TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 29-30 June 2024

Alamo reopens; Nine cuts 200 staff; Taormina premieres; Weaver honored; Hulu's record docuseries; ‘Indera’ opens Miffest; Hollywood stocks; 'Quiet Place' cats; Tokyo-Seoul TV hits; Netflix's 'Axel F'.

Today’s Highlights:

• Alamo Drafthouse Reopens Six Locations with Enhanced Employee Benefits: Alamo Drafthouse will reopen six franchise locations, including five in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and one in Woodbury, Minnesota, with improved employee benefits.

• Nine Entertainment Cuts 200 Staff Following Meta Deal Collapse: Nine Network in Australia will cut 200 jobs, mainly from its publishing division, due to "cyclical challenges" and the collapse of a deal with Meta.

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• Sigourney Weaver to Receive Honorary Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival: Sigourney Weaver will be awarded the honorary Golden Lion at the 81st Venice Film Festival for her significant impact on the action genre.

• 'Perfect Wife' Becomes Hulu's Most-Watched Docuseries: "Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini" reached 3.6 million views in its first week, becoming Hulu's most-watched docuseries.

• 'Indera' to Open Malaysia Film Festival with Hirokazu Kore-eda Honored: Woo Ming Jin's "Indera" will open the Malaysia International Film Festival, which will honour Hirokazu Kore-eda and Christine Hakim with lifetime achievement awards.

• Hollywood Stocks Face Scepticism Amid Streaming Profit Concerns: Hollywood media and entertainment stocks are under scrutiny, with investors doubting sustainable streaming profits as companies like Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery struggle.

• 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Features Real Cats Instead of CGI: Director Michael Sarnoski used two real cats, Schnitzel and Nico, for the film "A Quiet Place: Day One" to avoid CGI.

• Tokyo-Seoul Collaboration in TV Drama Series: TV dramas from South Korea and Japan, such as "Crash Landing on You" and "Eye Love You," are gaining popularity across both countries, showcasing a cultural exchange in television content.

• Netflix's 'Axel F' Reflects Streaming Dominance with Global Release: Netflix's $150 million feature "Axel F" will stream globally, highlighting Netflix's investment in new content and its influence in the entertainment industry.

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NEWS

Alamo Drafthouse to Reopen Six Former Franchise Locations with Enhanced Employee Benefits

Alamo Drafthouse is taking over six franchisee locations that were closed due to bankruptcy in June. The venues will reopen this summer, including five in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and one in Woodbury, Minnesota. CEO Michael Kustermann expressed excitement about reestablishing these locations and supporting local film communities. Affected staff will receive lost wages, first access to job interviews, and enhanced benefits, including daily pay, 401k match, paid medical leave, PTO, and free mental health services.

From: Variety

Nine Entertainment axes 200 staff on eve of Olympics following Meta deal collapse

Australia’s commercial broadcasters face ongoing staff losses as Nine Network confirms an operational review to address “cyclical challenges.” CEO Mike Sneesby announced that 200 employees, or 5% of the workforce, will be cut, primarily from the publishing division, affecting TV and digital units. In response, unionised Nine staff passed a no-confidence motion in Sneesby and the board, authorising preparations for a protected action ballot amid EBA negotiations.

From: C21

Taormina Film Festival Harnesses Power of Hollywood, Independent Cinema to Drive 70th Edition

The 70th Taormina Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Mitzi Peirone’s horror film Saint Clare. Starring Bella Thorne, Ryan Phillippe, Frank Whaley, and Rebecca De Mornay, it is the first of four world premieres at the outdoor Teatro Antico. Other highlights include Lee Isaac Chung’s "Twisters," a remake of the mid-90s classic, and "Mother Stone," a film by volcanologists Daniele Greco and Mauro Maugeri.

From: Variety

Sigourney Weaver, Honorary Golden Lion of the Venice Film Festival

Veteran American actress and producer Sigourney Weaver, 74, will be awarded the honorary Golden Lion at the 81st Venice Film Festival, running from August 28 to September 7. Known for roles in "Gorillas in the Mist," "Working Girl," and the "Alien" franchise, Weaver expressed her honour and pride in receiving the award. Festival director Alberto Barbera praised her versatility and significant impact on the action genre.

From: La Vanguardia

‘Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini’ Hits 3.6 Million Views in One Week, Biggest Hulu Docuseries Ever

In its first week on Hulu, “Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini” hit 3.6 million views, making it Hulu's most-watched docuseries ever. This surpasses the previous record set by “Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story.” “Perfect Wife,” premiering on June 20, explores the 2016 Sherri Papini kidnapping hoax, revealing shocking truths about the Papini family's seemingly perfect life and the intense investigation that followed.

From: Variety

‘Indera’ to open Malaysia film festival, Hirokazu Kore-eda to receive honour

Malaysian director Woo Ming Jin’s horror film "Indera" will open the 7th Malaysia International Film Festival (Miffest). At the same time, Hong Kong features "Love Lies" by Ho Miu Ki and Nick Cheung’s "Peg O’ My Heart" will close it. Held in Kuala Lumpur from July 21-28, Miffest will honour Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda and Indonesian actress Christine Hakim with lifetime achievement awards and Hong Kong actor-director Cheung with an excellence award in film.

From: Screen Daily

INSIGHTS

Many Hollywood Stocks Are Now “Show Me” Bets for Wall Street Investors

TikTok and AI are surging, cord-cutting is reducing linear TV profits, and the ad market is still being determined. Hollywood management teams seek cost cuts, mergers, and asset sales to optimise portfolios. Media and entertainment stocks face scepticism about achieving sustainable streaming profits. As industry CEOs head to Sun Valley, Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, Comcast, and AMC Networks struggle with declining stocks and investor concerns, highlighting the need for strategic adjustments and profitable streaming models.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Marco Mueller Takes Taormina Film Festival Back to Formula Used in the Golden Age

Veteran festival director Marco Mueller, who was hired as the artistic director of the Taormina Film Festival in April, feels the pressure but remains philosophical. "Sicily conquers its conquerors," he says. Reflecting on the festival's golden era beginning in 1976 with Peter Weir’s win for "Picnic at Hanging Rock," Mueller aims to revive the successful 1980s formula, drawing on his experience from Locarno, Venice, and Pingyao festivals.

From: Variety

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’s’ Breakout Star Is Frodo the Cat: Why Two Kitties Were Better Than One CGI Feline

Audiences watching “A Quiet Place: Day One” might root for an unlikely hero: Frodo the cat. Director Michael Sarnoski proudly avoided CGI, using two cats, Schnitzel and Nico, to play Frodo. Belonging to Samira (Lupita Nyong’o), Frodo is a service animal accompanying her to New York when disaster strikes. Sarnoski chose a cat for manageability, explaining a dog wouldn’t fare well.

From: Variety

Tokyo-Seoul collaboration seeking hits with TV drama series

Popular South Korean TV dramas like “Crash Landing on You” and “Itaewon Class” became massive hits in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Japanese drama “Eye Love You” is gaining traction in South Korea. Starring Fumi Nikaido and Chae Jong-hyeop, the romance drama features Nikaido as a mind-reading protagonist who struggles to understand Chae’s character due to his Korean thoughts. The drama aired on TBS and is available on Netflix.

From: The Asahi Times

Peter Bart: ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ Will Be Netflix’s Latest Triumph And Contradiction

Hollywood's summer blockbuster season is now more relaxed, with Netflix's $150 million Eddie Murphy feature "Axel F" premiering at the Egyptian Theater. Ted Sarandos greeted guests, celebrating the enduring appeal of Murphy's "Beverly Hills Cop." Unlike Sony's box office hit "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," "Axel F" will stream globally to Netflix's 270 million subscribers on July 3. This reflects Netflix's dominance, spending $17 billion on new content this year.

From: Deadline

Mike Leigh Says Peterloo Gatherers Would Be ‘Horrified’ At Abstaining Voters, Wishes He Got Bigger Budgets for Contemporary Films

Renowned British filmmaker Mike Leigh believes the subjects of his 2018 historical drama “Peterloo” would be horrified and mystified by today’s voter procrastination. Speaking at the Mediterrane Film Festival, he emphasised the importance of voting, linking it to his film about the 1819 Peterloo Massacre. Leigh lamented his inability to secure big budgets for contemporary films and advised budding filmmakers to "never compromise" and always fight for their vision.

From: Variety

Thai Film ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Reaches $27 Million in Southeast Asia Rollout

The family drama "How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies" has become the highest-grossing Thai film in the Philippines, according to distributor Westec Media. It has earned THB1 billion (approximately $27 million) and achieved 10 million admissions per producer GDH559. The film, which follows a teenage dropout caring for his grandmother, has also broken records in Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Its emotional depth has resonated across Southeast Asia, leading to solid box office performance and social media buzz.

From: Variety

Becoming Eric

The Netflix series "Eric," set in 1980s New York, features a giant puppet as its unusual star. Directed by Lucy Forbes and written by Abi Morgan, the dark drama follows Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch), a puppeteer searching for his missing son. The character Eric, a towering furry puppet, was brought to life by Olly Taylor and Stitches & Glue. The series blends intricate puppetry with a gripping storyline, showcasing unique creature design and performance.

From: Drama Quarterly

If ‘The Bear’ Binge Drops Are Working, Why Are They So Contentious?

FX and Hulu's all-at-once rollout for "The Bear" is working. The first season became FX's most-watched comedy, and the second season achieved the highest viewership of any FX series on Hulu. Despite initial criticism of its binge release, the show's success, memes, and widespread merchandise prove it's thriving.

From: IndieWire

The Rising Producers Trusted by Andrea Arnold, Scarlett Johansson, and Gia Coppola to Make Their Films

Pinky Promise Films has produced 12 films in three-and-a-half years, including festival hits like "Bird" and "The Starling Girl" and features from Scarlett Johansson and Gia Coppola. The company, now with six employees, boasts an impressive website. Founder Jessamine “Jesse” Burgum and president Kara Durrett value a growing reputation, noting that filmmakers now seek them out, marking a significant milestone in their success.

From: IndieWire

Prime Video Is Gaining on Free Shipping as the Main Reason People Subscribe to Amazon Prime

A new survey by Evercore ISI reveals that Amazon Prime Video is closing the gap on free, fast shipping as the top reason people subscribe to Amazon Prime. Among 1,100 U.S. Prime members surveyed, 61% listed Prime Video as a primary reason for their subscription, compared to 73% for shipping. Other benefits like Prime Music (35%), grocery delivery (23%), Amazon Photo Storage (19%), and Prime Reading (13%) lag far behind.

From: IndieWire

Viggo Mortensen Talks Next Directorial Project After Western ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’: ‘I Won’t Make a Movie Unless I Have Final Cut’

Viggo Mortensen plans to direct a film entirely in indigenous languages with no white characters or movie stars, focusing on a coming-of-age story about an adolescent boy. Despite his success with "Falling" and "The Dead Don’t Hurt," Mortensen faces challenges securing funding while retaining creative control. He remains determined to bring this unique project to life, echoing Kevin Costner's perseverance in financing his "Horizon" saga.

From: Variety

Screw Your Backstory: Yorgos Lanthimos Wants His Actors and Audience Present

In Yorgos Lanthimos’ "Kinds of Kindness," surreal and irrational scenarios unfold, such as a boss (Willem Dafoe) exerting bizarre control over an employee (Jesse Plemons), including making him poison his wife (Hong Chau) to prevent pregnancy. Lanthimos, known for eschewing traditional exposition, relies on viewers and actors to interpret and fill the narrative gaps. The director encourages embracing the absurdity to engage with the story's darkly comedic elements.

From: IndieWire

How Hollywood Can Make Climate Stories Sexy

We've seen apocalyptic headlines and movies, heard scientists' warnings, and know the ignored characters until it's too late. Mediamakers now grapple with their roles in the climate crisis, influencing billions. Should content help escape reality or face it? The Hollywood Climate Summit, running June 25-28, connects industry pros with activists to strategise climate action.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

‘The Devil’s Bath’ Directors on ‘Goodnight Mommy’ Remake, Fighting for ‘The Lodge,’ and More

"Goodnight Mommy" directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala return with "The Devil’s Bath," set in 1750 Austria. The film, based on historical accounts, explores how depressed women avoided suicide by murdering children to secure execution and salvation from Hell. Avoiding typical thriller tropes, it’s a harrowing psychodrama on ritualistic child killings. The film, which premiered at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival, draws from historian Kathy Stuart’s research on this grim phenomenon.

From: IndieWire

A Climate-Focused Film Studio Takes Root in Ojai

Big Picture Ranch founders Rebecca and Josh Tickell — who directed the hit doc ‘Common Ground’ — moved from L.A. to Ventura County in 2012 to be closer to nature and to pursue the latest subject for their climate-centric films: soil.

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Inside Netflix’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Docuseries: What ‘Cheer’ and ‘Last Chance U’ Director Greg Whiteley Learned From Following ‘America’s Sweethearts’ for a Season

Last Thanksgiving, Greg Whiteley filmed the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders' halftime show with Dolly Parton at AT&T Stadium. Whiteley captured the intense preparation and the human element behind the squad. The series, which premiered on Netflix on June 20, shows the cheerleaders' dedication and the challenges they face, including an incident involving a rookie cheerleader and an inappropriate photographer. The show highlights their professionalism and the often-overlooked hardships of their roles.

From: Variety

The Messy Brawls of ‘The Bikeriders’ Required Painstaking Precision

Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” opens with a brutal fight scene, leaving Austin Butler’s biker's fate ambiguous. After refusing to remove his jacket in rival territory, he is savagely beaten. The film explores a '60s Midwestern bike gang, curdled masculinity, and the decay of the American dream. Stunt coordinator Freddie Poole highlights the raw, unsparing violence and praises Nichols for using stunt performers to enhance the authenticity of the fights.

From: IndieWire

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