CZECH REPUBLIC

Interview With The Vampire Returns With Season 2

After much anticipation, the second season of Interview With The Vampire is set to premiere on AMC this Sunday, May 12. As co-producers of the series, we are thrilled to invite viewers back into the captivating world of Anne Rice’s iconic novels.
 
Filmed in the enchanting city of Prague, our crew embarked on an extensive five-month shoot, culminating in August 2023. The Parisian backlot at the renowned Barrandov Studios served as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama of the Theatre Des Vampires coven, transporting audiences to the heart of Europe.

Building upon the rich narrative of Rice’s works, Season 2 delves deeper into the lives of beloved characters Louis and Claudia as they navigate the complexities of their immortal existence. “Memory is a monster” has been a common theme of this new season, and this is particularly evident as they explore their eternal struggle with the ghosts of their past, even as they find themselves far from their origins in New Orleans.

With eight gripping episodes, viewers can expect an immersive journey through love, betrayal, and the timeless allure of the undead. Mark your calendars, as the season finale is scheduled to air on June 30, 2024, promising a conclusion that will leave audiences craving more.

In the year 2022, the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) recounts his life story to journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian). Picking up from the bloody events in New Orleans in 1940 when Louis and teen fledgling Claudia (Delainey Hayles) conspired to kill the Vampire Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), Louis tells of his adventures in Europe, a quest to discover Old World Vampires and the Theatre Des Vampires in Paris, with Claudia. It is in Paris that Louis first meets the Vampire Armand (Assad Zaman). Their courtship and love affair will prove to have devastating consequences both in the past and in the future, and Molloy will probe to get to the truths buried within the memories.

“While vampires might have seemed like a no-brainer next step after AMC’s long reliance on zombies, this version of “Interview with the Vampire” has found the right resting place, and the creative team has sunk its teeth into a concept that, against the odds, appears to be aging remarkably well.” – CNN Entertainment

“Not only does this new coven [Théâtre des Vampires] treat us to some gloriously staged set pieces and laugh-out-loud theater kid drama, it also provides an outlet for Interview with the Vampire to delve deeper into its themes of performance and deception. What follows is a bloody good time — with sides of twisted romance and tragedy, of course.” – Mashable

“Another triumph for TV’s greatest gothic drama. Interview with the Vampire has no interest in irony or restraint. Its humor lies in the overlap between comedy and horror, and its central performances hinge on total commitment. Rarely do we see such a clever, creative work of adaptation, mining classic vampire tropes for a deliciously energizing take on the genre.” – TV Guide

“Here’s hoping Interview With the Vampire, which is powerfully performed and lavishly produced, catches on culturally for some well-deserved Emmy nominations this time around.” – The Cut

“When going back to where it all began, the biggest question became whether Interview with the Vampire’s latest chapter could replicate Season 1’s smash-hit success. Good news for longtime fans and newcomers alike: after screening the first six episodes of Season 2 provided for review, the answer is a resounding yes, and then some.” – Collider

Trailer & Photos: Courtesy of AMC

HUNGARY

Unveiling Shardlake: A Tudor Mystery on Disney+

We are pleased to announce the release of “Shardlake,” a captivating drama, history, and mystery series that premiered on May 1st. Co-produced by Pioneer Stillking Films in Hungary, this adaptation of C.J. Sansom’s best-selling novels promises to immerse viewers in Tudor England.

Set during the dissolution of the monasteries in the Tudor era, “Shardlake” follows the journey of Matthew Shardlake, portrayed by Arthur Hughes, who is sent by Thomas Cromwell, played by Sean Bean, to investigate the death of a commissioner in the remote town of Scarnsea. Anthony Boyle and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis also star in this compelling narrative.

The series boasts meticulous attention to detail, from its authentic sets and costumes to its immersive storytelling. With a talented cast and a rich historical backdrop, “Shardlake” offers audiences a glimpse into the political intrigue and personal dramas of this turbulent period.

“The historical series blends murder mystery with Tudor trappings to make for an engrossing and welcome throwback.” – Radio Times

“This is a tightly-plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television.” – The Evening Standard

“Shardlake, adapted by Stephen Butchard and directed by Justin Chadwick, is in pursuit of Tudor-era flavor and it is convincing in its depiction of such in the speechifying, the production design (by Nick Palmer), and the acting.” – Wall Street Journal

“Shardlake: murder mysteries don’t get more fantastically creepy than this.” – The Guardian

“One of the best TV shows to watch this May.” – BBC

Photos: Courtesy of Disney+

SPAIN

‘Anima Stillking, a New Powerhouse in Production Expertise for Film and Television in Spain

PRODUCTION POWERHOUSE AND POOR THINGS CO-PRODUCER STILLKING FILMS JOINS FORCES TO LAUNCH SPANISH PRODUCTION ARM ÁNIMA STILLKING

 

Stillking Films, the production company that has co-produced over 150 feature films and television series including Poor Things, Spaceman, and We Were The Lucky Ones, has teamed up with global production company and industry peer Twentyfour Seven, to launch Málaga based, Spanish production outfit Ánima Stillking.

Ánima Stillking will be overseen by CEO Silvia Aráez, former CEO of Fresco Film, Executive Producer María Cabello, whose credits include Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, Netflix’s Fool Me Once, Black Mirror and Sony’s The Blacklist; and CFO Cristina Armario, previously CFO of Fresco Film.

In addition to its Málaga base, Ánima Stillking has fully staffed offices in the Canary Islands, Barcelona, Madrid, Basque Country and Palma de Mallorca.

ÁNIMA STILLKING already has a busy slate including several projects in production with Netflix, a major anthology series for AMC, and has been bonded by Film Finances for a feature film now in production.

Silvia Aráez says “We all come to the table with our own extensive backgrounds: myself, María, and CFO Cristina Armario having worked as producers on many international films in Spain including managing tax rebates. We feel strongly about our capabilities, together with Stillking and Twenty-Four Seven, we are even stronger in partnership with each other as demonstrated by the exciting slate we have already started to build”

Ánima Stillking’s specialties include overseeing all aspects of production, local tax rebate structuring, pan-European finance options, location services and an extensive roller-deck of local production and Government contacts.

Led by CEO Matthew Stillman and head of production David Minkowski, Stillking’s network spans Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Serbia, and with Ánima Stillking will now offer its first Mediterranean outpost in Spain.

TwentyFour Seven is a bespoke service production company with a number of bases worldwide, including Santiago, Madrid, Warsaw, Buenos Aires and the Dominican Republic. It specialises in co-producing branded content, music videos, commercials and feature film.

 

Silvia Aráez says: “We are comfortable within a wide range of budget options having worked alongside studios and streamers as well as independent producers”.

María Cabello said: “We can adapt to any kind of financial structure or situation. There are a lot of independent projects happening now in our industry, especially after the strike, and we’re encountering a lot of projects that are looking for solutions for how to finance their productions. We can offer them the specific solutions that they are looking for, using all the tools at our disposal in our country and with knowledge of all the relevant laws at play.”

Stillking’s David Minkowski adds: “What’s exciting to me is the community we’ve built. We are a network of filmmakers with a very personal, hands-on way of working. Between all of us at Ánima Stillking, we have decades of experience, so if you work with us you’re going to work with a new company, but not with people who are new to the business. You’re coming into a stable, reliable, professional environment full of people who know exactly what to do to make your project a success.”

HUNGARY

Poor Things Win Four Oscars

Congratulations to the Academy Award-winning teams behind ‘Poor Things’, claiming four Oscars for its exceptional work. Emma Stone’s captivating portrayal of Bella Baxter earned her the Best Actress award, while Holly Waddington’s costume designs and the collaborative efforts of James Price, Shona Heath, and Zsuzsa Mihalek in production design were praised. Honouring other incredible talent behind the scenes, Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston won themselves a golden statue for their makeup and hairstyling expertise, which further enhanced the film’s allure.

BEST ACTRESS: Emma Stone
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Holly Waddington
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: James Price, Shona Heath & Zsuzsa Mihalek
BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier & Josh Weston

 

Photos: Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

CZECH REPUBLIC

Spaceman World Premiere at Berlinale

In February, we were honoured to attend the prestigious Berlinale Special Gala for the world premiere of the much-anticipated Netflix film ‘Spaceman,’ alongside its cast including Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Kunal Nayyar, and director Johan Renck. Co-produced in the Czech Republic by Stillking Films, the event preceded the film’s global release later in the month.

“When we were in Prague, we just had the most amazing crew who loved Johan and were so excited about what we were doing. And so we did feel like it was the coolest, the nicest community.”
~ Carey Mulligan on filming Spaceman, Berlinale Press Conference, Feb’24

Photos: Courtesy of Berlinale and Stillking Films

HUNGARY

‘Maria’: First-Look Of Angelina Jolie As Opera Singer Maria Callas

Pablo Larraín (Jackie) has revealed two first photos of Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in his new film that will explore the life of the legendary singer, often described as the original diva.

Based on true accounts, Maria will tell the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris. Shoot is underway and taking place over eight weeks in Paris, Greece, Budapest and Milan.

Said Larraín today: “I am incredibly excited to start production on Maria, which I hope will bring Maria Callas’s remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steven Knight, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina’s brilliant work and extraordinary preparation.”

Jolie’s costumes in the film are based on original garments worn by Callas. The production has consulted with animal rights groups including PETA regarding the use of vintage fur items worn in the film from costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini’s archive collection. A conscious decision was made not to use or source any new fur.

 

 

The script, which was completed prior to the WGA strike, comes from Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Producers are Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film and Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment. Sales are handled by FilmNation Entertainment.