Variety Review

variety-the-baby-formula-review

“…the pic puts bulging bellies, swollen breasts and hormonal mood swings on unabashed display.”

This sweet-natured “Baby’s” got the goods to move beyond the LGBT ghetto…”

“this brightly designed feature debut by vet stunt coordinator Alison Reid offers feisty, sometimes lowbrow fun. “

Congrats on your Actra Award Rosemary!

Rosemary with Gordon Pinsent right after winning her Actra Award

During The Baby Formula shoot there were many memorable moments, but I will never forget this one:  After shooting a particularly emotional monologue with Rosemary Dunsmore, I called ‘cut’ and looked around the room. Our first AD, Pierre Oulette was standing just off camera to provide an eye line for Rosemary to play to. Tears were streaming down his face.  My eyes tracked around the room, surveying the rest of our small crew. The camera assistants, PA’s, electrics and yes – even the grips were all wiping away tears.  That was as powerful a performance as I’ve seen on all my years on set.

Rosemary brought to life Wanda, the right wing, religious, homophobic mother of Athena brilliantly. I have watched film festival audiences wince at Wanda’s frustrating behaviour, cringe at her irritating ways, laugh at her points of view, and before you know it Rosemary finesses Wanda into a character who is worthy of empathy and whose growth warms their hearts.

Last night Rosemary Dunsmore was chosen by her peers to be the recipient of the Toronto Actra Award for Outstanding Female Performer for her work in TBF.  I am so grateful that the Actra jury saw fit to recognize her talent, and also the talent of TBF’s second nominee, the gracious Megan Fahlenbock.  Thanks to the nominating jury members: Kelsey Matheson, Alan Powell, Marcia Bennett, John Boylan, Kelly Fanson. Thanks to the final jury members: Jayne Eastwood, Maria Del Mar, Miriam Laurence, Andrew David Long and Aaron Poole. Thanks also to Cayle Chernin for facilitating the whole process, and to Actra staff members: Eda Zimler, Tasso Lakas, Clare Johnston, and Karen Ritson.

Making this film would not have been possible without the generosity of the entire stellar cast through the Actra TIP program.  Thanks, especially, to all of you. 

Post Berlin: On to Vancouver and Korea

Berlin was great! After Natasha, Paul and I plastered the town with TBF posters,
the word was out and the stage was set. We had great turnouts to our market screenings, and Natasha sold rights to Cinemien (www.cinemien.nl) in Benelux. We also got offers for several other major territories. More news on that soon!

It was great to hang out with the Canadians: Ron Mann, Brigitte Hubmann, Scott Ferguson, Jason St-Laurent, Charlie Boudreau, Joan Schafer… We also met John Greyson, who’s latest film Fig Trees was in Panorama. What a sweet guy. And partied at the Canadian Embassy in Potsdamer Platz. Nice Place!

Now it’s on to Vancouver where TBF is the opening night film of the Women in Film Festival. And then off to Korea in April for the International Women’s Film Festival in Seoul (IWFFIS)

Did anyone see today’s playback? Guess who’s In the Director’s Chair section?

Meet us in Berlin

Natasha from Filmoption will be available at the EFM Berlin to answer your questions regarding territories available.

Here’s where to reach her:

The Canada Sales Desk (MGB, #113, tel: +49 (0)30 246 497 412)
While in Berlin from Feb. 3 to Feb. 12 you can also call her French cell at:  0 336 65 19 94 52

The Baby Formula will screen with German sub-titles at the following times:

Sat 07/02/2009 11:30 Cinemaxx Studio 17
Mon 09/02/2009  13:15 Cinemaxx Studio 17

We look forward to seeing you there!

What a Trip

rotterdamali

Erwin Houtenbrink is our latest hero. He programmed The Baby Formula to the 38th International Film Festival Rotterdam – one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Maybe straight fathers should really be considered one of our key marketing demographics because they sure step up to the plate when it comes to standing up for us. He said, “I simply loved the film. It just worked for me. I just about cried. Well, I did.”

Thanks Erwin. As a result of your invitation, Alison and I got to spend time meeting with industry pros and filmmakers from around the world. Our sold out screenings had our best audience reactions so far and prompted immediate sales inquiries. We’ve got good vibes going into the European Film Market Berlin.

Speaking of good vibes… we hitched at train to Amsterdam for a day. I love that town – there’s so much to see and do. You can walk the historic 12th century streets to the Rijksmuseum, see a live sex show, visit Anne Frank House, or a coffee shop, or the maybe the famous the Van Gogh Museum. You can even go to some places twice. The best thing would be to hook up with our friend Denise and her girlfriend Evelijn. Their tour begins with laughs then there’s Indonesian food and then it ends with laughs.

Filmoption International Reps TBF in Berlin

We are thrilled to announce THE BABY FORMULA will be represented for International Sales by Natasha Rybina of Filmoption International!  The EFM in Berlin will be her first market with the film. Screening Info is below.

Natasha Rybina  
Head of Sales and Acquisitions, Feature Films
Filmoption International Inc.
nrybina@filmoption.com
T: (514) 931-6180 ext.283

EFM Screening Info:

The Baby Formula 07.02. 11:30 CinemaxX Studio 17 

The Baby Formula 09.02. 13:15 CinemaxX Studio 17

Rotterdam Invitation!

Official Screening Dates in Rotterdam:

Saturday January 24th, 15:45,  Pathè  

Sunday January 25th 13:00, Pathè  

Thursday January 29th, 20:15. Lantaren 2

We spent the full day on Monday travelling home from Whister. I woke up Tuesday morning in a grog which disappeared the instant I saw the email from the Rotterdam International Film Festival inviting The Baby Formula to participate.  Yeah!