Germany’s Beta Film (“Babylon Berlin”) sets its sights on the Croisette for the world premiere of Dutch Royal drama “Máxima,” selected to screen out-of-competition at Canneseries on April 9. In tow, Delfina Chaves (“The Secret of the Greco Family”), who portrays the titular character in the series that Variety recently likened to Emmy-Award-Winning Netflix Drama “The Crown.”
Teased at last month’s London TV Screenings, the six-part drama series unravels the love story between then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (Martijn Lakemeier) and his enigmatic Argentine love interest, Máxima, who goes on to become Queen, at his side.
Her future fraught with whispers of her father’s political connection to Argentina’s brutal dictatorship, she’s tasked with circumventing harsh truths to remain faithful to her destiny in the narrative that follows her through her formative years.
“You don’t have to know Máxima and the Dutch royal family to enjoy the show.
Teased at last month’s London TV Screenings, the six-part drama series unravels the love story between then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (Martijn Lakemeier) and his enigmatic Argentine love interest, Máxima, who goes on to become Queen, at his side.
Her future fraught with whispers of her father’s political connection to Argentina’s brutal dictatorship, she’s tasked with circumventing harsh truths to remain faithful to her destiny in the narrative that follows her through her formative years.
“You don’t have to know Máxima and the Dutch royal family to enjoy the show.
- 3/19/2024
- by Holly Jones
- Variety Film + TV
Germany’s Beta Film is introducing at the London TV Screenings the first episode of “Maxima,” a six-part drama about the love story between future Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and the then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander. The series is produced by Millstreet Films “The Neighbors”), with Videoland (Rtl Netherlands) holding Dutch broadcasting rights.
“Maxima” is adapted from the biography written by Dutch journalist Marcia Luyten in celebration of the Queen’s 50th birthday and focuses mainly on how the political background of Maxima’s father interfered with her very public engagement to the Crown Prince. Speaking to Variety ahead of the London TV Screenings, Justus Riesenkampff, EVP Nordics & Benelux at Beta Film, said “Maxima” was “especially appealing because royal stories resonate well.”
“It’s the second TV series made about a living royal — we couldn’t think of any other than ‘The Crown.’ And we have a lot of...
“Maxima” is adapted from the biography written by Dutch journalist Marcia Luyten in celebration of the Queen’s 50th birthday and focuses mainly on how the political background of Maxima’s father interfered with her very public engagement to the Crown Prince. Speaking to Variety ahead of the London TV Screenings, Justus Riesenkampff, EVP Nordics & Benelux at Beta Film, said “Maxima” was “especially appealing because royal stories resonate well.”
“It’s the second TV series made about a living royal — we couldn’t think of any other than ‘The Crown.’ And we have a lot of...
- 2/27/2024
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Germany’s Rtl has acquired royal drama “Maxima” from Beta Film. The show follows the life of Argentinian born Maxima Zorreguieta, who later became Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
The first six-hour season of the show has just wrapped shooting. Several additional territories are in negotiations. A sneak preview of “Maxima” will be presented at Mipcom in Cannes. The series is produced by Millstreet Films and was commissioned by Rtl Netherlands’ Ott service Videoland.
Shot in New York, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium over the course of the summer, the series features a stellar cast: Maxima is portrayed by Argentinian actress Delfina Chaves (“The Secret of the Greco Family”), and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander by Martijn Lakemeier (“The East”). German star actor Sebastian Koch takes on the role of Claus von Amsberg, Willem-Alexander’s father, and Elsie de Brauw (“The Death of My Mother”) stars as Queen Beatrix. Valeria Alonso (“Tell Me Who I Am...
The first six-hour season of the show has just wrapped shooting. Several additional territories are in negotiations. A sneak preview of “Maxima” will be presented at Mipcom in Cannes. The series is produced by Millstreet Films and was commissioned by Rtl Netherlands’ Ott service Videoland.
Shot in New York, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium over the course of the summer, the series features a stellar cast: Maxima is portrayed by Argentinian actress Delfina Chaves (“The Secret of the Greco Family”), and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander by Martijn Lakemeier (“The East”). German star actor Sebastian Koch takes on the role of Claus von Amsberg, Willem-Alexander’s father, and Elsie de Brauw (“The Death of My Mother”) stars as Queen Beatrix. Valeria Alonso (“Tell Me Who I Am...
- 10/16/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The latest series from Alex de la Iglesia and “Veneno” creators Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo feature at a first-look Next from Spain Showcase which marks a massive step-up in the country’s presence at the Berlinale Series Market.
Running Feb. 20-22, the showcase also unveils “Rapa” Season 2, with its first season proving Movistar+’s biggest 2022 bow, and “This Is Not Sweden,” a pioneering Spanish co-production with Scandinavia and Germany.
The Showcase titles are joined by Isaki Lacuesta’s “The Chauffeur’s Son,” a Co-Pro Series project from “Elite’s” Zeta Studios, and “Selftape,” a Filmin Original from Filmax and a Series Market Screening.
Prior to 2023, Spanish titles only screened very occasionally at the market. This year’s splash , however, is entirely logical.
Thanks in part to a captive audience of 580 million Spanish speakers who are largely avid for melodrama-thrillers with a modern edge – think “La Casa de Papel,” “Who Killed Sara?...
Running Feb. 20-22, the showcase also unveils “Rapa” Season 2, with its first season proving Movistar+’s biggest 2022 bow, and “This Is Not Sweden,” a pioneering Spanish co-production with Scandinavia and Germany.
The Showcase titles are joined by Isaki Lacuesta’s “The Chauffeur’s Son,” a Co-Pro Series project from “Elite’s” Zeta Studios, and “Selftape,” a Filmin Original from Filmax and a Series Market Screening.
Prior to 2023, Spanish titles only screened very occasionally at the market. This year’s splash , however, is entirely logical.
Thanks in part to a captive audience of 580 million Spanish speakers who are largely avid for melodrama-thrillers with a modern edge – think “La Casa de Papel,” “Who Killed Sara?...
- 2/20/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom and much of the wider world have briefly hit pause to reflect on the life and legacy of the longest reigning Monarch in British history. Throughout her 70 years on the throne, the Queen not only saw her fair share of daily challenges as the figurehead of a nation but also witnessed the world change drastically around her.
When she first donned the crown at her 1953 Coronation, she was just 25 and thrust much earlier than expected into a life of service following the sudden death of her father, King George VI. At the time of her death, more than half a century had passed and the world was a much different place -- both culturally and aesthetically -- than the one that first welcomed her as Queen.
In between, there have been countless cinematic retellings of the Queen's unique life...
When she first donned the crown at her 1953 Coronation, she was just 25 and thrust much earlier than expected into a life of service following the sudden death of her father, King George VI. At the time of her death, more than half a century had passed and the world was a much different place -- both culturally and aesthetically -- than the one that first welcomed her as Queen.
In between, there have been countless cinematic retellings of the Queen's unique life...
- 9/14/2022
- by Simon Bland
- Slash Film
The wealth of Spain’s attractions as a big-shoot locale are in the details. To that end, below are the 37 Film Commissions or Film Offices that form part of the nationwide Spain Film Commission network, as well emblematic shoots, locations and initiatives:
Alicante Film Office
It was launched in 2008 to support shoots at Alicante’s Ciudad de la Luz studios, such as J.A. Bayona’s “The Impossible” and Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor.” Connected by high-speed train and an international airport, Alicante’s Santa Bárbara Castle featured in Movistar+’s “Tell Me Who I Am,” and Netflix’s “Money Heist” used its beaches and port. With Ciudad de la Luz reopening, international producers are returning, with Guy Ritchie’s “The Interpreter” shooting in the area.
ANDALUCÍA Film Commission
Boasting flagship destinations such as Tabernas — Europe’s biggest desert, which hosted “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Game of Thrones,” “Exodus: Gods and Kings...
Alicante Film Office
It was launched in 2008 to support shoots at Alicante’s Ciudad de la Luz studios, such as J.A. Bayona’s “The Impossible” and Ridley Scott’s “The Counselor.” Connected by high-speed train and an international airport, Alicante’s Santa Bárbara Castle featured in Movistar+’s “Tell Me Who I Am,” and Netflix’s “Money Heist” used its beaches and port. With Ciudad de la Luz reopening, international producers are returning, with Guy Ritchie’s “The Interpreter” shooting in the area.
ANDALUCÍA Film Commission
Boasting flagship destinations such as Tabernas — Europe’s biggest desert, which hosted “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Game of Thrones,” “Exodus: Gods and Kings...
- 9/10/2022
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
[The following story contains spoilers from the sixth episode of Surface‘s first season, “The Myth of California.”]
From the beginning of Apple TV+’s psychological thriller Surface, Oliver Jackson-Cohen’s James has viewed his wife’s near-death experience as a chance for the two of them to get a second chance at their relationship and move beyond their past mistakes.
But with Sophie’s (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) realization at the end of episode five that she was the one James was covering for with the missing money he was trying to recover and that she could be the bad guy, Sophie and James’ fresh start is over.
“That kind of opens the floodgates for James to realize there’s no more hiding behind an idealized version,” showrunner Veronica West tells The Hollywood Reporter. “There’s no second chance — that’s a fairytale.”
With that discovery, episode six breaks open what viewers think they...
[The following story contains spoilers from the sixth episode of Surface‘s first season, “The Myth of California.”]
From the beginning of Apple TV+’s psychological thriller Surface, Oliver Jackson-Cohen’s James has viewed his wife’s near-death experience as a chance for the two of them to get a second chance at their relationship and move beyond their past mistakes.
But with Sophie’s (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) realization at the end of episode five that she was the one James was covering for with the missing money he was trying to recover and that she could be the bad guy, Sophie and James’ fresh start is over.
“That kind of opens the floodgates for James to realize there’s no more hiding behind an idealized version,” showrunner Veronica West tells The Hollywood Reporter. “There’s no second chance — that’s a fairytale.”
With that discovery, episode six breaks open what viewers think they...
- 8/21/2022
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HBO Max has released a new poster and trailer for The Princess.
The HBO Original documentary film The Princess is an intimate and immersive look at the life of Princess Diana, directed by Academy Award® nominee Ed Perkins (“Black Sheep” “Tell Me Who I Am”) and produced by Lightbox, Academy Award®-winning Simon Chinn and Emmy®-winning Jonathan Chinn.
The film debuts on Saturday, August 13 (8:00-9:50 p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s tragic death, and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The Princess had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
The relationship of Diana and Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales, was tabloid fodder for nearly two decades, the subject of almost daily headlines in the 24-hour news cycle. The Princess draws solely from contemporaneous archival audio and video footage to take audiences back...
The HBO Original documentary film The Princess is an intimate and immersive look at the life of Princess Diana, directed by Academy Award® nominee Ed Perkins (“Black Sheep” “Tell Me Who I Am”) and produced by Lightbox, Academy Award®-winning Simon Chinn and Emmy®-winning Jonathan Chinn.
The film debuts on Saturday, August 13 (8:00-9:50 p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s tragic death, and will be available to stream on HBO Max. The Princess had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
The relationship of Diana and Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales, was tabloid fodder for nearly two decades, the subject of almost daily headlines in the 24-hour news cycle. The Princess draws solely from contemporaneous archival audio and video footage to take audiences back...
- 7/27/2022
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The first trailer from upcoming Princess Diana feature documentary “The Princess” has landed and gives audiences a glimpse into the media maelstrom that surrounded the tragic royal.
Directed by Ed Perkins (“Tell Me Who I Am”), the film is produced (in association with HBO and Sky) by Lightbox, the producers behind the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.”
According to the logline, “‘The Princess’ tells the story of Princess Diana exclusively through contemporaneous archival footage creating a bold and immersive narrative of her life and death. Turning the camera back on ourselves, the film also illuminates the profound impact she had and how the public’s attitude to the monarchy was, and still is, shaped by these events.”
Despite her death 25 years ago, “the people’s princess” (as she was dubbed by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair) continues to fascinate, particularly on screen. In the last year alone she has been...
Directed by Ed Perkins (“Tell Me Who I Am”), the film is produced (in association with HBO and Sky) by Lightbox, the producers behind the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.”
According to the logline, “‘The Princess’ tells the story of Princess Diana exclusively through contemporaneous archival footage creating a bold and immersive narrative of her life and death. Turning the camera back on ourselves, the film also illuminates the profound impact she had and how the public’s attitude to the monarchy was, and still is, shaped by these events.”
Despite her death 25 years ago, “the people’s princess” (as she was dubbed by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair) continues to fascinate, particularly on screen. In the last year alone she has been...
- 5/12/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
World premiering in the main Canneseries competition, “El Inmortal – Gangs of Madrid” marks the latest original series from Movistar Plus, the Spanish pay TV/SVOD arm of Telefonica, made with Banijay’s Dlo Producciones and Telemundo Streaming Studios. Beta Film handles international distribution.
It shows. A Movistar Plus hallmark, “El Inmortal” reflects a real-life Spanish reality, the rise and fall – or here, fall and rise, then maybe fall and rebound – of the founding leader of Los Miami, a gang which controlled Madrid’s insatiable ‘90s drug business. José Antonio’s real-life counterpart survived four attempts on his life, becoming a legend and gaining his epic sobriquet.
But it also nails other facets of high-end scripted fiction.
“El Inmortal” begins as quiet-spoken ‘90s Madrid drug lord José insists on living his life, driving his infant daughter to her posh primary school.
Just after dropping her off, a motorbike passes spraying bullets,...
It shows. A Movistar Plus hallmark, “El Inmortal” reflects a real-life Spanish reality, the rise and fall – or here, fall and rise, then maybe fall and rebound – of the founding leader of Los Miami, a gang which controlled Madrid’s insatiable ‘90s drug business. José Antonio’s real-life counterpart survived four attempts on his life, becoming a legend and gaining his epic sobriquet.
But it also nails other facets of high-end scripted fiction.
“El Inmortal” begins as quiet-spoken ‘90s Madrid drug lord José insists on living his life, driving his infant daughter to her posh primary school.
Just after dropping her off, a motorbike passes spraying bullets,...
- 4/4/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar nominated Hacksaw Ridge producer David Permut has scooped up the rights to produce the narrative adaptation of Alex and Marcus Lewis’ gripping true story which was chronicled in Joanna Hodgkin’s best-selling book Tell Me Who I Am, as well as in Netflix’s critically acclaimed documentary of the same name.
After losing his memory in a motorcycle accident at age 18, Alex Lewis relies on the only person he recognizes, his twin brother Marcus, to teach him who he is. But the idyllic childhood Marcus paints is hiding a traumatic family secret that the twins must finally face together decades later.
The documentary played in the Official Selection of the 2019 Telluride Film Festival, screened at the BFI London Film Festival, and is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 97%.
Permut is producing through his Permut Presentations banner alongside Keenan Porterfield and Alexa Garster, as well as his Director of...
After losing his memory in a motorcycle accident at age 18, Alex Lewis relies on the only person he recognizes, his twin brother Marcus, to teach him who he is. But the idyllic childhood Marcus paints is hiding a traumatic family secret that the twins must finally face together decades later.
The documentary played in the Official Selection of the 2019 Telluride Film Festival, screened at the BFI London Film Festival, and is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 97%.
Permut is producing through his Permut Presentations banner alongside Keenan Porterfield and Alexa Garster, as well as his Director of...
- 9/20/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Music Entertainment will co-produce, co-develop and co-finance projects with Lightbox.
Warner Music Entertainment (WME) has signed a partnership deal with UK-us production company Lightbox to co-produce, co-develop and co-finance non-fiction film and TV projects.
Under the terms of the deal Lightbox will have access to the catalogue of WME’s parent company Warner Music Group for its documentaries.
The two companies have a slate underway with details yet to be announced.
Lightbox was founded in 2014 by Simon Chinn in London and his LA-based cousin Jonathan Chinn.
The company’s recent slate includes Kevin Macdonald’s Whitney, which premiered at Cannes in 2018; HBO title Tina,...
Warner Music Entertainment (WME) has signed a partnership deal with UK-us production company Lightbox to co-produce, co-develop and co-finance non-fiction film and TV projects.
Under the terms of the deal Lightbox will have access to the catalogue of WME’s parent company Warner Music Group for its documentaries.
The two companies have a slate underway with details yet to be announced.
Lightbox was founded in 2014 by Simon Chinn in London and his LA-based cousin Jonathan Chinn.
The company’s recent slate includes Kevin Macdonald’s Whitney, which premiered at Cannes in 2018; HBO title Tina,...
- 8/12/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
If you’re a fan of high-stakes and high-drama telenovelas like “El Señor de los Cielos,” “La Reina del Sur,” “El Recluso,” “Dime Quien Soy” and “Mariposa de Barrio,” we’ve got good news: NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises has launched a groundbreaking effort with over 35 original premium scripted content projects in the mix. Telemundo Streaming Studios represents the media conglomerate’s largest investment focused on Spanish-language production and development capabilities for Latino streaming audiences.
“As the premier media company serving Hispanics in the U.S., Telemundo is shaping a new era in Hispanic media with the creation of the first-of-its-kind streaming studio,” said Beau Ferrari, chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, in a statement. “Latinos are pacesetters of cultural and technological change. We are the leading Hispanic media company super-serving the Latinos of today with the best original, premium and culturally relevant content across all platforms.”
In addition to beefing up its intellectual property,...
“As the premier media company serving Hispanics in the U.S., Telemundo is shaping a new era in Hispanic media with the creation of the first-of-its-kind streaming studio,” said Beau Ferrari, chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, in a statement. “Latinos are pacesetters of cultural and technological change. We are the leading Hispanic media company super-serving the Latinos of today with the best original, premium and culturally relevant content across all platforms.”
In addition to beefing up its intellectual property,...
- 5/5/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, the European Film Awards detail this year’s special five-day virtual ceremony, the Spain Film Commission extends an invitation to international productions, ITV Studios sells more than 300 hours of content in India and the National Lottery announces a special Pantoland performance for key workers.
Awards
The 2020 European Film Awards have announced measures to host a Covid-19 era edition, “The EFAs at Eight,” including a series of live-streamed virtual events taking place Dec. 8-12.
This year’s entire program will be made available on the Efa website, www.europeanfilmawards.eu, and to several international streaming and broadcasting partners. Nominees and winners be invited to participate through live video conferencing.
Things kick off on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with “From Survival to Revival: Building the Post-Covid Future,” a roundtable discussing the re-structuring, re-engineering and re-alignment of the European film industry during and post-pandemic.
On Wednesday, Wim Wenders and Marion...
Awards
The 2020 European Film Awards have announced measures to host a Covid-19 era edition, “The EFAs at Eight,” including a series of live-streamed virtual events taking place Dec. 8-12.
This year’s entire program will be made available on the Efa website, www.europeanfilmawards.eu, and to several international streaming and broadcasting partners. Nominees and winners be invited to participate through live video conferencing.
Things kick off on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with “From Survival to Revival: Building the Post-Covid Future,” a roundtable discussing the re-structuring, re-engineering and re-alignment of the European film industry during and post-pandemic.
On Wednesday, Wim Wenders and Marion...
- 12/4/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Scorsese In Stockholm
Martin Scorsese made an appearance at Sweden’s Stockholm International Film Festival this weekend to receive the event’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented with the prize remotely due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, the filmmaker said that he had always had a “real love” for the country’s films. “I want to thank the Stockholm International Film Festival for this because the Swedish cinema has been such an extraordinary factor in world cinema going back to the silent period and until today. And it continues with wonderful filmmakers, restorations that keeps coming out from the 1930s and 40s so it’s quite extraordinary and I’ve always felt more than a connection, a real love for the Swedish cinema and the Swedish filmmakers. So this is very special to me. I thank you so much and as I say maybe one day I can finally get there,” he said.
Martin Scorsese made an appearance at Sweden’s Stockholm International Film Festival this weekend to receive the event’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Presented with the prize remotely due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, the filmmaker said that he had always had a “real love” for the country’s films. “I want to thank the Stockholm International Film Festival for this because the Swedish cinema has been such an extraordinary factor in world cinema going back to the silent period and until today. And it continues with wonderful filmmakers, restorations that keeps coming out from the 1930s and 40s so it’s quite extraordinary and I’ve always felt more than a connection, a real love for the Swedish cinema and the Swedish filmmakers. So this is very special to me. I thank you so much and as I say maybe one day I can finally get there,” he said.
- 11/23/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Altitude is handling global sales on Diana and will be releasing theatrically in the UK and Ireland.
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn’s London and Los Angeles-based Lightbox is producing Diana, Ed Perkins’ feature documentary about Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, the first theatrical documentary about Diana who died in 1997. UK sales outfit Altitude is handling international rights and will release the film in the UK and Ireland in the summer of 2022 to mark the 25th anniversary of her death.
Altitude has already pre-sold the film to theatrical buyers in multiple territories, including: Benelux (Piece of Magic), Germany and Austria...
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn’s London and Los Angeles-based Lightbox is producing Diana, Ed Perkins’ feature documentary about Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, the first theatrical documentary about Diana who died in 1997. UK sales outfit Altitude is handling international rights and will release the film in the UK and Ireland in the summer of 2022 to mark the 25th anniversary of her death.
Altitude has already pre-sold the film to theatrical buyers in multiple territories, including: Benelux (Piece of Magic), Germany and Austria...
- 11/2/2020
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Altitude and Lightbox, the production outfit run by Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmakers Simon and Jonathan Chinn, are combining for what they claim will be the first theatrical documentary on Princess Diana.
Directed by Ed Perkins (Tell Me Who I Am), Diana will draw on thousands of hours news reports, previously unseen footage, and photographs to tell the story of the princess, who died in Paris in 1997.
It will bow in summer 2022, marking the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s demise in a car accident following her split from Prince Charles, the heir to the throne. HBO and Sky Documentaries have taken the TV rights in the U.S. and UK respectively.
Altitude, the UK distributor behind features including Amy and Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie, is handling globals sales and is releasing the film theatrically in the UK and Ireland.
It has pre-sold to Benelux (Piece of Magic), Germany...
Directed by Ed Perkins (Tell Me Who I Am), Diana will draw on thousands of hours news reports, previously unseen footage, and photographs to tell the story of the princess, who died in Paris in 1997.
It will bow in summer 2022, marking the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s demise in a car accident following her split from Prince Charles, the heir to the throne. HBO and Sky Documentaries have taken the TV rights in the U.S. and UK respectively.
Altitude, the UK distributor behind features including Amy and Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie, is handling globals sales and is releasing the film theatrically in the UK and Ireland.
It has pre-sold to Benelux (Piece of Magic), Germany...
- 11/2/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Having closed Latin America with HBO earlier this year, Beta Film has clinched first-phase sales in Europe on “Tell Me Who I Am,” an epic tale of a woman’s emancipation, and its cost, which celebrates its international premiere today at Mipcom Online Plus.
First fruit of a three-year, three series co-production alliance between Spain’s Movistar Plus and Telemundo Intl. Studios (Tis) in the U.S., “Tell Me Who I Am” has closed Nordic territories, selling to Norway’s Nrk, Denmark’s Dr and Yle in Finland, the public broadcasters in all three countries.
Further deals on the historical drama, which spans the Spanish Civil War, WWII and the fall of the Berlin Wall, take in Portugal (Rtp) and Greece and Cyprus (Forthnet Group). Tis is handling distribution in the U.S.; Movistar Plus plans an event release release in Spain.
Further deals are in final negotiations, Beta Film announced Tuesday.
First fruit of a three-year, three series co-production alliance between Spain’s Movistar Plus and Telemundo Intl. Studios (Tis) in the U.S., “Tell Me Who I Am” has closed Nordic territories, selling to Norway’s Nrk, Denmark’s Dr and Yle in Finland, the public broadcasters in all three countries.
Further deals on the historical drama, which spans the Spanish Civil War, WWII and the fall of the Berlin Wall, take in Portugal (Rtp) and Greece and Cyprus (Forthnet Group). Tis is handling distribution in the U.S.; Movistar Plus plans an event release release in Spain.
Further deals are in final negotiations, Beta Film announced Tuesday.
- 10/13/2020
- by John Hopewell and Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Movistar Plus, the pay TV division of giant European telco Telefonica, in 2016 started producing and releasing its own original series. In a second phase, it linked to prestige European production partners, first with Arte France on “Hierro” and now, with “Tell Me Who I Am,” a woman’s emancipation epic made with Telemundo Intl. Studios, and Alejandro Amenábar’s upcoming “La Fortuna,” an adventure thriller made with AMC Studios, Movistar Plus is quickly building its U.S. connection.
The Beta Film-sold “Tell Me Who I Am” is one of the biggest series Movistar Plus has ever made. It charts a woman’s battle for freedom from traditional gender roles and totalitarianism. It spans 60 years, from heroine Amelia’s conservative upper-class Madrid youth in 1934 through Stalin’s 1938 Moscow elite purges, to Mussolini’s Italy, the decline of Nazi forces’ grip on Athens and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It...
The Beta Film-sold “Tell Me Who I Am” is one of the biggest series Movistar Plus has ever made. It charts a woman’s battle for freedom from traditional gender roles and totalitarianism. It spans 60 years, from heroine Amelia’s conservative upper-class Madrid youth in 1934 through Stalin’s 1938 Moscow elite purges, to Mussolini’s Italy, the decline of Nazi forces’ grip on Athens and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It...
- 10/13/2020
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Spanish TV drama producers are thinking bigger than ever, scaling up in a globalized SVOD market.
They are also allying with powerful U.S. partners, responding to a global feeding-frenzy for Spanish-language premium series.
Spanish TV dramas at Mipcom Online Plus underscore this trend. One, “Inés of My Soul,” marks the first move into big-budget international co-production by public broadcaster Rtve, teaming with Boomerang TV, Chile’s Turner-owned Chilevisión and Amazon Prime Video Spain.
Beta Film is presenting “Tell Me Who I Am,” based on Julia Navarro’s global bestseller, co-produced with Telemundo Intl. Studios in partnership with Dlo.
In ongoing productions, Movistar, Telefonica’s SVOD/pay TV arm, alongside AMC Studios and Fernando Bovaira’s Mod Pictures, is producing “La Fortuna,” an adventure series created by Academy Award winner Alejandro Amenábar.
Also, Spain’s Paco Cabezas (“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels”) is leading creative development on “The Gipsy Bride,...
They are also allying with powerful U.S. partners, responding to a global feeding-frenzy for Spanish-language premium series.
Spanish TV dramas at Mipcom Online Plus underscore this trend. One, “Inés of My Soul,” marks the first move into big-budget international co-production by public broadcaster Rtve, teaming with Boomerang TV, Chile’s Turner-owned Chilevisión and Amazon Prime Video Spain.
Beta Film is presenting “Tell Me Who I Am,” based on Julia Navarro’s global bestseller, co-produced with Telemundo Intl. Studios in partnership with Dlo.
In ongoing productions, Movistar, Telefonica’s SVOD/pay TV arm, alongside AMC Studios and Fernando Bovaira’s Mod Pictures, is producing “La Fortuna,” an adventure series created by Academy Award winner Alejandro Amenábar.
Also, Spain’s Paco Cabezas (“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels”) is leading creative development on “The Gipsy Bride,...
- 10/11/2020
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Nominations have been unveiled for the 48th edition of the Grierson Awards, the UK’s top documentary awards.
A total of 52 films are nominated across 14 categories. Of those, 21 were broadcast on BBC channel, while Netflix has nine nominations and Channel 4 has five. ITV and Al Jazeera have two apiece whilst nominations newcomer YouTube Originals joins Channel 5, National Geographic and Discovery with one each.
Tiger King is up for Best Entertaining Documentary alongside fellow Netflix title Love is Blind. Netflix’s Don’t F**k With Cats and The Devil Next Door are also both up for Best Documentary series.
The Best Cinema Documentary nominees are American Factory, which won the Oscar this year, alongside the Oscar nominated Honeyland and For Sama, with Midnight Family completing the field.
Full list of nominations:
Best Single Documentary – Domestic
The Family Secret
Anna Hall, Sally Ogden, Luke Rothery & Brian Woods for Candour Productions...
A total of 52 films are nominated across 14 categories. Of those, 21 were broadcast on BBC channel, while Netflix has nine nominations and Channel 4 has five. ITV and Al Jazeera have two apiece whilst nominations newcomer YouTube Originals joins Channel 5, National Geographic and Discovery with one each.
Tiger King is up for Best Entertaining Documentary alongside fellow Netflix title Love is Blind. Netflix’s Don’t F**k With Cats and The Devil Next Door are also both up for Best Documentary series.
The Best Cinema Documentary nominees are American Factory, which won the Oscar this year, alongside the Oscar nominated Honeyland and For Sama, with Midnight Family completing the field.
Full list of nominations:
Best Single Documentary – Domestic
The Family Secret
Anna Hall, Sally Ogden, Luke Rothery & Brian Woods for Candour Productions...
- 9/21/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Nominations for the 48th annual British Documentary Awards, known as the Griersons, include episode two of Netflix docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning “For Sama,” and a best presenter nod for David Olusoga for “The Unwanted: The Secret Windrush Files.”
The awards are given by The Grierson Trust. Of the 52 nominated films, 21 were broadcast on BBC channels. Netflix has nine nominations and Channel 4 has five. ITV and Al Jazeera have two apiece while YouTube Originals, Channel 5, National Geographic and Discovery have one each.
Lorraine Heggessey, chair of The Grierson Trust, said: “This has been a difficult year for the production community and particularly for freelancers, so it’s more important than ever to recognize and celebrate the excellence of so many talented filmmakers, whether they are newcomers or established global names. These nominations demonstrate the relevance and versatility of documentaries,...
The awards are given by The Grierson Trust. Of the 52 nominated films, 21 were broadcast on BBC channels. Netflix has nine nominations and Channel 4 has five. ITV and Al Jazeera have two apiece while YouTube Originals, Channel 5, National Geographic and Discovery have one each.
Lorraine Heggessey, chair of The Grierson Trust, said: “This has been a difficult year for the production community and particularly for freelancers, so it’s more important than ever to recognize and celebrate the excellence of so many talented filmmakers, whether they are newcomers or established global names. These nominations demonstrate the relevance and versatility of documentaries,...
- 9/21/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Beta Film’s drama “The Turncoat,” which was just honored as best TV movie at the Seoul Intl. Drama Awards, has scored a series of territory deals, including the U.S.
The German miniseries, based on the bestseller by Siegfried Lenz and directed by Florian Gallenberger, winner of the Oscar for best live-action short, was sold around the world. Among others buyers include MHz Networks (U.S.), AMC Networks (Latin America), 1Hdtv and Mts (Russia), Npo (Netherlands), Rtp (Portugal), and Filmin (Spain).
Viasat World acquired “The Turncoat” for Epic Drama across Central and Eastern Europe. It is also going to be broadcast on Nrk (Norway), Yle (Finland), Dr (Denmark) and Svt (Sweden).
“The Turncoat” tells the story of the young German soldier Walter, who is posted to a unit in the Polish woods in 1944, surrounded by partisans. He is soon torn between a sense of duty, guilt and his conscience,...
The German miniseries, based on the bestseller by Siegfried Lenz and directed by Florian Gallenberger, winner of the Oscar for best live-action short, was sold around the world. Among others buyers include MHz Networks (U.S.), AMC Networks (Latin America), 1Hdtv and Mts (Russia), Npo (Netherlands), Rtp (Portugal), and Filmin (Spain).
Viasat World acquired “The Turncoat” for Epic Drama across Central and Eastern Europe. It is also going to be broadcast on Nrk (Norway), Yle (Finland), Dr (Denmark) and Svt (Sweden).
“The Turncoat” tells the story of the young German soldier Walter, who is posted to a unit in the Polish woods in 1944, surrounded by partisans. He is soon torn between a sense of duty, guilt and his conscience,...
- 9/21/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
One of Spanish pay TV Movistar Plus’ most ambitious pushes into original, international TV yet, the 20th Century-spanning period drama “Tell Me Who I Am,” will headline Monday evening’s Movistar Gala at the San Sebastian Film Festival, screening episodes out of competition.
Director Eduard Cortés will be joined on the red carpet by lead actors Irene Escolar and Oriel Pla, screenwriter and author of book on which the series is based Julia Navarro, producer José Luis Escolar, executive producer José Manuel Lorenzo and Movistar Plus head of original programming Domingo Corral.
Following its protagonist, a Spanish upper-class socialite turned reluctant spy after falling for a Russian agent, “Tell Me Who I Am” shot for eight months in more than 300 locations across Europe, employing more than 3,000 actors and extras and choreographing action scenes on a level rarely seen in Spanish TV, if ever. A benchmark series for the Telefonica pay TV’s international ambitions,...
Director Eduard Cortés will be joined on the red carpet by lead actors Irene Escolar and Oriel Pla, screenwriter and author of book on which the series is based Julia Navarro, producer José Luis Escolar, executive producer José Manuel Lorenzo and Movistar Plus head of original programming Domingo Corral.
Following its protagonist, a Spanish upper-class socialite turned reluctant spy after falling for a Russian agent, “Tell Me Who I Am” shot for eight months in more than 300 locations across Europe, employing more than 3,000 actors and extras and choreographing action scenes on a level rarely seen in Spanish TV, if ever. A benchmark series for the Telefonica pay TV’s international ambitions,...
- 9/21/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Seven drama series play at the 2020 San Sebastian Film Festival, a historic record. Three series, Movistar Plus’ “Riot Police” and HBO Europe’s “Patria” and “We Are Who We Are,” screen in their entirety in San Sebastián’s Official Selection, another first.
None of this seems a coincidence. Traditionally the highest-profile film event in the Spanish-speaking world, San Sebastian is fast becoming one of its most important drama series showcases as well.
This year the San Sebastián Film Festival’s TV cup runneth over. Why is another matter. Following, five suggestions:
San Sebastian Festival’s Backers
The Festival’s two major sponsors, Telefonica pay TV division Movistar Plus and public broadcaster Radio Televisión Española (Rtve), are TV companies. In Spain, local series have mesmerized local audiences for the last 25 years. Over 2011-16, only three U.S. shows – “The Pillars of the Earth,” “The Witch” and ABC’S “Resurrection” – made the...
None of this seems a coincidence. Traditionally the highest-profile film event in the Spanish-speaking world, San Sebastian is fast becoming one of its most important drama series showcases as well.
This year the San Sebastián Film Festival’s TV cup runneth over. Why is another matter. Following, five suggestions:
San Sebastian Festival’s Backers
The Festival’s two major sponsors, Telefonica pay TV division Movistar Plus and public broadcaster Radio Televisión Española (Rtve), are TV companies. In Spain, local series have mesmerized local audiences for the last 25 years. Over 2011-16, only three U.S. shows – “The Pillars of the Earth,” “The Witch” and ABC’S “Resurrection” – made the...
- 9/20/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In the run-up to the San Sebastián film festival, where Movistar Plus will world-premiere two of its most ambitious series to date — “Riot Police” and “Tell Me Who I Am” — president Sergio Oslé chatted with Variety about its new phase in production, working with AMC Studios, and the runaway success of a series about what makes people kill for their ideas.
Movistar Plus seems to be entering a different production phase….
It was very clear to me that we wouldn’t be able to sustain the production levels that we were achieving in the world that we are living these days with just a scale that we could sustain on our own. We needed to expand, enter a different phase of fiction production, start working with other people, such as AMC Studios, and also for other people, in the case of Buendía Studios.
What are now Movistar Plus’ production criteria?...
Movistar Plus seems to be entering a different production phase….
It was very clear to me that we wouldn’t be able to sustain the production levels that we were achieving in the world that we are living these days with just a scale that we could sustain on our own. We needed to expand, enter a different phase of fiction production, start working with other people, such as AMC Studios, and also for other people, in the case of Buendía Studios.
What are now Movistar Plus’ production criteria?...
- 9/18/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Braving Covid-19, Spain’s 68th San Sebastián Film Festival bowed on-site on Sept. 18, launching a somewhat slimmed edition that maintains, however, all its main sections. Following, seven more takes on the highest-profile film event in the Spanish-speaking world as it finally kicks off:
Depp, Dillon, Gershon Confirm Attendance
Stars are rallying round this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival. Viggo Mortensen is already confirmed as the recipient of a Donostia Award. On Thursday, the festival announced that Johnny Depp, who takes a producer credit on Julien Temple’s “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan,” will also be in town, as Matt Dillon, director of Cuban music doc “The Great Fellove,” and Gina Gershon, star of Woody Allen’s “Rifkin’s Festival.” “The Skin I Live In’s” Elena Anaya, Rifkin’s Festival’s” other female lead, also attends along with a strong Spanish star contingent attached to other titles.
Depp, Dillon, Gershon Confirm Attendance
Stars are rallying round this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival. Viggo Mortensen is already confirmed as the recipient of a Donostia Award. On Thursday, the festival announced that Johnny Depp, who takes a producer credit on Julien Temple’s “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan,” will also be in town, as Matt Dillon, director of Cuban music doc “The Great Fellove,” and Gina Gershon, star of Woody Allen’s “Rifkin’s Festival.” “The Skin I Live In’s” Elena Anaya, Rifkin’s Festival’s” other female lead, also attends along with a strong Spanish star contingent attached to other titles.
- 9/18/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Movistar Plus, the pay TV division of Telefonica, one of Europe’s biggest telecoms, is scaling up — in series’ ambition, distribution aggression and corporate magnitude — as it seeks preeminence as a producer not only in Spain but also in the world’s dramatically exploding Spanish-language content market.
That expansive drive has seen bullish moves in 2020, despite Covid-19. Movistar Plus has teamed with AMC Studios to produce what is most probably Spain’s biggest series ever, epic adventure thriller “La Fortuna,” showrun by “The Others’” Alejandro Amenábar. Produced by Movistar Plus and Mod Producciones, the series, which went into production in early August, marks the former’s first original with a star of Hollywood renown, Stanley Tucci.
Set in 1804 and the present day, spreading from Spain, across the Atlantic Ocean to Miami, “La Fortuna” shows Movistar Plus working on a larger canvas and upping the ante on banner series’ action. The...
That expansive drive has seen bullish moves in 2020, despite Covid-19. Movistar Plus has teamed with AMC Studios to produce what is most probably Spain’s biggest series ever, epic adventure thriller “La Fortuna,” showrun by “The Others’” Alejandro Amenábar. Produced by Movistar Plus and Mod Producciones, the series, which went into production in early August, marks the former’s first original with a star of Hollywood renown, Stanley Tucci.
Set in 1804 and the present day, spreading from Spain, across the Atlantic Ocean to Miami, “La Fortuna” shows Movistar Plus working on a larger canvas and upping the ante on banner series’ action. The...
- 9/14/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
No telecom in Europe has driven into original production with such energy as Spain’s Telefonica. Since its first series, “Velvet Collection,” bowed in Sept. 2017, its pay TV operator, Movistar Plus, has produced 21 original series, 13 returning seasons and one original film, Alejandro Amenábar’s “While At War.”
These titles include quite possibly the biggest scripted series ever made in Spain, “The Plague,” set in 1580s’ Seville, Canneseries winner “A Perfect Life,” Rose d’Or laureate “Arde Madrid” and a string of series, most recently “The Invisible Line,” about the buildup to Eta’s first assassination, that proved more popular on Movistar Plus than the Real Madrid-Barca F.C. soccer clásico.
Conecta Fiction caught Corral as Telefonica and Atresmedia, have just launched Buendía Estudios, a series/movies production joint venture. Corral, a lesson in humility, did use his Conecta Fiction keynote, however, to set the record right on a clutch of issues,...
These titles include quite possibly the biggest scripted series ever made in Spain, “The Plague,” set in 1580s’ Seville, Canneseries winner “A Perfect Life,” Rose d’Or laureate “Arde Madrid” and a string of series, most recently “The Invisible Line,” about the buildup to Eta’s first assassination, that proved more popular on Movistar Plus than the Real Madrid-Barca F.C. soccer clásico.
Conecta Fiction caught Corral as Telefonica and Atresmedia, have just launched Buendía Estudios, a series/movies production joint venture. Corral, a lesson in humility, did use his Conecta Fiction keynote, however, to set the record right on a clutch of issues,...
- 9/1/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
German sales and production outfit Beta Film has sold hit Canadian man and canine series “Hudson & Rex” to a slew of territories across Europe.
UKTV has picked up the show for the U.K. and Ireland, where it will air on the Alibi channel later this year. In addition, Beta has sold to Sweden’s TV4, Denmark’s TV2 and Spain’s Forta.
“Hudson & Rex,” produced by Shaftesbury and Pope Productions in association with Citytv and Beta Film, is the English-language adaptation of the successful European format, “Rex, A Cop’s Best Friend.” It revolves around the special partnership between detective Charlie Hudson and his gifted dog Rex (German shepherd Diesel vom Burgimwald), as they deal with kidnapping, homicide, hostage situations, fraud and corruption in high places.
The series airs in Canada on Citytv and has recently been picked up for a third season with 16 new one-hour episodes in production in St.
UKTV has picked up the show for the U.K. and Ireland, where it will air on the Alibi channel later this year. In addition, Beta has sold to Sweden’s TV4, Denmark’s TV2 and Spain’s Forta.
“Hudson & Rex,” produced by Shaftesbury and Pope Productions in association with Citytv and Beta Film, is the English-language adaptation of the successful European format, “Rex, A Cop’s Best Friend.” It revolves around the special partnership between detective Charlie Hudson and his gifted dog Rex (German shepherd Diesel vom Burgimwald), as they deal with kidnapping, homicide, hostage situations, fraud and corruption in high places.
The series airs in Canada on Citytv and has recently been picked up for a third season with 16 new one-hour episodes in production in St.
- 8/20/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Josh Braun, producer of some of the best documentaries in the world, joins Josh and Joe to discuss the movies that have influenced him throughout his life.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Man On Wire (2008)
The Cove (2009)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
Encounters At The End of the World (2007)
Winnebago Man (2009)
Spellbound (2002)
Supersize Me (2004)
Tell Me Who I Am (2019)
Apollo 11 (2019)
The Edge of Democracy (2019)
Finding Vivian Maier (2013)
Searching For Sugarman (2012)
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
A History Of Violence (2005)
Frat House (1998)
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘N’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)
The Exorcist (1973)
Go West (1940)
A Night In Casablanca (1946)
Hello Down There (1974)
What’s Up Doc? (1972)
El Topo (1970)
Pink Flamingos (1972)
Female Trouble (1974)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)
Gimme Shelter (1970)
Monterey Pop (1968)
Grey Gardens (1975)
Grey Gardens (2009)
Titicut Follies (1967)
To Have And Have Not (1944)
All About Eve...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Man On Wire (2008)
The Cove (2009)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
Encounters At The End of the World (2007)
Winnebago Man (2009)
Spellbound (2002)
Supersize Me (2004)
Tell Me Who I Am (2019)
Apollo 11 (2019)
The Edge of Democracy (2019)
Finding Vivian Maier (2013)
Searching For Sugarman (2012)
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
A History Of Violence (2005)
Frat House (1998)
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘N’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)
The Exorcist (1973)
Go West (1940)
A Night In Casablanca (1946)
Hello Down There (1974)
What’s Up Doc? (1972)
El Topo (1970)
Pink Flamingos (1972)
Female Trouble (1974)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)
Gimme Shelter (1970)
Monterey Pop (1968)
Grey Gardens (1975)
Grey Gardens (2009)
Titicut Follies (1967)
To Have And Have Not (1944)
All About Eve...
- 7/21/2020
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Standout Spanish cinema actors Irene Escolar and Bárbara Lennie have teamed on a new anthology series commissioned by HBO España and produced by Calle Cruzada.
Created and executive produced by the pair (pictured), who will also perform in the show, “Escenario 0” features six episodes from prominent writers and filmmakers. A unique project that will mix different disciplines to create an exceptional fusion between the performing and audiovisual arts.
“Escanario 0” is the latest example of HBO Europe looking to tap Spanish talent for its HBO Spain original programming. Previous series include Isabel Coixet’s “Foodie Love” and Álex de la Iglesia’s “30 Coins,” as well as the much-anticipated series adaptation of best-selling novel “Patria,” and recently announced comedy series “Por H o por B.”
Commission
Keshet has closed a deal for a Dutch remake of the popular musical quiz program “The Hit List,” commissioned by public broadcaster Npo to be produced locally by Vincent TV.
Created and executive produced by the pair (pictured), who will also perform in the show, “Escenario 0” features six episodes from prominent writers and filmmakers. A unique project that will mix different disciplines to create an exceptional fusion between the performing and audiovisual arts.
“Escanario 0” is the latest example of HBO Europe looking to tap Spanish talent for its HBO Spain original programming. Previous series include Isabel Coixet’s “Foodie Love” and Álex de la Iglesia’s “30 Coins,” as well as the much-anticipated series adaptation of best-selling novel “Patria,” and recently announced comedy series “Por H o por B.”
Commission
Keshet has closed a deal for a Dutch remake of the popular musical quiz program “The Hit List,” commissioned by public broadcaster Npo to be produced locally by Vincent TV.
- 7/8/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Movistar Plus’ first U.S. co-production, “Tell Me Who I Am,” produced with Telemundo, has been sold by Germany’s Beta Film to HBO Latin America, a deal announced today during the sales company’s pioneering live virtual pitching event – Beta Summer Insights.
In addition to the Latin American deal, Telemundo’s boarding production at last year’s Natpe ensured U.S. distribution for the series as well.
One of Movistar Plus’ biggest gambles since moving into original production, deals for U.S. and Latin American distribution look like promising early payback, and that payout is likely.
Based on the popular Spanish novel “Dime Quien Soy” from writer Julia Navarro, the series takes place across multiple decades of the 20th century, kicking off when 30-something internet journalist Javier is tasked by his aunt to investigate the life of his great-grandmother, Amelia Garayoa, who left her husband and son behind her...
In addition to the Latin American deal, Telemundo’s boarding production at last year’s Natpe ensured U.S. distribution for the series as well.
One of Movistar Plus’ biggest gambles since moving into original production, deals for U.S. and Latin American distribution look like promising early payback, and that payout is likely.
Based on the popular Spanish novel “Dime Quien Soy” from writer Julia Navarro, the series takes place across multiple decades of the 20th century, kicking off when 30-something internet journalist Javier is tasked by his aunt to investigate the life of his great-grandmother, Amelia Garayoa, who left her husband and son behind her...
- 6/18/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Munich-based TV sales company Beta Film is launching an extended virtual sales pitch, titled Beta Summer Insights, which will stream live on June 18 from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. (Cest).
Guests will be able to take a look inside Beta’s upcoming productions, which come from across Europe and cover a variety of genres, from period drama to young adult, and from crime procedural to comedy.
The event will include visits to the sets of productions during their shoots, live Q&As with creatives and producers, presentations of upcoming series, and, during the last hour, visitors will be able to enjoy a live screening of two of Beta’s new series.
The event is a next step in Beta’s online marketing strategy, providing a bridge between the international TV markets MipTV and Mipcom, and is given greater urgency given that sales agents are unable to visit their clients for their usual updates.
Guests will be able to take a look inside Beta’s upcoming productions, which come from across Europe and cover a variety of genres, from period drama to young adult, and from crime procedural to comedy.
The event will include visits to the sets of productions during their shoots, live Q&As with creatives and producers, presentations of upcoming series, and, during the last hour, visitors will be able to enjoy a live screening of two of Beta’s new series.
The event is a next step in Beta’s online marketing strategy, providing a bridge between the international TV markets MipTV and Mipcom, and is given greater urgency given that sales agents are unable to visit their clients for their usual updates.
- 6/15/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
In this week’s packed International TV Newswire, as newsflow quickens, Movistar Plus’ first U.S. co-production, with Telemundo, gets release details and a first teaser, Finnish drama “Shadow Lines” sells in the U.S., U.K. and other key territories, Fremantle announces its first steps into kids programming with partner 720 Creative, Red Arrow sells “Vienna Blood” in Europe and Asia, Moonbug brings cartoon “Mia’s Magic Playground” to the Sky in the U.K., and Blue Ant Media launches Smithsonian Channel in South Korea.
Movistar, Telemundo’s “Tell Me Who I Am” Gets First Trailer, Broadcast Details
Movistar Plus, the pay TV and production arm of Spanish telco giant Telefonica, has released the first trailer for its ambitious new series “Tell Me Who I Am,” the company’s first-ever U.S. co-production, following a strategic deal struck with Telemundo at last year’s Natpe, which also guaranteed U.S.
Movistar, Telemundo’s “Tell Me Who I Am” Gets First Trailer, Broadcast Details
Movistar Plus, the pay TV and production arm of Spanish telco giant Telefonica, has released the first trailer for its ambitious new series “Tell Me Who I Am,” the company’s first-ever U.S. co-production, following a strategic deal struck with Telemundo at last year’s Natpe, which also guaranteed U.S.
- 6/12/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
With the scope of possibility in visual effects and the boundlessness of imagination there are very few places we cannot explore in fiction nowadays… that is unless we explore stories that are stranger than fiction. There is a tangible thirst for the real; the overwhelming response to Netflix documentary Making a Murderer in the news and social media, as just one example, exposes the desire for and importance of representation of real events available to be streamed to a large audience. We love a case we can really sink our teeth into and, whether on screen or off, documentary even has the power to deliver justice.
Through documentary, we are offered a look into the actions, beliefs and injustices of others whose lives and experiences are vastly different to our own. We are introduced to events that we can become invested in and leave feeling as though we have a...
Through documentary, we are offered a look into the actions, beliefs and injustices of others whose lives and experiences are vastly different to our own. We are introduced to events that we can become invested in and leave feeling as though we have a...
- 3/19/2020
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
BBC Studios has raided rival ITV Studios for the executive producer of one of its tent-pole brands, Ant And Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Pete Ogden will join the BBC’s commercial production arm in early May as the creative director of entertainment North, having been at ITV Studios for the past eight years. He is overseeing the current season of Saturday Night Takeaway, while his other credits include I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! and before joining ITV Studios, he worked on shows including The X Factor. Ogden will report to Suzy Lamb, BBC Studios’ managing director of entertainment and music production.
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn’s production company Lightbox has hired Nicole Laufer, Lionsgate’s vice president of alternative programming, as its vice president of development. Laufer will report to development creative director Ben Samuel and be responsible for growing Lightbox’s U.S. slate,...
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn’s production company Lightbox has hired Nicole Laufer, Lionsgate’s vice president of alternative programming, as its vice president of development. Laufer will report to development creative director Ben Samuel and be responsible for growing Lightbox’s U.S. slate,...
- 2/25/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Madrid — Spain’s two most recognizable cinematic faces, Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz, will co-star in a new film from Madrid’s The Mediapro Studio, titled “Competencia Oficial” (Official Competition), directed by Argentine filmmakers Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat.
The pair recently both starred in Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory,” although they never appeared together on screen. Banderas went on to win best actor at the Cannes Festival, a Spanish Academy Goya Award, and is now nominated for best actor at the Oscars.
Although the two have seen plenty of each other over the past year, promoting “Pain and Glory,” the last time they shared a scene was in 2013’s “I’m So Excited.”
Cohn and Duprat have recruited one of their most popular Argentine mature leading men to join the endeavor as well in Oscar Martínez, a Venice best actor winner for his work in “The Distinguished Citizen...
The pair recently both starred in Pedro Almodóvar’s “Pain and Glory,” although they never appeared together on screen. Banderas went on to win best actor at the Cannes Festival, a Spanish Academy Goya Award, and is now nominated for best actor at the Oscars.
Although the two have seen plenty of each other over the past year, promoting “Pain and Glory,” the last time they shared a scene was in 2013’s “I’m So Excited.”
Cohn and Duprat have recruited one of their most popular Argentine mature leading men to join the endeavor as well in Oscar Martínez, a Venice best actor winner for his work in “The Distinguished Citizen...
- 1/30/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Movistar Plus’ upcoming original series “Tell Me Who I Am,” based on Julia Navarro’s popular Spanish novel “Dime Quien Soy,” has finished shooting and will head to post-production for delivery later this year.
Set across multiple decades of the 20th century, the story kicks off with 30-something internet journalist Javier, tasked by his aunt to investigate the life of his great-grandmother, Amelia Garayoa, who left her husband and son behind her as she fled Spain as a result of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Amelia becomes embroiled in some of the most important historical events of the century, from Franco’s ascent in Spain, the uprising and liberation of Berlin, the rise of Stalin’s communist U.S.S.R., the barbarity of Warsaw’s ghettos, Rome in the final years of Mussolini and the decline of Nazi Germany in occupied Athens. With a foot in both the past and future,...
Set across multiple decades of the 20th century, the story kicks off with 30-something internet journalist Javier, tasked by his aunt to investigate the life of his great-grandmother, Amelia Garayoa, who left her husband and son behind her as she fled Spain as a result of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Amelia becomes embroiled in some of the most important historical events of the century, from Franco’s ascent in Spain, the uprising and liberation of Berlin, the rise of Stalin’s communist U.S.S.R., the barbarity of Warsaw’s ghettos, Rome in the final years of Mussolini and the decline of Nazi Germany in occupied Athens. With a foot in both the past and future,...
- 1/22/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that 344 feature films are eligible for the 2019 Academy Awards.
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
- 12/18/2019
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
’The Personal History Of David Copperfield’ finished with five awards, the highest of the night, from 11 nominations.
For Sama and The Personal History Of David Copperfield were the big winners at the 2019 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs).
The ceremony was hosted by actress and comedian Aisling Bea and held at London’s Old Billingsgate tonight (Dec 1).
Syrian civil war documentary For Sama scooped the night’s top prize, best British independent film, as well as best director for Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, best documentary, and best editing at the previously announced craft awards last month.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield...
For Sama and The Personal History Of David Copperfield were the big winners at the 2019 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs).
The ceremony was hosted by actress and comedian Aisling Bea and held at London’s Old Billingsgate tonight (Dec 1).
Syrian civil war documentary For Sama scooped the night’s top prize, best British independent film, as well as best director for Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, best documentary, and best editing at the previously announced craft awards last month.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield...
- 12/1/2019
- by 1101184¦Orlando Parfitt¦38¦
- ScreenDaily
At the beginning of the Netflix documentary Tell Me Who I Am a British man takes a seat in front of the camera and calmly describes a mystery.
“I don’t know who I am,” he says evenly. “Not just the story of who I am, but really who I am. The real me.”
For Alex Lewis these words are not an exaggeration or metaphorical, but literal. At the age of 18—as we come to understand in the film directed by Ed Perkins—Lewis sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident. He emerged from a coma with no memory of his previous life.
“I didn’t even know my own name,” he shares. “Everything had gone.”
Everything but one important detail. He recognized the 18-year-old young man at his hospital bedside as his twin brother Marcus.
“Even though I wasn’t sure of what was going on around me,...
“I don’t know who I am,” he says evenly. “Not just the story of who I am, but really who I am. The real me.”
For Alex Lewis these words are not an exaggeration or metaphorical, but literal. At the age of 18—as we come to understand in the film directed by Ed Perkins—Lewis sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident. He emerged from a coma with no memory of his previous life.
“I didn’t even know my own name,” he shares. “Everything had gone.”
Everything but one important detail. He recognized the 18-year-old young man at his hospital bedside as his twin brother Marcus.
“Even though I wasn’t sure of what was going on around me,...
- 11/11/2019
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Like all great documentaries, Netflix’s “Tell Me Who I Am” focuses on a unique situation but makes it universal. The Oscar-potential film centers on twins Alex and Marcus Lewis. The 18-year-old Alex went into a six-week coma after an accident. When he awoke, he didn’t remember anything about his life, and didn’t recognize anyone — except his brother. So Marcus began filling him in, painting an upbeat picture of their youth.
The doc, from director Ed Perkins and producer Simon Chinn, challenged that picture. An outgrowth of the twins’ 2013 book of the same name, it taps into primal issues of trust, memory, family, cruelty, kindness and healing, and the secrets we hold, even from those to whom we are closest.
Marcus had filled in a few facts about their childhood with the book. But even when he started the film, he wasn’t ready to be completely open.
The doc, from director Ed Perkins and producer Simon Chinn, challenged that picture. An outgrowth of the twins’ 2013 book of the same name, it taps into primal issues of trust, memory, family, cruelty, kindness and healing, and the secrets we hold, even from those to whom we are closest.
Marcus had filled in a few facts about their childhood with the book. But even when he started the film, he wasn’t ready to be completely open.
- 11/8/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
In 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences expanded Oscar’s best pic contenders from five to 10. Then-president Sid Ganis hoped this would open the category to animation, foreign-language films and documentaries.
Animation and international have scored a few best-picture noms, but docus remain the final frontier. Maybe 2019 is the year when they make it. There are certainly films this year worth consideration. Exhibit A: “Tell Me Who I Am,” directed by Ed Perkins and produced by Simon Chinn.
The story centers on identical twins, Alex and Marcus Lewis. After an accident, 18-year-old Alex went into a coma. When he awoke, he had no memory and recognized no one, except his brother. So Marcus began filling him in, in essence creating a lifetime of memories. It’s a gripping, emotional story, enhanced by expert filmmaking and its virtues stand as a good example of the unique beauty of documentaries.
Back on Feb.
Animation and international have scored a few best-picture noms, but docus remain the final frontier. Maybe 2019 is the year when they make it. There are certainly films this year worth consideration. Exhibit A: “Tell Me Who I Am,” directed by Ed Perkins and produced by Simon Chinn.
The story centers on identical twins, Alex and Marcus Lewis. After an accident, 18-year-old Alex went into a coma. When he awoke, he had no memory and recognized no one, except his brother. So Marcus began filling him in, in essence creating a lifetime of memories. It’s a gripping, emotional story, enhanced by expert filmmaking and its virtues stand as a good example of the unique beauty of documentaries.
Back on Feb.
- 11/8/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
It’s no accident that when the twin subjects of Ed Perkins‘ documentary, “Tell Me Who I Am,” have their most honest conversation in a setting that looks very bare. “There’s a reason why they’ve never been able to have this conversation in this way in the real world,” Perkins explains in our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video above). “We’re going to build a sterile space that is very unnatural and ask them if they want to come to this space that we created for this purpose and allow a conversation to happen there,” he adds.
SEENetflix schedule: Here’s what is coming and leaving in November 2019
“Tell Me Who I Am,” which recently premiered on Netflix, chronicles identical twins Alex Lewis and Marcus Lewis. At age 18, Alex woke up in a hospital after a motorcycle accident with near-total amnesia. The only thing he recognized was his twin brother.
SEENetflix schedule: Here’s what is coming and leaving in November 2019
“Tell Me Who I Am,” which recently premiered on Netflix, chronicles identical twins Alex Lewis and Marcus Lewis. At age 18, Alex woke up in a hospital after a motorcycle accident with near-total amnesia. The only thing he recognized was his twin brother.
- 11/6/2019
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
It’s been said that the golden age of nonfiction filmmaking is upon us. From “The Jinx” to “CitizenFour” to “Free Solo,” the documentary sector has exploded creatively and commercially in the past few years. Key to the docu spike has been Netflix’s decision to enter the arena in a big way — and with a fat checkbook. When Amazon and Hulu followed, they helped raise the market value of documentary films to a new high.
Now streaming services from Apple, Disney and WarnerMedia are coming to town. While no one knows what effect they will have on the nonfiction space, if the past years are any indication, the field will become even more saturated, mainstream and perhaps less theatrical than ever before.
Last year was a banner year for documentaries at the box office. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Academy Award-winning “Free Solo” took in $29 million; Morgan Neville...
Now streaming services from Apple, Disney and WarnerMedia are coming to town. While no one knows what effect they will have on the nonfiction space, if the past years are any indication, the field will become even more saturated, mainstream and perhaps less theatrical than ever before.
Last year was a banner year for documentaries at the box office. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Academy Award-winning “Free Solo” took in $29 million; Morgan Neville...
- 11/5/2019
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Wme has signed Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Ed Perkins, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The director's latest feature, Tell Me Who I Am, follows a pair of British twin brothers, one of whom suffered near-total amnesia in a motorcycle accident in 1982, leaving the other with the task of helping to reconstruct his memories.
The Lightbox-produced doc, which is 95 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, premiered at Telluride in August and is now on Netflix.
Perkins started the year with his first Academy Award nomination, for the documentary short Black Sheep. His previous films, which he directed and lensed, include 2014's Garnet'...
The director's latest feature, Tell Me Who I Am, follows a pair of British twin brothers, one of whom suffered near-total amnesia in a motorcycle accident in 1982, leaving the other with the task of helping to reconstruct his memories.
The Lightbox-produced doc, which is 95 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, premiered at Telluride in August and is now on Netflix.
Perkins started the year with his first Academy Award nomination, for the documentary short Black Sheep. His previous films, which he directed and lensed, include 2014's Garnet'...
- 10/31/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Wme has signed Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Ed Perkins, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The director's latest feature, Tell Me Who I Am, follows a pair of British twin brothers, one of whom suffered near-total amnesia in a motorcycle accident in 1982, leaving the other with the task of helping to reconstruct his memories.
The Lightbox-produced doc, which is 95 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, premiered at Telluride in August and is now on Netflix.
Perkins started the year with his first Academy Award nomination, for the documentary short Black Sheep. His previous films, which he directed and lensed, include 2014's Garnet'...
The director's latest feature, Tell Me Who I Am, follows a pair of British twin brothers, one of whom suffered near-total amnesia in a motorcycle accident in 1982, leaving the other with the task of helping to reconstruct his memories.
The Lightbox-produced doc, which is 95 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, premiered at Telluride in August and is now on Netflix.
Perkins started the year with his first Academy Award nomination, for the documentary short Black Sheep. His previous films, which he directed and lensed, include 2014's Garnet'...
- 10/31/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The nominations for the 2019 British Independent Film Awards have been revealed, and it was a huge morning for Armando Iannucci’s Charles Dickens adaptation “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and Tom Harper’s musical drama “Wild Rose.” “Copperfield” led all movies with 11 nominations, including Best British Indie Film, Best Actor for Dev Patel, and Best Screenplay for Iannucci and co-writer Simon Blackwell. Fox Searchlight has U.S. distribution rights to the movie and has announced a 2020 theatrical release.
“Wild Rose,” which earned a second-best 10 nominations, will also compete for Best British Indie Film against “Bait,” “For Sama,” and “The Souvenir.” “Wild Rose” breakout Jessie Buckley landed a Best Actress nomination opposite Renee Zellweger for “Judy,” which Buckley just so happens to have a supporting role in.
While Zellweger landed in the Best Actress field (which she is widely expected to do all awards season thanks to her acclaimed leading...
“Wild Rose,” which earned a second-best 10 nominations, will also compete for Best British Indie Film against “Bait,” “For Sama,” and “The Souvenir.” “Wild Rose” breakout Jessie Buckley landed a Best Actress nomination opposite Renee Zellweger for “Judy,” which Buckley just so happens to have a supporting role in.
While Zellweger landed in the Best Actress field (which she is widely expected to do all awards season thanks to her acclaimed leading...
- 10/30/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
For twelve years now, the Cinema Eye Honors selection committees, comprised of filmmakers from the documentary community, help to whittle down a curated list of must-see non-fiction film and television. At the annual Cinema Eye brunch, Cinema Eye Honors founding director A.J. Schnack and his team unveiled the first in a series of awards announcements, including nominees for two new awards: Outstanding Achievement for a Broadcast Film or Series in Editing and Cinematography.
Netflix, 30 for 30, Hulu and Showtime Documentary Films hosted the lunch at Tartine Bianco in Los Angeles, attended by many filmmakers, including many of this year’s non-fiction contenders: Nanfu Wang + Jialing Zhang, Todd Douglas Miller, Petra Costa, Steven Bognar + Julia Reichert, Lauren Greenfield, and Feras Fayyad.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Homecoming” (Netflix) led the Broadcast honorees with three nominations: Broadcast Film, Broadcast Editing and Broadcast Cinematography. Other multiple nominees included National Geographic’s “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,...
Netflix, 30 for 30, Hulu and Showtime Documentary Films hosted the lunch at Tartine Bianco in Los Angeles, attended by many filmmakers, including many of this year’s non-fiction contenders: Nanfu Wang + Jialing Zhang, Todd Douglas Miller, Petra Costa, Steven Bognar + Julia Reichert, Lauren Greenfield, and Feras Fayyad.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Homecoming” (Netflix) led the Broadcast honorees with three nominations: Broadcast Film, Broadcast Editing and Broadcast Cinematography. Other multiple nominees included National Geographic’s “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
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