Meat Free Monday celebrates 10 years with #MFMCountMeIn

Meat Free Monday celebrates 10 years with #MFMCountMeIn

Meat Free Monday is 10 years old, and we are launching #MFMCountMeIn – a ‘loud and proud’ way to be part of a growing global movement.

The #MFMCountMeIn anniversary campaign aims to bring celebrities, businesses, not-for-profit groups, educational institutions and individual supporters together, to celebrate what people are doing on the meat free front and inspire even more people to get on board. A host of high profile supporters have already endorsed this, including Ringo Starr, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Joanna Lumley, Paul Rudd, Isla Fisher, Annabelle Wallis, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Nealon, Ellie Goulding, Alicia Silverstone, David Walliams, Orlando Bloom, Beth Ditto, Alexis Gauthier, Livia Firth, Rosemary Ferguson, Ocean Robbins, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Dr Christiana Palmer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson – and many more are planning to join in the conversation today.

Meat Free Monday has come a long way since its launch in 2009, working with hundreds of schools, universities, restaurants and businesses, making an appeal at the EU Parliament, publishing The Meat Free Monday Cookbook, producing a documentary short, ‘One Day a Week’, etc. But these are critical times and there is still a long way to go.



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Harmony Korine’s ‘The Beach Bum’ lands UK and Ireland deal with Blue Finch

Harmony Korine’s ‘The Beach Bum’ lands UK and Ireland deal with Blue Finch

Harmony Korine’s comedy The Beach Bum, starring Matthew McConaughey, has secured a UK and Ireland theatrical deal with nascent distributor Blue Finch Film Releasing.

Rocket Science is handling international sales on the film, which premiered at SXSW in March and was then released in North American by Neon where it has grossed $3.5m to date.

Korine’s sixth feature, and his first since 2012 hit Spring Breakers, follows the misadventures of the rogueish Moondog (McConaughey) around the tropics of Cuba and Florida. Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill and Martin Lawrence co-star.

The Beach Bum was produced by John Lesher, Steve Golin, Charles-Marie Anthonioz, Mourad Belkeddar and Nicolas Lhermitte, with financing from Ingenious Media, Riverstone Pictures and SPK Pictures.

Set up by former Kaleidoscope executive Mike Chapman, with sales executive Simon Crowe and financier Matthew Joynes in August 2018, Blue Finch will release the title later this year.

Blue Finch’s upcoming distribution slate also includes family animation Charming, SXSW title Body At Brighton Rock and Karen Gillan’s directorial debut The Party’s Just Beginning.

(Screen Daily)

‘Blithe Spirit’ With Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher Scores International Sales

‘Blithe Spirit’ With Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher Scores International Sales

Filming has started on “Blithe Spirit,” an adaptation of Noel Coward’s classic comedy about love that just won’t die. Judi Dench, Isla Fisher and Dan Stevens are among the cast in the picture, which is helmed by Edward Hall (“Downton Abbey”). Protagonist has closed a raft of pre-sales on the project, which was previously adapted for the screen by David Lean in 1945.

Other cast members in the movie from Fred Films, Powder Keg Pictures, British Lion Films, Align Pictures and Protagonist Pictures include Leslie Mann, Julian Rhind-Tut, Emilia Fox, Dave Johns, and James Fleet.

The story tracks crime writer Charles (Stevens), who is struggling with writer’s block and a deadline for his first screenplay. His second wife, Ruth (Fisher), is doing her best to keep him focused in the hope of fulfilling her dream of heading to Hollywood. When Charles invites medium Madame Arcati (Dench) to perform a séance, she accidentally summons the spirit of his deceased first wife, the fiery and jealous Elvira (Mann), who embarks on a mission to kill Charles.

“The cast and team that have gathered together to realize this colorful and original comedy are testament to the enduring appeal of Noel Coward’s unique story,” said Hall, who described the tale as “elegant, escapist and anarchic.”

Studiocanal has snapped up the U.K. rights to the film, which is being financed by Align, the newly formed L.A.-based production and financing group. Align CEO Adrian Politowski and SVP of production Martin Metz are producing. James Spring, Meg Leonard, and Nick Moorcroft, who count “Fisherman’s Friends” among their credits, are also producing, alongside Hilary Bevan Jones (“Pirate Radio”), Peter Snell (“The Wicker Man”), and Toni Pinnolis. Leonard and Moorcroft wrote the screenplay with Piers Ashworth.

Protagonist is handling sales and has closed a raft of deals, including with Transmission for Australasia, A Contracorriente for Spain, Scanbox for Scandinavia, Cinepolis for Latin America and Forum Films for Israel.

“We were confident this timeless comedy, paired with a stellar cast, would entice buyers and are absolutely thrilled to return from Cannes with such strong partners,” said Vanessa Saal, managing director for sales and distribution at Protagonist.

(Variety)