Archives for May 2017

NOTHING GETS IN THE WAY OF BIPASHA BASU’S WORKOUT!

Bipasha Basu who is currently on the DaBang Tour is a complete workout junkie and hasn’t let her crazy schedule get in the way of her dedication. The gorgeous actress, who is known for having one of the best physique in the industry, has been ensuring she doesn’t skip a day of her workout and has even started training her staff to motivate them. Bipasha Basu who is currently in Sydney, Australia rehearses
for her acts every day, sometimes even for 14 hours a day but doesn’t skip exercising. Says the fitness icon, “No matter what people say, I sleep early & wake up early to train even on days when I have a show. I never skip training. Even if I am tired, I do breathing exercises & extensive stretching. I
also regularly use ice packs to avoid injuries while performing, as I already suffer from
osteoarthritis in my knees.” Bravo Bipasha!

THUMBS UP FOR ‘DEAR MAYA’ TRAILER

Rahul Mittra, Filmmaker & CEO, Wave Cinemas hosted a gathering to unveil the trailer of their forthcoming release
DEAR MAYA. Producers Shobhna Yadav & Sandeep Leyzell were seen in upbeat mood with director Sunaina Bhatnagar. Imtiaz Ali who was there to support the team, happily introduced all the members & unveiled the trailer. Manisha Koirala who came accompanied by her mother spoke about the film and were seen catching up with the team especially young actors Shreya Chaudhry & Rohit Saraf who were visibly excited about their maiden film. Also, present were lyricist Irshad Kamil & composer Anupam Roy. DEAR MAYA is slated to release on 2nd Jun, 2017

FATIMA SANA SHAIKH JOINS ‘THUGS OF HINDOSTAN’ WITH AMITABH & AAMIR

Fatima Sana Shaikh, who made an impressive debut with DANGAL, joins the star – studded cast of Yash Raj Films’ forthcoming mega project THUGS OF HINDOSTAN. Cobv-starring Amitabh Bachchan & Aamir Khan, writer – director Vijay Krishna Acharya will be directing the film. This is the 2nd time Vijay Krishna Acharya (Victor) will be directing Aamir Khan after the blockbuster DHOOM 3. THUGS OF HINDOSTAN unites Amitabh Bachchan & Aamir Khan on screen for the 1st time ever and promises to be a larger than life, grand cinematic experience.
Writer – director Vijay Krishna Acharya averred, “The role of the girl is pivotal to the film so it was crucial for us to find the perfect fit. Through a rigorous round of auditions & action workshops, we found in Fatima Sana Shaikh a truly dedicated actor and a gifted performer of action. We are very happy to have found the perfect girl for our film. “The film began shooting on 1st Jun, 2017. Watch out for more details on the film in this space and keep counting the time till its release date of Diwali 2018.

AN AMERICA FILM FOR SALONY LUTHRA !!!!!

Assistant director of MUNNA BHAI MBBS and many other Hindi films, Vibha Gulati went on to Hollywood and make films like THE WAITING ROOM, THE INTERPRETER & a few more short films. Vibha has announced her next American film FORBIDDEN with Salony Luthra playing the lead. Salony Luthra is a popular face in the South Indian film industry. Vibha Gulati was looking for someone who acts well as an Indian born in America and also perform some action sequences. “I was confident with all the other required elements for the role but wanted to get the American accent right. For that, I researched & spent 3 weeks in US.”​ FORBIDDEN is about a girl who goes by her heart & pays a heavy price for it. It is based on a true story and when I read it, it shocked me. This time via Skype when I was in Budapest for an international project. Once again, the makers felt that my body language suited the character but were not convinced by my accent. They offered me the role on the condition that I had to develop an accent in a stipulated time”, avers Salony.​

ANNU KAPOOR IN MADHUR BHANDARKAR’S INTERNATIONAL FILM FOR BRICS

Remember Annu Kapoor playing an old man in his very 1st film EK RUKA HUA FAISLA? The versatile actor is all set to collaborate with National Award winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar for an international film titled MUMBAI MIST that is a story about a beautiful bond between an old man & an orphan kid.The film will be part of “The Magnificent Five—Directors Collaboration Project for the BRICS Film Festival” where Bhandarkar is representing India, alongside globally – feted storytellers, Brazilian Walter Salles (THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES fame), Chinese director – screenwriter Jia Zhangke, Russian storyteller Aleksey Fedorchenko & South African filmmaker Jahmil XT Qubeka.All 5 filmmakers will make 18 -minute shorts on the theme, “Where Has The Time Gone?. Chinese director Jia Zhangke will work as executive producer to put all 5 short films on the same theme, together to make a feature film that will be premiered in China this 21st Jun, 2017, while it will see theatrical release in China in Sept, 2017 followed by other countries. Madhur Bhandarkar will attend the China premiere & starts shooting for the film in a few days in Mumbai.

MILIND SOMAN BACKS ONTHERUN – A NATURAL HEALTH FOOD START UP

The health food brand Ontherun announced their association with India’s ultra endurance athlete & fitness evangelist, Milind Soman over a brunch soiree in Mumbai. The affiliation will bring on the table a power packed combination of Milind’s nutrition insights & the brand’s core purpose of creating products that are natural & healthy and taste great! Hosted by Shilpa Phadke, Founder & Director, Stayfit Enterprize Pvt Ltd & Milind Soman, the event brought out interesting health food facts by both the health conscious enthusiasts on the forefront. Shilpa shared her experience on why she felt that creation of Ontherun was the need of the hour, Milind elaborated on how the product has been his choice of the food while on his long runs and other events. Milind Soman shared, “I have never taken any supplements or have ever succumbed to any fad diets. I do make changes to my eating regime depending on my activity & my schedule; however, I always keep it simple and most importantly natural. I believe in its core ideology, it is something I live by. Working with Ontherun, gives me an opportunity to communicate with my followers & demystify the complexity around health food”.

ARVIND BABBAL TO MAKE FILMS AFTER MAKING 25 TV SERIALS

What strikes you as different in Arvind Babbal the versatile maker of TV serials like MAHAKUMB & SARASWATICHANDRA is that he is equally comfortable in making all types of television shows from historical, sci – fi, thriller, romance & drama based on relationships. Aravind Babbal has till date made as many as 25 TV serials, each belonging to a different genre. Aravind confesses that he had left directing SARASWATICHANDRA after directing 76 episodes for producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali when yet another production house took over the reins of making the serial and the subject went for a toss. Not only did Zarina Screwala ask him to make a film for UTV when he was directing CHHOTI MAA for them but also Sanjay Leela Bhansali had asked him to try his hand at making a film when he was making SARASWATICHANDRA for his production house. Aravind Babbal adds, “Kavita Barjatya also asked me to make a film for their home production but I just bade my time. I feel that the time is right now for me to make my foray into films.” Right now, Arvind Babbal is busy completing 2 scripts which he will direct into films in the next 2 years.

YRF & ABU DHABI COLLABORATE ON THE BIGGEST SHOOT OF ‘TIGER ZINDA HAI’

Yash Raj Films will shoot TIGER ZINDA HAI for 65 days in Abu Dhabi and this longest Hindi film will be filming in Abu Dhabi. TIGER ZINDA HAI is a sequel to the blockbuster film EK THA TIGER will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. TIGER ZINDA HAI starring Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif has commenced filming in Emirate on 4th May, 2017. Over 150 workers will be on site for a total of 100 days to create the film’s main set, many of whom helped to build the Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi in 2013. The production will also film at several other locales around Abu Dhabi before moving onto the set. A crew of 300 is expected to work on the production, with Abu Dhabi based freelancers working alongside crew members from India, US & UK. The UAE military is providing military equipment, including choppers during the shoot. Ali Abbas Zafar averred, “A film like TIGER ZINDA HAI requires a certain scale,
which we found in Abu Dhabi.” Salman Khan averred, “TIGER ZINDA HAI is a film of sizeable scale & context.” Katrina Kaif averred, “TIGER ZINDA HAI shifts to different locales across the globe, and Abu
Dhabi fits in perfectly with our story.”

TARZAN FAME HEMANT BIRJE’S DAUGHTER SONIA IN COMEDY DRAMA ‘HELLO DARLING’

Sonia Birje, daughter of the Tarzan fame, actor Hemant Birje joins the cast of the Hindi comedy play “Hello Darling” and will rub shoulders with seasoned actors like Vindu Dara Singh, Sheeba, Payal Goga Kapoor & Shaad Randhawa. Sonia Birje, who looks like some neo – noir femme fatale en route to her next kill is vigorously rehearsing for her role of a gorgeous beauty with all the actors for the play, revolving around the relationship of a husband & wife. It is produced & directed by Yogesh Sanghvi on a script by Mir Munir. “Hello Darling” defines the sensitiveness in the relation of a couple of not being a tyrant and at the same time not to betray. Earlier she has done modeling and also featured in a film down South. Unfortunately, her debut Hindi film could not see the light of the day. Sonia, who is
playing the role of Lalsa averred, “Theatre is always helpful for an actor as it enhances the acting prowess. Unlike a film, here there is no chance of a re – take. I have signed a film which will roll in Jun, 2017. I want to play all kinds of good roles, including art films too and like to be known as a
versatile actor”.

EKTA KAPOOR – KAREENA KAPOOR – SONAM KAPOOR – RHEA KAPOOR COME TOGETHER FOR ‘VEERE DI WEDDING’

Refuting to all the rumours, Ekta Kapoor has taken to social media to announce her excitement about coming together with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor & Rhea Kapoor for VEERE DI WEDDING. Balaji
Motion Pictures is on board to produce one of the most – awaited films, “VEERE DI WEDDING starring the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor Khan & Sonam Kapoor. Going against the typical announcement, the producer
couldn’t hold back from taking charge and gleaming with pride on her newest film and decided to put this up on her Instagram even before the official announcement was made by Ruchikaa Kapoor, Business Head of Balaji motion pictures.

SUMAN NEGI RISES LIKE A PHOENIX

Joining the bandwagon of model – turned -actresses in Bollywood, is Suman Negi, who has won the title of “Miss Meerut”. Suman Negi plays the lead in the romantic, suspense drama titled as BEIMAAN AASHIQ.
The film is directed by Sandeep Kumar for producer Kiran Kumar Titoriya. The film’s post – production is underway and is scheduled to release in Jun, 2017. Suman Negi completed her BA in Meerut. During her
studies itself she participated in varied modeling shows and also won the title of “Miss Meerut”. During that period she got a chance to act in a Mollywood film titled as DHAKAD CHORA which was super hit. One such film titled as KISMAT EK ANOKHA MODH was screened at Cannes Film Festival. Suman Negi averrd, “I am playing a character named Riya. She is intelligent, dashing & bold who is ready to face all kinds of problem at any given stages.” Many also said that she will step into their shoes once
this film hits the silver screen.” Kabir Khan, Anurag Tomar, Sachin Chobe, Bhupendar Titoriya, Ramandeep Kaur, Nishant Dilip Jain etc are also in its star cast. Sameer Sen has provided the musical score rendered by Babul Supriyo, Sadhana Sargam, Tisa Nigam, Udit Narayan etc.

DIVYA DUTTA IS ON A SIGNING SPREE

Being one of the very few actresses that do not stick to one image that works for them on – screen, Divya Dutta has paved her way into the industry like the strong woman that she is. She plays around with characters and refuses to stick to one stereotypical image of an actress. Ever since the success of her
book “Me And Ma” , Divya has been on a signing spree and has signed not 1 or 2 but 8 films that are a mixture of commercial & artsy films. She will be seen working with Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddique & Arunoday Singh. She is also extremely happy to work with director Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra. Divya will soon be seen in BABUMOSHAI BANDOOKBAAZ with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and has begun shooting for RAITA with Irrfan Khan & director Abhinay Deo.

ZEENAT AMAN SINGS FOR NIKHIL KAMATH’S TUNE

Zeenat Aman sung a foot tapping number for music composer Nikhil Kamath for the upcoming web series LOVE LIFE & SCREW UPS soon to be released by Aum Web Studio. The song ”Yeh Hai Joaana” is a foot tapping retro number which also has dialogues by Zeenat Aman. She was so impressed with the composition after she heard the scratch that she herself agreed to sing the song and be a part of the song penned by VImal Kashyap. The song has a fun element and will bring the house down with its retro
beat. Zeenat Aman also praised Nikhil Kamath’s title song ”I’ll be with you when you’re happy” which is the title song of LOVE LIFE & SCREW UPS. Directed by Kapil Kaustubh Sharma & produced by Yuvraaj
Parashar the web series has already garnered over a miilion hits on you tube and is the most awaited web series to come.

ANUSHKA SHARMA TO STAR IN ‘PARI’

Anushka Sharma will now star in PARI, the next co – production of her banner Clean Slate Films with KriArj Entertainment, this being their 1st from the many, they plan to do together. Bengali star Parambrata Chatterjee will co – star in the film. Clean Slate Films has promoted & empowered new talent behind the camera to make qualitative cinema. Taking that forward, PARI will be directed by debutant, Prosit Roy. The film goes on the floors in Jun, 2017. KriArj Entertainment has had a superb beginning with RUSTOM, now doing another with Akshay Kumar in TOILET EK PREMKATHA. They have surged ahead to have an
enviable line up of upcoming films like John Abraham starrer, Vishal Bhardwaj’s production. Anushka averred, “At Clean Slate Films, we get to work with new talent on newer ideas & innovative concepts. PARI is a great script and I have complete faith in Prosit’s vision as well as this collaboration with KriArj Entertainment.” Parambrata Chatterjee added, “I was impressed with the script & team of PARI, and loved the idea of working with Anushka Sharma. This film holds great promise and I look forward to
its shoot soon.” PARI will go on the floors in Jun, 2017.

HARSHVARDHAN KAPOOR PUTS MAJOR WORK INTO HIS ‘BHAVESH JOSHI’ TRANSFORMATION!

Gen – X star Harshvardhan Kapoor who will next be seen in Vikramaditya Motwane’s BHAVESH JOSHI, has 3 distinct looks in the film – a skinny college – geek, a middle aged – bald man & a muscular vigilante and went all out to transform into each of his drastically different looks. The actor first dropped over 6 kgs through intense cardio last year to play the college boy and then sported a fake paunch & a bald patch for his middle – aged avatar. To look the part of the muscular vigilante, Harsh trained in martial arts with MMA fighter Andrew Neal, for specific sequences that included hand – to -hand combat & mixed martial arts action scenes. The young star even met with an injury while shooting, but continued training, hitting the gym even after a 14 – hour shifts. Says Harsh, “Even after long shifts, I hit the
gym as I have to try & hold on to as much muscle as possible while filming intense action scenes. I hurt my head & I even cut my arms badly in 2 places while trying a jump, but it’s fine. It’s all part of
acting”.

COURTESY OF RISE AND SHINE

CINETIC NABS NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO PRE – CRIME

Cinetic has acquired North American rights to Monika Hielscher & Matthias Heeder’s documentary feature Pre – Crime, which world premiered at Hot Docs and garnered warm reviews. Pre – Crime, a term originally coined by science fiction author Philip K. Dick in Minority Report, examines repercussions of predictive policing techniques that are used in US and in Europe to identify & monitor tomorrow’s criminals based on algorithms & databases. “We are the 1st ever generation to hand over the control over our own freedom to computers. But how much freedom are we prepared to give up for the promise of total security?” stated Rise & Shine World Sales which reps Pre – Crime in international markets. Heeder pointed out in a statement that it wasn’t the algorithms we should worry about, but “the social players that can use the growing flood of data algorithmically for their own goals: security, consumption, control, surveillance, forecasts etc. (and do so) without the slightest democratic control of the use of these technologies.” Matthias Heeder & Monika Hielscher travelled to Chicago, London, Paris, Berlin & Munich to investigate on predictive policing techniques from the perspectives of people who used these tools and those who are being tracked down. The doc was produced by Stefan Kloos at Kloos & Co. Medien, lensed by Sebastian Bäumler & edited by Christoph Senn. Kloos & Co. Medien is one of Germany’s top production outfits. Kloos, who is managing director of the company, previously produced A Modern Man & Last Men in Aleppo.

RALPH FIENNES SPREADS WINGS OVER THE WHITE CROW

Ralph Fiennes will do double duty on his 3rd film as a director namely The White Crow, additionally taking on the key role of Rudolf Nureyev’s teacher & mentor. The twice Oscar – nominated actor will join the international cast which has also added French actors Laurent Lafitte & Raphael Personnaz, French actress Calypso Valois and rising German star Louis Hofmann. Fiennes will play Nureyev’s mentor Pushkin who helped launch the dancer’s international career beyond St Petersburg. In his role as a director Fiennes has also newly enlisted Jackie costume designer Madeline Fontaine, director of photography Mike Eley & composer Ilan Eshkeri for his production team. The biopic of the legendary Soviet ballet dancer & choreographer, which tells the story of his defection to the West, The White Crow is written by David Hare. Russian dancer & film newcomer Oleg Ivenko had previously been announced to play Nureyev with French actress Adele Exarchopoulos, Russian actress Chulpan Khamatova & world – renowned dancer Sergei Polunin also previously announced to star. The White Crow is scheduled to begin production this summer on location in St Petersburg & Paris, including shooting at the iconic Mariinsky Theatre & Palais Garnier.

3RD “KINGSMAN” FILM ALREADY PLANNED

British director Matthew Vaughn revealed recently that he has a 3rd “Kingsman” film already planned. Matthew Vaughn said that, when penning the script for the upcoming sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle, he & co – writer Jane Goldman had already begun mapping out another installment. “When we were writing it, we were thinking about Kingsman 3 too,” said Matthew Vaughn. “This is the bridge, if we can pull it off and get to make another one.” He said he & Goldman envisioned “Golden Circle” as their The Empire Strikes Back, a 2nd installment in a trilogy that “took you to a cliff edge” before letting the 3rd film resolve matters. He told the audience that the script for “Golden Circle” had come easily and had all started with the villain, Poppy. “She has a very insane but logical plot to take over the world,” Matthew Vaughn said of the character, who is played by Julianne Moore. Matthew Vaughn spoke at a 20th Century Fox event in London where he screened the complete opening act of Kingsman: The Golden Circle, which continues protagonist Eggsy’s, played by Taron Egerton, story. The footage didn’t feature the new organization The Statesman, which can be seen in the recently released trailer. Matthew Vaughn said The Statesman was “to Americana what Kingsman is to Britannia,” adding that he was inspired by great American actors such as James Coburn, Steve McQueen & Burt Reynolds.

ALL – STAR CAST ASSEMBLES IN LONDON

Director Kenneth Branagh and the starry cast of his new version of Murder On The Orient Express gathered in London on recently to show off new footage from the upcoming adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit. Almost the entire ensemble cast, which includes Oscar winners Judi Dench & Penelope Cruz, Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, BAFTA winner Olivia Colman & Tony winner Josh Gad, was on hand, with only Johnny Depp & Michelle Pfeiffer notable absentees. They were later followed on stage by director Francis Lawrence, who introduced 18 minutes of footage from his upcoming spy thriller Red Sparrow, starring Jennifer Lawrence, which is currently shooting in London. Kenneth Branagh, who plays Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, introduced about 10 to 15 minutes of work – in – progress footage from the Fox film, averring, “This is the very 1st time any of this footage has been seen in this way. We’re very excited to share the promise & potential of this work.” The footage featured 4 brief scenes that introduced the central characters, established the murder of one of them, and showed off the film’s epic vistas of snow -capped mountains. The footage was followed by the film’s trailer, which was 1st unveiled at CinemaCon in Mar, 2017.

TATE MODERN NAMES NEW BUILDING FOR LEN BLAVATNIK

Britain’s Tate museum group has officially named the recently opened extension of Tate Modern after Len Blavatnik, the billionaire industrialist whose Access Industries has branched out into music, film & television. The new Blavatnik Building has been named in recognition of the donation from Blavatnik’s family foundation, which pledged a reported £50 million ($65 million) gift to Tate in 2011. Len Blavatnik averred that the Tate provided an “incomparable service to arts, culture & education throughout the world,” and that his family were honored to support Tate and be linked to the new building. “The generosity of this gift is almost unprecedented in Tate’s history,” Tate director Nicholas Serota said. “The transformation & extension of Tate Modern was hugely ambitious and relied on many people to bring it to fruition, but Len Blavatnik’s enthusiastic support ensured the successful realization of the project and I am delighted that the new building now bears his name.” The building was initially named Switch House, after the part of the former power station that stood on the site.

BBC ORDERS ADAPTATIONS OF 11 NEW HIGH END DRAMAS

The BBC has ordered up to 11 new high – end dramas, including new television versions of The War Of The Worlds, Little Women & Black Narcissus. The 3 titles are the latest classic novel adaptations to be commissioned by BBC Drama, which is currently in production on a new 4 part adaptation of E. M. Forster’s Howard’s End by Oscar – winner Kenneth Lonergan for BBC One & Starz. Also in the lineup are the 1st ever screen adaptation of Vikram Seth’s 1993 novel A Suitable Boy & 3 part true -story drama A Very English Scandal, written by Russell T. Davies & directed by Stephen Frears. The new slate was unveiled at an event in London co – hosted by BBC Director General Tony Hall & new controller of BBC Drama Piers Wenger. “It feels to me a special moment for drama. What really excites me is I think we’ve shaken off all preconceptions about what stories people will come to,” said Tony Hall, adding that the BBC aims to “make drama that says something new & different.” Setting out his vision for the next 5 years, Piers Wenger averred that he wanted BBC Drama to take bigger risks as well as be “a celebration of British authorship, identity & life in all its most diverse forms.”

ALTITUDE FILM SALES & WILD BUNCH BOARD BEATS

Altitude Film Sales & Wild Bunch have both boarded British film Beats, from executive producer Steven Soderbergh, which they will introduce to buyers at the Cannes Film Market. The 2 companies will split worldwide sales rights between them with Altitude taking North America, Australia & New Zealand, South Africa, German – speaking territories, Italy & Spain, as well as rights for airlines & ships. Wild Bunch will represent Benelux, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, all Asia, Israel, Middle East & Turkey. Altitude Film Distribution has additionally taken rights to the film for UK & Ireland, with Wild Bunch set to distribute in France. Written & directed by Scottish filmmaker Brian Welsh, co – writing with Kieran Hurley, Beats follows the story of 2 best friends in a small Scottish town in the summer of 1994 who head out for 1 last night together before life takes them in different directions. Going to an illegal rave party the boys journey into an underworld of anarchy, freedom & collision with the law as they share a night that they will never forget. It is based on Hurley’s original stage play. “Brian & Kieran have created an irresistible coming of age story that is both unique & universal, set against the backdrop of 1 of 20th century’s defining cultural movements,” says Mike Runagall, managing director of international sales at Altitude.

EMPEROR MOTION PICTURE BRINGS BACK RESTORED FILMS

Emperor Motion Picture has picked up sales rights to 2 restored classic films of modern Asian cinema namely Devils On The Doorstep & Ichi The Killer. The Hong Kong -based studio has begun sales on the so -called Cannes version of “Devils,” the black comedy directed by Jiang Wen in 2000. Although Jiang Wen is today celebrated as a cultural icon in China, the film earned him a 7 year directing ban and was also refused a theatrical release in China. The story involves a captured Japanese soldier who is mysteriously billeted on a Chinese village. Jiang Wen’s intention may have been to contradict stereotyped thinking on Chinese passiveness, and knee – jerk assumptions, but his humanistic portrayal of the Japanese prisoner was controversial. Edited versions of the film were given releases in some territories, including Japan in 2002. Those compounded Jiang Wen’s previous fault of having submitted the movie to Cannes – where it won the Grand Prize – without Film Bureau permission. The restored, 162 minute Cannes version, of the film was screened at the Hong Kong festival in 2011, while a shorter version of 140 mins played the HKIFF in 2014.

MK2 BOARD APRIL’S DAUGHTER

Protagonist Pictures & mk2 films have jointly boarded Michel Franco’s April’s Daughter for worldwide sales. The film receives its world premiere in Un Certain Regard program at Cannes Film Festival and will be introduced to international buyers at Cannes Film Market. Written & directed by Micheal Franco, the Spanish – language Mexican film stars Emma Suarez as the estranged mother of 17 – year – old Valeria, who falls pregnant by her teenage boyfriend. When her other daughter goes behind her sister’s back and calls their mother, April arrives full of concern, support & tenderness but once the baby is born, it soon becomes clear why Valeria wanted her mother as far away as possible. Ana Valeria Becerril, Joanna Larequi, Enrique Arrizon & Hernan Mendoza co – star. It is produced by Micheal Franco for Lucia Films alongside Lorenzo Vigas & Moises Zonana. Rodolfo Cova, David Zonana, Gabriel Ripstein & Tim Roth, who starred in Micheal Franco’s Chronic serve as executive producers.

CANNES LIONS 2017 JURORS ANNOUNCED

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity announced the jury members who will select 2017 winners for the annual advertising & communications awards. The winners will be honored at the awards ceremonies to be held during the 8 – day fest in Cannes from 17th Jun, 2017 – 24th Jun, 2017. A total of 390 industry leaders from 50 countries across all juries are confirmed, and 43% of jurors this year are women, a record high for Cannes Lions, and more than double the number of women represented in 2012. Cannes Lions chairman Terry Savage averred, “Our juries are developed in consultation with the industry and the progress we’ve achieved so far by working together is transforming the jury gender mix. We know the work doesn’t stop at gender and we look forward to working with the industry to tackle other representation issues.” The international festival draws 15,000 professionals annually to the French Riviera. More info on this year’s Cannes Lions juries, including previously announced categories.

DIMITRI RASSAM & HELEN ESTABROOK TO PRODUCE CARMEN

Dancer & choreographer Benjamin Millepied is all set to make his directorial debut with Carmen, a contemporary musical drama inspired by French composer Georges Bizet’s opera. Dimitri Rassam is partnering up with Helen Estabrook to produce the film. Benjamin Millepied is working with a top -notch creative team including Oscar -nominated Nicholas Britell, who will compose the original score of Carmen, and Darius Khondji, the cinematographer of The Lost City Of Z & Midnight In Paris. Benjamin Millepied will be creating the choreography for the film, which centers on a woman who travels from the deserts of Mexico to Los Angeles in search of freedom. “I’m beyond grateful to be supported by the film community in my directorial debut. The incorporation of music & dance in the film is a cornerstone of my creativity and having such an experienced & talented team by my side gives me confidence that we will beautifully capture the story told in Carmen,” added Benjamin Millepied, who started his career at the School of American Ballet.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST WINS 3RD WEEKEND

As Japan’s Golden Week holiday period drew to a close, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast once again led the pack. Winning its 3rd straight weekend for the 6th May, 2017 – 7th May, 2017 frame, the film recorded $7.9 million on 629,000 admissions. Its cumulative total now stands at $59.5 million. The film now looks likely to surpass the $100 million mark. Ranking highest among the new entrants to the top 10, at number 4, was the suspense drama Remembrance. Directed by veteran hit – maker Yasuo Furuhata & released by Toho, this film earned $2.0 million on 180,000 admissions. With a boost from fans of The Eternal Zero star Yuichi Okada, Remembrance is forecast to finish near the $15 million milestone.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL 2 ZOOMS TO FRANCISE BEATING WEEKEND

Opening on Wed, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2 debuted on top of the South Korean Box Office turnstiles. The superhero film scored $13.2 million from 1.72 million admissions over 5 days, already exceeding the total revenue of the previous “Guardians” instalment, which earned $9.79 million in 2014. Opening on the same day, local crime comedy, The Sheriff In Town, and animated family comedy The Boss Baby landed in 2nd & 3rd, respectively. The Sheriff In Town earned $9.1 million in 5 days. The Lotte Entertainment release exceeded “Guardians 2” on Sun. Directed by Kim Hyung – Ju & produced by leading indie production house Sanai Pictures, The Sheriff In Town evolves around an unofficial lawman who investigates a rising businessman. Locally distributed by CJ E & M, DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby earned $8.21 million from $1.21 million admissions over the 1st 5 days. The top 3 films accounted for 77% of the total weekend Box Office earnings. Previous winner, The King’s Case Note earned $2.13 million between Fri & Sun, extending its 2 week total to $10.2 million. The Fate Of The Furious dropped 64%, taking $941,000, and slipped to 5th. The UPI release has $26.0 million after 4 weeks. Incurring a sharp week – on – week drop of 85%, Korean political drama The Mayor earned $655,000 over the weekend for a total of $9.1 million after 2 weeks.