Steven A. Sund, the former chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, has inked a book deal with Blackstone Publishing, promising to reveal new details about the infamous day.
08.09.2022 - 15:09 / variety.com
Carole Horst In 2013, Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s documentary “Blackfish” uncovered the disturbing underbelly of SeaWorld wild-life park and subsequently brought about major changes to the organization. Nine years later, the director is at TIFF with “The Grab,” which exposes various governments, private investors and mercenaries from around the world that are working to seize food and water outside their borders to meet increasing shortages at the expense of entire populations. These groups are establishing themselves as the new Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), where the future world powers will be those who control not oil but food. The doc, which is seeking distribution, follows award-winning journalist Nathan Halverson and his team at the Center for Investigative Reporting as they crack open the land-grab story based on leaked documents.
Halverson began writing about food grabs in 2014 after a Chinese company purchased Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer. The $4.7 billion purchase of Smithfield Foods was supported by the Chinese government, which now controls one out of four American pigs. “The Grab” is a global thriller that reveals one of the world’s biggest and least-known threats.
Cowperthwaite spoke with Variety about how she got involved with the project and what she hopes TIFF audiences will take away from “The Grab,” which screens Sept. 8.
When did you start working on this doc?In 2016.Throughout the doc, it is clear that Halverson is worried that his phone calls are being tapped, his computer is being hacked and he is being followed. Were you also concerned about the same things while filming?Yes.
We did major diagnostics on all of our computers and our cell phones. We
.Steven A. Sund, the former chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, has inked a book deal with Blackstone Publishing, promising to reveal new details about the infamous day.
incorrectly focused on Depp’s attorney, Camille Vasquez, but more recently, the whispers have shifted to another one of Depp’s lawyers Joelle Rich. Alleged details about their time together have emerged over the past few days, but in classic Johnny Depp fashion, there are now additional rumors about him more recently moving on with someone else. There’s a lot here so let’s start with Joelle Rich.
Liza Foreman Boutique distributor Juno Films has picked up North American distribution rights to the Irish-language feature “Róise and Frank,” (“Mo Ghrá Buan”), the company confirmed on Friday. Written and directed by Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy, the drama tells the story of an imaginative widow, played by Irish actress Bríd Ní Neachtain, who decides that a stray dog she befriends is the reincarnation of her deceased husband Frank. As time passes, Róise slowly begins to open herself back up to the outside world and reconnect to friends and family. Her canine companion starts to coach the local junior high school’s hurling team with great success for the team and its players, under Frank’s guidance.
Strictly Come Dancing's Tony Adams opened up about his battle with drink and drugs. The former footy star, who served almost 60 days in prison following a conviction for drink-driving in the 90s, will take to the dancefloor on Friday. Speaking in a candid interview, the ex-Arsenal and England defender says 'his message' to viewers is to raise awareness surrounding addiction.
Marc Graboff is leaving Warner Bros. Discovery after almost eight years at the company and its predecessor, Discovery. Inc. Graboff, a respected veteran television business executive, just notified the company staff of his decision. A key member of the senior executive team of David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery — and now WBD — Graboff made the transition to the combined company following the merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia. Most recently reporting to Kathleen Finch, Chairman and Chief Content Officer, US Networks Group, Graboff will leave in December after assisting with the transition.
Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Marc Graboff has decided to exit as president of global business and legal affairs and content supply chain at the legacy Discovery side of Warner Bros. Discovery, Variety has learned exclusively. The NBCUniversal alum will step down from his position at the end of the year. “Marc approached every challenging business negotiation with affability, professionalism and attention to detail, and his expertise will be sorely missed,” Kathleen Finch, chairman and chief content officer of the US Networks Group at Warner Bros Discovery, said Tuesday. “We are grateful for his invaluable support and the terrific partnership he’s brought throughout his years of service.”
Oscar-winning director Laura Poitras will be guest of honor at the 35th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), running from November 9 to 20.
The world will be watching. Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, in St George’s Chapel during her funeral on Monday, September 19.
The details for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II have been revealed as the nation prepares for a final farewell.The UK will say goodbye to the monarch, who has reigned for 70 years, on Monday with proceedings to start at 8am as the doors of Westminster Abbey will open. Those attending the event will be representatives from the home nations and heads of state from overseas including American President Joe Biden who has previously confirmed that he will be attending.
Neon has acquired the North American rights to “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” a heist thriller that made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this week and was being sought by multiple studios. The film from Daniel Goldhaber played in the Platform section of TIFF and is one of the first major acquisitions from the festival.
Gigi Hadid's daughter, Khai, is keeping her on her toes, thanks to the little one's adventurous side.The 27-year-old model opens up about motherhood in an upcoming interview on NBC News', and during a tease of that interview, Hadid calls her daughter a «genius» who quite possibly entered the «terrible twos» stage on a mission. When asked if Khai's mobile, Hadid couldn't help but reveal just how mobile she is right now.«Oh, so mobile, from so early in the morning,» she tells . «So mobile.
Love Island 's Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has revealed "intense" argument she had with beau Davide Sanclimenti in the famous villa that never made it to the air. The couple, both 28, were adored by people across the nation for their relatable fiery spats and a magnet-like attraction that kept drawing them back together.
Trent Reznor has praised the tribute concert held in honour of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.Discussing the event at Nine Inch Nails‘ concert on Saturday (September 3), Reznor called the tribute — which saw a star-studded list of musicians honour Hawkins at London’s Wembley Stadium earlier that day — “very touching and sincere”.“Did any of you happen to catch the tribute to Taylor Hawkins today?”, Reznor asked the Nine Inch Nails audience at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, “I thought, ‘I’ll tune in.’ I knew Taylor. He was a really sweet guy.
Protagonist Pictures has closed a French distribution deal with Les Films du Losange on Riley Keough and Gina Gammell’s Cannes Camera d’Or winning directorial debut War Pony.
Marta Balaga Following the Venice Film Festival premiere of her Biennale College Cinema title “Palimpsest” – about two people that start to age backwards – Finnish helmer Hanna Västinsalo will continue to play with sci-fi elements in “Space Hobos: How to Bum a Ride from Sector B12 to Module C9.” “It’s about workers like plumbers, welders or cleaners, trying to make their way in the world of space travel,” Västinsalo explains to Variety in Italy. “The core of the story is drawn from my own experience of being a starving artist and trying to make it. Not always knowing how to pay rent or having money to buy groceries.”
K.J. Yossman Content studio Propogate, who are currently working on Netflix’s upcoming Anna Nicole Smith documentary, are opening a London office. The company has also appointed Catalina Ramirez and Dan Thunell to co-heads of Propagate International, the company’s global distribution arm. Ramirez has been upped from Propagate International’s vice president of sales and acquisitions. Her new role will include overseeing sales and distribution for LATAM, Asia, and Canada as well as development and production for the company’s Spanish-language content label Propagate Fuego. She will remain based in the L.A. office. Before joining Propogate in 2020, Ramirez worked at Gunpowder & Sky and Magnolia Pictures.
Jennifer Lopez has shared more photos and details about her and Ben Affleck’s intimate wedding. The artist, who recently slammed leaked video footage from her special day, published them on her On the JLo newsletter.
Naman Ramachandran Janus Films has acquired North American rights for Hlynur Pálmason’s “Godland,” which bowed at Cannes and is bound for Telluride and Toronto. The film follows a young Danish priest in the late 19th century who travels to a remote part of Iceland to build a church and photograph its people. But the deeper he goes into the unforgiving landscape, the more he strays from his purpose, the mission and morality. It stars Elliott Crosset Hove (“Winter Brothers”), Ingvar Sigurðsson (“A White, White Day”), Vic Carmen Sonne (“Holiday”), Jacob Hauberg Lohmann (“Shorta”), Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir (“A White, White Day”), Waage Sandø “The Team”) and Hilmar Guðjónsson (“Sóttkví”).