The Weinstein Company

The Weinstein Company Official Website

The Weinstein Company was formed by Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein in 2005. Since, it has been one of the leading distributers and producers of films not only in the U.S but internationally

Two Brothers

Harvey and Bob Weinstein, brothers, began The Weinstein Company  in 2005, designed to provide quality and socially important movies worldwide

A History of Mergers and Partnerships

Throughout the recent few decades there have been many deals that the Weinstein company has made, including partnerships and deals with various film production and distribution companies.

In 2006 The Weistein Company made a distribution pact with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). 2006 gave way to another deal that The Weinstein Company struck with Blockbuster. The contract made for an exclusive deal with Blockbuster for three years. Recently since the failing of the video rental stores, including Blockbuster, the Weinstein company has looked to other disrubution solutions leading to their recent deal in Febrarury with Netflix. Other distribution deals have allowed the Weinstein company to distribute internationally:

• Uk: Entertainment Film Distributers (2005-Present), Momentum Pictures (2006-present).
• Canada: Alliance Films (2005-present).

The Weinstein company does not necessarily produce films but rather normally gains the rights to distribute films. Some of the more recent notable distributions would be with films such as: Inglorious Bastards, and The Kings Speech. Perhaps one of the biggest distributions deals that the Weinstein Company has gained is one with Mirimax films, allowing The Weinstein Company to add films like Swingers, and Clerks to its library.

Weinstein Books

The Weinstein company has not only made their breakthrough in the film industry but also in the book publishing industry. In 1993 Harvey and Bob Weinstein formed Mirimax books which led to many New York Times best selling titles like Leadership by Rudolph Guliani. Then in 2007 Weinstein Books was formed, with a goal to continue publishing the latest and greatest from top selling authors. The recent partnership with Perseus Book Group, will only prove to make Weistein Books a more successful asset in the Publishing world.

The Artist and the 2012 Oscars

At the 2012 84th Oscars the black and white French silent film swept the competition. The Artist marked a return to early inspiration and Hollywood practices (including black and white and, no spoken dialogue). The success of the film can be attributed to it’s classic and unique story about George Valentino played by Jean Dujardin, and his struggle to remain a popular silent movie star and transition into “talking” pictures. Durjardin picked up the Oscar for best actor, and the best diretor award given to Michel Hazanavicius. This marks the first silent film to win an Oscar since 1929. Along with taking the award for best picture, the Weinstein Comany’s other films The Iron Lady received the Oscar for best actress, for Meryl Streep‘s performance as Margaret Thatcher.

Here is the 2011 Trailer for the film.

• The Artist Trailer 2011

Bully and the MPAA

April marked the release of the Weinstein company documentary titled Bully. The film is a documentary about bullying in American schools and the resistance of people who are trying to make a change. Obviosuly there was a significant social importance for this film to reach a wide audience, but the film faced an obstacle when dealing with the MPAA.  The film was originally given an R rating due to some of the language in the film. Harvey Weintein immediately had a problem with the MPAA’s decision. Various sources state how Harvey called the MPAA and demanded that the rating be changed to PG-13. Harvey knows that this film has an important message, that with the current rating of R, would be hard to get across to the target audience. The mixture of the Weinstein Company and an online petition to change the rating culminated to a positive outcome. After much persistence the MPAA agreed to change the rating to PG-13 if the film edited out a few of the f-words found in certain scenes. The Weinstein company agreed. Now that the rating had been changed the film will be able to be screened by high schools all across America. The triumph (or compromise) of Bully and the MPAA marks a great revolution in the film industry. Not only does it show great courage from the MPAA to show such a controversial film, but it also marks the beginning of a new era for the film rating system. A new more understanding and lenient era. The film Bully is showing in select theaters across the country and some countries internationally through the Weinstein Company

Here is the 2012 Trailer for the film.

• Bully Trailer 2012

Netflix and The Weinstein Company

February 2012: The Weinstein Company as of Febraury 2012 signed an exclusive deal with Netflix. This deal gives Netflix exclusive rights to hit Weinstein Company films including new Oscar winning titles such as The Artist and The Iron Lady. This is not only a great deal for th Weinstein Company, allowing many new audience members to view their firms, but also marks and incredible feat for Netflix. The deal with the Weinstein Company would allow access to these films either through the mail-in service or the streaming service. Netflix has been having trouble keeping it’s streaming library up to date with titles that will keep their customers coming back to watch. Now that they have gained the rights to these new Weinstein Company films, audiences will be entertained for a long time to come. Perhaps the biggest outcome of this deal is the release of the Artist. The Oscar winning film is planned to be released on DVD on June 26th, and to be shown on premium cable channels about a month after. The deal with Netflix will allow for viewing of the Oscar winning picture at the same time as the release of the DVD, helping the Weinstein Company get more exposure and Netflix gaining more costumers who are eager to get their hands on these new award winning titles.

Django Unchained

Django Unchained the Movie

Perhaps one of the most anticipated films of 2012 is Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino‘s new Western film. Little about the film is known except for its star studded cast. The film will star Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, and Christopher Waltz. The film takes place in the South during the slave age of America. The main character Django (played by Jamie Foxx) is a freed slave seeking to rescue his wife from the wealthy plantation owner Calvin Candie played by Leonardo Dicaprio. Chrisopher Waltz will play  Dr. King Schultz a German bounty hunter who helps Django in his quest for his wife. The film is expected to release on Christmas 2012 through the Weinstein Company.

Here is one of the latest photos recently released curtesy of Entertainment Weekly Online.

New & Upcoming Releases:

A list of the New and Upcoming films from the Weinstein Company

• Bully: Now in Theaters
• Undefeated: Now in Theaters
• The Intouchables
• Piranha 3DD
• Django Unchained
• Lawless
• Killing Them Softly
• The Artist: On DVD & Blu-Ray June 26th
• My Week with Marilyn: Now on DVD & Blu-Ray
• The Iron Lady: Now on DVD & Blu-Ray