‘Ponniyin Selvan’ to Become First Tamil Film to Release in IMAX

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent MK2 Films has scored key territory deals on Japanese director Koji Fukada’s “Love Life,” which makes its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Set in contemporary Japan, “Love Life” is a character-driven film revolving around Taeko and her husband, Jiro, who are living a peaceful existence with her young son, Keita. When a tragic accident brings the boy’s long-lost father, Park, back into her life, Taeko throws herself into helping this deaf and homeless man to cope with the pain and guilt. Popular Japanese actress Fumino Kimura (“The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill”) headlines the film. MK2 Films has now sold the movie to Teodora (Italy), Imagine (Benelux), Leopardo (Portugal), Demiurg (Ex Yugoslavia), New Cinema (Israel), Swallow Wings (Taiwan), Edko (Hong Kong), Impact Films (India) and Encore Inflight (Airlines).

Naman Ramachandran Lionsgate India Studios is producing its first feature film, an as-yet-untitled coming-of-age story. Directed by Milind Dhaimade (2016 London Film Festival selection “You Are My Sunday”), the Hindi-language film is a comedy revolving around a mother and son relationship. It stars Neetu Kapoor (“Jug Jugg Jeeyo”), Sunny Kaushal (“The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye”) and Shraddha Srinath (“Maara”). Lionsgate India has previously produced several series for Starz streamer Lionsgate Play, including “Hiccups & Hookups,” “Jugaadistan” and “Feels Like Home.” Rohit Jain, MD, South Asia and networks – emerging markets Asia, Lionsgate, said: “Lionsgate remains bullish on investments in India spotlighting the region in the global growth strategy. Lionsgate Studios in India is delighted to announce its maiden Hindi film. With Milind at the helm of it, each character has been cast perfectly to depict this beautiful story that we’re sure audiences will love. We are running at a rapid pace with 8-10 grand projects in the pipeline, within a year – expect big announcements coming your way soon from the Lionsgate India Studios’ desk.”

Burgeoning Saudi Arabian content company Arabia Pictures Group is joining forces with Greece-based audiovisual group Tanweer on a strategic partnership that will see them cooperate on production and distribution across all formats in the Middle East and North Africa.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The delayed 46th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival wrapped Wednesday with the award of 13 prizes for its young filmmaker, documentary and shorts competitions. Hailed by the jury as “one of this year’s most distinguished films both creatively and artistically,” Qiu Jiongjiong’s “A New Old Play” was named best film for the Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language). “A New Old Play” is a tale of a family of Sichuan Opera artists living through a tumultuous era. It also collected the FIPRESCI Prize, with the jury commending the film for “its masterful approach and inventive visual style.”  In the global category, Palestinian director Maha Haj’s “Mediterranean Fever” was chosen as the Firebird Award winner for being “an all-rounded gem that is at once a thriller, social comedy, and odd couple bromance.” 

Selome Hailu The Michelle Monaghan vehicle “Echoes” was the most-viewed title on Netflix during the Aug. 22-28 viewing window, its first full week of availability after premiering on Aug. 19. With 68.5 million hours watched, the limited series passed Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman,” which was watched for 53.8 million hours in the same period and had held the No. 1 position on the English-language series chart for the three weeks prior. “Me Time,” the comedy film starring Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg, debuted as the second-most-watched title of the week and the No. 1 movie. Racking up 59.2 million hours watched in its first three days of availability on the streamer, “Me Time” follows Sonny (Hart) as he reconnects with his best friend Huck (Wahlberg) for a wild weekend while his wife (Regina Hall) and kids are away.

The series ensemble cast includes Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Forrie Smith, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Finn Little, Ryan Bingham and Gil Birmingham, with Mo Brings Plenty, Wendy Moniz, Jen Landon, and Kathryn Kelly upped to series regulars.

With Lars von Trier’s The Kingdom Exodus due to world premiere at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, Zentropa has dropped a look at the kinetic opening sequence as well as a set of new posters (check out the video above and see photos below).

First Dates star Fred Sirieix headed for a curry in Hale as he partied with the stars of his new BBC show on a break from filming here in Manchester. Fred has just announced he is to host the new BBC2 show Master of Ceremonies alongside Dragon's Den star Sara Davies and Manchester events boss Raj Somaiya.

Chloe Madeley has revealed her baby daughter's name as she shared the first snap of the little cutie.The first time mum took to Instagram on Friday evening and announced the exciting news to her 256k followers. Just nine days after giving birth, she gushed: "Our daughter, Bodhi Rae Georgia Haskell [heart emoji]. Born 10.08.22 at 8:36 am." But what does her newborn's name? According to Babynames.com, Bodhi is "primarily a gender-neutral name of Indian origin that means Understanding Of True Nature.

Leo Barraclough International Features EditorThe international trailer has been debuted for Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears,” which has its world premiere on Sept. 9 in competition at Venice Film Festival, before moving to Toronto Film Festival and New York Film Festival. Celluloid Dreams, which is handling world sales, has revealed territory deals with several distributors.

Clayton Davis A movie with the action sensibilities of James Cameron and the ambitious scope of George Miller has to be considered a definitive Oscar contender, right? Not without the proper backing by a studio or, in this case, a country that will submit your film for the Academy’s best international feature award.Enter “RRR, a film directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who wrote the script with V.

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars and, since then, the I Am Legend star has been keeping a relatively low profile. Though Smith did break his silence on the slap just a few weeks ago and apologized to Rock for the situation. (The star also addressed his “irreparable” relationship with Rock’s brother, Tony.

Naman Ramachandran On the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day on Aug. 15, the first teaser of Bollywood war epic “Pippa” has been revealed and Dec. 2 has been set as the release date.

Will Smith has been keeping a low profile since his much-publicised Oscars altercation in March.MORE: Chris Rock makes huge career announcement after Will Smith Oscars altercationHaving recently returned home to LA after spending time in India, the King Richard star was pictured out and about on Saturday with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.The dad-of-three was all smiles as he stopped for some food at Nobu in Malibu, in photos published in Daily Mail.VIDEO: Will Smith makes public apology to Chris Rock following Oscars slapHe kept a low profile dressed in a navy baseball cap, which he teamed with a navy polo shirt, pants and sneakers.MORE: What happened to Will Smith amid the Oscars slap? All we knowMORE: Willow Smith's extreme appearance sparks reaction from fansAt the end of July, Will issued an emotional apology on social media where he addressed the Chris Rock slap at the Oscars for the first time.The Men in Black star took to Instagram with his first post in months and appeared on camera to answer questions from fans about the life-altering moment in March. Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars back in MarchThe video began with words that read: "It's been a minute.

Bollywood legend Aamir Khan is set to debut his version of the hit film Forrest Gump, with some differences specially designed for Indian audiences.

Johnny Depp's future in Hollywood has been unclear over the last few years after domestic abuse allegations he strongly denied were made by his ex-wife Amber Heard. The 59-year-old star may have been dropped from big franchises like the Fantastic Beasts films, but amid winning his defamation lawsuit against his former spouse, it looks like he's planning a big acting comeback. Depp's last movie was 2020's Minamata, which wasn't released until February this year.