Pyramid Saimira acquires Dimples Cine Advertising (Press cuttings)

(Note: if you wants to see full picture. please click on image)

Pyramid Saimira plans IPO for content arm ...

Inimitable Growth continues…
Pyramid Saimira, a prominent pioneer in the entertainment arena has struck again with a big bang by embarking on western region. By acquiring dimples cine advertising it is building up a strong threshold in that region. Since bollywood is reckoning in terms of its growth in entertainment segment,to cash in on this growth trajectory a strategic alliance with dimples cine advertising is a preemptive approach.
DNA, one of the leading paper had come up with the report of Pyramid Saimira’s aggressive IPO plans to be executed in the month of December and had commended the initiative taken by Pyramid Saimira to strengthen its productions line, the report highly appreciated the efforts taken by Pyramid Saimira to synergies the TV content operation as well and take it to unimaginable levels at the earliest.
Pyramid Saimira plans IPO for content arm ...
(Nirmal John ,, Thursday, November 29, 2007 03:38 IST)
MUMBAI: Chennai-based Pyramid Saimira group is planning an IPO of its content production subsidiary Pyramid Saimira Productions, which is expected to raise around Rs 750 crore through this. The proceeds will then be invested to increase production of television content as well as for feature film production. P S Saminathan, MD, Pyramid Samira Theatre, said: “The papers for the IPO are being put together and we should be taking the next step in December.”
He added the company would be producing one multi-lingual film every year with a budget of Rs 150 crore. This film would then be distributed across various parts of the world in different languages. Announcement on the first such film is expected in January.
In terms of television content, the company, which currently produces around 2.5 hours of content daily will increase it to 24 hours of content eventually.
In a bid to expand its activities into Europe, the company is also planning to acquire a UK-based exhibitor through the leveraged buyout route. Saminathan indicated that talks were on for the transaction, which would possibly cost the company in the region of $100 million.
Pyramid is currently present in Malaysia, Singapore and the US besides India. It also has plans for a DVD rental chain, catering primarily to the Indian diaspora.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1136111

Singapore airlines gets “Shivaji” rights to screen the film in their airplanes

Rajnikanth fans got yet another reason to cheer about the Tamil superstar as Singapore Airlines obtained exclusive rights for the in-flight screening of his latest blockbuster Sivaji — The Boss.
Singapore Airlines general manager (India) C.W. Foo said: "Screening of this blockbuster movie is a step forward in our strategy of localising our in-flight content for our Indian customers. This initiative would strengthen our Indian movie options and we are confident that it would make the journey more exciting and pleasurable. "This is the first time that the Singapore Airlines has purchased the rights of an Indian movie. The film will be screened on all its international flights from December 1," airlines manager, southern India, Bharat Mahadevan said. He said the rights had been purchased from Ayngaran International, a London-based company which had the distribution rights of the movie for the overseas market by offering "two times more than the normal rate."Mr Mahadevan said the exclusive rights were for three months, after which other airlines could also opt for the movie which would be screened for over two million passengers a month.

Tsai’s Malaysian movie banned because of “air pollution,…”scenes..!!

Sarawak-born director Tsai Ming-liang came home to make a film in Malaysia after 15 long years period.Now he is directed a film to screen here, but the National Censorship Board has banned it. Because Scenes of “street brawls, air pollution, poverty and menacing foreigners” as depicted in the film, were deemed to be bad for the image of Malaysia.
I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone, which was shot around Kuala Lumpur last year, stars Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng and local newcomer Norman Atun. It tells about Hsiao-kang (Lee), a Taiwanese who was robbed and beaten in the streets of the city and rescued later by immigrant worker Rawang (Norman). The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival last year and was also nominated for several Golden Horse awards in Taiwan, where Tsai is based. The film received a seven-minute standing ovation in Venice, said producer Leonard Tee.
“Everyone was moved and touched by the film. We wanted to share that glory with our fellow Malaysians.”
Tee said they received the censorship board’s letter on the ban on Feb 1 and an appeal has since been made. They expect a decision by this week. He said the board gave eight reasons for the ban, which included the depiction of Malaysians as cold-hearted as seen in scenes of local people beating up and deceiving foreign workers. Contacted in Taipei, Tsai said he was sad the film had been banned here.
“I’m Malaysian, so I do understand the sensitivities and rules and regulations in the country. And I have done my best to abide by them. “The film is not about Malaysia. The theme is about human relationship and the need for man to find love, warmth and someone they can depend on.” Tsai is currently promoting the film in Taiwan, where it is slated for release very soon. It will also be released in Japan at the end of the month, and then in Singapore and the United States.

Ang Lee Returns To Chinese Films

Lee is in Taiwan shooting his new film, a “spy thriller” called Lust, Caution with Tony Leung Chiu-wai (In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs). Of course, when I heard spy thriller, I had flashbacks to the old Chinese-language James Bond knockoffs of yesteryear like Angel with the Iron Fists and Interpol. Lee’s new film is likely to be considerably more serious (not too mention controversial), taking as its subject a “group of patriotic students who plot to assassinate the intelligence chief in the Japanese-backed Chinese government during the World War II era.”

Second Malaysian Film Festival

(Courtesy:Moviexclusic,Malysia)

Film festivals are in season or at Cathay at least. The Korean film festival paved the way with exciting choices showcasing works by rising director, Kim Ki-Duk (3-iron, Samaritan Girl) and one of Korea’s top grossing box-office hit, “Silmido”. This will be followed by “Adaptations” the Japanese film festival between September 28th to October 9th and now, between September 23rd-26th, Cathay proudly presents it’s 2nd Malaysian film festival. Word is, this might be followed by a French and a German film festival. Surely, the audience is being pampered with a slew of diverse films while we await the re-opening of the Picturehouse next January.On the evening of September 22nd, the Malaysian Film Festival was launched with a gala opening which was graced by His Excellency, Mr. S.R. Nathan, the President of Singapore. Coming off from last year’s festival, in which Yasmin Ahmad’s “Sepet” was the highlight, this year’s choice was “Gol and Gincu”. Though the festival might appear short, the line-up is pretty impressive with potential hits like “Sanctuary” and “Monday Morning Glory” being paired with renowned auteur, U-Wei Haji Sa’ari’s award-winning “Kaki Bakar” and “Buai Laju-Laju”.

The gala opening was also attended by Datuk Parameswaran, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore and other dignitaries from Malaysia. The guest list also included Bernard Chauly, Nur Fazura, Sharifah Amani and Rafidah Abdullah, the director and cast of the premiering film. Also in attendance was the executive producer of the film, Marina Mahathir, the daughter of the former Prime Minister of Malaysia.The evening began with a traditional Malay dance followed by the arrival of the President. As he was being introduced to the cast, he was told that Sharifah Amani also starred in last year’s premiering film, “Sepet”. The President then quipped, “I enjoyed it [Sepet]” and Sharifah replied by saying that a sequel is in the works.

It was then announced that in addition to the re-opening of the Picturehouse, Cathay also intends to venture into Malaysia by opening a cinema there. Plans are also set in motion to have the first annual Singapore Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur next year. With this, the theatre industry was applauded for its efforts in having joint productions such as “Causeway” and “Separation 40” which just ended its run at the Esplanade to sold-out shows and will be performed in Kuala Lumpur next. A call for film-makers in both Singapore and Malaysia to collaborate on future film projects was made before the gala opening ended. The audience was then treated to the Singapore premiere of “Gol and Gincu”, which rounded off the day’s events.Cathay will continue to become a household name for its keen eye in picking out films that cater to a niche audience. And now, with staunch support towards the development of both the local and Malaysian film industry, this can only be a sign of good things to come for film lovers alike.

Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. Girl gets too dependent on boy, boy breaks up with girl. Girl tries to win him back. The premise of the story seems like it’s all too familiar but Gol and Gincu scores, literally! First with Sepet, now with Gol and Gincu, there seems to be a rising trend. The Malaysian film industry is showing a knack for making movies that revolve around clichés but are presented in a personal form which allows the audience to feel and identify with both the story and characters.Gol and Gincu would vaguely remind one of the Iron Ladies, on their quest to success or even A League of Their Own, as said by director Bernard Chauly. While the prominent story arc is Putri’s (Nur Fazura) attempts to win back her futsal playing ex-boyfriend by playing the same sport, she is matched with characters like Zie (Rafidah Abdullah) who serves as a peer mentor and coach, Jiji (Sharifah Amani) who has problems at school and at home and the rest of the oddball cast who have their own share of issues. What strengthens a team is its dynamics and that’s exactly what the motley crew has. The matching of all the characters makes things believable and hits pretty close to home, drawing much giggles and laughter from the audience which included our President!The organizers of the Malaysian Film Festival have a keen eye for choosing the right movies. With such great choices to choose from, movie goers will be treated to a year round feast of movies. Let’s hope for an even greater festival next year!

Article & Collection by Srivenkat Bulemoni

Charlie Chaplin's "Tha Bank" comedy clips (Part-1)