Brother Number One

A New Zealand Film Commission, NZ on Air, TV3, U. of Auckland presentation of a BNO, Pan Pacific Films production. (International sales: BNO Prods., Auckland.) Produced by Annie Goldson, Rob Hamill, James Bellamy. Executive producer, Goldson. Directed by Annie Goldson. Written by Rob Hamill, Goldson.With: Rob Hamill, Kulikar Sotho, Gail Colley, Hillary Holland, Elizabeth Becker, Sophal Ear, Meas Muth, Vann Nath, Buo Meng, Prak Khan, Karim Khan, Nhem En, Youk Chhang, Sue Hamill. (English, Khmer dialogue)In the deeply moving docu "Brother Number One," New Zealander Rob Hamill confronts Comrade Duch, the Khmer Rouge leader who ordered the torture and execution of Hamill's brother Kerry at the notorious S-21 prison in 1978. Helmed by respected Kiwi documaker Annie Goldson ("Punitive Damage, 1999"), pic will move many to tears with details of what befell Kerry and millions of others at the hands of the genocidal regime. Fests and pubcasters should snap it up, and a theatrical release in New Zealand is in the works. Though it covers some of the same ground as 2003's "S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine" and this year's "Duch, Master of the Forges of Hell," both by Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, "Brother" differs significantly by focusing on one of the few Westerners taken to S-21 (Tuol Sleng Prison), commanded by Duch during the April 1975-January 1979 reign of Democratic Kampuchea. Sailing around Asia in April 1978, 26-year-old Kerry Hamill and two friends drifted off course in a storm and were captured by a Khmer Rouge gunboat. One crew member was killed instantly; Kerry and Englishman John Dewhirst were sent to S-21. Kerry's death was not officially confirmed until 1980, when Rob was 16. The devastating effect on the Hamill family is delicately threaded through Rob's appearance as the only Westerner to make a victim statement and ask direct questions of Duch (real name, Kaing Guek Eav) during his 2009 trial. A born-again Christian who once worked for World Vision, Duch was arrested in 1999 and is the first senior Khmer Rouge figure to face court. Though he acknowledges the atrocities committed in S-21 and shows remorse, Duch maintains he was following orders. Outside the courtroom hearings, Rob is able to recover Kerry's "confession" of his involvement with the CIA. In scenes that will make many viewers wonder how he managed to maintain composure, Rob later comes face-to-face with Nhem En and Prak Khan, photographer and interrogator, respectively, at the prison where at least 14,000 people perished. Some of the most affecting sequences show Rob meeting machinist Chum Mey and artists Vann Nath and Buo Meng, three of only a dozen reported survivors of S-21. A forceful presence throughout the film is Kulikar Sotho; acting as Rob's interpreter (and one of the docu's line producers), Sotho offers a heartbreaking account of her family's fate, and incisive commentary on the collective trauma her country continues to endure. Using archival footage in short and highly effective bursts, docu conveys the still almost unimaginable horror of Kampuchea under Pol Pot (aka "Brother No. 1"), and of the process by which an individual such as Rob Hamill can gain some small measure of comfort by knowing that finally someone has been brought to justice. Docu's technical work is of the highest order, with expert lensing by Jake Bryant and "Hoop Dreams" ace Peter Gilbert.Camera (color, HD), Peter Gilbert, Jake Bryant; editors, James Brown, Goldson; music, Soundroom; sound (stereo), Tim Champroniere; line producers, Kulikar Sotho, Catherine Madigan; associate producer, Chakara Lim. Reviewed on DVD, Melbourne, Aug. 4, 2011. (In Melbourne, New Zealand film festivals.) Running time: 99 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

TCA: 'I Hate My Teenage Daughter' Creators Believe Multi-Cam Sitcom Can Work On Fox

Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline's TCA coverage. After todays TCA panel on Foxs new multi-camera comedy I Hate My Teenage Daughter about two high school nerd-girls who grew up to be the mothers of the kind of popular mean girls that they envied and hated in high school the shows executive producers, Sherry Bilsing-Graham and Ellen Kreamer, talked with me about how their multi-camera comedy might fit in at Fox, which has struggled to successfully launch a multi-camera sitcom. The show stars Katie Finneran and My Name is Earl cast member Jaime Pressly as the moms and Australian Aisha Dee and Kristi Lauren as the snotty teenagers. I think audiences really appreciate multi-camera comedy you watch the big success of Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory and you feel good when you watch it theres something very comforting about it, I cant explain why, said Kreamer. It [harks back to] The Honeymooners and I Love Lucy -- the history. Its a little bit slower-paced than some of the single camera comedies, with the jump cuts and stuff. Sherry and I come from Friends, and we love that. Bilsing-Graham added that she thinks a multi-camera comedy fits well with Foxs programming, more known for reality and animation than situation comedy of any kind. I think reality television actually helps multi-camera; it has the same energy, she said. Speaking of interaction with an audience, both producers are big fans of the audience reaction on Deadline. I love the commentstheyre brutal! Kreamer enthused.

Toronto Film Fest Books World Bows for Alex Gibney, Werner Herzog, Morgan Spurlock Paperwork

Nobleman Of Leon Cancel Relaxation Of U.S. Tour Dates

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nobleman of Leon singer Caleb Followill is struggling with vocal problems and exhaustion, forcing this guitar rock band on Monday to cancel its U.S. tour. The cancellation comes 72 hours after Followill left happens mid-show in Dallasdue as to the he known as excessive and intolerable warmth. But other people from the family band stated over the past weekend that it is problems exceed lack of fluids, something which wasnt addressed inside a Monday statement. Because of all of our true fans for understanding and helping us through this difficult time, Caleb Followill stated on Twitter. Followills exit brought to vows to replay the show by his siblings, drummer Nathan and bassist Jared, and cousin guitarist Matthew on Twitter. But Jared Followill also acknowledged this guitar rock band has internal illnesses&issues that exceed lack of fluids. An argument states this guitar rock band is devastated, but to be able to give their fans the shows they deserve, they have to take this break. Theyll go back to the street in Vancouver, Bc, on Sept. 28. The canceled shows won't be rescheduled. After many years of buzz, the Nashville, Tenn., band named for that siblings father stormed the worldwide scene using the singles Sex burning and employ Somebody using their breakthrough album, the multi-platinum Only through the Evening, in 2008. They launched their fifth album, Plainly Sunset, captured. Theyve been bankable touring stars, though not with no couple of notable problems. They needed to postpone some dates captured when Nathan Followill tore his right biceps and labrum while exercising. This guitar rock band also walked off stage in St. Louis this past year because of the big amount of pigeon poop falling in the rafters, but came back a couple of several weeks later to really make it as much as fans. Caleb Followill told everyone else frequently last Friday he was too hot which his voice was suffering for this. At some point he stated he was ill and could be back after going for a couple of minutes to recuperate, but he never came back. The Followills, recognized for their spontaneity and readiness to circle the wagons when belittled, required to Twitter to apologize. MatthewFollowill even went to date regarding apologize to individual fans. Jared Followill tweeted Monday he was absolutely depressed which family needs to come first. However he attempted to lighten the atmosphere. Dont jump to conclusions men, he authored inside a subsequent tweet. Weren't splitting up. BRB. Just received a text from Nathan.. Ummm. Eesh. So by what I simply stated. He then published: Kidding! Kidding! Not splitting up. Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.