News

Sunrise Films has secured the U.S. rights for “Bonus Track” from Bankside Films, with plans for a theatrical and digital release in October.

The feature directorial debut from Julia Jackman, “Bonus Track” is a coming-of-age queer rom-com written by Mike Gilbert, with a story by Josh O’Connor. The film stars Joe Anders (“1917”) and Samuel Small (“So Awkward”), supported by an ensemble cast including Ray Panthaki, Susan Wokoma, Jack Davenport, Alison Sudol and O’Connor in a cameo role.

Set in 2006 England, the story follows 16-year-old aspiring musician George (Anders), who befriends Max (Small), the son of a famous musical duo, as they prepare for a year-end talent show. Their friendship evolves in unexpected ways.

“Bonus Track” made its debut at the BFI London Film Festival and was released in the U.K. as a Sky Original film. The film is an Erebus Pictures and Sky production, in association with Lunapark Pictures and Fortune Films.

The Hexagonal Hive And A Mouse In A Maze Photo: Courtesy of Sheffield DocFest Sheffield DocFest has announced its full film programme, along with its Alternate Realities exhibitions, and public talks for this year's festival, which has the theme Reflections on Reality.

Among the notable entries in this year's line-up is The Hexagonal Hive And A Mouse In A Maze, which marks the directorial debut of Tilda Swinton, directing alongside Bartek Dziadosz. It is one of 48 world premieres, which also include the latest film from For Sama director Waad Al-Kateab, Death without Mercy.

Events at the festival will include playwright, screenwriter, novelist and director Hanif Kureishi will joining a live and remote conversation with director Nigel Williams following the world premiere of In My Own Words: Hanif Kureish, a portrait of him and his career in both the arts and public sphere.

The Signature Talk will be presented by Jiabao Li.

Sunrise Films has acquired Luna Carmoon’s “Hoard” for the U.S. and Canada.

The film debuted at Venice in 2023, where it won three prizes. It went on to an extended festival run including at the BFI London Film Festival, Athens, Mumbai and Goteborg.

Sunrise Films is a new production and internationally focused distribution company that has been launched by Vertigo Releasing CEO Rupert Preston and chair Nigel Williams.

The “Hoard” cast includes Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Lily-Beau Leach and Deba Hekmat alongside Joseph Quinn, Hayley Squires and Samantha Spiro. The film follows a young girl (Leach) living in London in 1984 as she navigates her mother’s obsessive hoarding. Flashing forward to the girl’s teenage years, she (Lightfoot-Leon) must confront the madness and trauma of her late mother when a stranger (Quinn) arrives on her doorstep.

“Hoard” is produced by Delaval Film, Erebus Pictures and Anti-Worlds with financing from the BFI.

Exclusive: Sunrise Films and Vertigo Releasing have acquired North American and UK distribution rights on the Danish horror-thriller The Girl in the Trunk. The film will be released on digital download across both territories on May 28.

Sunrise Films, the new internationally focused distribution label launched by Rupert Preston and Nigel Williams, will handle the North American release.

The pic was acquired from the Copenhagen-based REinvent International. The deal was negotiated between Vertigo Releasing’s head of US and international distribution Andrew Nerger and REinvent’s senior sales manager, Sanne Arlø.

Written and directed by Jonas Kvist Jensen (Brutal Incasso), the English-language film stars Caspar Phillipson and Katharina Sporrer (Genius) Jonas Kvist Jensen serves as writer-director. The film was produced by Morten Hjorth (Brutal Incasso), Jim Pedersen (Silverthread), Jannick Raunow (Revenge of the Necromancer), and Martin Mortensen Søe (The Black Hole).

The film follows a woman who finds herself...

On the JoBlo Movies YouTube channel, we will be posting one full movie every day of the week, giving viewers the chance to watch them entirely free of charge. Today’s Free Movie of the Day is the historical adventure film The Rebels, which is set in 1st century Wales. You can watch the movie over on the YouTube channel linked above, or you can just watch it in the embed at the top of this article.

Written and directed by Emmet Cummins, The Rebels has the following synopsis:

Four rebellious teenagers in 1st century Roman-occupied Wales must flee their village and live in the wild after they accidentally kill a Roman soldier and cause an uprising. They must learn to live together or risk facing the wrath of Rome.

The film stars Tom Leach, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Gwydion Rhys, Richard Mason, Julian Lewis Jones, James Groom, Harry Lynn, Ifan Huw Dafydd,...

IFC Midnight has boarded U.S. rights to UK genre pic Burial. Principal photography has recently completed on the movie, the second feature from Ben Parker. The movie follows a small group of Russian soldiers on a secret mission to transport Hitler’s body out of enemy territory and back to Russia. Starring are Charlotte Vega, Tom Felton and Harriet Walter. Altitude Film Sales handled international sales and has released a first look at the project (above). Other confirmed distributors include Portugal (Nos), Baltics (Latvian Theatrical Distr), Indonesia (Pt Prima), South Korea (Noori), Vietnam (Media Film International), Middle East (Phars). Pic is produced by Matthew James Wilkinson.

The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation has announced the Red Sea Fund, a $10M fund which will support projects with directors from the Arab world and Africa. . The aim for the fund is to back more than 100 projects in its first year, including fiction,...

Crime thriller to mark directorial debut of Nicolas Winding Refn’s editor, Mat Newman.

Production and finance company Anton has boarded crime thriller No Place Like Kill, starring Sam Riley and Charles Dance, and will introduce the project to international buyers at the Pre-Cannes Screenings next week.

The film will mark the directorial debut of UK filmmaker Mat Newman, best known as Nicolas Winding Refn’s long-time editor, with credits including Drive and Only God Forgives.

Newman co-wrote the script with his brother, Ben Newman. Set in the north of England, the story follows a vengeance-driven mercenary and a police...

London-based financier Anton has boarded “No Place Like Kill,” an action-packed crime thriller from Mat Newman with Sam Riley and Charles Dance attached to star. The film will be presented to international buyers by Anton at the Virtual Cannes Film Market later this month.

Set to start shooting at the end of the year in the U.K., “No Place Like Kill” will mark the directorial debut of Newman, a well-established editor who has worked with Nicolas Winding Refn on “Drive” and “Only God Forgives,” as well as Stefano Sollima’s “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” and “Without Remorse.”

Sunrise Films’ Rupert Preston and Moonage Pictures’ Matthew Read are producing. Charles Collier is an executive producer alongside Riley, Nigel Williams and Dance.

Newman co-wrote the script with his brother, Ben Newman. Set in Northern England, “No Place like Kill” follows a revenge-seeking mercenary and a police informant who are forced...

“Wow, what a titanic figure, a monumental man serving a monumental woman,” reveals Jason Clarke about his initial reactions when exploring the history of military commander Grigory Potemkin on HBO’s limited series “Catherine The Great.” He says, “Life, love, education, art, food, sex and empire building” about Potemkin’s legacy in Russian history. Watch our exclusive video interview with Clarke above.

See ‘Catherine the Great’ reviews: Helen Mirren is ‘astonishing,’ ‘saucy’ and ‘steely,’ but do critics care for the rest of the limited series?

“Catherine The Great” was created and written by Emmy winner Nigel Williams (“Elizabeth I”) and directed by Emmy winner Philip Martin (“Prime Suspect: The Final Act”). It stars Oscar, Tony and four-time Emmy winner Helen Mirren as Empress Catherine II of Russia, reuniting with past collaborators Williams and Martin, alongside Clarke as the Empress’ right hand man and lover. The four-part series explores Catherine’s...

HBO released the first trailer for its upcoming “Catherine the Great” limited series starring Helen Mirren as the Russian Empress.

The four-part show miniseries, which is made in association with Sky, will debut Monday, Oct. 21 at 10/9c on the pay TV channel. You can watch the trailer in the video above.

Here’s the official description for “Catherine the Great,” courtesy of HBO:

Starring Academy-award winner Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke this four-part drama is set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great (Mirren) who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century. The HBO/Sky production follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin (Clarke). Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia through a series of liberalizing reforms.

If December is too long to wait for “The Crown,” HBO has the fix for you. Their four-part limited series “Catherine the Great” will be gracing our screens this fall.

Oscar-winner Helen Mirren steps into the role of the powerful Russian monarch. Between her Oscar-nominated turn as Queen Charlotte in “The Madness of King George,” her Oscar-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen,” and her Emmy-winning titular role in “Elizabeth I”, it’s no surprise to see Mirren playing a royal once again.

Continue reading ‘Catherine The Great’ Trailer: All Hail Helen Mirren In HBO’s New Period Drama Series at The Playlist.

HBO has set 10 Pm, Monday, October 21 for the premiere of Catherine The Great, the four-part limited series starring Oscar winner Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke.

The drama is set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great (Mirren) who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century. The HBO/Sky production follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin (Clarke). Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia through a series of liberalizing reforms.

Penned by HBO’s Elizabeth I scribe Nigel Williams, it also stars Joseph Quinn, Gina McKee, Rory Kinnear, Richard Roxburgh, Kevin McNally and Sam Palladio.

The series is executive produced by Helen Mirren, Philip Martin, who also directs, Nigel Williams, David Thompson,...

HBO has set the premiere date for “Catherine the Great,” its upcoming limited series starring Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke.

The four-part show, which is made in association with Sky, will debut Monday, Oct. 21 at 10/9c on the pay TV channel.

Here’s the official description for “Catherine the Great,” courtesy of HBO:

Starring Academy-award winner Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke this four-part drama is set against the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of Russian empress Catherine the Great (Mirren) who wielded supreme power throughout Russia for nearly half of the 18th century. The HBO/Sky production follows Catherine towards the end of her reign during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin (Clarke). Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia through a series of liberalizing reforms.

Also Read: Fall TV Premieres:...

Stars: Sebastian Croft, Emilia Jones, Nick Frost, Craig Roberts, Kate Nash, Kim Cattrall, Derek Jacobi, Rupert Graves, Warwick Davis, Alexander Armstrong, Kevin Bishop, Chris Addison | Written by Caroline Norris, Giles Pilbrow | Directed by Dominic Brigstocke

Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans is the long-awaited feature film version of the infamous British television show of the same name. The first of presumably many spin-offs, Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans focuses on as the title description states the Romans. The film follows Atti (Sebastian Croft) who gets into trouble with the new emperor Nero (Craig Roberts) and as punishment is sent to Britain, Aka the Stain. Atti is soon taken captive by Orla (Emilia Jones), a young wannabe warrior, while in the background the rise of Boudicca (Kate Nash) against the Romans begins.

First and foremost Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, for the intended target audience, is a blast. The...

“Game of Thrones” might be over, but HBO doesn’t seem quite ready to give up its coverage of controversial female leaders who fancy themselves the kind of royals who can break the very chains the monarchy has made possible. In “Catherine the Great,” an upcoming limited series from director Philip Martin and writer Nigel Williams, the chain-breaking potential turns to an actual ruler: Catherine the Great, played by Helen Mirren.

The four-part historical drama follows the Russian monarch as she nears the end of her reign in the late 18th century, with an apparent focus on her romantic relationship with Russian military leader Grigory Potemkin (Jason Clarke). The series also stars Georgina Beedle, Thomas Doherty, Andrew Rothney, Antonia Clarke, and Phil Dunster.

And yet the trailer at least hints at the early stages of Catherine’s remarkable run, one shaped by an auspicious and audacious start — she overthrew her...

You know what Helen Mirren holds in her hand in the trailer for HBO miniseries “Catherine the Great”? “Absolute power.”

That’s not the only great line of from the Oscar winner in the one-minute, 10-second preview.

“When I was young I dreamed of freedom, I dreamed of breaking chains,” Catherine (Mirren) says. “But, as you get older your choices narrow. So, instead I gave us an empire, but I knew exactly what I was doing.”

And this warning: “I will not share my throne with anyone.” That includes you, Grigory.

Watch the trailer above.

Also Read: 'Watchmen': HBO Series Teases Dr Manhattan's Return to Earth in Comic-Con Trailer (Video)

In the four-part historical drama, co-produced by HBO and Sky, Mirren plays the 18th-century Russian empress who is described as “strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated — the definition of the modern woman.”

“Catherine the Great” will follow...

Tele München Group’s world sales unit, Tm International, has sold its high-end television series “The Name of the Rose,” starring John Turturro, to multiple territories, including the BBC in the U.K., Sky in Germany and Ocs in France.

Additionally it has been acquired by Yle in Finland, Nrk in Norway, Dr in Denmark, Sbs in Australia, Vrt in Belgium, Rtp in Portugal, Ceska TV in Czech Republic, Sky in New Zealand, and Iti in Poland. As previously announced, AMC’s SundanceTV holds the rights for the U.S. and Canada, and Rai will air the show in Italy.

As well as Turturro, the cast of the eight-hour series includes Michael Emerson, Rupert Everett (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”), Damian Hardung (“Red Band Society”), Sebastian Koch (“Homeland”), James Cosmo (“Game of Thrones”), Richard Sammel (“Inglourious Basterds”), Fabrizio Bentivoglio (“Human Capital”) and Greta Scarano (“In Treatment”).

The series...

Richard Roxburgh in ‘Rake’ (Photo: ABC)

Richard Roxburgh is playing Grigory Orlov, a former lover of the 18th Century Russian Empress in the HBO/Sky UK miniseries Catherine the Great.

Helen Mirren is playing the title role in the four-part drama written by Nigel Williams which is now shooting in palaces and on sets in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.

With his brother Alexei (Kevin McNally) Roxburgh’s character helped orchestrate the coup that brought Catherine to power. Gina McKee is Countess Bruce, her lifelong friend and confidant, with Joseph Quinn as Prince Paul, Catherine’s son and heir.

Rory Kinnear is Minister Panin, a skillful politician, adviser and governor to Prince Paul, and Sam Palladio as Alexander Vasilichikov, Catherine’s young lover.

Jason Clarke is Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military commander who became Catherine’s lover and favoured statesman. Despite scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they had a devoted relationship...

After winning an Oscar for “The Queen,” Helen Mirren has another award in her sights — this time, as an empress. The first-look photo above captures the four-time Emmy winner in all her glory as the famous Russian ruler, Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, aka Catherine II, aka “Catherine the Great.”

HBO has partnered with Sky to produce the four-part limited series, which is currently shooting across Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Directed by Philip Martin (who helmed Mirren’s last Emmy-winning performance in “Prime Suspect: The Final Act”) and written by Nigel Williams, “Catherine the Great” also stars Jason Clarke (“Zero Dark Thirty”) as Grigory Potemkin and Joseph Quinn (“Howards End”) as Paul, Catherine’s son and heir.

New cast members have also been announced, including: Gina McKee as Countess Bruce, Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidante; Rory Kinnear as Minister Panin, a skillful politician, advisor and governor to Catherine’s son; Richard Roxburgh as Grigory Orlov,...

HBO/Sky have released a first-look photo of Helen Mirren as the titular character in four-part HBO/Sky miniseries Catherine the Great (see below). The image shows Mirren as Empress Catherine in her private quarters.

Gina McKee (Notting Hill), Rory Kinnear (Penny Dreadful), Richard Roxburgh (Rake), Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) and Sam Palladio (Nashville) also have joined previously announced stars Mirren, Jason Clarke and Joseph Quinn in the miniseries produced by Origin Pictures and New Pictures.

Currently shooting in palaces and sets across Russia, Latvia and Lithuania, the four-part miniseries, written by Nigel Williams, will chart the latter years of Catherine’s 34-year reign, as she builds Russia’s reputation as one of the great powers of Europe.

McKee will play Countess Bruce, Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidant. Kinnear is Minister Panin, a skillful politician, advisor and governor to Catherine’s son.

In today’s TV News Roundup, Netflix has released a new trailer for its upcoming series “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” and HBO has released a new photo of Helen Mirren as the Russian empress Catherine the Great.

Dates

Fox Sports Films is debuting three documentaries in honor of legendary player moments from Kirk Gibson, Jim Abbott and Aaron Boone. The first documentary, “Walk-Off Stories: Improbably Gibson,” will premiere Oct. 7 at 11:30 p.m. Et on FS1. Directed by Mike Tollin and Jon Weinbach of Mandalay Sports Media, the film will take a look at Gibson’s walk-off home run in Game one of the 1988 World Series alongside unique footage and interviews from players, coaches, broadcasters and fans. Mike Ramsdell is directing the second documentary “Set Apart: The Jim Abbott Story,” which will premiere Oct. 14 at 1:00 p.m. Et and 4:05 p.m. Et on Fox. The film follows the life story of Abbott,...

HBO has released a first-look photo of Helen Mirren in costume as Catherine the Great for the upcoming miniseries of the same name.

In the four-part historical drama, co-produced by HBO and Sky, Mirren plays the 18th-century Russian empress who is described as “strong-minded, independent, brilliantly intelligent and sexually liberated — the definition of the modern woman.”

“Catherine the Great” will follow Catherine toward the end of her reign, during her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin, played by Jason Clarke. Amid scandal, intrigue and immense conflict, they develop a unique and devoted relationship, overcoming their adversaries and together serving as the architects of modern-day Russia.

Also Read: Jason Clarke to Star as Helen Mirren's Lover in HBO's 'Catherine the Great' Limited Series

Five additional actors have also been announced for the series.

Gina McKee (“The Borgias”) will play Countess Bruce, Catherine’s lifelong friend and confidante. Rory Kinnear (“The Imitation Game”) will play Minister Panin,...

Exclusive: Howards End star Joseph Quinn is in advanced talks to join Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke in the cast of HBO and Sky’s upcoming mini-series Catherine The Great.

Quinn will play the role of Catherine’s son and heir, Prince Paul.

Oscar-winner Mirren will star as the iconic 18th Century Russian monarch who ruled for 30 years. Written by Nigel Williams (Elizabeth) and directed by Philip Martin (The Crown), the four-parter looks at Catherine at the end of her reign and her affair with Grigory Potemkin, who will be played by Zero Dark Thirty star Jason Clarke. Mirren and Clarke are the only cast reported before today.

Produced by Origin Pictures and New Pictures, the show will air on HBO in the U.S. and Sky Atlantic in the U.K. and Europe. The drama will be Mirren’s first major TV role for more than a decade. Filming...

Joseph Baxter Sep 6, 2019

HBO miniseries Catherine the Great will star Helen Mirren as the Enlightenment-era Russian monarch.

Catherine the Great is headed to HBO in the U.S. and Sky in the U.K. as a four-part television miniseries starring Helen Mirren (who will also direct and executive produce). She plays the eponymous Russian empress, whose late-18th-century reign is widely considered the Golden Age of the old Russian monarchy and a time of rapid rise for the country. Indeed, the miniseries focuses on Catherine's political machinations, chronicling her rise to power and subsequent rule.

Mirren will be joined by co-star Jason Clarke, who plays Grigory Potemkin, a Russian military leader who came into Catherine’s favor as a friend and trusted advisor, going back to his support for her during the 1762 coup, which removed her husband, Emperor Peter III, from the throne, leading to her ascension. The series serves as a quick reunion,...

Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition! “Girl/Haji”Crime thriller “Girl/Haji” is set between Tokyo and London and follows a middle-aged Tokyo detective as he travels to the U.K. in search of his wayward younger brother. The eight-part series for the BBC is penned by “Humans” writer Joe Barton and is a co-production with Netflix. Directed by Julian Farino, best known for HBO’s “Entourage,” the series shoots for 11 weeks in London beginning at the end of July, followed by six to eight weeks in Japan, before heading back to London in early 2019. Casting is by Shaheen Baig. “Catherine the Great”Four-part series “Catherine the Great” stars Helen Mirren as the Empress of Russia in the later years of the reign.

Germany’s Tele München Group has secured a host of international deals for its television adaptation of Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose.” Sky has taken the high-end English-language Italian production for German-speaking Europe, while Orange has acquired rights in France. Sales have also been secured across most of Scandinavia with DRtv taking it for Denmark; Yle for Finland; and Nrk in Norway.

Tele München boarded the project as co-producer and international sales agent in November last year. The 8-part series, which is budgeted at €26 million ($30 million), stars John Turturro (pictured) as 14th-century Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, who investigates a series of grisly murders. Rupert Everett co-stars as antagonist Inquisitor Bernard Gui, with German actor Damien Hardung as Baskerville’s apprentice Adso.

The novel, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide since it was first publiched in 1980, was previously adapted as a 1986 movie by Jean-Jacques Annaud, which starred Sean Connery,...

The adaptation of Umberto Eco’s book has distribution in German-speaking Europe amongst others.

Tele München Group (Tmg) has announced a range of sales on its series The Name Of The Rose, the adaptation of Umberto Eco’s novel about monks investigating a slew of murders.

Deals include German-speaking Europe (Sky), France (Orange), Finland (Yle), Norway (Nrk) and Denmark (DRtv).

Produced by 11 Marzo Film, Palomar and Tele München Group in association with Rai Fiction, the series has a 19-week shoot currently underway in Italy and is set for a world premiere in spring 2019. Tmg’S world sales unit Tm International is handling worldwide distribution.

The adaptation of Umberto Eco’s book has distribution in German-speaking Europe amongst others.

Tele München Group (Tmg) has announced a range of sales on its series The Name Of The Rose, the adaptation of Umberto Eco’s novel about monks investigating a slew of murders.

Deals include German-speaking Europe (Sky), France (Orange), Finland (Yle), Norway (Nrk) and Denmark (DRtv).

Produced by 11 Marzo Film, Palomar and Tele München Group in association with Rai Fiction, the series has a 19-week shoot currently underway in Italy and is set for a world premiere in spring 2019. Tmg’S world sales unit Tm International is handling worldwide distribution.