The Entertainment Airlines Should Be Providing During a Pandemic, According to IFE Distributors
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The coronavirus pandemic has left theaters vacant, upended film production cycles and led to a surge in at-home entertainment viewership. The type of content being watched has changed, too. Some are turning to wholesome family flicks and reality cooking shows, while others are bingeing escapist psychological thrillers. How should airlines adjust their IFE catalogs in light of the pandemic? The distributors behind the entertainment passengers watch in the sky share their picks.
PictureWorks: ABE
Director: Fernando Grostein Andrade
Cast: Noah Schnapp, Seu Jorge, Dagmara Dominczyk, Arian Moayed, Mark Margolis
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Abe is an aspiring Chef, but his family have never had a meal together without a fight. But when Abe ditches his traditional summer camp to spend time with radical street Chef Chico, his mentor’s fusion cuisine inspires him to unite his family through food. Abe decides to cook a meal that will bring everyone to the table, but he’s about to learn that the kitchen can’t heal some age-old divides.
Why now?ABE is an amalgamation of mouth-watering food and charming acting by Noah Schnapp from the popular series Stranger Things. The story feels so right with lockdown in cities worldwide with food being center of attention. Abe will be a perfect recipe to enjoy distinctive cultures and their cuisine. We see the diverse cultures, sights, smells, and sounds that give us hope that all will return to normalcy soon.
Distribution Rights: Worldwide excluding Canada
Contact: Avinaash Jumani
Penny Black Media: The Bromley Boys
Director: Steve M. Kelly
Cast: Alan Davies, Martine McCutcheon, Brenock O’Connor
Synopsis: The Bromley Boys is a feel-good comedy set in late ’60s Britain when the nation was high on football fever. Based on true events, this is the story of 14 year-old Dave Roberts who became infatuated with a team at the very opposite end of the football spectrum: his local non-league club Bromley FC. He’s a loner in love with football and eventually finds himself involved in leading this losing team to victory. In the process, he falls for the daughter of the club chairman. Lots of heart with some good humor peppered in! And to top it off, it has a very cool soundtrack, available on Spotify!
Why now? Laughter really is the best medicine; it relieves stress, increases immune cells and antibodies that kill infection, and emits endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals. It might even take off a couple of pounds. So what better way to take one’s mind off the pandemic than to settle in with a heart-warming comedy!
Distribution Rights: Worldwide
Contact: Cathie Trotta
Encore Inflight Limited: Dance With Me
Director: Shinobu Yaguchi
Cast: Ayaka Miyoshi, Yu Yashiro, Chay, Takahiro Miura
Synopsis: Shizuka works at a big Tokyo trading company and harbors a secret crush on her dashing boss. One weekend she takes her niece to visit a carnival hypnotist to inspire her for an upcoming school musical. But it is Shizuka who falls under the spell and she is soon breaking uncontrollably into song and dance whenever she hears music: in the street, during board meetings, at posh restaurants, even a cell phone ringtone! Shizuka must embark on a cross country hunt for the hypnotist to break the spell, singing and dancing all the way! A funny, fast-paced and deliriously joyful update of classic musicals featuring a delightful lead performance from Ayaka Miyoshi, directed by Shinobu Yaguchi of Waterboys and Swing Girls.
Why now? This funny and joyful musical comedy of how a woman is determined in getting herself out of a tough situation will lift your spirits. Through this movie, we also learnt a valuable life lesson: Make the most out of life!
Distribution Rights: Worldwide excluding Japan
Contact: Elslyn Lua and Edwin Cheung
Sony Pictures Releasing: Eat Pray Love
Director: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup, Javier Bardem
Synopsis: Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) is a modern woman on a quest to marvel at and travel the world while rediscovering and reconnecting with her true inner self in Eat Pray Love. At a crossroads after a divorce, Gilbert takes a year-long sabbatical from her job and steps uncharacteristically out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life. In her wondrous and exotic travels, she experiences the simple pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of love in Bali. Based on an inspiring true story, Eat Pray Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world.
Why now? What a better time than now to seek balance of the body, mind and spirit. Eat Pray Love reminds us what it’s like to explore the world and discover things we never knew about ourselves. Start planning your trip now, we won’t be stuck at home forever!
Distribution rights: Worldwide
Contact: Rana Matthes
Warner Bros.: Inception
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy
Synopsis: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the best there is at extraction: stealing valuable secrets inside the subconscious during the mind’s vulnerable dream state. His skill has made him a coveted player in industrial espionage but also has made him a fugitive and cost him dearly. Now he may get a second chance if he can do the impossible: inception, planting an idea rather than stealing one. If they succeed, Cobb and his team could pull off the perfect crime. But no planning or expertise can prepare them for a dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy only Cobb could have seen coming.
Why now? Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in this sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the world of dreams – perfect for getting lost in during a flight!
Distribution rights: Worldwide
Contact: Jeff Crawford
Disney Studios Non-Theatrical: ESPN’s The Last Dance
Director: Jason Hehir
Cast: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, Phil Jackson
Synopsis: In the fall of 1997, Michael Jordan and the Bulls begin their quest to win a sixth NBA title in eight years. With a film crew following them all season, “The Last Dance” as coach Phil Jackson called it, will be shadowed by tension with the front office.
Why now? The Disney Airline Sale Team was excited when we were given the opportunity by ESPN to make available this excellent sports documentary to a sports-deprived in-flight market. The Last Dance is a fascinating story, not just for sports fans.
Distribution rights: North America
Contact: Melinda Meyer-Gilmore
Cinesky Pictures: Love Sarah
Director: Eliza Schroeder
Cast: Celia Imrie, Shannon Tarbet, Shelley Conn, Rupert Penry-Jones, Bill Paterson
Synopsis: Determined to fulfill her late mother’s dream of opening a bakery in London’s charming Notting Hill, 19-year-old Clarissa enlists the help of her mother’s best friend and her eccentric estranged grandmother. Three generations of women must overcome grief, doubts and differences to honor the memory of their beloved Sarah, while establishing a shop filled with love, hope and delicious pastries.
Why now? Beat the blues with our new romantic comedy, a ‘slice of cinematic comfort food’ (Time Out UK). A satisfying confection, with subtle themes of inclusion, family and multiculturalism that are extremely timely right now. If you’re in the mood for a wispy, gently life-affirming piece of romantic escapism it’s just the ticket.
Distribution rights: Worldwide, excluding Israel
Contact: Mark Horton
Entertainment in Motion: Misbehaviour
Director: Philippa Lowthorpe
Cast: Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Kinnear, Jessie Buckley
Synopsis: A group of women hatch a plan to disrupt the 1970 Miss World beauty competition in London.
Why now? A lighthearted reminder of a true story. Misbehaviour is both funny and inspirational, which we all need more of during these pandemic times. It also has a strong message that is timely with the important movements of today.
Distribution rights: Worldwide
Contact: Lynda Harriss
Eros International Media: Pati Patni aur woh
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Bhumi Pednekar, Ananya Panday
Synopsis: Things take an unexpected turn when Chintu Tyagi, who is married to Vedika, finds himself infatuated with Tapasya, a young fashion designer.
Why now? Pati Patni Aur Woh, directed by Mudassar Aziz, is one film that can be watched over and over again. Therefore, for all those who haven’t watched it, we highly recommend that you do, and for all those who have already watched it, we reckon that you should watch it again for its storyline, Kartik’s monologue and, of course, its brilliant songs and star cast.
Distribution rights: Worldwide
Contact: Prashant Gaonkar
Emphasis Video Entertainment Limited: Peninsula
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Cast: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun
Synopsis: Four years after a zombie outbreak swept South Korea, Jung-seok returns from exile on a secret mission. However, his operation goes haywire when ambushed by a mysterious militia unit and even more vicious hordes of zombies. In his most desperate moment, Min-jung, mother of two daughters and an uninfected survivor of the zombie apocalypse suddenly appears and tries to assist Jung-seok in his attempt to escape the peninsula once and for all.
Why now? Peninsula, Yeon Sang-ho’s follow-up to his 2016 zombie smash Train To Busan, is a more ambitious thrill-ride featuring upgraded action sequences and a star-cast led by Gang Dong-won and Lee Jung-hyun. It’s a perfect way to cure our pandemic anxiety and boredom by immersing ourselves into Peninsula‘s alternate universe!
Distribution rights: Worldwide, excluding Korea
Contact: Gigi Lee
HBO: Perry Mason
Director: Tim Van Patten, Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Cast: Matthew Rhys, Tatiana Maslany, John Lithgow, Chris Chalk, Shea Whigham, Juliet Rylance
Synopsis: The world’s most renowned fictional lawyer is back on the case in this exciting HBO series that tells the origin story of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason. Set in 1932 Los Angeles, this edgy, noirish update puts a new spin on the iconic character with Mason (Matthew Rhys) as a low-rent private investigator who digs into a controversial and politically loaded case.
Why now? Perry Mason is the perfect pandemic escape binge! This swanky LA noir pulls you right off your couch and into its opulent world full of grit and heart. Alongside a struggling Perry, you explore a twisted, unforgiving mystery backlit by a velvety landscape that refuses to let you go anytime soon.
Distribution rights: Worldwide
Contact: Kalliope Diakos
Terry Steiner International: Sharecare Windows
Director: n/a
Cast: n/a
Synopsis: Sharecare/Windows is an award-winning, globally recognized producer of original relaxation videos. Featuring hundreds of hours of carefully curated content, much of which is non-dialogue, Sharecare/Windows’ videos empower people to find stillness and peace in their everyday life.
Why now? During a time of great instability and unrest, it’s important to remember to look after yourself and care for your mental wellness. With breathtaking scenic videos and soothing sounds, Sharecare/Windows’ assortment of videos are a healthy escape from today’s crazy times.
Distribution rights: Worldwide
Contact: Alessandro DiGiovanna