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Franz and Sisi have gone down in history as the most perfect couple that the Austrian monarchy ever knew. The marriage and reign of the emperor and the empress of Austria is certainly worthy of being told, which is why it’s no wonder that their story has inspired numerous movies and series over time. The most iconic movie bringing the story of Franz and Sisi to the screen was the 1950s trilogy Sissi with Romy Schneider.

Since the end of 2022, there has been a new mesmerizing contender on the list. With The Empress, Netflix brought an exciting historical drama series to the masses, which renders the story of how the two monarchs met, the beginning stages of their sometimes strained relationship, and how their love and reign evolved over the years. Franz and Sisi were ruling in Austria, but where was Netflix’s The Empress filmed?

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Even though Austria is just a fairly small country in Central Europe, it still has some memorable names attached to its history. Adolf Hitler is certainly one of those figures which immediately come to mind, even if it’s in a negative way, and it’s not surprising that the legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock almost made a movie adaptation of Mein Kampf.

Riding the top 10 Netflix charts after the release of its second season is The Empress, which highlights the life of an equally famous figure, but for very different reasons. The Netflix series revisits the life of Elisabeth of Wittelsbach, Princess of Bavaria, as she comes to Austria to see her sister get married to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, but unexpectedly ends up as the new Empress herself. This historical series offers a deeper insight into the hardship Franz and Sisi (or Sissi) are facing after their marriage,...

Quick Links A Surprising and Well-Followed Romance in 'The Empress' 'The Empress' and a Dramatic Step Into a Fantastical Past

Fans of The Crown will be well-served by checking out Netflix’s other political and romantic drama, The Empress. The Empress, based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, is an intriguing and visually stunning period drama dressed in vulnerability and splendor. While some viewers may not have seen the tale of this daring Duchess-turned-Empress as the second season drops on Netflix, now is the perfect time for viewers to catch up.

The Empress stars Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, Duchess, wild child, and unlikely Empress. After falling in love with a not-distant cousin, the free-spirited Elisabeth turned Empress of Austria finds herself caught up in the stifling and treacherous world of royal expectations and international diplomacy. As Elisabeth struggles against the pressures of her new position and her new home,...

Covered with laurels for his recent series “Soviet Jeans” (audience award at Series Mania 2024) and for his features “Modris” (Latvia’s Oscar submission 2014) and “Oleg” (Cannes Director’s Fortnight entry 2019), Latvian writer/director Juris Kursietis is competing at Tallinn’s Black Nights Film Festival’s Official Selection with “The Exalted,” due to world premiere Nov. 14.

The satire about cultural clashes between Eastern and Western Europe, seen through the prism of an upper-class couple, has just been acquired by newly launched French sales outfit B-Rated International, outside the co-producing countries Estonia, Latvia, and Greece.

“The Exalted” offers a harsh and cynical portrayal of the upper class,” said Arnaud Chevallier, formerly at Mediawan International Sales and founder of the Paris-based outfit. “We admire the pic’s brilliant and subtle directing and are convinced that it will resonate with foreign audiences due to its globally relevant themes and multiple languages spoken throughout the film.

The 2023 German mini-series A Thin Line is definitely a masterpiece, conveying a strong message about the environmental issues caused due to rapid urbanization. We have come across films and series like Before the Flood and Plastic Ocean with strong messages against environmental damage, but the passion that the characters display in this series is unique and beyond articulation. The love for the environment with which the series has been made rings right through the brilliant portrayal of the motives of the characters. The directors Sabrina Sarabi and Damian John Harper have done justice to the screenplay by putting able actors like Hanna Hilsdorf and Saskia Rosendahl to action. The two sisters, Anna and Benjamina (Benni), are eager to cross their lines in seeking justice against the flawed policies and regulations for the environment. While Benjamina resorts to illegal means to seek justice, Anna stays within the judicial limits and tries to protect her sister.

New titles include series about the Circeo massacre and El Chapo’s wife.

US streaming platform Paramount+ has unveiled a seven-strong film and series international slate ahead of its launch in the UK and Ireland later this week (June 22).

The originals will be produced in partnership with Vis, Paramount’s international studio. Paramount+ is aiming to commission 150 international originals by 2025.

New projects are Mexican suspense thriller film One Must Die, about seven people who are kidnapped and suddenly find themselves part of a deadly game. It Is directed by and stars Colombian actor Manolo Cardona, with Spanish actress Maribel Verdú also starring.

As Paramount+ prepares for UK rollout this week and in advance of tonight’s swanky London do, the streamer has greenlit a seven-strong international slate including a French fantasy horror thriller, series on the Circeo Massacre, two shows from Mexico and two from Germany including The Sheikh.

Scroll down for the full slate below as Paramount+ deepens its international push and prepares to unveil the shows at an event with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Jessica Chastain and Gillian Anderson, amongst other A-listers. Paramount+ has taken over London’s West End for the day with a Walk of Fame-esque Walk of Stars, with 50 illuminated stars including Stallone, Anderson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Viola Davis.

Paramount Global plans to commission 150 international originals for Paramount+ within three years

The slate, Paramount+’s second major international roster, includes France’s Marie Antoinette Serial Killer, a fantasy horror thriller about four young American girls who...

Jamila Wenske and Sol Bondy’s Berlin-based One Two Films, co-producer of this year’s Efm buzz title “Persian Lessons,” has scored another early winner with comedy-drama “Franky Five Star.”

The project, from writer-director Birgit Möller, won the Junior Entertainment Talent Slate (Jets) pitching competition at the Berlin Film Festival on Tuesday, securing it industry support from a broad range of international participants.

“Franky Five Star” stars Jella Haase, who shot to fame in the “Fack ju Göhte” franchise, as a young woman dealing with her often meddling multiple personalities as she navigates a blossoming romance.

The Jets initiative, organized by William Peschek’s German-u.K. group Wep Films, unites up-and-coming filmmakers and their feature film projects with producers, sales agents, financing companies and distributors from Germany, Canada, Ireland, Britain, Finland, Norway and the U.S.

This year the 13-member Jets jury, which included Sophie Green of Bankside Films; Antonio Exacoustos of Arri Media Intl.