News

Outlander fans may be drawn to the Scottish crime drama Rebus thanks to its star, Richard Rankin. But after the very first scene, they might ask themselves: “Roger who?”

Indeed, the Viaplay series’ opening moments introduce Rankin as brooding Det. John Rebus, a man capable of violence and prone to making bad decisions. The character is a far cry from the much gentler role of Roger Wakefield MacKenzie, whom Rankin plays in Starz’s time-traveling romance.

More from TVLineOuter Banks Finale Recap: Who Doesn't Survive to See Season 5? Plus, Grade the Episode!Disclaimer Finale Recap: Her Side of the Story - Plus,...

Exclusive: Viaplay will debut scripted shows Rebus and Ronja the Robber’s Daughter in the U.S. in November.

Both shows were Viaplay originals that were sold after the streamer retooled last year in a face of financial challenges, and now come to Viaplay’s U.S. service through Viaplay Content Distribution.

Rebus stars Richard Rankin (Outlander) in the title role as the gruff Scottish detective. Set in Edinburgh, the crime thriller reimagines the John Rebus character as a younger Detective Sergeant, drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line into criminality.

It will debut on Thursday, November 7, with all six episodes available via the Viaplay U.S. service, which is distributed through third-party platforms.

The show launched on BBC One in the UK earlier this year and did solid linear and streaming numbers. Originally produced by Eleventh Hour Films...

Exclusive: Motive Pictures had acquired the rights to develop popular British economist and YouTuber Gary Stevenson’s autobiography The Trading Game into a limited TV series.

We understand Motive Pictures landed the rights following a competitive and lengthy option process. The Sunday Times bestseller will be adapted by screenwriter Gregory Burke. The deal was negotiated by Lesley Thorne of Aitken Alexander Associates Ltd on behalf of Gary Stevenson and his literary agent Chris Wellbelove.

Described as a “propulsive, deeply compelling, and human exploration of the dark side of capitalism,” The Trading Game tells the story of Stevenson’s journey as a working-class kid from East London who rises to become the top trader in the world for Citibank before a crippling descent into depression.

The synopsis reads: Intense, funny, and sometimes grotesque, the narrative takes readers on an unvarnished, white-knuckle journey to the dark heart of an intoxicating...

Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones), Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery), and Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange Is the New Black) are to star in the newly unveiled Sky original series Atomic.

The five-part “dynamic and action-fueled adventure” series will follow Max (Allen) and Mohammed (Latif) two unlikely friends who become swept up in a cartel’s plot to transport uranium across North Africa and soon face an enormous decision: save themselves or risk everything to prevent a nuclear bomb falling into the wrong hands.

Pursued by Cassie Elliott (Wiley), a highly-skilled CIA agent, along with MI6 and a network of traffickers, Max and Mohammed find themselves, for once, having to be the good guys.

The show, from Gangs of London producer Pulse Films, is written by Gregory Burke (‘71, Entebbe, Rebus) and directed by Shariff Korver (Temple, Do Not Hesitate).

Writer and executive producer Burke said: “I am thrilled to...

Sky has greenlighted a high-stakes thriller about a nuclear bomb from Pulse Films starring Game of Thrones‘ Alfie Allen.

Allen is joined by Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, What’s Love Got To Do With It) and Emmy-winner Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is the New Black) in Atomic, which is penned by Gregory Burke (Rebus) and directed by Shariff Korver (Temple).

Filming will commence this month in Morocco on the series, in which Max (Allen) and Mohammed (Latif), two unlikely friends – and even less likely heroes – become swept up in a cartel’s plot to transport uranium across North Africa. The pair face a monumental decision: save themselves or risk everything to prevent a nuclear bomb getting into the wrong hands. Pursued by Cassie Elliott (Wiley) – a highly skilled CIA agent whose life mission is to prevent terrorists from acquiring a nuclear bomb – along with MI6 and a network of traffickers,...

While many young actors are trying to get their break in Hollywood by starring in coming-of-age or young-adult movies, Barry Keoghan is one of the unique actors in the industry who are continuously choosing edgy films one after another and along the way he is proving his acting chops to almost every person in the world. The Irish actor appeared in Marvel superhero flick Eternals and then took on the role of Batman’s most famous villain, the Joker, in the new Matt Reeves film The Batman. The young actor has also worked with multiple accomplished industry directors like Christopher Nolan, Emerald Fennell, and Yorgos Lanthimos. So, if you think you are also slowly becoming a fan of this guy check out these 10 movies that are his best.

10. Eternals (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Marvel Studios

Eternals is a Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film directed by Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao.

The BBC adaptation of Ian Rankin’s Rebus will premiere on the 18th May, with Richard Rankin (no relation) in the lead role.

A new adaptation of Ian Rankin’s detective novels, Rebus, is set to air later this month. Gregory Burke, who previously wrote Scottish drama Six Four, wrote all six episodes, which were directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton.

The new series of Rebus will be a prequel which focuses on the detective in his younger years, as he rises up the ranks in Edinburgh.

Richard Rankin (no relation to author Ian) stars as Rebus, alongside Lucie Shorthouse, Brian Ferguson, Amy Manson, Neshla Caplan, Noof Ousellam, Stuart Bowman, Caroline Lee Johnson, Sean Buchanan, Thoren Ferguson and Michelle Duncan.

The synopsis reads as follows:

Set in Edinburgh, the six-part series reimagines John Rebus as a younger Detective Sergeant drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael,...

Ian Rankin’s iconic detective Rebus is heading back to the small screen. Here’s what we know about the new series…

Ian Rankin’s Rebus is one of the most successful characters in contemporary fiction. Appearing in over 24 novels since 1987, with the 25th, Midnight & Blue, set to be published in October, and over a dozen short stories, Rankin’s dour detective has made an indelible impression on readers the world over.

It wasn’t long before he made his way to the screen. The first iteration starred John Hannah, who played the role for one series in 2000 to 2001. Hannah was unpopular with fans of the books, and he quit the role soon after.

For three series, Ken Stott stepped into the role of the detective. His portrayal was extremely popular, and he became inextricably linked with the role, so much so it has taken well over a decade for...

The BBC has acquired crime drama series Rebus, a new adaptation of the best-selling Inspector Rebus novels by Scottish author Ian Rankin, starring Richard Rankin (Outlander, The Replacement) in the lead role.

Adapted for the small screen by Gregory Burke (´71, Six Four) and produced by Eleventh Hour Films for Nordic streamer Viaplay, the six-part series will air on the U.K. public broadcaster’s flagship network BBC One, BBC Scotland and streamer BBC iPlayer this spring.

Rebus has been seen on the screen and stage before. An ITV series ran for four seasons from 2000 until 2007. The fictional inspector has also been featured in radio and theater adaptations.

The show features a younger, and recently divorced and demoted, protagonist. Set in Edinburgh, it “reimagines John Rebus as a younger Detective Sergeant drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line into criminality,...

Exclusive: The BBC has bought Viaplay’s Rebus reboot, following international streamer Viaplay’s decision to exit the UK. In further news, we can reveal Australia’s Sbs has also acquired the show from distributor Viaplay Content Distribution.

Set in Edinburgh, the series stars Richard Rankin (Outlander) in the title role, playing a young John Rebus as a detective sergeant, who is drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal when his brother Michael, a former soldier, crosses the line into criminality.

The show, based on Ian Rankin’s novels and from Eleventh Hour Films, had originally been slated for Viaplay’s UK service, having been its first British commission back in November 2022. However, it will now run exclusively on BBC Scotland, BBC One and BBC iPlayer this spring.

Viaplay decided to pull out of the UK and several other territories following a brutal 202 and is selling its British...

Dope Dope, Itvx, streaming now

A whole raft of new films have dropped on Itvx this week, including this coming-of-age charmer from Rick Famuyiwa, who has recently been directing and producing The Mandelorian. Three adorable school nerds, Malcolm (Shameik Moore), Jib (Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Kiersey Clemons) find themselves mixed up with drugs. With a similar energy to John Hughes' teen movies but with just a fraction more edge, Famuyiwa keeps the comedy coming, while also employing some sharp plot manoeuvring to ensure there's barely a dull moment.

'71, Netflix, streaming now

Black Watch playwright Gregory Burke invites us to spend a night at the 'hellmouth' that was Belfast Falls Road in 1971, as seen through the eyes of young British squaddie Gary Hook (Jack O'Connell) on his first tour of duty. Things go wrong fast and he finds himself trapped in no-man's land with all hell breaking loose. Burke is interested in.

Viaplay’s first U.K. drama commission, “Rebus,” has gone into production in Scotland. The show has also added some new cast members including “Line of Duty’s” Lucie Shorthouse, Brian Ferguson (“The Ipcress File”) and Stuart Bowman (“The Serpent”).

They will join Richard Rankin (“Outlander”) as John Rebus, the much-loved character John Rebus from Ian Rankin’s bestselling novels.

“Rebus” tells the story of a Scottish police detective who “finds himself at a psychological crossroads,” according to the logline. “At odds with a job increasingly driven by corporate technocrats, involved in a toxic affair he knows he needs to end, and all but supplanted in his daughter’s life by his ex-wife’s wealthy new husband, Rebus begins to wonder if he still has a role to play – either as a family man or a police officer. In a world of divisive politics and national discord, does the law still have meaning,...

1985: General Hospital's Robert and Anna explained to Robin why

they hadn't told her the truth about being her parents.

1995: Stone Cates died. 2006: Sonny and Robin remember Stone

on the anniversary of his death. 2011: Robin talked to Stone

on the bridge."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1946: The Guiding Light aired for the final time on NBC Radio, sponsored by General Mills. Irna Phillips had been in a prolonged lawsuit with Emmons Carlson over rights to the show, leading NBC to cancel the series for the second time.

Hollywood has courted British TV vet Yann Demange ever since his 2014 Northern Ireland war drama ”’71,” which broke out rising star Jack O’Connell at Berlin and went on to play some 33 festivals, including Telluride. Demange has that magic mix of skills that’s so hard to find: a good eye, a nose for authenticity, and the ability to shoot both sensitive dramatic scenes and visceral action. He can handle actors as well as helicopters and cars. He’s got the whole toolbox.

Jacques Audiard and Darren Aronofsky sent him fan mail. Hollywood executives were so hot on Demange that he wound up on the James Bond director shortlist after Danny Boyle bailed. But “Bond 25” went to the first-ever American director Cary Fukunaga instead. Not long before the James Bond team made their decision, Sony released Demange’s “White Boy Rick” to disappointing reviews and $21.7 million total at the box office.

A New York hospital has offered to admit Charlie Gard, the terminally ill baby at the center of a controversy that has elicited reactions from President Donald Trump and Pope Francis.

New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center offered to admit Charlie “provided that arrangements are made to safely transfer him to our facility, legal hurdles are cleared, and we receive emergency approval from the Fda for an experimental treatment as appropriate,” according to a statement given to The Washington Post.

Another option was given to Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Andy Gard, and to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital,...

Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl and Vincent Cassel are all in talks to board Jose Padilha's true story drama "Entebbe" for Working Title and Participant Films.

Set in 1976, the story follows four hijackers - two Palestinian, two German - who took a plane hostage and diverted it to land in Uganda while they demanded the release of dozens of Palestinian and pro-Palestinian prisoners.

The suspense thriller follows the hijackers, hostages, French crew, and then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and future Pm Shimon Peres as they try to decide whether to negotiate or launch a raid to free the hostages.

Greg Burke ("'71") is penning the screenplay while Kate Solomon, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce.

Source: Deadline...

Exclusive: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl and Vincent Cassel are in talks to board Jose Padilha’s Entebbe for Brit production powerhouse Working Title. Participant is also on board as producer and in negotiations to fully finance. In what is a near-perfect union of filmmaker, subject and cast, this is shaping up to be a major motion picture likely to attract plenty of interest — particularly given recent world events. Greg Burke, who wrote Yann Demange's brilliant '71, is…...

Pope Francis might be the Jennifer Lawrence of the Catholic Church. The famously humble Pontiff, 79, caused concern Thursday when he tripped and fell after apparently missing a step while leading a celebratory Mass in Czestochowa in honor of Poland's 1,050th anniversary of becoming a Catholic country. Pope Francis, who has only one lung and is known to suffer from sciatica, was helped back up by several priests and finished the Mass at the Jasna Gora Monastery, considered to be the country's holiest site, without further interruption. Afterwards, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told the Associated Press that "the pope is fine" following the fall.

Pope Francis might be the Jennifer Lawrence of the Catholic Church. The famously humble Pontiff, 79, caused concern Thursday when he tripped and fell after apparently missing a step while leading a celebratory Mass in Czestochowa in honor of Poland's 1,050th anniversary of becoming a Catholic country. Pope Francis, who has only one lung and is known to suffer from sciatica, was helped back up by several priests and finished the Mass at the Jasna Gora Monastery, considered to be the country's holiest site, without further interruption. Afterwards, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told the Associated Press that "the pope is fine" following the fall.

Jose Padilha ("Elite Squad," "Narcos") is in negotiations to direct the ticking-clock thriller "Entebbe" for Working Title and StudioCanal.

The 1976 true story follows four hijackers - two Palestinian and two German - who took a plane hostage and diverted it to land in Uganda while they demanded the release of dozens of Palestinian and pro-Palestinian prisoners.

The action follows the hijackers, the hostages, the flight crew, then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and future Pm Shimon Peres trying to decide whether to negotiate or launch the raid to free the hostages. Greg Burke ('71") is penning the screenplay.

Source: Variety...

Exclusive: Jose Padilha is in negotiations to direct Entebbe for Brit production powerhouse Working Title and Euro major StudioCanal. In what is a near-perfect union marriage of filmmaker and subject, this is shaping up to be a major package likely to attract plenty of interest in the marketplace, especially as it starts casting up in the months ahead. Greg Burke, who wrote Yann Demange’s brilliant ’71, is writing the screenplay. It's the true story from 1976, when four…...

Jack O'Connell is breaking out something fierce this year. He's of course starring in Angelina Jolie's "Unbroken" and on the indie scene in "Starred Up," for which he was nominated last year at the British Independent Film Awards. Well, he's back for more of this this time around with "'71," Yann Demange's brilliant Belfast thriller, which scored the lion's share of nominations today with nine. Matthew Warchus' ensemble dramedy "Pride," about gay activists working to help miners during the 1984 UK mineworkers strike, was a few steps behind with seven mentions. Mike Leigh's "Mr. Turner" rounded up five nods, while "Calvary" and "The Imitation Game" picked up four apiece. The international category was mostly populated with American entries: "The Babadook," "Blue Ruin," "Boyhood" and "Fruitvale Station." Though Poland's "Ida" also made a show. Check out the full list of nominees below. The 17th annual British Independent Film...

The nominations for the 17th annual Moët British Independent Film Awards were announced recently, at St Martins Lane, London by actor Jared Harris .

Joint Directors, The Moët British Independent Film Awards’ Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: "This has been a record year for Mbifa with over 250 films submitted giving our dedicated members their toughest challenge to date. Hugely impressed by the quality of films and performances across all categories the shortlist demonstrates how the standard of creativity in British independent filmmaking continues to flourish year on year. The decision of who will walk away with one of the iconic Mbifa trophies* is now in the hands of our distinguished independent jury announced today. We are looking forward to seeing as many of the nominees as possible at the Awards on 7th December, to celebrate their incredible achievements. It will be a very personal celebration for us also, as the last in a wonderful 9 Award Ceremonies as Joint Directors of Bifa.”

The highest number of nominations this year goes to "‘71" with nine nominations including Best British Independent Film; Best Director and Debut Director for Yann Demange; Best Screenplay for Gregory Burke; Best Actor for Jack O’Connell and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Harris. "Pride" picked up seven nominations and "Catch me Daddy,""Frank," and "Mr Turner" picked up five nominations each.

Nominations for Best Actress go to Alicia Vikander for "Testament of Youth;" Cheng Pei Pei for "Lilting;" Gugu Mbatha-Raw for "Belle;" Keira Knightley for "The Imitation Game" and Sameena Jabeen Ahmed for "Catch Me Daddy." Leading men hoping to take home the Best Actor award include Asa Butterfield for "X+Y;" Benedict Cumberbatch for "The Imitation Game"; Brendan Gleeson for "Calvary"; Jack O’Connell for "’71" and Timothy Spall for "Mr Turner."

Best Supporting Actor nominations go to Andrew Scott and Ben Schnetzer, both for "Pride;" Michael Fassbender for "Frank;" Rafe Spall for "X+Y" and Sean Harris for"’71."

Dorothy Atkinson for "Mr Turner;" Imelda Staunton for "Pride;" Maggie Gyllenhaal for "Frank;" Sally Hawkins for "X+Y"and Sienna Guillory for "The Goob" are all nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Award.

Directors who have delivered dynamic debuts this year and are fighting for the Douglas Hickox Award are Daniel Wolfe and Matthew Wolfe for "Catch Me Daddy;" Hong Khaou for "Lilting;" Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard for "20,000 Days on Earth;" Morgan Matthews for "X+Y" and Yann Demange for "’71."

The Raindance Award nominees for 2014 include: "Flim: The Movie;" "Gregor;" "Luna;" "Keeping Rosy"and "The Beat Beneath My Feet." This award honours exceptional achievement for filmmakers working against the odds, often with little or no industry support. Elliot Grove, Founder of Raindance Film Festival and Moët British Independent Film Awards added: "The breadth and quality of the British films selected this year suggests a bumper year for British films. Raindance congratulates all the talented filmmakers whose wonderful films make up this year's Mbifa nominations.”

The Pre-Selection Committee of over 70 members viewed a record breaking 250 plus films this year, out of which they selected the nominations, which were decided by ballot.

The winners of The Moët British Independent Film Awards are decided by an independent jury comprised of leading professionals and talent from the British film industry.

It was also announced that the Oscar® and BAFTA - winning Director Tom Hopper, whose film "The King’s Speech" picked up five awards, including Best British Independent Film at the 2010 Moët British Independent Film Awards, will chair the Jury who will decide the winners of the 2014 awards.

Hooper commented: "I am honoured to preside over the Moët Bifa jury this year. It has been an extremely strong year for filmmaking here in Britain and I am looking forward to helping the very best of this year's independent films, get the recognition they deserve."

The Jury for 2014 includes: Jury Chair – Tom Hooper (Director), Jonathan Romney (Writer, Director), Jon S. Baird (Writer, Director), Luke Treadaway (Actor), Mary Burke (Producer), Sean Ellis (Writer, Director), Shira Macleod (Film Programming Consultant), Stanley Tucci (Actor, Director), Thea Sharrock (Director), Tinge Krishnan (Director) Tracy O’Riordan (Producer) and Zawe Ashton (Actor, Director).

Elsa Corbineau, Marketing Director Moët & Chandon, commented: “The pool of talents recognized by the Moët British Independent Film Awards has continuously inspired us with the richness it represents. With Moët & Chandon being the champagne of choice for celebration at international film festivals and award ceremonies, we are delighted to toast to the success of all nominees, including those for the ‘Best British Independent Film’ award sponsored by Moët & Chandon.”

The winners will be announced at the much anticipated 17th awards ceremony on Sunday 7 December at the impressive Old Billingsgate in London.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards is proud to announce the following nominees for this year’s awards:

Best British Independent Film

Sponsored by Moët & Chandon

"'71"

"Calvary"

"Mr Turner"

"Pride"

"The Imitation Game"

Best Director

Sponsored by AllCity & Intermission

John Michael McDonagh – "Calvary"

Lenny Abrahamson – "Frank"

Matthew Warchus – "Pride"

Mike Leigh – "Mr Turner"

Yann Demange – "'71"

The Douglas Hickox Award [Best Debut Director]

Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios

Daniel Wolfe, Matthew Wolfe – "Catch Me Daddy"

Hong Khaou – "Lilting"

Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard – "20,000 Days on Earth"

Morgan Matthews – "X+Y"

Yann Demange – "'71"

Best Screenplay

Sponsored by BBC Films

Graham Moore – "The Imitation Game"

Gregory Burke – "'71"

John Michael McDonagh – "Calvary"

Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan – "Frank"

Stephen Beresford – "Pride"

Best Actress

Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics

Alicia Vikander – "Testament of Youth"

Cheng Pei Pei – "Lilting"

Gugu Mbatha-Raw – "Belle"

Keira Knightley – "The Imitation Game"

Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – "Catch Me Daddy"

Best Actor

Sponsored by Movado

Asa Butterfield – "X+Y"

Benedict Cumberbatch – "The Imitation Game"

Brendan Gleeson – "Calvary"

Jack O'Connell – "'71"

Timothy Spall – "Mr Turner"

Best Supporting Actress

Dorothy Atkinson – "Mr Turner"

Imelda Staunton – "Pride"

Maggie Gyllenhaal – "Frank"

Sally Hawkins –"X+Y"

Sienna Guillory – "The Goob"

Best Supporting Actor

Sponsored by St Martins Lane

Andrew Scott – "Pride"

Ben Schnetzer – "Pride"

Michael Fassbender – "Frank"

Rafe Spall – "X+Y"

Sean Harris – "‘71"

Most Promising Newcomer

Ben Schnetzer – "Pride"

Cara Delevingne – "The Face of An Angel"

Gugu Mbatha-Raw – "Belle"

Liam Walpole – "The Goob"

Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – "Catch Me Daddy"

Best Achievement In Production

"'71"

"20,000 Days on Earth"

"Catch Me Daddy"

"Lilting"

"The Goob"

Best Technical Achievement

Chris Wyatt - Editing - "'71"

Dick Pope - Cinematography -"Mr Turner"

Robbie Ryan - Cinematography - "Catch Me Daddy"

Stephen Rennicks - Music – "Frank"

Tat Radcliffe - Cinematography - "'71"

Best DocumentarY

"20,000 Days on Earth"

"Next Goal Wins"

"Night Will Fall"

"The Possibilities Are Endless"

"Virunga"

Best British Short

"Crocodile"

"Emotional Fusebox"

"Keeping Up With The Joneses"

"Slap"

"The Kármán Line"

Best International Independent Film

"Blue Ruin"

"Boyhood"

"Fruitvale Station"

"Ida"

"The Badadook"

The Raindance Award

"Flim: The Movie..".

"Gregor"

"Luna"

"Keeping Rosy"

"The Beat Beneath My Feet"

The Richard Harris Award (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film)

To Be Announced

The Variety Award

To Be Announced

The Special Jury Prize

Announced at the Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 7th December

Now in its 17th year, the Awards were created by Raindance in 1998 and set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public.

Previous winners of the prestigious Best British Independent Film Award include "Metro Manila," "Tyrannosaur," "The King's Speech," "Moon," "Control," "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Constant Gardener" and "This is England"

Proud supporters and patrons of The Moët British Independent Film Awards include Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, James Nesbitt, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards would like to thank all its supporters, especially: Moët & Chandon, 3 Mills Studios, BBC Films, M.A.C Cosmetics, Movado, Raindance, St Martins Lane, Soho House, Swarovski, Variety, AllCity, Intermission.

The edge-of-your seat thriller that was all the talk at this year’s Berlin Film Festival (that momentum was carried over into Telluride and Tiff during the fall) leads all noms for the 17th edition of the 2014 British Independent Film Awards. Landing nine nominations in all, Yann Demange’s ’71 might lead the pack, but I’d argue that despite all the fanfare, remains an underdog in most categories. Going up against The Imitation Game (which failed to score ‎Morten Tyldum a Best Director nod but managed to get Best Screenplay and Best Film consideration) and Mike Leigh’s Mr Turner, there might be plenty of gift-giving for several films on December 7th, with Matthew Warchus’ Pride also in the mix with a whopping seven noms (mostly in the acting categories). The much deserving Cannes played Catch Me Daddy and Venice Film Fest included The Goob thankfully didn’t go unnoticed,...

The British Independent Film Awards announced its nominees this Monday morning and it was good news for films that may not have the muscle to break into the Academy Awards contest. The Irish political thriller “’71” and “Pride,” the story of gay activism and mineworker strikes that fits snuggly the time-honored British sociopolitical dramedy genre, earned the most nominations. In honors that will likely replicate themselves stateside, “Imitation Game” also earned a Best British Independent Film nod, with stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley finding love in the Best Actor and Actress categories, respectively. Other Best British Independent Film nominees include Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner” and John Michael McDonagh’s “Calvary.” Picking up multiple nominations were Lenny Abrahamson’s “Frank,” documentarian Morgan Matthews’ narrative debut “X+Y,” and the Nick Cave documentary “20,000 Days on Earth.” There’s little conformity to the British Independent Film Awards. Compared to previous years, the 2014 nominations are downright populist.

Yann Demange’s anti-war parable ’71 has scored a leading nine nominations for the 17th Moët British Independent Film Awards. The director’s debut feature, which premiered in Berlin last February, is named in the major categories and also scooped a Best Actor mention for Jack O’Connell who’s next up in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken. Directors’ Fortnight closer and crowd-pleaser Pride, helmed by Matthew Warchus, was next with seven nominations while festival favorites Daniel Wolfe’s Catch Me Daddy, Lenny Abrahamson’s Frank and Mike Leigh’s Mr Turner each scored five nods. Along with ’71, Pride and Mr Turner, the titles competing in the Best British Independent Film race are John Michael McDonagh’s Calvary and Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation Game. Oscar hopeful, The Imitation Game’s Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley also scored acting noms. (See full list of nominees below.)

Winners are decided by an independent...

Pride, Catch Me Daddy, Frank and Mr Turner also score multiple nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, where Benedict Cumberbatch and Timothy Spall will compete for best actor. The King’s Speech director Tom Hooper to chair jury.Scroll down for full list of nominees

Yann Demange’s ‘71 leads the nominations for the 17th Moët British Independent Film Awards, announced today in London by actor Jared Harris.

The thriller, about a British soldier on the run through the dangerous streets of 1971 Belfast, scored nine nominations including: Best British Independent Film; Best Director and Debut Director for Demange; Best Screenplay for Gregory Burke; Best Actor for Jack O’Connell and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Harris.

The film first launched at Berlin in February and won the Golden Athena at the Athens International Film Festival in September.

‘71 will go up against Calvary, Mr Turner, Pride and The Imitation Game for the top prize.

Matthew Warchus’s gay activist...

Claudia Yusef is named Talent Develepment Executive for the Scottish Film Talent Network.

The Centre for the Moving Image (Cmi), DigiCult and Hopscotch Films have announced the appointment of Claudia Yusef as Talent Development Executive for the Scottish Film Talent Network (Sftn).

Yusef had been development executive at 42 Management & Productions, where she worked on films including Welcome To The Punch and Monsters: Dark Continent, and she takes the new post at Sftn in November.

She said: “I’m looking forward to joining this exciting and important initiative, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help find and nurture a new generation of Scottish talent.”

Her remit will include identifying film talent and projects suitable for funding or development support, working across feature film script development, and short film development and production.

Sftn is a consortium comprised of Cmi, DigiCult and Hopscotch Films, representing Scotland in the UK wide BFI Net.Work initiative...

Yann Demange’s thriller among five debut films nominated for European Discovery 2014.

The European Film Academy has revealed the nominees for the European Discovery 2014 - Prix Fipresci, an award presented annually as part of the European Film Awards to a young and upcoming director for a first full-length feature film.

This year’s nominations were determined by a committee comprised of Efa Board Members Ilann Girard (France) and Dagmar Jacobsen (Germany), Efa Members Paul Negoescu (Romania) and José Luis Cienfuegos (Spain), as well as Krzysztof Kwiatkowski (Poland), Marco Spagnoli (Italy) and Neil Young (UK) as representatives of Fipresci, the International Federation of Film Critics.

The nominated films are are:

10,000 Km

Spain

Directed By: Carlos Marques-Marcet

Written By: Carlos Marques-Marcet & Clara Roquet

Produced By: Tono Folguera, Sergi Moreno, Jana Díaz Juhl, Danielle Schleif & Pau Brunet

‘71

UK

Directed By: Yann Demange

Written By: Gregory Burke

Produced By: Angus Lamont, Robin Gutch

Party Girl

France

Written & Directed By: Marie Amachoukeli, [link...

Remember this name: Jack O’Connell. He is magnificent in one of the most remarkable portraits of soldiering in recent memory. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

Remember this name: Jack O’Connell. Because he is going to be huge. The 24-year-old British actor blew us away last year with his performance as a juvenile offender thrown into an adult prison in Starred Up, but that was a bit of an ensemble piece. Now, with the period action suspense thriller ’71, he is carrying a film on his own for the first time, and he is magnificent. His Gary Hook is a British raw army recruit sent to Belfast in 1971, in the early days of the Troubles, where kids play in the streets amidst burning cars (when they aren’t tossing “water balloons” full of urine...

The phrase “confused state” is used several times near the end of ’71. It’s not a comforting label to see applied to military operations, or action movies that replicate them. Whether it’s a theater of war or a war shown in theaters, precision with rifles shots and camera shots is usually called for. ’71 ignores this reasoning for the complexity that blooms when a war film lets itself get confused. It’s often times chaotic to look at and a little harder to track minute-by-minute than need be, but by coloring outside the clear cut lines usually expected of the historical action drama, what develops is a tense, resonant genre outlier.

The barebones title is more a hint at ’71’s impartial approach to a specific historical conflict than an indicator of reverent respect for dates and details. It’s an action film as well as a historical recreation, though in the early goings,...

Fury (David Ayer)

[via the BFI]

The programme for the 58th BFI London Film Festival launched today, with Festival Director Clare Stewart presenting this year’s rich and diverse selection of films and events. The lineup includes highly anticipated fall titles including David Ayer’s Fury, Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher, the Sundance smash Whiplash, Jean-Luc Godard’s Goodbye to Language 3D, The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, Jason Reitman’s Men, Women and Children and Jean-Marc Vallee’s Wild.

As Britain’s leading film event and one of the world’s oldest film festivals, it introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience, offering a compelling combination of red carpet glamour, engaged audiences and vibrant exchange. The Festival provides an essential profiling opportunity for films seeking global success at the start of the Awards season, promotes the careers of British and...

Yann Demange’s Belfast thriller, starring Jack O’Connell, lands October release.

StudioCanal is to release action thriller ’71 across the UK on October 10.

The film, from first-time feature director Yann Demange, received its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in February and has gone on to play at Beaune, Karlovy Vary and Jerusalem as well as the recent Bogota Audiovisual Market.

The October release will likely follow further festival outings.

’71 stars Jack O’Connell as a young British soldier, accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast during the Troubles. The young recruit has to on the run and into hiding behind enemy lines to survive the night.

Co-stars include Sean Harris, Killian Scott, Martin McCann and Charlie Murphy. The screenplay was written by Gregory Burke.

Exclusive: Yann Demange’s well-received feature debut sells around the world.

Protagonist has confirmed a slew of deals on Yann Demange’s well-received Berlin competition thriller ‘71.

Deals have closed with Ad Vitam for France, eOne for Australia and New Zealand, Ascot Elite for Germany and Switzerland, Good Films for Italy, Elevation Pictures for Canada, Vertigo Films for Spain, Non Stop Entertainment for Scandinavia, Lusomundo fpr Portugal, Seven Films for Greece, Fida for Turkey, Aya Pro for Japan, Sundream for Hong Kong, and Front Row for the Middle East.

Further deals are understood to be closing for South Korea, Latin America, India, Indonesia, Eastern Europe and Benelux.

Roadside Attraction and Black Label Media have Us rights. StudioCanal will release in the UK later this year.

Top Boy director Demange’s taut feature debut stars Jack O’Connell as a young British soldier who is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971.

Written...

THR reports that Roadside Attractions and the newly formed Black Label Media who are backing a trio of (Jean-Marc Vallée’s Demolition, Denis Villeneuve’s Sicario and Philippe Falardeau’s The Good Lie) in the works items from Quebecois auteurs turning toward American productions, will deploy Yann Demange’s break-out Berlin Film Fest debut for sometime early next year. Jack O’Connell (who dazzled in David Mackenzie’s raw drama Starred Up) toplines the thriller. When discussing timelines, ’71 appears to be a strong precursor event to Paul Greengrass’ Bloody Sunday.

Gist: Written by Gregory Burke, this tells the tale of a young British soldier accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971. It takes place over a single night, during which the soldier has to navigate solo in a deadly environment where he can’t tell friend from foe.

Worth Noting: Demange received a...

Roadside Attractions and Black Label Media have acquired all Us rights to Yann Demange’s thriller.

The film received a strong critical support following its world premiere in Berlin. Rising star Jack O’Connell plays the lead as a British soldier stranded in Belfast following a riot.

O’Connell appears in the current number one Us release 300: Rise Of An Empire and stars in Angelina Jolie’s upcoming film Unbroken.

Demange’s feature directorial debut is based on a screenplay by Gregory Burke. Robin Gutch of Warp Films and Angus Lamont of Crab Apple produced.

Protagonist Pictures handled international sales and brokered the deal with Roadside Attractions and CAA on behalf of Black Label.

The deal marks the first acquisition for distribution by Molly Smith’s Black Label Media.

While he might not be gracing the cover of magazines just yet, by the time 2014 is over, Jack O'Connell should be. The actor has steadily been earning buzz from his breakout role on "Skins," his appearance in "This Is England" and his star-making turn in the forthcoming prison drama "Starred Up" (read our rave review here). With roles in "300: Rise On An Empire" and Angelina Jolie's awards season contender "Unbroken," you're going to see a lot more of him over the next twelve months. In fact, at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival, a new movie is arriving providing a fresh showcase for his talent. O'Connell leads director Yann Demange's war drama " '71." Penned by Gregory Burke, the film is set in — you guessed it — 1971, in Northern Ireland, where an English recruit is called to Belfast where he gets between the battling Protestants and Catholics. Here's the official...

Katherine Butler, Film4’s Deputy Head of Film, is to become head of film and TV drama at UK indie Raw, producers of TV series Gold Rush and feature doc The Imposter.

After nine years at Channel 4’s film arm Film4, Butler will move to work alongside Raw’s Founder Dimitri Doganis, Creative Director Bart Layton, new CEO Joely Fether and head of development Zander Levy.

According to Raw, Butler will spearhead the company’s drive to become “a major force in film and drama production building a slate of bold, authored UK and Us productions”.

Butler will leave Film4 at the end of February.

Raw’s TV output includes Gold Rush, which airs on the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic’s Locked Up Abroad, as well as Channel 4 series Blackout.

Ties between Raw and Film4 are strong. While at Film4 Butler executive-produced Raw’s BAFTA-winning feature The Imposter about serial imposter Frederic Bourdin and the...

Transcendence

Cillian Murphy has joined the cast of Wally Pfister‘s directorial debut "Transcendence". Johnny Depp plays a scientist whose consciousness is uploaded after his physical form is killed.

Murphy plays one of the three lead roles, the remaining one being played by Paul Bettany. Murphy has previously worked with Pfister on the four of the last five most recent Christopher Nolan films. [Source: Latino Review]

Divergent

Tony Goldwyn ("Scandal," "Ghost") has joined the cast of the film adaptation of Veronica Roth's young adult novel "Divergent" at Liongate's Summit Entertainment.

Goldwyn will portray Andrew, the father of Shailene Woodley's lead character Tris Prior. The project is currently filming in Chicago. [Source: Screen]

Murder of a Cat

Nikki Reed has joined the cast of Gillian Greene-Raimi's black comedy "Murder of a Cat" as a character named Greta.

The darkly comic noir follows a guy trying to unravel the mystery around the murder of his pet cat.

Now we know why Robin begins most of his exclamations with the word "Holy."

Comic book culture has found its way into almost every facet of our everyday lives in recent years, so it really comes as no surprise that it would finally find its way into religion. Witness above the bizarre and somewhat ominous tweet that came out of the Vatican on Thursday (thanks to E! Online for the pic).

The tweet came from a verified Twitter handle for Pontifical Council for Social Communications that linked to an article detailing the evolution of the Caped Crusader. Officials claim it was an "internal system failure due to a non-native English speaker posting the story on the website," which created an automatic tweet, according to Huffington Post.

"Admittedly some people might have been thrown off by the headline," said Greg Burke, a Vatican communications adviser. Nah, what makes you say that,...

The Pope is to start posting personal Twitter messages using the handle @pontifex next week, the Vatican has said. Pope Benedict XVI will send the first tweet from his personal Twitter account on December 12. The account name means both pontiff and 'builder of bridges', and his tweets will be translated into eight languages as part of efforts to "reach out to everyone". Last year, the Pope tweeted from a Vatican account to launch the Holy See news information portal. The Vatican said that he will "tweet what he wants to tweet" from @pontifex, although he is expected to sign off rather than write the messages. "We are going to get a spiritual message," Greg Burke, senior media advisor to the Vatican, said in a statement. "The Pope is not going to be walking around with a Blackberry or an iPad and no-one is going to be putting words into (more...

Amaryllis Theatre Company opens its 2009-2010 season with Samuel Beckett's masterpiece, Waiting for Godot, from November 10 through 22 at Amaryllis Theatre Company's home in The Playground at the Adrienne (2030 Sansom Street).

Performances are at 7:00 on Tuesdays and Opening Night, November 11; at 8:00 on Wednesdays through Fridays except Opening; and at 2:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets at Amaryllis have been reduced to allow all Philadelphians to attend. They are now $10, available through the Amaryllis website: www:amaryllistheatre.org, by calling 877-260-1126 or at the door. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $5.

Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, widely considered the most significant play of the 20th Century, centers around two men who are waiting for someone (or something) named Godot who may (or may not) ever arrive. Beckett's landmark drama, by turns lyrical and earthly, profound and comic, poses essential questions about the meaning of our existence in an absurd universe.