Movie distributor finds success by adapting
By Amanda Cregan
Correspondent
The same year that “Star Wars” and “Annie Hall” debuted on the big screen, John Poole Sr. established his own film company. Corinth Films‘ mission was to feature independent and foreign
films. Nearly 40 years later, this second-generation business continues to bring documentaries and art house films to movie enthusiasts.
Poole Sr. got his start in the film world by working for several years as a production assistant on Hollywood movie sets. He went on to study film in college and went to work for Janus Films as the manager of its non-theatrical division. In 1977, the then New York City man created his own company. The name Corinth Films is derived from the ancient Greek city of Corinth, which was once the center of philosophy and entertainment. In the 1980s, Poole Sr. moved his family from New York to Riegelsville. Today, his son John Poole Jr. operates Corinth Films from the family’s home office in Upper Bucks County. The ability to adjust to changing technology has led to small business success.
As a distributor, Corinth is among film companies that purchase the rights to distribute a movie in a specific territory for a certain number of years. It includes the theatrical release rights down to DVD distribution. When Corinth Films began, it was distributing 16-millimeter films to independent theaters and universities. “They were one of only a handful of distributors at the time that were doing that. It’s not like today, where the market is totally saturated and everyone is distributing these films,” said John Poole Jr. In an era when George Lucas and Woody Allen were breaking onto the scene, movie-goers were beginning to explore dynamic films that were both entertaining and educational. In addition, more colleges and universities were establishing film programs. “It was a very revolutionary time,” said the younger Poole. “It was a total break from the first half of the century. It was totally new ground.”
The acquisition of the 1963 Federico Fellini film “8 1/2” in 1979 became the cornerstone of the company and opened up doors to acquire more films. But the Academy Award-winning, foreign language movie almost bankrupted the company because it was so expensive to acquire, said Poole Jr. When home video technology hit the marketplace, distributors like Corinth Films were upended. Most didn’t survive the transition, he said, noting that he knows of impoverished former movie company owners who own massive film archives that were never transferred to digital. “It totally pulled the rug out,” said the 33-year-old. “Back in the day, most of the money came from theatrical sales because that was the only way. As soon as VHS came out, the business really started to fall on hard times. People could just buy these and watch them at home. It was more accessible now.”
Distributors such as Corinth Films take a percentage of the sales of a movie, but are responsible for advertising and producing theater preview trailers. They have the potential to make a lot of money, but risk losing money, too, depending on the film’s success. “Ninety-five percent of the time you’re losing money,” said Poole Jr. Today, most of Corinth’s profits come from video-on-demand and DVD. Having survived the transition to digital and on-demand, the father-and-son film company is focused on acquiring independent films that will gain more audience attention.
The company found great success with the 2010 American documentary “Beautiful Darling,” which tells the story of Candy Darling, a pioneering transgender actress who starred in several Andy Warhol projects. “That was our turning point with this new film acquisition strategy,” said Poole Jr., who still works alongside his 71-year-old father. This summer, Corinth Films
released “The President” in select theaters in New York City and San Francisco. Directed by an exiled Iranian filmmaker and writer, it is a film about a dictator whose regime is toppled but he’s oblivious to it. It’s expected to be released on Netflix and DVD in September. Culturally, Poole Jr. said, there’s been a shift back toward independent and documentary films. Moviegoers
are growing tired of the big Hollywood blockbusters, he said. “There’s a lot of good documentaries,” he said. “It’s the technology that has made it easy. There’s a lot of interesting stuff going on in the world, and it’s easy to pick up a camera and capture it.”
A Long Way From Home DVD Release on 2/14/17
/in Newsletter /by CFAdminA Long Way From Home is set to be released to DVD on 2/14/17.
Joseph (James Fox) and his wife, Brenda (Brenda Fricker) have retired to the South of France. Although living most people’s dream, Joseph finds himself bored, lonely and miserable. The two are spending their retirement living separate lives, with Joseph pining for his younger years and utilizing any possible reason to escape the household. On a chance meeting with a young couple, Joseph becomes infatuated with the beautiful Suzanne (Natalie Dormer). Joseph, a moral man and gentleman, is able to keep his emotions well-contained, however, the encounter with Suzanne has stirred something inside of him that will change his stale life forever. Starring James Fox, Brenda Fricker, Natalie Dormer. View A Long Way from Home web page.
Directed by Virginia Gilbert
The Carer Canadian Premiere Starts Nov. 18th
/in Newsletter /by CFAdminThe Carer Canadian Premiere starts November 18, 2016 in Toronoto & Guelph and November 25, 2016 in Ottawa & Waterloo.
Diagnosed with a rare form of Parkinson’s Disease, ailing theatrical legend Sir Michael Gifford (Brian Cox) is terminally ill. He’s also foul-mouthed, irascible, and highly resistant to the concept of allowing a full time care giver into his home. Sir Michael’s daughter Sophia (Emilia Fox) reluctantly brings in Dorottya, an aspiring Hungarian actress herself in need of a day job, who secretly hopes that this opportunity to care for Sir Michael will propel her own career onstage and endures his unbearable temperament. Their relationship gradually improves as Dorottya’s warming personality and knowledge of theatre begins to grow on the old lion. When Sir Michael is offered a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Great Britain Critcs’ Guild, the increasingly contentious relationship between Dorottya, Sophia and Milly begins to climax as Dorottya encourages Michael to accept the award in person. The real drama begins to unfold when Sir Michael learns of his scheming daughter’s plans to remove Dorottya from his life, from whom he has regained a sense of meaning and vigor. Directed by János Edelényi
Visit corinthfilms.com/the-carer for more information.
Corinth Films in The Intelligencer
/in Newsletter /by CFAdminMovie distributor finds success by adapting
By Amanda Cregan
Correspondent
The same year that “Star Wars” and “Annie Hall” debuted on the big screen, John Poole Sr. established his own film company. Corinth Films‘ mission was to feature independent and foreign
films. Nearly 40 years later, this second-generation business continues to bring documentaries and art house films to movie enthusiasts.
Poole Sr. got his start in the film world by working for several years as a production assistant on Hollywood movie sets. He went on to study film in college and went to work for Janus Films as the manager of its non-theatrical division. In 1977, the then New York City man created his own company. The name Corinth Films is derived from the ancient Greek city of Corinth, which was once the center of philosophy and entertainment. In the 1980s, Poole Sr. moved his family from New York to Riegelsville. Today, his son John Poole Jr. operates Corinth Films from the family’s home office in Upper Bucks County. The ability to adjust to changing technology has led to small business success.
As a distributor, Corinth is among film companies that purchase the rights to distribute a movie in a specific territory for a certain number of years. It includes the theatrical release rights down to DVD distribution. When Corinth Films began, it was distributing 16-millimeter films to independent theaters and universities. “They were one of only a handful of distributors at the time that were doing that. It’s not like today, where the market is totally saturated and everyone is distributing these films,” said John Poole Jr. In an era when George Lucas and Woody Allen were breaking onto the scene, movie-goers were beginning to explore dynamic films that were both entertaining and educational. In addition, more colleges and universities were establishing film programs. “It was a very revolutionary time,” said the younger Poole. “It was a total break from the first half of the century. It was totally new ground.”
The acquisition of the 1963 Federico Fellini film “8 1/2” in 1979 became the cornerstone of the company and opened up doors to acquire more films. But the Academy Award-winning, foreign language movie almost bankrupted the company because it was so expensive to acquire, said Poole Jr. When home video technology hit the marketplace, distributors like Corinth Films were upended. Most didn’t survive the transition, he said, noting that he knows of impoverished former movie company owners who own massive film archives that were never transferred to digital. “It totally pulled the rug out,” said the 33-year-old. “Back in the day, most of the money came from theatrical sales because that was the only way. As soon as VHS came out, the business really started to fall on hard times. People could just buy these and watch them at home. It was more accessible now.”
Distributors such as Corinth Films take a percentage of the sales of a movie, but are responsible for advertising and producing theater preview trailers. They have the potential to make a lot of money, but risk losing money, too, depending on the film’s success. “Ninety-five percent of the time you’re losing money,” said Poole Jr. Today, most of Corinth’s profits come from video-on-demand and DVD. Having survived the transition to digital and on-demand, the father-and-son film company is focused on acquiring independent films that will gain more audience attention.
The company found great success with the 2010 American documentary “Beautiful Darling,” which tells the story of Candy Darling, a pioneering transgender actress who starred in several Andy Warhol projects. “That was our turning point with this new film acquisition strategy,” said Poole Jr., who still works alongside his 71-year-old father. This summer, Corinth Films
released “The President” in select theaters in New York City and San Francisco. Directed by an exiled Iranian filmmaker and writer, it is a film about a dictator whose regime is toppled but he’s oblivious to it. It’s expected to be released on Netflix and DVD in September. Culturally, Poole Jr. said, there’s been a shift back toward independent and documentary films. Moviegoers
are growing tired of the big Hollywood blockbusters, he said. “There’s a lot of good documentaries,” he said. “It’s the technology that has made it easy. There’s a lot of interesting stuff going on in the world, and it’s easy to pick up a camera and capture it.”
New Acquisition: ‘The Interrogation’
/in Newsletter /by CFAdminCorinth Film’s latest acquisition ‘The Interrogation’ is based on the autobiography of Auschwitz commander Rudolf Hoss which was written before his execution. This is new director Erez Pery’s first feature film. Stay tuned for more details.
‘The Carer’ – Latest Acquisition from Corinth Films
/in Newsletter /by CFAdminWe are pleased to announce our newest acquisition, THE CARER, starring Brian Cox, Coco Konig, Emilia Fox, Anna Chancellor, and special appearance by Roger Moore! Stay tuned for release news.