Vice Acquires Doc ‘The Toxic Pigs Of Fukushima’ About Nuclear Disaster Aftermath

Netflix has picked up international streaming rights to Chinese fantasy feature The Yin Yang Master, one of the major titles set for release during China's upcoming Lunar New Year box office bonanza. The film is an adaptation of the popular Chinese role-playing game Onmyoji, which is itself based on the blockbuster fantasy novel of the same name by Japanese author by Baku Yumemakura.

An Oscar nomination is a huge feather in the cap of any filmmaker. Even though many would never gauge their success based on awards recognition, there’s a reason why directors are always excited when they get nominated for a trophy.

Despite having appeared in one of the biggest franchises of the ’00s, Viggo Mortensen has never appeared in a superhero movie (though the fantastic “A History of Violence” is based on a comicbook). That being said, it’s not for a lack of offers.

The list of actors cut out of Terrence Malick’s classic 1998 “The Thin Red Line” war movie is long and legendary (we’ve dedicated entire features to digging up nuggets of stories over the years). And actor Viggo Mortensen—cut out of early roles in films like Woody Allen’s “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” and Jonathan Demme‘s “Swing Shift”—knows a thing or two about being left on the cutting room floor.

Oscar-nominated actor Viggo Mortensen will make his feature directorial debut with Falling which makes its premiere in theaters, digital and on demand today. Mortensen went all-in with his feature debut because also wrote, starred in and composed the score for Falling to show us that he’s not just a one-trick pony (but was there any doubt?)

National Geographic Documentary Films said Tuesday that it has acquired Playing with Sharks, the feature documentary about Australian icon, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor that had its world premiere last week at the Sundance Film Festival. The pic is written and directed by Sally Aitken and is produced by WildBear Entertainment and Dogwoof. No release date plans or deal details were announced.

Also Read: Dash Shaw's Animated 'Cryptozoo' Sells to Magnolia“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Nat Geo Doc Films.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorHispanic media giant Univision Communications acquired VIX, an independent ad-supported streaming service with 20,000-plus hours of free Spanish-language film and TV programming. Univision said it plans to combine VIX with PrendeTV, its AVOD service set to launch sometime in the first quarter, in the U.S.Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

David Cronenberg has worked with some incredible actors over the course of his decades-long career. However, if you really want to get film fans excited, mention a project that has Cronenberg directing Viggo Mortensen.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorRadiation exposure was at the forefront of cinematographer Simon Niblett’s mind as he spent time filming Otto Bell’s “The Toxic Pigs of Fukushima.” Bell, who was trying for a baby at the time, was also concerned – they carried radiation monitors.Bell’s documentary Oscar contender, “The Toxic Pigs of Fukushima,” follows a group of local hunters who have been enlisted to dispose of radiated wild boars that now roam the abandoned streets and buildings of Fukushima,

Vicki Gunvalson, 58, has some beef with Lisa Rinna, 57. Real Housewives of Orange CountyOG revealed that she was snubbed by Lisa at last years’ Bravo Con — despite being a cast member of the very first Housewives franchise. Confessing she felt “looked down on” by Rinna on podcast Behind the Velvet Rope With David Yontef, Vicki went on to detail the interaction.

The OG has spoken! Vicki Gunvalson threw major shade at Lisa Rinna and other Housewives, who she claims wouldn’t give her “the time of day” despite her being one of the original stars of the successful reality franchise.

Also Read: 'The Two Popes' Star Jonathan Pryce on How Even His Son Thinks He's a Pope Francis Lookalike | VideoOscar-nominated director and producer Evgeny Afineevksy directs “Francesco.” Producers are Afineevksy, Den Tolmor, Eric Esrailian and Teri Schwartz, while Ted Hope, Colleen Camp, Mark Monroe, Tomáš Srovnal, Michelle Bertrán Neve, Svetlana Chistyakova, Bonnie Abaunza, Bohdan Batruch, Regina K.

Natalie Oganesyan editorThe Sundance Film Festival announced 22 jurors that will bestow this year’s awards at the digital ceremony taking place Feb. 2.

ABC News is shuffling its Washington correspondents, tapping Cecilia Vega to be its new chief White House correspondent. Jonathan Karl, who currently leads ABC News' White House team, will continue as chief Washington correspondent and a co-anchor on ABC's Sunday public affairs show This Week, alongside George Stephanopoulos and Martha Raddatz.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorABC News named Cecilia Vega and Jonathan Karl to new senior roles in its Washington operations, naming Vega the Disney news unit’s chief White House correspondent and Karl its chief Washington correspondent, as well as a co-anchor of the Sunday public-affairs program “This Week.”In a memo to staffers Tuesday, ABC News President James Goldston also named Mary Bruce a senior White House correspondent and MaryAlice Parks a weekend White House correspondent.