Alan Partridge is officially back as evidenced by a new first look image from his upcoming BBC documentary “And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge.”
Filming has officially commenced on the show, in which comedian Steve Coogan (who was twice nominated for Oscars his work on 2013 comedy-drama “Philomena”) reprises his role as the hapless interviewer.
The six-part mockumentary follows Partridge as he returns to Norfolk following a year in Saudi Arabia and struggles to reintegrate.
“One of the first – if not the first – documentary to address the issue of mental wellness, the six-part series follows the revered and beloved broadcaster on a quest to understand what’s going on, with Britain’s minds and his own,” reads the official logline. “It’s a show that makes a statement that will create shockwaves: ‘I’m Alan Partridge, and I’m not Ok.’ Partridge will write, present and produce the series. He will also direct the series.
Filming has officially commenced on the show, in which comedian Steve Coogan (who was twice nominated for Oscars his work on 2013 comedy-drama “Philomena”) reprises his role as the hapless interviewer.
The six-part mockumentary follows Partridge as he returns to Norfolk following a year in Saudi Arabia and struggles to reintegrate.
“One of the first – if not the first – documentary to address the issue of mental wellness, the six-part series follows the revered and beloved broadcaster on a quest to understand what’s going on, with Britain’s minds and his own,” reads the official logline. “It’s a show that makes a statement that will create shockwaves: ‘I’m Alan Partridge, and I’m not Ok.’ Partridge will write, present and produce the series. He will also direct the series.
- 5/20/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Carey Mulligan comedy “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” Variety can confirm exclusively.
They will release the film in the U.S. while Universal Pictures International is handling global distribution.
The film, which was previously titled “One For The Money,” is directed by James Griffiths (“Cuban Fury”) and produced by Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow productions (“Philomena”).
The screenplay was written by Tom Basden (“After Life”) and Tim Key (“Great Expectations”), who also star in the film alongside Sian Clifford (“Fleabag”) and Akemnji Ndifornyen (“Famalam”).
“The Ballad of Wallis Island” tells the story of Charles (played by Key), an eccentric lottery winner who tries to reunite his favorite musical duo Mortimer-McGwyer (Mulligan and Basden) despite the fact they split up many years ago. Making things even more awkward, the musicians – Nell Mortimer and Herb McGwyer — were also once romantically involved with each other a la Sonny and Cher.
They will release the film in the U.S. while Universal Pictures International is handling global distribution.
The film, which was previously titled “One For The Money,” is directed by James Griffiths (“Cuban Fury”) and produced by Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow productions (“Philomena”).
The screenplay was written by Tom Basden (“After Life”) and Tim Key (“Great Expectations”), who also star in the film alongside Sian Clifford (“Fleabag”) and Akemnji Ndifornyen (“Famalam”).
“The Ballad of Wallis Island” tells the story of Charles (played by Key), an eccentric lottery winner who tries to reunite his favorite musical duo Mortimer-McGwyer (Mulligan and Basden) despite the fact they split up many years ago. Making things even more awkward, the musicians – Nell Mortimer and Herb McGwyer — were also once romantically involved with each other a la Sonny and Cher.
- 4/2/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Image: Clockwise from top: The Crying Game by Palace Pictures, The Banshees of Inisherin by Searchlight Pictures, The Secret of Kells by New Video
When you think about Ireland, the first thing that comes to mind may not be the country’s robust film industry. But the fact is that...
When you think about Ireland, the first thing that comes to mind may not be the country’s robust film industry. But the fact is that...
- 3/17/2024
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
Steve Coogan and the makers of The Lost King are being sued over the portrayal of a university official in their Richard III film.
Richard Taylor, a former University of Leicester deputy registrar is suing the actor-writer, his BBC Studios-owned production company Baby Cow Productions and Pathé Productions, claiming the performance presents him as “dismissive, patronising and misogynistic.”
Lee Ingleby played Taylor in the film, which was about the real-life discovery of Richard III’s remains under a council car park in Leicester in 2012.
The Stephen Frears-directed film focuses on the role played by historian Philippa Langley (played by Sally Hawkins) in the discovery, and debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.
Coogan starred as Langley’s husband, and produced and co-wrote the film with Jeff Pope, who also co-wrote Coogan’s multi-Oscar-nominated 2013 film Philomena. Coogan did not attend the High Court hearing.
Taylor’s barrister claimed...
Richard Taylor, a former University of Leicester deputy registrar is suing the actor-writer, his BBC Studios-owned production company Baby Cow Productions and Pathé Productions, claiming the performance presents him as “dismissive, patronising and misogynistic.”
Lee Ingleby played Taylor in the film, which was about the real-life discovery of Richard III’s remains under a council car park in Leicester in 2012.
The Stephen Frears-directed film focuses on the role played by historian Philippa Langley (played by Sally Hawkins) in the discovery, and debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.
Coogan starred as Langley’s husband, and produced and co-wrote the film with Jeff Pope, who also co-wrote Coogan’s multi-Oscar-nominated 2013 film Philomena. Coogan did not attend the High Court hearing.
Taylor’s barrister claimed...
- 3/1/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Murphy plays a man who witnesses Ireland’s church’s abusive workhouses for unwed mothers in an absorbing Dickensian story based on recent history
As producer and lead actor, Cillian Murphy has brought to the screen a piercingly painful and sad story with a very literary intensity, juxtaposing the detail of the present with flashback memories of the past. It is about Ireland’s notorious Magdalene Laundries: the church’s homes for unwed mothers who were made to work in an atmosphere of wretchedness and shame and had their babies taken away and sold to foster parents. Enda Walsh has adapted the much admired novel by Claire Keegan and the director is Tim Mielants.
This subdued but absorbing and eventful film is rather different from Peter Mullan’s extravagant The Magdalene Sisters – which also featured Eileen Walsh in its cast – and different also from Stephen Frears’ bittersweet dramedy Philomena. Murphy...
As producer and lead actor, Cillian Murphy has brought to the screen a piercingly painful and sad story with a very literary intensity, juxtaposing the detail of the present with flashback memories of the past. It is about Ireland’s notorious Magdalene Laundries: the church’s homes for unwed mothers who were made to work in an atmosphere of wretchedness and shame and had their babies taken away and sold to foster parents. Enda Walsh has adapted the much admired novel by Claire Keegan and the director is Tim Mielants.
This subdued but absorbing and eventful film is rather different from Peter Mullan’s extravagant The Magdalene Sisters – which also featured Eileen Walsh in its cast – and different also from Stephen Frears’ bittersweet dramedy Philomena. Murphy...
- 2/16/2024
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Upon securing a spot in the 2024 Best Supporting Actress Oscar lineup, Jodie Foster (“Nyad”) officially shattered the Academy Awards record for longest span between fourth and fifth acting nominations. Following her two Best Actress wins for “The Accused” (1989) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992), she had last been recognized in that category for “Nell” (1995), making for a general nomination gap of 29 years. Coincidentally, she took this particular distinction from fellow “Silence of the Lambs” winner Anthony Hopkins, who waited 22 years between his supporting bids for “Amistad” (1998) and “The Two Popes” (2020).
Previously, the female record for longest wait for a fifth nomination was 12 years, as shared by Julianne Moore and Frances McDormand. Considering gaps between any two consecutive acting nominations, Foster ranks well behind overall record holder Judd Hirsch, whose first and second career notices for “Ordinary People” (1981) and “The Fabelmans” (2023) came 42 years apart. His female counterpart is Helen Hayes (39 years...
Previously, the female record for longest wait for a fifth nomination was 12 years, as shared by Julianne Moore and Frances McDormand. Considering gaps between any two consecutive acting nominations, Foster ranks well behind overall record holder Judd Hirsch, whose first and second career notices for “Ordinary People” (1981) and “The Fabelmans” (2023) came 42 years apart. His female counterpart is Helen Hayes (39 years...
- 2/6/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
HBO is getting ready to unleash its latest miniseries in the form of "The Regime." The series has a lot going for it as it has an Oscar-winning actress at the center of the story, which hails from two of the minds behind one of the network's most beloved shows in recent memory, "Succession." But this is a very different sort of show not focused on the world of messy corporate politics, instead taking place inside a European palace and an authoritarian regime.
But what is this show about, exactly? Who is behind the camera and responsible for its creation? Who is in front of the camera bringing this political regime to life? We're here to answer all of those questions and more, offering up everything you need to know about the show before it arrives. Let's get into it.
Read more: The 15 Best Anthology TV Series Ranked
When Does The Regime Premiere?...
But what is this show about, exactly? Who is behind the camera and responsible for its creation? Who is in front of the camera bringing this political regime to life? We're here to answer all of those questions and more, offering up everything you need to know about the show before it arrives. Let's get into it.
Read more: The 15 Best Anthology TV Series Ranked
When Does The Regime Premiere?...
- 2/2/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Dame Judi Dench has done pretty well for herself in an acting career that has lasted over half a century. For her film acting alone, Dench has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning one for her supporting performance in 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love.” She also earned nine Golden Globe noms for her film work (including a win for 1997’s “Mrs. Brown”) and three for her TV work, including a win for 2000’s “The Last of the Blonde Bombshells.” She has also received 13 nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award, winning twice (for “Shakespeare in Love” and 2000’s “Chocolat”). And if that wasn’t enough, she won a 1999 Tony Award for her performance in “Amy’s View.”
Let’s take a photo gallery tour of her 12 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. It includes the movies mentioned above, plus “Notes on a Scandal,” “Philomena,” “Iris” and more.
Let’s take a photo gallery tour of her 12 greatest films, ranked from worst to best. It includes the movies mentioned above, plus “Notes on a Scandal,” “Philomena,” “Iris” and more.
- 12/1/2023
- by Tom O'Brien, Misty Holland and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
The origin of one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars is a story stranger than fiction.
Cary Grant, who appeared in movies including “To Catch a Thief” opposite Grace Kelly, was born Archibald Leach in 1904 to an abusive father in the sleepy city of Bristol, England. While he was a child, Grant’s mother was secretly committed to a mental health hospital and publicly declared dead. The actor only found out she was still alive when he was 31 years old.
Grant is now the subject of “Archie,” a four-part biopic from “Philomena” writer Jeff Pope, made with the cooperation of his ex-wife Dyan Cannon and daughter Jennifer Grant. The series charts the actor’s rise to fame, his struggle with his demons and his relationships with the most important women in his life.
“It was Dyan who told me in much greater detail than you can find anywhere about the whole thing with his mother,...
Cary Grant, who appeared in movies including “To Catch a Thief” opposite Grace Kelly, was born Archibald Leach in 1904 to an abusive father in the sleepy city of Bristol, England. While he was a child, Grant’s mother was secretly committed to a mental health hospital and publicly declared dead. The actor only found out she was still alive when he was 31 years old.
Grant is now the subject of “Archie,” a four-part biopic from “Philomena” writer Jeff Pope, made with the cooperation of his ex-wife Dyan Cannon and daughter Jennifer Grant. The series charts the actor’s rise to fame, his struggle with his demons and his relationships with the most important women in his life.
“It was Dyan who told me in much greater detail than you can find anywhere about the whole thing with his mother,...
- 11/23/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
McCracken will still be involved with his long-gestating Alexander McQueen project.
After 23 years producing films in the UK, French mini-major Pathe will close its UK theatrical film distribution business by the end of 2023 to focus on the development and production of scripted TV series under managing director Faith Penhale.
Cameron McCracken, head of film at Pathe UK, is retiring but will remain involved with several ongoing projects at Pathe including a film about Alexander McQueen to be directed by Oliver Hermanus.
The roles of three key people are being made redundant: Lee Bye, long-time head of theatrical distribution and technical,...
After 23 years producing films in the UK, French mini-major Pathe will close its UK theatrical film distribution business by the end of 2023 to focus on the development and production of scripted TV series under managing director Faith Penhale.
Cameron McCracken, head of film at Pathe UK, is retiring but will remain involved with several ongoing projects at Pathe including a film about Alexander McQueen to be directed by Oliver Hermanus.
The roles of three key people are being made redundant: Lee Bye, long-time head of theatrical distribution and technical,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Louise Tutt
- ScreenDaily
Cord Jefferson’s comedy, “American Fiction,” has won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2023 Middleburg Film Festival. Since winning the same prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film has been steadily rising in our combined Best Picture odds, where it’s currently in ninth place as a predicted nominee. Jefferson also received the award for Special Achievement in Filmmaking for his debut feature.
The top documentary prize went to Vanessa Hope‘s “Invisible Nation,” which follows the election and subsequent administration of Taiwan’s first female president, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen. The top award for international filmmaking went to the J.A. Bayona film “Society of the Snow,” about the 29 survivors Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes in 1972, and the extreme measures they had to take to stay alive while they were trapped.
See ‘American Fiction’ trailer: Jeffrey Wright stars in Cord Jefferson’s acclaimed directorial debut [Watch]
The festival,...
The top documentary prize went to Vanessa Hope‘s “Invisible Nation,” which follows the election and subsequent administration of Taiwan’s first female president, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen. The top award for international filmmaking went to the J.A. Bayona film “Society of the Snow,” about the 29 survivors Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes in 1972, and the extreme measures they had to take to stay alive while they were trapped.
See ‘American Fiction’ trailer: Jeffrey Wright stars in Cord Jefferson’s acclaimed directorial debut [Watch]
The festival,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Cord Jefferson’s satirical comedy “American Fiction” has won the Audience Award for narrative film at the Middleburg Film Festival. Proving to be a true crowd-pleaser, it’s the third audience prize for the MGM title on the festival circuit following the Toronto and Mill Valley Film Festivals (at the latter it tied with “Rustin”).
Based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett, the film follows author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a frustrated novelist who is fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. The film also stars Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Leslie Uggams and John Ortiz.
With SAG-AFTRA still on strike, it’s been writer, director and producer Jefferson doing the promotional and festival rounds for the movie, with the Oscar buzz continuing to grow in these early days of the season.
Now in its 11th year,...
Based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett, the film follows author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright), a frustrated novelist who is fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. The film also stars Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Leslie Uggams and John Ortiz.
With SAG-AFTRA still on strike, it’s been writer, director and producer Jefferson doing the promotional and festival rounds for the movie, with the Oscar buzz continuing to grow in these early days of the season.
Now in its 11th year,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
There are many television shows and movies that question the clergy in a confrontational way. Hollywood gave us the brilliant movie Spotlight. There was the commercially popular The Da Vinci Code and an independent film named Philomena. The Derry Girls is a comedic take on the Irish conflict and its connection with Catholicism. 1923, the Paramount+ show, comes close to questioning the abuses the Catholic Church inflicted on the indigenous culture.
Spoilers Ahead
What was the Church guilty of?
Just like that, The Woman in the Wall is also a serious take on the horrifying acts conducted by the Catholic Church of Ireland in the name of religion. The show paints a rather scary picture of how the church, over decades, carried out harrowing acts without being questioned by any authority. The show had a couple of characters who went out of their way to justify crimes they committed. They never...
Spoilers Ahead
What was the Church guilty of?
Just like that, The Woman in the Wall is also a serious take on the horrifying acts conducted by the Catholic Church of Ireland in the name of religion. The show paints a rather scary picture of how the church, over decades, carried out harrowing acts without being questioned by any authority. The show had a couple of characters who went out of their way to justify crimes they committed. They never...
- 9/26/2023
- by Smriti Kannan
- Film Fugitives
What will the people choose?
In its final stretch, on Sunday, the Toronto International Film Festival will announce the film chosen by the public for the People’s Choice Award of its 48th edition. After “Poor Things” took home the Golden Lion at Venice, we look to the Canadian awards season staple to boost a film in the hunt for best picture.
The top prize has become one of the most vital predictors of awards season success. In past years, best picture winners such as Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” (2018) and Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” (2020) made a winning stop at TIFF before getting Oscar glory. Other TIFF Audience Award recipients such as “The Fabelmans” (2022), “Belfast” (2021), “Jojo Rabbit” (2019), “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017) and “La La Land” (2016) are among the movies that went on to receive noms.
So, which movies are buzzing with support? The movie that wins at TIFF is...
In its final stretch, on Sunday, the Toronto International Film Festival will announce the film chosen by the public for the People’s Choice Award of its 48th edition. After “Poor Things” took home the Golden Lion at Venice, we look to the Canadian awards season staple to boost a film in the hunt for best picture.
The top prize has become one of the most vital predictors of awards season success. In past years, best picture winners such as Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” (2018) and Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” (2020) made a winning stop at TIFF before getting Oscar glory. Other TIFF Audience Award recipients such as “The Fabelmans” (2022), “Belfast” (2021), “Jojo Rabbit” (2019), “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017) and “La La Land” (2016) are among the movies that went on to receive noms.
So, which movies are buzzing with support? The movie that wins at TIFF is...
- 9/14/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Spooky season is upon us and Max is getting in on the action.
New to the streamer in September are “Annabelle” (2014), “Annabelle: Creation” (2017) and “Annabelle Comes Home” (2019), as well as “The Curse of La Llorona” (2019) — all spin-offs from “The Conjuring” universe.
Other horror entries include “It” (2017), “It: Chapter Two” (2019), eight “Friday the 13th” films (from the 1980 cult classic to 1989’s “Jason Takes Manhattan”) and six “Children of the Corn” sequels.
As previously reported, over 200 episodes of AMC Networks’ television series are coming to Max in September at no additional cost to subscribers, spreading their availability beyond AMC+. Shows that are part of the partnership include “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; ”Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5.
If fright flicks aren’t your thing,...
New to the streamer in September are “Annabelle” (2014), “Annabelle: Creation” (2017) and “Annabelle Comes Home” (2019), as well as “The Curse of La Llorona” (2019) — all spin-offs from “The Conjuring” universe.
Other horror entries include “It” (2017), “It: Chapter Two” (2019), eight “Friday the 13th” films (from the 1980 cult classic to 1989’s “Jason Takes Manhattan”) and six “Children of the Corn” sequels.
As previously reported, over 200 episodes of AMC Networks’ television series are coming to Max in September at no additional cost to subscribers, spreading their availability beyond AMC+. Shows that are part of the partnership include “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; ”Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5.
If fright flicks aren’t your thing,...
- 9/1/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
There’s an interesting experiment going on over at Max in September, as from the first of the month you’ll be able to find seven AMC+ series streaming for 60 days on the service. If you’ve been dying to check out some of their best shows but just haven’t had access to them, now’s your chance! Max will be streaming Fear the Walking Dead seasons 1-7, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire season one, Dark Winds season one, Gangs of London seasons 1-2, Ride with Norman Reedus seasons 1-5, A Discovery of Witches seasons 1-3, and Killing Eve seasons 1-4.
Also on Max this September is the original animated series Young Love, a Matthew A. Cherry project which seeks to expand on the critically acclaimed short film, Hair Love. Sam Jay has a new stand-up special on HBO, too. Sam Jay: Salute or Shoot Me will...
Also on Max this September is the original animated series Young Love, a Matthew A. Cherry project which seeks to expand on the critically acclaimed short film, Hair Love. Sam Jay has a new stand-up special on HBO, too. Sam Jay: Salute or Shoot Me will...
- 9/1/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Bradley Quirk, who has had previous stints with Brightstar and Altitude, is joining the Netflix U.K. film team, Variety has confirmed.
Quirk joins as manager, U.K. He is part of director, U.K. Mona Qureshi’s team. Anne Mensah serves as Netflix’s U.K. content vice president.
Quirk was previously with Brightstar Film and TV, the U.K. production outfit founded by producers Tanya Seghatchian (“The Crown”) and John Woodward (“Cold War”). Earlier, Quirk was with Altitude as head of development where he worked on the films “Calm With Horses,” “Rocks” and “The Girl With All the Gifts.”
In a previous stint with Pathe, he worked on “Philomena” and in a role with the BFI Film Fund, on “Welcome to the Punch” and “Broken.”
In 2019, Quirk served as executive producer on “Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans.”
Quirk joins after Netflix’s director of U.K.
Quirk joins as manager, U.K. He is part of director, U.K. Mona Qureshi’s team. Anne Mensah serves as Netflix’s U.K. content vice president.
Quirk was previously with Brightstar Film and TV, the U.K. production outfit founded by producers Tanya Seghatchian (“The Crown”) and John Woodward (“Cold War”). Earlier, Quirk was with Altitude as head of development where he worked on the films “Calm With Horses,” “Rocks” and “The Girl With All the Gifts.”
In a previous stint with Pathe, he worked on “Philomena” and in a role with the BFI Film Fund, on “Welcome to the Punch” and “Broken.”
In 2019, Quirk served as executive producer on “Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans.”
Quirk joins after Netflix’s director of U.K.
- 8/17/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
New role takes over many of the duties formerly held by Fiona Lamptey.
Netflix has hired former Brightstar, Altitude and UK Film Council executive Bradley Quirk to oversee its UK film slate, the streamer has confirmed today.
His job title is manager, Netflix UK, and he will work as part of the team led by Mona Qureshi, who oversees UK independent productions across both film and TV.
Qureshi reports to Anne Mensah, Netflix’s UK-based vice president of content. Qureshi joined in March 2022 from BBC Film.
Quirk was most recently development producer at Tanya Segatchian and John Woodward’s Brightstar...
Netflix has hired former Brightstar, Altitude and UK Film Council executive Bradley Quirk to oversee its UK film slate, the streamer has confirmed today.
His job title is manager, Netflix UK, and he will work as part of the team led by Mona Qureshi, who oversees UK independent productions across both film and TV.
Qureshi reports to Anne Mensah, Netflix’s UK-based vice president of content. Qureshi joined in March 2022 from BBC Film.
Quirk was most recently development producer at Tanya Segatchian and John Woodward’s Brightstar...
- 8/17/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Being stupid, as the saying goes, is like being dead – you’re oblivious either way, so it’s only really a problem for the people around you. The people around TV documentarian Philomena Cunk therefore, have a major problem.
At the end of January this year, America met Cunk properly for the first time when new show Cunk on Earth arrived on Netflix US. A documentary series follow-up to 2018’s Cunk on Britain, it’s an ambitious attempt to sum up the history of humankind in five half-hour episodes, made even more ambitious by the fact that it’s presented by a total moron.
A deliberate total moron, let’s be clear. Some apparently still aren’t clear that Philomena Cunk is not a real TV presenter but a character played by British comedy actor Diane Morgan. When Morgan appeared on US chat show Late Night With Seth Meyers earlier this year,...
At the end of January this year, America met Cunk properly for the first time when new show Cunk on Earth arrived on Netflix US. A documentary series follow-up to 2018’s Cunk on Britain, it’s an ambitious attempt to sum up the history of humankind in five half-hour episodes, made even more ambitious by the fact that it’s presented by a total moron.
A deliberate total moron, let’s be clear. Some apparently still aren’t clear that Philomena Cunk is not a real TV presenter but a character played by British comedy actor Diane Morgan. When Morgan appeared on US chat show Late Night With Seth Meyers earlier this year,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Disney+ is moving into the contemporary UK thriller space with the greenlight of a series based on Alex Dahl’s parents-worst-nightmare novel Playdate.
The Power of the Dog and It’s a Sin producers Tanya Seghatchian, John Woodward and Nicola Shindler are combining to produce the five-parter, which comes from the decorated trio’s Brightstar and Quay Street Productions and will commence filming in the UK and France over the summer. Palme d’Or nominee Eva Husson is directing and Hijack’s Catherine Moulton is writing. Casting is yet to be announced.
In Playdate, a seemingly ordinary decision turns the world of Elisa, mum to two young kids, upside down. When Elisa’s nine-year-old daughter asks to go on an overnight playdate with her new best friend, Elisa agrees. But when she says goodnight to her daughter, she has no idea that she is about to be thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare,...
The Power of the Dog and It’s a Sin producers Tanya Seghatchian, John Woodward and Nicola Shindler are combining to produce the five-parter, which comes from the decorated trio’s Brightstar and Quay Street Productions and will commence filming in the UK and France over the summer. Palme d’Or nominee Eva Husson is directing and Hijack’s Catherine Moulton is writing. Casting is yet to be announced.
In Playdate, a seemingly ordinary decision turns the world of Elisa, mum to two young kids, upside down. When Elisa’s nine-year-old daughter asks to go on an overnight playdate with her new best friend, Elisa agrees. But when she says goodnight to her daughter, she has no idea that she is about to be thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare,...
- 6/27/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
New ‘Neighbours’ As Reprieved Series Prepares Return
The return of long-running Australian soap “Neighbours” will see a new family, the Varga-Murphys, featuring mums, Remi (Naomi Rukavina) and Cara (Sara West) and teenage sons, JJ (Riley Bryant) and Dex (Marley Williams), moving to the iconic Ramsay Street.
West said: “Cara has a bold, impassioned love for her family and I love that her intentions have, so far, always been good. I hope having the Varga-Murphys on telly will help better reflect the beautiful Lgbtqia+ community that I’m proud to be a part of and I can’t wait to share the family with you.”
Rukavina added: “As a stalwart of Australian drama television, the show is on the front foot of showcasing diverse and real representations of Australian families, not in a tokenistic way.”
“Neighbours,” produced by Fremantle, will premiere for free, exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the U.K.
The return of long-running Australian soap “Neighbours” will see a new family, the Varga-Murphys, featuring mums, Remi (Naomi Rukavina) and Cara (Sara West) and teenage sons, JJ (Riley Bryant) and Dex (Marley Williams), moving to the iconic Ramsay Street.
West said: “Cara has a bold, impassioned love for her family and I love that her intentions have, so far, always been good. I hope having the Varga-Murphys on telly will help better reflect the beautiful Lgbtqia+ community that I’m proud to be a part of and I can’t wait to share the family with you.”
Rukavina added: “As a stalwart of Australian drama television, the show is on the front foot of showcasing diverse and real representations of Australian families, not in a tokenistic way.”
“Neighbours,” produced by Fremantle, will premiere for free, exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the U.K.
- 6/22/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Stephen Frears is the British director who began his feature film directing career with 1971’s “Gumshoe” after first gaining wide international recognition with his 1985 film “My Beautiful Laundrette.” It was originally made for Channel 4 television, but its quality was so high that it was released theatrically, and world recognition for Frears followed.
In the intervening years, Frears directed three films — “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988), “The Queen” (2006) and “Philomena” (2013) — that received Academy Award nominations as Best Picture, and Frears himself earned two Oscar nominations as Best Director — for “The Grifters” (1990) and “The Queen.”
Although most of his work directing for television was early in his career, in recent years, Frears has returned to TV, earning an Emmy Award nomination as Best Director for HBO’s “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” (2013) and competing again for directing the three-part Amazon limited series, “A Very English Scandal,” starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw (2018). In 2019, he...
In the intervening years, Frears directed three films — “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988), “The Queen” (2006) and “Philomena” (2013) — that received Academy Award nominations as Best Picture, and Frears himself earned two Oscar nominations as Best Director — for “The Grifters” (1990) and “The Queen.”
Although most of his work directing for television was early in his career, in recent years, Frears has returned to TV, earning an Emmy Award nomination as Best Director for HBO’s “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” (2013) and competing again for directing the three-part Amazon limited series, “A Very English Scandal,” starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw (2018). In 2019, he...
- 6/17/2023
- by Tom O'Brien, Misty Holland and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
“Oppeneheimer,” Chris Nolan’s three-hour atomic bomb thriller detailing the origins and mechanics of the Manhattan Project through the eyes of J. Robert Oppenheimer, will arrive in theaters on July 21 with an R rating.
An MPA classification of “restricted” for “some sexuality, nudity and language”: Is Nolan bringing sexy back to Hollywood? “Oppenheimer” will be his first R-rated title since “Insomnia” in the summer of 2002, and the first since he became Hollywood’s biggest marquee director.
It’s a calculated risk for Universal. While perhaps limiting the film’s commercial potential, the rating helps position the Cillian Murphy-led epic as the official grown-up movie of summer. It also furthers the narrative that the Comcast-owned studio is a safe home for prestige filmmakers.
Also Read:
Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Team Had to Engineer 65mm Black-and-White Imax Film A bomb movie that may not bomb
Given the subject matter,...
An MPA classification of “restricted” for “some sexuality, nudity and language”: Is Nolan bringing sexy back to Hollywood? “Oppenheimer” will be his first R-rated title since “Insomnia” in the summer of 2002, and the first since he became Hollywood’s biggest marquee director.
It’s a calculated risk for Universal. While perhaps limiting the film’s commercial potential, the rating helps position the Cillian Murphy-led epic as the official grown-up movie of summer. It also furthers the narrative that the Comcast-owned studio is a safe home for prestige filmmakers.
Also Read:
Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Team Had to Engineer 65mm Black-and-White Imax Film A bomb movie that may not bomb
Given the subject matter,...
- 6/2/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
It’s last call for a number of films and TV shows leaving Netflix in June. Director Frank Darabont’s underrated Stephen King adaptation “The Mist” exits on June 21, while the end of the month brings the exits of “Jerry Maguire,” “Puss in Boots,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” a pair of “Resident Evil” movies and Brad Pitt’s pretty-ok zombie actioner “World War Z.”
Also departing on June 30 is the first two seasons of “Chappelle’s Show.”
All-in-all, however, it’s not a robust list so rest easy knowing an exodus isn’t coming to Netflix. This month at least.
Here’s everything leaving Netflix in June 2023.
Also Read:
What’s New on Amazon Prime Video in June 2023
Leaving June 1
Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On: Season 1
The Duff
Leaving June 8
Bathtubs Over Broadway
Leaving June 13
Marlon: Seasons 1-2
The Mole: Seasons 3-4
Leaving...
Also departing on June 30 is the first two seasons of “Chappelle’s Show.”
All-in-all, however, it’s not a robust list so rest easy knowing an exodus isn’t coming to Netflix. This month at least.
Here’s everything leaving Netflix in June 2023.
Also Read:
What’s New on Amazon Prime Video in June 2023
Leaving June 1
Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On: Season 1
The Duff
Leaving June 8
Bathtubs Over Broadway
Leaving June 13
Marlon: Seasons 1-2
The Mole: Seasons 3-4
Leaving...
- 6/2/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Like sands through the hourglass, so too pass titles from the catalog of streaming services. Netflix, according to the handy resource website JustWatch, has only 3,600 movies at any given moment, and about 1,800 TV shows. That is, of course, plenty of entertainment and could keep a single person occupied for the better part of two years, but is frustrating when compared to what the average video store had back in the day. For instance, CineFile Video, a store still operating out of Los Angeles, has about 45,000 titles in its library. That's about 8.3 Netflixes worth of movies.
As such, one has to be nimble when finding films to watch on Netflix. Throughout the month of June 2023, some exciting and notable films and TV shows will be taken off the service in order to make room for new shows and movies. However frustrating it may be to have one's home video store possess an ephemeral catalog,...
As such, one has to be nimble when finding films to watch on Netflix. Throughout the month of June 2023, some exciting and notable films and TV shows will be taken off the service in order to make room for new shows and movies. However frustrating it may be to have one's home video store possess an ephemeral catalog,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
‘Philomena’ Writer Martin Sixsmith Sets Next Project
Philomena writer Martin Sixsmith and We Are Lady Parts’ Raisah Ahmed are forging a TV adaptation of Sixsmith’s novel Ayesha’s Gift. The six-part detective thriller is set in the wake of the untimely death of British businesswoman Ayesha Rahman’s father, who apparently committed suicide while visiting family in Pakistan. However, with strong reason to believe her dad was in fact murdered and having had no help from the UK or Pakistani authorities, Ayesha takes matters into her own hands and she approaches Sixsmith, an investigative journalist, who also wrote the book that became Stephen Frears movie Philomena, in which he is played by Steve Coogan. Ahmed will write and EP alongside Sixsmith. She wrote on Channel 4’s award-winning comedy We Are Lady Parts and is also developing a debut feature with Film4. Channel 4-backed Freedom Scripted is producing Ayesha’s Gift.
Philomena writer Martin Sixsmith and We Are Lady Parts’ Raisah Ahmed are forging a TV adaptation of Sixsmith’s novel Ayesha’s Gift. The six-part detective thriller is set in the wake of the untimely death of British businesswoman Ayesha Rahman’s father, who apparently committed suicide while visiting family in Pakistan. However, with strong reason to believe her dad was in fact murdered and having had no help from the UK or Pakistani authorities, Ayesha takes matters into her own hands and she approaches Sixsmith, an investigative journalist, who also wrote the book that became Stephen Frears movie Philomena, in which he is played by Steve Coogan. Ahmed will write and EP alongside Sixsmith. She wrote on Channel 4’s award-winning comedy We Are Lady Parts and is also developing a debut feature with Film4. Channel 4-backed Freedom Scripted is producing Ayesha’s Gift.
- 4/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC TV boss Charlotte Moore has said she will not “censor” respected writers who want to make shows about controversial subjects such as Jimmy Savile and the Grenfell disaster. In a wide-ranging briefing with the media press, Moore also addressed the Gary Lineker and Richard Sharp controversies, future of Top Gear, the streamers and the closure of Cbbc and BBC Four on linear.
The BBC’s upcoming TV dramas on serial abuser Jimmy Savile and the Grenfell fire – which killed 72 people in 2017 – have come in for much criticism and the latter has spawned a petition to have it canceled that has so far been signed by nearly 60,000 people.
Responding to a question from Deadline, Moore said the BBC “has a strong track record” in factual drama about controversial subjects and stressed that “it would not be right for me to censor ideas from very respected writers who have written about similar subjects in the past.
The BBC’s upcoming TV dramas on serial abuser Jimmy Savile and the Grenfell fire – which killed 72 people in 2017 – have come in for much criticism and the latter has spawned a petition to have it canceled that has so far been signed by nearly 60,000 people.
Responding to a question from Deadline, Moore said the BBC “has a strong track record” in factual drama about controversial subjects and stressed that “it would not be right for me to censor ideas from very respected writers who have written about similar subjects in the past.
- 4/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Inspirational documentary recovers the stories of those who dared to question the treatment of children in a small Irish town
Irish film-maker and journalist Sinéad O’Shea has a gripping and inspirational story to tell about her home town of Navan in Co Meath, and she tells it terrifically well, talking to the people involved, engaging with the history, delivering the drama and teasing out the poignancies and complexities.
O’Shea is speaking to the people who stood up to church abuse in the 60s and 70s, at a time when challenging the Catholic authorities seemed unthinkable. There can hardly be anyone left now who doesn’t know something about Ireland’s coming to terms with the historical abuse sanctioned by the church and its treatment of young pregnant women in the brutal mother-and-baby houses and Magdalene Laundries, the subject of movies such as Stephen Frears’s Philomena and Peter Mullan’s The Magdalene Sisters.
Irish film-maker and journalist Sinéad O’Shea has a gripping and inspirational story to tell about her home town of Navan in Co Meath, and she tells it terrifically well, talking to the people involved, engaging with the history, delivering the drama and teasing out the poignancies and complexities.
O’Shea is speaking to the people who stood up to church abuse in the 60s and 70s, at a time when challenging the Catholic authorities seemed unthinkable. There can hardly be anyone left now who doesn’t know something about Ireland’s coming to terms with the historical abuse sanctioned by the church and its treatment of young pregnant women in the brutal mother-and-baby houses and Magdalene Laundries, the subject of movies such as Stephen Frears’s Philomena and Peter Mullan’s The Magdalene Sisters.
- 4/20/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
As befitting its status as one of the world’s biggest companies, every now and then Amazon likes to take a big swing with its Prime Video originals. With its list of new releases for April 2023, the streamer is taking one of its biggest swings yet.
Though it’s not quite as vast or expensive as fellow Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Citadel (premiering April 28) is a massive, massive undertaking. Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, this spy series is described as “an expansive and groundbreaking global event comprising a mothership series and several local language satellite series.” This means that the Russo Brothers-produced project will eventually feature several spinoffs in multiple countries and languages around the world. Neat-o!
The only other major TV original of note this month is Dead Ringers, based on the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same name,...
Though it’s not quite as vast or expensive as fellow Prime Video series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Citadel (premiering April 28) is a massive, massive undertaking. Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, this spy series is described as “an expansive and groundbreaking global event comprising a mothership series and several local language satellite series.” This means that the Russo Brothers-produced project will eventually feature several spinoffs in multiple countries and languages around the world. Neat-o!
The only other major TV original of note this month is Dead Ringers, based on the 1988 David Cronenberg film of the same name,...
- 4/1/2023
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Prime Video is hoping to launch its own extended franchise universe in April with the premiere of international spy series “Citadel” from the minds of the Russo Brothers. The show stars Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra, and Stanley Tucci, and is intended to be the first block of an interconnected story with different spinoffs in countries and regions around the world. The first version will begin streaming on April 28. In the show, the world is in the grips of Manticore, a criminal organization, and several former spies are recruited to restore order despite having their memories erased.
Watch the trailer for “Citadel”:
Beloved young adult author Judy Blume opened the door to discussion about difficult subjects for generations of kids. Now, the writer is the subject of a new documentary, “Judy Blume Forever,” coming to Prime Video on April 21. The doc looks at her trajectory — from a scared kid to...
Watch the trailer for “Citadel”:
Beloved young adult author Judy Blume opened the door to discussion about difficult subjects for generations of kids. Now, the writer is the subject of a new documentary, “Judy Blume Forever,” coming to Prime Video on April 21. The doc looks at her trajectory — from a scared kid to...
- 3/27/2023
- by Fern Siegel
- The Streamable
After one of the more disappointing weekends of the past month, we’re heading into what is likely to be one of the biggest, as Keanu Reeves returns to his unstoppable action franchise with “John Wick: Chapter 4.” Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
The fourth installment of the franchise that began in 2014 continues Wick’s attempts to survive against the assassins sent by the “High Table” to kill him, led by the “Marquis” (Bill Skarsgård from last year’s “Barbarian”). It also adds the like of martial arts stars Donnie Yen and Scott Adkins, as well as Shamier Anderson (“Bruiser”), Hiroyuki Sanada (“Bullet Train”) and pop star Rina Sawayama, with existing characters played by Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and the late Lance Reddick returning from previous chapters.
When the original “John Wick” movie opened in October 2014, not a lot was thought about it since Reeves was on...
The fourth installment of the franchise that began in 2014 continues Wick’s attempts to survive against the assassins sent by the “High Table” to kill him, led by the “Marquis” (Bill Skarsgård from last year’s “Barbarian”). It also adds the like of martial arts stars Donnie Yen and Scott Adkins, as well as Shamier Anderson (“Bruiser”), Hiroyuki Sanada (“Bullet Train”) and pop star Rina Sawayama, with existing characters played by Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and the late Lance Reddick returning from previous chapters.
When the original “John Wick” movie opened in October 2014, not a lot was thought about it since Reeves was on...
- 3/22/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
With only two total Oscar nominations, you need a lot of faith to predict “Women Talking” to prevail in the Best Picture race. But the acclaimed film is out in front to take home an Oscar, while films with bigger totals are expected to leave empty-handed.
Best Picture will be determined by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a group of approximately 10,000 people from different branches of the filmmaking industry. Nominated for producing “Women Talking” are two-time winners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (“12 Years A Slave” and “Moonlight”) as well as three-time Best Actress winner Frances McDormand, who also has a supporting role in the film.
SEE2023 Gold Derby Film Awards ceremony: Watch 20 exciting acceptance speeches by Michelle Yeoh, Colin Farrell, Austin Butler …
“Women Talking” is directed and written by Sarah Polley. It tells the story of women in a Mennonite community who are subjected...
Best Picture will be determined by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a group of approximately 10,000 people from different branches of the filmmaking industry. Nominated for producing “Women Talking” are two-time winners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (“12 Years A Slave” and “Moonlight”) as well as three-time Best Actress winner Frances McDormand, who also has a supporting role in the film.
SEE2023 Gold Derby Film Awards ceremony: Watch 20 exciting acceptance speeches by Michelle Yeoh, Colin Farrell, Austin Butler …
“Women Talking” is directed and written by Sarah Polley. It tells the story of women in a Mennonite community who are subjected...
- 3/7/2023
- by Matt Noble
- Gold Derby
March brings a fresh slate of new shows and films to Hulu. The rotation of the catalogue also makes room for well-loved films arriving on the streamer this month. Sports buffs will enjoy “Love and Basketball” (2000) as well as “Kicking & Screaming” (2005). Animated family favorites include “Rio” (2011) and “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (2010).
As for new releases, Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon play hard-working journalists in the investigative thriller “Boston Strangler” (2023) from writer and director Matt Ruskin. Olivia Colman can be seen as Miss Havisham in FX’s rendition of “Great Expectations.” And a new twist on reality dating involves the charming countryside with “Farmer Wants a Wife.”
And Best Picture Oscar nominee “Triangle of Sadness” hits the streamer on March 3.
The Oscars as well as the pre-show and post-show red carpets will also be available to livestream around March 12 when the ceremony takes place and March 13, the day after, if...
As for new releases, Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon play hard-working journalists in the investigative thriller “Boston Strangler” (2023) from writer and director Matt Ruskin. Olivia Colman can be seen as Miss Havisham in FX’s rendition of “Great Expectations.” And a new twist on reality dating involves the charming countryside with “Farmer Wants a Wife.”
And Best Picture Oscar nominee “Triangle of Sadness” hits the streamer on March 3.
The Oscars as well as the pre-show and post-show red carpets will also be available to livestream around March 12 when the ceremony takes place and March 13, the day after, if...
- 3/1/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
It’s ironic but unavoidable that the greatest annual celebration of film should be a television special — but that’s just how it is. March often means Oscar season, a time for cinephiles to boot up that small screen you use for movies and use it to see if they win any awards during a telecast.
If you don’t have TV service anymore, Hulu has you covered with a pre-Oscars telecast as well as two red carpet specials before and after the main event. Though the ceremony itself won’t be livestreamed on Hulu, it will be added the next morning, like regular ABC programming. Awards viewership has been in general decline over the past several years, but next-day streaming gives curious viewers a chance to join the conversation and boost those Oscar ratings after the live show. It’s also a chance for superfans to pause and rewind...
If you don’t have TV service anymore, Hulu has you covered with a pre-Oscars telecast as well as two red carpet specials before and after the main event. Though the ceremony itself won’t be livestreamed on Hulu, it will be added the next morning, like regular ABC programming. Awards viewership has been in general decline over the past several years, but next-day streaming gives curious viewers a chance to join the conversation and boost those Oscar ratings after the live show. It’s also a chance for superfans to pause and rewind...
- 2/17/2023
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
The Who frontman Roger Daltrey has brought life back to his longtime passion project, a biopic about the iconic rock band’s former drummer, Keith Moon.
Daltrey said in an interview with Vulture that he had recently finished a script for the movie, which had been nearly set to film last summer before Daltrey — with an aversion for a script written by Jeff Pope — stepped in and halted production. Paul Whittington (“The Crown”) had been set to direct.
Daltrey then committed to writing the script. He said he would now like to get the film shot within two years.
“I’m very pleased with the script,” Daltrey, 78, told Vulture. “I want people to get an understanding of him and his life, and the complete genius he was. He had so much talent, that boy, but he became out of control for a lot of reasons. Mostly for lack of discipline.
Daltrey said in an interview with Vulture that he had recently finished a script for the movie, which had been nearly set to film last summer before Daltrey — with an aversion for a script written by Jeff Pope — stepped in and halted production. Paul Whittington (“The Crown”) had been set to direct.
Daltrey then committed to writing the script. He said he would now like to get the film shot within two years.
“I’m very pleased with the script,” Daltrey, 78, told Vulture. “I want people to get an understanding of him and his life, and the complete genius he was. He had so much talent, that boy, but he became out of control for a lot of reasons. Mostly for lack of discipline.
- 2/10/2023
- by Jeremy Bailey
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Steve Coogan is set to star in The Penguin Lessons, with The Full Monty’s Peter Cattaneo to direct the Jeff Pope-scripted adaptation of the Tom Michell nonfiction bestseller.
The management/production company 42 partners Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh will produce alongside Robert Walak. Rocket Science is handling international sales and will introduce the film at the European Film Market, with CAA Media Finance repping U.S. distribution rights.
The Penguin Lessons is the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, he discovered instead a complicated and divided nation – and a class of practically unteachable young boys. When he finds a small penguin washed up on an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside down – and the penguin becomes not only a valued friend, but also a teacher of life’s most important lessons, for Tom,...
The management/production company 42 partners Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh will produce alongside Robert Walak. Rocket Science is handling international sales and will introduce the film at the European Film Market, with CAA Media Finance repping U.S. distribution rights.
The Penguin Lessons is the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, he discovered instead a complicated and divided nation – and a class of practically unteachable young boys. When he finds a small penguin washed up on an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside down – and the penguin becomes not only a valued friend, but also a teacher of life’s most important lessons, for Tom,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Faith Penhale will join Pathe U.K. as managing director from March 1, 2023.
Penhale is currently CEO of Lookout Point, one of the U.K.’s best known producers of scripted television, responsible for “Gentleman Jack,” “Les Miserables,” “Happy Valley” and “War and Peace.”
In her new role, Penhale’s immediate focus will be on leading Pathe U.K.’s expansion into television drama.
After 23 years with Pathe, Cameron McCracken will be stepping down as managing director to take up the newly created role of head of film, reporting into Penhale. McCracken will continue to manage the production and distribution of the film slate which includes Richard Eyre’s “Allelujah” and Oliver Parker’s “The Great Escaper.”
Penhale said: “Pathe is iconic, setting the bar for the highest quality filmmaking. It is amazing that during Cameron’s tenure, Pathe’s productions have been nominated for 70 BAFTAs and 50 Oscars, ranging from ‘Slumdog Millionaire...
Penhale is currently CEO of Lookout Point, one of the U.K.’s best known producers of scripted television, responsible for “Gentleman Jack,” “Les Miserables,” “Happy Valley” and “War and Peace.”
In her new role, Penhale’s immediate focus will be on leading Pathe U.K.’s expansion into television drama.
After 23 years with Pathe, Cameron McCracken will be stepping down as managing director to take up the newly created role of head of film, reporting into Penhale. McCracken will continue to manage the production and distribution of the film slate which includes Richard Eyre’s “Allelujah” and Oliver Parker’s “The Great Escaper.”
Penhale said: “Pathe is iconic, setting the bar for the highest quality filmmaking. It is amazing that during Cameron’s tenure, Pathe’s productions have been nominated for 70 BAFTAs and 50 Oscars, ranging from ‘Slumdog Millionaire...
- 11/1/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
After the success of their Oscar-nominated collaboration on the 2013 drama “Philomena,” starring Judi Dench, director Stephen Frears and star-screenwriter Steve Coogan were eager to team up once again — similarly this time on a true-life-inspired tale about amateur sleuthing.
“The Lost King” tells the story of Philippa Langley (Sally Hawkins), a self-guided historian who seemingly stumbles upon the remains of Richard III, only to be thwarted by various forces that doubt her discovery, much of them in academia.
Frears and Coogan stopped by TheWrap and Shutterstock’s Interview and Portrait Studio at the Toronto International Film Festival to discuss what drew them to work together on this unique project, which also rejoined them with “Philomena” composer Alexandre Desplat, co-writer Jeff Pope and producer Christine Langan.
Also Read:
‘Moonage Daydream’ Director Brett Morgen on Why His David Bowie Doc Isn’t Really a Doc at All (Video)
“You’re always on the...
“The Lost King” tells the story of Philippa Langley (Sally Hawkins), a self-guided historian who seemingly stumbles upon the remains of Richard III, only to be thwarted by various forces that doubt her discovery, much of them in academia.
Frears and Coogan stopped by TheWrap and Shutterstock’s Interview and Portrait Studio at the Toronto International Film Festival to discuss what drew them to work together on this unique project, which also rejoined them with “Philomena” composer Alexandre Desplat, co-writer Jeff Pope and producer Christine Langan.
Also Read:
‘Moonage Daydream’ Director Brett Morgen on Why His David Bowie Doc Isn’t Really a Doc at All (Video)
“You’re always on the...
- 9/16/2022
- by Jason Clark
- The Wrap
If you’re a fan of “The Trip” and its sequels, those semi-improvised road comedies in which Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play slightly exaggerated versions of their real-life selves, you’ll know that they’re about more than just two men driving through the European countryside, eating fabulous food, trying to top each other with their Al Pacino impersonations. Coogan, in particular, comes off as a fellow who, for all his larkish narcissism, is so steeped in history that it’s literally alive for him. And that’s the feeling that courses through “The Lost King,” the new movie written by Coogan and Jeff Pope and directed by Stephen Frears.
They’re the team that gave us “Philomena” (2013), the sharp-tongued heart-tugger that cast Judi Dench as a real-life Irishwoman tracking down the son she’d been forced to give up for adoption 50 years before. That movie was fine (a...
They’re the team that gave us “Philomena” (2013), the sharp-tongued heart-tugger that cast Judi Dench as a real-life Irishwoman tracking down the son she’d been forced to give up for adoption 50 years before. That movie was fine (a...
- 9/10/2022
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Except for Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign was documented in real time with the advent of audiovisual technologies, the legacies of most other British monarchs were preserved by third parties in writing. The perceptions of others, sometimes even their adversaries, shaped their image. Victors, as we know, mold the narrative for their benefit.
In the texts published following his death (including Shakespeare’s play), King Richard III, the ruler at the center of director Stephen Frears and screenwriters Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope’s new inspirational dramedy — premiering at the Toronto Film Festival — was portrayed as a monstrous hunchback who murdered his nephews. A 15th century usurper with no legitimate claim to the throne, according to the Tudors, he was dragged through the proverbial mud of history
But not long ago, the nearly 600 years of libel were challenged by a woman who became infatuated with cleansing his name. To chronicle...
In the texts published following his death (including Shakespeare’s play), King Richard III, the ruler at the center of director Stephen Frears and screenwriters Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope’s new inspirational dramedy — premiering at the Toronto Film Festival — was portrayed as a monstrous hunchback who murdered his nephews. A 15th century usurper with no legitimate claim to the throne, according to the Tudors, he was dragged through the proverbial mud of history
But not long ago, the nearly 600 years of libel were challenged by a woman who became infatuated with cleansing his name. To chronicle...
- 9/9/2022
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The story of a mature woman determined to dig up a long-buried secret history, The Lost King tells a tale not unlike that of Philomena (2013), the award-winning British comedy-drama crafted by much the same key creative talents as this film. Actor-writer-producer Steve Coogan, his co-screenwriter Jeff Pope, director Stephen Frears, composer Alexandre Desplat and producer Christine Langan have gotten the band back together to dramatize the story of how self-taught historian Philippa Langley, played by Sally Hawkins, found the remains of King Richard III in a parking lot.
The result is pleasant-enough middlebrow entertainment that will serve the cinematic needs of older viewers especially. But it’s considerably less interesting than Philomena, a more muckraking work that churned over the Catholic Church’s shameful past and had the all-powerful empathy-extracting weapon that is Judi Dench doing an Irish accent. Moreover, it’s just...
The story of a mature woman determined to dig up a long-buried secret history, The Lost King tells a tale not unlike that of Philomena (2013), the award-winning British comedy-drama crafted by much the same key creative talents as this film. Actor-writer-producer Steve Coogan, his co-screenwriter Jeff Pope, director Stephen Frears, composer Alexandre Desplat and producer Christine Langan have gotten the band back together to dramatize the story of how self-taught historian Philippa Langley, played by Sally Hawkins, found the remains of King Richard III in a parking lot.
The result is pleasant-enough middlebrow entertainment that will serve the cinematic needs of older viewers especially. But it’s considerably less interesting than Philomena, a more muckraking work that churned over the Catholic Church’s shameful past and had the all-powerful empathy-extracting weapon that is Judi Dench doing an Irish accent. Moreover, it’s just...
- 9/9/2022
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Toronto International Film Festival (aka TIFF) has been around since 1976, and is one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world, when you consider how many movies premiere there each year, reportedly in the hundreds some years. Toronto is slightly more accessible to journalists from America, Canada and the rest of the world than Venice or Telluride, since Toronto is a major metropolis with plenty of hotels and theaters that can cater to such a vast attendance.
TIFF is famous for its lavish gala premieres that bring the stars out in their finest red carpet attire. Many studios not only regularly choose to premiere their fall releases at TIFF but will also junket those films there, which means that journalists attend from all over the world for interviews, which is not necessarily true of other September festivals. Studios like Sony, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Focus Features, Searchlight,...
TIFF is famous for its lavish gala premieres that bring the stars out in their finest red carpet attire. Many studios not only regularly choose to premiere their fall releases at TIFF but will also junket those films there, which means that journalists attend from all over the world for interviews, which is not necessarily true of other September festivals. Studios like Sony, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Focus Features, Searchlight,...
- 8/23/2022
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
Baby Cow are the production company behind some of the U.K.’s best-loved comedy shows, including “Gavin and Stacey” with James Corden and Ruth Jones, Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding’s “The Mighty Boosh” and “This Time With Alan Partridge” starring Steve Coogan as the cringe-worthy fictional television host.
It was a prescient Coogan who founded Baby Cow alongside producer Henry Normal in 1998, long before talent-led production companies were a thing. In 2016 BBC Studios took a majority stake in the company, with Coogan staying on as a shareholder and creative director. He also stars in many (although not all) of the company’s projects – which span TV, film, comedy and drama – including the recent Channel 4 series “Chivalry,” in which he plays an old-school film producer getting to grips with a changing world opposite Sarah Solemani, and upcoming feature film “The Lost King,” about an amateur historian who finds...
It was a prescient Coogan who founded Baby Cow alongside producer Henry Normal in 1998, long before talent-led production companies were a thing. In 2016 BBC Studios took a majority stake in the company, with Coogan staying on as a shareholder and creative director. He also stars in many (although not all) of the company’s projects – which span TV, film, comedy and drama – including the recent Channel 4 series “Chivalry,” in which he plays an old-school film producer getting to grips with a changing world opposite Sarah Solemani, and upcoming feature film “The Lost King,” about an amateur historian who finds...
- 8/17/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
IFC Films has picked up the North American rights to The Lost King ahead of its debut at the Toronto Film Festival.
The film reunites the team behind 2013’s Philomena — Stephen Frears, Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope — for a comedy-drama based on a true story about Philippa Langley, played by Sally Hawkins, and the historian who helped uncover the remains of King Richard III, lost for more than 500 years, beneath a carpark in the English city of Leicester.
The discovery, in 2012, was the culmination of years of obsessive research by Langley, who faced the incomprehension of friends and family and the derision of experts and academics, and whose role was largely overlooked. Coogan will play Langley’s husband and Frears will direct from a script co-written by Coogan and Pope.
Arianna Bocco, president of IFC Films said in a statement about the acquisition:...
IFC Films has picked up the North American rights to The Lost King ahead of its debut at the Toronto Film Festival.
The film reunites the team behind 2013’s Philomena — Stephen Frears, Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope — for a comedy-drama based on a true story about Philippa Langley, played by Sally Hawkins, and the historian who helped uncover the remains of King Richard III, lost for more than 500 years, beneath a carpark in the English city of Leicester.
The discovery, in 2012, was the culmination of years of obsessive research by Langley, who faced the incomprehension of friends and family and the derision of experts and academics, and whose role was largely overlooked. Coogan will play Langley’s husband and Frears will direct from a script co-written by Coogan and Pope.
Arianna Bocco, president of IFC Films said in a statement about the acquisition:...
- 8/10/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IFC Films nabbed North American rights to “The Lost King,” which will have its world premiere at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Stephen Frears, the feel-good true story stars Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley, an amateur historian who uncovered the remains of King Richard the III after they had been lost for 500 years. Langley spent years researching — and searching — for the remnants, even when family, friends and academics openly doubted her.
Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pope) is playing Philippa’s husband, John Langley. “The Lost King” reunites Frears with Coogan and Pope, who previously teamed on the Oscar-nominated “Philomena.”
“I’m delighted that ‘The Lost King’ has found a home in North America with IFC Films,” Frears said. “It was hugely enjoyable to work again with Steve and Jeff and we were blessed with an incredible performance from Sally. Toronto is always...
Directed by Stephen Frears, the feel-good true story stars Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley, an amateur historian who uncovered the remains of King Richard the III after they had been lost for 500 years. Langley spent years researching — and searching — for the remnants, even when family, friends and academics openly doubted her.
Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pope) is playing Philippa’s husband, John Langley. “The Lost King” reunites Frears with Coogan and Pope, who previously teamed on the Oscar-nominated “Philomena.”
“I’m delighted that ‘The Lost King’ has found a home in North America with IFC Films,” Frears said. “It was hugely enjoyable to work again with Steve and Jeff and we were blessed with an incredible performance from Sally. Toronto is always...
- 8/10/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Baby Cow production recounts extraordinary true-life story of amateur historian Philippa Langley.
IFC Films has acquired North American rights to The Lost King starring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan ahead of its world premiere in TIFF next month.
Stephen Frears and his Philomena co-writers Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope reunited on the true story of Philippa Langley, the amateur historian behind the discovery of King Richard III’s remains in 2012 after they had been lost for 500 years.
Langley spent years searching for the remains in spite of skepticism from friends and family and took on the country’s most eminent historians,...
IFC Films has acquired North American rights to The Lost King starring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan ahead of its world premiere in TIFF next month.
Stephen Frears and his Philomena co-writers Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope reunited on the true story of Philippa Langley, the amateur historian behind the discovery of King Richard III’s remains in 2012 after they had been lost for 500 years.
Langley spent years searching for the remains in spite of skepticism from friends and family and took on the country’s most eminent historians,...
- 8/10/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films is acquiring North American rights to “The Lost King,” the next film from director Stephen Frears that stars Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan, ahead of the movie’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month.
“The Lost King” is a reunion of the creative team behind the acclaimed 2013 film “Philomena,” with Frears returning to direct from a script by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope. In “The Lost King,” they tell the true story of Philippa Langley, an amateur historian who helped lead the discovery of King Richard III’s remains in 2012 after the monarch had been lost for 500 years.
TIFF, which runs between Sept. 8-18, will screen “The Lost King” in its World Premiere as part of a special presentation. IFC Films has yet to set a release date for the film.
Also Read:
TIFF 2022 Lineup: Films From Tyler Perry, Peter Farrelly, Sam Mendes and...
“The Lost King” is a reunion of the creative team behind the acclaimed 2013 film “Philomena,” with Frears returning to direct from a script by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope. In “The Lost King,” they tell the true story of Philippa Langley, an amateur historian who helped lead the discovery of King Richard III’s remains in 2012 after the monarch had been lost for 500 years.
TIFF, which runs between Sept. 8-18, will screen “The Lost King” in its World Premiere as part of a special presentation. IFC Films has yet to set a release date for the film.
Also Read:
TIFF 2022 Lineup: Films From Tyler Perry, Peter Farrelly, Sam Mendes and...
- 8/10/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Jason Isaac has been cast to take on the role of iconic actor Cary Grant in the biographical series ‘Archie.’
The four-part drama series will tell the story of Grant’s life, from his humble beginnings as Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, U.K. to the leading man he became in later life.
‘Philomena’ scribe John Pope has written the story that sees Paul Andrew Williams (“A Confession”) directing.
Also in news – Kumail Nanjiani features in first look images for ‘Welcome to Chippendales’
“There was only one Cary Grant and I’d never be foolish enough to try to step into his iconic shoes,” said Isaacs. “Archie Leach, couldn’t be further from the character he invented to save himself. Jeff’s brilliant scripts bring to life his relentless struggle to escape the demons that plagued him, his obsessive need for control, his fears, his weaknesses, his loves and his losses.
The four-part drama series will tell the story of Grant’s life, from his humble beginnings as Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, U.K. to the leading man he became in later life.
‘Philomena’ scribe John Pope has written the story that sees Paul Andrew Williams (“A Confession”) directing.
Also in news – Kumail Nanjiani features in first look images for ‘Welcome to Chippendales’
“There was only one Cary Grant and I’d never be foolish enough to try to step into his iconic shoes,” said Isaacs. “Archie Leach, couldn’t be further from the character he invented to save himself. Jeff’s brilliant scripts bring to life his relentless struggle to escape the demons that plagued him, his obsessive need for control, his fears, his weaknesses, his loves and his losses.
- 8/9/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Steve Coogan has spotlighted his and Sarah Solemani’s use of comedy to tackle the #MeToo debate in upcoming Channel 4 show Chivalry and talked openly about playing Jimmy Savile, stating: “Things are better talked about than not talked about.”
The Philomena and Lost King star told Deadline the aim with Chivalry, which comes from his BBC Studios-backed indie Baby Cow, was to make a show about “love and respect” that could make people laugh, while using humor to open up a wider debate.
Coogan and Solemani play the lead roles in Chivalry, having come up with the concept during the filming of Michael Winterbottom’s Greed when they found themselves debating the issues regularly and at length.
Also starring Sienna Miller, Wanda Sykes and Aisling Bea, the show features Coogan as Cameron, a successful film producer and “ladies man,” and Ridley Road creator Solemani as Bobby, a passionate indie-darling filmmaker.
The Philomena and Lost King star told Deadline the aim with Chivalry, which comes from his BBC Studios-backed indie Baby Cow, was to make a show about “love and respect” that could make people laugh, while using humor to open up a wider debate.
Coogan and Solemani play the lead roles in Chivalry, having come up with the concept during the filming of Michael Winterbottom’s Greed when they found themselves debating the issues regularly and at length.
Also starring Sienna Miller, Wanda Sykes and Aisling Bea, the show features Coogan as Cameron, a successful film producer and “ladies man,” and Ridley Road creator Solemani as Bobby, a passionate indie-darling filmmaker.
- 4/13/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 Oscar nominees for Best Supporting Actress are Jessie Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”), Judi Dench (“Belfast”), Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”), and Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”). Our odds currently indicate that DeBose (31/10) will emerge victorious, followed in order of likelihood by Dunst (39/10), Ellis (9/2), Buckley (9/2), and Dench (9/2).
Dench is the only previous nominee among the five, having amassed three supporting and five lead bids during her career. She is now one of 25 women with as many featured notices and could follow Shelley Winters and Dianne Wiest by becoming the category’s third dual champion, since she already took the gold for “Shakespeare in Love” (1999). Her second supporting nomination came for “Chocolat” (2001), and she earned her lead ones for “Mrs. Brown” (1998), “Iris” (2002), “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (2006), “Notes on a Scandal” (2007), and “Philomena” (2014).
DeBose and Ellis’s mentions have brought the all-time total of nominations for Black...
Dench is the only previous nominee among the five, having amassed three supporting and five lead bids during her career. She is now one of 25 women with as many featured notices and could follow Shelley Winters and Dianne Wiest by becoming the category’s third dual champion, since she already took the gold for “Shakespeare in Love” (1999). Her second supporting nomination came for “Chocolat” (2001), and she earned her lead ones for “Mrs. Brown” (1998), “Iris” (2002), “Mrs. Henderson Presents” (2006), “Notes on a Scandal” (2007), and “Philomena” (2014).
DeBose and Ellis’s mentions have brought the all-time total of nominations for Black...
- 3/26/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
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