Here is the latest World News from The Hollywood Reporter.
Irrfan Khan On Why ‘The Jungle Book’ Has Resonated in India
The ‘Jurassic World’ actor voiced Baloo the bear in the Hindi dubbed version of the film, helping Jon Favreau’s version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic to the second highest opening ever for a Hollywood title in India.
Germany Lets Turkey File Criminal Charges Against TV Comedian Over “Slander Poem”
If found guilty, Jan Bohmermann, whose explicit rhyme mocked the Turkish president, could face prison time.
Cannes: South Korea Rejoices as ‘The Handmaiden’ Is Selected to Compete for Palme d’Or
Park Chan-wook’s lesbian thriller is the first Korean film in four years that will vie for the top prize, while ‘Gokseong’ and ‘Train to Busan’ will show in out-of-competition sections.
Cannes: Luxbox Picks Up Singapore’s Un Certain Regard Contender ‘Apprentice’
Version Originale Condor has already acquired French distribution rights to Boo Junfeng’s second feature, which tells the story of a Singaporean executioner.
‘Magallanes,’ ‘Ixcanul’ Top Premios Platino Shortlist
The Platinos, which are aiming to become the Latino Oscars, will air live on TNT Latin America on July 24.
ITV Acquisition of eOne Would Expand Reach for Broadcaster, Analysts Say
“This would fuel ITV’s next phase of growth as a content player,” writes Jeffries analyst Lisa Hau about the UK broadcaster reportedly pursuing the ‘Peppa Pig’ owner.
Cannes Lineup Draws Heavily From Hollywood’s A-Listers
Keanu Reeves, Michael Shannon, Adam Driver, Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron are just a handful of those with projects headed to the Croisette.
Cannes: Amazon Leads Lineup With 5 Titles, Ending Fest’s No SVOD Rule
The online giant has U.S. rights to Woody Allen’s opening night entry Cafe Society, Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘The Neon Demon,’ Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Paterson’ and ‘Gimme Danger’ and Park Chan-wook ‘The Handmaiden.’
Cannes: Xavier Dolan Wants to Look Past the “Glittery, Cheap Thrills”
The director, seeing his sixth film, ‘It’s Only the End of the World,’ selected for official competition, said Cannes isn’t just “champagne-flooded parties” and “endless PR.”
Cannes Artistic Director Thierry Fremaux Defends “Regulars” Who Often Make the Cut
“No one asks me about the new names,” he said of a lineup that sees several past prize winners in competition.
Zooey Deschanel, Jeffrey Tambor Join DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Trolls’
Christine Baranski, John Cleese, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick feature in the November 2016 release.
‘Money Monster,’ ‘The BFG,’ ‘The Nice Guys’ Among Cannes 2016 Lineup
Jeff Nichols’ ‘Loving’ and Nicholas Winding Refn’s ‘The Neon Demon’ will screen in competition.
Critic’s Notebook: Cannes Lineup Has No Clear Competition Frontrunner
There’ll be red carpet candy aplenty with ‘Money Monster,’ ‘Nice Guys’ and ‘The BFG’ but look to Jeff Nichols’ ‘Loving’ or Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Paterson’ for Palme d’Or promise.
Europe Passes Tough New Data Protection Laws
Companies violating the new legislation, which includes a “right to be forgotten” clause, can now be fined up to 4 percent of their overall, global revenue.
Sportsnet Pushes 4K Broadcasts With Baseball Games in Ultra HD
In a North American TV tech first, all 81 Toronto Blue Jays regular season games will air in super-sharp 4K.
First Look: Andrea Arnold’s Cannes Competition Entry ‘American Honey’
The film stars Sasha Lane, Shia Labeouf and Riley Keough.
Cannes: Pedro Almodovar Has High Hopes for ‘Julieta’ at Fest
The director had canceled film’s promotion in Spain due to Panama Papers listing.
Cannes: After 2015’s ‘Year de la Femme,’ Women Directors Fall Short Again
Just 3 films out of 20 in competition for the Palme d’Or this year, 15 percent, were directed by women.
Jeff Nichols’ ‘Loving,’ Nicholas Winding Refn’s ‘Neon Demon’ in Cannes Competition
Stephen Spielberg’s ‘The BFG,’ Jodie Foster’s ‘Money Monster’ with Julia Roberts and George Clooney and Ryan Gosling-starrer ‘The Nice Guys’ get out of competition slots.
Kobe Bryant’s Final NBA Game: Black Mamba Mania Sweeps China
Bryant is by far the most popular Western athlete in the world’s most populous nation — one Chinese TV star even gave him a sword before the Lakers game as a token of gratitude.
Cannes: Watch Live as the Festival Unveils its 2016 Lineup
Who will be in competition for the 69th edition of the world’s biggest film festival?
Cannes: Jeff Nichols Lands Cannes, Berlin Competition Titles in Same Year
‘Loving’ is set to compete for the Palm d’Or just months after ‘Midnight Special’ was among those in the running for a Golden Bear.
U.K. Broadcaster ITV Eyeing eOne Bid (Report)
Talks have been held over a sale, according to sources.
Russia’s TV Network CTC Re-Ups with Hollywood Majors
The network is shifting from Russia series to try and become Russia’s home for Hollywood movies.
Hollywood Animal Trainer Faces Cruelty Charges
The Canadian criminal charges follow the ‘Life of Pi’ tiger trainer being allegedly caught on video whipping a Siberian tiger in his care by the animal rights group PETA.
‘Hee’ (‘Hi’): Film Review
Veteran actor-director Kaori Momoi relocates a Japanese short story about an arsonist’s recollections of her past to her current home of Los Angeles.
‘Thin Yellow Line,’ ‘Gloria’ Lead Mexico’s Academy Award Noms
Guillermo del Toro produced road movie ‘The Thin Yellow Line.’
Germany in Free Speech Debate Over Satire Show’s “Slander Poem” Criticizing Turkish President
Comedian Jan Bohmermann has been placed under police protection following a live show in which he read out a “slander poem” criticising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Former Tribeca Film Institute Head to Helm Canada’s Film and TV Awards
Beth Janson is set to become CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television on June 1.
‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Malaysian Money Laundering Scandal Gets Doc Treatment (Exclusive)
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Lerner is producing ‘The Master and His Wolf,’ which he hopes will join the dots between ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ producers Red Granite Pictures and a billion-dollar scandal now threatening to bring down the Malaysian government.
Bono: Send Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Sacha Baron Cohen to Fight ISIS
“Don’t laugh. I think comedy should be deployed,” the U2 frontman told a Senate subcommittee.
Imax Signs 10-Theater Deal in China
Shanghai Aurora Movie Co. plans add super-sized screens to eight new multiplexes to be built around China, with another two locations for screens yet to be identified.
Indian Box Office: ‘The Jungle Book’ Second Highest Hollywood Opening Ever in India
Only ‘Fast & Furious 7’ has earned more in the territory on in its first weekend than Jon Favreau’s animated feature, which bowed to $8.4 million in India.
Alibaba’s AI Successfully Predicts Winners of Chinese Reality Show
Always one for showmanship, Jack Ma’s e-commerce company unveiled its cutting-edge artificial intelligence program during the final episode of “I Am Singer,” one of the most popular TV shows in China.
Russia Box Office: ‘Jungle Book’ Hits No. 1 in Debut
Russia was the pic’s biggest international opening behind only India.
‘Deutschland 83’ Creator on the Show’s Music, Why “Under Pressure” Is “The Most Cold War Song Ever”
The German spy series was awarded a Grimme Preis on April 8.
Netflix to Stream Revamped ‘Top Gear’ Internationally
The motoring show will go head-to-head with Amazon’s upcoming offering from former ‘Top Gear’ host Jeremy Clarkson.
Cannes Lions: Gwyneth Paltrow, Oliver Stone, Channing Tatum Among Stars Set to Attend
Spike Jonze and Mindy Kaling will also lead discussions at the week-long event.
China’s Desen Launches Love Story Set in World of High Fashion
Romantic drama ‘Shi Shang Nu Mo Tou’, roughly translated at ‘The She-Devil of Fashion’, will seek to educate Chinese audiences on ideas of social etiquette according to producers.
Japan Box Office: ‘Batman v. Superman’ Climbs to Second on Third Weekend
‘Assassination Classroom: Graduation’ remained on top, while anime ‘Doraemon’ and ‘Batman v. Superman’ swapped the No. 2 and 3 spots from last weekend.
‘Rogue One’: Five Things to Know About the Chinese Supporting Stars
Two of greater China’s biggest stars — Jiang Wen and Hong Kong’s Donnie Yen — have been cast in the ‘Star Wars’ prequel, and the business rationale behind the characters isn’t exactly a mystery.
U.K. Box Office: ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’ Snares Crown
But it was ‘Zootropolis’ that outperformed in its third week as ‘Batman v. Superman’ slipped further down.
CinemaCon: European Box Office Hits $9.76 Billion in 2015
Europe, which accounts for 24 percent of global box-office revenues, saw attendance increase last year.
Simon Baker’s Directorial Debut ‘Breath’ Unveils Cast
Production is under way in Western Australia on ‘The Mnetalist” star’s directorial debut.
Vodafone and Orange Take Rights to Spanish Soccer League Amid Anti-Trust Push
The new deals mean telecoms giant Telefonica will lose its monopoly to air Spain’s star-studded La Liga at the end of this season.
Russia’s Defense Ministry to Cooperate on Luc Besson’s Submarine Disaster Movie
‘Kursk’ will be directed by Denmark’s Thomas Vinterberg.
China Box Office: Morgan Freeman Fandom Lifts ‘London Has Fallen’ to $24.5M
‘Zootopia,’ meanwhile, climbed past ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ to become Disney’s biggest movie ever in the booming Chinese film market.
Bollywood Royalty Greet William and Kate at Charity Event
The Dutchess of Cambridge wowed Indian fashionistas with outfits that mixed looks from British and Indian designers.
Sacha Baron Cohen Lied About Freddie Mercury Biopic, Says Queen’s Brian May
“Why would he go away and say that we didn’t want to make a gritty film?”
Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie Rule Out More Seasons of ‘The Night Manager’
“In cold practical terms, we’re done,” said Laurie on the six-part spy thriller ahead of its launch on AMC April 19.
Altitude Sets Up French Joint Venture to Release Jacques Cousteau Biopic ‘The Odyssey’
The British distributor has partnered with France’s Pan-Européenne to release the film, which co-stars Audrey Tautou, in the U.K..
Bryan Adams Cancels Mississippi Show, Cites State’s New “Religious Freedom” Law
The singer says he can’t “in good conscience” perform in a state where “certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation.”
‘Heidi’: Film Review
Zurich-born Alain Gsponer directed the latest film adaptation of one of Swiss kid lit’s most famous protagonists in this film that’s been conquering Europe.
NHL Playoffs Without Canadian Teams Threatens TV Ratings Drop
NBC Sports is primed for a ratings bonanza as the Stanley Cup tournament is an all-American team affair this year.
Nick Jonas to Perform at iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards
The Canadian event, which has been rebranded to introduce iHeart Radio to Canada, also added Alessia Cara and hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to its performance lineup.
Bernie Sanders to Speak at the Vatican, Address Climate Change
The presidential hopeful has accepted an invitation from Pope Francis to speak at a conference on April 15.
British TV Show ‘Hunted’ to Get Russian Remake
The show is set to premiere on state-run NTV in 2017.
Lars von Trier Production Company Co-Founder Resigns
Peter Aalbaek Jensen has stepped down as CEO of Zentropa, now Scandinavia’s largest production company.
Daniel Battsek Exiting Cohen Media Group to Be New Boss at Film4
Battsek replaces David Kosse, who left the production arm of British network Channel 4 to run the new international arm of STX Entertainment.
BBC Drama Head Polly Hill Jumps to Commercial Competitor ITV
Hill’s credits at the BBC include ‘Wolf Hall,’ ‘The Night Manager’ and ‘War and Peace.’
Netflix UK Blasts Past 5 Million Subscribers (Study)
A study from Enders Analysis shows the streaming giant saw 37 percent growth in Britain last year, outpacing all competitors.
Most Wanted Men: The Ink Factory On ‘The Night Manager,’ Tom Hiddleston and Ang Lee’s Next Oscar Contender
Simon Cornwell, co-founder of the British produciton indie, explains the secret behind making, and selling, high-end TV (with a little help from his dad, one John le Carre).
Pop Star Kylie Minogue Joins Guy Pearce in ‘Flammable Children’
The new feature from Stephan Elliott, director of ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,’ reunites the pair, who co-starred in Australian soap ‘Neighbours’ nearly 30 years ago.
Can Legendary Entertainment Bypass China’s Film Quota System?
In the wake of Dalian Wanda Group’s $3.5 billion acquistion of Thomas Tull’s studio, the high-stakes political maneuvering in Bejing is gathering steam.
MIPTV: Drama Reigns as King of TV While Reality Goes Downmarket
The big money was on period drama while non-scripted shows aimed to be cost-concious and clever.
MIPTV: Is German TV Ready to Go Global?
Pushed by Amazon and Netflix (who are both doing German TV series) and a growing creative confidence, German drama is poised to take the world stage.
‘Sesame Street’ Welcomes First Afghan Muppet: A Girl Named Zari
Zari will be introduced on the “Baghch-e-Simsim” Afghan local co-production of the show on Thursday.
MIPTV: CanalPlus Acquires AlternaTV
The purchase is part of the French pay-TV giant’s plans to expand in the U.S. and Latin America.
Indian Censors Face Backlash After Claiming ‘Jungle Book’ is “Scary”
The Jon Favreau-directed film was given the equivalent of a PG rating, sparking an instant Twitter reaction.
‘Idol’ Flame Still Burning Bright Overseas
The final season of Fox’s ‘American Idol’ wraps tonight but the hit singing show is still on air, and drawing audiences, from Nepal to the Netherlands.
MIPTV: Wild Bunch Exec Talks About Ambitions for TV Division (Q&A)
The TV division of the French indie behind ‘The Artist’ and ‘Blue Is the Warmest Color’ already has big shows and even bigger plans.
MIPTV: Why the ‘Black Mirror’ Deal Marks a Turning Point for Netflix
For the first time, Netflix outbid a network on a show it originally commissioned and wanted to keep on air.
Sony Pictures Television Takes Majority Stake in Turkish TV Group
SPT Networks has formed a joint partnership with a local ad sales company to buy Planet TV.
MIPTV: Studiocanal’s Rola Bauer, Disney’s Ben Pyne Receive Medal of Honor
The execs were celebrated at MIPTV’s annual awards dinner alongside Mexico’s Marcel Vinay and India’s Punit and Amit Goenka.
Tokyo Disneyland Rings Up Record Profit Despite Drop in Admissions (Report)
Oriental Land, operator of the Tokyo Disney theme parks, is set announce profits of $677 million, its fifth straight year of record results.
Brett Ratner to Chair Beijing Film Festival Competition Jury
Joining Ratner on the jury are Hong Kong director Teddy Chan, Germany’s Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and Japanese filmmaker Yojiro Takita.
Lionsgate Pulls Hulu Pilot ‘Crushed’ From North Carolina After Anti-Gay Bill
While the studio has spoken out against the new law, tax incentives came into play in the decision to choose a Canadian location.
Avicii Talks Illness, Fame and Retiring at Age 26
“I’m happier, more stress-free than I’ve been in a long time,” the Swedish DJ tells THR about his surprise decision to quit live performing at the end of his current, worldwide tour.
Chinese WWII Pilot Story ‘Flying Tigers’ in the Works at Skydance, Alibaba Pictures
‘Braveheart’ writer Randall Wallace will pen the script for the film about the volunteer pilots who fought in WWII.
‘Good Luck Sam’ (‘Good Luck Algeria’): Film Review
This genre hybrid tells the true story of a French-born Algerian who tries to qualify for the Winter Olympics as a cross-country skier for his father’s home country.
Former Anchor Bay Canada Execs Launch New Indie Distributor (Exclusive)
Rob Herholz and Susan Curran have formed United Front Entertainment after Starz rejigged its Canadian distribution arm.
Mark Gordon, Hawk Koch Team for Action Love Story ‘Edge of the World’
Chinese entertainment studio Pegasus Media Group and China Film Group are financing the action-filled transcontinental love story, which is written by David Seidler and Jacqueline Feather.
Lionsgate Moves Hulu Pilot ‘Crushed’ to Canada After North Carolina Passes Anti-Gay Bill
While Lionsgate has spoken out against the new law, tax incentives also came into play in the decision to choose a Canadian location.
Hong Kong Film Awards: Local Producers Want Voting System Changes After ‘Ten Years’ Win
Leading industry players felt ‘Ten Years’ winning best film was a result of voting being “manipulated to produce an irrational result.”
MIPTV: Viceland Launching in France with CanalPlus
The channel will be available on subscription service Canalsat from fall 2016.
Bollywood Stars Named in Panama Papers Leak
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has denied any links with offshore companies in tax havens while his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan issued a statement saying the information was “totally untrue and false.”
Russia Box Office: ‘Batman v. Superman’ Stays No. 1 With Muted $1.8M
Warners’ superhero movie took in just under a quarter of the opening weekend’s gross.
MIPTV: ‘Roots’ Stars Discuss Why a TV Classic Needs a Remake
“When you look at the path that we are walking down right now, it couldn’t be more important,” said star Anika Noni Rose about the political discourse in the U.S.
Richard Linklater, Werner Herzog Titles to Premiere at Sydney Film Festival
A 10-film Martin Scorsese retrospective is also in the program for the festival which runs June 8-19.
Russian State Media Mostly Ignore Panama Papers
Although accusations of ‘Putinophobia’ directed at the West received wide coverage.
China’s Alibaba Completes $4.2B Buyout of Online Video Giant Youku Tudou
The Chinese company is expected to integrate video offerings into its core e-commerce business much the way Amazon has.
MIPTV: Hulu Takes ‘Book of Negroes’ from eOne
BET’s award-winning mini-series, based on the novel by Lawrence Hill, stars Aunjanue Ellis and Cuba Gooding Jr..
Pedro Almodovar Cancels Press for New Film After Panama Papers Mention
‘Julieta’ is due in theaters throughout Spain on Friday.
Lionsgate-Starz Merger Threatened by New U.S. Tax Inversion Rules, Analyst Says
Curbs on U.S. companies taking a foreign address to reduce their tax bill could thwart John Malone’s media mashup involving the ‘Hunger Games’ studio.
MIPTV: Viceland Hires Executive to Oversee European Expansion (Exclusive)
Former Discovery executive Arjan Hoesktra will oversee the aggressive expansion of the new Viceland channel across Europe.
MIPTV: Vivendi Launches Production Label for Mobile Series
StudioPlus will launch with 25 television-quality series in September.
Pathe Announces ‘The Duke,’ Signs Up ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ Writer
Nicholas Martin is penning the screenplay about a retired bus driver who stole a famed painting from London’s National Gallery in 1961.
MIPTV: Discovery Kids Latin America Picks Up ‘Snow Queen 2’
The animated family feature from Russian studio Wizart will air on the network in Spanish later this year.
MIPTV: Vice Hires Executive to Oversee European Expansion (Exclusive)
Former Discovery executive Arjan Hoesktra will oversee the aggressive expansion of the new Viceland channel across Europe.
Local Filmmakers Speak Out After ‘Ten Years’ Hong Kong Film Awards Win
Media Asia head Peter Lam called the win for the controversial dystopian film a “misfortune of the Hong Kong film industry.”
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