TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 6 August 2024
Global box office success for 'Deadpool & Wolverine'; 'Trap' opens strong; Foxtel price hike; German film funding; TaleFlick welcomes Saudi poets; Netflix strategy; decline in female lead roles.
Today’s Highlights:
Global Box Office Success of 'Deadpool & Wolverine'—After two weekends, the film grossed $824 million globally, showing strong international performance.
'Trap' Thrives in North America - M. Night Shyamalan's thriller "Trap" opens with $20 million, led by North American earnings.
Foxtel Price Hike - Foxtel announces price increases for various subscription packages starting September 1, 2024.
German Film Funding - The German film fund supports projects, including "Babylon Berlin" and films featuring Sandra Hüller and Isabelle Huppert.
TaleFlick Welcomes Saudi Poets - The TaleFlick platform invites Saudi Arabian poets to submit their works, aiming to bridge Saudi poems with Hollywood.
Increase in Female-Led Productions - Global demand for majority female productions has doubled, highlighting a shift towards gender representation in media.
Debate Over Hollywood's Health - Industry professionals debate the state of Hollywood amid industry cuts and audience shifts.
First Footage of 'The Last of Us' Season 2 - HBO releases a first look at upcoming major series, including "The Last of Us" Season 2.
Netflix's Strategy Amid Competitors - Netflix thrives by licensing content from competitors, focusing on ad-supported platforms, sports programming, and gaming investments.
The decline in Lead Roles for Women - An Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study reports a 14% decrease in lead roles for women in 2023 compared to 2022.
Plus: News, Festivals, Insights, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Events and Jobs with Wondery, Flying Bark, Netflix, Spotify, Red Bull & Rakuten.
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NEWS
'Deadpool & Wolverine' hits $824m at global box office; 'Trap' opens with $20m
"Deadpool & Wolverine" has grossed $824 million globally after two weekends, with strong international performance contributing significantly. "Trap," a new M. Night Shyamalan thriller, opened with $20 million, led by North American earnings. These box office results highlight the ongoing popularity of superhero films and Shyamalan's thrillers.
From: Screen Daily
Foxtel announces price hike
Foxtel is increasing prices for several subscription packages starting September 1, 2024. Foxtel Plus will rise by $3 per month to $73, Foxtel Plus with Netflix packs (including Platinum Plus) will go up by $5 per month to $145, 2024 Platinum with Netflix will increase by $2 per month, and Netflix Premium Add On will rise by $1 per month. These changes follow the loss of channels like BBC First, A&E, SciFi, and soaps like The Young & the Restless and Days of Our Lives, along with reduced editorial content in the Foxtel magazine. The last price increase was in 2023.
From: TV Tonight
'Babylon Berlin,' Sandra Hüller, Isabelle Huppert projects receive German funding
The German film fund has allocated financial support to several projects, including "Babylon Berlin" and films featuring Sandra Hüller and Isabelle Huppert. These grants aim to promote high-quality German productions and enhance the international profile of the country's film industry.
From: Screen Daily
‘White Noise’ Producer Uri Singer’s TaleFlick Platform Makes Hollywood Overture to Saudi Arabian Storytellers
TaleFlick, the online story discovery platform founded by “White Noise” producer Uri Singer and former Netflix executive George Berry, is now accepting poetry submissions. This move aims to welcome works that capture Saudi Arabian culture's essence, history, and traditions. Storytelling in the Arab world often centres around oral history and poetry. By opening TaleFlick to poets, the goal is to bridge Saudi poems with Hollywood, honouring and elevating this art form into powerful visual narratives, said Singer, TaleFlick's CEO
From: Variety
FESTIVALS
French epic 'The Count of Monte Cristo' named best film at Fantasia
The French film "The Count of Monte Cristo" won Best Film at the Fantasia International Film Festival. Directed by Alexandre Astier, the adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' classic novel impressed audiences and critics alike. The festival celebrated its 28th edition with a diverse selection of films worldwide, highlighting the best in genre cinema.
From: Screen Daily
Toronto Film Festival Discovery Program to Feature 'Bonjour Tristesse'
The Toronto Film Festival’s Discovery Program will include Bonjour Tristesse, showcasing fresh voices in cinema. This program highlights new and innovative filmmakers from around the world and offers them a platform to present their work to a global audience. The festival continues to support emerging talent and unique storytelling.
From: The Wrap
Locarno Pro 2024 preview: Spain in focus, Match Me! platform expands
Locarno Pro 2024 will spotlight Spanish cinema through its First Look initiative, showcasing six Spanish films in post-production. The Match Me! The platform is expanding with 36 producers for potential co-productions. The StepIn think tank will also address industry challenges such as financing and diversity. The event also includes the Alliance 4 Development program and Industry Academy workshops, marking its 10th anniversary.
From: Screen Daily
Locarno Competition Title ‘Moon,’ About Martial Arts Fighter on ‘Unsettling’ Assignment in Jordan, Debuts Teaser
The “Moon” (Mond) teaser has debuted ahead of its world premiere on Aug. 11 in the International Competition section of the Locarno Film Festival. Bendita Film Sales has taken on world sales rights. Written and directed by Kurdwin Ayub, the film follows her first fiction feature, “Sonne,” which premiered at the 2022 Berlinale and won the best first feature award. Ayub, an Iraqi-born filmmaker living in Vienna, was nominated for the European Discovery Award and won best Austrian film at Viennale. Her documentary “Paradise! Paradise!” won best camera at the Diagonale – Festival of Austrian Film.
From: Variety
Sarajevo unveils Kinoscope, In Focus, Open Air programmes
The Sarajevo Film Festival has revealed its 2024 Kinoscope strand, featuring 18 titles, including six in the Kinoscope Surreal genre. Notable films include "All We Imagine As Light" by Payal Kapadia and "Black Dog" by Guan Hu. The In Focus section highlights Balkan films, while the Open Air programme will showcase 15 titles, such as "American Fiction" by Cord Jefferson and "My Late Summer" by Danis Tanovic.
From: Screen Daily
Meg Ryan to be Honored at Sarajevo Film Festival, Screen Rom-Com ‘What Happens Later’
Meg Ryan will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival for contributing to the film industry. She will present a special screening of her 1998 romantic comedy "You’ve Got Mail," co-starring Tom Hanks, at the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema, which was first screened 25 years ago. Additionally, Ryan will hold a master class moderated by Bosnian director Danis Tanović, known for his Oscar-winning film "No Man’s Land." Her latest work, "What Happens Later," co-starring David Duchovny, will also screen at the festival.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
INSIGHTS
Global demand for majority female productions doubled
Global demand for majority female productions has doubled, reflecting a significant shift in audience preferences. This trend underscores the increasing importance of gender representation in media, highlighting the success and appeal of female-led content. The rise in demand indicates a growing market for diverse and inclusive storytelling, encouraging the entertainment industry to invest more in productions that feature women in leading roles.
From: Señal News
Debate rages over the health of Hollywood as industry cuts bite and audiences shift
Debate rages over Hollywood's health as industry cuts and audience shifts intensify. TV industry professionals clash, with one senior digital media executive claiming the industry is "booming," while a reality producer argues it is "definitely on life support."
From: C21
Fantasia’s Mitch Davis on how genre films are “speaking truth to power”
Mitch Davis of the Fantasia International Film Festival discusses how genre films tackle social issues. The festival showcases films that confront power and address taboo topics, such as Jayro Bustamante's "Rita" and Pedro Kos's "In Our Blood." These films use horror and fantasy elements to explore real-world problems and challenge societal norms.
From: Screen Daily
New SVOD rules won’t inject real new money into the Canadian system, says TVA’s Peladeau
Pierre Karl Péladeau of TVA argues that new SVOD regulations won't bring substantial new funding to Canada's media industry. He believes these rules are inadequate to support local content creators and the broader industry, calling for more effective measures to enhance Canadian productions' competitiveness and financial stability.
From: C21
Annenberg Study: Lead Roles for Women Dropped 14% From 2022 to 2023
An Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study found a 14% decrease in lead roles for women in 2023 films compared to 2022. The report analysed representation across gender, race, LGBTQ+ identity, and disability in 1,700 popular films from 2007 to 2023. Despite notable films like "Barbie," only 32% of speaking characters in 2023 were women, highlighting persistent gender inequality in Hollywood.
From: The Wrap
Extra Special
As Vienna Blood returns for a fourth season, DQ writer James Rampton reflects on life as a supporting artist after making his screen debut in the historical crime drama. Transformed from a dishevelled 2024 journalist to a suave Viennese doctor from 1909, Rampton fulfils a lifelong dream of being an extra. Playing a silent doctor in BBC Two's period drama, he stands in a deserted hospital corridor, chatting with a nurse while another doctor gets speaking lines. Despite his non-speaking role, Rampton revels in the thrill of sharing the set with the series' stars.
From: Drama Quarterly
What do ‘3 Body Problem,’ ‘Mad Men,’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ Have in Common? An Aussie Emmy Winner Explains
The memorable title sequence of The Sopranos featuring Tony Soprano driving to Woke Up This Morning set the tone for one of TV's greatest dramas. Similar iconic sequences include Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, True Detective, and Succession. Australian creative directors Patrick Clair and Raoul Marks, known for blending design and storytelling, are nominated for three Emmys this year for 3 Body Problem, Silo, and Fallout.
From: The Sydney Morning Herald
The Streaming Paradox: How Netflix Thrives on Its Competitors' Content
Licensing is cheaper than original development and benefits from existing audience awareness. For every Netflix hit like Baby Reindeer, many originals must gain viewership. Due to this advantage, Netflix paid $100 million for one more year of Friends. As rivals like Disney, HBO Max, Paramount, and NBCU approach streaming profitability, they may limit content licensing to Netflix. To prepare, Netflix focuses on ad-supported platforms, sports programming, and gaming investments to sustain investor confidence.
From: TVREV
‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Gets First Footage, Plus ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,’ ‘Welcome to Derry’ and More
HBO released a first look at several major series coming in 2025, including "The Last of Us" Season 2, "White Lotus" Season 3, the "Game of Thrones" spinoff "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," and more. The teaser dropped shortly before Sunday night's "House of the Dragon" Season 2 finale. Upcoming shows for 2024 include "The Penguin," "Dune: Prophecy," Season 3 of "Industry," "The Sex Lives of College Girls," Season 5 of "Harley Quinn," and James Gunn’s animated DC series "Creature Commandos."
From: Variety
Kajol Talks Genre-Hopping and the Unpredictable Nature of Indian Box Office: ‘My Hero Is My Script’
As she celebrates a milestone birthday, Bollywood icon Kajol shows no signs of slowing down. With four diverse projects in production, she reflects on her enduring career and the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. Kajol’s selective approach has kept her relevant, marked by memorable performances in hits like “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” and “My Name is Khan.” Her recent streaming ventures with Netflix’s “Tribhanga” and Disney+ Hotstar’s “The Trial” showcase her adaptability, while her work in Tamil cinema highlights her cross-cultural appeal.
From: Variety
Lee Daniels Almost Quit Directing After Critics Trashed ‘The Paperboy’: ‘They Just Came for Me’
Daniels' Misunderstood movie premiered in competition at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, facing Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or winner “Amour,” Leos Carax’s “Holy Motors,” David Cronenberg’s “Cosmopolis,” and Jeff Nichols’ “Mud.” The jury, led by Nanni Moretti and including Andrea Arnold, Diane Kruger, and Ewan McGregor, awarded “The Paperboy” nothing. Critics panned it, with no ratings over two stars on the Screen International Grid. Despite embracing sleaze and bewildering reviewers, the film is now recognised for its bold Americana and iconic performances, including Macy Gray's narration and Zac Efron's scantily clad scenes.
From: IndieWire
Vince Vaughn Says R-Rated Comedies Aren’t Made Anymore Because the ‘People in Charge Don’t Want to Get Fired’: They ‘Overthink It’
Vince Vaughn believes Hollywood execs are too cautious about financing the R-rated comedies that launched his career. Known for films like “Swingers,” “Old School,” and “Wedding Crashers,” Vaughn shared his thoughts on the decline of raunchy comedies during “Hot Ones.” He criticised the overthinking and reliance on recognisable IPs, citing the board game Battleship’s film adaptation as an example. Vaughn contrasted this with early career inspirations from shared life experiences, like turning 16 or cutting school.
From: Variety
Jessica Hausner on Fairy Tales, Existentialism and Exploring Working Life in Her Next Film
Austrian auteur Jessica Hausner (Club Zero, Lourdes, Little Joe) is attending the 77th Locarno Film Festival as the head of the jury for the Pardo d’Oro (Golden Leopard) in the international competition section. This marks her return to the Swiss festival, where she first gained international recognition by winning the main prize in the Pardi di Domani section for her short Flora in 1997. Hausner discusses her approach to selecting themes based on emotion, her influences, the debated endings of her films, and her affinity for creating absurdity.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
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