Little Mermaids set to release in 2017, not to mention that Disney has now confirmed they'll be doing a live action adaptation of their own animated classic.

The most interesting of the films, at present, is family film adaptation by MVP, with Poppy Drayton (The Shannara Chronicles) starring as the mermaid, and film legend Shirley McLaine. Here's the description:

Poppy Drayton, promo pic
for The Little Mermaid

(The) story follows a young orphan (Peralta) who discovers a beautiful and enchanting creature (played by Drayton) she believes to be the real “Little Mermaid.” MacLaine portrays Eloise, an eccentric woman who has intimate knowledge of the story. 

“We’re thrilled to be launching MVP Studios with ‘A Little Mermaid,’ a magical adventure that uses the beloved fairy tale as its jumping off point, but is an all-new story with all-new characters that the entire family can enjoy,” the producers said in a statement.

While it sounds like a fun fantasy film for the family, it seems doubtful this will have Little Mermaid fans as excited as they could be, since neither the plot of HCA's fairy tale will be followed, nor will it reflect the Disney film.

What it does tell us, though, is that there is a lot of mermaid and water-folk buzz in the film industry at present. Between all the various adaptations, a selkie film, Disney confirming their live action adaptation and the announcement that Disney/Touchstone's Splash is getting a remake (why?), we're set for much water magic at the box office in the next couple of years.

Multi-Award Winning "H&G" Available to View for Limited Time

We covered this film as it was being made, back in 2013 HERE, knowing with indie film director Danishka Esterhazy at the helm, that it would be a worthy addition to the Hansel and Gretel re-tellings out there when it was complete. Critics and film festivals have confirmed it is, plying the film with multiple awards.

For the coming two weeks - a limited time - you can rent the film online to see it (94 minutes, English and PG), via this website, celebrating excellence in Canadian film making HERE.

From Esterhazy's Instagram account:

My film H&G is featured this week in the Canada Screens VIFF celebration. You can rent H&G for only $1.99 during the sale. There are some great films in this promotion! Visit canadascreens.ca

(Note for US folk: It's also available on Amazon Prime.)

Might be a good fairy tale film for the coming weekend, don't you think?

Here's the quick synopsis and the trailer below is a must-see:

A girl and boy. Brother and sister. Living in poverty and neglect. Lost in the woods. They see a house, rush toward it… it is magical. Full of good food, soft sheets, love and care. But in this house, danger lurks. And all they have is each other. The Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel takes a modern neorealist twist in H&G.

We're Curious About "The Curiosity"!

And you should be too, especially after seeing this trailer that was released just one week ago #selkies! It's an independent film done by a very experienced movie maker and crew.
Take a look:

The elevator description? A tale of shapeshifting mermaids and teslapunk magicians. From writer/director Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim) & starring Caroline Ford (Once Upon a Time).

Yes - that's right. Not just shape shifting mermaids (aka selkies, because apparently a lot of people still do't know what a selkie is) but TESLAPUNK!

Why is this not on everyone's radar? (And why does this not have a distributor yet?)

There's tantalizing concept and development art from the director's Tumblr and Twitter.

Click to enlarge

Fauna concept for part of the magical world of The Curiosity

A selkie is a faerie creature from Scottish lore who appears to be a seal in the water but can go about as a human on land. This is an abstract little selkie drawing I did as a first read-through gift for Caroline Ford, the first one to sign up for this madness I’m calling The Curiosity.

There's no distributor or release date yet for this film though it is, at last (after a long process) complete.

Here's a note from the director about what we can expect:

Thanks for your excitement! I can assure you that The Curiosity is pretty overtly about Spindle from the start. It’s very much told from her POV. It’s also a somewhat smaller story than Pacific Rim. It’s set in a rather fanciful world, but the stakes are much more grounded and intimate than you’d find in a summer studio release. It’s quite like a folktale in that respect, and more of a scale akin to something like The Prestige or Pan’s Labyrinth. That is to say — an atmospheric, character-driven genre piece. And I’d want the marketing to reflect that. Fortunately, it was independently financed and I still control it, so I have a lot of freedom to pursue the options that make the most sense for it. It may even turn out that we look at what we have and decide it’s half of a first episode for a series. That’s certainly a realistic possibility. But whatever happens, you’re going to see this thing in some form or another. Bottom line is that it’s a passion project, it’s about her, and I’m not going to put it anywhere that won’t do that justice.

All involved seemed very caught up in the magic and fairy tale of the film, despite being part of the process. It bodes well for when we can finally watch this!

"Tale of Tales" Comes to DVD & Blu-ray in the US

I'm always astonished at how much fairy tale news there is to report so, forgive us if we miss the exact release date of things as they happen. We are just back-logged with fairy tale awesome in our newsroom!

This last Tuesday, a movie we have been very much looking forward to seeing, Tale of Tales, was released on DVD and Blu-ray. We still await our copy, so won't be able to review for some time yet, but we have unearthed some additional video footage which will give you a good idea of the tone of the movie, especially if you've been following the promotion we covered as the movie was originally released in Italy.

A quick refresher: this movie was an independent film, though it stars many luminary actors (including Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, and John C. Reilly along with many other familiar faces) and has a well known director, Matteo Garrone. It was a passion project, filmed in remote locations around the director's home country of Italy in English. (No subtitle reading required.) The film is based on the oldest known written collection of fairy tales by Giambattista Basile, Il Pentamerone or The Tale of Tales, Or Entertainment for Little Ones (aka Lo cunto de li cunti overo lo trattenemiento de peccerille or Il racconto dei racconti), focusing on 3 of the tales. And yes, this film, is not for children, though are definitely sections a child would very much enjoy (giant flea anyone?).

Description:

Discover a grim, gorgeous, grown-up fairy tale full of princes and princesses, sorcerers and fairies, and monsters and ogres in the epic fantasy horror film Tale of Tales. Based on three spellbinding stories of magic and the macabre by 17th-century folklorist Giambattista Basile, Tale of Tales unleashes a barrage of mind-bogglingly exquisite and fantastical imagery as it brings to life the misadventures of three kings. 

Starring Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, John C. Reilly, Toby Jones, and Shirley Henderson, this captivating film makes its Blu-ray and DVD debut on September 6, 2016, from Shout! Factory and Sundance Selects. This critically acclaimed film from celebrated director Matteo Garrone also includes the featurette “The Making of Tale of Tales” and the theatrical trailer as bonus features. 

A rich sensory experience featuring exquisite cinematography and a score by Academy Award-winning composer Alexandre Desplat, Tale of Tales interweaves three enchanting sagas about universal themes of life, death, and love. Overflowing with surreal, dazzling surprises, this intoxicating cinematic spectacle is a delirious excursion into the dark heart of fairy tales.

The three new clips available touch on three of the stories in the film:

• the barren queen (and king) find out an unusual way they could finally have a child
• a king obsessed with a giant flea offers the hand of his daughter in an ill-advised way
• a woman is not quite what she seems (which the sex-obsessed, love struck ruler of Strongcliff will rue)

Be intrigued:
#1: "A Life for a Life"

 #2" "The Flea"

#3: "The Flayed Old Lady"

While there is nothing which isn't rated 'G' in the clips, you may be surprised at what is implied, so perhaps view away from any children for a first look.

I can see how this movie is polarizing viewers - some are a little freaked while others hail it a masterpiece. We guess that we will lean toward the latter, though without a proper viewing we can't say that definitively. However, we are very familiar with the source material so are unlikely to be bothered by any of the aspects that those giving negative reviews focus on.

We are only disappointed that we can't view it on the big screen as it was intended to be seen.

In the meantime, please enjoy these alternate posters, including a couple of foreign language variations. I'm surprised I hadn't seen some of these before - they're quite striking.

We hope to bring you a review in the coming weeks.

Korean Director Has Promising Film Debut With "The Piper"

All reviews seem to give thumbs up to this new director Kim Kwang-tae and his movie debut, based on the story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin.

"The Piper hums a familiar tune, yet this fable of mistrust and deceit remains engrossing and entertaining thanks to a few wicked twists."

When an already spooky story gets a 'spooky makeover' my horror-movie alert senses start to tingle, which is where this film does appear to lead. (Despite having a penchant for the darker side of things and not shying away from, shall we say 'forensic' details, horror really isn't my thing and I haven't even seen all the classics. I don't feel I'm missing out. Thrillers, on the other hand, I'm totally in!) Korean directors typically adore horror and love the extremes of gore and sensationalism. They also don't shy away from being tagged in the horror genre (it doesn't appear to be quite as stigmatized as it does in the West) so a 'supernatural thriller' or 'fantasy thriller' actually sounds promising (at least until there's blood).


Here's the synopsis:

Shortly after the Korean War, a man and his son, Woo-ryong and Young-nam, arrive in an isolated mountain village looking for work in order to make enough money to continue their journey to Seoul. Against the chief's better judgement, Woo-ryong is allowed to do odd jobs and soon realizes the village suffers a major rat infestation. Like a mid-century Pied Piper, he makes a deal with the chief to rid the town of the rats but when the time comes to collect his fee and leave, the chief double crosses the father and son. Vowing a revenge, he lures the rats back, fulfilling an old prophecy that brings horror to the village.

The film has gotten English subtitles ahead of it's Korean release (something which appears to be unusual and speaks well of the film and likely distribution).

The Piper (손님) – or more literally translated as The Guest– has received an English subtitled trailer ahead of its July 9th release date in Korea. 

Loosely based on the classic tale of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, the fantasy-thriller is about a father and his sickly boy who, shortly after the Korean War, find themselves at a strange remote village in the mountains on their way to Seoul. Intending to stay there only for a day before moving on, the duo start to experience surreal events amongst the citizens that leads the father to pick up his mysterious pipe.

An alternate summary from Twitch film :

Kim's version takes place in the aftermath of the Korean War and sees the piper traveling through the mountains with his son. They happen upon a path that has magically opened up, indicated to us by way of a dolly zoom, and soon discover a mysterious village that looks upon these wanderers with suspicious eyes. They stick around for long enough to be accepted by the villagers but also to sense that something isn't quite right. Only then does the well-known rat element of the story come into play.

You can read the whole review from Twitch  HERE, which might give you a clearer idea of what to expect.

Here's the trailer. It has English subtitles and is NOT graphic (another plus). The most you see are a weird egg and some stained shirts. If you're up for a different interpretation, take a look:

Although at first I thought otherwise, a repeat viewing makes me think the end figure might be the Piper's own child shuffling along there, I'm not sure...

The trailer suggests a beautifully made film, with a few different twists on the usual tale. While I won't be going to any of the upcoming brief and limited screenings happening for it's release in LA later this month, (beginning July 17th with the official US release being July 24th) I will keep an eye out for it streaming. I'd like to see what the director has done that's caught critic's positive attention (and then I can also fast-forward through any gratuitous unpleasantness).

Tom Davenport's Pioneer Fairy Tale Films Now Available to Stream Free!

From the Brothers Grimm

Tom Davenport's Pioneer Fairy Tale Films

This is great news! I haven't had the chance to view all the films in the From the Brothers Grimm Davenport collection yet myself, as getting hold of copies has been challenging but I'm so glad Mr. Davenport has decided to share his films so freely so they can be much more widely viewed.

These aren't your average fairy tale films. They're set in a 'pioneer-era America', with a lot of Appalachian flavor, and are beautifully done. (They also show what filmmakers can do without a massive budget if you know what you're doing! I'd love to see what Tom & his wife Mimi could do with the current technology-on-the-go now available like smart phones and Go Pros!) 

I would also like to make special mention that, though the Davenports are kindly making these available for free viewing, please consider a small donation to help with the archive cost of these films so the originals can be preserved. (And it's a nice way to thank the Davenports too.)

Here's what the Davenports have announced:

We made a series of adaptations of folk/fairy tales in the 1980s and 1990s that were popular in schools and libraries. My wife Mimi and I set them in our local rural Virginia community near Delaplane. 

We have made streams and would like to share them freely with you. Donations will help us preserve these films in a climate controlled archive and allow us to connect with you - a gift much appreciated by this old filmmaker. 

Tom Davenport

 

Suggested donation is $2 for a single film. $10 for the whole series. But any amount will be gratefully received.

There are 11 films and I'm including the synopsis and the trailer for each as a teaser, but encourage you to go to his site, donate what you can and view the whole films there. There's also a bonus MGM Guide (Making Grimm Movies Guide)  for how to make low budget films series you can find HERE, and a teacher's guide to use with high school and college film students as well.

Ashpet (45 mins)

Set in the rural South in the early years of World War II, Ashpet is a version of Cinderella, the world's most popular folk tale.

Bearskin (20 mins)

In a contest with the devil, a Civil War soldier must not wash nor pray for seven years.

Bristlelip (20 mins)

A haughty princess gets her comeuppance in a version of Grimm's King Thrushbeard.

Frog King (15 mins)

A princess breaks her promise to a frog.

Goose Girl (18 mins)

An evil maid forces a princess to change places on their way to her wedding.

Hansel and Gretel (16 mins)

An Appalachian version of the classic story of the courage and loyalty of two children abandoned in the forest.

Jack & the Dentist's Daughter (40 mins)

In this comic variant of the Grimm's story, The Master Thief, a poor laborer's son wants to marry the dentist's daughter.

Mutzmag (50 mins)

With nothing more than her plucky spirit and her pocket knife, a mountain girl outwits a witch and an ogre to save herself and her sisters.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel (15 mins)

Rapunzel imprisoned in a tall wooden tower by a witch, allows a young man to climb her long brown hair to visit her.

Soldier Jack (40 mins)

Jack catches Death in a sack in this Appalachian tale.
Willa (85 mins)

An American version of 'Snow White' where Willa joins a traveling medicine show to escape her evil step-mother.

You can find links to the full films HERE. Enjoy your Summer viewing! And support a 'pioneer' filmmaker while you're at it.
Fairy Tale Bonus of the Day:

There is also a book available about the films and filmmaking process via amazon HERE. Recommended by Jack ZIpes and including a forward by him (which you can read HERE), this is one for the FT library folks!

From the Brothers Grimm: A Contemporary Retelling of American Folktales and Classic Stories

Description: Retells ten fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, placing them in the Appalachian Mountains and other American settings through the text and photographs from the Tom Davenport film versions."This collection will add a new dimension to any folktale section.  The ten tales have been Americanized and reset in Appalachia.  Imagine Cinderella as a poor, white Southern girl named Ashpet who is helped to romance by a wise black woman. Hansel and Gretel become children of a poor mountain family during the depression. Other stories include “Rapunzel, Rapunzel” and “Jack and the Dentist’s Daughter.” In its simplest form this book will be used with delight by speech students searching for a children’s story to read aloud. The book is also meant to spark interest in the video series that Davenport produced for PBS. B&W photos from the videos will encourage this. With or without the videos, language arts teachers will find many ways to use the tales. An accompanying teacher’s guide gives hints on using the book for kindergartners through senior high students, but it is also bound to be read just for fun. Recommended." (from The Book Report 1993)

Icelandic "Beast" is a GO!

Huge congratulations to Max Gold and the production crew and cast of Beast!

They got their Kickstarter funded with a whole day left till the funding deadline, and sponsors are still signing up. It all means better resources for the production, (including the shouldn't-be-underestimated need for hot chocolate in Iceland during principle photography!).

So the film shoot is ON - and it appears we'll start seeing results of this new Icelandic/Viking Beauty and the Beast, as early as October this year. (Wow.)

In celebration, I've added some more eye candy lovely images from the project.

If you'd like to be part of helping make this project a success you can still contribute to the Kickstarter HERE with any amount from $1 up. For $30, however, you are guaranteed your very own copy of the film. (Since distribution for theaters and ultimately for DVD and Blu-ray aren't yet known, this is one way to make sure you actually see it - and soon.)

Bring on the Beast!