Month: February 2024

During the Berlin Film Festival press conference for his newest movie “Small Things Like These,” Cillian Murphy reflected on the “collective trauma” of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries. Based on the book of the same name by Claire Keegan, “Small Things Like These” focuses on the “horrific asylums run by Roman Catholic institutions from the 1820s until
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Jonathan Glazer is set to introduce his widely acclaimed, Oscar-nominated and deeply devastating Holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest” at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum on Thursday (Feb. 15). In undoubtedly the most important premiere in “The Zone of Interest’s” global rollout, the Polish premiere sees the British director return to Auschwitz, where he shot
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After kicking off with a feisty press conference, the Berlin Film Festival is about to get even more political with a demonstration defending democracy that will be held right before the start of opening night festivities. Berlinale organizers have planned this demonstration to highlight their decision to disinvite members of the far right political party
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Simon Moutaïrou, the critically acclaimed screenwriter behind the spy thriller hit “Black Box,” has partnered with some of France’s biggest players — leading producer Chi-Fou-Mi (“November,” “All Your Faces”) and Studiocanal — on his ambitious directorial debut, “No Chains, No Masters.” Now in post, “No Chains, No Masters,” is an epic movie inspired by historical
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Streaming subscription growth in the Southeast Asia region slowed dramatically in 2023, but revenue from those subscriptions grew at a robust rate, a new study has found. The report from data analytics company AMPD, that is part of consultancy and research firm Media Partners Asia, shows that the region – that includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore
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Film and media company Buffalo 8 has acquired worldwide distribution rights to “Dig Me No Grave” from Djonny Chen’s prolific U.K.-based outfit Silent D Pictures. The deal was revealed at the Berlin European Film Market (EFM). “Dig Me No Grave” follows the harrowing journey of an ageing hunter who embarks on a final quest for an elusive
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During a press conference on Thursday, Berlinale jury president Lupita Nyong’o responded to the festival inviting and then disinviting politicians from far-right group AfD to its opening ceremony. “I’m a foreigner here. I don’t know the ins and outs of the political situation here,” Nyong’o said in response to a question asking if she would
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“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” star Indira Varma and “Homeland’s” Raza Jaffrey are set to co-host a new espionage podcast for Wondery. “The Spy Who” will explore the secret lives of covert operatives and recount true tales of derring-do and jaw-dropping escapades. “Each season goes deep into the real-life story of a special
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With the 2023-24 awards season galloping towards the finish line, the whirlwind of ceremonies, red carpets, dinners and other glitzy occasions for feted stars of the moment to be feted some more is keeping most of the nominees exceptionally busy. Among the busiest must be Cillian Murphy, tipped to add both Oscar and BAFTA wins to
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Copenhagen documentary film festival CPH:DOX, whose 21st edition runs from March 13-24, has unveiled the films nominated across all six award categories. The selection features 66 films in competition, among which 47 are world premieres, 17 international premieres and two European premieres. All the films in the main competition will be world premieres. Niklas Engstrøm,
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STREAMING Prime Video has unveiled the first trailer for “Poacher,” the new series from Emmy-winning “Delhi Crime” creator Richie Mehta, executive produced by Bollywood star Alia Bhatt. An eight-part crime drama based on true events, “Poacher,” which bowed at Sundance 2023, uncovers the largest ivory poaching ring in Indian history. It is produced by QC
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U.S-Asian sales company EST N8 has picked up the international rights for “30 Minutes,” a Korean sci-fi thriller film that is currently in production. The story revolves around a middle-aged man trapped in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the Christmas Eve of his murder. It stars Hong Kyeong In (long-running TV series “The Great Queen
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Films Boutique has reunited with “Green Border” director Agnieszka Holland on her Franz Kafka biopic “Franz,” currently in pre-production. Set to begin principal photography in April in the Czech Republic and Germany — during the centenary of the author’s death — the film has already been acquired for theatrical distribution by Bac Films Distribution (France),
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Vincent Maraval’s Goodfellas has seized the worldwide sales rights to Galapagos adventure doc “Lions of the Sea,” which wrapped principal photography in mid-January. “Sea” is the latest from Ecuadorian explorer-filmmaker Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador, best known by his nom de cinéma, Jamaicanoproblem, and whose film “Son of Man” was Ecuador’s official selection for the 2019 Academy
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Acemaker Movieworks, the young Korean studio behind 2023 hit “Noryang: The Sea” and “A Man of Reason,” is using the Berlin Film Festival‘s European Film Market to launch crime drama “Troll Factory,” its next big budget movie. Film’s plot revolves around an investigative journalist who, while probing a story about the manipulation of public sentiment,
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One year after sharing the stage at the European Film Market as joint Countries in Focus, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia continue to shine. Despite the downturn sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, the lingering fallout from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the growing economic uncertainty worldwide, production across the region has been at or near
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Revered Italian auteur Paolo Taviani will soon be back in the director’s chair. Shooting is set to start in April on “Canto Delle Meduse,” a pandemic-themed drama helmed by Taviani with Polish-Italian actor Kasia Smutniak (“Domina”) attached to star. The rest of the film’s cast is being kept under wraps.  Fandango is launching sales at
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The life of Rosa Bonheur, a trailblazing feminist and artist who rose to fame in 19th century France, will be played by Melanie Laurent in a sprawling period movie directed by Fabienne Berthaud.  “Rosa Bonheur” is being produced by Carole Scotta, Barbara Letellier and Caroline Benjo at Haut et Court, the company behind “Coco Before Chanel” and
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Producer Tom Werner and the team behind ABC sitcom “The Conners” have reason to smile. The series independently produced by Werner Entertainment has been sold in syndication by distributor Debmar-Mecury to TV station groups representating 85% of U.S. TV households. Starting in the fall reruns of the show’s first five seasons will begin airing in
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Nick Viall is teaming up with the ultimate matchmaker, Patti Stanger. The pair will work together in CW’s upcoming unscripted series, “Patti Stanger: The Matchmaker,” Variety has exclusively learned. Viall, who got his start on “The Bachelorette” twice before leading his own season of “The Bachelor,” is now the host “The Viall Files” podcast and
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The CW has closed deals on game show versions of the classic board games “Trivial Pursuit” and “Scrabble,” Variety has learned. Both the “Trivial Pursuit” and “Scrabble” game shows are being produced by Hasbro Entertainment, The CW and Lionsgate Alternative Television. “Scrabble” is also being produced by Mattel Television Studios. Despite multiple reports about potential
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