Is the Mad King in House of the Dragon?

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Art-house title “Return to Dust” was a surprise weekend winner, topping the mainland China box office in its ninth weekend of release. The astonishing feat occurred on an otherwise depressed weekend in which China’s cinema box office dipped to a three-month low. This reflected the summer season winding to an end and anti-COVID measures once again forcing major Chinese cities into retreat. Data from consultancy Artisan Gateway showed “Return” grossing $5.3 million (RMB36.2 million) between Friday and Sunday. Those three days accounted for nearly half of the $12.7 million (RMB87.4 million) cumulative total it has earned since release on July 8, 2022.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Cairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit MAD Solutions has acquired rights for Arab territories to Venice competition entry “Les Miens” (“Our Ties”), directed by French actor and filmmaker of Moroccan descent Roschdy Zem. “Our Ties” is co-written by Zem with actor/director Maïwenn (“Polisse,” “Mon Roi”), who co-stars. Zem is a French cinema fixture, having starred in pics including “Other People’s Children” and directed several films including 2019’s “Persona Non Grata.” “Ties” is a drama about family dynamics centered around a man played by Sami Bouajila whose personality changes radically after he suffers a head injury. Zem plays his TV presenter brother.

The UK is no stranger to storms, especially in the winter months, and since 2015 these storms have each been named. This is done by the Met Office and their Irish counterpart Met Éireann as well as Dutch institution KNMI.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The delayed 46th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival wrapped Wednesday with the award of 13 prizes for its young filmmaker, documentary and shorts competitions. Hailed by the jury as “one of this year’s most distinguished films both creatively and artistically,” Qiu Jiongjiong’s “A New Old Play” was named best film for the Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language). “A New Old Play” is a tale of a family of Sichuan Opera artists living through a tumultuous era. It also collected the FIPRESCI Prize, with the jury commending the film for “its masterful approach and inventive visual style.”  In the global category, Palestinian director Maha Haj’s “Mediterranean Fever” was chosen as the Firebird Award winner for being “an all-rounded gem that is at once a thriller, social comedy, and odd couple bromance.” 

For many people, the only thing they know about “Infernal Affairs” is that it served as the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s beloved “The Departed.” However, over the years, the “Infernal Affairs” trilogy has gained a legacy that some would argue is more influential on cinema than what Scorsese did with his reimagining. And thankfully, for those who have yet to see the films, you’re about to have a chance to see the films in their best presentation yet.  READ MORE: ‘Power Of The Dog,’ ‘Infernal Affairs,’ ‘Malcolm X’ & More Coming From Criterion In November Thanks to the folks at Janus Films, all three “Infernal Affairs” films are getting new 4K restorations and a US re-release.

A torchlight procession will brighten the streets of Perth in October to mark the opening of this year’s Royal National Mòd.

Emily Longeretta Teri Hatcher and James Tupper will star as former high school sweethearts in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original movie “Mid-Love Crisis,” premiering this fall. Brian Markinson, June Laporte and Matreya Scarrwener also star. Hatcher portrays Mindy, a single mom approaching her 50th birthday who “realizes she’s in the throes of a bonafide mid-life crisis.” During a long weekend at the family’s lake house with her daughter Rita (Laporte) and Rita’s girlfriend, Emily (Scarrwener) Mindy is surprisingly reunited with her former boyfriend — Emily’s uncle, Sam (Tupper), who she hasn’t spoken to in three decades. As Rita plans to surprise Emily with a proposal, she tells her mom she wants her dad to join them, leading to Mindy’s two exes under one roof.

For many people, the only thing they know about “Infernal Affairs” is that it served as the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s beloved “The Departed.” However, over the years, the “Infernal Affairs” trilogy has gained a legacy that some would argue is more influential on cinema than what Scorsese did with his reimagining.

Sunday night premiere of HBO‘s “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of Dragon.” Warning: Spoilers below.While Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke) is giving birth, a dangerous complication arises. So her husband, King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), desperate for a male heir, orders the baby to be delivered via Caesarean section — which would kill the mother.The woman screams in anguish and begs them not to do it, but the doctor holds her down and graphically operates. It’s extremely painful.

The wait is almost over. House of the Dragon - the Game of Thrones prequel - finally premieres in a few hours time.

The Game of Thrones prequel, House of The Dragon airs on Monday, August 22.

Australian news outlet Crikey reports that not only were people offended, but one attendee said “there was a bit of a gasp” after the comment. Another said, “It felt like he was expecting us to laugh along, but people in the room were obviously shocked by it.” A spokesperson for the company, which aired “Game of Thrones” in Australia, later apologized for Delany’s remark: “The Foxtel Group apologies if his remarks were misunderstood and caused any offense….

Angelina Jolie was joined by her youngest son as she shopped in Los Angeles. Jolie and Knox were spotted at Los Feliz dressed casually, as they carried some groceries to their car. Salma Hayek praises Angelina Jolie and describes her as the ‘best director’ she has ever workedAngelina Jolie drops off Zahara at college, shares that she’s ecxited in emotional videoJolie was photographed wearing a white dress that she paired with some sandals and a beige purse.Knox, who’s 14 years old, was photographed carrying the groceries and wearing a white T-shirt and black pants.

EXCLUSIVE: Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK rights to Hong Kong family drama Mama’s Affair, which marks the film acting debut of two members of hot local boy band Mirror, Keung To and Jer Lau, from Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures.

Game of Thrones fans everywhere are anxiously awaiting the release of House Of The Dragon on August 22 on Sky Atlantic and NOW. The prequel will tell the fictional story of the Targaryen civil war, set 172 years before the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, was born.