Abba were paralysed by nerves and critics loathed their ‘garbage’ songs at start of pop career

Ben Croll “I asked myself, why was it so difficult to name a Quebecois film from the past 25 years that treated sexuality as its central theme?” Côté told Variety. “Why could France foster directors who filmed the human body in direct and unselfconscious ways, and Quebec could not? Were Quebecois more prudish than others?”And so the Montreal-based filmmaker started on his 14th feature, which follows three so-called “hypersexual” women, plagued with troubled histories and fragile mental states, as they participate in a month-long therapy retreat. But as he developed the script with a local sexologist, the filmmaker saw potential traps in two very different directions.“The film could never be meant to judge,” Côté explained.

Brett Bull Each January, the Motion Picture Producers Assn. of Japan holds a press conference to reveal the previous year’s box office data and its list of top-grossing films.One year ago — at what was then thought to be the height of the coronavirus pandemic — the event was a somber gathering: Receipts for 2020 were down a whopping 38% over the year before.On Jan.

Prince Frederic von Anhalt, Zsa Zsa Gabor’s ninth and final husband, was desperate for an heir – so he adopted an adult son and chronicled it on TV. The widower is one of many subjects featured on A&E’s "Adults Adopting Adults," which chronicles his quest to find someone in Beverly Hills who could inherit his estate and care for him. "I tried very hard to find somebody," the 78-year-old told Fox News Digital.

Hannibal Mejbri admitted he found it 'difficult' to understand his Manchester United team-mates' Mancunian accents in 2019.

Naman Ramachandran Producer Shrihari Sathe of New York-based production company Dialectic is enjoying the best time of his life, with no less than three of his projects, each completely different in style, genre and tone, being selected at A-list festivals.The latest career high for Sathe began with Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s continent-hopping, multilingual identity tale “No Land’s Man” being selected at Busan in October 2021, followed by Francisca Alegria’s Spanish-language magical realist drama “The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future” premiering at this year’s Sundance. Now, “Stay Awake,” an expansion of Jamie Sisley’s 2015 short film of the same name that premiered at the Berlinale and won the Jury Prize at Slamdance, makes its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival’s Generation 14plus strand on Feb. 12.

It's a quick turnaround for Manchester City as they prepare to continue their Premier League title defence against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentIn the early days of what we used to call “coronavirus” in March 2020, before we all became budding epidemiologists, people flocked to Steven Soderbergh’s eerily prophetic 2011 drama “Contagion” on streaming services. Within a month or so, the movie was propelled from the 270th slot to the second most watched film in the Warner Bros.

Carole Horst Rose Byrne’s array of credits includes a wide range of projects, from comedies such as “Neighbours” and “Bridesmaids” to historical dramas including “Mrs. America” and superhero pics “X-Men: First Class,” horror films and gems “Juliet, Naked.” Now, her production company Dollhouse Pictures has “Seriously Red,” being sold by Arclight Films at the EFM. The film, written and starring Krew Boylan (another Dollhouse principal), follows Red, a vivacious and at times misguided redhead who trades in her real estate career to become a full-time Dolly Parton impersonator.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian director and producer Roberto De Paolis, whose 2017 debut “Pure Hearts” launched from Cannes, is stepping up activity of his Young Films shingle and has completed his follow-up feature, “Princess,” about a young African woman who’s a victim of the sex trade.Described by De Paolis as “the unfiltered story of a young Nigerian who prostitutes herself in Ostia, outside Rome, in a seaside pine forest,” “Princess” (first look image above) features Glory Kevin, a real victim of the sex trade, in the title role plus other non-professional actors with similar backgrounds. Rounding out the cast are Lino Musella (“The Young Pope”), Salvatore Striano (“Caesar Must Die”) and Maurizio Lombardi (“The New Pope”).

Friends of TOWIE star James Argent called an ambulance to rush over to his Essex home after getting worried when they couldn't get ahold of the star, The Sun has reported. The 34 year old turned his life around in the last year after dropping 13 stone following a gastric sleeve surgery in 2021. However, according to the publication, pals of he star were left concerned when they weren't able to reach him.

Christopher Vourlias Russian VOD platform KION has unveiled a slate of original content it will be presenting to buyers at the European Film Market.Launched less than one year ago by telecom giant MTS, the company has so far surpassed expectations, according to Igor Mishin, VP for media business development at MTS and CEO of MTS Media. “We have exceeded all business key performance indicators, in terms of the subscriber base and streaming views,” he said.The company is launching two new feature films and two original series at EFM.“Ophiuchus” is an erotic thriller about a bold and sexually liberated pathologist whose lovers begin to die under mysterious circumstances.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentFilmax has swooped on international rights to “Irati,” an action adventure feature set in the eighth-century Pyrenees.Produced by Spain’s Bainet, Ikusgarri Films, Kilima Media with France’s La Fidèle Production, “Irati” weighs in as one of the most ambitious new Spanish movies being brought onto the market at Berlin. Filmax will present a promo at the EFM.Featuring battles, mythological creatures and fantasy elements in a mix of Basque legend and historical events, it also marks director Paul Urkijo’s follow-up to “Errementari: the Blacksmith and the Devil,” which Filmax sold to Netflix for the world.Now in post-production, “Irati” turns on a pagan girl who guides a young Christian lord called Enekoon a journey into an ancient, mythological world. Eneko hopes to recover lost treasure, key to his defending his valley from Charlemagne’s marauding army, which is devastating the Pyrenees.

Christopher Vourlias Rwandan director Kivu Ruhorahoza’s “Father’s Day,” which bows in the competitive Encounters strand of the Berlin Film Festival, is a timely story of fatherhood in a country that saw a generation orphaned by one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.The film presents a trio of interwoven stories set in the East African nation. A mother tries to cope with the loss of her only son.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian director Matteo Garrone, who was at the 2020 Berlinale with Roberto Benigni-starrer “Pinocchio,” is set to return to the director’s chair in March with coming-of-age adventure drama “Io Capitano,” on which France’s Pathé will be handling international distribution.Garrone’s new pic, whose title translates as “I, Captain,” will be shot in Italy, Morocco and Senegal, marking the first time, Garrone –– a two-time Cannes jury prize-winner, with “Gomorrah” in 2008 and “Reality” in 2012 –– sets a feature film outside of Italy.As is customary with Garrone, story details of “Io Capitano” are being kept under wraps, besides the fact that he wrote the screenplay with regular collaborators Massimo Gaudioso and Andrea Tagliaferri and actor Massimo Ceccherini (“Pinocchio”), who also contributed to the “Pinocchio” screenplay.

“Death on the Nile” was being released in the rest of the Middle East over the weekend, according to Deadline.Gadot, 36, served in the Israeli armed forces for two years, as is required of all young Israelis, before she entered show business.It’s not the first time the former Miss Israel’s nationality has caused controversy as tensions persist between the two warring nations.

Manchester United need a response as they prepare to face Southampton on Saturday.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday evening's frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates made headlines over the past week with their exciting and dramatic performance during the Team Figure Skating Event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and they’re about to take the ice again for the Rhythm Ice Dance competition today (February 12).

The first footage of the upcoming Aquaman sequel has been released.

Kevin Thomson’s approach doesn’t change – whether he is facing Lionel Messi, Cowdenbeath or St Mirren.

Sunderland have announced former Hamilton manager Alex Neil as their new head coach - and his successor comes in as assistant.

One of Girvan’s most eagerly-anticipated events is set to make a comeback in 2022.

Things must be good at Celtic Park if Brendan Rodgers is able to show his face again.

Michael Smith insists he is desperate to get rid of the pain of two Scottish Cup Final defeats to Celtic by delivering the silverware at Hearts .

Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger put on a loved up display as they stepped out in Santa Monica.  The 42-year-old actor and the 32-year-old author, who are expecting their second child together, kicked off Valentine's Day weekend with a sunny stroll on Friday. The Guardians of the Galaxy star affectionately rested his hand on his spouse's backside as they walked down the street.

Marry Me has opened on Valentine's weekend (February 11) to mixed reviews from critics. In the whirlwind romance, Jennifer Lopez teams up with Marvel's Owen Wilson to make one of the most unlikely on-screen couples. Directed by Kat Coiro, Marry Me is based on a graphic novel of the same name where a pop star, Kat Valdez (Lopez), decides to marry a complete stranger (Wilson) holding a "Marry Me" sign in the crowd after finding out her fiancé is cheating on her.

Video: Geena Davis recalls actor telling her she was 'too old' to be his romantic interest (Cover Video)IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green finalise divorceIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kanye West pleads to be reunited with family in response to Kim Kardashian photoshootAdam Driver replaces Hugh Jackman in Michael Mann's Enzo Ferrari biopicBillie Eilish and Finneas make White House visitBREAKING NEWS: Prince Charles tests positive for Covid-19Bob Saget's family reveals cause of deathChanning Tatum wants to keep his 'natural' body hair in Magic Mike 3Snoop Dogg acquires former label Death Row RecordsKanye West pleads to be reunited with family in response to Kim Kardashian photoshootQuentin Tarantino to be father-of-twoJulia Fox acknowledges Kanye West may have 'residual feelings' for Kim KardashianMegan Fox and Brian Austin Green finalise divorceKim Kardashian 'fought against' wearing mask to 2021 Met GalaDolly Parton offers employees free tuition and books to pursue higher educationIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Beyoncé lands first Oscar nominationIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Adele dominates 2022 BRIT Awards Katherine, 32, announced she and Chris are expecting their second child back in December. They are also parents to daughter Lyla, who was born in August 2020.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorA Mamma Mia 3, could be in the cards down the road.Judy Craymer, who produced the combined $1-billion plus grossing feature films Mamma Mia! and Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, as well as the original West End $4 billion-grossing Abba musical, told the Daily Mail recently, “I think one day there will be another film, because there’s meant to be a trilogy, you see.”“‘I know Universal would like me to do it,’ the producer added, specifying that there’s four new Abba numbers Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus wrote for the virtual concert they’ve planned with Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.