Cinema Canada (Mar 1982)

~ Wallenberg story subject of investigative documentary in March TORONTOFilmmakers Wayne _ Arron and David Harel plan to “begin shooting March 1 in ‘Sweden on Raoul Wallenberg, an investigative documentary about the Swedish diplomat credited with saving 100,000 _Hungarian Jews during World War II. Many people believe he is still alive despite claims by _ the Soviet Union that he died of a heart attack in a Russion prison in 1957. _ “We are aware of how explosive the story is and of the _ potential dangers involved, but we aren’t shying away from the. truth because of that,’ Arron _ told Cinema Canada."‘We want everybody to see this film, not only for what he (Wallenberg) _did in Budapest, but for the in_ justice he has suffered for 37 years. The injustice is outra: ' geous.”, Harel approached Arron about the Wallenberg project last spring. Harel has researched Wallenberg’s story forovertwo years and also has a personal interest in the subject: his father was personally rescued by Wallenberg during the war. The filmmakers raised © the $250,000 budget privately and will travel to Sweden, Switzerland, France, England, Austria, Germany, Israel, the United States, Brazil, and through Canada to film numerous persons: his family, witnesses to Wallenberg’s whereabouts, those rescued by Wallenberg, and those who knew him in Budapest and at the University of Michigan before the war. Arron believes “there is a strong possibility’ Wallenberg is alive, and -his Rubicon Pro ductions crew of Harel, David ORK, Peter oman John Cine 360 sets Sullivan story. ‘TORONTO — —If You Could See What I Hear, the film biography _ of blind entertainer Tom Sullivan, will be released in the United States April 9 with over | 600 prints by its American distributor Jensen-Farley Pictures Inc. This follows a very successful series of sneak previews and trade show screenings in © 28 American cities, according ‘to Eric’ “Till, who directed and co-produced with Stuart Gillard. Till said negotiations were underway with the film’s Canadian distributor, Cine-360 of Montreal, for a Canadian release sometime close to the American opening. Films stars Marc Singer, R.H. ehomecn. and Sarah Torgov. Coppola gives heartfelt speech TORONTO Francis Ford Cop_ pola visited Toronto February 6 to promote his new film, One From The Heart, which he described as “a very simple, sweet movie in its intention.” The film opened across North America February 12, distributed by Columbia Pictures. The informal atmosphere of the Toronto press conference, with Coppola chatting. com _fortably to the attentive reporters, was a direct contrast with the director's tense meeting with the press in New York recently. He expressed his dis _ appointment in the way both _ industry and the media react ed to previews of the film at _ New York's Radio City Music Hall in January. “I think pre views are a necessary part ot the filmmaking process,’ he said. “Theatre has a built-in tradition of previews. They preview a play to the audience, find out what the mistakes are and correct them, That’s what I wanted to do in New York.” _ Coppola said he made chan_ ges in the film after each pre_ view screening. He feels sure the audiences will love the film» but contends it, might baffle critics on the first screening. ‘It is impossible to review this film six hours after seeing it, because it is like trying to catch a wobbly line-drive on a basevideo productions, Guilty Pleafigure out what hit you.” Coppola’ estimates One From The Heart's budget at $40-45 million, but insists “all the money spent is on the screen.” He downplayed Calgary businessman Jack Singer's much-publicized role in ‘bailing out’ Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios, saying Singer was an interesting character, but was “more interested in the publicity than in shelling out the dough.” Coppola justified his expenses at Zoetrope by stating that traditionally Hollywood has progressed through the innovation and daring of “‘mavericks and nuts” like himself and Star Wars producer George Lucas more than the cautious “Harvard Business School approach” to production currently employed by the majors. He bluntly asked those present, “How much money have the ‘majors spent in developing talent? Zero, How much have they spent in developing the new technology? Zero.” Megill, and himself will attempt to find out. Arron hopes to produce two versions of the film, one hour for television and twohours for theatrical distribution, which he said will be ready sometime in August. He added there had been no pre-sale of the film to either television or a theatrical distributor, but that interest in the project has been strong. . Cinégarantie Inc. MORE MOVIES CHOOSE A CANADIAN:OWNED COMPLETION GUARANTOR MOTHER LODE JE DIREC TED BY and STARRING CHARLTON HESTON ALSO STARRING NICK MANCUSO Yes we ALIAS Winter Tales GINGER MEGGS GN -Miglanig CHATWILL’S VERDICT SUREACING LATITUDE 55 THE HOUNDS OF NOTRE DAME ffead On BLACK MIAROR TITLE SHOT BATTLETRUCK IMPORTANT NOTE Guarantor’s foes may be included in the 75% “Services” category for certification only if the guarantee is provided by individual Canadians. Guarantors Inc. so qualifies. A guarantee by Motion Picture NOW YOU CAN CALL US LOCALLY IN THESE CANADIAN CITIES Montreal Calgary Vancouver (514) 286-4022 (403) 236-3025 (604) 224-0520 Motion Picture Guarantors Inc. 43 Britain Street, Toronto, Canada M5A 1R7 Telephone (416) 361-1664 ¢ TELEX 065-24697 211 East 43rd. Street, New York, N.Y. 10017 Telephone: 212/682-0730 rags) a, ey 4 i>. Sr ae * ae beh Sead ‘ Cinema Canada March 1982/7