Cineworld & CEO To Be Fined By Israeli Court Over Local Distribution Matter

Manori Ravindran International EditorThe New Yorker has acquired Israeli documentary shorts “Holy Holocaust” and “Herd.”Jerusalem-based sales agent Go2Films has secured a worldwide digital distribution deal with the publication for the pair of award-winning films. “Holy Holocaust” is directed by Osi Wald and Noa Berman-Hertzberg, while “Herd” is helmed by Omer Daida.Both films are currently nominated for Israeli Academy Awards and have played at international festivals.

Matthew McConaughey and his "True Detective" co-star, Woody Harrelson, bonded over their shared love of the open water while on a paddleboard during a group vacation in Dubrovnik, Croatia. McConaughey, 52, wore a pair of grey swim trunks, and sat in the front of the soft-top board, while Harrelson paddled in the back wearing neon blue and green striped shorts.

Former model Kate Fischer sobbed as she told a court of the horrors she went through when a video of her screaming naked was aired on television.Fischer, who legally changed her name to Tziporah Malkah after she converted to Judaism, faced Sutherland Local Court in Australia on Thursday for a sentence for breaching a court order.The 48-year-old, former fiancee of billionaire James Packer, took to the witness stand where she told the court she got into an argument with a man while naked, which she said he filmed without her knowledge.Months later, the former Vogue cover girl was at the pub when the video came on television.“We were eating fish and chips and a big screen they had came on and it was footage he had filmed of me unbeknown to me without my permission,” she said.“It was me naked flailing my arms around looking like a lunatic.”Malkah sobbed as she described the betrayal and humiliation she felt as she watched the footage.“I was in a puddle of disbelief and feeling that the world turned upside down and the world that I thought that I lived in wasn’t true,” Malkah said as tears rolled down her face.The former model said the footage still haunts her.“When I walk into the shopping mall and this is on my mind, I’m getting bread and milk and eggs like a normal person and I feel so ashamed,” Malkah told the court.“I think ‘who’s seen that? who’s looking at me? who’s thinking I’m crazy and dangerous and unstable?’”Malkah has had multiple jobs including in traffic control and aged care, but is currently unemployed.“I live from hand to mouth week to week, I borrow money from my family and friends.

EXCLUSIVE: Television producers Dana Eden and Shula Spiegel and their production company Donna and Shula Productions have signed with CAA. The duo are best known for producing Tehran, the first international series purchased and produced by Apple TV+.

Guy Lodge Film Critic“America” is a burdensome title for Israeli director Ofir Raul Graizer’s bright, frangible new film, casting expectations of continent-sized import onto a more individual, interior study of immigrant unrest. Visually iridescent and unexpectedly buoyant even when dealing with matters of plunging personal tragedy, this study of a Chicago-based swimming coach returning to his native Israel after his father’s death — setting off a chain of both present-tense misfortunes and disinterred traumas — braids blunt melodramatic storytelling with a softer, more searching look at conflicted identity, both cultural and sexual.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentChristine Vachon, the legendary U.S. indie film producer behind “Far from Heaven,” “Boys Don’t Cry” and HBO miniseries “Mildred Pierce,” will deliver a masterclass at Locarno Pro, the expansive industry program of the Locarno Film Festival.Further masterclasses will be given by Katriel Schory, an architect of the modern build in Israel cinema as executive director of the Israeli Film Fund for 20 years; and by Lucius Barre, the renowned international film publicist who has represented early crossover films by Pedro Almódovar, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Atom Egoyan, Johnnie To and Tom Tykwer.Neon Distribution will be the subject of a panel presentation on original-language film distribution in the U.S.

Marta Balaga Following the success of Ofir Raul Graizer’s debut feature “The Cakemaker,” acquired by Netflix in the U.S. and already optioned for a Hollywood remake, securing financing for his second film “America” was much easier. But then the pandemic came.

The Jerusalem Film Festival has unveiled the line-up for its Israeli feature film competition as well as all the other local productions selected to screen in its 39th edition, running 21-31.

EXCLUSIVE: A landmark 45M shekel ($13M) tax rebate for Israeli TV and film productions passed into law at the very last moment before the government collapsed this week.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorThe trailer has debuted for “America,” a drama directed by Ofir Raul Graizer (“The Cakemaker”), which will world premiere at Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival in the Crystal Globe Competition. Beta Cinema is handling world sales.The film centers on Eli, an Israeli swimming coach living in the U.S.

Phoebe Bridgers took over the Glastonbury Festival tonight (June 24) with some powerful words for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Manori Ravindran International EditorKyrre Holm Johannessen, the creator and showrunner of Netflix series “The Girl From Oslo,” has signed with CAA for representation.Originally from Norway, Johannessen began his career in television, writing on the 2016 comedy drama “Meglerne,” about a corrupt real estate broker who suddenly finds himself tutoring a self-absorbed student. He is also a well-known TV presenter, having hosted various programs for Norway’s public broadcaster NRK, including “Karate,” “Kyrre” and “P3morgen.”Johannessen was the head writer for the 2017 satirical comedy series “Folkevalgt” (“Elected”) for Norwegian broadcaster TV2, which follows nine young politicians from different parties fighting for a seat in Norway’s Parliament.

Berlinale Calls For Acquittal Of Filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga Following Protest Arrest