34 PICTURES PtbvEfr Wednesday, April 1,1981

Flurry Of Overseas Sales .(Continued from page 7).

is being produced by husband-and-wife team Rami and Alicia Alon. It's their first independent feature effort. It was privately financed, with sources stemming from Ali­cia Alen's background in film fi­nancing at Paramount and pro­duction accounting at Me! Simon Prods.

"Choices" deals with the dilem­ma of a 17-year-old high school stu­dent who must decide between pleasing-those who want him to play football and those encouraging him to become a concert violinist. Pic stars Victor French and Paul Car-fotes, among others, and is di­rected by Silvio Narizzano ("GeorgyGirl").

Recent Canadian pickup for Isram is "Ghostkeeper," from Badlands Pictures, and produced by Harold Cole. Pic was in nego­tiations before the Market was set for availability in Cannes but Mas-sis said the deal was hurried up and finalized over the phone when reports of the buying activity at the market filtered back to Cole in Cal­gary, Canada. • Massis was one of many screen­

ing product in hotel room's, using a widescreen videocassette player provided by the markets. Massis says he's done more business so far then he thought he would do for the full 10 days of the Market.

He says he's even been selling films that he couldn't unload at the recent Mifed. "Natural Enemies," "The Human Factor" and "Tris­tan and Isolt" are among the pix he's finding territories for. In addi­tion, he says the South American market has opened up for him for some pix due to selling them to Argentina reps who paid for the Spanish subtitles which he can use on future prints and sales.

Fast Phone Contacts One of the reasons he attributes

for the fast pace and good reaction is the ease of communicating with buyers over the phone. "In Cannes you can never get anyone on the phone. Here, people call for ap­pointments and can even call to change them." As for keeping ap pointments, Massis says "In Can nes if one out of four people show up it's a miracle."

Isram is believed to be the only company sending out the day's con tracts by air express to be typed and filed by his company's computer in New York receiving the next day by return air packet a detailed con tract that sometimes runs to 30 pages, according to Massis.

Another overseas film seller with last-minute pickups is Arista Films Inc. Lou George, president of the L.A.-based company, said he now reps "The Retrievers" from Film Communications International Pic, still in its roughcut form and scheduled next showing tomorrow at the Westwood 2 at 11 a.m., cen ters on a CIA mission to recover an ex-agent and silence him.

Other pickup is "Surfacing described as one girl's struggle for emotional survival and freedom in the wilderness. Pic stars Kathleen Beller (recently seen in "Fort Apache, The Bronx") and Joseph Bottoms. It's a Beryl Fox pro duction.

George says that as result of con­tacts and pics he's seen so far he'll also be disclosing "about three to four more films in the next few weeks."

Most recent acquisition for Kod-iak Films Inc. is "Baby Snakes," a series of film clips and behind-the-scenes accounts by Frank Zappa. Wolf Schmidt, president of Kodiak, says he's known about the film for quite some time adding "but you

know how it is when someone is rich (Zappa), they can afford to leave a $2,000,000 pic on the shelf; they don't care."

Schmidt further said he believes the success of the film market speeded up the negotiations which he concluded on Wednesday.

Just concluded Thursday (26) was a comedy pic about the Army "The Girls Of Company C," pro­duced by Joe Bardo and directed by Lisa Wesko. For awhile the title was in doubt according to Schmidt be­cause of a threatening letter from Warner Bros, who said the comedy title could infringe on their "Boys Of Company C" tag. Pic is being re­leased now as "The Girls Of Char­lie Company."

And also last week, Filmways Pictures International prez Robert Meyers concluded the deal to release the previously announced "The Burning" for domestic dis­tribution. Pic is first pickup since the installation of George Litto and Meyers and was created and pro­duced by Harvey Weinstein. It is set for first release May 8 at 110 the­atres in Florida and then for nation­wide release May 22.

Pic, directed by Tony Maylam, deals with a man scarred terribly by a fire at a summer camp who returns for revenge to terrorize the kids. J&M Sales is repping the pic for overseas.

Rounding out the pickup pace­setters is TPC Films International Ltd. with prez Rocco Viglietta an­nouncing acquisition of "Fish Hawk," starring Will Sampson in an Indian adventure piece pro­duced by Stanley Chase, Edgar Scherick and Jon Slan.

Oscar Ball's Moveback Cues Film Mart Gala

Shuffle At Bev Hilton Hollywood, March 31.

The previously-scheduled closing banquet of the American Film Market was moved up one hour to a 7 p.m. start tonight so the AFM can vacate the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton to make way for the post-Oscars Governors Ball of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Solution was worked out between AFM and the Academy after a frantic afternoon during which a variety of other options were con­sidered in the light of the sudden postponement of last night's Academy Awards in deference to the shooting of Pres. Reagan.

The Beverly Hilton is the tradi­tional site of the Governors Ball, but the International Ballroom was al­ready booked for the AFM dinner.

When the Oscars were put over until tonight (Tues.) the AFM canceled its planned Oscar-watching party at the Beverly Wilshire.

Tonight's AFM dinner was com­bined with the canceled Oscar watch to permit guests to view the live awards telecast. Large tv screens were posted around the International Ballroom. Im­mediately after the awards show, AFM guests moved to the Grand Ballroom for dancing and post-dinner libations, while waiters cleared the tables at the Interna­tional Ballroom to make way for the Oscar party.

Also rescheduled because of the Oscar cancellation was tonight's (Tues.) Paramount studio screen­ing of "Atlantic City." Instead the preview will be held 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday night (3). Actually, it thus becomes a postview, because

the film will have its American premiere the night before as the opening feature at Filmex.

One of the options considered, and finally abandoned, was shifting a fund raising dinner for Mayor Bradley at the Century Plaza tonight (Tues.) to the Beverly Wilshire so the Governors Ball could be held at the Century Plaza. That fell through because the Mayor's office said logistics in­volved in informing guests pre­vented such a last minute switch.

Meantime, the Mayor's office in­terceded by offering Academy president Fay Kanin assistance in finding a downtown hotel when it appeared the Governors Ball would be bumped from its regular nesting place at the Beverly Hilton. Op­tional locales suggested included the Los Angeles Bonaventure and the Biltmore.

AFM was reluctant to give up the International Ballroom because of the difficulty anticipated in reaching 1,200 foreign buyers here for the film selling meet.

Hours were expended by the Academy and the executive com­mittee of the American Film Market Assn. in unavailing efforts to find an optional site for the Governors Ball.

The final solution was worked out at an emergency AFMA meeting chaired by the organization's presi­dent Robert Meyers. A spokesman said that conclusive phase of negotiations took only 20 minutes.

Gemini 2 Rowdyism; Balcony Smoke Bomb;

Short-Duration Panic Audience rowdyism hit Manhat­

tan's Upper East Side Friday (27) night when a smoke bomb was ex­ploded in the balcony area of the Gemini 2 theatre during the late night show.

Incident occurred just before 12:30 a.m., and a near-panic en sued as balcony patrons fled their seats fearing a fire. A Variety re porter on hand on the main floor to see the late show of United Artists' "Thief" was caught up in the sub­sequent melee as the screams and ruckus in the balcony quickly cued a dash for the exits in the rest of the nearly-filled 440-seat house.

Within a matter of seconds, how­ever, the absence of flames or further smoke indicated a false alarm, and most of the crowd re­turned to their seats to see the final 15 minutes of "Thief," which kept unspooling without interruption. No injuries were reported in the inci­dent, with the only theatre damage being an exit sign broken either by the bomb or the fleeing crowd. UA spokesmen contacted by Variety declined to comment.

L Putnam Square J (Continued from page 24) nam Square.

Team is currently screening pics for possible pickups, hoping to ac­quire some American Independent product in addition to their foreign slate. Already contracted, with a summer domestic bow envisaged, is the Gaumont-Prospectacle pro­duction "Serie Noire," a French thriller directed by Alain Corneau from Jim Thompson's novel, "A Hell Of A Woman." Pic stars Pat­rick Dewaere, Myriam Boyer and Marie Trintignant and was a 1979 release in Europe.

Harrison Engle will supervise film sequences for this year's Os­car show, his first assignment. He previously coproduced the Amer­ican Film Institute tribute to James Stewart.

Large turnout for non-market screening of Dutch/German pic "Charlotte" organized by sales rep Paul Kijzer in a Beverly Hills location, with helmer Frans Uveisz in attendance. Screening of pic anent sensitive Jewish artist in the late 1930s was followed by white wine pour in lobby... Screened twice at the Goldwyn Theatre was one of the hottest items of fest, "Roar," being touted by Robbie Littie. The real actors in this fun for all ages item are the felines, but there's enough action to make film more than just bland "family" fare. Packed theatre included wide cross-section of audience of all races and ages ... Michael Bromhead of EMI putting in appearance to finalize deal on "Southern Comfort" ... ITC sales topper Ian Jessel huddling with buyers at mart. Outfit currently is pushing "The Legend Of Lone Ranger" and "Green Ice." Former is sked-ded to be released in the U.S. on May 22 ... Alexandre Adamiu of Brazil's Paris Filmes, based in Rio and Sao Paulo, sez he's presently building a five-theatre compelx in ritzy Sao Paulo subrub of Morumbi. The quintet will be ready early next year, bringing number of Adamiu's exhib circuit up to 29 ... The usual four Venezuelan distribs/exhibs were plying the corridors of the Westwood Marquis, namely Tony Blanco, Gonzalo Ulivi, Alberto Plaza and George Korda, all taking ample time off to do the town and load up on shopping purchases ... Surprising number of Brazilians, usually not much around at international meets, showed up at event. AFM drew above-mentioned Adamiu of Paris Filmes, Ugo Sorrentino of Art Filmes and Paulo Sapinto of the Empresa Sul... Adamiu reportedly bought the Coppola films for Brazil, the Golden Communications package, three new pix being touted by PSO ("Private Eye," "Six Weeks" and "Fire And Ice") plus pix from Goldfarb and Polygram.

As many Spaniards surfaced as expected, but some were grumbling about shortage of product and very steep prices. One distrib, Juan Couret of Diasa, here with partner Miguel Tudela, commented that producers were asking (though perhaps not often getting) anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 for horror fodder being screened at the Westwood locations for sale to Spain. With the Spanish peseta devalued over 20% over the past months against the dollar, commented Couret, and with rumors that ex­change rate would hit 100 pesetas to the dollar soon, prices, he felt, were way out of line. Other distribs spotted doing the suites were Antonio Cue-vas and Manuel Summers of Kalender Films, Jaime Comas of Ace, a rep from Barcelona-based Figaro Films, J. A. Blasco of Filmayer, but not too many more.

Lotsa key French buyers attending the L.A. event and shopping about, not only at the Westwood screenings but also contacting the majors to buy reissues. Among those spotted were Denis Chateau of Gaumont, in charge of acquisitions and bookings, and Pierre Vercel, topper for Pathe. Rumors were they were scouting for possible acquisitions of theatres in the U.S. ... Argentinian distribbery Transmundo Films headed by Juan Carlos Arecco reportedly bought Cannon's "The Apple" ... another Argentinian banner, Darel, repped by Luis Pascual, picked up "Schi­zoid" ... Attending mart on his own as Argentinian distrib Mario Feraboli, reportedly buying only for his own distribbery Imperial Films. Feraboli was going to have joined forces with Maxifilms for purchases, but his deal seems to have fallen through. Maxifilms' Monica Wiebel did not attend ... Maxifilms is currently releasing "La Banquiere" in Buenos Aires, which reportedly is doing boffo biz. Another Argentine distrib, Todo Show, picked up various Mansoh International pix... Also attending event was Aries Cinematografica's Alejandro Sessa ... Central Americans at­tending were Younger Films and Orlando Calvo of Coblan De Panama who owns eight locations in Panama and releases all Avco product there. He was huddling with Filmways for an exclusive deal. Calvo also handled ITC product... Alex Laboratories rep Ralph Pappier made the rounds of the market. While in L.A. he placed orders to tune of $500,000 with the Hollywood Film Co. for new panel printers and a "rejuvenating" machine ... Victor Green of Taft International Pictures reports a massive turnout of his Oriental clients.

Other Latinos spotted at event were S. Londono of Peliculas Presi-dente of Bogota, Francisco Trespalacios of Cines Ltda. of same country; others from Argentina were Bresky and Feldman of Vanguardia, Jose Daire of Chile, Angeles Ares of Spain's Cint^spana, here to sell Spanish Oscar nominee "The Nest" ... Luis Scalella of Argentina's Distrifilms didn't surface, but his son did, to carry on biz; also attending was Vicente Vigo of Horma Vio Films and Vicente Vigo of Norma Vigo Films and ex­hib Saragusti, who has teamed up with Juan Carlos Crespo and become probably the most active buyer on the market. Scuttlebutt has it that the new distribbery paid $800,000 for a Carolco package. They also bought pix from Larry Sugar's Serendipity banner and from others... Appearing in a lower key were Transeuropa's Oscar Rodriguez and Mario De Pedro who near end of event told Variety they hadn't picked up any new product; however distrib has an exclusive with Lorimar, EMI, Coppola, Time-Life etc ... Argentine producer Armando Bo underwent serious surgery in a Los Angeles Hospital about two weeks ago. At present he's reportedly resting in a local hotel. Accompanying him are family members and thesp Isabel Sarli... Mexican buyers out in force. Attending were Mario Dada of Telefilms Internacional, Horacio Gonzalez Altamirano of ARte Cinema De Mexico and owner of the Ramirez circuit.

Even some of the smallest world territories showed up at the mart. Among them was Lino Cassar of Malta who's official buyer for that small island nation ... Spotted from Portugal was Luis Silva of Filmes Luso Mundo.

Among other Spanish distribs putting in an appearance at mart were Helena Matas of Impala/Incine and Jose Hueva of same company, pro­ducer Jose Frade, Federico Vicuna, Alberto Platard, Jose Maria Rey-zabal, Francisco Gratacos, and Antonio Soler...Attending David Gold­stein's topless waitress bash in his Hollywood Hills villa was Spanish dis­trib Andres Vicente Gomez whose new Madrid-based distribbery is called Intercine. Gomez said he had taken a swing through L.A. in Febru­ary at which time product now being screened at the market was selling for half the price, he claimed. Gomez picked up four Manson Internation­al items, as well as reissue of "Scarface" from Universal.

Swedish Filminstitutet contingent here headed by topper Jorn Donner. Also making AFM rounds was Svenska sales rep Lena Enqvist. Here to

(Continued on page 40)