TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Tuesday 13 August 2024
Latvia picks 'Flow' for Oscars; SAG-AFTRA opens Meryl Streep Center; Phoenix exits Haynes project; Disney's IP struggles; Tyler Perry sets Amazon record; LA fights for better film tax incentives.
Today’s Highlights:
Latvia Submits 'Flow' for Best International Feature at the Oscars - Latvia selects Gints Zilbalodis' animated film "Flow" as its entry for the Academy Awards, with screenings planned at the Toronto Film Festival and a theatrical release in North America.
SAG-AFTRA Foundation Opens Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists - The nonprofit arm of the Hollywood actors' union opens a new state-of-the-art facility in Los Angeles, resuming in-person programs to support artists.
Joaquin Phoenix Exits Todd Haynes' Gay Romance Project—Christine Vachon confirms Phoenix's sudden departure from the project, which caused chaos just before filming began in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Disney Faces Challenges with Marvel and Star Wars Content - Despite high demand, recent Star Wars and Marvel series on Disney+ struggle to match the popularity of earlier releases like "The Mandalorian."
Tyler Perry's 'Divorce in the Black' Sets Amazon MGM Record - The film drives more Prime Video subscriptions in the U.S. than any other Amazon MGM movie, achieving significant streaming success.
Kit Harington Brings Complexity to His Role in 'Industry' Season 3 - Harington's portrayal of tech founder Sir Henry Muck transforms a two-dimensional character into a nuanced figure in the HBO series.
Marco Tullio Giordana returns to the Locarno Film Festival with 'The Life Apart'. The acclaimed Italian director debuts his new film, exploring family issues and earning a special Leopard award for his career.
Egyptian Director Sara Shazli Explores Personal History in 'Your Daughter' - Shazli's documentary, premiering at the Venice Production Bridge, delves into her struggle to confront her past while preparing for motherhood.
LA Mayor and Film Industry Push for Better Production Tax Incentives - Facing competition from states like New Jersey, the film industry advocates for improved incentives to boost on-location filming in California.
D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai Reflects on 'Reservation Dogs' Success—The young actor discusses his Emmy nomination and the groundbreaking impact of the FX series, which highlights Native American life.
Plus: News, Festivals, Insights, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Opportunities and Jobs with Netflix, Paramount, Prime, Rakuten, Constantin RTL.
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NEWS
International Oscar Race: Latvia Submits Annecy Award Winner' ‘Flow’
Latvia has selected Gints Zilbalodis’ Flow as its entry for the Best International Feature category at the 97th Academy Awards. The animated film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival and won four prizes at Annecy, including the Audience Award and Jury Award. Sideshow and Janus Films acquired North American rights, and a theatrical release is planned for this year. Flow will also screen at the Toronto Film Festival next month.
From: Variety
SAG-AFTRA Foundation Opens Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists, Resumes In-Person Programs in LA.
On Monday, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Hollywood’s largest actors' union, is opening its new Los Angeles headquarters, the Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists. Located in the penthouse of 5757 Wilshire Blvd., this state-of-the-art facility will support various programs aimed at helping SAG-AFTRA artists refine their skills, learn from experts, and advance their careers. The centre will resume in-person events like the Conversations series and house the foundation’s assistance programs and offices.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
FESTIVALS
Sarajevo’s CineLink Presents Latest Projects From Directors of ‘Godless,’ ‘Viktoria,’ ‘Scary Mother’
During the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival (Aug. 16-23), CineLink, the festival’s industry program, will present its work-in-progress showcase featuring eight feature-length fiction and one documentary film from Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Notable filmmakers competing include Alisa Kovalenko, Adrian Sitaru, Tarik Aktas, Ralitza Petrova, Maya Vitkova, and Ana Urushadze, all of whom have received recognition at prestigious festivals like Locarno, Berlinale, and Sundance.
From: Variety
Something Divine to Feature at Lonely Seal Film Festival
Thomas Essig's documentary Something Divine has been selected for the Lonely Seal Film Festival in August 2024. The film follows Ray Cappo, lead singer of Youth of Today, who left the band to become Monk Raghunath in India. It explores the unexpected harmony between hardcore punk and spirituality. Featuring appearances by Moby and Cappo's bandmates, Something Divine will debut on streaming platforms in Q4 2024.
From: Señal News
Irene Bartolomé's 'Dream of Another Summer' Wins at Locarno Pro
Barcelona-born, Beirut-based filmmaker, Irene Bartolomé's experimental feature Dream Of Another Summer, won the top prize in Locarno Pro’s First Look section, which this year highlighted works-in-progress from Spain. Bartolomé, a film editor for the past ten years, received the Antaviana Films First Look Award, which provides post-production services valued at up to €50,000.
From: Screen Daily
San Sebastian Co-Production Forum: Gabriela Amaral Almedia, Victoria Galardi, Natalia López in Powerful Lineup
Brazilian Gabriela Amaral Almeida’s She, Crocodile, Victoria Galardi’s Hedgehogs, and Rambler from Mexico’s Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez are among the 14 projects featured at San Sebastian’s Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum. The lineup includes works from esteemed directors like Argentina’s Santiago Loza, Bolivia’s Martin Boulocq, and emerging talents such as Cuba’s Rosa Maria Rodríguez, Argentina’s Natalia Meta, and Paraguay’s Pablo Lamar. This year’s showcase stands out, driven by the event’s prominence and the urgent need for co-productions amid rising costs and Argentina’s struggling film industry.
From: Variety
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INSIGHTS
Grill Thrills
US actor Edwin Lee Gibson, known for his roles in Fargo, Law & Order, and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, has found newfound recognition since joining the cast of Disney+ and Hulu's acclaimed restaurant drama The Bear. Despite a 40-year stage career, Gibson had primarily remained under the radar until he took on the role of chef Ebraheim in The Bear. Now sharing the spotlight with co-stars like Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, Gibson reflects on the show's success, expressing his surprise and delight at how it has resonated globally. Though he jokes about not being easily recogrecognisedset due to his transformation into Ebraheim, Gibson is pleased with the impact of the role.
From: Drama Quarterly
Christine Vachon on Joaquin Phoenix's Exit from Todd Haynes Project
Producer Christine Vachon of Killer Films confirmed reports that Joaquin Phoenix exited Todd Haynes’s untitled gay romance project just days before filming began in Guadalajara, Mexico. Phoenix's departure reportedly left the production in chaos, with built sets and unpaid crew members. After initially declining to comment, Vachon acknowledged the situation on social media, stating, "A version of this did happen. It has been a nightmare," in a Facebook post that has since been made private.
From: Screen Daily
TV Formats: Adapting Global Hits for Local Audiences
Launched last summer under producer Alex Baskin, 32 Flavors has quickly made a mark with its production slate, including Bravo's Emmy-nominated Vanderpump Rules, its spin-off The Valley, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Real Housewives of Orange County. In an interview with TV Formats Weekly, Baskin, the CEO, discusses what audiences crave in reality TV today and the strategies for iterating on successful franchises to keep them fresh and engaging.
From: TV Formats
‘Industry’ Season 3: How Kit Harington Brought His ‘Complex, Strange’ Character to Life
When Konrad Kay and Mickey Down wrote the character of Sir Henry Muck for Industry Season 3, they envisioned a familiar type of tech founder they've encountered "millions of times." However, Kit Harington's casting truly brought the character to life. "He went from a two-dimensional character logline to the Henry Muck you have in the show," according to Down. Harington, known for his heroic roles, shared, "I spent a lot of my 20s and early 30s playing various forms of heroes, and I got a bit sick and tired of it. So I started saying no to those roles and yes to roles which are a little more nuanced."
From: The Wrap
Disney Faces High Demand for Marvel and Star Wars Content
Franchise IP has long been the backbone of Disney's success, particularly with its Star Wars and Marvel properties. However, these franchises are currently facing challenges, especially on Disney+. According to Parrot Analytics' Demand 360, recent Star Wars live-action series like The Acolyte and Obi-Wan Kenobi have seen lower demand in their first two months compared to earlier releases like The Mandalorian in 2019. Even The Mandalorian Season 3 struggled to match the demand levels of its debut season, which peaked at nearly twice the demand of the final episode of Season 3.
From: The Wrap
Wake-Up Call: ‘Reservation Dogs’ Star D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai On The Show Finally Getting Its Due: “It Was Something That People Have Never Seen Before”
Before FX introduced us to The Bear, it brought us Reservation Dogs and its unofficial leader, Bear Smallhill, played by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. The 21-year-old Oji-Cree First Nations actor is the only cast member from the show’s three-year run to earn an Emmy nomination, an honour he deeply appreciates. Woon-A-Tai discusses his experience working on Sterlin Harjo's comedy, competing for the first time in the Best Comedy category, and expresses his hope to continue working on projects that offer fresh perspectives on Native American life.
From: Deadline
Marco Tullio Giordana on ‘The Life Apart’ and Why So Many Italian Films Explore Family Issues
In 1980, Italian writer and director Marco Tullio Giordana won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival for his debut film Maledetti vi amerò. This year, he returns to the 77th edition of the festival with La vita accanto (The Life Apart) and has been honoured with a special Leopard award as a tribute to his career. His new film, based on Maria Pia Veladiano's novel, explores the life of Rebecca, a girl born with a conspicuous red spot on her face, who finds solace in music amidst family rejection and cruelty.
From: The Hollywood Reporter
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