Semtex Films
Encyclopedia
Semtex Films is a film production company founded by American
entertainer Madonna
. It was founded in 2006 under the name Semtex Girls and is involved in the production of motion pictures and television
relating to the singer.
The company has evolved into a television and film production company, Semtex Films and Semtex TV Productions, with the latter's first production being the TV Special Madonna: The Confessions Tour - Live from London
in 2006 which was aired on NBC
in the United States and Channel 4
in the UK. The company is mainly used for the production of Madonna-related material and has produced two films directed by Madonna, Filth and Wisdom
(2008) and W.E.
(2011). It has also produced a documentary, I Am Because We Are
(2008), narrated and produced by Madonna about the orphans of Malawi
.
, launched legal action on 27 February 2006, to prevent Madonna from misusing its most valued and internationally known asset. Ladislav Lehky, director of the Research Centre for Industrial Chemistry, which owns the state-owned company, Explosia said "She never asked our permission to use the name Semtex"
The firm cancelled plans to sue her for copyright infringement as they claimed to own the international rights to the name but axed plans for a costly court case.
Lehky said, "Madonna uses the name for pure promotional purposes. We can't really prove that we suffer a loss from that."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entertainer Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
. It was founded in 2006 under the name Semtex Girls and is involved in the production of motion pictures and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
relating to the singer.
History
Semtex Girls, a limited company, was established in the UK in 2006 by Madonna. Initially she refused to mention what the company would be used for. The singer uses the name to describe her three assistants. She explained, "The Semtex Girl is a girl who is dynamic, a girl who explodes, who doesn't know the meaning of nine to five, a girl who is unstoppable and who doesn't take no for an answer. And has excellent taste." "Guys can be Semtex Girls too."The company has evolved into a television and film production company, Semtex Films and Semtex TV Productions, with the latter's first production being the TV Special Madonna: The Confessions Tour - Live from London
Confessions Tour
Confessions Tour was the seventh concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It supported her tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Madonna confirmed the possibility of going out on a tour as early as November 2005. Jamie King, Madonna's longtime collaborator, was then hired on...
in 2006 which was aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in the United States and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in the UK. The company is mainly used for the production of Madonna-related material and has produced two films directed by Madonna, Filth and Wisdom
Filth and Wisdom
Filth and Wisdom is the first film directed by Madonna, starring Eugene Hütz, Holly Weston, Vicky McClure and Richard E. Grant. It was filmed on location in London, England from May 14 to May 29, 2007 with additional scenes shot in July 2007....
(2008) and W.E.
W.E. (film)
W.E. is an upcoming romantic drama film co-written and directed by Madonna, starring Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, Richard Coyle, James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough. It began filming on location in London, England, on July 5, 2010, and also shot in France and the United States...
(2011). It has also produced a documentary, I Am Because We Are
I Am Because We Are
I Am Because We Are is a 2008 documentary film directed by Nathan Rissman and written, narrated, and produced by Madonna.The film premiered at the 7th annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, on April 24, 2008 and at the 61st annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 21, 2008...
(2008), narrated and produced by Madonna about the orphans of Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
.
Name controversy
Explosia which owns the rights to the trademark, SemtexSemtex
Semtex is a general-purpose plastic explosive containing RDX and PETN. It is used in commercial blasting, demolition, and in certain military applications. Semtex became notoriously popular with terrorists because it was, until recently, extremely difficult to detect, as in the case of Pan Am...
, launched legal action on 27 February 2006, to prevent Madonna from misusing its most valued and internationally known asset. Ladislav Lehky, director of the Research Centre for Industrial Chemistry, which owns the state-owned company, Explosia said "She never asked our permission to use the name Semtex"
The firm cancelled plans to sue her for copyright infringement as they claimed to own the international rights to the name but axed plans for a costly court case.
Lehky said, "Madonna uses the name for pure promotional purposes. We can't really prove that we suffer a loss from that."
Motion pictures
- W.E.W.E. (film)W.E. is an upcoming romantic drama film co-written and directed by Madonna, starring Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, Richard Coyle, James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough. It began filming on location in London, England, on July 5, 2010, and also shot in France and the United States...
(2011) — co-written, produced and directed by Madonna. - Filth and WisdomFilth and WisdomFilth and Wisdom is the first film directed by Madonna, starring Eugene Hütz, Holly Weston, Vicky McClure and Richard E. Grant. It was filmed on location in London, England from May 14 to May 29, 2007 with additional scenes shot in July 2007....
(2008) — directorial debut and written by Madonna.
TV specials
- Madonna: Sticky & Sweet TourSticky & Sweet TourThe Sticky & Sweet Tour was the eighth worldwide concert tour by American singer Madonna to promote her eleventh studio album, Hard Candy. It began in August 2008 and was Madonna's first tour from her new recording and business deal with Live Nation. The tour was announced in February 2008, with...
(2009) — broadcast on Sky1 in July 2009, directed by Nathan Rissman and Nick Wickham. - Madonna: The Confessions Tour - Live from LondonConfessions TourConfessions Tour was the seventh concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It supported her tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Madonna confirmed the possibility of going out on a tour as early as November 2005. Jamie King, Madonna's longtime collaborator, was then hired on...
(2006) — broadcast on NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in November 2006, directed by Jonas ÅkerlundJonas ÅkerlundJonas Åkerlund is a Swedish film and music video director, and drummer. He is best known for directing music videos, which are often mock forms of movie trailers and short films...
.
Documentaries
- Sticky & Sweet Tour - Behind the Scenes (2010) — including rehearsals and backstage footage. Includes scenes with Pharrell WilliamsPharrell WilliamsPharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
, Justin TimberlakeJustin TimberlakeJustin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
and TimbalandTimbalandTimothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
on stage. Added as a bonus feature on the DVD/Blu-ray release Sticky & Sweet TourSticky & Sweet Tour (album)Sticky & Sweet Tour is the third live album by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released on March 26, 2010 by Warner Bros. Records. The album was released on DVD, Blu-ray and CD formats. The tour was filmed at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the 2008 leg of...
. Directed by Nathan Rissman. - I Am Because We AreI Am Because We AreI Am Because We Are is a 2008 documentary film directed by Nathan Rissman and written, narrated, and produced by Madonna.The film premiered at the 7th annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, on April 24, 2008 and at the 61st annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 21, 2008...
(2008) — documentary about the orphans of MalawiMalawiThe Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, written, narrated and produced by Madonna. Directed by Nathan Rissman. - Confessions Tour - Behind the Scenes (2007) — including rehearsals and backstage footage. Added as a bonus feature on the CD/DVD release The Confessions Tour.
Other production companies
In addition to Semtex Films, Madonna is involved with the following production companies who produce other Madonna-related materials:- Slutco, Inc. — video production company.
- Siren Films — film production company.
- Boy Toy, Inc. — production company specializing in Madonna music videos, merchandise and home video releases.
- Webo Girl Publishing, Inc. — music publishing company which publishes all her compositions.
- MaverickMaverick (entertainment company)Maverick, is an entertainment company founded by Madonna, Frederick DeMann and Ronnie Dashev in April 1992. It is owned and operated by Warner Music Group.-History:...
— entertainment company including Maverick RecordsMaverick RecordsMaverick Recording Company is an American record label owned and operated by Warner Music Group, and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:...
, Maverick FilmsMaverick FilmsMaverick Films is an American film production company which was founded in 1992 by Madonna, Frederick DeMann and Ronnie Dashev. It is the film division of entertainment company, Maverick and owned by Warner Music Group...
and MadGuy Films. (Madonna no longer holds any interest in Maverick, however her manager Guy OsearyGuy OsearyGuy Oseary is an Israeli-American expert businessman who began his career in entertainment at 17 at what was to become Maverick Records. He is Madonna's manager.-Maverick:...
has retained rights to the Maverick name)