Global Flicks: Filmmaker K. Viswanath Passes Away At 92; New Trailer For Netflix’s ‘Kill Boksoon’
Africa: Daryn’s Gym, a mockumentary written and directed by Brett Michael Innes, looks to pave the way in South Africa for more stories within the comedic sub-genre. Developed by Nostalgia Productions, the feature follows a small local gym competing against an international fitness conglomerate. The film is set to premiere on eVOD, the streaming platform from the South African broadcasting company, e.tv.
John Barker’s new South African drama, The Umbrella Man, closed out the Joburg Film Festival last week in Cape Town, South Africa and made its world premiere last fall at the Toronto Film Festival. The film takes place in the neighborhood of Bo-Kaap and follows a music producer who inherits his late father’s custodianship of a renowned musical group that performs at Cape Town’s Minstrel Carnival every year.
Asia: K. Viswanath, acclaimed director and actor, has passed away at the age of 92. Beginning his acting career in 1995, Viswanath starred in multiple Telugu and Hindi films. Throughout his career, he garnered multiple National Film Awards and Nandi Awards.
Ananya Panday has signed on to star in a cyber thriller directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. Taking to social media to express her excitement about the project, the actress describes one of Motwane’s other films, Udaan, as one of her favorite films. Panday remains attached to other slated projects such as Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Dream Girl 2.
KOCOWA, the Korean streaming giant, has begun adding over a hundred feature films to its platform. This addition of feature films has changed the streamers’ name from “KOCOWA” to “KOCOWA +.” Some notable titles being added include the Korean blockbuster A Violent Prosecutor and the popular action comedy Luck-Key.
Netflix has dropped the official trailer for its upcoming Korean action drama Kill Boksoon. The film follows a single woman balancing her life as a killer for hire and a mother. Directed by Byung Sung-hyun, the film’s international release is set for March 31.
Maum Capital Group, the privately held Korean investment firm, has made a substantial investment in Globalgate Entertainment in an effort to expand Korean content and provide an international platform for creators and talents to global audiences. William Pfeiffer, Globalgate Executive Chairman, has been appointed as the new CEO of Maum affiliates, including Maum Cultural Innovation and Maum Studios.
Latin America: The international theatrical rights to Luis Estrada’s newest political satire, ¡Que Viva Mexico!, have been picked up by Sony Pictures International Productions. At the forefront of the film is Alfonso Herrera who passed on joining the reunion of his former band, RBD, in an effort to promote the film. ¡Que Viva Mexico! is scheduled for release across Mexico on March 23.
Cassandro, a biopic starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Bad Bunny has attracted viral online attention due to an on-screen kiss between the film’s two stars. The film, fresh off its premiere at Sundance, tells the story of Saul Armendariz, the first openly gay luchador. Cassandro will make its way onto Amazon Prime later this year.
Jafar Panahi -Atta Kenare / AFP
Middle East: Headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, as well as other firms affiliated with the regime, is investing heavily in sports and other live events to maintain its foothold in the U.S economy.
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has officially been released from Evin prison in Tehran after going on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment. Panahi was originally detained in July after inquiring about the imprisonment of fellow filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof and Mustafa Al-Ahmad. Panahi’s wife Tahereh Saeidi revealed the news of his release on social media last week.
National Geographic / Raquel Moss
Europe: Danish filmmaker Lin Alluna’s newest documentary, Twice Colonized, is set to open the Copenhagen documentary film festival, CPH: DOX. The film follows Inuit lawyer, Aaju Peter, in his fight for the rights of indigenous communities on Greenland.
NL Film, the Amsterdam-based production company, has unveiled the lineup of its new creative team. Those appointed to new creative positions include Anne de Clercq as Creative Director and Jochum ten Haaf as the new Head of Development. NL Film is known for works such as Modern Love and Costa.
Rise and Fall of the Mayas, the new French documentary series which chronicles the story of the Mayan civilization, has been boarded by National Geographic. The documentary also covers the site of Aguada Fénix, the oldest and largest Mayan ruin discovered to date. The four-part series is developed by Pernel Media with Celine Payot Lehmann and Samuel Kissous working as executive producers.
The European Film Market will host a day-long seminar on the topic of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. The event, being called The Equity and Inclusion Pathways Seminar, took place this week on February 16th and brought together industry professionals and representatives from advocacy groups from 21 different countries in an effort to work towards long-lasting change pertaining to equality and inclusion in the field of entertainment.
Berlin’s Film Market looks to be the testing ground for much of the international film industry this year. Notable titles include the Yemen drama, The Burdened, which follows a family living in the country during its time of war and collapse as well as a Korean dark dramedy titled Cobweb from director Kim Jee-woon.