Music Box Buys U.S. Rights to Alice Winocour’s ‘Paris Memories,’ Pathe’s Post-Bataclan Drama With Virginie Efira (EXCLUSIVE)

Naman Ramachandran An influential panel of buyers from Asia and Europe identified multiple problems in the current, depressed post-pandemic box office landscape for arthouse films and attempted to find solutions at a Platform Busan panel on Monday. The panel included Laure Parleani of Totem Films (France), Kim Heaok of Hark & Company (Japan), Beril Heral of Filmarti (Turkey) and June Lee from Korean streamer Watcha. The panel was moderated by Variety Asia editor Patrick Frater. Parleani mentioned that France has had its worst box office September in 42 years, with only Rebecca Zlotowski’s Venice title “Other People’s Children” and Alice Winocour’s Cannes title “Revoir Paris,” both starring Virginie Efira, bringing some cheer amongst local fare.

Eva Longoria is a woman of many talents. In Paris Fashion Week, she showed off her modeling skills, walking the runway in a stunning Ellie Saab sequined dress.Eva Longoria and Alejandra Pelayo talk tequila and their mission to empower Mexican womenEva Longoria and Dania Ramirez team up to amplify Dominican activism in their new podcastLongoria’s dress was short and glittery, the right mix of elegant and fun.

EXCLUSIVE: Music Box Films has acquired North American rights to SXSW road-trip drama The Unknown Country starring Certain Women and Killers of the Flower Moon actress Lily Gladstone and Raymond Lee (Top Gun: Maverick).

Hailey Bieber has spoken out in editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson's favor after Kanye West slammed her for her opinions on his fashion choices. The 25-year-old model took to Instagram on Tuesday night to share her thoughts.«My respect for you runs deep my friend!» Bieber wrote over a photo of Karefa-Johnson. «To know is to adore you and to work with you is an honor.»«The most kind.

Erykah Badu shows up in an eye catching look for the Thom Browne Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday (October 3) in Paris, France.

Bella Hadid steps out for the Miu Miu dinner and Aftershow Party held at Gigi Paris Tuesday (October 4) in Paris, France.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Award-winning filmmakers Alice Diop (“Saint Omer”), Audrey Diwan (“Happening”), Julia Ducournau (“Titane”), Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist”), Jacques Audiard (“Dheepan”), and actors Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard, Isabelle Huppert, Lea Seydoux are among nearly 1,000 prominent French film figures who have signed an open letter to support Iranian women and civil rights activists in their revolt over the death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini, as well as denounce the “murderous violence” of the Iranian regime. Amini, a Kurdish woman, died in custody on Sept. 16, three days after being arrested in Tehran because she allegedly breached the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women. Her death has sparked protests across Iran, including in Tehran, Isfahan and Yazd, and in cities around the world, including in Paris, Istanbul and Los Angeles. Amnesty International said Iranian authorities have been “intentionally using lethal force against the protesters,” causing more than more 52 deaths (as of Sept. 30). The organization has urged international action “beyond statements of condemnation” to prevent more people from being killed.

Anna Marie de la Fuente In a clear vote of confidence for Colombian director Juan Sebastián Mesa, Bordeaux-based Dublin Films has boarded his third film “Lovers Go Home!” The company also co-produced Mesa’s lauded sophomore pic, “The Rust.” “Lovers Go Home!” centers on a Colombian single mom who leads a double life as a webcammer. One day she meets a U.S. veteran online who becomes obsessed with her. He flies to Colombia to meet her in person. Their meeting makes them reflect on who they truly are. In development, the project participated in this year’s Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum, one of San Sebastian Film Festival’s key industry events, which ran over Sept. 19-21. 

Lots of stars were in attendance at the Vivienne Westwood fashion show at Paris Fashion Week!

Gigi and Bella Hadid hit the runway for the Isabel Marant Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show.

EXCLUSIVE: Paris-based Superprod studio has acquired The Co-Production Company, the NY-based firm launched last year by former DreamWorks executive Doug Schwalbe for financing and distribution of international productions.

The stars are stepping out for the Saint Laurent Fashion Show!

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Live sports streaming service DAZN has struck a deal to buy global sports media business ELEVEN Group, which holds rights to the top soccer leagues in Portugal and Belgium.  The deal, for an undisclosed sum, will boost DAZN’s offerings in Italy, German-speaking markets and Spain, where it already holds top league domestic soccer rights. Additionally, ELEVEN has a presence in Taiwan and other Southeast Asian markets, which will give DAZN a greater foothold in that region where the service is already market leader in Japan, the company said in a statement. The deal also includes ELEVEN-owned Team Whistle, which is a short-form original social media content provider said by DAZN to have over 700 million followers across its channels. Team Whistle is estimated to bring total revenue of around $300 million a year, DAZN said.

Alice Diop’s Saint Omer has been selected as France’s entry to the best international film category.

EXCLUSIVE: Harlan Coben’s Shelter, Prime Video’s YA action-thriller from MGM International Television Productions and Amazon Studios, is rounding out its recurring cast. Didi Conn (Grease), Missi Pyle (Y: The Last Man), Hunter Emery (Orange Is The New Black), Antonio Cipriano (God Friended Me), Peter Riegert (Local Hero), Adrienne Barbeau (Criminal Minds), Stephanie March (Law & Order: SVU) and Kristoffer Polaha (Jurassic World Dominion) join Jaden Michael in the series adaptation of Coben’s Mickey Bolitar novels, along with newcomer Samantha Bugliaro, Narci Regina (21 Bridges), Alexa Mareka (Boogie), Manuel Uriza (Too Old To Die Young), and Lee Aaron Rosen (Emily in Paris).

EXCLUSIVE: Harlan Coben’s Shelter, Prime Video’s YA action-thriller from MGM International Television Productions and Amazon Studios, is rounding out its recurring cast. Didi Conn (Grease), Missi Pyle (Y: The Last Man), Hunter Emery (Orange Is The New Black), Antonio Cipriano (God Friended Me), Peter Riegert (Succession), Adrienne Barbeau (Criminal Minds), Stephanie March (Law & Order: SVU) and Kristoffer Polaha (Jurassic World Dominion) join Jaden Michael in the series adaptation of Coben’s Mickey Bolitar novels, along with newcomer Samantha Bugliaro, Narci Regina (21 Bridges), Alexa Mareka (Boogie), Manuel Uriza (Too Old To Die Young), and Lee Aaron Rosen (Emily in Paris).

Reba McEntire boards the latest season of ABC's crime thriller, , and she isn't someone to be messed with as an eerie new mystery unravels. McEntire plays Sunny Barnes, a charismatic outfitter who is caught in the middle of disaster when a local backcountry trip goes awry.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Music Box Films has acquired U.S. rights to “Full Time,” Eric Gravel’s visceral social thriller which is one of the five finalists for France’s official submission to the 95th Academy Awards. Represented in international markets by Be For Films, “Full Time” world premiered at last year’s Venice festival in the Horizons sections and won a pair of awards for Laure Calamy (“Call My Agent!”) and Gravel. The critically acclaimed film went on to made its U.S. debut at New Directors/New Films. Music Box Films will release “Full Time” in cinemas and on home entertainment platforms in 2023.