Big Brother exec Natalka Znak has said it will be a “hard job” to reach beyond hardcore fans when the reality format is rebooted for ITV.
10.09.2022 - 13:07 / variety.com
Holly Jones Spain’s Bendita Films (“The Clash”) has scooped international sales rights to twisted and suspenseful production “The Uncle” (“Stric”) ahead of its market screening at the Toronto Festival. “We’re thrilled to represent the brilliant debut feature from David Kapac and Andrija Mardešić, a captivating, oppressive thriller with humorous notes that will surely surprise international audiences with its unsettling atmosphere and inventive narrative structure,” stated Luis Renart, CEO-sales & acquisitions at Bendita Films. Written and directed in tandem by Kapac and Mardešić, the project garnered a special jury mention in July at the Proxima strand which has replaced East of the West at the Karlovy Vary Festival. It marks the first feature effort for the Croatian duo who’ve previously paired to create several festival-showcased short films, including post-war noir comedy “Iris.”
“The Uncle” is a near-claustrophobic depiction of a Yugoslavian family in the late ‘80s as they hastily prepare to gather for Christmas Eve dinner. All in its place, awaiting their beloved uncle from Germany, who’ll be arriving any minute in his Mercedes. On the surface, a mundane enough task, but are things truly as they seem? The film, “is a deconstruction of a typical family situation during the holidays. Since childhood, we’ve been trained that the holidays are a time when the family has to be happy and together. Perhaps, for that very reason, most of our festive gatherings look like superficially staged, well-rehearsed plays,” the directors revealed in a statement. Feigned merriment at the fore, as the mother works tirelessly on a turkey that will be consumed in mere minutes, and the son fidgets begrudgingly with the home’s festive
Big Brother exec Natalka Znak has said it will be a “hard job” to reach beyond hardcore fans when the reality format is rebooted for ITV.
Bond … James Bond. Have you seen all of the 007 movies? Maybe a few? Perhaps you want to watch them all, but you’re looking for the right strategy.
Ellen DeGeneres went “above and beyond” for Greyson Chance, who on Thursday doubled down on his claims that the former “Ellen DeGeneres Show” host was “manipulative” and “way too controlling.”
Ellen DeGeneres went «above and beyond» for Greyson Chance, who on Thursday doubled down on his claims that the former host was «manipulative» and «way too controlling.»A source close to DeGeneres' team tells ET, the 25-year-old singer did not make any complaints during that time on and continued to appear on the show to launch his new projects. Simply put, the source says DeGeneres went above and beyond for the singer.What's more, the source tells ET that Chance's experience -- laid out in detail in a new profile — was not the experience the team had with Chance.«Ellen and the team went above and beyond and sometimes careers just don't take off,» the source says.
James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has admitted he wasn’t a fan of No Time To Die.Brosnan, who played the 007 agent from 1995 to 2002, was recently asked about the future of the Bond franchise in light of Daniel Craig retiring after recently playing the role in No Time To Die for the final time.Discussing which films in the franchise he had recently seen, Brosnan told GQ: “I saw the last one and I saw Skyfall. I love Skyfall.“I’m not too sure about the last one,” he added of No Time To Die, leaving the end of his sentence unfinished. “Daniel always gives of his heart.
Pierce Brosnan was just profiled for a new article in GQ UK and he shared some interesting thoughts about the James Bond movies.
Michaela Zee editor “Beyond the Streets” now has a permanent address. The roving exhibit, which debuted in a Chinatown warehouse four years ago, will be displayed in a new space in Los Angeles. It’s the brainchild of Roger Gastman, a former graffiti artist whose mission is to develop cultural hubs that embrace street art. “For years, even before we opened and did the ‘Beyond the Streets’ concept, I was thinking about opening a gallery,” says Gastman, who directed “Rolling Like Thunder,” a 2021 Showtime documentary, and was consulting producer on “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” “We want to provide more opportunities, [so] it just made sense.”
After longtime James Bond actor Daniel Craig gave his final bow to the character in 2021, fans have long speculated Idris Elba would make a suitable replacement. However, new comments from Elba and 007 producers indicate it may not happen. During an episode of "The Shop" on HBO, Elba discussed the prospect of playing Bond, adding he did not think it would "satisfy" his personal or career goals. "I don't think that playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals," the 50-year-old said.
Ben Croll A pre-school series produced by Ireland’s Paper Panther Productions, “Little Whale” was one of the early-breakouts at this year’s Cartoon Forum. Following their Tuesday pitch, series director Carol Freeman and producer Chris Hees greeted a steady stream of French studios and U.K. buyers, among others, auguring a bright future for the maritime project. Paper Panther shared this exclusive first-look with Variety. Loosely adapted from Freeman’s 2018 short “The Bird & The Whale” – a hand-painted gem that would claim nearly 70 awards throughout its festival run – this series follows the gentle Little Whale and his courageous friend Narwhalia as they travel the ocean blue. Dealing with questions of family and ecology, the program is above all a way for Freeman to share her particular enthusiasm.
Naman Ramachandran Blue Finch Films has boarded international sales on European genre titles, Scandinavian thriller “Good Boy” and found footage film “Stéphane,” ahead of their world premieres at Beyond Fest. “Good Boy,” which delves into the perils of the modern dating world, follows Sigrid who thinks she’s met the perfect match in Christian until she comes to find out that he lives with a man who acts like his pet dog. French thriller “Stéphane,” a new take on the found footage genre, follows Timothée, as he documents his time with the larger-than-life, and almost unbelievable character that he meets whilst shooting a short film. As time goes on their jovial and eccentric talks become something far more sinister.
Ana de Armas went out of her way to try and secure Marilyn Monroe‘s blessing from beyond the grave before diving into the creation of Blonde.
Don’t think about this the next time you bite into a juicy Beyond burger!
Danny Boyle "persuaded" Queen Elizabeth to take part in the 007 sketch for the Olympics. The late monarch - who passed away on September 8 at the age of 96 following a 70 year reign - appeared alongside James Bond star Daniel Craig back in 2012 as part of a sketch for the opening of the 2012 Olympics in London which saw her go on a mission with the legendary spy before a stand-in was seen skydiving into the London Stadium, with acclaimed director Danny Boyle having been the one to persuade Her Late Majesty to take part in the first place. Lord Sebastian Coe, who served as London Organising Committee for the Olympics, said: "There isn't a day that goes by without somebody somewhere in the world asking me about this.
Jonathan Bennett and Brooke D’Orsay have some fun in an obstacle course in this new look at their Hallmark movie, Wedding of a Lifetime.
Christopher Vourlias Spanish production and distribution company Elamedia has acquired “Tengo sueños eléctricos” (I Have Electric Dreams), the Locarno prize-winning debut by director Valentina Maurel, which will screen in the Horizontes Latinos section of the San Sebastian Film Festival. Elamedia will be releasing the film in Spanish theaters later this year. Set in Costa Rica, “Electric Dreams” follows Eva (Daniela Marin Navarro), a strong-willed 16-year-old girl who lives with her mother, her younger sister and their cat, but desperately wants to move in with her estranged father (Reinaldo Amien Guttierez). Clinging onto him as he goes through a second adolescence, she balances between the tenderness and sensitivity of teenage life and the ruthlessness of the adult world.
Donald Sutherland finds a way to communicate from beyond the grave in the newly released trailer for Netflix’s Mr. Harrigan’s Phone.
You could argue that Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond is highlighted by Sam Mendes’ “Skyfall.” Moreso than the other films over the actor’s tenure as 007, “Skyfall” seems to be the high watermark for the franchise in recent years. So, when you talk about where the James Bond franchise needs to go in the future, now that Craig is no longer involved, Mendes seems like a good person to ask.
George Lazenby, best known for his take on James Bond in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, has issued an apology after he was accused of making “disgusting” comments.