Notice... Due to technical issues with Blogger this new post is not appearing on the opening page, although it is here... somewhere...
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A number of questions linger in the wake of the corporate demise of the Light House cinema in the High Court yesterday:
1. What becomes of the State's €1.95m investment?
2. What happens IFCO's viewing facilities?
3. What of the developer/landlord's 'cultural use' planning obligation?
4. Who are the two competing cinema operators interested in the site?
5. Can any programming restrictions be placed on a new leaseholder of the cinema?
6. Can any small cinema pay €200,000 rent each year and be commercially viable?
7. Are circumstances so changed for 'art house' exhibition and distribution that the numbers no longer add up, especially in leased premises?
8 Does it make sense to divide the audience for 'niche' films between four or five different cinemas in Dublin City Centre?
9. Is the Smithfield location currently too forbidding for a predominantly night-time activity?
update
An anonymous commenter on my last post has contributed the following (lightly edited with my own comments [interposed]):
The "rent increase" line being spun on this now appears to have been a complete red herring, put out to cover up for the unviability of the undertaking from the outset. What is not being reported is that the Balance Sheet for the Light House Cinema at the end of June 2009 showed an accumulated deficit of €241,189, or almost a quarter of a million euro.
[Presumably a good portion of this relates to start-up costs in the first year of operation - IFP]
This loss was made on a *discounted* rent level for 2009 of €100,000 as part of the lease agreement, which it now appears was signed on a discounted rent basis (Zero rent payable in 2008, € 100,000 in 2009; € 200,000 in 2010; € 400,000 in 2011; € 500,000 in 2012 - information from thepropertypin.com). So it appears the landlord was actually subsidising the rent.
[If this is true I have to say it does not seem commercially realistic at all - IFP]
The income from IFCO has been quoted at €120,000 per annum (same source). But even coupled with increased box office receipts, this would not appear to offset either the agreed rent increases or the accumulated deficit to a sufficient degree.
It has also been mentioned that there was no mention of the trading performance of the wider Smithfield Market area in the lease agreement - is this yet another red herring? (Source: propertypin.com)
[This might just be hearsay - IFP]
The mystery remains as to why ongoing revenue support from the state - clearly essential from the outset in order to ensure viability - was not part of the deal.
There is now a pressing need for a full and thorough investigation into the "Cultural Cinema Consortium" - who are people behind it, and how have they been able to mobilise millions of euro of taxpayers' money apparently without any accountability? And further questions need answering - why did Cork's Kino Cinema have to close apparently simply by applying for a grant from this body? What about the Galway project? Is this another folly, another Light House debacle in the making?
[As I understand it the closure of the Kino in Cork arose from a number of issues, including the substantial cost entailed in trying to redevelop a site which offered no economies of scale. The Solas cinema project in Galway is different to the extent that there are no landlord or tenancy costs - IFP]
------------
From the beginning of May the O'Gorman family will be taking a back seat at the Ormonde Stillorgan, a cinema with which they have had an association going back more than fifty years. They will now be concentrating on the Movies@ sites they established with the Spurling family.
It is remarkable the extent to which the Irish cinema trade is still a collection of family-run businesses, aside from occasional interlopers from across the water! The brothers Colm and Ciaran Butler will be taking over the running of the Stillorgan cinema.
The Butlers made their money from Leisureplex (and from the Quasar craze with Ossie Kilkenny and Paul McGuinness) and bought out UCI for some €90m several years back. The Tallaght UCI site was sold for redevelopment and there was talk of their developing new cinema sites in Belgard and Finglas.
Planning for a new cinema complex in Dundrum on former Airfield Estate lands that the Butlers jointly own with Bernard McNamara was knocked on the head last September.
-------------------------
The latest twist in the Magma Saga, following the cancellation on Tuesday, is that the much delayed / protracted Creditors Meeting will now take place 'later this month'.
There are rumours that the ODCE is taking an interest, and some suggestions too that the Revenue might be about to act. One can only assume that any and all professional advisors connected to this affair are anxious that matters now proceed without delay and according to the rulebooks for such things.
It seems extraordinary that the Light House can have been put out of business so quickly and easily over outstanding rent of €157,000 while part of the Magma group of companies owes considerably more, for a longer period, and yet creditors are no wiser now, officially, than they were months ago.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Light House goes dark
Following a successful winding up petition sought by landlord/developer John Flynn in the High Court in Dublin this morning the Light House Cinema has ceased trading with immediate effect.
I wrote about the situation previously here and here.
Mr Flynn claimed he was owed €157,000 in unpaid rent and that his tenant was unable to pay it. Mediation between the parties had failed to resolve the dispute which seems to have been forced by the landlord's obligations to NAMA and by the cinema's difficult trading circumstances in the incomplete regeneration of the Smithfield area.
A sad day.
I wrote about the situation previously here and here.
Mr Flynn claimed he was owed €157,000 in unpaid rent and that his tenant was unable to pay it. Mediation between the parties had failed to resolve the dispute which seems to have been forced by the landlord's obligations to NAMA and by the cinema's difficult trading circumstances in the incomplete regeneration of the Smithfield area.
A sad day.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
CISAC Dublin 2011
Here follows a release just in concerning the CISAC international directors and writers 'Authors Conference' taking place yesterday and today in Dublin.
IRELAND CEMENTS ITS PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL FILM STAGE AT FILM & TV CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN
As the world of traditional writing and film making collides with the modern age of gadgets, delegates from the film world descend on Dublin for a major international conference
Dublin, 14 April 2011 The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) welcomed a large number of directors and writers from across the globe at a high-profile international conference in the Morrison Hotel, Dublin today. The conference has a particular focus on the issue of authors’ rights as many directors and writers are struggling to have their voices heard amidst the technological clatter and noise.
Irish director and Chairman of SDGI, Ciarán Donnelly, left work on his $20 million TV series “Titanic”, currently filming in Dublin, to welcome these important filmmakers from around the globe who have made some of the most memorable films of the last decade. The conference demonstrated to the international film community that despite a difficult Irish economic climate, and the increasing influence of technology, the Irish film, documentary television and animation sector in Ireland is thriving, and generating significant employment and revenue.
“There is much to celebrate with the amazing success of Irish film and TV recently. Last year was a particularly strong year for Irish film. We punch above our weight time and time again so it comes as no surprise for Irish directors to play such a central role in this international conference. SDGI is a powerful voice for directors in Ireland and now, as the hosts of such a prestigious and influential conference, we can make our presence felt even more strongly internationally,” said Birch Hamilton, Executive Director of SDGI.
She continued, “In the age of gadgets and technological novelty devices the voice and rights of Irish writers and directors are being swept under the carpet. We are here to show that we are a collective voice to be recognised. Nothing evokes passion and emotion like the written word. No gimmick or gizmo can ever be better then the words written by a writer or film made by a director. Smart phones and e-books come and go but the true passion is in the story itself. If content is at the heart of digital culture then it is true that writers and directors are its lifeblood.”
Minister Deenihan said “This conference provides an important platform for writers and directors from across some 35 countries to discuss important global issues relating to the rights of creative authors. It will be an opportunity to share experience and explore issues such as supports to artists, payments for writers and directors, the use of new technologies through to creating a supportive policy environment for artistic endeavour. The economic impact of the creative sector is significant and the arts and innovation are key to rebuilding Ireland’s global reputation and driving recovery.”
This event, the Authors Council of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) took place at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin on the 13th and 14th of April 2011. It is the first time the annual event has been held in Ireland.
Minister of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs Jimmy Deenihan, TD, was the keynote speaker and was joined by leading Irish directors such as Darragh O’Connell from Oscar nominated Brownbag Films, Lenny Abrahamson, Oscar nominated filmmaker Juanita Wilson, Shimmy Marcus, award winning Spanish director Imanol Uribe, and Ian Power.
Speaking about the event coming to Dublin, Michael Stubbs Assistant City Manager of Dublin City Council said “We warmly welcome this group of international authors to Dublin. Artists are a critical part of the cultural capital and the economic success of Dublin. Dublin City Council is working very closely with the film industry to support writers and directors making films in Dublin, generating employment and raising the profile of the city internationally."
The event commenced with an evening reception hosted by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Edie Wynne, in the Mansion House on Wednesday April 13th. This gave Irish directors the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most influential European film directors and writers alive today.
This historic and prestigious event focused on important common concerns for directors and writers such as how we watch films today, how to remunerate directors and writers for their work and the impact this has on the creative process. In light of new technology developments such as Apple Films, Blu-ray and 3D which are significant for the filmmaking community in all its variety, and ultimately for the public, the conference certainly provoked fascinating questions from the diverse audience.
ENDS
IRELAND CEMENTS ITS PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL FILM STAGE AT FILM & TV CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN
As the world of traditional writing and film making collides with the modern age of gadgets, delegates from the film world descend on Dublin for a major international conference
Dublin, 14 April 2011 The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) welcomed a large number of directors and writers from across the globe at a high-profile international conference in the Morrison Hotel, Dublin today. The conference has a particular focus on the issue of authors’ rights as many directors and writers are struggling to have their voices heard amidst the technological clatter and noise.
Irish director and Chairman of SDGI, Ciarán Donnelly, left work on his $20 million TV series “Titanic”, currently filming in Dublin, to welcome these important filmmakers from around the globe who have made some of the most memorable films of the last decade. The conference demonstrated to the international film community that despite a difficult Irish economic climate, and the increasing influence of technology, the Irish film, documentary television and animation sector in Ireland is thriving, and generating significant employment and revenue.
“There is much to celebrate with the amazing success of Irish film and TV recently. Last year was a particularly strong year for Irish film. We punch above our weight time and time again so it comes as no surprise for Irish directors to play such a central role in this international conference. SDGI is a powerful voice for directors in Ireland and now, as the hosts of such a prestigious and influential conference, we can make our presence felt even more strongly internationally,” said Birch Hamilton, Executive Director of SDGI.
She continued, “In the age of gadgets and technological novelty devices the voice and rights of Irish writers and directors are being swept under the carpet. We are here to show that we are a collective voice to be recognised. Nothing evokes passion and emotion like the written word. No gimmick or gizmo can ever be better then the words written by a writer or film made by a director. Smart phones and e-books come and go but the true passion is in the story itself. If content is at the heart of digital culture then it is true that writers and directors are its lifeblood.”
Minister Deenihan said “This conference provides an important platform for writers and directors from across some 35 countries to discuss important global issues relating to the rights of creative authors. It will be an opportunity to share experience and explore issues such as supports to artists, payments for writers and directors, the use of new technologies through to creating a supportive policy environment for artistic endeavour. The economic impact of the creative sector is significant and the arts and innovation are key to rebuilding Ireland’s global reputation and driving recovery.”
This event, the Authors Council of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) took place at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin on the 13th and 14th of April 2011. It is the first time the annual event has been held in Ireland.
Minister of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs Jimmy Deenihan, TD, was the keynote speaker and was joined by leading Irish directors such as Darragh O’Connell from Oscar nominated Brownbag Films, Lenny Abrahamson, Oscar nominated filmmaker Juanita Wilson, Shimmy Marcus, award winning Spanish director Imanol Uribe, and Ian Power.
Speaking about the event coming to Dublin, Michael Stubbs Assistant City Manager of Dublin City Council said “We warmly welcome this group of international authors to Dublin. Artists are a critical part of the cultural capital and the economic success of Dublin. Dublin City Council is working very closely with the film industry to support writers and directors making films in Dublin, generating employment and raising the profile of the city internationally."
The event commenced with an evening reception hosted by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Edie Wynne, in the Mansion House on Wednesday April 13th. This gave Irish directors the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most influential European film directors and writers alive today.
This historic and prestigious event focused on important common concerns for directors and writers such as how we watch films today, how to remunerate directors and writers for their work and the impact this has on the creative process. In light of new technology developments such as Apple Films, Blu-ray and 3D which are significant for the filmmaking community in all its variety, and ultimately for the public, the conference certainly provoked fascinating questions from the diverse audience.
ENDS
Cannes must be the place...
Robert Smith, eat your heart out!
Cheyenne is a former rock star. At 50 he still dresses "Goth" and lives in Dublin off his royalties. The death of his father, with whom he wasn't on speaking terms, brings him back to New York. He discovers his father had an obsession: to seek revenge for a humiliation he had suffered. Cheyenne decides to pick up where his father left off, and starts a journey, at his own pace, across America.
It was a foregone conclusion but confirmation comes this morning of a Cannes Premiere for Paolo Sorrentino's This Must Be the Place which had a three week shoot in Dublin last year.
According to France's CNC Ireland contributed 10% to the €20m co-production, meaning - €500,000 from the Film Board and the balance, presumably, from Section 481.
The full Cannes 'Official Selection' -
Opening Film
Woody ALLEN MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Out of Competition) 1h40
Competition
Pedro ALMODÓVAR LA PIEL QUE HABITO 2h00
Bertrand BONELLO L'APOLLONIDE - SOUVENIRS DE LA MAISON CLOSE 2h02
Alain CAVALIER PATER 1h45
Joseph CEDAR HEARAT SHULAYIM (Footnote) 1h45
Nuri Bilge CEYLAN BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU'DA (Once upon a time in Anatolia) 2h30
Jean-Pierre et Luc DARDENNE LE GAMIN AU VÉLO 1h27
Aki KAURISMÄKI LE HAVRE 1h43
Naomi KAWASE HANEZU NO TSUKI 1h31
Julia LEIGH SLEEPING BEAUTY - 1st film - 1h44
MAÏWENN POLISSE 2h14
Terrence MALICK THE TREE OF LIFE 2h18
Radu MIHAILEANU LA SOURCE DES FEMMES 2h15
Takashi MIIKE ICHIMEI (Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samuraï) 2h06
Nanni MORETTI HABEMUS PAPAM 1h42
Lynne RAMSAY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN 1h50
Markus SCHLEINZER MICHAEL - 1st film - 1h34
Paolo SORRENTINO THIS MUST BE THE PLACE 1h58
Lars VON TRIER MELANCHOLIA 2h10
Nicolas WINDING REFN DRIVE 1h35
Un Certain Regard
Gus VAN SANT RESTLESS - Opening Film - 1h31
Bakur BAKURADZE THE HUNTER 1h50
Andreas DRESEN HALT AUF FREIER STRECKE 1h35
Bruno DUMONT HORS SATAN 1h50
Sean DURKIN MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE - 1st film - 1h41
Robert GUÉDIGUIAN LES NEIGES DU KILIMANDJARO 1h30
Oliver HERMANUS SKOONHEID 1h38
HONG Sangsoo THE DAY HE ARRIVES 1h19
Cristián JIMÉNEZ BONSÁI (Bonsaï) 1h42
Eric KHOO TATSUMI 1h34
KIM Ki-duk ARIRANG 1h40
Nadine LABAKI ET MAINTENANT ON VA OÚ ? 1h50
Catalin MITULESCU LOVERBOY 1h35
NA Hong-jin YELLOW SEA 2h20
Gerardo NARANJO MISS BALA 1h53
Juliana ROJAS, Marco DUTRA TRABALHAR CANSA - 1st film - 1h40
Pierre SCHOELLER L'EXERCICE DE L'ETAT 1h55
Ivan SEN TOOMELAH 1h46
Joachim TRIER OSLO, AUGUST 31ST 1h35
Out of Competition
Xavier DURRINGER LA CONQUÊTE 1h45
Jodie FOSTER THE BEAVER 1h40
Michel HAZANAVICIUS THE ARTIST 1h40
Rob MARSHALL PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES 2h20
Midnight Screenings
CHAN Peter Ho-Sun WU XIA 2h00
Everardo GOUT DIAS DE GRACIA - 1st film - 2h13
Special Screnings
Frederikke ASPÖCK LABRADOR - 1st film - 1h30
Rithy PANH LE MAÎTRE DES FORGES DE L'ENFER 1h45
Michael RADFORD MICHEL PETRUCCIANI 1h30
Christian ROUAUD TOUS AU LARZAC 2h00
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Funding decisions - April 13
Irish Film Board loan decisions released today - some interesting and familiar titles and names in the list, including Neil Jordan (twice) and John Boorman.
Project Director Writer Production Company Funding Award Development
First Draft Loans
Commonwealth Tom Hall Christian O'Reilly & Tom Hall €16,000
A Crack In Everything Mary Kate O'Flanagan €12,000
Miles To Go Patrick Kenny €12,000
Fiction Development Loans
The Grass Arena Brock Norman Brock Screenworks Limited €12,500
The Last Snows Of Spring David Gleeson Jenny Roche Wide Eye Films €5,500
Shrooms 3D Jure Matjazic Brian O'Neill & Paul Bushe Treasure Entertainment €20,000
Life's A Breeze Lance Daly Lance Daly Fastnet Films €15,000
Dead As Doornails Lance Daly Lance Daly Fastnet Films €20,000
Easy Does It Marian Quinn Marian Quinn Janey Pictures €10,000
Secret Scripture Dearbhla Walsh Johnny Ferguson Ferndale Films €15,000
Love Eternal Brendan Muldowney Brendan Muldowney Fastnet Films €15,000
Skippy Dies Neil Jordan Neil Jordan Octagon Films €50,000
The End Of Sleep John Crowley Mark O'Rowe Parallel Film Productions €30,000
Break Point Nick Kelly Nick Kelly Zanita Productions €16,000
Production
Fiction Feature Films
Bailout Roy Knyrim Denis Bartok & Tom Abrams Fantastic Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Sanctuary Norah McGettigan Norah McGettigan & Gabriel Vargas Vasquez Venom Limited €600,000
Broken Dream John Boorman John Boorman & Neil Jordan Merlin Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
The Shadows Colin Downey Colin Downey EMU Productions €100,000
Grooskill Mark O'Connor Mark O'Connor Vico Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Fiction Creative Co-production
Call Girl Mikael Marcimain M. Von Hausswolff Von Baumgarten Newgrange Pictures €25,000
Sean Juliette Sales & Fabien Suarez Juliette Sales & Fabien Suarez Blinder Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Flowers Of Desire Simon Staho Peter Biro & Simon Staho Subotica Limited €360,000
The Moth Diaries Mary Harron Mary Harron Samson Films €25,000
Animation
The Wordles Owen Stickler Andrew Kavanagh Kavaleer Productions €150,000
Documentary
A Stranger In A Strange Land Pamela Drynan Subotica Limited €100,000
Nightdancers Emille Dineen Still Films €85,000
The Cause Of Progress Chris Kelly Zanzibar Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Get The Picture Cathy Pearson Ferndale Films €15,000
The Last Hijack Femke Wolting & Tommy Pallota Femke Wolting & Tommy Pallota Still Films €280,000
Completion Fund
Hammer To Bell Christina Grangos Three Legged Dog Films €10,000
Distribution
Print Provision
Snap Carmel Winters Carmel Winters Samson Films €6,450
Crossing Salween Brian O'Malley Brian O'Malley Rad Rage Films €3,942
Noreen Domhnall Gleeson Domhnall Gleeson El Zorrero Films €465
Pentecost Peter McDonald Peter McDonald EMU Productions €400
Switch Thomas Heffron Thomas Heffron Warrior Films €465
The Crush Michael Creagh Michael Creagh Purdy Pictures €665.50
Shoe Nick Kelly Nick Kelly Zanita Productions €735
Marketing Support
Snap Carmel Winters Carmel Winters Eclipse Distribution €9,780
The Runway Ian Power Ian Power Element Distribution €75,000
Direct Distribution
One Hundred Mornings Conor Horgan Conor Horgan Blinder Films €15,000
Project Director Writer Production Company Funding Award Development
First Draft Loans
Commonwealth Tom Hall Christian O'Reilly & Tom Hall €16,000
A Crack In Everything Mary Kate O'Flanagan €12,000
Miles To Go Patrick Kenny €12,000
Fiction Development Loans
The Grass Arena Brock Norman Brock Screenworks Limited €12,500
The Last Snows Of Spring David Gleeson Jenny Roche Wide Eye Films €5,500
Shrooms 3D Jure Matjazic Brian O'Neill & Paul Bushe Treasure Entertainment €20,000
Life's A Breeze Lance Daly Lance Daly Fastnet Films €15,000
Dead As Doornails Lance Daly Lance Daly Fastnet Films €20,000
Easy Does It Marian Quinn Marian Quinn Janey Pictures €10,000
Secret Scripture Dearbhla Walsh Johnny Ferguson Ferndale Films €15,000
Love Eternal Brendan Muldowney Brendan Muldowney Fastnet Films €15,000
Skippy Dies Neil Jordan Neil Jordan Octagon Films €50,000
The End Of Sleep John Crowley Mark O'Rowe Parallel Film Productions €30,000
Break Point Nick Kelly Nick Kelly Zanita Productions €16,000
Production
Fiction Feature Films
Bailout Roy Knyrim Denis Bartok & Tom Abrams Fantastic Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Sanctuary Norah McGettigan Norah McGettigan & Gabriel Vargas Vasquez Venom Limited €600,000
Broken Dream John Boorman John Boorman & Neil Jordan Merlin Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
The Shadows Colin Downey Colin Downey EMU Productions €100,000
Grooskill Mark O'Connor Mark O'Connor Vico Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Fiction Creative Co-production
Call Girl Mikael Marcimain M. Von Hausswolff Von Baumgarten Newgrange Pictures €25,000
Sean Juliette Sales & Fabien Suarez Juliette Sales & Fabien Suarez Blinder Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Flowers Of Desire Simon Staho Peter Biro & Simon Staho Subotica Limited €360,000
The Moth Diaries Mary Harron Mary Harron Samson Films €25,000
Animation
The Wordles Owen Stickler Andrew Kavanagh Kavaleer Productions €150,000
Documentary
A Stranger In A Strange Land Pamela Drynan Subotica Limited €100,000
Nightdancers Emille Dineen Still Films €85,000
The Cause Of Progress Chris Kelly Zanzibar Films Provisional Offer Of Commitment
Get The Picture Cathy Pearson Ferndale Films €15,000
The Last Hijack Femke Wolting & Tommy Pallota Femke Wolting & Tommy Pallota Still Films €280,000
Completion Fund
Hammer To Bell Christina Grangos Three Legged Dog Films €10,000
Distribution
Print Provision
Snap Carmel Winters Carmel Winters Samson Films €6,450
Crossing Salween Brian O'Malley Brian O'Malley Rad Rage Films €3,942
Noreen Domhnall Gleeson Domhnall Gleeson El Zorrero Films €465
Pentecost Peter McDonald Peter McDonald EMU Productions €400
Switch Thomas Heffron Thomas Heffron Warrior Films €465
The Crush Michael Creagh Michael Creagh Purdy Pictures €665.50
Shoe Nick Kelly Nick Kelly Zanita Productions €735
Marketing Support
Snap Carmel Winters Carmel Winters Eclipse Distribution €9,780
The Runway Ian Power Ian Power Element Distribution €75,000
Direct Distribution
One Hundred Mornings Conor Horgan Conor Horgan Blinder Films €15,000
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