Movies

“Moonstruck” and “Wild Mountain Thyme” writer John Patrick Shanley is no stranger to complicated family dynamics. The Oscar and Pulitzer-winning author will explore sibling rivalry with “The Twinkle Brothers.” The upcoming comedy, which Shanley will write and direct for Rivulet Media, recounts a story told by avuncular café owner Mordecai, who, when tasked with the

Soaring local box office has pushed the Russian film industry to new heights in recent years, even despite a downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but Vadim Vereshchagin, CEO of leading production and distribution company Central Partnership, says introducing fresh Russian talent to the world remains his outfit’s top priority. “For us, it’s business as

European Film Promotion, a network of national film agencies, puts the spotlight on 10 up-and-coming Euro actors this month during the 24th edition of its Shooting Stars program. In previous years, the program has provided a launch pad for such thespian talent as Carey Mulligan, Alicia Vikander, Maisie Williams, Riz Ahmed and George MacKay. This

Studio Chizu is unveiling the first teaser and poster for Mamoru Hosoda’s highly anticipated animated feature “Belle,” the revered Japanese director’s follow-up to the Oscar-nominated film “Mirai.” Paris-based sales company Charades is representing the film in international markets and will kick off sales at the virtual European Film Market. Nippon Television handles sales for Asia.

Italian director Paolo Virzì (“Human Capital,” “Like Crazy”) has begun shooting in Rome on apocalyptic drama “Siccità,” set amid a protracted drought in the Italian capital and featuring an A-list local cast comprising Monica Bellucci, Sara Serraiocco (“Counterpart”) and Silvio Orlando (“The Young Pope”). Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Gangarossa are producing for Wildside, the Fremantle-owned

Jay Baruchel doesn’t give up easily. The actor spent a decade trying to get “Random Acts of Violence,” his twisty look at a serial killer whose murder spree is inspired by comic books, made. Part of the problem, Baruchel admits, is that he wanted to direct a straight-up horror film, which puzzled backers who associated

Awkwafina, Cynthia Erivo, Joaquin Phoenix, Renee Zellweger and the “Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar” duo of Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo will serve as presenters for the 78th Golden Globes awards, Variety has learned. Many of those actors have a history of recognition from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Last year, Phoenix

Samuel Goldwyn Films has picked up the U.S. rights for “The Man Who Sold His Skin,” Tunisia’s short-listed entry for the international feature film Oscar. The film is represented in international markets by Paris-based Bac Films. “The Man Who Sold His Skin” stars Yahya Mahayni as Sam, a Syrian man who decides to have a

Turns out that working in Hollywood and fighting in a steel cage are more similar than one would think. Georges St-Pierre, the esteemed mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC star, is preparing a second act as a thespian. He notes that the two professions are somewhat alike. “My sport is a full-contact sport, so

The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced the indictment of three North Koreans who are accused of perpetrating the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures, along with numerous other cyber intrusions and financial crimes. Arrest warrants were issued for three defendants — Jon Chang Hyok, Kim Il, and Park Jin Hyok — all of whom are

In celebration of Black History Month, Variety assembled a star-studded list of Black women awards season contenders for conversations about their craft, careers and experiences working in various (or at times multiple) sectors of the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera. The group is made up of Stacey Abrams (“All In: The Fight

For Nicole Beharie, playing former pageant queen and single mother Turquoise Jones in “Miss Juneteenth” has been one of the most intimate experiences in her 13-year career. In the film, from director Channing Godfrey Peoples, Beharie’s character enters her teenage daughter into the titular pageant despite her daughter’s initial disinterest — but ultimately, both are

Is there any career more unfairly represented in children’s movies than that of the animal control officer? In the rowdy new Disney Plus original, “Flora & Ulysses,” Flora (Matilda Lawler) is a 10-year-old comic-book savant; Ulysses is her unusually gifted CG squirrel (he can fly, for starters!); and overzealous officer Miller (Danny Pudi) is the

Twitter is again on board as the livestreaming partner for the Golden Globes preshow this year, ahead of the awards telecast on NBC. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark Prods. announced their partnership with Twitter for the official preshow, “HFPA Presents: Globes Countdown Live.” It will be available on the Golden Globes account

The post-Brexit reality of a work visa regime to work in the European Union is now affecting the U.K. film and television production industry. Several EU countries now require U.K. arts workers to apply for short-term work permits – not an easy process. “When COVID-19 restrictions dissipate, the need for film and TV production to

Top Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, star of series “Sacred Games” and several other Netflix originals, and a regular at Cannes, is currently wrapping feature film “Sangeen” in London. Written and directed by Jaideep Chopra (“2016 the End”), the film, which also stars Elnaaz Norouzi (“Sacred Games”), is a two-handed thriller largely set in one room.

Mia McKenna-Bruce, star of BBC and Netflix series “Get Even,” will headline Ella Greenwood’s “Smudged Smile,” a short film on teenage depression that kicks off a mental health anthology series. Also starring are Elliot Levey (“Quiz”), Anna Acton (“Brassic”) and Priya Blackburn (“Bohemian Rhapsody”). Greenwood directs from a script by Hannah Westall. McKenna-Bruce will play

Heretic Outreach has acquired world sales rights to “Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn” from acclaimed Romanian writer-director Radu Jude, which world premieres in competition at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, Variety can reveal. Jude’s latest film is the story of a schoolteacher, Emi (Katia Pascariu), whose life is turned upside down after a sex

Global streaming platform Netflix has picked up international rights to mainland Chinese animated feature “New Gods: Nezha Reborn.” The Light Chaser Animation Studios title was one of the seven major titles to release last week in Chinese cinemas over the peak Lunar New Year holiday period. The platform has exclusive worldwide streaming rights outside mainland

In an essay-long praise of film legend Federico Fellini as part of the March issue of Harper’s Magazine, Martin Scorsese laments over the devaluing of cinema. “As recently as fifteen years ago, the term “content” was heard only when people were discussing the cinema on a serious level, and it was contrasted with and measured

Eighty-two minutes is not a long time. And yet Shatara Michelle Ford’s intelligent and engrossing feature debut packs an enormous amount in, while still finding room to let characters, moments and difficult, provocative issues breathe. An ostensibly small-scale drama that traces a couple of days in the aftermath of a sexual assault, it’s a remarkable

Keke Palmer is joining Jordan Peele’s ever-growing troupe of actors, starring in the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s latest secret project at Universal Pictures. “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya is also in talks for a role in the film, which would mark a sweet reunion for the actor and director, who set Hollywood aflame with their first collaboration,

Neil Patrick Harris still has a big item on his bucket list that he’s “dying” to do — he wants to be in a superhero movie. “Big scale, CG elements, like a big, large movie,” the Tony and Emmy winner tells me on today’s episode of the “Just for Variety” podcast. “Like it could be

In several disturbing (and since deleted) videos posted to his Instagram last week that were then picked up by TMZ, “Jackass” star and skateboarder Bam Margera lashed out at the production of the latest installment of the franchise, saying he was being cut out of the movie and that they were stealing his ideas. Margera,

“Lingua Franca” filmmaker Isabel Sandoval has signed with CAA. In 2019, Sandoval made history as the first trans woman of color to direct and star in a film screening in competition at the Venice Film Festival, where “Lingua Franca” premiered. The film was acquired and released by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY and is now streaming on

The awards season’s narrative has been the “year of the women,” as female filmmakers, screenwriters and artisans have been making strong cases for nominations at the Oscars in categories like best picture and director. The Writers Guild of America Awards, however, might have missed the memo, only nominating four women over two films: Emerald Fennell

Regé-Jean Page has nabbed a leading role in the film adaptation of “Dungeons & Dragons,” Variety has confirmed. The fantasy adventure will be Page’s follow-up to his breakout role in Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” on which he causes hearts to flutter, corsets to loosen and generally monopolizes the lusts and affections of a broad swath of Regency-era

Dev Hynes (Blood Orange), Jewel, Colin Stetson, DJ Shadow, Pos (De La Soul), Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are a few of the artists set to make virtual appearances at the 6th Annual ‘State of Music in Media’ Conference, taking place on Feb. 19 and 20. The virtual event is free to all members of

The 36th Santa Barbara International Film Festival is planning to screen its slate via two beachside drive-in theaters. The festival, taking place March 31 through April 10 at Santa Barbara City College, will include more than 80 film screenings. Admission to the beachside drive-in theaters is free with a required RSVP. “It’s imperative we bring

Filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, an Oscar and Emmy winner, has signed with UTA. The director and his One Story Up production banner will be represented by the agency in all areas. In 2010, Williams became the first African American director to win an Academy Award for his documentary short film “Music by Prudence.” The director,