'Ringleader' of crime group jailed was a former 'trusted lieutenant' in international drug ring

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Maxime Rappaz’s debut film “Let Me Go,” which plays in the Cannes ACID sidebar, has been sold to Brazil and Taiwan. The film stars Cannes regular Jeanne Balibar in the lead role as a fiftysomething woman torn between her family commitments and pursuing her own desires. Every Tuesday, a neighbor takes care of Claudine’s son while she goes to a mountain hotel to meet men passing through. When one of them decides to extend his stay for her, Claudine is confused and finds herself dreaming of another life. Imovision has acquired all rights for Brazil, and will release the film in cinemas after a Brazilian festival premiere. “The mise en scène is excellent and Jeanne Balibar is extraordinary,” Jean-Thomas Bernardini, president of Imovision, commented.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Beta Cinema has closed further presales for “The Offing,” which will star Helena Bonham Carter, and will be directed by Jessica Hobbs, an Emmy Award-winner for “The Crown.” New deals include Spain (Beta Fiction), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Switzerland (Pathé Films), former Yugoslavia (Discovery) and the Middle East (Front Row). CineSky Pictures has picked up worldwide airline rights. A multi-territory deal with Curzon, Cineart and Madman for U.K./Ireland, Benelux and Australia/New Zealand was revealed in April. “The Offing,” which is based on the novel by Benjamin Myers, is set on the northeast English coast shortly after World War II. It tells the story of shy, 16-year-old Robert, and the hard-drinking, foul-mouthed, bohemian recluse Dulcie Piper, played by Bonham Carter, and their unlikely friendship.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Music Box Films has bought U.S. rights to “The Crime Is Mine” (“Mon Crime”), a period comedy by French helmer François Ozon (“Swimming Pool,” “8 Women”). “The Crime Is Mine” stars Rebecca Marder and Nadia Tereszkiewicz, who just won the Cesar Award for female newcomer, alongside Isabelle Huppert, Fabrice Luchini, Dany Boon and André Dussolier. Music Box Films plans a theatrical release for later this year, followed by a home entertainment rollout. Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr and Louis Verneuil, “The Crime Is Mine” follows struggling actress Madeleine (Tereszkiewicz), and her best friend and roommate Pauline (Marder), an unemployed lawyer in 1930s Paris. Madeleine ascends to fame after standing trial for the murder of a movie producer, with Pauline serving as defense counsel and media circus ringmaster. Upon Madeleine’s acquittal, a new life of fame, wealth and tabloid celebrity awaits — until the truth comes out.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Playtime has boarded “Monsieur Aznavour,” the prestige biopic of legendary French-Armenian Charles Aznavour starring Tahar Rahim (“A Prophet,” “Napoleon”). Budgeted at €26 million, the film will start principal photography on May 30. Pathé has scooped French rights and will give it a wide release in theaters. Surely one of the hottest packages to hit this year’s Cannes market, the film will chart Aznavour’s sprawling life journey, from his poor childhood to his rise to fame, from his triumphs to his failures, from Paris to New York. Aznavour was devoted to his art until the very end, singing his songs in ten languages, on every stage, in every city, desperately searching for perfection. He sold more than 180 million records around the world.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Berlin-based sales agency M-Appeal has released the trailer (below) for Swiss director Maxime Rappaz’s debut feature “Let Me Go,” which will open the Cannes ACID sidebar on Wednesday. Set in a remote town in the Swiss mountains, the film features French actress Jeanne Balibar in the lead role. She plays the character of Claudine, a mother who has devoted her life to taking care of her son, sacrificing her own needs and desires. An unexpected love affair causes Claudine’s carefully controlled world to unravel, “reviving in her an intense thirst for freedom and, at the same time, a painful questioning about her future,” Rappaz says.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here's first-ever 'legend' campmate Myleene Klass has revealed how one of her daughters was left a little concerned when she found a 'love letter' from her co-star.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Emmy Award-winning director Adam Bernstein (“30 Rock,” “Fargo,” “Better Call Saul”) is set to helm new Prime Video Italy original “Costiera,” an English-language action drama set on Italy’s iconic Amalfi Coast. The high-end show is being co-produced by Amazon Studios and Luca Bernabei for Lux Vide, the prominent Italian company behind financial thriller “Devils” that is owned by Fremantle. Though production on “Costiera” is set to start on location this summer, the international cast is being kept under wraps. Under a highly innovative deal structure, Fremantle will handle global sales on “Costiera” in all territories outside of Italy, France, Spain and Portugal where Amazon is holding on to full exclusive rights.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent The city of Cannes has banned protests along the Croisette and its surroundings during the Cannes Film Festival. The labor union CGT, which is represented by Denis Gravouil on the administration board of the Cannes Film Festival, is still preparing a large demonstration on May 21 but it will take place along Boulevard Carnot, far away from the Croisette and from the festival’s headquarters. There will also be a rally of hospitality workers, including staff from hotels, cafes and restaurants, in front of the Carlton hotel – whose famous guests this year include Martin Scorsese — on May 19, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The rally, which will likely involve protesters banging saucepans to express their anger, is technically allowed because the front of the Carlton is a private area.

I'm A Celebrity... South Africa star Paul Burrell has revealed his staggering weight loss after he was seen missing out on a place in the final of the ITV reality show. The former royal butler was one of several memorable former I'm A Celebrity campmates who returned to battle it out for 'Legend' status.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Paris-based company Indie Sales has acquired Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s topical third feature, “The Good Teacher,” co-written by “Happening” filmmaker Audrey Diwan. François Civil, the French star of “The Three Musketeers” and “The Wolf’s Call,” stars as a young teacher wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct by a teenage girl from his class. As he faces mounting pressures from the girl’s older brother and her classmates, the situation spirals out of control: Allegations spread, the entire school is thrown into turmoil, and the teacher has to fight to clear his name. “The Good Teacher” marks the second collaboration between Indie Sales and Lussi-Modeste following “The Price of Success” which screened at Toronto and San Sebastián New Directors’ competition. “The Price of Success was picked up by Netflix for a multi-territory deal including the US.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor The Monte-Carlo Television Festival has revealed the nominees for its Golden Nymph Awards. The festival will open June 16 with the world premiere of the first episode of “Harlan Coben’s Shelter.” Hollywood producer and writer Howard Gordon (“The X-Files,” “24,” “Homeland,” “Accused”) will receive the Honorary Golden Nymph Award, the festival’s highest accolade, bestowed on a professional for their contribution to the entertainment industry. In the Fiction competition are “Poker Face” (U.S.), starring Natasha Lyonne, “The Warrant: Breaker’s Law” (U.S.), “Ten Pound Poms” (U.K./Australia), “The Seed” (Germany, Norway, Czech Republic), “Chorus Girls” (Denmark), “Fence” (Japan), “Le Colosse aux pieds d’argile” (France), “Miró” (Spain) and “Trust No One” (Israel).

Joe Swash and Dean Gaffney have addressed if they'd ever return to EastEnders years after their exits. Joe, who starred as Mickey Miller, left the soap in 2011, with Robbie Jackson actor Dean exiting Walford two decades ago, before making a handful of brief returns in the years that followed. Now the I'm A Celebrity South Africa stars have discussed if they'd ever go back, with Joe hailing his departure as "the worst ever".

Joe Swash is beginning to settle in to the South African I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! camp after arriving during episodes earlier this week, and has even found an unexpected connection to home. During Thursday evening's instalment, the TV personality, 41, will be seen comparing fellow campmate Fatima Whitbread to his wife of almost one year, Stacey Solomon.

I’m A Celebrity... South Africa is set to get two new arrivals in the form of former EastEnders actors, Dean Gaffney and Joe Swash.The special all-stars series is in full swing, with some of the most legendary stars from the last 20 years slumming it in a jungle in South Africa. The show has been pre-recorded and therefore does not offer viewers the normal opportunity to vote for celebs to do the trials.

cheat sheet.Michelle Obama hit the stage in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday night as Bruce Springsteen, on tour with the E Street Band, launched into his 1985 hit “Glory Days” — but she seemed to know few of the song’s lyrics, apart from the two words of its title.The former first lady, 59, dressed in loose purple cargo pants and a dark blazer, beamed as she rattled a tambourine and tried to keep up with the band’s coordinated dance steps. At several points, she had to be guided to the microphone by Springsteen’s wife Patti Scialfa, his regular backing vocalist.

Bruce Springsteen to perform his song ‘Glory Days’ at a gig in Barcelona last night (April 28).The former first lady sang and played a tambourine to the ‘Born In The U.S.A’ classic alongside Springsteen’s wife and E Street Band member Patti Scialfa, and actress Kate Capshaw.As reported by Consequence, the previous night Springsteen, Scialfa, Capshaw and Capshaw’s husband, the director Steven Spielberg, dined with Barack and Michelle Obama at a restaurant in the Spanish city.Michelle Obama dancing at tonight’s Springsteen concert in Barcelona pic.twitter.com/en0G74x16d— SpringsteenPitQ (@SpringsteenPit) April 28, 2023Ojo ahí @MichelleObama dándolo todo #GloryDays @springsteen #EStreetBand https://t.co/hddx4roRkM pic.twitter.com/fOkyddnwgs— Todo Esto Existe (@todoestoexiste) April 28, 2023Michelle Obama i Kate Capshaw, dona d’Steven Spielberg, coristes de luxe al concert de @springsteen a l’Estadi Olímpic #inforac1 #Springsteenbarcelona pic.twitter.com/gKNoPUFYe3— Maria Cusó Serra (@MariaCuso) April 28, 2023Springsteen and the Obamas’ relationship goes back to 2008 when Barack first ran for US president. The rock star played several of Obama’s early campaign rallies as well as his inauguration.Springsteen also helped Barack during his 2012 re-election campaign by writing his official campaign theme song.In other news, Springsteen And The E Street Band recently announced the support acts for their BST Hyde Park shows in London.The Boss shared the three acts that will be joining his band on July 6 and 8.

Barack and Michelle Obama had a very special dinner in Barcelona. The pair had a great time with Steven Spielberg and Bruce Springsteen ahead of his concert, which is taking place on Friday, April 28, and is his first performance in Spain since 2016.The 73-year-old musician was accompanied by his wife Patti Scialfa, who seems to be good friends with the former First Lady.

Michelle and former President Barack Obama are sightseeing in Barcelona, Spain.

Stacey Solomon was holding no punches as she returned from her recent trip to France with her two daughters, as she unleashed a very public rant about her husband's cleaning habits at their family home, Pickle Cottage.

William Earl Variety will return in-person with its TV FYC Fest on June 7 in L.A., featuring HBO/Max Chief Casey Bloys, Kerry Washington, Elle Fanning, Janelle James, Gina Rodriguez and Weird Al Yankovic. Fanning (“The Great”), James (“Abbott Elementary”), Rodriguez (“Not Dead Yet”) and Washington (“UnPrisoned”) will participate in a roundtable celebrating Disney’s TV female comedy standouts. Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content will offer his vision for TV storytelling with Cynthia Littleton, co-editor-in-chief of Variety, in what will be his first interview following the series finale episode of “Succession.”