News

The story of one of cycling’s most flamboyant icons is being readied for theatrical release in North and South America this July.

Us-based distributor SpectiCast has secured threatrical rights to documentary Pantani: The Accidental Death Of A Cyclist for North America and South America. It will release in July 2014.

This follows the successful theatrical release in the UK (Soda Pictures), Italy (Ga&A) and Australia (Madman Entertainment).

Dominic Schreiber, the film’s executive producer, added: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the film in the UK, with sell out screenings across the country. Pantani’s story is a remarkable one and I’m sure that American audiences will be both thrilled and moved by Jame’s portrayal of a sporting legend.”

The feature doc tells the tragic story of Marco Pantani, one of Italy’s most infamous athletes.

Written and directed by James Erskine (From The Ashes, Battle of the Sexes), the doc is a New Black Films...

Soda Pictures secure UK theatrical distribution rights to the tragic story of the infamous Italian athlete.

Documentary Pantani: The Accidental Death Of A Cyclist has been snapped up by Soda Pictures for UK theatrical distribution.

The feature doc tells the tragic story of Marco Pantani, one of Italy’s most infamous athletes.

Written and directed by James Erskine (From The Ashes, Battle of the Sexes), the doc is a New Black Films and Media Squared Films production, presented in association with 4Rights.

Soda Pictures will release in the UK and Ireland on May 16 and 4Dvd will follow with the Home Entertainment release.

The film follows Pantani’s battle against addiction, set against the backdrop of the Alps during the Tour de France. He died aged 34 from apparent acute cocaine poisoning - just six years after winning both the Tour de

France and Giro d’Italia

Shot over two years in the French Alps, Italian Alps and...

To coincide with today’s release of the movie, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment have sent over this brand new clip from their new film, From the Ashes which focuses around the 1981 Ashes tournament. It’s directed James Erkskine by who previously brought us One Night in Turin. I got to speak with James a few weeks ago for the release of the movie and you can check out the interview here. It’s a thoroughly good watch and if you’re a cricket fan, you’ll love it.

From The Ashes is an uplifting and remarkable tale of a summer that changed English sport forever.

In July 1981, rioting and discontent ruled the streets of England. On the playing fields, England was 1-0 down after two tests against old enemy, Australia, and iconic all-rounder Ian Botham had resigned as English captain, hours before being pushed. Watching on was opposing Captain, Kim Hughes,...

To celebrate the release of From the Ashes on DVD and Blu-ray on 30th May, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment have given us three copies of the movie to give away on DVD. If you missed our interview with the director of the movie, James Erskine, you can check it out here.

From The Ashes is the uplifting and remarkable tale of a summer that changed England forever. July 1981, rioting and discontent rule the streets of Britain. Meanwhile, on the playing fields,England are 1-0 down after two tests against the old enemy, Australia; and Ian Botham, their iconic all-rounder, has resigned as English captain, moments before being pushed.

With English cricket on the brink, bookmakers offer odds of 500-1 against an English win in the 3rd Test. Yet, a reinvigorated Ian Botham refuses to lie down and rediscovers his cavalier flair in a series of match-winning performances that enthral a nation and see the Ashes retained.

Finally, British filmmakers are understanding just what it takes to make fine and meaningful sporting documentaries of the nation’s two favourite sports (sorry Rugby) as James Erskine follows-up his excellent One Night In Turin documentary (the definite account of England’s 1990 World Cup) with From The Ashes – the re-telling of the England vs. Australia 1981 clash where Ian Botham became a hero.

Owf have been granted an exclusive sneak peak at the documentary below and once again Erskine looks to have blended the sporting drama with footage that contextualises the story into it’s political and social background. This is where Erskine’s docs really excel. It’s not just about what happened on the field but it’s what it meant to the fans, scratch that, the whole British nation as a whole who took to these sporting icons during some rocky times. The tagline tells you all you need to know…...

London International Documentary Festival

Two weeks, over 130 films and countless events and appearances, the nation's biggest factual film event gives you plenty to chew on – too much for any one mouth but whether it's Finnish saunas, morris dancing or Middle East politics, there's something for you here. Many key films assess influential individuals. Asif Kapadia's new Ayrton Senna film opens proceedings; Steven Soderbergh remembers Spalding Grey and Martin Scorsese honours Elia Kazan; Gomorrah author Roberto Saviano's threatened lifestyle is detailed; and Playboy's Hugh Hefner is recast as a liberal crusader – nothing to talk about there then.

Various venues, Fri to 28 May

Fire In Babylon & From The Ashes, Nationwide

Cricket is hardly underrepresented on the nation's airwaves, but for those who'd prefer a little bit of history to go with the hours of live coverage, you've got an enticing documentary double bill this month. From The Ashes remembers England's tumultuous 1981 Ashes campaign,...

This week Jason meets British director Joe Wright to chat about his new thriller Hanna starring the wunderkind Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blanchett in a tale of deadly daring and a teenage assassin on the run.

James Erskine discusses his cricket documentary From The Ashes, the tale of the dramatic England victory in the 1981 Ashes that made Ian Botham a household name.

Xan Brooks pitches in to review some of this week's other releases including Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson in the romance Water For Elephants and the epic drama of the Algerian independence struggle Outside The Law.

Jason SolomonsXan BrooksJason Phipps...

From The Ashes, a superb new documentary on the England cricket team’s historic 1981 Ashes victory, will be cinemas nationwide for one night only on Tuesday 10th May, The screening will be followed by a Q and A with Ian Botham beamed live from London across the country. To mark the event, we have a pair of tickets to the world premiere in London to give away!

The premiere will be on 10th May and will be attended by Tom Hardy, Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis and Alastair Campbell, and be followed by a Q and A with Botham, chaired by Alistair Campbell. The Q and A will be beamed back to all the cinemas showing the film across the country. For a list of cinemas hosting the event just visit http://www.fromtheashesthefilm.com. The film also comes to DVD on 30th May.

From the makers of One Night In Turin,...