In a New Series Led By ‘The Killing’ Star Sofie Grabol, Everyone Is a ‘Prisoner’

Lise Pedersen Pitched at the Work-in-Progress industry section of international documentary film festival Visions du Réel, U.S. director David Borenstein’s sophomore feature “Can’t Feel Nothing” explores the connection between internet use and emotional disorders. Borenstein’s debut feature doc “Dream Empire,” about the building boom in China’s ghost cities, won the top prize at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in 2017. The filmmaker has been making technology films for networks like the BBC, Al Jazeera and Vice for years, and said the time had come to make his own – a project focused on what he calls “the vast apparatus of systems and technologies that are trying to influence our emotions.”

jig is up — and it’s going viral. As things are shaking up in Buckingham Palace, Princess of Wales Kate Middleton’s savvy secret to looking picture-perfect in photos is becoming all the rage online. “Royals fans are going crazy for the ‘Princess Shuffle’ that Kate uses to discreetly get closer to people in pictures,” wrote TikTok account @The.Royal.Watcher — a profile dedicated to all things related to the crown. The clip, which has fetched a staggering 2.4 million views, features recently resurfaced footage of Middleton, 41, meeting with Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, and Queen Margrethe II at Christian IX’s Palace in February 2022.As royal photographers begin snapping frames of the distinguished dignitaries, Middleton, donning a posh pair of black stilettos, is seen doing a subtle heel-to-toe jig, scooting closer to her hosts without looking down at her feet. And fans of the well-regarded Windsor family are going wild over the footwork. “‘The Princess Shuffle!’ I love everything about this,” praised a diehard of Middleton’s moves. “That’s a neat trick! Years of practice!” cheered another. “Shufffffffle!! Discreet and elegant love you Kate,” an equally impressed fanatic raved. “And in heels! I would definitely get caught on the carpet and wipe out,” another joked. However, not everyone was dazzled by the royal’s ability to photogenically cut a rug. “This is less discreet and less smooth than just taking that tiny step over,” spat an underwhelmed onlooker. “You mean she takes a step to the side? I’m certain that is the most important thing she has done in years,” said another, lightly shading Middleton, wife to Prince William and mother of three. #fyp #katemiddleton #katemiddletonstyle #princessofwales #princewilliam

Naman Ramachandran Indian streamer Sony LIV and production house Applause Entertainment have extended their existing partnership with two new series and renewals for four more. Among the new series, “36 Days,” produced in association with BBC Studios India is a suspense thriller, directed by Vishal Furia, featuring an ensemble cast including Neha Sharma, Purab Kohli, Shruti Seth, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sharib Hashmi, Shernaz Patel, Faishal Rashid, Chahat Vig and Kenneth Desai. “Kafas” (“Cage”) is a social drama series starring Sharman Joshi, Mona Singh, Vivan Bhathena, Preeti Jhangiani and Mikail Gandhi in lead roles and directed by Sahil Sangha.

Indian streamer SonyLIV has ordered two new series, social drama Kafas and suspense thriller 36 Days, from production powerhouse Applause Entertainment, along with four returning shows. 

Netflix has greenlit a Keira Knightley-starring thriller, the latest series from The Crown producer Left Bank and a Bank of Dave sequel.

K.J. Yossman Keira Knightley is set to star in Netflix series “Black Doves,” the streamer unveiled today. Written by “Giri/Haji” showrunner Joe Barton, the drama will see Knightley star as Helen, a woman with a secret identity who embarks on a passionate affair. When her lover falls victim to London’s shadowy underworld, Helen’s employers send an old friend, Sam, to protect her. The two of them soon embark on a high octane adventure set against a backdrop of diplomatic tension and Christmas. “‘Black Doves’ is the story of two old friends coming back together, finding trust in one another in a world where trust can get you killed and, ultimately, changing the course of each other’s lives forever,” reads the logline.

EXCLUSIVE: Rising Australian actress Olivia DeJonge (Elvis, The Staircase) has signed with Linden Entertainment for management.

Princess Catherine AKA Kate Middleton is going viral for a hilarious new signature shuffle!

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent London-based Sideways Film has taken world sales on British director Carey Born’s “Cyborg: A Documentary” about a man who was born color blind and has an antenna embedded in his head to help contend with this condition. Filmed in the U.K., Spain, Denmark, Australia and across the U.S. in New York, Los Angeles, San Jose and New Jersey, the doc about the world’s first officially recognized cyborg premiered last month at the CPH:DOX festival in Copenhagen and was selected by the fest to screen online on its PARA:DOX platform. “Cyborg” centers on “cyborg artist” Neil Harbisson who was born with a rare condition called achromatopsia, which means he sees only in black and white. In 2003 Harbisson had an illegal operation. A so-called “eyeborg” antenna was implanted in the back of his head enabling him to “hear colour” as waves that are translated into sound frequencies and transmitted to his auditory cortex. Since then Harbisson started touring the world talking about being a cyborg.

In a recently circulating video, fans have picked up on the Princess' discreet hack.

A dainty duchess. Princess Kate exhibited some subtle fancy footwork during a February photo opportunity — and the moment is now going viral.

Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time has cast Danish model-actress Maja Simonsen, Icelandic actress and former Olympic swimmer Ragga Ragnars, Irish actor Jay Duffy and New Zealand singer, actress and comedian Rima Te Wiata in recurring roles for the hit fantasy drama’s upcoming second season. The announcement was made during today’s virtual panel at JordanCon.

Sam Hewson only ever wanted to be a footballer growing up.

While it's nothing new, and we're certainly not complaining, Harry Styles' name is inescapable right now.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International The Kardashians are heading back to E! — sort of. The NBCUniversal-backed cabler has acquired two-part series “The Kardashians: A Billion Dollar Dynasty,” which will air on E! in the U.S. on May 1. The show marks the family’s return to E!, which was the home of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” for more than 20 seasons. After the reality behemoth concluded in 2021, the clan struck a deal with streamer Hulu for “The Kardashians,” which launched in 2022 and was recently renewed for Season 3. The Optomen-produced two-part “specialty” series, which is being sold internationally by All3Media International, details how the family became one of the world’s most recognized brands, and changed the face of social media while achieving extreme wealth.

Marta Balaga Keshet International has closed deals with DPG Media (Belgium), TV 2 (Denmark) and TV4 in Finland and Sweden for the hidden camera investigation “Undercover: Sexual Harassment – The Truth,” which debuted on Channel 4 in December. Produced by Kalel Productions, the film sees investigative reporter Ellie Flynn revealing the true extent of sexual harassment towards women of all ages in the U.K. Accompanied by hidden crew members, she goes undercover, enduring countless harassment online and in real-life. “These are stories that women tell one another in their friendship groups or on social media. I wanted to show that feeling,” Flynn tells Variety.

MipTV on Sunday, sharing in a dead heat the Buyers Coup de Coeur at the first MipDoc International Buyer Screenings.  A bold experiment, the Screenings saw MipTV allocate he prime market real estate of mid Sunday afternoon traditionally reserved for a drama showcase to documentaries, taking in features, TV specials and series.  In industrial terms the winners could hardly be more different. “The Caravan” is made by Cabal Films, a small Barcelona independent; the three-episode “Prison Project” is produced by Sweden’s SVT in co-production with other public broadcasters in Finland (Yle), Norway (NRK) and Denmark (DR).

Queen Margrethe II's family came together and put on a united front for a special occasion. On Sunday, the monarch was joined by her entire family on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace in honor of her 83rd birthday.For the occasion, Margrethe — who is Europe's sole ruling queen — was joined by her heir, Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, his wife, Crown Princess Mary, their children, Prince Christian, 17, Princess Isabella, 15, and 12-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. Also on hand was the queen's younger son, Prince Joachim of Denmark — whose children all lost their prince/princess titles -- his wife, Princess Marie of Denmark, and their children, Countess Athena of Mopezat, 11, Henrick, Count of Mopezat, 13.Joachim's two oldest children, Count Nikolai of Mopezat, 23, and Count Felix of Mopezat, 20, whom he shares with ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, were also on the balcony for the celebration.Margrethe gave her family an equal moment to shine as she was photographed standing next to some of her grandchildren and at other times, by her sons.

EXCLUSIVE: Paramount+ is readying a new doc on King Charles III.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Eco-thriller “The Swarm,” which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, has been acquired in the U.K. by pay-TV operator Sky. Negotiations with a U.S. partner are in the final stages. The show, produced by multiple Primetime Emmy award winner and “Game of Thrones” executive producer Frank Doelger and NDF IP’s managing director Eric Welbers, is set to play on the Sky Max channel in the U.K. later this year. “The Swarm” scored huge ratings in Germany on ZDF and on Austria’s ORF. In Germany, it attracted up to 10 million views per episode (linear and catch-up combined), multiple prime time wins, and big successes within the younger target group (between the ages of 14-49).