Two-time All-Star catcher Gary Sanchez is being called up by the New York Mets, according to multiple reports.
Music
Nanni Moretti’s ‘A Brighter Tomorrow’ Scores Slew of Sales – Watch Trailer in Which He Pokes Fun at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)
Nanni Moretti’s “Il sol dell’avvenire” (“A Brighter Tomorrow”), a multi-layered love letter to filmmaking in the age of streaming giants, has scored a slew of sales ahead of it’s Cannes bow. French sales company Kinology has sealed deals to Moretti’s latest work with a slew of territories including Germany (Prokino); Spain (Caramel Films); Benelux (Cineart)…
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What Cannes Country of Honor Status Means for Spain
Spain’s status as Cannes’ Marché du Film’s Country of Honor is a “milestone,” says María Peña, CEO of ICEX Spain Trade & Investment. But it’s also a mark of recognition, she says, after Spain’s big wins just this year at the Berlinale (three prizes for Estibaliz Urresola’s “20,000 Species of Bees”) and France’s Cesars (foreign…
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Andy Rourke, The Smiths Bassist, Dies at 59
Andy Rourke, bassist with influential British rock band The Smiths, has died after a long illness due to pancreatic cancer. He was 59. The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr posted on Twitter on Friday: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. Andy will…
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‘Luther’ Actor Ruth Wilson to Star in Fremantle’s Performance Piece Documentary ‘The Second Woman’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Undeniable, Fremantle’s premium documentaries label, has revealed feature documentary “The Second Woman” (working title), which captures Golden Globe and Olivier-winning actor Ruth Wilson (“Luther,” “His Dark Materials”) in a one-off performance piece at the Young Vic Theatre in London. “The Second Woman” is a play created and directed by Anna Breckon and Nat Randall. It…
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Phil Nelson to Lead CNN’s International Business Operations, Cathy Ibal, Rob Bradley, James Hunt Elevated (EXCLUSIVE)
Phil Nelson will lead CNN Worldwide’s international business operations and its work with commercial partners outside of the U.S. Nelson previously served as COO of CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) from 2019. In the new position of executive VP, CNNIC, he becomes part of CNN Worldwide’s leadership team and reports into the network’s group executive VP…
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Cannes Festival Divided Over Dealmaking in Russia, Some Reluctant to Give Up ‘Financially Lucrative’ Market
With a Ukrainian cinema union issuing a strident call on Thursday for participants of the Cannes Film Market to halt all business with Russia rather than support “terrorism,” industry professionals are again weighing the moral cost of working in the country against the financial upside of releasing films in the lucrative Russian market. Many U.S….
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Cannes Slots May Give Japanese Auteurs Box Office Boost at Home
Two Japanese films by internationally renowned auteurs — “Monster” by Koreeda Hirokazu and “Kubi” by Kitano Takeshi — are in the Cannes lineup this year, and both carry with them big box office expectations in Japan. “Monster,” which is screening in competition, will be released on June 2 by Gaga and Toho, the latter Japan’s…
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Jonathan Pryce, Meera Syal, Toby Jones Join Martin Freeman and Isla Gie in Cast of Family Adventure ‘Flavia de Luce’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”), Meera Syal (“Yesterday”) and Toby Jones (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) are joining the cast of “Flavia de Luce.” As revealed by Variety, Isla Gie (“The Sandman,” “The Outlaws”) will star alongside Martin Freeman (“Sherlock,” The Hobbit”) in the upcoming feature film, which is an adaptation of the New York Times…
Music
Spanish Film Sales: Optimism Amidst Market Challenges
In the lead-up to Cannes, Spanish film sales continue to show resilience despite shifting market trends and global challenges. The market signals suggest an enduring preference for genre movies and high-concept films, while the sale of arthouse fare remains tough. Antonio Saura, director general of Latido Films, tells Variety, “The trends we are seeing confirm…
