Abu, Boy of Adam (Adaminte makan Abu)

An Allen's Media presentation. Created by Salim Ahamed, Ashraf Bedi. Directed, compiled by Salim Ahamed.With: Salim Kumar, Zarina Wahab, Mukesh, Kalabha van Mani, Suraj Venjaranmood, Thambi Antoni, Sasi Kalinga, Nedumudi Venu. (Malayalam dialogue)The method to Mecca is really a lengthy and worthy one out of "Abu, Boy of Adam," an unfailingly sincere if significantly underpowered debut feature from author-director Salim Ahamed that balances measured analysis from the Islamic belief with larger concerns of mortality and community. Planning the mission of the seniors couple in rural Malabar to become listed on the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the easy narrative comes with an O. Henry-style moral architecture but wants for human detail. Selected as India's foreign-language Oscar submission after signing up strongly in your own home within the summer time, the lushly lensed pic should find supportive audiences around the niche festival circuit. Less an extensive study of religious devotion (or indeed crisis) than the usual universal tale of charitable organisation refused and dreams deferred, "Abu, Boy of Adam" was apparently inspired by Ahamed's own previous experience like a tour operator: The strain between the fee for the Mecca trip and also the feeling of spiritual obligation to really make it is most probably no unusual dilemma for a lot of Muslim folk. Opening with possibly one a lot of picture-postcard shots from the verdant Kerala Condition landscape, the pic quickly determines the narrow social radius from the title character (the arrestingly blue-eyed Salim Kumar), a septuagenarian perfume-seller quite happy with his modest earnings and quiet marriage to wife Aisu (Zarina Wahab), but estranged from his unseen adult boy. No explanation emerges, but odds are his unflagging piety might have something related to it. With little to depart when it comes to a legacy, Abu's lone remaining ambition would be to attend the Hajj, with Aisu with you, before he dies. The financial and bureaucratic obstacles involved, however, are manifold: Passport programs are interrupted by spying police authorities, while offers of financial the help of assorted buddies and acquaintances (including his kindly tour operator) are frequently switched lower by Abu themself. The wealthiest irony in Ahamed's script is the fact that it's strict religious behavior training, instead of mere personal pride, that inspires his refusal. Ahamed informs his story with clearness and empathy, but little humor or grit: The film includes a inclination to be put off by overt dramatic conflict, as Abu's gentle decency sees him escape or mollify one practical or personal opponent to another. As a result, he's a far more admirable protagonist than he's a compelling one, and Kumar, most widely known in your area for comic roles, is really a committed but slightly over-deliberate presence within the lead. Chief pleasures of the humble production lie within the confident lensing of veteran Indian d.p. Madhu Ambat, who's given unchecked permission to wallow within the Malabar countryside's iridescent sunrises and acidity-eco-friendly blankets of foliage it's left more towards the literal storytelling rather than the plush filmmaking to help remind us of Abu and Aisu's struggles.Camera (color), Madhu Ambat editor, Vijai Sankar music, Isaac Thomas Kottukapally production designer, Jotish Shankar costume designer, Razak Thiroor seem (Dolby Digital), Alith A. George. Examined at London Film Festival (World Cinema), March. 23, 2011. Running time: 99 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Mickey Rourke has run out of Expendables 2

Mickey Rourke might have cut his usual fee for that Expendables like a favour to his old friend Sylvester Stallone, however it appears his goodwill is not likely to extend towards the follow up.Rourke leaves the project while he wasn't offered enough money to really make it. We are formally crushed.It is a MASSIVE shame, Rourke was undoubtedly the very best factor in Expendables - his speech about his amount of time in Bosnia involved such great acting it felt strangely unnatural. Sure, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme and perhaps Nicolas Cage and Travolta Qantas Video is going to be joining the relaxation from the Expendables crew for that follow-up, but it is simply not really exactly the same without Mickey.Rourke will make something known as Seven Psychopathsinstead. It comes down to a film writer who kidnaps a gangster's dog.Oh, Mickey, exactly what a pity.

Artificial Eye on 'Trishna' rights

LONDON -- Brit indie distrib Artificial Eye has snapped up U.K. and Irish rights for Michael Winterbottom's "Trishna." Pic, starring Freida Pinto and Riz Ahmed, is a contempo re-imagining of Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'Ubervilles" set in India, that tells the story of the son of a wealthy property developer who begins a troubled relationship with the daughter of an autorickshaw owner. Acquisition comes ahead of the pic's U.K. preem at the London Film Festival next week. Deal was negotiated by Bankside Films' head of marketing and sales Stephen Kelliher and Artificial Eye CEO Louisa Dent. Winterbottom and Melissa Parmenter produced the pic, which was financed by Bankside and the now shuttered U.K. Film Council in conjunction with VTR Media Investments, Bob Film Sweden and Film i Vast with the support of the Swedish Film Institute. Pic preemed at the Toronto Film Festival last month. Artificial Eye is planning a spring release for the pic in Blighty. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

'Avengers' Trailer Assembles Online

FROM MTV SPLASH PAGE: "Avengers" fans, it's finally time. At long last, Earth's Mightiest Heroes have joined forces for your extended viewing pleasure... and boy, do these guys look good. The first trailer for "Marvel's The Avengers" made its way online today at Apple after weeks, months, and even years of endless anticipation. But did the trailer live up to all of our understandably high expectations? Well, let's think about that for a second Watch "The 'Avengers' Trailer: Five Things We Want To See" Read the full story at MTV Splash Page!

Conrad Murray Trial Pales in Ratings to Amanda Knox, Casey Anthony for HLN

HLN has stuck towards the commitment of running almost-constant coverage of Conrad Murray's Michael Jackson murder trial.our editor recommendsCasey Anthony Trial Propels HLN to Finest-Rated Month EverConrad Murray Situation To Air Non-Stop On HLN Jurors in Conrad Murray Trial Won't See Michael Jackson Tour Announcement, Judge Rules PHOTOS: 10 TV Tests That Shook The Earth CNN's sister network, which introduced its programming plan in September, is trying to recreate the the ratings success it saw throughout its non-stop coverage in the Casey Anthony trial this summer season. VIDEO: Dr. Conrad Murray Trial Continues With ER Physician Testimony But, while using trial two-days in, HLN has only seen a little bump within the ratings. The network's prime-time audience throughout the initial week in the trailwas only up two percent in the September average viewership. It's daytime increase was bigger, up 24%. STORY: Michael Jackson's Chef States Conrad Murray was 'Flustered,' 'Screaming' After Singer Died Alternatively, through the sensationalist Casey Anthony trial, the network saw an increase of 86% in general audiences due to its year-over-year gains combined using its finest-rated month ever in June. In addition Amanda Knox's overturned guilty verdict for your murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher, which was introduced March. 3, received immense media attention, with ABC, CBS and NBC stifling their programming to supply what is the news. STORY: Existence After Casey Anthony Verdict: What Is Going To HLN Cover Next The other day, jurors heard a four-minute tape of Jackson, whose speech was slurred, speaking about his "discomfort." The tape was recorded monthly before his June 25, 2009 dying. Taxation UCLA er physician Richelle Cooper, who attempted to resuscitate the singer upon his arrival tomorrow, also stated. Cooper mentioned Murray never stated he'd given Jackson the anesthetic propofol. Related Subjects Michael Jackson HLN Casey Anthony Conrad Murray

Telespan, Senator team for 'Allende'

SITGES, The country -- Telespan 2000, a part of Spain's Vertice 360 group, is joining with Germany's Senator Ing. to create political action thriller "Allende, 11 p septiembre." Senator has additionally taken distribution privileges for Germany. Compiled by Aitor Escalayo, "Allende" marks a big change of direction for Spaniard Miguel Marti, up to now a comedy director ("Slam," "School's Out, "Sexy Killer"). Happening on Sept. 11, 1973, "Allende" activates the final hrs of Chilean leader Salvador Allende, spent at Chile's Moneda Structure because it had been shelled by General Augusto Pinochet's troops. It will likely be like Oliver Hirschbiegel's "Downfall," stated Telespan producer Tomas Cimadevilla. Vet The spanish language actor Juan Diego ("The seventh Day") plays Allende. Telespan is within talks with Daniel Bruehl to limn a German docu filmmaker who shot Chile's Air Pressure bombing the Moneda, Cimadevilla stated at Spain's Sitges festival. Costing Euros4 million ($5.4 million) -- greater bracket by The spanish language standards along with a huge plan for Chile -- "Allende" comes June 2012. Telespan aims to structure "Allende" like a The country-Germany-France-Chile co-production, Cimadevilla stated. The "Allende" announcement may come as Telespan world preemed its latest production, Juan Martinez Moreno's comedy "Bet on Werewolves," competing at Sitges. Created with Spain's Vaca Films, and offered by Vertice Sales, it received an upbeat reaction. "Allende" reps Vertice's first Latin American-designed feature because the region's film marketplaces develops tremendously, while Spain's languishes. "You want to open towards the worldwide marketplaces, more particularly Latino marketplaces," Cimadevilla stated. Vertice already has offices in Buenos Aires and Miami, along with a 50% stake in Miami-based Powwow ("El lider p la manada"), a TV producer for Latin America. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Cabler ID renews 'Mobster'

Discovery Communications true-crime cabler Analysis Discovery has restored "I Married a Mobster" for any second season of 13 segs, set to air in 2012. Series features memories through the spouses of mobsters during the day-to-day existence inside organized crime the show also follows the ladies to the current day, where they have needed to move ahead after their husbands' actions swept up together. Series is created by Kaufman Films for ID. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com