Japanese Genre-Meister Miike Takashi Signs With CAA (EXCLUSIVE)

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Ahead of its broadcast premiere on France’s TF1, “Cat’s Eyes,” the anticipated live-action show set in Paris and based on the cult manga series, has been sold by Newen Connect to a flurry of European broadcasters. The eight-part action-packed show was picked up by Germany’s ZDF and Italy’s Rai, among others. The show was previously sold to Belgium (RTL) and Switzerland (RTS).

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Rolling off the Cannes Film Festival where it won several awards, Mohammad Rasoulof‘s “The Seed of The Sacred Fig” has been acquired by a flurry of high profile distributors in major international territories. Films Boutique, which represents the critically acclaimed political drama globally, has sold it to Lionsgate for the U.K.

Katcy Stephan Rudy Reyes and New War Productions have signed with CAA for representation. Reyes is a former Force Reconnaissance Marine, American conservationist, writer, actor and motivational speaker.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Montreal-based distributor K-Films Amérique has acquired Canadian rights to Algerian multi-hyphenate Chakib Taleb Bendiab’s upcoming thriller “Algiers” that delves into the local phenomenon of child abduction. “Algiers,” which will go by the title “196 métres” in France, is set to have its theatrical release in movie theatres in Québec in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a statement. K-Films Amérique is an indie distributor which services the Canadian province of Quebec where French is the official language.

Established in 1932, Japan’s Toho Group has grown into a film-industry powerhouse, not only at home but globally. Working across production, distribution and exhibition, it has recently been on an expansion spree, reeling in box office around the world and with recognition from major awards bodies. 

Katcy Stephan Chelsea and Cole DeBoer have signed with CAA for representation. The DeBoers star in the HGTV series “Down Home Fab,” which is now airing its second season. In the show, Chelsea and Cole remodel homes together, with Chelsea leading the design plans and Cole serving as the hands-on project manager.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Sideshow and Janus films (“Drive My Car”) have acquired all North American rights to Payal Kapadia‘s “All We Imagine as Light,” the first Indian film to screen in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 30 years. The movie will world premiere on Thursday, May 23. It’s also one of only four films in the Competition directed by a woman.

Katcy Stephan Neuroscientist and Stanford School of Medicine tenured professor Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., has signed with WME. The agency will work with Huberman to continue to grow his successful podcast, “Huberman Lab,” in addition to brand partnerships, talent ventures and overarching business and brand building.

EXCLUSIVE: New York-based creator, comedian, actor, writer Kyle Gordon has signed wtih CAA for representation.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Korea’s Barunson E&A has picked up world sales rights to Vietnamese horror-comedy “Don’t Cry Butterfly.” Sales will be launched this week at the Cannes Market. Written and directed by Duong Dieu Linh, the Hanoi-set film follows a housewife who uses voodoo to try and get her cheating husband fall back into love with her, but instead invites a mysterious presence into the house.

Katcy Stephan Director James McTeigue has signed with Gersh for representation in all areas. McTeigue is the filmmaker behind several major features and series, including his 2005 directorial feature debut “V for Vendetta,” the cult favorite dystopian comic book adaptation starring Natalie Portman, John Hurt and Hugo Weaving.

Jamie Lang International sales and distribution outfit Pink Parrot Media has closed several key deals for Doce Entertainment and Mr. Miyagi Films’ animated kids and family feature “Hanna and the Monsters.” Agreements have been made with World Visions for CIS, Boxoo for South Korea, Front Row for the Middle East, GPI for the Baltics, Cinetel for Hungary, Wediacorp for Turkey and Movie Company for Benelux.

K.J. Yossman This year’s Cannes is set to be the most activist-heavy yet.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Female stunt performer Wiriya Caesar will step up into the lead performer role in upcoming Thai action film “The 24.” The film project is being launched this week in the Cannes Market by new international sales firm Boz Pictures. Wiriya (aka Porntip Wiriya, aka “Fan”) has previously been a stunt double for Mary-Elizabeth Winstead in “Kate” and Golshifteh Farahani in “Extraction,” and has other credits on “Thirteen Lives” and “Hidden Strike.” In “The 24” she will star as an assassin who wakes up with a time bomb strapped to her body. She has clear instructions to kill a hit list of 24 members of the Bangkok underground, with each successful hit buying her more time alive. Caesar is joined in the cast by Japan’s Sakaguchi Tak (“Re:Born,” “One Percenter,” “Versus”), Dan Chupong (“Ong Bak 1 &2,” “Born to Fight”), Sunny Pang (“The Night Comes for Us,” “Headshot” and Gareth Evans’ upcoming “Havoc”) and Simon Kook (“Ip Man 3,” “Mayhem”). The film, which will shoot in the fourth quarter of this year, is written and directed by Lee Thongkham (“The Maid,” “The Lake,” “Kitty the Killer”).

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor France TV Distribution has closed several territory deals for Sylvain Desclous’ “The Victoria System,” starring Damien Bonnard and Jeanne Balibar. The film has been acquired by Spentzos in Greece, Divisa Red in Spain, Arna Media in the CIS, NK Content in South Korea, AVJET in Taïwan and Mars in Turkey. The film centers on David Kolski, who is overseeing the construction of the highest tower ever built in France.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor As Cannes Film Festival kicks off, the Paris-based international sales company MK2 Films has revealed it has acquired three films and made substantial investments in new restorations, set against the backdrop of a strong presence at Cannes Classics. MK2 Films has entered into a collaboration with the Niki Charitable Art Foundation on the global rights (excluding the U.S.) for two films directed by artist Niki de Saint Phalle: “Un Rêve plus long que la nuit” (1976) and “Daddy” (1973).

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabian director Shahad Ameen, whose feminist fable “Scales” made a splash after launching from Venice in 2019, is back behind the camera on “Hijra,” an ambitious drama centered on the bond formed between different generations of Saudi women during a journey across the desert. CAA is handling North American sales on “Hijra,” which is being shot in a vast swathe of desert and in several Saudi cities and urban areas including Jeddah, Medina, AlUla and Neom.

Winger Daizen Maeda insists he didn't realise that celebrating with Celtic fans after a goal against Rangers would land him a booking.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief French sales agent Pyramide International has dropped a dark and subtle trailer for “Việt and Nam” a gay drama about two young miners who must complete a mission before fate pulls them apart. Directed by Vietnamese auteur Trương Minh Quý, the film plays at the Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard with its world premiere on May 22. Per a synopsis from lead producer Epicmedia: “Nam and Việt, both young miners, cherish fleeting moments, knowing that one of them will soon leave for a new life across the sea. But the departure cannot happen as, lying in a far-off forest is Nam’s father, a soldier, whose remains they’re compelled to find.

Christina Aguilera has officially signed to 5020 Records, leaving her longtime label RCA Records of 26 years, Variety can confirm. Fans have been speculating over the past few months that the powerhouse singer had parted ways with RCA, the label that she’s called home for the entirety of her career, after 5020’s logo appeared on her official website.