TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Monday 19 August 2024
'Alien: Romulus' shines at box office; UK funds 11 co-productions; Brian Cox criticises cinema; 'Emily in Paris' romance heats up; K-pop meets British boy band; Radu Jude and 'Blue Eye Samurai'.
Today’s Highlights:
'Alien: Romulus' Carves Out $41.5 Million Box Office Opening - The film's strong debut, surpassing its predecessor's performance, marks a significant success.
UK Global Screen Fund Backs Further 11 International Co-Productions - The funding boost supports 11 new co-productions, enhancing opportunities in the UK's independent screen sector.
Lily Collins Breaks Down 'Emily in Paris' Season 4 Romance - The actress discusses the evolution of her character's romantic storyline in the upcoming season.
Made in Korea: When a British boy band got the K-pop treatment - A new British boy band undergoes rigorous K-pop training, making their debut in the K-pop industry.
Two New Short Features from Radu Jude Playfully Explore How We Watch - Radu Jude's innovative short films captivate audiences with their experimental approach.
Locarno Prizewinner' Holy Electricity' Drops Trailer; Director Tato Kotetishvili Teases Next Project - Following his success at Locarno, the director reveals his next ambitious project.
Brian Cox Says Cinema Is In "A Very Bad Way", Citing Marvel, 'Deadpool & Wolverine'—The actor criticises the current state of cinema, particularly the influence of superhero franchises.
'Blue Eye Samurai' Sound Editing Team On Turning Up The Volume Of Swordplay Intensity - The Emmy-nominated sound editing team discusses their work on Netflix's animated series.
Will The People Who Say They Love Cinema the Most Come Back to the Movies? - An analysis of the mixed box-office performance and the cinema industry's challenges.
5 Essential Tips for TV Producers: Industry Insights with Remy Blumenfeld - Remy Blumenfeld provides valuable advice for TV producers navigating the evolving industry landscape.
Plus: News, Festivals, Insights, In Development, Deals, Cancellations and Jobs with ITV, SBS, Warners, Paramount, Nine, NBCUniversal, Sony, Netflix & Kinana Films.
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NEWS
'Alien: Romulus' Carves Out $41.5 Million Box Office Opening
Alien: Romulus debuted with a strong $41.5 million at the domestic box office, surpassing the $36.1 million opening of its predecessor, Alien: Covenant. Directed by Fede Álvarez, the film has received positive reactions, earning a B+ CinemaScore and high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Internationally, it grossed $66.7 million, with a notable $25.7 million from China.
From: The Wrap
UK Global Screen Fund Backs Further 11 International Co-Productions
The UK Global Screen Fund has awarded over £1.7 million to support 11 new international co-productions, boosting opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector. This brings the total funding to £8.1 million for 51 co-productions across 32 territories. The latest projects span feature films, documentaries, and TV animation, with collaborations involving countries like Morocco, Switzerland, and Ireland.
From: BFI
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INSIGHTS
Lily Collins Breaks Down ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 4 Romance: ‘Finally the Fire Gets to Burn’
Lily Collins discusses the evolving romance between Emily and Gabriel in Emily in Paris Season 4, revealing that their relationship finally intensifies after seasons of tension. Collins emphasises Emily’s growth in navigating her feelings and embracing uncertainty, leading to significant developments in her personal life. The season also explores Emily’s professional successes and complex relationships with other characters, setting the stage for more drama and emotional depth in the series.
From: The Wrap
Made in Korea: When a British boy band got the K-pop treatment
The newly formed British boy band Dear Alice is set to make waves in the K-pop world after participating in BBC One's Made in Korea: The K-pop Experience. Blaise, Dexter, James, Olly, and Reese, who didn’t know each other before auditioning, underwent 100 days of intense K-pop training in Seoul. The six-part series, a collaboration between the BBC and K-pop agency SM Entertainment, features tough critiques from K-pop expert Hee Jun Yoon, making it a challenging journey for the fresh-faced quintet.
From: BBC
Trapped in a Hole for Days and Covered in Blood and Lube, ‘Alien: Romulus’ Star Aileen Wu Breaks Down What It’s Like to Battle Facehuggers and Chestbursters
Expectations are high for “Alien: Romulus,” the seventh instalment in the iconic sci-fi franchise, directed by Fede Álvarez, known for Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe (2016). Set between the original Alien films, it introduces Aileen Wu in her feature debut as Navarro, a spaceship pilot. Wu, who trained at NYU and the Stella Adler Studio, shares the surreal experience of acting with aliens, learning to pilot a spacecraft and the joy of shaving her head.
From: Variety
Two New Short Features from Radu Jude Playfully Explore How We Watch
Radu Jude’s mysterious new short Sleep #2 premiered at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival, intriguing audiences with its cryptic synopsis and lack of dialogue. This 61-minute "desktop film" was created from EarthCam footage of Andy Warhol's gravesite in Pittsburgh, capturing day and night scenes over a year. The film features ambient sounds, visitors, and cemetery staff, offering a meditative look at the final resting place, echoing Warhol’s 1964 avant-garde film Sleep.
From: IndieWire
Locarno Prizewinner ‘Holy Electricity’ Drops Trailer, Director Tato Kotetishvili Teases Next Project, a Docufiction Set on the U.S.-Mexico Border
Georgian filmmaker Tato Kotetishvili, fresh off winning the Golden Leopard at Locarno for his debut feature Holy Electricity, is preparing his next film, a docufiction about a Georgian family’s treacherous journey to enter the U.S. from Mexico illegally. The untitled project, seen through a child’s eyes, follows a three-week odyssey across Latin America. Kotetishvili, who also co-wrote and directed Holy Electricity, released a trailer for the film, which is now competing at the Sarajevo Film Festival. The new film reunites him with producer Tekla Machavariani.
From: Variety
Brian Cox Says Cinema Is In “a Very Bad Way”, Cites Marvel, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’: “It’s Become Party Time”
Brian Cox, known for his acclaimed role in HBO’s Succession, expressed concern over the state of cinema, blaming the Marvel and DC Universes for contributing to its decline. At the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Cox suggested that television is now filling the creative role once held by cinema, citing the recent Deadpool & Wolverine as an example of cinematic "party time." He warned that cinema is "in a very bad way," losing its place due to the grandiosity of superhero franchises.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Blue Eye Samurai’ Sound Editing Team On Turning Up The Volume Of Swordplay Intensity
The soundscapes of Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai play a crucial role in immersive storytelling. The adult animated series follows Mizu, a mixed-race warrior in Edo-period Japan whose blue eyes mark her as an outsider. In July, the series earned two Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Sound Editing for Episode 6. Sound editors Myron Nettinga and Paulette Lifton discussed the intricate work of creating compelling and emotional sound layers that enhance Mizu's vengeful journey.
From: Deadline
Will The People Who Say They Love Cinema the Most Come Back to the Movies?
As the summer movie season wraps up, the industry analyses the mixed signals from recent box-office performance. While several major hits like Deadpool & Wolverine, Inside Out 2, and A Quiet Place: Day One drew audiences to theatres, overall receipts still fell short of 2023 levels. The lingering effects of the strike contributed to a shortage of films, suggesting demand remains solid but unmet. As the industry looks ahead to 2025, there’s cautious optimism and recognition that a vital piece of the moviegoing experience is still missing.
From: Variety
5 Essential Tips for TV Producers: Industry Insights with Remy Blumenfeld
Creative content industry coach Remy Blumenfeld offers his top 5 tips for TV producers to navigate the evolving television landscape.
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