Exclusive: Shortly after news broke Thursday morning that journalist Evan Gershkovich has been freed in a 24-person swap across multiple countries, Gershkovich’s employer, Wall Street Journal, published a detailed account of the complex and difficult behind-the-scenes efforts that led to the diplomatic breakthrough.
The story, Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich by Joe Parkinson, Drew Hinshaw, Bojan Pancevski and Aruna Viswanatha, reads like a spy thriller and sparked immediate interest from top Hollywood players. CAA, which signed the WSJ earlier this year and is representing the paper’s reporting on the story for development, has been fielding calls over the past 24 hours in what is shaping up to be a bidding war for a screen adaptation of the investigative piece as a movie or a limited series.
Gershkovich was arrested in April 2023 and later sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The WSJ feature involves a number of political figures,...
The story, Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich by Joe Parkinson, Drew Hinshaw, Bojan Pancevski and Aruna Viswanatha, reads like a spy thriller and sparked immediate interest from top Hollywood players. CAA, which signed the WSJ earlier this year and is representing the paper’s reporting on the story for development, has been fielding calls over the past 24 hours in what is shaping up to be a bidding war for a screen adaptation of the investigative piece as a movie or a limited series.
Gershkovich was arrested in April 2023 and later sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The WSJ feature involves a number of political figures,...
- 8/2/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Rupert Murdoch has gotten married for the fifth time. The 93-year-old media mogul wed 67-year-old retired molecular biologist Elena Zhukova on Saturday, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The ceremony took place at Murdoch’s California vineyard, reportedly the Moraga estate in Bel Air.
The couple announced their engagement in early March.
Murdoch’s marital history includes four previous marriages. His first marriage was to Patricia Booker in 1956, which ended in divorce in 1967. That same year, he married Scottish journalist and novelist Anna Torv. They had three children together but ultimately parted ways in 1999.
Shortly after divorcing Torv, Murdoch married Wendi Deng, then vice president of Star TV, a company acquired by News Corp in 1993. They had two daughters before divorcing in 2013. Three years later, Murdoch married Jerry Hall; their marriage was short-lived, as Hall filed for divorce in July 2022. A month after their divorce, the business magnate moved on with Ann Lesley Smith.
The couple announced their engagement in early March.
Murdoch’s marital history includes four previous marriages. His first marriage was to Patricia Booker in 1956, which ended in divorce in 1967. That same year, he married Scottish journalist and novelist Anna Torv. They had three children together but ultimately parted ways in 1999.
Shortly after divorcing Torv, Murdoch married Wendi Deng, then vice president of Star TV, a company acquired by News Corp in 1993. They had two daughters before divorcing in 2013. Three years later, Murdoch married Jerry Hall; their marriage was short-lived, as Hall filed for divorce in July 2022. A month after their divorce, the business magnate moved on with Ann Lesley Smith.
- 6/3/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Peter Morgan’s new play Patriots, now on Broadway, opens with an awareness of its audience. “In the West you have no idea,” Boris Berezovksy (an excellent Michael Stuhlbarg) says through a voiceover. “You think of Russia as a cold, bleak place, full of hardship and cruelty.” The stage is bare, and the oligarch, who played an instrumental role in Vladimir Putin’s rise to power, speaks to us from a liminal space. He goes on to describe the beauty of his country, Russian music, the sounds of children laughing in the streets and the taste of ice cream on a cold day.
When the stage comes into view (set design by Miriam Buether, lighting design by Jack Knowles), it’s 1955. Berezovsky is a schoolboy gifted in mathematics. A teacher urges his parents — congenial and full of quips — to push their son. “Anyone can be a doctor, Mrs. Berezovsky,” says...
When the stage comes into view (set design by Miriam Buether, lighting design by Jack Knowles), it’s 1955. Berezovsky is a schoolboy gifted in mathematics. A teacher urges his parents — congenial and full of quips — to push their son. “Anyone can be a doctor, Mrs. Berezovsky,” says...
- 4/23/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Thursday, Rupert Murdoch‘s office announced the 92-year-old media tycoon’s plans to marry his girlfriend, Elena Zhukova, 67, a retired molecular biologist whom he began dating last summer.
Murdoch was first married to Patricia Booker from 1956 to 1967. He divorced his second wife Anna Torv after 32 years of marriage in 1992. He then married Wendi Deng from 1999 to 2014.
Following his divorce from Deng, Murdoch married Jerry Hall, with whom he was married for six years.
Murdoch and Hall split in the summer of 2022, he reportedly broke up with her over email.
Murdoch got engaged to Ann Lesley Smith, a retired dental hygienist, in the spring of 2023. However, he abruptly called off the engagement after just two weeks.
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Murdoch met Zhukova through Deng.
Zhukova has an impressive background as a molecular biologist and specializes in the study of diabetes, including her work at the University of California,...
Murdoch was first married to Patricia Booker from 1956 to 1967. He divorced his second wife Anna Torv after 32 years of marriage in 1992. He then married Wendi Deng from 1999 to 2014.
Following his divorce from Deng, Murdoch married Jerry Hall, with whom he was married for six years.
Murdoch and Hall split in the summer of 2022, he reportedly broke up with her over email.
Murdoch got engaged to Ann Lesley Smith, a retired dental hygienist, in the spring of 2023. However, he abruptly called off the engagement after just two weeks.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Murdoch met Zhukova through Deng.
Zhukova has an impressive background as a molecular biologist and specializes in the study of diabetes, including her work at the University of California,...
- 3/8/2024
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Netflix is about to make its Broadway producing debut, joining the team of Peter Morgan’s upcoming play Patriots.
The play from the creator of the Netflix signature series The Crown arrives on Broadway April 1 for a 12-week engagement following a record-breaking run at London’s Almeida Theatre and a sold-out 12-week West End transfer at the Noël Coward Theatre. Opening night at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre is April 22.
The play is set in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union and chronicles the rise of oligarchs like billionaire Boris Berezovsky (Michael Stuhlbarg) and a little-known deputy mayor of St. Petersburg named Vladimir Putin (Will Keen). When an eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin is needed, Berezovsky turns to Putin, whose ruthless rise threatens Berezovsky’s reign and sets off a confrontation between the two powerful, fatally flawed men.
Netflix’s participation was announced in a press release today...
The play from the creator of the Netflix signature series The Crown arrives on Broadway April 1 for a 12-week engagement following a record-breaking run at London’s Almeida Theatre and a sold-out 12-week West End transfer at the Noël Coward Theatre. Opening night at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre is April 22.
The play is set in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union and chronicles the rise of oligarchs like billionaire Boris Berezovsky (Michael Stuhlbarg) and a little-known deputy mayor of St. Petersburg named Vladimir Putin (Will Keen). When an eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin is needed, Berezovsky turns to Putin, whose ruthless rise threatens Berezovsky’s reign and sets off a confrontation between the two powerful, fatally flawed men.
Netflix’s participation was announced in a press release today...
- 2/27/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has joined as a producer of the stage play Patriots, marking the media giant’s first Broadway producing credit.
The play, which is written by Peter Morgan, creator of the Netflix series, The Crown, is set in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, and follows a Russian billionaire, Boris Berezovsky, trying to recruit a then-unknown Vladimir Putin to run for president. But Putin’s rise to power soon threatens Berezovsky’s own interests, putting the two at odds.
A spokesperson for Netflix confirmed that the company is developing a screen adaptation of the play, as had been reported in the New York Times.
While this is Netflix’s first Broadway credit, the streamer is also a producer on the currently running London production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is a prequel to the Netflix series.
Patriots is directed by three-time Olivier Award winner and Artistic Director...
The play, which is written by Peter Morgan, creator of the Netflix series, The Crown, is set in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, and follows a Russian billionaire, Boris Berezovsky, trying to recruit a then-unknown Vladimir Putin to run for president. But Putin’s rise to power soon threatens Berezovsky’s own interests, putting the two at odds.
A spokesperson for Netflix confirmed that the company is developing a screen adaptation of the play, as had been reported in the New York Times.
While this is Netflix’s first Broadway credit, the streamer is also a producer on the currently running London production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is a prequel to the Netflix series.
Patriots is directed by three-time Olivier Award winner and Artistic Director...
- 2/27/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A transformative approach to football podcasting arrives with Financial Times columnist and football writer, Simon Kuper, and Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor at The Times of London. The duo's new podcast, Heroes & Humans, brought to life by the newly created media venture studio Immaterial, will provide in-depth audio-biographies of football's most notable figures. The show is produced by OneFinePlay. It will be released across platforms on March 21, empowered by a launch campaign in partnership with 433, the world’s largest social community for football.
Among the individuals to be portrayed in Heroes & Humans during the spring season are Kylian Mbappé, Mo Salah, Roman Abramovich, Megan Rapinoe, Hakan Şükür and Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I’ve spent 30 years interviewing and trying to understand these people. When podcasts came along, I thought: this is the perfect venue to present it all. And Mehreen is obviously the perfect co-host. The aim is to do a football podcast like no other,...
Among the individuals to be portrayed in Heroes & Humans during the spring season are Kylian Mbappé, Mo Salah, Roman Abramovich, Megan Rapinoe, Hakan Şükür and Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I’ve spent 30 years interviewing and trying to understand these people. When podcasts came along, I thought: this is the perfect venue to present it all. And Mehreen is obviously the perfect co-host. The aim is to do a football podcast like no other,...
- 2/22/2024
- Podnews.net
Financial Times columnist and football writer, Financial Times columnist and football writer, Simon Kuper, and Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor at The Times of London are to host a new football podcast. Heroes & Humans, brought to life by the newly created media venture studio Immaterial, will provide in-depth audio-biographies from the world of football including Kylian Mbappé, Mo Salah, Roman Abramovich, Megan Rapinoe, Hakan Şükür and Sir Alex Ferguson., Economics Editor at The Times of London are to host a new football podcast. Heroes & Humans, brought to life by the newly created media venture studio Immaterial, will provide in-depth audio-biographies from the world of football including Kylian Mbappé, Mo Salah, Roman Abramovich, Megan Rapinoe, Hakan Şükür and Sir Alex Ferguson.
- 2/21/2024
- by PodcastingToday
- Podcastingtoday
Peter Morgan’s play Patriots, the drama about the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s fall, will transfer from a celebrated London run to Broadway this spring, with previews beginning April 1 at the Barrymore Theatre ahead of a reported April 22 opening.
The limited engagement will run through June 23.
The play, produced by Sonia Friedman with Rupert Goold directing, will star Will Keen, reprising his Olivier-winning performance as Vladimir Putin, with Luke Thallon, also a West End cast member, playing Roman Abramovich. Michael Stuhlbarg will portray Boris Berezovsky, with additional casting to be announced.
Official synopsis: In 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the new Russia belongs to its oligarchs – and no one is more powerful than billionaire Boris Berezovsky. When an eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin is needed, Berezovsky turns to the little-known deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin. But soon Putin’s ruthless rise threatens Berezovsky’s reign,...
The limited engagement will run through June 23.
The play, produced by Sonia Friedman with Rupert Goold directing, will star Will Keen, reprising his Olivier-winning performance as Vladimir Putin, with Luke Thallon, also a West End cast member, playing Roman Abramovich. Michael Stuhlbarg will portray Boris Berezovsky, with additional casting to be announced.
Official synopsis: In 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the new Russia belongs to its oligarchs – and no one is more powerful than billionaire Boris Berezovsky. When an eventual successor to President Boris Yeltsin is needed, Berezovsky turns to the little-known deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin. But soon Putin’s ruthless rise threatens Berezovsky’s reign,...
- 1/22/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
San Francisco, Aug 16 (Ians) At 92, Australia-born American media mogul Rupert Murdoch is reportedly dating Elena Zhukova, a 66-year-old retired scientist, the media reported,
According to Daily Mail, citing sources, Murdoch started dating Zhukova after meeting her through his third wife Wendi Deng.
The billionaire was spotted with Zhukova boarding a rented superyacht named ‘Christina O’ in the Mediterranean last weekend. The luxury yacht is said to have been spotted off the coast of Corfu, Greece.
Murdoch’s third wife is friends with Zhukova’s daughter Dasha Zhukova, who was married to Russian oligarch and former owner of Chelsea Fc, Roman Abramovich.
According to the report, Zhukova is a molecular biologist and specialist in diabetes. She was divorced twice and has lived in the US for over three decades after leaving Russia in 1991 with her daughter.
Before retiring, she worked at the medical research unit in the University of California, Los...
According to Daily Mail, citing sources, Murdoch started dating Zhukova after meeting her through his third wife Wendi Deng.
The billionaire was spotted with Zhukova boarding a rented superyacht named ‘Christina O’ in the Mediterranean last weekend. The luxury yacht is said to have been spotted off the coast of Corfu, Greece.
Murdoch’s third wife is friends with Zhukova’s daughter Dasha Zhukova, who was married to Russian oligarch and former owner of Chelsea Fc, Roman Abramovich.
According to the report, Zhukova is a molecular biologist and specialist in diabetes. She was divorced twice and has lived in the US for over three decades after leaving Russia in 1991 with her daughter.
Before retiring, she worked at the medical research unit in the University of California, Los...
- 8/16/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Just months ago, Todd Boehly was basking in the glory of clinching two massive vanity acquisitions in a row: First he pulled off a 5.4 billion takeover of England’s Chelsea Football Club and then snapped up Hollywood’s Golden Globe Awards for no money at all.
Both seemed a surefire bet for the billionaire financier to gain international recognition, holding court in the owner’s box at London’s legendary Stamford Bridge stadium and taking his place as a Tinseltown kingmaker. These weren’t passive investments. Boehly took on a very public profile — unlike his other holdings in media, technology, real estate and insurance.
The 49-year-old fund management owner has made no secret of his ambition to use the Golden Globes and Chelsea Fc as vehicles to spawn even more deals on both sides of the pond. The trouble is he might not have been prepared for the spotlight that comes with such high-profile properties.
Both seemed a surefire bet for the billionaire financier to gain international recognition, holding court in the owner’s box at London’s legendary Stamford Bridge stadium and taking his place as a Tinseltown kingmaker. These weren’t passive investments. Boehly took on a very public profile — unlike his other holdings in media, technology, real estate and insurance.
The 49-year-old fund management owner has made no secret of his ambition to use the Golden Globes and Chelsea Fc as vehicles to spawn even more deals on both sides of the pond. The trouble is he might not have been prepared for the spotlight that comes with such high-profile properties.
- 10/24/2022
- by Joe Bel Bruno
- The Wrap
Russia’s relationship with the world began to deteriorate after it invaded Ukraine in February — and the film industry was no exception.
This week, the country announced that it wouldn’t submit a film to the Best International Feature category for the 95th Oscars ceremony. Russia’s own Oscar committee said the decision was a surprise and resigned, but the decision didn’t come out of nowhere. For months, Russia’s presence at major film events has been a contentious subject.
In early March, festivals ranging from Cannes to Venice banned Russian delegations from their gatherings; on the 94th Oscars broadcast later that month, the Academy brought out Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis to condemn the war. The country wasn’t exactly welcome in Hollywood, at least not on its own terms.
Within its borders, Russia sows confusion more than solidarity and the latest announcement falls in line with that. Pavel Chukhray,...
This week, the country announced that it wouldn’t submit a film to the Best International Feature category for the 95th Oscars ceremony. Russia’s own Oscar committee said the decision was a surprise and resigned, but the decision didn’t come out of nowhere. For months, Russia’s presence at major film events has been a contentious subject.
In early March, festivals ranging from Cannes to Venice banned Russian delegations from their gatherings; on the 94th Oscars broadcast later that month, the Academy brought out Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis to condemn the war. The country wasn’t exactly welcome in Hollywood, at least not on its own terms.
Within its borders, Russia sows confusion more than solidarity and the latest announcement falls in line with that. Pavel Chukhray,...
- 9/27/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
London, Sep 7 (Ians) In an unprecedented move, Chelsea have announced to sack their head coach Thomas Tuchel just hours after losing their Champions League debut 1-0 away to Dinamo Zagreb.
Tuesday’s defeat follows a disappointing start to the season, which had also seen the club lose to Leeds and Southampton in the Premier League. Furthermore, Tuchel was also involved in an ugly touchline incident with Tottenham coach Antonio Conte after their sides drew 1-1 earlier in the season.
The former Paris Saint Germain coach had only been at the club since January 2021 when he replaced Frank Lampard.
Last season, Tuchel took Chelsea to the Champions League semifinal, before losing to eventual winners, Real Madrid, and the third place in the Premier League. Chelsea also reached the Fa Cup and Carabeo Cup finals, both of which they lost to Liverpool on penalties.
The then Chelsea’s Russian owner, Roman Abramovich...
Tuesday’s defeat follows a disappointing start to the season, which had also seen the club lose to Leeds and Southampton in the Premier League. Furthermore, Tuchel was also involved in an ugly touchline incident with Tottenham coach Antonio Conte after their sides drew 1-1 earlier in the season.
The former Paris Saint Germain coach had only been at the club since January 2021 when he replaced Frank Lampard.
Last season, Tuchel took Chelsea to the Champions League semifinal, before losing to eventual winners, Real Madrid, and the third place in the Premier League. Chelsea also reached the Fa Cup and Carabeo Cup finals, both of which they lost to Liverpool on penalties.
The then Chelsea’s Russian owner, Roman Abramovich...
- 9/7/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
London, Aug 18 (Ians) British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe would be interested in buying Manchester United if the Premier League club was for sale.
Ratcliffe, who owns the chemical conglomerate Ineos and is a United fan, was unsuccessful in his bid to buy Chelsea in May and has now turned his attention to the Red Devils, the Pa news agency understands.
The news comes after a report in Bloomberg said the Glazer family, who have owned the club since 2005, are contemplating selling a minority stake in the club.
Radcliffe recently tried to buy Chelsea, with his late offer being rejected as Todd Boehly was successful in taking over from Roman Abramovich, reports Dpa.
A spokesperson for Ineos said the company would be interested in purchasing a smaller stake with a view to eventually buying the club.
“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership,...
Ratcliffe, who owns the chemical conglomerate Ineos and is a United fan, was unsuccessful in his bid to buy Chelsea in May and has now turned his attention to the Red Devils, the Pa news agency understands.
The news comes after a report in Bloomberg said the Glazer family, who have owned the club since 2005, are contemplating selling a minority stake in the club.
Radcliffe recently tried to buy Chelsea, with his late offer being rejected as Todd Boehly was successful in taking over from Roman Abramovich, reports Dpa.
A spokesperson for Ineos said the company would be interested in purchasing a smaller stake with a view to eventually buying the club.
“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership,...
- 8/18/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Exclusive: The Ukrainian Institute has lambasted the organizers of a prestigious German filmmaker residency program for inviting Russians and Belarusians to take part as well as Ukrainians, slamming the emergency program for the “perpetuation of both an outdated Soviet perspective and Russia’s colonial logic.”
In a letter sent by Ukrainian Institute Director General Volodymyr Sheiko in July, Sheiko urged Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Mbb), the organizer of the emergency program for “refugee and endangered filmmakers,” to “frame the residency program in a different way and instead recognize that Ukrainians feel much more affinity with their neighbours across Eastern and Central Europe.”
The letter was sent twice to Mbb but Mbb didn’t respond to the Ukrainian Institute, Deadline understands.
Several Ukrainian filmmakers subsequently refused to apply to the program in protest, according to a spokesman for the Institute, who said it was “not the only initiative which was framed in this way,...
In a letter sent by Ukrainian Institute Director General Volodymyr Sheiko in July, Sheiko urged Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (Mbb), the organizer of the emergency program for “refugee and endangered filmmakers,” to “frame the residency program in a different way and instead recognize that Ukrainians feel much more affinity with their neighbours across Eastern and Central Europe.”
The letter was sent twice to Mbb but Mbb didn’t respond to the Ukrainian Institute, Deadline understands.
Several Ukrainian filmmakers subsequently refused to apply to the program in protest, according to a spokesman for the Institute, who said it was “not the only initiative which was framed in this way,...
- 8/15/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
London, May 7 (Ians) A consortium led by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly on Saturday signed an agreement to purchase Chelsea from departing owner Roman Abramovich. The group headed by the LA Dodgers which have backing from Clearlake Capital, a US investment firm, beat off late competition from 4.25 billion pound bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe […]...
- 6/27/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
’The Execution’ from Russian filmmaker Lado Kvataniya has been selected for Transilvania’s main competition.
Organisers of this week’s Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) have defended the programming of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s The Execution in the main competition following criticism from Ukrainian directors Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk and Oleg Sentsov.
“Our common mission is to make sure the Ukrainian spirit is present and powerful in our festival,” they said in a statement. “At the same time, as already stated by the international filmmaking community, it is important to not direct hate towards individuals based on their nationality.”
In an...
Organisers of this week’s Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) have defended the programming of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s The Execution in the main competition following criticism from Ukrainian directors Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk and Oleg Sentsov.
“Our common mission is to make sure the Ukrainian spirit is present and powerful in our festival,” they said in a statement. “At the same time, as already stated by the international filmmaking community, it is important to not direct hate towards individuals based on their nationality.”
In an...
- 6/22/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
’The Execution’ from Russian filmmaker Lado Kvataniya has been selected for Transilvania’s main competition.
Organisers of this week’s Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) have defended the programming of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s The Execution in the main competition following criticism from Ukrainian directors Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk and Oleg Sentsov.
“Our common mission is to make sure the Ukrainian spirit is present and powerful in our festival,” they said in a statement. “At the same time, as already stated by the international filmmaking community, it is important to not direct hate towards individuals based on their nationality.”
In an...
Organisers of this week’s Transilvania International Film Festival (TIFF) have defended the programming of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s The Execution in the main competition following criticism from Ukrainian directors Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk and Oleg Sentsov.
“Our common mission is to make sure the Ukrainian spirit is present and powerful in our festival,” they said in a statement. “At the same time, as already stated by the international filmmaking community, it is important to not direct hate towards individuals based on their nationality.”
In an...
- 6/22/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk, whose feature debut “Pamfir” premiered in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight section, and director and former political prisoner Oleh Sentsov (“Rhino”) are among the Ukrainian filmmakers who say they’re “distraught” by the inclusion of a Russian film in the main competition at the Transilvania Film Festival.
In a statement posted on Monday to the Facebook page for “Pamfir,” the filmmakers spoke out against the selection of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s “The Execution” as one of 12 features competing for the Transilvania Trophy, criticizing the “illusion of cultural reconciliation” created by the festival’s decision and insisting that “art does not exist outside of politics.”
The filmmakers noted that Kvataniya’s psychological thriller was produced with the support of the state-backed Russian Film Fund as well as Kinoprime, the 100 million film fund bankrolled by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the U.K. and Europe.
“This film...
In a statement posted on Monday to the Facebook page for “Pamfir,” the filmmakers spoke out against the selection of Russian director Lado Kvataniya’s “The Execution” as one of 12 features competing for the Transilvania Trophy, criticizing the “illusion of cultural reconciliation” created by the festival’s decision and insisting that “art does not exist outside of politics.”
The filmmakers noted that Kvataniya’s psychological thriller was produced with the support of the state-backed Russian Film Fund as well as Kinoprime, the 100 million film fund bankrolled by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the U.K. and Europe.
“This film...
- 6/21/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
David Beckham’s Studio 99 is producing a series on the rise of football’s Premier League billionaires for Paramount+ as the streamer unveils a five-strong UK factual slate that includes shows on luxury yachts, the Loch Ness monster, Simple Minds and strippers in Vegas.
The Premiership: Rise of the Billionaires (working title) is being co-produced by All3Media-backed The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe producer Story Films and will tell the coming-of-age story of one of the world’s most expensive and lucrative sporting leagues, placing its stars center stage. The four-parter will focus on the 2000-2010 era, when the likes of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who was recently forced to sell Chelsea, took the league by storm, transforming its wealth.
Beckham’s Studio 99 is also making Disney+ docuseries Save Our Squad with Twenty Twenty.
The show features on a five-strong Paramount+ UK factual slate the morning after...
The Premiership: Rise of the Billionaires (working title) is being co-produced by All3Media-backed The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe producer Story Films and will tell the coming-of-age story of one of the world’s most expensive and lucrative sporting leagues, placing its stars center stage. The four-parter will focus on the 2000-2010 era, when the likes of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who was recently forced to sell Chelsea, took the league by storm, transforming its wealth.
Beckham’s Studio 99 is also making Disney+ docuseries Save Our Squad with Twenty Twenty.
The show features on a five-strong Paramount+ UK factual slate the morning after...
- 6/21/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
A U.S. judge has approved the seizure of two wildly expensive private planes which are owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, an influential businessman known to have a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two planes are two of the most expensive private planes in the world and their combined value totals over […]
The post U.S. Moves To Seize 2 Planes Owned By Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Worth 400 Million appeared first on uInterview.
The post U.S. Moves To Seize 2 Planes Owned By Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Worth 400 Million appeared first on uInterview.
- 6/9/2022
- by Jacob Linden
- Uinterview
In what is now the third protest to hit the Cannes red carpet during the festival, a group of Ukrainian filmmakers called out the Russian “genocide” in their country and challenged the world to not look away.
Filmmakers from the movie “Butterfly Vision” on Wednesday on the steps of the Grand Palais theater held a banner that read, “Russians kill Ukrainians. Do you find it offensive and disturbing to talk about this genocide?” Those involved also held up transparent squares in front of their faces that showed the online symbol of an eye with a slash through it, which on social media or the web generally warns of disturbing content that you must opt in to see. The filmmakers also wore T-shirts with the same message during their photocall ahead of the film.
“Butterfly Vision,” which premiered on Wednesday in the Un Certain Regard section and is directed by Maksym Nakonechnyi,...
Filmmakers from the movie “Butterfly Vision” on Wednesday on the steps of the Grand Palais theater held a banner that read, “Russians kill Ukrainians. Do you find it offensive and disturbing to talk about this genocide?” Those involved also held up transparent squares in front of their faces that showed the online symbol of an eye with a slash through it, which on social media or the web generally warns of disturbing content that you must opt in to see. The filmmakers also wore T-shirts with the same message during their photocall ahead of the film.
“Butterfly Vision,” which premiered on Wednesday in the Un Certain Regard section and is directed by Maksym Nakonechnyi,...
- 5/25/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The Cannes Film Festival has had its third red carpet protest in the space of a week.
On Wednesday, a group of Ukrainian filmmakers from the film Butterfly Vision took part in a demonstration by holding a banner that read: “Russians kill Ukrainians. Do you find it offensive or disturbing to talk about this genocide?”
The participants covered their faces with transparent squares depicting the crossed eye as seen in social media when content is deemed sensitive or disturbing.
The demonstration took place on the steps of the red carpet outside the Palais and follows two other demonstrations in the past week: one against sexual violence towards women in Ukraine, and another against domestic violence in France.
Hard-hitting Ukrainian film Butterfly Vision follows a female soldier who returns home from the front line after being held captive for two months to discover that she is pregnant after being raped by her warden.
On Wednesday, a group of Ukrainian filmmakers from the film Butterfly Vision took part in a demonstration by holding a banner that read: “Russians kill Ukrainians. Do you find it offensive or disturbing to talk about this genocide?”
The participants covered their faces with transparent squares depicting the crossed eye as seen in social media when content is deemed sensitive or disturbing.
The demonstration took place on the steps of the red carpet outside the Palais and follows two other demonstrations in the past week: one against sexual violence towards women in Ukraine, and another against domestic violence in France.
Hard-hitting Ukrainian film Butterfly Vision follows a female soldier who returns home from the front line after being held captive for two months to discover that she is pregnant after being raped by her warden.
- 5/25/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
With the Cannes Film Festival abuzz ahead of the world premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” a mournful air raid siren sounded over the Croisette on Wednesday afternoon, serving as a somber reminder that the war in Ukraine has entered its fourth brutal month.
In a solemn protest outside the Salle Debussy, just steps from where Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and other stars of the “King of Rock” biopic were set to hit the red carpet at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, the Ukrainian filmmaking team behind Un Certain Regard player “Butterfly Vision” made an impassioned plea that the world remember their country’s suffering.
Standing on the steps of the Palais as the siren wailed – a nod toward the warnings that sound across Ukraine when a Russian attack is imminent – director Maksym Nakonechnyi, producers Darya Bassel and Yelizaveta Smit, and lead actress Rita Burkovska stood side by side with nearly...
In a solemn protest outside the Salle Debussy, just steps from where Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and other stars of the “King of Rock” biopic were set to hit the red carpet at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, the Ukrainian filmmaking team behind Un Certain Regard player “Butterfly Vision” made an impassioned plea that the world remember their country’s suffering.
Standing on the steps of the Palais as the siren wailed – a nod toward the warnings that sound across Ukraine when a Russian attack is imminent – director Maksym Nakonechnyi, producers Darya Bassel and Yelizaveta Smit, and lead actress Rita Burkovska stood side by side with nearly...
- 5/25/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Russia may have been cut off from much of the international film community, but here at Cannes, members of the country’s media business are quietly trying to line up deals.
Nearly three months into the war in Ukraine, the leadership of the film festival has spent its opening week fielding questions about its stance on Russia. Festival chief Thierry Frémaux, for instance, was grilled over the inclusion of competition title “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” a movie with financial ties to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. At the same time, Ukrainian filmmakers on the Croisette called for a total boycott of Russian film.
Despite the festival’s public posturing — Cannes has decided to ban state delegations and any Russians with ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin while allowing individual filmmakers to attend — Russian buyers are meeting with top sales agents at the Marché du Film. Their numbers are substantially down, but there’s...
Nearly three months into the war in Ukraine, the leadership of the film festival has spent its opening week fielding questions about its stance on Russia. Festival chief Thierry Frémaux, for instance, was grilled over the inclusion of competition title “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” a movie with financial ties to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. At the same time, Ukrainian filmmakers on the Croisette called for a total boycott of Russian film.
Despite the festival’s public posturing — Cannes has decided to ban state delegations and any Russians with ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin while allowing individual filmmakers to attend — Russian buyers are meeting with top sales agents at the Marché du Film. Their numbers are substantially down, but there’s...
- 5/22/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Ukrainian filmmakers are here in Cannes and, in the words of poet Dylan Thomas, they will not go gentle. While some are here to promote films screening here in Cannes, many are here to drum up support for their country and ensure that their voices are not forgotten as media headlines about the Russian invasion begin to diminish.
For many, it’s a strange paradox to be swanning around the sunny shores of Cannes in a film festival that feels vibrant and full of life, a festival where the only fighter jets are ones kicking off Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick when their home country continues to be ravaged by war.
“It’s very strange to be here,” says Bosonfilm’s Aleksandra Kostina, producer of Directors’ Fortnight entry Pamfir, which premiered last night. Speaking to Deadline in the Village International, she gazes a bunch of delegates walking barefoot on the beach before saying,...
For many, it’s a strange paradox to be swanning around the sunny shores of Cannes in a film festival that feels vibrant and full of life, a festival where the only fighter jets are ones kicking off Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick when their home country continues to be ravaged by war.
“It’s very strange to be here,” says Bosonfilm’s Aleksandra Kostina, producer of Directors’ Fortnight entry Pamfir, which premiered last night. Speaking to Deadline in the Village International, she gazes a bunch of delegates walking barefoot on the beach before saying,...
- 5/22/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
George Miller’s gonzo and fanciful “Three Thousand Years of Longing” premiered at Cannes on Friday night has quickly become one of the more talked about films out of the festival thus far. And Miller and his stars Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba in a press conference Saturday encouraged the journalists in the room, as well as Hollywood at large, to continue telling unique, diverse stories.
Swinton in particular warned of the danger of only being exposed to one type of story. A question that began about the state of superhero movies led to an answer that evolved to have as much to do with Russian propaganda, as Swinton explained how “Three Thousand Years of Longing” — despite its fantastical premise — is so important.
“The thing that’s dangerous is when you have only one story. It’s when people can’t hear any other stories that things go down the tubes very fast.
Swinton in particular warned of the danger of only being exposed to one type of story. A question that began about the state of superhero movies led to an answer that evolved to have as much to do with Russian propaganda, as Swinton explained how “Three Thousand Years of Longing” — despite its fantastical premise — is so important.
“The thing that’s dangerous is when you have only one story. It’s when people can’t hear any other stories that things go down the tubes very fast.
- 5/21/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
European Film Academy president Agnieszka Holland has criticized the Cannes Film Festival for welcoming a Russian movie to the main competition.
The Polish-born director – who fled to France in 1981 when Communist authorities imposed martial law – said now was the time to stand up to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
That demanded a total ban on Russian cultural products in Europe, she said in Cannes on Saturday.
The Academy Award-nominated filmmaker slammed the festival’s inclusion of Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Tchaikovsky’s Wife.”
“If it were up to me, I would not include Russian films in the official program of the festival – even if Kirill Serebrennikov is such a talented artist,” the 73 year old filmmaker said.
Speaking in Cannes at an industry roundtable on supporting the Ukrainian film industry at a time of war, Holland added: “Unfortunately my bad feelings were confirmed by his words. He used [the film’s festival press conference] to praise a Russian...
The Polish-born director – who fled to France in 1981 when Communist authorities imposed martial law – said now was the time to stand up to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
That demanded a total ban on Russian cultural products in Europe, she said in Cannes on Saturday.
The Academy Award-nominated filmmaker slammed the festival’s inclusion of Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Tchaikovsky’s Wife.”
“If it were up to me, I would not include Russian films in the official program of the festival – even if Kirill Serebrennikov is such a talented artist,” the 73 year old filmmaker said.
Speaking in Cannes at an industry roundtable on supporting the Ukrainian film industry at a time of war, Holland added: “Unfortunately my bad feelings were confirmed by his words. He used [the film’s festival press conference] to praise a Russian...
- 5/21/2022
- by Nick Holdsworth
- Variety Film + TV
An activist protesting sexual violence against women in Ukraine has been removed tonight from the Cannes red carpet for George Miller’s Three Thousand Years Of Longing.
The naked and screaming woman had paint daubed on her body in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and the words ‘Stop Raping Us’ across her chest and stomach. She had the word ‘Scum’ written on her back.
There is mounting evidence of summary executions, rape and torture carried out by Russian forces in Ukraine.
The French activist group Scum has just posted an explanation on Twitter.
Une activiste Scum s'introduit sur le tapis rouge du festival de #Cannes2022 pour dénoncer les violences sexuelles infligées aux ukrainiennes dans le contexte de la guerre.#cannes2022redcarpet pic.twitter.com/cGEJDghD2k
— Scum (@scum_officiel) May 20, 2022
Scum was a radical feminist manifesto published in the 1960s. However, the above Twitter handle only came into existence last month.
The naked and screaming woman had paint daubed on her body in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and the words ‘Stop Raping Us’ across her chest and stomach. She had the word ‘Scum’ written on her back.
There is mounting evidence of summary executions, rape and torture carried out by Russian forces in Ukraine.
The French activist group Scum has just posted an explanation on Twitter.
Une activiste Scum s'introduit sur le tapis rouge du festival de #Cannes2022 pour dénoncer les violences sexuelles infligées aux ukrainiennes dans le contexte de la guerre.#cannes2022redcarpet pic.twitter.com/cGEJDghD2k
— Scum (@scum_officiel) May 20, 2022
Scum was a radical feminist manifesto published in the 1960s. However, the above Twitter handle only came into existence last month.
- 5/20/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov has premiered three films in Cannes competition, but walked the red carpet at the festival for the first time this week. In 2017, Serebrennikov was convicted by Russian authorities of an embezzlement scheme associated with his theater company and banned from leaving the country, a decision that angered human rights groups who alleged the charges were fake. When the sentence was lifted at the start of this year, Serebrennikov resettled in Germany while finishing his new drama, “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” just in time for the film to play at Cannes.
Sitting on a balcony at the festival the day after his premiere, Serebrennikov said that even though leaving Russia meant that he had to abandon his 90-year-old father, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine expedited the filmmaker’s decision to move away as soon as the law allowed for it. “If you live inside the war, and you...
Sitting on a balcony at the festival the day after his premiere, Serebrennikov said that even though leaving Russia meant that he had to abandon his 90-year-old father, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine expedited the filmmaker’s decision to move away as soon as the law allowed for it. “If you live inside the war, and you...
- 5/20/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Hello and welcome back to Deadline’s International Insider. If you’re not in Cannes enjoying the sun-soaked days and balmy evenings along the Croisette, allow us to provide you with everything you need to know, plus provide the lowdown on another big week in international entertainment.
Cannesdemonium
A matter of principle: Diana Lodderhose here reporting from Cannes. The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is well underway and the sun is shining on international delegates for what feels like a return to pre-pandemic days. Deadline kicked off the week with a bang with Andreas’ exclusive about Cannes demanding copy approval as a condition for interviews with its chief Thierry Frémaux. After sitting down with the festival head in Paris last month, our International Editor was asked by the Cannes press department to water down and remove certain quotes, including comments about Roman Polanski and a lack of female directors.
Cannesdemonium
A matter of principle: Diana Lodderhose here reporting from Cannes. The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is well underway and the sun is shining on international delegates for what feels like a return to pre-pandemic days. Deadline kicked off the week with a bang with Andreas’ exclusive about Cannes demanding copy approval as a condition for interviews with its chief Thierry Frémaux. After sitting down with the festival head in Paris last month, our International Editor was asked by the Cannes press department to water down and remove certain quotes, including comments about Roman Polanski and a lack of female directors.
- 5/20/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: As Roman Abramovich-backed Tchaikovsky’s Wife unspools this week at the Cannes Film Festival, the French Ministry of Economy and Finance has clarified its position regarding movies backed by sanctioned oligarchs.
While the ministry said it couldn’t discuss specific cases or investigations, a spokesperson for the department told us: “It’s possible that the royalties brought in by a film can be frozen if the company that produced it is located in France or in a country of the European Union.”
The ministry added: “According to the law, the assets of Russian people under European sanctions are not taken but frozen. It means they still own their assets but can’t dispose freely of them. They can be seized only if they try to break the law.”
Cannes Competition entry Tchaikovsky’s Wife, the drama made by Russian dissident Kirill Serebrennikov before the invasion of Ukraine, is a European co-production whose financiers include Abramovich, as well as French and Swiss entities. The film is produced by arthouse champion Ilya Stewart (Petrov’s Flu), a Russian-Australian producer who now lives in France.
We understand any royalties frozen by the French government on this project — and you have to wonder whether they would consider this worth their while given the large sums and assets they have concentrated on so far — would only relate to the investment made by Abramovich’s Kinoprime fund. Others would likely recoup first.
French sales firm Charades told us the company had not been contacted by the ministry but that it would comply with any governmental orders regarding the Russian funding. The firm had no further comment.
In yesterday’s press conference for Tchaikovsky’s Wife, director Serebrennikov called for sanctions to be lifted against Abramovich whom he described as a patron of the arts.
In recent years, Abramovich has invested in multiple European arthouse films via his 100M Kinoprime fund.
France last month seized the oligarch’s opulent mansion on the French Riviera as part of European sanctions against the billionaire who originally made his money in the oil sector. The Cap d’Antibes home was one of a dozen French properties seized from him by France in recent weeks in a bid to crack down on Vladimir Putin and his enablers following the invasion.
The UK has also drawn up sanctions against Abramovich (and other Russian billionaires), which have forced him into a sale of his beloved Chelsea football club. The U.S. has also frozen Abramovich’s bank accounts.
Abramovich has been involved in Ukrainian peace talks and was allegedly poisoned earlier this year amid negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
Tchaikovsky’s Wife follows the tumultuous relationship between Pyotr Tchaikovsky, one of the most famous Russian composers of all time, and his wife Antonina Miliukova.
The Cannes Film Festival has imposed a ban on official Russian delegates this year as well as journalists from pro-Putin publications. It decided to include Tchaikovsky’s Wife in its lineup because the film was shot at a time when widespread EU sanctions didn’t exist against Abramovich.
While the ministry said it couldn’t discuss specific cases or investigations, a spokesperson for the department told us: “It’s possible that the royalties brought in by a film can be frozen if the company that produced it is located in France or in a country of the European Union.”
The ministry added: “According to the law, the assets of Russian people under European sanctions are not taken but frozen. It means they still own their assets but can’t dispose freely of them. They can be seized only if they try to break the law.”
Cannes Competition entry Tchaikovsky’s Wife, the drama made by Russian dissident Kirill Serebrennikov before the invasion of Ukraine, is a European co-production whose financiers include Abramovich, as well as French and Swiss entities. The film is produced by arthouse champion Ilya Stewart (Petrov’s Flu), a Russian-Australian producer who now lives in France.
We understand any royalties frozen by the French government on this project — and you have to wonder whether they would consider this worth their while given the large sums and assets they have concentrated on so far — would only relate to the investment made by Abramovich’s Kinoprime fund. Others would likely recoup first.
French sales firm Charades told us the company had not been contacted by the ministry but that it would comply with any governmental orders regarding the Russian funding. The firm had no further comment.
In yesterday’s press conference for Tchaikovsky’s Wife, director Serebrennikov called for sanctions to be lifted against Abramovich whom he described as a patron of the arts.
In recent years, Abramovich has invested in multiple European arthouse films via his 100M Kinoprime fund.
France last month seized the oligarch’s opulent mansion on the French Riviera as part of European sanctions against the billionaire who originally made his money in the oil sector. The Cap d’Antibes home was one of a dozen French properties seized from him by France in recent weeks in a bid to crack down on Vladimir Putin and his enablers following the invasion.
The UK has also drawn up sanctions against Abramovich (and other Russian billionaires), which have forced him into a sale of his beloved Chelsea football club. The U.S. has also frozen Abramovich’s bank accounts.
Abramovich has been involved in Ukrainian peace talks and was allegedly poisoned earlier this year amid negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
Tchaikovsky’s Wife follows the tumultuous relationship between Pyotr Tchaikovsky, one of the most famous Russian composers of all time, and his wife Antonina Miliukova.
The Cannes Film Festival has imposed a ban on official Russian delegates this year as well as journalists from pro-Putin publications. It decided to include Tchaikovsky’s Wife in its lineup because the film was shot at a time when widespread EU sanctions didn’t exist against Abramovich.
- 5/20/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Ukrainian industry players gathered in Cannes are determined to show they can provide a variety of new content, as well as stories that look beyond the current Russian invasion.
“I have been repeating this since 2014 — it’s a trap to be only associated with war,” says producer Julia Sinkevych, now behind Marysia Nikitiuk’s upcoming feature “Lucky Girl.”
Presented at the Cannes Market as part of the Ukrainian Features Preview, it shows a successful TV star who has everything, until she is diagnosed with cancer.
As noted by Ukrainian Institute’s Natalie Movshovych, several projects focus on the 1990s, including “When We Were 15” — awarded at Meeting Point Vilnius in April — “Do You Love Me?” by Tonia Noyabriova, Philip Sotnychenko’s “Lapalissade” and “Rock. Paper. Grenade” by Iryna Tsilyk, also behind festival favorite “The Earth Is Blue as an Orange.”
“We have to show as much range as we can now.
“I have been repeating this since 2014 — it’s a trap to be only associated with war,” says producer Julia Sinkevych, now behind Marysia Nikitiuk’s upcoming feature “Lucky Girl.”
Presented at the Cannes Market as part of the Ukrainian Features Preview, it shows a successful TV star who has everything, until she is diagnosed with cancer.
As noted by Ukrainian Institute’s Natalie Movshovych, several projects focus on the 1990s, including “When We Were 15” — awarded at Meeting Point Vilnius in April — “Do You Love Me?” by Tonia Noyabriova, Philip Sotnychenko’s “Lapalissade” and “Rock. Paper. Grenade” by Iryna Tsilyk, also behind festival favorite “The Earth Is Blue as an Orange.”
“We have to show as much range as we can now.
- 5/20/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
One day after dissident Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Tchaikovsky’s Wife” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, members of the Ukrainian film industry took to the Croisette to call for a total boycott of Russian movie. Meanwhile, just steps away in the Palais des Festivals, the director’s long-awaited return to cinema’s grandest stage was overshadowed by questions about the festival’s controversial selection and over the film’s financial ties to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
Speaking at a politically charged press conference on Thursday, Serebrennikov described Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “total catastrophe” but rejected calls for a boycott of Russian film. “I fully understand people who are calling for boycotts. I understand them because they’re so pained, so hurt by what is happening in the country,” he said.
But efforts to ban a nation’s culture, he added, were an “impossible” feat: “I believe we shouldn’t boycott language,...
Speaking at a politically charged press conference on Thursday, Serebrennikov described Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “total catastrophe” but rejected calls for a boycott of Russian film. “I fully understand people who are calling for boycotts. I understand them because they’re so pained, so hurt by what is happening in the country,” he said.
But efforts to ban a nation’s culture, he added, were an “impossible” feat: “I believe we shouldn’t boycott language,...
- 5/19/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Kirill Serebrennikov, the director of Cannes competition title “Tchaikovsky’s Wife” and the only Russian director with a film in this year’s official festival, on Thursday called for world governments to lift sanctions on a Russian oligarch and film financier who has been reported to be helping the Ukraine war effort.
The oligarch is Roman Abramovich, who is behind the film fund Kinoprime that helped to finance both “Tchaikovsky’s Wife” and Serebrennikov’s prior film “Petrov’s Flu,” among other Russian art-house films. Serebrennikov, who said he did not receive money from the state to make “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” defended Abramovich’s work as saying that the films he funds are not propaganda movies but are “rather the contrary.”
“We have to lift the sanctions against Abramovich,” the director said during his Cannes press conference. “He helps modern art, and he has for a long time now. He’s a real patron...
The oligarch is Roman Abramovich, who is behind the film fund Kinoprime that helped to finance both “Tchaikovsky’s Wife” and Serebrennikov’s prior film “Petrov’s Flu,” among other Russian art-house films. Serebrennikov, who said he did not receive money from the state to make “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” defended Abramovich’s work as saying that the films he funds are not propaganda movies but are “rather the contrary.”
“We have to lift the sanctions against Abramovich,” the director said during his Cannes press conference. “He helps modern art, and he has for a long time now. He’s a real patron...
- 5/19/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Dissident Russian film-maker Kirill Serebrennikov, whose film Tchaikovsky’s Wife received backing from the oligarch, has called for sanctions to be lifted
The dissident Russian film director Kirill Serebrennikov is calling for the lifting of sanctions on Roman Abramovich, one of the investors behind his latest film. The Russian oligarch, now trying to sell Chelsea football club because of financial restrictions imposed on on him by the British government, was a valuable patron of the arts, said the director.
Abramovich’s record as a sponsor of important cinema should be taken into account, Serebrennikov added, speaking at the Cannes film festival. “We have to lift the sanctions against Abramovich. He has been a real patron of the arts and in Russia this has always been appreciated,” the director said after Wednesday night’s premiere of his film Tchaikovsky’s Wife, which is in competition for the festival’s coveted Palme d’Or prize.
The dissident Russian film director Kirill Serebrennikov is calling for the lifting of sanctions on Roman Abramovich, one of the investors behind his latest film. The Russian oligarch, now trying to sell Chelsea football club because of financial restrictions imposed on on him by the British government, was a valuable patron of the arts, said the director.
Abramovich’s record as a sponsor of important cinema should be taken into account, Serebrennikov added, speaking at the Cannes film festival. “We have to lift the sanctions against Abramovich. He has been a real patron of the arts and in Russia this has always been appreciated,” the director said after Wednesday night’s premiere of his film Tchaikovsky’s Wife, which is in competition for the festival’s coveted Palme d’Or prize.
- 5/19/2022
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
‘Tchaikovsky’s Wife’ director defended receiving funding from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Dissident Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov came out defiantly against a boycott of Russian culture at a Cannes press conference today promoting his Competition title, Tchaikovsky’s Wife, describing the boycott as “unbearable” and calling for an end to the sanctions on Roman Abramovich.
“Boycotting Russian culture strikes me as unbearable – Russian culture has always promoted human values, the fragility of man, the compassion one can have,” said Serebrennikov.
“Russian culture has always been anti-militaristic and anti-war, because war seeks to underdo what I have just listed. People who...
Dissident Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov came out defiantly against a boycott of Russian culture at a Cannes press conference today promoting his Competition title, Tchaikovsky’s Wife, describing the boycott as “unbearable” and calling for an end to the sanctions on Roman Abramovich.
“Boycotting Russian culture strikes me as unbearable – Russian culture has always promoted human values, the fragility of man, the compassion one can have,” said Serebrennikov.
“Russian culture has always been anti-militaristic and anti-war, because war seeks to underdo what I have just listed. People who...
- 5/19/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Tchaikovsky’s Wife filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov, a Russian dissident, was grilled, by the global press at Cannes over the pic being bankrolled by oligarch financing in particular Roman Abramovich, as well as the notion of the world’s boycott against all things Russia.
Abramovich recently said he was donating monies from the sale of England’s Chelsea Fc to a foundation that would benefit the war victims of Ukraine. Did the financier have similar plans to donate any future monies earned from Tchaikovsky’s Wife?
Serebrennikov fielded the question by saying Abramovich is one of the good guys.
“He helps modern art, and he has for a long time now. He’s a real patron of Russia and that’s been deeply appreciated. Thanks to him, we have arthouse cinema,” said the filmmaker.
The oligarch’s Kinoprime foundation is all for the greater glory of art per Serebrennikov: “These aren’t propaganda films,...
Abramovich recently said he was donating monies from the sale of England’s Chelsea Fc to a foundation that would benefit the war victims of Ukraine. Did the financier have similar plans to donate any future monies earned from Tchaikovsky’s Wife?
Serebrennikov fielded the question by saying Abramovich is one of the good guys.
“He helps modern art, and he has for a long time now. He’s a real patron of Russia and that’s been deeply appreciated. Thanks to him, we have arthouse cinema,” said the filmmaker.
The oligarch’s Kinoprime foundation is all for the greater glory of art per Serebrennikov: “These aren’t propaganda films,...
- 5/19/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Since co-founding Moscow-based production house Hype Film in 2011, Ilya Stewart and partner Murad Osmann – Variety Producers to Watch in 2018 – have grown the company from an award-winning commercial and music video producer into one of the most successful film production outfits in the country, thanks in no small part to their partnership with arthouse director and provocateur Kirill Serebrennikov.
After collaborating on his 2016 Un Certain Regard prize winner “The Student,” Serebrennikov and Stewart teamed up again on “Leto,” a rock drama which played in competition on the Croisette in 2018. Last year they competed again with “Petrov’s Flu,” a hallucinatory romp through a post-Soviet Russia in the grips of a mysterious flu pandemic.
Serebrennikov, however, was forced to sit out both premieres in the wake of his house arrest – and a subsequent travel ban – stemming from a 2017 charge of embezzlement that his supporters say was fabricated. Walking the red carpet ahead of the “Petrov’s Flu” debut,...
After collaborating on his 2016 Un Certain Regard prize winner “The Student,” Serebrennikov and Stewart teamed up again on “Leto,” a rock drama which played in competition on the Croisette in 2018. Last year they competed again with “Petrov’s Flu,” a hallucinatory romp through a post-Soviet Russia in the grips of a mysterious flu pandemic.
Serebrennikov, however, was forced to sit out both premieres in the wake of his house arrest – and a subsequent travel ban – stemming from a 2017 charge of embezzlement that his supporters say was fabricated. Walking the red carpet ahead of the “Petrov’s Flu” debut,...
- 5/18/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Despite widespread calls to boycott Russian cinema in the wake of the Ukraine invasion, the Cannes Film Festival struck an uneasy compromise by banning state delegations and Russians with ties to President Vladimir Putin while allowing individual filmmakers to attend.
It’s a decision iconoclastic Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov was quick to support on the eve of the world premiere of his latest feature, “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” which bows in competition on May 18.
The director was a no-show at his last two Cannes premieres due in no small part to a history of provocation and dissent against the Russian government. But Serebrennikov – who after a nearly five-year legal ordeal learned on March 28 that he could leave Russia a free man – insists that the type of subversive cinema he creates should be separated from pro-Kremlin propaganda and the “paranoid ideology” of the Putin regime.
“Russian culture is about the fragility of life.
It’s a decision iconoclastic Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov was quick to support on the eve of the world premiere of his latest feature, “Tchaikovsky’s Wife,” which bows in competition on May 18.
The director was a no-show at his last two Cannes premieres due in no small part to a history of provocation and dissent against the Russian government. But Serebrennikov – who after a nearly five-year legal ordeal learned on March 28 that he could leave Russia a free man – insists that the type of subversive cinema he creates should be separated from pro-Kremlin propaganda and the “paranoid ideology” of the Putin regime.
“Russian culture is about the fragility of life.
- 5/18/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
On March 15, less than three weeks removed from his country’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu drafted a letter to the Minister of Culture demanding the film and TV work of Ukrainian actor-turned-wartime-President Volodymyr Zelensky be “removed from the cultural agenda of the Russian Federation,” citing efforts to rally the public behind President Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression.
Also mentioned in his complaint: two-time Oscar nominee Alexander Rodnyansky, the Kyiv-born producer who has called Russia home for two decades.
Rodnyansky had already fled the country. On March 1, he was tipped off by a friend that his opposition to the Ukraine war had landed him in the government’s crosshairs. Rodnyansky and his wife left the same day. “I cut off my business ties with Russia,” the producer told Variety. “I left behind everything. The company, the house, everything. Everything that I had.”
For the past two months,...
Also mentioned in his complaint: two-time Oscar nominee Alexander Rodnyansky, the Kyiv-born producer who has called Russia home for two decades.
Rodnyansky had already fled the country. On March 1, he was tipped off by a friend that his opposition to the Ukraine war had landed him in the government’s crosshairs. Rodnyansky and his wife left the same day. “I cut off my business ties with Russia,” the producer told Variety. “I left behind everything. The company, the house, everything. Everything that I had.”
For the past two months,...
- 5/17/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux took part in a ‘meet the press’ session with journalists in Cannes yesterday afternoon.
The long-time chief was asked multiple questions about the festival’s stance towards Russia and about Deadline’s censorship story from yesterday.
Given that the festival has a ban on Russian journalists from pro-Putin publications and on state-sponsored Russian delegations, he was asked the extent to which Cannes was concerned about the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich being a financier of Competition film Tchaikovsky’s Wife (whose director Kirill Serebrennikov is a Russian dissident).
Frémaux, who noted that he received five emails a day with questions on this subject, explained that the festival decided to accept the film because it was shot before the war against Ukraine, when receiving Russian money wasn’t problematic.
“The film had already been shot, so that is the rule we decided to follow,” the festival...
The long-time chief was asked multiple questions about the festival’s stance towards Russia and about Deadline’s censorship story from yesterday.
Given that the festival has a ban on Russian journalists from pro-Putin publications and on state-sponsored Russian delegations, he was asked the extent to which Cannes was concerned about the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich being a financier of Competition film Tchaikovsky’s Wife (whose director Kirill Serebrennikov is a Russian dissident).
Frémaux, who noted that he received five emails a day with questions on this subject, explained that the festival decided to accept the film because it was shot before the war against Ukraine, when receiving Russian money wasn’t problematic.
“The film had already been shot, so that is the rule we decided to follow,” the festival...
- 5/17/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“It takes time for cinema to come into its own.”
Thierry Fremaux, delegate general of the Cannes Film Festival, has defended the lack of diversity in the 2022 lineup, including the near-total absence of Black filmmakers in Official Selection and the relatively few women filmmakers in Competition.
“It takes time for cinema to come into its own,” said Fremaux of the dearth of films by filmmakers from sub-Saharan Africa, at his pre-festival press conference.
He cited Un Certain Regard opener Father & Soldier as an example of a film from the region; the film is a France-Senegal co-production which shot in both countries.
Thierry Fremaux, delegate general of the Cannes Film Festival, has defended the lack of diversity in the 2022 lineup, including the near-total absence of Black filmmakers in Official Selection and the relatively few women filmmakers in Competition.
“It takes time for cinema to come into its own,” said Fremaux of the dearth of films by filmmakers from sub-Saharan Africa, at his pre-festival press conference.
He cited Un Certain Regard opener Father & Soldier as an example of a film from the region; the film is a France-Senegal co-production which shot in both countries.
- 5/16/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Hulu’s WeWork director Jed Rothstein is forging landmark Sky documentary Once Upon a Time in Londongrad, exploring 14 mysterious deaths in the UK with alleged connections to Russia over two decades. Scroll down for the trailer.
Oscar-winning production outfit Rise Films is behind the show in association with in association with Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, BuzzFeed Studios and Concordia Studio.
Helmed by investigative reporter Heidi Blake, the doc series is incredibly timely and will examine how Vladimir Putin’s two decades in power have made the UK reliant on Russian money and thereby led to missed opportunities to contain the Kremlin.
The deaths, which include high-profiles such as Alexander Litvinenko, will be explored in connection with the hidden underworld of Russian exiles in London, coming as high-profile Russians living in the UK such as former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich face sanctions. The issue has...
Oscar-winning production outfit Rise Films is behind the show in association with in association with Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, BuzzFeed Studios and Concordia Studio.
Helmed by investigative reporter Heidi Blake, the doc series is incredibly timely and will examine how Vladimir Putin’s two decades in power have made the UK reliant on Russian money and thereby led to missed opportunities to contain the Kremlin.
The deaths, which include high-profiles such as Alexander Litvinenko, will be explored in connection with the hidden underworld of Russian exiles in London, coming as high-profile Russians living in the UK such as former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich face sanctions. The issue has...
- 5/16/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The future of Chelsea Soccer Club looks assured, with the London Club announcing its new owners today.
Following the freezing of the assets of former owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, on his country’s invasion of Ukraine, the Club has been sold to a consortium led by Todd Boehly in a deal worth £4.25billion (5.24bn).
A statement issued by the club today confirmed:
“Terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club.
“Of the total investment being made, £2.5 billion (3.08bn) will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate 100 to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. UK Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the frozen UK bank account.”
The Club added that,...
Following the freezing of the assets of former owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, on his country’s invasion of Ukraine, the Club has been sold to a consortium led by Todd Boehly in a deal worth £4.25billion (5.24bn).
A statement issued by the club today confirmed:
“Terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club.
“Of the total investment being made, £2.5 billion (3.08bn) will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate 100 to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. UK Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the frozen UK bank account.”
The Club added that,...
- 5/7/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
A group led by Todd Boehly, who also owns a stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Lakers, dick clark productions and who is currently the caretaker CEO of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, has agreed to terms to acquire the English soccer club Chelsea in a deal worth almost 5 billion.
If approved by the UK government and the Premier League, the sale price would be the most ever paid for a sports franchise. The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times are pegging the price at around £4.25 billion, which the club mostly confirmed late Friday. Deadline’s sister publication Sportico also has details of the deal.
Chelsea Fc, in a statement tonight, said that “Of the total investment being made, £2.5bn will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate...
If approved by the UK government and the Premier League, the sale price would be the most ever paid for a sports franchise. The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times are pegging the price at around £4.25 billion, which the club mostly confirmed late Friday. Deadline’s sister publication Sportico also has details of the deal.
Chelsea Fc, in a statement tonight, said that “Of the total investment being made, £2.5bn will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate...
- 5/7/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Peter Morgan, creator of award-winning The Crown, has shifted focus from royals to zoom in on Russian oligarchs as the topic of his new stage play Patriots. It has been fast-tracked to have its world premiere at London’s Almeida Theatre in July with Tom Hollander (The Night Manager) cast to portray Boris Berezovsky, a one-time ally of Vladimir Putin.
News of the play comes at a time when the rarified world of wealthy Russians is prominent because of the sanctions that have been imposed on Kremlin moguls following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I think when we did our first reading, we weren’t sure if there was a place for it,” Almeida Theatre artistic director Rupert Goold, who will direct the play, told Deadline during an exclusive interview.
He said that there was an awareness in London “of a really big Russian presence in London, you know,...
News of the play comes at a time when the rarified world of wealthy Russians is prominent because of the sanctions that have been imposed on Kremlin moguls following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I think when we did our first reading, we weren’t sure if there was a place for it,” Almeida Theatre artistic director Rupert Goold, who will direct the play, told Deadline during an exclusive interview.
He said that there was an awareness in London “of a really big Russian presence in London, you know,...
- 5/5/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
The Ukrainian Institute has issued an official letter to the Cannes Film Festival and French director Michel Hazanavicius asking them to rename his opening night movie “Z (Comme Z),” which the org claims is a pro-war symbol of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In Russia, “Z” is considered a pro-war symbol that has also been used in pro-Russian demonstrations across Europe. The symbol has recently been adopted by some Russian figures taking part in world events, such as gymnast Ivan Kuliak who, while in Qatar for a World Cup event, sported a “Z” on his chest while standing on a podium next to Ukrainian athlete Illia Kovtun. Last week, Lithuania’s parliament voted to ban public displays of the letter “Z” in protest of the ongoing war.
A letter sent to Cannes by the Ukrainian Institute, and seen by Variety, reads: “We consider that changing the title of the opening...
In Russia, “Z” is considered a pro-war symbol that has also been used in pro-Russian demonstrations across Europe. The symbol has recently been adopted by some Russian figures taking part in world events, such as gymnast Ivan Kuliak who, while in Qatar for a World Cup event, sported a “Z” on his chest while standing on a podium next to Ukrainian athlete Illia Kovtun. Last week, Lithuania’s parliament voted to ban public displays of the letter “Z” in protest of the ongoing war.
A letter sent to Cannes by the Ukrainian Institute, and seen by Variety, reads: “We consider that changing the title of the opening...
- 4/22/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
During peace negotiations in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, it was reported that the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich became ill at the same time as two Ukraine negotiators, and some theorize the symptoms were part of a chemical attack to halt talks. Abramovich and the two other victims have all since recovered. Abramovich and the […]
The post Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Suffers Poisoning Symptoms After Attending Ukraine Peace Negotiation appeared first on uInterview.
The post Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Suffers Poisoning Symptoms After Attending Ukraine Peace Negotiation appeared first on uInterview.
- 3/30/2022
- by Jacob Linden
- Uinterview
Roman Abramovich, a West-leaning Russian oligarch best known for owning the English football club Chelsea, and peace negotiators from Ukraine were likely poisoned during a meeting in Kyiv at the beginning of March, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The negotiators, who had met with Russian counterparts in hopes of charting a path away from war, later experienced debilitating symptoms including “red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands,” the report says. (Abramovich was briefly blinded, though his eyesight has since returned,...
The negotiators, who had met with Russian counterparts in hopes of charting a path away from war, later experienced debilitating symptoms including “red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands,” the report says. (Abramovich was briefly blinded, though his eyesight has since returned,...
- 3/28/2022
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
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