Mexico’s Whisky Content, Chile’s Juntos Films Forge Nine Pic Development Pact (EXCLUSIVE)

Anna Marie de la Fuente Oscilloscope Laboratories has snagged North American rights to Helmut Dosantos’ documentary “Gods of Mexico,” an exploration of the rich diversity of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities across Mexico.The film had its world premiere at this year’s True/False Film Festival.Hailed as “a tribute to those who fight to preserve their cultural identity amidst the shadows of modernization,” Dosantos transports audiences “through salt pans, deserts, highlands, jungle, and underground mines, in both richly saturated color and black-and-white melodic interludes.”The “ethnographic portrait offers a critical consideration of values and challenges structures that breed displacement,” the synopsis reads. Commented O-Scope’s Dan Berger: “’Gods of Mexico’ is inarguably one of the most astonishing filmic experiences I’ve had.” “The imagery is beyond stunning and the dialogue-free (but far from silent) soundtrack is utterly immersive,” he said, adding: “And this says nothing about the access that Helmut was able to gain in order to feature many people and places that have never been committed to film.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Season 2 of “Encuentros,” the weekly podcast co-produced by Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna’s La Corriente del Golfo and streamer, MUBI, bows Wednesday, March 30 with the first episode featuring Chilean actress Antonia Zegers and Oscar-winning Mexican production designer Eugenio Caballero in conversation.In this episode titled “A Collective Memory,” Caballero and Zegers will discuss their experiences and takeaways from more than two decades of work in their respective fields.Zegers’ credits include Pablo Larrain’s “The Club,” Sebastian Lelio’s Oscar-winning “A Fantastic Woman” and Lucia Puenzo’s gender abuse thriller series, “La Jauria,” produced by Larrain’s Fabula. Caballero became the first Mexican production designer to receive an Oscar for art direction, thanks to Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” in 2007.  He has also worked on Alfonso Cuaron’s triple Oscar-winning “Roma,” J.A.

EXCLUSIVE: We hear that Amazon in a competitive situation has taken the Jennifer Lopez-produced, Skydance TV series Backwards in Heels off the table.

EXCLUSIVE: Jason Patric (Speed 2) and Cam Gigandet (Twilight) have been set to star in action-thriller movie Shrapnel.

Ed Meza @edmezavarFilmax has acquired international rights to Malaga Festival screener “Can’t Live Without You,” an erotic thriller from director Chus Gutierrez (“Return to Hansala”).A Spanish-Mexican co-production, the pic features huge Mexican stars Maite Perroni and Mauricio Ochmann as well as Spanish actors Alfonso Bassave (“I Love You, Stupid”) and Pedro Casablanc.The pic follows David, a successful businessman who who lives a peaceful life with his boyfriend, Alex, an attractive gym instructor. Their world turns upside down, however, when David’s sister Blanca comes back into his life.

Party in Music City! Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and more of country’s biggest stars will be honored at the 2022 CMT Music Awards.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Prime Video is bowing the trailer for season two of its first Spanish-language romcom series “Como Sobrevivir Soltero” (“How to Survive Being Single”), which debuts April 15 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Performing  cameos this season are Miss Universe 2014/TV host Paulina Vega, Mexican heartthrob Vadhir Derbez (“De Viaje con los Derbez.” “El Mesero”), Faisy (“El Complot Mongol,” “Me Caigo de Risa”) and Edgar Vivar (“El Chavo del Ocho,” “Vecinos”).Created by brothers Emiliano and Sebastian Zurita, the eight episode second season picks up from where season one ends with Sebastián, playing his fictional self, paying tribute to his late girlfriend Julieta by trying to produce a movie from the script he wrote while they were dating.  He and his producing partner Natalia struggle to secure funding and in the end, decide to adapt the script for the stage. Still grieving, he decides that he can’t start dating again and takes full, wild advantage of his bachelorhood.Described as a hip millennial dramedy, the series revolves around Zurita’s alter ego and his pals as they navigate the trials and tribulations of dating in modern-day Mexico.

Prior to its deal with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group which was announced last week, the Nat King Cole estate sold a stack of the late musician’s recordings to Universal Music, it has now emerged.Cole had a career-long relationship with Capitol Records, which was acquired by Universal when it bought the EMI record company back in 2012. However, in the latter part of his career a by then famous Cole negotiated a deal with Capitol that allowed him to retain the rights in his later recordings, which he then licensed back to the label.According to Forbes, the estate sold those rights to Universal in a deal worth somewhere between $10 million and $20 million.

It’s giving space age! Miley Cyrus went motorcycle mod for a recent look as she arrived in Argentina, sporting a neon multi-colored, long-sleeve romper with short shorts. The “We Can’t Stop” songstress swept her short platinum blonde hair to the side and paired her colorful, skintight outfit with blue-tinted, futuristic shades and black gloves.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Less than a year since its June 29, 2021 launch in the region, HBO Max Latin America is adding a raft of new original Latin American shows to its programming grid. WarnerMedia’s SVOD service now ranks second in the region, albeit still lagging behind market leader, Netflix.“When we launched more than eight months ago, we promised to launch 100 shows in a year and a half; I think we’re on track to deliver that promise,” said Luis Duran, general manager, HBO Max Latin America, in an exclusive interview with Variety.

The fans are in charge! The first round of nominations for the 2022 CMT Music Awards have been announced — and the list is full of chart-topping artists.

2022 CMT Music Awards are almost here — and it's going to be a star-studded night!On Wednesday, CMT announced the nominees for country music's only entirely fan-voted awards show — which will be hosted live from Music City by Anthony Mackie and Kelsea Ballerini on Monday, April 11 -- and the list includes some of the biggest names in music. Kane Brown leads the pack this year with four nominations, while Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, and first-time nominees Breland and Cody Johnson earned three nods apieceThe first round of nominations for the coveted Video of the Year award includes 12 acts, spotlighting artists like Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift feat.

Nina Dobrev, 33, was nearly unrecognizable in a series of new snapshots. The 33-year-old Vampire Diaries alum covered her entire face and body in clay while enjoying a relaxing day at the spa. Nina showed off her flawless physique in a simple white bikini while happily posing for photos.

Sandra Bullock, home is calling. Theactress confirmed to ET that she is taking a step back from her acting career — at least, for now. While Bullock noted to ET's Cassie DiLaura that she doesn't know how long it will be, right now she needs to be «in the place that makes me happiest.»And that is at home with her kids, Louis, 12, and Laila, 10. «I take my job very seriously when I’m at work,» she said, noting it's a «24/7» job.

Sandra Bullock, home is calling. Theactress confirmed to ET that she is taking a step back from her acting career — at least, for now. While Bullock noted to ET's Cassie DiLaura that she doesn't know how long it will be, right now she needs to be «in the place that makes me happiest.»And that is at home with her kids, Louis, 12, and Laila, 10. «I take my job very seriously when I’m at work,» she said, noting it's a «24/7» job.