Hello Insiders, Jesse Whittock here guiding you through a notable week in international television and film, spanning from Spain to Indonesia. Let’s dive in.
San Sebastian Highlights
The San Sebastian Film Festival wraps up tomorrow, and many attendees are calling this year’s lineup one of the strongest in recent memory. The festival kicked off with a splash, showcasing Audrey Diwan’s erotic remake of Emmanuelle, although the film garnered mixed reviews in Spain. Stephanie Bunbury from Deadline offered a slightly positive take, referring to it as a brave endeavor. In contrast, Johnny Depp’s second directorial venture, Modi – Three Days On The Wing Of Madness, received a more enthusiastic reception. Participating outside of the competition, Depp was met with enthusiastic applause from fans and delegates alike, with cheers of “bravo” echoing during the film’s gala screening. Bunbury described the movie as a riotous celebration of artistic excess.
The high-profile arrivals didn’t stop with Depp. Esteemed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar graced the festival with Tilda Swinton to introduce his film, The Room Next Door. He also received the honorary Donostia Award for his career achievements, coinciding with his 75th birthday, an event that drew attention even from Spain’s President, Pedro Sánchez. During a press conference, Almodóvar elegantly critiqued Spain and Europe’s immigration policies, advocating for the welcoming of immigrants to rejuvenate the nation’s aging population.
Javier Bardem also took the opportunity to voice his concerns during a press conference, passionately advocating for Palestinian rights. He condemned the situation in Gaza, labeling it dehumanizing and urging major nations like the U.S., Germany, and the UK to reconsider their unwavering support for Israel in light of ongoing humanitarian crises.
Turning to the films, Chilean filmmaker Maite Alberdi introduced her debut fiction feature, In Her Place, at the festival. Meanwhile, Christine Vachon addressed the audience at the creative investors conference, lamenting the unfortunate shelving of Todd Haynes’ gay romance film featuring Joaquin Phoenix, which she deemed tragic. Veteran British producer Jeremy Thomas shared insights from his long career while highlighting the pressing issues facing the UK film industry. Industry players identified the escalating reliance on foreign investments and a troubling trend of shrinking budgets for local projects.
In a surprising twist, the San Sebastian Film Festival has announced Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel as its closing film, which will screen multiple times before the awards ceremony. Stay tuned this weekend to find out which films take home awards.
Insights from APOS
On the other side of the globe, the APOS event took place at the luxurious Ayana Resort in Bali, bringing together major players from the Asia Pacific region. The consensus among participants, including Netflix, Prime Video, and various local stakeholders, was a clear call for collaboration in the region. Viacom18’s Kiran Mani emphasized that Western models don’t translate to the Indian market, urging international players to seek local partnerships as a path to success.
Netflix India’s Monika Shergill remarked on the growing demand for content in India, noting the strain on local talent and crews due to the explosive growth in streaming demand. She insisted that investing in the creative industries is crucial for nurturing talent and elevating production quality.
In Korea, preparations for the Busan International Film Festival are underway, following a year of significant challenges, including changes in management and funding cuts. Despite the uphill battle, the festival remains a pivotal event for industry giants like Disney and Netflix.
Al-Fayed Allegations
In the UK, a BBC Two documentary titled Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods has delved into serious sexual assault allegations against the late businessman Mohammed Al-Fayed, made by over 20 women. The documentary examines the culture at Harrods during his ownership and calls attention to the consequences of his actions, with Harrods management expressing regret for past oversights.
Schofield’s Comeback
In a surprising development, former ITV host Phillip Schofield, who left his role amidst controversy surrounding an inappropriate relationship, is set to return to television with a Channel 5 castaway series. Titled Phillip Schofield Cast Away, the three-part series features him isolated on a remote island, providing him with an opportunity to reflect on the tumultuous events of the past year.
Italian Producers at Odds
Back in Italy, tensions have erupted between film producers Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino. Following Iervolino’s announcement of his departure to establish his own production company, Bacardi has made serious claims regarding rights to certain projects, alleging misconduct and seeking an investigation into his conduct. Iervolino has denied these allegations and has indicated plans for legal action against Bacardi. The feud remains intense and could escalate.
The Essentials
Tim Roth has officially joined the cast of Netflix’s Peaky Blinders film, adding to the lineup that includes Cillian Murphy. Additionally, British boxer Nicola Adams is making her Hollywood debut in the action-thriller The Gun on Second Street. George Dawes Green’s Southern Gothic novel The Kingdoms of Savannah is also getting the adaptation treatment for television. France’s Mediawan has partnered with LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment. Meanwhile, Goodfellas and Enrique López Lavigne are teaming up to create Goodapaxte, while former Banijay executive Joris Gijsbertse is starting a new indie collaboration called Thirtyfour Media. Rosamund Pike is set to make her debut at London’s National Theatre in Suzie Miller’s Inter Alia, while countries like the UK, Argentina, and Switzerland are submitting their films for Oscar consideration.
Looking ahead, former Channel 4 executive Karl Warner has landed a new role at BBC Studios, and the UK’s Evening Standard is exploring the use of AI to revive late arts critic Brian Sewell.
Box Office News
In box office updates, Transformers One debuted with an impressive $39 million start, while Zak Ntim contributed insights to this week’s Insider report. Written by Jesse Whittock, the article presents a snapshot of an eventful week in the entertainment world.