{{Short description|Former film distribution company}} {{Infobox company | name = Alchemy | logo = Alchemy.svg | former_name = Millennium Entertainment | type = Private | predecessor = First Look Studios | successor = FilmRise | defunct = {{end date|2016|06|30}} | fate = Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation | industry = Film, home entertainment, distribution | products = Independent theatrical films, DVD, Blu-ray | founded = {{start date and age|2010}} | hq_location_city = Los Angeles, California }}
'''Alchemy''' (formerly '''Millennium Entertainment''') was an American independent global film distributor based in Los Angeles, California. The company acquired and distributed feature films, television series and specialty programming.<ref name="Comp. Profile">{{cite web|title=Millennium Entertainment Company Profile|url=http://www.millenniumentertainment.me/company.asp|work=Millennium Entertainment|access-date=5 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519170409/http://www.millenniumentertainment.me/company.asp|archive-date=19 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==History== Millennium Entertainment was 60% owned by production company Nu Image. Exclusive Media Group owned 20% and Prentice Capital owned the remaining stock.<ref name="MIL">[https://deadline.com/2013/04/millennium-entertainment-on-the-block-salem-partners-to-handle-sale-480746/ Millennium On The Block; Salem Partners To Handle Sale Of Distribution Unit.] ''Deadline Hollywood'' (April 22, 2013).</ref> Following its formation in 2010, the company marked its first noteworthy theatrical release in 2011 with ''Trust'', starring Academy Award nominees Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, and Viola Davis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.millenniumfilms.com/Details.aspx?id=08466faa-0149-4527-9a89-9c6a01243829|title=Trust|website=Millennium Films|access-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624215751/http://www.millenniumfilms.com/Details.aspx?id=08466faa-0149-4527-9a89-9c6a01243829|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Alchemy owns and operates<ref name="Comp. Profile" /> a film library consisting of over 1,000 titles, including ''Paris'', ''Je’TAime'', ''Transsiberian'', and '' Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans'', as well as the recent titles ''Elephant White'', starring Djimon Hounsou and Kevin Bacon; ''Shadows and Lies'', starring James Franco; and ''Blitz'', starring Jason Statham.
thumb|Millennium Entertainment logo|right|150px Television series released by Alchemy include ''The Cosby Show'', ''Baywatch'', and ''A Different World''. First Look Studios originally released all eight seasons of ''The Cosby Show'', ''A Different World'', and other shows on DVD, but they eventually filed bankruptcy in 2010.<ref name="Court Rule on First Look">{{cite web|last=Ofgang|first=Kenneth|title=Court Revives Suit Over Profits From Ving Rhames Movie.|url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/2011/anim031411.htm|publisher=Metropolitan News-Enterprise|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="Businessweek on First Look Bankruptcy">{{cite web|title=FIRST LOOK MEDIA INC (FIRST:OTC US): Stock Quote & Company Profile - Businessweek|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=FRST|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410164021/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=FRST|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2013|work=Businessweek|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> Millennium Entertainment acquired all of First Look Studios’ assets, and continued to release them in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and other U.S. Territories.<ref>{{cite web|title=First Look Studios Acquired by Millennium Entertainment.|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5523|work=Blu-ray.com|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, it was announced that Millennium Entertainment would be sold, and an investment company, Salem Partners, would assist in the sale.<ref name="MIL" /> In August 2014 the company's library and distribution assets had been sold to a consortium consisting of its current management and Virgo Investment Group. The new owners renamed the company Alchemy in January 2015, finally cutting ties to its former sister company Millennium Films.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/millennium-entertainment-rebrands-alchemy-1201344410/ | title=Millennium Entertainment Picks a Name: Alchemy | date=8 January 2015}}</ref>
In July 2015, Alchemy acquired the film distribution assets of ANconnect and the digital film and television distributor Anderson Digital, both divisions of Anderson Media Corporation.<ref>[https://www.thewrap.com/alchemy-acquires-anconnect-and-anderson-digital-creates-alliance-with-arc-entertainment/ The Wrap: "Alchemy Acquires ANconnect and Anderson Digital, Creates Alliance With ARC Entertainment" By Tim Kenneally] July 13, 2015</ref> The transaction will result in the addition of 40 new employees to the existent 70 and expand the company's catalogue to over 1,300 films and 3,000 TV episodes.<ref>[https://www.yahoo.com/movies/alchemy-acquires-anconnect-anderson-digital-signs-pact-arc-183525062.html Hollywood Reporter: "Alchemy Acquires ANconnect, Anderson Digital and Signs Pact With ARC Entertainment"] July 13, 2015</ref> In December 2015, Bill Lee exited the company as CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bill-lee-abruptly-exits-as-846539|title=Bill Lee Abruptly Exits as Alchemy CEO|publisher=TheHollywoodReporter.com|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref>
===Bankruptcy=== In February 2016, Alchemy laid off 40 employees, equaling 40% of the company's entire staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/alchemy-layoffs-indie-distributor-1201708723/|title=Indie Distributor Alchemy Hit With 40 Layoffs|publisher=Variety.com|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=February 17, 2016|access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/alchemy-1201703924/|title=Alchemy Faces Financial Woes, Slashes Staff & Uncovers "Discrepancies Within Parts Of Its Businesses"|website=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Brian|last1=Brooks|first2=Anthony|last2=D'Alessandro|date=February 16, 2016|access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref> due to liquidity issues.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/article/how-the-dvd-business-is-destroying-alchemy-20160217 IndieWire: "How the DVD Business Is Destroying Alchemy" By Eric Kohn] February 17, 2016</ref> The company began selling off previously acquired films including ''The Lobster'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/cannes-the-lobster-selling-to-alchemy-exclusive-1201501121/|title=Cannes: 'The Lobster' Selling to Alchemy (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first1=Dave|last1=McNary|first2=Ramin|last2=Seetoodeh|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> ''Free Fire'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/alchemy-closing-deal-ben-wheatley-martin-scorsese-brie-larson-armie-hammer-free-fire-afm-1201619000/|title=Alchemy Closes Deal For Ben Wheatley's White-Hot 'Free Fire' – AFM|website=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Mike Jr.|last1=Fleming|first2=Ali|last2=Jaffar|date=November 12, 2015|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> ''Mia Madre'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/mia-madre-nanni-moretti-john-turturro-alchemy-u-s-sales-cannes-1201429867/|title=Alchemy Takes U.S. Rights To Nanni Moretti's 'Mia Madre' – Cannes|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> ''31''<ref>{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2015/04/rob-zombie-31-alchemy-1201403035/|title= Alchemy Acquires Rights To Rob Zombie-Directed '31'|access-date= March 15, 2022|date= April 1, 2015|first= Mike Jr.|last= Fleming|work= Deadline}}</ref> and ''Evolution''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2015/08/evolution-toronto-horror-movie-alchemy-somali-project-vladar-1201498771/|title= 'Evolution', Toronto-Bound Horror Pic, Acquired By Alchemy; 'Somali Project' Docks At Vladar Co.|work= Deadline|first= Patrick|last= Hipes|date= August 13, 2015|access-date= March 15, 2022}}</ref> ''The Lobster'' and ''Free Fire'' were purchased by A24, while ''Mia Madre'' was sold to Music Box Films, ''31'' to Saban Films and ''Evolution'' to IFC Midnight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/a24-the-lobster-colin-farrell-1201703782/|title=A24 Postpones 'The Lobster' Theatrical Release – Update|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=March 1, 2016|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/free-fire-a24-alchemy-acquistion-1201717820/|title=A24 Scoops Up Brie Larson Action Thriller 'Free Fire' In Wake Of Alchemy Financial Turmoil|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=March 10, 2016|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/mia-madre-john-turturro-nanni-moretti-music-box-cannes-alchemy-1201740278/|title=Music Box Rescues Nanni Moretti's 'Mia Madre' From Alchemy|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rob-zombie-31-acquired-saban-204027344.html|title= Rob Zombie's '31' Acquired By Saban Films For September Release|work= Yahoo! Finance|first1= Patrick|last1= Hipes|first2= Anthony|last2= D'Alessandro|date= March 24, 2016|access-date= March 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/ifc-midnight-picks-up-former-alchemy-feature-evolution-55848/|title= IFC Midnight Picks Up Former Alchemy Feature 'Evolution'|first= Kate|last= Erbland|date= March 23, 2016|access-date= March 15, 2022|work= IndieWire}}</ref> The last of their acquisitions, ''Zeroville'', wasn't released until 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2019/04/james-franco-zeroville-mycinema-acquisition-film-slate-julian-fellowes-the-chaperone-1202586194/|title= James Franco's Delayed 'Zeroville' Saved By myCinema; Distrib's Slate Includes Julian Fellowes' 'The Chaperone' – CinemaCon|first= Anthony|last= D'Alessandro|access-date= March 15, 2022|date= April 1, 2019|work= Deadline}}</ref>
Alchemy filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on June 30, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/alchemy-bankruptcy-chapter-7-long-list-of-creditors-1201783619/|title=Alchemy Files For Chapter 7-Names Long List of Creditors|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=7 July 2016 }}</ref> All employees were released following the bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ouralchemy.com|title=Alchemy|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/alchemy-chapter-7-bankruptcy-protection-1201810175/|title=Alchemy Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection|website=Variety|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref>
Alchemy's remaining film library is currently owned by FilmRise.
==Releases==
===TV series=== * ''Bethenny Ever After'' * ''Baywatch'' * ''The Cosby Show'' * ''A Different World''<ref name="TV Shows list">{{cite web|title=Millennium Entertainment TV Shows|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v5_search_item.asp?userid=99368179457083&string=season+millennium+entertainment&site_media_id=&site_id=4&pp=&used=0&search_refined=0|work=DVD Empire.com|publisher=Right Ascension, Inc.|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> * ''Flipping Out'' * ''Guy's Big Bite'' * ''Hell's Kitchen'' * ''The Invisible Man'' * ''Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List'' * ''McMillan & Wife'' * ''Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles'' * ''The Millionaire Matchmaker'' * ''Pregnant in Heels'' * ''The Rachel Zoe Project'' * ''Tabatha Takes Over'' * ''Unsolved Mysteries''
===Animated=== * ''Arthur! and the Square Knights of the Round Table'' * ''Back to the Jurassic'' * ''Dinky Dog'' * ''Drak Pack'' * ''Khumba'' * ''Wing Commander Academy''
==Films== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * ''Alpha Males Experiment'' * ''Are You Here'' * ''The Babymakers'' * ''Bernie'' * ''Blitz'' * ''Buck Wild'' * ''Control'' * ''Dead Awake'' * ''Dead Sushi'' * ''The Elephant in the Living Room'' * ''Elephant White'' * ''Elsa & Fred'' * ''Faces in the Crowd'' * ''Fake'' * ''High Road'' * ''Hisss'' * ''The Iceman '' * ''Intruders'' * ''Laddaland'' * ''Life of a King'' * ''Linklater'' * ''The Liquidator'' * ''Little Birds'' * ''A Little Bit of Heaven'' * ''Love'' * ''Moonwalkers'' * ''The Nocturnal'' * ''Persecuted'' * ''Playing Dirty'' * ''Puncture'' * ''Rampart'' * ''Red Lights'' * ''Rob the Mob'' * ''The Runner'' * ''Sacrifice'' * ''Shadows and Lies'' * ''Skin Traffik'' * ''So Undercover'' * ''Spiders'' * ''Stolen'' * ''Straight A's'' * ''Strangerland'' * ''Stuck in Love'' * ''Survivor'' * ''The Taking of Deborah Logan'' * ''Trespass'' * ''Trust'' * ''The Ultimate Yogi'' * ''Upside Down'' * ''The Wedding Weekend'' * ''Welcome to Me'' * ''What Maisie Knew'' * ''It's Alive'' {{div col end}}
==Distributed lines== * UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship * Video Asia
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.ouralchemy.com Official '''Alchemy LLC''' website] *[https://www.youtube.com/user/FirstLookStudios YouTube.com: Millennium Entertainment channel]
Category:Home video companies of the United States Category:Defunct film and television production companies of the United States Category:Entertainment companies based in California Category:Entertainment companies established in 2010 Category:Mass media companies established in 2010 Category:Mass media companies disestablished in 2016 Category:2010 establishments in California Category:2016 disestablishments in California Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2016 Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Category:Defunct companies based in Greater Los Angeles Category:Privately held companies based in Los Angeles Category:Film distributors based in California