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Tim Hendrix, a filmmaker whose music videos were first featured on Directors Notes back in 2013, returns with his latest short film, Baggage, a zany yet deeply sincere exploration of dating, vulnerability, and the emotional weight we all carry. Capitalising on his skills as an accomplished VFX artist and a tenacious determination to complete the film over its multi-year production process, Hendrix’s new work takes a literal approach to the metaphorical ‘baggage’ we bring into relationships. While the film features a whirlwind of absurdity, including a monsoon of dildos and anachronistic screwball dialogue, at its core, it delivers a poignant, sincere message many of us would do well to heed: Love isn’t about finding someone without baggage but about finding someone whose baggage complements your own. Making a most welcome return to Dn, Hendrix opens up about the personal experiences that inspired the film, the meticulous process of creating its vibrant,...

It’s Musicals Week at IndieWire. With “Wicked” about to sparkle over theaters, we’re celebrating the best of the movie-musical genre.

It was the fall of 2018, and for a week or so, my co-writers, producers, and I were on a pitch tour, taking our idea for an original film musical around to every major studio in Los Angeles. As part of our pitch, we played a few sample compositions to give backers an idea of the vibe of music featured in the film and even sang a bit of one of the songs we planned on incorporating into the script.

For my collaborators and I, this was always a crucial element in getting our story across — this was a Musical, guided by song and informed by our characters’ taste and appreciation of the form. And every time my co-writers would burst into a duet as I narrated the circumstance,...

Exclusive: Ordinary Angels and Space Cadet outfit Stampede Ventures has acquired the debut Lgbtqi+ coming-of-age novel Frenesia from author Flavio Nuccitelli for development as an Italian-language series.

The novel was originally published in 2021 by Italy’s Fandango Libri and was honored at Rome’s 2022 Rainbow Awards, which recognizes Lgbtqia+ works. Nuccitelli will collaborate with Stampede Ventures for the book-to-screen adaptation.

Frenesia (which translates as Frenzy in English) charts how one unexpected kiss, given as a joke, shatters the world of an 18-year-old boy and sets him on a reckless, psychedelic journey into his personal hell of excess, fantasies, and boundaries.

“Flavio has created a fantastic lead character in Valerio – who, like so many students his age, is caught between the beauty of ancient Rome and a darker underground side of the city. A place where family, religion, and politics are omnipresent. We saw incredible celebrations around the world during Pride...

Susan Buckner, best known to moviegoers as Grease‘s bubbly cheerleader Patty Simcox, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in Miami on May 2.

Her death was announced by family.

Buckner’s Grease character was the Rydell High cheerleading pal of Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy. The 1978 film also starred John Travolta and Stockard Channing.

Born on January 28, 1952, in Seattle, Washington, Buckner was crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and represented the state in the Miss America pageant the following year. Soon after, she became one of The Dean Martin Show’s Golddiggers dancers, and that led her to become part of the all-girl group Fantasy and the musical duo Buckner and Pratt.

She also appeared on such variety shows as The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and Cher and, as a dancer and synchronized swimmer, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.

In 1977, she landed her signature role of perky Patty Simcox, Grease‘s embodiment of pep and school spirit.

Paradise Australian Spinoff

Filming has begun on “Return to Paradise,” an Australian spin-off series of the global hit murder mystery franchise “Death in Paradise.” With filming in locations across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region, the six-part whodunit is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC in association with the BBC. The BBC will screen the series on BBC One and iPlayer in the U.K. It will be distributed globally by BBC Studios.

“Return to Paradise” follows detective inspector Mackenzie Clarke who reluctantly returns from the U.K. to Australia and the small town where she ditched her fiancé. But once a case lands on her desk, her tenacity and endurance means she can’t rest until the killer is in handcuffs.

Taking charge as the franchise’s first lead female detective is Anna Samson. Unravelling the murder mysteries alongside her is the ensemble cast of Lloyd Griffith,...

TV legend Dick Wolf's latest project is CBS's FBI franchise. Soon after the inception of the original series, the franchise began to expand, with FBI: Most Wanted currently in its fifth season.

FBI: Most Wanted follows the members of the FBI's Fugitive Task Force as they hunt down criminals who have fled justice. The series is incredibly fast-paced and seamlessly blends high-octane action with dramatic and cerebral cases. However, newcomers will find that some episodes stand out more than others in terms of executing this vision.

"Inheritance" Sees the Team Racing to Find a Killer Con Woman Season 3, Episode 21 IMDb Rating 7.7/10

"Inheritance" centers on a young con woman who has turned from grifting to murder to conceal her past. The episode wraps itself in layers that the team must pull away to uncover the identity of the woman they are chasing before more people die.

Notably, the episode...

Jack Bannon (Pennyworth) and Douglas Henshall (Shetland, Who is Erin Carter?) are among a group of actors who have joined the drama series The Darkness, starring Oscar nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma) and directed by Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma).

Also joining the cast of the six-episode English-language series, which is a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth with Stampede Ventures, are Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (A Gentleman in Moscow), Thorsteinn Bachmann (Katla), Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson (The Minister), Tora Hallström (Hilma), Ahd Tamimi (River City) and Árni Þór Lárusson.

Principal photography is underway in Reykjavík, Iceland, with Paramount Global Content Distribution selling the series outside Iceland.

The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was first unveiled at Rome’s Mia Market in the fall.

Suzanne Crowley...

Kidnap thriller “Fourth Wall” and romance story “Chasing Red” are the first two titles to be shot at Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla as part of its partnership with Hollywood indie Stampede Ventures.

The film entity, which is looking to attract international productions to a spectacular swathe of northwest Saudi, recently announced its partnership with Stampede Ventures that will bring 10 productions to the region over the next three years with a projected $350 million spend.

Stampede is headed by U.S. industry veteran Greg Silverman, former president of creative development and physical production at Warner Bros. Silverman launched Stampede Ventures in 2018.

Stampede Ventures and Wattpad Webtoon Studios teamed up on “Chasing Red,” which is a popular web novel by Isabelle Ronin centered around a straight-a student named Veronica and rich playboy called Caleb. Silverman will serve as lead producer on “Chasing Red” with Berg while Yu, Bosco, Tadross and Torre will...

Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla, the film entity looking to attract international productions to a sprawling area of desert and giant boulders, has forged a partnership with Hollywood indie Stampede Ventures, bringing 10 productions to the region over the next three years with a projected $350 million spend.

The groundbreaking agreement with Stampede marks the first deal of this scale between Hollywood and Saudi since the kingdom lifted its ban on cinema in late 2017. Stampede is headed by U.S. industry veteran Greg Silverman, former president of creative development and physical production at Warner Bros. Silverman launched Stampede Ventures in 2018.

“It’s a huge step forward,” Film AlUla executive director Charlene Deleon-Jones told Variety, noting that the pact follows a successful partnership with Stampede on the film “K-Pops!,” the directorial debut of multiple Grammy-winner Anderson .Paak. That film is being partly shot in the spectacular swathe of northwest Saudi that boasts an...

English language series stars Lena Olin and will film in Iceland later this year.

Chocolat and The Cider House Rules director Lasse Hallstrom is making his first foray into TV drama series with Iceland-set mystery thriller The Darkness starring Lena Olin.

Based on the best-selling book by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, the six-part English language series is a co-production between CBS Studios, Stampede Ventures and Iceland’s True North.

Icelandic broadcaster Síminn has boarded the project, which is being sold internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The Darkness is written by Sam Shore, whose credits include Cbbc’s Mystic, and Jónasson serves as executive producer.

CBS Studios is continuing its push into international drama.

The company is behind Icelandic series The Darkness, starring Enemies, A Love Story and Hunters star Lena Olin, for broadcaster Síminn.

Olin stars as Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir in the series, based on Ragnar Jónasson’s thriller book series. It follows Hermannsdóttir as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas. Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger.

Sam Shore (Mystic) will write and Lasse Hallström will direct the six-part series. It is produced by CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures, as part of the two companies first-look deal, and Icelandic production company Truenorth. Jónasson serves as executive producer. The series will be distributed outside of Iceland by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

CBS Studios on Thursday unveiled new premium drama series The Darkness, a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth and executive producers Stampede Ventures, starring Oscar nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma), which Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma) is set to direct.

The English-language six-episode series will start shooting in Iceland later this year for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was announced at Rome’s Mia Market.

Based on the best-selling thriller series by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir “as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas,” according to a plot description. “Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer,...

Rachel Griffiths has been cast as the lead in “Madam,” a new dramedy series about an escort agency.

Griffiths, best known for her roles in “Six Feet Under” and “Brothers & Sisters,” stars as McKenzie ‘Mack’ Leigh, who sets up an ethical brothel in New Zealand after her philandering husband and mountain of debt leave her struggling to provide for her family.

Joining Griffiths on the show are Rima Te Wiata (“The Wheel of Time”), Danielle Cormack (“Wentworth”), Robbie Magasiva (“Bad Behaviour”), Martin Henderson (“Virgin River”) and newcomer Ariāna Osborne.

The series, which started shooting on location this week, is based on Antonia Murphy’s unpublished memoir about an American woman who opened an ethical escort agency in New Zealand after the country decriminalized sex work. Murphy’s company aimed to protect women’s rights, well-being and financial independence.

Showrunners are Shoshana McCallum (“Inside”) and Harry McNaughton (“The Pact”) while...

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:00 Pm, National Geographic will air Season 6 of “To Catch a Smuggler: Secret Stash,” with the episode titled “Gold Diggers.”

This enhanced episode focuses on the efforts of Hsi Colombia as they pursue individuals involved in the illegal trade of gold.

The episode “Gold Diggers” will likely showcase the dedicated work of Hsi Colombia as they chase down those engaged in the illegal gold trade.

Release Date & Time: 10:00 Pm Saturday 16 September 2023 on National Geographic

To Catch a Smuggler: Secret Stash Gold Diggers Cast – Season 6 Main Cast David C. Schweizer

Arthur L. Braddy III...

Barbie star Margot Robbie recently revealed that she compared the upcoming fantasy-comedy to Jurassic Park during a pitch meeting with Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures.

Robbie, who is also one of Barbie's producers, unpacked the unlikely comparison in an interview with Collider. "I think my pitch in the green-light meeting was: 'The studios have prospered so much when they're brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director,'" Robbie said. "And then I gave a series of examples like, 'dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg' -- pretty much naming anything that’s been incredible and made a ton of money for the studios over the years. And I was like, 'And now you’ve got Barbie and [director] Greta Gerwig.' And I think I told them that it'd make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, okay?"

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