“When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month/ Or even your year, but/ I’ll be there for you.” It’s safe to say that, for many, those 25-year-old lyrics to the “Friends” theme song have never rung more true. 18 more words

via ‘Friends’ Composer on Giving Theme Song a New Twist Amid Pandemic, Origin of Iconic Hand Claps — Variety

FilmLA is reporting that about 14 film permit applications are being submitted per day since resuming remote operations on June 15 — about 20% of the pre-pandemic level. 32 more words

via FilmLA Is Getting 14 Film Permit Applications a Day — Variety

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

via ‘Suzi Q’: Film Review — Variety

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

via ‘Stage Mother’: Film Review — Variety

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

Michelle Obama honored Beyoncé with the Humanitarian Award at the 2020 BET Awards on Sunday. In her intro, Obama noted that Beyoncé’s talent is matched by her philanthropy. 30 more words

via Beyoncé’s BET Awards Speech Urged Fans to ‘Dismantle a Racist and Unequal System’ — Variety