The fest's first daily issue includes a look at how the success of 'Parasite' has buyers on the hunt for non-English fare and a conversation with the VUE International CEO about battling Netflix and pulling out of Saudi Arabia.
The Hollywood Reporter has released its first 2020 Berlin International Film Festival daily issue, which includes a look into why Parasite has raised expectations for non-English language titles and a discussion with VUE International CEO Tim Richards about the company's global strategy and why VUE won't be going back to Saudi Arabia.
The Parasite Effect
Business at Berlin's European Film Market tends to be a slow burn, but this year's EFM got off with to bang as A24 signed the first major deal before the doors of market headquarters Martin Gropius Bau even opened. The early pact is a sign that Berlin could build on the record-setting pace set by Sundance this year, which saw a slew of acquisitions both by streaming giants and traditional distributors. The success of Parasite in particular — which has grossed $200 million and counting worldwide after its historic best picture win at the Oscars — has raised expectations for non-English language titles, a Berlin specialty. THR takes a look at how the success of Parasite has attracted a lot of attention from buyers during this year's festival.
"The Next Gold Age of Cinema"
Anyone predicting the end of cinema better not sit down next to Tim Richards. Despite Netflix, despite Disney+, despite HBO Max, the CEO of leading independent theater chain VUE International, which operates 228 theaters and nearly 2,000 screens across 10 countries, believes "we are about to enter into the next golden age of cinema." In a conversation with THR, Richards discusses the company's global strategy, why VUE won't be going back to Saudi Arabia and how he ended up in a very public beef with British artist-turned-director Rapman.
Click here to download the day 1 PDF.
