Jim Jarmusch expressed disappointment over Mubi's relationship with Sequoia Capital, criticizing the involvement of corporate money in filmmaking and highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding Sequoia's investments in Israeli military tech. Despite his concerns, Jarmusch emphasized the complex nature of film financing and called for broader accountability beyond individual filmmakers.
Jim Jarmusch expressed disappointment over Mubi's investment from Sequoia Capital, which has ties to the Israeli military, highlighting concerns about corporate funding in art. Despite the controversy, Jarmusch emphasized the pervasive nature of 'dirty' corporate money in filmmaking and defended artistic independence. The film 'Father Mother Sister Brother' premiered at Venice, featuring notable actors and exploring family relationships, amid ongoing debates about ethics in Hollywood and the impact of geopolitical conflicts.
Mubi CEO Efe Cakarel responded to over 35 filmmakers criticizing the company's investment ties to Sequoia Capital, which has connections to the Israeli military. Cakarel clarified that Mubi's profits do not fund Sequoia's portfolio companies involved in defense or military activities, and emphasized the company's commitment to ethical funding policies and support for artists at risk. The controversy arose amid broader concerns about Sequoia's investments and associations related to the Israeli military and defense tech.
Originally Published 5 months ago — by variety.com
Mubi CEO Efe Cakarel addressed backlash over the company's investment from Sequoia Capital, clarifying that Mubi's profits do not fund the Israeli military or Sequoia's defense tech investments, and announcing measures like an Ethical Funding Policy and Artists at Risk Fund to uphold transparency and support filmmakers affected by conflict.
MUBI's CEO denies claims that the company's investment is connected to funding the war, amid backlash and staff protests related to its Israeli ties and investment from Sequoia Capital.
The article discusses the competitive landscape among indie film distributors A24, Neon, and Mubi, highlighting their different strategies, recent acquisitions, and positioning at major film festivals like Cannes, as they vie for dominance in the indie film market.
Demi Moore's comeback film, 'The Substance,' a body swap horror movie, is set to surpass $70 million at the global box office. The film, which won Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, marks MUBI's first major theatrical release. Despite initial competition, 'The Substance' has outperformed other films in various markets, particularly in Latin America. The film's success is attributed to strategic marketing and strong word-of-mouth, with Moore actively promoting it on social media. It has also achieved significant streaming success on MUBI.
The streaming service Mubi canceled a film festival in Istanbul after Turkish authorities banned the opening film, "Queer," citing concerns over its "provocative content" potentially endangering societal peace. The ban was announced just hours before the festival's commencement.
Mubi has canceled its annual Istanbul Festival after the local government banned the opening night film for its 'queer' content. The company criticized the ban, stating it undermines the festival's purpose. This decision highlights ongoing issues of government censorship in the film industry.
Mubi has canceled its annual film festival in Istanbul after Turkish authorities banned the screening of Luca Guadagnino's film "Queer," citing "provocative content" as a threat to public peace. The decision to cancel the entire event was made in protest against what Mubi sees as a restriction on art and freedom of expression. The film, starring Daniel Craig, was set to open the festival and has been positively received elsewhere. Mubi expressed regret over the cancellation and emphasized its commitment to artistic freedom.
Global film distributor Mubi has acquired international rights, excluding North America and Italy, for Sofia Coppola's film "Priscilla," which will premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Mubi will release the film theatrically in select countries and retain rights in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Latin America, Benelux, and Turkey. "Priscilla" is based on the memoir "Elvis and Me" and explores the courtship and marriage of Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley. Mubi also has two co-productions premiering at Venice this year.
Molly Manning Walker's How to Have Sex, selected for the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, follows three young women on a holiday to Malia, exploring their experiences with male encounters and early adulthood. While the subject matter may seem unremarkable, Walker elevates it with small yet deft choices that capture the contours of this social minefield with deeper accuracy. The film plays like an episode of Love Island as directed by Éric Rohmer, and its broad appeal to a younger demographic may inspire hope for the future of cinephilia.
Warner Bros. Interactive has delayed the Nintendo Switch version of "Hogwarts Legacy" until November 14th; Starz has announced the premiere date for the second season of "Heels"; MUBI has acquired eleven films by Lars von Trier for North American streaming release; A24 has scored the North American rights to "We Live in Time"; The Writers Guild of America has denied a request for a waiver to allow for the 76th Annual Tony Awards to air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
