Category: Film News

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Happy Birthday, Greta Scacchi!

 

On behalf of the entire staff at World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation, we would like to wish Italian-Australian actress Greta Scacchi a very Happy Birthday! She is an Emmy Award-winning actress and has appeared in over 50 films. You may recognize her from her roles in White Mischief, Presumed Innocent, The Player, and Ways to Live Forever. Greta is currently on the hit TV show Versailles and plays Lady Jane Franklin on the TV series The Terror.

In one of her more recent films, Ways to Live Forever  that was distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures (WWMPC), she combines both her acting talents and passion as a humanitarian in her role as the main character’s tutor, Mrs. Willis. In this film, she inspires Sam, the main character who is a 12-year-old boy dying from leukemia, to live his life to the best extent possible. It is a poignant and uplifting film that reminds us all to not fear the uncertainties of life, but rather embrace it.

Scacchi is an active supporter of campaigns and organisations that promote environmental causes. In October 2013, for her services to the arts she was made a knight in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In September 2017, she was the Festival Ambassador for the three week-long Lavazza Italian Film Festival, which ran in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart. Scacchi is fluent in English, French, German, and Italian. She is a dual citizen of Italy and Australia.

  

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Kanopy Successfully Releases WWMPC Films

 

We at World Wide Motion Pictures are pleased to inform our friends, associates, and shareholders around the world that the arrangement the company recently entered into with Kanopy LLC of San Francisco has resulted in successful sales of the recently released films, WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER and THE NIGHTINGALE. Kanopy is a specialized sub-distributor concentrating on the closed caption, closed circuit presentation of film and television product directly streamed into classrooms and local and national library systems around the world.

Students and faculty at several Ivy League Universities such as Yale University, Duke University, and Stanford University, have taken a liking to our feature films. Along with many other respected institutions across the country such as The New York Public Library, World Wide is connecting directly through Kanopy. “Having an additional Marketing Window specifically for universities and library systems will be a very welcome component in the company’s future,” stated Paul Hancock, CEO of World Wide.

THE NIGHTINGALE, directed by Philippe Muyl, is a heartening film that examines Chinese family values, traditions, and generational differences between a grandfather and his over indulged granddaughter. WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER, directed by Gustavo Ron, follows an inquisitive 12-year-old boy who is curious about the world and life experiences. Because he suffers from leukemia, he wants to learn more about growing up and how to deal with mortality.

As we continue to move forward into the new year, World Wide is focusing on introducing to our audiences, high quality Feature Films from around the world. Inasmuch as it has been become increasingly difficult in recent years for distributors to release feature films in the U.S. theatrically, this particular window offers a wonderful opportunity for an additional Gross Corridor. The corporation looks forward to growing its new relationship with Kanopy, and is excited to release recent foreign films to customers throughout North America. World Wide’s industry executives and board members have produced, distributed, and consulted on a wide variety of film and television projects, earning Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, and prizes from international film festivals.

We invite you to enjoy our films through Kanopy or any of our platforms such as Vimeo and the company’s Indie Movie Store.

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Happy 41st Birthday to Actor, Johann Urb

 

On behalf of the entire staff at World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation, we would like to wish Estonian-born actor and producer Johann Urb a very heartwarming happy birthday! People may know him from some of his more recognizable roles in Resident Evil and Rusty Steel - in which he played Kennedy and Rusty, respectively. Although he is most known for those films, he actually began his acting career in 2001, where he landed a small role in the film Zoolander with actors Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell.

Johann began other projects right after Zoolander. He landed his next role in a movie called Fear of Feathers, followed by an appearance in the popular TV show CSI: Miami. Through the years, he managed to build a strong enough resume to appear in films such as 2012, which starred John Cusack, and Resident Evil with Milla Jovovich. He played a small role in both films, but he definitely added to the production in a big way! Although he has appeared in many films and a few television series, he managed to receive the most critical recognition for his role as the journalist in 2009’s Eastwick.

Johann has not appeared in a movie since 2016, but he is making a huge comeback with two romantic comedies that are currently in the works. No release dates have been announced, but we definitely wish him the best of luck in his upcoming projects.

 

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Happy Birthday to Kissing Jessica Stein actress, Heather Juergensen!

 

Helen Cooper, Mrs. Silverman, and the great Medbh Doyle from Red Roses and Petrol are all characters that were portrayed by the amazing actress Heather Juergensen. All throughout her career she managed to create some beautiful work as an actress. Ms. Juergensen left us with quality work to relive over and over again on screen.

She appears in movies such as The Hammer, Kissing Jessica Stein, The Haunted Mansion, and our very own Red Roses and Patrol. All are quality films in which she worked aside actors such as Jennifer Westfeldt, Malcolm McDowell, and the great Eddie Murphy. It is also good to mention that she has worked aside some very talented directors such as Rob Minkoff and Charles Herman-Wurmfeld -- directors of The Haunted House and The Hammer.

Though many of us would have loved to have seen more of her wonderful performances - like the one in Red Roses and Patrol also starring Malcolm McDowell - today she is focusing her attention on other important things.

Heather founded her very own business called The Strong Woman, which primarily focuses on improving the lives of women that have previously suffered from depression. Many might not know, but like many other celebrities, Mrs. Juergensen suffered from depression herself. We want to acknowledge and congratulate Mrs. Juergensen’s determination to move forward and celebrate the gift of life. Life is a team sport, and with support from others life can truly be extraordinary.

Today on Mrs. Juergensen’s birthday, we want to say Happy Birthday! On this day we would love to give you an amazing gift, but you already have the most important gift of all - life, health, and an amazing family. Once more, happy birthday!

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Happy Birthday, Ronnie Marmo!

 

World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation would like to wish actor Ronnie Marmo a Happy Birthday! Originally from Brooklyn, Marmo’s acting career began with leading roles in Italian American Reconciliation and Lusting After Pipino’s Wife. He was recognized for both plays by the New Jersey ACT with awards for outstanding lead male actor. He won the Cable ACE award in 1997 as the host and producer of the Documentary of the Year. He then joined the Broadway National Touring Company as “Tony” in Tony N Tina’s Wedding.

Ronnie Marmo has produced, directed and starred in dozens of plays, including the critically acclaimed Bill W and Dr Bob, which has played to many sold out audiences. He enjoyed a six month run starring as “Lenny Bruce” in the one man production of Lenny’s Back . . and boy is he pissed.

 

He has also written several scripts, both for the stage and the screen. His favorite is the semi-autobiographical story, West of Brooklyn. The 68 Cent Crew produced the play for the stage and received critics pick from the L.A. Times, L.A. Weekly and Backstage West. Ronnie Marmo also adapted West of Brooklyn as well as produced and starred in the film for the screen and 68 Cent Features. It can be found on DVD. He produced and starred in the movie.

Ronnie Marmo’s I AM NOT A COMEDIAN... I’M Lenny Bruce is currently playing at Theater 68 in Los Angeles. The critically acclaimed show chronicles the life and death of Lenny Bruce, one of the most controversial comedians of all time.

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Christmas Around the World

 

Move over pumpkin spice and hello peppermint. It’s Christmas season, everyone! ‘Tis the season to scramble for those last-minute gifts and Santa hats. It’s a special time of the year where we mindlessly guzzle down eggnog and contribute to the vast online empire that is Amazon.com. Whenever I think of Christmas, it’s usually the festive red colors, pine trees, and brightly lit neighborhoods that come to mind. But have you ever wondered how other countries around the world celebrate Christmas? Here are 5 unusual Christmas Traditions found across the globe:

Japan x KFC

Can you imagine going to your local KFC and waiting over two hours for a bucket-o-chicken? A typical Japanese family will often celebrate Christmas by ordering a finger-licking chicken dinner for their families. This bizarre tradition apparently started thanks to a “Kentucky for Christmas” advertising campaign that aired in 1974. I’d honestly be thrilled to receive an eight-piece bucket in my stocking this year. Sure beats figuring out how to cook a turkey, that’s for sure.

Tamale Tamale Tamale

This one is a bit already well-known within Hispanic communities, but why isn’t it more popularized? For those who don’t know what a tamale is, it is a Mexican specialty made from a range of different meats, cheese, and veggies that are wrapped in ground masa (corn) and corn husks. Hispanic families will often make a vast quantity of tamales during the holidays, with some restaurants easily selling over 10,000 in a week! They’re seriously that good, and you’ve got to get your hands on some this year if you can. They’re like little magical bundles of steaming joy that is best enjoyed with hot sauce.

Fuzzy Caterpillars

So apparently the denizens of Cape Town, South Africa enjoy consuming pine emperor moth caterpillars during the Christmas season. Not only are they festively colored, but they’re also very nutritious and have a flavor similar to tea!

Rolling Around the Christmas Tree

This is the unusual Venezuelan custom of roller skating to early morning church services between December 16-24. The streets are even closed off to cars until 8 AM. And get this… in order to wake up on time, some children tie a string to their big toe and let it hang out the window. Rollerskaters who happen to glide past will tug on the strings, waking them up.

Hide Your Brooms and Mops

Brooms and mops are household essentials, aren’t they? It is believed by the people of Norway that Christmas Eve is a superstitious day where witches and bad elves steal your mops and brooms. Wouldn’t it be a shame if some evil elf stole your Swiffer on Christmas Eve?

 

So there you have it, just a few more things to add to your to-do list this year for the Holidays. Be sure to celebrate responsibly and don’t buy too many useless things at the dollar section. Which one will you be incorporating into your traditions?