Louis Armstrong Feature Doc Snapped Up by France’s MK2 Films (EXCLUSIVE)

cleansing” has threatened the survival of LGBTQ people living inside the Chechen Republic. The nation’s Putin-supported leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, proudly denies the purge, despite reports from victims, survivors, and their families of brutal atrocities.

Leo Barraclough Senior International CorrespondentThe Jewish Film Institute has selected six projects for its inaugural Completion Grants Program, including “The Wild One,” a documentary by French filmmaker Tessa Louise-Salomé about Holocaust survivor, Hollywood filmmaker and Method Acting pioneer Jack Garfein, who worked with George Peppard, Steve McQueen and James Dean.The funding program supports both emerging and established filmmakers developing “original, contemporary stories that promote

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentSatisfaction Group, Arthur Essebag’s thriving Paris-based production company specializing in non-scripted shows, has acquired 100% of Sony Pictures Television France and its label Starling, creating an exclusive joint venture called Satisfy.Under the deal, Sony Pictures Television has acquired 20% of Satisfaction Group, and will be in charge of the international distribution of the company’s formats, some of which are among France’s highest-rated

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentHollywood super-indie banner Anonymous Content (“Defending Jacob”) is partnering with Païva Studio, a production label owned by French media group Mediawan, on “Civilizations,” an ambitious series based on Laurent Binet’s (“HHhH”) bestselling novel.The series, set to be shot in South America and Europe in several languages, delivers a plausible rewriting of global history in which Christopher Columbus never discovered America and the Incas came to

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentDanish writer Karen Blixen, whose memoir “Out of Africa” and short story “Babette’s Feast” were both turned into Academy Award-winning films, is now the subject of another big-screen makeover with an adaptation of her short story “The Immortal Story” set to be penned by Argentina’s Daniel Rosenfeld and Lucía Puenzo.Argentine-French actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (“BPM (Beats per Minute)”) and Leonardo Sbaraglia (“Pain and Glory,” “Wild Tales”) have

anti-Catholic abuse at a dog, dropped his trousers, and assaulted two people at the event, has narrowly dodged jail.Brian Montgomery, 38, brandished a bottle at the birthday boy's mum, headbutted the youngster's uncle on the nose, and punched out a light.Montgomery kicked off at the birthday party, held in May.Falkirk Sheriff Court heard on Thursday that the event, at an address in the town's Hallglen, featured a barbecue, and adults were drinking.Prosecutor Caitlin French said: "About 8.00 pm

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentM6 Group, the second biggest commercial network in France, has acquired Epithete Films, a Paris-based production company boasting a catalogue of 25 feature films, including the hit family adventure franchise “Belle and Sébastien.”The banner’s library also includes Gilles Legrand’s “Malabar Princess,” “Tu seras mon fils” and Patrice Leconte’s “Ridicule.” Epithete Films is headed by Frédéric Brillion and Legrand.“With this targeted acquisition, M6 Group

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentJuliette Schrameck, the former managing director of MK2 Films (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”), will be joining the well-established French production company Agat Films starting Sept.

“Welcome to Chechnya,” directed by David France, is about an underground pipeline created to rescue LGBTQ Chechens from the Russian republic where the government has for several years waged a crackdown on gays. In the predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia ruled by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, LGBTQ Chechens have been detained, tortured and killed.

When the embrace of one’s true self becomes a protest, and when protest is treated by the state as tantamount to treason, small acts of humanity can carry the weight of the world. Director David France wades into this awful reality with his newest documentary, “Welcome to Chechnya,” which tracks a group of activists in Russia and Chechnya who operate an LGBTQ+ Underground Railroad of sorts.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterThe mistreatment and persecution of the LGBTQ community in Chechnya has been an ongoing issue, but in March 2017 a glaring spotlight was put on the Russian republic as reports of gay and bisexual men being abducted, tortured, beaten and even killed at the hands of authorities started coming to the forefront.

“Welcome to Chechnya,” directed by David France, is about an underground pipeline created to rescue LGBTQ Chechens from the Russian republic where the government has for several years waged a crackdown on gays. In the predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia ruled by strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, LGBTQ Chechens have been detained, tortured and killed.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaIFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to “Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles,” a documentary about one Isreali chef’s attempts to recreate some of the French Monarchy’s most delicious desserts.The film is the latest work from Laura Gabbert, who previously teamed with IFC Films on “City of Gold,” a look at the late food critic Jonathan Gold and his connection to the culinary scene of Los Angeles.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMK2 Films (“Maria By Callas,” “Portrait of A Lady On Fire”) has pulled out of “Louis Armstrong: The Cause of Happiness,” after the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation said they were not collaborators on the project, as previously indicated.MK2 Films announced on June 23 during the virtual Cannes market that it was handling international sales on the film.

Soko is sharing an exciting, live performance of her new song “Are You A Magician?” exclusively for Just Jared readers.

Paul Pogba at Manchester United – and said there is “no one” like the midfielder. Pogba made his first appearance for United since December as he came off the bench to play a starring role in the 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Friday.

Kad Merad, star of Dany Boon’s “Welcome to the Sticks,” the highest-grossing film of all time in France, will star in Stéphane Berthomieux’s “Playback,” which has been picked up for international sales by Paris-based Luxbox.Produced by director Mathieu Demy, whose credits include Salma Hayek-starrer “Americano” and TV series “The Bureau,” “Playback,” the fiction feature debut of documentarian Berthomieux.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMemento Films International has closed major territory sales on its prestige director-driven film slate, including “Persian Lessons,” “My Salinger Year” and “Under The Stars.” “Persian Lessons,” a drama directed by “House of Sand and Fog” helmer Vadim Perelman, is set in Occupied France in 1942.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentParis-based sales company Totem Films has unveiled a teaser for “Gagarine,” a feature debut by Fanny Liatard and Jeremy Trouilh which is part of Cannes’ Official Selection. Totem Films will be hosting two virtual market screening at Cannes’ online Marché du Film that kicks off on Monday.

Tom Grater International Film ReporterEXCLUSIVE: Star Wars star Daisy Ridley and Brit national treasure Stephen Fry have boarded the voice cast of The Inventor, a feature stop-motion animation about Leonardo da Vinci written and directed by Jim Capobianco, the Oscar-nominated scribe of Ratatouille.Fry will voice da Vinci and Ridley will be the French Princess Marguerite.