France’s MK2 Films Pulls Out of Louis Armstrong Feature Doc Over Rights Dispute

Naman Ramachandran French broadcaster TF1 will air entertainment show “Good Singers,” hosted by TV personality Anthony Lambert, from July 17.The weekly prime time show is based on Istanbul-headquartered distributor Global Agency’s original format “Is That Really Your Voice?,” created by Izzet Pinto, in which a panel must select the talented singers from a group based purely on their appearance.Pinto said: “The idea for the show came from watching the singer Susan Boyle, who rose to fame on a

cleansing” has threatened the survival of LGBTQ people living inside the Chechen Republic. The nation’s Putin-supported leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, proudly denies the purge, despite reports from victims, survivors, and their families of brutal atrocities.

Peter White Television EditorEXCLUSIVE: Gaumont, the production company behind series including Netflix’s Narcos and Apple TV+’s Stillwater, is shaking up its U.S. division with Nicolas Atlan taking over and Gene Stein exiting.The French company has handed oversight of its U.S.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentDanish writer Karen Blixen, whose memoir “Out of Africa” and short story “Babette’s Feast” were both turned into Academy Award-winning films, is now the subject of another big-screen makeover with an adaptation of her short story “The Immortal Story” set to be penned by Argentina’s Daniel Rosenfeld and Lucía Puenzo.Argentine-French actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (“BPM (Beats per Minute)”) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (“Pain and Glory,” “Wild Tales”) have

anti-Catholic abuse at a dog, dropped his trousers, and assaulted two people at the event, has narrowly dodged jail.Brian Montgomery, 38, brandished a bottle at the birthday boy's mum, headbutted the youngster's uncle on the nose, and punched out a light.Montgomery kicked off at the birthday party, held in May.Falkirk Sheriff Court heard on Thursday that the event, at an address in the town's Hallglen, featured a barbecue, and adults were drinking.Prosecutor Caitlin French said: "About 8.00 pm

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentM6 Group, the second biggest commercial network in France, has acquired Epithete Films, a Paris-based production company boasting a catalogue of 25 feature films, including the hit family adventure franchise “Belle and Sébastien.”The banner’s library also includes Gilles Legrand’s “Malabar Princess,” “Tu seras mon fils” and Patrice Leconte’s “Ridicule.” Epithete Films is headed by Frédéric Brillion and Legrand.“With this targeted acquisition, M6 Group

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentJuliette Schrameck, the former managing director of MK2 Films (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”), will be joining the well-established French production company Agat Films starting Sept.

On Tuesday (June 30), RCA Records teamed up with the Human Rights Campaign for their 2020 Pride Benefit Concert. The one-hour livestream operated as a fundraiser for the HRC, with some of the organization's supporters stopping by to speak to their mission, while RCA provided tunes courtesy of their talented roster. 

“Welcome to Chechnya,” directed by David France, is about an underground pipeline created to rescue LGBTQ Chechens from the Russian republic where the government has for several years waged a crackdown on gays. In the predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia ruled by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, LGBTQ Chechens have been detained, tortured and killed.

When the embrace of one’s true self becomes a protest, and when protest is treated by the state as tantamount to treason, small acts of humanity can carry the weight of the world. Director David France wades into this awful reality with his newest documentary, “Welcome to Chechnya,” which tracks a group of activists in Russia and Chechnya who operate an LGBTQ+ Underground Railroad of sorts.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterThe mistreatment and persecution of the LGBTQ community in Chechnya has been an ongoing issue, but in March 2017 a glaring spotlight was put on the Russian republic as reports of gay and bisexual men being abducted, tortured, beaten and even killed at the hands of authorities started coming to the forefront.

“Welcome to Chechnya,” directed by David France, is about an underground pipeline created to rescue LGBTQ Chechens from the Russian republic where the government has for several years waged a crackdown on gays. In the predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia ruled by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, LGBTQ Chechens have been detained, tortured and killed.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaIFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to “Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles,” a documentary about one Isreali chef’s attempts to recreate some of the French Monarchy’s most delicious desserts.The film is the latest work from Laura Gabbert, who previously teamed with IFC Films on “City of Gold,” a look at the late food critic Jonathan Gold and his connection to the culinary scene of Los Angeles.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMK2 Films (“Maria By Callas,” “Portrait of A Lady On Fire”) has come on board “Louis Armstrong: The Cause of Happiness,” a feature documentary exploring the many faces of the jazz music icon, and set against the backdrop of the social, cultural and political milestones of U.S.

Paul Pogba at Manchester United – and said there is “no one” like the midfielder. Pogba made his first appearance for United since December as he came off the bench to play a starring role in the 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Friday.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMemento Films International has closed major territory sales on its prestige director-driven film slate, including “Persian Lessons,” “My Salinger Year” and “Under The Stars.” “Persian Lessons,” a drama directed by “House of Sand and Fog” helmer Vadim Perelman, is set in Occupied France in 1942.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentParis-based sales company Totem Films has unveiled a teaser for “Gagarine,” a feature debut by Fanny Liatard and Jeremy Trouilh which is part of Cannes’ Official Selection. Totem Films will be hosting two virtual market screening at Cannes’ online Marché du Film that kicks off on Monday.