International Insider: Boom Then Bust; Tales From TIFF; ‘Clarkson’s Farm’

Sphere, the innovative new concert venue in Las Vegas, opened on Friday night (September 29) with a performance from U2 and we have incredible photos and videos from inside the dome.

“Just B” podcast and called the host out for making his guests on the late-night show feel like there’ being “f–king skinned alive.”“The last time I went on that show, I was with my daughter, and … he’s asking these questions like, ‘Who’s the ugliest Housewife?’ And you’re like, ‘Oh, let me think.’ Like a question that bad,” Frankel recalled of the “Real Housewives'” executive producer stirring up the pot.“Like, who is the worst mother?” the Skinnygirl liquor founder continued. “Questions that are so problematic —asking Jill’s Zarin’s mother ‘is this good for the Jews or bad for the Jews?’ then mentioning Ron Jeremy.”“All these things, that somehow he’s like, always protected, and we’re always f–king skinned alive with Tabasco sauce all over us, naked, because I saw the thing — who is the the bitchiest housewife or most dramatic?”A heated Frankel continued, “We’re out there and we get thrown like pieces of meat to just get ripped apart by that vehicle that we kiss the a– to get on.

It’s Friday, aka Insider Day. Jesse Whittock back again to run you through the international film and TV stories dominating the headlines this week. 

Bethenny Frankel is not done sharing her thoughts on Taylor Swift’s new romance!

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi has launched an impassioned appeal for production designer Leila Naghdipari to be released from jail following her recent arrest during demonstrations marking the one year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. Naghdipari was one of hundreds of Iranians arrested on Sept.

Baz Luhrmann has been named president of the Features Competition jury at the upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival. This third edition of the event runs from November 30-December 9 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Sophia Loren is recovering from emergency surgery for a fractured hip following a fall on Sunday in her home in Geneva, Switzerland, according to Italian press reports. Italy’s most famous living movie star, who turned 89 on Sept. 20, suffered multiple fractures after accidentally falling at home on Sunday morning.

In the world of celebrity romance, few couples have faced the public eye with the resilience of Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson. From reality TV fame to a heartfelt reconciliation, this duo has shown that love can weather even the stormiest of setbacks. As Zara takes centre stage on Strictly Come Dancing, Sam stands as her biggest cheerleader.

We’ve got the keys to the weekend, Insider fans. Jesse Whittock here guiding you through the international film and TV stories you need to read to top off the working week. 

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Netflix has ordered a sequel to “Troll,” the Norwegian action-adventure film directed by Roar Uthaug, who helmed Norway’s first disaster movie, “The Wave.” “Troll 2” reteams Uthaug (“Tomb Raider”) with writer Espen Aukan andproducers Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud at Motion Blur, the Oslo-based banner whose credits include “Cadaver,” “Amundsen” and “The 12th Man.” The first installment unfolds in the aftermath of an explosion in the Norwegian mountains, which awakens an ancient troll. The story revolves around a fearless paleontologist who embarks on a journey to stop the troll from wreaking deadly havoc.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Dominic Cooper (“Mamma Mia”) and Sarah Gadon (“A Dangerous Method”) are co-starring in “Cry From The Sea,” a Canadian-Irish movie directed by cinematographer-turned-helmer Vic Sarin (“Cold Comfort”). The movie, which is currently shooting, is represented in international markets by Cinema Management Group, with WME and Laura Rister handling U.S.

A first-time filmmaker has claimed the top prize at the 19th Annual Camden Film Festival in Maine, one of the country’s foremost all-documentary festivals.

Organizers of the Camden International Film Festival in coastal Maine are moving ahead with regular programming today, as Hurricane Lee – downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone – aims further north towards Nova Scotia.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Charades has closed multiple deals on “There’s Something in the Barn,” Magnus Martens’s (“Fear the Walking Dead”) comedy horror movie from “Dead Snow” producers at 74 Entertainment and XYZ Films. The English-language movie is headlined by Martin Starr (“Freaks and Geeks,” “Spider Man”), Amrita Acharia (“Game of Thrones”) and Jeppe Beck Laursen (“The Last Kingdom”).

K.J. Yossman The U.K. TV industry delivered a total sector revenue of almost £4 billion ($5 billion) in 2022.

Fall Out Boy and Metro Boomin have been added to the list of performers for next week’s 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.The ceremony will take place at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey on September 12, and will also feature the recently-announced Olivia Rodrigo.Others to perform at the 2023 VMAs will be Måneskin, Doja Cat and more, alongside the newly announced Peso Pluma. It will be Fall Out Boy’s first performance on the show since 2007.Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and SZA lead the list of nominations, which was revealed last month.Swift is leading the way with eight nominations, SZA earned six and Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Sam Smith have all earned five each.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor London- and Paris-based Film Constellation has boarded sales on 2D family animated feature “Carmen,” a contemporary adaptation of the opera, to be directed by 2023 Annecy Film Festival winner Sébastien Laudenbach. Variety revealed first details of the project last year exclusively.

Justin Bieber and Kid Laroi are spending some quality time together!

Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. August is behind us but the sun is shining, and we’ve got all the news and analysis you need to get you to the weekend. Sign up here.

Holly Jones Carolina Markowicz returns to the circuit to release her second feature “Toll” (“Pedágio”), cementing another world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, this time in its Centrepiece strand, billed as championing “compelling stories, global perspectives,” before heading to San Sebastian for closing night honors in its Horizontes Latinos competition later this month. Paris-based Luxbox handles international sales and has provided Variety with an exclusive first look at the riveting trailer.