Nick Vivarelli International Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Marrakech Director Melita Toscan du Plantier on Navigating MENA Region’s Turbulent Festival Season: ‘We Had to Fight Against Adversity’ - variety.com - France - Morocco - Israel
variety.com
27.11.2023

Marrakech Director Melita Toscan du Plantier on Navigating MENA Region’s Turbulent Festival Season: ‘We Had to Fight Against Adversity’

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Melita Toscan du Plantier has been the driving force behind the Marrakech Film Festival ever since her late husband, revered French producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier, wrote to Morocco’s king two decades ago expressing “his ambition for a big international festival in Morocco,” as she recounts. The festival’s 20th edition is currently underway in the ancient Moroccan city, despite the Israel-Hamas conflict that has caused cancellations of several other fests in the region as well as the earthquake that hit the country in September.

Willem Dafoe Back on Festival Trail in Marrakech, Talks ‘Poor Things,’ Reveals Role in ‘Beetlejuice 2’ - variety.com - Morocco - city Venice
variety.com
26.11.2023

Willem Dafoe Back on Festival Trail in Marrakech, Talks ‘Poor Things,’ Reveals Role in ‘Beetlejuice 2’

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent After skipping Venice due to the actors’ strike, a busy Willem Dafoe is back on the festival trail, attending the 20th edition of the Marrakech Film Festival with his wife, filmmaker and actor Giada Colagrande. He spoke to Variety about his ties to Morocco, why he’s “happy to be promoting and starting to work again” now that the strike is over, and his role in Tim Burton’s upcoming “Beetlejuice 2.” How does it feel to be back in Marrakech? I’m happy to be back. Morocco for me is “The Last Temptation of Christ,” a film that was a beautiful experience.

Marrakech Film Fest Chief Talks This Year’s ‘More Sober’ Edition and ‘Biggest Supporter’ Martin Scorsese Mentoring MENA Filmmakers - variety.com - Morocco - Israel
variety.com
24.11.2023

Marrakech Film Fest Chief Talks This Year’s ‘More Sober’ Edition and ‘Biggest Supporter’ Martin Scorsese Mentoring MENA Filmmakers

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent The Marrakech Film Festival’s 20th edition kicks off on Friday with Richard Linklater’s action comedy “Hit Man” as its gala opening, Mads Mikkelsen being feted, and a rich roster of stars and top talents supporting a panoply of cinema from the African continent and the Arab world. The event will run Nov. 24-Dec.

System of a Down Frontman Serj Tankian and Director Michael Goorjian on Armenia’s Oscar Candidate ‘Amerikatsi’ and Why the Country Is ‘Going Western’ - variety.com - USA - Russia - Armenia
variety.com
23.11.2023

System of a Down Frontman Serj Tankian and Director Michael Goorjian on Armenia’s Oscar Candidate ‘Amerikatsi’ and Why the Country Is ‘Going Western’

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Shortly after actor-director Michael Goorjian wrote the script for “Amerikatsi,” which is Armenia’s candidate for the international Oscar, he turned to System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian – who is also of Armenian descent – for feedback on the tale of an Armenian-American who repatriates in 1948 to what has become Soviet Armenia. The Grammy-winning musician and political activist then became an executive producer on the film, which uses an ironic Chaplin-esque tone to depict the dream of the Armenian diaspora to reconnect with their roots. Goorjian, who wrote and directed the movie, also stars as Charlie, an Armenian immigrant to the U.S.

‘Winx Club’ Creator Iginio Straffi Talks ‘Very Important’ Animated Series Reboot and Reveals New Live-Action Show ‘Gormiti’ - variety.com - Italy
variety.com
22.11.2023

‘Winx Club’ Creator Iginio Straffi Talks ‘Very Important’ Animated Series Reboot and Reveals New Live-Action Show ‘Gormiti’

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Iginio Straffi, creator of the six teenage fairies in the “Winx Club” TV franchise that bewitched millions of tween girls and spawned Netflix’s live-action “Fate: The Winx Saga,” is launching a new series titled “Gormiti – The New Era.” The male-skewed “Gormiti” live-action series follows four boys — each representing a different elemental tribe of their homeland Gorm — and Ao-ki, a Light Girl, who leads and trains them. With her help, the boys must learn to master their elemental arm bracers, which when used properly summon legendary heroes and gods of the corresponding elements to fight on their behalf.

Middle East Streamer OSN+ and Spotify Rival Anghami Join Forces on Content and Music Platform - variety.com - Turkey
variety.com
21.11.2023

Middle East Streamer OSN+ and Spotify Rival Anghami Join Forces on Content and Music Platform

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Middle East streamer OSN+ is joining forces with Anghami, the Arab world’s rival to Spotify, in what is being touted as a landmark deal. The combination of OSN+ and Anghami will become the first platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to provide customers premium movies, TV series and music.

Former WarnerMedia Exec Thomas J. Ciampa Joins ‘The Winx’ Maker Rainbow Group as COO - variety.com - Spain - Italy - Portugal - Colorado - Rome
variety.com
20.11.2023

Former WarnerMedia Exec Thomas J. Ciampa Joins ‘The Winx’ Maker Rainbow Group as COO

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Rome-based distribution and production exec Thomas J. Ciampa — who last year exited WarnerMedia where he was Italy, Spain and Portugal country manager — is joining Rainbow Group, the prominent Italian indie best known for creating the hit “Winx Club” TV franchise.

‘Tiger Mask’ Japanese Manga Series Gets Live-Action Film Adaptation - variety.com - Italy - Japan - Rome
variety.com
20.11.2023

‘Tiger Mask’ Japanese Manga Series Gets Live-Action Film Adaptation

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Japanese manga series “Tiger Mask” is being adapted into a live-action feature for the international market by Italy’s Fabula Pictures and Brandon Box and Japan’s Kodansha. The popular manga, which follows a ruthless professional Japanese wrestler named Naoto Date who after making it big in the U.S.

Ennio Morricone Tribute at Academy Museum Bridges Italy and Hollywood With Restored Screenings - variety.com - Los Angeles - Hollywood - Italy - Rome - Beyond
variety.com
16.11.2023

Ennio Morricone Tribute at Academy Museum Bridges Italy and Hollywood With Restored Screenings

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italian cinema is in the spotlight at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles where the screening series “Ennio Morricone: Essential Scores from a Movie Maestro,” programmed in partnership with Cinecittà, is currently playing to sold-out audiences. The Oct. 6-Nov.

‘Cold War’ Star Joanna Kulig, Fanny Ardant Set for Feminist Thriller ‘Island’ (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - France - Italy - India - Germany - Poland - Rome
variety.com
10.11.2023

‘Cold War’ Star Joanna Kulig, Fanny Ardant Set for Feminist Thriller ‘Island’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Polish actress and singer Joanna Kulig (“Cold War,” “The Eddy”) and French icon Fanny Ardant are co-starring in “Island,” a psychological thriller by Italian-German writer director Nora Jaenike filmed on the Italian island of Elba. Filming on the mostly English-language atmospheric noir wrapped on Nov. 4 on the island, which is located off the coast of Tuscany.

‘Black Panther’ Star Lupita Nyong’o Joins Sudan’s Oscar Submission ‘Goodbye Julia’ as Executive Producer - variety.com - Sudan - South Sudan
variety.com
09.11.2023

‘Black Panther’ Star Lupita Nyong’o Joins Sudan’s Oscar Submission ‘Goodbye Julia’ as Executive Producer

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Oscar-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o is stepping into an executive producer role to support Sudan’s second-ever Academy Award international feature film submission, “Goodbye Julia.” The timely film, directed by Sudanese filmmaker Mohamed Kordofani, takes place just before the 2011 secession of South Sudan and won the Un Certain Regard section’s Prix de Liberté (Freedom Prize) at Cannes. “‘Goodbye Julia’ is a powerful representation of the conflict happening in Sudan right now, which affects millions of lives across Eastern Africa,” Nyong’o said in a statement.

Bahrain Sovereign Fund in Talks to Invest $200 Million in Italy’s Tuscany Film Studios (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Italy - India - Bahrain
variety.com
08.11.2023

Bahrain Sovereign Fund in Talks to Invest $200 Million in Italy’s Tuscany Film Studios (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent A Bahrain sovereign wealth fund is in advanced talks to invest €200 million ($213 million) in Italy’s nascent Tuscany Film Studios, which are being built by producer Andrea Iervolino just outside Florence. The technologically-advanced production complex, boasting a large set with a virtual water tank, an immersive 360 studio for live-action productions, a 250-acre backlot and a luxury hotel with a movie theater, is being built in the municipality of Impruneta in the Chianti countryside about 20 miles outside of Florence.

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival Reveals Projects at Its Souk Industry Market - variety.com - USA - Italy - Saudi Arabia - North Korea - city Jeddah
variety.com
07.11.2023

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival Reveals Projects at Its Souk Industry Market

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival has revealed details of the Red Sea Souk, the fest’s industry market that will offer meeting and networking opportunities revolving around new Arab and African product. The Souk will take place Dec. 2-5 alongside the Nov.

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival Forges Ahead Despite Israel-Hamas Conflict, Reveals First Batch of Mostly Arab Titles - variety.com - Saudi Arabia - Egypt - Iran - Algeria - Morocco - Israel - city Riyadh - Palestine - city Jeddah - area West Bank
variety.com
06.11.2023

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival Forges Ahead Despite Israel-Hamas Conflict, Reveals First Batch of Mostly Arab Titles

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival has announced the bulk of its lineup from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), signaling that the event is forging ahead with its third edition despite the Israel-Hamas war that has caused cancellations of several movie celebrations across the Arab world. The fest’s third edition, set to run Nov.

Saudi Advertising Company Alamiya Partners With Film Startup Lyra Pictures, Headed by Wesam Kattan - variety.com - Dubai - Saudi Arabia
variety.com
03.11.2023

Saudi Advertising Company Alamiya Partners With Film Startup Lyra Pictures, Headed by Wesam Kattan

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Leading Saudi advertising and live events company Alamiya has moved into film production by acquiring start up shingle Lyra Pictures, co-founded by experienced media exec Wesam Kattan, who was part of the Viacom team that launched MTV Arabia. Alamiya was founded in 1976 as the first film and TV studio in the kingdom, but was forced to change its business plan in the early 1980s due to the ban on cinema forced by religious conservatives.

Hollywood’s Stampede Ventures And Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla Forge Milestone $350 Million Pact - variety.com - Australia - Hollywood - Saudi Arabia
variety.com
02.11.2023

Hollywood’s Stampede Ventures And Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla Forge Milestone $350 Million Pact

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla, the film entity looking to attract international productions to a sprawling area of desert and giant boulders, has forged a partnership with Hollywood indie Stampede Ventures, bringing 10 productions to the region over the next three years with a projected $350 million spend. The groundbreaking agreement with Stampede marks the first deal of this scale between Hollywood and Saudi since the kingdom lifted its ban on cinema in late 2017.

WestEnd Films Scores Sales Including U.S. on British Drama ‘Cottontail’ With Ciaran Hinds, Lily Franky (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Britain - Los Angeles - China - USA - India - Japan - Portugal - Rome - county Patrick - Israel - city Beijing
variety.com
01.11.2023

WestEnd Films Scores Sales Including U.S. on British Drama ‘Cottontail’ With Ciaran Hinds, Lily Franky (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent WestEnd Films has scored multiple sales, including to North America, on British director Patrick Dickinson’s drama “Cottontail,” which stars Japan’s Lily Franky (“Shoplifters”) and Ciaran Hinds. The film, first announced at the AFM in 2019, won the prize for best first feature last week at the Rome Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.

Venice Biennale Chief Roberto Cicutto Set to Be Replaced by Right-Wing Writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco - variety.com - Italy
variety.com
27.10.2023

Venice Biennale Chief Roberto Cicutto Set to Be Replaced by Right-Wing Writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italy’s culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has designated Italian journalist and writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco as the new president of the Venice Biennale, the foundation that oversees the Venice Film Festival. Buttafuoco (pictured above, left), an openly right-wing member of Italy’s cultural establishment known to be an eclectic thinker, is now set to replace former film producer Roberto Cicutto (pictured, right) at the Biennale’s helm when Cicutto’s four-year mandate expires in March 2024.

Italian Prime Minister’s Split With TV Anchorman Grips Italy as Mediaset Refrains From Firing Him After Leaked Lewd Clips - variety.com - Italy
variety.com
26.10.2023

Italian Prime Minister’s Split With TV Anchorman Grips Italy as Mediaset Refrains From Firing Him After Leaked Lewd Clips

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent The saga of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni splitting from her partner, Mediaset TV personality Andrea Giambruno, after leaked outtakes revealed the anchorman making sexist remarks, is gripping the country amid speculation of political conspiracy behind the incident. Meloni, who became Italy’s first female prime minister a year ago when her right-wing Brothers of Italy party scored big in the country’s national elections, officially dumped Giambruno — her partner for a decade and the father of their young daughter (pictured above with Pope Francis) — last Friday via social media.

Giuseppe Tornatore Series Starring Ben Gazzara as Neapolitan Boss Debuts Trailer, Nearly 40 Years After Being Quashed by Mobster Himself (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Italy - Rome
variety.com
25.10.2023

Giuseppe Tornatore Series Starring Ben Gazzara as Neapolitan Boss Debuts Trailer, Nearly 40 Years After Being Quashed by Mobster Himself (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore’s vintage TV series “Il Camorrista,” starring Ben Gazzara as one of the fiercest bosses of the Neapolitan Camorra crime syndicate, is being unearthed from the vault 37 years after the mobster himself quashed the show before it aired. “Il Camorrista” was shot in 1985 as part of an innovative production mounted by Italy’s glorious Titanus shingle and Silvio Berlusconi’s ReteItalia. The production comprised both a Tornatore feature film by the same title and the five-episode TV show.

‘La Storia,’ Fascist-Era Feminist Series, Scores Sales Ahead of Rome Fest Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Sweden - Italy - Iceland - Norway - Germany - Denmark - Rome - Finland
variety.com
20.10.2023

‘La Storia,’ Fascist-Era Feminist Series, Scores Sales Ahead of Rome Fest Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Beta Film has announced a half-dozen sales to European public broadcasters on high-end period drama “La Storia,” which is Italian pubcaster RAI’s biggest event show of the year and is world premiering at the Rome Film Fest. The sweeping eight-episode saga, set in Italy during the final years of World War II and its immediate aftermath, is based on a globally bestselling novel by the late great Elsa Morante, whom “My Brilliant Friend” author Elena Ferrante often cites as her primary literary reference.

James Franco to Star as U.S. Navy Sailor Who Fathers Child in Italy in Gritty Drama ‘Hey Joe’ (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Britain - USA - Italy - New Jersey - Berlin - city Naples
variety.com
19.10.2023

James Franco to Star as U.S. Navy Sailor Who Fathers Child in Italy in Gritty Drama ‘Hey Joe’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent James Franco will play a U.S. Navy sailor stationed in post-World War II Naples, where he fathers a child, in gritty Italian drama “Hey Joe.” Directed by Claudio Giovannesi (“Gomorrah” TV series, “Piranhas”), the film is now shooting in the southern port city.

RAI Head of Film and Drama on Dedicating More Space to European Series: U.S. Strikes Are ‘Creating a Gap, and I Want to Make My Mark’ - variety.com - Italy - Rome
variety.com
18.10.2023

RAI Head of Film and Drama on Dedicating More Space to European Series: U.S. Strikes Are ‘Creating a Gap, and I Want to Make My Mark’

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Veteran RAI exec Adriano De Maio has been trying to shake things up at the Italian state broadcaster since last May, when he was appointed head of film and drama. To contend with the unstoppable disruption caused by digital and streaming in Italy’s TV landscape, De Maio is trying to steer RAI toward programming that provides more cultural enrichment, while also catering to the youth demographic that drives traffic on the pubcaster’s RAI Play streaming platform — which has more than 23 million subscribers, way more than Netflix’s Italian customer base. As RAI faces possible budget cuts due to the government’s decision to lower its license fee [RAI’s current allocation for film and TV series was not immediately available], De Maio sat down with Variety in Rome to discuss his vision for the scripted content he’d like RAI to acquire for its viewers.

Onur Güvenatam, Head of Turkish TV Powerhouse OGM Pictures, on Working With U.S. Streamers: ‘Even if It’s a Hit, All You Get Is a 15-Minute Call’ (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Turkey
variety.com
17.10.2023

Onur Güvenatam, Head of Turkish TV Powerhouse OGM Pictures, on Working With U.S. Streamers: ‘Even if It’s a Hit, All You Get Is a 15-Minute Call’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Turkish producer Onur Güvenatam founded OGM Pictures in 2019, and has since shepherded a steady stream of hit series and movies such as drama “The Red Room,” the widely-sold “Golden Boy” and “One Way for Tomorrow,” the first Netflix original film out of Turkey. For Netflix, OGM has also made Turkish original film “Paper Lives” and the series “The Gift.” Güvenatam is at Mipcom with new shows “Stickman” (Çöp Adam), “Miracle of Love” (Yüz Yıllık Mucize), and “Broken Destiny,” (Toprak ile Fidan) being sold by his recently launched in-house sales company OGM Universe. He spoke to Variety about the secret to OGM’s success, and vented frustrations about the business model imposed by U.S.

Former HBO Max Exec Launches Cocoa Media to Bring Large Turkish Drama Library to Global FAST Channels (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Germany - Turkey
variety.com
16.10.2023

Former HBO Max Exec Launches Cocoa Media to Bring Large Turkish Drama Library to Global FAST Channels (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Veteran media exec Christian Toksvig is launching Cocoa Media, a distribution company dedicated to placing content on Free Advertising Supported Television (FAST) platforms. Cocoa has pacted with cutting edge Turkish content aggregator Merzigo to bring Turkish dramas into the FAST sphere.

Italian Content Production Worth $1.9 Billion as U.S. Streamer Investments Grow, Says MIA Report - variety.com - Italy - Rome
variety.com
13.10.2023

Italian Content Production Worth $1.9 Billion as U.S. Streamer Investments Grow, Says MIA Report

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Investment in original content production continues to grow in Italy where resources across all genres reached a total of €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) thanks to increased investments from U.S. streamers.

Saudi Arabia’s Neom Hub Teams With Korean Film Council on Content Creators Training Program - variety.com - South Korea - Saudi Arabia - North Korea
variety.com
13.10.2023

Saudi Arabia’s Neom Hub Teams With Korean Film Council on Content Creators Training Program

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Neom, the Saudi Arabian region on the Red Sea that is aiming to become a major film and TV production hub, has forged a strategic partnership with the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) to set up training programs for young Saudi content creators. The full-service Saudi production hub, which is becoming a major driver of the kingdom’s effort to build a film and TV industry almost from scratch, will be hosting courses held by The Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA), South Korea‘s top national film school.

Sky Italia Launches ‘Overlooked Serial Killer’ Docuseries Following Hit Podcast About Case Connecting Italy and U.K. (EXCLUSIVE) - variety.com - Britain - Italy - Rome
variety.com
12.10.2023

Sky Italia Launches ‘Overlooked Serial Killer’ Docuseries Following Hit Podcast About Case Connecting Italy and U.K. (EXCLUSIVE)

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Sky Italia is launching a high-profile documentary series with international ambitions titled “The Overlooked Serial Killer,” reconstructing a true-crime case that has gripped millions of Italians. The documentary investigates the connection between Elisa Claps, an Italian teenager who disappeared in 1993, and Heather Barnett, a British woman whose mutilated body was found in Bournemouth in 2002.

‘Forbidden Notebook,’ Feminist Bestseller by Alba de Céspedes, Getting TV Adaptation From Italy’s Notorious Pictures - variety.com - Britain - New York - Italy - Cuba - Rome
variety.com
11.10.2023

‘Forbidden Notebook,’ Feminist Bestseller by Alba de Céspedes, Getting TV Adaptation From Italy’s Notorious Pictures

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italian distribution and production company Notorious Pictures is expanding into the TV series sphere by snapping up rights to buzzy literary property “Forbidden Notebook,” a 1952 novel by Italian-Cuban writer Alba de Céspedes that has been recently rediscovered and successfully republished in English. De Céspedes has been described by the New York Times as “a bestselling novelist and political activist in her native Italy” admired for her sensitive depictions of women whose recently rediscovered work “has lost none of its subversive force.” She is considered a source of inspiration for Elena Ferrante, the Italian writer with legions of fervent fans around the world and whose four “Neapolitan Novels” have been adapted into the long-running “My Brilliant Friend” TV series by Italy’s RAI and HBO.

Saudi Arabia’s SRMG and Warner Bros. Discovery Launch Arabic-Language Free Platform - variety.com - Saudi Arabia - Turkey
variety.com
11.10.2023

Saudi Arabia’s SRMG and Warner Bros. Discovery Launch Arabic-Language Free Platform

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Ryadh-based media conglomerate SRMG has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to launch Asharq Discovery, a free-to-view pan-Arabic-language platform with a lineup that includes shows that have never been seen for free in Arabic before. These include international dating reality TV series “90 Day Fiancé” (pictured), reality shows “Gold Rush” and “Wheeler Dealers” and the Morgan Freeman-hosted science docs program “Through the Wormhole.” Warner Bros.

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