Netflix Shelves Indian Film ‘Tees’, Director Dibakar Banerjee Seeks New Buyer

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor J.K. Rowling claims people have deeply misunderstood her position on transgender women — and the best-selling author says she’s not preoccupied with how the controversy will affect her legacy. Rowling, speaking on the topic for the podcast “The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling,” said she “never meant to upset anyone” with comments broadly seen as antagonistic toward trans women. About the reaction from fans that Rowling has “ruined” her legacy, she counters that people who express such sentiments “could not have misunderstood me more profoundly.” “I do not walk around my house, thinking about my legacy,” she says in the first episode. “You know, what a pompous way to live your life walking around thinking, ‘What will my legacy be?’ Whatever, I’ll be dead. I care about now. I care about the living.”

K.J. Yossman Joseph Fiennes is set to play England soccer manager Gareth Southgate in a new play written by “Sherwood” scribe James Graham. Fiennes, known for his turns in “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Shakespeare in Love,” will take on the role at London’s National Theatre. “Spring Awakening” director Rupert Goold will helm the production. “It’s time to change the game,” reads the logline. “The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?”

Ed Meza @edmezavar Spanish producers taking part in a Spanish content showcase at the Berlinale Series Market on Monday debated what was jokingly referred to as the “devil’s bargain” offered by major streaming platforms that are propelling Spanish shows around the globe often at the cost of IP ownership.    Álex de la Iglesia of Madrid-based production powerhouse Pokeepsie Films said the company for years retained the IP of films that played in local cinemas. “We assumed there was no other model. Now, maybe we lose our IP, but suddenly our movies are in the houses of the whole planet. Maybe you have to sell your soul to these ‘diabolical’ platforms,” he joked. “But I can only say that working with the devil is worth it.,” he added.

Liza Foreman German production outfit MMC Studios (“Amelie”) is backing romanic drama “Dear Eszter,” from writer/director Alex Balassa. Bastian Griese and Lucas Hamacher will produce the film for MMC Studios in Cologne, alongside Balassa. The film’s co-producers include Peter Seres (“World War Z”) at Hungary’s Punk Films, as well as Ondrej Beranek (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) from the Czech Republic’s Blindspot Capital.  Two of Chile’s foremost TV producers, Maria Elena Wood (“Locas Mujeres”) and Patricio Pereira from Maria Wood Producciones (MEW), serve as executive producers. 

missing mum with Coleen Nolan and her co-stars on Monday, February 20. The debate was aired hours before Lancashire Police confirmed a body that had been found in the River Wyre was sadly that of missing mum, Nicola Bulley. Ms Bulley had not been seen since disappearing on January 27, with her last sighting being near the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have shared details of a headline outdoor Brighton gig this summer.Supported by The Vaccines, The Coral and Gaz Coombes, Gallagher will bring his band to the ‘On The Beach’ show on July 30.Tickets go on general sale this Friday (February 24) at 10am GMT here.Gallagher’s latest announcement comes after booking an outdoor gig in Taunton this August as part of the Somerset Live series. The musician has already confirmed several other outdoor gigs for the summer including festival slots and a homecoming show at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park.The news follows Gallagher’s band and Garbage announcing a co-headline tour of North America this summer – find more details below and purchase tickets here.A post shared by Noel Gallagher’s HFB (@themightyi)It kicks off in Auburn, Washington on June, 2, 2023 (release day for Gallagher’s new album ‘Council Skies’) followed by stops in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Tampa, New York and many more, before rounding up at in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 15.Metric join the bill as special guests on the tour, which will mark the first time Gallagher and his High Flying Birds will have toured North America since 2019.Gallagher announced ‘Council Skies’ last month along with the release of single ‘Easy Now’.

Emmerdale star Danny Miller has revealed that he’s felt the ‘worst he’s ever felt’ as he battles an illness which he compares to covid. The actor, who portrayed Aaron Dingle in the ITV soap, took to social media to ask his followers for help, hoping someone could provide some advice or support on what he’s going thorough. ‘Help!,’ he wrote.

Black Country, New Road have released a new live film featuring eight brand new songs.“We didn’t want to do a studio album”, says pianist May Kershaw. “We wrote the new tracks specifically to perform live, so we thought it might be a nice idea to put out a performance”.Filmed over three nights at Bush Hall in London in December, the band decided against the convention of cutting together multiple performances to look like one and instead gave each show a distinct visual style, which they cut between throughout the film.“We had concerns from live sessions we’ve seen or done in the past”, says guitarist Luke Mark. “They are very obviously clumped together visually from multiple performances.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined in the criticism of changes made to classic works by Roald Dahl which came to light over the weekend. Titles like James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have been altered by modifying words that are now deemed offensive.

Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) is set to portray England Men’s soccer coach Gareth Southgate in a new play at the National Theatre in London.

Emma Thompson has said that attending the Oscars has made her “seriously ill” in the past and she’s developed an “allergy to that part of the job”. The 63-year-old actress, known for films including Nanny McPhee and Sense And Sensibility, has won two Academy Awards. Speaking to the Radio Times about her experience of attending the coveted awards show, Dame Emma said: “Both times I had to do the Oscars I got seriously ill.

Prime Video's new drama series Daisy Jones on the Six is one of the streamer's most highly anticipated new releases this year after the original novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid skyrocketed to the top of bestseller lists worldwide. Starring Riley Keough in the title role, her co-star Suki Waterhouse had high praise for the granddaughter of Elvis Presley's lead performance. Actress and model Waterhouse named Keough's performance as the number one reason for viewers to tune in to Prime Video's rock 'n' roll drama.

Love Island star posted a smiling picture on her Instagram (and one of herself and her beloved pet cat Bread both striking a contemplative pose) as she marked one month on from giving birth to baby daughter Bambi. She looked stunning with her blonde hair worn in a long bob style. Molly-Mae, who met her partner Tommy Fury on the ITV2 dating show Love Island in 2019, looked super-stylish in a black and tan checked coat.

The Scottish Government is providing £8.6 million in direct support for people affected by the UK benefit cap as part of its work to tackle child poverty.

Two Doors Down fans have been left buzzing after it was confirmed on Tuesday that the much-loved Scots sitcom would be returning for a seventh series later this year.

Lise Pedersen The Copenhagen Intl. Documentary Film Festival, also known as CPH:DOX, has unveiled the full program of its 20th edition, which includes 200 new films, more than half of which are world premieres, sealing CPH:DOX’s reputation as one of the leading events of its kind in Europe. For the first time, all 13 films competing for the top Dox:Award are world premieres. These include “A Storm Foretold,” the long-awaited doc on Donald Trump’s former adviser Roger Stone by Danish political journalist Christopher Guldbrandsen; established filmmaker Margreth Olin’s highly anticipated epic film “Songs of the Earth”; “A Tiger in Paradise,” a surreal journey into Swedish singer José González’ inner world by Ruben Östlund’s regular creative partners Mikel Cee Karlsson and Erik Hemmendorff; and “Total Trust” by Jialing Zhang (“One Child Nation”), described as “the first major film about the Chinese surveillance state (…) – a disturbing tale of technology, (self-) censorship and abuse of power in the 21st century.”

Michelle Keegan has excitedly announced her latest acting gig, as she will be starring in a new Netflix thriller based on a book by popular author, Harlan Coben. The 35 year old star has enjoyed a successful career so far, with roles on ITV's Coronation Street, BBC drama Our Girl, and Sky comedy series Brassic.

Hollywood actor Jude Law has reportedly become a father again after he and his wife, Phillipa Coan, were spotted out and about in London. In pictures obtained by The Sun, the Fantastic Beasts actor could be seen walking through Heathrow looking rather flustered as he attempted to navigate the airport with Phillipa, a baby in a pram, and their two year old who was born in September 2020.The 50 year old actor was seen sporting a double denim outfit, a soft brown blazer, a trilby hat and a small cross-body bag as he walked alongside his wife. Phillipa, 32, who works as a business psychologist, was dressed down in a simple outfit comprised of graphic jogging bottoms and a simple black t-shirt as she bundled her hair on top of her head.

Morrissey has confirmed that he’s recorded a new album called ‘Without Music The World Dies’ and shared its tracklist.No release date has been confirmed for the new LP, but a post on Morrissey’s website detailed that it was recorded at La Fabrique Studios in St-Remy, France and was produced by longtime collaborator Joe Chiccarelli.Among its 10-song tracklist are tracks titled ‘Suspicious Minds’, ‘Happy New Tears’, ‘The Night Pop Dropped’ and more.The blog post includes a quote from co-writer Jesse Tobias, who described the album as “a lightning strike”.At the end of the album announcement, a notice referenced Morrissey’s recent label troubles, reading: Capitol Records Los Angeles recently terminated their contract with Morrissey, therefore if any record label or private investor has interest in releasing this project, please contact Donnie Knutson.”See the tracklist for ‘Without Music The World Dies’ below.1. ‘The Night Pop Dropped’ 2. ‘Zoom Zoom The Little Boy’ 3. ‘Boulevard’ 4. ‘Headache’ 5. ‘Without Music the World Dies’ 6. ‘Suspicious Minds’ 7. ‘Notre-Dame’ 8. ‘Many Icebergs Ago’ 9. ‘Happy New Tears’ 10. ‘The Monsters of Pig Alley’At the time of the announcement of the new album, Morrissey’s last LP – ‘Bonfire Of Teenagers’ – remains unreleased.In October 2022, Morrissey announced that ‘Bonfire of Teenagers’ would be released in 2023 through Capitol.

Alec Baldwin in connection to the accidental shooting of a Rust crew member have been downgraded.In October 2021, while filming the movie on location, Baldwin was holding a Colt .45-caliber pistol that fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.Baldwin and the movie’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were then both charged with involuntary manslaughter last month following the tragic incident.Per The Hollywood Reporter, the involuntary manslaughter charge remains against the pair, but The Santa Fe District Attorney has now removed a firearm enhancement from a second charge, meaning that a potential five-year prison sentence for Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed is now no longer possible.If found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter charge, the pair face a maximum of 18 months in prison.Discussing the reason for the change in charges, New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney spokesperson Heather Brewer said (via THR): “In order to avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys, the District Attorney and the special prosecutor have removed the firearm enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust film set.“The prosecution’s priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys.”Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer Jason Bowles added that he “applaud[s] the decision by the District Attorney and it was the right call, ethically, and on the merits.”In November of 2022, Alec Baldwin filed a lawsuit for negligence and indemnification against a number of Rust crew members including Gutierrez-Reed, weapons and rounds supplier Seth Kenney, first assistant director David Halls and property master Sarah Zachry.

There was a real sense of excitement as pupils at St Brigid’s and Newmains Primary Schools enjoyed the first day in their new building.

Marta Balaga Berlinale’s Co-Pro Series title “Tipping Point” heads to the end of the world – Svalbard – to tell a story of a young activist at war with her oil exec father, until he is murdered.  Chasing a piece of stolen software which can be used either to destroy the world or improve it, just like the atomic bomb, she is investigating his death. A ReelMedia (Finland) and Maipo Film (Norway) production, it’s set to start shooting in 2024.  “In Svalbard, there are scientists, spies, military attaches, environmentalists, miners. Polar bears and even a statue of Lenin, because no one bothered to take it down. You can’t make it up,” laughs head writer Brendan Foley, promising the location will keep the tale “contained.”

MAMAMOO subunit MAMAMOO+ will make their comeback next month.On February 21, RBW Entertainment informed South Korean media outlet TV Report that the duo of MAMAMOO members Solar and Moonbyul are “preparing for a comeback with the goal of coming March”.Details including an exact release date, tracklist and album format have not been announced at the time of publishing.The forthcoming release will mark MAMAMOO+’s first comeback as a duo, and serve as the follow-up to their debut single ‘Better’ featuring rapper BIG Naughty last August. The pair are currently the first and only subunit that MAMAMOO has launched.Two months after MAMAMOO+’s debut, the quartet returned with their ‘Mic ON’ mini-album, their first group release in over a year.

Liza Foreman ZDF Studios has signed a deal to distribute the second season of the remake of the iconic Spanish horror series “Stories to Stay Awake” (“Historias Para No Dormir”). The series is a reboot of the classic series created by Spain’s Chicho Ibáñez Serrador in the 1960s which proved a milestone in Spanish horror, introducing Spain to classic tales from Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allen Poe,   The deal sees ZDF Studios taking distribution rights to “Stories” in all territories outside Spain, Portugal, Italy and Latin America, which will be handled by Paramount Global Content Distribution. ZDF operated in the same capacity for the first season.

Marta Balaga Crime shows look for a new angle, argued Berlinale Series participants on Monday.  There is no shortage of new offerings, from Berlinale Market Selects’ “Two Sides of the Abyss,” Serbia’s “The Fall” or South Africa’s “Donkerbos,” created by Nico Scheepers, to China’s melancholic, decades-spanning “Why Try to Change Me Now,” with Golden Bear winner Yinan Diao attached as executive producer. But while there is still an appetite for traditional detective stories, producers and broadcasters are venturing out of the “damaged, middle-aged white detective slot on a Sunday night,” suggested All3Media International’s Rachel Glaister. They are also thinking about their younger audience.

Naman Ramachandran Shout! Studios has acquired U.S. and Canada rights to Studiocanal and Working Title’s cross-cultural British romantic comedy “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” with a view to releasing it in late spring, it was revealed at Berlin’s European Film Market on Tuesday. Directed by veteran Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur (“Elizabeth”), “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” follows documentary-maker and dating app addict Zoe (Lily James), for whom swiping right has only delivered an endless stream of Mr Wrongs, to her eccentric mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For Zoe’s childhood friend and neighbor Kaz (Shazad Latif), the answer is to follow his parents’ example and opt for an arranged (or “assisted”) marriage to a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan (Sajal Aly). As Zoe films Kaz’s journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a profoundly different approach to finding love.

Rent prices are higher than ever and with the ongoing cost of living crisis, some families are struggling to make ends meet. While there has been an increase in people starting 'side hustles' to try and bring in some extra cash, others have been coming up with even more creative ways to combat rising costs.

Coronation Street star James Craven has shared what's next for his character as he's to be accused of rape. Aaron Sanford arrived in Weatherfield in 2022 when he met Summer Spellman at a diabetes support group.

K-pop agency SM Entertainment has previewed its upcoming music release plans for the first half of 2023.On February 20, SM uploaded a report of its earnings for the fourth quarter of 2022 to its official website for investors. In the new report, SM also shared the line-up of comebacks it has scheduled for the first half of 2023.According to the report, April will see the release of Girls’ Generation leader and soloist Taeyeon’s fifth mini-album, the debut of a new NCT sub-unit with their first mini-album as well as girl group aespa’s first-ever full-length album.Meanwhile, veteran boyband SHINee are scheduled to make a comeback with their eighth studio album in May, marking their first group release since their seventh repackaged  album ‘Atlantis’ in April 2021.

Marta Balaga Nikolaj Lie Kaas’ series “Agent,” shown at Berlinale Series, centers around Joe, who has high hopes for his famous clients. But it’s not another remake of a certain French smash. “I started writing it before ‘Call My Agent!’ even came out. Then I saw it on Netflix and went: ‘Oh, for f**k’s sake…’,” Danish actor-turned-director tells Variety. “I guess I was just longing for a comedy, something that would also have depth, heart and all that stuff. I said to myself: ‘Nikolaj, you are being a bitch about it. Create something yourself, instead of asking others to do it.’” 

Naman Ramachandran Singapore-based film marketing and distribution firm Continental Entertainment Pte. Ltd. (CEPL), which holds global distribution rights for Bangladeshi auteur Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s “Saturday Afternoon,” will release the film in the U.S. and Canada through Reliance Entertainment. The Bengali-and-English-language film takes its cue from the brutal terrorist attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in 2016, which took place on a quiet Saturday afternoon and left more than 20 people dead. It had considerable festival play, winning awards at Fukuoka, Moscow and Vesoul. The film was initially banned and had finally been cleared for release in January after a four year struggle with the Bangladesh Film Censor Board. However Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appears to have taken a U turn and the situation remains fluid. Consequently, the film will open in the U.S. and Canada on March 10 before its Bangladesh release. It will also be released in other countries in subsequent months.

EXCLUSIVE: JoJo Siwa has signed on to star opposite Jade Pettyjohn (Little Fires Everywhere) in the horror-thriller All My Friends Are Dead from Saw 3D writer Marcus Dunstan.

Margo Martindale is one of the stars of Cocaine Bear, the dark comedy action film directed by Elizabeth Banks. The story is based on true events from 1985 when an American black bear ingested a duffel bag full of cocaine.

The new movie The Magic Flute will be hitting theaters next month and you can watch the trailer here!

Grange Hill and Sweeney Todd actor Lee Whitlock has died at the age of 54, acting agency Urban Collective has confirmed. His representatives took to Twitter on Monday to announce the sad news with a post commending the actor's "entertaining, funny & positive" work. A tweet from the agency read: "Saddened by the death of our client Lee Whitlock.

Ed Meza @edmezavar “Snow,” an Austrian-German co-production and one of 16 titles presented in the Berlinale Series Market Selects showcase, weaves the timely issue of climate change and local folklore into a suspenseful mystery drama set in the picturesque Austrian Alps. Brigitte Hobmeier stars as Lucia, a physician who with her husband and children moves to the village, where she is replacing the local doctor, who is retiring. Things take a troubling turn when her daughter is visited by a strange woman at night. The series presentation at the EFM event brings the title back to Berlin, where it came together in 2020 at the Berlinale Co-Production Market’s Co-Pro Series event.