Hengameh Panahi, Celluloid Dreams Founder and Celebrated French-Iranian Producer, Dies at 67

Marty Krofft, producer of shows like H.R. Pufnstuf, The Brady Bunch Hour, The Banana Splits and Land of the Lost, has died. He was 86.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Despite being plagued by harsh reviews from French critics and a derisive retaliation by director Ridley Scott, “Napoleon” had a strong opening in France on Wednesday, grossing an estimated €868,000 ($946,000) from approximately 120,000 admissions. The figure, unveiled by Comscore France, includes about 8,000 tickets sold at preview screenings across France, notably in Paris where Sony Pictures held a lavish world premiere of the historical epic on Nov.

Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Natalie Portman calls Todd Haynes’ new film, “May December,” a “dream role.” “May December” stars Portman as actress Elizabeth Berry (Portman), who is set to portray Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore) in a movie. Gracie is a Georgia woman who became a notorious tabloid figure when she engaged in a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old boy, Joe. (Yes, this is loosely based on the story of teacher Mary Kay Letourneau, who had an affair with and married her teenage student, Vili Fualaau.) Twenty years have passed, and Gracie is trying to move on from the scandal.

Robbie Williams has paid tribute to a fan who died after a fall during his concert in Sydney last week.The singer offered his condolences to Robyn Hall during his set at AAMI Park in Melbourne last night (November 22). She died on Monday (November 20) after falling down six rows of seats at the Allianz Stadium on November 16.Before he performed 1997 hit single ‘Angels’ he told the crowd: “I heard the news, the tragic news this week that a fan died in an accident after the show in Sydney and I feel after all the years that I am you and you are me and we are each other when we come together.“So when something happens like this it breaks my heart.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Oscar winner Jeremy Irons has joined the cast of Palme d’Or-winning director Bille August‘s prestige limited series “The Count of Monte Cristo,” which also stars Sam Claflin. A sprawling adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, the English-language series is produced by Mediawan’s banner Palomar, the leading Italian company behind “Inspector Montalbano” and “The Name of the Rose,” in collaboration with another Mediawan label, France’s DEMD Productions.

Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard and Jacques Audiard are among 500 French cinema professionals to have signed an open letter in support of a silent march for peace in Paris this Sunday.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Jason Biggs, Edie Falco and Hank Azaria have joined the producing team of “The White Chip,” a comedy that will premiere Off-Broadway in 2024. Described as a “wry and wild” journey, the story follows an alcoholic’s unusual path to sobriety. They will work with the previously announced lineup of Annaleigh Ashford, John Larroquette (“Night Court”) and writer-activist Ryan Hampton.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Pathe U.K., the London-based division of the venerable French film and TV company, is folding its theatrical division to focus on premium scripted television content. Cameron McCracken, the celebrated head of film at Pathe UK who exec produced movies such as Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionnaire,” Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” and Stephen Frears’ “The Queen,” will step down and retire at the end of the year. Three key executives working for the division — Lee Bye, Lloyd Vanson and Michael Guerrero — will depart the company.

Brandi Mallory has sadly passed away.

Leonardo DiCaprio was surrounded by his loved ones during his 49th birthday celebration in Los Angeles. The Hollywood star was accompanied by his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, and some of his closest celebrity friends, including his longtime friend Tobey Maguire.WHO IS LEONARDO DICAPRIO’S NEW GIRLFRIEND VITTORIA CERETTI?GIGI HADID AND BRADLEY COOPER DISCUSS THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPThe actor was all smiles having dinner at the Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica over the weekend, ahead of his birthday bash in Beverly Hills.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Red Bull Studios and London-based Featuristic Films have partnered on “Art of the Jump,” a feature documentary about the life and career of Sébastien Foucan, a well-known French athlete. Directed by James Kermack (“Knuckledust,” “Hi-Lo Joe”), the documentary follows Foucan’s humble upbringing in the French suburb of Lisses to sports stardom.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent More than 180,000 people across France, including approximately 105,000 in Paris, took part in a civic march against antisemitism on Sunday, according to figures released by the interior ministry and police prefecture. Major political figures such as former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande, as well as prime minister Elisabeth Borne and culture minister Rima Abdul Malak attended the march.

Michaela Zee Janet Landgard, who starred in 1968’s “The Swimmer” alongside Burt Lancaster and played Paul Petersen’s love interest for three seasons on “The Donna Reed Show,” has died. She was 75.

Former Home And Away star Johnny Ruffo has sadly passed away after a long battle with brain cancer. The Australian actor and singer, who was 35, first appeared as Chris Harrington in the popular soap Home And Away in 2013, two years after he reached the final of The X Factor in Australia.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Jasmina Kuhnke, a German-born writer, actor, author and activist, has signed with CAA for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. Kuhnke’s debut novel, “Black Heart,” is a bestseller. The semi-autobiographical book recounts her experience growing up on the outskirts of the Ruhr region in Germany in the ’90s, and how she grappled with racism.

Ground-breaking French-Iranian sales agent and producer Hengameh Panahi, who represented a myriad of renowned Cannes and Venice prize-winning auteur directors, has died at the age of 67.

EXCLUSIVE: DeWanda Wise is toplining Lionsgate and Blumhouse‘s original horror movie Imaginary which is set for theatrical release on March 8, 2024.

A sick predator who 'betrayed girls' trust' as a police officer has died behind bars. James Glendenning, from Reddish, Stockport, was told by a judge he would likely see the end of his days in a cell after being jailed as a frail pensioner five years ago.

Having made his UFC debut in July 2020, Wigan born Tom Aspinall has become one of the most exciting British prospects within the sport in recent years.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Paris-based company 2425 Films, recently acquired by Mediawan, is working with a pool of rising filmmakers on timely movies, including Charly Delwart’s “1,5 degré,” Ilan Duran Cohen’s “Le coup d’apres” and Thomas Kruithof’s “Les Braises.” 2425 Films, founded by Thibault Gast and Matthias Weber, has been thriving with smart, high-concept commercial movies, such as Yann Gozlan’s “La boite noire” and “An Ideal Man,” as well as the thriller “Burn Out.” The company also presented Gozlan’s latest film, “Visions,” a thriller starring Diane Kruger (co-produced by Eagle Team Entetainment) at this year’s Angouleme Film Festival. Duran Cohen’s “Le coup d’apres” is a film set in the world of French politics, with a duo of French stars, Marina Fois and Laurent Laffite, who previously co-starred in “Papa ou Maman,” a French hit comedy franchise.