Paramount Pictures has scooped up the first feature film made by director Lee Daniels in nearly a decade, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Sold by Endeavor Content in an eight-figure deal out of Cannes’ big-spending virtual market, the project follows the dramatic true story of the Federal Department of Narcotics targeting the jazz legend…
via Paramount Acquires Lee Daniels’ Billie Holiday Drama Starring Andra Day — Variety
The FIRST International Film Festival this week announced that it will occur with in-person screenings from July 26 to August 3 in China’s Qinghai province — implying that cinemas will be open in at least parts of the country by the end of the month. 12 more words
via China’s FIRST Film Festival Set to Run in Late July — Variety
The most obvious point of comparison for “Suzi Q,” a new documentary about the pioneering 1970s rocker Suzi Quatro, is “Bad Reputation,” a two-year-old doc about Joan Jett. 30 more words
Beijing has moved quickly to impose controversial new national security legislation on Hong Kong that severely curtails the territory’s previous freedoms and could mean life in prison for violators — local and foreign alike. 25 more words
via Beijing’s National Security Law for Hong Kong Is Quickly Felt — Variety
The late Richard Benner’s 1977 “Outrageous!” blazed trails as both a hit Canadian export and positive screen depiction of gay life, two relative rarities at the time. 30 more words
Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones are amongst the more than 1,500 musicians who have signed an open letter to U.K. Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden demanding support for the live music industry that has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 8 more words
via Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones Make Plea to Save U.K. Live Music — Variety
At a time when automakers have cut back on ad spending, Ford Motor Co. will rev its marketing engines for a unique commercial alliance with Walt Disney’s video properties. 29 more words
via Ford Drives Into Ad ‘Roadblock’ on Disney TV Networks — Variety
Festival Reviews 