Closing this year’s International Film Festival Rotterdam, M. Raihan Halim’s “La Luna” pushes the boundaries of Malay-language comedy by chronicling the changes brought by the opening of a lingerie shop in a conservative rural community in Malaysia. Titled after the eponymous shop, the film follows a rebellious woman who opens the lingerie parlour not only
There’s a luxuriantly sensuous quality to the prose of British novelist Deborah Levy — a tactile grasp of land, weather and flesh — that feels intensely cinematic while reading it, as well as an elliptical, concentrated interior psychology that feels liable to trip up any potential adapters. Those rewards and risks hold true in “Swimming
Helsinki-based production company It’s Alive Films has boarded upcoming “Copernicus Secrets” as ca o-producer, joining Orka Studio’s Magdalena Zimecka (Poland) and 4film’s Anita Juka (Croatia.) Recently, Orka co-produced Naomi Watts survival drama “Infinite Storm” by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert, as well as Marta Minorowicz’s “Illusion.” “We like to try new things and we have
An interview with the U.S. President in the hours before the Super Bowl has become a tradition in recent decades. Now that custom seems to be in danger of dying out. President Joe Biden will not take part in an exchange during the pre-game festivities leading up to CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII on
Alyssa Milano, who played Phoebe in the hit WB series “Charmed,” took to a panel hosted by Collider to respond to claims that she was responsible for Shannen Doherty‘s exit from the fantasy drama series back in 2001. While not denying the claims, Milano expressed that it was “sad.” “I don’t think it’s really that
Jim Gaffigan, surveying the front table as host of the annual MusiCares gala Friday night, had a thought. Looking at “the musical powerhouses Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney — now, hear me out: a reboot of the Traveling Wilburys.” After a pause, he added, “I see Robert Kraft as the lead,” referring to
Serbian director Emilija Gašić will follow International Film Festival Rotterdam premiere “78 Days” with the “atmospheric and tense” psychological thriller “Witches,” she reveals to Variety exclusively. “I’ve always been drawn to scary elements in films — especially if there are moments of comic relief. Growing up in Serbia, I was surrounded by stories and legends.
More than a week after this year’s Oscar nominees were unveiled, the documentary world is still reeling from this year’s selections and trying to figure out what they might mean for the struggling sector. Notably, all filmmakers were international and the majority lacked distribution by major streamers; presumed favorites backed by Netflix, Apple TV+ and
As the final work in progress wrapped on Friday, Göteborg ‘s head of TV Drama Vision Cia Edström and head of industry and Nordic Film Market Josef Kullengård could finally relax after a mission well accomplished. Two of their biggest challenges this year – hosting an industry showcase for 700-plus international delegates in a brand-new
Body swaps are usually bad news in movies. I was a real estate agent close to a big deal, now I have to find a date for junior prom? Then, a wacky journey back to status quo — because the way things were is how they should be. Or not, forwards “Skin Deep,” the intimate
From books and docuseries to podcasts and big-screen thrillers, true-crime tales are everywhere. Much of it is thinly researched retreads of well-worn cases and subjects that feel exploitative in the end. “Born in Synanon” is none of those things. The four-part documentary, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, that premiered in December on Paramount+, is a richly
The Berlin International Film Festival has issued a statement regarding its decision to invite two elected members of the German far-right Alternative for Germany party to the opening ceremony of the 74th Berlinale. The festival confirmed that AfD members Kristin Brinker and Ronald Gläse were invited to the opening ceremony on Feb. 15, but that
Composer Lorne Balfe has spent his career working on blockbusters including “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” but even so, Matthew Vaughn’s spy thriller “Argylle,” which features an all-star cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell and Henry Cavill, was one for the books. For a start, the soundtrack incorporates the Beatles’
Nils Gaup, behind Oscar-nominated “Pathfinder,’ intends to follow his latest film “The Riot” with a new documentary about shamanism. Under the working title “Koven” and named after its protagonist, it will focus on a Sámi man whose ancestor was Norway’s biggest shaman. “He is this extremely well-educated guy. A scientist, a sceptic. And then he experiences
Cat’s out of the bag — “Argylle” is shaping up to be the first high-profile box office misfire of 2024. The espionage action-comedy only saw $6.5 million in ticket sales from 3,605 North American venues across opening day and preview screenings. That is not a good start for a presumed crowdpleaser with a star-studded ensemble
Joe Rogan, multimillionaire king of podcasting, is bringing his fans into the pre-show party. On Friday, Spotify announced a multiyear deal renewal with Rogan, who hosts the industry’s No. 1 podcast. Under the new agreement, worth as much as $250 million, “The Joe Rogan Experience” will end its three-year exclusive run on Spotify, which instead
What if crisis-whammies Nordic drama producers would now tap into other European stories instead of staying in the Nordic bubble and self-sufficient eco-system of mixed national and regional private and public coin? Would it be payback time for European partners who until now have bought into the Nordic Noir, without some form of reciprocity? The
Italian directors Marco and Antonio Manetti, a.k.a. the Manetti Bros. and best known for the “Diabolik” franchise, are producing the next film by “Orlando” filmmaker Daniele Vicari. The film, titled “You Get Tired of Killing,” is based on the life of a real-life gangster who grew tired of being in charge of running the Mafia’s
Finland’s Tekele has announced that a second season of YLE original youth series “The Short Fuse” is in the works. Directed by Jani Ilomäki, also behind police series “Roba,” it will be written by Pilke Salo, Milla Tuokkola and Janne Vanhanen and shot over June-July 2024, eyeing a 2025 release on YLE Areena. Starring are
Miley Cyrus is going to take herself dancing to the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The veteran hitmaker, who is up for six awards this time around, is expected to perform her smash “Flowers” at the ceremony that will air live on CBS and Paramount+. Cyrus was in downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon at the Crypto.com
SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for “Backstab and Betrayal,” the sixth episode of “The Traitors” Season 2, now streaming on Peacock. Not once in his two-season run on CBS’ “Big Brother” did legendary player Dan Gheesling see his name written down for eviction. More than a decade later, it is still an impressive feat in the
Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his longtime friend and “Rocky” co-star Carl Weathers, who died Thursday at age 76. Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday evening, Stallone recalled his longtime partnership with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message while standing in front of
“True Detective: Night Country” is the first season of the HBO anthology series not created by Nic Pizzolatto, who up until now had a writing credit on every episode across the show’s first three seasons. The show’s fourth season, “Night Country,” hails from Issa López, whose 2017 horror movie “Tigers Are Not Afraid” served as
HBO has cut Miloš Biković from the cast of “The White Lotus” Season 3 following a callout from Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — a move that Biković says “can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom.” “We have decided to part ways with Miloš Biković and the role will be recast,”
Wayne Kramer, the co-founding guitarist and composer of Detroit’s punk band MC5, whose social activism carried on throughout his lengthy solo career, died on Friday at 75. The news was confirmed on Kramer’s and MC5’s official Instagram with the phrase “Wayne S. Kramer ‘PEACE BE WITH YOU’ April 30, 1948 – February 2, 2024. No
Megan Thee Stallion and Warner Music Group have announced a new agreement that will enable the “Savage” rapper to remain an independent artist while also having access to the music company’s global services, ranging from distribution and radio promotion to marketing. Megan has full ownership of her masters and publishing and will release all future
Seven years after his mesmerizing sci-fi drama on extraterrestrial sex, “The Untamed,” genre-defying Mexican auteur Amat Escalante switches gears once again to try his hand at a sharp-edged, quasi-detective story with “Lost in the Night.” His approach expectedly deviates from a straightforward whodunit. Escalante rejects both simplified villainy and stainless heroism, crafting individuals with clear
On this episode of “On the Street,” we ask fans what they think the best movie of 2023 was. ► Learn more: https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-2023-movies/?cmp=Trailers_YouTube_Desc Subscribe to the channel and click the bell icon to be notified of all the hottest trailers: http://bit.ly/2CNniBy ► Shop Rotten Tomatoes: http://bit.ly/3KvCU1M Music: Courtesy of Extreme Music Watch More: ► Rotten
Pamela Anderson … mogul? The “Baywatch” icon has taken an ownership stake in a soon-to-launch free ad-supported streaming channel on Pluto TV dedicated to environmental-themed content. EarthDay 365 channel makes its debut on Feb. 5 exclusively on the leading free streaming TV service in the “Animals + Nature” category. The channel marks a partnership between Anderson
Adam Sandler and more are paying tribute to veteran actor Carl Weathers following his death on Feb. 1 at the age of 76. Among many notable roles in “Happy Gilmore,” “The Mandalorian,” “Predator” and more, Weathers is known for playing boxer Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” franchise. “A true great man. Great dad. Great actor.