City Buenos Aires Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Taylor Swift has shared a second special edition of her upcoming new album, this time featuring a bonus track called ‘The Albatross’.The pop star announced news of the new special edition of ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ on her social media pages early on Friday morning (February 23).Sharing two images – one of the front and one of the back of the artwork – she wrote: “File Name: The Albatross,” and continued: “Pre-order the new edition of ‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT’ with exclusive bonus track ‘The Albatross’ on my website now”.The new announcement also came just one week after the singer announced a separate special edition of the new record with a bonus track titled ‘The Bolter’.

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Holly Jones German sales outfit Patra Spanou Film (“Blue Moon”) has acquired international rights to “The Pleasure Is Mine” (“El Placer Es Mío”), the debut feature from Brazilian-born screenwriter and director Sacha Amaral, whose prior efforts on short “Billy Boy” earned him a slot at the Cannes Cinéfondation program in 2021. The boutique sales agency has also shared an exclusive first-look teaser with Variety ahead of the drama’s premiere in international competition at this year’s Bafici in Buenos Aires, running April 17-28.

Cannes parallel section Acid, run by France’s Association for the Diffusion of Independent Cinema (ACID), has unveiled its 2024 line-up. (scroll down for full list)

Naman Ramachandran Athens-based boutique film outfit Heretic has two titles in the Cannes ACID (Association for the International Distribution of Independent Cinemas) sidebar. Heretic’s own Greek production, co-produced with North Macedonia’s List Production, “Kyuka Before Summer’s End,” by debut director Kostas Charamountanis, is the opening film of the ACID program.

Thania Garcia Argentinian pop singer, Martina “Tini” Stoessel, has unveiled her fifth full-length album “Un Mechón de Pelo,” the follow-up to 2023’s “Cupido.” It’s her second LP under 5020 Records and Sony Music Entertainment. “Un Mechón de Pelo” is a concept album that touches on topics ranging from mental health to the evolution of her career as an actor and singer-songwriter.

Selena Kuznikov Cineverse plans to release the Turkish zombie drama “The Funeral” this fall across all platforms, including its Bloody Disgusting-powered streaming service. The entertainment company acquired the film out of Berlinale. Director Orçun Behram tells the story of 40-year-old Cemal, a lonely hearse driver who has been given a secret task: a young girl named Zeynep has been murdered and her body needs to be delivered to her family.

Anitta has announced a run of headline shows for her 2024 ‘Baile Funk Experience Tour’ – find all the details below.The Brazilian singer-songwriter is due to head out on the road next month in support of her sixth album ‘Funk Generation’, which will be released on April 26.Kicking off in Mexico City on May 18, the North American leg of ‘The Baile Funk Experience Tour’ will also include stop-offs in Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Toronto, Chicago and New York.Anitta is then set to visit South America, with gigs scheduled in Bogotá, Lima, Santiago and Buenos Aires.The artist will embark on a run of concerts in Europe too, with dates confirmed in Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Ibiza, Madrid, Barcelona and Milan.Anitta will play at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London on June 28, marking her only UK date on the tour. Tickets for this show go on general sale at 10am BST this Friday (April 12) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.

BBC presenter David Capper has sadly passed away at the age of 91.The legendary journalist, who was a former BBC Ireland Correspondent, reported on some of the most challenging times during the Troubles across TV and radio. David leaves behind three children, Chris, Diarmit and Samantha, and nine grandchildren. Adam Smyth, Director of BBC NI, has paid an emotional tribute to David, calling him a "journalistic icon".

Charis McGowan Before her ninth and final headlining show in Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena last week, Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole offered everyone in her dressing room a drink — of maté herbal tea. Speaking fast and eagerly (which she later apologized for), she said, “Ah, but if maté is too sour for you, you should try terere — you’d love that, it’s so refreshing!” This sort of dorky openness puts everyone around her at ease, earning her a reputation for being humble and approachable despite her status as one of Latin America’s most in-demand Gen-Z stars and singer-songwriters. Since releasing her third album “Alma” last May, Nicole has earned three RIAA-certified plaques for singles including “8 AM” with Young Miko, “Dispara***” with Milo J, and “que le pasa conmigo” with Rels B.

Holly Jones Germany’s Beta Film (“Babylon Berlin”) sets its sights on the Croisette for the world premiere of Dutch Royal drama “Máxima,” selected to screen out-of-competition at Canneseries on April 9. In tow, Delfina Chaves (“The Secret of the Greco Family”), who portrays the titular character in the series that Variety recently likened to Emmy-Award-Winning Netflix Drama “The Crown.” Teased at last month’s London TV Screenings, the six-part drama series unravels the love story between then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (Martijn Lakemeier) and his enigmatic Argentine love interest, Máxima, who goes on to become Queen, at his side.

Savina Petkova Documentaries can reach places justice cannot: this is the credo of Argentinian writer-director-producer María Silvia Esteve, whose latest project “Mailin” won the 2|35 Post-Production Company Award at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. For seven years, Esteve has been working with Mailin Gobbo in Buenos Aires to document her story of overcoming systematic sexual abuse.

The government of Javier Milei, Argentina’s far-right leader, has pushed through highly controversial plans to defund all state funding to the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA), the country’s national film body.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Argentina’s right-wing populist president Javier Milei is forging ahead with his administration’s plans to defund the country’s film-TV institute INCAA, which will adversely impact national film festivals such as the Mar del Plata and federal aid for national film releases, state-run cinemas and film schools, among others. It also jeopardizes the prominent Buenos Aires-based film and TV market, Ventana Sur, which is jointly organized by INCAA and Cannes’ Marché du Film.

UK distributor-producer Signature Entertainment has set plans to acquire Latin American production and distribution company Particular Crowd. 

EXCLUSIVE: Coming off two-time Oscar nominee and Netflix hit Society Of The Snow, J.A. Bayona is producing and presenting psychological horror Crazy Old Lady (Vieja Loca), which will star Goya, Cesar and Cannes best actress winner Carmen Maura (Volver) and Berlinale Silver Bear winner Daniel Hendler (Lost Embrace).

Air, Laurel Halo and Laurent Garnier are among the names that have been added to the lineup for 2024’s Sónar Festival in Barcelona. The music festival, which is known for highlighting dance and electronic music culture, is set to run from Thursday June 13 to Sunday June 15, 2024, and tickets are on sale here. In December, Kaytranada, Jessie Ware and Vince Staples were among the first raft of names announced for next year’s edition of Sónar Barcelona.

Berlinale Series Market’s annual project pitching event. The prize consists of an invitation to the production’s team to present again at the industry centrepiece at next month’s Lille-based get-together, the Series Mania Forum’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions.

EXCLUSIVE: Buenos Aires-based Filmsharks has sold a series of its EFM titles, including Spanish horror pic The Boogeyman: The Origin of the Myth (El Hombre Del Saco) and a new 4K remastered version of the cult Argentinian thriller Nine Queens, to multiple international territories. 

Poor Things” director Yorgos Lanthimos will reteam with Element Pictures on a remake of South Korean fantasy comedy “Save the Green Planet,” Variety has learned. Lanthimos — whose latest film, “Poor Things,” is nominated for 11 Oscars and just won five BAFTAs (including best actress for Emma Stone) — is expected to start shooting the movie in the U.K. and New York this summer.

Rafa Sales Ross Guest Contributor Three women live a quiet life amongst the luscious trees of the Canary Islands in the first trailer for Macu Machín’s Berlinale Forum entry “The Undergrowth.” Croatia’s Splitscreen is handling sales on the title. The title also represents the latest from Tenerife-based El Viaje Films, quickly building as one of the Canary Islands top fiction producers, having co-produced Theo Court’s Chilean Oscar entry “White on White.” It was also recently behind titles such as Venice-selected “They Carry Death” and Locarno prize-winning “Dead Slow Ahead.” Machín’s feature debut is a personal affair, with the filmmaker chronicling the routine of her mother and two aunts as they finally try to settle the distribution of their family inheritance after years of debate.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief New Zealand-based sales and distribution company Black Mandala has picked up international rights to Spanish-language genre film and 2023 festival hit “I’ll Crush Y’All” (aka “Os Reviento”). Portrayed by Mario Mayo, Gabriel, better known as ‘Tarado,’ is a former boxer who lives in a secluded village outside the city with his father and his dog. He could still box, but to avoid what led him to spend a few years in prison, he prefers to lead a quiet life.

Camila Morrone was another star representing the Latino community at the Emmys. While walking down the award show’s red carpet, the star spoke about her Argentinian roots and her most recent vacation in the South American nation. “I am very proud to be here.

Miss Universe organization modified its rules to eliminate the age limit in their annual pageant, women worldwide have decided to compete to secure the title of the first Miss Universe over 30 years old. Among these women is Iris Amelia Alioto, Argentina’s first 72-year-old contestant.

Holly Jones A remote and dilapidated lighthouse proves an increasingly sinister backdrop for newly widowed father, Pablo (Hugo Silva) and his adolescent daughter Lidia (Zoe Arnao) in the first international teaser trailer for the upcoming Ángeles Hernández thriller “Restless Waters, Shivering Lights” (“El Faro”). Distribution in Spain is handled by Alfa Pictures with an expected release date of Jan.

Holly Jones Paris-based outfit Luxbox – one of Europe’s biggest sales agents and sometimes producers – of higher-profile Spanish-language art house fare, has swooped on international rights to “Reas,” a prison musical in which female and trans ex-cons process their experiences, which was confirmed last week as one of the first eight films selected for Berlin’s Forum section. The second film by Argentine playwright and writer Lola Arias (“Theater of War”), and winner of the HEAD Pitchings du Réel Award at Visions du Réel in 2020, “Reas” was also selected by San Sebastian Film Festival for its 2023 WIP Latam.

Marc Anthony, who enchanted Peruvians with his Viviendo Tour. Marc was accompanied by his inseparable wife, Nadia Ferreira, as he stopped by the South American country. While Marc finalized the details of his concert, Nadia toured some of the most touristy spots in Lima, such as the Indian Handicraft Market, one of the most beautiful places in the area.The model shared a glimpse of her visit to the market through her Instagram stories.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent In bigger picture terms, the major highlights of Ventana Sur were a masterclass by Cannes head Thierry Frémaux and an impromptu speech by San Sebastián director José Luis Rebordinos, heads of the most important film festivals in the world and Spanish-speaking world, supporting the continued existence of INCAA. There words came after Argentinian President elect Javier Milei had vowed on the campaign trail to shutter Argentina’s state-backed film-TV agency if voted into power. In industry terms, never has Ventana Sur, Latin America’s most important film-TV market, been this big, its final attendance numbers sky-rocketing to 4,300, some 30% up on 2022, beyond even the wildest expectations of organizers, Cannes Marché du Film and the INCAA.

Kaytranada, Jessie Ware and Vince Staples are among the first raft of names announced for next year’s edition of Sónar Barcelona. The music festival, which is known for highlighting dance and electronic music culture, is set to run from Thursday June 13 to Sunday June 15, 2024, and tickets are on sale here. Other names confirmed for the festival include Charlotte de Witte, who will bring her ‘Overdrive’ show to the site, Floating Points, Ben Böhmer live, Casisdead, Marie Davidson and Folamour.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Habanero Film Sales has snapped up documentary “I Trust You” (“En vos confio”) from Juan Pablo Gugliotta and Nathalia Videla Peña’s Magma Cine (“The Distinguished Citizen,” “1976”) in one of the more significant of multiple deals struck at a hectic Ventana Sur (VS) in Buenos Aires. Directed by Agustin Toscano, whose “The Owners” and “The Snatch Thief” participated in Cannes’ Critics Week and Directors’ Fortnight sidebars in 2013 and 2017, respectively, “I Trust You” follows former nuns Susana and Nélida who have been incarcerated at the Tucumán Women’s Prison since 2006, accused of a crime they insist they did not commit.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Mexican Rigoberto Pérezcano’s “Lovers Fare Goodbye,” a poignant, exquisitely shot tale of star-crossed young love dominated prizes at Primer Corte, Ventana Sur’s key arthouse pic competition. The prize and dozens of others were announced Friday at Latin America’s most important film-TV mart-meet.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent BUENOS AIRES — In one of the first deals to close at this week’s Ventana Sur market, Spain’s Latido Films has boarded “Lo Que Quisimos Ser,” written-directed by Alejandro Agresti, produced by Fernando Sokolowicz at Aleph Media, and Gastón Duprat, who have teamed as producer and co-writer-director on “The Distinguished Citizen,” “The Man Next Door,” and “The Artist.” “Lo Que Quisimos Ser” marks the latest film from Agresti, one of Argentina’s most international talents best known for a Hollywood sojourn which saw him directing Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in “The Lake House” and writing Argentina-set, English-language “No somos animales,” with John Cusack. Of his Argentine film, “Valentín” weighs in as a big-hearted coming of age tale of a cross-eyed and very lonely young kid.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Colombian sales and distribution company Doc:Co is venturing into the global sales arena with its first international pick up, Chilean-Colombian co-production “Otra Piel.” The debut feature documentary of Patricia Correa, “Otra Piel” is co-produced by Colombia’s Romeo, 235 Digital and Sonata Films alongside Chile’s Cine Matiz, founded by producer Gabriela Sandoval who co-runs another, more established label, Storyboard Media. The doc revolves around Miguel, who at 38, is not just a taxidermist but also an accomplished hunter.

Holly Jones A chaotic and bittersweet love affair meets a compelling journey toward radical self acceptance in Brazilian writer-director Felipe Sholl’s second feature, “Glória,” which screens as part of Ventana Sur’s Primer Corte strand on Wednesday in Buenos Aires. Produced by Daniel van Hoogstraten at Brazil’s Syndrome Films, the plot follows bereft literature professor Gabriel as he moves to Río in an attempt to escape his close minded family after the death of his grandmother. There, he meets the enigmatic Monica (Diva Menner) who owns the neighborhood bar and becomes fast friends with regulars Mateus (Alan Ribeiro), Roger (Sandro Aliprandini) and Laila (Jade Sassará), who moonlight as sex workers.

Callum McLennan ZDF, one of Germany’s leading broadcasters, has announced its co-production involvement ,via ZDF–Das Kleine Fernsehspiel, in the upcoming feature “Marriage by Abduction” (“Brautraub”). The film is directed by Sophia Mocorrea and builds on her short “The Kidnapping of the Bride” which took accolades at both Berlin and Sundance. It is now one of the high profile projects at Ventana Sur’s Proyecta lineup, its main arthouse project platform.