When the Nazis invade Poland, Harry Haft (Ben Foster), who is Jewish, is sent to the Auschwitz extermination camp. He is a powerfully built man, so a charming but sadistic officer (Billy Magnussen) offers him an impossible deal: fight fellow prisoners in the boxing ring for the amusement of his captors, or die. The winner of the bout survives to fight again. The loser is shot or sent to the gas chamber. How far will Harry’s will to live take him? What will he do to escape the death all around him?

The film stars Ben Foster, Vicky Krieps, Billy Magnussen, Peter Sarsgaard, Dar Zuzovsky, John Leguizamo, Danny DeVito, Saro Emirze and is directed by Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam, Sleepers, Wag the Dog).

Here are some reviews:

“It’s a haunted and haunting performance at the center of the most substantial movie that Levinson has made in years. Ben Foster’s transformation in Barry Levinson’s The Survivor, is something different — because he morphs into Holocaust survivor Harry Haft from two different directions in the same film.” (Steve Pond, The Wrap).

“A true story so unique it really becomes its own powerful tale of a man trying to survive the haunting memory of war experiences well beyond the war itself. Haft’s story will move audiences and is worth telling.” (Pete Hammond, Deadline).

“The best film the director has made for cinemas in the nearly quarter-century since Wag the Dog. Delivers enough emotional resolution to satisfy mainstream audiences.” (John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter).

“One can’t deny the empathy Levinson brings to the material, connecting Haft’s odyssey to those of other Jewish characters he has chronicled in earlier films. Audiences will be courted on the strength of Foster’s typically uncompromising, emotionally nuanced work.” (Tim Grierson, Screen Daily).

Foto: TIFF 2021.

Audiences loved Official Competition, by Argentine directors Gastón Duprat and Mariano Cohn, starring Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz. The film is in the main competition at Venice, which ends September 11.

Here are some reviews:

"This classy palate-cleanser in Venice’s 2021 selection has distinct upmarket commercial prospects and will be an irresistible choice for fests". "Richly witty, packed with psychological hairpin bends". (Jonathan Romney, ScreenDaily).

"... the Spanish comedy-drama is a highly entertaining entry with winning performances from Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martínez" (Anna Smith, Deadline).

"...two hours of sharp reflections deliciously wrapped in entertaining antics." (Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter).

"Big laughs and searing insights into the artistic process power this highly enjoyable film world satire." (David Jenkins, Little White Lies).

And Hero Fiennes Tiffin, the actor who plays Hardin in the movies has sent us a special greeting for Romanian audience! You can view it in the player above!

After We Fell is available exclusively in cinemas, starting September 3.

The Protégé stars Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson and Maggie Q and is directed by one of the masters of action movies Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale, Edge of Darkness, The Mask of Zorro).

Written by Richard Wenk, The Protégé (the working title was The Asset) is centered on the story of a young woman named Anna (Maggie Q), saved as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained to become one of the the best paid assassins in the world. When Moody is murdered, Anna searches for the killer to get revenge and everything turns into a game of seduction and domination against an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton).

The cast also includes a series of Romanian actors, among them Florin Piersic Jr, Tudor Chirilă, George Piştereanu and Cosmin Dominte.

From the Romanian side for Frame Film, the producers are: Andrei Boncea (Amen, Callas Forever, Joyeux Noel, California Dreamin', The Wanderers), Dragoș Buliga (Las Fierbinți, The Wanderers) and Gabriel Popescu (Bunraku, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot, Dark is Rising).

Prorom and Ro Image will release The Protégé in Romanian cinemas starting August 27.

Directed and co-written by Navot Papushado, Gunpowder Milkshake follows Sam (Karen Gillan) who was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her.

Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal.

But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl – Emily (Chloe Coleman)…

Prorom in partnership with Ro Image 2000 will release Gunpowder Milkshake in cinemas this weekend.

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Friendsgiving is the writing-directing debut of comic actress Nicol Paone, who takes a surprisingly charming and hilarious approach to a traditional holiday.

Molly (Malin Akerman) and Abby (Kat Dennings), along with their crew of close friends and acquaintances, host a dysfunctional, comical and chaotic Thanksgiving dinner.

Prorom will release Friendsgiving in Romanian cinemas on July 9.