Aussies already know that Hopscotch Films are releasing Bel-Ami some time in February or March 2012 in both Australia and New Zealand, although a definite date is yet to be confirmed, but here’s a bit more information from @Larry411 concerning worldwide distribution and possible premiere:

“Few upcoming films have garnered as much attention from my readers and Twitter followers as Declan Donnellan’s Bel Ami. Based on the novel by Guy de Maupassant, the movie stars Robert Pattinson (you’ve heard of him) as George Duroy, an ambitious young man in Paris circa 1890s. The film is said to be fast-paced, provocative, and sexy.

With an all-star cast featuring Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colm Meaney, Bel Ami is a co-production of UK firms Redwave Films, XIX Entertainment, and Protagonist Pictures, along with Italy’s giant Rai Films. It opens in some European territories, including the UK, on March 2 with a worldwide rollout in the weeks to follow. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions sealed the deal for North American distribution rights at AFM in early November. The film is expected to be released in the US by Columbia Pictures in March but no release date has been set. Although a premiere has yet to be announced, rumor has it that Bel Ami will debut at the Berlin Film Festival in February. The timing is certainly right. We shall see.

*Update:

This week the festival announced five films in the Competition lineup and five in the Berlinale Special section. The rest of the lineup will be revealed in about a month (the balance of Competition titles were announced on January 18th for the 2011 festival). We shall see.*

Besides Sony/Columbia in the US, distributors include Studio Canal in the UK, Germany and France, RaiCinema in Italy, Hopscotch in Australia, Independent in Benelux, Impuls in Switzerland, Scanbox in Scandinavia, Golden Scene in Hong Kong/Macau, Unikorea Culture and Art in South Korea, SSG in Taiwan, Central Partnership in CIS, Ablo in Eastern Europe, Ozen Film in Turkey, Lusomundo in Portugal, Front Row in the Middle East, California Filmes in Latin America, PVR in India, PT Amero in Indonesia, Pioneer in the Philippines, Nu Metro in South Africa, Passion Encore in Singapore and Hollywood Entertainment in Greece and Cyprus.”

Thanks Larry – always a font of knowledge when it comes to films.

According to Antena3’s website:

“Antena 3’s website offers you direct the premiere broadcast of the Dawn Part I from Barcelona , on Thursday November 17 afternoon at the  Forum of the International Convention Centre of Barcelona (CCIB).

The male protagonists of the film, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner attend the premiere accompanied by the director of the last two instalments of The Twilight Saga ,Bill Condon .

Antena3.com launched a very successful contest in which fans of Twilight have participated to win one of 150 double tickets for the premiere there.

If you are in Barcelona or tickets you’re out here you can follow the premier live and in great detail. Together, we will be discussing the arrival of vampire Edward Cullen and werewolf Jacob Black in twitter with the hashtag # premieramanecer .

See you from 7.30 pm”

It’s said to start from 7.30 pm (which is about 5.30 am Friday Sydney time).   There’s no live feed set up on the site as yet, but keep checking by clicking here or here – I of course will be asleep.  Fingers crossed.

Thanks to @Creacion9 for letting us know.

I’ll sticky post this – please scroll down for updates.

It’s our 3 year anniversary today and what better way to start celebrating than bringing confirmation that Bel-Ami will be released in February 2012!

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquistions has picked up North American rights to Robert Pattinson starrer Bel Ami from Protagonist Pictures.

The film, directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod (Cheek by Jowl), also stars Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Christina Ricci.

In Bel Ami, Pattinson plays penniless ex-soldier Georges Duroy, whose rise through the echelons of the Parisian beau monde in the 1980s tells a tale of ambition, power and seduction. Rachel Bennette wrote the adapated screenplay based on Guy de Maupassant’s novel.

The deal was concluded between Michael Helfand, executive vice president of business affairs, and Tana Evans, vice president of acquisitions and distribution for SPWA, and Ben Roberts, CEO for Protagonist.

Produced by Uberto Pasolini and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Bel Ami will begin rolling out overseas at the end of February 2012. [Maria:  H A L L E L U J A H]

The film has been sold to Studio Canal in the UK, Germany and France, RaiCinema in Italy, Hopscotch in Australia, Independent in Benelux, Impuls in Switzerland, Scanbox in Scandinavia, Golden Scene in Hong Kong/Macau, Unikorea Culture and Art in South Korea, SSG in Taiwan, Central Partnership in CIS, Ablo in Eastern Europe, Ozen Film in Turkey, Lusomundo in Portugal, Front Row in the Middle East, California Filmes in Latin America, PVR in India, PT Amero in Indonesia, Pioneer in the Philippines, Nu Metro in South Africa, Passion Encore in Singapore and Hollywood Entertainment in Greece and Cyprus.

I know we cling to anything that might bring us closer to a release date for this movie.  So I happen to see Protagonist tweet about one of their films (no not Bel-Ami) being released in cinemas, so  I head on over to Protagonist’s site because yes I am a masochist.  I notice they have AFM 2011 listed under Markets/Festival and that the screening info to follow asap.   The American Film Market is not really a film festival, it’s a marketplace where producers and distributors license films.  Excited yet?  So I get curious and it could be nothing, but like I said – I’m desperate.  What’s one of the films listed under AFM Lineups in their Film Catalogue – yep you guessed it …. ooh 95 minutes of Rob seducing women … I can live with that.

  

Hmmm interesting that completion year is 2011 and I love that Rob has top billing – as it should be.

Now I could be wrong about all of this since I’m not savvy about the US film market, but the AFM is being held in Santa Monica between 2 and 9 November 2011 … um Rob can squeeze that in right *giggles*.  Let’s hope we hear something and soon otherwise that lynchmob might have to start lighting their torches …

Surprise Surprise … remember last week when we posted that Bel-Ami might be at this Latvian film festival .. well @Gossipgyal has had this response from the organisers “Unfortunately due to the fact that the premiere of the film was moved BEL AMI is no longer on our program”.   It’s no longer on the Baltic Pearl’s website either.

I’m shocked!  No wait I’m not really, but I’m not kidding when I say that Georges’ “I am going to ruin you” is now playing on loop in my head.  Is it that Protagonist thinks this is the best way to build up hype for the film?  Maybe they really don’t know how to market a completely ruthless Rob (although I doubt it after seeing the teaser).  At this stage I’m throwing my hands up in the air and I don’t really care anymore if the film isn’t being released until next year .. JUST FREAKIN TELL US WHEN!  It’s like torture – I think I might report them to Amnesty.

Vertigo I felt the need to bring out the flamethrower … this is beyond a joke … where’s my lynchmob

There’s no denying that we almost all self combusted with the teaser trailer of Georges today, and Rob I’m kind of trying to bite my tongue, but hell who am I kidding.  So whilst I was at my second home (yep Pro) I saw The Playlist’s article and so decided to do some of my own research to see if there were any other potential critics reactions:

Kevin Jagernauth of The Playlist:  “Pattinson actually looks fine in the role, but the whole thing plays like an overcooked Harlequin romance writ large. Also, minus points to the trailer for using the most generic, overused music possible.”  (Maria:  Kevin just so you know it’s not London society – you might want to google “Bel Ami” and do some research I’m pretty sure the author’s name should have given you a hint)

Jordan Raup of The Film Stage:  “Forget San Diego Comic-Con, the real superhero is Robert Pattinson and his unrelenting charm in the first trailer for his drama Bel Ami. … I actually think Pattinson has some talent, so I’ll be looking forward to checking this one out.   No release date has been set, but I assume we’ll see this one on the fall festival circuit.”

The Improper:  “Robert Pattinson is seething with lust in an explosive portrayal of Guy de Maupassant’s scandalous protagonist in a leaked trailer of “Bel Ami,” a movie about decadent French society, co-starring Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas.  This could be the film where Pattinson establishes himself as an actor, on par with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Richard Burton.”  (Maria:  Noone wants to put their name to this article and I’m not surprised because sorry but Rob didn’t film this before Remember Me.  Water for Elephants – yes – Remember Me no.  Jesus does noone do any research anymore – like it’s hard to google and look it up.)

Anna Robinson of Alt Film Guide:  “I’m no fangirl, but I’m looking forward to this one.” (Maria:  Me neither Anne not a fangirl *giggles*)

Matt Patches of Hollywood.com:  “Wow. After watching Robert Pattinson basically grow up in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the Twilight saga and Water for Elephants, I’d basically give up hope that the twentysomething heartthrob could escape his soft-spoken typecasting and become the next Johnny Depp or Leonardo Dicaprio. But after a few snippets of scenes from his latest indie period drama Bel Ami, I’m starting to wonder if he’s been hiding his real talents in order to survive the Twi-hards!” (Maria:  Matt I would hardly say we saw him grow up “IN” Harry Potter and as for Twilight – he was 21/22 – already an adult by US standards.  Soft spoken typecasting – did you see him in Little Ashes?)

Ok I’m done purely because I can’t bear to read anymore of these poorly researched articles from *coughjournalistscough*, but the one thing is – they all seem to be eating humble pie and we so knew that day would come …

You can read the full articles by clicking on the hyperlinks.  If I feel the need to do further research I will update, but we get the gist of it … right.