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Omar Sharif in 'Doctor Zhivago.' Egyptian star Omar Sharif, 'The Karate Kid' producer Jerry Weintraub: Brief career recaps A little late in the game – and following the longish Theodore Bikel article posted yesterday – below are brief career recaps of a couple of film veterans who died in July 2015: actor Omar Sharif and producer Jerry Weintraub. A follow-up post will offer an overview of the career of peplum (sword-and-sandal movie) actor Jacques Sernas, whose passing earlier this month has been all but ignored by the myopic English-language media. Omar Sharif: Film career beginnings in North Africa The death of Egyptian film actor Omar Sharif at age 83 following a heart attack on July 10 would have been ignored by the English-language media (especially in the U.S.) as well had Sharif remained a star within the Arabic-speaking world. After all, an "international" star is only worth remembering...

• European and French-language heavyweight Studiocanal (a production co. and theatrical release company) comes to Cannes with plenty of auteur-driven ammo. They have Robert Guediguian's The Army of Crime (L'Armee du crime) in a non-competitive slot and Nassim Amaouche's debut film Farewell Gary (Adieu Gary) is competing in the Critic's Week section. They'll be starting up sales for Atom Egoyan's latest film Chloe (see poster premiere here) which should receive a logical festival release at Venice and/or Toronto. Here is their slate of titles available.: And Soon The Darkness by Marcos Efron – Post-Production Around The World In 50 Years by Ben Stassen - Production Chloe by Atom Egoyan - Post-Production Cotton by Daniel Stamm - Pre-Production The Army Of Crime (L'armee Du Crime) by Robert Guediguian - Completed Baby(Ies) by Thomas Balmes - Post-Production Blame It On Mum (Quelque Chose A Te Dire) by Cécile Telerman -

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Internationally renowned actress Rosemary Harris stars in this tour-de-force by award-winning French author and playwright Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. Helmed by esteemed director Frank Dunlop, this mesmerizing adaptation of Schmitt's Oscar et la dame rose is sure to touch audiences both young and old. In Oscar and the Pink Lady, Tony? and Emmy? award-winner Harris tackles an array of memorable characters, among them Oscar, a ten-year-old patient in the cancer ward of a hospital. She also brings to life his friends, his family, and of course Granny Pink, a candy striper of sorts whose wit, compassion, and indomitable spirit transform the lives of those around her. Granny Pink's observations are by turns funny, touching, and profound, and Harris's luminous performance is ultimately a celebration of life.

BERLIN -- Odette Toulemonde, the directorial debut of French author Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt ("Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Qu'ran") will open this year's Hamburg International Film Festival.

The film stars French actress Catherine Frot as a lonely perfume saleswoman and Josephine Baker fan whose begins an unexpected romance with her favorite novelist, played by actor Albert Dupontel.

Odette Toulemonde will premiere Sept. 27 at Hamburg's Dammtor CinemaxX theatre.

The 15th annual Hamburg Film Festival runs Sept. 27-Oct. 4.