Veteran executive producer Gianfilippo Pedrotti has joined Bully Pictures as VP and partner. Pedrotti, who arrives from BRW USA, a company he co-founded, will be responsible for recruiting directorial talent, developing new agency relationships in the United States and internationally, and implementing strategies for expansion and growth.
Pedrotti brings broad international experience, a proven record for developing directorial careers and keen insight into the advertising market, according to Bully Pictures founder and EP Jason Forest. Adding another executive producer will help Bully continue to build its directorial roster and explore new markets.
Pedrotti co-founded BRW USA as an affiliate of Milan-based BRW Filmland with Andrew Traines, Michele Nocchi and Marco Bussinello in 2009. He helped the company build its directorial roster and produce award-winning work for agencies in the U.S., Europe, and South America. He was successful in establishing U.S. careers for a number of European commercial filmmakers and has worked extensively on automotive accounts across the U.S. and Europe.
Pedrotti expects to bring several new directors into the Bully fold over the next few months. The company’s directorial roster includes Javier Aguilera, Dustin Lance Black, Knut Burgdorf, Fredrik Callinggard, Peter Care, Anne Fletcher, Rob Groenwold, Gaute Hesthagen, Dave Klaiber, Jonathan Nyquist, Justin Simien, Johan Stahl, Taylor Steele, Morten Tyldum, Tripp & Tyler, Marcus Ubungen and Erik Van Wyk.
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More