Banijay Reveals Eco-Friendly Stand for Mipcom (EXCLUSIVE)

Always in his corner. As Matthew Perry struggled with addiction, Friends costar Jennifer Aniston was there to lend her shoulder.

Matthew Perry has revealed how he created the unique speech patterns that made his character Chandler Bing so distinctive from the moment he appeared in Friends. 

Naman Ramachandran The 35th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA, Nov. 9-20), will open with the world premiere of Iranian-Dutch filmmaker Niki Padidar’s “All You See.” The festival has also revealed the titles in its competition lineups. In all, 277 titles will be screened at the in-person festival. Artistic director Orwa Nyrabia said: “Here’s an eclectic lineup that is united only by originality. Through the subjectivities of these filmmakers, an image of a world in pain emerges – a humanity that is trying hard, that is vulnerable and sincere, that is complex and persistent. The diversity of artistic forms is astonishing, and there are no boundaries when it comes to tackling the biggest powers or inventing new grammar.”

Friends star Matthew Perry says he was on the brink of death after his colon burst from drug abuse. The 53 year old actor, who played the funny and sarcastic Chandler Bing on the popular US sitcom, has opened up about the role – as well as the substance and alcohol problems that have dogged his career – in a new autobiography. In an interview with People magazine, Perry said he waited until now to share the extreme depths of his addiction because he wanted to make sure he is “safe from going into the dark side of everything again”.

Matthew Perry is opening up about his struggles with addiction. Ahead of the release of his memoir, , the 53-year-old actor tells  about how his struggles with alcohol and opioids impacted his time on .Perry was 24 when he was cast as Chandler Bing on the long-running sitcom. At the time, his struggle with alcohol wasn't totally unmanageable.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent ITV in the U.K. has acquired “Bali 2002,” a new four-part drama exploring the everyday heroes directly impacted by the terrorist bombings on the Indonesian island’s tourist hotspots 20 years ago. Represented by Banijay Rights, the drama stars Rachel Griffiths (“Total Control”), Richard Roxburgh (“Rake”) and Claudia Jesse (“Bridgerton”). It will air on the new streaming service ITVX next year. “Bali 2002” was co-produced by Banijay labels, Endemol Shine Australia and Screentime, and marked the first original drama co-commissioned by the Australian streamer Stan and commercial TV group 9Network. The series premiered last month on Stan.

Ashley Banjo has been made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the Princess Royal at an investiture ceremony on Tuesday 18 October.The 34 year old, who was recently left heartbroken as his beloved dog died after a short illness, was seen looking dapper in a black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath as he greeted Princess Anne, 72, in Windsor Castle. Diversity star Ashley folded his hands in front of him as he flashed a wide smile while conversing with the royal, who returned his beaming smile. Anne donned a black skirt with a matching blazer on top for the occasion, which she teamed with stockings and a pair of low heels.

Marta Balaga Banijay will continue to be innovative and sustainable, CEO Marco Bassetti said at Mipcom.  When asked about the company’s future growth, and a recent SPAC deal, he added:  “It’s helping us not to lose all the opportunities the market can give us. We have all that we need in order to grow, definitely.”  “But our growth should follow a certain strategy. We don’t want to lose our DNA. So far, it has worked.”  Last year, the company produced more than 90 pilots. In October, Banijay confirmed the proposed acquisition of Beyond International Limited. Bassetti also commented on Banijay’s takeover of Endemol Shine.

Michele Amabile Angermiller Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Jack White, Fall Out Boy and Phoenix are among the acts set to perform at the sixth annual iHeartRadio Alter Ego event, scheduled for Jan. 14, 2023 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Also on the bill: Chvrches, Beach Weather and Rosa Linn. Alter Ego showcases artists in heavy rotation on iHeartRadio ALT 98.7. The lineup was revealed by morning host Woody on his Tuesday show. “After last year’s show I was pretty sure there was no getting better than that, but I was wrong,” said Woody. “With a line-up like this, how do you decide who goes on when? I’m glad that’s not my job! I’ll just be over here hosting.”  

Patti LuPone has revealed some more information about her decision to quit Broadway.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Netflix has come on board for the second year to support the Short Film Camp, a film industry training program for professionals from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The SFC is led by Purin Pictures, a film funding body backed by the Purin Foundation. The event, running for ten days (Dec. 2-12, 2022) in Bangkok, Thailand, will involve 12 teams of directors and producers. The 24 participants will receive mentoring that aims to hone their writing, producing and directing skills. The workshop culminates in a live pitch of their short film projects, where four winners will receive funding and post-production support to produce their short films.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Fremantle has acquired international distribution rights to “East Side,” the latest series from “Shtisel” producer Abot Hameiri, starring Yehuda Levi, a Series Mania 2022 best actor winner for “Fire Dance.” Taking 100% ownership of Abot Hameiri last year, Fremantle, which also co-financed the series, will bring “East Side” onto the  market at this next week’s Mipcom trade fair and conference in Cannes. To debut on Israel’s Kan 11 channel, “East Side” turns on Momi,  a former Israeli secret service agent hired to take over a Palestinian neighbourhood, one home at a time. He attempts one last sale in order to set up for life his 18-year-old daughter Maya who is on the autism spectrum. The challenge is to wrestle ownership of a grand hotel which dominates entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City. Whoever controls the entrance controls the City, Momi is told. But the owner, the new Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, says he is not for selling.  

K.J. Yossman Despite the fact that Apple TV+ series “Bad Sisters” follows four of the Garvey sisters as they spend almost ten episodes trying to kill a (somewhat) innocent man, Eva, Bibi, Ursula and Becka have captured viewers’ imaginations. Despite debuting without much fanfare, the Ireland-based adaptation of Belgian limited series “Clan” has become something of a sleeper hit, gathering an increasing number of fans cheering the Garvey girls on as the show races to its inevitable conclusion. Hours after the finale episode hit Apple on Friday (Oct. 14), Variety talked to writer, executive producer and star Sharon Horgan (“Catastrophe,” “Motherland”), who plays would-be matriarch Eva, to discuss the reaction to the show, as Claes Bang’s casting as villain John Paul (JP) and whether the Garvey sisters might ever make a return to the small screen.

EXCLUSIVE: Orlando, filmmaker Sally Potter’s seminal gender-bending and much acclaimed 1992 movie, is finding new life with a 30th anniversary 4K restoration and a theatrical re-release beginning Friday. It’s from Sony Pictures Classics, the specialty arm of Sony Pictures that also happens to be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, counting Orlando as a major part of their first year in business in 1992. It went on to score even a couple of Oscar nominations for its Production Design and Costume Design in addition to becoming a movie that not only never seems out of date, but now in this era even more pertinent and timely than ever.

A Florida bodybuilder is accused of killing and cremating his ex-wife after federal investigators say they found bone fragments in a 50-gallon drum on his property that "reeked of decaying flesh." Ian Christopher Baunach, 43, an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness competitor, faces a slew of charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, illegally cremating a body, drugs possession and violating federal firearms law. Deputies allegedly found stockpiles of both steroids and unregistered silencers when they searched his house for missing ex-wife Katie Baunach, who was a 39-year-old nurse, according to a Facebook profile.The couple shared two children, according to investigators.