City Vienna Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Lise Pedersen “Knit’s Island,” the sophomore feature by French trio Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse and Quentin L’helgoualc’h, competing in the Burning Lights sidebar at Swiss international doc fest Visions du Reél, has been picked up by Vienna-based film sales company Square Eyes. It is entirely shot in the online post-apocalyptic world of DayZ, a multiplayer survival video game set in the fictional post-Soviet Republic of Chernarus, where a mysterious plague has turned most of the population into violent zombies. Under the guise of avatars, the three-member film crew entered this world and made contact with its players. Their goal was to show how the gaming world can be a place where players become part of a strong community, they tell Variety.

Ben Howard has announced new album ‘Is It?’ with the launch of the lead single ‘Couldn’t Make It Up’. Check out the single below.Set for release on June 16 via Island, the album will mark the fifth full-length LP from the English singer-songwriter, and follows his 2021 release ‘Collections From The Whiteout’.According to the indie rocker, the ten-track album was recorded over the span of ten days in the Le Manoir de Léon studios, located in the south of France, and explores his time after experiencing two mini-strokes (TIAs).“I found it impossible not to dwell on the absurdity of it, that with one tiny clot, one can lose all faculties.

Ed Meza @edmezavar Austrian television is awash with crime, mystery and historical drama, and the country’s biggest hits and new productions are heading to MipTV. Among this year’s most anticipated titles is the upcoming “Kafka,” starring Swiss actor Joel Basman (“KaDeWe,” “The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch”) as the famed Bohemian writer. The six-part series is currently shooting in Vienna and Salzburg and is set to premiere on Austrian pubcaster ORF and Germany’s ARD early next year, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death. “Kafka” is produced by ARD, ORF and John Lueftner and David Schalko’s Vienna-based Superfilm. Schalko is directing and co-writing the series with bestselling author and screenplay writer Daniel Kehlmann (“Measuring the World”), based on the Kafka biography by Reiner Stach, who is alsoadvising the production.

With Summer on the horizon, people are booking their Summer holidays in locations like Spain, Greece, Africa and the Caribbean thick and fast. There are currently plenty of holiday offers from travel operators like TUI, EasyJet and First Choice.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Leading European distributor Global Screen, part of the Telepool group, will launch premium quality spy drama “Davos” at MipTV. The six-part series is inspired by real events that occurred in the early days of the secret services in Europe. Available to buyers for the first time at MipTV, “Davos” boasts a stellar cast headed by Dominique Devenport (“Sisi”), David Kross (“The Reader”), Jeanette Hain (“Never Look Away”), Max Herbrechter (“Rauhnächte”), Sunnyi Melles (“Triangle of Sadness”) and Stipe Erceg (“Vienna Blood”). World War I is ravaging Europe. By contrast, Davos, the aristocratic spa town in the Swiss Alps, seems like an oasis of peace. But behind the scenes, neutral Switzerland takes center stage in a relentless battle between the secret agents of the world powers. Young nurse Johanna Gabathuler unexpectedly gets caught between the fronts: to win back her illegitimate child, she starts to work as a spy for the German secret service – and suddenly becomes the tipping point in a risky plan that decides over war and peace.

Ben Croll The ongoing and ever-growing need to connect accomplished artistic works with sophisticated viewers has given rise to a new and altogether idiosyncratic new post within the XR ecosystem – the impact producer. Rather than chase after indiscriminate revenue, the impact producer focuses on audience returns; rather than aiming for the largest possible public, the impact producer targets the right one. “An impact producer is more focused on a mobilization strategy, which works in tandem with a distribution,” says creative strategist (and impact producer) Michaela Ternasky-Holland. ”We’re driven by our specific, targeted audience,” she continues. “Are we trying to reach the university students, politicians, or grassroots activists? Are we trying to [encourage] a policy decision, are we trying to mobilize around an event and raise awareness about an issue? And because we hold this mobilization strategy, we also [oversee] the digital experience of the project.”

King Princess has announced a five-date run of headline shows for the UK and Europe, tying in with her upcoming run of festival dates and opening slots for Sigur Rós and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.After she delivers sets at a trio of festivals – Rock Werchter in the titular Belgian city, Lollapalooza in Stockholm and Down The Rabbit Hole in Ewijk – the indie-pop magnate (whose real name is Mikaela Straus) will perform her own show at Amsterdam’s Paradiso venue on Tuesday July 4. She’ll then head to Madrid for this year’s Mad Cool festival, before headlining Kaufleuten in Zurich on Sunday July 9.Straus’ trek will continue with a one-off show opening for Sigur Rós in Lucca, Italy – set to go down on Tuesday July 11 – as well as her first show with the Chili Peppers, scheduled for Friday July 14 at the Vienna Stadium.

Midge Ure has sold his catalogue of music rights to investment company MusicBird.The company announced on Tuesday (March 28) that they had acquired the writer’s share, master recording and neighbouring rights income on more than 300 songs across Ure’s solo career and his work with Ultravox, Visage, the Rich Kids, Slik and more.“It is a significant moment for me as an artist and songwriter to see my songs find a new home at MusicBird with people who are genuinely passionate about music,” said Ure. “I think this team will take the songs to new audiences and I am excited to be working with them on that.”It is not known how much the catalogue was sold for.Ure was a member in bands such as Slik, Thin Lizzy, Rich Kids, Visage and was the lead singer of Ultravox. He produced, co-wrote and performed on several synth-pop and new wave classics such as ‘Fade to Grey’ by Visage, the Ultravox hits ‘Vienna’ and ‘Dancing with Tears in My Eyes’ and his UK Number One hit ‘If I Was’, taken from his top 10 album ‘The Gift’.He also co-wrote and produced the 1984 Band Aid charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ – which was not part of the MusicBird acquisition.Back in 2019, the singer and his charity single co-writer and producer Bob Geldof angrily denied rumours that they took any of the proceeds from Band Aid.The song was that year’s Christmas Number One and went on to be the best-selling single of all-time in Britain at one point.

Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has debuted another striking new look as the band played their first gigs of 2023 this week.On Thursday (March 30), the band began their rescheduled UK and European tour in Munich, playing hits from across their career.The show also saw a new wardrobe for Durst, who surprised fans in the summer of 2021 by debuting a dramatic new look that defined the band’s most recent era.While that style revolved around long lighter-coloured hair and a new handlebar moustache, the start of the new tour saw Durst embrace a country aesthetic, wearing dungarees and sporting a short-sleeved shirt, a red beanie and a long beard.See the new look below alongside footage from the Munich show.A post shared by Fred Durst (@freddurst)Loving Fred Durst's new look pic.twitter.com/fYBOqZYZmk— Scott Colothan (@scottcolothan) March 31, 2023Limp Bizkit were initially set to return to the UK last September for a run of dates, including a two-night billing at the O2 Academy Brixton in London. However, those gigs were ultimately postponed due to Durst’s “personal health concerns”.Over the summer, Limp Bizkit told their fans that the frontman had been advised to take an “immediate break from touring” on medical grounds, and said the dates would be rescheduled.After two concerts in Germany, Limp Bizkit are due to make stop-offs in Vienna, Prague, Frankfurt and Tilburg before visiting Manchester on April 12.Tickets for the original 2022 dates remain valid – you can find any remaining tickets (UK) here and see the dates below.APRIL 202312 – Manchester Academy, Manchester 13 – O2 Academy, Birmingham 17 – Wembley Arena, LondonLimp Bizkit released their sixth and latest studio album, ‘Still Sucks’, in October 2021.

Ricky Gervais has announced additional dates for his Armageddon tour – find all the details on how to secure tickets below.The comedian’s latest stand-up tour, which follows his previous show SuperNature, commenced with six UK dates throughout October and November last year.Following the initial run, Gervais will continue to tour until the end of 2023 with additional dates across the UK, Europe, Canada and the US. This includes a four-night residency at the London Palladium in September.After stops in Stockholm, Munich and Lisbon, the tour will conclude with two nights at Bristol’s Beacon concert hall in December.More UK Dates! Tickets on Sale Friday 10am Local.

Gordon Cox Theater Editor Celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard has a Broadway success on his hands with “Leopoldstadt,” his (very) loosely autobiographical play now in the sixth month of a long run currently set to close in July. He’s very pleased about that — but right now there’s something else that’s got him thoroughly distressed: Writer’s block. Listen to this week’s “Stagecraft” podcast below:

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will be touring the country on a co-headlining stadium tour throughout 2023 and the set list was revealed after the first show this month.

Love Island star Cally Jane Beech’s daughter was rushed to hospital today after falling ill on Tuesday. The 31-year-old shared a picture from the waiting room, telling fans: “To add to the day … Had to rush Vienna to A&E after falling at school and vomiting”. Cally added: “Poor nugget, great day.

Cally Jane Beech’s daughter Vienna has been rushed to A&E after falling ill at school.The concerned mum shared the news on Instagram that Vienna, five, had sustained a fall at school and later vomited, sparking Cally Jane to rush her to hospital. She wrote on top of the picture of a hospital waiting room: “To add to the day … Had to rush Vienna to A&E after falling at school and vomiting”.

Jon Burlingame editor In what may be the most difficult-to-predict score competition in years, the original-music Oscar could go to a sentimental favorite, a past nominee or the newcomer to the race. Academy members begin voting today. Legendary composer John Williams broke records again by becoming the most nominated living person (53 nominations, winning five), earning the highest number of nominations ever in the music categories, and (it is believed, per the Academy) becoming the oldest nominee ever for a competitive award. He is 91. His nomination for “The Fabelmans” surprised some outsiders, as his fairly spare score is often overshadowed by the several classical pieces performed by Mitzi (Michelle Williams), the character based on director Steven Spielberg’s piano-playing mom. But it passed the 35% rule — that is, more than a third of the total musical content must be original dramatic score — or it would have been disqualified by the Academy’s strict music-branch executive committee.

Macbeth. As the program’s official description put it, “MDLO’s presentation at Strathmore puts the MDLO Orchestra center stage, while dramatic lighting, captivating projections, and enhanced visual supervision by David Gately takes the audience directly to Macbeth’s castle for an unforgettable performance.”This weekend, MDLO returns to Strathmore for the conclusion of its 2022/23 season devoted to Giuseppe Verdi, and the Italian master’s three Shakespearean operas in particular.“The ‘Season of Verdi’ is a celebration of grand works,” Woorman says.

Ed Meza @edmezavar “Snow,” an Austrian-German co-production and one of 16 titles presented in the Berlinale Series Market Selects showcase, weaves the timely issue of climate change and local folklore into a suspenseful mystery drama set in the picturesque Austrian Alps. Brigitte Hobmeier stars as Lucia, a physician who with her husband and children moves to the village, where she is replacing the local doctor, who is retiring. Things take a troubling turn when her daughter is visited by a strange woman at night. The series presentation at the EFM event brings the title back to Berlin, where it came together in 2020 at the Berlinale Co-Production Market’s Co-Pro Series event.

Ed Meza @edmezavar After a hugely successful year for domestic films, Austria’s movie industry is looking forward to another impressive crop of titles, including many international co-productions that reflect not only cultural and historical ties with neighboring countries but also the sector’s strong cross-border partnerships. Highly anticipated films this year include Hans Steinbichler’s “A Whole Life,” the story of a humble man’s existence in an Alpine valley that spans more than eight decades; Dieter Berner’s “Alma and Oskar,” which explores the passionate and tumultuous affair between Viennese composer and socialite Alma Mahler and artist Oskar Kokoschka in the early 1900s; and Timm Kröger’s “The Theory of Everything,” a black-and-white, 1960s-set mystery-thriller that takes place in a scientific conference in the Alps.

Ed Meza @edmezavar With two new funding programs that could cover as much as 60% of costs for international feature film productions and the new state-of-the-art HQ7 Studios set to open in Vienna next year, Austria is stepping up its game in the film and TV sector in a major way. Approved by the government last year and in effect since Jan. 1, the FISA Plus incentive provides funding for international and domestic films and series, including TV and streaming production. The subsidy, which is not capped, also covers documentaries, animation, virtual reality projects and post-production services, including sound, music and VFX. Specifically, FISA Plus offers a 30% rebate plus an additional 5% “green bonus” for productions that follow environmental sustainability criteria, with maximum funding set at €5 million ($5.4 million) per film and $8.2 million per series.

New photos show Jane Fonda attending the Vienna Opera Ball with Austrian tycoon Richard Lugner, after she revealed he was paying her to be on his arm for the evening. Fonda wore an ivory, long sleeved dress to accompany Lugner, who wore a top hat and white scarf with his tuxedo.

Spain boasts a bullish presence at the Berlinale. Following, short profiles of its features that have made the festival cut and a selection of top titles being moved at the European Film Market: Director: Estíbaliz Urresola Spain’s Berlin competition player is from Urresola, director of Cannes Critics’ Week short “Chords.” Film takes place in a Basque Country village and is a celebration of female sexual diversity. Catalonia’s Inicia Films (“La Maternal”) produces with Gariza Films (“Nora”). Sales: Luxbox

reportedly paid as much as half a million dollars for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian to accompany him to the annual fundraiser.Lugner reportedly rolled out the red carpet for the 85-year-old “Grace & Frankie” star who was welcomed to Austria’s capital city with a bouquet, a photo op and a stretch limousine — all of which she declined to accept. Instead, the “Book Club” star tore up her script for the week, and made her own itinerary instead, touring museums and galleries in Vienna, sans Lugner, according to the Irish Times.She then ranted that fossil fuel companies are “criminal,” after learning that oil and gas company OMV was a sponsor for the ball. “Until yesterday I thought I was going to the opera with this man, now I’ve learned that it’s a popular ball,” Fonda told The Irish Times at a news conference ahead of the event.

Catalonia’s Inicia Films (“La Maternal”) and Basque Country’s Gariza Films (“Nora) produce. Sales: Luxbox (Helin Celik) Selected for Forum, a doc feature produced by Barcelona’s Kepler Mission Film and Vienna-based Kurd Celik. The harrowing story of three Jordanian women survivors of male violence.

Jane Fonda confessed she agreed to a date with 90-year-old Richard Lugner, and he’s paying her to accompany him to the Vienna Opera Ball on Thursday. Being one of the highlights of the social calendar in Austria, the award-winning Hollywood actress admitted she accepted the Austrian building tycoon’s invitation because Lugner offered to "pay me quite a bit of money." She said at a Wednesday news conference with her date that she needed the money to pay her bills and to support her grandchildren. "I support a lot of people," Fonda said.

Former Love Island star Cally Jane Beech has hit back after fans compared her new boyfriend to her ex, Luis Morrison. Cally shares a daughter with ex-Love Islander Luis, whom she met on the show, becoming the first contestants from the series to have a child in 2017.

Since his 2011 Cannes breakout “Miss Bala,” Mexican director Gerardo Naranjo has shot episodes of “Narcos” and “Fear The Walking Dead” and done two more films, “Kokoloko” and “Vienna And The Fantomes.” Up next for Naranjo? Variety reports he’ll reunite with “Narcos” star Walter Moura for “Say Her Name,” with “Andor‘ actress Adria Arjona also starring.

EXCLUSIVE: The West Wing star Joshua Malina will join the hit Broadway show, Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt, taking over the central role of patriarch and businessman Hermann from David Krumholtz, who is among the original cast members set to depart next month.

A “globetrotting” college boss racked up over twenty foreign trips before backing a redundancy scheme for staff.

A Pantera show due to take place in Vienna later this year has been cancelled. And while no reason has been given for the cancellation, it quickly follows the axing of the band from two German festivals taking place this summer over allegations of past racism on the part of vocalist Phil Anselmo.The surviving members of Pantera – Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown – announced last year that they were reforming to play a number of shows in the US and Europe this year, marking the 40th anniversary of their debut album ‘Metal Magic’.

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PBS will bring back six series and premiere two period dramas in 2023, which includes the debut of Tom Jones on Masterpiece that’s based on the 1749 novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling.

The Austrian Parliament passed a package of laws on Thursday paving the way for a 30% film and TV production incentive, which also includes Europe’s first Green bonus as well as extra cash for productions with a high percentage of female heads of department.

Leopoldstadt, the critically acclaimed hit Broadway play, will run nearly four months longer than initially planned: Producers announced today the the show will run through July 2, 2023, at the Longacre Theatre; Leopoldstadt had previously been selling tickets only until March.

The musical documentary Silent Night—A Song For The World will re-air on the CW on November 26 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. An encore presentation is set for December 8 at 8 p.m. ET.

Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 is bringing together its international production and distribution subsidiaries under a new imprint, Seven.One Studios.

EXCLUSIVE: Sky is developing a drama series on beloved composer Mozart’s time in Vienna from Giri/Haji writer Joe Barton and produced by Patrick Melrose indie Two Cities Television.