Power, Religion, and the Place of Women Dominate Antonio Chavarrías’ High-Profile Malaga Competition Contender ‘Holy Mother’

Charli XCX has announced a string of live shows for her upcoming album ‘Brat’, including a series of ‘PARTYGIRL’ DJ shows – see where she’s stopping by below.The popstar is preparing to drop her sixth studio album ‘Brat‘ in the summer, and has now released dates for a number of shows across the world.These include ‘Brat’ live shows, which appear to play the upcoming record, and DJ shows she’s named ‘PARTYGIRL’. New York, Chicago and LA will have ‘Brat’ shows, whilst London, Mexico City and São Paulo will hold ‘PARTYGIRL’ DJ shows.

Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 had a rock ‘em sock ‘em weekend at the international box office, adding $55.3M from 69 markets for a $135M overseas running cume, and $268.2M global (there are several key markets still to release, including France, Australia, the UK and Korea). 

It's alright being Scottish – even if we haven't won in six games.

Actor Beau Bridges is being honored in a place of special significance to his family.

Holly Jones Germany’s Beta Film (“Babylon Berlin”) sets its sights on the Croisette for the world premiere of Dutch Royal drama “Máxima,” selected to screen out-of-competition at Canneseries on April 9. In tow, Delfina Chaves (“The Secret of the Greco Family”), who portrays the titular character in the series that Variety recently likened to Emmy-Award-Winning Netflix Drama “The Crown.” Teased at last month’s London TV Screenings, the six-part drama series unravels the love story between then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (Martijn Lakemeier) and his enigmatic Argentine love interest, Máxima, who goes on to become Queen, at his side.

EXCLUSIVE: Acorn TV, the streaming service aimed at Anglophiles, is getting a new look.

Carl Barât of The Libertines and Kyle Falconer of The View have shared details of a new “songwriting getaway” course, set to take place in Spain later this year.The two shared news of the new course on social media, posting the poster for a Songwriting Getaway hosted by the team at La Sierra Casa – a luxury songwriting camp based in Spain.Set to take place later this year, the 2024 edition is described as an “intensive writing and songwriting course”, presented by the View frontman and featuring Barât as “a very special guest”.

A city considered to be the warmest on earth is now so hot the streets have air-con. The Middle Eastern city is almost unliveable, with temperatures in the summer hitting more than 50C.

Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds have today (March 15) announced details of a UK and European tour – check out the full dates below.The tour will take place this autumn and follows on from the recent announcement that the band will release a new album this summer, ‘Wild God’. The band will kick off their tour on September 24 in Oberhausen, Germany, and will end in Paris, France on November 17.

Lucy Alexander will be joining the A Place in the Sun presenting team.The property expert, 53, is best known for Homes Under the Hammer but will soon be jetting off to some sunny locations thanks to her new gig. Lucy appeared on the show last year but will now be a permanent fixture of the show as she helps couples find their dream homes.

Holly Jones Simmering inner turmoil, regret and a relationship on the mend feature as themes in “Little Loves” (“Los Pequeños Amores”), Spanish filmmaker Celia Rico‘s anticipated second feature, which premiered in competition this week at the Málaga Film Festival. Rico’s 2018 feature debut, “Journey to a Mother’s Room,” won the Youth Jury Award at San Sebastian Film Festival, and received a Special Mention in the New Directors competition.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief This month’s Hong Kong International Film Festival will showcase over 190 films from 62 countries and regions, including five world premieres, and 64 Asian premieres. Running 12 days (March 28 – April 8), the festival will open with the Asian premiere of local director Ray Yeung’s “All Shall Be Well,” which won the Teddy Award at the recent Berlin festival.

Holly Jones A myriad of sentiments converge when estranged siblings meet to unpack the weight of their father’s recent death in Spain’s Álex Montoya’s third feature “La Casa,” adapted from the Eisner-winning graphic novel by Paco Roca and sold by Latido Films. The film, which bowed last night, figures in the official competition selection at this year’s Málaga Film Festival, his project “Lucas” having previously swept the fest’s Zonazine sidebar in 2020 – snagging best film, actor (Jorge Motos) and Audience Award plaudits. Written by Montoya and Joana M.

Britons could end up seeing a much warmer end to the month compared to the current conditions, according to weather forecasters.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent MALAGA — Dark Star Pictures, the L..A.-based distribution company, has secured North America distribution rights to “On the Go,” which showcases the acting talents of “Elite’s” Omar Ayuso, here playing a Grindr addict with vengeance in his heart. Celebrating its world premiere at last August’s Locarno Film Festival, “On the Go” was acquired for world sales in the run-up to the Swiss festival by Paris-based MPM Premium.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Beta Cinema has revealed further sales on its Berlinale and Europe Film Market lineup, including “500 Miles,” “Führer and Seducer,” “Hammarskjöld,” “The Light” and “From Hilde, With Love.” After a first deal on the upcoming Bill Nighy-roadmovie “500 Miles” with True Brit Ent. for U.K. was announced during the market, Beta Cinema has confirmed further territories have picked up the dramedy: Australia and New Zealand (Kismet), Middle East (Front Row), Italy (Maestro Distribution), Benelux (September Film), Greece (Feelgood) and former Yugoslavia (Discovery).

Morgan Matthews‘ upcoming road movie 500 Miles, starring Academy Award nominee Bill Nighy and buzzy teen actor Roman Griffin Davis, has sold to multiple territories for Beta Cinema, following its launch at the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) last month.

Garbage have announced a UK and European headline tour, kicking off this summer. Find all the details below.The alt-rock pioneers – comprising frontwoman Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig – will perform across June and July, including a stop at the Wembley OVO Arena on July 20.The European leg of the tour will open at Magnolia in Milan on June 26, followed by shows in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and more.The UK shows will kick off with a festival slot at Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival on July 12, before they hit Edinburgh, Bridlington, Wolverhampton, Manchester and London.Tickets for the tour will go on sale Friday (March 8) at 10am GMT, following a fan pre-sale on Thursday (March 7) at 10am local time.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent MALAGA — Opening last Friday with “Dragonkeeper,” also in competition, Spain’s Malaga Festival, its biggest dedicated event for movies from Spain and Latin America, is studded by latest films by Isaki Lacuesta – “Saturn Return,” reportedly fun, broad audience and radical – David Trueba – “The Good Man,” small scale but almost certainly ingratiating – and Antonio Chavarrías’ “Holy Mother,” about an extraordinary real life female figure in Spain’s 9th century Reconquista. Also in the running is “Rest in Peace,” from notable Argentine writer-director Sebastián Borensztein (“Chinese Takeaway”).

Ed Meza @edmezavar Filmax has acquired international rights to Spanish thriller “Nina,” the new feature written and directed by Andrea Jaurrieta (“Ana by Day”) that bows at this week’s Málaga Film Festival as one of its higher profile titles in main competition. Loosely based on the play of the same name by José Ramón Fernández, which borrows elements of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” “Nina” tells the story of a woman, an actress, who returns to her home town on Spain’s rugged northern coast seeking to take revenge on a celebrated writer.